"Don’t mind it," Zheng Fan said.
"Lord Zheng jokes, I, I..."
Zheng Fan reached out and patted Fan Yongxin’s shoulder, saying, "Do your best in your work, what you do, I keep in my heart."
"Yes, Lord Zheng."
Breakfast was simple, fried noodles brought by ourselves, paired with hot water, not very tasty but enough to fill the stomach.
By nearly noon, the fleet docked, and everyone began to disembark.
This was a small wharf, surrounded on three sides by mountains and on one side by water, and behind the wharf a water fortress was built against the mountain. This should be a stronghold of the Fan Family.
You could see guards holding bows and knives on the wooden walls of the water fortress, many wearing armor, although not uniform, yet the killing aura was formidable and unlike ordinary water bandits.
While waiting for his n to disembark, Zheng Fan stood on the shore, gazing at the water fortress, and couldn’t help but say to Siniang beside him:
"The Yan Emperor tramples on the gates of clans, the private troops of the Yan State clans are even more formal than this."
Like the Fan Family, only daring to build a water fortress and store so ard forces in such ’poor mountains and evil waters,’ but back in the Yan State, clans could rally their tenants to gather and train when needed, and for a long period in Yan State history, private troops of the gates were an important part of the Yan State’s military power.
At this mont, Fan Yongxin ca over and said, "Lord Zheng, the water fortress can be emptied, and our people can withdraw so yours can move in. Tomorrow, I will accompany Lord Zheng into the mountain."
The Fan Family’s attitude was very humble.
"No need, we’re guests, how can we disturb you like this? My unit will set up a small camp here to rest and adjust, no need to disturb the brothers in the water fortress."
"Then..."
"Let’s do it this way."
"Yes, Lord Zheng."
Zheng Fan’s n camped on the spot, and the water fortress sent out so pigs and sheep, which were accepted, but the sent wine was all refused.
Ruan San, the leader of the water fortress, stood in the tower, watching the scene on the riverbank, his brows slightly furrowed.
Fan Yongxin stood beside him;
Ruan San said:
"Initially, I thought the Yan people refused the wine because they feared we might poison it, but now I think differently, none of them brought wine."
In this era, wine was nearly indispensable, especially for soldiers.
"How do you assess the quality of this Yan Army?" Fan Yongxin asked.
"Camping on the riverbank, simple and efficient, you can see here and there, the protruding sections on both sides guarding the main camp. To be organized and orderly so quickly, this Yan Army is indeed a well-trained elite.
But, as they are personal soldiers brought by that Lord, surely they are top-tier and skilled, so achieving this isn’t surprising."
"However, you must see clearly, among these Yan Army, there are Jin people, Yan people, Barbarians, and even a few wild people," Fan Yongxin said.
Ruan San squinted his eyes, nodded silently.
"The Yan people are good at fighting," Fan Yongxin sighed, "so since we have this opportunity, why don’t we leave ourselves a way out?"
"Yan people do not keep faith," Ruan San said.
"Haha, in this world, who truly keeps faith? In business, who’s not dood to be deceived, ruined, or played?
Keeping faith or not depends on whether we still hold value for the Yan people.
Being a dog for the Qu Clan or for the Yan people, what difference does it make?
Having beco a dog, just think seriously about how to survive."
"Are you teaching ?"
"Concerned you might not be convinced."
"Rest assured, my family and children live with the Fan Family, how could I not be convinced?"
"Saying this feels distant, later when you go down, lower your stance a bit, chat with that Lord Pingye, you were once part of the royal guard, you’ll surely hit it off."
Hearing this, Ruan San was a bit surprised, "Betting this big?"
"Just a touch on the lips, you won’t be poisoned, but you can’t taste its real flavor, right?"
"I understand."
"Alright, I’ll imdiately send soone to contact the several forts on the road tomorrow, and handle things."
"Over Mong Mountain, still need handling?"
"Beyond Mong Mountain is no longer under the Fan Family’s control, new hands take over."
Ruan San’s lips twitched, he couldn’t help but laugh aloud.
"Is it funny?" Fan Yongxin asked.
Ruan San nodded.
"If you’re not attentive, you won’t even have the chance to be a dog."
Sensing it might not be sufficiently prudent,
Fan Yongxin tiptoed, leaned in to Ruan San’s ear, and whispered:
"The Yan people are building their navy."
...
Feeling a bit worn after bumping around on the ship all day, Lord Zheng didn’t feel seasick but was indeed a bit tired, hastily ate sothing and planned to rest in the tent.
Unexpectedly, soone ca seeking a eting.
"Ruan San?"
"Yes, it’s ."
"What a chance, I have a subordinate nad Xue Three. They’re both called San’er."
"It’s my honor."
Xue Three was not on the riverbank now, he might have gone ahead or stayed behind, but certainly not beside Zheng Fan.
Whether the Fan Family was trustworthy remained unclear, but to be safe, it’s best not to put all eggs in one basket.
"You ntioned you were part of the Chu State royal guard?"
"Yes."
Zheng Fan pointed to the water fortress ahead and said:
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