Chapter 112: A Sudden Turn of Events

After concluding his secret discussion with Tang Cheng, Huang Huang Chaoran strode home with long steps, pushed open the door, and immediately ordered someone to summon Che Che Hongda.

Since his previous attempt to ambush Jiang Jiang Mingyu had failed, Che Che Hongda had been hiding in the secret room of Huang Huang Chaoran's residence, waiting at all times for the next opportunity to strike.

Frowning with a serious expression, Huang Huang Chaoran briefly explained the plan to him, then stared into his eyes and asked, "Understood?"

Without hesitation, Che Che Hongda straightened his chest and answered with full confidence, "Rest assured, Master; this humble one will certainly handle this matter beautifully." His tone was brimming with confidence, his two fists clenched, and his eyes shone with an eager light.

But Huang Huang Chaoran seemed unconvinced by this demeanor; frowning, he stepped forward, approached his face, and sternly admonished, "Jiang Jiang Mingyu is extremely cunning; you must be exceedingly careful!"

Che Che Hongda waved his hand dismissively, "If it weren't for that damned mouse suddenly appearing last time, Jiang Jiang Mingyu would have long been a cold corpse."

"Just rest assured; this humble one knows the limits of his own methods," Che Che Hongda guaranteed firmly, slapping his chest, his eyes revealing a murderous glint.

Speaking of the past, Che Che Hongda was notorious in Yasmodu for his decisive and ruthless actions; it was precisely because of these methods that Huang Huang Chaoran had saved him this time.

Che Che Hongda bowed respectfully to Huang Huang Chaoran with clasped hands, then strode away with long steps.

Watching his departing figure, the worry in Huang Huang Chaoran's eyes gradually turned into a smile of secret hope, as the joy of imminent revenge surged in his heart.

Just as Jiang Jiang Mingyu and Tu Tu Kesiluo entered Shangmu City, they saw Zhu Ge Yu standing at the city gate, his face filled with pain and exhaustion; he was leading a group of dejected people transporting iron ore from Scorpion Gully back to Huicheng.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu hurriedly stepped forward to meet him, asking with concern, "Why have you returned so quickly?"

Zhu Ge Yu's face was frozen red by the wind and snow, his skin covered in traces of windburn; panting heavily, white smoke puffed from his reddened nose tip, while fine ice shards hung from his small mustache, reflecting crystal-clear light under the sun.

"Isn't it because Your Honor urged us so urgently?" Zhu Ge Yu answered painfully, coughing violently while slumping his shoulders; his voice had also become hoarse from the intense coughing.

"I led the men traveling from dawn till dusk, barely managing to deliver these damned iron ores of yours on time," Zhu Ge Yu complained resentfully, fiercely patting his frozen hands and feet in an attempt to warm them.

"Do you know that last night it was so cold that spit turned to ice instantly? This old life of mine nearly ended on the road!" Thinking of last night's suffering, Zhu Ge Yu shivered as if afraid of the cold, his face written with lingering fear.

From the tone of his words, it was evident that he was very dissatisfied with the arrangements of this young master, Jiang Jiang Mingyu; such hasty travel seemed too demanding for Zhu Ge Yu, who was accustomed to a life of luxury.

Hearing Zhu Ge Yu's complaints, Jiang Jiang Mingyu chuckled with a gentle smile, "Alright, alright, stop complaining; this official understands that everyone has worked very hard," as he warmly patted Zhu Ge Yu's shoulder.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu turned around, looking intently at Tu Tu Kesiluo, and instructed solemnly, "Remember clearly; every one of these brothers must receive generous rewards," to which Tu Tu Kesiluo nodded one by one, his eyes revealing humility.

Pouting, Zhu Ge Yu scratched his hair somewhat awkwardly, "I don't care for any heavy rewards," his eyes wandering around as he avoided Jiang Jiang Mingyu's gaze while speaking.

Understanding with a smile, Jiang Jiang Mingyu said cheerfully, "Then this official will prepare some military supplies for you, enough for you to take back to Yasmodu and last until the New Year," patting Zhu Ge Yu's shoulder warmly with an intimate tone.

"Now you should be satisfied, my most meritorious Brother Zhu Ge!" Jiang Jiang Mingyu teased playfully, his smile brilliant.

Instead, Zhu Ge Yu put on an air of righteousness, displaying a shameless smile, "Master, speaking like this makes us seem like outsiders; haven't we always been the best of friends?"

"Actually, I saw through it long ago; fame and the like are merely external things; I only do this for the thrill of helping others," Zhu Ge Yu stated with utmost seriousness, speaking with confidence and justification.

Hearing him talk to himself, Jiang Jiang Mingyu rolled his eyes greatly and said bluntly, "Fine, fine, fine; if you want to go, just go; this official won't stop you."

