The boy servant said, "Mister is not stupid. It's just that Mister Zixiao and the others are too cunning … They know that you can't resist the temptation of delicacies, but they still use food to seduce you. Sir, why don't you take some time to secretly learn from a chef? Once you've learned the skills, let's escape … "
The corners of Yang Si's mouth twitched.
His tongue had been spoiled by the chefs of Fengyi County. If he left here, wouldn't he starve to death?
Would they starve to death or die of exhaustion?
This was a difficult choice.
As a foodie, Yang Si decisively chose the latter. The former was too cruel.
Because of the imperial edict to rescue the emperor, not only was Jiang Pengji's plan disrupted, but even the strategists and generals under her were busy. Even An Cui, who was working as a spy in Chengde County, was affected. When he received the contact from the informant, he thought that Jiang Pengji was going to send him supplies again.
But An Cui was a cautious person. He had already sent over a batch of resources before, and they had not finished using them yet. How could he send them over again?
When he thought of this, An Cui's first thought was that his identity had been exposed.
He was worried, so he asked a few of his sworn brothers to protect him in secret while he went to meet the informant.
An Cui's identity had not been exposed. The informant had come to inform them that the plan had been brought forward.
An Cui was suspicious. "Why didn't they wait until spring to start the war?"
The informant said, "I don't know about this either. I heard that it has something to do with the imperial edict to rescue the king. This news has already spread."
An Cui wasn't someone who was good at strategizing. For a moment, he didn't understand the connection between "rescuing the emperor" and bringing forward Jiang Pengji's plan.
He didn't ask in detail. After all, the job of an informant was to contact him, so he didn't know much.
After An Cui went back, he thought about it deeply. His heart was restless.
He hurriedly gathered a few of his brothers for a discussion. He suppressed his excitement and his cheeks were slightly distorted.
"This is a great opportunity for us brothers to rescue the Emperor."
If Jiang Pengji kept her promise and gave An Cui 10% of her wealth and manpower, he could use this 10% to "rescue" the king and reap some benefits.
Most of his sworn brothers were uncivilized people. They admired An Cui's knowledge and were even more grateful for his sincere treatment.
When An Cui said it would be profitable, they believed him.
The dark-skinned man first felt happy for An Cui, cupping his fists to congratulate him. Then, a look of hesitation appeared on his face.
"But … Big Brother, we haven't bribed enough people. Will Fengyi County be dissatisfied?"
An Cui said, "Fighting a war isn't something that can be fought on a whim. They still need to prepare the soldiers' rations and come up with a battle plan … No matter what, it will take some time. In addition to the march, it will take about half a month. If we brothers work together, we won't have to worry about anything not being done. However, despite the urgency of the situation, we cannot give ourselves away because of this and arouse the suspicion of the Red Lotus Group. We must be cautious! "
The black-faced man nodded as he listened. He had complete trust in Ann's words.
"Don't worry, Big Brother. How can you not rest assured when we are handling this matter? I will definitely do it properly and not leave a single flaw. "
An Cui had a gratified look on his face. The thatched hut was filled with brotherly love and joy.
Elsewhere, Huang Song was steadily expanding his territory. Like Jiang Pengji, he was caught unprepared by the imperial edict to rescue the emperor.
Although he was the descendant of a eunuch, Huang Tan was the Emperor's confidant. He sold his official position and received an unknown amount of money and rations. He was secretly very wealthy. In addition, Huang Song's father loved to do business. He had also accumulated a rich family property for Huang Song.
With money, rations, and Huang Tan's support in the court, Huang Song's power grew steadily. He already had more than 10,000 soldiers under his command.
When he received the imperial edict to rescue the emperor, he was so worried that his scalp itched.
Under Feng Jue's instigation, Huang Song had long given up his desire to be a virtuous official. If someone were to label him as a rebel and a traitor, he would not be able to defend himself. Under such circumstances, he felt a little guilty. If he responded to the imperial edict to rescue the emperor, would he not be walking right into a trap?
If he did not have the intention to rebel, why would a small district magistrate of Diyang District raise 10,000 soldiers?
Feng Jue snorted and said, "What are you afraid of, my lord? If they pursue this matter, you still have Liu Xi to bear the brunt. If they pursue this matter, they will pursue him first, then my lord. Now that the royal family has fallen, they have issued an imperial edict to rescue the emperor. They can't wait for the troops to be strong so that they can defeat Prince Changshou … It's a good thing that my lord has 10,000 troops. Why would I blame you? "
Huang Song looked embarrassed.
Yes, why was he nervous and guilty?
Liu Xi had brazenly captured Fengyi County and taken Shangyang County from the Feng family. Now, he was coveting Chengde County …
In the blink of an eye, the entire Wanzhou was about to fall into Liu Xi's hands.
He, Huang Song, had only managed to control Maode County.
If they were to pursue this matter, Liu Xi was the biggest rebel and a traitor. He could only be regarded as a small soldier waving the flag.
"So … should we respond to the imperial edict to rescue the emperor?"
Huang Song was different from Jiang Pengji.
Although Jiang Pengji occupied two counties, Shangyang County had not completely surrendered. That was a hidden danger. In order to solve this hidden danger, she could only take down Chengde County in one go. After expanding her military force, she would turn around and deal with the local aristocrats in Shangyang County so that they would not dare to cause trouble.
In comparison, Huang Song did not have so many scruples.
Cheng Jing said, "I think that the imperial edict to rescue the emperor is a good opportunity to show my lord's loyalty and benevolence. Naturally, we must go."
Cheng Jing's thoughts coincided with Jiang Pengji's. It was a good platform to poach talents.
The imperial edict to rescue the emperor was not the main point. The main point was that Huang Song could take the opportunity to show his talents and conduct and attract talents to his side.
In layman's terms, it was using the platform to advertise and promote oneself.
Feng Jue seconded the idea. The other strategists in the government office also agreed.
Huang Song made up his mind and made a final decision.
Rescue the emperor?
Go!
For a moment, all the forces, big and small, had different thoughts. Because of the imperial edict to rescue the emperor, people's hearts were wavering.
While the other forces gathered their troops and prepared to rescue the emperor, Jiang Pengji had already begun the final preparations before the war.
"This is the information sent back by our informant. Take a look."
Because the war was about to begin, Jiang Pengji and Wei Ci returned to Fengyi County first. The various government affairs in Shangyang County were left to Feng Zhen and Feng Jin to handle.
Although Feng Zhen talked about going on strike all day, he completed his work very well.
Feng Zhen was uninhibited, treacherous, and sly. He was extremely good at dealing with people.
He was the most suitable person to deal with the gentry in Shangyang County.
As for whether he would die of exhaustion?
Hehe, she believed in the old saying: "A scourge lives for a thousand years." Feng Zhen was definitely someone with a long life.
Moreover, Feng Jin was also helping him in Shangyang County. He wouldn't die of exhaustion.
"Although the Red Lotus Group is just a motley crew, many ants can kill an elephant. It's a headache to have so many people piled together."
Jiang Pengji tucked her hands into her sleeves and sat on the seat of honor. Her hair still had snow on it.
She had held an emergency meeting as soon as she arrived in Xiangyang District. She hadn't even had a hot meal yet.
"District Magistrate Liu wants to end the war quickly. We need to be cautious in this first battle. If we can take down a city in a flash, the morale of the Red Lotus Group will definitely collapse." Yang Si bowed and said, "If we can't take it down after a long time, or if we are at a disadvantage, it will easily affect the morale of the Red Lotus Group. The Red Lotus Group has the advantage in numbers. If their morale is boosted, it is very likely to prolong the war, which is very disadvantageous to us. "
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