Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

The attendant said, “Sir, you are not dumb, it’s just that they are too cunning… They know all too well that you can’t resist delicious food, yet they still tempt you with food of all things. Sir, how about I take some time off to secretly learn from the cook. Let’s escape once I’ve mastered the craft…”

The corner of Yang Si’s mouth twitched.

His tastebuds had been spoiled by the cooks of Fengyi County. If he left, surely he would die of hunger.

Which would be worse, to die of hunger or to die of exhaustion?

It was a difficult choice.

As a foodaholic, Yang Si decisively chose the latter, for the former was too torturous.

Because of the emperor’s request for protection, not only were Jiang Pengji’s plans affected, but the advisors and generals under her also descended into busyness. Even An Cui, who was in Chengde County secretly supporting them with coordinated actions, was affected. He was contacted by the informant and initially thought that Jiang Pengji was going to send him more resources.

But An Cui was a careful person. He had already received a batch of resources, and the resources had yet to run out, how could they possibly send more resources?

Having thought of that, An Cui’s next thought was that his identity had been found out.

He was wary and asked a few of his blood brothers to protect him in secret while he went ahead to meet the informant.

It turned out to be fine. An Cui’s identity had not been exposed, and the informant informed him that the plans had been pushed forward.

An Cui asked, “Why is the battle being launched without waiting for springtime?”

The informant said, “About that, I don’t know. I’ve heard that it somewhat has to do with the emperor’s request for protection. The news has spread everywhere.”

An Cui was not good at strategizing, and he couldn’t immediately figure out the relationship between the request for protection and Jiang Pengji’s plans being pushed forward.

He didn’t ask for detail. After all, the informant’s job was just to contact him. The informant didn’t have much inside information.

An Cui gave the matter some deep thought after he went back, feeling tempted to try his luck.

He hurriedly gathered his sworn brothers to discuss the matter, his expression rather distorted as a result of him suppressing his excitement.

He said, “The emperor’s request for protection is a great opportunity for us.”

If Jiang Pengji was going to keep her promise and give An Cui 10 percent of the manpower and monetary resources she obtained from the Red Lotus Group, he could utilize said resources and go to “protect the emperor,” thus obtaining some benefits.

His sworn brothers were mostly uneducated outlaws. They respected An Cui for his wide knowledge and were even more grateful for his sincere treatment.

If An Cui said that they could benefit from the matter, they believed him.

The burly, dark-skinned man felt happy for An Cui at first and made a slight bow with both hands clasped in front of him to congratulate him, but then looked hesitant.

He said, “But… Brother, we haven’t brought over enough people yet. Would the people in Fengyi County be dissatisfied?”

An Cui said, “One can’t launch a war immediately. They still need to prepare food for the troops and plan out the battle… It will take some time, one way or another. Add that to the time required for their troops to march here and it would take them about half a month. We need not worry about failure as long as we stay united. However, even though we are in a hurry, we cannot give the show away and let ourselves be suspected by the Red Lotus Group. Prioritize safety!”

The burly, dark-skinned man nodded while listening, completely trusting An Cui’s words.

He said, “Rest assured, brother. Surely you can put your faith in us. We will complete the task well and not make any mistakes.”

An Cui wore a relieved expression. The atmosphere in the straw hut was full of brotherly affection and everyone was happy and harmonious.

Meanwhile, Huang Song was steadily expanding his territory. Like Jiang Pengji, he was surprised by the emperor’s request for protection.

Although Huang Song was the descendant of Huang Tan, a eunuch, the latter was secretly very rich, for he was the emperor’s confidant, known for selling ranks and titles and earning unknown sums of money. Furthermore, Huang Song’s father loved to operate businesses that accumulated a rich fortune for Huang Song.

With money, grain, and Huang Tan’s support in court, Huang Song was steadily developing his influence. He already had more than ten thousand soldiers under him.

Upon receiving the emperor’s request for protection, he felt so worried that his head ached.

Egged on by Feng Jue, Huang Song had long ago given up his ambition of being a noble minister. If someone called him a traitor, he would be unable to defend himself convincingly. Considering the circumstances, he felt rather guilty. If he responded to the request for protection, wouldn’t he willingly fall into the emperor’s snare?

