Chapter 687

Two months later, winter arrived.

Heavy snow gradually covered the entire world.

In the Middle Ages, winter was a very grueling season.

After all, whether one could survive the winter depended entirely on how tough one's fate was.

Because the poor could only try to find firewood to keep warm, or simply endure it.

After all, expensive things like fur coats would not be given to ordinary people to wear!

But it was different in the Celingen family; soldiers finishing their day's shift were gathering in the barracks, enjoying fruit wine and warm campfires, with all kinds of vegetables and meat laid out on the tables.

Due to the proximity to Lake-town, there was basically no shortage of fish here.

Walking through the barracks, Zhang Cheng looked at Bard beside him and said, "How is it? How is the morale? No one is complaining, right?"

"My Lord Count, the soldiers seem very satisfied; there are no problems at all!"

Explaining with a smile, Bard also began to speak.

After all, even for him, when he spent winters in the past, he had to find ways to endure it, because he had no money.

But now it was different; the Celingen family not only distributed winter clothing but even prepared wine and food in advance.

In such a family, you could suspect that you weren't working hard enough, but you absolutely could not question the Count's orders!

After inspecting the barracks, Zhang Cheng returned home with peace of mind.

As for the newly joined Orcs, soldiers would arrange for them; heating and food would certainly not be lacking, but if they wanted more, they would have to "strive" for it themselves.

After all, gifts without bloodshed could not bring loyalty; they would only make people think he had something wrong with his brain!

In the magnificent palace, the throne stood in the center.

Looking at this thing, Zhang Cheng could not help but feel disdain, because it was just like the Iron Wang Zuo—purely symbolic, and made of stone, icy cold.

But saying that aside, Zhang Cheng still covered it with precious Warg fur and sat on it.

This Warg was Azog's mount; because of its massive size, it was able to cover the entire throne!

"Luo Sai, the envoy from Redania has arrived!"

Walking in from outside, Arthur Dayne could not help but speak up.

Hearing this, Zhang Cheng frowned and said, "We have already ceased hostilities; why did they send an envoy?"

Speaking suspiciously, Zhang Cheng was also full of astonishment at this moment.

After all, it was an indisputable fact that he had attacked the Northern kingdoms; as a poor neighbor who had traveled from afar, if Zhang Cheng didn't find a way to bleed the Redanians dry, it would be impolite!

"I don't know, but do you want to see him?"

Looking at Zhang Cheng curiously, Arthur Dayne also inquired at this moment.

Because he had figured out one thing now: if his sister married the other party, the child born would very likely inherit everything of the Celingen family.

Even in Westeros, their Dayne family wouldn't lose out; furthermore, the Celingen family was now frantically plundering territory on Middle-earth. In the future—he meant in the future—what if one day the Celingen family conquered the Northern kingdoms? Wouldn't his nephew be a king!

Arthur Dayne: Sometimes, I have to admire my own wit!

Zhang Cheng: It's over, I've become a beast of burden!

"Let them in? I want to see what they've come for."

Speaking with a face full of suspicion, Zhang Cheng didn't understand what Redania wanted to do, but he decided to grant an audience anyway.

After all, when two armies are at war, one does not behead the envoy; Zhang Cheng still understood this. He always remembered what his Master had taught him, so he had nothing to say about his conduct!

Walking in from outside, the Redanian envoy appeared amidst an entourage.

Looking at the envoy dressed in exquisite attire, Zhang Cheng could not help but narrow his eyes at this moment.

Because the wealth of the Redanians made him excited again.

This is what it is—the neighbor hoards money, you hoard guns; the neighbor is your bank!

"It is a pleasure to see you, Count Celingen!"

Bowing, the envoy revealed a smile and gestured with open hands.

Looking at the other party's etiquette, Zhang Cheng tapped the armrest and said, "You spoke incorrectly. Besides being Count Celingen, I am also the King under the Mountain and Lord of Lake-town!"

