Chapter 373: Chapter 373

This was a very self-aware killing fanatic. It seemed those rumors about him weren’t unfounded.

"In my view, the Qian people lack courage," Li Fusheng said, grabbing a handful of peanuts from a plate on the table and shelling them as he spoke. "If you instill fear in them by slaughtering enough of them, until they’re terrified, they will naturally submit."

Zheng Fan understood. So *that* was why Li Fusheng had asked him to come out. People who relish slaughter often have a streak of obsession in their character. He was familiar with such individuals; the seven Demon Kings in his own fortress, if not for him keeping them in check, were all perverts who delighted in killing for pleasure. Li Fusheng knew his own character flaws. At the same time, there were some things, like grand strategies, that he didn’t quite understand. Additionally, some matters were inconvenient to discuss within the military camp. He also felt too embarrassed to lower himself—a Regional Commander—by letting his colleagues know he was actually consulting a mere Garrison Commander. That’s why he had called Zheng Fan out to "stroll the streets."

"Sir, I believe your view has merit. It’s human nature to fear death. If you kill enough of them, kill them ruthlessly, they will certainly be afraid!"

Li Fusheng picked up his teacup and clinked it against Zheng Fan’s. They drank the tea as if it were wine.

When the North Border Army broke camp, everyone from the Earl of North Border down to the common soldiers was forbidden from drinking alcohol.

Li Fusheng set down his teacup. Just then, two waiters brought over four cold dishes. Li Fusheng picked up a piece of beef with his chopsticks and, while chewing, said, "If I’m not mistaken, you’re about to say ’but,’ aren’t you?"

"Your Lordship is wise."

"With me, spare me the flattery. I’m a bit slow in this department."

Li Fusheng tapped his own head with his finger.

"Aside from my fondness for slaughter and wiping out entire clans, I’m actually quite easy to talk to."

"..." Zheng Fan remained silent.

"Since I asked you to come out with me, it’s because I wanted to ask for someone’s perspective. The Lord said that you not only speak well but also have a good eye for things. So, I figured you could explain these principles to me."

"Sir, previously, you were killing barbarians."

"Hmm? Are the Qian people harder to kill than the barbarians?"

"Of course not. No matter how much the barbarians decline, the Qian people still can’t compare to them. The issue is, although the barbarians claim to be a single people, they are actually made up of individual tribes, and they are very scattered."

Li Fusheng picked up another slice of cold-cut duck meat and said, "Continue."

"Therefore, in the desert, Sir, you could annihilate one, two, or even three tribes to deter a dozen or two dozen other barbarian tribes from making any moves or attempting to challenge the authority of the Earl of North Border’s household. But in Qian State, that won’t work."

"Because Qian State is too vast, and its population is far greater than that of our Yan State." ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ꜰʀᴏᴍ novel·fire·net

"We’ll just have to kill for a bit longer then."

"But to continue killing indefinitely would take a very long time. Killing is, of course, necessary, but it shouldn’t be done for the sake of killing itself. I believe that neither His Majesty the Emperor nor the Lord wish to conquer Qian State merely for plunder. Rather, they aim to incorporate Qian’s territory into Yan’s domain and transform the Qian people into Yan people."

"So, after conquering this territory, the Qian people within it have essentially become Yan people. To indiscriminately slaughter our own people would then be counterproductive."

"I’m still a little confused."

"Relying solely on slaughter can indeed solve many problems, but only temporarily. In fact, one could say it merely postpones the issues to a later time. The Lord is no longer young."

Li Fusheng glanced at Zheng Fan and remarked, "You really dare to say anything, don’t you?"

"Good, it’s good to speak the truth. Continue."

"It’s not just the Lord; His Majesty the Emperor is also advanced in age. Even you, Sir, are no longer what one would call young. You can kill, you can fight, but what about after you’re gone, a hundred years from now?"

"After I die, won’t there still be the younger generation?"

"It’s different. Everyone grows up in different environments and faces different problems. Most importantly, pinning one’s hopes on future generations is, in itself, a very irresponsible approach."

It’s because, according to the patterns of nations and dynasties, the founding or revitalizing sovereigns and ministers are often the most formidable. Afterward, a cycle typically begins where each generation is inferior to the last.

Li Fusheng shook his head.

"We must kill in war; not killing is impossible. But we need to be strategic about it, not act merely for the thrill of it."

"Alright. After we enter Qian State, you stay with me. If necessary, you must restrain me. I find that I dislike the Qian people even more than the barbarians."

"Yes, Sir. Your subordinate obeys."

Actually, Zheng Fan hadn’t explained himself very well. He wasn’t particularly suited for these kinds of explanations and could only speak in general terms based on some historical knowledge from his past life.

In the history he was familiar with from his past life, many dynasties established by minority ethnic groups had ruled the Central Plains. However, those who only knew how to cut people down with blades were quickly swept away by the wind and rain. Those that managed to endure for extended periods all understood the need to adopt a more humble stance, to win over other societal classes, and to implement a strategy of divide and rule.

However, Zheng Fan wasn’t worried about Yan State encountering this kind of problem. The Yan people were not barbarians, nor were they some bloodthirsty wild people. The war between Yan State and Qian State was more akin to the annexations during the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods.

According to the Blind One’s assessment, he felt that Yan State was more like the "Qin State." Firstly, their general character was too similar. Secondly, it would be best if Yan State "perished in its second generation." Otherwise, if it truly became an unshakeable, everlasting entity, wouldn’t people like himself have to remain obedient subjects for their entire lives?