Chapter 656 – Unification of Wanzhou (Part 9)
The second-in-command’s face was as dark as thunder.
It felt as though the hidden thoughts in his heart had been laid bare under the sun, bringing a sense of inexplicable shame.
“Heh, what’s the big deal? I can wait for Liu Xi and the Red Lotus Sect to take each other down…”
Wei Ci chuckled coldly.
“My lord controls the majority of Fengyi County, Shangyang County, and Chengde County; the vast Wanzhou now has only Qiuyu County remaining. With such strength, how can they possibly both suffer defeat? To put it bluntly, does the general really think that the mere hundred thousand followers of the Red Lotus Sect can run rampant and disregard the heroes of the world? Are you unaware? Previously, the Red Lotus Sect split off thirty-six thousand troops to launch a strong attack on Jinmen County, which had less than eight thousand guards. What was the result? They were defeated like a mountain collapsing, with over thirty thousand captured. So, does the general still think the Red Lotus Sect can compare with my lord?”
The second-in-command’s gaze flickered with hesitation and struggle, alongside an unshakeable fear.
As Wei Ci mocked, he was like a frog sitting at the bottom of a well, believing that the Red Lotus Sect’s frightful tactics had already made them the overlord of the north, but Wei Ci informed him that the Red Lotus Sect was, in fact, quite weak; thirty-six thousand troops were taken down by just seven thousand.
This example was real, and he could not refute it.
Thirty-six thousand troops couldn’t defeat just seven thousand!
With thirty thousand troops in the city, he felt not a shred of security.
Regardless of whether he chose to side with the Red Lotus Sect or sit back and watch the battle between the Red Lotus Sect and Jiang Pengji, there would be no good ending for him.
Wei Ci softened his voice, not wanting to apply too much pressure.
“My lord sent me here sincerely to show the general the way.”
The second-in-command was now silent, his wide, tiger-like eyes fixed on Wei Ci.
“You say that, and I want to hear what you can say.” He snorted coldly, angrily gritting his teeth, “I’ll die if I side with the Red Lotus Sect, but won’t I die if I side with Liu Xi? It’s easy to say, but it’s the same situation!”
Wei Ci smiled, “If the general sides with my lord and assists in the extermination of the Red Lotus Sect, you would be a hero in the campaign against them. Why would a meritorious official harm his own benefactor? If you truly did so, moving forward, who would want to defect to my lord? The general should think carefully—have you and my lord had any conflicts? Any old grudges? Since there are none, why worry?”
That’s right; he had no enmity with Liu Xi.
If he actively pledged allegiance, why would Liu Xi want to harm him?
Even if Liu Xi didn’t need him, she wouldn’t harm him; rather, she would treat him well. Otherwise, once news got out, all enemies Liu Xi encountered would resist to the bitter end because surrender was certain death, so they might as well fight to the last breath.
The balance in his heart slowly tipped towards Jiang Pengji.
Wei Ci knew the timing was right; he didn’t rush him, instead adopting a relaxed and composed demeanor.
“Can you guarantee… that Liu Xi won’t turn against me?”
“My lord’s ambitions are for the world; a mere Qiuyu County isn’t enough for her to ruin her word.”
The second-in-command’s face grew even darker, realizing he had been underestimated, but it was frustrating that others had the capital to look down on him.
Thus, his internal struggle intensified.
At this moment, Wei Ci stood up, flicking his sleeves.
His voice flowed like a clear spring in the mountains, refreshing like ice on a scorching summer day, prompting shivers.
“General, time isn’t on your side,” he smiled. “My lord is on a mission to rescue the kingdom; if the siege cannot be breached for long, he will withdraw and defend the three counties. Without the pressure from my lord, do you think the Red Lotus Sect will let go of matters regarding your abduction of the sect leader and your rebellion against the sect’s judgment?”
No need for Wei Ci’s reminder, just imagining that scene made the second-in-command aware of his impending fate.
Wei Ci stoked the flames, “The general may possess a strong force, but most are followers of the Red Lotus Sect. If I surmise correctly, besides a few confidants, the others likely don’t know about your actions against the sect leader, right? Should my lord withdraw, and the Red Lotus Sect find a way to pin your crimes on you, do you think those who worship the sect leader won’t turn against you?”
Not just turning against him; they might even catch him off guard in his sleep and take his head!
The second-in-command knew his position was precarious, but after listening to Wei Ci’s words, he realized the situation was more serious than he had imagined.
Now he was scared and subdued his arrogance.
Once he understood this, he was more compliant than anyone.
He awkwardly bowed and inquired, “I would be grateful for your guidance, sir.”
Wei Ci returned to his seat, a faint smile on his lips.
“I wouldn’t dare claim to guide you, but I indeed have some advice for the general.”
Wei Ci’s arrival was quite timely; the envoy sent by the Red Lotus Sect for talks had come during the day, promising a mountain of concessions.
The second-in-command was uneasy and didn’t immediately agree; he merely stated he needed to think it over.
Not long after nightfall, Wei Ci arrived, and a heartfelt discussion was far more reassuring than a mountain of promises.
Facing a desperate situation, he would naturally choose the path most beneficial for himself.
Defection to Liu Xi might not be a bad strategy.
Wei Ci’s words offered the second-in-command a glimmer of hope.
Secretly grinding his molars, he said, “During the day, the Red Lotus Sect sent messengers to persuade me to team up with them… To show sincerity, they had those little brats killed… I just hope you can say a few good words for me…”
Wei Ci stopped the second-in-command’s movements, saying, “Absolutely not.”
The second-in-command was bewildered, “Why not?”
“Don’t disturb the snake in the grass.” Wei Ci didn’t even lift his eyelids as he continued, “If the envoy they sent is killed by the general, they will definitely know that the general has sided with my lord. When that happens, they will be on guard, and the general’s position will become dangerous. It’s better to hold back for now, feign agreement to cooperate, lure their elite forces into the city, and then set an ambush to catch them. At that time, with their leaderless chaos and the Red Lotus Sect outside without command, my lord will dispatch troops to capture them… In this way, you can easily eliminate this hidden threat…”
Wei Ci spoke casually, as if it were just an ordinary idea.
But upon hearing it, the second-in-command felt a wave of cold sweat creeping up his back.
To him, the elegant scholar seemed absolutely beautiful, posing no threat whatsoever.
If it weren’t for that, he wouldn’t have had the courage to share the same room for so long, as he thought Wei Ci was quite weak.
Now, however, he saw that scholars could be truly terrifying, their words like swords, their pens like knives—nonchalantly lethal.
Wei Ci asked him, “What does the general think?”
The second-in-command stuttered slightly, “Very, very good.”
Wei Ci continued, “In order to gain trust from others, I hope the general can do one thing.”
The second-in-command asked, “What is it?”
“Kill me.”
The second-in-command was stunned, feeling his ears must have gone haywire; how could he possibly hear such a bizarre request?
“Kill, kill you?”
Wei Ci calmly replied, “The general mustn’t misunderstand; what I mean is not that. My lord sent me to persuade you in the dead of night, which might have already reached the ears of those with ulterior motives. To win their trust, the general can use someone else’s corpse in place of me to deceive the Red Lotus Sect. To them, once the general has killed the envoy sent by my lord, you will naturally not defect to my lord, and it would be impossible for my lord to accept you. In this way, you can lure their elite forces into the city without raising suspicion, making the plan run more smoothly.”
