Chapter 527 – Three Fronts in Battle (11)
As the old man knelt down, over a hundred common people behind him also dropped to their knees and pleaded.
Each of them appeared gaunt and pale, their skin taking on an unhealthy hue, as if speaking an extra word could send them fainting.
The audience in the live stream couldn’t bear to watch and started sending messages suggesting Jiang Pengji stop pretending and hurry up to accept these commoners.
【100 Monthly Tickets】: Host, they look truly pitiful. Didn’t you say before that in chaotic times, common people are as floating duckweed? They’re pleading with you like this, so you should accept them. It’s part of your plan anyway; making them kneel is just too much.
【Extra Chapter】: Tsk, I tell you, the host has a really dark heart. Clearly, she covets the Jiao Ping County, secretly orchestrating the commoners to kill the Guards of the Green Garment Army left behind, begging her to take in Jiao Ping County… Tsk tsk, she’s taking all the good things for herself—where’s the fairness in that?
【Double on Weekends】: You guys are overthinking this. Is the host really the type to enjoy putting on airs?
As it turns out, Jiang Pengji truly wasn’t that way. At least, she wouldn’t let these common people actually kneel down and crack their heads.
“Everyone, please rise and speak. Whatever grievances you have, I, Liu Xi, will surely help you resolve them; I won’t turn you away.” Jiang Pengji dismounted and helped the kneeling people up. “It’s late now, and the ground is damp. Let’s all stand and talk.”
The leading old man, quite shrewd, knew better than to kneel and say things like “If you don’t listen to us, we won’t get up.” That’s not just begging; that’s a subtle threat. So when Jiang Pengji helped him up, he took the opportunity to rise.
This old man had considerable authority in Jiao Ping County. Seeing him stand, the other commoners helped each other up from the ground.
The old man bowed slightly and asked, “Liu County Magistrate, where are your troops heading?”
Jiang Pengji replied, “I heard that the Green Garment Army has become a scourge in Cheng’an, Jiao Ping, and Maolin counties, causing the common people to suffer. So, I came to quell them. The Green Garment Army in Cheng’an County has already been completely wiped out. I wanted to settle down, but I recently heard that the Green Garment Army in Jiao Ping County has mobilized. I’m here to investigate.”
The old man’s heart leaped with joy, tears building in his eyes as he said excitedly, “What perfect timing! Liu County Magistrate, you may not know, but the Green Garment bandits indeed left Jiao Ping County, leaving only a thousand to guard the county seat. I heard of Liu County Magistrate’s great righteousness, leading the townsfolk to eliminate the wicked bandits, and was just on my way to find you in Cheng’an County. If those bandits knew this, they surely wouldn’t spare the innocent citizens of the entire town!”
Jiang Pengji seemed to finally understand.
“Could it be that you old sir came to me for this?” Jiang Pengji asked.
The old man wiped away the tears at the corners of his eyes and said, “Exactly… I just hope that Liu County Magistrate’s great kindness can protect the innocent people of Jiao Ping County from the torment of the Green Garment bandits. If you agree, I could die in peace.”
Jiang Pengji’s expression hesitated for a moment. The old man’s heart was in his throat, but soon her gaze became resolute.
“Since the townsfolk have such good faith, how could I, Xi, dare to let you down?” Jiang Pengji said.
Upon hearing this good news, the old man sighed in relief, a bit of color returning to his pale face.
Life is like a play, all dependent on performance.
Even Qi Guanrang, who was so shameless, felt embarrassed for Jiang Pengji’s flawless act in front of the spectators.
With such shamelessness from the leader, he could rest easy.
In fact, the old man had his suspicions about Jiang Pengji’s true identity. However, her demeanor was regal and dignified, her face handsome and upright, strong soldiers behind her with clean and tidy uniforms, and each equipped with quality weapons.
The old man wasn’t ignorant either; just from the display, he was already about 80% convinced.
He also casually probed her stance on Jiao Ping County through conversation. Seeing her genuinely lamenting the suffering of the common people and talking eloquently about various disaster relief methods, he figured this top-tier noble was indeed as good as they said, leaving no room for him to criticize further, only becoming more satisfied with each word.
This old gentleman was one of the few educated intellectuals in Jiao Ping County, always happy to teach others.
Some underprivileged children sought him out to study, and he would often reduce or waive their tuition, being exceedingly kind-hearted.
He recognized Jiang Pengji as the legendary young magistrate known for performing miracles and caring for the people, which the other commoners heartily believed too.
Leading them into the town, they saw the gate of Jiao Ping County wide open for them. Qi Guanrang fanned himself with his feather fan.
Their leader was too capable, making it feel like he might just lose his job as a strategist!
They arrived at the county office of Jiao Ping County.
It had already been taken over by the common people; the Green Garment Army was captured and killed where they could.
Jiang Pengji sat calmly at the high seat.
The General of Jiao Ping County never thought that just half a day after he left, his stronghold had already changed hands.
Outside, the morning light was gently intoxicating.
Thus far, in the four counties of Fengyi Prefecture, three were already within her grasp.
As for Maolin County, it would likely follow suit soon.
Li Yun and Xu Ke truly did not let Jiang Pengji down. Under the cover of night, they launched a surprise attack on Maolin County, breaking through the city gate.
Maolin County’s defenses were even weaker than Jiao Ping County’s, with just a handful of soldiers on the city wall.
Li Yun, drawing his bow, shot through one of the guards on the wall.
A rosy start boosted morale immensely.
In contrast, Maolin County couldn’t even muster a decent counterattack; their resistance was feeble and minimal.
The tide of battle surged forward like a hot knife through butter.
Using a siege ladder to scale the wall, Li Yun was at the forefront, with his silver spear cutting through the enemy ranks easily.
Xu Ke, well-versed in demoralizing local troops—or perhaps influenced by Jiang Pengji—encouraged the soldiers to attack hard while shouting, “The Green Garment Army’s time is up; their entire force is collapsing and fleeing!”
During this time, reinforcements gradually arrived, but faced with the powerful siege equipment, improved crossbows, and bed crossbows, the Green Garment Army was butchered wave after wave. Coupled with Xu Ke’s rallying cries, their morale plummeted to the depths, losing all will to fight.
The Green Garment Army was just a mob, lacking leadership. With low morale and a paltry number of troops, their overall combat capability was laughable. In just half a day, they had completely conquered Maolin County.
Compared to the crisis in Xiangyang County, the sneak attack and siege in Jiao Ping and Maolin counties felt like child’s play.
I wonder how Feng Jin would feel when he learned this news—would his heart and guts explode in rage?
