Chapter 200

The sky darkened, and Jiang Mingyu and Tukesulu began executing their plan. They left half the soldiers at camp, while the other half split into two groups: one circled behind the city, the other hid in the woods beside it.

Jiang Mingyu, accompanied by Zhang Jiaqi and a few elite troops, stealthily approached the city gate. All of them wore wet ox hides and carried cannons. They waited for Tukesulu's signal.

Tukesulu, with another group of soldiers, silently climbed the city wall. Taking the defenders by surprise, they hauled cannons up using ropes, aimed them at the Inspector's residence, and lit the fuses.

"Boom!" A deafening blast fired the cannon. A massive projectile flew toward the Inspector's residence, reducing it to rubble. Flames shot skyward, smoke rolling thickly.

"What is this?!" Wang Jingchun leapt from his bed in terror. He had just been dreaming of endless gold, silver, and beautiful women. Before he could savor it, the blast shattered his slumber.

He threw on his clothes and rushed to the window, witnessing a horrifying sight: his Inspector's residence had been reduced to ruins, flames spreading in all directions, screams echoing endlessly.

"What's happening? Who did this?!" Wang Jingchun roared.

"My Lord, it's Jiang Mingyu! He's led troops into the city! We must flee!" A trusted aide burst in, grabbing Wang Jingchun and dragging him out.

"What? Jiang Mingyu? How is that possible? He was outside the city! How does he have cannons?!" Wang Jingchun couldn't believe his ears.

"I don't know! Run now! If we wait any longer, it'll be too late!" The aide pulled Wang Jingchun out of the room.

Wang Jingchun was dragged out of the Inspector's residence to find the city in chaos. Jiang Mingyu's soldiers had stormed in and were locked in fierce combat with the defenders. Flesh flew, cries pierced the air.

Seeing this, Wang Jingchun's fear deepened. He only wanted to escape, running blindly toward the city gate.

At that moment, he heard a familiar voice: "Wang Jingchun! Stop right there!"

Wang Jingchun turned and saw Jiang Mingyu riding toward him from the city gate, followed by Zhang Jiaqi and several soldiers, all holding cannons aimed at him.

Wang Jingchun's soul nearly left his body. He spun to flee—but it was too late. Jiang Mingyu's men caught up and surrounded him.

"Wang Jingchun, you despicable traitor! What do you have to say for yourself? What right do you have to live? Why don't you dismount and die?!" Jiang Mingyu roared.

Looking into Jiang Mingyu's cold eyes, Wang Jingchun felt a terror he had never known. He wanted to beg, but no one listened. He wanted to fight, but lacked strength. He sank to his knees, weeping: "Jiang Mingyu, spare me! I know I was wrong! I surrender! I'll give you all my wealth! Just let me live!"

Jiang Mingyu laughed scornfully. "You know you were wrong? You want to surrender? You want to give me wealth? Do you think I'd believe you? Do you think I'd spare you?"

"You killed my brothers and sisters, slaughtered my people. Your crimes cannot be washed away. Today, I come to avenge them. Your time is up!"

As he spoke, Jiang Mingyu raised his firearm, aiming it at Wang Jingchun's head. He glanced at Zhang Jiaqi beside him. "Jiaqi, are you ready?"

Zhang Jiaqi nodded, a flash of resolve in her eyes. "Ready, Elder Brother. Let's fire together."

"Good." Jiang Mingyu pressed the trigger alongside Zhang Jiaqi.

"Boom!" Two deafening shots fired simultaneously. Two bullets flew straight for Wang Jingchun's head—no deviation.

Wang Jingchun saw the bullets coming and screamed in terror. "No! Don't kill me! Don't—"

His words were cut short as the bullets struck. His head exploded instantly, blood and flesh spraying everywhere. His body collapsed lifelessly to the ground.

Jiang Mingyu and Zhang Jiaqi exhaled, relieved. They felt satisfaction in having avenged their fallen. They looked up at the sky, silently naming the dead warriors.

"We've avenged them. We've avenged you."

"Bring the corpse back for General Tukesulu to handle."

Inside the Lingna treasury, darkness reigned. Jiang Mingyu lit a tinderstick and entered the vault filled with gold and silver. His gaze swept over racks piled high with silver ingots, yet he felt no joy. He counted carefully—only five hundred thousand taels.

This sum would barely sustain his hundred-thousand-strong army for three months. To raise more troops, he must rely on Liu Yi's commercial income.

