Chapter 168: Taking Dongping

Hearing the news that Ruan Chen had led ten thousand troops to march out, Liu Liu Yifei could not help but turn pale; she tightly grasped Jiang Jiang Mingyu's hand, her eyes filled with worry. Jiang Jiang Mingyu also furrowed his brows, pondered for a moment, and then asked Zhang Zhang Jiaqi: "Zhang Jiaqi, you have been away for many years; do you know anything about this Ruan Chen's character?"

Zhang Zhang Jiaqi showed a look of difficulty and slowly said: "Ruan Chen was originally the Governor of Yunzhou, always responsible for the border defense between Dafeng and the Southern Frontier. But because there were no major disputes between the two places, I am not very familiar with his true abilities."

Hearing this, Jiang Jiang Mingyu smiled slightly, yet his expression was entirely solemn. He stood up, performed a bow, and said to Uncle Zhang: "I am truly sorry, but today's welcome banquet cannot continue. I trouble everyone to forgive me; Jiang Mou takes his leave first."

Having spoken, he patted the shoulders of Tu Tu Kesiluo and Zhang Zhang Jiani, and the three of them took their leave in haste.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu's face was calm, yet determination shone through his brows; he strode confidently toward the military camp, showing no sign of fear.

Liu Liu Yifei clenched both fists at his side and followed closely behind.

She understood that Ruan Chen's troops were strong and powerful, and once war broke out it would surely be difficult; but seeing Jiang Jiang Mingyu's back, unafraid of the future, a surge of hot blood rose in her heart, resolving to advance and retreat with Jiang Lang, swearing to achieve victory.

The three arrived at the military camp, and Jiang Jiang Mingyu immediately summoned his confidants to discuss countermeasures.

Everyone spoke in turn, some advocating war, others peace, each sticking to their own view; with verbal swords and spears, they argued until their faces turned red.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu did not utter a single word, listening silently.

After a long while, he slowly rose, his gaze deep and firm: "Everyone, do not worry; since we have already raised our army, let us not think of retreating. Though the enemy army is strong, we are not weak!"

"Xiao Er, immediately head toward Xiangcangzhou, send out scouts to ascertain the specific situation of Ruan Chen's grand army; military intelligence is like fire, do not be negligent."

Wu Xiao Er responded, accepted the order, and quickly departed with a serious expression.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu watched him leave, then continued: "Ruan Chen has a grand army of one hundred thousand under his command; we must recruit new soldiers as soon as possible to cope."

"Gou Dan, tomorrow General Tu and I will lead troops to set out; you will remain in the rear and recruit new soldiers to replenish the army numbers with all your might. No matter what means are used, you must recruit an additional thirty thousand before we return."

Li Goudan replied in a rough voice: "Rest assured, Lord; when you return, the new soldiers will definitely be in place!"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu pondered for a moment and nodded firmly: "Now is not the time for benevolence and kindness; softness will only lead to our entire army's destruction. At this critical moment of life and death, even if we must buy and sell by force, we must complete the recruitment task!"

Li Goudan clenched his fist and said: "The Lord's teaching is correct! Your subordinate will certainly not fail in his mission!"

A chilling killing intent shone in Jiang Jiang Mingyu's eyes; he knew that even if recruitment succeeded, his forces would still struggle to fight the enemy army. But now there was no retreat; he could only stake everything on a single throw!

Jiang Jiang Mingyu added: "A great battle is imminent; the city defenses of Asmo Regional Military Commissioner still need reinforcement. Goudan, I entrust the city defense works to you; even if you do not sleep day or night, you must complete the task."

Li Goudan, full of heroic spirit, said: "Lord, please rest assured; even if I have to force myself to stay awake, I will definitely complete the wall works on time and will not delay the overall situation!"

However, Jiang Jiang Mingyu still saw a flicker of worry in his eyes. Jiang Jiang Mingyu himself had no confidence, but he forced his spirits up and encouraged him:

"Although Ruan Chen has many troops, there is no need to worry too much. We few could destroy hundreds of Other Xi Xia iron cavalry; how much more so now that we have tens of thousands of men under our command?"

