Chapter 189: Zheng Xu's Poisonous Scheme

"What's wrong, why are you screaming like a ghost?"

His voice was as piercing as ice; the heavy snow last night had disrupted their plan to burn Chu Yun City with fire, leaving him deeply frustrated.

The soldier rushing toward him seemed not to see the anger on his face at all and spoke hurriedly.

"General Tu, someone is dead."

What?

Tu Tu Kesiluo froze for a moment. Could it be that Zheng Xu had sent someone to launch a surprise attack? But with such heavy snow, how could they have failed to notice?

Jiang Jiang Mingyu frowned and asked.

"What happened? Did Zheng Xu come to launch a surprise attack?"

After speaking, he himself felt it was unlikely. With such heavy snow, how could Zheng Xu launch a surprise attack on the camp? Did they really have no regard for their lives?

Although the north wind howled, fine beads of sweat appeared on the soldier's face. Looking at the sharp gazes of Jiang Jiang Mingyu and Tu Tu Kesiluo, he shivered in his heart.

"My lord, General Tu, your subordinate does not know. Just now, several of us were on patrol by the river as ordered."

"Unexpectedly, Ma Liu, who went with us, accidentally fell into an ice hole. Not long after being pulled out, he lost his breath."

For convenience in drawing water, Jiang Jiang Mingyu's camp was set up on a flat riverbank. The river surface had frozen into a thick layer of ice, but the water beneath still flowed slowly.

Tu Tu Kesiluo immediately spoke up.

"This is bad; there must be poison in the water."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu agreed deeply and then addressed the soldier.

"Take me to see."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu agreed deeply. He recalled that some days ago, while confronting Zheng Xu beneath Chu Yun City, Zheng Xu had used poisoned arrows to kill their warhorses. That poison was extremely vicious; even a tiny drop would leave no corpse intact.

Could Zheng Xu have devised a new tactic? Dumping poison into the river water?

Jiang Jiang Mingyu and Tu Tu Kesiluo followed the soldier to the riverside. They saw a vast expanse of white snow and ice covering the river surface, with occasional wisps of water vapor rising from cracks in the ice layer. Several soldiers by the river were gathered around a small shed, inside which lay a dark, blackish corpse emitting a foul, fishy stench.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu and Tu Tu Kesiluo entered the shed and saw that the corpse's face was unrecognizable; its clothes and flesh had been corroded until tattered and ruined, exposing pale white bones. A huge blood-filled hole remained on the corpse's chest, as if pierced by some sharp weapon. The snow around the corpse was stained crimson, making the scene especially terrifying.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu and Tu Tu Kesiluo both involuntarily gasped in shock. This poison was truly a devil's masterpiece, too terrible. They both recalled that previously, while confronting Zheng Xu beneath Chu Yun City, Zheng Xu had used poisoned arrows to kill their warhorses. That poison was extremely vicious; even a tiny drop would leave no corpse intact.

Could Zheng Xu have devised a new tactic? Dumping poison into the river water?

Jiang Jiang Mingyu could not contain his burning rage and said hatefully, "That beast Zheng Xu actually used such a despicable tactic! He knew we had no way to draw water, so he ruthlessly executed this poisonous scheme. Fortunately, we discovered it in time; otherwise, our entire army would have been wiped out!"

Tu Tu Kesiluo was also filled with rage and said through gritted teeth, "Damn it, they all say that beast is treacherous, and it truly fits perfectly. He hasn't even left the city, yet he concocts such a poisonous scheme. What a scoundrel; his heart deserves execution!"

"As long as that grandson doesn't die today, he will eventually become a disaster."

"My lord, what do you say we do?"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu pondered for a moment before speaking, "Send someone to check where the upstream of this river leads."

After thinking through the cause and effect, he already had a rough answer in mind. He recalled the previous reconnaissance report: this river indeed came from the direction of Chu Yun City, winding seven turns and eight twists. And Chu Yun City was precisely Zheng Xu's stronghold.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu said coldly, "If my guess is correct, the poison in this river was dumped by men sent by Zheng Xu. They must have set up a secret passage or some mechanism upstream, releasing poison into the river without our knowledge. Although the river surface is frozen, the water beneath still flows. If we drink this poisoned water, we will die miserably like Liu Er."

Hearing this, Tu Tu Kesiluo shivered involuntarily. He imagined what a terrifying scene it would be if their entire army drank the poisoned water. He could not help but ask, "Then what do we do? Can we still draw water?"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu shook his head and said, "This poison likely has no antidote. We can only change location to draw water, or find snow to melt for drinking. However, doing so will greatly affect our movements. We must capture Chu Yun City as soon as possible to solve this problem."

Tu Tu Kesiluo nodded and said, "Yes, we can delay no longer. Zheng Xu has struck ruthlessly this time; we cannot be soft either. Big brother, speak; when shall we launch our attack?"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu looked at the sky, where dark clouds were thick and the wind and snow still did not cease. He sighed and said, "The current weather is unsuitable for attacking the city; we should wait until the wind stops and the snow subsides. However, before that, we must make preparations. Go and summon the camp's medical officers and pharmacists to see if they can find any medicine capable of neutralizing the poison in the river water. Perhaps we still have a chance to save some of the poisoned soldiers."

Tu Tu Kesiluo acknowledged and departed, while Jiang Jiang Mingyu remained by the riverside, gazing at the vast white snow and ice, secretly vowing in his heart: Zheng Xu, your days are numbered! Watch how I wipe away my past shame and cut you into ten thousand pieces!

At that moment, a soldier outside the tent rushed in hurriedly again.

"My lord, the brothers have caught a spy; he is tied up outside the tent."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu's expression jolted; this was truly like falling asleep just as one feels drowsy, and the pillow was delivered immediately—too timely.

"Quickly bring him in."

This person must have been sent by Zheng Xu to check whether his men had been completely wiped out.

Once we pry open this spy's mouth and learn the situation inside Wangyun City, everything will be straightforward.

Soon, a middle-aged man, bound like a zongzi, was brought before Jiang Jiang Mingyu. He wore a tattered cotton robe, had an ordinary appearance, but his eyes darted with alarm and suspicion, revealing an air of alertness and cunning.

Before Jiang Jiang Mingyu could even begin to question him, this spy spoke first.

"Who are you? Arresting an innocent person in broad daylight without cause; is there no law left?" His voice was sharp and grating, yet showed not a shred of fear; he was either incredibly bold or had undergone training.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu's face remained cold, and he could not help but sneer.

"You spy on my great camp and still dare to call yourself an innocent person? Do you think I will be deceived by you?" he said mockingly.

"I know you are a spy sent by Zheng Xu, with the purpose of gathering intelligence on our army. Unfortunately, you slipped and were caught, didn't you?" Jiang Jiang Mingyu's tone conveyed disdain and threat toward this spy.

However, this man struggled stubbornly, his rat-like, thieving expression revealing his intention to persist in denying everything.

"I am a hunter; I entered the mountains to hunt. That reason should suffice, shouldn't it?" he tried to explain his identity.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu's eyes narrowed, and he said coldly.

"I advise you to be sensible and confess honestly; otherwise, I will take your small life immediately." He pointed at the cold sword blade beside him, threatening the man.