Chapter 172: Internal Strife

But they had not run far when they saw dust rising in the distance; Tu Tu Kesiluo, Zhu Ge Yu, and Zhang Zhang Jiani were leading a squad of troops rushing toward them. Jiang Jiang Mingyu's heart stirred—could Dingtao have met with trouble as well?

When Tu Tu Kesiluo drew near, they saw his hair was disheveled, his face deathly pale, and his expression filled with anxiety.

After asking breathlessly about Tu Tu Kesiluo's injuries, he said with deep worry, "Asmo Regional Military Commissioner has only two thousand defenders left, and Ruan Chen's great army is already at the city gates. Our only path is to return and reinforce!"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu took a deep breath and said in a low, heavy voice, "Even if the situation is dire, we must return to save Asmo Regional Military Commissioner. Once this place falls, we will never have a chance to turn things around again!" He clenched his fists, his knuckles cracking softly.

"If Liu Liu Yifei or any of them are in danger, Ruan Chen, I will never forgive you." Jiang Jiang Mingyu ground his teeth, his eyes flashing with resolute light.

Zhang Zhang Jiani, standing nearby, also turned pale at the words. Her heart was with her family in the city, and she too understood they must return swiftly. Everyone hearing this nodded heavily, each with a solemn expression.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu immediately dispatched a scout to probe the road back to Huicheng, then ordered the entire army to prepare to retreat to Asmo Regional Military Commissioner at maximum speed. They had to seize every second if there was to be any hope of rescue.

Yet just then, the scout who had just set out came stumbling back. "Re... report, my lord! A force of ten thousand is charging toward us from ten li away. It is likely Ruan Chen's vanguard!" the scout panted.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu and Zhu Ge Yu exchanged a glance; both saw heavy despair in each other's eyes—the tide had turned, and Asmo Regional Military Commissioner had likely already fallen. They immediately understood that their only hope now was to retreat to Dingtao and hold the last line of defense.

The great wheel of fate hung overhead; times were hard, and their chance of survival in this desperate last stand was slim. Yet Jiang Jiang Mingyu had to rally and fight shoulder to shoulder with his soldiers! Even if all hope seemed lost, he vowed to fight the enemy to the death!

Jiang Jiang Mingyu took a deep breath, then resolutely gave the order to retreat to Dingtao. Hearing this, everyone looked up and sighed deeply, but having come this far, they could only seek life through ten thousand deaths!

Just as Jiang Jiang Mingyu and the others were about to turn and break out, a scout galloped up, shouting, "Ahead is our own army! Commander Li is leading them personally!" Hearing this, Jiang Jiang Mingyu was overjoyed and quickly led his men to meet them.

A sliver of setting sun cast heavy twilight; iron cavalry and dust could not be hidden. Li Goudan and Zhang Zhang Jiaqi led their troops galloping forward, dust swirling around them; beneath the sunset, they seemed to carry a trace of helplessness and exhaustion.

Seeing both of them with solemn faces and furrowed brows, Jiang Jiang Mingyu already guessed eight or nine-tenths of the truth.

When the group drew near, Jiang Jiang Mingyu hurriedly asked for the situation. Zhang Zhang Jiaqi let out a long sigh and slowly spoke, "Asmo Regional Military Commissioner has fallen; the defenders have been almost entirely wiped out. We could only flee in panic." Her tone was full of despair and grief.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu's heart felt as though struck by a heavy hammer; his chest tightened as he urgently asked, "Zhang Jiaqi, how is the situation? Where are Liu Yifei and the others?"

The first thing Jiang Jiang Mingyu thought of was Liu Liu Yifei's safety. As long as she was safe, he could endure any blow.

Just as Jiang Jiang Mingyu was growing anxious, a clear female voice suddenly came from behind the fifth squad: "Jiang Lang, I am safe, and Father is well too!" Jiang Jiang Mingyu quickly turned to look and saw Liu Liu Yifei running over with a radiant face. The moment he saw her unharmed, it was as if a thousand-pound burden had been lifted, and he felt lighter by countless degrees.

Only then did he carefully check the injuries of the others. He saw Li Goudan's arm wrapped in thick white cloth, Wu Xiao'er's head bound with blood-stained bandages, and the martial officers all with solemn faces; the severity of the casualties was evident.

Zhang Zhang Jiani finally set her mind at ease, and only after confirming her family was safe did she let out a long breath. Jiang Jiang Mingyu understood everyone's feelings and decided first to lead all of them to the nearby county yamen to settle down and let the soldiers rest properly. That night, Jiang Jiang Mingyu tossed and turned, unable to sleep; his mind kept replaying the scene of the defenders' defeat at Asmo Regional Military Commissioner, and he blamed himself endlessly for his strategic error. He understood that fighting the many with the few was destined to fail; he should have fought to the end, even if it meant perishing together with the enemy, and now he could only feel endless regret.

At dawn, Jiang Jiang Mingyu gathered all the heroes to discuss the next course of action.

Some argued for continuing the fight, others suggested a temporary retreat. Each held their own view; words clashed like spears and swords, and the debate went on without end. After listening quietly for a moment, Jiang Jiang Mingyu slowly rose and said in a low voice, "Do not worry, everyone. The harder the situation, the truer the loyalty. We will fight with bloodied bodies and vow to perish together with the enemy!"

Hearing this, everyone's blood boiled, and they all pledged their loyalty. Liu Liu Yifei also tightened her grip on Jiang Jiang Mingyu's hand, her eyes filled with firm resolve. Jiang Jiang Mingyu knew that with such heroes, they could turn the tide and swear to serve the country unto death!

