Chapter 1590 – Subduing Nan Sheng, Killing An Huan (Part Four)
“Yang Tao?”
“Leading a rebellion?”
Jiang Pengji was momentarily stunned, her expression calm as she neatly arranged the ivory chopsticks that had been knocked over on the food table, accepting the bowl of rice that Wei Ci had generously filled.
Wei Ci snapped back to attention and quietly stepped aside as Jiang Pengji questioned the messenger.
“What is going on? Explain everything clearly.”
Could it be that Yang Tao’s brain was flooded or he got kicked by a donkey? Otherwise, how could he make such a foolish move?
He brought his troops to surrender, but only had just over twenty thousand remnants left. Almost half of those had been cleverly redistributed by Yang Si under the guise of legitimate reasons. In other words, Yang Tao currently had barely over ten thousand troops at his disposal—what exactly was he planning for a rebellion?
Upon hearing this absurd news, Jiang Pengji was not shocked or angry, but rather full of confusion.
Even her mind couldn’t figure out why Yang Tao would surrender only to rebel afterwards—was he delivered to her doorstep like some kind of a human head?
Jiang Pengji wasn’t the only one thinking this; many idle bystanders watching the livestream were equally stunned by Yang Tao’s actions.
【Don’t Get Your Hopes Up】: Sure, feigned surrender is a common tactic in warfare, but it’s not a panacea to be used at any time—one must at least consider the situation! Young Yang Tao’s approach was like hitting a stone with an egg—almost like seeking death.
【Thirty-Six Strategies of Love】: Yang Tao’s feigned surrender and rebellion was almost like handing the host a dagger that could stab him while leaving no blame behind. Even if he’s foolish, is there really no one around him with a brain? Host, I think something’s fishy here.
【Washing Hair Every Two Days】: I smell a rat too—there must be some hidden reason!
【Falling Peanuts】: Yang Tao might be stupid, but Yan Lin definitely has a brain—he wouldn’t let Yang Tao act recklessly, would he? History tells us that surrendered ministers have a way out, at most switching to serve a different lord, but a leader from the enemy who surrenders has it much worse. Why would Yang Tao stick his neck out and become a thorn in the host’s side when he should be lying low?
Jiang Pengji’s dedicated fans were analyzing the situation seriously, while casual viewers focused on making witty comments and enjoying the show.
To them, it didn’t matter who was at risk of being cut down by the host; they just wanted to be entertained.
Amid heightened anticipation, the messenger laid out the whole truth.
After listening, Jiang Pengji frowned slightly, while Wei Ci beside her looked more relaxed, revealing an expression of “I knew it.”
Before Wei Ci could speak, Jiang Pengji instructed the messenger, “I already know about this. Return and inform Military Adviser Yang to keep a close watch on the enemy forces in Nan Sheng—don’t let them take advantage of any openings. As for Yang Tao, we will temporarily set that aside until my army arrives for a decisive decision.”
Hearing Jiang Pengji did not intend to deal with Yang Tao immediately, the onlookers couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief.
If Yang Tao was killed by the host, wouldn’t that mean one less handsome guy for them to fawn over?
With that, the messenger received his orders and exited, while the others in the tent tactfully withdrew.
“Does Zixiao have nothing to say?” Jiang Pengji asked as she picked up the ivory chopsticks that had been put in order on the table, her left hand holding a black lacquered bowl that was twice the size of her palm. Wei Ci then stood up to bring out the meat soup that hadn’t been served yet, looking every bit the diligent husband.
Wei Ci smiled and said, “Seeing the Lord’s expression, I figured you already had a decision in mind. There must be another reason behind Yang Tao’s rebellion.”
They didn’t believe in Yang Tao’s integrity—that once he surrendered, he would never betray. No, it was simply because betrayal had no benefits for Yang Tao; instead, it would only invite doom upon his family. After questioning the messenger in detail, Jiang Pengji had formed other speculations.
Jiang Pengji said, “If this matter is mishandled and Yang Tao is branded ‘leading troops in rebellion’ without a second thought, that would be disastrous.”
Moreover, Yang Tao had not actually rebelled at all.
Having had a simple lunch, Jiang Pengji’s army resumed their march, though her brow remained tightly knit.
With the weather turning colder, nights becoming longer, and the sky dimming quickly, had she not received today’s battle report, she would have halted for adjustments. Instead, she needed to push forward, ordering the troops to march an additional couple of hours in the dark. Only when everyone was exhausted did she command a stop.
While Jiang Pengji pondered over the day’s events in a makeshift tent, Wei Ci brought her a small tub of hot water, along with a generous portion of supper.
She inhaled the aroma, smiling, “As expected, Zixiao understands my preferences.”
“Lord, clean your hands and face first, and soak your feet before eating,” Wei Ci advised. “After a long day of travel, you should unwind.”
It was a small gesture; Jiang Pengji had no intention of dismissing his kindness, and after wiping her exposed skin with the hot water, she felt considerably refreshed. At this moment, enjoying a hearty meal was akin to being a celestial being. After eating until she was eight parts full, she couldn’t help but let out a satisfied sigh.
“Zixiao’s cooking skills are getting better and better. When we retire one day, you should open a little eatery, and I’ll help you as a shopkeeper collecting money.”
Wei Ci chuckled, “Is the Lord feeling better now?”
“Much better! Indeed, there’s nothing that a good meal can’t solve—if there is, then just have two!” Jiang Pengji joked, her casual banter always managed to make Wei Ci blush, “Zixiao, your delicacies have an even greater impact.”
Wei Ci pulled back his hand, knowing full well that she was taking advantage of the moment.
“Yang Tao’s actions eerily resemble something from my past life… Ninety-nine percent chance this isn’t a true rebellion.”
Jiang Pengji picked her teeth with a toothpick, not the least surprised by Wei Ci’s words.
She asked, “Did something similar happen in your previous life?”
“Indeed,” Wei Ci recounted thoughtfully, “The Emperor also took this chance to bring Yang Tao under his control as a general.”
Under normal circumstances, Yang Tao would have likely been placed under house arrest, turning into a second Huang Song, waking up every day to only consider what delicious food to have or what fun activities to enjoy—a life of leisure. However, in Wei Ci’s past life, Yang Tao became the commander, second only to Fu Wang.
Although Yang Tao ranked fifth on the martial rankings of the Golden Scales Pavilion, the merit and value were higher than the third and fourth place.
With the founding of the Jiang dynasty, Yang Tao was also the only one to be bestowed with a rank beyond first-grade.
Even though this rank wasn’t hereditary and was filled with a lot of political maneuvering… because Yang Tao was a vassal who submitted, he required extra honors to appease the old guards of Yang Tao’s lineage. But it was undeniable that his strength and capability were high enough to warrant this honor.
One could say Yang Tao was the biggest winner among the warlords of this chaotic era, second only to the Emperor.
The turning point in all of this was after Yang Tao’s surrender; the city he temporarily occupied was ambushed by enemy troops. The defending forces were few, and Yang Tao’s whole family was within the city—he risked being suspected by the Emperor, which could lead to punishment or execution, yet mobilized his old subordinates to fend off the invading army, thus making a great contribution.
Wei Ci carefully contemplated the information relayed by the messenger, discovering that Yang Tao’s experience in this lifetime was different but equally fortunate compared to his last.
Jiang Pengji laughed lightly, “Fortune favors the bold; Yang Tao is lucky, and those around him dare to gamble even more.”
