Chapter 201: Troops at the City Gates, Asked to Drink

Jiang Jiang Mingyu heard this and secretly praised the speed of their arrival, then asked Zhu Ge Yu, "How much do you know about Liu Shangshan Jian?"

Zhu Ge Yu had already investigated this matter and explained, "Liu Shangshan Jian is not a direct subordinate of Duke Fei; on the contrary, he was once the deputy general during the late Emperor's reign and held considerable authority. After Duke Fei ascended the throne, he did not execute him but instead suppressed and monitored him. Now, surrounded by enemies on all sides, Duke Fei has sent his top generals to suppress rebellions, and with Ruan Chen's sudden death, he had no choice but to send Liu Shangshan Jian to Decangzhou. It is said that to prevent Liu Shangshan Jian from betraying him, Duke Fei is holding his wife and children hostage in Jingcheng. With this relationship in place, even if Liu Shangshan Jian is unwilling, he will do his utmost to eradicate the bandits."

Hearing Zhu Ge Yu's words, Jiang Jiang Mingyu secretly praised the young man for his thoroughness, noting how clearly he understood Liu Shangshan Jian's situation. Looking at Decangzhou City on the map, a flash of cold light passed through his eyes as he smiled, "So this Liu Shangshan Jian is a thorn in Duke Fei's side, forced into a corner with no way out, and can only come to this godforsaken place. His wife and children are in Duke Fei's hands; does he dare to resist? This is precisely the opportunity we can exploit." Zhu Ge Yu nodded in agreement, looking at Jiang Jiang Mingyu with admiration.

He knew Jiang Jiang Mingyu was meticulous and skilled in strategy. He asked, "Master, how shall we deploy our troops tomorrow? Should we split our forces to attack the four commanderies?"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu shook his head and said, "No need to split our forces. We must strike with one blow and drive straight for the heart of the enemy. Tomorrow, I will lead ninety thousand troops to set out, falsely claiming one hundred and twenty thousand to intimidate Liu Shangshan Jian. Except for Zhang Zhang Jiani, who will remain at Yasmo Regional Military Commissioner's office, everyone must accompany me into battle, including you."

Zhu Ge Yu looked at Jiang Jiang Mingyu in surprise and said, "My lord, are you planning to send every single soldier? Is this not dangerous?"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu smiled and said, "Rest assured. The four commanderies of Decangzhou are already in our grasp; no one dares to rebel. Moreover, I have a premonition that we will surely win this battle. Once we capture Decangzhou City, Duke Fei will panic, and we can take the opportunity to attack Jingcheng, overthrowing his tyranny in one stroke."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu woke up with a start from his dream, opening his eyes to find the room dim. He looked up at the sky and realized it was already dawn. Recalling the tenderness he shared with Liu Liu Yifei last night, a wave of affection filled his heart. He knew she was worried about him, but he could not abandon his ideals. For the sake of all people under heaven, for the late Emperor's legacy, and for his own family, he must defeat that usurping tyrant, Duke Fei.

He gently rose, not wanting to disturb her sweet dreams. He put on his armor, poured a basin of water, and washed his face. Pushing open the tent, he stepped outside. A refreshing breeze blew, carrying the fragrance of the grasslands. He saw the sun rising in the distance, illuminating the earth. He felt a surge of hot blood boiling in his chest, convinced that he would surely achieve victory today.

He walked to the center of the military camp, raised the long sword in his hand, and shouted loudly, "Brothers, rise! Today we march on Decangzhou City! We will make that Liu Shangshan Jian know our might! We will make that Duke Fei tremble! We fight for freedom and justice!"

"Yes!" The soldiers responded one by one, rushing out of their tents and quickly organizing their equipment. They were all loyal subordinates of Jiang Jiang Mingyu, following him in campaigns north and south, fighting bloody battles against enemies countless times. They all believed Jiang Jiang Mingyu could lead them to victory.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu mounted his horse, waved his sword pointing north, and shouted loudly, "Set out! We will gallop without stopping! We must reach the walls of Decangzhou City within three days! We will capture the city in one stroke!"

"Set out!" The soldiers responded in unison, following Jiang Jiang Mingyu's steps. Fifty thousand troops surged like a giant dragon across the grasslands.

This northern expedition had Decangzhou City as its target. It was a major stronghold in the northern part of the Great Feng Kingdom and the base of Liu Shangshan Jian.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu urged his subordinates to increase their marching speed all the way. Despite traveling day and night, it still took three days to reach the walls of Decangzhou City. At this point, twenty li away from the city, Jiang Jiang Mingyu ordered the army to camp here, allowing the soldiers a short rest to recover their strength.

"My lord." Zhu Ge Yu walked to Jiang Jiang Mingyu's side and whispered, "The scouts I just sent out have returned. They say there is movement inside Decangzhou City. Liu Shangshan Jian knows we have arrived."

"Oh?" Jiang Jiang Mingyu raised an eyebrow, "What is his reaction?"

"He has sent two thousand cavalrymen to intercept our advance," Zhu Ge Yu said.

"Two thousand cavalrymen?" Jiang Jiang Mingyu laughed, "He underestimates us far too much. Who does he think we are? We are Jiang Jiang Mingyu's army! We are the elite of the Great Feng! We are the heroes of the world! Do we fear his two thousand cavalrymen?"

"No!" The soldiers shouted in unison.

"Then let us go and meet him!" Jiang Jiang Mingyu said. "Zhu Ge Yu, you take fifty thousand men and stay here to guard the camp. I will take forty thousand men to confront Liu Shangshan Jian. Today, we will make him know our strength and determination!"

"Yes!" Zhu Ge Yu and the soldiers all responded.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu mounted his horse again and led forty thousand troops charging towards Decangzhou City.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu and his army arrived at the walls of Decangzhou City early in the morning, terrifying everyone inside. He immediately saw that this city was much larger than Yasmo Regional Military Commissioner's office and thought to himself that this was a prime piece of meat.

Tuke Tuke Siluo was seeing such a large city for the first time and couldn't help but exclaim, "Oh my goodness, now this is a real big city!"

On the city walls, Liu Shangshan Jian had long known Jiang Jiang Mingyu had arrived. With a fierce expression, he was about to curse and warn them. Who knew Jiang Jiang Mingyu spoke first, still with a smiling face:

"General Liu, you have finally arrived; we seem to have a fate between us. Although I have fallen out with Duke Fei, I have also heard of your reputation. Would you like to come down for a drink? I have brought some excellent Daughter Red wine for you." Jiang Jiang Mingyu looked up at the city walls and said with a grin.

Hearing this, Liu Shangshan Jian was so angry he nearly vomited blood and shouted, "Jiang Jiang Mingyu, you traitor still dare to talk nonsense in front of me? I have brought a great army to cut down you, this rebellious son! A drink? Get lost! Today we must settle this!"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu remained smiling and said leisurely, "General Liu's reputation precedes him; he kills as if it were nothing. I never expected that today you wouldn't even dare to drink a cup of wine from me; it seems you are nothing but a paper tiger! Rest assured, I will not bully you in front of both armies. If you are afraid, then let it be."

Li Goudan and Tuke Tuke Siluo both saw that Jiang Jiang Mingyu was provoking Liu Shangshan Jian, trying to throw him off balance. But Liu Shangshan Jian was not someone to be trifled with; he must have come prepared for a battle with Jiang Jiang Mingyu. This drinking dispute, the master probably has some plan in mind...

Li Goudan asked in a low voice, "Master, what are you trying to do?"