Chapter 168

Upon hearing the news that Ruan Chen had marched 100, 00 troops, Liu Yifei turned pale, gripping Jiang Mingyu's hand tightly, her eyes filled with dread. Jiang Mingyu also frowned, pausing a moment before asking Zhang Jiaqi: "Jiaqi, you've been away for years—do you know anything about Ruan Chen's character?"

Zhang Jiaqi looked uneasy, then spoke slowly: "Ruan Chen was originally the Governor of Yunzhou, responsible for the border defense between Da Feng and the Southern Frontier. But since there've been no major conflicts between the two regions, I don't truly know his capabilities."

Jiang Mingyu smiled faintly, though his expression remained grave. He rose and bowed to Zhang Baifu: "I apologize, but today's welcoming banquet can no longer continue. I beg your understanding—I must take my leave."

With that, he clapped Tang Xiang and Zhang Jiani on the shoulders, and the three hurried away.

Jiang Mingyu's face was calm, yet his brow carried resolve; he strode toward the camp without a trace of fear.

Liu Yifei clenched her fists beside him and followed closely behind.

She knew Ruan Chen's forces were strong and that battle would be brutal, but seeing Jiang Lang's fearless back, a surge of Rexue rose in her heart—she resolved to stand with him, to fight and win together.

The three arrived at the camp, and Jiang Mingyu immediately summoned his trusted officers to discuss strategy.

Each spoke up—some urged battle, others peace—each side arguing fiercely, voices rising in heated debate.

Jiang Mingyu said nothing, listening in silence.

After a long while, he rose slowly, his gaze deep and unwavering: "Do not despair. We have already raised our banners—there is no turning back. Though the enemy is strong, we are no weaklings!"

"Xiao Er, immediately send scouts toward Xiangcangzhou to gather detailed intelligence on Ruan Chen's army. Military intelligence is urgent—do not slacken."

Wu Xiao responded with a sharp salute and departed swiftly, his expression grim.

Jiang Mingyu watched him go, then added: "Ruan Chen commands 100, 00 troops—we must recruit new soldiers as quickly as possible to meet the threat."

"Goudan, tomorrow Li and I will lead the troops out. You stay behind and focus entirely on recruiting new soldiers to replenish our ranks. No matter what means, you must raise another 30, 00 before we return."

Li Goudan replied gruffly: "Master, rest assured—by the time you return, the new recruits will be ready!"

Jiang Mingyu paused, then nodded firmly: "This is no time for mercy. Softness will lead to our annihilation. At this moment of life and death, even if we must force conscription, we must complete this recruitment!"

Li Goudan clenched his fist: "Master's words are right! I swear I will not fail!"

Jiang Mingyu's eyes glinted with lethal intent—he knew that even with recruitment, his forces still stood little chance against Ruan Chen's army. But retreat was impossible now; they had no choice but to gamble everything.

Jiang Mingyu continued: "War is imminent. The defenses of Yasmu Regional Military Commissioner's city must be strengthened. Goudan, I entrust you with the city walls—work day and night, no matter what, complete the task."

Li Goudan declared with bold confidence: "Master, rest easy—I'll stay awake till the job's done, and not delay the grand plan for a moment!"

Yet Jiang Mingyu saw a flicker of worry in his eyes. He himself had no certainty, but forced himself to encourage:

"Ruan Chen has many troops, but don't be overly alarmed. We've taken down hundreds of Xixia iron cavalry before—how much harder can it be with tens of thousands under our command?"

"Besides, General Yu is holding the rear. His Nine Palaces Eight Trigrams Array once repelled 30, 00 enemies with only 3, 00 men—what is Ruan Chen compared to that?"

Li Goudan, heartened by Jiang Mingyu's words, declared boldly: "Master is right! We'll sweep forward like a storm—Ruan Chen's ragtag army can't stand against our tens of thousands!"

Once the officers had withdrawn, Jiang Mingyu let out a heavy sigh, weary, and turned to Zhuge Yu: "To be honest, I'm anxious about the coming battle. Ruan Chen understands warfare deeply—we have little chance of victory."

Though Jiang Mingyu had spoken boldly before Li Goudan to rally morale, his own heart remained uneasy. He was merely an ordinary man, whose talents and wisdom had been honed only slightly after his second chance at life. If Ruan Chen's blade fell upon his neck, he would vanish like foam.

Zhuge Yu's expression was grave and cautious, yet Jiang Mingyu caught a glimmer of eager anticipation in his eyes.

"Master, as you said, we survived the hardest days in Shangmu—what is there to fear now?" Zhuge Yu said solemnly. "Since Ruan Chen has come to invade, let him see what I, Zhuge Yu, am capable of!"

Hearing these bold words, Jiang Mingyu's fighting spirit reignited; he fixed Zhuge Yu with a burning gaze: "Then, Master, how do you plan to counter Ruan Chen's army?"

Zhuge Yu's lips curled into a faint smile: "When facing strength, use wit; when facing weakness, seize the moment. We'll know how to respond once we've exchanged a few blows."

Jiang Mingyu, reassured by his calm tone, nodded: "Then let's first complete our immediate tasks—tomorrow morning, we march to break Dongping and Dingtao, and secure Yasmu Regional Military Commissioner's territory!"

