Chapter 942 – The Three Cities We Are Owed Must Be Returned
Sun Wen was stirring up storms in the Northern Frontier, playing his scheming games to perfection, while Jiang Pengji was also preparing for war.
It was autumn harvest time, and everyone was so busy that their feet hardly touched the ground.
Once the autumn grain was stored, things would ease up a bit.
“This year’s batch of autumn grain has been stored,” Qi Guanrang reported, presenting a thick ledger, meticulously recording every grain collected.
Jiang Pengji flipped through it with care. “With this batch of grain, we have the courage to go to war. Do we have any news from Zixiao?”
Qi Guanrang replied, expressionless, “There’s been no news yet, but considering the timing, it should be soon.”
Jiang Pengji nodded, showing no further reaction. After a moment of silence, Qi Guanrang felt compelled to speak up.
“Leader, you’ve never met Sun Wen; how do you know he possesses the capability of Lü Shang? Entrusting him so easily, if he craves power in the Northern Frontier…” Qi Guanrang didn’t finish his sentence, but he believed Jiang Pengji understood the implication, “We must be cautious.”
Jiang Pengji smiled, “Whether Sun Wen truly has Lü Shang’s talents, I can’t say, but Zixiao is well aware, and that’s enough.”
Qi Guanrang’s expression changed to one of realization, sighing, “The leader has truly matured.”
The cabbage has grown up and can finally push the pig!
“Look at how you’re saying it, as if the hard-to-raise cabbage will be trampled by the pig,” Jiang Pengji teased, “Such jealousy! ”
Qi Guanrang rolled his eyes inwardly, thinking—
Did I say that wrong?
Trusting Wei Ci’s judgment, it was ridiculous to think Jiang Pengji would be so reckless without some special filter.
He frowned and asked, “When exactly did the leader develop such thoughts?”
After all, as a female leader, she faced harsh scrutiny.
If she entangled herself with her subordinates, perhaps her reputation would be tarnished beyond repair.
“When did that happen? I can’t recall. But you can rest assured, Wen Zheng; Zixiao won’t affect my aspirations.”
Qi Guanrang watched the situation like an outsider, far clearer about the dynamics than those involved.
“Let me not worry about the leader, but it’s Zixiao I worry about…” Qi Guanrang frowned.
Wei Ci didn’t seek the limelight and had a low presence, yet if one thought about what he did, no one could deny he was a pillar.
Such talent should not be buried, nor should he be caged like a canary.
If they let him unleash his potential, even if Jiang Pengji didn’t mind, wouldn’t the other officials feel resentful?
Unity and harmony were vital for any power!
“Is he really indispensable?” Qi Guanrang asked.
“Indispensable! The more I interact with him, the more I feel he is the one I need,” Jiang Pengji answered firmly.
“What ambitious man wants to be a canary? He wouldn’t settle for less, and the leader would surely not want to wrong him.”
If Wei Ci’s identity were public, he would have to distance himself from the power center.
It wasn’t a matter of mistrust, but out of necessity for internal unity to avoid imbalance or negative emotions among others.
If Jiang Pengji acted willfully, it could harm her and even Wei Ci.
“What does Wen Zheng think?” Qi Guanrang inquired.
“How about we keep it a secret for now, let it seem that we remain oblivious?”
“Keep it a secret?”
Jiang Pengji repeated thoughtfully.
“As long as it’s a child born of the leader, he is undoubtedly your blood. Who the father is doesn’t matter,” Qi Guanrang said. “You can say it was a spontaneous conception or a dream marriage; as long as there’s a child, the father’s identity can stay hidden. As long as no one knows who the father is, Zixiao can still pursue his aspirations. Although, this would slightly burden both the leader and Zixiao.”
After contemplating for a long time, Jiang Pengji finally smiled bitterly.
“Wen Zheng thinks too far ahead.”
“It’s something we will have to face eventually,” Qi Guanrang commented, taking the ledger that Jiang Pengji had finished reviewing, his expression impassive, “You should also be mindful of your emotions. How you are in private is your business, but in public, try to moderate your feelings.”
Just like before when she looked at Wei Ci as if she wanted to swallow him whole.
It happened so often that even the dullest Military General could pick up on the cues.
Qi Guanrang merely offered this private reminder to prevent their young leader from making a regrettable decision.
“Wen Zheng, I’ll think about it.” Although she didn’t want to admit it, the solution Qi Guanrang provided was already reasonable enough. “For now, we’re in turbulent times, not the right moment to dwell on romantic entanglements. Let’s talk about the important matters instead—”
Jiang Pengji awkwardly shifted the topic, and Qi Guanrang had to roll his eyes in resignation.
Just then, a report came in from outside that Wei Ci was requesting an audience.
“Greetings, Leader.”
Wei Ci first greeted her and then nodded to Qi Guanrang, who sat beside Jiang Pengji, before taking a seat himself.
“I’ve just received intelligence; the big fish is on the hook.”
Wei Ci handed over a folded document, which Jiang Pengji skimmed through.
“This Sun Wen really is capable; this scheme within a scheme is quite brilliant.”
The letter mentioned that Sun Wen was secretly plotting, successfully persuading the Second Prince of the Northern Frontier to volunteer for the command of the Upper Yu Three Cities.
The current Upper Yu Three Cities were nothing like in the past, barely any spoils to gain, almost treated as a place of exile by the Northern nobility.
Why would the Second Prince choose to add to his own disgrace and rush to Upper Yu Three Cities?
Self-exile?
As news spread, other princes were curious about such thoughts.
They couldn’t help but think about how the Second Prince was so prideful, making it seem unlikely.
But aside from that, they couldn’t come up with a reason for the Second Prince to take the initiative to go to Upper Yu Three Cities.
The Northern princes whispered among themselves.
“Could it be that the Second thinks there are soldiers to recruit in Upper Yu Three Cities?”
“Who knows, maybe that’s what he’s thinking, but there’s hardly any spoils left; he’ll be disappointed.”
“Maybe it’s a strategic retreat? To gain favor with our father? If that’s the case, that tactic is too cliché.”
Hmph—
These people probably couldn’t figure it out, but the Second Prince possessed a detailed distribution map of Chongzhou’s granary.
According to reliable sources, the granary held years’ worth of Chongzhou’s savings.
As long as he intercepted that grain, Liu Xi would suffer immense losses.
Imagining the scene where he would return with a massive grain haul, receiving great praise from the King, the Second Prince felt triumphant.
He had more soldiers than his brothers, and if he achieved great deeds, the throne of the Northern Frontier would be within his grasp.
Of course, the Second Prince wasn’t foolish.
He had already dispatched people to scout the marked locations at the granary, and the information was absolutely accurate!
Moreover, this map was sent by his most trusted confidant—his uncle from his mother’s side.
For all these reasons, he had confidence.
Because the quantity of grain was immense, the Second Prince decided to mobilize all his private military.
“Army, march out—let’s set off!”
On the day the Second Prince deployed, Jiang Pengji sent people to select a new granary location, changing it entirely, leaving only an empty shell.
