Chapter 608 – All Are Schemes
Hearing Wei Ci’s suggestion, Jiang Pengji displayed an expression as if she had just discovered a new world.
“I thought Zixiao was all about grace and clarity, but I didn’t expect he also has such a sinister side.”
Well, which strategist isn’t shrouded in darkness?
“You make a valid point. The Red Lotus Sect is different from the Green Garment Army; the former misleads the ignorant common people with unfounded doctrines, making it hard to eradicate their stubborn thoughts. If this evil sect spreads secretly, influencing the people under our rule, that would be troublesome. Throwing it away for useless utilization isn’t bad either.”
Wei Ci sighed, knowing that this remark was a tease and sarcasm, and if it were said in the context of someone unfamiliar, they would certainly take it as mockery.
“As long as the Lord doesn’t mind,” Wei Ci replied.
Jiang Pengji rested her chin on her hand, fiddling with the campfire to make it burn brighter.
“Yeah, I don’t mind. I actually quite like it.”
Despite being an entirely normal conversation, Wei Ci felt an impulse of flushed heat.
Not far away, Feng Zhen inexplicably felt like he was being fed dog food.
“Tsk—looks like I won’t be needed after all.”
Feng Zhen shrugged, genuinely hating the cold of winter and the heat of summer, especially after overdosing on Cold Food Powder.
He crawled back into the carriage, sealing it tightly before finally feeling safe enough to warm himself with the hot water bottle.
After a night of wind and snow, the soldiers had already boiled water, soaked the dried meat, and cooked millet porridge to manage the morning.
Jiang Pengji instructed the soldiers to notify An Huan and ask him to join for breakfast.
“It’s quite simple, Brother An can make do with what’s available. When there’s an opportunity, I’ll treat you properly another day.”
Jiang Pengji spoke grandly and politely, and An Huan wasn’t someone ungrateful, quickly exchanging pleasantries in response.
Dried meat, meat soup, and millet porridge—true, the food was simple, but considering the current conditions, it was quite a feast.
To add flavor, the meat soup was sprinkled with a few spices and smelled delightful.
The livestream began on schedule, and the waiting audience flooded in, exchanging greetings as they arrived.
With the livestream’s viewer cap set at 150,000, and its fame known far and wide, securing a spot was extremely competitive; anyone lucky enough to grab a seat would definitely flaunt it on Weibo or in their friend circles.
As soon as the viewers entered, sharp-eyed ones noticed a stranger joining the streamer, Wei Ci, and the loquacious Feng Zhen at the breakfast table.
【Dragon Boat Festival Eating Zongzi】: Huh? Who’s this person? Why do they get to eat breakfast with the host?
【Children’s Day Eating Snacks】: I don’t recognize them, they should be new. Does any ancient deity know who this guy is?
【Oil-Popped Mushrooms】: I don’t know them either, they probably showed up after the livestream closed last night? Wait, didn’t someone mention that a soldier found a guy passed out by the roadside, nearly covered by snow? The host sent someone to save them—could that be him?
【Forever Eighteen】: Maybe? If he’s really the person who was saved last night, he must have some background or skills.
The livestream chat exploded with discussions about An Huan. More serious viewers focused on uncovering his identity, while the less serious ones fixated on his looks, critiquing him from head to toe.
【Host V】: His name is An Huan; he’s indeed the person rescued by the soldiers yesterday.
Jiang Pengji sent out a comment, remaining calm as she continued her breakfast.
After finishing, she didn’t rush to leave but instead, concernedly inquired about An Huan.
“The world is so chaotic now; does Brother An have any plans?”
Though An Huan was starving, he maintained his composure and habits, only eating until he was eight-tenths full.
Hearing Jiang Pengji’s question, An Huan’s expression slightly reflected confusion, then steadied as he stated firmly, “The southern barbarians trample our homeland and enslave the common people of Nan Sheng. As a man, I must spill my blood and seek vengeance for my homeland.”
Yes, he sought revenge.
Even when he collapsed in the snow, drowning in unconsciousness, his last thought was still about vengeance.
If the southern barbarians hadn’t trampled Nan Sheng, destroyed his family and country, and sullied his dignity and pride, how could he have fallen from a noble Young Master to a lost dog?
With his homeland lost and nowhere to return, thinking of those days of turmoil made An Huan’s eyes shimmer with unshed tears.
Jiang Pengji expressed, “Seeking revenge? The southern barbarians are quite strong; you might find it difficult to achieve your goal.”
If the southern barbarians were so easy to defeat, Nan Sheng wouldn’t have fallen.
An Huan’s face turned pale as he glanced at his arms, lamenting, “I know it’s difficult, but if I don’t try, how can I be at peace? I initially planned to borrow troops from your country for the campaign, but I didn’t expect Dongqing to be in such turmoil itself…”
Years ago, the southern barbarians nearly breached the capital of Nan Sheng, with the other four nations sending troops for support.
However, the southern barbarians were cunning and opted to fight and retreat against the four nations’ reinforcements.
Initially, the aristocrats of Nan Sheng thought the southern barbarians feared the reinforcements, only later realizing their clever tactics.
Fight and retreat, avoiding direct confrontation, maximizing troop preservation.
The other four nations weren’t altruistic either; coming so far to help meant they sought compensation, and it wasn’t small.
The southern barbarians had suffered little to no casualties and were always poised to return, while Nan Sheng had to swallow its grievances, paying hefty “rewards” to the reinforcements of the other nations, ceding land, wealth, food supplies, and even population.
Once the reinforcements withdrew, the southern barbarians indeed launched another assault.
Some aristocrats and royal relatives within the country, pursuing their interests, sold information and military secrets, sealing Nan Sheng’s fate.
An Huan intended to seek troops from Dongqing, but little did he expect that Dongqing was struggling to maintain itself as well.
Jiang Pengji feigned a suggestion to him, “Why not try Zhong Zhao?”
An Huan bitterly smiled.
He had narrowly escaped death to reach Dongqing, facing numerous deadly threats; now going to Zhong Zhao, he didn’t know if he would even survive.
“To be honest, I’ve been trying to infiltrate the Red Lotus Sect to pursue my own intentions,” An Huan sighed, a resolute expression on his face, “The Red Lotus Sect misleads the people with its doctrine, and has already gathered tens of thousands of followers. Not only in the northern regions of Dongqing, but they’re also spreading their teachings to other places, deceiving the common people into joining their ranks. Though it seems akin to the teachings of Buddhism or Daoism, it’s essentially a vile cult.”
Jiang Pengji raised an eyebrow secretly; she had just been contemplating how to approach An Huan for cooperation, and here he was, stepping forward on his own.
His words were essentially paving the way for his forthcoming goals.
Jiang Pengji then displayed a worried expression, stating, “Indeed, the Red Lotus Sect is a poison. If they are allowed to take root and propagate in the northern regions of Dongqing, in two or three years, the common people will all be deceived by these cultists…”
An Huan bowed respectfully, sincerely replying, “To be frank, I aimed to blend into the Red Lotus Sect with intentions of revenge. However, once I understood their teachings, I realized the situation was dire. Given the current circumstances, if we don’t act promptly to cut off future troubles, this will inevitably become a significant problem for Lan Ting! You must be vigilant.”
