Chapter 160: Borrowing the Great Seal

The next morning, a north wind howled on Shangmu Street, carrying a biting chill. After Jiang Jiang Mingyu left the county yamen to bid farewell, he led a detachment out of the city defense camp, only to be startled by the scene before him.

When he looked toward the street, a huge, dark crowd of common people had gathered, forming a sea of humanity. Many of them waved at Jiang Jiang Mingyu, their eyes red, tears glistening at the corners. Their expressions seemed to be bidding farewell to a departing hero, not to a departing rebel.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu had originally thought his departure would bring a sigh of relief to the people of Shangmu City, after all, they were rebels wanted by the court. Yet, they were seeing him off in this manner. Jiang Jiang Mingyu felt a sting in his nose, a warm current surging in his heart. He gazed at these common people who had once crossed paths with him, young and old, men and women, rich and poor.

Some had worked in his kiln factory, others had learned in his workshops. They had changed their fates because of Jiang Jiang Mingyu, and they bore the name of rebels because of Jiang Jiang Mingyu.

Yet, they held no resentment for him, did not abandon him; instead, they expressed their gratitude and admiration with the most sincere emotions.

Zhu Ge Yu, seeing this scene, could not help but sigh, "Such heartfelt warmth is rare; even across the entire continent, it is unprecedented."

Old Uncle Sun was an old commoner who had once worked in Jiang Jiang Mingyu's kiln factory. He tightly grasped the hand of the departing Jiang Jiang Mingyu, his tone revealing worry and reluctance in his heart.

"My lord, you must take care out there." His lips, dry for a long time, moved with difficulty before he could painfully utter these words.

Old Uncle Sun enjoyed prestige and reputation in Shangmu City and was one of the earliest people to support Jiang Jiang Mingyu in building the factory.

He had once been a destitute old man, bullied and unable to support his family, but with Jiang Jiang Mingyu's help, he had become a man of wealth and dignity, respected by others.

He knew what Jiang Jiang Mingyu's departure meant, and he knew the dangers and difficulties Jiang Jiang Mingyu would face.

He hoped Jiang Jiang Mingyu would remain safe and continue to lead them toward a better future.

He regarded Jiang Jiang Mingyu as his benefactor and also as his own kin.

He patted Jiang Jiang Mingyu's hand again and again, his eyes full of reluctance.

Without Jiang Jiang Mingyu, how could Shangmu have its today?

Jiang Jiang Mingyu's heart was filled with mixed emotions. He patted Old Uncle Sun's hand heavily and said in a deep voice, "Thank you for the kindness of the relatives and elders. Jiang Mou takes his leave."

Having spoken, he endured the pain, mounted his horse, and led his troops away with a determined look in his eyes.

On both sides of the street, the relatives and elders watched him depart with red-rimmed eyes, silent for a long time. Jiang Jiang Mingyu also turned back to gaze again and again, unable to bear to leave.

After a long while, he took a deep breath and whipped his mount. He knew he must fight north and south for the sake of all people under heaven and could not stagnate due to local sentiments.

The cold wind howled, and the sound of hooves gradually faded. Jiang Jiang Mingyu looked back from his horse, gazing at Shangmu City, his eyes full of reluctance and determination.

He believed Shangmu would remain safe under the protection of Li Goudan. And he, Jiang Mou, would surely return in triumph to meet the people of his hometown once more!

Three days later, Jiang Jiang Mingyu's great army entered the Yisimo Regional Military Commissionerate. Lord Lord Murong also escorted the Jiang family to the provincial capital. The Liu Ximen and Zhang Zhang Junhao families also moved in successively, transferring business management rights to Jiang Jiang Mingyu.

And Wang Zhe, who was in a state of extreme anxiety, immediately handed over the Inspector's official seal and all related documents to Jiang Jiang Mingyu in one go.

Seeing Wang Zhe about to run, Jiang Jiang Mingyu called out to him with a smile, "Brother Wang, wait a moment. Tell me, how is the situation these past few days?"

