Chapter 919 – Raids and Annihilation
Feng Zhen smiled bitterly at the words; this was truly the unique style of their Lord.
Killing is merely a formality, but the aftermath is the real trouble.
Seeing Feng Zhen’s expression, Jiang Pengji furrowed her brows and asked, “You don’t agree, do you?”
Feng Zhen shook his head. It wasn’t that he didn’t agree; he was simply worried. The noble families in Chongzhou were not large in number, but their intricate network of relationships was quite complex. If the Lord chose a blunt and ruthless approach, it could bury deeper hidden dangers. Yet if left unchecked, how would the Lord maintain her authority?
“How about we just kill the bandit leader?” Feng Zhen suggested reluctantly. Having been with Jiang Pengji for a while, his preferences had shifted. He now preferred a simpler and more brutal approach over elaborate schemes. But as a strategist, he had to prioritize the Lord’s interests.
“No need; just kill them all,” Jiang Pengji’s eyes glinted with a chilling intensity. “Letting a tiger return to the mountain leads to endless troubles. Chongzhou is a small temple with big demons. Their interconnections are complicated. If we only kill the leader, we’re allowing them to keep their vitality. As long as they live, one chance is all they need to rise again. Rather than that, it’s better to wipe them out completely.”
Only killing the leader would leave the rest to foment chaos.
If that’s the case, it’s better to uproot them entirely, leaving no future threats.
“These families are warnings from the past. Deal with them decisively so others can see the fate of treason!”
Since Jiang Pengji said so, Feng Zhen naturally wouldn’t object anymore.
He squinted mischievously, a calculating smile playing on his lips.
During Jiang Pengji’s absence, he’d endured quite a bit of frustration, and now he could finally reclaim his dignity—how could he feel unhappy?
Feng Zhen was ordered to arrange things, leaving only Jiang Pengji and the solemn Qi Guanrang.
“Are you alright? Does the wound still hurt?” Jiang Pengji asked softly.
Qi Guanrang tugged at his stiff mouth. “This really is an unwarranted disaster for me.”
Jiang Pengji understood the implication of his words, suppressing a smile and restoring her cold demeanor.
“Do you think the one who tried to assassinate you is from the Chongzhou nobles or…” Jiang Pengji whispered to Qi Guanrang.
Qi Guanrang pondered, lowered his brows, and replied, “It’s likely a case of using a knife to kill someone; on the surface, it appears the Chongzhou nobles are crazed enough to send assassins, but secretly, there are other masterminds. That person is exceedingly cautious; without prior precautions, it’s hard to find any trace.”
Jiang Pengji took a deep breath, suppressing the rising agitation and indignation within her.
Qi Guanrang added, “Even so, that person left no evidence. It’s just suspicion on my part.”
Jiang Pengji furrowed her brow, her eyes swirling with an unsettling intensity.
“Lord—do not let your guard down,” Qi Guanrang tightened his grip on his feather fan, striking it against the table to make a crisp sound, interrupting Jiang Pengji’s thoughts. “A small oversight could disrupt the grand scheme. They likely don’t genuinely want your life; it’s probably just a test.”
Jiang Pengji raised her eyes to meet Qi Guanrang’s gaze, silently inquiring with her look.
“You also think that person is testing?”
Testing what?
Testing whether Jiang Pengji has discovered their existence.
If she has found out, the conflict would inevitably surface, and the opposing party would shift their plans early.
If the test reveals Jiang Pengji remains oblivious, they can rest easy, continuing to lurk in the shadows.
“There’s at least a seventy percent certainty.” Qi Guanrang, while waving his fan, lowered his gaze. “Lord should be cautious; don’t reveal any flaws.”
Jiang Pengji replied, “I will pretend nothing happened and see who cracks first.”
Recently, the atmosphere in Chongzhou has been eerie, as if shrouded in oppressive low pressure, suffocating everyone.
When everyone received news of Jiang Pengji’s return to Chongzhou, another rumor also spread.
“How dare she!!!”
Upon hearing that Jiang Pengji planned to raid and exterminate the rebellious Chongzhou nobles, the entire noble circle erupted.
They had heard snippets regarding those few families, but they never imagined Liu Xi would dare to take such ruthless measures as to annihilate them.
“How could she not dare? Those fools grew arrogant, taking advantage of Liu Xi’s absence to collude with the northern frontier. Colluding is one thing, but now that the Eastern Qing nation’s mismatched alliances are clear, they’re only doing this for their own future. Criticism aside, they shouldn’t have been discovered by Liu Xi. And now, handing over ready-made evidence right to her lap, do they think Liu Xi will show mercy and let them off the hook?”
Some were furious, while others watched coldly.
The former, filled with righteous anger, displayed a hint of sorrow for the fate of others, while the latter remained an outsider, calmly observing the changing situation in Chongzhou.
“But—massacring the nobles? How can we align ourselves with such a violent person?”
Crimes should not extend beyond the nobility; rules must not exclude the common folk.
The original meaning of this saying was that nobles should not receive favor in sentencing, and commoners should not be disregarded in matters of etiquette.
However, over time, this has turned into a shield and privilege for the noble class.
Now it is misinterpreted as—nobles hold privileges that exempt them from punishment, while commoners have no right to receive respect.
Although the Chongzhou nobles might seem nouveau riche within that circle, they still tower over the common populace.
For Jiang Pengji to demand the lives of their entire families over a charge of “colluding with the northern frontier” is utterly absurd.
According to their thinking, a heavy punishment would suffice; there’s no need for weapons to be drawn.
“At this rate, this woman will inevitably lose the people’s hearts, and sooner or later, she will meet a fate worse than death.”
Faced with this perspective, those with clear heads chuckled wryly.
They knew full well that as long as Liu Xi held power, the fracas caused by the Chongzhou nobles could not touch her.
A few scholars sought out Jiang Pengji, advising her, giving lengthy speeches, with the core message being that she was wrong.
If it were ordinary people committing treason, then their demise would be justified.
But now, the colluders are nobles; such a mistake should only warrant a severe lesson, a fine. Lives don’t need to be taken.
Remember, Eastern Qing has a law that nobles can pay enough silver to evade the death penalty.
Even for an accusation like colluding with the northern frontier, as long as they can afford it, they may be exonerated legally.
Jiang Pengji coldly watched as they prattled for over half an hour—
“Are you thirsty?”
A few scholars passionately debated, showing off their eloquence, but sadly, their logic was flawed.
The scholars bowed before Jiang Pengji, standing proudly and saying, “We implore Liu Xi to think thrice.”
Jiang Pengji replied icily, “Looks like you aren’t thirsty, which is good. I wouldn’t want to toss you into the backyard well and dirty my water. Guards! Throw these pretentious fools out. From now on, if they dare to come again, just break their legs!”
The scholars turned pale upon hearing this.
Jiang Pengji narrowed her eyes dangerously, “Throw them out!”
As the scholars opened their mouths to argue, spotting guards in armor with drawn blades, they instantly fell silent, not daring to utter a word.
At that moment, Fu Wang and Li Yun burst in, covered in blood.
Seeing them, the scholars felt a wave of unease.
“Is it done?” Jiang Pengji asked.
Fu Wang, cautious in his actions, replied, “It’s all taken care of.”
