The Sword Saint said he didn't recognize this old man, and Zheng Fan believed him, because there were indeed too many with the surname Yu, and the Sword Saint and his brother's family were very poor at the time. Although nominally of noble lineage, they were no different from ordinary people. Besides, the treatment of the Emperor Jin at that time was poor as well, limited to just the capital city.
The Sword Saint himself harbored animosity towards the Emperor Jin and did not take pride in his surname Yu, considering it a shame. Even after gaining fame, he disdained engaging with those of the Yu clan.
Therefore, this old man might well be one of the few Yu clan aristocrats who refused to accompany the Emperor Jin to Yanjing, abandoning a life of luxury and splendor to fall into such a state. Truly hard-hearted, akin to the old saying "preferring to die of hunger than to eat Zhou grain."
"What about the clan chief, Jin State has fallen, the Yu clan has gone to Yanjing, what's with all the bluffing here?"
Hsu Youcheng shouted with anger.
However, despite shouting, he didn't actually take his sword and strike because he understood that while the identity of this person might not be so significant, arbitrarily dealing with him could cause trouble up above or displeasure, leading to a mere frown, which was unnecessary for him, Hsu Youcheng.
His wife and daughter kept pleading, kneeling and kowtowing continuously;
But the old man continued to act as he pleased,
continued shouting:
"You sons of Three Jin, acting as accomplices to the enemy, once the might of Three Jin knights, where has it gone?
Remember, your ancestors were heroes who followed Lord Jin to chase the wild people away!"
"If it weren't for the Yan people, if it weren't for Lord Jingnan, if it weren't for our Lord Pingye, this place would still be a pasture ravaged by wild people. You, old fool, wouldn't be here cursing!"
Hsu Youcheng retorted.
No matter what, the Yan people helped the Jin people drive out the wild people.
It must be said that after experiencing the formidable destructive power and terrifying despoiling by the wild people, soldiers born in Jin land gained much better regard for the Yan people.
And this goodwill was not only limited to the soldiers; the Three Jin people also felt greatly relieved.
Frankly speaking, the Yan people and the Jin people, unlike with the wild Barbarians, did not differ much in appearance. Except for some dialect differences, if no words were spoken, who could discern who belonged to which country?
Thus, anyone who can protect them from foreign invaders often earns goodwill.
Hsu Youcheng continued to shout:
"This Snow Sea Pass is held by us now. Although there's news of Barbarians coming, it was primarily our Jin soldiers who staunchly defended Snow Sea Pass that day!
You say we forget our roots, but neither I, Hsu Youcheng, nor my Jin land boys will ever kneel to the wild people. Whose blade hasn't been stained with wild people's blood?"
"Ha, wild people are wolves, Yan people are tigers, who could be much better than the other?" the old man snorted coldly.
"You disrespectful old thing!"
Hsu Youcheng kicked away the old man's wife and daughter clinging to his legs,
and shouted to his men:
"Arrest them all and hand them over to the Earl's Mansion for disposal!"
"Yes!"
"Yes!"
At that moment,
the Sword Saint sitting beside Zheng Fan spoke:
"Spare his life."
The Sword Saint spoke up to plea.
Zheng Fan stood up.
The Sword Saint knew that pleading with Zheng Fan for an old man speaking drunken words was nothing, because Zheng Fan wouldn't mind such trivial matters.
Possibly for those executing duties, it would seem like a great disrespect, but for Lord Pingye, it was just a jest.
Yet he still spoke up, and Zheng Fan immediately showed him respect.
The Sword Saint understood that each time he asked for something, it turned into a favor owed to Zheng Fan, to be repaid.
This Lord Pingye was also fully aware of this, so there was no need for any bargaining.
Zheng Fan walked over and said:
"Stop."
For a moment, everyone's eyes fell on the man dressed in barbarian clothes.
Zheng Fan took off his hood, revealing his face.
Hsu Youcheng was first stunned, then knelt down:
"Your humble servant greets Lord Pingye!"
The armor-wearers beside Hsu Youcheng also immediately knelt:
"Greetings, Lord Pingye!"
Lord Pingye?
The surrounding people, whether watching the commotion or doing business, all prostrated themselves toward Zheng Fan.
In Snow Sea Pass territory, it was no exaggeration to say, Lord Pingye was like the sky here.
The old man's wife and daughter also immediately knelt down toward Zheng Fan, trembling with fear.
The old man, sitting in the ox cart, glanced sideways at Zheng Fan, then lowered his head and continued drinking.
Zheng Fan walked to the ox cart and said:
"Shall I prepare some snacks to go with the drink for you, old gentleman? Drinking on an empty stomach is harmful."
"Hmph, pretending to be compassionate, cat crying for the mouse, indeed?"
"How dare you!"
Hsu Youcheng shouted loudly.
Zheng Fan raised his hand, signaling for calm.
The old man chuckled,
said:
"What, you want to pardon me?"
The tone of his speech was truly infuriating.
Zheng Fan honestly nodded, said:
"The drunken words of an old man are something this Earl can tolerate."
The old man patted the wine jar, said:
"Alright, not bad, somewhat decent, but I still want to curse you, Yan bastard, Yan bastard, Yan bastard!"
Zheng Fan sighed; though cursed, he was not truly angry.
He simply pointed to the wife and daughter prostrating on the ground and said:
"You are old, but you should consider your family more."
"Ha."
The old man squinted at Zheng Fan,
said:
"Don't think all Jin people are selfish cowards."
Suddenly Zheng Fan didn't want to talk anymore, he turned around and said to Hsu Youcheng:
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