The Demon Lords

Chapter 1052: Chapter 252: I Curse Myself (3)

It’s almost time,

brother-in-law,

soon we will truly become one family.

Zheng Fan continued passionately, "This statement is incorrect. In a rivalry between two states, one should measure against the foundation of national strength. The power of arms might prevail temporarily, but it cannot prevail indefinitely.

If our Qian and Chu, internally reorganize civil governance, externally enhance military readiness, even though the Yan State occupies the Three Jin regions at present, considering Qian’s prosperity, and Chu’s vastness, in a two-to-one situation, I don’t think the Yan people are anything to be afraid of, nor do I believe that the so-called Tian Wujing and Zheng Fan, with just a few individuals, can alter the fate of these three great nations."

The swordmaster unceremoniously said, "Mr. Su, your words seem a bit inconsiderate. For instance, think about how recently Tian Wujing suddenly raised an army to besiege Town South Pass. Our Chu State knows well how difficult Tohold and attack Town South Pass is as a strategic pass, and knows how the Yan people are not good at sieging, yet we continuously dispatch troops to Town South Pass. Why?

Isn’t it because the one leading them is Tian Wujing?

When on the opposing side, when there’s a commander who is good at turning the impossible into possible, that kind of pressure, tsk tsk."

Zheng Fan immediately said, "I still don’t think so. All methods in the world complement each other and cannot truly work in complete isolation. Tian Wujing’s strength lies in the formidable cavalry of his Jingnan army. Without this elite unit, Tian Wujing is merely a top-notch expert on the street.

As for that Zheng Fan, I’ve heard that half of his troops are barbarian soldiers, merely relying on them as his foundation. Without this group of elite soldiers to support him, what can he accomplish?"

The Regent Wang, upon hearing this, nodded and said, "Reasonable, didn’t the Yan people also suffer defeat at the Wang River? The strength of the Yan people lies in the north and south armies, but not all Yan people are adept warriors."

This is the Regent Wang, nodding in agreement with Zheng Fan’s words from his own standpoint, because what he is doing now is trying to consolidate the military power of the nobles, attempting to merge their private elite troops into his own hands, hoping to form a genuinely elite group army belonging to Chu State and himself.

Zheng Fan immediately replied,

"Yes, our Qian and Chu State have never lacked talented individuals, nor generals who can fight, and marshals who can coordinate. What we lack, is an elite force that can rival Yan State’s Town North Jingnan armies.

However, I believe there’s still time to catch up. Our government has been sharpening weapons and training a new army over the past two years;

Chu State is evidently doing the same,

and after three more years when Qian and Chu’s military forces are renewed, I believe the arrogance of Yan people over these past few years should be reduced.

Moreover, I feel that the current Yan people are merely driven by frustration, and in reality, they show signs of lacking successors.

This aligns with the saying: ’Its rise was vigorous, its fall was abrupt.’

The Regent Wang smiled, lifted his wine cup, and said, "For these words, let us drink a toast to Mr. Su."

The four of them raised their cups,

drank.

"Mr. Su seems to understand military affairs?"

"I am not talented, unworthy of the title, but I often get the opportunity to see military reports among my master’s aides and help my master strategize."

"Oh, no wonder."

Subsequently,

the Regent Wang carefully put away the envelope, seemingly ready to leave. He probably came initially to see Yao Zizhan’s new poem, but the interest led him to chat more with Zheng Fan.

Why he appeared here in ordinary clothes was quite obvious.

As the Regent Wang, practically the "Emperor" of Chu State, he couldn’t openly leave Ing Capital City during military affairs at Town South Pass to see off his sister’s marriage, but as a brother, appearing unofficially to see her one last time before the wedding is certainly feasible.

Most importantly, his sister had been missing for a while recently, she must have been frightened.

Seeing this,

Zheng Fan also intended to say his farewells with some polite words,

The Regent Wang stood in front of him, with a Chu State swordmaster beside him, and surely a group of top-tier Chu State bodyguards surrounding them; this pressure on Lord Zheng was certainly immense.

Fortunately,

fortunately, the real Mr. Su Mingzhe had not been able to come because he fell ill halfway.

However,

just as Zheng Fan was about to excuse himself to explore the splendid mountains and rivers of Chu State,

a sentence from the Regent Wang,

caused Lord Zheng’s heart to instantly sink into the abyss, with a sense of absurdity as if the world was playing tricks on him:

"Mr. Su will now come with us to the other villa. After all, you represent Master Yao, and having a direct disciple of Master Yao at the wedding feast will certainly add much brilliance.

It’s not far from here to the other villa, if we start now, we’ll arrive by afternoon, and I can continue to discuss poetry and the affairs of the world with Mr. Su."

"......" Zheng Fan.