Chapter 1452 – Alliance of Nie and Yang (Part Four)
“Even if everyone knows our Lord’s temperament, changing the battle plan right before the fight is still risky enough to make everyone bend over awkwardly.”
“My Lord, changing plans on the battlefield isn’t a good omen! As the commander, she shouldn’t be so willful!”
Qi Guanrang raised an eyebrow, casting a sidelong glance at Wei Zixiao, and just happened to catch the surprised look that Wei Ci couldn’t hide.
After pondering for a moment, Qi Guanrang hid his helpless expression and regained his composure. Stepping forward, he asked, “What is the reasoning behind this action, My Lord?”
According to the original battle plan, they had been concentrating their forces on Yang Tao, intending to capture Zhangzhou in the shortest time possible, and then advance to attack Nansheng. The Nie clan’s strength was fierce, but their army was backed against the Zhanjiang Pass, utilizing the natural defenses there to hold the gates firmly. It would be difficult for the Nie clan to force their way in.
The Zhanjiang Pass is the gateway between Dongqing and Zhong Zhao; its terrain is steep and rugged—a true fortress, easy to defend but hard to attack.
Years ago, Meng Zhan caused trouble, attempting to sell Cangzhou to the Nie clan of Zhong Zhao, and they rushed over, wasn’t it all for Zhanjiang Pass?
No matter who captures Zhanjiang Pass, there are great rewards to reap.
If the Nie clan secures it, they would be on the offensive in terms of attacks.
If Jiang Pengji takes it, it would be much easier for her to defend.
Due to the dual fronts of war, Jiang Pengji’s troops had already split into two columns, marching for two days.
One side was advancing against Yang Tao of Nansheng, while the other was heading to the Zhanjiang Pass in Cangzhou to block the Nie clan from breaking through.
The former was attacking, while the latter was defending; the assigned troops and personnel were naturally different.
When their own Lord casually announced a change in the battle plan, the ensuing consequences were huge. A careless mistake could delay the timing of the battle, leading to endless troubles. Given the trust between ruler and minister, Qi Guanrang wanted to hear the reasoning behind such a decision to see if he could be persuaded; if so, he’d support it.
If the reasoning presented by his Lord couldn’t convince Qi Guanrang, he absolutely wouldn’t let her act without restraint.
He had thought Wei Ci had reconciled with their Lord, but when he stole a glance, Wei Ci’s expression was equally surprised.
With that thought, Qi Guanrang fanned himself furiously, the frequency of his gestures easily doubled as his outer garment fluttered.
Jiang Pengji looked toward Wei Ci, who stepped forward with a bow and said, “It’s no problem for My Lord to change the plan, but the difficult part lies in adjusting the two routes of troops, which burdens the logistics of provisions. Changing commanders at the last minute is also a big taboo in the military. From my perspective, I ask My Lord to reconsider this before making a final decision.”
Both Wei Ci and Qi Guanrang subtly expressed their opposition, and the others found it even harder to be convinced.
However, Jiang Pengji had accumulated quite a reputation over time, so they didn’t entirely shut her down.
Let’s listen to what My Lord thinks first before deciding to support or oppose!
It was Sun Wen who furrowed his brow, realizing the situation was more complex than it seemed.
Though Sun Wen had the least contact with Jiang Pengji, it didn’t prevent him from treating her as a subject of research, often pondering over her character.
Going by his understanding, their Lord was the type who wouldn’t make a move without benefit; she surely knew the potential hidden dangers of changing strategies.
Jiang Pengji scanned the audience, her gaze landing on the relatively backseated Sun Zaidao.
“What do you know about the Nie clan of Zhong Zhao?”
Among those present, only Sun Wen was from Zhong Zhao.
If we’re talking about understanding, the scholar Wan Xuan was surely the best-informed, but he was an educator, and Jiang Pengji was hoping he would help manage the Jinlin branch; she wouldn’t dare pull him to the front lines to endure hardships. Nie Xun could also be of assistance, but he was disheartened and no longer involved in such matters. Jiang Pengji also wouldn’t force her cousin to take up office; she turned a blind eye to his situation.
