Chapter 1088 – Another Stir (Part 4)
Although it wasn’t a battlefield scenario, the Nie Clan envoy was really about to blow a gasket.
Meng Zhan had written a letter to the Zhong Zhao Nie Clan, showering them with flowery words.
On one hand, he criticized the current issues and analyzed the broader trends of the world, clearly stating the shortcomings of the Nie Clan. On the other hand, he openly confessed the difficulties the Meng Clan was facing right now.
After much back and forth, he finally proposed a trade — as long as the Nie Clan provided protection and other benefits to the Meng Clan, they would relinquish Cangzhou.
Acquiring Cangzhou meant gaining access to a large rear base for horse production!
This exchange of interests was less about an equal trade between the two families and more about the Meng Clan using Cangzhou as leverage to secure protection from the Nie Clan. Even though the Nie Clan was positioned in Zhong Zhao, they were also concerned about the situation across the various states. In recent years, the Cangzhou Meng Clan had been on a decline, their power significantly diminished.
If the Meng Clan were just an ordinary gentry family, they could simply find a local lord to attach themselves to or keep a low profile, and they basically wouldn’t be caught up in the fray.
But the Meng Clan controlled Cangzhou, and the Cangzhou horse farm was an irresistible jackpot that everyone coveted.
Even if the Meng Clan kept to themselves, there would be people from Chaoyang actively looking to stir trouble for them, dragging them into the whirlpool of conflict.
Understanding all this, the Nie Clan harbored no doubts about Meng Zhan’s letter, promptly sending talented scions from their clan as envoys, secretly dispatching them to Zhanjiang Pass.
To their surprise, when they presented the token given by Meng Zhan, the pass commander was full of excuses and obfuscation.
The Nie Clan envoy keenly sensed something was off, stealthily sending someone to inquire about the situation within the pass—
“Too much! Meng Zhan is like a stray dog begging for help from the Meng Clan, but now he’s changed his tune and gone back on his word. Do they really think the Zhong Zhao Meng Clan is made of clay?”
The Zhong Zhao royal family was no longer in existence, and the current scenario showed multiple lords coexisting, with the Nie Clan being the strongest among them.
The advantages and disadvantages of the Nie Clan were quite evident. If they could secure Cangzhou, it would hold significant strategic importance for them.
Cangzhou’s horse farm was vast, producing warhorses that could rival those from the Northern Border, which was just one.
Zhanjiang Pass was a formidable and steep gateway to Dongqing, a true stronghold that was easy to defend but hard to attack. If the Nie Clan could obtain Cangzhou, it would render Zhanjiang Pass useless, allowing them to use Cangzhou as a springboard to develop elite troops and strike deep into Dongqing — that was the second benefit.
But now?
All those sweet dreams had turned to smoke, and the Nie Clan was utterly played by Meng Zhan!
The Nie Clan envoy was furious, and his cousin furrowed his brow, hesitantly suggesting, “It might not be Meng Zhan who gave up Cangzhou—”
They’d only gathered that the three prefectures of Cangzhou had been divided between the Huang and Liu families; no other details were uncovered.
What if the Huang and Liu families teamed up to take Cangzhou?
The corners of the Nie Clan envoy’s mouth twitched, casting a patronizing look at his cousin. The scholar accompanying them explained, “If Meng Zhan didn’t voluntarily surrender or hand over Cangzhou, the war would definitely have impacted Zhanjiang Pass, necessitating the diversion of troops. Yet we’ve been stuck at Zhanjiang Pass for several days, and the soldiers here are neither sick nor injured, nor are there any signs of fighting nearby, which means Huang Song didn’t lose a single man to take Zhanjiang Pass.”
“Oh— so that’s how it is—” The cousin nodded and then said, “So, we’ve been played by Meng Zhan?”
Finally catching on?
The Nie Clan envoy team was left speechless.
“This matter can’t be easily brushed aside. If word gets out, the dignity of the Zhong Zhao Nie Clan will be in tatters.”
Losing face was one thing, but missing this opportunity meant that the Nie Clan’s ambition to encroach upon Dongqing’s territory would face greater challenges.
Taking advantage of the instability in Cangzhou, the Nie Clan could pressure Zhanjiang Pass, sow discord between the Huang and Liu alliances, thus achieving their goal.
