Chapter 662 – Demanding Payment
Wei Ci chuckled, “It’s mutual, isn’t it? When it comes to filth, who can compare to Jing Rong?”
In terms of conspiracy and trickery, Wei Ci couldn’t hold a candle to Yang Si—after all, everyone has their own style.
They all had their devious sides; the only difference was who was dirtier.
Yang Si glared, thinking how corrupt the world was. How could this dead fox, Wei Ci, mock others for being black-hearted?
What happened to face?
Amidst the busy government affairs, both Wei Ci and Yang Si were swamped with work.
With over forty thousand prisoners, Jiang Pengji had to figure out how to settle them. Otherwise, given enough time, it would easily lead to complications.
According to the previous plan, part of the captives were to be sent to Fengyi County for labor, while the rest would remain.
Fengyi County and Shangyang County lacked manpower, and even the recently conquered Chengde County needed reinforcements.
After taking Chengde County, reinforcements for the throne would have to be prioritized.
From top to bottom, everyone was spinning like a top.
Jiang Pengji had given Wei Ci a separate task—neither too heavy nor too light.
“…I promised An Huan I would give him one-tenth of the wealth and manpower. Now it’s time to keep that promise. The assets of the Red Lotus Sect still need a few more days to tally, as for the prisoners…” Jiang Pengji calculated the captives they had taken, which numbered around eighty-one thousand, most of whom were common people. Wei Ci was to select eight thousand soldiers to send to An Huan, “…You handle it…”
Wei Ci clasped his hands in agreement.
On the afternoon of the fourth day after taking Qiuyu County, An Huan and a few sworn brothers emerged from their hiding place in the deep mountains.
“Big Brother, this Liu County Magistrate captured quite a few prisoners. He must be planning to give us seven to eight thousand, right? Is he really that generous?”
The group murmured, anxiety filling the air.
An Huan replied calmly, “Whether he wants to or not, he has to. If Liu Xi lacks this level of ambition, he won’t get far.”
As they approached Qiuyu County, they were spotted by the patrol guards. They announced their identity, and Jiang Pengji personally received them.
“Hero Liu, good to see you.”
Having stayed in the mountains for a few days without cleaning up, An Huan and his companions appeared somewhat shabby. If it weren’t for their exceptional aura, one might mistake them for a group of beggars. Compared to the “accomplished” Jiang Pengji, An Huan’s appearance was indeed a bit unkempt.
His brothers remained silent, while only An Huan spoke up.
“I won’t beat around the bush. We’re here today to urge the promise from our younger brother.”
Instead of dancing around the issue with pointless probing, it was better to get straight to the point.
Jiang Pengji was not offended; on the contrary, she said, “Brother An, you’re just in time. I was about to send someone to find you. Thanks to your help, I was able to swiftly take Chengde County. We’ve captured over eight thousand remnants of the Red Lotus Sect, and here’s the ledger of the seized wealth. Please take a look. According to our initial agreement, a tenth of the manpower and wealth—you won’t be shortchanged.”
She knew that her rapid conquest of Chengde County owed a three-tenths share of credit to An Huan himself.
Even if An Huan hadn’t come to “demand payment,” Jiang Pengji would have sent someone to assist him.
An Huan received the thick stack of ledgers, internally astonished—this was perhaps the most extravagant ledger he had ever seen.
It’s not crafted from crude bamboo strips but rather stitched together with uniformly sized bamboo paper.
Bamboo paper is expensive in Dongqing, and even pricier when sold in Nansheng.
He flipped through a few pages, noting that the records were exceedingly clear, every transaction meticulously documented.
Jiang Pengji’s demeanor was so candid that it made An Huan and his companions seem a little petty.
Realizing this, An Huan didn’t bother going through the entire content and soon returned the hefty ledger to Jiang Pengji.
“Everything is up to you, Brother Liu. You’re an upright person; I have no reason not to trust you.”
With a graceful smile, An Huan seamlessly warmed up the atmosphere again.
As the two conversed, Wei Ci entered from outside, bringing news relevant to An Huan.
The eight thousand one hundred people designated for An Huan had been selected.
An Huan furrowed his brows; his brothers recognized the situation and felt a sudden sense of betrayal.
Letting Liu Xi choose for them—who knew if he’d specifically pick the old, infirm, or severely wounded?
What use would such soldiers be?
Jiang Pengji, seeming unaware of their changing expressions, invited An Huan.
“Perfect timing! Brother An, why not join me to take a look?”
An Huan forced a smile, “Then I’ll graciously accept.”
Upon arriving at the training grounds, An Huan realized he had misjudged the situation. The captives Jiang Pengji had chosen were all fit, of suitable age, and appeared relatively well-equipped. Though the prisoners looked somewhat despondent, it was merely the result of being defeated and captured—left feeling lost and hopeless about their future… The outcome was far beyond An Huan’s expectations.
Looking around, it was clear that these prisoners had been carefully selected—all in their prime.
“Liu Xian Di…”
An Huan was at a loss for words, overwhelmed by surprise and delight.
Amidst the crowd, he even spotted several mid-level core members of the Red Lotus Sect, far stronger than ordinary folk.
With proper training, these individuals could form a formidable fighting force.
Jiang Pengji stopped him from speaking, “As long as Brother An is satisfied, no need for further words. Let’s not create distance between us brothers.”
Yang Si observed the exchange, his expression slightly unsettled.
After enduring for a long time, he finally seized the opportunity to discreetly tug at Wei Ci, nearly grinding his teeth, “Wei Zixiao, are you siding with outsiders?”
Wei Ci was taken aback, “What do you mean, Jing Rong? When did I lean towards outsiders?”
Yang Si exclaimed, “Then why did you let An Huan pick those people?”
Not to mention, they were all young men, some appearing quite brawny.
“So that’s the deal…” Wei Ci smiled, “The Lord has agreed too; you don’t need to worry. Don’t just focus on their appearance; behind the scenes, it’s quite different. Most of them are loyal followers or minor leaders of the Red Lotus Sect, oppressing the common people and wreaking havoc—truly notorious. Keeping them would disrupt the internal atmosphere of Wanzhou; it’s better to discard them.”
Most importantly, they had been deeply poisoned by the doctrines of the Red Lotus Sect. They were nothing but a tumor that could not be saved.
Yang Si was dumbfounded, unable to find words.
Wei Ci narrowed his eyes, pledging loyalty, “…I would rather shed my own blood than harm the Lord even a bit this lifetime… An Huan still has his uses. If we were to fool him with old, weak, and disabled soldiers, he’d hold a massive grudge against the Lord. But offering him these eight thousand capable and strong men, he won’t be able to see through the scheme in no time, and we can use him again…”
“Jing Rong, what are you looking at?”
Yang Si finally regained his composure but found Wei Ci’s words strange.
His gaze landed behind Wei Ci, and Wei Ci first looked puzzled before growing anxious.
Turning, he found Jiang Pengji leaning casually against the corridor with an innocent look on her face.
Wei Ci: “…”
How long had she been eavesdropping?
Wei Ci’s eyes darted, silently asking Yang Si.
Yang Si shrugged helplessly; he too was innocent, just noticing that someone was standing there.
