Chapter 182: Torturing the King Li Goudan

Inside the county yamen.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu and Zhu Ge Yu sat beside a square table, on which stood an oil lamp illuminating their faces.

They were discussing how to deal with Wang Hao, the Inspector of Luoxie City, who had always been Jiang Jiang Mingyu's great enemy.

They had spoken for half a shichen without reaching a decision when they heard someone knocking outside. Jiang Jiang Mingyu put down the sheepskin map in his hand and shouted, "Who is it?"

"It is me, Li Goudan," a rough voice came.

"Come in," Jiang Jiang Mingyu said.

The door was pushed open, and a tall man walked in. He wore a black military uniform, had a scruffy beard, and a cunning look in his eyes. Seeing Jiang Jiang Mingyu and Zhu Ge Yu, he immediately rendered a military salute.

"My lord, that Wang Wang Zhandong has opened his mouth," Li Goudan said.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu wanted to draw Wang Hao's movements and plans from him, but Wang Wang Zhandong had kept his teeth tightly shut and refused to speak.

"So soon?" Jiang Jiang Mingyu asked in surprise.

"What did he say?" Zhu Ge Yu asked curiously as well.

Li Goudan chuckled and said, "Wang Wang Zhandong said that since the last time my lord and Tu Tu Kesiluo killed so many of them, Wang Hao feels his strength has greatly diminished. After reporting the news of our army breaking through Dongping to that grandson Fei Hou, Wang Hao again conscripted five thousand strong men by starlight and night, training day and night. He only waits for Fei Hou's order to come down, then will cooperate with Ruan Chen's troops to conquer the prefectural city. Now Wang Hao already has seven or eight thousand troops in hand; he cannot be underestimated."

After Jiang Jiang Mingyu and Zhu Ge Yu exchanged a glance, both felt a trace of pressure. Although Wang Hao was a nouveau riche, he was not an incompetent person. He had money, grain, people, and land, and had dominated Luoxie for many years.

"This Wang Hao is no one to be trifled with; if we do not destroy him soon, he will be trouble sooner or later," Jiang Jiang Mingyu said coldly.

While nodding, Zhu Ge Yu could not help but ask Li Goudan, "Who was on duty in the great prison? How was the truth extracted so quickly? Could there be a trick?"

"Did the one on duty use severe torture? This matter is of great importance; do not lightly trust Wang Wang Zhandong's words," Zhu Ge Yu added.

Li Goudan chuckled again before speaking, "Today I was on duty; I did not use severe torture, just..."

As he spoke the last words, Li Goudan's old face turned red, which was rare. He lowered his head, daring not to meet the eyes of Jiang Jiang Mingyu and Zhu Ge Yu.

Seeing him like this, Jiang Jiang Mingyu basically understood what had happened. A chill ran through his heart, but he had to admit that Li Goudan's methods were indeed effective.

"Goudan, is your old habit acting up again?" Jiang Jiang Mingyu asked tentatively.

From Li Goudan's appearance, he could judge that the poor Wang Wang Zhandong had probably been subjected to Li Goudan's "re-examination" again. Although this method was cruel, for some people with hearts of iron and stone, it was the most effective punishment.

Before Li Goudan could open his big mouth, Jiang Jiang Mingyu waved his hand. "No need to explain; this time you did right. With this technique, Wang Wang Zhandong would not fail to speak the truth."

Immediately, he warned, "That said, if I discover you are using these dirty thoughts on our own soldiers, you know the consequences."

Seeing that Jiang Jiang Mingyu did not pursue the matter, Li Goudan instantly breathed a sigh of relief. "My lord, rest assured; I know the score, I know the score."

Fortunately, Zhu Ge Yu already knew his strange quirk; while giving a bitter smile, he said no more.

"Master, Goudan has already investigated the true situation of Luoxie City. We can no longer delay; we must send out troops tomorrow," Zhu Ge Yu said in a low voice, standing beside Jiang Jiang Mingyu.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu nodded. He was sitting before a large redwood table, on which lay a map with various colored flags stuck into it. Pointing his finger at the location of Luoxie City, he said, "I think the same. Goudan, go notify Tu Tu Kesiluo to bring ten thousand elite soldiers. Tomorrow I will personally lead the army to attack Luoxie."

Li Goudan stood aside and, hearing these words, felt a stir in his heart. He had recovered from his injuries long ago but had never had the chance to go to battle. He could not help but speak up, "My lord, General Tu always accompanies you in charging into the fray. This time, could you also give your subordinate a chance to Li Xia Da Gong?"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu raised his eyes to look at him, feeling somewhat surprised. Although Li Goudan was a brother who had grown up with him since childhood, his martial arts were mediocre; he was merely a small soldier. Jiang Jiang Mingyu asked, "Luoxie is a prefectural seat, not an ordinary place. There may be fierce generals there. Can you shoulder this heavy responsibility?"

