Chapter 134

“Nothing more than asking Miss Zhang to return to the city defense camp.” Jiang Mingyu smiled sweetly.

“No way!” Zhang Jiani flatly refused without hesitation, “You summon me when you want and dismiss me when you’re done—what do you take me for?”

Just hearing “city defense camp” made her feel sick; she still remembered Yang Hui’s lecherous gaze and wanted to swallow him alive.

“Just thinking of that lecherous Yang Hui makes me want to vomit—so disgusting!”

Liu Ximen, present, said nothing and could only smile bitterly. He was already used to Zhang Jiani’s temper—he knew she was fierce and not to be trifled with.

Jiang Mingyu’s smile didn’t fade; he explained again: “Miss Zhang, you don’t know yet—Commandant Yang is dead. The city defense camp is back under my control. According to your bet with Tukesiluo, you still must help me train the troops.”

“Dead?” Zhang Jiani’s eyes lit up instantly. “How did he die?”

Jiang Mingyu repeated the lie that Yang Hui had been killed in a Western Xia raid. After hearing it, Zhang Jiani smiled contentedly and said, “Good riddance. That lecherous trash deserved to die!”

Seeing her so pleased, Jiang Mingyu pressed on: “Then, will you still go to the city defense camp?”

“Fine! I’ll go right now—is that good enough?” Zhang Jiani rolled her eyes, refusing to back down.

Jiang Mingyu thanked her repeatedly, beaming warmly.

Seeing Zhang Jiani and Tukesiluo heading for the city defense camp, Jiang Mingyu called them back, pulled a sheet of paper from his sleeve, and handed it to Tukesiluo: “This is a new weapon I’ve designed—the Tianji Crossbow. Take this paper, find the craftsmen in town, and build it exactly as the diagrams and instructions show.”

“The Tianji Crossbow is extraordinary—it can shoot three hundred paces, more than double the range of a standard crossbow. Test it yourself. If there are no flaws, mass-produce it immediately—the more, the better.”

“I’ve had this idea for a long time, but never had the time to act. Only today, with Yang Hui’s arrival, did I remember it.”

Tukesiluo unfolded the paper and saw a bizarrely shaped crossbow frame, along with detailed annotations. He couldn’t help exclaiming: “Sir, you’re truly a genius—how could you even conceive of something like this?”

Jiang Mingyu nodded proudly: “I put considerable thought into it. You know our enemy isn’t ordinary—they’re well-equipped and well-trained. To defeat them, we must innovate.”

“Speaking of innovation, Miss Zhang is also an expert. Her knowledge of crossbows rivals mine. You should learn from her.”

He gave Tukesiluo a subtle glance, hinting he should seize the chance to court Zhang Jiani. Tukesiluo understood at once, bowed respectfully to Jiang Mingyu, then left with Zhang Jiani.

Jiang Mingyu watched them depart, secretly pleased.

He knew Tukesiluo had feelings for Zhang Jiani, but she was a proud, fiery woman who wouldn’t easily yield. He hoped this opportunity would bring them closer—perhaps something would develop.

Liu Yifei, watching nearby, couldn’t help praising: “Sir, you’re truly meticulous. Not only are your poems peerless, you’ve invented such miraculous weapons—and now you’re matchmaking. Truly, nothing is beyond you.”

Hearing her praise, Jiang Mingyu’s cheeks flushed slightly.

He smiled: “I’m not nearly that capable. Just a moment of inspiration. There’s still much I haven’t shown you. When I have time, I’ll let you see.”

Liu Yifei’s heart stirred. She knew Jiang Mingyu wasn’t ordinary—he must harbor many secrets. Curious, she asked: “What kind of things?”

Jiang Mingyu smiled: “For example…”

Jiang Mingyu stepped closer to Liu Yifei; their distance suddenly narrowed, and her heart quickened.

Jiang Mingyu gazed into Liu Yifei’s eyes, his voice lowering: “Some small secrets about me—things I can’t let others know. You’ll soon realize I’m not as simple as I appear.”

He slowly raised his hand and brushed a strand of hair from her temple, his touch as gentle as caressing a treasured object.

Liu Yifei blushed but didn’t pull away, only turning her head slightly: “You… stop teasing. Just tell me already.”

Jiang Mingyu smiled without answering, withdrawing his hand: “No rush. Letting you wonder is fun, isn’t it? There’s plenty of time—you’ll uncover it all eventually.”

