Chapter 1690 – South Sheng Captured, An Huan Executed (Ninety-Eight)
“Any complaints? Of course, I just hope An Huan kicks the bucket sooner rather than later.”
The meals are all heated up; could anything else possibly go wrong?
Five million dried fish munching on popcorn while roasting the plot—after suffering for so long, it’s finally satisfying. If An Huan doesn’t die, it’d be like swallowing back the poop we painstakingly squeezed out! If that happens, we’d definitely see a bunch of fans turn against him.
【Carefree Haha】: Real name here, hoping An Huan checks out soon!
【Sister Tong Tong】: There are so many different people in the livestream, and I can’t bring myself to like An Huan. Just let him go already!
【Xingyue Tianyun】: Host, don’t forget what this scoundrel did while conquering Nanman. Even if Nanman deserved it, An Huan’s methods were just too despicable. Keeping a guy like him around will only mean he’ll eventually take a big bite out of you when you let your guard down.
【Little Wang Yang】: Agreed, An Huan is a ticking time bomb. He’s nothing compared to Huang Song and Yang Tao. If An Huan gets to live after surrendering, then I really feel sorry for the Xu brothers; they were far more likable than him.
Sure, the Xu brothers met their end in defeat, but they didn’t die at Jiang Pengji’s hands directly, yet they’re still better than An Huan.
If even a character like An Huan can survive, those two would definitely regret it if they knew.
The opinions of the dried fish are quite united—hosts can mess around, but An Huan must die!
In response to the clamoring comments from the dried fish, Jiang Pengji offered no explanations. Instead, she focused intently on the reactions of her civil and military ranks.
Yang Tao was about to speak bluntly but was secretly tugged by his buddy to keep quiet, halting his action of getting up.
“What’s up, Shaoyang?”
Yang Tao asked with his eyes, but his mate shot him a “shut it” glance.
“With this matter, anyone can speak, but you better stay out of it. Just be a listener.”
Yan Lin, having been dragged out of bed for a midnight meeting, was sharp as ever and read the situation clearly.
“Why not?”
Thinking they were far apart, Yang Tao lowered his voice to get some clarity.
Yan Lin assured him, “Lan Ting never intended for An Huan to live. It’s impossible to recruit him; whatever you say would be out of place.”
Yang Tao was a surrendered lord himself, and even though he had no plans to cause trouble right now, those in power are always wary.
If Jiang Pengji keeps capturing and recruiting, once the world is settled, to showcase her benevolence, she’d surely treat these surrendered lords well—offering them high positions and titles like duke of an unrelated lineage.
If they remain obedient, that’s fine, but what if they team up to stir trouble over time?
Jiang Pengji isn’t foolish; why would she leave herself with such hidden dangers?
Recruiting Huang Song, signing oaths to keep him in check, recruiting Yang Tao with special treatment—what would she do with An Huan?
On one hand, Jiang Pengji has been fighting for years, losing significant manpower and resources in her invasions of South Sheng.
Even thinking of the soldiers who fell in battle, she can’t carelessly take in another lord.
According to Yan Lin’s analysis, from any angle, Jiang Pengji wants An Huan dead.
Yang Tao was perplexed.
“If that’s the case… then why even ask?”
Dragging someone out of bed in the dead of night just to ask a question with a fixed answer? This is absurd!
As he spoke, he vaguely felt someone’s gaze land on him.
He looked up, but it seemed like no one was paying attention.
Yan Lin said, “It’s a routine inquiry. No one doubts she wants An Huan dead, but to show she’s not a dictator, she should at least ask.”
Yang Tao was stunned, his mouth slightly agape, before he finally stammered out a response.
“I… I wasted my half-made dream…”
Yan Lin: “…”
Because killing An Huan held more value than keeping him alive, several ministers secretly wanted An Huan to go.
Of course, not everyone under Jiang Pengji’s command was particularly wise; there were differing opinions.
Considering immediate benefits, they all agreed that An Huan shouldn’t be killed and that she should try recruiting him again.
Given that their lord was a bit fierce, they offered their suggestions subtly, fearing they might step on a landmine.
To this suggestion, Jiang Pengji remained noncommittal, merely shifting her gaze to others.
“Furthermore, does anyone have any other opinions?”
Her eyes scanned over Feng Zhen and the others.
Yang Si was nodding off, his eyelids drooping as they swayed together.
Feng Zhen held a fan up to half his face, looking normal, but the shifting of his facial muscles revealed he was likely yawning.
Li Yun, Xie Ze, Qi Kuang, and the others wore contemplative expressions, but sadly hesitated to speak up.
As for Wei Ci—
Jiang Pengji shot him a look. He appeared a little hesitant but ultimately stood up.
“My lord, I don’t quite agree with the previous judgments.”
With the lord already having spoken, Wei Ci had to play the role of a mediator, keeping the play going.
“Oh? How so?”
“An Huan is merely a captive. It’s already a significant gesture for the lord to invite him to surrender once. There’s no reason for multiple invitations; giving him that much face is already a stretch.” No need to invite any further if he’s not biting the bait, Wei Ci continued, “Secondly, this person has a treacherous nature, acting ruthlessly and without scruples to achieve his goals. One can see this from how he treated the elderly, weak, women, and children among the Nanman captives. If we were to recruit such a cruel and cold-hearted individual, the risk of him turning against us is immense. My lord, I urge you to reconsider this matter carefully.”
Having thrown out the first stone, Wei Ci provided ample reasoning. Under Jiang Pengji’s gaze, Feng Zhen and the others couldn’t continue to sit idle.
“I absolutely agree with Zixiao’s views.” Feng Zhen stood to add, “Based on the previous assertions, it’s indeed possible to fully incorporate An Huan’s remaining troops through recruitment. However… An Huan’s forces have long since run out of supplies; if we just besiege them for a few more days, we could starve a large portion of them to death without lifting a finger. Since we can make them surrender without too much hassle, why must the lord go out of her way to recruit An Huan?”
“I concur with both Zixiao and Zishi’s reasoning.” Yang Si chimed in powerfully, “An Huan still commands a force of three to five hundred thousand at the front and in the rear. If An Huan is alive, that power can’t be utilized for the lord in the short term. It’s truly more harm than good.”
So…
You get it, don’t you, my lord?
The stage has been set, so please, step down quickly.
After the meeting, everyone wanted to return to their cozy beds for a rejuvenating nap, ready to deal An Huan’s remnants a decisive blow.
