In any sizable place, cliques inevitably form—’circles,’ as they are colloquially known.
For instance, those from the east side of a city might look down on those from the west; city dwellers might look down on those from outside the walls. On a larger scale, the people of Qian State generally viewed the Yan people with disdain, as if looking at barbarians.
Beifeng Prefecture bordered the desert. Although conditions there had improved significantly with the rise of the Silk Road in recent years, it still paled in comparison to Yinlang County, often referred to as Yan State’s ’Little Jiangnan.’
One reason was its proximity to Qian State, making it a center for commercial exchange. Another dated back a century, when the first Earl of North Border, after conquering three prefectures of Qian State, implemented a forced population migration. This policy ensured that Yinlang County, far from declining due to the war a hundred years prior, actually prospered and became greatly enriched.
This, in turn, meant that Qian State’s three border prefectures remained devastated to this day. Firstly, areas with heavy military presence were generally unsuitable for ordinary people to live in. Secondly, these three prefectures had always existed under the shadow of war. Therefore, apart from populating them with military households, the Qian imperial court made no deliberate efforts towards their recovery or development—a situation reminiscent of Fujian in earlier years.
The people of Yinlang County possessed a distinct local pride. Thus, when they encountered merchant caravans or travelers from Beifeng Prefecture, they typically adopted an air of superiority.
They would invariably inquire about life in Beifeng, their holiday customs, or whether children there could afford private schooling—all as a prelude to boasting about their own comfortable lives.
However, this time, when a group of knights in Black Armor entered the lands outside Yin City, the people of Yinlang County showed no disdain or regional prejudice. Instead, they were filled with excitement!
People rushed to spread the news, and the populace both inside and outside Yin City erupted with excitement.
A scene reminiscent of ’welcoming the King’s army with food and drink’ spontaneously unfolded, without any rehearsal.
The citizens of Yin City brought out their stored food, winter-cured meats, rice cakes, and other festive provisions, generously and unreservedly offering them to the soldiers at the army camp.
Young ladies cast flirtatious glances, while men of all ages cheered enthusiastically, leaving the vanguard of the North Border Army, newly arrived in Yinlang County, somewhat taken aback.
They truly hadn’t anticipated such a reception. Nᴇw novel chapters are publɪshed on noⅴelfire.net
There were three primary reasons for this spectacle:
Firstly, Yan State was renowned for its martial spirit. Though it had enjoyed peace for decades, the inherent valor passed down from the ancestors of the Yan people remained potent. The moment they grasped a knife and mounted a horse, they were ready to battle barbarians. Consequently, in Yan State, civil officials had never managed to subordinate military generals; in fact, the reverse was true. Furthermore, unlike Qian State with its common saying, ’Good men don’t become soldiers, good iron isn’t made into nails,’ Yan State harbored no such tradition.
Secondly, while merchants, travelers, and immigrants from Beifeng Prefecture might be subject to regional prejudice, the North Border Army was a different case entirely. For nearly a hundred years, they had garrisoned the desert and suppressed the barbarians, preventing any southward advance. This monumental service and great achievement had transformed the North Border Army into a kind of ’protective deity’ or ’totem’ in the hearts of the common people.
Thirdly, anyone not completely oblivious knew it was wartime. Although the gongs and drums had sounded but no real battles had yet been seen, and Yinlang County had its own Jingnan Army stationed, the populace—even the inherently hardy Yan people—harbored a degree of fear towards war.
The arrival of the North Border Army, Yan’s most formidable military force, represented the greatest assurance of safety for them. Thus, the people’s excitement and joyful cheers were entirely understandable.
Zheng Fan had brought A Ming with him. Usually, unless there were special circumstances, Chief Zheng liked to have A Ming along when he went out. What leader wouldn’t appreciate a subordinate who would unhesitatingly take a bullet for them?
Moreover, he wasn’t a one-time shield; after recuperating, he could take bullets again. It was simply too convenient.
Zheng Fan had also brought thirty cavalrymen as an escort. After being stopped for directions once at the Yin City courier station and again on his way home from Nanwang City, Chief Zheng felt it was time to abandon his lone-wolf style.
Since he had men under his command, it was better to travel with an escort. At the very least, they could cover his rear if needed.
"Whoa, what a crowd."
Outside the North Border Army’s encampment, a sea of people had gathered, citizens spontaneously assembling to express their enthusiasm.
Fortunately, Zheng Fan and his knights were in armor. Furthermore, most of the equipment from Green Willow Fortress was modeled after the North Border Army’s military style. Consequently, the onlookers assumed it was some captain from the North Border Army returning to camp and consciously made way.
After entering the camp, Zheng Fan glanced back at the knights who had followed him. Each held eggs or rice cakes, and several even had silk ribbons draped over them.
This was how the young women of Yan expressed their affection. It wasn’t surprising, really. These soldiers from prominent families were, after all, young masters from noble houses, naturally possessing good looks and bearing. It was normal for them to receive such attention.
Zheng Fan looked at his own empty hands, then turned to A Ming and chuckled, "How come you didn’t get any silk ribbons?"
A Ming nonchalantly turned out his pocket, revealing a large bundle of them.
"..." Zheng Fan was speechless.
A Ming continued to ride lazily, an expression on his face that seemed to say: I wasn’t trying to show off; you were the one looking for validation.