The news of the change of ownership of Shangyang County spread quickly. Huang Song, who was far away in Diyang District of Maode County in Haozhou, knew about it.
Huang Song had just received the news and hurriedly looked for his trusted subordinates to discuss it.
Under the management of Feng Jue, Cheng Jing, and a few other newly recruited strategists, Huang Song was still the district magistrate of Diyang District on the surface, but in reality, he had slowly infiltrated the entire Maode County. Coupled with the eloquence of the strategists, the most difficult aristocratic families were settled one by one.
With steady progress, the seemingly unattractive Huang Song now had some capital.
Huang Song was especially concerned about Jiang Pengji's situation, probably because they were close in age and used to be friends who played together.
Now that he had just received the news, he could not wait to discuss it with his strategists.
Feng Jue was not surprised by the news of the change of ownership of Shangyang County.
After all, his second brother was in Jiang Pengji's camp. This was "harmony."
Not only that, but she also had a natural geographical advantage. Fengyi County and Shangyang County were both within Wanzhou. This was "geographical advantage."
Moreover, Shangyang County was not an advantage for the Feng family, which had a weak military force. Instead, it was a burden. This was "timing."
In this way, Jiang Pengji had "timing," "geographical advantage," and "harmony." It was only a matter of time before Shangyang County fell into her hands.
If Huang Song's territory could be in the north and be close to Shangyang County, Feng Jue would also have the confidence to convince the Feng family.
Now, the matter was settled.
His tightly knitted brows relaxed. Feng Jue had already put on a crown. His face had lost its childishness, and he appeared calm and steady.
He comforted him unhurriedly, "Don't worry, my lord. I know what the situation in Shangyang County is. If Liu Xi takes over now, he will lose everything if he doesn't handle it well. The Feng family has retired, and the other aristocratic families are no longer suppressed. Liu Xi will probably be overwhelmed with work. "
Even in a small Diyang District, the various forces were intricate, not to mention the circle of aristocratic families in Shangyang County.
Although they were not large in scale, their ancestors had been operating in Shangyang County for generations, and they had a deep foundation.
Compared to Diyang District, the difficulty of conquering Shangyang County was definitely more than ten times higher.
Cheng Jing frowned and said disapprovingly, "I don't know much about Liu Xi, but his advisors Wei Ci, Yang Si, Feng Zhen, Feng Jin … none of them are easy to deal with. Liu Xi's foundation is gradually stabilizing, Shangyang County may not be able to make him stumble. "
When Jiang Pengji was studying in Langye Academy, Cheng Jing had already left to take up an official post.
He only stayed in the Academy for a few days in three years, and it was to congratulate Master Yuanjing on his birthday.
Therefore, the relationship between Cheng Jing and Jiang Pengji was limited to a nodding acquaintance. They both knew of such a person, but they did not have a deep understanding of each other.
It was fine if Cheng Jing did not understand Jiang Pengji, but he understood his junior brother, Wei Ci. He understood the few friends Wei Ci had. They were not famous, but each of them was a dragon among men. Even if she could only get one, the lord would be overjoyed, not to mention a few of them.
Shangyang County might be a tough nut to crack for others, but for Liu Xi, who had a strong and powerful faction, it was nothing more than a stumbling block on the road. It was so small that he could just step over it … It was unrealistic to hope that Shangyang County would be able to hold Liu Xi back.
Feng Jue sighed to himself. He and Cheng Jing still did not have the slightest tacit understanding.
He spoke ambiguously, but was it not to obscure the main point, to appease Huang Song's inner anxiety, and to motivate him?
Cheng Jing was an honest man, but he said whatever was on his mind.
Wasn't this boosting others' morale and diminishing his own prestige?
Feng Jue's mind spun, and he suddenly thought of something. He interrupted Huang Song's overthinking.
He said to Cheng Jing, "I remember that Youmo seems to have an eldest nephew who holds a post in Haozhou?"
Cheng Jing's eldest nephew, Cheng Cheng, whose courtesy name was Wenfu.
After Huang Song heard this, his gaze turned to Cheng Jing, and he asked in surprise, "Youmo's eldest nephew?"
Why hadn't he heard of this?
Cheng Jing replied calmly, "Reporting to my lord, I do have a nephew who holds a post in Haozhou."
Cheng Cheng was the district magistrate of Sui An County in Fufeng County of Haozhou. Because he did not like the intrigue in the officialdom, and he had no intention of climbing the ranks, he used his family's influence to obtain the position of district magistrate of Sui An County. He had been in this position for more than ten years, and he had never moved from this position.
Cheng Jing was stunned. He did not know why Feng Jue suddenly mentioned Cheng Cheng.
After thinking for a while, he instantly understood Feng Jue's intentions, and he was slightly displeased.
Without waiting for Feng Jue to speak, Cheng Jing said, "If Huaijie wants Wenfu to seek refuge with the lord, I'm afraid it'll be difficult. I've already written a letter to Wenfu, but Wenfu is determined, and I can't easily persuade him. Moreover, his ambition isn't here, so there's no point in recruiting him. "
Although Cheng Cheng was almost a generation older than Cheng Jing, his eldest nephew was still his eldest nephew. As an uncle, he had to show the attitude of protecting his junior.
If Cheng Cheng was unwilling to seek refuge with Huang Song, could Cheng Jing force him?
Admittedly, if Cheng Cheng was willing to help Huang Song, as the district magistrate of Sui An County in Fufeng County of Haozhou, he could provide Huang Song with great convenience. He could even become a springboard for Huang Song to encroach on Fufeng County. However, since Cheng Cheng was unwilling, Cheng Jing naturally would not force him.
Feng Jue looked embarrassed. He did not expect Cheng Jing to speak so bluntly. This caused the atmosphere in the hall to become slightly stagnant.
After the meeting, Feng Jue went to look for Cheng Jing in private.
"Huaijie, you don't go to a temple for no reason. Just say what you want."
Cheng Jing was too upright. Although he was clever and clever, his style of doing things tended to be more rigid.
Feng Jue also went straight to the point. "Jue wants to help the lord plot for the entire Haozhou."
The territory of Haozhou naturally included Sui An County under Cheng Cheng's rule.
Cheng Jing said, "Of course. If the lord wants to advance further, Haozhou must be obtained."
"But you said that Cheng Cheng is unwilling to help the lord."
Cheng Jing frowned when he heard this. What was the conflict between Cheng Cheng's unwillingness to help Huang Song and Huang Song's plot for Haozhou?
If Huang Song had the ability to conquer Haozhou, Cheng Cheng could just resign and live in seclusion. He did not have to work under Huang Song.
Feng Jue faintly had a headache. Cheng Jing still did not understand what he was implying.
"What I mean is … if Youmo's eldest nephew doesn't have this intention, he should resign and leave as soon as possible before the lord conquers Haozhou."
If Huang Song's influence grew stronger and he slowly controlled Haozhou, Cheng Cheng would not be able to leave even if he wanted to.
Yang Si had flown away under Huang Song's nose. This matter had already traumatized the latter.
According to Huang Song's temper, those who could not be used by him could not be used by others either.
Having one example like Yang Si was enough.
Since it was still early, Feng Jue directly said it.
In the future, Feng Jue did not want to see Cheng Jing and the lord, Huang Song, become estranged because of Cheng Cheng.
Cheng Jing was silent for a moment. He cupped his hands and bowed. "Thank you for the reminder."
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
