Chapter 155: Forced to Rebel

They never expected that this turmoil would erupt into such a deafening uproar in merely a quarter of an hour.

Several soldiers trembled all over, kneeling before Jiang Jiang Mingyu with the grief of one who has lost both parents, daring not to raise their heads to look at his cold, chiseled face.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu snorted coldly, his gaze like ice and his tone like frost: "Scram back and deliver a message to the Prince of Qi for me: tell him that Jiang Mou rebels today."

"Soon, Jiang Mou will personally travel to the capital to collect every single drop of the blood debt owed by the Prince of Qi."

Having spoken, he waved his hand, signaling them to leave quickly.

The several soldiers hurriedly nodded and bowed, vanishing from the Inspector's residence in a flash.

Only one thought filled their minds: This Lord Jiang is too ruthless; he kills without blinking and rebels without mercy.

At the same time, Jiang Jiang Mingyu untied the ropes binding the dumbstruck Wang Zhe. "Lord Inspector, you have seen it yourself; my actions today were not a whim."

"Had I not killed those two dog-officials, you and I would likely already be loaded onto a prisoner cart and sent to Jingcheng for trial."

"Matters have reached this point; Jiang Mou cannot turn back. I wonder, what is your plan?"

Since he had already decided to rebel, Jiang Jiang Mingyu stood on no ceremony.

He walked straight to the desk before Wang Zhe, sat upon it, picked up a teacup, and took a sip.

Wang Zhe was so startled by Jiang Jiang Mingyu's words that his soul fled and his spirit scattered; he stammered, "Y-you... y-you said what? I do not understand."

Looking at Jiang Jiang Mingyu's face, calm as still water, he felt as though he were gazing upon a stranger.

He could not believe that the person before him was the Jiang Jiang Mingyu he knew, someone who would actually dare to rebel and kill.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu set down the teacup and said leisurely, "I spoke clearly enough. I am asking you what we do next."

"If you are willing to follow me, then hand over the city defense seal of the Yasmo Regional Military Commissioner. I will lead the great army into the Yasmo Regional Military Commissioner's jurisdiction to confront the Prince of Qi."

"In that case, you remain my business partner; I will provide you with sufficient silver and status so you may live a life of wealth and glory. If you are unwilling to follow me, then so be it; I will not force you. However, you must know that once you leave the Yasmo Regional Military Commissioner's jurisdiction, the Prince of Qi will hound you relentlessly."

"With Tang Cheng'an and Lin Lin Xijie dead within the Yasmo Regional Military Commissioner's jurisdiction, Lord Inspector, I fear you will hardly escape blame."

"Of course, this is your own choice; I will not force you to do anything." Having said these words, Jiang Jiang Mingyu paid Wang Zhe no further heed.

He began to inspect this Inspector's residence.

Alas, today's parting would likely be an eternal farewell.

Wang Zhe sat in the magnificent hall with heavy eyes; the green bamboo forest carved on the screen behind him created an elegant and quiet atmosphere, yet it clashed entirely with his current mood.

The teardrops slightly falling from the corners of his eyes revealed the deep helplessness and sorrow within his heart.

The corners of his lips curled into a complex smile, bitter yet helpless, as if mocking his own fate.

After a long while, he finally extended a trembling hand and lifted the great seal of the Inspector.

"Lord Jiang, perhaps this title is no longer appropriate," he said with difficulty, his voice carrying a hint of choking, as if the words were squeezed from his throat, bearing the helplessness and pain deep within his soul.

In his eyes flashed a trace of firmness and resolve, like bright stars in the deep night; though faint, they emitted a hard, unyielding strength.

His fingers trembled slightly, yet he gripped the wine cup tightly, just as his decision was made after painful reflection.

"But there is one point I must make clear: I am weary of the official court; from now on, I am merely your business partner." His words carried a sense of helplessness and desolation, as if bidding farewell to his identity and glory of many years, like a sharp blade severing his past.

Sitting opposite, Jiang Jiang Mingyu held the great seal of the Inspector in his hand, like a scepter controlling everything.

His gaze was firm and profound, like an ancient well of a thousand years, unfathomable, giving people a sense of steadiness mixed with cunning.

The corners of his mouth turned upward, revealing a satisfied smile, as if everything lay within his control.

"Good; it will take ten days or half a month before news of the deaths of Tang Cheng'an and the other two reaches Jingcheng."

He spoke, his voice calm and confident, like a tranquil poem flowing with profound wisdom, while his fingers lightly tapped the table in a brisk rhythm, as if playing a melodious movement.

Having spoken, Jiang Jiang Mingyu swept his wide sleeve and, taking Tu Tu Kesiluo with him, walked out of the Inspector's residence.

Their figures vanished into the distance, leaving behind only the lamplight in the hall and Wang Zhe's aging yet resolute silhouette.

Tu Tu Kesiluo asked with some uncertainty: "My lord, do you think Wang Zhe will reveal our affairs? If so, we will be placed in a passive position."

Although Tu Tu Kesiluo trusted Jiang Jiang Mingyu's strategies and methods, he still worried that Wang Zhe might betray them; after all, Wang Zhe was a clever man who might find an opportunity to escape Jiang Jiang Mingyu's control.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu, braving the cold wind, shook his head, a trace of ruthlessness and coldness flashing in his eyes.

"He will not, because the Prince of Qi already hates Wang Zhe to the bone," he said. "Furthermore, with Tang Cheng'an and the other two dead within the Yasmo Regional Military Commissioner's jurisdiction, even if Wang Zhe had mouths all over his body, he could not explain himself clearly."

