Chapter 369: Chapter 369

After verifying their tokens and identities, Zheng Fan and his entourage were allowed to enter the army camp.

Indeed, it was not Lord Jingnan who had summoned him this time, but the Earl of North Border.

A colonel led the way. Zheng Fan’s men could not follow him further, as the rules within the military camp were strict.

A Ming handed the box containing Prince Fu’s head to Zheng Fan, saying, "My lord, your ’lucky bag’."

Zheng Fan took the ’lucky bag’ and continued inside.

The military encampment, with its layers upon layers and rings upon rings of tents and defenses, appeared incomparably solemn, reflecting the strict discipline of the Earl of North Border’s army.

Having led troops himself, Zheng Fan had come to deeply understand a principle: an undisciplined army is difficult to employ in a great cause. Occasionally, spurred by rewards or the main general’s incitement, everyone might rush forward in a frenzy. While seemingly effective, such momentum is rarely sustainable. It might work for bullying poorly-matched opponents, but it would naturally falter against elite forces.

Zheng Fan walked into the core area of the military stockade. There, he saw Li Liangshen, whom Ji Chengjue had introduced to him back at the Earl of North Border’s residence.

Li Liangshen sat on a round log, eyes closed. Beside him, a broadsword of ancient, Pre-Qin design was thrust into the ground.

From Mr. Chen, Zheng Fan had heard some tales of the streets, and knew that this General Li, Li Liangshen, was one of the Four Great Swordsmen.

However, compared to the other three, this "swordsman" serving in the army truly felt as if he tarnished the "Sword Immortal" image held in everyone’s mind. Of course, this wasn’t like the rankings of later eras, which required payment to be listed or hiring shills to boost numbers. Li Liangshen’s inclusion among the Four Great Swordsmen was genuinely not something he desired. That Sword Saint of Jin State was a madman. Of the Four Great Swordsmen, one had been acclaimed into the position by him, while Li Liangshen had earned his spot because the Sword Saint had specifically sought him out for a fight.

Continuing deeper, Zheng Fan saw a bare-chested, burly man sitting and taking large bites out of a crusty pancake he held.

At the man’s feet was a plate with peeled garlic cloves.

People who dislike garlic won’t touch it, but for those who enjoy it, any dish without garlic loses half its flavor.

This burly man was Li Bao, also one of the seven great generals. Another was named Li Yuanhu. Together, they were known as the "Tiger and Leopard" of the Earl of North Border’s household.

Seeing Zheng Fan approach, he gave him a simple, honest smile.

This scene couldn’t help but remind Zheng Fan of his own Fanli.

Zheng Fan immediately bowed slightly in salute and continued to follow the guiding colonel.

Two people were seated outside the tent.

One was an old acquaintance, Qingshuang, who had "walked the runway" with him in the Yanjing Imperial Palace.

The other had a long, narrow face, strikingly similar to the surviving portraits of Zhu Yuanzhang—whether those depictions were accurate, flattering, or simply dark, was unknown.

Ji Chengjue had once told him that among the seven great generals of the Earl of North Border’s household, one, named Li Fusheng, had a horse-like face. He was ruthless and delighted in exterminating entire clans. Whenever the Earl of North Border’s army campaigned against the barbarian tribes of the desert, if Li Fusheng was in command, he would invariably annihilate a tribe before returning.

Actually, Li Fusheng was no longer young. It was rumored that the seven great generals of the Earl of North Border’s household—all six with the surname Li, excluding Qingshuang—were adopted sons of the Earl. But this wasn’t true. Street gossip naturally gravitated towards what was most sensational to hear. In reality, the prevalence of six generals sharing the surname Li stemmed from a tradition in the Yan region. The patrician rule of the Yan people had persisted for centuries. A "surname" was no longer merely a symbol of lineage but had become an emblem of power and affiliation. Before the Yan Emperor suppressed the great clans, members of the Yan State’s upper echelons would introduce themselves by stating their place of origin followed by their surname. This was quite similar to contemporary Western customs, where introductions often began with "son of XXX" or "grandson of XXX." Such social customs were pervasive, and the Earl of North Border’s household was no exception. The prevailing attitude was: if you want to follow me, you first take my surname, signifying that we will be one family henceforth. When the Princess had wanted to take Zheng Fan as a Li family retainer, had he accepted, he would have had to change his name to "Li Fan." The younger generals, Qingshuang included, did indeed treat the Earl of North Border much like an adoptive father. However, Li Fusheng was estimated to be only about seven or eight years younger than the Earl of North Border, Li Liangting, making an adoptive father-son relationship between them impossible.

"Zheng Fan," Qingshuang said, introducing him to Li Fusheng, who sat beside her.

The introduction was concise enough.

Li Fusheng looked Zheng Fan up and down, then said, "Oh."

His tone couldn’t have been colder.

Ever since entering the heart of the military stockade, Zheng Fan felt as if he were watching a parade of male models. Fortunately, back in the Yanjing Imperial Palace, he had personally witnessed the Yan Emperor leading the Southern Marquis and Lord North in what could be called the "Strongest Male Ensemble of the Era" show. Thus, he was able to maintain his composure now.

Qingshuang pointed to the large tent behind her and said, "The Lord is waiting for you inside." Newest update provıded by novęlfire.net

Zheng Fan nodded and then smiled at Li Fusheng. Li Fusheng chuckled a few times, pointed at Zheng Fan, and said, "The Lord said this young man has the universe in his eyes. I don’t see any universe, but I do see that he and I are alike—both ruthless characters."

Zheng Fan was speechless.

Zheng Fan delayed no further, lifted the curtain flap, and entered the large tent.

Just as Zheng Fan was about to announce his former official position—Commerce Protection Colonel of the Earl of North Border’s Army, stationed in Hutou City—to pay respects to the Earl of North Border, he froze. He realized Lord Jingnan was also inside the large tent.

Chief Zheng quickly amended his address, "Commander Zheng Fan of Green Willow Fortress pays his respects to Lord Jingnan and to the Earl of North Border!"