Chapter 188: Burning Chuyun City

"What is gunpowder?" Tu Tu Kesiluo asked in surprise.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu said, "Salt contains a substance called saltpeter. It can be mixed with sulfur and charcoal to make gunpowder. Gunpowder can be used to make guns and cannons to strike down enemies."

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

"I saw it in an ancient book," Jiang Jiang Mingyu said perfunctorily. He certainly could not tell Tu Tu Kesiluo that he had traveled through time.

"Then have you tried it?" Tu Tu Kesiluo asked. "Can you guarantee this method works?"

"Of course I have tried it," Jiang Jiang Mingyu said. "I do not speak idly. Look, I am carrying this on my person."

He pulled a small iron tube from his bosom; it had a wooden handle and a trigger, with a wooden plug at the bottom.

"What is this?" Tu Tu Kesiluo asked.

"This is a new type of firearm I made myself," Jiang Jiang Mingyu said. "It is much lighter than the firearms we use now, has a longer range, and greater power. Do you want to try it?"

"Of course I do," Tu Tu Kesiluo said. "Show it to me quickly."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu handed the firearm to Tu Tu Kesiluo, then pointed to one end of the iron tube and said, "This is where you load the gunpowder and the shot. You must pour the gunpowder in first, then stuff the shot in, and press it tight with the wooden plug. That is all."

"Then how do we ignite it?" Tu Tu Kesiluo asked.

"Look at this trigger," Jiang Jiang Mingyu said. "It is connected to a small hammer, and the hammer has a flint stone. When you pull the trigger, the hammer strikes the flint, creating sparks. The sparks will ignite a small hole in the iron tube where a thin fuse lies. The fuse will carry the fire to the gunpowder, causing an explosion that shoots the shot out."

"I see," Tu Tu Kesiluo said. "Then let us try it now."

"Very well," Jiang Jiang Mingyu said. "But we must find a safe place so as not to hurt others."

They found an open space. Jiang Jiang Mingyu taught Tu Tu Kesiluo how to load and use the firearm. They first drew a target on the ground, then stood more than ten paces away and aimed at it.

"Are you ready?" Jiang Jiang Mingyu asked.

"I am ready," Tu Tu Kesiluo said.

"Then fire," Jiang Jiang Mingyu said.

Tu Tu Kesiluo pulled the trigger. Only a loud "Boom!" was heard. A thick cloud of black smoke rose from the iron tube, and at the same time, a lead ball flew out and hit the target.

"Haha!" Tu Tu Kesiluo laughed loudly. "I hit it! I hit it!"

"You see," Jiang Jiang Mingyu said. "This is the power of gunpowder. What do you think?"

"Excellent!" Tu Tu Kesiluo said. "This firearm is far better than the ones we used before. It is light and fast, and incredibly accurate. If we have this firearm, we can defeat any enemy."

The north wind howled. With a wave of Jiang Jiang Mingyu's hand, twenty thousand troops surged forth. Their target was Chuyun City, that towering, impregnable fortress. Jiang Jiang Mingyu sighed inwardly; this city would not be easy to breach.

Half an hour later, they arrived beneath the city walls. Flags fluttered atop the ramparts, and the garrison stood ready. Tu Tu Kesiluo impatiently shouted toward the battlements, "Go tell Zheng Xu quickly! My lord has arrived. Order him to open the gates and surrender immediately, or we will set the city on fire!"

Tu Tu Kesiluo was Jiang Jiang Mingyu's most trusted general, skilled in martial arts and fiery in temperament. While shouting, he waved the large blade in his hand, looking majestic and imposing. The soldiers below joined in the cry: "Zheng Xu, come out! Zheng Xu, come out!"

Zheng Xu was the Inspector of Chuyun, a chubby middle-aged man. Hearing Tu Tu Kesiluo's insults, he walked slowly to the city tower, glanced at the opposing forces, and a cold sneer appeared on the corners of his mouth.