Jiang Mingyu followed Liu Yifei to the kiln factory. Watching her skillfully direct the workers, he was deeply impressed.

Though she seemed delicate and dainty, once at work she was decisive and efficient.

Under her coordination, the previously chaotic scene became orderly.

Even the usually unruly laborers treated this beautiful young woman with great respect and obedience.

He suspected it had something to do with her father Liu Ximen’s goodwill among the people.

He walked beside Liu Yifei and whispered in her ear: “Stay here and direct them. If you need anything, tell me. I’ll fulfill every request.”

The warm breath against her ear made her tense; she turned her head slightly: “Thank you, sir. I’ll do my utmost to fulfill your orders.”

Jiang Mingyu nodded in satisfaction, then shouted to the craftsmen: “You all obey Miss Liu’s commands! No slacking, no cutting corners—if you do, I won’t go easy on you!” Everyone responded in unison, pledging full obedience.

Jiang Mingyu glanced at the sky—it was growing late. He prepared to return to the county office.

He approached Liu Yifei again and whispered in her ear: “I’m leaving now. Watch your safety. If anything dangerous happens, tell me immediately—I’ll find a way to protect you.”

The warm breath on her ear made her cheeks flush and her heart race; she nodded softly: “Thank you, sir. I’ll be careful. You take care too.” Jiang Mingyu nodded in satisfaction and turned to leave. Liu Yifei watched him go, a faint blush still on her face.

A subtle, ambiguous atmosphere lingered between them, inviting speculation.

After only a few steps, her heart had already begun to soften.

After leaving Liu Yifei behind, Jiang Mingyu returned to the county office, where much remained to be done.

He had barely sat down when Zhuge Yu, bored and restless, arrived.

Jiang Mingyu didn’t look up, asking coolly: “What do you want?”

Zhuge Yu chuckled awkwardly: “Master, I’ve had nothing to do these days—could you give me some duties?” These days of good food and drink had clearly made the gentleman noticeably fatter.

These days of good food and drink had made Zhuge Yu noticeably fatter. Jiang Mingyu put down his brush and smiled faintly: “What would you like to do?” Zhuge Yu didn’t hesitate: “Train troops.”

Training troops was Zhuge Yu’s specialty, yet Jiang Mingyu frowned.

Training troops was Zhuge Yu’s strength. Yet Jiang Mingyu still frowned, hesitating: “The city defense camp already has Tukesiluo and Miss Zhang. Wouldn’t your presence be redundant?”

Zhuge Yu shook his head: “Not at all. They only teach basic martial skills. I’ll teach strategy and tactics—using the ingenious methods of military art to leave the enemy helpless and boost our own morale!”

Jiang Mingyu grew interested and pressed: “Strategy and tactics? How so?”

Zhuge Yu’s eyes gleamed as he spoke eagerly: “Military doctrine teaches ‘detour to reach the direct path’—decoy forces, empty city ruses. First make the enemy think the city is undefended, then concentrate forces to strike where they must defend. Also, ‘adapt to the enemy’—drive a merciful enemy to desperation until they collapse from within. Employ cunning and deception, and our army will triumph effortlessly. Master, rest assured—when the time comes, annihilating the Western Xia troops will be child’s play!”

Jiang Mingyu listened to his torrent of words, nodding with a smile: “Good! Then go. With you on board, I’m at ease. Use your talents fully—train a crack unit!”

Zhuge Yu immediately bowed deeply: “As you command, Master! I shall give my all, demonstrating the true power of military strategy—let the Western Xia troops witness my invincible skill!”

After bidding farewell, Jiang Mingyu watched Zhuge Yu’s retreating figure, silently admiring his disciple’s talent and zeal.

He believed that with Zhuge Yu in charge, a formidable, unstoppable army would surely be forged.

Zhuge Yu bowed his farewell, then boarded his carriage and headed for the city defense camp.

Not long after Zhuge Yu left, Liu Yifei rushed in, her face pale and terrified.

Seeing her state, Jiang Mingyu asked urgently: “Yifei, what’s wrong? Your face is so pale—did something sinister happen?”

Liu Yifei stopped in her tracks, still trembling, her voice disjointed: “Sir, I… I just heard something at the kiln factory—I can’t believe it!”

Jiang Mingyu grew more alarmed and pressed again: “What happened? Tell me!”