Chapter 190: Deception Has No Limits

"I... I am Zheng Xu's subordinate. He sent me to spy on your movements and see if you have been poisoned to death. He said he dumped one type of powerful poison upstream that will kill you if you drink the river water. He also said that as long as more than half of you are dead, he will take the opportunity to march out of the city and attack you."

"I originally did not want to do such a thing, but Zheng Xu threatened and tempted me, saying that if I successfully reported back, he would give me a large amount of gold, silver, and treasures, allowing me to live a good life. He also said that if I did not obey, he would kill my entire family. I only reluctantly agreed to save my own life."

"I secretly slipped into your camp, pretending to be a hunter, wanting to gather some information. But I did not expect to be discovered by you. I know I deserve to die a thousand deaths, but I beg you to spare my life. Zheng Xu is the real culprit; you should go find him and settle the score."

Hearing these words, Jiang Jiang Mingyu and Tu Tu Kesiluo both sneered coldly. This spy was utterly shameless, even trying to shift the blame. They both knew Zheng Xu was a sinister and cunning character who would never easily let go of anyone useful to him.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu asked, "Since you are Zheng Xu's subordinate, then you must know the specific location and method of where he dumped the poison upstream, right?"

The spy was startled and immediately shook his head, saying, "I don't know, I don't know! Zheng Xu never tells such things to us lowly soldiers. He only orders us to go to the riverbank on time to observe the color and smell of the water flow; if we discover anything abnormal, we must report it immediately."

Tu Tu Kesiluo said disdainfully, "Do you think we will believe your lies? Since you could slip into our camp, it shows you have some skill and courage. How could Zheng Xu not make use of you?"

Seeing his flaw exposed, the spy panicked in his heart and started babbling nonsense even more: "I really don't know! Zheng Xu is very stingy; he never shares his secrets with us. He only uses us to fight for him, then kicks us away like dogs. Don't ask me; asking me is useless!"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu and Tu Tu Kesiluo exchanged a glance, both seeing the determination in the other's eyes. They knew this spy had no more value to them; keeping him would only create trouble.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu said coldly, "In that case, do not blame us for being ruthless."

After speaking, he nodded to Tu Tu Kesiluo. Tu Tu Kesiluo understood, drew the long sword from his waist, and stabbed it into the spy's heart amidst the spy's screams.

Blood splattered, staining a patch of crimson on the snow.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu and Tu Tu Kesiluo turned and left the tent. They both secretly vowed in their hearts: since Zheng Xu was so vicious and heartless, then do not blame them for lacking benevolence and righteousness. They would repay blood with blood and life with life, making Zheng Xu know that their fury was not to be trifled with!

"This scoundrel is dead, my lord. What now?" Tu Tu Kesiluo was also full of unwillingness, his chest heaving. He pointed at the corpse on the ground with an arrow piercing its throat; that was the subordinate they had sent to scout the path. They had originally thought they could set out once the snow stopped, but who knew they would be ambushed as soon as they exited the camp gate.

What now? Jiang Jiang Mingyu also wanted to know what now? He had racked his brains but still could not find a suitable plan. Forcing an attack on the city was no different from suicide; retreating meant he was unwilling to give up such a good opportunity. After pondering for a long time with no solution, Tu Tu Kesiluo could only bring up the old matter again.

"Otherwise, let's use fire attack. The heavy snow has stopped; burning open the city gates should not be a problem," he said tentatively. They had previously considered using fire attack, but abandoned it because the weather was too humid. Now that the snow had stopped, the wood might be drier.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu, who had not spoken for a long while, remained silent for another while before saying bitterly, "This should be the only option. Stick to the plan; send out troops tonight." He knew this was an all-or-nothing gamble, but he had no other choice. He could only hope Zheng Xu had not expected them to do this and had not made fire-prevention preparations.

In the afternoon, Jiang Jiang Mingyu, who had not slept all night, was taking a short nap when a burst of noise suddenly came from outside the camp. "Not good, Chu Yun's troops have arrived; prepare for battle." This was Tu Tu Kesiluo's voice. Soon, Zhang Zhang Jiani's urgent urging voice also came out. Then followed the clashing of weapons and the shouting of men and neighing of horses.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu woke up instantly, but after walking out of the tent, he saw only the hasty retreating backs of Chu Yun's troops. "What happened?" Jiang Jiang Mingyu rubbed his eyes and asked Tu Tu Kesiluo.

Tu Tu Kesiluo pointed at the retreating enemy army and the three corpses on the ground, his tone disdainful. "My lord, rest assured. These are Zheng Xu's small cavalry units; they have already been driven back by us." As he spoke, he wiped the bloodstains off his blade.