“First, send a letter back to Bianzhou and wait for the Lord’s decision.”
The letter from the Nie Clan envoy returned to their homeland, and the thoughts of the Nie Clan members were largely in agreement.
Even if they couldn’t grasp all of Cangzhou, they had to seize Meng Jun!
Or else?
Hmph—
If soft words wouldn’t work, they’d resort to tough measures. With Huang Song and Liu Xi’s forces unstable, could they really hold onto Zhanjiang Pass?
Receiving the order, the Nie Clan envoy team gained confidence and boldly pressured the Zhanjiang Pass commander.
The other side had already issued stern diplomatic wording; Huang Song could no longer pretend to be deaf and dumb. He could only send someone to welcome the envoy team into Cangzhou.
The head of the Nie Clan envoy was Nie Liang, a direct descendant of the Nie Clan, whose courtesy name was Guangshan.
He was over thirty, with unmatched elegance, dressed in dark Confucian robes layered with a thin outer garment, embodying the standard demeanor of a gentry.
Standing beside Nie Liang was a warm and gentle-looking young man in blue robes, slim in build, with a remarkable presence that made him stand out.
If the live-stream fans were to rate them, they’d surely score above ninety, at least eighty-five!
Having good looks was one thing, but their entire demeanor was something ordinary people couldn’t hope to replicate; they’d stand out even in a sea of faces.
Huang Song had a hidden weakness for beautiful people; knowing that these two represented the Zhong Zhao Nie Clan, he couldn’t help but feel an initial goodwill upon seeing their looks.
Nie Liang didn’t waste time exchanging pleasantries with Huang Song; he directly stated his intention, presenting Meng Zhan’s letter, implicitly reminding Huang Song of something—
Meng Zhan had already promised Cangzhou to the Zhong Zhao Nie Clan; hence, this territory belonged to them.
Huang Song could take it, but he needed to weigh his own strength and see if he could hold onto this fat piece of land!
Rather than let the two families clash, it would be wiser for him to withdraw his troops from Cangzhou!
Otherwise, it would come to blows!
Nie Liang’s words were relatively diplomatic, but Huang Song feigned ignorance, diverting the conversation.
“The envoy has traveled a long way from Zhong Zhao and must be tired. Why not let Song treat you as a host and allow the envoys to rest at their lodgings? As for the matters mentioned by the envoys, I am still unaware of the specifics. After I investigate further, I will give you an answer.”
What a generic way to evade responsibility! Nie Liang squinted his eyes, a half-smile on his face.
He was eager to see what tricks Huang Song had up his sleeves.
Meanwhile, they could also use this time to better understand the internal situation of Cangzhou.
Know yourself, know your enemy, and you will never be defeated.
Huang Song stood to see them off. Just as he stepped out of the main tent, Nie Liang caught a glimpse of a familiar figure.
“Nie Xun?” He exclaimed in surprise, turning to Huang Song and asking, “Is that Cheng Yun?”
Huang Song was equally startled. “Do the envoys know Cheng Yun?”
Over there, Nie Xun had also spotted someone who shouldn’t be in Cangzhou.
Nie Liang said, “Liang and Cheng Yun are classmates from the family school, naturally I know him.”
As he spoke, Nie Xun had already stepped forward to greet him.
Huang Song came belatedly to the realization that Nie Xun was the adopted son of the Zhong Zhao Nie Clan, so it was natural that he could recognize the Nie Clan envoys.
Nie Liang said to Nie Xun, “I heard from Clan Uncle that you came to Dongqing in search of family. After so many years away, have you found any relatives?”
Nie Xun sighed with a bitter smile. “This matter is hard to explain. It’s not that I wanted to hide it, but it’s difficult to bring it up.”
Nie Liang understood he had his reasons, so he didn’t pry further; they could discuss it privately later.
The next day, Huang Song held a banquet to entertain the Nie Clan envoy team and also sent an invitation to Jiang Pengji.
Jiang Pengji gladly accepted.
A free feast is a feast worth taking!
However—
She noticed that once the banquet began, Wei Ci’s gaze kept unconsciously drifting towards the Nie Clan envoy team—
“Is there some captivating beauty over there that’s making Zixiao restless?”
Jiang Pengji was curious; which little cousin had dazzled Zixiao’s mind?