Counting through, Sun Wen was the only one left.
Sun Wen said, “The Nie clan originated during the early Northern Chen dynasty, and it’s been nearly seven hundred years now. They have deep roots in Bianzhou, with generations of family heads managing their affairs and their apprentices spread throughout the country. In terms of connections, the Nie clan is related to many prominent families, with a web of intricate relationships. With Zhong Zhao in chaos and the royal family in disarray, when the Nie clan calls, three provinces respond, and they currently occupy more than half of Zhong Zhao’s territory.”
Before the Sixteen Kingdoms period, North China also experienced a period of great unity lasting three hundred sixty-seven years, known as “Northern Chen.”
The Nie clan has been thriving since the early Northern Chen years and has maintained their lineage up to this day—quite impressive.
Mind you, the Feng clan, where Feng Jin resides, is only about a hundred years older than the Nie clan.
“Anything else?” She asked playfully, “The Nie clan summons the populace, and the people rally around them; have I truly run into a tough nut to crack?”
Sun Wen shook his head gravely in denial.
“Don’t joke! If My Lord were to become timid about battle, then my dream of vengeance would simply remain a dream!”
“My Lord is joking,” Sun Wen added, “If we were to liken the Nie clan to a deep-rooted, sprawling tree, its canopy can shield the sky, and onlookers may cower in fear, yet that doesn’t include you, My Lord. The outsiders fear the Nie clan’s strength, believing them to be invincible, yet in my view, they are just intimidated by the tiger skin draped over the Nie clan. Since My Lord is a true dragon, how could you be afraid of these?”
Jiang Pengji asked, “Tiger skin draped over the Nie clan? What do you mean by that?”
Sun Wen replied, “Does My Lord still remember the Xu clan of Zhejun?”
Jiang Pengji nodded; of course, she remembered those brothers Xu Pei and Xu Fei; thinking about it now, it was still quite a sigh.
Sun Wen said, “The Xu clan of Zhejun is a prime example of how the Nie clan will not live to tell the tale.”
Jiang Pengji raised an eyebrow, smiling, “Elaborate a bit more.”
Sun Wen explained, “The one with the most seniority and the heaviest influence in the Nie clan currently is the grandfather of the local lord, Nie Liang. Before Nie Liang took power, everyone in the Nie clan had to be under his control. The old man refuses to die, which is a typical trait of a pestilent thief, and he is no exception. In order to solidify his position within the clan, he purposely suppresses his children and grandchildren, making them wear themselves out with internal strife. Among many grandchildren, only Nie Liang shines through.”
Though not many details were known, Sun Wen could guess how Nie Liang rose to power.
Unfortunately, Nie Liang lacked the ruthless heart; he didn’t resolve matters decisively, removing the obstacles in his way, which is why he currently suffers from troubles.
Jiang Pengji asked again, “So you mean that the Nie clan’s tiger skin is—”
Sun Wen said, “The Nie clan boasts a formidable facade, but internally they are disunited, akin to scattered sand. Their offspring are busy fighting amongst themselves and pose little threat.”
If the Nie clan were truly united, it would be quite troublesome to deal with, and some misfortune might even lead to a prolonged conflict.
Of course, these problems hadn’t become inflamed to the core; if the Nie clan’s head had the determination to cut off their tail to save their life, they might still recover from their decline.
Sun Wen then asked her, “Could it be that My Lord thinks the Nie clan is easier to deal with than Yang Tao for this reason?”
“Naturally not. My temporary change isn’t solely based on that… I’ve discovered that Nie Liang’s days are numbered,” Jiang Pengji smiled and said, “Just as you mentioned, Zaidao, there’s something going wrong with the Nie clan these days. If left unchecked, it will surely worsen until it becomes a grave issue. Should a decisive leader arise, removing those ailments and cutting off the tail to survive, it might just revitalize the entire situation. The Nie clan holds significant power and connections in Zhong Zhao, connections we cannot match. As we aim to take charge of Zhong Zhao, we can well imagine the obstacles ahead. Naturally, we must seize this opportunity.”
