Chapter 129: The City Defense Camp After Being Trained by the Tigress

Wang Zhe looked at the confession in Jiang Jiang Mingyu's hand and could not help but frown deeply.

His heart was filled with shock, and he whispered in disbelief, "Jiang Da Ren's wisdom is truly unfathomable, with brilliant schemes emerging one after another."

Admiration flowed from his tone: "With this object's help, we can further expand our connections, and in the future, we will surely obtain endless wealth."

Greed flashed in Wang Zhe's eyes; he seemed to see mountains of gold and silver, a fantasy that left him utterly enchanted.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu smiled and agreed, "My lord speaks truly; we should immediately contact the relevant parties and put this wonderful plan into practice."

"Please rest assured, my lord; everything will proceed in an orderly manner, and we will surely reap rich rewards." Jiang Jiang Mingyu took a deep breath, filled with confidence in his plan.

He thought carefully, after all, the Huang family's main business was porcelain, and this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

He had already drafted a preliminary plan in his mind.

Wang Zhe nodded in satisfaction: "Very good, Jiang Da Ren, I leave it to you." He was deeply impressed by Jiang Jiang Mingyu's talent, as if a bright future was already unfolding before his eyes.

Meanwhile, Tang Cheng was trapped by the case of Huang Huang Chaoran; at this moment, he paced back and forth in his residence, worried and uneasy.

Although Huang Huang Chaoran had not revealed Tang Cheng's identity, he had lost a powerful ally.

What worried Tang Cheng even more was that he had not yet found a feasible method to interfere with Jiang Jiang Mingyu's control of the City Defense Camp.

However, the Prince of Qi's order arrived suddenly, forcing Tang Cheng to act cautiously; he knew the Prince of Qi was the most averse to people searching for excuses.

The current situation seemed to offer no way out; he could only choose between two difficult options: either defeat Jiang Jiang Mingyu to win the Prince of Qi's favor, or face the Prince of Qi's anger, which might lead to his suspension and trap him in the same predicament as Huang Huang Chaoran.

However, Wang Zhe had been watching him, making it almost impossible for him to go out, let alone go to Shangmu to execute the Prince of Qi's order.

Just as Tang Cheng was lost in thought, the door was gently pushed open.

A retainer named Xiao Liu Zi walked in slowly: "My lord, Master Ma has returned." He whispered the reminder, afraid of disturbing the currently ill-tempered Tang Cheng.

Tang Cheng was stunned for a moment, then excitedly said, "Quickly invite him in!"

Joy spread across his face; after a short wait, a middle-aged scholar named Ma Ma Yingjie, thin in build with a small mustache, walked in with a calm gait.

He clasped his fist and bowed to Tang Cheng: "My lord, what are your orders?" His voice was calm, and he appeared gentle and refined.

Tang Cheng smiled and nodded: "Master Ma, during your time away, did you discover anything?"

Expectation permeated his voice; he knew Ma Ma Yingjie was a smart man and perhaps he could provide some useful clues.

Ma Ma Yingjie smiled slightly and said, "My lord, there is no need to worry; I indeed made some discoveries." A hint of pride showed between his eyebrows.

He continued, "Although I do not know much about how to interfere with the control of the City Defense Camp, I have a method to take down the fifty thousand troops under Jiang Jiang Mingyu in one stroke." His tone was full of confidence, as if he had already seen everything succeeding.

Hearing this, Tang Cheng could not help but frown slightly: "Master Ma, what is your high opinion?" He was used to Ma Ma Yingjie's abnormal behavior, but every time he brought a shocking plan.

"The reason Jiang Jiang Mingyu holds heavy power is that no one in Shangmu has been willing to take the post of Commandant."

"I have a cousin named Yang Hui. He has won many battles in Tenglong County over the years and accumulated many merits. However, due to unfavorable circumstances, he failed to obtain promotion." A hint of deep thought flashed in Ma Ma Yingjie's eyes.

