Chapter 1190 – Slaying Xu Pei, First Strike of the Lords (Part 60)
Qin Gong confidently stepped onto the battlefield, singing all the way as he captured the entire Zhejun, smoothly meeting up with Yang Tao.
Meanwhile, the situation on the frontline had escalated into a heated frenzy.
Ever since the news from Yang Tao arrived, Jiang Pengji changed her strategy against the enemy. The battles became increasingly fierce, consuming the forces of Xu Pei and Huang Song through relentless warfare. The former suffered the most, nearly unable to cope with such a high frequency of combat—kidney pains and feeling completely drained.
Xu Pei, following Han Yu’s advice, concealed the news of the Shingsha Pass’s breach, but this was not a long-term solution; you can’t hide fire with paper.
When the news of Zhejun’s fall reached him, Xu Pei turned as pale as a ghost, while his ministers trembled in anxiety, and morale plummeted completely.
The soldiers were disheartened, the ministers worried for their families, and a dark cloud loomed over the entire camp.
Xu Pei drowned his sorrows in alcohol, trying to numb himself with酒精, while Han Yu and Cheng Xun watched helplessly, anxious at heart.
Upon slightly opening the military tent, the overwhelming stench of liquor wafted out, almost knocking them unconscious.
Cheng Xun earnestly advised him, but unfortunately, Xu Pei wasn’t interested in listening; he didn’t need false comfort right now, he needed a solid strategy to break the enemy. After several efforts, Cheng Xun left frustrated, his brows nearly knitting together, and upon meeting Han Yu, both sighed deeply.
Even the lord Xu Pei had lost confidence in himself, always drunk; their anxiousness was of no use.
Now, the disadvantage on the battlefield was too obvious. Han Yu wanted to suggest Xu Pei retreat to Shanweng City to stabilize the situation and devise new plans.
However, Xu Pei outright refused, even scolding Han Yu, leaving him exhausted.
Having a pig-like leader isn’t scary; what’s terrifying is that this pig has its own opinions—now that’s a nightmare.
The enemies had thrashed them in several direct battles, and now they were fighting on the enemy’s home turf—how utterly nonsensical!
Cheng Yuan and Qin Gong breached the Shingsha Pass, capturing Zhejun, and Jiang Pengji, as the lord, was also performing remarkably well; half of Hu County had already fallen into her grasp, forcing them to retreat step by step. Now, they could only leverage the terrain of Shanweng City to curb Jiang Pengji’s main forces and dodge her strength.
Unfortunately, Xu Pei flatly rejected this, leaving Han Yu utterly helpless, as he hadn’t slept well in days.
Cheng Xun’s advice was similar to Han Yu’s, but since Xu Pei wouldn’t even listen to Han Yu, how could he heed Cheng Xun?
“The enemy’s morale is high, and they hold our families in their hands—” Cheng Xun didn’t hesitate to describe Jiang Pengji with the most malicious thoughts; after all, her methods were viewed by the aristocracy as rebellious. She had previously robbed for money, and who knew if she might crazy enough to dig up graves next?
By contrast, using hostages to threaten them was the most normal thing ever.
“The lord has been troubled by this matter for the past few days, and the troops here have lost their fighting spirit—if this continues—”
Han Yu didn’t dare finish his sentence; if Xu Pei caught wind of it, more trouble would arise.
Understanding dawned on Cheng Xun; although he was reluctant to admit defeat, Jiang Pengji’s winning odds were indeed significantly better than Xu Pei’s.
Had he not ignored Han Yu’s strategy and foolishly gone into battle with Jiang Pengji, losing half their elite forces, things wouldn’t have come to this.
One wrong move, every move wrong.
In a war of attrition, particularly regarding supply lines, they couldn’t match Jiang Pengji.
She deployed a huge army; the logistics cost each day was astronomical. Even with endless wealth, she couldn’t afford to lose her household.
Once logistics falter to the point of shaking the foundation, she would absolutely call her troops back.
At that moment, it would be Xu Pei’s opportunity to rise again, gradually reclaiming lost ground.
However, it was clear Xu Pei lacked this patience and could not bear to shrink back like a turtle, avoiding combat.
Han Yu had calculated and planned extensively, but he had completely underestimated Xu Pei’s “pride.”
“Let the lord calm down for another couple of days; he’ll come to his senses,” Han Yu could only place his hopes on Xu Pei figuring things out, or else the next battle might just be the final one.
In stark contrast to the dismal camp of Xu Pei, Jiang Pengji’s side was filled with high spirits and energy to spare.
Just like that, it was hot outside, and Jiang Pengji’s temper flared even higher.
Well, considering her age, she was full of energy and had no adult life; it’s no wonder she found herself in sticky situations with nowhere to vent that fire.
A few unfortunate military generals were bullied; Jiang Pengji, before countless soldiers, mercilessly pressed them to the ground, rubbing their bodies against every inch of the dirt. At first, Li Yun and the others didn’t get it until the military doctor remarked that their lord had too much energy to burn, and then everyone understood.
Yeah, it’s all about her age.
(╯‵□′)╯︵┻━┻
Seriously, why wouldn’t her energetic lord seek out Wei Ci but instead take her frustrations out on them?
Do military generals have no rights?
They’re humans, not sandbags!
If Wei Ci doesn’t get here soon, they sincerely can’t hold on any longer.
After countless calls, Wei Ci finally arrived late, accompanied by allies Yang Tao and Cheng Yuan. Upon learning that the enemy reinforcements were about to arrive, Xu Pei, though reluctant, had no choice but to heed Han Yu’s advice and retreat to Shanweng City, while Huang Song discreetly prepared to slip away, sensing the looming disaster.
Yang Tao’s army camped ten miles away, and Wei Ci first rushed back to see Jiang Pengji.
In the sweltering heat, Wei Ci donned a verdant summer outfit, making him a sight for sore eyes, gradually calming the rampant fires.
A human-shaped fire extinguisher, as the saying goes.
“Han Mei, what’s wrong with your face?”
Seeing Li Yun warmly greet him, Wei Ci’s heart warmed, but when he noticed the bruises on his cheek, he asked with concern.
Recently, there had been no battles, and Xu Pei had avoided confrontation, so logically, Li Yun shouldn’t have new injuries.
Li Yun was slacking off, having removed his armor; otherwise, wearing those heavy pounds all day would either drain him or leave him dehydrated.
“I had an accident while sparring with someone yesterday—”
Wei Ci understood; that injury had to have been caused by their lord.
Looking at the entire camp, apart from the commander Fu Wang, who was stationed far back, only Jiang Pengji had the strength to brutalize Li Yun.
“Is the lord feeling upset these days?”
Li Yun shivered and asked, “How does Zixiao know?”
“The lord rarely appears on the training grounds, let alone spar with anyone. If she were in a good mood, she wouldn’t be acting like this.” Analyzing thoroughly, it was clear the lord was not in a good place, so she vented her rage via sparring, and poor Li Yun happened to be the target.
Li Yun lamented, “Sigh, the lord hasn’t been able to sleep well lately. The military doctor diagnosed her with excess energy—”
The term “excess energy” means different things to adults and minors; the former has implications.
Sadly, while Wei Ci’s body was that of a youth, his soul was that of a well-seasoned veteran.
He quickly understood—then played dead.
With the lord overflowing with energy, shouldn’t they send her to deal with Xu Pei? Nothing relieves rage like battle.
Wei Ci’s mind began to turn; he planned to give a nudge, hoping Xu Pei would follow Xu Fei’s lead into disaster.
He believed in the notion, so “if one friend dies, the others should follow.”
