Chapter 722 – In Front of Jiamen Pass (Part 2)
“Greetings, my Lord!”
Before long, Meng Hunyun appeared in the tent, clad in armor and glistening with beads of sweat on his forehead.
“Get up, there’s no need for excessive formalities,” Jiang Pengji replied to Meng Hunyun. “The reason I called you here is regarding matters of the Meng Clan. You’ve served them for many years and understand them well, so I want to hear your opinion…”
Jiang Pengji got straight to the point, briefly outlining the situation at Jiamen Pass and her speculations.
Meng Hunyun’s expression deepened in thought. Based on his understanding of Meng Zhan, the other party’s schemes surely weren’t that simple.
After all, he was a seasoned general, and he said, “This matter, I can’t say much. However, Meng Zhan is skilled in strategy, adept at laying traps, layer upon layer, with thoughts that are unfathomable. According to the two gentlemen’s discussions, there’s a great likelihood that Jiamen Pass could hold back the allied forces for ten days to half a month. Can Changshou Wang breach several passes and enter the imperial capital of Chenzhou in that time? If not, once the allied forces break through Jiamen Pass, they could catch up to Changshou Wang’s troops in just a day or two. At that point, when the two armies face off, the outcome is uncertain.”
Feng Zhen and Yang Si shared this sentiment; Changshou Wang must have other fallback plans.
Jiang Pengji tapped the table firmly, confidently stating, “They must have split their forces.”
The three men nodded; they leaned toward this guess.
Using the main force to attract the attention of the allied forces while secretly dispatching an elite squad to ambush Chenzhou’s imperial capital.
“If that’s the case, the imperial capital may be in danger,” Feng Zhen said seriously when talking shop, dropping his usual carefree demeanor. “Changshou Wang must have timed this… perhaps when the allied forces break through Jiamen Pass, Changshou Wang will simultaneously seize the imperial capital and capture the Emperor alive, using his life to coerce the Emperor into abdicating to him… if that happens…”
Before Feng Zhen could finish, the expressions of everyone in the tent turned grim.
If Changshou Wang was really plotting like this, the allied forces would be in an awkward predicament.
Jiang Pengji rubbed her temples and shared even worse news with Feng Zhen and the others, “I might know why the Meng Clan is aiding Changshou Wang.”
Feng Zhen and Yang Si were momentarily taken aback, puzzled as to why Jiang Pengji suddenly brought this up.
Meng Hunyun, however, quickly grasped the situation; his face became stern, fists clenched, with a rage ready to erupt.
“For Meng Liang?”
“Yes, it’s likely due to this matter. Meng Zhan most likely suspects that Meng Liang’s death is related to us. If Changshou Wang becomes the Emperor, Meng Zhan, as a major contributor to his rise, will undoubtedly not spare the Liu Clan,” Jiang Pengji’s eyes glinted with fierce intent. “Coincidentally, even if the Meng Clan doesn’t trouble us, we will eventually have to deal with him. Years of grudges must come to an end…”
Feng Zhen and Yang Si looked utterly bewildered.
“My Lord, who is Meng Liang again?”
Jiang Pengji explained, “Meng Liang was Meng Zhan’s beloved son; I was the one who killed him.”
What?
Their leader killed Meng Zhan’s beloved son?
When did that happen?
Meanwhile, Meng Hunyun’s face was filled with guilt.
“My Lord, if it weren’t for me, you wouldn’t have had to deal with that little rascal Meng Liang…”
Jiang Pengji replied, “What are you saying? I have no regrets about killing that little brat. So what if I provoked the Meng Clan? They intend to bet everything on Changshou Wang and use him to eliminate the Liu Clan; we’ll just have to see if the heavens will back them up!”
Even if Meng Liang hadn’t been killed, an unresolved conflict remained between the Meng Clan and the Liu Clan.
Feng Zhen drummed his fingers on his knee. “If Changshou Wang is indeed splitting forces to ambush the imperial capital, the troops dispatched will be no more than twenty thousand. If we bypass Jiamen Pass, we might still be on time. As long as the Emperor doesn’t fall into Changshou Wang’s hands, we still have a chance.”
Yang Si interjected, “If we are to act, we must inform the allied forces’ leader first. My Lord, shall we do that now…”
Jiang Pengji, with her decisive personality, made up her mind, “Prepare the horses; I’m going to find Xu Pei right now.”
Before becoming the leader, Xu Pei had many grand visions, but reality hit much harder than he imagined; he found himself inundated with troubles.
After enduring a day of disputes with various lords, he felt as though his ears were going deaf.
Just when he thought he could finally catch a break, word came that Liu Xi sought an audience.
Upon hearing it was Liu Xi, Xu Pei couldn’t reject the visitor and had to force himself to muster some energy.
“Please let my brother in!”
As Jiang Pengji entered the tent, the two exchanged simple pleasantries before she got straight to the subject.
“Little brother noticed that Xu Ge’s face doesn’t look happy; are you still troubled by the matters of the allied forces?”
Xu Pei sighed heavily, “Indeed, you understand me well; it’s precisely because of this. Discussing it all day hasn’t led to any decision on who will take the lead.”
Jiang Pengji offered her suggestion, “In that case, why not let each family contribute a portion of troops? That way, they can’t contest it. Those with more troops contribute more, and those with fewer contribute less. Regardless, the allied forces cannot arrive at Jiamen Pass in a grand procession and stay idle!”
Xu Pei felt his head clearing up; indeed, little brother was more considerate than those constantly making excuses.
However, he soon changed his mind.
Jiang Pengji said, “Xu Ge, there’s one thing I hope you can agree to.”
Xu Pei’s eyelids involuntarily twitched, but his face wore a gentle smile as he asked, “What matter does my little brother wish to discuss?”
Jiang Pengji briefly reiterated her and Feng Zhen’s speculations, expressing her intention to lead her ten thousand troops around Jiamen Pass.
Xu Pei internally groaned, realizing the burdens of leadership were no joke.
Previously, Yang Jian raised a ruckus and withdrew from the alliance; after much effort, he was persuaded to rejoin, and now Liu Xi wanted to go solo—what was happening?
He said, “This is just your speculation, and there’s no substantive evidence proving Changshou Wang is splitting forces to ambush the imperial capital. If this is true, it would be a great achievement. But if it’s not, are you not worried others might use this against you? From my perspective, this matter requires careful deliberation. Shall we wait a bit longer while I send more scouts to investigate?”
Jiang Pengji maintained an unscrupulous demeanor, eager to have “Justice” etched on her face.
“This situation is urgent and can’t be delayed. As long as we ensure the safety of the imperial court, I’m more than willing to go through fire and water.”
Xu Pei showed no outward reaction, but his heart was already in turmoil.
“If you leave midway, how am I supposed to explain this to the other lords?”
Jiang Pengji pursed her lips, staring intently at Xu Pei, who silently returned her gaze.
While the two were locked in this standoff, another soldier returned to report that Yang Jian had come seeking an audience.
Xu Pei was surprised; why was Yang Jian visiting at this moment?
Did he not like the quarrels from earlier and wanted to stir trouble again?
“Please let Commander Yang in.”
Yang Jian arrived, but he wasn’t alone; a young male scholar dressed in azure robes—Yan Lin—followed behind him.
Seeing this pair, Jiang Pengji’s heart sank slightly.
Could it be that these two had the same intentions as herself?