"My lord, as a Tang Sima, you need only one word to send him to take office in Shangmu. His military merits are significant; with your support, even the Inspector would find it difficult to block him." Ma Ma Yingjie's tone was firm, and he was full of confidence in Yang Hui's ability.

Tang Cheng thought for a moment and nodded: "This is a good idea. Once Yang Hui takes office, relying on his military merits and my support, he will surely be able to establish himself in Shangmu. At that time, the fifty thousand troops of Shangmu will be at my disposal." Determination rang in Tang Cheng's voice.

Ma Ma Yingjie continued to elaborate on his plan: "Yang Hui will closely monitor Jiang Jiang Mingyu, waiting for the right moment. Once the Prince of Qi is fully prepared, he can act to eliminate this hidden threat. At that time, my lord's promotion will be just around the corner."

A flash of realization passed through Tang Cheng's eyes: "Master Ma, your strategy is excellent. This way, I can control the fifty thousand troops of Shangmu and also remove Jiang Jiang Mingyu's control over the City Defense Camp. Is that cousin of yours willing to serve us?"

Ma Ma Yingjie smiled and nodded: "My lord, please rest assured; Yang Hui is willing to serve the Prince of Qi. He has always wanted to rise in rank and get rich. Even if the situation is dangerous, as long as he sees an opportunity for promotion, he will go to Shangmu without hesitation."

Tang Cheng took a deep breath, and his heart gradually calmed down. He began to believe that this plan was feasible, capable of allowing him to smoothly defeat Jiang Jiang Mingyu, take control of the City Defense Camp, and simultaneously gain the Prince of Qi's praise.

"Very good, Master Ma. Go back and tell this plan to Yang Hui, letting him make preparations. I will send the appointment document as soon as possible." A hint of determination flashed in Tang Cheng's gaze; he had made up his mind to use this plan to make it impossible for Jiang Jiang Mingyu to turn the tables, solving the problem once and for all.

"My lord, rest assured; I will arrange everything." Ma Ma Yingjie replied with a smile, then turned and left Tang Fu.

Tang Cheng's gaze lingered on his retreating figure for a moment, and then the furrow between his brows gradually smoothed out.

He knew that facing an opponent like Jiang Jiang Mingyu, he could not relax even a little; every step must be cautious and thorough, with no room for error.

"Hahaha, Jiang Jiang Mingyu, you think you have mastered the situation, but you do not know that I have already set up a net of heaven and earth, waiting to catch you in one sweep." Tang Cheng chuckled inwardly; he firmly believed that this time, he would win, trapping Jiang Jiang Mingyu in a desperate situation with no chance of recovery.

He stood by the window, gazing into the distance; the scenery was picturesque, but his heart was turbulent.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu returned to Shangmu on the afternoon of the following day.

The long journey had left him physically and mentally exhausted, yet he had no time to rest because he worried that Zhang Zhang Jiani might cause some disturbance within the City Defense Camp.

As soon as he stepped through the city gate, he said to Tu Tu Kesiluo and Zhu Ge Yu, "Let's go see how Miss Zhang is training the soldiers; let's hope she doesn't cause a major uproar."

Upon hearing Zhang Zhang Jiani's name, a flash of excitement passed through Tu Tu Kesiluo's eyes; the corners of his mouth curled up slightly, revealing an unfathomable smile.

Zhu Ge Yu, however, was completely confused, knowing nothing about this "Miss Zhang," and did not understand why Jiang Jiang Mingyu and Tu Tu Kesiluo were so wary of her.

The three arrived at the training ground of the City Defense Camp; the scene before their eyes made Jiang Jiang Mingyu's face freeze, and then his eyebrows knitted into a knot. He saw thousands of soldiers sprawled on the ground in all sorts of postures, like a patch of rotten mud.

A bit further away, in a broken formation, several soldiers were desperately waving their weapons, but their movements trembled uncontrollably, as if they would collapse at any moment.

