Chapter 1076 – The Grief of the Meng Clan (Part Three)
Wei Ci and Jiang Pengji’s worst fears came to pass.
Huang Song seized Chenzhou and captured a district of Cangzhou, while the Meng Clan surrendered Mengjun.
In other words, Jiang Pengji gained nothing this time; all the benefits went to Huang Song.
If it weren’t for Jiang Pengji’s restraint against the Gaoyue Tribe, a real battle would have resulted in heavy losses, leaving even Qianyan County out of reach.
She wore a stern expression, her dark eyes flashing with chilling killing intent, the atmosphere around her heavy and stifling.
The civil and military officials felt the pressure, and the small Panda was even more terrified.
It curled itself into a tight ball, rubbing its head against Wei Ci’s palm, wishing it could hide its entire body inside.
Soft whimpering sounds escaped its mouth, as if afraid of something.
Only in this way could it feel a shred of safety.
Wei Ci gently stroked its head and back with one hand, while nonchalantly raising the other to cover its body with his sleeve.
“That old scoundrel Meng Zhan planned this quite thoroughly—” Jiang Pengji gripped a copper paperweight in her hand, and everyone clearly saw deep fingerprints emerge from where she squeezed it, its form twisted slightly. They could easily imagine how furious she was at that moment. “Even at death’s door, he still schemed against me—if I don’t retaliate, do they really think I’m made of mud?”
Sitting below, Meng Heng lowered his head and remained silent.
He kept his eyes downcast, his face utterly calm.
No one dared to speak, afraid of triggering Jiang Pengji’s limits.
Meng Zhan’s actions were too ruthless, and after Huang Song dealt the final blow, it was clear they intended to leave Jiang Pengji with this silent loss.
Wei Ci discreetly glanced around, observing that everyone was playing dead; he could only muster the courage to take the lead.
“My lord, this situation is already a deadlock. In my humble opinion, it’s better to retreat and then advance. The world knows that you have been holding off the Meng Clan’s forces with your troops, and with your hard work, the governor of Huangzhou is simply reaping the benefits. If it comes to credit, claiming half of Mengjun wouldn’t be too much.”
In short, Huang Song must not be allowed to seize all of Mengjun.
Jiang Pengji let out a cold laugh.
“Half? Isn’t that just giving it away?”
If the Meng Clan hadn’t pulled such a stunt, Huang Song could have taken Cangzhou’s two districts with his forces, and Jiang Pengji could have conceded and accepted the outcome.
Who would have thought the Meng Clan would pull tricks at such a critical moment, not only aiding Huang Song in taking Chenzhou but also handing over two districts without a struggle?
The Meng Clan was clearly doing this to provoke Jiang Pengji.
If she could swallow this grievance, she wouldn’t be called Jiang Pengji anymore!
Wei Ci sighed softly and advised her, “Our army has the advantage in terrain and morale, yet the heavens do not favor us; it’s a misstep in the game—given the circumstances, my lord, don’t let anger harm your health—now is the time to think of ways to minimize losses; please consider this carefully—”
Wei Ci was not daunted by Jiang Pengji’s anger; instead, he spoke softly to keep her calm.
In that moment, the military officials led by Meng Hunyun looked at him with respect—
The aura of their lord was too frightening; even though they were skilled killers, they had just broken into a sweat, their backs drenched.
The expressions of the civil officials, however, were more complex.
True warriors dared to face erupting volcanoes and to confront the wrath of their lord.
Wei Ci was basically the lord’s personal fire extinguisher!
Although Jiang Pengji was furious, she remained rational; noticing the stifling atmosphere in the tent, she slightly reined in her intensity.
Seeing her expression lighten, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
If their lord had maintained her furious state, they would have been on the verge of dying from tension.
Feng Zhen secretly wiped his sweat and stepped forward to bow, “I have a plan that might help mitigate the losses.”
