Chapter 1495 – Attacking Nie Liang, Assaulting Yang Tao, Swords Aimed at the World (34)
Jiang Pengji could see that Bai Ning hadn’t taken this matter to heart at all.
But this reaction was normal; after all, in Bai Ning’s mind, firecrackers were merely toys that children played with during the New Year. The idea that such a thing could actually be useful on the battlefield felt as absurd as telling Jiang Pengji that a child’s toy gun could blow up a planet. Besides, if firecrackers were so powerful, why hadn’t the ancestors discovered them earlier?
She chuckled, “The key to innovation lies in interesting ideas! If you blindly adhere to what the predecessors held, how can you ever reach greater heights?”
So what if it was whimsical?
Throughout history, how many groundbreaking inventions were born from such ‘whimsical’ notions?
Bai Ning secretly shook his head; sometimes he doubted what kind of person he was following in his Lord.
She had the ambition to bring peace to the world and end the chaos, suggesting she was a broad-minded ruler concerned about the welfare of the common people. In this respect, she indeed excelled… No, to say she excelled in all areas led to confusion about her identity. Was she merely a politician, a wise monarch, a valiant general, or… a whimsical child of the Mo family?
Regardless of which identity she held, Bai Ning felt no disgust or aversion; on the contrary, he found himself being led along by her thoughts.
“If the Lord finds it interesting, why not send someone to give it a try? I have some ancestral manuscripts at home that might come in handy.”
Bai Ning was skeptical in his heart but didn’t outright dismiss her suggestion; instead, he went along with her.
After all, she was a powerful lord, inherently entitled to entertain such ‘whimsical’ ideas.
Whatever she wanted to do, there would always be people eager to work themselves to the bone for her, to put her ideas into practice and win her favor.
Jiang Pengji shook her head, “Not necessary for now. Let’s discuss it when the world is closer to being settled.”
Even the most primitive explosives would fundamentally alter the nature of warfare in this era; Jiang Pengji wasn’t keen on stirring the pot prematurely, lest something akin to “Shi Zhong” happen, stealing secrets. Such weapons should be handled only when there was the capability to safeguard them, lest they fall into other factions’ hands.
Bai Ning nodded, no longer adding anything.
Jiang Pengji spoke, “Perhaps I should tell Yuexia about this; she will likely be very interested.”
Bai Ning responded with a grin, “Absolutely! Yuexia loves turning the impossible into possible; she’s too competitive.”
As a father, Bai Ning was well aware that his daughter Bai Yuexia suffered from discrimination and verbal abuse due to a birthmark on her face.
When she first came of age, several Ice People had come to propose marriage, but all the suitors were thuggish ruffians, with one being a lecherous old widower well over seventy—how shameless! Bai Ning was furious, and Bai Yuexia was equally angered and chased the Ice People away.
Some Ice People fled with their tails between their legs, while others, hot-tempered and sharp-tongued, bluntly told Bai Yuexia that her looks were ugly and that marrying a scoundrel was already a step up for her. After this village, she shouldn’t even think of marrying; she’d be lucky to find a suitor in this lifetime.
【Father, if the future husband isn’t someone worthy in my eyes, I would rather remain single and comb my own hair for life!】
With a daughter so fiercely proud, what could Bai Ning do other than protect her?
Jiang Pengji smiled, “One day, if I sweep across the world and establish a nation, Yuexia’s achievements will surely eclipse yours.”
Bai Ning felt a surge of happiness upon hearing this.
What did this mean?
It meant the Lord no longer minded the blame on Bai Yuexia for poor oversight; not only did she not intend to punish her but was also planning to promote her.
His heart blossomed with joy, but he maintained a serious expression.
“Yuexia is just a young lady; how could she dare to think so far…”
As soon as the words slipped out, Bai Ning couldn’t help but mentally slap himself.
What kind of foolishness was that? Didn’t he see that his Lord was also a woman?
“I too am a woman, yet I dare to dream of conquering the entire world,” Jiang Pengji replied, not holding his foolishness against him, grinning. “The terms ‘men’ and ‘women’ merely serve to differentiate gender; they do not represent individual capability. To belittle someone based on gender, that’s not how a father should act.”
Bai Ning awkwardly chuckled in agreement.
“You’re right, my Lord; I will be more mindful in the future.”
While they were talking, the raiding armies were already causing chaos throughout Nie Liang’s camp, making it impossible for them to find peace all night.
Jiang Pengji remarked, “At this rate, I don’t see Nie Liang being willing to commit troops. That person has extraordinary patience.”
Bai Ning became serious at the shift back to business, “If he doesn’t send troops, that’s fine; we’ll just keep the pressure on. If he isn’t afraid of morale collapsing, then let him continue to endure. After all, if he thinks he can outlast us, I’d actually be impressed.”
Disrupting without a fight would eventually wear them down.
The soldiers in Nie Liang’s camp were living, breathing people made of flesh and blood, not some lifeless corpses.
A day or two of sleeplessness is one thing, but if this went on for several days, fatigue and a drop in morale would be inevitable.
“Moreover, if we keep up the harassment, they will learn that our forces are merely bluffing and will inevitably lower their guard.” Bai Ning was accurate in his assessment, even though he had little real command experience, back at home in Nansheng, he was the local militia leader, using various tactics to protect their land from invasions, “Even if Nie Liang is cautious and patient, his soldiers are merely fools beneath him.”
Nie Liang might maintain a high level of vigilance, but his soldiers couldn’t do the same.
If the ‘wolf’ story was told too often, when the wolf truly showed up, nobody would believe it.
Bai Ning was unfamiliar with the “wolf” story, but he knew how to gradually chip away at the enemy’s vigilance.
Jiang Pengji said, “I just worry that we reuse the same tricks too many times and get caught out.”
Even the most foolish of enemies wouldn’t fall into the same pitfall repeatedly.
Bai Ning earnestly considered this issue; he decided they would really attack Nie Liang’s camp the night after next.
After three nights of harassing the enemy, they would be mentally fatigued. An assault on the fourth night would surely yield good results.
The next day, Jiang Pengji continued her routine of calling out to the enemy.
Those in Nie Liang’s camp were on the verge of insanity.
Fan Chen fumed, “What’s wrong with Liu Xi? Keeping us up at night, and now she won’t let us rest during the day; has she got too much energy to burn?”
Attacking at night disrupts sleep, and challenging them during the day deprived them of proper rest as well.
Wei Ying said, “It’s obvious she’s trying to force us into battle.”
Fan Chen growled, “So what if she wants us to fight? Are we scared of her?”
Nie Qing, though still young, understood his father’s considerations and stepped forward, eager to take the reins.
Nie Liang furrowed his brow for a moment before saying, “In that case, let’s send someone to deal with them.”
His reluctance to engage wasn’t just due to his health; there was also the fact that Jiang Pengji was simply too uncanny. The string of coincidences had already begun to shake the soldiers’ morale. Before finding the perfect opportunity, Nie Liang did not wish to take risks and give Jiang Pengji the upper hand for nothing.
However, with her daring approach right in their faces, if they didn’t display some courage in retaliation, wouldn’t they just be looked down upon?