Just then, the weak Tu Tu Kesiluo asked from behind about everyone's injuries. Li Goudan said bitterly that it was all Zhu Ge Gang, Zhu Ge Yu's elder brother, who had treacherously opened the city gates. Everyone cast accusing glances.

Seeing that the anger of the crowd was hard to quell, Zhang Zhang Jiaqi shouted, "Stop! Ruan Chen's great army is only twenty li away. Are you still going to quarrel among yourselves? Do you not even want your lives?"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu agreed with Zhang Zhang Jiaqi and ordered everyone to quickly head to Dingtao for temporary refuge. On the way, Li Goudan described to Jiang Jiang Mingyu the full sequence of this disastrous defeat:

It turned out that when the scout brought news of Ruan Chen's approach, it was already too late. Li Goudan and Wu Xiao'er held the city gates; Ruan Chen led an army of eighty thousand to besiege the city. The defenders suffered heavy casualties but finally drove the enemy back outside the walls. Who would have thought that Zhu Ge Gang opened the city gates at midnight? Had it not been for Wu Xiao'er's alertness in leading a breakout, the entire force would have been wiped out.

They had not only lost nearly ten thousand men, but Ruan Chen also left twenty thousand to maintain the siege and personally led sixty thousand in pursuit. After a day of bitter fighting, they had finally managed to temporarily shake off the pursuers.

Zhu Ge Yu asked in disbelief, "Was it really my elder brother who opened the city gates?" His brows were tightly furrowed, and disappointment and pain shone in his eyes.

Li Goudan said angrily, "In front of so many people, would I have any reason to slander your own brother?" He ground his teeth, his fists clenched tightly. "This was Ruan Chen's own words on the spot! If not for Miss Zhang holding the rear, we would have long since perished!"

"Wu Xiao'er's head wound—if it had been an inch to the side, his soul would have scattered! Zhu Ge Yu, you look respectable on the surface, but in secret you had already arranged your escape route. If the lord had won, you would have rebelled; we would be dead, and you could return to serve as a lackey of the Fei Marquis!" He spat these words in hatred, then suddenly spat forcefully in Zhu Ge Yu's face.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu shouted to stop him, "Zhu Ge Yu has long since severed ties with the Zhu Ge family; this matter has nothing to do with him. Do not speak recklessly!" His expression was stern, his tone resolute.

Li Goudan refused to obey and said angrily, "I knew he was colluding with Zhu Ge Gang! Do not shield him any longer!" As he spoke, he tried to move forward again but was held back by those beside him.

Zhu Ge Yu gave a bitter smile. "I know no matter how I explain, you will not believe me. Once we reach Dingtao, I will give you an answer." His eyes were sorrowful, yet his tone firm.

Seeing that persuasion would not work, Jiang Jiang Mingyu could only shake his head and sigh, temporarily ordering Li Goudan to drop the matter...

Jiang Jiang Mingyu and his party, covered in dust and weary, finally entered Dingtao City late at night.

Dingtao City. As for Ruan Chen behind them, it was unknown whether he had lost their trail or was about to arrive at the city gates.

Glancing at the night around them, Jiang Jiang Mingyu said in a low voice, "Send scouts out of the city to locate Ruan Chen's great army and report back quickly."

"We still have over thirty thousand people. Divide them into two shifts to guard the city tightly. This concerns life and death; proceed with caution." Tu Tu Kesiluo, having recovered somewhat, rose to his feet leaning on his long sword.

"My lord, go and discuss the strategy to repel the enemy with Mr. Zhu Ge and Lord Lord Murong. Leave the city defense to me and Zhang Jiani."

Zhang Zhang Jiaqi, who was always proud and tsundere, not only did not object but nodded heavily.

Hearing the name Zhu Ge Yu, Li Goudan under the firelight snorted coldly again. "First inviting the wolf into the house, then trying to drive the enemy away—how ridiculous."

Hearing this, Zhu Ge Yu drew the dagger at his waist and slashed a bloody cross across his own face.

He shouted loudly, "Master, brothers all, I, Zhu Ge Yu, swear in blood that this matter truly has nothing to do with me."

"Since the Zhu Ge family acted without benevolence first, when we one day retake the provincial capital, whatever punishment you mete out, I... will have no complaints."

After speaking the last few words, he seemed to have all the strength instantly drained from his body.

Had it not been for Zhu Ge Gang committing such an act against heaven and humanity, even if banished from the family, Zhu Ge Yu would not have become so cold-blooded.

Watching the bloodied cross Zhu Ge Yu had drawn, Jiang Jiang Mingyu felt a pang of sorrow in his heart.

He knew Zhu Ge Yu was innocent, yet he could not quell the resentment of the crowd.

He said softly, "Zhu Ge Yu, you need not do this. You are my disciple, and I believe in your loyalty."

Zhu Ge Yu raised his head, a flicker of gratitude passing through his eyes. He said with difficulty, "Master, thank you for your trust. Although I share blood ties with Zhu Ge Gang, I have never colluded with him in any way. His actions are something I deeply detest."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu nodded; he believed Zhu Ge Yu's words.

He turned and swept a cold gaze around the circle. In a sharp voice, he declared, "I will say it once more: this matter has nothing to do with Zhu Ge Yu. Whoever dares to point fingers at him again, do not blame me for being unforgiving!"

Li Goudan gritted his teeth and dared not say another word.

He still felt dissatisfied with Zhu Ge Yu, but he also knew Jiang Jiang Mingyu's authority could not be challenged.

He could only suppress his anger in his heart and wait for an opportunity to take revenge.

After settling Liu Liu Yifei and the others, Jiang Jiang Mingyu walked over to Zhu Ge Yu and sighed deeply.

He said softly, "Zhu Ge Yu, come with me." Having spoken, he led Zhu Ge Yu into a room.