Jiang Mingyu sighed, shook his head, and turned to leave the vault. As he stepped outside, he saw Zhang Jiaqi waiting at the door, loyal and still.

"Jiaqi, send a pigeon message at once to Dongping County. Order Shen Yulong to come here immediately."

"Yes!" Zhang Jiaqi departed swiftly.

Jiang Mingyu trusted Shen Yulong deeply. Back in Yasimo Regional Military Commissioner's office, Zhuge Yu had told him Shen Yulong was beloved by the people of Dongping County. Jiang Mingyu had no hesitation in entrusting him with full authority over Lingna Commandery.

Two days later, Shen Yulong arrived at Lingna Mansion with a group of personal guards. Upon seeing Jiang Mingyu, he knelt without rising, tears streaming down his face. "Shen Yulong bows before my lord! Your trust in me brings me to tears!"

Jiang Mingyu quickly lifted him up, smiling. "Commander Shen, no need for such formality. You are a pillar of our army. Entrusting Lingna Commandery to you is my greatest trust and expectation. Just govern it with all your heart—that is your greatest support to me."

"My lord, rest assured—I will give my all and never fail your trust!" Shen Yulong replied respectfully.

Jiang Mingyu nodded, gave him further instructions, then returned to Yasimo Regional Military Commissioner's office with his personal guard.

Two more days passed. Jiang Mingyu climbed a hill outside Yasimo Regional Military Commissioner's city—the burial ground where their fallen soldiers lay. He placed flowers and wine before the graves, silently paying tribute.

He turned and saw Wang Jingchun's corpse bound to a great tree, rotted and reeking. Tukesulu, fully healed, stood beside it, watching coldly.

"My lord, this is Wang Jingchun's heart." Tukesulu pulled a black object from his robe and handed it to Jiang Mingyu.

Jiang Mingyu took it—yes, it was Wang Jingchun's heart. He wrinkled his nose. "How did you get this?"

"I ripped it out of his chest myself." Tukesulu's eyes glinted with madness. "This dog killed my brothers. I'll leave him no intact corpse—I'll use his heart to honor the dead."

Jiang Mingyu looked at him, a pang of pity stirring within.

"Enough. You've avenged your brothers and earned great merit. Let go of your hatred. Live."

"No!" Tukesulu shook his head. "I haven't finished avenging them! Wang Jingchun was just a dog. The true enemy is Fei Hou, who calls himself Son of Heaven. Only by killing him can I truly avenge my brothers!"

Jiang Mingyu fell silent a moment, then said: "I understand your pain. But you must understand—we still have a long road ahead of us against Fei Hou. We cannot rush. We cannot act recklessly. We must advance steadily, dismantling his power step by step. Come with me. I will give you your chance for vengeance."

Tukesulu met Jiang Mingyu's gaze, sensing his sincerity and resolve. He nodded. "Fine. I'll follow you."

He tossed Wang Jingchun's heart into the roadside grass, leaving it for wild dogs to devour.

Meanwhile, on a trade route between Chu Yun, Luoxie, and Lingna Commanderies, a caravan moved slowly. It had been dispatched by Liu Yi to foster commerce among the three regions.

He had long realized that Yasimo Regional Military Commissioner's trade alone could not sustain the army's expenses. To raise more funds and supplies, he must expand his commercial reach.

Jiang Mingyu had just returned from his tribute and hadn't caught his breath when Zhuge Yu approached, face grim, eyes filled with urgency and unease.

"How is the matter of Tang Youli? Have you found her?" Jiang Mingyu asked bluntly, voice hoarse.

Jiang Mingyu desperately wanted to know the woman's whereabouts—but had no leads.

"She may have escaped Yasimo Regional Military Commissioner's territory." Zhuge Yu sighed. "The northern borders of Da Feng are vast and sparsely populated. Tracking her will be extremely difficult. We must remain vigilant—she may strike again."

"Deal with immediate matters first," Jiang Mingyu suppressed his emotions. "The sixty-thousand-strong army from Liu Jian is the priority."

Zhuge Yu nodded. "I've ordered Chu Yun to lead twenty thousand elite troops back to the provincial capital. We must strike swiftly before they stabilize their position—deliver a fatal blow."

As the two discussed strategy, Li Goudan rushed in, shouting: "Report! Liu Jian's army has reached the vicinity of Cangzhou—only two days away!"