Chapter 1102: Chapter 266: Qu Lang’s Ingenious Plan to Pacify the Realm—Losing Both the Lady and the Troops
If Lord Jingnan says there will be no more fighting, then truly there will be no more fighting. The formidable Town South Pass is indeed a thorn in the side of the Yan people. However, luckily the Yan people now hold the advantage in field operations, making it risky for the Chu people to mount large-scale advances north, thus forcing both sides into an uneasy balance.
Jing Renli extended his hand and tore off a chicken leg. Having drunk too much earlier, he wanted to eat a bit to settle his stomach. Narrowing his eyes, he looked at Zheng Fan and said:
"To see Brother Zheng today is genuinely unexpected for me. It’s a pity I didn’t bring enough wine today to drink to our heart’s content. When the conflicts here are over, I, Renli, shall personally visit Snow Sea Pass to see Brother Zheng, so we can truly enjoy another round."
Lord Zheng laughed and said, "Still bringing your own wine?"
Jing Renli seemed surprised and said, "Brother Zheng, how can you be so stingy?"
"I’m poor."
"Haha." Jing Renli, emboldened by the wine, patted his chest and said, "Regarding the gifts from above, Renli certainly will not skimp, and, Brother Zheng, you certainly won’t lack for them. In a few months when Renli visits, there will also be gifts from the royal family.
Everyday items used by the princesses, hmm, eunuchs and palace maidens, Brother Zheng you likely won’t receive, so naturally, they should not send them either.
Renli is staking a claim here first,
will broadcast this message further upon return,
This kind of significant task known to the emperor can only fall upon Renli’s shoulders."
Jing Renli spoke very thoroughly and directly.
He meant to say that once warfare ceases here, within a few months, someone from the Chu palace will inevitably send some ’dowry’ to Snow Sea Pass.
However, in order to preserve the dignity of the royal family and the Qu Clan, this will not be pompous nor officially documented. It’ll be a quiet affair, akin to relatives visiting each other inconspicuously, without a formal announcement.
Ultimately,
it’s because he’s ensured that, since the deed is done, the regent’s sister has accompanied the Yan State’s Lord Pingye to Snow Sea Pass, and it’s impossible to take immediate military action. One should capitalize on any remaining benefits and make the best of it.
This is the instinct of politicians; their actions are rarely dictated by personal likes and dislikes.
The Yan Emperor would sacrifice a son for the greater good as though it were a joke, and Lord Jingnan could eradicate his family, so how could the Chu regent do any less?
Since the face is lost anyway, and retrieving it quickly is not feasible, it’s better to wisely and quietly gather some benefit.
Still, despite the situation as it is, the way Jing Renli describes it seems overly candid.
Additionally,
This ’straight-shooter’ attitude—where I explain everything explicitly and then act transparently—
gave Lord Zheng an uncanny sense of familiarity, as if he had seen it before.
Soon enough,
Lord Zheng realized,
This is exactly how he used to be.
Indeed, Jing Renli is like his former self, stripping everything down openly just to seek a chance, an opportunity.
Lord Jingnan stood up; he hadn’t drunk much of the wine before him. Extending his hand, the Pixiu stepped forward, and the lord mounted it and slowly departed.
He didn’t invite Zheng Fan to leave with him, leaving most of the wine for him and Jing Renli.
In Lord Jingnan’s view, Jing Renli wouldn’t be able to kill Zheng Fan, or else, if Zheng Fan ended up being killed by Jing Renli, so be it.
Seated on the ground, Zheng Fan and Jing Renli just watched as Lord Jingnan gradually departed into the distance.
Jing Renli sighed,
and said:
"If only one day, I can be like Prince Jingnan, how wonderful would that be."
Even a somewhat ambitious ant, upon seeing an elephant pass by, might probably express similar sentiments.
Lord Zheng picked up the wine jar left by the lord, took another sip, and said, "I’ve had this thought before as well."
Jing Renli took the jar, and said, "Brother Zheng, is that necessary? If Prince Jingnan is a behemoth, then Brother Zheng is a falcon. As for me, I’m squatting in the paddy field, watching the sky while mimicking frog calls."
After speaking, he took a large gulp.
"You?" Zheng Fan shook his head, saying, "Is it truly so?"
"The Jing Family is undoubtedly a noble family in Chu State, but the Jing Family is vast and expansive. The direct descendants have historically held more than half of Chu State’s prestigious positions, earning respect.
Brother Zheng,
look at me,
dressed in military attire,
isn’t this enough to indicate a problem?"
Despite the Jing Family’s noble standing, every dynasty of Chu has seen a Jing royal concubine in the palace, and even the empress. In Chu, the Jing Family is considered a symbol of cultural heritage and propriety.
Being a member of the Jing Family yet having to join the military is simply a humiliation for ’men of letters’.
It’s not like there’s no other path, or like there is no support from his family, or else Jing Renli wouldn’t choose this road.
"Actually, there’s something I previously misstated. It’s not merely Peiluo that I dislike, even some of my brothers from the Jing Family I find displeasing.
Ultimately, it boils down to why, on what grounds, haha, Brother Zheng should understand this."
Zheng Fan nodded, saying: "I understand."
"Hence, Renli has long admired Brother Zheng, from an ordinary person rising through the ranks to achieve commendable military feats. Just look at me; no matter how the family holds me in low regard, at least I’ve benefited from the family, never lacking in basic needs or good tutors. Since Brother Zheng has managed it, Renli believes, he can too. At least, it’s possible."
Zheng Fan smiled.
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