Chapter 1475 – Attack on Nie Liang and Yang Tao, Sword Aimed at the Kingdom (15)
“What a ridiculous send-off!”
General Nie Jun was nearly spitting blood, his face looking as if it hadn’t passed something for many years.
Reluctantly, he ordered the troops to withdraw, his mind racing on how to explain this. The engagement had been short, resulting in minimal actual casualties, so it wasn’t technically a defeat. However, Jiang Pengji’s relentless ploys were like loud slaps, landing harshly on the faces of the Nie Army. They could argue that Jiang Pengji was utterly shameless, but it didn’t change the fact that they had been humiliated.
The Nie Army had clearly been chasing Jiang Pengji’s forces into Zhanjiang Pass, yet they returned looking like a bunch of defeated roosters.
The front-line reports reached Nie Liang before the general even arrived, and he was already aware of the whole situation.
Nie Liang’s face turned pale upon hearing the news, but his expression remained unchanged; only those close to him noticed his fingers trembling slightly with anger. Wei Ying and Fan Chen exchanged glances, both seeing deep concern for Jiang Pengji in each other’s eyes.
The rest of the civil and military officials in the tent sensed that something was off and fell silent.
Nie Liang took a deep breath, suppressing the surging anger within him.
He wouldn’t erupt just because Jiang Pengji pulled a prank, but he certainly wasn’t comfortable.
If it weren’t for his incredible patience, he might have exploded completely.
After a moment, Nie Liang asked, “What’s the weather and wind direction for tomorrow?”
A man stepped forward and cupped his hands, “Based on the recent weather patterns, it should be sunny tomorrow with a southeast wind.”
The northern regions were dry and rainless, and with the sweltering summer, it wasn’t hard to predict changes in the weather with some understanding of geography.
“Given the dry conditions, dead wood easily ignites… A southeast wind is just perfect.” Nie Liang’s gaze dropped, “Prepare dry wood, fire oil, and at the yin time tomorrow, send troops to attack Zhanjiang Pass. Since Liu Xi toyed with us today, we’ll respond with fire.”
Fan Chen was puzzled, “But the nearby forests have all been cut down by Liu Xi’s men; setting fire probably won’t work.”
Nie Liang replied, “A little smoke and flames will be a fitting reply.”
Everyone understood that this wasn’t a serious assault on the pass, but merely a probe and a chance to regain face for today’s humiliation.
However—
They never anticipated that Jiang Pengji wouldn’t stop at just a prank!
“Report—there are hundreds of our soldiers captured outside the camp…”
Nie Liang raised an eyebrow, feeling that things weren’t simple.
If they were prisoners, they shouldn’t have run away during the battle; they were likely captured during the fray.
What did it mean that the enemy captured prisoners and then released them?
“Prisoners? What scheme is Liu Xi up to now?”
Fan Chen felt a chill, recognizing that from Jiang Pengji to Sun Wen, none of her camp was normal.
The soldier stammered, “All those prisoners are dressed in women’s clothing; I can’t describe it…”
Huh?
Everyone was baffled.
When they stepped outside to see, they were immediately filled with both shame and rage, years of propriety obliterated.
The captured soldiers were the elite of the Nie Clan, stripped of their battle robes adorned with the Nie family crest, replaced instead with colorful and ill-fitting women’s garments. They were tied together like hunted prey with ropes, their feet shackled. According to the scouts, they were driven in by Jiang Pengji’s cavalry, whipped with shepherd’s whips—
Additionally, one prisoner wore a brocade box around his neck, inscribed with impressive, flowing characters.
“Gift from Guangshan?”
For Lord Nie Liang?
One man took the brocade box and discreetly weighed it.
“Allow this subordinate to check it for hidden dangers, to ensure it doesn’t harm our lord.”
A daring general stepped up to open the box, nearly blinded by the jewels and finery inside.
Upon closer inspection, inside was an elaborate set of jewelry, topped with a complete, intricate women’s outfit that came with all the accessories one could imagine.
The group fell silent, unable to speak, but their inner fury swelled.
A set of women’s robes and jewelry, gifted to Lord Nie Liang?
One scholar even fainted from anger, and it took several moments of pinching to bring him back to consciousness.
“They are being too much! They are being too much!”
That scholar’s fingers trembled with rage, wearing an expression of both anger and grievance.
“That wicked woman, with such vile, twisted, and lowly intentions; every move is devoid of gentlemanly spirit!”
First, they sent people to sneak attack Nie Liang’s only son, then the very next day came to his doorstep—a haphazard assault filled with humiliation. Now they had the captured soldiers dressed in women’s clothing, smeared with oils and paints, with embarrassing red cheeks adorned, and then sent the gifts of women’s attire to Nie Liang…
Every single instance could make someone explode from rage.
At that moment, someone in the tent, filled with indignation, shouted, “Why not send her a set of women’s Four Books so she can learn her duties as a woman!”
Sure, let’s mutually harm each other!
Wei Ying didn’t look at that person, but disdain brewed in his heart.
He firmly refused, “That wouldn’t do, it would lower our status.”
What even was the women’s Four Books?
A malignant tumor that plagued Zhong Zhao for years, a sinister artifact conjured by the wicked empress that caused mischief in Zhong Zhao.
In the early years, everyone condemned it, yet some still secretly revered it, unaware of what they sought.
Jiang Pengji had indeed disgusted people with her antics, but they belonged to normal crossfire tactics; if they were to send the women’s Four Books to attack her gender, it would equate to offending all women in the world, essentially lowering their status and easily drawing ire upon Lord Nie Liang.
The man saw Wei Ying speak up, feeling some resentment but not daring to retort.
Another person couldn’t hold it in, “What do you mean ‘lowering our status’?”
“Are you saying that Liu Xi’s use of women’s clothing to humiliate our Lord is superior?”
Wei Ying said, “You could send men’s robes instead.”
Everyone: “…”
They all understood that Jiang Pengji initially presented herself as a man, later changing to female after gaining fame from the Huangshui Alliance. For her, male and female garments were fundamentally the same. Sending her men’s clothes might even earn a thanks from her, providing her with an extra outfit for summer.
Could she shamelessly utter a “thank you,” while Nie Liang responds with gratitude for receiving women’s clothing?
That would be nonsense!
Probably already overstimulated, confronted with the women’s garments and jewelry, Nie Liang remained quite calm.
He pointedly remarked, “The goddess has intentions; the king has none.”
Wei Ying paused before instantly understanding how Nie Liang intended to respond.
“A headpiece, a pair of perfumes, several luxurious gowns, a handkerchief, and a pair of fragrant shoes…” Nie Liang flatly counted, coldly flipping the situation, “Though it’s Liu Xi’s kind intent, during a military confrontation, such enthusiasm is rather inappropriate; let’s avoid many things… I have an old wife, and one child. In terms of age and seniority, it’s quite improper, but perhaps fitting for one like Qing’er. Take it away, and burn it at tomorrow’s flag-raising.”
