Chapter 1100 – The Schemes Unfold, Initial Success
As the saying goes, “Plans can’t keep up with changes.” Even though Yang Si was no slouch in speed, by the time he arrived in Cangzhou, the Nie Clan’s delegation had just left.
“Lord, I have arrived late,” Yang Si took the initiative to apologize, his voice carrying a nasal tone.
After days of battle and travel, he hadn’t had a chance to tidy himself up, making him look particularly disheveled.
Dian Yin quickly joined in the apology, “This subordinate is also late, please forgive me, my lord.”
Jiang Pengji helped them both up, “You’re not late, just in time. Jingrong, your voice doesn’t sound quite right; are you ill?”
Yang Si responded, “A slight cold, a few doses of medicine will fix it.”
But Dian Yin jumped in, “The military adviser has been so busy lately that he hardly found time to drink medicine or recuperate; this cold has lasted nearly a month.”
Jiang Pengji frowned, “Go call the military doctor to examine Jingrong closely. Even minor illnesses shouldn’t be taken lightly.”
This was out of goodwill, and Yang Si felt unable to refuse, but it warmed his heart nonetheless.
Nie Liang had been poisoned, leading to his prolonged “cold,” but Yang Si, quite simply, just hadn’t been able to rest well, which had delayed his recovery.
Wei Ci discreetly glanced at the prescription issued by the military doctor, confirming it did address Yang Si’s condition, and finally felt at ease to let someone fetch the medicine.
“Zixiao, do you know why the Nie Clan’s delegation left so suddenly?”
What concessions did they possibly gain without getting anything in return from the Nie Clan?
Wei Ci and Yang Si exchanged glances and briefly reviewed the recent situation to keep one another informed.
Yang Si was taken aback.
“Had I known this earlier, I wouldn’t have exhausted myself traveling day and night and lost so much weight.”
Not managing his illness had robbed Yang Si of his appetite, and he had slimmed down quite a bit recently.
Wei Ci shot him a dubious look—
Where exactly had he lost weight?
Just then, Jiang Pengji called the two men into the tent.
“Have you settled the forces in Chenzhou under Lord Bogo, Jingrong?”
Jiang Pengji still aimed to acquire Cangzhou, and Chenzhou held little strategic value for her at present.
Yang Si perked up, stepping forward, “I have diligently attended to the captured soldiers, following my lord’s orders.”
“As the saying goes, ‘One matter never troubles two masters.’ Since the exchange between Cangzhou’s two counties and Chenzhou is in play, why don’t you handle that as well? Any objections?”
Currently still a patient, Yang Si couldn’t help but grin inwardly—
He certainly couldn’t object.
【Rainbow Sweetheart】: Awooo— Long time no see, Xiao Sisi!!!
【Mint Arrow】: Crazy call for Xiao Rongrong! All blame goes to the heartless streamer for not letting him show up for years!
Back in the day, when Yang Si made his debut, he had won countless fans with a massive following. Since Jiang Pengji sent him to Hujun, he hadn’t appeared in the live stream for years, leading many of his fans to abandon their “old love” for a “new crush.”
Most who still stuck with Yang Si were his die-hard fans.
【Bai Qi】: Hmph, the streamer is truly heartless; Xiao Rongrong is still a patient, could you show some compassion?
【My Husband Xu Liao Liao】: If the streamer had any compassion, Yang Si would be so scared he’d lose his mind!
【Love and Producer】: I beg the streamer not to send Xiao Rongrong off to some godforsaken place anymore; it would be better for him to stay by your side.
The viewers were losing their minds with adoration, but sadly, the one concerned, Yang Si, had no clue.
“Rest assured, I shall live up to my lord’s expectations.”
Yang Si performed a bow and accepted the assignment.
“By the way, how are the Xu brothers from Zhejun doing?”
After all, they were future rivals; knowing oneself and one’s enemies would ensure victory in every battle.
Yang Si replied, “Xu Fei is no concern, but we should pay a bit of attention to Xu Pei.”
Jiang Pengji raised an eyebrow, “Oh?”
