Qing Zheng's plan

Zheng Fang and Liu Qiong were personal guards of Qing Huai and had been comrades-in-arms for many years, sharing life and death situations together.

Faced with Qing Zheng's malicious words, Liu Qiong was so angry that his eyes seemed to spit fire, and his fists clenched tightly, making a creaking sound.

"What, you want to hit me?"

Qing Zheng glanced at Liu Qiong with a sidelong look, provocatively pointing at his nose: "Come on, hit here!"

"Liu Qiong, don't be rude!"

Zheng Fang scolded Liu Qiong, then bowed and said, "Young master, please don't take offense with us rough people. You may go about your business."

Liu Qiong also suppressed his anger and bowed.

Qing Zheng was the eldest son of the Duke of Qing, a noble status. Given their positions, not only could they not hit him, but even a word of defiance would allow Qing Zheng to call for their arrest immediately.

With Qing Huai not in Bianjing, once they were arrested, there would be no hope of getting out.

So, they had no choice but to endure.

But the more they endured, the more arrogant Qing Zheng became, deliberately provoking: "You haven't answered my question yet, are you back to report the death of the third brother?"

"Reporting to the young master, the Marquis is in good health."

"Marquis! Marquis! I've told you before, in the Duke of Qing's residence, you are not allowed to call Qing Huai Marquis!"

Qing Zheng exploded like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, kicking Liu Qiong several times.

Since childhood, he had never looked favorably upon Qing Huai, yet this illegitimate son had achieved a noble title in the military.

Qing Zheng clearly remembered the day when news of Qing Huai's military exploits and his ennoblement came back, how delighted the Duke of Qing was, and the entire Duke's residence was in jubilation.

In the following years, the Duke of Qing repeatedly hinted at his intention to pass his title to Qing Huai.

This filled Qing Zheng with fear and anger.

From that day on, Qing Zheng tried every means to suppress Qing Huai.

Unfortunately, he was just a playboy in the capital, and his influence didn't reach the frontier. Over the years, not only was Qing Huai not suppressed, but he also repeatedly made military achievements, his title rising step by step, almost reaching the level of Duke.

In the Great Kang dynasty, the hierarchy of nobility from top to bottom was Prince, Commandery Prince, Duke, Marquis, Earl, Viscount, and Baron, with Princes being the brothers and sons of the emperor, and Commandery Princes being royal relatives.

According to the laws of Great Kang, all noble titles were reduced by one rank with each generation.

For example, after the Duke of Qing passed away, Qing Zheng could inherit the title, but not directly as Duke; it would be reduced to Marquis.

And Qing Huai was now a Marquis.

In feudal society, the hierarchy was strictly observed. As Qing Huai's elder brother, even if Qing Huai were to be granted the title of Duke in the future, he would still have to bow and greet Qing Zheng upon meeting.

This was also the source of Qing Zheng's arrogance.

But Qing Zheng felt uncomfortable, believing that Qing Huai had stolen the spotlight from him, the legitimate son.

The noble title had always been Qing Zheng's biggest scar, and he forbade anyone in the Duke of Qing's residence to refer to Qing Huai by his title.

Liu Qiong's earlier reference to Qing Huai as Marquis was also a way to vent his dissatisfaction, deliberately picking at Qing Zheng's scar.

Although Qing Zheng was a playboy, he was not a fool. He sensed Liu Qiong's sarcasm and, after kicking a few times without satisfaction, picked up a wooden stick leaning nearby and swung it at Liu Qiong.

The stick, used by the gatekeeper for emergencies, was as thick as an arm. If Qing Zheng were to hit freely, Liu Qiong would either be beaten to death or severely injured.

Zheng Fang quickly rushed over to plead: "Young master, Liu Qiong just returned from outside and it slipped out. He didn't mean it. Please be magnanimous and forgive him."

As soon as he finished speaking, Zheng Fang also received a blow to the head.

Realizing that today's beating was unavoidable, Zheng Fang had no choice but to crouch down with Liu Qiong, protecting their heads as much as possible.

They prayed in their hearts that Qing Zheng would quickly let them go.

As if heaven heard their prayers, Qing Zheng had not hit many times when a stern reprimand came from the side: "What are you doing?"

Looking up, it was the Duke of Qing returning from court.

"Father, these two servants are disobedient. I am teaching them a lesson!"

Qing Zheng completely lost his earlier arrogance, bowing as he replied.

His demeanor was impeccable, leaving no room for criticism.

"Teach the servants inside, what are you doing at the gate?"

In feudal times, the status of servants was almost equivalent to livestock. The Duke of Qing was merely displeased with his son beating people at the gate and casually asked before preparing to enter.

At that moment, Zheng Fang mustered the courage to shout: "My lord, please wait! The third young master asked me to deliver a letter to you!"

"Qing Huai?"

Only then did the Duke of Qing stop and look at Zheng Fang and Liu Qiong: "Who are you?"

Usually, when Qing Huai returned to the Duke's residence, he only brought Zhong Wu and the steward. The Duke of Qing did not recognize Zheng Fang.

"We are the personal guards of the third young master."

Liu Qiong took out a letter from his chest and held it above his head with both hands.

The Duke of Qing checked the wax seal to confirm it was intact and opened the envelope.

After reading a few lines, his brow slightly furrowed.

Qing Zheng was eager to see what was written in the letter, anxiously rubbing his hands.

Just as he was thinking of how to inquire, he heard the Duke of Qing ask: "Is Qing Huai planning to return to the battlefield?"

Standing beside him, Qing Zheng's eyes lit up upon hearing this.

"My lord, since returning to Jinchuan, the Marquis has been deeply concerned about his brothers in the Iron Forest Army and has lost a lot of weight," Zheng Fang replied.

"Does Qing Huai know where the Iron Forest Army is currently stationed?" the Duke of Qing asked.

"I do not know if the Marquis is aware, but before we left, he asked us to kowtow to you, begging for your permission!"

Zheng Fang and Liu Qiong knelt down together, kowtowing to the Duke of Qing, then placed their heads on the ground, awaiting his response.

"Take them to the West Garden."

The Duke of Qing did not answer Zheng Fang but instead waved for the gatekeeper to take Zheng Fang and Liu Qiong away.

"Yes!"

The gatekeeper bowed and led them away: "Follow me."

Zheng Fang knew that the Duke of Qing might not have made up his mind yet, so he kowtowed again and followed the gatekeeper away.

"If you have nothing to do, read more books. Don't wander around all day!"

The Duke of Qing glanced at Qing Zheng with dissatisfaction and left with his entourage.

"Yes!"

Qing Zheng bowed in agreement, but his eyes were shining.

Originally, he had planned to go to the gambling house, but now he had no interest. He turned and ran towards his own courtyard.

Returning to his study, he took out a map. Just as he opened it, Qing Fan, the second son of the Qing family, rushed in.

"Brother, I heard that Qing Huai wrote to father asking for his military authority back. You were there, why didn't you persuade father?"

Qing Fan said: "Qing Huai is already a Marquis. If he wins a few more battles, what will happen then?"

"When father speaks, how dare I interrupt?"

Qing Zheng said irritably.

"Uh..." Qing Fan also thought of his father's authority and asked: "Then what should we do now? Should we ask mother for help?"

"No need," Qing Zheng waved his hand: "Second brother, do you know where the Iron Forest Army is now?"

"How would I know?"

"The Iron Forest Army is now at Clear Water Valley!" Qing Zheng pointed at a spot on the map.

"What's the problem with Clear Water Valley?" Qing Fan immediately grasped the key point in his brother's words.