"Moreover, General Yu is stationed here; his Nine Palaces and Eight Trigrams Great Array once repelled thirty thousand enemy troops with only three thousand men. What can Ruan Chen amount to?"

Hearing Jiang Jiang Mingyu's encouragement, Li Goudan was greatly inspired and declared heroically: "What the Lord says is absolutely right! We are like a sword breaking through bamboo; we will surely defeat Ruan Chen in a great victory! What can this mere enemy army do against our tens of thousands of mighty troops!"

After the soldiers all withdrew, Jiang Jiang Mingyu finally let out a heavy sigh and, exhausted, said to Zhu Ge Yu: "To be honest, I am also anxious about the coming great battle. Ruan Chen is deeply skilled in the art of war; our chances of victory are not great."

Although Jiang Jiang Mingyu had made bold boasts in front of Li Goudan to boost the army's morale, his own heart remained uneasy. He was merely an ordinary person; the talent and wisdom honed after gaining a second chance at life were limited. Once Ruan Chen's blade struck his neck, he would turn into nothing but a bubble.

Zhu Ge Yu's expression was cautious and serious, but Jiang Jiang Mingyu still saw a glimmer of eagerness in his eyes.

"Master, just as you said, we endured the most difficult days in Shangmu; what is there to fear now?" Zhu Ge Yu said in a deep voice: "Since Ruan Chen has already invaded, let him see the methods of me, Zhu Ge Yu!"

Hearing these bold words, Jiang Jiang Mingyu's fighting spirit reignited; he looked at Zhu Ge Yu with burning eyes: "Then, Master, how do you plan to deal with Ruan Chen's grand army?"

A smile curled at the corner of Zhu Ge Yu's lips: "When facing strength, use strategy; when facing weakness, capture them. We will know how to respond after a few exchanges."

Hearing his unhurried manner of speaking, Jiang Jiang Mingyu immediately felt reassured: "In that case, let us first complete the task at hand; tomorrow morning we will march out to break Dongping and Dingtao and consolidate Asmo Regional Military Commissioner!"

Zhu Ge Yu nodded: "Exactly so; only with no worries behind us can I fully unleash my brilliant strategies against the enemy."

A heavy stone fell from Jiang Jiang Mingyu's heart; he lifted his teacup, took a sip, and his spirits recovered.

When Jiang Jiang Mingyu saw Liu Liu Yifei again, her slender brows were still tightly furrowed, and her beautiful eyes were full of worry.

"Jiang Lang, can we win?" she asked softly, her voice like that of a bird startled by a bow.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu pulled Liu Liu Yifei into his embrace; the strong heartbeat in his chest warmed her trembling soul: "Rest assured; I swear to protect your safety with my life." He patiently recounted Zhu Ge Yu's strategic plans to her.

Listening to Jiang Jiang Mingyu's powerful heartbeat, Liu Liu Yifei finally felt slightly relieved. She believed that with Jiang Lang present, she would surely be safe.

At dawn on the second day, the drums of Asmo Regional Military Commissioner's grand army thundered, and flags fluttered in the wind. Jiang Jiang Mingyu heavily patted Li Goudan's shoulder and, with determined eyes, shouted: "Set out!"

He and Tu Tu Kesiluo led two thousand cavalry and galloped toward Dongping. Meanwhile, Lord Lord Murong and Zhang Zhang Jiani also resolutely led two thousand troops to set out and seize Dingtao.

Dongping was not far to the east of Asmo Regional Military Commissioner; it required only one day's journey to arrive. But halfway, a heavy snow began to fall, the visible world turned a vast white, and the marching speed dropped sharply.

"Damn it!" Tu Tu Kesiluo cursed angrily, "Why does such heavy snow have to fall at this very moment!"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu urged the army to speed up, but the heavy snow was truly hard to withstand. Not until noon the next day did the group finally struggle to arrive beneath Dongping City.

And the county magistrate, Lu Kai, had long learned of their approach; the city gates were tightly closed, and the city towers were densely packed with defending troops.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu shouted loudly: "Lu Kai, come out quickly and listen to my words!"

A man with a withered face and dark skin immediately appeared on the city wall.