"The Count comes from Westeros; does he not wish to acknowledge his own origins?"

Looking at Zhang Cheng suspiciously, the envoy's words immediately made Zhang Cheng's eyes open wide, flashing with light.

Because the Redanians were also very good at psychological warfare; saying this was nothing more than clearly telling Zhang Cheng that he was just an outsider! "You are very interesting, but do you know that I am a person who holds a grudge? If you offend me, you will face retribution!"

Speaking while resting his chin on his hand, Zhang Cheng could not help but turn gloomy at this moment.

Because he had thought the Redanians came to discuss something important; it turned out they had come during the harsh winter to engage in verbal sparring!

Everyone must not think that such things are rare, but in the Middle Ages, verbal sparring was a very normal thing.

After all, there were royal marriages above and "the circle is truly chaotic" below; everyone was ranked by seniority and were all "one of our own"!

Today you scold me, tomorrow I beat you—these were very common occurrences.

But the Redanians had forgotten one thing: Zhang Cheng held grudges, and his capacity for tolerance could even be said to be non-existent!

Don't talk to him about sophistication; talking about it is a waste of time.

"I represent the King of Redania and the Northern kingdoms here to declare to you: your offense has made the King..."

Just as the envoy took out a letter, intending to denounce Zhang Cheng for his lack of martial virtue in attacking during the autumn harvest, Zhang Cheng said with a cold face, "The envoy is an assassin! Guards, slaughter him for me!"

Following Zhang Cheng's words, the envoy was stunned on the spot, and even the Redanian soldiers who had followed him were dumbfounded.

Because had they done it? They hadn't done anything at all!

But before they could react, the soldiers who had drawn their swords rushed in. When they surrounded the envoy, they immediately revealed savage grins and stepped forward.

"Count Celingen, what are you saying? We didn't do such a thing!"

!

Looking at Zhang Cheng in shock, the envoy immediately roared.

"Whether you did it or not, don't you know in your heart?"

Looking at the envoy with a playful face, Zhang Cheng immediately patted his chair and said, "Behead him, then use his head to consecrate the banners for the campaign! I will launch an expedition in the name of assassination; I want the King of Redania to not live past this winter!"

"No, you cannot do this! This is slander; you will be forsaken by the gods!"

Roaring, the envoy immediately bellowed and ran toward the front.

But hearing the envoy's words, Zhang Cheng sneered, "Didn't you just say I came from Westeros? I tell you, my faith in Westeros is 'What is dead may never die, but rises again, harder and stronger'!"

Following Zhang Cheng's words, before the envoy could reach the throne, he was pierced through the chest by a sword.

And before the others could react, the guards had already struck.

Looking at the fallen envoy and the many attendants, Zhang Cheng immediately said with a cold face, "Idiots, do you think I would engage in verbal sparring with you? I will personally lead the army to Redania and cut off your King's head!"

Looking at all this in shock, Arthur Dayne could not help but ask, "Is it really right for us to do this?"

"The witnesses have all been killed; who knows whether he attempted an assassination or not? I say he did now—can anyone stand up and refute me?"

Speaking to Arthur Dayne beside him, Zhang Cheng could not help but stand up.

And after thinking for a long time, Arthur Dayne said again, "Do you really believe in the Drowned God? Aren't you from the North?"

"Are gods important? We are on Middle-earth now; the Seven cannot protect us!"

Looking at Arthur Dayne with annoyance, Zhang Cheng could not help but complain.

Because he felt his brother-in-law was just like that brainless Cersei, letting idiots like the High Sparrow rise up through religious authority, only to end up with egg on their faces!

If you ask Zhang Cheng, things like gods don't exist, because the people of the Far East firmly believe that man can conquer heaven!

Zhang Cheng: But the Wu Caishen is different, because if you can't earn it, you can always go and rob it!

Wu Caishen Zhao Gongming: Huh?

(End of chapter)