Unless he harbored rebellious intentions, why would a mere district magistrate of Diyang District need to keep more than ten thousand troops?

Feng Jue snickered and asked, “What are you afraid of, my lord? If His Majesty looks into it, there’s still Liu Xi before you. If His Majesty investigates at all, he would have to investigate him before investigating you. At the moment, the royal family is in decline and has requested protection. They would rather that the armies responding to their request be strong so that they could defeat Prince Shouchang… You have more than ten thousand soldiers, which is a good thing, why would they fault you for it?”

Huang Song looked awkward.

Yeah, why should he feel nervous and guilty?

Liu Xi had flagrantly conquered Fengyi County, taken away Shangyang County from House Feng, and then turned his eyes toward Chengde County…

In the blink of an eye, the entirety of Wanzhou was going to belong to Liu Xi.

As for Huang Song, he had just managed to take control of one single county in Maode.

If the royal court investigated their crimes, Liu Xi would be the greatest traitor. In comparison, Huang Song would at most be considered an insignificant soldier waving the flag and shouting to show support for his side in battle.

Huang Song asked, “Then… Should we respond to the request for protection?”

Huang Song was different from Jiang Pengji.

Although Jiang Pengji occupied two counties, Shangyang County had yet to submit to her completely. That was a hidden problem. To resolve the issue, she could only occupy Chengde County and then deal with the local nobles of Shangyang County after expanding the size of her army. That way, they wouldn’t dare to misbehave.

In comparison, Huang Song didn’t have so many worries.

Chen Jing said, “In my humble opinion, the request for protection is a good chance to show your loyalty and kindness, my lord. We should go.”

Chen Jing’s view coincided with Jiang Pengji’s. They both thought that it would be a good platform to seek out talent.

The main point was not to protect the emperor, it was that Huang Song could use the opportunity to showcase his capabilities and conduct, thus attracting talent to his side.

To put it in simple terms, it was a platform for him to advertise and publicize himself.

Feng Jue seconded the suggestion. The other advisors present also agreed.

Huang Song steeled his heart and made the final decision.

Defend the emperor?

Let’s go!

For a time, all the various forces harbored their own intentions. The emperor’s request for protection caused everyone to be restless.

As the other forces gathered their troops and prepared to “defend the emperor,” Jiang Pengji started the final pre-war preparations.

“This is the intelligence received from the informant. Take a look, everyone,” said Jiang Pengji.

Because they were about to launch the war, Jiang Pengji and Wei Ci returned to Fengyi County first, leaving the various governmental affairs of Shangyang County to Feng Zhen and Feng Jin.

Don’t let Feng Zhen’s endless complaints about wanting to go on strike fool you, he’d done his job very well.

Feng Zhen led a licentious life. He was cunning and conducted affairs in a crafty manner, and he was extremely skilled at dealing with people.

He was best suited to deal with the nobles of Shangyang County.

As for whether he would die of exhaustion?

Heh, she believed in the saying, “Only the good die young.” Feng Zhen would enjoy a long life.

Furthermore, Feng Jin was also helping him in Shangyang County, he wouldn’t die of exhaustion.

“Even though the Red Lotus Group consists only of the uneducated masses, they have strength in their numbers. The thought of all those people crowding together is giving me a headache,” Jiang Pengji said.

Jiang Pengji’s hands were hidden in her sleeves. She sat at the head of the table with unmelted snow in her hair.

She’d called an emergency meeting immediately upon reaching Xiangyang District. She hadn’t even eaten a mouthful of warm rice.

“Magistrate Liu, what you are seeking is to fight a quick battle. So, we must be careful with our first battle. If we can conquer a city faster than they can react. The Red Lotus Group will lose their momentum.” Yang Si bowed and said, “If we attack for a long time without making progress or showing weakness, the morale of the soldiers will be very easily affected. The Red Lotus Group has strength in numbers. If their spirits are boosted, they have a high chance of dragging the battle on, and it would be very detrimental to our side.”

Jiang Pengji didn’t mind how Yang Si addressed her. “In your opinion, Jingrong, how and where should we conduct the first battle?”