Chapter 641: Wrapping Dumplings (I)
Although she was a streamer who was not mainstream, Jiang Pengji was very punctual about livestreaming every day. It often seemed as if she was clocking in a timesheet.
If one day she decides to switch on the livestream in the middle of the night, please don’t be surprised, she must have gotten herself in trouble.
There were plenty of people who burned the midnight oil. Within a second of Jiang Pengji switching on the livestream, the audience filled the seats.
Ciqu Jingnian: Yi, it is so rare for the live streaming room to be activated so late at night.
Cimeiren Jiawo: As a hardcore fan of the live streaming room, whenever it is activated in the middle of the night, something big is bound to happen. This time won’t be any different. Where is this place? Why is it so dark? If not for the infrared ray, I wouldn’t be able to see anything!
Young Master Marry Me: Based on the video, it seems to be the mountain road that they passed by during the day. Is tonight’s activity to launch an attack on the Red Lotus Group?
Moyude Mimei: Wrapping dumplings perhaps? Dumplings with fillings made from the bodies of the Red Lotus Group?
Jiang Pengji didn’t explain anything to them.
Tonight, she’d added an extra scene for the livestream, but it wasn’t for the audience to watch. Rather, she wanted to borrow the camera lens from the livestreaming room.
The surveillance camera in the live-streaming room revolved with no blind spots. It was strategically positioned above her head in an upright position and its angle changed as she moved. Additionally, the height and angle at which this surveillance camera filmed could be adjusted.
Scenes that had been recorded were available for the livestream viewers and Jiang Pengji herself to watch.
Taking advantage of this footage, Jiang Pengji could take control of the situation with ease. She was confident in knowing the Red Lotus Group’s every move.
As for the livestream?
That was incidental.
With a high-altitude surveillance camera positioned hundreds of meters above, together with the scouts who transmitted information to her continuously, Jiang Pengji devised a plan.
“My lord, when will we conquer our enemies?” Asking very softly, Dian Yan had the eager expression of someone who wanted to try something new. With the two hatchets in his hands, his killing zeal was ignited.
This time, Jiang Pengji did not mock his weapons. Dian Yan could finally kill with ease.
Jiang Pengji ordered, “Wait!”
Dian Yan was stunned. “What are we waiting for?”
The Red Lotus Group had sent out a military force of 3,000 men, but their main army’s fighting ability was weaker than the Vanguard Battalion. If the battle dragged on, they were destined to be on the losing end.
“When they battle with Wenzheng, they will concentrate the large weaponry against their enemies. We will then ambush them from behind and it will surely catch them by surprise. If we were to attack now, they would have time to respond and carry on fighting while retreating. If Wenzheng’s side decides to chase after them, it will be difficult to maintain the battle formation. It’s bound to be disorderly.”
If that was the case, the Red Lotus Group would be determined to break the siege. The offensive attack was too aggressive. This could force them to run for their lives.
If she allowed her prey to escape when she was so close to capturing it, where would her honor as a hunter be?
Dian Yan nodded in agreement.
Presently, Jiang Nongqin had already arranged everything in order. She went to report the completion of her task.
She asked her, “Have the injured comrades been taken care of?”
Jiang Nongqin replied, “There are two who reopened their wounds. Thankfully, the situation wasn’t serious. The army doctors are watching over them.”
The roles of army doctors were mostly filled by female soldiers with superior medical skills.
Due to the influence of the environment, she didn’t act rashly to increase the number of female troops.
As for the reason why the number of female troops increased gradually instead of expanding without restraint, Jiang Pengji had a few.
The main reason was that only a few women stepped forward to register.
Secondly, she was monitoring the numbers closely. She was more concerned about the quality of the female troops than the quantity.
Truthfully, expanding the population required women to be able to give birth. It would be impossible to constantly allow women to go to the battlefield to fight their enemies if the population was going to increase.
