Chapter 496 – Assault on Fengyi County (Part Four)
On this day, winds howled and banners flapped.
Jiang Pengji was finally set to leave the small territory of Xiangyang and step onto a larger, more brutal stage.
Beneath the training ground, soldiers stood in neat rows, each with their backs straight and eyes forward, awaiting the oath-taking ceremony to begin.
For this expedition, two thousand experienced soldiers and another two thousand new recruits were left to guard Xiangyang, while over three thousand elite troops and recruits advanced to the battlefield.
Jiang Pengji originally planned to take a more daring approach by leaving the new recruits stationed at Xiangyang, while her original troops and some newly recruited soldiers would participate in the war. However, this proposal faced unanimous opposition from all her subordinates.
Wei Ci said, “My Lord, this plan is utterly unwise. Xiangyang is your refuge; if you let the inexperienced new recruits guard it and the enemy takes advantage of that for a sneak attack, it could lead to disaster. For the sake of safety, it’s better to leave more experienced veterans.”
After speaking, he frowned, secretly lamenting her stubbornness, but couldn’t bear to watch her take such a reckless risk.
Remembering her past life, it was the one time she was bested by Qi Guanrang that she had been too carefree, nearly losing her base to his surprise attack! That had been a significant loss, and everyone assumed she would tear Qi Guanrang limb from limb, yet the outcome was unexpected.
The city surrendered, and Qi Guanrang not only survived but also became her closest confidant.
She protected Qi Guanrang, this voluntary strategist, from the start to the founding of the nation, even after her demise, she had the new emperor specifically admonished.
Wei Ci couldn’t deny he held some grievances about that.
With her returning to her prime, he began to understand this person from a different perspective; he gradually knew why Qi Guanrang was treated so specially.
Simply because, Qi Guanrang saw through her cold facade to the warmth within.
People say the Emperor is ruthless, bloodthirsty in war, fickle in emotions, and autocratic, but is that truly the case?
If she were such a person, how could Jiang Zhao establish stability?
Under her rule for decades, the common people lived in peace, soldiers admired and respected her, and she even advocated for women in court, promoting numerous laws beneficial to women while injuring the interests of the nobility. Although faced with obstacles, these laws ultimately came to fruition.
Why had no one thought to rebel against her reign and establish a new dynasty?
Simply because, her actions genuinely considered the majority of the common people, while the few whose interests were harmed controlled the public narrative; she, disdaining vanity, let those self-important clowns prance about.
However, no one is infallible. Many allow others’ opinions to sway their thoughts, but Qi Guanrang saw through the truth.
Thus, she could say, “The only person who truly knows me is Qi Guan Rang Wen Zheng.” But maybe… it still wasn’t enough.
Reborn, standing by her side from the very beginning, Wei Ci indeed saw an entirely different Liu Xi.
Such a ruler made him even more infatuated and worshipful, but it was only that – he dared not disrespect her even slightly.
A lifetime of lord and minister together, that’s a fine ending.
After pondering this, Wei Ci chose a way to persuade her that would not provoke her rebellious spirit deliberately.
Others thought similarly; their reasons varied, but the core idea was the same—
You can have fun, but don’t overdo it.
Jiang Pengji’s face grew slightly pale, and she made a tsk sound.
In truth, she wanted to take everyone along with her.
A lightning war, swiftly conquering Fengyi County and becoming an anonymous yet substantial Governor, but… she couldn’t persuade her subordinates.
Qi Guanrang lifted his eyelids and said, “New recruits are still new. They lack training and combat experience, and in battle, they would be the ones suffering the most losses. Training soldiers is challenging; it’s better to take a few veterans with you and leave the others to guard the city…”
Her desire for battle was a good thing since none of her current cohort were conservatives.
But the problem was, the Lord’s reckless approach every day was a gamble—one misstep and they could lose everything; her subordinates’ hearts were feeling the strain.
Jiang Pengji clicked her tongue, “Fine, I’ll agree.”
She looked at everyone with a fond gaze, as if viewing a group of timid fellows, their courage truly lacking.
Following the decisions of these little princesses, was that acceptable?
Jiang Pengji, donned in armor, loudly recited the “Declaration of Suppressing the Green Garment Army,” which Feng Jin had penned.
Regarding such empty rhetoric, she was not at all concerned, reciting with varied tones, secretly rolling her eyes within.
It was just a matter of seizing the Green Garment Army’s territory; by winning that land, it belonged to her—what’s with all the formalities? She had to masquerade as a savior rescuing the common people of Fengyi County, painting herself as an angel… was that really necessary?
As it turned out, it truly was necessary.
A just cause for a military campaign wasn’t merely a saying.
Though she found it tiresome, Jiang Pengji didn’t act impulsively; an unproven army had always been criticized, and even if Feng Jin didn’t take up that role, she would still compel him to write a lengthy declaration, denigrating the ancestors of the Green Garment Army to the depths of hell.
Using the declaration to ignite the soldiers’ fighting spirit, next would be to mobilize troops and generals.
“Meng Hunyun, step forward!” she announced loudly.
Among the soldiers, a sturdy middle-aged man holding a long knife stepped forward and knelt halfway before Jiang Pengji.
“I am here.”
“I appoint you as the Captain of the Vanguard,” Jiang Pengji stated, “Do you have the confidence to clear a path for our army and eliminate obstacles?”
“I will not fail your trust, My Lord,” Meng Hunyun answered loudly, the training ground filled with the atmosphere of impending conflict.
“Li Yun, step forward!” Jiang Pengji’s eyes fixed on Li Yun, as she had high hopes for this young man. However, his lack of experience compared to Meng Hunyun meant he could not independently command troops yet, so she had him practice alongside Meng Hunyun in the vanguard.
“Li Yun pays respects to the Lord!”
Gone was his usual clumsy and sweet demeanor; the cold-faced Li Yun seemed like a different person, each step powerful and resonant, as if brimming with explosive strength, capable of severing the enemy’s heads with his silver spear.
“I appoint you as the Deputy Captain of the Vanguard, to uphold our military’s honor alongside Captain Meng!”
The Vanguard bore the crucial task of scouting the enemy’s movements, surveying the terrain, and sometimes launching probing attacks to disrupt the enemy’s formation, while boosting their own morale. It typically comprised the most elite soldiers, and any misstep could cause significant losses to the army’s morale. Meng Hunyun sought stability, while Li Yun was full of enthusiasm; they made a perfect combination.
Qi Guanrang was appointed as the advisor for the Vanguard; his cunning style perfectly suited the role, capable of turning danger into safety even in ambush situations.
Jiang Pengji and Wei Ci guarded the center, while Xu Ke commanded the rear.
Finally—
“Nong Qin, step forward!”
