Chapter 577 - Horse Plague at the Northern Borders (IV)
Chapter 577: Horse Plague at the Northern Borders (IV)
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Huang Song pondered over Jiang Pengji’s personality and said with a distressed expression, “Even though the three tribes of the northern kingdom are keeping an eye on it, Liu Xi has a strange temperament, and his actions and acts are even more unpredictable. He was still the district magistrate of Xiangyang District last year, but he has already occupied Fengyi County now, and he completely disregards the orders issued by the royal court.”
If she was seized by a whim and decided to attack Huang Song, Huang Song was incapable of standing his ground at the moment.
Cheng Jing said, “The three tribes of the northern kingdom have heard about the news regarding the sudden death of An Yina, princess consort to the second eldest prince. The savages have been eyeing the Central Plains for a long time. By next spring at the latest, when the grass is aplenty for the horses, they will gather their troops and attack Dongqing. Isn’t the first in the line of fire none other than Liu She’s Chongzhou?”
The three tribes of the northern kingdom could not bypass Liu She when attacking Dongqing. At the moment, Chongzhou was probably busy preparing for war against the cavalry of the three tribes of the northern kingdom, so how would they have time to tackle Huang Song?
She was Liu Xi’s father. Seeing that his father was in danger, Liu Xi probably had to run through his fortune to resist the cavalry of the northern kingdom. In comparison, Huang Song was under no such pressure from external enemies. Even though Huang Song began developing his influence later than Liu Xi did, the difference was not one that could not be offset.
Liu Xi and his father were tied down by the three tribes of the northern kingdom. Regardless of the outcome, the price they had to pay would not be small. One man’s loss is another man’s gain. Thus, it was still impossible to determine whether Huang Song or Liu Xi would turn out to be more powerful.
Huang Song was somewhat distressed initially, but after hearing Cheng Jing’s analysis, he gained some confidence and returned to his energetic state. Seeing this, Feng Jue was secretly relieved. Losing Yang Si before this was a hard blow to Huang Song indeed.
The arrival of Cheng Jing could be said to have filled the gap. The rest were also on their way. Huang Song had even sent out invitation letters to his relatives, and several talented people all hurried to his side… When everything got on track, Huang Song’s influence would develop rapidly, and it would be time for the royalty of Dongqing to meet their end.
Huang Song and Cheng Jing talked in detail for quite a long time, and they felt as if they had known each other for a long time despite having just met.
Cheng Jing said, ” I’ve heard that Huaijie’s second eldest brother, Feng Jin, is working under Liu Xi?”
Huang Song tensed a little, and Feng Jue frowned inconspicuously.
Huang Song said, “Each man serves his own master, Huaijie is Huaijie, and Feng Jin is Feng Jin. Youmo, it would be better if you weren’t mistrustful.”
Cheng Jing laughed and said, “I am not suspecting Huaijie of anything, I’m just worried that Shangyang County might surrender without putting up a fight come next spring when Liu Xi launches attacks against the nine states.”
If Shangyang County was to surrender, only Chengde County would be left, and Liu Xi could easily swallow it up.
Huang Song was surprised and didn’t get it at first. “Why?”
Feng Jue, on the other hand, understood what he meant. The crucial problem was still with Feng Jin.
Cheng Jing explained, “House Feng is originally from Shangyang County, namely the region near the present Shangjing. The county chief of Shangyang County has a really good relationship with House Feng. Feng Jin is the second eldest son of the Feng family. In light of the presence of such ties, combined with the fact that Liu Xi has powerful troops to hand, we can’t say for sure that House Feng will not come forward to mediate…”
House Feng was one of the four main noble houses of Dongqing. Moreover, the Fengs were the local tyrants of Shangyang County, and even the county chief must avoid pissing them off. The attitude of House Feng could influence the outcome of Shangyang County to a very large extent.
“If Shangyang County is stubbornly defended, even if the city falls in the end, Liu Xi will suffer some losses more or less. If the county surrenders without a fight, his forces would be preserved to the greatest extent.” Cheng Jing chuckled and said, “I am more inclined to believe that Liu Xi can grab a bargain.”
The noble houses had always been good at judging the situation and carried out their plans flawlessly. When confronted by a strong army, it was naturally better to surrender and pledge allegiance. Furthermore, Feng Jin was working under Liu Xi. For House Feng, the benefits of pledging allegiance were way greater than resisting with all their might. Only brainless idiots would take a particular course of action despite knowing that it must not be taken, and noble houses didn’t fall into that category.