"Rebel!" he cursed, "Kneel quickly and submit to binding, or be cut to pieces by us!"

"Why not dismount and surrender quickly, saving me from personally cutting you to pieces!" Lu Kai, high above, widened his eyes, his gaze sharp as a knife, his tone extremely arrogant.

Hearing this, Jiang Jiang Mingyu flew into a rage, clenching both fists until the veins bulged, like an angry wild beast. "Lu Kai, do you dare to come out and see what it means to have nowhere to hide!" he ground out through clenched teeth.

Lu Kai sneered and shouted: "Li Li Bailin, lead your men out of the city to capture the rebels; I will grant you the first merit and title!" His laughter was sharp and grating.

A burly man with a steel helmet and bright eyes responded, accepted the order, and shouted loudly: "All defending troops, listen to my command; follow me out of the city to annihilate the rebels!" His voice was like thunder rolling, making people's hearts tremble. The city gates crashed open, and a dark mass of enemy soldiers surged out, radiating killing intent.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu sneered: "So Lu Kai was hiding so many troops after all!" His tone was cold, like the blade of winter's deep cold.

Tu Tu Kesiluo said disdainfully: "Mere defeated soldiers; watch me cut off Lu Kai's dog head!" He squeezed his horse's flanks with both legs, long sword already in hand, and charged straight toward the city like an arrow leaving the string.

"Lu Kai, surrender quickly!" Tu Tu Kesiluo shouted, his voice like a great bell, "Otherwise I will surely make your family perish!"

Lu Kai sneered: "A mere small soldier, dares to be so arrogant?" His laughter was sour and bone-chilling.

Green light flashed in Tu Tu Kesiluo's eyes; he roared and slashed his sword toward Lu Kai: "Laozi wants your life!"

The two armies clashed; blades flashed, swords gleamed, and a bloody wind rained down...

Lu Kai spoke wildly before the ranks, his words filthy and unbearable, enraging Tu Tu Kesiluo. "Jiang Jiang Mingyu, you traitor! You received the court's salary yet betrayed the Emperor's grace; you deserve ten thousand deaths!" His teeth chattered, foam flew from his mouth, "Why not quickly dismount and surrender, perhaps the Emperor will still forgive you! Otherwise, I, Lu Kai, will personally lead the defending troops out of the city and surely cut you to pieces!"

Hearing this, Tu Tu Kesiluo flew into a rage, cold killing intent shining in his eyes. He raised his long sword to charge, but Jiang Jiang Mingyu hurriedly shook his head to stop him: "No need to treat him like an equal; today Lu Kai is destined to face great misfortune!"

But Tu Tu Kesiluo had already cast aside all concerns; his long sword flashed like lightning and thunder through the air, swearing to kill Lu Kai to vent the hatred in his heart! Jiang Jiang Mingyu sighed: "Lu Kai sought death today; I fear he cannot escape a single death."

Tuke Tuke Siluo clamped his legs tight against the warhorse's belly and lunged at Lu Kai like an arrow leaving the bowstring. Lu Kai turned pale with shock and urgently shouted at Li Li Bailin: "Hurry and go, slay this thief for me!"

Li Li Bailin, holding a heavy spear, looked resolute and drove straight for Tuke Tuke Siluo's chest! He longed to gain Lu Kai's heavy reward with this battle merit, greed and ambition flashing in his eyes.

Taking him by surprise, Tuke Tuke Siluo swung his long blade once, and the spear snapped in two with a ring! Li Li Bailin's face instantly changed; clutching the broken spear, he retreated in panic. Tuke Tuke Siluo surged forward, leaped onto Li Li Bailin's shoulder, and then viciously thrust toward his head!

"No—" Li Li Bailin cried out in agony, but it was too late; his head had been severed clean off, the crisp and terrifying sound of flesh and bone parting ringing out.

Witnessing this scene, Lu Kai was so terrified his soul fled his body; he screamed in shock as if the heavens were collapsing and the earth splitting.

Tuke Tuke Siluo kicked Li Li Bailin's corpse aside with one foot and coldly shouted: "Who else dares come to die?" His voice was ruthless, making all enemies tremble with fear. Jiang

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