According to Meng Zhan's calculations before his death, Jiang Pengji should be controlled by the Yi family of Beiyuan and the Nie family of Zhongzhao.
But man proposes, God disposes. Nie Liang was plotted against and returned to Zhongzhao without achieving his goal. The enemies of the Yi family of Beiyuan got wind of it and seized the opportunity to seize power. In order to keep their power, the Yi family had to temporarily put aside their desire for Cangzhou and focus on the internal conflict.
The two biggest threats from the outside world disappeared. The danger of being besieged on all sides was reduced by half.
The situation seemed good, but it did not mean that Jiang Pengji was safe.
At the border of Zhongzhao's Bianzhou —
Wei Yong rode a tall horse and followed the carriage. Other than the footsteps of the guards, the clashing of weapons, and the rolling of the carriage wheels, he could only hear intermittent coughing from the other end of the carriage. It was as if he was coughing out his heart, liver, spleen, lungs, and kidneys.
After a long while, the coughing finally subsided.
"Zishun, when can we enter Bianzhou?"
Lifting the curtain made of green bamboo, the lower half of Nie Liang's face was revealed. His thin lips were pale, and his cheeks were so thin that they were slightly sunken in.
Although it was discovered in time, Nie Liang's body was injured.
Half a month ago, he had a headache, fever, and coughing. His mind had become hazy. He had improved in the past few days, but he still looked ill.
If not for Wei Ci's careful instructions before he left, Wei Yong would have thought that someone had poisoned Nie Liang again.
"Looking at the speed, we are two hours away from the nearest relay station in Bianzhou."
Nie Liang was blown by the wind and the carriage jolted twice. It irritated his throat and made him cough violently while holding onto the window frame.
Wei Yong said, "Guangshan, don't talk. Calm your mind and rest. When we reach Bianzhou, there will be another tough battle. "
The mission given to Nie Liang by the Nie family was to fight for Cangzhou, even if it was only Meng County.
If Nie Liang returned empty-handed, he would definitely be reprimanded by the clan elders.
The power within the Nie family was complicated, and each branch fought with each other.
As the most promising heir of the fifth branch of the Nie family, Nie Liang's existence was the most important bargaining chip of the fifth branch. Now that Nie Liang had returned in failure, the Nie clan elders would also doubt his ability. Wei Yong could not help but feel sorry for him.
"We should stay in Cangzhou for a little longer —"
Regardless of the size of the territory, as long as they could fight for a piece of land, it would be easier to explain to the Nie Clan.
However, Nie Liang insisted on returning empty-handed. Wasn't that putting himself in a dead end?
Wei Yong thought of Nie Liang's current situation and felt powerless.
"It's useless to stay here any longer." Nie Liang said in a weak voice, "Huang Song and Liu Xi would rather maintain a fake alliance than fall out with each other. It's obvious that they know very well that the Nie family will benefit from their internal strife. Both of them were smart people. Even if they couldn't help it, the people around them would tell them all kinds of benefits. The Meng family only sent envoys but did not station any troops in Zhanjiang Pass. Their deterrent power was far from enough. They can afford to delay, but Liang's body can't … "
The Nie family of Zhongzhao had a strong military force, but there was a difference between sending envoys to threaten them verbally and sending troops to the border to threaten them.
Sending an emissary was just a verbal warning, while stationing troops to threaten the other party was to place a steel knife on the other party's neck, threatening the other party with their lives.
Huang Song and Jiang Pengji were like dead pigs that were not afraid of boiling water. The former tried to smooth things over and feigned ignorance, while the latter was shrewd, cunning, and full of evil tricks.
"Moreover, Liu Xi would rather start a war than give up his territory. This diplomatic mission is destined to be fruitless."
Compared to this, Nie Liang was more worried about the Nie family.
The internal strife within the family was destined to not prosper for long.
This time they poisoned him. Would they send killers to assassinate other competitors next time?
In troubled times, only by being of one mind and united as a rope could they have a foothold.