Cheng Jing chose Huang Song not only because Huang Song seemed to suit his personality more and fit his ideal of a wise ruler more. Another reason was that while Liu Xi seemed to be in an enviable position now, he was treading a fine line, and he might be doomed at the slightest sign of trouble. Surely the existence of the three tribes of the northern kingdom is not just for decorative purposes? The better the position Liu Xi is in now; the greater pressure he will face when oppressed by the three tribes of the northern kingdom in the future.
In comparison, Huang Song was more aligned to Cheng Jing’s expectations. However, all of this was built on the premise that the three tribes of the northern kingdom could advance southwards. Does the northern kingdom have the ability to advance southwards? When asked, Wei Ci simply smiled and said nothing.
[At the start of the eleventh month of the 20th year of the Tianwu era, a horse plague broke out at the northern borders. Warhorses were infected and many died. Only 10% to 20% survived.]
He still remembered the previous incarnation. The three tribes of the northern kingdom had their weapons out, ready to attack the Central Plains. However, in the end, a few Ferghana stallions from Shalan caused an unprecedented horse plague of a large scale. Countless war horses died, and less than 20% survived, so the cavalry was rendered almost useless. By the time the three tribes recovered from the hard blow struck by the horse plague, the war was already going on in full swing in the Central Plains, and several warlords had sprung up.
The three tribes of the northern kingdom launched a sneak attack on Jiang Pengji’s headquarters from behind. Coincidentally, the one staying back to guard the headquarters was Qiguan Rang, and he obviously did not let the three tribes gain much from the attack. When Jiang Pengji returned from the war, she was outright infuriated. Picking up her weapons once more, she attacked the northern kingdom, temporarily leaving the chaotic war in the Central Plains behind.
Oh, and the northern kingdom was shocked by Jiang Pengji’s attacking style, which was as aggressive as a rabid dog. Her Majesty is more powerful than she was in the previous incarnation. After she unites the north, she can attack proactively before the three tribes recover. As the saying goes, strike while the enemy is weak.
Thinking of the grassy ranches and countless mineral resources of the northern kingdom, Wei Ci had such a huge smile on his face that his eyes almost became like slits. Whenever he saw Wei Ci smile like a villain who had gained power, Yang Si couldn’t help but get goosebumps.
Somewhere else, Jiang Pengji almost exploded in anger.
She couldn’t be bothered with how the horse plague had progressed at the moment. She just wanted to find out, which son of a b**ch got her horse, White, pregnant!
All the warhorses had been gelded, how could White get pregnant? The stableman can’t possibly have done some perverse sh*t?
“Stop licking me, I’m asking him about important matters.” Jiang Pengji lifted a hand and stroked White’s mane, a smile on her face. Then she turned and glared darkly at the stableman in charge of managing the stables. White rubbed against Jiang Pengji’s face innocently, extending its tongue to lick her from time to time, its breath slightly smelly.
Jiang Pengji’s anger dissipated without a trace, and she let White express its affection. Since the previous battle, Jiang Pengji had rarely brought White out, so it was no wonder that the ‘little girl’ missed her so much. Jiang Pengji wanted to go hunting that day, to source for some game meat to barbecue or make steamboat with her friends in the government office. The stableman brought White out, she took a look, and almost exploded in anger. Dian Yan deftly pinned the stableman to the ground, waiting for Jiang Pengji’s decision.
The stableman said nervously, “My lord, I have no idea what happened.”
Jiang Pengji shifted her gaze to White’s belly and she could already see the signs of pregnancy. She could also sense a weak wave of consciousness in White’s body… It was clearly pregnant. But the warhorses had all been gelded, and White was extremely picky about her partners. Every spring, there would be no shortage of male horses trying to flirt with her, but she kicked them all away. It was late autumn at the moment, so how did she get pregnant?
Jiang Pengji reached out and touched White’s belly and could vaguely feel something.
Mammals are much more alert when they are pregnant. Whoever touches a pregnant horse’s belly will definitely be kicked. However, White trusted Jiang Pengji a lot, and her temperament remained gentle… Er, it only applied to Jiang Pengji. To other people, she was a spoiled, proud queen. Whoever dared to annoy her would be kicked.
“There are still male horses that have yet to be gelded in the stables?”
She rolled up her sleeves, planning to personally castrate the male horse.