Chapter 196: Looking East Toward Zhongyuan

"Young Master, the invitation from Hanzhong has arrived!"

Jiang Xuan ran over, laughing heartily.

"And it's with the ceremonial guard of a Feudatory King!"

Liu Zheng did not even turn his head. He looked leisurely at the Shangcheng Port now in his hands and smiled slightly: "Did it mention what the dowry is like?"

Jiang Xuan was stunned, then exclaimed in admiration: "Young Master, you hit the nail on the head! It seems this Yong Wang is quite honest. First, he sang our praises, lauding the peerless combat power of our Yinzhou Army and your god-like command of troops, Young Master. Then, he mentioned the marriage of Qin Dage. Young Master, guess what? Hahahaha, this fellow is directly gifting us Shangcheng Port, 'as a transit point for military supplies,' and 'to forge a century-long bond between Yinzhou and Hanzhong'! Hahahaha, this fellow is truly shameless!"

Liu Zheng was not surprised by this, but still smiled happily: "With Shangcheng Port in hand, Yinzhou can finally truly look toward Zhongyuan!"

The crowd offered their congratulations.

"Congratulations, Young Master!"

"Young Master is mighty!"

Liu Zheng, however, shook his head with a smile: "It's just that this Yong Wang, while he has the magnanimity, didn't forget to trip me up. A Feudatory King's ceremonial guard? I can't believe he thought of that."

The crowd laughed loudly.

This Yong Wang was out of options and could only use this method to remind the Feudatory Kings of the world that this Prefect Liu was not just a mere Prefect! This guy is trouble; you all better be on your guard.

This was a case of "killing with praise."

However, since Liu Zheng had come here for this battle, he actually had no intention of continuing to keep a low profile. He gazed into the distance at the vast Shangcheng Port, looked out at the boundless Jiangshui, the rolling Yangtze River flowing eastward, and his heart suddenly expanded, a sense of ambition to compete with the heroes of the world rising spontaneously.

"The rolling Yangtze River flows eastward, its waves washing away all heroes. Right and wrong, success and failure, all turn to emptiness in the blink of an eye. The green mountains remain as they were, while the sunset reddens several times. White-haired fishermen and woodcutters on the river islets are accustomed to the autumn moon and spring breeze. A pot of Turbid Wine brings joy to our meeting. How many events of the past and present are all reduced to idle chatter."

Everyone praised the poem.

This "Immortal at the River" poem exhausted the heroic spirit of Liu Zheng at this moment.

In just over two years, Yinzhou had gone from a land of no governance to a power that now controlled Shangcheng Port and looked toward Zhongyuan. Thinking of the arduousness of the process, there was a unique feeling in his heart.

At this point.

With Yinzhou having taken Shangcheng Port, its future room for development would become infinitely large. Shangcheng Port, with its access to all directions, had been the true gateway to the Northwest since ancient times.

There was a saying that "the world's Water Transport belongs to Shangcheng." Once the Water Transport was opened, the goods of Yintan City could reach the whole world, and at that time, gold and silver rolling in would be a matter of course.

More importantly, there was the military aspect.

The Galleons were still being built at an accelerated pace.

Shangcheng Port could accommodate at least several hundred Galleons; that would be the most powerful force Yinzhou would have in the future! If the world were truly thrown into chaos, Liu Zheng could almost manage to launch troops from Shangcheng Port and reach Zhongyuan in a few days! Hanzhong, Shu, and Jingzhou would all be within the radiation range of his naval forces.

What made him even more delighted was.

This Battle of Hanzhong had once again made the Yinzhou Army famous.

It directly attracted many independent naval generals who came one after another to join. On one hand, they knew that the Yinzhou Navy was still in its initial stages and were eager to seek a future. On the other hand, which of these naval commanders didn't want to come and see these suddenly world-famous Galleons—no, they were now called Yinzhou Ships.

That fellow Liu Zheng had changed their names without authorization again.

These past few days, Shangcheng Port had been exceptionally lively, with heroes from all walks of life coming to join. This made Liu Zheng overjoyed; after all, the people of Yinzhou were not good at water warfare and were basically all landlubbers. In this war, they had still lost three thousand men, which made Liu Zheng feel heartbroken.

These Southerners were the true masters of the waves.

What surprised him even more was.

To express his gratitude, Xiao Kang had directly gifted a naval commander under his command named Zhou Ying to Liu Zheng. This Zhou Ying was highly skilled in martial arts and was an expert in water warfare, but unfortunately, he was of bandit origin and had been subdued by Xiao Kang during a bandit suppression campaign, so he was not valued by the Yong Wang. Xiao Kang knew that this Prefect Liu did not look at status when employing people, so he did him a favor, which could also be considered as seeking a good future for his subordinate.

Sure enough.

Since Zhou Ying arrived, in just a few days, he had already cowed the group of heroes who had just come to join, as well as the Yinzhou Army from top to bottom.

This fellow was also a ruthless man.

Can't swim?

How can a naval soldier not know how to swim? Get in the water! This fellow was straightforward and didn't give anyone face; anyone in Shangcheng Port, regardless of rank, had to learn Swimming.

Consequently, Qin Zhangfeng and Jiang Xuan were both dragged along, closing their eyes and jumping into the water with weak legs every day.

Zhou Ying said that there was only one Method to learn Swimming quickly.

Drowning!

That's right.

This fellow was just that extreme.

Throw you into the water to soak, and after you've gulped down a bellyful of river water, your survival instinct will naturally emerge... and sometimes you'll learn Swimming through instinctive movements...

If it doesn't work once, do it twice; if it doesn't work twice, do it three times.