A low groan permeated the air; from time to time, someone fell down, their body convulsing uncontrollably. Jiang Jiang Mingyu looked around; was this the City Defense Camp he had trained so hard before?

The former might and dignity had vanished without a trace. Could something unfathomable have happened in just a few short days?

Tu Tu Kesiluo also clutched his chest; he clearly remembered that when they set out, these soldiers were full of vitality, yet now they had become so wretched, which was truly hard to believe.

"Everyone, get up! Endure the pain even if you have to!"

A sharp female voice suddenly rang out; Jiang Jiang Mingyu and Tu Tu Kesiluo looked in unison and saw a woman dressed in black fiercely commanding the remaining soldiers.

Although the distance was considerable, those sharp eyes seemed able to pierce through multiple barriers, striking straight at the heart and making one's heart tremble.

This was Zhang Zhang Jiani.

As soon as they saw Jiang Jiang Mingyu return, the soldiers on the ground immediately scrambled up and rushed to him, competing to complain and cry.

"My lord, you are finally back! This female demon is about to kill us!"

"We were all recruited from the common people; how can we endure such harsh training!"

"She treats us like beasts; it would be better to send me home to farm!"

Facing the almost tearful appearance of these big men, Jiang Jiang Mingyu hurriedly asked, "What exactly is going on?" Through the soldiers' descriptions, he finally understood Zhang Zhang Jiani's actions.

After he left, the first order Zhang Zhang Jiani issued was to have everyone assume the horse stance, insisting they must master it before proceeding to army formation cultivation.

On the battlefield, if the horse stance is unstable, how can the army formation be stable? Although this reasoning made sense, a problem arose immediately: Zhang Zhang Jiani demanded indefinite practice until someone collapsed from exhaustion.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu turned pale with shock; this was clearly intended to drive the soldiers mad.

These ordinary soldiers, drawn from the common people, had never seen such training; within a short while, some could no longer endure. Half an hour later, only Zhang Zhang Jiani remained standing on the ground.

However, the problem that followed was even more severe. Zhang Zhang Jiani issued her second order: "Pick up your weapons, form up in your original formations, and conduct formation drills. It must be completed in one breath without interruption. Anyone who slacks off, I will not spare!" And how could the trembling soldiers still have the strength to wield their swords and blades?

Shortly after, all the soldiers collapsed to the ground once more.

Zhang Zhang Jiani's voice was cold: "Everyone, stand up!"

One soldier could not help but plead: "Miss Zhang, we really cannot go on. May we rest for a moment?"

Yet Zhang Zhang Jiani, showing no mercy, roared in anger: "Someone, bring me twenty military rods!" The soldier let out a piercing scream, which quickly echoed throughout the camp.

Zhang Zhang Jiani's eyes held no pity: "Listen well, this is a small punishment to serve as a great warning! If anyone else disobeys me, Miss, this will be their fate!"

No sooner had she finished speaking than the short sword in her hand was half-drawn; clearly, her meaning was plain: she would show no softness.

That soldier, trembling, turned toward Jiang Jiang Mingyu and struggled to say: "My lord, we have no choice but to pick up our weapons. That night, several hundred people were nearly at their last breath."

"At dawn the next day, the female demon returned and continued the horse-stance and formation drills. We shed another layer of skin."

"You can see the situation now, my lord. We truly cannot hold out. You must save us; otherwise, before the Xi Xia even attack, our City Defense Camp will collapse first!"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu burned with rage: "This is clearly an abuse of power! There is no such absurd training!"

"Tu Tu Kesiluo, summon Zhang Zhang Jiani to see me. If this continues, the City Defense Camp will be ruined!"

The soldiers on the ground finally rejoiced wildly; perhaps the days of unbearable suffering were about to end.

But amidst their excitement, a sense of unease quietly took root.

Not long after, Zhang Zhang Jiani walked toward Jiang Jiang Mingyu.

