Chapter 1812 – Zhong Zhao is No More
“Present it!”
Is it fortune or disaster? If it’s disaster, you can’t avoid it.
Even if the news is truly bad, Jiang Pengji has no intention of hiding it.
What are auspicious signs or ominous omens? They’re just words spilling from her lips.
Even if it were indeed an “ominous sign,” she could rally her troops and take out anyone who caused her grief.
The once lively hall, filled with chatter and clinking glasses, now sat in complete silence, so quiet that one could hear a pin drop.
Jiang Pengji tore open the battle report, reading quickly without missing a beat.
Her expression showed no trace of emotion, leaving those below her clueless whether the news was good or bad…
If it were good news, that would be one thing, but if it were bad, the implications would be widespread.
“Not only is Princess Lian’s identity being questioned, but those who fail to act appropriately will also be held accountable. The consequences could range from a single life lost to entire families wiped out.”
The ministers present, all seasoned veterans who had accompanied Jiang Pengji for years, found it inappropriate to target anyone specific.
However, not taking action would be even worse, as it would fail to calm the unrest among the common people.
If a crisis in public opinion isn’t handled well, might Jiang Pengji’s hard-won reputation collapse under the pressure?
“I wonder what went wrong…”
They mentally examined every possible source of trouble.
For instance, there could be a rebellion from the Nan Sheng aristocracy, or the folks from the northern frontier could be dissatisfied with their integration, or perhaps…
Qi Guanrang, once in the limelight, suffered a defeat that cost massive resources, losing half of Zhong Zhao’s territory that took so much effort to capture.
A few people at the table let out faint smirks.
Qi Guanrang was the most controversial figure under Jiang Pengji’s command; Yang Si, despite being the son of a courtesan, at least had pure lineage, but Qi Guanrang was a mixed-blood mutt. How many people were gnashing their teeth in jealousy at the thought of such a lowly-born mutt rising so high?
Just thinking about sharing court with someone of such a solitary and sinister nature made them feel uncomfortable.
They had expected Qi Guanrang to take a tumble, but instead, he nearly achieved legendary status, seizing half a kingdom in just over twenty days. Even if it wasn’t solely his credit, as one of the chief strategists, the spotlight on him wouldn’t dim.
Of course, while some were envious, others worried that Qi Guanrang might elevate numerous northern tribesmen, putting them in direct competition.
In a mere few breaths, countless thoughts raced through their minds.
They considered various possibilities, except for the truth.
Jiang Pengji took a deep breath and slowly set down the urgent report, her gaze sweeping over the assembly.
Those who met her gaze instantly straightened up, anxious to avoid becoming her scapegoat.
After a painfully long silence—like the stillness before a public execution—Jiang Pengji finally spoke.
“Lords, I have something to announce.”
As soon as the words left her lips, the crowd knew the main event was upon them.
“Next year will be a year of rest and recovery.”
Everyone: “???”
They were bracing themselves for a storm, and was the main lord brewing such a tense atmosphere just to say this?
Next year will be a time of rest and recovery?
No more fighting with Zhong Zhao?
“Literature confirms that Zhong Zhao will surrender the other half of their territory to celebrate the Young Master’s first month. Those who yield and captives will be escorted with heavy troops; in no more than seven days, they shall arrive at Wanzhou.” Jiang Pengji held up the battle report from the front lines. “Zhong Zhao is now ours, but the land here has endured years of warfare, and the people suffer greatly. It is truly unsuitable to stir up more conflict. Thus, the letters advise us to continue recruiting troops, diligently training our elite forces, and comforting the suffering populace, preparing to finish off Beiyuan and Xichang in the coming year. Do any of you have objections to this arrangement?”
Qi Guanrang had initially intended to seize Zhong Zhao as a newborn gift.
However, due to a slip-up, the usually smooth-sailing Qi Guanrang found himself almost cornered.
Old Jiang is still as cunning as ever; after escaping danger, Qi Guanrang counterattacked fiercely as both sides fought to the bitter end—either he dies, or I die.
In the end, fortune favored Qi Guanrang, as Lord Sun’s reinforcements arrived just in time to surround the enemy’s rear.
As they fought their way through, some feudal lords sensibly surrendered, while others chose death over submission, ultimately bound and sent to Wanzhou.
Only one faction was different—they wanted to surrender, but Lord Sun wouldn’t allow it.
Some advised Lord Sun to spare those who wish to submit, but the normally easy-going Lord Sun blew up, refusing to listen to anyone.
It turned out, this faction was the Nie family.
The once formidable Nie clan of Zhong Zhao was now barely holding on, having played their cards poorly. Lord Sun, putting the greater good first, didn’t wipe them out; he just demanded they hand over the culprits responsible for his son’s death along with their families!
“I lost my beloved wife and son; my grandson was left fatherless, all because of this person.”
“Such a villain who disregards innocent lives deserves to have their entire family exterminated!”
Kill their parents, kill their offspring.
Let him taste the helpless pain of being unable to resist. Lord Sun could still escape with his grandson, Sun Lan, finding a way to survive and seek vengeance years later. But this unfortunate fool could only kneel and beg for mercy, not even as worthy as a stray dog. When Lord Sun, in front of this person, personally executed his father, mother, and five children—both legitimate and illegitimate—the room fell silent; none dared to intervene.
The only person who could have intervened, Qi Guanrang, not only didn’t stop it, he practically handed Lord Sun the sword himself.
Some said Lord Sun was too ruthless, cold-blooded, not sparing even children.
Qi Guanrang couldn’t resist a cold chuckle.
Did these people ever think that Lord Sun was the real victim and the true weak one?
He had simply grown powerful and sought vengeance on his tormentors, repaying hatred with hatred, grievance with grievance.
Now that Zhong Zhao’s dust had settled, Qi Guanrang didn’t feel celebrated.
He had hoped to present a grand gift on the Young Master’s birth, but the timing was off.
Lord Sun said, “No birthday gift? Then there’s the full month celebration gift. If worse comes to worst, there’s always the first birthday gift.”
And thus, the letter was delivered.
The Messenger had died several horses’ worth of effort to bring it, like a relay, finally arriving just as the banquet was winding down.
Qi Guanrang’s lavish gift undoubtedly made the halo above Jiang Lian’s head shine even brighter.
Indeed, it shone so brightly it could blind people.
The Old Commander silently clutched a baby bottle, vigorously sucking on it, his fair face bearing traces of an adult’s weariness.
“You deserve to be the one to kick my daughter! Otherwise, this grand occasion could have been yours.”
The male lead from a major female protagonist novel couldn’t match the suave style of this man, who dedicated everything to seize a nation, just to celebrate your birth.
The Old Commander shot Jiang Pengji a glance but said nothing.
Though honestly, even if she wished to speak, her baby body didn’t support such a function.
Babies grow fast, changing almost daily.
A child under one year old is at their peak of cuteness, especially twins—what a rarity!
Everyone assumed Princess Lian would be quiet and composed while Princess Yan would be lively and active.
But in the end…
Princess Lian proved she took after her mother, while Princess Yan illustrated the meaning of “still as a mountain” through her utter laziness.
