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 meal can harm the digestive system."
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."
"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 comes to horsemanship and leading troops, you, Chief Zheng, are certainly not inferior to others."
"You flatter me, 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 moment before replying, "To answer your question, my Lord, he’s stupid."
Zheng Fan pointed to his own forehead and said, "That Mr. Chen... there’s something 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 presume 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 seemed 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 someone from our hometown came, I thought it proper to go and welcome them." New ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄhapters are published on 𝔫𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔩·𝔣𝔦𝔯𝔢·𝔫𝔢𝔱
"’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 become my direct superior, I was terrified and rushed to the courier station ahead of time to offer my humblest apologies."
"Heh. Very well. In three days, you will accompany me to the capital. Go back and rest until then."
"As you command, my Lord!"
"Oh, by the way, give Hui Wenzu a message for me. 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 come any time before noon in three days."
"Thank you for the reminder, Sister Dujuan."
Dujuan returned to the room.
"My Lord, this Chief Zheng is quite an interesting fellow, very astute."
"Are you trying to make me 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 same. 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 meeting Lord Jingnan today at the Lord’s request.
Once Zheng Fan arrived, Hui Wenzu immediately invited him into his study.
The study appeared somewhat empty, and the desk was rather messy.
Hui Wenzu did not call for tea. Instead, he slammed the door shut. Then, picking up the inkstone and other items from the desk, he hurled them to the ground, roaring three times, "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 hometown 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 me to relay a message to you, Your Excellency."
"Speak. What instructions does Lord Jingnan, his esteemed self, have for us?"
Zheng Fan coughed a couple of times. 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.