Chapter 779 – Breakthrough, The Beautiful Negotiator (3)
Jiang Pengji furrowed her brows and pondered for a moment.
The big man, disregarding his injuries, wept bitterly as he bowed deeply to Jiang Pengji. His rugged, weary face was streaming with tears, and his eyes were a fiery red.
“Zhong Langjiang, my lord died unjustly—now only the young master remains with a flicker of bloodline. I hope Zhong Langjiang, out of our shared loyalty in the court, can extend a helping hand and send someone to protect the young master back to Haizhou, Wolong County. I am willing to serve you as a cow or horse through lifetimes…”
The tall, sturdy man cried and knelt, stirring a sense of empathy in anyone watching.
The audience in the live stream was moved, secretly feeling sympathy for his plight.
【Garlic Sauce Lobster Rice】: I can feel his helplessness and sorrow even through the screen. They say a loyal man would die for a kindred spirit; I think that Wolong County governor must be his “kindred spirit.” It’s heartbreakingly painful to know his lord fell in front of him.
【Shrimp Meatballs】: I feel the same pain. On the surface, this big man looks like a tough guy, but now he’s crying so pitifully…
【Secret Sauce Mixed Rice】: You all feel sorry for him? I actually find him a bit annoying. He lost his lord and comrades, but what does that have to do with the streamer? There are greater threats ahead, and the streamer can barely take care of herself—why should she agree to his request? To serve her as a cow or horse for lifetimes? She doesn’t lack people to serve her! Even if he suffered greatly, I just can’t like him.
【Snow Fungus Red Date Lotus Seed Soup】: The previous commenter is a bit too harsh, but I agree with you. If the streamer had already passed the crisis and he made this request, she might have helped. Bringing this up now just complicates matters for her, doesn’t it?
The comments flowed by in the live chat, with most viewers expressing sympathy for the big man.
Jiang Pengji ignored the comments and had someone help the big man up from the ground.
She said, “The governor of Wolong County died tragically at the hands of bandits, leaving only a flicker of bloodline. Out of both emotion and reason, I cannot stand by and do nothing. You need to recover well; if you collapse too, who can your young master rely on? You must stand strong to protect the young master.”
Jiang Pengji’s reply was somewhat vague, but the big man sensed an opening.
“Thank you, Zhong Langjiang.”
His wounds were numerous, and he had lost a lot of blood. After talking for a while, with emotions rising and falling, he was now completely exhausted.
The medics laid him on a stretcher and carried him away.
Once he was far off, Jiang Pengji’s gaze turned slightly cold.
Yang Si stepped forward and said, “My lord, we shouldn’t jump to conclusions about this matter.”
“I know; I haven’t agreed yet.”
Jiang Pengji smiled faintly, her eyes dark as jade holding a hint of calculation.
Feng Zhen understood Jiang Pengji’s intent and revealed a knowing smile.
Yes, my lord is indeed my lord—not easily swayed or moved by emotions; it’s only through this that she can go further.
He said, “Wolong County is located in Haizhou; it’s not a bad place at all. How does my lord intend to make use of it?”
A plump piece of meat just served on a platter—who wouldn’t want to take a bite?
However, Feng Zhen wanted to know whether his lord intended to keep it for herself or use it to render favors for Huang Song.
Jiang Pengji thought for a moment and said, “The elite forces of Wolong County have been significantly depleted, and only a few remnant soldiers escaped. With just these injured and an eleven-year-old Cai Xiang, how could they possibly defend Wolong County? Bo Gao is in Haizhou as well; he’s the governor of Maode County, which neighbors Wolong County—there’s no way he hasn’t thought about this. Even ignoring Bo Gao, the local forces in Wolong County are not something Cai Xiang could suppress… it truly is a fat piece of meat… like a child parading through the streets with a gold brick…”
After saying that, Jiang Pengji added, “As for how to utilize this opportunity, I haven’t decided yet; I want to hear your opinions.”
Upon hearing this, the live chat erupted into a barrage of astonished exclamation marks.
What the heck!
The streamer had no intention of helping the remnant soldiers of Wolong County; rather, she planned to exploit them for profit?
Many viewers felt uncomfortable about this—wasn’t it taking advantage of a child and snatching away what belongs to others? But they understood that the streamer lived in a different era; they felt her actions were overly harsh, lacking humanity, yet facts proved her choices were the right ones.
If she showed maternal kindness, she wouldn’t just miss out on competing for supremacy; she’d fail to protect her own wealth and family.
So, these viewers swallowed their discomfort, with only a few hot-headed ones expressing their disgust.
Why was the governor’s retainer crying out for help while the streamer remained unmoved, instead plotting to seize their property?
To put it in modern terms—his father had just encountered an unexpected death, leaving behind a considerable inheritance for young Cai Xiang. The streamer had no stake in this, merely passing by to save Cai Xiang; yet here she was, thinking about how to partition someone’s inheritance—wasn’t that disgusting?
Of course, Jiang Pengji paid no heed to these comments.
After a long silence, Li Yun lowered his gaze and pondered, finally asking, “What if we lent troops to Cai Xiang?”
Lending troops to Cai Xiang was merely a pretext.
On the surface, it would seem like helping Cai Xiang, but in reality, it served to reduce his power and position.
Huang Song wouldn’t dare confront Jiang Pengji head-on now. If she took Wolong County with such cunning and unscrupulous methods, he’d just have to endure. However… Jiang Pengji furrowed her brows, recalling the Kunyu map of Dongqing.
Seeing Jiang Pengji remain noncommittal, Li Yun secretly noted Yang Si’s and Feng Zhen’s expressions and slightly recoiled.
Had he suggested another foolish idea?
Feng Zhen sighed, “Wolong County is indeed a decent place. If we could seize it, Huang Song’s every move would be under our watch, restraining him, and we wouldn’t have to fear his growing power. But… it’s a bit of a shame… we’d have to give up some things…”
Chongzhou, Wanzhou, and Hujun—all lie in the northern part of Dongqing.
In Feng Zhen’s view, Wolong County was a bit awkward; if they claimed it, their area of influence would stretch too long.
Not only that, but Wolong County is situated at a strategic mountain pass, a place hotly contested by military forces.
If Jiang Pengji were to actually claim it, her troops would have to shift southward to ensure timely support if anything happened in Wolong County.
This would give rise to a new problem—
If Jiang Pengji shifted her military strength southward, how would they defend against threats from the north?
To Jiang Pengji, Wolong County was currently more of a burden than a benefit, something too hot to handle.
It would be better to use it as leverage and cooperate with Huang Song for greater gains.
However, letting Huang Song have it for free was something neither Yang Si nor the others were willing to accept.
“Let’s put this matter on hold for now.” Jiang Pengji’s eyelids lowered, hiding the calculations in her gaze. “The most important thing right now is how to pass through Jia Men Pass safely and avoid being ambushed by the enemy. It won’t help to think too much if we end up on the same path as the Wolong County governor.”
Everyone understood this sentiment.
Suddenly, after a long silence, Meng Hunyun stepped forward and said, “My lord, I have something to share, but I’m not sure if I should…”
“Go ahead, it’s fine.”
“I suspect that the infiltrator might be lurking among the remnants of Wolong County.”
Jiang Pengji’s smile deepened a few notches. “You think so too?”
