"Sit, have tea."
"Yes, my Lord."
Zheng Fan took a seat but did not pick up his teacup.
"This is Longjing tea produced in Qian State. Try it."
Zheng Fan shook his head and said, "My Lord, drinking tea right after a al can harm the digestive system."
"Oh, is that so?"
Lord Jingnan put down his teacup and said, "Since you’ve joined the army, it’s surprising you still pay attention to your health."
"To answer you, my Lord, I joined the army to expand the territory of Yan. Preserving my health is so I can live long enough to witness the prosperity of Yan after that expansion."
"Grind ink for ."
"Yes, my Lord."
"I’m writing a letter to Wei Zhonghe. The Ministry of Rites is in need of talent like you."
Zheng Fan was speechless.
Seeing Zheng Fan’s embarrassed expression, Lord Jingnan waved his hand and said, "Sit down. It’s no big deal. Being able to offer clever words is a talent in itself. Besides, when it cos to horsemanship and leading troops, you, Chief Zheng, are certainly not inferior to others."
"You flatter , my Lord. I still have much to learn from you."
"Mr. Chen, a wandering swordsman from Qian State, is rumored in the streets to be a natural-born Sword Embryo. He was self-taught in swordsmanship. After coming of age, he visited the Sword Pavilion in Jin State and paid respects at the Great Marsh Sword Mausoleum in Chu State. His cultivation base is likely Sixth Rank or above. After he took you hostage, he went straight to Green Willow Fortress, only to be repelled by the barbarian cavalry within your fortress."
"I am quite curious—why did he take you to Green Willow Fortress?"
"My Lord, I have already investigated this matter thoroughly and reported it to the Spy Bureau yesterday."
"I have seen the report. What I don’t understand is why he didn’t kill you but instead accompanied you to Green Willow Fortress."
Zheng Fan hesitated for a mont before replying, "To answer your question, my Lord, he’s stupid."
"Explain."
Zheng Fan pointed to his own forehead and said, "That Mr. Chen... there’s sothing wrong with him up here."
"He doesn’t understand social etiquette? Naive?"
"You’ve hit the nail on the head, my Lord."
Having learned the art of flattery through daily practice with A Ming and the others, Zheng Fan was remarkably adept when he truly needed to apply it.
"It seems he truly is a sword fanatic."
"Indeed, my Lord. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have been able to see you today."
"I presu you also know the identities of the other two groups of assassins?"
"I do. The Sixth Prince arranged a contact within my fortress."
Lord Jingnan seed unconcerned by this. Zheng Fan stated it openly, and Lord Jingnan listened casually.
"Aren’t you and Hui Wenzu practically enemies in Hutou City?"
"We are both strangers in a strange land. Since soone from our hotown ca, I thought it proper to go and welco them."
"’Strangers in a strange land’... that sounds nice, but I don’t believe it."
"You are wise, my Lord. The truth is, when I heard that Lord Hui was to beco my direct superior, I was terrified and rushed to the courier station ahead of ti to offer my humblest apologies."
"Heh. Very well. In three days, you will accompany to the capital. Go back and rest until then."
"As you command, my Lord!"
"Oh, by the way, give Hui Wenzu a ssage for . Tell him that on the day I depart for the capital, in three days, the Jingnan Army will withdraw from Nanwang City."
"Understood, my Lord."
Zheng Fan exited the room. Dujuan followed him out and said, "Lord Zheng, you may co any ti before noon in three days."
"Thank you for the reminder, Sister Dujuan."
Dujuan returned to the room.
"Has he left?"
"He has, my Lord."
"Hmm."
"My Lord, this Chief Zheng is quite an interesting fellow, very astute."
"Are you trying to make wary of him?"
"My Lord, although I am in your service, I’m not skilled in needlework. What I do know are these little tricks I learned from the Spy Bureau."
Lord Jingnan picked up his teacup, took a sip, and slowly said, "A stagnant pond may be crystal clear, but a great river accepts both mud and sand."
「...」
Leaving Lord Jingnan’s residence, Zheng Fan and A Ming headed towards the General Mansion.
The General Mansion was still the sa. Many people had died there just over a month ago, yet Hui Wenzu had specifically requested to live there.
Perhaps Hui Wenzu wanted to convey his stance this way. However, it was clear from the deserted and cold atmosphere at the entrance of the General Mansion that the true authority in this city was that Lord.
Hui Wenzu had been waiting for Zheng Fan. He had learned from Liang Cheng that Zheng Fan was eting Lord Jingnan today at the Lord’s request.
Once Zheng Fan arrived, Hui Wenzu imdiately invited him into his study.
The study appeared sowhat empty, and the desk was rather ssy.
Hui Wenzu did not call for tea. Instead, he slamd the door shut. Then, picking up the inkstone and other items from the desk, he hurled them to the ground, roaring three tis, "How outrageous! How outrageous! How outrageous!"
Zheng Fan stood silently to one side, watching Hui Wenzu’s performance.
After smashing things, Hui Wenzu walked to the bookshelf, took down a box, opened it, retrieved a persimmon cake, and handed it to Zheng Fan.
"Eat this. I brought it from my hotown in the north."
The persimmon cake was coated with honey.
Zheng Fan accepted it and took a bite. While chewing, he said, "Lord Jingnan asked to relay a ssage to you, Your Excellency."
"Speak. What instructions does Lord Jingnan, his esteed self, have for us?"
"COUGH, COUGH..."
Zheng Fan coughed a couple of tis. He didn’t stand on ceremony, found a chair, and sat down. Hui Wenzu, knowing Zheng Fan was injured, also pulled over a chair and sat down beside him.
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