"Let the world see what manner of man our Lord Jingnan of Great Yan truly is—an utter scoundrel who disrespects his sovereign, defies the law, and acts with impunity!"
Ji Chengyue’s cheeks flushed, and beads of sweat appeared on his skin.
Zheng Fan squinted. This Third Prince appears polite and charming, but his physique is so frail. Damn, has he been taking drugs?
Honestly, the words the prince spoke earlier, while seemingly righteous, struck me as utterly naive and laughable. Not only was I unimpressed, but I also wondered if this fellow had been brainwashed by Qian State’s ’cultural output,’ turning him into a Qian-phile.
Honestly, in this era and with the current background, it was truly hard to understand.
It’s like in later generations: one could understand Germanophiles, but Francophiles were baffling. You might have seen those who fervently admire Britain, but have you ever seen anyone fervently admire Portugal?
As Zheng Fan’s thoughts began to drift, he suddenly noticed Lord Jingnan’s gaze upon him.
Is he expecting me to speak?
Zheng Fan dared not ask Lord Jingnan directly, as it would make his lord lose face.
Zheng Fan himself wasn’t clear on this. During his time with the Sixth Prince and Lord Jingnan, his cheap, mass-produced jokes and quotes from a later era had led them both to recognize him as a man with formidable debating skills.
In simple terms, he was a king of verbal combat.
In ancient times, if you were articulate, if your speech was pleasing, if you were a king of verbal combat, that in itself was a skill, and those in high positions highly valued such a talent. The most update n0vels are published on 𝓷𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓵⚑𝓯𝓲𝓻𝓮⚑𝓷𝓮𝓽
Zheng Fan took a step forward, his mind racing to recall the etiquette of Yan State.
But to avoid any missteps, he first knelt on one knee and paid homage to Lord Jingnan.
Lord Jingnan remained silent.
Zheng Fan turned and paid his respects to Wei Zhonghe. "I pay my respects to Eunuch Wei."
Frankly, seeing Eunuch Wei’s emotional reaction to Wei Zhen’s death earlier, a peculiar thought crossed my mind: adopting Eunuch Wei as a godfather wouldn’t be a bad idea, provided castration wasn’t part of the deal. But I already have Siniang. Although we haven’t progressed very far, the feeling of gradual development is quite nice. I’m certainly not desperate enough to consider getting myself ’purified’ just yet.
Wei Zhonghe glanced at Zheng Fan but said nothing.
Then, Zheng Fan stood up, looking directly at the Third Prince.
This fellow has been reduced to a commoner, so there’s no need for reverence. Since my lord, Lord Jingnan, has already been so audacious, it wouldn’t be out of place for me to follow suit with a little boldness of my own.
"Your Highness’s previous words were truly like a sudden, profound enlightenment to me."
Ji Chengyue looked at Zheng Fan, somewhat puzzled. "Who are you?"
That question stung Zheng Fan.
Nevertheless, Zheng Fan replied, "To answer Your Highness, I am Zheng Fan, Commander of Green Willow Fortress in Yinlang County. I am the very person Your Highness intends to kill."
"Indeed, it is I. I have always harbored a doubt: why does Your Highness wish to kill me?"
"You debased the academy and defiled a place of great cultural significance to Great Yan! You deserve death!"
This was the official reason that could be given publicly. As for the underlying motives, everyone was tacitly aware of them. Others might voice them, but he, the Third Prince, could not.
"I was acting on orders from the Spy Bureau. Huaiya Academy was accused of harboring spies from Qian State and obstructing the Spy Bureau’s agents. Therefore, I led my troops to the academy to provide assistance. The Spy Bureau is under the direct authority of the palace and reports to Eunuch Wei."
Wei Zhonghe squinted. The Spy Bureau in Yinlang County split off long ago; its director is even sharing Lord Jingnan’s bed now. But he couldn’t say these things, nor could he refute them. The Spy Bureau of Great Yan had to maintain its dignity.
"And Eunuch Wei, in turn, takes orders from His Majesty. By that logic, I was following His Majesty’s command to apprehend individuals at the academy. So, in Your Highness’s eyes, is His Majesty also someone who has disgraced our culture and deserves death?"
"Insolence!" the Third Prince rebuked angrily.
Wei Zhonghe remained silent.
Lord Jingnan also said nothing.
"Your Highness, please remember, you are now but a commoner. I address you as ’Your Highness’ out of courtesy. According to etiquette, commoners of Yan are supposed to kneel, bow, and address a Commander as ’Lord’ upon meeting."
"Your Highness stated earlier that everything you do is for the sake of Great Yan. You wish to establish a destiny for the people of Great Yan, to usher in an era of eternal peace for Great Yan. Those words filled me with fervent passion and surging emotions. Indeed, if I were not the one Your Highness seeks to kill, I would have wholeheartedly supported you in my heart, cheered for you, and applauded you silently!
But Your Highness constantly claims that the Earl of North Border disrespects his superiors and that Lord Jingnan lacks discipline. Do you know who has kept the Barbarians from daring to venture south for a hundred years? Who has deterred Qian State from even thinking of a northern expedition with a single horseman?
Reciting morality and etiquette, holding the texts of sages, adorning yourself to appear elegant and holy—that is you, Your Highness.
But in secret, you resort to those insidious schemes, harming the loyal and virtuous, framing your own brothers—this, too, is you, Your Highness.
I am but a crude man.
no matter how great the reason, how grand the slogan, or how noble the goal,
if it must be achieved through dark and insidious means,
what need is there to achieve it at all?"
The Third Prince pointed at Zheng Fan, rendered speechless.
Zheng Fan remained calm.
Wei Zhonghe chuckled. "Only today have I witnessed Chief Zheng’s skills in debate. This one shall remember it."
"Eunuch, you flatter me."
Zheng Fan had finished his speech. Although he didn’t understand why Lord Jingnan had allowed him to ramble on for so long, he had to step up since his lord had given the order. Now, it was time for him to retreat to his subordinate position.