"Oh, so it is Jiang Jiang Mingyu," he said in a contemptuous tone. "I wondered who it was. It turns out to be that rebel."

"Jiang Jiang Mingyu, do you remember the beginning? You sold me that inferior coal at a low price, causing me heavy losses. You are truly a shameless scoundrel!"

"If I had known then that you were a seed of rebellion, I should have killed you on the spot. Pity. Now you have become so arrogant."

"I heard you have already captured two of the four prefectures of Zangzhou? Truly impressive skill! Pity you have encountered Chuyun City."

"Chuyun City is not like those broken-down places. Here we have sturdy walls, loyal defenders, and a wise inspector. You want to breach Chuyun City? Dream on!"

"Also, Jiang Jiang Mingyu. This official advises you to take your rabble and leave immediately. Otherwise, this official will order the archers to fire."

Having said this, Zheng Xu waved his hand to signal the soldiers behind him to draw their bows and nock arrows. Immediately, a sound of metal grinding rang out, sounding particularly grating in the cold wind.

Seeing the situation was unfavorable, Jiang Jiang Mingyu quickly stepped back a few paces. Tu Tu Kesiluo, however, jumped up in anger.

"Zheng Xu! You ungrateful wretch! My elder brother was polite to you, yet you do not know how to appreciate it! If you have the guts, come out of the city and fight me one-on-one. Watch how I chop off your dog's head!"

Zheng Xu heard this and laughed heartily.

"Tu Tu Kesiluo, I have heard of your name. You are a capable fighter, I do not deny it. Pity you followed the wrong master and became a traitor to the nation."

"You want me to come out of the city to fight you? Heh heh. This official is not that foolish. This official must defend Chuyun City. I will wait until you have eaten all your provisions and your morale collapses. Only then will this official come out to deal with you."

"Zheng Xu, you coward! Are you even worthy of being the Inspector of Chuyun? You might as well hand the city over to my elder brother, saving the world from laughing at you and calling you a useless fool who occupies a latrine but does not defecate!"

Tu Tu Kesiluo grew angrier the more he cursed, and the soldiers behind him shouted louder. Zheng Xu remained unmoved, simply saying calmly:

"Tu Tu Kesiluo, stop wasting your breath. This official will not be swayed by your taunts. Curse all you like; this official simply will not come out of the city. What can you do?"

Zheng Xu knew what he was doing; he had prepared long ago. He ordered the commoners and livestock outside the city to retreat inside, forcing Jiang Jiang Mingyu to face an empty expanse upon arriving at Chuyun. He also stockpiled vast amounts of provisions and military equipment, preparing to defend Chuyun to the death against Jiang Jiang Mingyu.

He believed Jiang Jiang Mingyu could not besiege the city for long. His provisions would eventually run out, and his soldiers would eventually become restless. At that time, he would lead the garrison out to strike, annihilating this group of rebels in one blow. This was Zheng Xu's plan.

Tu Tu Kesiluo was so angry he was fuming from seven orifices and wanted to continue insulting Zheng Xu, but he was held back by Zhang Zhang Jiani beside him.

"Forget it. He is a dead pig unafraid of boiling water. Cursing him further is useless; you might as well save your strength." Zhang Zhang Jiani was Tu Tu Kesiluo's wife and also his deputy general. She had a fiery temper but was more rational than Tu Tu Kesiluo.

She turned her head and spoke to Jiang Jiang Mingyu, who was frowning: "This Zheng Xu is too cunning. He refuses to come out of the city no matter what. What should we do?"

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

He looked up at the towering city tower, knowing full well that with current forces, it would be difficult to breach. The generals and soldiers around him were all watching him, waiting for his decision. Jiang Jiang Mingyu took a deep breath and said in a heavy voice, "Chuyun City is built too high; we cannot breach it for now. However, we will temporarily retreat ten li and set up a large camp. I need time to consider a strategy. We will not give up; I will definitely find a way to break the city."

