Chapter 952 – She’s Turned Shameless, So What? (Part 2)
The Northern Border Guard Commander knew the Second Prince.
Seeing the situation, his face turned as dark as a bottomless pot.
The Northern Border was notorious for being rogues, but they didn’t expect Liu Xi, of noble birth, to outdo them in shamelessness.
Not only did he strip the prisoners bare and hang them on the city walls, but he also used them as targets for arrows.
If they were just ordinary prisoners, losing a few wouldn’t matter, but one of them was the Second Prince from the Northern Border Royal Court!
A prince of a nation publicly stripped and humiliated by a rival state?
What an immense humiliation!
“Our Lord has said—oh, you Northern Border men are so courageous, why waste your breath barking at the frontlines? Just charge and take the city, rescue your comrades! If you can’t muster the guts for an all-out attack, then keep your mouths shut! Thanks to your precious Second Prince, we have no less than five thousand Northern Border prisoners here. The longer you curse, the more we’ll hang and throw around!”
The surrounded Northern Border General was so furious he spat blood; now calling out was tricky and staying silent was impossible.
If he shouted, perhaps the next one to become a bloody pulp would be the Second Prince.
If he remained silent, what were all those thousands of elite troops doing at the foot of the city?
Just watching a bunch of naked guys flying around with their dirt and pee?
“General—what now?”
The Vice General timidly asked the commander. They were just standing there, looking really awkward.
The commander exploded in anger, itching to whip the oblivious Vice General.
“Why are you asking me? Who’s supposed to ask what?”
“General, why not try attacking the city? Liu Xi took the three cities of Shangyu in just two days; his foundation is shaky, and it’s a great time to attack. Moreover, the inner defenses might not be that strong… they might be playing tricks, trying to deceive us!” Another Vice General, somewhat cultured, spoke with flourish, “There’s a tactic in the Central Plains called the ‘Empty City Stratagem’; perhaps Liu Xi is using that to mislead us. With the Second Prince in their hands, if news of today’s disgrace gets out, the Northern Border Royal Court will lose face!”
They insulted Jiang Pengji, using nothing but dirty slang, which had no real proof, and outsiders wouldn’t believe it.
However, the spectacle of the Second Prince being hung on the wall was a fact, with thousands of eyes watching.
If the word got out, who was truly the one to be shamed?
The Vice General added, “General… if we withdraw without showing any movement, it will be hard to explain ourselves to the King…”
That statement was the final straw, pushing the commander to make a decision.
“Fine—attack the city!”
If the Northern Border King knew he retreated without even a fight, his life would surely be in danger.
Caught in a dilemma, he could only give it a try.
But—charging with cavalry?
Jiang Pengji scoffed, “That’s probably the funniest joke I’ve heard all year.”
The advantages of cavalry were indeed clear, but so were the disadvantages.
These guys arrived in such a hurry that they hadn’t brought enough siege equipment.
Ancient city walls were tall and wide, making the cavalry’s mobility almost useless.
Without sufficient siege weapons, their horses weren’t winged steeds; how could they break through the walls?
This was something Jiang Pengji knew well, and the Northern Border troop was even more aware.
They pretended to attack for a bit, ended up leaving behind over a thousand corpses, and retreated in disgrace, leaving the Second Prince hanging there unable even to pee.
Jiang Pengji glanced at them coldly and said, “They’ll return tomorrow; let them hang a bit longer. Make sure not to kill them, especially the Second Prince. I plan to use his blood and head to rally my troops when we wage war against the Northern Border later on; it’d be such a waste if he died now.”
Fu Wang took orders, “Yes.”
After Jiang Pengji left, Fu Wang sent people to check on the prisoners hanging from the ladder.
The Second Prince seemed to have the resilience of a cockroach, with two gaping wounds on his shoulders and his kneecaps shattered under Jiang Pengji’s foot; such severe injuries didn’t take his life. He was still gasping for breath, shivering pathetically.
The other prisoners didn’t share his fortitude; a few scared themselves to death.
Fu Wang waved his hand, ordering the soldiers to tie up the waiting prisoners and hang them up.
As Qi Guanrang predicted earlier, the Northern Border soldiers lacked sufficient logistics and supplies, and after two days of siege, they retreated.
With their withdrawal, news of the three cities of Shangyu being reclaimed spread.
In both the North and South, reactions were mixed.
Mr. Yuanjing stretched and exclaimed with a smile, “Three years without wings will result in long feathers; one who doesn’t fly or call will observe the people. Though not flying, when they take to the skies, they’ll soar; though not crying out, when they do, they’ll shock the world… this is truly the essence of not calling out until it is time to astonish!”
With the news received, the factions in Wanzhou erupted in jubilation.
Common people in Dongqing were even more ecstatic, celebrating as if it were the New Year.
Shangyu had always been a thorn in the hearts of the Dongqing populace, and despite the Northern Border’s might, they could never reclaim it.
Now, however, it was back in their hands thanks to Jiang Pengji.
The world began to take this female lord seriously.
In Dongqing, Zhangzhou.
“Daughters should be like this—my father was right, I still…”
Yang Tao put down the secret report, a heavy feeling settling on his shoulders.
Not to mention other countries, even just within Dongqing, there were so many formidable opponents.
He dreaded failing to live up to his late father’s expectations.
His experience with Yang Jian had matured him a lot; the youthful sharpness had been worn down, leaving only resolve and maturity.
Yet facing a situation with enemies on all sides, he still felt a bit lost.
Yan Lin noticed Yang Tao’s mood and comforted him, “Don’t underestimate yourself; Zheng Ze isn’t lacking either.”
Yeah, friends are the best support.
In Dongqing, Haozhou.
“Hahahaha—I knew it! Lan Ting is indeed one of the few great men in the world—oh, dear wife!”
When Huang Song received the news, he was deep in a private conversation with his wife.
As he sighed, Lady Qi pinched the soft flesh at his waist.
Lady Qi corrected him, “She’s a woman; why do you keep saying she’s a man? Do you look down on women?”
Huang Song had no words for his troubles.
How did he offend his wife?
The capable strategist Cheng Jing under Huang Song’s command lost sleep over the news that night.
In Dongqing, Zhejian, and Hujun.
Xu Pei and his brother fought among themselves and ended up killing the former Hu County Governor, Wu Ma Shang, peacefully splitting his wealth and territory.
With no external interference, they returned to their power struggle status.
Xu Pei and Jiang Pengji became close friends, and hearing she managed to retrieve the three cities of Shangyu made him genuinely happy.
It wasn’t about morals; it was simply because Jiang Pengji didn’t threaten his interests.
Having her hold off the pressure from the Northern Border was something he couldn’t wish for more.
Xu Pei chuckled, “Lan Ting actually managed to recover the three cities of Shangyu, truly making a name for herself—she must not be underestimated.”
Beside him, the tall and elegant strategist in blue said calmly, “This is our Lord’s opportunity.”
“Opportunity? What do you mean, Wenbin?”
The strategist replied coolly, “Rather than just being friends with Liu Xi, it would be better to forge deeper alliances and leverage the situation.”