Zhuge Yu nodded: "Exactly. Only when our rear is secure can I fully deploy my strategies against the enemy."

A great weight lifted from Jiang Mingyu's chest. He lifted his teacup, took a sip, and felt his spirit revive.

When Jiang Mingyu met Liu Yifei again, her slender brows remained furrowed, her beautiful eyes filled with worry.

"Jiang Lang, can we win?" she asked softly, her voice trembling like a bird startled by an arrow.

Jiang Mingyu pulled Liu Yifei into his arms, his strong heartbeat warming her trembling heart: "Don't worry—I swear to protect you with my life." He patiently explained Zhuge Yu's strategy to her.

Listening to Jiang Lang's steady heartbeat, Liu Yifei finally felt a little reassured. She believed that with Jiang Lang beside her, she would be safe.

At dawn the next day, the Yasmu Regional Military Commissioner's army roared with drums, banners snapping in the wind. Jiang Mingyu gripped Li Goudan's shoulder firmly and barked: "March!"

He and Tang Xiang led two thousand troops racing toward Dongping. Meanwhile, Cloud of the Murong and Zhang Jiani also set out with two thousand soldiers to seize Dingtao.

Dongping lay not far east of Yasmu Regional Military Commissioner's territory—only a day's march away. But halfway, heavy snow fell, blurring all vision; progress slowed drastically.

"Damn bad luck!" Tang Xiang cursed. "Why now? Why such a storm?"

Jiang Mingyu urged the troops to hurry, but the snow was too fierce. Only by noon the next day did they finally reach the walls of Dongping.

County Magistrate Lu Kai had already learned of their approach—the gates were shut, the battlements packed with dark rows of defenders.

Jiang Mingyu shouted: "Lu Kai, come out and listen to me!"

A gaunt, sallow-skinned man immediately appeared on the ramparts.

"Traitor!" he spat. "Kneel and surrender at once—or we'll tear you to pieces!"

"Get off your horse and surrender now, or I'll personally cut you into a thousand pieces!" Lu Kai loomed above, eyes blazing, voice dripping with arrogance.

Jiang Mingyu's fury surged—he clenched his fists, veins bulging like a beast enraged. "Lu Kai, dare you come out and see what true helplessness looks like!" he growled.

Lu Kai sneered. "Li Bailin, lead your men out and capture these rebels—I'll grant you the highest reward!"

A burly man, wearing a steel helmet and bright-eyed, stepped forward with a roar: "All defenders, follow me—destroy these traitors!" His voice thundered, shaking the heart. The gate crashed open, and a dark tide of soldiers surged out, brimming with murderous intent.

Jiang Mingyu sneered: "So Lu Kai has hidden these troops all along!" His tone was cold as winter's blade.

Tang Xiang scoffed: "Pathetic remnants—watch me cut off Lu Kai's head!" He spurred his horse, long blade in hand, charging toward the gate like an arrow loosed.

"Lu Kai, surrender now!" Tang Xiang bellowed, voice booming. "Or I'll destroy your entire family!"

Lu Kai laughed mockingly: "A mere soldier dares to boast?" His laugh was sharp and cruel.

Tang Xiang's eyes glowed green with rage. He roared and swung his blade toward Lu Kai: "I'll take your life!"

The two armies clashed—blades flashed, blood sprayed, the air thick with carnage...

Lu Kai, standing before the ranks, hurled vile insults, provoking Tang Xiang. "Jiang Mingyu, you traitor! You take the Emperor's salary yet betray his grace—you deserve death a thousand times over!" He trembled, spittle flying. "Surrender now, and perhaps His Majesty will spare you! Otherwise, I, Lu Kai, will lead my troops out and tear you into a thousand pieces!"

Tang Xiang's fury erupted—he raised his blade to charge—but Jiang Mingyu shook his head sharply: "Don't stoop to his level. Today, Lu Kai is doomed."

But Tang Xiang had already lost restraint—his blade flashed like lightning, determined to slay Lu Kai and vent his rage. Jiang Mingyu sighed: "Lu Kai has sealed his own fate—he won't escape death today."

Tang Xiang clamped his legs around his horse and lunged at Lu Kai like a released arrow. Lu Kai paled in terror, shouting: "Li Bailin, stop him—kill this beast!"

Li Bailin, wielding a heavy spear, eyes fixed with resolve, charged straight for Tang Xiang's chest—he sought Lu Kai's reward, his gaze glittering with greed and ambition.

Unexpectedly, Tang Xiang swung his blade—the spear snapped clean in two! Li Bailin's face turned ashen; he staggered back, clutching the broken shaft. Tang Xiang surged forward, leapt onto Li Bailin's shoulder, and drove his blade deep into his skull!

"No—!" Li Bailin screamed—but it was too late. His head was severed cleanly, the sound of bone and flesh parting sharp and horrifying.

Lu Kai, witnessing this, was paralyzed with terror, screaming as if the heavens had collapsed.

Tang Xiang kicked Li Bailin's corpse aside and barked coldly: "Who else dares to die?" His voice was merciless, freezing every enemy in place.

Jiang Mingyu knew—Dongping was already within his grasp...