Chapter 405 - Moving the Capital to Chenzhou (XI)
“Langjun, be elegant and mind your disposition.”
It was unbearable, Xu Ke covered his face. Was this the true color of sons from aristocratic families?
Feng Jin, the one who adhered to the rules strictly, secretly felt relieved.
Luckily the vulgar word she said was akin to “your angry father” and not “your angry mother”, otherwise how were they to wrap up this situation?
Jiang Pengji composed herself momentarily, took a deep breath and suppressed the flames of anger that burnt vigorously within her.
She wore a chilly face and spoke to her troops, “Don’t be afraid to report all that you’ve investigated.”
Understanding that Jiang Pengji’s aura was ferocious now, the troops were intimidated. She only found her voice returned after two deep breaths.
“Following Langjun’s orders, I went to Xiangyang district to collect information. Upon reaching the borders of Xiangyang district, something was amiss. The dead bodies of the people were discovered, the corpses, including their family members were laid open in the wilderness. Their deaths were not caused by the earthquake neither by starvation nor infections. After verifying and examination of the bodies, they sustained injuries and died from axes, kitchen knives, batons or other weapons…”
After the initial words came forth, the troop was no longer nervous, in fact he was very smooth. He articulated very clearly.
He continued to cup his hands in submission then replied, “…Also, after we examined, we discovered these people met formidable enemies that surpassed them while they were escaping. They were surrounded and beaten to death without much struggle. The men mostly died horribly while the women or girls were dragged to the side and experienced a differing extent of humiliation then mercilessly killed. Such morbid deeds that can’t even be uttered.”
Many such corpses were discovered at the borders of the Xiangyang district by the investigation unit comprising the troops. Disregarding the corpses’ tragic appearance, their clothes and valuables were also brutally snatched from them such that many of them lay uncovered. Their bodies laid bare under the scorching sun and they died with grievances.
Jiang Pengji listened calmly, without any changes in appearance. Notably, the atmosphere became somewhat solemn, the viewers in the livestreaming room also stopped fooling around, as if influenced by the somber, murderous mood, inevitably they felt like keeping their posture upright and treating this seriously.
Evidently, it was accurate to term them as violent mobs.
Jiang Pengji’s voice became colder by a few degrees. “Please continue.”
The soldier continued, “We disguised ourselves as refugees on the run then entered Xiangyang district and met with multiple interrogations, after rounds of sounding out, we ascertained that three days after the earthquake, the Xiangyang district was already seized by Tsing Yi army and they’ve taken control of the district headquarters.
“Tsing Yi Army….” Feng Jin sat one corner mumbling to himself, it was unimaginable that a group of unruly people could attack and occupy the Xiangyang district.
The district headquarters was poor but could still barely support some soldiers, including the private servants in the area, residing in official and rich households, should total to 1000 to 2000 soldiers but not 3000 to 5000. Did these people when faced with those violent mobs holding their hoe, chopper and hatchets, admit defeat so readily?
“Other than this, is there any credible news?”
Jiang Pengji furrowed her brows, dying to ride White to charge forward and kill them already. From her perspective, what belongs to her is hers, what she set her sights on is out of bounds to others. Whoever dared to stretch their claws to her territory will be unflinchingly dismembered.
More than this, hearing the troops’ report, these Tsing Yi Army were not any good.
She is at present the district magistrate of Xiangyang district: it is her territory and the people are under her protection.
Tsing Yi army, she thought darkly. You must be tired of living.
“We camped at Xiangyang district for two days and noticed that Tsing Yi army isn’t the regular violent mobs,” the soldier said. “They have a leader who is known as General Jiu of Tsing Yi army, he is muscular and sturdy, and carries with him two huge axes.. the district headquarters’ door was hacked apart by his axe. The officials in Xiangyang district all suffered under his evil schemes…the local residing official and the rich families were wiped out, resulting in countless injured and dead.”
The troops had witnessed worse scenarios, this is but just a scratch on the surface.
The commander of Tsing Yi army searched and confiscated possessions from the houses of the local residing official and rich. Those males who are taller than the shaft were beheaded, those shorter passed off as male prostitutes. As for the ladies, they were not only tied together with hemp rope, but also ordered to pose seductively and assume the role as sex slaves to the Tsing Yi army.
All those in Tsing Yi army have the right to enjoy the pleasures. However if any rebelled, they mostly ended up dying tragically.
The troops did not conceal anything, they spoke in detail all that they saw and knew.
Jiang Pengji laughed heartlessly, breaking into pieces the ceramic bowl in her hands. Even the usually calm and composed Feng Jin glowered with an aura to kill.
The audience in the live streaming room reacted strongly. This is a foreboding of a war.
Yingyang Kuaixian: “No — didn’t you mention that Tsing Yi army are comprised of the citizens previously, why are they so evil hearted?”
Tudou Niurou Gaifan: “These evil deeds surely cannot be performed by humans; they are a group of bastards!”
Guicai Guofengxiao: “Though I also feel that Tsing Yi army are inhumane and a group of beasts, but did you closely examine the report from the troops? Personally, I feel it is frighteningly detailed. Tsing Yi army’s background are likely to be bandits or robbers. The earthquake this time shook the entire nine prefectures till they nearly collapsed. The court just conveniently moved the capital city. If not for the streamer who wrote the petition, predictably the people from Shangjing will be doomed to die…”
Due to the limitation of characters they can type, this viewer keyed in at lightning speed another paragraph of words.
Guicai Guofengxiao: “The shortcomings of Dongqing’s imperial lies in their Emperor who is deluded and a bastard. This is the last straw that has forced the violent mobs into madness. Thus, they raised their hatchet and biasness, savagely taking revenge, to the extent of performing unethical violent acts. Additionally, the wars in ancient times are realistically crueller that these. If you don’t believe me, check out the Wuhu Luanhua to know what cannibalism is like.”
Laosiji Lianmeng: “I have a feeling that the livestream from now on will be bloody. Trigger warning: Those who are faint-hearted and cannot bear this should exit from this livestream to keep from getting traumatized. Also, regardless of whether the Tsing Yi army was once a victim, this isn’t a valid reason for them to be violent.”
The bullet screen almost covered the virtual screen completely, the comments came in at a rate of one second per page.
Jiang Pengji did not have time to look at these comments.
She already had murderous intentions.
External bullies entered her terrain, killed her people. If she does not counterattack, how is she going to be gratified!
Feng Jin read her inner thoughts, lowered his eyes and said, “Lanting, we still have 2000 troops at Fengyi county carrying out rescue efforts, while we only have 1000 imperial guards and 1000 private troops here. They are worn out and tired after the long journey, and so are the horses. Moreover, Tsing Yi army’s violent mobs have a hundred thousand men. We cannot be impulsive and willful if we are determined to attack Xiangyang district. We need a concrete plan. At the very least, you should find a place to let the people who followed you settle down.”
“I know.” Jiang Pengji cupped her fingers together and was deep in thought.
If not for the 200,000 people she brought from Shangjing, she would account for her men and march directly towards Xiangyang district to kill them this instant.
Attack or defend, they are two completely different perspectives. Importantly, those defending have the advantage of numbers and terrain, they could rely on the layout of infrastructures.
If it’s not meticulously planned, even if she could capture her enemies, to bring all 200,000 people over would result in many injuries.