Chapter 674 – Alliance at Huangshui (11)
“…This alliance might be fruitless… Even with more troops, it’s just a show…” Jiang Pengji muttered while pinching her chin, various thoughts racing through her mind. “To prevent the Red Lotus Sect from making a comeback, we can’t withdraw too many troops from Wanzhou. So I’ve decided to lead ten thousand men this time: six thousand elite, four thousand new recruits, leaving the rest to guard the rear…”
Qi Guanrang and Feng Jin frowned slightly, deeply disapproving of her proposal.
Only ten thousand troops?
Though Wanzhou’s military strength was strained and unstable, it wasn’t pitiful to this extent.
How could the Lord, leading the troops to the alliance, possibly make a show with just ten thousand men?
The subordinates harbored concerns but held their tongues, while the audience in the live stream expressed their dissatisfaction first.
【Long Life Su Muqiu】: Wait a minute, are you seriously this poor? You’re technically the governor of Wanzhou, even if it’s still illegal. Heading to an alliance with just ten thousand little brothers? You don’t think that’s shabby? Others will see you as washed up! I still remember back in the last century when the gang leaders could bring dozens of little bros into battle. With your ten thousand troops, you’re totally gonna get looked down on! Speaking of alliances, I recall the eighteen warlords attacking Dong. If they were having an election for leader, with your ten thousand troops, you’d definitely be left out in the cold.
【Speedster Yu Wenzhou】: Haha, are you possessed by @Silent Huang Shaotian upstairs?
【Old Driver Alliance】: Damn it, can you change your ID? With “Long Life,” even watching a live stream feels like a dagger in the heart.
【Genius Guo Fengxiao】: Though those IDs are painful, little Susu isn’t wrong. With the current situation, leading only ten thousand troops will absolutely invite disdain, whether it’s an alliance or an election for leader, she won’t stir up any excitement.
The live stream erupted in a heated argument, with the strategists showing their discontent at first, only to suddenly remember something, their expressions returning to normal.
This change caught the attention of some viewers, who quickly flooded the chat with questions.
【Liu Xi is my husband】: Did anyone notice the strategists were initially against it but now seem calm?
【I Live Next Door, My Last Name is Wang】: Right? I was too busy watching them bicker to realize if I missed something.
【Old Wang Not as Strong as Old Song】: I think I’ve got it! By the way, are you forgetting about the Lord’s father? Governor Liu Zhi!
Indeed, as viewer Old Song pointed out, the strategists didn’t voice further objections simply because they thought of Liu Zhi.
Liu Zhi was also responding to the call for aid.
Though Jiang Pengji only led ten thousand troops, with her father Liu Zhi joining forces, who could surpass their “father-son” pair in the alliance?
Originally, Jiang Pengji planned to bring fifteen to twenty thousand troops, but after further analyzing Wanzhou’s situation, she scrapped that idea. Feng Jin and the others were unaware, but Jiang Pengji knew well that her enemies weren’t just those in plain sight, but also those in the dark.
The open enemies were manageable, but the hidden ones were quite troublesome.
Considering Wanzhou’s circumstances, after much deliberation, Jiang Pengji ultimately chose the safer route.
Taking ten thousand troops to participate in the royal aid alliance definitely looked shabby, but Jiang Pengji was confident that no one would dare to look down on her.
“Wishing the Lord success right from the start.”
Jiang Pengji smiled, “Let’s encourage each other.”
Before the meeting broke up, Jiang Pengji called out, “Wei Ci, you stay for a moment; I need to ask you for a favor.”
Wei Ci responded calmly, while Yang Si’s gaze lingered on his friend’s face, complicated, before being pulled away by Feng Zhen.
Outside the government hall, Feng Zhen tucked his hands into his sleeves, a carefree smile on his face.
“Yang Jingrong, you’ve yet to marry; is there some hidden trouble?”
Yang Si rolled his eyes in annoyance; Feng Zhen was going to be his partner for the next while, so he didn’t want to lose face.
“What do you mean?”
Feng Zhen chuckled, “I noticed today, you glanced at Wei Ci twenty-two times.”
Thunderstruck.
Yang Si wobbled on his feet, almost tumbling down the steps.
“You lecher! Do you think everyone is like you, without distinction between food and non-food?” Yang Si was so enraged his beard nearly stood on end.
Feng Zhen laughed, his eyes sparkling with mischief, “Though I’m a lecher, I don’t have a taste for that sort of thing.”
Yang Si huffed, “Neither do I!”
Feng Zhen scoffed, wrapping an arm around Yang Si’s shoulders, leaning in to whisper, “Have you noticed something?”
Yang Si’s heart skipped a beat, his face turning pale, feigning ignorance, “What discovery? I still have things to do, not tangling with you.”
“About Wei Ci and the Lord, do you two have something going on?” Feng Zhen smirked, making it sound like a statement rather than a question. “At the meeting, not only did you look at Wei Ci twenty-two times, but you also subtly glanced at the Lord twenty-three times… Come on, spill the beans about what amusing thing you’ve uncovered?”
Yang Si felt like erupting, being forced to cooperate with such a gossip king during the alliance was like being mentally challenged.
“If you’re so curious, go ask yourself.”
Feng Zhen sighed, pulling his sleeves together. “I asked, but the Lord and Wei Ci both flatly denied it. You know what kind of demeanor those two have; I don’t want to play mind games with them. Trying to squeeze information from them might backfire…”
Yang Si secretly huffed.
He didn’t want to play mind games with Feng Zhen either; Feng Zhen had no shame, while he still had some dignity.
Feng Zhen said, “Not long ago, the cook developed a new dish that’s sweet and sour, very appetizing—want to try it?”
Yang Si: “…”
Unable to communicate with words, so he resorted to tempting him with food?
Was he, Yang Jingrong, the sort of person who’d lose all dignity just for food?
“Fine, let’s go, it’s almost lunchtime anyway.”
Yang Si stepped forward, smiling on the surface, while secretly contemplating.
According to Jiang Pengji, she intended to reveal her true identity, so why not test Feng Zhen’s depth first?
It’d be peculiar for two appointed to go on an expedition to not have a meal together, and wouldn’t it be forbidden to discuss strategies while eating?
Both weren’t the type to follow rules, and while it was fine with outsiders around, it was a different story without them.
Once Feng Zhen heard Yang Si’s “speculations,” he nearly choked on a piece of pork, coughing so loud it turned heads.
“Jingrong, you’re not pulling my leg, are you?” Feng Zhen’s appearance was a mess, completely losing his previous devil-may-care air, now oozing with a middle-school syndrome vibe. “You suspect the Lord is a woman? That’s utterly ridiculous! If a woman looked like the Lord, she’d never find a suitor. She’d probably end up as a bandit, raiding homes and forcibly taking men as captives!”
Yang Si: “…”
He didn’t believe it either.
