Chapter 188: Fire Burns Chu Yun City

"What is gunpowder?" Tukesiluo asked in surprise.

Jiang Mingyu said, "There's a substance called saltpeter in salt; mix it with sulfur and charcoal, and you can make gunpowder. Gunpowder can be used to forge guns and cannons to strike enemies."

"Really?" Tukesiluo asked. "My lord, where did you learn this?"

"I read about it in an ancient book," Jiang Mingyu replied evasively—he certainly couldn't tell Tukesiluo he was a reincarnator.

"Have you tried it?" Tukesiluo asked. "Can you guarantee this method works?"

"Of course I've tried it," Jiang Mingyu said. "I'm not just speaking blindly. Look, I have this on me."

He pulled from his robe a small iron tube, with a wooden handle and a trigger, and a wooden plug beneath.

"What is this?" Tukesiluo asked.

"It's a new type of firearm I designed myself," Jiang Mingyu said. "It's far lighter than our current guns, with greater range and power. Would you like to try it?"

"Of course," Tukesiluo said. "Show me quickly."

Jiang Mingyu handed the firearm to Tukesiluo, then pointed to one end of the iron tube. "This is where you load the gunpowder and bullet. First pour in the powder, then pack in the bullet and seal it with the wooden plug. That's all."

"Then how do you ignite it?" Tukesiluo asked.

"Look at this trigger," Jiang Mingyu said. "It's connected to a small hammer with a flint. When you pull the trigger, the hammer strikes the flint, creating a spark. The spark ignites a small hole in the tube, where a fine fuse lies. The fuse carries the flame to the gunpowder, causing an explosion that fires the bullet."

"I see," Tukesiluo said. "Then let's try it now."

"Alright," Jiang Mingyu said. "But we need a safe place—don't hurt anyone."

They found an open field. Jiang Mingyu taught Tukesiluo how to load and fire the gun. They drew a target on the ground and stood several steps away, aiming at it.

"Ready?" Jiang Mingyu asked.

"Ready," Tukesiluo said.

"Fire," Jiang Mingyu said.

Tukesiluo pulled the trigger. A loud "bang" echoed. Thick black smoke burst from the tube, and a lead ball shot out, striking the target.

"Hah!" Tukesiluo laughed. "I hit it! I hit it!"

"See?" Jiang Mingyu said. "That's the power of gunpowder. What do you think?"

"Amazing!" Tukesiluo said. "This gun is far superior to what we've used. It's light, fast, and deadly accurate. If we had these guns, we could defeat any enemy."

The north wind howled. Jiang Mingyu raised his hand, and twenty thousand troops surged forward. Their target: Chu Yun City, the towering, impregnable fortress. Jiang Mingyu sighed inwardly—this city would not fall easily.

Half an hour later, they reached the city walls. Banners fluttered atop the ramparts; the defenders stood ready. Tukesiluo shouted impatiently toward the battlements: "Go tell Zheng Xu my lord has arrived! Order him to open the gates and surrender at once—or we'll burn the city down!"

Tukesiluo was Jiang Mingyu's trusted general, a formidable warrior with a fiery temper. As he shouted, he swung his great sword, imposing and fierce. The soldiers below echoed his cries: "Zheng Xu, come out! Zheng Xu, come out!"

Zheng Xu, the chubby middle-aged Inspector of Chu Yun, slowly climbed the tower upon hearing the insults. He glanced at the opposing army, then smirked.

"Oh, so it's Jiang Mingyu," he said with disdain. "I thought it was someone else—turns out it's just that rebel."

"Jiang Mingyu, do you remember when you sold me those inferior coal briquettes at rock-bottom prices and ruined me? You're a shameless scoundrel!"

"If I'd known back then you were a traitor in the making, I'd have killed you on the spot. Too bad—you've grown bold now."

"I hear you've taken two of the four commanderies of Cangzhou? Impressive! Too bad you've met Chu Yun City."

"Chu Yun City isn't some backwater ruin. It has strong walls, loyal soldiers, and a wise Inspector. You think you can break through? Dream on!"

"And Jiang Mingyu, I advise you to take your rabble and leave now. Otherwise, I'll order my archers to fire."

With that, Zheng Xu waved his hand. Behind him, soldiers nocked arrows. A chorus of metallic scraping echoed sharply in the cold wind.

Jiang Mingyu, sensing danger, stepped back. Tukesiluo, enraged, leapt forward.

"Zheng Xu! You ungrateful dog! My brother treats you with courtesy, and you repay him with insolence! If you've got guts, come out and fight me one-on-one—I'll cut off your head!"

Zheng Xu burst into laughter.

"Tukesiluo, I've heard of your reputation. You're a skilled fighter—I won't deny that. But you've chosen the wrong master. You're a traitor to the state."

"You want me to come out and fight you? Ha! I'm not that foolish. I'll hold Chu Yun City until your supplies run out and your morale collapses—then I'll strike and wipe you all out."