Small cavalry units? Jiang Jiang Mingyu was startled in his heart. Sending so few people here, what exactly was this scheming Zheng Xu trying to do? Raiding the camp in broad daylight was completely impossible. Furthermore, this was far from Zheng Xu's consistent principle of "defend first, fight later." The light casualties and intact military equipment also made the confused Jiang Jiang Mingyu secretly sigh with relief.

Less than an hour after the troops in the camp had just dispersed, Chu Yun's cavalry returned again. Still small cavalry units, still hit-and-run; if not for the corpses on the ground and the fading footprints, there would be no trace at all.

In less than an afternoon, such fly-like harassment occurred more than ten times. Those people were slippery like a group of loaches; before Jiang Jiang Mingyu's net could even be spread, they ran away without looking back.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu wanted to go chase them, but feared falling into Zheng Xu's ambush, so he could only temporarily swallow his anger. Regarding this, Tu Tu Kesiluo, exhausted from running around, could not help but fly into a rage. "Damn it, that damn Zheng Xu, what exactly does he want to do?" he said through gritted teeth. He wished he could personally charge into Chuyun City and behead that sinister and cunning fellow.

As soon as he finished speaking, those disgusting Chu Yun cavalry units returned again. Watching the enemy's retreating backs once more, Jiang Jiang Mingyu's eyes rolled, and he said coldly, "This is Zheng Xu's trick. He wants to exhaust and wear down our army through such endless harassment," he analyzed. "By the time we are exhausted from running around, unable even to sleep a peaceful sleep, their opportunity will come."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu immediately ordered, "You go immediately to set up defenses. As long as they come again, do not let a single one escape; keep them all." However, Zheng Xu seemed to have anticipated Jiang Jiang Mingyu's plan; from then on, the harassing cavalry never appeared again.

Watching the gradually quieting main camp, Jiang Jiang Mingyu's hanging heart gradually relaxed a bit.

The sky gradually darkened, but the soldiers had not slept all night and had been tormented all day; some could not hold on. Seeing their yawning faces, Jiang Jiang Mingyu's eyes also turned red. He quickly ordered, "Zheng Xu's people will not come for now. Order the soldiers to rest immediately; do not delay tonight's plan." However, just as his subordinates were about to fall asleep, a sound of beating gongs and drums suddenly came from the darkness outside the camp. Although the sound was very far away, borrowing the howling wind, Jiang Jiang Mingyu still heard it very clearly.

Tu Tu Kesiluo had just closed his eyes and muttered discontentedly, "Damn it, I was right. That damn Zheng Xu just wants to exhaust us to death." If we can't even sleep peacefully, how can we launch a night raid?

Tu Tu Kesiluo slammed the table, grabbed his long sword, and was about to walk out. "Damn it, I'll go out and wipe them out right now."

He had captured cities and taken strongholds all the way; how could he tolerate such humiliation? However, Jiang Jiang Mingyu stopped him. "No, going out now might lead us into Zheng Xu's encirclement. Zheng Xu has operated here for many years with deep roots; a slight carelessness will result in the destruction of the entire army."

Zhang Zhang Jiani nodded, speaking under the light, "Big brother is right. It is dark; going out rashly means the outcome is uncertain, but what should we do?" She was clearly asking Jiang Jiang Mingyu.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu looked into the distance, listened to the noisy gongs and drums, and finally a smile curled his lips. "I have a way." Without giving Tu Tu Kesiluo and Zhang Zhang Jiani a chance to speak, Jiang Jiang Mingyu said directly, "Divide the soldiers into two shifts: one shift plugs their ears and sleeps; the other shift all goes to the camp gate to shout and curse. You must leave an impression on Zheng Xu, making them think our army dares not leave the camp, while the entire twenty-thousand-strong army is also disturbed and cannot find peace. As long as Zheng Xu takes the bait, I have a way to deal with them." He knew very well that not far from the main camp, countless pairs of Zheng Xu's eyes were surely secretly observing them.

Tu Tu Kesiluo could not help but ask, "What about tonight's fire attack?" Jiang Jiang Mingyu smiled. "Perhaps I have no fate with fire attack; the plan is temporarily cancelled. However, since Zheng Xu wants to play, we will play with them properly." Seeing Jiang Jiang Mingyu's confident expression, Tu Tu Kesiluo and Zhang Zhang Jiani also felt relieved. They immediately followed Jiang Jiang Mingyu's instructions, dividing the soldiers into two shifts: one shift continued to rest, while the other went to the camp gate to shout loudly, creating an atmosphere of chaos.

In the night, the shouting and cursing at the camp gate never ceased, as if the entire main camp had been stirred up. Zheng Xu's spies peered in the darkness; seeing this scene, they all sent back reports. They thought the soldiers in the main camp were all busy defending against their attacks and had no awareness of Jiang Jiang Mingyu's plan.