“Xu Fei is impulsive, brave but reckless; he’s currently being pushed back by his cousin Xu Pei, and it looks like he won’t hold on much longer. If nothing unexpected occurs, he should well be hopeless,” Yang Si said. “As for Xu Pei, he’s different: he treats talented individuals with respect and comes from a noble family, attracting many remarkable talents, with his confidant strategist Han Yu being the most notable. Han Yu is cunning and shrewd, making him difficult to deal with.”
“Han Yu? That literary prodigy? He can’t be just some mediocre fellow if he’s a top student of Mr. Yuanjing.”
Upon hearing that long-forgotten name, Jiang Pengji’s immediate impression was of a handsome young man from the lower reaches of Hejian’s Han River from years back.
Yang Si nodded.
He could barely be considered a foster child of Mr. Yuanjing, and in terms of relation, he and Han Yu could be seen as peer brothers.
Yang Si briefly reported on the events in Hujun over the past few years, and Jiang Pengji listened intently.
Yang Si was remarkably capable, having managed to iron out Hujun’s affairs to ensure the commoners had peace and comfort, all while carefully upholding alliances with Xu Pei through wisdom and wits. It wasn’t something an average person could achieve without a hitch over the years.
“Jingrong, you’ve truly worked hard these years.”
“Not at all, it’s my duty, I dare not claim credit,” Yang Si humbly replied.
Moving on from Yang Si, it was Dian Yin’s turn.
As for Dian Yin, Jiang Pengji did not ask about military matters but instead posed examination questions.
The result was unexpected; Dian Yin, who was not well-versed in literature, managed to respond fluidly.
“Deputy Colonel Dian has clearly put in tremendous effort in learning these years. He’s truly transformed!”
Most of Jiang Pengji’s military officers had risen several ranks, yet Dian Yin, having only reached Deputy Colonel, seemed stagnant—not out of her refusal to promote him or due to a lack of merits, but rather because Dian Yin’s foundation was the weakest, and she preferred to hone him thoroughly before promoting him.
A warrior without strategy ultimately did not go far.
The examination refreshed her existing impression of Dian Yin.
Dian Yin wore a foolish grin as he shyly responded, “Thanks to Military Adviser Yang for not thinking me a slow learner and constantly guiding me.”
Leading a force, relying solely on personal charisma wasn’t enough; it required both soft and hard methods: reward where due and punish where necessary.
Jiang Pengji wasn’t stingy; Yang Si and Dian Yin deserved their due rewards to expend their efforts wholeheartedly for her.
When Huang Song heard that Yang Si was specifically in charge of this affair, his anger flared up—
This guy was out to get him!
Yuan Xin was a brute, tackling issues as it pleased him.
He realized Huang Song regretted the exchange of Cangzhou’s two counties for Chenzhou, and boomed, “If the lord is unwilling, then simply break the contract.”
Huang Song felt his secret thoughts exposed by Yuan Xin, feeling both awkward and infuriated.
Before he could speak, Nie Xun added, “Has Yuan Xun counted the troops within Cangzhou? Does Liu Xi have many forces?”
Yuan Xin, seeing it was Nie Xun, huffed coldly, “At most five thousand.”
Nie Xun replied, “If it were previously, that number wouldn’t be off. But Yang Si marched his troops into Cangzhou from Chenzhou, also bringing two thousand soldiers, which adds up to seven thousand. Additionally, Liu Xi’s main force is stationed at the border of Qianyan County, and at the border of Chenzhou, Yang Si brought elite reinforcements from Hujun. Altogether, it definitely exceeds sixty thousand. Have you considered who would suffer if so many troops were mobilized at once?”
If one were to break the contract, they needed to assess the situation!
Yuan Xin was berated by Nie Xun, his anger rising, and he couldn’t help but reply, “Nie Xun knows Liu Xi’s troop strength so well; it seems you’ve put in considerable effort. I wonder where this news comes from? Is it something you’ve investigated yourself, or did your good brother somehow leak this information?”
Nie Xun’s demeanor drastically shifted; his handsome face paled as if covered in ash.
