Chapter 177: Kill Our Way Back

While everyone was busy, Liu Yi fei walked over slowly, her dark circles starkly highlighting her exhaustion.

Her steps were unsteady, her eyes bloodshot, her once-beautiful face now gaunt and worn. She had clearly not slept all night, sitting beside the bed, staring blankly out the window at the bright moon, her mind filled entirely with worry over Jiang Mingyu's safety.

Jiang Mingyu saw Liu Yi fei's condition and his heart clenched; he immediately asked with concern: "Yi fei, what's wrong? Didn't you sleep all night?"

Liu Yi fei let out a soft sigh and nodded: "I simply couldn't sleep. You led the army deep into enemy territory—I'm so terrified my heart feels like it's about to leap out of my throat."

She gripped Jiang Mingyu's rough hand, her eyes brimming with anxiety: "Jiang Lang, can you please stop acting so recklessly? I can't bear to go through this fear and worry again."

Jiang Mingyu embraced Liu Yi fei tenderly, whispering softly: "I don't want to take risks either, but circumstances force me to lead the troops personally to boost morale. Don't worry—I will return safely."

Liu Yi fei buried her face in Jiang Mingyu's chest, tears soaking his robe. After a long while, she lifted her head, eyes red, and asked: "How have my father and Uncle Zhang been these past days? Were they frightened? Did anything happen to them?"

Jiang Mingyu replied gently: "Don't worry—they were only frightened, but they're perfectly safe now."

Hearing this, Liu Yi fei exhaled slightly in relief. But her expression quickly turned anxious again: "I have another uncle in Yasmudu—I wonder how he is now?"

Jiang Mingyu understood her worry and comforted her: "Rest assured, Zhu Ge Gang doesn't know your uncle and won't target ordinary soldiers or civilians. Your uncle is probably fine."

He then spoke with sudden firmness: "Even if Ruan Chen dares to harm your uncle so much as a single hair, I'll make Zhu Ge Gang and all the civilians of Yasmudu pay with their lives! I won't show mercy!"

A cold glint flashed in Jiang Mingyu's eyes—he longed to tear Ruan Chen into pieces. And then there was Wang Zhe, who had betrayed him and conspired with the enemy; the thought that Wang Zhe might already be dead at Ruan Chen's hands sent another wave of anguish through him.

At that moment, Liu Yi fei said anxiously: "Jiang Lang, I know you're upset, but seeking justice through vengeance is not the way. We need tolerance and reason, not hatred."

Jiang Mingyu knew Liu Yi fei was right; he forced himself to calm down and said: "You're right—I was too impulsive. We need to unite people and defeat the enemy, not deepen hatred. Don't worry—I'll act with caution, according to the situation."

Jiang Mingyu's eyes gleamed coldly as he suddenly remembered: his ally Wang Zhe was also in Yasmudu. Given Fe Hou's hatred, he likely had Wang Zhe torn apart long ago.

At dusk, the sun sank slowly, painting the sky in fiery hues of crimson. As Jiang Mingyu stepped out of the county magistrate's office, he saw Tu Kesiluo leading a group of soldiers, hauling wagon after wagon of grain into the city.

"Big Brother, we've brought back all the grain from Ruan Chen's camp! That bastard had stockpiles upon stockpiles—we've recovered enough to see us through the spring famine!" Tu Kesiluo grinned as he stepped forward happily.

Jiang Mingyu strode up to the grain carts, grabbed a handful of grain, and examined it closely—it was indeed high-quality grain.

He was overjoyed, praising repeatedly: "Excellent! Tu Kesiluo, you've done well! This grain will sustain our army for a long time. With this supply as our foundation, we'll fight with far greater confidence."

Tu Kesiluo scratched his head, slightly embarrassed: "Big Brother, you flatter us—it's our duty. Everyone works hard to ensure the soldiers are fed."

Jiang Mingyu nodded approvingly, commending Tu Kesiluo for his excellent work. The acquisition of this grain had greatly boosted morale.

Jiang Mingyu smiled and patted Tu Kesiluo on the shoulder, then ordered his men to transport the grain first to the granaries outside the city. Everyone immediately sprang into action, unloading the carts and carrying the grain to storage.

Yet Jiang Mingyu also considered the civilians' needs. He instructed Tu Kesiluo: "Send a few men to find out which elderly, weak, sick, or disabled in the city need aid most—I'll allocate part of the military grain to relieve them. We can't give to everyone, but at least ensure the vulnerable aren't starving."

Tu Kesiluo immediately acted, sending men to investigate the plight of the poor. Jiang Mingyu also told Liu Yi fei: "Grain is primarily for military needs, but we must help the most desperate civilians as much as we can."

Liu Yi fei nodded, praising Jiang Mingyu's benevolence. After securing military supplies, Jiang Mingyu deliberately set aside a portion of grain, which Liu Yi fei distributed to the poorest families. Though imperfect, it was better than letting them starve.

Jiang Mingyu understood: the people are the foundation of the state. While fighting to defend his homeland, he also did his utmost to care for their livelihoods—this was true benevolent governance, earning the people's full support and devotion.

Time passed swiftly; before long, three days had quietly slipped away.

That morning, Jiang Mingyu stood before the county magistrate's gate, gazing at the troops lined up and ready to march, his heart swelling with emotion. Days of preparation and training had greatly strengthened morale—now the army stood poised to strike and reclaim the provincial capital.

Jiang Mingyu took a deep breath and called over a middle-aged scholar in a blue robe with a thick beard.

"Qingping, I entrust Dingtao County to you. Govern it well, care for the people." Jiang Mingyu said solemnly.

This man was Nie Qingping, former scribe of Shangmu Garrison, appointed interim county magistrate after Zhu Ge Yu captured Dingtao. Jiang Mingyu, impressed by his diligence and competence, had promoted him directly to official county magistrate.

"My lord, rest assured—I will serve the people wholeheartedly and not disappoint you," Nie Qingping replied with a bow, his eyes gleaming with determination.

Jiang Mingyu nodded in satisfaction, then turned to Liu Yi fei and her father, Liu Yongjian, standing nearby.

"Yi fei, you and your father, along with Uncle Zhang's family, will stay here for now. I'll send someone to fetch you once I've retaken the provincial capital." He whispered gently.

Liu Yi fei nodded urgently, eyes red: "Jiang Lang, you must return safely—I'll wait for you always."

Jiang Mingyu held her hand and whispered: "Don't worry—I will come back."

With that, he mounted his horse and shouted to his troops: "Bring Ruan Chen! We ride! Kill our way back! Retake the provincial capital!"

The soldiers roared with fiery passion, their cries echoing across the sky. Ruan Chen, his hands bound behind his back, walked listlessly at the front.

After days of struggle, Ruan Chen had grown calm, resigned to his inevitable death. Since he would perish soon anyway, why not spend his remaining days in quiet acceptance?

Jiang Mingyu rode atop his horse, his gaze burning toward the horizon. At last, he was about to fulfill his grand ambition: reclaiming his homeland and ending this chaos! Thinking of the people who had suffered sleepless nights, now on the brink of peace, he felt both comfort and exhilaration.

"Jiang Lang, please be careful!" Liu Yi fei watched the army depart from the city wall, her hands clenched tightly, her heart trembling. Jiang Mingyu took a deep breath, reined his horse around, fixed his eyes on Liu Yi fei for a long moment, then spurred his mount forward.

The army marched forward in great force, soon vanishing beyond the horizon.

Liu Yi fei stared at the sunlit grassland, unable to calm her thoughts.

She knew: her and Jiang Mingyu's future rested entirely on the outcome of this battle to reclaim the city.