Chapter 691 – The Overprotective Leader (Part One)
Before I even got close, the strong scent of alcohol hit me from Jiang Pengji.
“Why has the Lord consumed so much alcohol?”
She replied, “Huang Song came by, and they generously brought such fine wine. If I don’t accept it, wouldn’t that be a huge loss?”
Feng Zhen nodded, not lingering on this issue; his purpose was not to discuss the benefits the Lord had gained.
“Lord, you should hurry to the training ground. Han Mei got into a quarrel with someone.”
Han Mei?
Got into a quarrel?
I understood each word, but together, it made no sense.
“Someone as good-natured as Han Mei wouldn’t just quarrel for no reason. And in the training ground no less?”
Li Yun was universally recognized as a little angel. Whenever someone heard he had a quarrel, the first thought was that someone else must have provoked him.
While Jiang Pengji wasn’t naive, she still leaned toward her own people a bit more.
Li Yun was the favored one, comparable to Wei Ci in looks.
If Jiang Pengji didn’t show favoritism toward her own, would she really favor outsiders who bullied her people?
Feng Zhen didn’t appear overly anxious; clearly, the situation wasn’t that serious.
“This matter can’t be explained in just a few words. Lord, let’s talk as we walk.”
Feng Zhen rushed over, fearing Li Yun would be at a disadvantage.
With their powerful leader, no ordinary foe could stand against her!
At that moment, Feng Zhen completely forgot that the Lord was a woman.
When he realized later, his expression became a bit complicated.
It wasn’t that he didn’t want to remember the Lord’s gender; it was just that the Lord’s demeanor was so masculine, it felt disjointed.
Jiang Pengji didn’t say much and ordered, “Lead the way!”
The camp was still being set up; there was no training ground here, and Feng Zhen’s training ground was at the other forces’ camps.
As Jiang Pengji walked, she observed the neatly arranged tents and the soldiers’ imposing appearances, exuding the flavor of a fierce army.
She scanned the area and frowned slightly.
“These people must be from the south, right? They look like they’re good swimmers.”
Feng Zhen was well aware of Jiang Pengji’s keen observational skills, so he wasn’t surprised.
“Lord, you’re insightful. This is the camp of the East Gate Prefect from Zhangzhou. These are all elite soldiers skilled on both land and water. I’ve heard that this commander has about fifteen thousand of them, each capable of battling the waves. Once they hit the water, one could take on ten…”
Jiang Pengji paused her steps and turned to look at Feng Zhen.
“Don’t you know that Yang Jian is being ostracized?”
Feng Zhen smiled, “‘Beefing’ isn’t the same as being friendly; outsiders can’t point fingers.”
Jiang Pengji began to suspect, could Feng Zhen be intentionally sending Li Yun into a trap?
Otherwise, how could it be so coincidental that it was exactly Yang Jian’s men who had a conflict?
Feng Zhen, reading Jiang Pengji’s expression, declared earnestly, “Lord, a straightforward person like me is rare in this world. How could I intentionally set up someone? Even if I had that intention, I wouldn’t pick Han Mei; that kid lacks the cleverness for sly schemes. This time, it’s truly just a coincidence. If you don’t believe me, there’s nothing more to say.”
I can’t believe you!
Jiang Pengji whispered to him.
“You can’t trust every word, but you also can’t dismiss them all. Now, what are you really plotting?”
Feng Zhen shamelessly replied, not feeling a bit embarrassed.
“Lord, your participation in the alliance is for business and talent… The business is still on the horizon, but talent should be on the agenda.”
Jiang Pengji asked, “So, who do you have your eyes on?”
“There is a Centurion under Yang Jian, his appearance is… quite unremarkable, a bit unique… but looks aren’t everything; talent is key… The critical thing is this person is excellent in water sports. I quietly observed his training and found he has many ideas, a sharp mind, and training methods that are quite unconventional and not mainstream… Plus, due to his looks, he hasn’t been utilized.”
Feng Zhen shoved his hands into his sleeves, trying to resist shivering from the cold, but he held it together.
Seeing this, Jiang Pengji tossed him her teapot for warmth.
“You’re such a big guy, acting more delicate than a little lady.”
Feng Zhen responded, “More delicate than a little lady? That depends on which little lady we’re talking about.”
Is there anyone more manly than our bold and carefree Lord?
After a moment, Feng Zhen hesitated and asked, “Lord, would you resent someone for being ugly?”
If she dismissed talent just because of appearance, he worried relationships might sour.
Jiang Pengji laughed lightly.
“Have I ever shown disdain for you?”
Feng Zhen: “…”
Goodness, it feels impossible to live like this!
“I’m asking seriously! If the Lord doesn’t mind that person’s appearance, I’ll get him for you right away.”
Jiang Pengji answered earnestly, “For your Lord, as long as he’s capable and can work, that’s enough. Good looks can’t be eaten! As for those who are good-looking yet as foolish as a three-year-old, they aren’t even worthy of being a vase! Speaking of good-looking, can anyone compare to Zixiao? If you feel that person is useful, go ahead and make contact. Just keep Yang Jian’s feelings in mind to avoid real conflict.”
For her, appearance was never a bonus point.
Good-looking people might be pleasing to the eyes, but if they lack practicality, she’d refuse them too.
If they couldn’t do the work, then someone more beautiful than Wei Ci would just be a useless decoration and take up space.
With Jiang Pengji’s affirmation, Feng Zhen felt reassured, thinking about how he could convince that talent to join them.
Jiang Pengji then recalled something and asked Feng Zhen.
“Although training isn’t confidential, not everyone can observe it. How did you manage to sneak into Yang Jian’s camp?”
Without sneaking in, how could he have seen the training and found talented individuals?
Feng Zhen casually replied, “Friends from the nightlife scene, you know.”
At that moment, Jiang Pengji remembered that Feng Zhen was also from Anshan County in Zhangzhou.
Anshan County was neighboring Dongmen County. Feng Zhen was quite the wild one, spending his days either drinking in taverns, gambling, or finding fun in brothels. Therefore, it wasn’t surprising he’d have friends among all walks of life, including underlings of Jian.
Jiang Pengji had no retort, but Feng Zhen took pride in it. He had friends everywhere; wasn’t he impressive?
Jiang Pengji crossed her arms, “What a pity. Just now Huang Song and Cheng Jing came to visit.”
Cheng Jing was friends with Feng Zhen, and they got to know each other through Wei Ci.
Though they hadn’t met, they admired each other’s talents and shared a mutual appreciation.
In modern terms, they were like pen pals who hadn’t met yet.
Hearing Cheng Jing’s name, Feng Zhen’s expression shifted.
“He won’t run away; we can meet anytime, no rush.”
As they spoke, they reached the training ground.
The edges of the training ground were surrounded by people, with noise and cheers rising from the crowd, sounding like thunder.
“General, defeat him!”
“General, formidable!”
“General! General! General!”