Yet she seemed not to notice Jiang Jiang Mingyu's blackened face at all: "Dogs... you are back?"

To save Jiang Jiang Mingyu's face before everyone, she swallowed the words "corrupt official" just in time.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu, however, showed no gratitude: "Miss Zhang, why go to such lengths?" He then pointed his finger at the prostrate soldiers.

Zhang Zhang Jiani paid it no mind: "It is merely soldier training. Why make such a fuss?"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu's expression grew even worse: "Is this the proper method for soldier training? Are you trying to destroy my City Defense Camp?"

"Do you not know what these people mean to Shang Mu and to me?" Seeing his words, Zhang Zhang Jiani's smile vanished from her face.

Zhang Zhang Jiani sneered: "Corrupt official, what do you mean? Do you think I am deliberately making things difficult, seeking revenge for that day's matter?"

"If you had not saved Liu Liu Yifei that day, why would I have been willing to meddle in your affairs?"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu sneered: "If you were not deliberately making things difficult, why torture my great army, leaving them covered in wounds? If the Xi Xia troops then arrive at the city gates, how can such an exhausted force withstand them?"

It was no wonder he was so angry; only Jiang Jiang Mingyu himself knew full well that gathering fifty thousand people was no easy task.

The military expenses alone already exceeded one hundred thousand gold. If the great army collapsed today, his life's ambition would be utterly destroyed, and the people of Shang Mu would not escape disaster either. How could he bear it in his heart?

Zhang Zhang Jiani's expression grew colder: "Since you wish to know the reason, I shall tell you: everything I have done stems from deep consideration; it is by no means deliberate obstruction."

She casually pointed at the soldiers behind her and asked: "When you first practiced the horse stance, how long could you hold it?" The soldier was startled and fell silent as a cicada in winter.

She turned her hand and pointed casually at another soldier: "You, speak. When you first practiced the horse stance, how long did you hold it?"

The soldier instinctively shivered: "M-maybe two quarter-hours."

It was clear that by now, he had developed a deep fear of this tsundere she-tiger.

Zhang Zhang Jiani said no more, simply continuing her question: "During the subsequent square-formation drills, how long did you persist?"

The soldier recalled for a moment: "About the time it takes to burn one stick of incense."

Zhang Zhang Jiani, still without a change in tone, asked: "What about the second day?"

The soldier recalled again: "The horse stance was held for a little less than half an hour; the drills were persisted in for two quarter-hours."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu suddenly realized; Zhu Ge Yu and Tu Tu Kesiluo exchanged a glance and smiled, evidently having understood Zhang Zhang Jiani's intention.

Zhang Zhang Jiani said coldly: "Corrupt official, do you understand their words?"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu gave an embarrassed smile and finally spoke: "So, Miss, you were devising every possible means to help the soldiers break through their limits and strengthen their physiques. I misunderstood."

Zhang Zhang Jiani said indifferently: "At least you, corrupt official, possess a bit of insight. Since we have trained your great army for two days, we are even. I return this seal to you and take my leave." With that, Zhang Zhang Jiani tossed the seal aside and departed.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu hurriedly blocked her path: "Miss Zhang, please stay. This official has a request to make."

Zhang Zhang Jiani frowned slightly: "If there is no matter, I shall leave. Why speak unnecessarily?" Jiang Jiang Mingyu quickly smiled apologetically: "Truly, I am most sorry. Previously, I misunderstood your intentions. I, Jiang Mou, come from a scholarly background and am utterly ignorant of martial affairs, which led to my prejudice. I hope Miss will be magnanimous and not hold it against us, people of shallow understanding."

"Even for the sake of the City Defense Camp, for the sake of Shang Mu, I beg Miss to stay. This official is deeply, deeply grateful."

Having witnessed the progress of the City Defense Camp, how could he easily let go of Zhang Zhang Jiani, whose methods were so unique?

