Chapter 579 – Northern Border Horse Plague (Six)
Can Xiao Bai really throw Jiang Pengji off its back?
Turns out, it has the intention but lacks the courage.
The sensory perception of animals is far superior to that of humans, especially for those with higher spiritual awareness.
When ordinary folks face Jiang Pengji unleashing her full aura, they can only feel like she’s radiating a towering energy of 2.8 meters, exuding an impressive air that seems unfathomable. But to these animals, she is a blatant threat, like encountering the most fearsome predator.
Let’s not even mention Xiao Bai, raised in the horse farm—wild stallions would also instinctively shrink back in front of Jiang Pengji.
Why does Jiang Pengji adore the daughter of Feng Jin so much?
Because when the young boy is naive, he shares the sharpness of animals; he isn’t afraid of her and instead feels close to her, naturally making her fond of him.
Similarly, with Xiao Bai being so obedient, she can’t dislike it either.
Xiao Bai knows “those who know how to adapt are the true talents,” running fast and steady, never missing a command.
Jiang Pengji rode it to hunt, originally thinking it’d be scared of the prey, but it turned out to have quite the guts. When little creatures jumped from the grass, it remained calm. Its stamina, speed, and build never betrayed its lineage.
While riding Xiao Bai, Jiang Pengji held the reins of Big White.
Hunting and giving Big White some fresh air.
Being cooped up in the stable all day and with Big White pregnant, if it gets upset, who could hold it down?
After running a lap, Xiao Bai’s performance was quite satisfactory, so Jiang Pengji allowed it to stay in Big White’s VIP stable.
Loaded with prey, Jiang Pengji returned home. It was the perfect season for hunting, and the barbecue had a unique flavor.
However…
“Big White is pregnant, keep an eye on her,” she reminded the groom watching over Big White. “If Xiao Bai gets restless, separate them.”
The groom nodded eagerly, quickly accepting her instructions.
Big White, reluctant, was led back by the groom. She kept looking back, making Jiang Pengji feel quite guilty.
This was merely a small episode that Jiang Pengji later turned into a funny story to share with Li Yun.
The construction in Maolin County, Cheng’an County, and Jiaoping County was still bustling because a large number of refugees and fleeing members of the Green Garment Army and Red Lotus Sect had swarmed in during the past six months. Plus, there were previously captured prisoners. Thus, various constructions had enough manpower. Everyone managed to get through the busiest period, and the remaining tasks could be handled according to protocol. Qi Guanrang and his crew finally had a moment to take a breather.
Once the affairs of the counties were sorted, they snuck back to Xiangyang County for a couple of days of leisure.
Li Yun had been busy in Maolin County but was later assigned to Cheng’an County as a test site for military agriculture. His talent in farming was impressive, and over the last six months, over half of the barren land had been cultivated and allocated.
Hearing about Big White’s pregnancy, as a stallion with a lineage of the exceptional bloodline of the Shalan Country’s sweat blood horses, he couldn’t help but be tempted.
“My Lord—”
Jiang Pengji was flipping the grilled meat and asked, “What’s up?”
“If, if Big White gives birth, can the foal be granted to Yun?”
As soon as Li Yun opened his mouth, a sharp gaze quickly focused on him.
What man doesn’t love horses?
Given Big White’s quality and the stallion’s bloodline, how could their offspring be anything less than excellent?
For a military general, obtaining a horse that possesses spirit, top-notch quality, and a bond with oneself is like adding wings to a tiger on the battlefield, an opportunity hard to come by! Li Yun’s proposal was an early reservation for an incredibly promising horse.
Regretting not speaking up sooner, he felt Li Yun had jumped ahead.
Jiang Pengji chuckled, “Sure, if you like it, take it.”
“Thank you, my Lord!”
Li Yun’s cheeks flushed with joy, not sure whether it was from the drink or simply being elated.
A crowd gathered in the administration hall, grilling meat; the scene was too beautiful, and the atmosphere was quite unique.
This was Yang Si’s first time in Xiangyang County, let alone attending such a gathering.
Hmm, this was also his first time grilling meat in the coveted glass grill pan from outside, making every piece of meat feel like it had just gained a new level of value.
He squinted slightly, scanning Jiang Pengji’s subordinates, his brows furrowing slightly.
Logically, with the precarious situation in the northern border, why didn’t these folks seem the least bit tense? Instead, they were seriously enjoying their barbecue!
Especially that guy in old clothes, drinking to the point of drowsiness—Feng Zhen, who seemed so relaxed that he leaned against Wei Ci as if his bones had turned soft.
Wei Ci sighed, unable to push Feng Zhen away.
After enjoying the grilled meat, Qi Guanrang and his companions exchanged glances, then pushed Feng Jin forward.
He cupped his hands and said, “My Lord, according to reports from Chongzhou, the northern border troops are getting organized. How should we respond?”
Several strategists returned from the other three counties, not just to enjoy this meal, but also to devise countermeasures.
Jiang Pengji chewed a few bites of meat before swallowing.
She spoke quite candidly, “When troops come, we’ll block them; when water comes, we’ll dam it—what else can we do?”
Everyone: “….”
Feng Jin sighed, feeling he had to address it more seriously. “My Lord, please don’t joke; I’m being serious here.”
“I’m serious too. Right now, we’re gathered here eating barbecue; why discuss such pesky business?” Jiang Pengji shrugged nonchalantly.
Yang Si and Feng Zhen instinctively frowned.
This seems unreliable?
Wei Ci smiled, making light of it, “Indeed, the Lord must have a plan in mind; it’s not appropriate to reveal it in this setting, ruining everyone’s good mood.”
Feng Jin cast a sidelong glance at Wei Ci, who seemed unfazed, as if Jiang Pengji genuinely had a solid plan.
Jiang Pengji added, “I’m waiting for news. If the information is accurate, this year, everyone should enjoy themselves without worrying about threats from the northern border. No need for them to seek revenge next year; in two years, we’ll take the initiative to find trouble with the northern border! Let’s eat, drink, and have fun!”
Yang Si secretly looked at Wei Ci, feeling there was something clandestine brewing between Wei Ci and their Lord.
“What news is Liu County Magistrate waiting for?”
Unlike others, Yang Si’s reference to Jiang Pengji was distinct.
“The news about the northern border horse ranch.” As soon as she spoke, a Messenger arrived, kneeling on the ground, presenting a bamboo scroll with both hands raised. She smiled, appearing completely unconcerned, “Let me take a look; good news or bad news.”
Unfolding the letter, the contents made her lips curve upward.
Wei Ci asked, “Is it good or bad?”
“Naturally, it’s good.” Jiang Pengji replied, “Now, the northern border won’t be making any moves.”
Indeed, the butterfly effect had caused many changes, but certain pivotal events continued as expected.
Shalan Country was a thousand miles away from the northern border, even further from the heartland of Central Plains. They selected the finest sweat blood horses from their nation to sell to the northern border, unaware that these horses contracted a plague during transportation. The horse plague has an incubation period, and gradually, some horses died along the way. The dealers assumed it was just an adjustment issue; these horses weren’t adapting to foreign environments, completely ignorant that they were already infected.
By the time they reached the northern border, the dealers sold the surviving sweat blood horses at high prices, inflicting a serious blow on the largest horse farms in the northern border!
