Chapter 647 – Mental Breakdown (5)
There’s a saying— I really enjoy seeing you seethe with resentment, gritting your teeth but completely helpless against me.
Well, this sentiment fits perfectly when it comes to Qi Guanrang and the Red Lotus Sect.
Qi Guanrang is low-key in demeanor, but that doesn’t mean his battlefield style is subtle; quite the contrary, he’s rather flamboyant.
Defending the city, nothing could penetrate; attacking the city, completely unexpected.
Even with insufficient forces inside and a bunch of mindless followers causing chaos, Qi Guanrang managed to keep control of the situation, leveraging sufficient defensive equipment alongside his tactical commands. For three consecutive days, he didn’t let the Red Lotus Sect come within a hundred meters of the city gates. Each time they attempted an assault, the sect had to leave behind hundreds or even thousands of corpses, gazing in despair at the prostrate Jinmen County.
In just a week, the situation in Chengde County changed dramatically.
First, Jinmen County fell into Jiang Pengji’s hands, then Honglian County was captured by the second-in-command of the Red Lotus Sect, and subsequently, the rebel forces attempted to seize Qiuyu County, tricking the city’s soldiers into opening the gates under the guise of the sect’s title.
Initially, it was thought that the operations in Chengde County would see the Red Lotus Sect and Liu Xi each holding a county while the rebels took two.
Unexpectedly, just a day later, the situation underwent a complete upheaval.
Liu Xi captured yet another city, adding Honglian County to their holdings.
Compared to Jinmen County, Honglian County posed little difficulty, primarily because An Huan had set up informants in advance.
Although An Huan’s sworn brothers lacked education, they were smart and obedient, faithfully executing An Huan’s plans. While they got the city’s chief drunk under the guise of a banquet, they also bribed the gate guards, stealthily opening the gates under the cover of darkness, allowing Jiang Pengji to slip inside.
Those who were thoroughly inebriated found themselves bound or slain in their sleep, meeting their end.
By the time the common folk within the city woke up, they were only then aware that the flags at the city gates had changed.
Jiang Pengji took control of Honglian County, deliberately sealing the news, leaving the Red Lotus Sect, embroiled in internal strife within Qiuyu County’s walls, utterly oblivious.
“The plan has gone fairly smoothly… Have the scouts returned yet?”
She had secured half of Chengde County, just two counties away from uniting Wanzhou.
“They’ve returned. Here’s the intel the scouts gathered… Pinghu County is currently a shell of its former self, seemingly well-guarded, but it’s actually quite weak.” Yang Si pulled out a scroll of parchment and handed it to Jiang Pengji. “My lord, do you intend to seize Pinghu County in one fell swoop, or should we wait a day or two? The soldiers have been marching day and night and are utterly exhausted; for the sake of combat readiness, I advise we rest for a day.”
Jiang Pengji was indeed quick on the battlefield, but that didn’t mean she lacked the sense to know when to pause.
She was still energetic after several days, but the soldiers were a different story.
They had spent nearly all their time in rapid marches, fitting sleep and rest into spare moments—they were thoroughly worn out.
“Let’s take a break for a day…” Jiang Pengji said with a smile. “Speaking of which, the new recruits from Fengyi County should be arriving soon. Though they’ve only trained for a month or two, they’ll still be useful. By the way, who is leading them?”
Yang Si replied, “Zixiao.”
Upon hearing that name, Jiang Pengji furrowed her brow. “His health isn’t good. Why is he running around in winter?”
Yang Si chuckled, “Although Zixiao is physically weak, he’s skilled in medicinal practices, well-versed in recovery methods. After a few years of care, he’s in much better shape now. Don’t let his delicate appearance fool you; he’s not that frail inside. He’s just as proficient with bow and horse as anyone else, my lord! You often bring up his ‘delicate health’… actually, men don’t really like hearing that.”
Yang Si’s last comment might’ve sounded innocent, but seasoned veterans could pick up on the innuendos.
Jiang Pengji responded, “I know.”
Yang Si was taken aback.
If the lord knew Wei Ci wasn’t that weak, why keep bringing it up?
For a strategist, if the lord repeatedly declined his contributions citing health, it could really hurt his feelings.
Jiang Pengji continued, “It’s to ‘kill the monkey to scare the chickens.'”
Yang Si was utterly dumbfounded.
Kill the monkey to scare the chickens?
What does that even mean?
If this were a live stream, seasoned viewers would likely be entertained by the unfolding drama.
The host’s comment was clear, wasn’t it?
She was deliberately pampering the little princess, showing off openly to others.
This sweet, sickening dog food was something they delightfully consumed.
In her past life, Wei Ci had served alongside Qi Guanrang in the same court for over a decade, so he understood his counterpart quite well.
Knowing that the city was defended by Qi Guanrang, Wei Ci had already formulated a plan to corner him.
He brought over five thousand new recruits while Qi Guanrang had around five to six thousand veterans inside, totaling over ten thousand troops.
Outside, the shouting Red Lotus Sect boasted thirty-six thousand people, but after Qi Guanrang’s tactics, they were reduced to just above thirty thousand now.
If they coordinated a pincer attack, catching them off balance, it was conceivable to take down the thirty thousand enemies with just over ten thousand soldiers.
Wei Ci pondered carefully; this plan was feasible.
The Red Lotus Sect was merely a maligned cult with poor cohesion, and after Jiang Pengji’s consistent blows, their morale had plummeted. They lacked the resolve to fight to the death like a desperate move; instead, upon facing danger, they’d likely flee…
Moreover, Qi Guanrang was firmly defending Jinmen County, and their failed assaults had only cost them dearly, further dispersing their morale and rendering them a weak force.
If now he were to deliver a decisive blow, it would surely crush the Red Lotus Sect’s spirit.
Once their formation completely disintegrated, they would be like headless flies, flailing about, ensuring their defeat.
Though Qi Guanrang achieved significant victories, only he knew how tough it had been behind the scenes.
For several days, he hadn’t dared to sleep properly, fearing he would doze off and the Red Lotus Sect would crazily attack the city.
Three thousand troops were six times the strength of the defenders within!
He calculated the time and felt he’d be liberated in a day or two.
Xu Ke was known for his steady nature. If he sent out the new recruits to battle, one of the strategists from Fengyi County would definitely lead them.
Despite Jiang Pengji’s current territory being small, her top talent was plentiful, with some being specialists.
Regardless of who came, it would be a boost for Qi Guanrang.
Sure enough, the next afternoon, reinforcements finally arrived.
The Red Lotus Sect continued to shout and taunt below the city, until they could no longer contain themselves and chose to make their move.
Qi Guanrang stood atop the city wall, gazing into the distance, and vaguely sensed movement behind the Red Lotus Sect’s forces. His brows knitted slightly, catching a hint of warmth.
To display their might and diminish the threat of the city’s crossbows, the Red Lotus Sect intentionally arranged themselves in an exceptionally large formation.
However, this also delayed their ability to communicate information.
By the time the chaos kicked up dust behind them and the cries of battle filled the air, the Red Lotus Sect leaders finally realized something was amiss.
At that moment, Qi Guanrang chuckled coldly.
He declared, “Support our troops and annihilate the evil cultists!”
