The Demon Lords

Chapter 1007 - 234: Arrangements (Part 2)

"Hehe, I must have amused you, Lord. Whenever we get down to business, I just feel uncomfortable if I’m not clean."

Zheng Fan chuckled and said, "I understand."

Fan Zhengwen glanced at Weng Canghai and said:

"Lord, this is Weng Canghai, who is my tutor."

Weng Canghai stood up and continued, "I am the advisor of Mr. Fan’s household."

Zheng Fan nodded again, indicating that he understood.

In fact, all three of them were straightforward individuals, and from the very beginning, their meeting exuded a sense of forthrightness.

After a brief introduction, Weng Canghai moved to the center, taking a map from his sleeve, which had some additional annotations.

Weng Canghai crouched down and spread the map on the ground. He then stood up, fetched a few teacups to hold the map in place, pushed aside some hair that fell across his face, and said:

"Lord, here is Mong Mountain, here is Xiayong, here, here, here, and here—this entire large area is the fiefdom of the Qu Clan."

The Qu Clan’s fiefdom was vast; to put it in perspective, the Qu Clan was like a prince overseeing this region, while families like the Fan Family were akin to subordinate officials.

"The Qu Clan’s Zhuguai, Qu TianNan, died outside Jade Plate City. In Chu State, there’s a rumor that Qu TianNan didn’t have to die, or at least not in such a humiliating manner. The reason for his fate was that the court, due to the Regent’s misplaced trust in the Yan State’s treaty, commanded 40,000 sons of the Chu region to lay down their arms and be slaughtered."

Zheng Fan shook his head and said:

"Actually, it was merely a matter of dying sooner or later. At that time, the city had been besieged for a long while, and the Chu army was already short on supplies."

Qu TianNan was a Zhuguai of Chu State—a position that could not be held by an ordinary person—even if he became a Zhuguai due to support from the clan, given the Qu Clan’s vast influence, they would never appoint an incompetent fool to inherit the Qu Clan’s Zhuguai title.

If there had been enough provisions,

If reinforcements had been expected,

Even if the Emperor of Chu State issued several imperial edicts,

Qu TianNan would have refused to open the city gates and surrender, citing that the military command outside should not be disobeyed.

He was not foolish;

However, circumstances forced him to bury his head like an ostrich.

Upon hearing this, Weng Canghai smiled and said:

"What you said, my Lord, is naturally true, but truth and falsehood are never really the concern of the court; it might be to quell criticism. Additionally, the Qu Clan, after all, initially supported the Regent and sent their elite Blue Luan Army to campaign against Jin State, resulting in total losses.

From both a rational and emotional standpoint, the Regent must compensate the Qu Clan.

Marriage alliance is naturally the best way.

It is said that Xiong Liqing, the Fourth Princess of Great Chu, is youthful and beautiful, doted on by the late emperor during his reign. Like the Regent, she was born to Noble Consort Ming, making her the most suitable to be married to Qu TianNan’s eldest son, Qu Peiluo.

The Regent wants to keep the Qu Clan firmly tied to his chariot."

Zheng Fan nodded, listening intently.

Weng Canghai did not dwell long on the character relationships. In fact, his earlier explanation was to highlight this Chu State princess’s prestigious status, distinct from those princesses born to concubines without influence.

"According to tradition, since the marriage is to take place on the Lantern Festival, the Fourth Princess is expected to stay in Ing Capital City for the New Year, leaving the Princess less than half a month to travel from Ing Capital City to the Qu Clan’s domicile in Ju’an City.

Because this is a princess’s marriage, not the royal family selecting a consort prince.

Therefore, I predict that around the tenth day, the princess’s entourage should appear near Zhou County, south of Ju’an City, because there is a royal villa there where the late emperor of Chu State stayed during his inspection tours from Ing Capital City.

Regarding the grand wedding in Chu State, especially with a princess marrying out, the ceremonies would not be neglected. Both the Regent and the Qu Clan attach great importance to this alliance, ensuring no external criticisms.

Accompanying eunuchs, marriage dowry, and a series of formalities will at least take three days.

So, on the tenth of the first month, the princess’s escort should just settle at this royal villa outside Zhou County.

And at this time, it’s our opportunity to act!

First, ten days of travel from Ing Capital City to Zhou County will surely be hurried, leaving the escort fatigued;

Second, newly settled into the villa, unfamiliar with the surroundings and with many matters difficult to immediately transition—this being the Qu Clan’s first receipt of a princess, so many aspects will require adjustment, leaving both parties dizzyingly busy this day."

Zheng Fan patiently listened, and when Weng Canghai paused, he said:

"Is there a third?"

Weng Canghai laughed and said, "Lord, the royal villa in Zhou County, no matter how good the place, long uninhabited, becomes dilapidated without people to maintain it; plus, for such a grand event as a princess’s marriage, the villa requires refurbishment, and my Fan Family is specifically responsible for this."

Hearing this, Zheng Fan smiled slightly and said, "So it’s perfectly set up?"

If the Fan Family refurbishes the villa, it becomes much easier to place their own people inside.

No need for an external assault—when the time comes, they can initiate an internal attack, hold the princess, and directly break out, significantly reducing the difficulty of the task.

Moreover, it aptly strikes at the busy moment when the escort team and the Qu Clan are engrossed in ceremonial transitions.

Weng Canghai said, "Indeed, it’s perfectly set up."