For every additional skill the soldiers of the City Defense Camp gained, the possibility of defeating the Xi Xia people later increased by one fraction.

Even for his own life, the humble and submissive Jiang Jiang Mingyu must keep Zhang Zhang Jiani here.

Zhang Zhang Jiani remained expressionless: "Stay? Stay for what?"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu quickly smiled: "Naturally, I would trouble Miss to stay and help this official train the soldiers."

Zhang Zhang Jiani looked down on him: "Help you train soldiers? On what grounds? Do I owe you anything?"

"Furthermore, are you not afraid I might train your City Defense Camp into ruin and then lose your Shang Mu City as well?"

"I have already said: before, I helped only because of Liu Liu Yifei's sake."

"Now, between us, all debts are cleared; we owe each other nothing. On what grounds should I help you? Who do you think you are?"

Saying this, she turned and walked away.

Seeing that Jiang Jiang Mingyu still intended to pester her, Zhang Zhang Jiani's short sword instantly left its sheath: "Get lost. Do not force me to act."

Seeing her walk farther away, Tu Tu Kesiluo, who had remained silent until now, suddenly shouted: "Wait."

"You lecher, are you seeking trouble again?"

Zhang Zhang Jiani frowned slightly but still stopped her steps, listening to what he had to say.

Tu Tu Kesiluo first glanced at Jiang Jiang Mingyu, then spoke: "Miss Zhang, please stay. I beg you to hear one word from me."

"What just happened was my lord's momentary rashness. Your anger is entirely understandable."

"However, please understand Lord Jiang's feelings, Miss Zhang. These 50,000 people are the lifeline of Shangmu."

"If these 50,000 people suffer any loss, once the Xi Xia people drive straight in, the entire Shangmu will be utterly destroyed, and your kindness will be buried because of it."

Although Miss Zhang Zhang Jiani's expression grew even more impatient, Tu Tu Kesiluo continued firmly: "Please consider our difficulties, Miss."

"Moreover, my lord has openly apologized to you and publicly admitted his mistake."

"We beg you, out of responsibility for the people of Shangmu, not to dwell on the past and to continue assisting us in training soldiers."

"As long as we can protect Shangmu, not only my lord, but even the people of the city, will remember the source of their water and forever be grateful for your kindness."

In these words, Tu Tu Kesiluo's attitude grew ever more solemn, filled with a sense of responsibility toward Shangmu and its people.

However, Miss Zhang Zhang Jiani's expression remained unmoved: "Scoundrel, say no more. If it weren't for Liu Liu Yifei's sake, would I do such thankless work?"

"Now that Lord Jiang has openly expressed his dissatisfaction, why should I continue to make things difficult for myself by staying?"

"That is all I have to say; do as you please."

A faint sense of grievance permeated Miss Zhang Zhang Jiani's tone, yet her eyes revealed determination.

She was like a stubborn lioness, unwilling to compromise easily.

Tu Tu Kesiluo could not help but sigh; he understood Miss Zhang Zhang Jiani's character, but he also knew he must persuade her to stay.

He spoke in a softer tone: "Miss Zhang, no one here wishes to see the people of Shangmu suffer the hardships of war."

"Although my lord's character is straightforward, his original intention was to protect this land and these people."

"If you can give him one more chance, you will also be contributing to the peace and tranquility of Shangmu."

His words were gentle, carrying a hint of pleading, as if they were a sincere cry from the heart.

However, Miss Zhang Zhang Jiani still showed no sign of yielding: "Scoundrel, you need say no more."

"Since Lord Jiang already believes my actions were unnecessary, I have no intention of staying here."

Having said this, she turned around once more, preparing to leave.

He turned his head to glance at Jiang Jiang Mingyu beside him; the reproach in his eyes seemed to blame Jiang Jiang Mingyu for speaking too harshly.

Yet how could Tu Tu Kesiluo let her go just like that: "Miss Zhang..."