Zhu Ge Yu muttered, "I was just being polite to you; why did you take it seriously?" his tone sounding somewhat aggrieved.

With not a trace of hypocrisy on his face, Jiang Jiang Mingyu raised his whip, stood straight, and decisively ordered, "First, send this batch of ore to the City Defense Camp for storage."

"Go notify Brother Lord Murong's side to prepare the blacksmiths and tell them to begin work immediately," Jiang Jiang Mingyu said, looking straight ahead with a firm and powerful tone.

"On the road just now, I thought of some interesting new ideas; in a moment, we will try manufacturing them together to see the results," and as he spoke, a trace of eager light flashed in Jiang Jiang Mingyu's eyes, while a small arc curved at the corner of his mouth.

Zhu Ge Yu immediately perked up and could not help but ask eagerly, "Master, what are these interesting new ideas?" his tone full of eager curiosity.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu, however, swiftly swung his horsewhip, striking Zhu Ge Yu's buttocks heavily, "You will know in the future!"

Caught off guard, Zhu Ge Yu's face twisted in pain, and he nearly fell off his horse; this scene made Tu Tu Kesiluo unable to help but secretly laugh.

Tu Tu Kesiluo spoke, "This Mr. Zhu Ge is truly interesting; extremely cunning during battle, yet once the fight ends, that shrewdness vanishes without a trace," his tone full of sarcasm.

Seeing Jiang Jiang Mingyu nod in agreement, Tu Tu Kesiluo pursued, "My lord, have you thought of some brilliant stratagem?"

With determined eyes, Jiang Jiang Mingyu replied, "You are right; this Zhu Ge Yu is quite capable; I plan to keep him by my side."

Shaking his head with an honest tone, Jiang Jiang Mingyu said, "Speaking of warfare, this official cannot even be considered an amateur; you few are all the same, so do not deny it," shrugging his shoulders with an embarrassed look.

"If we keep Zhu Ge Yu as a military advisor, added to the fifty thousand troops equipped with new gear, we truly have nothing to worry about when facing the Other Xi Xia," Jiang Jiang Mingyu said, narrowing his eyes as a cunning arc appeared at the corner of his mouth.

Tu Tu Kesiluo, however, was not convinced; raising his eyebrows, he said with full doubt, "Warfare is no joke; why should Mr. Zhu Ge risk himself with us adventurers who are just trying to make a living?"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu, however, slapped his chest with confidence, guaranteeing, "Rest assured; this official has a way to make him stay."

"Alright, it is getting late; let us go back," Jiang Jiang Mingyu finished saying, patted Tu Tu Kesiluo's shoulder, and was about to pull the reins to return.

Tu Tu Kesiluo, however, stood still without moving, "If there is nothing else, this subordinate still wishes to go to the City Defense Camp to check the situation; I do not know how Dog Egg has trained those soldiers these past few days, and I am somewhat worried," his brows slightly furrowed with a face full of concern.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu laughed happily, "Go, go; perhaps those soldiers are even longing for you, their King of Hell brother."

Tu Tu Kesiluo impatiently pursed his lips, muttered something quietly, and then left in a huff.

Returning to the county yamen, Jiang Jiang Mingyu, covered in wind and snow, directly grabbed the brush on the desk.

After about half an hour, a sketch filled with strangely shaped items was completed.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu gently blew on the wet ink of the sketch, his face full of a sense of achievement, "Finally finished drawing it."

"With this thing, even the Other Xi Xia cavalry, known for their unmatched bravery, will have to suffer greatly."

But the smile at the corner of his mouth had not yet spread across his face when a rush of hurried footsteps and shouting came from outside the door.

From outside the door came the sound of Li Goudan and Tu Tu Kesiluo arguing.

"What are you doing? Let go of me!" Li Goudan's voice was rough and agitated.

Tu Tu Kesiluo, however, flew into a rage, "What am I doing? You still have the face to ask what I am doing?"

"My lord only entrusted the City Defense Camp to you for two days, and you have already done something like this!" Tu Tu Kesiluo's voice was full of anger, his eyes wide and red.

"If it were not for the sake of my lord, I would have killed you, this shameless thing, with one sword long ago!" Tu Tu Kesiluo shouted angrily while dragging Li Goudan to see Jiang Jiang Mingyu.

"Now rumors are rampant in the camp; the entire army is waiting for your explanation; what will you say when you see my lord?" Tu Tu Kesiluo asked with an air of righteousness, his steps sharp.

Li Goudan lowered his head, his face filled with regret and terror.

Tu Tu Kesiluo threw him down in front of Jiang Jiang Mingyu and said coldly, "My lord, how to deal with him is up to you to decide."