The soldiers were somewhat disappointed but still obeyed Jiang Jiang Mingyu's command, turning their horses and slowly retreating. Zheng Xu, watching this scene from the battlements, laughed heartily: "What, Jiang Jiang Mingyu, are you leaving already? I thought you intended to assault Chuyun City head-on!"

Zheng Xu's voice was loud and mocking, making the already depressed Jiang Jiang Mingyu burn with even greater rage. Tu Tu Kesiluo clenched his fists and said hatefully, "This dog thief! When the general captures the city, I will personally kill him!"

Zhang Zhang Jiani, standing nearby, frowned and said impatiently, "Say less. With a belly full of anger like yours, can you burn down Chuyun City?"

"Fire?" Jiang Jiang Mingyu's eyes lit up. Yes, fire! He already had an idea in mind.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu quickly pulled Tu Tu Kesiluo, who was still bowing his head in apology, and asked urgently, "Is the burning oil prepared for the attack on Luosuo still in the army?"

Thinking of how Luosuo City had escaped disaster, Jiang Jiang Mingyu became even more determined to let Zheng Xu taste the bitterness of a city set ablaze.

Tu Tu Kesiluo's eyes immediately lit up, and a huge smile appeared on his face: "It is here! Last time you said it might be needed someday and told me to keep it. For this expedition, I specifically brought it along. It is all that Zheng Xu's fault for making me forget the matter completely!"

Zhang Zhang Jiani, standing nearby, kept nagging Tu Tu Kesiluo about his uselessness, but Jiang Jiang Mingyu said with a smile, "Follow the previous plan. At the third watch tonight, burn Chuyun!"

"This time, I do not believe there are any ambushes beneath Chuyun City!" Jiang Jiang Mingyu clenched his fists, his gaze firm.

The camp was busy for a while. The soldiers ate their fill and drank their fill, preparing to depart.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu, Tu Tu Kesiluo, and Zhang Zhang Jiani stood outside the tent, waiting for the moment. The sky gradually darkened, and the wind gradually rose. Tu Tu Kesiluo checked the wind direction and said to Jiang Jiang Mingyu, "My lord, the wind direction is perfect; it blows toward Chuyun City. We will definitely succeed tonight."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu nodded and smiled, saying, "Very well, we shall proceed according to the original plan. You take the oil convoy ahead; Zhang Jiani and I will follow shortly. Once you reach the city walls, ignite the oil, and I will lead the main force to charge into the city."

Just then, a sound of hurried footsteps approached. A soldier rushed in, shouting loudly, "Report, My Lord! Great trouble!"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu frowned and asked, "What is it?"

The soldier said, "My Lord, snow is falling from the sky!"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu was startled. He hurriedly ran out of the tent, looked up, and saw dense snowflakes falling from the sky. He could not help but curse: "This damn heavens! How can it be snowing?"

Zhang Zhang Jiani also came out. Seeing the snowy scene, she too was startled. She said, "Big Brother, what shall we do? Won't our plan be ruined?"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu fell silent for a moment, then said, "Do not panic. Perhaps this snow will not last long. Let us wait and see."

However, the development of events exceeded Jiang Jiang Mingyu's expectations.

At the third watch, the heavy snow that should have ceased did not stop; instead, it grew heavier, and the wild wind suddenly changed direction. If they set fire to the city at this moment, the first one to be burned to ash would likely be Jiang Jiang Mingyu himself.

Early the next morning, the heavy snow finally ceased, but the knee-deep accumulated snow gave Jiang Jiang Mingyu an immense headache.

"We brought only ten days of military rations. Four days have already passed, yet we have not even touched the walls of Chu Yun City," Jiang Jiang Mingyu said anxiously.

Duan Xiu also frowned and said, "If the army runs out of food and causes a mutiny, and Zheng Xu takes the opportunity to strike us, then we are finished."

Just then, a scream suddenly came from outside the tent: "Ah—"

Zhang Zhang Jiani and Tu Tu Kesiluo exchanged a glance, immediately drew their swords, and rushed out.