Chapter 650 – Unifying Wanzhou (Part 3)
Although I thought a surprise night attack would teach Jiang Pengji a lesson, the leader of the Red Lotus Sect knew deep down that this plan was simply unworkable.
Firstly, tonight was a festival, and formidable enemies were lurking outside the city—nobody was in the mood to celebrate.
Secondly, the common people inside the city had been tricked and extorted by the Red Lotus Sect. Now, they were destitute and, while not starving to death, the food quality was so poor that they couldn’t even taste meat during the festival, making the holiday even more miserable.
No mood, no momentum, no motivation… to sneak attack someone’s camp?
Ha-ha.
As the audience in the live stream joked, even Liang Jingru wouldn’t dare give them courage!
Lastly, Jiang Pengji’s camp was well-structured, clearly displaying her rich experience, and there were no noticeable gaps suitable for a sneak attack. The soldier on night watch was particularly vigilant—despite the bustling festive atmosphere, they showed no signs of slacking off, making a night raid highly impractical.
With nothing working out, the Red Lotus Sect leader angrily swept the delicious food and fine wine off the table, feeling utterly frustrated.
Jiang Pengji could afford to delay her attack for a day, so she certainly wasn’t afraid of their night raid.
If they dared come, she would gladly “welcome” them.
The military camp prohibited alcohol; even during the festival, no hint of it was allowed.
As the commander, Jiang Pengji naturally led by example and simply drank plain water.
Rice wine and the like were better left to her imagination.
Jiang Pengji sat in her tent, where several plates of side dishes were laid out, identical in both appearance and taste to what the soldiers ate.
Since the New Year’s Eve dinner began, the audience in the live stream showered Jiang Pengji with New Year’s blessings.
So many viewers had developed feelings for the live stream since it started.
Now, as they accompanied Jiang Pengji through another year, fans even spontaneously organized a festival song gathering.
Though she couldn’t hear it, she could feel their enthusiasm through the densely packed bullet comments.
Looking at the lively live stream and then at the cold command tent, she couldn’t help but sigh.
“This New Year feels so lonely… Thinking back to last year, we should have been gathered around a long table eating barbecue and hot pot…” Jiang Pengji had eaten to the point of satisfaction; the taste of the communal meal was just mediocre, definitely hard to swallow for someone used to exquisite delicacies. But she wasn’t picky and finished everything, leaving not a single grain of rice in the earthen bowl. “I really don’t want to be fighting during New Year’s…”
Yang Si nodded in agreement.
As a picky foodie, depriving him of good food was as cruel as depriving a junkie of Cold Food Powder.
When the craving hit, how unbearable was it without Cold Food Powder?
Just ask Feng Zhen, who had cried while quitting!
During the New Year’s Eve dinner, Yang Si and Dian Yin sat in the lower positions on either side.
Nong Qin had been left at Honglian County to maintain order, so she wasn’t in the tent.
Yang Si smiled, “With a comparison, one can appreciate the differences. Perhaps you should think about the bandits in Fenghu County; it might improve your mood a lot.”
Jiang Pengji propped her chin on her hand, “By the way, do you think they will come to raid the camp in the middle of the night?”
“The chance is very slim,” Yang Si confidently replied. “Still, just to be cautious, we should enhance our patrols and defenses around the camp.”
Setting up a camp was an art; a well-established camp makes it difficult for enemies to sneak in.
Jiang Pengji wasn’t very versed in this area, but fortunately, she had Yang Si, who could make up for this shortcoming.
Plus, with strict patrols and defenses, even if the Red Lotus Sect really attempted a night raid, they would respond swiftly.
All the soldiers had enjoyed a sumptuous meal; food could soothe negative emotions, at least somewhat dispelling the dreary atmosphere of spending New Year’s in battle.
Thinking about the upcoming attack on the enemy, aside from a hint of melancholy and longing, it was mostly excitement.
Tomorrow was the first day of the New Year, and if they managed to capture Fenghu County, it would set a good tone for the whole year!
They feasted until the moon was high in the sky. Soldiers without patrol duties went to bed early to rest up for tomorrow’s battle, while those on duty gathered to joke and spar, passing the time without disturbing the others’ sleep.
Jiang Pengji always wore her armor while in the camp. Stepping out to observe the setup, she encountered soldiers who all saluted her.
Inquiring about various situations, Jiang Pengji walked to the camp’s front, gazing at the shadows sprawled on the ground in the distance—like a giant beast.
She knew that was Fenghu County.
Once they took Fenghu County and then conquered Qiuyu County, Wanzhou would completely become her territory.
The path to supremacy had just taken its first step.
She sat down in meditation to calm her chaotic thoughts.
While meditating, she organized the strands of ideas in her mind, recharting her plans to unify the world.
Not long after, she heard footsteps behind her and immediately knew who it was.
“Yang Si.”
She spoke in a definitive tone.
Yang Si said, “I saw you leave the command tent alone a moment ago. Are you missing your family?”
Jiang Pengji responded with a bewildered, “Huh?”
“Why would I miss my family?”
Yang Si was momentarily stuck for words.
He assumed Jiang Pengji, still young, would feel lonely away from home during the festival, and looking at the lively surroundings might trigger her longing for family. He thought he was being a caring big brother, but… why was she not sticking to the script?
Understanding Yang Si’s intent, Jiang Pengji found it amusing.
“I’m an adult; I’m not a three-year-old child…”
Now it was Yang Si’s turn to be confused.
“Then what are you doing now…”
Her eyes held firm resolve. “I’m meditating to organize my plans. Once we take Chengde County, I’ll take a short break and then set off to support the kingdom. Supporting the kingdom… who knows how many heroes and legends I will meet then… whether they are enemies or allies, knowing oneself and the enemy ensures victory in every battle.”
Yang Si let out a sound of understanding, slightly embarrassed.
Just as he was about to find an excuse to leave, so as not to disturb Jiang Pengji’s thoughts, she posed a rather strange question.
“Yang Si, I had a weird dream last night. I dreamt of a hen crowing at dawn.”
Yang Si frowned, “A hen crowing at dawn? Isn’t that the omen of misfortune? But strange dreams shouldn’t be taken too seriously.”
He felt a bit concerned—did the commander believe the dream held ill fortune, implying tomorrow’s battle would change?
No superstitions!
“A hen crowing at dawn is often used to symbolize women seizing power during chaotic times, it’s a bad omen…” Jiang Pengji said, lowering her gaze. “What do you think about that?”
Yang Si was taken aback—how did the topic shift to this?
He was also somewhat unconventional in his thinking, deviating from the ideas prevalent among scholars of the time. He replied, “A hen crowing at dawn is different from women in power, in my view. A hen crowing contradicts the natural order, but women in power is not like that. Looking through the Sixteen Kingdoms and the previous dynasties, there were hundreds of years of history where women held power. If we use the hen crowing as a metaphor, it would be an insult to our ancestors.”
There were times in history when women in power was not uncommon.
However, as times changed, stricter societal norms emerged, making the narrow-minded phrase “hen crowing at dawn” gain more acceptance among people.
More believed that women in power was utterly absurd, akin to the misfortune of a hen crowing at dawn.
Jiang Pengji smiled, “What if there were a woman as emperor? Would you find that acceptable?”
Yang Si’s expression became peculiar; his commander harbored not just great ambition but an unparalleled self-confidence.
He chuckled and asked quietly, “Are you suggesting that once you become emperor, you would pass on the throne to your daughter?”
“Why not?”
Yang Si jokingly replied, “Well said.”
