Chapter 180: Bidding Conference

At this moment, the morale of Shang Mu's soldiers was soaring, while the provincial troops were shaken and at a loss. The scent of blood permeated the battlefield, where the enemy's roars intertwined with the groans of the wounded.

Zhang Zhang Jiani and Zhang Zhang Jiaqi were like two ruthless Valkyries; they pursued Pang Pang Sihai mercilessly, felling his subordinates one by one as autumn wind sweeps away fallen leaves. Blood and death intertwined on the battlefield, leaving behind chaos and disaster.

Amidst the panic, Pang Pang Sihai's military uniform was soaked with sweat, his anxiety and fear impossible to conceal on his face. His soldiers fell one after another, leaving only five hundred and some odd men surrounding him. One soldier trembled as he asked, "Commandant, the brothers are all dead. What shall we do?" Sweating profusely, Pang Pang Sihai saw that Jiang Jiang Mingyu had not pursued them, feeling a slight relief. He bit his lower lip tightly and replied, "Return to the provincial city first. I will beg Your Majesty for reinforcements and mobilize a larger army to exterminate these rebels!"

Deep regret filled his heart; if he had listened to Commandant Ruan's advice earlier, the situation might not have been so dire. He led his remaining soldiers on a difficult march, finally reaching the foot of the provincial city. He shouted loudly, "Open the gate, people on the wall! I am Pang Pang Sihai!"

However, a world-shaking change descended once again. Before he could wait for the city gate to open, he saw Tu Tu Kesiluo approaching with light steps. The corners of his mouth turned up, his eyes gleaming with mockery and triumph. He laughed, "Fei Hou's lackey, listen well! While you were attacking my army, I have already seized this city!"

Pang Pang Sihai looked at him in shock; his words were like a sharp sword piercing straight to his heart. "The trash under your command has all been captured and slaughtered by me! Why not dismount and surrender immediately?" Tu Tu Kesiluo's words threatened him, his gaze cold and resolute.

In truth, Zhu Ge Yu had long guessed Pang Pang Sihai's plan and meticulously orchestrated a double ambush. He and Tu Tu Kesiluo led soldiers to secretly seize the provincial city, annihilating the entire garrison.

Pang Pang Sihai felt his world collapse. "This is impossible! Where are my five thousand soldiers?" His voice was nearly a shout, his eyes filled with disbelief and despair. Tu Tu Kesiluo sneered, "If you do not surrender immediately, you shall breathe your last today!"

One soldier trembled as he advised, "Commandant, the situation is lost. Let us flee quickly!" Pang Pang Sihai suddenly realized, snapping back to his senses instantly, and immediately turned to run. Only one thought occupied his mind: to preserve his own life. His steps grew faster and faster until they became a wild sprint.

Pang Pang Sihai had not run far when Jiang Jiang Mingyu suddenly appeared ahead, smiling as he said, "Jiang Mou, I have been waiting for a long time."

Pang Pang Sihai's forehead buzzed with a "Weng" sound. Before he could speak, Zhang Zhang Jiani's short dagger pressed against his chest.

"Do not move!"

With a piercing scream, the last five hundred men under Pang Pang Sihai were completely wiped out.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu said coldly, "Bind him. Tomorrow, execute him publicly to avenge the fallen officers and soldiers!"

Pang Pang Sihai, ashen as dead ash, was dragged into the city. Jiang Jiang Mingyu finally stepped into the provincial city, so happy he slapped his thigh, even letting out a curse.

At dawn, Pang Pang Sihai's head fell to the ground, and Jiang Jiang Mingyu smiled brilliantly. At this moment, Li Goudan, whose arm was still in a sling, walked over and said:

"My Lord, I found Commandant Ruan's head. These beasts acted quickly and buried them all. I had to dig them out with great effort."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu glanced at it and ordered, "Send the heads of Ruan Chen and the other on fast horses to Jingcheng, so Fei Hou can see my gift! Also tell him that if he wants to destroy me, Jiang Jiang Mingyu, he can send an army anytime; I will not let a single one escape!"

Having spoken, he laughed heartily, radiating killing intent. The clouds parted and the fog cleared this night; the provincial city has returned to our hands!

The great cause of revenge and retribution is already half completed. Jiang Jiang Mingyu will never let anyone obstruct his great undertaking! Amidst the bloody flames of war, he displayed endless ambition and determination.

