Chapter 424 – Rebuilding Xiangyang County (Part 8)
Qi Guanrang sighed and secretly tugged at Feng Jin’s sleeve, giving him a knowing glance.
When it came to such principle issues, their Lord would never heed advice.
As long as the decision wasn’t made in a fit of rage, as strategists, they should support it.
In fact, if she chose to abandon those two thousand troops for the “greater good,” it would truly break Qi Guanrang’s heart.
“Prepare for battle!” Jiang Pengji said, her face cold. “For every life they take, we shall return tenfold, a hundredfold!”
Xu Ke sighed internally, suddenly realizing that days like today would likely repeat themselves many times in the future.
“The Lord’s decision is made; I must comply,” he stated.
Meng Hunyun stepped forward, his expression resolute. “My Lord, I must join this battle.”
These troops were not merely Jiang Pengji’s personal soldiers but also Meng Hunyun’s countless efforts incarnated as soldiers.
This humiliation, he would personally wash away with the enemy’s blood.
Jiang Pengji sat upright, fingers touching, her thin lips parting slightly.
“Head Instructor Meng will lead the troops with me to rescue people; the defenses within the county will all obey Wen Zheng’s orders.”
Luo Yue couldn’t help but step forward. “County Deputy Liu, I also request that—”
Jiang Pengji interrupted him. “While I must save people, we can’t disregard the lives of the common people of Xiangyang County by directly deploying all our forces. The Green Garment Army clearly came prepared, harboring a strong desire for revenge. I don’t want to lose either the two thousand troops or you all.”
With that, she stood up with an undeniable air and headed towards the backyard.
Feng Jin and Xu Ke exchanged glances, their eyes glinting with interest.
In terms of the time and relationship with Jiang Pengji, Qi Guanrang could hardly compare to either of them. However, when it came to serious matters, particularly in battle, she leaned more towards Qi Guanrang. This time, she had entrusted him with the county’s defense, a rare credit indeed. They were surprised, while Qi Guanrang was caught completely off guard.
“Get moving. The Lord dislikes unnecessary delays.”
Xu Ke, the busy steward, had plenty of trivial matters to manage, including preparations for the battle.
Feng Jin smiled brightly. “Since that’s the case, I shall take my leave first to account for the defense’s instruments.”
Qi Guanrang secretly chuckled to himself as he and Meng Hunyun left, his brow furrowed tightly, unwavering.
Halfway down the road, Meng Hunyun hesitated and spoke. “Wen Zheng, this move by the princess… seems a bit—”
To be fair, looking at the identities of Feng Jin, Xu Ke, and Qi Guanrang, Qi Guanrang likely held the lowest rank among the three strategists.
Yet Jiang Pengji’s unreserved bias was apparent to anyone with eyes.
Meng Hunyun worried about internal discord arising, creating a rift between these individuals.
A conflict among scholars was certainly more terrifying than that of military generals.
Hearing this, Qi Guanrang couldn’t help but burst out laughing.
“Don’t worry, Head Instructor Meng. The Lord knows what’s in their hearts.”
“Eh?” Meng Hunyun, being a straightforward person, couldn’t wrap his head around it. “The Lord did this on purpose?”
“Look, Xiaoyu excels at internal affairs. No matter how chaotic the situation is, he can tidy it up. Huaiyu is adept at external governance, but for now, the Lord’s foundation is still shallow, so his abilities haven’t manifested yet.” Qi Guanrang added helplessly, “Those skilled in cunning are suited for the battlefield. The Lord sees everyone’s strengths and weaknesses clearly, so Huaiyu and the others won’t harbor grievances.”
All of them could strategize for a battle, but each had their strengths and weaknesses.
In this current situation, it was apparent that Qi Guanrang’s guarding the city was a safer bet.
If he were a foolish, narrow-minded person, there might have been friction; however, Xu Ke and Feng Jin were different, which was why Qi Guanrang didn’t worry.
“So that’s the case; I’ve overthought it,” Meng Hunyun said, feeling a bit embarrassed.
Qi Guanrang sighed inwardly; it was as he said, but he really didn’t want to stand out.
Yet, given the present circumstances, avoiding recognition could cost him his life. He absolutely had to hold Xiangyang County!
Fortunately, the fortification supplies in Xiangyang County were intact, and they had recruited quite a few soldiers in the past few days, giving him a bit of confidence.
Qi Guanrang was no wild card like the Green Garment Army. If Jiang Pengji charged through the defenses he established, it certainly wouldn’t be so simple.
In just an hour, Xu Ke completed the pre-battle preparations, with a thousand-man troop ready to go, each carrying enough rations for six days.
Jiang Pengji didn’t say any empty words, simply stating, “Wipe out the Green Garment Army! We’re going to bring all our brothers back!”
The summer wind blew in hot, her voice clear as it reached every ear.
Everyone felt as if a heavy boulder pressed upon their hearts, sealing within it a roaring beast about to break free.
“Drive back the Green Garment Army! Bring back our brothers!” Meng Hunyun yelled, suppressing his voice.
“Drive back the Green Garment Army! Bring back our brothers!”
“Drive back the Green Garment Army! Bring back our brothers!”
“Drive back the Green Garment Army! Bring back our brothers!”
The synchronized roar rang loudly in the sky above, deafening, as that fury surged forth.
“Let’s go!”
The burdened sprinting was a regular training exercise for the troops. While an ordinary person would be panting after a few miles, for the troops, it was merely breaking a sweat, especially with only a modified crossbow, a quiver of arrows, a water pouch, and rations for the coming days.
This little weight was nothing compared to their usual training, making it all the lighter.
Standing at the city gates, watching Jiang Pengji lead the charge, Qi Guanrang sighed deeply, urging the others to intensify the defensive arrangements.
Originally, he thought he could have a relatively peaceful six months ahead, even begrudgingly accepting mindless overtime.
Who knew the Green Garment Army would be so blind as to provoke Jiang Pengji.
According to her vengeful personality, there was no way she wouldn’t sweep every Green Garment Army soldier in Fengyi County clean.
“It seems this life is destined to be a tiring one.”
He muttered under his breath, gazing into the distance with a hint of anxiety.
They must return safely!
After two hours of rapid marching, Jiang Pengji ordered a half-instant pause for rest, laying out the geographical map of Fengyi County.
Meng Hunyun gasped for breath and asked, “My Lord, which direction should we head next?”
The weather was too hot; even though their load wasn’t heavy, this journey had worn them out significantly.
However, what troubled him even more was that the troops who had desperately come to seek help hadn’t had time to inform the main garrison of their position, or perhaps they simply didn’t know where it was.
The terrain of Fengyi County was quite complex; the troops were merely outsiders, managing to reach Xiangyang County to deliver the news wasn’t easy, let alone expecting anything else.
Therefore, they had to figure things out for themselves, deducing where the troops were trapped, undoubtedly increasing the difficulty of the rescue.
If they made the wrong judgment and took a wrong turn, wasting time, who knew if the brother would be lost.
【No more He Shi Bi】: I hope we’re on time; otherwise, that young man will die in vain.
【Fine Chopsticks】: Praying we can make it. I can’t even imagine what the streamer will do if we don’t.
