Chapter 839 – So What if I Kill You? (Part Six)
Yuan Chong said, “This… Chong knows.”
Cheng Jing asked again, “Do you think Wolong County is closer to Maode County or to Wanzhou?”
Wolong County and Maode County are neighbors, but Wanzhou requires crossing a quarter of a province, which would take a month or two on foot.
Yuan Chong naturally replied, “Of course, Maode County is closer.”
Cheng Jing frowned and countered, “If Maode County is closer, why are the refugees choosing to go to Wanzhou instead?”
It would be one thing for the refugees to leave their hometown, but at least they would still be in the same province if they went to Maode County.
Yet, they chose the far-off Wanzhou, which was intriguing.
Suddenly, Yuan Chong sensed something was off, and his expression changed drastically.
He asked, “Is someone meddling from behind?”
Damn, how could this be happening?!
The governor of Maode County is Yuan Chong’s lord—Huang Song—who is also Yuan Chong’s cousin.
Huang Song’s ancestors were once prominent, but the later generations mismanaged their affairs and slowly faded away.
Huang Song’s family name is “Yuan.” His grandfather died young, and due to poverty, the clan couldn’t support Huang Song’s young widow. To survive, she had to remarry into the good graces of a powerful eunuch—Huang Changshi, Huang Qin.
Although Huang Qin was a eunuch, Huang Song’s father was quite charming, gradually winning Huang Qin’s favor, leading to a name change and adoption as a stepson to continue the old Huang family line. With Huang Qin’s support, Huang Song’s father slowly made his mark, married, had children, and helped the family rise again.
By Huang Song’s generation, the Yuan family’s situation had improved. Coincidentally, Huang Song needed helpers, so he brought in the younger generation of his family.
This is how Yuan Chong ended up serving Huang Song.
Huang Song is Yuan Chong’s idol, while Yuan Chong is Huang Song’s devoted fan.
A devoted fan hearing that his idol has been plotted against—can he endure that?
Cheng Jing, seeing through Yuan Chong’s inner turmoil, chuckled, “Meddling? That’s not quite accurate.”
What occurred was merely a normal confrontation. Cheng Jing could only say that he was outmatched and outsmarted; he couldn’t blame his opponent for being cunning.
As for Cheng Jing, he still didn’t know that when it comes to manipulating people’s emotions and public opinion, no strategist in the world could outplay Wei Ci.
Cheng Jing carefully inquired; those refugees came to Wanzhou because they heard from distant relatives how great it was, but as for how those distant relatives knew… well, they were just passing on rumors and couldn’t trace the source.
Wei Ci wasn’t just setting a trap for Huang Song—he was casting a wide net, spreading the word, influencing the common people subtly to brainwash them and promote his lord.
Remember Wei Ci’s pen name, Zai Chi Jushi?
After suffering hardship in his previous life, he was determined to grasp the reins of public opinion early on in this life and become the master driver.
Novels and tales are tools of public opinion—enticing street kids to spread nursery rhymes, hiring thugs to promote messages, having wandering heroes from all directions advertise… all sorts of tactics that seem inconspicuous but wield great power at critical times.
Wolong County may not be far from Wanzhou, but it is not close either.
The common people, fleeing the flames of war, when contemplating where to seek refuge, would first think of “Wanzhou.”
A few refugees are inconsequential, but when the surrounding populace leans towards “Wanzhou,” their intrinsic tendency to follow the crowd springs into action. One group of refugees influences another, snowballing into a larger group.
In the end, out of ten refugees, at least six were willing to choose Wanzhou despite the distance.
Honestly, Cheng Jing should shoulder some blame for this.
As Huang Song’s strategist, he should have ensured all angles were covered, but instead, he allowed an opening, which was truly inexcusable.
What’s even more frustrating is that now Huang Song needs Wanzhou’s help, so he can’t lash out—he has to hold his breath and accept the situation.
The legs are on the refugees. Where they choose to go is a decision only they can make.
Failing to win back the refugees is Huang Song’s failure, but also the failure of Cheng Jing and his subordinates.
Yuan Chong, not understanding the implications, noticed Cheng Jing’s mood had improved quite a bit, thinking there shouldn’t be any problems, right?
He ordered someone to bring a water pouch and handed a clean napkin to Cheng Jing.
“Sir, wipe your sweat first and have some water to cool down. This weather is bound to get hotter.”
Cheng Jing took it and was just about to wipe the perspiration from his forehead when he heard a commotion outside.
“What’s happening?”
Yuan Chong, leveraging his tall stature, stood on tiptoe and said, “It seems some refugees are in conflict.”
Actually, it wasn’t exactly a conflict—the accurate description would be that several agitated male refugees were trying to accost a lone woman.
The woman, of course, was not going to stand still. If she got caught by a few men, anyone could guess what fate awaited her.
She bit one of them, seizing the moment to escape, and ran toward them while seeking help.
Seeing Cheng Jing and a group of strong guards nearby, she mustered the courage to run over.
“Stop!”
Two guards drew their swords to block the hurried woman as she kneeled, tears streaming down her face, pleading with the guards, while several desperate men shouted insults from behind.
Cheng Jing, not far away, frowned and looked quite displeased.
Realizing what Cheng Jing was thinking, Yuan Chong thundered, “What’s all this ruckus about?”
A couple of guards half-kneeled in apology. The woman was taken aback, crawling a few steps forward, attempting to grasp Yuan Chong’s pant leg.
“Please, please save this woman—”
Yuan Chong gestured for the guards to subdue the approaching ruffians and said to her, “Madam, you are safe now.”
The woman wiped her face with her sleeve, revealing a disheveled yet still charming visage.
“Thank you, General, for rescuing me.”
The ruffians continued to shout foul words, and a couple of guards discreetly kicked them.
Yuan Chong was furious; how dare they dirtied the ears of the esteemed sir?
He was just about to command someone to chop the culprits down, when Cheng Jing said, “Enough, Huan Shu, let them go.”
Yuan Chong was confused. Cheng Jing was not one to tolerate sand in his eyes. How could he let a couple of lewd men live?
Cheng Jing glanced at the kneeling, woeful woman and sighed, “A beating is enough; they don’t deserve death.”
The woman, who had just stopped crying, felt tears fall again.
Who wouldn’t be heartbroken in her shoes?
If the ruffians lived, once they were away from Cheng Jing, she’d definitely be targeted.
Cheng Jing lowered his gaze and said, “Heng Shu, let’s go.”
Yuan Chong didn’t dare disobey Cheng Jing’s orders. He instructed the guards to beat the ruffians and then let them go.
“Bah!” one guard spat, looking at the ruffians, wailing like slaughtered pigs, scoffing, “Animals!”
Cheng Jing entered the carriage as the convoy slowly moved forward again, this time with an extra “little tail” following them.
Yuan Chong wanted to chase her off, but the woman was too afraid of encountering the earlier ruffians and refused to leave.
“Sir… that woman is still following behind.”
At this moment, Cheng Jing’s cold voice came from inside the carriage.
“Have someone keep an eye on her!”
Yuan Chong was shocked, glancing back in disbelief, then lowered his voice, “Sir, that woman…”
Cheng Jing simply replied, “There’s something off. Don’t let on; let’s see what she’s up to.”
“Understood!”