"Moreover, as I just stated, with the wind cold and the snow heavy, the journey to Jingcheng will take at least ten days or half a month," he continued. "Even if Wang Zhe sends word and the Prince of Qi dispatches troops to punish us, we will have sufficient time to capture the Yasmo Regional Military Commissioner's jurisdiction; by then, Wang Zhe will surely die."

"In any case, even if he does not speak, those soldiers I sent back will eventually reveal it," he added. "Wang Zhe is a clever man; he will not dance on the tip of a blade. Rest assured."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu had long plotted against Wang Zhe; he deliberately left several soldiers behind to return to the capital and report the news, knowing these soldiers would not tell the truth but would instead shift the blame onto Wang Zhe, ensuring the Prince of Qi would hate Wang Zhe to the core and never believe his words again.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu's plan was extremely thorough; he considered not only Wang Zhe's reaction but also the Prince of Qi's psychology, believing Wang Zhe would not dare betray them and that the Prince of Qi would not easily let Wang Zhe off, calculating both men to checkmate each other while he seized the opportunity to expand his power.

Hearing Jiang Jiang Mingyu's words, Tu Tu Kesiluo felt a surge of admiration in his heart; he felt Jiang Jiang Mingyu was truly a person of deep scheming, capable of turning danger into safety during a crisis and exploiting the enemy's weaknesses to secure benefits for himself, and he could not help but secretly rejoice that he had followed the right master.

Tu Tu Kesiluo said: "My lord is truly brilliant!"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu replied: "This is necessary."

Tu Tu Kesiluo tightened the large cloak around his body, and while nodding, asked again.

"Then, upon our return to Shangmu, do we immediately dispatch troops against the Yasmo Regional Military Commissioner?"

A trace of anticipation and tension flashed in his eyes; he knew this was the first and most crucial step of Jiang Jiang Mingyu's rebellion, for if they could successfully occupy the Yasmo Regional Military Commissioner's jurisdiction, they would have a stable base to contend with the Prince of Qi, but if they failed, their only path would be death.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu smiled at Tu Tu Kesiluo, revealing a row of white teeth.

"No; this official still has an important matter to attend to."

His tone was relaxed and carefree, as if they were not rebelling but merely touring the mountains and playing in the water.

Important matter? A huge question mark appeared on Tu Tu Kesiluo's yin-and-yang face.

"With matters having reached this point, what could be more important than occupying the Yasmo Regional Military Commissioner's jurisdiction as soon as possible?"

He looked at Jiang Jiang Mingyu in confusion, wondering if he harbored even greater ambitions.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu shook the snowflakes from his body, a trace of tenderness and anticipation flashing in his eyes.

"Naturally, it concerns this official's family; I have already arranged for Lord Lord Murong to travel to Jingcheng to retrieve my family members. I will first go to the Liu family to propose marriage to Liu Ximen; once they arrive, I shall marry Liu Yifei in grand style."

What? Tu Tu Kesiluo immediately opened his mouth wide; disregarding the snowflakes blowing into his mouth, he hurriedly asked.

"When did you two get to this point, already talking about marriage?"

He looked at Jiang Jiang Mingyu in surprise, wondering how this man could have won over Liu Liu Yifei so quickly. Hadn't he only met her a few times? Was she really that easy to win over?

Jiang Jiang Mingyu laughed.

"You're allowed to be with Miss Zhang, but I'm not allowed to talk about marriage? What kind of logic is that?"

He took the opportunity to pat Tuke Tuke Siluo's shoulder, his tone teasing and intimate.

"How about this — since you two already have something going on, the two of us might as well go propose together."

"Once we've taken the Regional Military Commissioner's city of Yasmo, you and I, brothers, will marry the sisters at the same time. That would count as one fine thing, wouldn't it?"

At the mention of proposing, Tuke Tuke Siluo's delicate face flushed red in an instant. He lowered his head, not daring to meet Jiang Jiang Mingyu's eyes. He felt a little flustered and shy inside. Though he had some fondness for Miss Zhang, he had never thought about marrying her. After all, they had only known each other a short while and hadn't gotten to know each other deeply. Moreover, he was now following Jiang Jiang Mingyu in rebellion, and surviving in these chaotic times was already hard enough. He was afraid he couldn't give her happiness and security.

Watching his little maiden-like manner, Jiang Jiang Mingyu rolled his eyes.

"If you don't want to, forget it. When I get back I'll tell Liu Yifei that you've lost interest in Miss Zhang, and let her find a good man for her."

He deliberately threatened Tuke Tuke Siluo, wanting to force him into making a decision.

Besides, he also felt Miss Zhang was a good girl, worthy of Tuke Tuke Siluo.

He hoped they could be happy together.

Tuke Tuke Siluo, still blushing, immediately panicked.

"Don't — I'll go, I'll go with you, alright? Forcing someone to propose, you're really the first of your kind."

He agreed to Jiang Jiang Mingyu's proposal in a flurry, but felt some regret and unease inside.

He didn't know whether Miss Zhang would agree to his proposal, nor whether their families would accept their marriage offer.

He could only pray that everything would go smoothly.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu burst out laughing.

"Good, then, it's settled."

"Once we're back in Huicheng I'll prepare the betrothal gifts. We'll finish up as soon as possible, get things settled, and then immediately raise the troops and head for the Yasmo Regional Military Commissioner."

Speaking of the most important matter, Tuke Tuke Siluo also let out a small sigh.

He knew Jiang Jiang Mingyu's mind was entirely on the Yasmo Regional Military Commissioner, and he himself didn't have much expectation or longing for proposing and marriage.

He only wanted to seize this chance and fulfill his own ambition and ideals.

And Tuke Tuke Siluo?

He was merely following Jiang Jiang Mingyu, with no opinions or goals of his own.

He only wanted to stay alive and find someone he could rely on.

Perhaps this was the difference between them.