"Zheng Xu, you coward! Do you even deserve to be Inspector of Chu Yun? You'd be better off handing the city to my brother—save yourself the shame of being called a useless waste who sits on a throne but does nothing!"

Tukesiluo grew angrier with each insult; his soldiers shouted louder. Zheng Xu remained unmoved, replying calmly:

"Tukesiluo, stop wasting your breath. I won't be provoked by your taunts. Mock me all you like—I won't leave the city. What can you do?"

Zheng Xu knew his plan well. He had ordered civilians and livestock evacuated from outside the walls, leaving Jiang Mingyu facing empty land. He had stockpiled vast supplies of grain and weapons, ready to hold out to the last.

He believed Jiang Mingyu couldn't sustain a long siege. His food would run out. His men would grow restless. Then Zheng Xu would lead his troops out and annihilate the rebels. That was his strategy.

Tukesiluo, seething, was about to hurl more insults when Zhang Jiani pulled him back.

"Enough," Zhang Jiani said. "He's a pig that doesn't fear boiling water. Yelling won't change anything—save your strength." Zhang Jiani was Tukesiluo's wife and his deputy commander—fiery in temperament, but more level-headed than he.

She turned to Jiang Mingyu, who frowned in silence. "Zheng Xu is too cunning. He refuses to leave the city. What do we do?"

The cold wind howled. Jiang Mingyu stood beneath the walls and gave a bitter smile.

He looked up at the towering battlements, knowing his current force couldn't breach them. All around him, his officers waited for his command. Jiang Mingyu drew a deep breath and said firmly: "Chu Yun City is too high to storm now. We'll retreat ten li, set up camp, and I'll need time to devise a strategy. We won't abandon this. I will find a way to take the city."

Though disappointed, the soldiers obeyed, turning their mounts and withdrawing slowly. Above, Zheng Xu laughed loudly: "So, Jiang Mingyu, you're leaving? I thought you meant to storm Chu Yun City!"

Zheng Xu's mocking voice, loud and cruel, stoked Jiang Mingyu's fury. Tukesiluo clenched his fists and growled: "That bastard—I'll kill him with my own hands when we take the city!"

Beside him, Zhang Jiani frowned impatiently. "Stop talking nonsense. Can your rage burn down Chu Yun City?"

"Fire?" Jiang Mingyu's eyes lit up. Yes—fire! He had an idea.

Jiang Mingyu quickly pulled Tukesiluo aside, who was still bowing his head in apology. "The fire oil we prepared for Luoxie—do we still have it?"

Remembering how Luoxie City had escaped destruction, Jiang Mingyu grew more determined than ever to make Zheng Xu suffer the agony of a burning city.

Tukesiluo's face brightened with a wide grin. "We still have it! You told me to keep it on hand, so I brought it along. I'd have forgotten entirely if it weren't for that bastard Zheng Xu making me so angry!"

Zhang Jiani kept scolding Tukesiluo for his incompetence, but Jiang Mingyu smiled and said: "Follow the original plan. Third watch tonight—burn Chu Yun City."

"This time, I don't believe Chu Yun City has any hidden traps!" Jiang Mingyu clenched his fist, his gaze resolute.

The camp buzzed with activity. Soldiers ate, drank, and prepared to march.

Jiang Mingyu, Tukesiluo, and Zhang Jiani stood outside the tent, waiting. Night fell. The wind rose. Tukesiluo checked the direction and said: "My lord, the wind blows straight toward Chu Yun City. Tonight, we'll succeed."

Jiang Mingyu nodded and smiled. "Good. Follow the plan. Take the fire oil wagons ahead. I'll follow with Jiani. When you reach the walls, ignite the oil—I'll lead the main force into the city."

At that moment, hurried footsteps approached. A soldier rushed in, shouting: "My lord! Disaster!"

Jiang Mingyu frowned. "What is it?"

The soldier said: "My lord—it's snowing!"

Jiang Mingyu froze, rushed outside, and looked up. Thick snowflakes fell in a dense curtain. He cursed: "Damn this cursed sky! Why now?"

Zhang Jiani stepped out, saw the snow, and gasped. "Brother, what do we do? Our plan's ruined!"

Jiang Mingyu fell silent for a moment, then said: "Don't panic. Maybe this snow won't last. Let's wait."

But events surpassed Jiang Mingyu's expectations.

At the third watch, the snow, which should have ceased, intensified. The wind suddenly reversed. If they ignited the fire now, the first to burn would be Jiang Mingyu himself.

The next morning, the snow finally stopped—but knee-deep drifts left Jiang Mingyu in despair.

"We brought only ten days' rations. Four days are gone, and we haven't even touched Chu Yun's walls," Jiang Mingyu said anxiously.

Duan Xiu frowned. "If the army starves and mutinies, and Zheng Xu attacks us, we're finished."

At that moment, a scream pierced the tent: "Ahh—!"

Zhang Jiani and Tukesiluo exchanged glances, then drew their swords and rushed out.