As he listened, Huang Song nodded as if he believed Jiang Pengji’s explanations.
Regardless of how much doubt there was in his heart, he outwardly pretended to believe it.
However, it wasn’t as easy to fool Cheng Jing. From his perspective, even if she wasn’t lying, she was speaking in half-truths.
Within half a month, she could take down Chengde County. With such swift actions, it was enough for Cheng Jing to deem her a dangerous enemy.
After a series of exchanges, Jiang Pengji asked him in return, “Bogao asked about this matter. Do you desire to be the alliance chief?”
“Don’t joke with your elder brother, young brother Liu. How is elder brother deserving of the alliance chief position?”
Huang Song laughed bitterly, some of it directed at himself.
“Why is Bogao belittling himself? You are also a county chief now, you have tens of thousands of troops under your command. How is it impossible?”
How is this impossible?
Of course, it was impossible!
If one could be the alliance chief and command the alliance army based on these few criteria, there would be a lot of violent fighting outside already.
Even though Huang Song had ambition, he viewed the situation practically. He saw his abilities and that he lacked pride that rose high above the heavens.
He knew the likelihood of becoming the alliance chief was close to zero. However, he could still take advantage of the situation and benefit from it.
“I am deeply embarrassed… young brother Liu esteems elder brother too highly. With elder brother’s insignificant talent, I’d only be mocked by the heroes if showcased.”
The two conversed over food and alcohol. Huang Song’s eloquence ensured that the atmosphere was never awkward.
As the conversation gradually deepened, they began to discuss the various powers within the alliance army.
Jiang Pengji inclined her ears and listened intently. She’d gotten some information from Liu She but she wanted to dig more out of Huang Song.
Huang Song explained, “Other than the Xu brothers, elder brother thinks two other families have worthy candidates.”
“Which two families?” Jiang Pengji asked him.
Huang Song replied, “One family of note is Shanghai County’s chief, Wuma Shang. The other is the county military chief of Zhangzhou’s eastern gate, Yang Jian. Based on my assessment, these two men are rare specimens among the alliance army who have pure motives for defending the emperor. The number of troops Wuma Shang brought from Shanghai County is second only to the Xu brothers. While Yang Jian, the county military chief of Zhangzhou’s eastern gate, has a mere military strength of 15,000, but from what I know, that’s all he has. Evidently, his sincerity and pure motives are commendable.”
When she heard the names of these two men, her expression suggested that she was deep in thought.
“From the sound of this name, Wuma Shang, he must be a relative of the imperial family. It is unimportant to talk about him… Who is Yang Jian?”
Critically, Yang Jian’s birthplace was at the eastern gate of Zhangzhou…
Zhangzhou was Prince Changshou’s allocated land.
Huang Song smiled as he explained. “Wuma Shang, the county chief of Shanghai County, is a descendant of the imperial family. He is of the royal clan. He is the emperor and Prince Changshou’s uncle in the family hierarchy. While the county military chief of Zhangzhou’s eastern gate, Yang Jian, has no special background, your elder brother likes his temperament. By nature, he is generous, heroic, and upholds justice. Although he appears sloppy and boorish, in truth he is meticulous. Zhangzhou is Prince Changshou’s allocated land. On the surface, it appears affluent. In fact, it’s in a frightful mess. Incidents, like when water bandits cruelly plundered and killed the people, were covered up by Prince Changshou, thus giving a false impression that peace reigned. Except for Yang Jian and his unyielding character, he refused to overlook the matter. Rumor has it that he’s wielded his sword courageously since he was 17 years old. He led his troops accustomed to battles in the water against those water bandits without flinching. Dauntless and matchless in his battles, he had no regard for his own life. He has made a name for himself. He is worthy to be called a hero of heroes.”
She pinched her lower chin. “From what you said, does Bogao think highly of Yang Jian?”
Huang Song openly acknowledged this. “Naturally, he’s such an awe-inspiring heroic figure that I wish to befriend him. However…”
At this point, Huang Song’s expression darkened. He was secretly embarrassed and could not continue.
Even without him adding on, the two people in the tent understood his hidden meaning. It made no difference whether he mentioned it or not.