Wang Zhe smiled bitterly, "Since the death of Tang Cheng and the others, the Regional Military Commissionerate has had no contact with Jingcheng. I heard the Prince of Qi is moving troops to Guizhou and Yizhou to suppress the Chen Tang rebellion; the fighting is fierce, but I know little of further news."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu nodded in understanding, "Brother Wang has worked hard. I have already handed over the affairs of the Regional Military Commissionerate to the Liu and Zhang families; you may depart with peace of mind."

"If there is anything requiring discussion, I will certainly arrange another time."

Wang Zhe bowed and thanked him repeatedly, then strode out of the Inspector's residence where he had lived for several years.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu stood at the main gate of the Inspector's residence, watching Wang Zhe's back disappear around the street corner.

He smiled slightly, thinking to himself: This Wang Zhe is truly a clever man, knowing when to leave and when to stay.

He turned and returned inside the residence, walking into the main hall. A huge map had already been set up inside, marking the various county towns and important locations of the Yisimo Regional Military Commissionerate.

Tu Tu Kesiluo, Zhu Ge Yu, Lord Lord Murong Murong Yunhai, and others were already present, waiting for Jiang Jiang Mingyu's instructions.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu sat in the main seat, glanced around, and spoke, "Everyone, we have now controlled Yisimo City and Shangmu County, but this is not enough. If we wish to establish ourselves in Decangzhou, we must capture the entire Yisimo Regional Military Commissionerate."

"The Prince of Qi is currently busy dealing with the rebels in Guizhou and Yizhou and has not yet noticed our movements. But this situation will not last long. Once he learns of our existence, he will surely send a new Governor of Decangzhou to quell the unrest."

"It will take at least one month to travel from Jingcheng to Decangzhou. We must capture all five county towns of the Yisimo Regional Military Commissionerate within this month to have sufficient strength to confront the Prince of Qi."

"Zhu Ge Yu, what do you think?"

Zhu Ge Yu stood up and pointed at the map, "My lord speaks truly. What we must do now is capture the five county towns within the Yisimo Regional Military Commissionerate as quickly as possible."

"Besides Shangmu County, there are Jingyang, Dingtao, Dingtao, and Tenglong, four counties."

"Master, where do you intend to start?"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu thought briefly, then spoke with a full smile.

"Very well, let us go first to meet that old friend, Song Song Yusheng."

"To catch the bandits, first catch their leader. There is no time to lose. Tu Tu Kesiluo, gather two thousand men. Tomorrow morning, head straight for Tenglong County."

Then, Zhu Ge Yu spoke again.

Zhu Ge Yu added, "Master, since we intend to seize Tenglong County, I suggest leaving Xiao Er to guard the city, while Lord Lord Murong and Miss Zhang go to capture Jingyang."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu nodded and agreed, "Correct. Jingyang is connected to Tenglong County. If we occupy Jingyang first, plus Shangmu, we will control half of the Yisimo Regional Military Commissionerate."

Just as they were discussing the action plan, a proud and willful figure burst through the door. Zhang Zhang Jiani, furious, said, "Dog..." She stopped herself before finishing, "Forget it, I will still call you Brother Jiang. Brother Jiang, I have already taken over the Yisimo Regional Military Commissionerate camp."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu smiled slightly, looking at Zhang Zhang Jiani's confident appearance, and said, "Very good. The two thousand city defense troops have surrendered to our army; now the Yisimo Regional Military Commissionerate has completely become our territory."

Zhang Zhang Jiani continued, "Liu Liu Yifei asked me to tell you that she has been busy with workshop affairs these past few days; do not disturb her unless necessary."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu nodded, a thread of warmth surging in his heart. Liu Liu Yifei was his wife; she had always silently supported him, managing the workshop affairs for him. He understood her hardships and knew this was a critical moment; he could not be distracted to disturb her.

