The Demon Lords-Chapter 763 - 167 Dowry_6

This propaganda played a huge role in the process of Yan's annexation of the Three Jin territories. Look, the wild people are our common enemy, and if we set aside the historical discord between Yan and Jin, we were essentially one family eight hundred years ago. Reframing ethnic conflict as mere dynastic change can greatly diminish the conquered populace's feelings of rejection.

Within the entire Yan, the only place that truly fits the "using barbarians to control barbarians" strategy is General Zheng's Snow Sea Pass, and nowhere else!

Zheng Fan, however, still asked gravely, "Your Highness, this generous offer of yours…"

"Could it be, General Zheng, that you think I wish to drag you into my affairs, to have you stand on my side?"

Heh, so he's switched from the common 'I' to the royal 'I'.

Zheng Fan gave an awkward smile.

"I have absolutely no chance anymore. I understand this, the world understands this, and General Zheng, you understand this in your heart as well."

If I hadn't lost the First Battle of Wang River, then even if I had married the barbarian princess and been stripped of my military authority, I would still hold out hope of leading troops again one day, much like Lord Jingnan before me. But because I have failed, the chance of leading an army into battle again is almost nonexistent.

"General Zheng, what I desire is a glimmer of hope."

"Hope?"

"It's human nature to have selfish desires, don't you agree, General Zheng?"

"Men are not saints; that's only natural."

"What I seek is this one glimmer of hope. I do not wish to spend the latter half of my life in idleness at the Royal Mansion, walking dogs and playing with birds. I dare not forget for a single day the corpses of tens of thousands of our young men drifting on the Wang River. I still wish to atone for my sins! What I desire is to one day die on the battlefield; only then can I repay what is owed."

What does this have to do with me? Zheng Fan hesitated for a moment.

"If my second brother ascends the throne, given his personality, my fate as an idle prince will be sealed, and I will lose all hope."

Zheng Fan's eyelids twitched.

The Eldest Prince sighed heavily. He then subconsciously stretched out his hand, intending to pat Zheng Fan on the shoulder. It seemed he too had finally been assimilated by this shoulder-patting trend within the Shengle Army. His palm landed on Zheng Fan's shoulder, and the Eldest Prince said, "If my sixth brother, Ji Chengjue, ascends the throne, I believe there is still hope for me. Even if I continue to be stationed remotely, serving merely as a Captain, I would be content. When that time comes, I will need General Zheng to put in a good word for me, out of consideration for the goodwill shown by your delivery of the dowry today."

Damn it! Why do you have more confidence in Ji Chengjue's ability to seize the throne than I do? I'm supposed to be a key member of 'Prince Chengjue's faction'!

Zheng Fan found it utterly absurd. Although he was the one who had spent an entire day egging Ji Chengjue on to rebel countless times, he truly had no intention of sacrificing everything to help Ji Chengjue seize the throne. Especially now that he was firmly holding onto Lord Jingnan's coattails and had the chance to build his own power base, there was even less need to get involved in such a perilous undertaking. If things really went south and Ji Chengjue was in danger later on, he could always take him in and shelter him, just as he had done with the young lord.

However, the Eldest Prince before him had evidently pinned all his hopes for the latter half of his life on his sixth brother. And incidentally, on Zheng Fan himself, whom he saw as a foremost pillar of 'Prince Chengjue's faction'.

But truth be told, Zheng Fan's loyalty to Ji Chengjue wasn't actually that high; it was just that others didn't see it that way.

Zheng Fan also reached out and placed his hand on the Eldest Prince's shoulder. Now, they stood with their arms on each other's shoulders.

The Eldest Prince frowned slightly. He instinctively felt this posture was somewhat unnatural.

"Your Highness, you jest. If a prince such as yourself, so devoted to the state, were to be left unused, it would be a loss to the court and a loss to Yan."

"General Zheng, your words are as witty as ever. After I return to Yanjing, I will see to this matter immediately and ensure there are no delays."

"Then I shall eagerly await Your Highness's good news."

Both men lowered their arms simultaneously and subconsciously took half a step back.

The Eldest Prince turned to leave, though he was only leaving the guesthouse. To depart Snow Sea Pass and return to Yanjing, he would have to await an imperial edict.

Reaching the entrance of the guesthouse, the Eldest Prince stopped again. Looking at Zheng Fan, he said, "General Zheng, tell me, if back then, you had met me first, instead of my sixth brother, Ji Chengjue…"

"Then why didn't Your Highness ask me earlier if I would switch allegiances if this dowry were given to me?"

"Would you?"

Zheng Fan shook his head without hesitation.

The Eldest Prince smiled faintly.

Yet Zheng Fan added, "Unless the dowry were doubled."

The smile on the Eldest Prince's face gradually faded, his expression turning solemn. After a brief moment of reflection, he said, "I cannot do that."

"Neither can I."

The Eldest Prince nodded, then gestured to their surroundings. "General Zheng, believe it or not, in the coming years, countless generals will envy you. Because for the next few years, this might be the only place where there are still battles to be fought."

"Perhaps. But I suppose some of us are just born to toil."

「Once the Eldest Prince had departed, Xue Three led Jin Shuke into the guesthouse.」

Jin Shuke knelt before Zheng Fan. Zheng Fan sat back in his armchair, nodded at Jin Shuke, and said, "You've worked hard."

Over this period, Jin Shuke's performance had been nothing short of dazzling; it was no wonder he had earned a recommendation from the Sword Saint.

"To be able to serve you, General, is the greatest fortune of my life!"

Zheng Fan leaned forward, looking at Jin Shuke kneeling before him, and asked quietly, "What do you think of our Eldest Prince, as a person?"

Jin Shuke pondered for a moment. He naturally understood what General Zheng was asking and could have certainly been evasive, but he answered directly, "To answer your question, General, the Eldest Prince is, in fact, very formidable."

"Then do you think he has ambition?"

Hearing this, Jin Shuke hesitated for a moment. Finally, he raised his head, pointed to his own face, and said, "General, then do you think I, your subordinate, have ambition?"

Zheng Fan fell silent. Cold sweat began to bead on Jin Shuke's face. He kowtowed heavily, his forehead striking the brick floor, and cried out, "This subordinate deserves death!"

Zheng Fan, however, shook his head. "No, you are very good."

Then, Zheng Fan added, "That man is the Barbarian King's son-in-law. Did he try to recruit you?"

"Answering your question, General, yes, he did!"

"Why did you refuse?"

Jin Shuke lifted his head. Though beads of cold sweat were still visible on his face, an honest, simple smile spread across it. He replied, "In the desert, for small tribes to survive, they must attach themselves to larger ones, becoming their vassals and fighting in their vanguard to earn their protection. However, when true danger arrives, these dependent small tribes are often casually pushed out by the larger tribes to be sacrificed."

"And so?"

"General, I do not wish to be like a small tribe dependent on a larger one. Because here, with you, I have found my own tribe!"

A smile spread across Zheng Fan's face. He reached out his hand. Jin Shuke, who was kneeling, immediately shuffled forward two steps on his knees, allowing Zheng Fan's hand to rest on his shoulder.

Zheng Fan patted him gently. "You're on the right path."