Chapter 997 – Battle at the Northern Frontier (34)
“What if he brought his clan to surrender to the enemy? How would he feel?”
Li Yun was stunned by the question and blurted out, “That’s impossible!”
Was his leader really that unlucky? His lord often asked him hypothetical questions.
If it really came to that, he would rather die in battle than beg for mercy from the enemy.
Jiang Pengji couldn’t help but chuckle, gently probing, “I’m speaking hypothetically. If that were true, what would your feelings be?”
“Resentment, hatred, fear, but having to endure it all—acting small and trying to appease who was once an enemy, I suppose?”
Li Yun lowered his head, pondering in confusion.
Though he hadn’t experienced it, he could grasp a bit by simulating the scenario.
Jiang Pengji continued, “Han Mei made a good point, but think carefully—what was the response of that messenger and his entourage just now?”
Li Yun replied in disbelief, “Response? Wasn’t it a normal reaction?”
“Normal? Where’s it normal?” Jiang Pengji’s eyes darkened slightly, sneering, “If he were to surrender to the enemy—the same enemy that slaughtered nearly two hundred thousand of his kin—that’s a blood feud! Even if he had to lower his head to survive, he’d never feel any sense of acceptance or belonging. Yet that guy was different—his reaction along with his entourage was rather intriguing.”
Li Yun wanted to pull his hair out in frustration; he couldn’t see what was different at all!
Jiang Pengji elucidated, “One of his guards was trembling, having tripped into a rabbit hole on the way here due to his distraction, so his pants were stained with a few tufts of white fur, and his boots and sleeves had dirt smudges. Even after a quick wipe, the evidence remained. Once in the main tent, he kept his head down and shoulders hunched, yet his hands clutched tightly to his sides. On one hand, he feared my notorious name here in the northern frontier; on the other, he loathed me deeply but dared not act against me—”
The guard’s reaction was like what one could typically expect, fitting into the reasonable range.
This guard exhibited anger, while a few others appeared cowering, their internal fear outweighing hatred.
“Then we have the tribe’s messenger—his reaction was downright interesting. Before meeting me, he had a feast of roasted lamb, drank mare’s milk, and slept with a beauty, which left quite the odor on him. From this, we can tell he felt remarkably relaxed, his attitude exceedingly nonchalant, not at all showing what Han Mei described. Upon seeing me, though he feigned respect and fear, it was too contrived, insincere.”
Jiang Pengji, having climbed from a lowly soldier to a high position, was all too familiar with insincerity.
Li Yun hesitated, cautiously remarking, “If it’s insincere, that does seem plausible?”
Representatives surrendering to Jiang Pengji must be from the upper echelon of their tribe.
Even if forced by circumstances to capitulate, they might not wholeheartedly agree, making “insincerity” a reasonable explanation.
Jiang Pengji noted, “However, when you contrast the fearful guard with the brazen messenger, it just doesn’t add up!”
Li Yun suddenly had a flash of realization.
“Do you mean… they’re feigning surrender?”
If those coming to surrender were so brazen, his lord would likely kick them right out and sort things out on the battlefield.
Not a shred of genuine intent in that surrender!
If the ones approaching were all trembling, terrified of crossing paths with their new, bloodthirsty superior, that would be the most expected reaction.
No need to mention it; his lord’s reputation in the northern frontier was terrifying enough to silence even the most restless of children.
Yet here, the leading messenger and his entourage showed completely opposing attitudes—the former gorging on meat, drinking wine, and pursuing women, hardly indicative of a humiliated surrender!
What does that imply?
It implies there’s something off!
Whatever that something is, they couldn’t let their guard down.
“On the battlefield, the tactic of feigned surrender has had great success; why wouldn’t it apply here?” Jiang Pengji said coldly. “But it’s too early to speculate now. First, send someone to keep a close eye on them. Report back immediately if there’s anything unusual—without alarming them.”
Li Yun accepted the order to withdraw, while Wei Ci remained behind, watching her with a curious look.
“What are you staring at me for?” Jiang Pengji approached, sitting beside him, “See something that could bloom into a flower?”
Wei Ci chuckled, “Oh, it’s nothing, I just suddenly recalled something.”
Jiang Pengji raised an eyebrow with a sly smile, “What could possibly intrigue you so much?”
“Since I came to know you, I haven’t seen anyone who could deceive you.”
Whether through feigned surrender or other deceptive tactics, it seemed no one had managed to pull the wool over her eyes in Wei Ci’s memory.
Was she just that alert, or did she inherently trust no one?
In his past life, he had been so anxious and insecure, but that stemmed not only from his sensitive and overthinking nature but also because he felt little trust emanating from her.
That feeling was hard to describe, but he could clearly sense an insurmountable chasm between himself and his leader.
If anyone from his previous life heard this, they would probably say he was talking nonsense.
How could she possibly be paranoid?
If she were paranoid, how could she be so accepting of Wei Ci?
When the heavens drop a meteor, what ruler wouldn’t harbor murderous thoughts?
Her choosing to be lenient and not to pursue Wei Ci’s family, could that be deemed as paranoia?
Wei Ci didn’t agree with that line of thought.
Being paranoid doesn’t equate to mistrust.
She may not be a paranoid person, but she certainly trusted no one.
Previously, he would have swallowed those thoughts, but now he wanted clarity.
Jiang Pengji narcissistically proclaimed, “That’s because I’m wise and powerful; any deceit is utterly futile in my eyes.”
Wei Ci countered, “Does the leader truly believe that? From what I see, you’ve hardly trusted anyone.”
“Zixiao, what’s gotten into you?” Jiang Pengji retorted, “Even if I don’t trust others, I could never betray my trust in Zixiao!”
Wei Ci pursed his lips, “If that’s true, why does the leader even—”
Jiang Pengji’s expression turned solemn, “Even what?”
Wei Ci hesitated for a moment, then traced a character into her palm, lowering his voice, “You don’t even trust this person—”
If even that person wasn’t worthy of her trust, Wei Ci wondered who in the world could possibly be.
“Zixiao, I’m happy you could voice that,” Jiang Pengji said warmly. “I know your background, and with your intellect, you must have your own doubts about my identity. My lack of trust in others is simply because they don’t deserve it. Do you understand?”
Because she knew the truth and could see through it, all deceptions were rendered ineffective before her.
Wei Ci gazed at Jiang Pengji with a complex expression, a hint of unfamiliarity mixed with a deep-seated familiarity.
Jiang Pengji smiled lightly, “It was all a façade; no matter how elaborate the trickery, it could never become real…”
