Jiang Pengji said shamefully, "I took Cai Xiang in with good intentions. I didn't expect it to backfire and bring disaster to Wolong County."
She pretended to reproach herself.
Of course, everyone present was smart enough to know that she was just being polite.
Cai County Chief's power was almost destroyed. He only had a few dozen confidants and an 11-year-old boy left. What could they do?
If Jiang Pengji didn't take him in, even if Cai Xiang and the others could return to Wolong County, they would only be cannon fodder.
If he stayed in Jiang Pengji's territory, he could at least keep his life.
Cheng Jing said, "You're kind and generous. You protected the only bloodline of Cai County Chief. I heard that Cai Xiang was the only child that Cai County Chief had found when he was in his middle years. If Cai County Chief could see you in heaven, he would be grateful to you. However, the situation in Wolong County is getting worse and the people are suffering. If Cai Xiang could go back and take charge, he might be able to help … "
Cheng Jing's words were exactly what Jiang Pengji wanted.
On the surface, she frowned as if she was considering Cheng Jing's suggestion.
After a while, she said, "Youmo, I've thought about it. A few days ago, Cai Xiang sent someone to complain to me. He said that he dreamed of his father and his hometown. The child was only 11 years old, but he suffered such a misfortune. It was heartbreaking. However, Cai Xiang only has a few dozen confidants. If he goes to Wolong County with such a small number of people, wouldn't he fall into the hands of evil people? "
Cheng Jing's eyelids twitched when he heard the last sentence.
Jiang Pengji was scolding him indirectly.
He pretended not to understand. His expression remained the same, and no one could see any flaws in his act.
Cheng Jing suggested, "I have something to say, but I don't know if I should say it."
"Youmo, you and I are old friends. What can't we talk about?"
Jiang Pengji didn't put on the airs of a governor. Instead, she acted as if she was receiving a friend. Her attitude was casual but not rude.
Cheng Jing closed his eyes and nodded slightly. "Why don't you lend some troops to Cai Xiang and help him quell the rebellion?"
His words sounded like he was considering for Jiang Pengji, but in fact, it was a test. He conveniently blocked her way out.
Jiang Pengji saved County Chief Cai's orphan and earned the reputation of being kind and generous.
If they were to use this as an excuse to encroach on Wolong County, wouldn't that be bullying an orphan with no one to rely on?
If she were to swallow her pride and help Cai Xiang stabilize Wolong County, then withdraw her army and be a selfless Lei Feng, handing over a piece of fat meat, the outside world would praise her to the heavens, saying that she was a model of kindness and loyalty, and would want nothing more than to give her silk banners.
Only a fool would do such a thing if he were to contribute manpower, money, and effort.
Jiang Pengji thought to herself, "I don't mind borrowing troops, but I'm afraid of rumors spreading that I'm trying to encroach on Wolong County and bully the widows. It was really hard to explain. But if we ignore it, the people of Wolong County will continue to suffer. I can't bear to do that. "
Cheng Jing understood Jiang Pengji's hint and could not help but feel happy.
As long as she was not interested in Wolong County, then the most suitable person to take over Wolong County was Huang Song.
What Cheng Jing needed to do now was to recommend Huang Song to Jiang Pengji.
Of course, both sides were well aware that Wolong County was not a piece of fat meat for free!
If he wanted Jiang Pengji to relent and give up this benefit, he had to offer something else in exchange.
What followed was a tug-of-war of negotiation. Jiang Pengji tested Cheng Jing's bottom line step by step, while Cheng Jing tried his best to fight for Huang Song's benefit.
To put it simply, Cai Xiang was a commodity in Jiang Pengji's hands. She wanted to sell him for a high price, and Cheng Jing was representing the buyer, Huang Song. Naturally, they had to lower the price. As for what Cai Xiang, the commodity, thought, that was not within their scope of consideration.
Jiang Pengji kept the livestream open, and the audience listened to the two of them haggle back and forth …
Although their words were reserved, their meaning was the same.
The more the audience listened, the more their worldview shattered.
Baobao Xinku: "I have a question — when the streamer and Cheng Jing traded Cai Xiang, did Cai Xiang's father know?"
Terminal Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Patient: "Cai Xiang's father was hacked to death by Fu Wang a long time ago. How would he know?"
Lvshuiyinfeng Mian: "I sympathize with Cai Xiang. He's only 11 years old. In our world, he's still in the sixth grade. But considering the streamer's world background, 11 years old is already a sensible age. If you want to blame someone, you can only blame Cai Xiang for being born in the wrong era and being born in the wrong body. He has no ability, no one to rely on, and can only be at the mercy of others without any ability to resist. "
Zhenmodao: "The previous poster is too emotional. Things aren't that bad. Huang Song just wants to use Cai Xiang as a puppet to legitimately take over Wolong County. After the deed is done, he probably won't make things difficult for Cai Xiang. After all, Huang Song is also a person who cares about his reputation. In order to shut the mouths of the public, he won't kill Cai Xiang. What's so difficult about rewarding him with a meal? At most, his standard of living will not be as good as before … "
Zhoucuo Gongshou: "I'll give the previous poster a like. You've spoken my mind. Cai Xiang has lost his father and protection. If Wolong County is in his hands, even if Huang Song doesn't take it from him, it'll be taken by someone else … Although this is not the right thing to say, it's a chaotic world that only cares about strength and not feelings. Wolong County is a hot potato for Cai Xiang. If he doesn't move, he'll get himself killed sooner or later. "
Baohuobao: "Sigh — Cai Xiang is being sold off by the black-hearted streamer."
Although both sides are well aware of the situation, some things can't be said too openly. At the very least, there needs to be a cover.
For example, in this transaction of "Cai Xiang," Jiang Pengji and Cheng Jing stood on the moral high ground. With the "people of Wolong County" as the starting point, they let Cai Xiang go back to take charge of the overall situation and stabilize the situation. It was definitely not for the benefit of Wanzhou and Huang Song.
After some probing, Jiang Pengji had more or less figured out the ins and outs of Huang Song's side. Cheng Jing also calculated Jiang Pengji's bottom line.
Huang Song knew Jiang Pengji's temperament. This time, he was prepared to bleed a lot. The conditions he offered were quite generous.
It was a win-win situation. The negotiation process was quite pleasant, and both sides enjoyed themselves to the fullest.
After negotiating a "big deal," Jiang Pengji happily set up a banquet to welcome Cheng Jing.
"By the way, Youmo … Have you met any strange people recently?"
Jiang Pengji suddenly asked. Cheng Jing's heart skipped a beat, but his expression did not change.
"Why do you say that, Magistrate?"
Jiang Pengji said casually, "Zixiao is proficient in astronomical phenomena and can predict. A while ago, he wrote me a letter saying that an ominous purple cloud was drifting from the south to Wanzhou. The evil aura was getting stronger by the day, so it should be evil without a doubt. As the saying goes, demons are bound to appear in chaotic times. Although strange powers and gods can't be trusted, Zixiao is the person I trust the most. I'd rather believe what he says than not … "
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