After sending the heads away, Li Goudan looked at the scars on Zhu Ge Yu's face and said in a deep voice:

"My Lord, Commandant Ruan has been eliminated. Should we not settle old scores now?"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu understood what he meant. Zhu Ge Yu had established considerable merit; if his entire family were easily exterminated, it would be difficult to satisfy the army.

A flicker of struggle crossed Zhu Ge Yu's face. After a long while, he spoke hoarsely, "Master, my father and the head of the Zhu Ge family deserved to die ten thousand times over. Please handle it as you see fit. The entire army knows this matter; if Zheng Fa is not carried out, the hearts of the people will surely be in chaos."

Having spoken, he sighed deeply and left without looking back.

Seeing his resolute attitude, Jiang Jiang Mingyu no longer hesitated: "Goudan, take the Zhu Ge family to the main camp. Lingchi... no, execute them by beheading under Zheng Fa, to avoid affecting morale."

Li Goudan nodded heavily, sighed, and left. Shortly thereafter, Zhu Ge Yu's entire family was beheaded.

At this time, Wu Xiaoer came to report: "My Lord, Wang Zhe is already dead. His head has been sent to Jingcheng, and his bones have been burned."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu had already guessed this outcome. Even without other reasons, Fei Hou would not let Wang Zhe go.

After pondering for a moment, he ordered, "Go to Dingtao to fetch Liu Liu Yifei back. Once the chaos is settled, commerce must continue; the livelihood of the people is paramount."

Wu Xiaoer left to convey the order, while the Zhu Ge family suffered the tragedy of a full-family execution...

When Jiang Jiang Mingyu stepped into the Inspector's residence, he saw Zhu Ge Yu sitting alone under the corridor, holding a large wine jar, pouring cup after cup into his mouth. His already unattractive face was covered with hideous scars, messy hair obscured his eyes, and combined with the smell of alcohol all over him, he looked decadent and downcast.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu sat opposite him, watched him silently for a while, and slowly spoke: "Disciple, everything is concluded. You need not blame yourself."

Zhu Ge Yu looked up at him once, smiled bitterly, "Yes, it is all concluded. The Zhu Ge family was destroyed by my own hand." Having spoken, he tilted his head back and took a large gulp of wine. His Adam's apple moved up and down, but he could not swallow, choking and coughing instead.

Seeing him in this state, Jiang Jiang Mingyu could not help but feel pity. When he spoke again, his tone was a few degrees softer: "Disciple, the road of life is long; we are all passersby. Why not look at it more openly?"

Zhu Ge Yu put down the wine jar and smiled self-mockingly: "Look lightly? I am now an orphan. What is there to be unable to let go of? I only want to drink more wine and think less."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu sighed, no longer trying to persuade him, and simply asked softly, "Disciple, what are your plans for the future?"

Zhu Ge Yu pondered for a moment, finally coming to his senses, and said, "What does Master have in mind?"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu pondered for a moment and slowly spoke: "The most urgent matter now is to restore business in the city and raise military funds. Although we intercepted Commandant Ruan's military supplies, warfare is frequent, and we still need silver."

Due to the Ruan army's invasion, the previous bidding work had stalled. Now that spring is approaching, to sell the glass at the best price, we must seize the time.

Hearing this, Zhu Ge Yu nodded: "Correct. Seeking military funds before using force. Let us discuss business first."

Having spoken, the two immediately began discussing the grand strategy for business.

On the third day after successfully seizing the city, Jiang Jiang Mingyu's bidding proclamation was posted. It contained words like "Bidding" and "Agent," sparking heated discussion among the merchants in the city:

"Can anyone explain what this document means?"

"Explain what? If my lord Jiang Da Ren speaks, we simply obey. He will not treat us poorly!"

"But not necessarily. Perhaps he plots to seize our family wealth. We must be careful."

"If my lord Jiang Da Ren wants money, he can just rob us directly. Why bother with this bidding? This is a money-making opportunity. I must go and see."

"Be careful. Disaster falls from the sky. If we follow rebels, what if the court holds us accountable?"

"The court? Commandant Ruan led a hundred thousand soldiers and was defeated. What can the court hope for? Only my lord Jiang Da Ren has the final say!"

"Exactly. Better to offend the court than to offend my lord Jiang Da Ren!"

The voices of discussion rose and fell; the hearts of the people had already inclined towards supporting Jiang Jiang Mingyu.

The merchants unanimously recognized his authority and decision-making ability, willing to risk offending the court to follow Jiang Jiang Mingyu. They believed Jiang Jiang Mingyu could bring them greater benefits.