Liu Zheng was startled when he heard this; wasn't this risking people's lives?

But seeing that for these batches of people learning Swimming, there were actually Southerners skilled in Swimming nearby, ready to rescue them at any time so they wouldn't truly drown, and would pull them up when they really couldn't hold on anymore, Liu Zheng finally felt relieved.

Unexpectedly.

A few days passed, and the results were quite good.

Seventy percent of the Yinzhou soldiers had already learned to swim. Not only that, but Jiang Xuan and Qin Zhangfeng were even swimming back and forth excitedly every day.

This Zhou Ying could also be considered to have truly entered the management level of the Yinzhou Army.

Liu Zheng asked with a smile: "Have our betrothal gifts arrived?"

Zhou Ying cupped his hands: "Young Master, they arrived in the treasury yesterday and can be transported to Hanzhong in half a day!"

Liu Zheng laughed heartily: "Good, let's go, let's go to Hanzhong and see General Qin's new bride!"

The crowd laughed along, and Qin Zhangfeng was left blushing deeply.

……

One day later.

The Yong Wang, accompanied by the civil and military officials of the Yong Wang Mansion, had long been waiting at the port wharf closest to Hanzhong, Hanshui Port.

"This Prefect Liu is truly hateful!"

The Yong Wang was very unhappy. Didn't he just prepare a Feudatory King's ceremonial guard for him? The Yinzhou side sent a letter directly saying, "Since you prepared a Feudatory King's ceremonial guard, very well, we won't take the land route this time, we'll take the Waterway."

Wasn't this a slap in his own face?

This is not telling this Feudatory King, telling these people of Hanzhong, that the soldiers of my Shangcheng Port can arrive at the gates of your Hanzhong city at any time, can threaten your Hanzhong city at any time, and take your dog life...

Excessive!

Too excessive!

But...

Actually, the Feudatory King is also very curious.

What exactly are those Yinzhou Ships that appeared in the world like?

"They're here, they're here!"

"Your Highness, look quickly!"

"Is this, then, that Yinzhou Ship?"

"So fast!"

Just at this moment, the sea of people surrounding the port let out an earth-shattering exclamation.

The Feudatory King stared blankly.

Sikong Zhen also sighed.

Sikong Jing, because she is waiting to be married, could not show her face at this time, but she and Shen Manqing had long been waiting in the highest restaurant in this Hanzhong city, gazing into the distance.

"Sister Manqing, this ship..."

"How imposing! That Prefect Liu is right on the ship!"

Shen Manqing smiled lightly, her chin lifting slightly.

The two imposing Yinzhou Ships, under the incredulous gaze of everyone, docked just like that.

The Feudatory King then roused his spirits and went up to greet them: "Prefect Liu, I have waited for you for a long time!"

This appearance was as enthusiastic as could be, and the civil and military officials of Hanzhong also followed with fake smiles, showing great enthusiasm.

Liu Zheng immediately looked humble: "I dare not, I dare not, the Feudatory King truly shames this young man. As a mere Prefect, I am absolutely unworthy of this honor guard."

At this, the crowd of Hanzhong commoners watching the excitement also curiously looked at this world-renowned Prefect Liu, discussing it among themselves.

Perhaps none of these people expected that this fellow, who in the storytellers' tales was said to have three eyes and a head as big as a peck measure due to his extraordinary resourcefulness, would be so young and so handsome.

The two sides exchanged pleasantries.

Liu Zheng then looked at Sikong Zhen, cupped his hands and smiled: "This young man greets Lord Sima. This marriage alliance between Yinzhou and Hanzhong is a perfect match. I, Zheng, first thank you, Sima, on behalf of my brother Qin Zhangfeng!"

He bowed low, performing the etiquette of a junior.

The whole scene was in an uproar.

This gesture was indeed a great show of respect. People did not expect that this rumored arrogant Prefect Liu would value the general under his command so much. Today, what the Feudatory King prepared was an honor guard for a Feudatory King, yet he disregarded his own status...

Sikong Zhen was even startled: "Young Master Liu, absolutely not, absolutely not! Young Master Liu has done a great favor for Hanzhong; this humble one is absolutely unworthy of this!"

Xiao Kang, standing to the side, let out a deep sigh.

With such a Yinzhou, why worry about it not being strong?

Those Hanzhong generals also had complicated feelings.

"Worthy, worthy! Hahaha!"

Liu Zheng laughed loudly: "General Qin is not only a Great General of Yinzhou, but also a comrade-in-arms of Liu Zheng. Sima, rest assured, General Qin is not the three-headed and six-armed figure in the storytellers' mouths, but a handsome young man!"

Qin Zhangfeng stepped forward to meet Sikong Zhen.

Everyone laughed heartily.

Sikong Zhen looked at the talented-looking Qin Zhangfeng and also nodded with a satisfied smile.

Liu Zheng smiled: "Not only is the young man handsome, but since it is a marriage alliance between the two families, Zhangfeng is Zhangfeng's betrothal gift, and Yinzhou is Yinzhou's wedding gift."

He pointed at the two Yinzhou Ships behind him and laughed loudly: "Two Yinzhou Ships, gifted to Hanzhong. What does the Feudatory King think?"

The whole scene was in an uproar.

Even Qin Zhangfeng did not expect Liu Zheng to pull such a move; he was instantly very moved, his eyes slightly red.

【Author's Note】

Asking for good reviews, asking for tips. It's the end of the month, I'll update more to round out the numbers. Because of health reasons from being hospitalized, I have to try my best to make up for what I missed, otherwise I'll be drinking the Northwest wind next month. From today until tomorrow, I expect to keep updating continuously.