Chapter 405 – Relocation to Chenzhou (Part 11)
“Young Master, Wen Ya, be mindful of your image.”
Xu Ke couldn’t help but cover his face. Is this really the true nature of the noble scion?
Feng Jin, the strictest on etiquette, secretly felt relieved.
Fortunately, the vulgar phrase she used was “old man” instead of “old woman,” or how would this end?
Jiang Pengji took a moment to calm down, inhaled deeply, suppressing the rising fury inside her.
With a cold expression, she addressed her subordinate, “You needn’t be afraid; just tell me everything you’ve discovered.”
Alas, Jiang Pengji’s earlier ferocity had frightened her squad member to the core, and it took him a couple of heartbeats to regain his composure.
“Under my Young Master’s command, I ventured to Xiangyang County to gather intelligence. However, as soon as we reached the borders, it became clear something was amiss. We found numerous corpses of common people, whole families, left mangled in the wilderness. The cause of death was neither earthquake injuries nor hunger or disease. After some examination, we determined they all perished from heavy axes, machetes, clubs, or other blunt instruments…”
Once he started, the subordinate relaxed, speaking fluently with clear articulation.
He continued with a respectful bow, “Furthermore, after multiple checks, we discovered these victims likely encountered an overwhelming enemy during their flight, beaten to death with little resistance. The men’s corpses were often grotesquely disfigured, while the women and girls were dragged aside, subjected to various humiliations before meeting a tragic end—such heinous acts are utterly contemptible.”
Indeed, calling these rogue mobs “savages” was no exaggeration.
This reconnaissance team discovered many such corpses at the border of Xiangyang County, each one more gruesome than the last. Their clothes and valuables had been violently stripped away, leaving many with barely enough to cover themselves, their bodies exposed under the fierce sun, unblinking in death.
Jiang Pengji listened impassively, her expression unchanged, though the surrounding atmosphere grew heavy. The audience in the live stream had also ceased their chatter, seemingly infected by the oppressive tension, instinctively wanting to straighten their backs and brace themselves.
Jiang Pengji’s voice turned colder, “Continue.”
The subordinate replied, “We disguised ourselves as fleeing commoners, and upon entering Xiangyang County, encountered several rounds of questioning. After some probing, we learned that just three days after the earthquake, a group known as the Green Garment Army had taken over the county and seized control of the Xiangyang County government.”
“The Green Garment Army…” Feng Jin muttered from the side, seemingly astonished that a rabble could conquer Xiangyang County.
Though Xiangyang County was poor, it still maintained some soldiers, not to mention the house servants supported by local gentry. Combined, it should be at least a couple of thousand, if not more. How could they be so easily overwhelmed by a mob armed with hoes, machetes, and axes?
“Besides, is there any other detailed news?”
Jiang Pengji frowned, her mind already racing with thoughts of charging in on Big White to take vengeance. For her, what belonged to her was hers, and whatever she had her eye on was also hers. Anyone who dared to extend a claw into her territory would lose a claw in return!
Moreover, based on her subordinate’s account, these Green Garment Army folks were no good either.
Now, she was the acting magistrate of Xiangyang County; this land was her domain, and the people within it were under her protection.
The Green Garment Army, truly reckless!
The subordinate continued, “We lay in wait in Xiangyang County for two days and discovered that the Green Garment Army is no ordinary mob. They have a leader, known as the Ninth General of the Green Garment Army. He is burly and strong, wielding two gigantic axes; the door to the county government was smashed in by one of his swings. The officials of Xiangyang, both large and small, have suffered tragic fates, while the gentry have been completely purged, with an incalculable number of deaths and injuries.”
What the subordinate witnessed was merely the tip of the iceberg.
The leader of the Green Garment Army looted the gentry’s homes, executing all men taller than the cart’s axle, while those who fell short were turned into slaves. As for the women, they were not only tied together with hemp ropes but were also forced to display their bodies as entertainers for the Green Garment Army.
Anyone among the Green Garment Army was entitled to partake in these deeds, and those who resisted often met untimely ends.
The subordinate revealed everything he saw and knew without holding back.
Jiang Pengji laughed coldly as she crushed the ceramic bowl in her hand, even Feng Jin, usually calm, wore an expression of grim resolve.
The audience in the live stream finally grasped that something was about to go down.
【Nutritional Fast Track】: Wait—didn’t they say the Green Garment Army was made up of former commoners? Why are they acting so inhumane?
【Potato Beef Shredded Rice Bowl】: Such atrocities are beyond human capability! They’re nothing but a bunch of beasts!
【Genius Guo Fengxiao】: While I too believe the Green Garment Army are not human, but a horde of brutes, did you catch what the subordinate mentioned? It’s absolutely terrifying when you think it through. The origins of the Green Garment Army are likely bandits or robbers, and this earthquake has nearly shattered Wanzhou, with the court deciding to relocate straight away. If it hadn’t been for the broadcaster’s petitions, those in the capital would probably have perished as well…
Due to character limits, this viewer quickly typed another message.
【Genius Guo Fengxiao】: The inaction of the Dongqing royal family, the Emperor’s folly, became the final straw driving these mobs insane. So they took up their axes and hoes in a frenzied revenge, even committing these inhumane acts. By the way, the brutalities of real ancient warfare are much worse than this; if you don’t believe me, look up the chaos of the Five Barbarians; that’s what two-legged sheep means.
【Old Driver Alliance】: I have a feeling future broadcasts will be very bloody. Kids with weak mental strength should stop watching, so they don’t end up with psychological trauma. Besides, regardless of whether the Green Garment Army were once victims, that doesn’t justify their violence.
The barrage of comments flooded the virtual screen nearly completely, with messages coming in at a rapid pace.
Yet, Jiang Pengji had no spare time to read those records.
She was filled with a killing intent.
Outsider mobs trespassing into her territory, slaughtering her people; if she didn’t retaliate, how could she be at ease!
Feng Jin discerned her thoughts and lowered his gaze. “Lan Ting, we still have two thousand troops in Fengyi County for disaster relief, and right now we only have one thousand troops and one thousand Imperial Guards with us—everyone is exhausted from the long journey, while the Green Garment Army has over ten thousand. If we were to attack Xiangyang County, we absolutely cannot be reckless; a detailed plan must be set. At the very least, you need to ensure your people are safe first.”
“I know.” Jiang Pengji pressed her fingers together, appearing to ponder.
If it weren’t for the near twenty thousand people brought from the capital, she would have charged directly into Xiangyang County by now.
Attacking and defending were entirely different concepts, especially when the defenders were numerous and had the advantage of terrain to bolster their defenses.
If arrangements weren’t made meticulously, pulling all two thousand over would likely lead to severe casualties, even if they managed to secure victory.
