Chapter 1504 – Defeating Nie Liang and Attacking Yang Tao, Sword Aimed at the World (Part 43)
“Zixiao is really too reckless! The Nie camp has lost all reason! If he goes and doesn’t come back, what will we do?”
Old Man Sun Wen was quite worried; the current situation was quite dire, and Wei Ci was practically walking to his doom.
He understood the logic behind Wei Ci’s analysis, but when people are emotionally charged, they don’t tend to think much about the consequences!
Not to mention, if one or two of those stubborn, hot-headed military generals decided to make a scene, would Wei Ci really be able to escape unscathed?
“If he doesn’t come back, over twenty thousand lives will have to be sacrificed along with him. Zixiao won’t take the loss.” Qi Guanrang sipped his tea leisurely, “Throughout history, how many emperors have used living people for burial, and they didn’t even reach this number? Besides, Zixiao is a slippery eel, not so easy to catch.”
Sun Wen choked on his drink; he hadn’t expected the usually solitary and unsociable Qi Guanrang to crack a cold joke.
“The death of Nie Liang has a lot to do with our Lord. This visit to pay respects might be seen as provocation.”
Even though Old Man Sun bore a grudge against the Nie clan, he couldn’t help but feel a pang of pity at Nie Liang’s death.
Qi Guanrang chuckled coldly, “That’s just human nature.”
Was Wei Ci truly sincere in his visit of condolence?
Come on, he was mostly there to confirm whether Nie Liang was truly dead and had some hidden intentions of flaunting power and suppressing the Nie clan.
No sensible person would believe a weasel would sincerely wish well for a chicken for a hundred years.
While the two were chatting, Wei Ci and his group reached two miles from the Nie camp when they were intercepted.
“Who are you!?”
The Nie clan scouts glared at Wei Ci and the others, their hostility palpable as they formed a vague encirclement.
Wei Ci smiled from his horse and performed a respectful bow, “We come on orders from my Lord to pay our respects to Lord Guangshan.”
Hearing this, the faces of several Nie scouts turned ashen, and they immediately wanted to draw their blades.
Wei Ci remained composed, seemingly unfazed by the brandished weapons. Instead, the soldiers escorting him stepped forward to protect him.
“In battle, one does not slay envoys. Today, we come to pay respects to Lord Guangshan. This is not a confrontation between armies; if words turn hostile, should we draw swords? Is that your intention or someone else’s? Lord Guangshan has just passed; ignoring military discipline is unacceptable!”
Wei Ci was unshakeable, effectively calming several of the Nie soldiers.
They exchanged glances and, in the end, took a step back, sending someone to relay the message.
As a few hot-tempered Nie generals heard this, they exploded with rage.
“What does Liu Xi mean? Time and time again provoking the late Lord, now sending a worthless servant to feign sympathy?”
This general didn’t hold back on the insults, making the literati furrow their brows deeply.
An average servant is worth only a coin, whether slave or soldier, both considered the lowly folks of society. Even if they felt outrage, Jiang Pengji had the guts to send someone, indicating the envoy’s status was certainly not low; calling him a “worthless servant” was simply too hurtful.
Another person gritted his teeth, “First, they pretended to be ghostly, causing the late Lord’s illness, and now they send someone to pay respects. It’s clearly mocking our Nie clan as if we’re inconsequential. Get lost! If anyone dares step into the late Lord’s memorial hall, I’ll make sure they crawl out like a human pig!”
A particularly irritable general hefted his weapon, eager to rush out.
“Gentlemen, just wait. I’ll take their head as an offering before the late Lord!”
As their anger escalated, Wei Ying, dressed in white mourning clothes, coldly reprimanded, “Enough! Isn’t there enough chaos already?”
The others looked disgruntled; they were men of iron and steel, their enemy had gotten uppity, how could they tolerate it?
Wei Ying declared, “Properly handle the late Lord’s funeral, stabilize the morale of the troops, and prevent Liu Xi from taking advantage of this chaos. We ensure the late Lord can rest in peace. If you harm the envoy, Liu Xi won’t care whether a week has passed since the late Lord’s death. Do you all want to see fresh wounds added to the late Lord’s remains?”
With such a straightforward statement, the provocateurs dared not stir further, though some remained unconvinced.
“If Liu Xi dares to send troops, I’ll dare to fight back! The late Lord died unjustly; must we still endure this humiliation after death?” One general furiously questioned, “Is the military advisor just afraid of death? Knowing the enemy has ill intentions, yet still defending him?”
“This isn’t cowardice; it’s prioritizing the big picture.” Wei Ying, having not slept well for days, looked pale, yet he persevered, “You might feel like a hero for a moment, but if the late Lord’s funeral fails, will you be pleased to turn over and fight Liu Xi in a rage?”
Another general lamented, “Are we supposed to let them show off before the late Lord?”
Wei Ying responded, “Not necessarily. If they come, they should offer incense, mourn respectfully, and act like good children and grandchildren.”
Hearing this, the generals felt a bit more at ease.
Wei Ying then asked the messenger, “Who is the envoy sent by Liu Xi?”
The messenger replied, “This man’s surname is Wei, name is Ci, claiming to be a strategist under Liu Xi.”
In that instant, everyone noticed Wei Ying’s face contorted; it was an expression of profound disbelief.
“Wei Ci? Is he not Zishun’s younger brother?”
As Nie Liang’s right-hand man and close friend, Wei Ying’s family connections were well-known. Many knew he had a younger brother working as a strategist for Liu Xi. Nobody had expected the person coming to pay respects would be Wei Ci.
Now, some people couldn’t help but snicker.
“Looks like Liu Xi is well aware of how things stand.”
Another chimed in, “Indeed, if not, why would he send Wei Ci? He must be hoping for his brother’s protection.”
Wei Ying replied coldly, “If Wei Ci shows even a hint of disrespect before the late Lord’s spirit, I will personally take his head.”
With these words, those with ulterior motives fell silent.
Before dying, the late Lord Nie Liang had entrusted his younger brother Nie Qing to Wei Ying, who was also Nie Qing’s father-in-law. This connection made it strong enough.
Fan Chen privately told Wei Ying, “I’m sorry you’re in such a difficult position; that brother of yours really lacks sense.”
Wei Ying responded, “Zixiao has always been a sensible child; he hasn’t given anyone trouble. If he dares to come, he likely has confidence in returning safely.”
Fan Chen was taken aback, “In this tense atmosphere, where does his confidence come from?”
Wei Ying muttered, “From his brother.”
Understanding his older brother’s character and that Wei Ying would prioritize the big picture, Wei Ci was confident his brother wouldn’t let him come to harm before the spirit of Nie Liang.
Fan Chen looked at Wei Ying with sympathy.
Having such an troublesome younger brother, Wei Ying indeed had his share of misfortune.
Although the tension within the tent was palpable, when Wei Ci finally arrived, the atmosphere was relatively calm; at least the anticipated scenario of someone rushing to attack didn’t happen. Seeing Wei Ci with a sword at his waist, the expressions on the faces of the others darkened immediately; it was as if he was asking for trouble!
As if reading their minds, Wei Ci paused at the tent entrance, unsheathed his sword, and stepped inside.
Wei Ci first bowed to Nie Qing before nodding respectfully to the others. He then presented the offerings on the altar, knelt before it, performed a ritual offering, and every action was faultless.
“Ci arrived in haste and has yet to prepare a eulogy; I had to write a brief piece in a hurry. I hope the young master can forgive me.”
Nie Qing’s face was cold as he replied, “This gesture is enough.”
