Internally, he would surely stand on the side of the Earl of North Border’s Mansion.
But externally, he would unquestionably stand on the side of Yan State.
This is the difference between political stance and national stance, and the former should naturally be subordinate to the latter.
"Actually, Brother," Zheng Fan began, "when the Commandery Princess first reassigned me to the south, I was a bit puzzled."
"Yes, at the time, I thought the Princess wanted to leave an escape route for the Mansion, letting you go south to manage things first."
"Ah, who would’ve thought." Zheng Fan shook his head and sighed. "Our Lord’s vision is genuinely broad."
"Of course. So, your closeness to Lord Jingnan, is it because...?"
"It’s because our Lord sent greetings to Lord Jingnan."
Zheng Fan genuinely found chatting with Fatty Hui incredibly relaxing. Fatty Hui’s ability to fill in the blanks with his own imagination meant Zheng Fan didn’t need to bother concocting excuses; Fatty Hui would proactively supply them himself.
"So, your proactive visit to Qian State a month ago, was that also...?"
"Scouting," Zheng Fan said seriously. "It was also to assess the true situation in Qian State, similar to what you’re doing, Brother. We’re both preparing for a southward move. We are both northerners now assigned to the south; this is a signal. It might not be long, at most half a year, before our Northern Border Army will likely arrive here as well."
"Hehe, that would be truly uplifting!"
Hui Wenzu, injected with a dose of patriotic fervor, seemed quite excited.
Even the most seasoned bureaucrats and politicians cannot resist the allure of expanding territory and pioneering achievements.
Everyone wants to leave their name in the historical annals; everyone dreams of living in an era of pioneering. If given a choice, who would want to spend their days playing office politics with a gloomy face?
"By the way, that assassination attempt the other day... oh no, the attempt on you. Do you know all the details?"
"I know, but I still can’t figure out who wanted me dead."
"It’s highly likely you were just a pawn, or perhaps, merely a target in an indirect attack."
"I don’t particularly like that metaphor."
"I also can’t guess who would use you as this target. I’m certain those assassins weren’t really trying to kill me."
"However, I still played along with Lord Jingnan to create the impression of our discord. After entering Nanwang City, I haven’t gone to see that Lord."
"Lord Jingnan should have a clear idea in his mind."
"Let’s hope so. But often, people’s minds can change. Moreover, Lord Jingnan’s stance is inherently different from ours."
"Lord Jingnan, Tian Wujing, is from the Tian Family. Although the Tian Family isn’t one of the absolute top-tier great clans in our Great Yan, they are considered leaders among the second-tier. If you rank the top five great clans, the Tian Family probably wouldn’t be listed, but if you rank the top ten, the Tian Family would definitely secure a firm place. Furthermore, the current Empress is a daughter of the Tian Family, and the future Crown Prince also carries half of the Tian Family’s bloodline. In terms of noble prestige, the Tian Family could be said to rank first among the great clans.
Our Earl of North Border’s Mansion is not populous; our Lord only has one son and one daughter. But the Tian Family is large and influential, a truly great clan.
You said, His Majesty and our Lord have put on such a grand show, yet it seems they won’t really fight. So, who do you think their target is?"
Hui Wenzu’s political acumen astounded Zheng Fan. Tʜe source of this ᴄontent ɪs 𝓷𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓵✶𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕖✶𝓷𝓮𝓽
On my side, I had the Sixth Prince’s spoilers and the Blind One’s bug-like analytical abilities to reach this conclusion, but Hui Wenzu has already started to discern the future trends.
Just then, a wind seemed to pick up outside, and the door of the study began to make a faint creaking sound.
Hui Wenzu sighed and said, "This study door of mine is too dilapidated. I’ve wanted to replace it since the first day I moved in."
"Sir, I feel these matters are not something we should be pondering."
He was calling him ’Brother’ just now, and now it’s ’Sir.’
"As for me, Brother, I don’t need to worry about much. I’m in the south, and my family branch already formally separated from the main clan three generations ago. But you are different. Lord Jingnan’s upcoming trip to the capital... it’s really hard to say what might..."
Zheng Fan suddenly felt the air grow colder. Perhaps it’s because my body is still weak from the injury,
"A while ago, for Old Master Tian’s seventieth birthday, Lord Jingnan didn’t return to the capital to celebrate with his own father. This time, for the Empress’s birthday, the Imperial Court issued an Imperial Edict permitting Lord Jingnan to enter the capital for the celebrations.
Although the Empress’s status is august, in terms of human ethics, how can there be a rationale for not celebrating one’s own father’s birthday but instead specifically going to celebrate one’s own elder sister’s birthday?"
"But it’s alright. Our Lord is also in the capital. Whatever happens, our Lord will protect his own people. No matter what Lord Jingnan and his Tian Family get up to, it has nothing to do with our Earl of North Border’s Mansion. Our Lord is extremely protective of his own."
"That’s true, that’s true."
The Earl of North Border has never even met me. How could he protect me?
"However, Lord Jingnan is indeed skilled in managing his army. I’ve checked the archives; I found no record of the Jingnan Army harassing the city’s populace after entering."
"Perhaps they were erased?"
"Words can be erased, but the military discipline of the Jingnan Army, among all the armies I’ve witnessed in my life, is truly number one."
"Even our Northern Border Army can’t compare?"
"When it comes to discipline in the heat of battle, our Northern Border Army is undoubtedly number one. As for other things... well, you’ve seen for yourself how ruthlessly our Northern Border Army pillages the tribes of the Desert Barbarians. This Jingnan Army, after all, has seen less bloodshed."
After chatting with Hui Wenzu, Zheng Fan left his study carrying a box of persimmon cakes. He rendezvoused with Siniang and the others in the backyard, and they boarded a carriage, departing from the General Mansion.
On the way back, Zheng Fan told Siniang and the others about his decision to accompany Lord Jingnan to the capital.
Contrary to Zheng Fan’s expectations, Siniang didn’t seem at all concerned about the risks of going to the capital.
Women’s points of interest are always so peculiar.
Siniang actually asked directly, "Does this mean, My Lord, that you’ll soon be able to see your cherished Ji Chengjue again?"