Chapter 1423 - 342: Raising the Banner

Chapter 1423: Chapter 342: Raising the Banner

The final wrap-up on the West Mountain Fort matters, Lord Zheng did not participate, instead he led A Ming and the group of personal soldiers gifted by Li Fusheng early on back to the central military camp.

San’er didn’t follow; he had to gather the craftsmen he brought to assist in the next operation, while the craftsmen from Li Fusheng’s side would also be taken along.

Fanli’s journey of mourning,

began at West Mountain Fort and ended at West Mountain Fort,

because Shi Yuantang’s corpse was carelessly left on the ground when Fanli charged the city gate, followed by a large-scale attack from the Yan Army, and cavalry charges. The corpse of Chu’s Zhuguai was long lost.

So be it, a deeper burial by horse hooves than wrapped in horse skin is also a fitting soldier’s fate.

Fanli himself, due to his injuries, had to return to East Mountain Fort to recover; this tower-like man truly played a role in the siege and battle formations that other demon lords found hard to replicate, simultaneously paying a huge price.

On the way back, perhaps due to a hearty afternoon nap, Lord Zheng was in high spirits.

But A Ming, riding behind Lord Zheng’s Pixiu, seemed like a student who scored high marks eager to rush back home and share the good news.

Indeed, that’s the case.

Though the conquest of West Mountain Fort felt muddled, it was conquered regardless, and indeed on the very day of my command, Fanli’s yangko was recognized as a prearranged move by myself.

Lord Zheng had also become accustomed to this somewhat muddled yet triumphantly divine use of troops;

However, Lord Zheng never considered himself ’ordained by destiny,’ nor that he had ’great luck,’ rather his easy journey and countless victories were due essentially to seven demon lords bearing the weight forward for him.

Perhaps,

their companionship was his greatest fortune.

On that thought, Lord Zheng subconsciously turned to look at A Ming behind him.

A Ming had a reserved and warm smile on his face.

Lord Zheng nodded to him,

A Ming, not fully understanding but appreciating, smiled even more gently.

Then,

Lord Zheng turned ahead.

A Ming’s smile instantly vanished; he preferred the cold and indifferent expression.

On this point, perhaps due to their ’cold-blooded nature,’ A Ming and Liang Cheng were quite similar.

Any excess emotion on their faces was a burden to them.

But when facing my lord, they couldn’t act superior, they had to force themselves to appear more ’obedient.’

Otherwise, the more enjoyable the superiority today, the more embarrassing to curry favor next time.

Upon entering the outskirts of the central military camp, squads of sentinels came forth, inquiring, saluting, reporting;

Old Tian commanded strictly.

However, upon entering the camp, Lord Zheng smelled the scent of alcohol.

"Lord Pingye triumphantly returns from breaking West Mountain Fort!"

"Lord Pingye triumphantly returns from breaking West Mountain Fort!"

The messenger showed consideration and gave face, riding through the army shouting.

This was no initiative taken recklessly, as the ban on alcohol was lifted today; wouldn’t the Prince be congratulating Lord Zheng’s new achievement?

Although the details of the West Mountain Fort conquest aren’t yet known by the central army’s soldiers, even fools can see the signs; one, Lord Pingye took East Mountain Fort in a few days, two, Li Fusheng’s troops besieged West Mountain Fort for long without results, yet with Lord Pingye’s takeover, the fort fell the next day.

If not his credit, whose credit could it be?

The collapse of both forts indicates that the Yan Army’s most difficult strategic points around Town South Pass have been cleared; isn’t it rightful for the Prince to celebrate this?

Could it be due to other reasons?

Drunk Immortal Weng thinks so; otherwise, the Prince thinks the Emperor’s health is poor and lifts the alcohol ban, how unlikely!

Adorned in golden armor, Lord Zheng rode his Pixiu into the camp, soldiers spontaneously raised their weapons in cheers:

"Lord Mighty!"

"Lord Mighty!"

Lord Zheng was pleased, drew his machete, and raised it high:

"Yan Army Mighty!"

Armored soldiers all around shouted in unison:

"Yan Army Mighty!"

"Yan Army Mighty!"

Lord Zheng shouted again:

"Prince Mighty!"

The soldiers’ enthusiasm ignited:

"Prince Mighty!"

"Prince Mighty!"

Then, someone began to chant: "Long Live the Prince!"

Soon,

the tide shifted suddenly,

everyone chorused:

"Long Live the Prince!"

"Long Live the Prince!"

Seeing the enthusiastic cheers around, Lord Zheng couldn’t help but recall what Tian Wujing had taught him.

He said sharing meals and sleep with soldiers is a scholar’s trick in domestic management; truly binding the army relies on leading them from one victory to the next.

A perpetually victorious general is naturally a totem within the army.

From afar, Drunk Immortal Weng noticed that among the military cheers, there was no "Long Live the Emperor."

For a long time, the Emperor’s relinquishing of power to the Southern and Northern Lords was unparalleled historically, which surely laid a strong foundation for great developments like the Yan swallowing Jin lands, threatening Qian, and attacking Chu, yet also let Yan’s troops gradually stray from courtly symbols.

Drunk Immortal Weng knows the Emperor’s body is now sustaining itself with difficulty.

Yet Prince Jingnan,

is in his prime.

No need to divine the fate or cast horoscopes, as the Yan Emperor’s health declines like a wavering candle, inevitably, a new dawn will arise.