Chapter 575 – Northern Border Horse Plague (Part Two)
“Strike first to gain the advantage?”
Now, Jiang Pengji occupies the entirety of Fengyi County, commanding an army of twenty thousand well-trained soldiers. By next spring, she could sweep through Wanzhou and bring the entire region under her jurisdiction. At that point, a single petition could force the Dongqing royal family to appoint her as the governor of Wanzhou, and who could object?
However, if they send a contingent across half of the North to take down Huang Song now, they won’t be able to seize Wanzhou next year.
But… allowing Huang Song to gain power at the border wouldn’t please them either.
Feng Jin said, “It’s better to discuss this matter with our Lord.”
Should they let a formidable rival grow, or should they focus on their own development first?
For Jiang Pengji, choosing the right path was as easy as selecting with her pinky toe while blindfolded.
“Why hurry?” she chuckled. “I’ve heard of Cheng Jing; he’s one of Mr. Yuanjing’s four disciples. Quite the background, but let’s not forget, our Zixiao is also a disciple of Mr. Yuanjing. So what if Huang Song has Cheng Jing to assist him? Can he really challenge me? I’ve studied at Langya Academy for a few years and have a decent understanding of Cheng Jing. He? Not worth worrying about!”
Hearing phrases like “challenging the heavens” or “the earth,” Feng Jin and Xu Ke maintained their serious countenance, not quite understanding the double entendre, while Feng Zhen instantly got it.
“If Cheng Jing is talentless, how could he be valued by Mr. Yuanjing?”
Feng Zhen frowned upon hearing Jiang Pengji dismiss Cheng Jing, as he had always held a high regard for him through his acquaintance with Wei Ci, and her dismissive attitude left him displeased.
“I’m not saying Cheng Jing is talentless; I’m saying if he teams up with Huang Song, they might just drag each other down,” Jiang Pengji clarified. “I know Huang Song, and I’ve heard about Cheng Jing from many students at Langya Academy. When in hardship together, it doesn’t guarantee they’ll enjoy the rewards together. Cheng Jing is more finicky than Huaiyu; he measures himself by gentlemanly standards and expects the same of others. As for Huang Song, he has no major faults, but lots of minor ones… tsk tsk… their personalities clash unless one is willing to compromise.”
Pausing for a moment, she continued, “In simpler terms, Cheng Jing needs a lenient Lord who doesn’t mind his occasional critiques, while Huang Song needs subordinates willing to overlook his little quirks. Otherwise, it would be a disaster.”
Of course, every situation has a honeymoon phase, and currently, Huang Song and Cheng Jing were still in that delicate, affectionate stage. To them, everything looked perfect. With Huang Song’s current weakness, he would naturally be cautious, and Cheng Jing would be wholeheartedly supportive.
However, once Huang Song becomes powerful, surrounded by subordinates, Cheng Jing’s advice might become quite irksome.
Finishing her thoughts, she summed up, “We only need to take care of our own affairs; establishing a firm foothold is more important than anything else.”
Feng Zhen added, “Letting Huang Song grow will surely make him our number one rival.”
Jiang Pengji scoffed, “My rival? He wouldn’t qualify even after ten or eight years of training. Even if he can stand up to me, he still can’t win. If we focus on an adversary while neglecting more important matters, that would be truly misguided.”
According to Jiang Pengji’s initial plan, her battlefield lies in the Northern Border and the North of Dongqing, with no time to spare for the South.
“Even without Huang Song, there will always be others—like Lǜ Song or Hēi Song. Only by strengthening ourselves can we fear nothing.”
Thus, Jiang Pengji firmly adhered to her viewpoint—to regain Wanzhou come spring!
Once she takes Wanzhou, along with the nearby Chongzhou and the secretly controlled Hujun by Liu Zhi, these three places would be linked. At that time, they’d have money, grain, people, and soldiers. Plus, enhance their control over cavalry, and they would stand a good chance against the Northern Border.
What benefits would winning the Northern Border bring?
Not only would they gain rich mines, countless treasures, vast lands, and commercial areas, but also numerous horse farms and elite warhorses.
Horse farms in Dongqing are concentrated in Cangzhou; without taking Cangzhou or gaining the support of the Cangzhou Meng Clan, cavalry would be of no consequence.
If they could nibble away at the Northern Border and secure horse farms along with elite warhorses, would they still worry about forming a cavalry?
With cavalry established, attacking the forces in Dongqing would be as easy as pie.
Feng Zhen gazed earnestly at Jiang Pengji, feeling moved. This person was resolute, unaffected by external factors, and had the aura of a wise leader.
“This winter, I will need your efforts. After spring, we prepare for the battle in Wanzhou. Any objections?”
Feng Jin and Xu Ke exchanged looks of alarm, seemingly recalling the fear of being overworked last winter.
Only Feng Zhen, oblivious to the situation, cheerily replied, “How could we refuse the Lord’s assignment? Just don’t forget our earlier agreement.”
Gotta hold on tight to that reimbursements for eating, drinking, and playing; that’s the ticket for future meals!
Jiang Pengji smiled back, “Of course, I wouldn’t forget promises made to you.”
Xu Ke gave Feng Jin a knowing look, inquiring about the situation.
What clandestine dealings were happening between the Lord and Feng Zhen?
Feng Jin sighed internally, mumbling about it, causing Xu Ke to nearly burst out laughing.
“How can we take the Lord’s words seriously?” Xu Ke joked as he laughed, “The Lord often spouts these, unaware that the administrative office is perpetually busy, only working in fits and starts throughout the year… when would there be time to drink and revel?”
Feng Jin replied, “Exactly! Throughout the year, there are only seven days of rest around the New Year; even then, everywhere—the restaurants, gambling houses, brothels—everything shuts down to prepare for family reunions. Where would he even go for enjoyment? Sigh, another one deceived by the Lord; I wonder when he’ll learn the truth… probably not too far off.”
The two exchanged smiles, sharing a moment of schadenfreude.
In Cheng’an County, Wei Ci also received news of Cheng Jing swearing loyalty to Huang Song, and he could only express his fate with a sigh.
Yang Si, keen-eyed, evaluated Huang Song and Cheng Jing similarly to Jiang Pengji’s views.
Wei Ci responded in silence.
Yang Si remarked, “You and Cheng Jing are fellow disciples; once they clash, it might be troublesome.”
Wei Ci shrugged, “Compared to the frictions between Huaiyu and Feng Jue, how could that be difficult?”
Not just Feng Jin and Feng Jue, the older brother of these two has assisted another, clearly indicating a painful triangle among three brothers.
“Then why the gloomy expression?”
Wei Ci chose to remain silent.
How could he answer?
Should he tell Yang Si that his stoic demeanor stemmed purely from the fact that in his past life, Cheng Jing also served under Huang Song?
Cheng Jing was imprisoned at the peak of Huang Song’s power because of conflicts between monarch and minister—issues escalated irretrievably over the years. In the end, Cheng Jing was incarcerated for more than two years, until Huang Song fell and took his own life. Upon hearing the news, Cheng Jing ultimately chose to end his own life too.
He penned a letter to Cheng Jing, trying to persuade him, yet alas, Cheng Jing chose to ally with Huang Song instead.