After spending one night in the Inspector's residence, Jiang Jiang Mingyu, accompanied by Tu Tu Kesiluo and two thousand men, braved the wind and snow to head for Tenglong County.

The next morning, Jiang Jiang Mingyu, accompanied by Tu Tu Kesiluo and two thousand men, braved the wind and snow to head for Tenglong County. They wore no battle robes and carried no weapons; they were merely ordinary carriages and horses, looking like a group of merchants.

They alerted no one and thus smoothly entered Tenglong County town. They headed straight for the county yamen, intending to find Song Song Yusheng first before making further plans.

Tenglong County Yamen.

Hearing that Jiang Jiang Mingyu had arrived, Song Song Yusheng, who had gained a few more jin in weight, immediately came out with a full smile.

"Oh my, what wind has blown Brother Jiang here? Come, please come inside."

As he spoke, he pulled Jiang Jiang Mingyu's hand and walked inside. He walked and spoke at the same time:

"Oh my, what wind has blown Brother Jiang here? Come, please come inside."

"I thought you had forgotten me, this old friend. Do you have any good news to tell me this time?"

Arriving at the main hall, Jiang Jiang Mingyu's gaze swept over the smiling face of Song Song Yusheng. He waved his wide sleeve, as if a storm was about to break.

"Tu Tu Kesiluo, sit down." Jiang Jiang Mingyu's voice was calm and firm.

The two had just taken their seats when Song Song Yusheng's ingratiating expression appeared, and he asked eagerly:

"My lord Jiang, what important matter brings you here this time?"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu slowly raised his finger, pointing to beneath Song Song Yusheng's feet, and spoke concisely:

"I have come for your future."

Song Song Yusheng immediately grew interested and asked impatiently:

"Brother Jiang, do you have good news to tell me?"

Without waiting for Jiang Jiang Mingyu's reply, he slapped his thigh and said eagerly:

"Regardless, Brother Jiang, let us first drink a couple of cups to celebrate!"

However, Jiang Jiang Mingyu suddenly raised his hand, stopping Song Song Yusheng's enthusiasm.

"No need for wine. I have come with a request; I need to borrow one thing from you."

Song Song Yusheng immediately expressed his willingness, saying without hesitation:

"Whatever you wish to borrow, as long as you ask, I will certainly lend it to you unconditionally."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu smiled indifferently, then said:

"What I wish to borrow is the great seal in your hand."

Song Song Yusheng did not understand for a moment, so Jiang Jiang Mingyu explained patiently:

"To put it another way, what I wish to borrow is Tenglong County. If you agree, you may perhaps still remain here as the magistrate, but if you do not agree, your fate will be different."

Suddenly, Tu Tu Kesiluo raised his long sword and lightly placed it against Song Song Yusheng's neck. This sudden turn of events made Song Song Yusheng's smile freeze.

"Brother Jiang, what does this mean? I am the imperial magistrate; if you take my great seal, this is tantamount to rebellion!"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu looked calmly at Song Song Yusheng and said indifferently:

"You may not know that the provincial city was captured by me yesterday. I did not send a large army to attack because we once had a connection. Now, you need only decide whether to lend me the great seal."

Hearing this news, Tu Tu Kesiluo pressed his sword even closer to Song Song Yusheng's neck, and Song Song Yusheng trembled as he said:

"You have rebelled? Brother Jiang, do not joke…"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu cut him off:

"No more words. I ask you one last time: the great seal, will you lend it or not?"

Just as Song Song Yusheng was about to speak but hesitated, the clerk outside the door suddenly shouted loudly:

"Quick, someone come! Someone wants to kill my lord! Someone come quickly…"

This sudden cry brought hurried footsteps, and the scene suddenly became chaotic.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu and Tu Tu Kesiluo remained calm, while Song Song Yusheng was already panicked and at a loss.

After the clerk's cry came, the entire hall was in chaos.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu's smile grew even deeper at this moment; looking at Song Song Yusheng, he said lightly, "Time is short. What is your decision? The great seal, will you lend it or not?"