Li Goudan, unwilling to be underestimated, patted his chest and said, "My lord, do not underestimate people. When I was in Shangmu, your subordinate also learned martial arts from General Tu. Although not as good as him, I am more than enough to slaughter ordinary generals!"

Hearing his words, Zhu Ge Yu could not help but smile. He said to Jiang Jiang Mingyu, "Very well, let him go with you. A true treasure blade needs the blood and storm of war to sharpen its edge. Great battles will be frequent in the future; relying solely on Tu Tu Kesiluo is not enough."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu thought for a moment and felt there was reason in this. He said to Li Goudan, "Very well, in this battle you and Xiao Er will accompany me, while Tu Tu Kesiluo will hold the rear to prepare for emergencies. Tomorrow morning, behead Wang Wang Zhandong to sacrifice to the banner and bolster the army's morale."

Hearing Jiang Jiang Mingyu's words, Li Goudan felt a surge of excitement in his heart. He immediately bowed in gratitude and said, "Thank you, my lord, for your deep favor. Your subordinate will certainly not fail your expectations and will Li Xia Da Gong for my lord."

Having finished speaking, he turned to go notify Tu Tu Kesiluo. Jiang Jiang Mingyu called him back and said, "Goudan, do not forget; you are not only my subordinate and disciple but also my brother. If you feel anything is improper, return immediately; do not force yourself."

Li Goudan turned back to look at Jiang Jiang Mingyu, a trace of emotion flashing in his eyes. He said, "My lord, rest assured; I will be careful."

Having finished speaking, he ran out. Jiang Jiang Mingyu watched his back, feeling some worry in his heart. He did not know what result this expedition would bring, but he had already prepared for the worst.

Li Goudan left happily, but Jiang Jiang Mingyu suddenly sighed again. He took a thick stack of silver notes from his bosom and handed them to Zhu Ge Yu. He said, "The Zhu Ge family's assets have been inventoried; I am handing them all over to you now."

Zhu Ge Yu took the silver notes, looked at the map on the table, and felt a pang of sorrow in his heart. He said, "Use them as military rations. The Zhu Ge family's mansion need not be kept; let everything pass."

Seeing his expression, Jiang Jiang Mingyu did not dare to say much more. He knew Zhu Ge Yu was a person with deep feelings, having profound attachment to his own relatives and hometown. But in this chaotic world, some things could not be retrieved.

While Li Goudan went to muster the troops, Liu Liu Yifei was in the Inspector's mansion, speaking with her surviving maternal uncle.

Her uncle was an honest merchant. After being rescued by Jiang Jiang Mingyu from the prefectural city, he had lived in the Inspector's mansion ever since. He was extremely grateful to Jiang Jiang Mingyu and also very caring toward Liu Liu Yifei.

"Little Fei, you have followed Lord Jiang for so long. Has he treated you well?" he asked.

Liu Liu Yifei nodded and said, "Jiang Lang treats me very well and even lets me manage his business."

"That is good, that is good," her uncle smiled. "Lord Jiang is a capable person; you are right to follow him. Just you must take care of your health; do not overwork yourself."

Looking at her uncle's kind eyes, Liu Liu Yifei felt warmth in her heart. She said, "Uncle, rest assured; I will pay attention to resting."

While they were speaking, Jiang Jiang Mingyu walked in. Seeing Liu Liu Yifei with her uncle, he smiled slightly. He walked over and said to her uncle, "Uncle, how is your health today?"

"It is fine, it is fine," her uncle hurriedly rose and clasped his hands, "Thank you, Lord Jiang, for your concern."

"No need for courtesy," Jiang Jiang Mingyu waved his hand. "Uncle, please sit."

Then he turned to Liu Liu Yifei and said, "Tomorrow the great army marches out. Wang Zhe is dead; the business in the city will rely on you and Zhu Ge Yu."

Hearing his words, Liu Liu Yifei could not help but feel surprised. She asked, "What? Fighting again?"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu gave a bitter smile. He said, "If we could live well, who would be willing to fight? We are all forced."

"Wang Hao does not want me to live; how can I let him have his way?"

Early the next morning, in the prefectural city's military camp, sword light flashed. Ten thousand soldiers were fully equipped and ready to depart. Li Goudan and Xiao Er rode on horseback, looking spirited. Jiang Jiang Mingyu stood on a high platform, holding a long sword. He ordered, "Behead Wang Wang Zhandong and display his head."

With a cry of agony, Wang Wang Zhandong's head fell to the ground. Jiang Jiang Mingyu's great army then galloped forth, disappearing into the distance under Liu Liu Yifei's worried gaze.