Chapter 186: Post-Battle Consolidation

The streets of Luoxie City were utterly silent.

The surrendered soldiers huddled like rats cornered to extinction beneath the city walls, awaiting their final judgment.

Their eyes held no spark, only fear and despair.

They knew they had no way out—only to be slaughtered at will.

"My lord, what shall we do with these surrendered troops? Recruit them or…?" Tukesiluo asked in a low voice, his tone tinged with reluctance.

Jiang Mingyu stood high above, gazing down at these pitiful lives.

His face showed no expression, only cold eyes.

He smiled faintly, then spoke: "Sacrifice them to Xiao Er. Leave none alive."

Tukesiluo was startled, blurting out: "My lord, these are over a thousand men—they've laid down their arms. The old saying goes: killing surrenderers brings ill fortune. This…"

Though he had killed countless men, he was not a bloodthirsty butcher.

Jiang Mingyu feigned a sigh and said: "I too wish to spare them—but think of Xiao Er."

He had sworn vengeance for Xiao Er; he would make every soul in Luoxie City pay.

"If we spare them, they will become a future threat. Still…" Before he could finish, a surrendered soldier cried out from the crowd: "If my lord spares us, we swear we will never rebel! We never meant to oppose you—this was all forced upon us by the Inspector… Wang Hao!"

Others joined in: "Yes! We are all law-abiding sons of good families!"

"Please, my lord, spare us!"

"We had no choice! If we refused Wang Hao, not just us—but our families too—would be killed!"

"… "

Watching them bang their heads against the ground, Jiang Mingyu smiled faintly.

He knew every word they spoke was true—but he felt no pity.

In his eyes, they were all guilty men who deserved their fate.

They had chosen to betray their nation and their kin; they must bear the consequences.

"Very well," he said. "Enlist them all into my army. Any man who shows the slightest sign of rebellion—his entire unit will be executed."

Seeing Jiang Mingyu relent, the thousand surrendered soldiers let out a collective sigh of relief.

They believed they had been saved—unaware this was merely Jiang Mingyu's ploy.

In truth, Jiang Mingyu had never intended to kill them; his forces were limited, and every recruit counted.

As for their earlier insults—each side fought for its master; there was no blame to assign.

He merely wished to instill fear, so they would obey without question.

With the surrendered troops leading the way, Jiang Mingyu entered Luoxie City with ease.

Luoxie City was an ancient place, once a thriving hub.

Under Wang Hao's rule, it had become a hell.

Houses had been burned or torn down; streets were littered with corpses and bloodstains; the air reeked of decay and wailing.

The city's civilians had been treated like livestock—driven, slaughtered at whim.

Some were burned alive; others skinned alive; some had their eyes gouged out; others had their tongues cut out…

These inhuman acts were done by Wang Hao to please the envoy of the Marquis Fei.

He sought to prove his loyalty and cruelty, hoping to earn the Marquis's trust and reward.

Seeing it all, Jiang Mingyu's heart swelled with rage and sorrow.

"My lord, what shall we do with all the oil we brought?" Li Goudan suddenly asked.

To storm Luoxie City, he had led a detachment on a day-and-night march to steal dozens of barrels of oil from a nearby arms depot.

He had planned to set fire to the gates or walls—but the gates were left ajar, and no soldiers guarded the ramparts.

Thus, the oil went unused.

Jiang Mingyu thought for a moment, then said: "Leave it at the camp. It may prove useful someday."

He knew oil was a precious military resource, vital in warfare.

He would not waste it—perhaps it would be decisive in the next siege or defense.

Jiang Mingyu and Tukesiluo stepped through the gates of the Inspector's mansion—the sight before them stole their breath. Golden halls rose in splendor, bathed in brilliant sunlight like jeweled palaces, radiating opulence. Wall murals depicted exquisite patterns and mythic legends; jade pillars inlaid with gems glowed with enchanting light.

Jiang Mingyu silently deduced: behind such extravagance lay the exploitation and plunder of the people. He knew well—Wang Hao, like all corrupt officials, had amassed this wealth from the blood and sweat of the common folk.

Beside him, Li Goudan snorted, sneering: "This wealth was stolen from the people's blood and sweat! Killing a traitor like Wang Hao is a blessing for all under heaven!"

Jiang Mingyu was unmoved by the luxury's evil origins—his thoughts were fixed on the treasury's stockpiles of grain, coin, and military supplies. He immediately ordered his officers to seize control of the camp and the treasury, to calm the people and ensure no supplies were wasted.

The next morning, Tukesiluo reported gleefully: "My lord, the stores here far surpass those in the provincial capital—just the silver alone could fund a new army for a full year!"

Jiang Mingyu felt joy, nodding slightly in satisfaction. He knew securing military funds was vital for the great cause ahead. He had already sent Zhang Jiani to expand the army in the provincial capital—these riches would be indispensable.

Yet Jiang Mingyu knew well: the so-called "recruitment" was merely conscription of able-bodied youths. These men joined only to survive—no loyalty, no faith. But Jiang Mingyu was long accustomed to this method; he had no better option.

For these soldiers, as long as they knew Jiang Mingyu was a bold and cunning commander, they would follow him faithfully, seeking survival together. Jiang Mingyu firmly believed: only unity could carry them through this desperate hour.

The next day, Jiang Mingyu entrusted Li Goudan with recruiting soldiers and hurried back to the provincial capital. He knew: once news of Ruan Chen's death reached the Marquis Fei, new troops would be sent to attack.

The most urgent task now was to seize Chu Yun and Lingna prefectures, then advance on Cangzhou City. Only as a feudal lord could Jiang Mingyu hope to stand against the Marquis Fei.

The provincial capital lay just ahead; Jiang Mingyu spurred his horse forward. Though brief, this journey was a crucial step toward his grand design. He could already see the dawn of victory—if he pressed harder, he would grow as strong as peach, bamboo, pine, and cypress. A firm resolve surged within him: with a vast army at his command, he would ascend the peak of the heavens themselves!