From another perspective, not every woman desired to be successful. Sometimes, those who have such strong desires have been hurt deeply in the past. Sometimes, women have a strong preference for stability and wish to stay at home to support their husbands and raise their children. Each woman has their own aspiration. Jiang Pengji would not force a role on any of them.
Thirdly, as much as she wished this wasn’t a consideration, females have different biological considerations compared to males. For example, their monthly menstrual cycles.
Joining the army and going to war wasn’t child’s play. The enemy would not show any more mercy to female soldiers than their male counterparts.
Truthfully, the enemy would only be crueler and take advantage of any perceived weakness.
Considering all of this, she consolidated the strength of the female troops. To develop them further, she had to factor in other concerns.
The female troops often served in the background scenes as odd-job soldiers who managed the army’s miscellaneous tasks. Those who had good medical foundations could join the medical department and assume the roles of doctors and nurses to care for the injured. This not only solved the tricky issues the female troops faced but also lightened the workload elsewhere.
Jiang Nongqin managed the female troops very well. Her reputation had good standing.
Regardless of how the outsiders viewed the female troops, at least the soldiers under Jiang Pengji treated them amicably.
Jiang Nongqin had put in a lot of heart and effort to achieve the development that they had.
“I order the women’s camp to play a supportive role on the battle. They are to cover the Vanguard Battalion as they pave the way forward.”
Jiang Nongqin projected her voice and said, “Your general will obey your orders.”
On the narrow pathway between the mountains, the young leader of the Red Lotus Group had such an extremely sullen face.
Following his script, Qiguan Rang would fight his enemies quickly then throw away their helmets and abandon their armor. Once they met their enemies, they would be in a frenzy and run in all four directions to escape. Surely, they wouldn’t be very calm or composed. There was something wrong with the script! How did Thief Liu achieve this state of calm whether it was during an attack or defense?
After the war commenced, one by one, they fell on their side.
On their enemies’ side, the situation was a complete reversal.
They were well prepared. The shields against the approaching arrows were lined close together. There were no gaps where they could breakthrough.
Although they wished to advance, there was a wave of arrows awaiting them. Whoever dared to rush forward would be pierced from all directions.
At that moment, both sides were on par. The Red Lotus Group lost hundreds of lives before they managed to move forward by 16.6 meters.
“Hmph! This old man is curious to see how many arrows they possess. They’ve sent a signal for help. They are sandwiched by their enemies on both sides. Capture Thief Liu alive!”
One of the Red Lotus’ troops heard the order and raised his heavy bow. He then set the arrow aflame, aimed it towards the sky, and rapidly released flaming arrows.
To ease the trouble of sending signals, they’d agreed to use the flaming arrow as a sign.
However, the mountain pass was dangerously steep. Their arrows could not be shot very high. The Red Lotus Group had stationed some scouts to watch for the flaming arrows.
On his side, Qiguan Rang also witnessed it. His lips revealed a menacing smile.
Fools!
By doing this, he’d informed both his comrades and Jiang Pengji!
As expected, a war cry soon sounded from behind.
The Red Lotus Group leader. He turned his head to look at the sight.
What was happening?
Why had Thief Liu’s army and horses suddenly appeared from behind?
Had their flawless plan had been divulged, allowing Thief Liu to prepare in advance and lay a trap for them to fall into?
In a split second, a myriad of wild guesses filled his mind. His mind was muddle-headed. His vision was filled with floating, vague shadows and swaying human heads.
This is not right!
He’d given orders for them to send the signal to assemble and attack. Why wasn’t Thief Liu’s army thrown into disarray?
What had gone wrong?
Where were the reinforcements from Fenghu County? They’d agreed to join forces to fight against Thief Liu!
Where did they go?
They were obstructed by the stone wall Qiguan Rang had set up. They needed to expend a lot of energy if they wished to cross this heavy stone wall.
Moreover, it was more sinister because Qiguan Rang had positioned some archers to lie in wait on the other side of the stone wall.
Shoot at whoever approaches. If two approach, shoot them both!
“This old man has fallen into their trap!”