Chapter 409 – Relocating to Chenzhou (Fifteen)
“Clean up the battlefield and recover all the arrows we can.”
Jiang Pengji spat out the wild grass she had been chewing, straightened up, and gazed far into the distance, where the outline of a city loomed on the horizon.
“Clean up the battlefield, then set up camp and rest. After filling our bellies, we’ll attack the city at night.”
Feng Jin frowned at this, “Attacking at night? This… seems rather unwise.”
Jiang Pengji chuckled, saying, “Fighting at night is quite unfavorable for us, but relatively more disadvantageous for them.”
Feng Jin opened his mouth, eager to dissuade Jiang Pengji from such a risky venture, but their troop’s numbers were too few for a gamble like this.
“Don’t worry, Huaiyu. I’m not some reckless fool without brains. If I’ve decided to attack at night, it’s because I have confidence.”
Jiang Pengji’s army wasn’t made up of a single type of soldier; instead, it leaned towards being versatile. The training regimen she imposed was rigorous and intense, ensuring that every soldier’s diet was as balanced as possible. Under the supervision of Meng Hunyun, the chief instructor, the troops were put through their paces to develop nighttime combat capabilities.
Oh, and by the way, in ancient times, due to poor nutrition, many common people suffered from varying degrees of night blindness, especially the impoverished, who often struggled for food during natural disasters and droughts. The incidence of night blindness was high.
Since Jiang Pengji was determined to wage war across the nine prefectures and chase after the position of hegemony, how could she not put in the work?
Her three years in Langya were definitely not for nothing.
Nighttime combat, enemy depleting while we grow stronger; a thousand troops could unleash a formidable fighting force.
Luo Yue led the Imperial Guards to help clean up the battlefield. This time, the Qing Garment Army was largely annihilated by Jiang Pengji’s forces, making the Imperial Guards look more like decorations.
He approached Jiang Pengji, asking, “Does Young Master Liu have any need for me?”
Jiang Pengji replied, “Of course. The safety of over ten thousand common people rests entirely on your shoulders, Teacher Luo.”
Luo Yue wanted to join the nighttime assault, but the words stuck in his throat and wouldn’t come out.
With their trusted troops charging into battle, and his Imperial Guards providing protection from behind, it was obvious which side was safer.
Jiang Pengji looked at Luo Yue with concern, asking, “Is there anything else you need, Teacher Luo?”
Luo Yue shook his head, saying, “No, I won’t delay Young Master Liu any further.”
The bodies of three thousand Qing Garment soldiers were moved to a valley and covered with dry, easily flammable straw before being set ablaze.
Jiang Pengji ordered the disposal of the corpses through fire, and no one in the ranks protested.
When dealing with the enemies’ remains, there’s really no need for too much fuss.
In the sweltering summer, corpses attract flies quickly and decay rapidly; if not dealt with promptly, it could lead to disease outbreaks.
Young Master Liu had made this clear multiple times, so no one dared to argue against her.
While setting up camp, they discovered several horses belonging to the Qing Garment Army, but they were either dead or gravely injured. Jiang Pengji ordered the horses to be slaughtered and made into meat soup to send to the common people who were cooperating with their operations.
Those common folks, still shaken, didn’t really want to be bait. After all, this was a matter of life and death!
However, once they realized that after setting up camp, they would be fed, having even slaughtered the horses for soup, the battle-weary individuals who were still hungry began to tear up, their grievances dissipating—shame replacing it.
Jiang Pengji, however, felt little sentimentality. She took the meat porridge from her troops and gulped it down like it was a competition.
In ancient times, condiments were scarce, and since they were on the march now, they only had a bit of salt, making the food decidedly unappetizing.
But who was she to complain? Even the very proper Feng Jin didn’t voice dissent, and Jiang Pengji surely wouldn’t.
Qi Guanrang had arrived with the remaining commoners to join Jiang Pengji.
“I could see the flames from afar; it must mean Young Master Liu achieved great victory.”
Qi Guanrang no longer looked the part of a refined scholar; his wooden clogs had been traded for thick straw sandals, his clothes made for ease of movement, and his long hair tied with straw rope. Except for his inherent elegance, he looked like a farmer.
“Indeed, thanks to the enemy’s stupidity, the win was rather effortless.”
Jiang Pengji stood up, hanging her broadsword at her waist and selecting two shorter knives to keep within reach.
That broadsword usually hung in her room as decoration, but now it had finally been called to battle.
Qi Guanrang handed her a bow and quiver, saying, “Young Master should take care tonight.”
If anything happens to her, everyone present would likely scatter, and their future would become bleak.
“Just wait for my good news.”
Jiang Pengji smiled, taking the bow and slinging it over her shoulder, filling the quiver with arrows.
Her long hair was tied into a ponytail with a cloth strip, giving her a practical and sleek look.
At a glance, she looked like a charming rogue from the stories, rather than a learned scholar.
Suddenly, Jiang Pengji thought of something and added, “By the way, the three thousand Qing Garment soldiers were buried here. They may send someone out of the city to scout, so be careful of nighttime attacks.”
Qi Guanrang could see the flames rising from the valley even from a distance, and it was reasonable to suspect that the Qing Garment Army might have noticed. Jiang Pengji had taken the common people from the capital; it was her responsibility to ensure their safety.
Qi Guanrang earnestly bowed, “Young Master, please rest assured. We will hold this position with our lives and await your triumphant news.”
“With you all holding the fort, I won’t have any concerns.”
For this nighttime assault, Jiang Pengji had no intention of bringing these scholars along, instead leaving them with a thousand imperial guards to protect the commoners.
The terrain here was elevated, providing a clear view in all directions. Should any Qing Garment soldiers attempt a sneak attack, they could withstand for quite some time.
“Troups, set out!”
As the golden sun dipped low and the hot winds turned cool, Jiang Pengji and her people could see the grand city walls.
Meanwhile, the Qing Garment soldiers defending the city also noticed unusual smoke in the distance early on and reported this to the Ninth General.
The Ninth General was feasting at the county magistrate’s mansion, downing wine and meat while enjoying the dancing of beautiful women. If he felt like it, he could even pull one into his arms for some fun, with the hall filled with the aroma of wine and meat along with the scents of debauchery.
Even from afar, you could hear the raucous laughter of the men and the shivering pleas of the women.
“What’s so serious about it?” The Ninth General, bare-chested displaying his muscular upper body, held a beauty in his left arm while gnawing on a hefty chicken leg in his right. He dismissively said, “With this hot weather, it’s not unusual for fires to break out anywhere.”
The reporting Qing Garment soldier hesitated, saying, “The deputy general who left the city in the afternoon hasn’t returned yet…”
The Ninth General snorted, saying, “Why worry so much? Maybe they’ve scored a big victory and are dividing the spoils elsewhere.”
He knew all too well the greedy character of that deputy general who came from the same bandit den.
The soldier wanted to say more, but the Ninth General impatiently tossed the chicken leg at his face.
“Scram, don’t block this general’s view.”
Before long, the hall was back to its lively atmosphere.
Drinking and eating continued, while those enjoying the beauties indulged, completely unaware that the grim reaper was already on its way.