Nonetheless, he was unaware that, besides Jiang Pengji and Cheng Jing, 150,000 viewers were watching the live stream. These people did not understand the hidden message.
Blackberry Can: “What a confusing statement! Why didn’t he complete the sentence?”
Yellow Peach Can: “I second that question. What’s next?”
Pomelo Can: “There isn’t any continuation. This damned eunuch! He did not complete his sentence and purposely acted mysteriously. It is so hateful!”
She scanned through the entire screen full of “eunuch” related comments. “They’ve been castrated,” read many of the posts on the bullet screen. It was painful for her to hold her laughter in.
Streamer V: “The alliance meeting involving the alliance army is at hand to overcome Prince Changshou. However, Yang Jian’s birthplace is Zhangzhou where Prince Changshou’s allocated land is. Thus, the relationship is sensitive. If I am correct, Yang Jian has been left out by the alliance army. Although Huang Song wishes to befriend him, the situation does not allow for it. If he befriends Yang Jian, it’s equivalent to making enemies of the rest. Huang Song will never engage in such affairs.”
After her explanation, the content of the posts on the bullet screen changed again.
Wei Weian: “Eh, Huang Song is being too cautious. Why the need for so many considerations? Isn’t it just befriending someone? Why does he have to avoid suspicions?”
Sushui Liunian: “I personally feel that Huang Song isn’t at fault. Yang Jian is being ostracized by the masses. If he openly befriends him, surely he would be alienated by the rest and implicate Yang Jian. Obviously, this conflicts with Huang Song’s personal conviction. There are many ways to express kindness. Huang Song is wise to lend aid in troubled times. Doing so is better than befriending him in perfect circumstances. If war breaks out, Yang Jian may be sacrificed and placed at the frontiers by the alliance army. Should Huang Song aid him at that time, it will trump ‘acting like friends’ to win his favor.”
Hacker Wen Xiangpian: “To the viewer above, please accept my humble bow.”
Hacker Dian Wenxiang: “This type of streamer will attract the same type of viewers. I feel like the average intelligence of the audience has increased.”
Jiang Pengji exercised good self-control.
After all these years, she was accustomed to ignoring the bullet screen and forbidding it from affecting her mood.
She comforted Bogao by saying, “There is no need for Bogao to be downcast. You may secretly befriend Yang Jian. There’s no need to make it known.”
There was a well-said statement that went something like… “To openly showcase affection will only speed up death.”
Huang Song laughed involuntarily. Was this how she comforted people?
The words this person used were rather interesting. They could cause one to weep and laugh at the same time.
A typically serious phrase spoken by this person seemed to carry a hint of peculiarity.
Huang Song emphasized that they would not return until they were drunk. Jiang Pengji drank to her heart’s content without feeling any sense of heartache.
Since the alcohol didn’t belong to her, it’d be a waste not to drink it.
Towards the end of their drinking session, the tent was filled with the smell of alcohol. Huang Song was already wasted and unconscious. He sprawled out on the ground as if in a puddle of mud. His face had turned deep red.
The jar of wine Jiang Pengji drank from wasn’t any smaller than Huang Song’s. Still, she appeared alert despite her misty eyes.
Having lost consciousness, Huang Song hugged the wine jar as he stammered, “I, I… am still able to… drink…”
“Bogao cannot hold his alcohol well, don’t let him drink so much wine next time. Even though a war hasn’t erupted, this is still the army campsite. He should be constantly vigilant, it is not appropriate for him to let wine consumption affect his consciousness.” Jiang Pengji glanced at Cheng Jing. Then, with a listless tone, she added, “Look at how drunk and unconscious he is. I will get someone to send him back. What does the master think?”
Observing Cheng Jing’s stature, Jiang Pengji seriously doubted that he could successfully drag Huang Song back to his camp.
Cheng Jing bowed respectfully with his hands in front of him. “Thank you, Magistrate Liu, for your kindness. On behalf of my lord, I thank you.”
“Bogao and I are good friends, there is no need for formalities.”
After she finished her sentence, she shouted for the troops to support Huang Song and escort him back to his tent.
She arose to send Huang Song and Cheng Jing outside her tent. She then cast her sights towards the scenery and knitted her brows.
As she was about to turn around and return to her camp, she saw Feng Zhen walking hastily towards her.
