Before the sneak attack, Huang Song had been mentally prepared for the possibility of failure.
When the reality was right in front of him, he couldn't accept it.
He was mentally prepared, but he didn't expect to lose so thoroughly!
He had sent out thousands of troops, but only two hundred or so returned safely. The rest were either killed in battle or captured by the enemy.
How could they fight this war?
Huang Song felt that he needed some time alone.
When everyone heard the result of the meeting, they immediately fell silent. They lowered their heads and didn't dare to look up at Huang Song's face.
They had high expectations for the sneak attack. They didn't expect the enemy to know in advance and have already made preparations.
This was really unexpected.
Huang Song wasn't someone who would admit defeat easily. He said, "Does anyone have any other good ideas?"
The group of people discussed until dawn. They were especially tired. After all, they were all awakened from their beds by Huang Song's men.
Cheng Jing looked normal, but he was actually a little tired. After the meeting, he returned to his tent. Before he had time to wash up, a report came from outside. His heart skipped a beat. He mistakenly thought that it was his lord Huang Song calling for him. He said, "Who's outside?"
As soon as he finished speaking, an unfamiliar male voice came from outside. The other party's elegant words had a Hu County accent.
Cheng Jing vaguely guessed the other party's identity. He said in a low voice, "Come in."
The person was a man dressed in a dark brown scholar's robe. To make it easier for him to move, this person's wide sleeves were tied up with wrist guards.
He looked less elegant and refined, but more agile and valiant.
This person exchanged a few words with Cheng Jing. Cheng Jing invited him to take a seat. The other party was a little cautious and sat down with slight awkwardness.
As intelligent as Cheng Jing was, he naturally guessed the purpose of this person's visit. As expected, the other party stiffly changed the topic to last night's sneak attack.
At present, not many people knew about the situation of the battle. This person in front of him belonged to this group. He had come this time to find out more information.
Cheng Jing calmly stated the result. The person's eyes widened as if he couldn't believe the result.
"How, how could it be …"
The other party stammered. A lot of sweat appeared on his forehead, and his eyes flickered.
Cheng Jing said, "Victory and defeat are common in war. Isn't it normal for the enemy to be one step ahead?"
The other party laughed dryly in response to Cheng Jing's words, but his heart was beating like a drum.
He could not help but be nervous and afraid. If Huang Song lost, he would definitely be punished by Jiang Pengji. Based on Jiang Pengji's deeds in the past few years, this woman could be said to be magnanimous, but in some aspects, she was exceptionally petty. She could even be said to seek revenge for the smallest grievance!
Cheng Jing's eyes were like an ancient well, calm and tranquil. He saw through the thoughts of this person with a single glance and laughed coldly in his heart.
"Sir, are you worried that my master will not be able to defeat Liu Xi?"
Cheng Jing's sudden question scared the man so much that his heart almost stopped beating. He was like a frightened cat whose fur was standing on end.
"How, how could this be?" The other party raised his hand to wipe the sweat off his forehead and said sheepishly, "Although Liu Xi is famous, my lord is not weaker than him. The outcome of the battle had yet to be decided, so it was still too early to make a judgment. How could I dare to boost other people's morale and diminish my lord's prestige? "
Cheng Jing snorted coldly and declined to comment.
He was extremely disgusted with two-faced people, and the person in front of him was one of them.
This person was born in Zhonghe County and had lived there for generations. He had used many underhanded methods to obtain exorbitant profits. The fertile land in Zhonghe County had been occupied by his family and a few other families. Almost all the local people were cheap tenants under their control. They even secretly engaged in illegal human trafficking. Before Liu She went to Hu County, these families were the local tyrants of Zhonghe County. The people lived in poverty and could not see any hope.
After Liu She took over Hu County, these local tyrants were slowly subdued and suppressed by him. They behaved themselves for a while.
Previously, when Jiang Pengji pretended to be sick, they heard rumors that she did not have long to live. Their hearts were alive again.
Coincidentally, Huang Song had sent someone to persuade them to rebel. This group of people took advantage of the situation and directly betrayed Jiang Pengji. As a result, Zhonghe County was lost.
They waited and waited, burning three joss sticks a day, hoping that Jiang Pengji would quickly kneel down. Unexpectedly, she recovered from her illness!
Not only did she recover from her illness, but the situation on the battlefield slowly favored her. Huang Song was also forced to abandon Chenzhou and retreat from Zhonghe County!
If they had known that Jiang Pengji's life was so tenacious, they would not have sided with Huang Song so decisively. They would have at least watched for a while longer.
It was too late to say anything now. They only hoped that Huang Song could turn defeat into victory and turn the tables.
However, this seemed to be an extravagant hope.
Cheng Jing said, "If there is nothing else, please make yourself at home."
It was obvious that he wanted to chase them away.
The man looked embarrassed. He knew that he was not welcomed by Cheng Jing. He had no choice but to bow and leave.
Cheng Jing did not like him, not only because he was two-faced, but also because he did not have the slightest bit of self-awareness.
Could he not see what kind of person he was?
To Huang Song, they were just tools that could be thrown away after he was done using them. However, they thought too highly of themselves and overestimated themselves.
Cheng Jing furrowed his brows and called someone over. He instructed, "Send someone to keep an eye on them. Report to me immediately if there is any movement."
For such people, Cheng Jing did not expect them to have such things as "loyalty".
Even at this critical juncture, they did not forget to sound out the situation. It was obvious what kind of people they were. They had sided with Huang Song because of Liu Xi's decline. Who knew if they would betray Huang Song for the same reason? In the face of profit, all moral principles could be put aside.
"Yes!"
Cheng Jing was right. This person really had the intention of jumping ship.
Huang Song's ship was about to sink. Of course they had to think of a way to save themselves.
How could they save themselves?
They had to think of a way.
"This, this is not very good, is it? After all, we betrayed Liu Xi. Now we have to betray Huang Song. Will Liu Xi accept this? "
"What's not good about it? Those who achieve great things don't bother with trifles. As long as we can make a great contribution to Liu Xi, even if Liu Xi does not put us in an important position, he will not be able to settle old scores. " The man rolled his eyes and said impatiently, "Huang Song has lost thousands of troops this time. He only has Haozhou left. What do you think his chances of winning against Liu Xi are? It is obvious that he will lose. I'm afraid it will be difficult to salvage the situation. "
In troubled times, moral principles were even cheaper than feces in a cesspit.
Feces could nourish the soil, so what was the use of moral principles?
There was no lack of loyal and unyielding people in the world, but these people were too arrogant and few would go along with others. Most of them were opportunists.
As long as they offered enough benefits, "Liu Xi" would be tempted.
His companion was still hesitant. He sighed. "Alas, what should we do? If we had known this would happen, we wouldn't have thought about it. "
After all the twists and turns, they still had to go to Jiang Pengji's camp. They had wasted so much effort.
"What's the use of saying this now? Finding a way out as soon as possible is the right way. Once Huang Song is defeated, we won't be able to get anything out of it. "
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