Jiang Pengji lifted her eyelids, her expression steady as if she wasn’t the one whose anger had just exploded.
“Zi Shi, what strategy do you have?”
Feng Zhen tidied his thoughts before bowing again. “Your lordship is the appointed governor of Wanzhou. As a benefactor of the court, you should alleviate the emperor’s troubles. The Meng Clan has committed treason, acted rebelliously, and slaughtered members of the royal family, their crimes are extensive and well-documented. Since you are a loyal subject, naturally, you must take revenge for your liege and deal with these traitors. This much, I believe, the governor of Huangzhou would understand. Why not send troops from Hujun to rescue the emperor in Chenzhou—”
Jiang Pengji shot back angrily, “The royal family is completely dead—”
Feng Zhen’s eyes gleamed, “In this world, what man doesn’t appreciate beauty? Who can guarantee that the Meng Clan really exterminated all royal bloodlines? There might still be surviving branches in the common folk—your lordship has been receiving court stipends for years, so in principle, you ought to preserve at least a flicker of the royal flame.”
Just because the Meng Clan said they killed off the royal family, does that mean it’s true?
Are loyal subjects and brave generals not allowed to seek out any remaining bloodlines?
With just this reasoning, Jiang Pengji had the legitimacy to mobilize troops to Chenzhou.
Huang Song had quite a few forces, but not too many; if he wanted to completely control Chenzhou, it would take time.
Now was the chance to play a “surrounding Wei to rescue Zhao” game and see whether Huang Song wanted Chenzhou or Cangzhou!
Meng Hunyun voiced his concerns, “At this point, relocating troops may be too late—”
Feng Zhen replied, “Has Meng Xiaowei forgotten about Jing Rong and the Deputy Xiaowei Dian?”
Jing Rong?
Deputy Xiaowei Dian?
Meng Hunyun suddenly realized.
Yang Si and Dian Wei had been dispatched by Jiang Pengji to Hujun; they were responsible for the alliance with Xu Pei and had been biding their time for years.
Hujun wasn’t far from Chenzhou; if they were to send troops from Hujun, it would be timely.
Jiang Pengji’s eyes sparkled with calculating coldness as if contemplating the feasibility of Feng Zhen’s suggestion.
She turned to Feng Jin and the others, “Do you have anything to add?”
Feng Jin pondered for a moment, then slightly closed his eyes and bowed.
“My lord, I believe now is not the time to go head-to-head with the governor of Huangzhou.”
Jiang Pengji’s finger tapped the table as she coldly said, “What you mean is—now is not the right time to confront them directly.”
The atmosphere in the tent was tense, and even the audience in the live stream didn’t dare to joke around.
Hearing the exchange between Feng Jin and Jiang Pengji, a few hot-headed viewers couldn’t hold back.
【Thousand Layers Durian Pie】: Meng Zhan plotted against them, while Huang Song, as an ally, reached an agreement with the enemy—while profit comes first, it’s still infuriating to see Huang Song act like this—streamer, you won’t actually swallow this loss, right?
【The Sunset Is Infinite Beautiful】: Streamer, when did your temper become so meek?
Viewers still preferred the fiery Jiang Pengji.
When someone bullies you, how could you just take it?
【Starry Night Mirror Moon】: Don’t rush, I think the streamer surely has her thoughts, maybe there are things we’re not aware of yet.
A few viewers were fuming, but most remained calm.
Some even secretly reveled in Jiang Pengji’s trouble.
Though she faced a minor setback, watching the streamer take things so smoothly, it just wasn’t entertaining anymore.
【Water Ink Condensing】: Wonder if we’ll get to see Meng Zhan make a counterattack, leaving the streamer in silent suffering; that would be quite a sight.
Speaking of this, many viewers expressed their regret.
To make the streamer suffer, now that is a true warrior!
At this moment, a few timid blue bullet comments popped up—
【Orange Lemon Candy】: Uh— I think I’ve seen Meng Zhan before.