If the vermin of the Nie family were not dealt with, the Nie family would not perish at the hands of the enemy, but they would die by themselves.
"To resist external aggression, we must first pacify the internal …" Nie Liang said, "If those vermin are stubborn …"
His tone became cold. His thin face was hidden in the shadows, giving people an inexplicably cold and terrifying feeling.
Wei Yong sighed. "Even so, I'm afraid I'll regret it in the future if I miss this opportunity."
Nie Liang asked, "What do you mean?"
Wei Yong said, "Zixiao has always been stubborn and opinionated. He has been different from ordinary people since he was young. I've heard of his ambition — to unify the world and bring peace to the four seas. If he didn't see this potential in Liu Xi, he wouldn't have truly become an official to assist him. "
Looking at Jiang Pengji's experience, she had been through endless trials and tribulations, but she was able to overcome them and never stopped.
Meng Zhan took great pains to set up a trap and led her into a situation where she was surrounded by enemies on all sides.
What was the result?
Jiang Pengji sent someone to leak information to the political enemies of the Yi family in Beiyuan, using this to restrain the Yi family.
Nie Liang was busy rushing back to Zhongzhao to deal with the internal affairs of the Nie family, so he couldn't pose a sufficient threat.
Without the Nie family as a counterweight, Huang Song was tricked into handing over the two counties of Cangzhou.
The original disadvantage was turned around.
Although the Nie family and the Yi family wouldn't let go of Cangzhou easily and would come back after a while, it gave her a chance to breathe.
Wei Yong was sure that Jiang Pengji would definitely use this time to fight for more bargaining chips for herself.
"She's a strong opponent …" Nie Liang smiled faintly. "But Liang won't regret it."
He would only regret it if he allowed the Nie family to court disaster.
Within Hu County …
Xu Fei's life had been difficult these years.
Back in the day, he was the eldest grandson that his grandfather doted on the most. He relied on this favor to fight evenly with his eldest grandson, Xu Bei.
Because of his grandfather's protection, Xu Fei had the upper hand most of the time.
However, everything changed after the political chaos in Dongqing and the alliance meeting at Huangshui.
First, his grandfather passed away, and Xu Fei lost his powerful protection. The elders of the Xu family were inclined to appoint the eldest son, which made Xu Fei very angry.
Ever since he was young, he liked to compete with his cousin. He couldn't tolerate being inferior to his cousin.
Because of the fight for the head of the family, the two brothers completely broke off. The internal power of the Xu family was also divided into two groups.
In the beginning, the two brothers were evenly matched. Xu Fei and Xu Bei even joined forces to swallow up the territory of the county chief of Hu County, Wuma Shang.
However, this balance was broken after Jiang Pengji went on a northern expedition to the Northern Borderline and Yang Si represented her in forming an alliance with Xu Bei. The balance gradually tilted.
While other people's lives became more and more prosperous, Xu Fei's days became more and more sullen.
As Xu Bei pressed on, Xu Fei also lost most of his territory and gradually holed up in a small area.
Seeing that he couldn't hold on any longer, Xu Fei's emotions became more and more violent. He often vented his anger on the servants and maidservants around him.
The aristocratic families that were originally attached to him gradually changed sides and left. His subordinates even persuaded him to submit to Xu Bei and submit to him.
How could this be possible?
"Apart from age, how is he stronger than me? Grandfather has always favored me to be the head of the family. What does Xu Bei count for? Not only did he not act according to grandfather's will, but he also wants to put me to death … to make me submit to him? Hmph … Dream on! "
If he wasn't willing to submit or die, then he could only seek help from a third party.
Just as Xu Fei was frowning in distress, a servant beside him gave him an idea that made him suddenly see the light. "My lord, if we are looking for military support, it won't do if they are too weak. If they are too strong, distant waters won't be able to put out a nearby fire. After thinking about it, only the Wanzhou magistrate, Liu Xi, is the most suitable."
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