Chapter 202: Hold the Troops, Do Not Move

Tuke Tuke Siluo had just opened his mouth to speak when Liu Shangshan Jian, on the city wall, couldn't hold back and burst into curses, shouting loudly, "If you want to drink, drink! Does Laozi fear a damn thing?"

He was a military general who could least tolerate being treated like a soft persimmon to be squeezed. Moreover, with the two armies facing each other, if he showed weakness, how could the soldiers below fight to the death for him?

The adjutant beside him urged him not to act impulsively, but Liu Shangshan Jian had already made up his mind to march out of the city to fight. After all, Jiang Jiang Mingyu had sworn in front of everyone that he would not do anything to him. If Jiang Jiang Mingyu dared to play any tricks, then he wouldn't need to continue in his position anymore.

To boost his own morale, Liu Shangshan Jian threw caution to the wind. He took the lead, charging down from the city gate, and walked toward Jiang Jiang Mingyu with a grin plastered on his face.

Seeing Liu Shangshan Jian, Jiang Jiang Mingyu felt somewhat surprised; he hadn't expected this general to dare to come out of the city to fight. He didn't know whether Liu Shangshan Jian was truly bold or moved by his temptation. He decided to test Liu Shangshan Jian's bottom line first to see if there were any weaknesses he could exploit.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu smiled and stepped forward to greet him, clasping his hands and saying, "General Liu, I have long heard of your great name. Seeing you today, you are indeed full of heroic spirit."

Hearing these words, Liu Shangshan Jian felt somewhat disdainful in his heart, thinking Jiang Jiang Mingyu was deliberately flattering him. He replied without ceremony, "Lord Jiang, you too are a figure renowned throughout the world. Seeing you today, you are indeed elegant and graceful."

While exchanging pleasantries, both secretly sized each other up. Jiang Jiang Mingyu thought Liu Shangshan Jian was burly and imposing, truly an outstanding figure among generals. Liu Shangshan Jian thought Jiang Jiang Mingyu had a refined appearance and an ethereal temperament, truly an outstanding figure among scholars.

Both were somewhat wary of the other's strength but did not want to show it. They both wanted to find the other's flaw to gain an advantage before the battle began.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu invited Liu Shangshan Jian to drink wine, actually hoping to use this opportunity to draw closer to him and see if he could persuade him to surrender or defect. He knew that although Liu Shangshan Jian was loyal to his lord, he was also dissatisfied with his situation. He wanted to use this point to sow discord.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu raised his wine cup and smiled, saying, "General Liu, please drink. This is premium Daughter Red wine specially transported from the south, fragrant and pure, mellow and delicate. Do not disdain it."

Liu Shangshan Jian took the wine cup, sniffed it, and felt somewhat surprised in his heart. He hadn't expected Jiang Jiang Mingyu to give him such fine wine. He didn't know whether Jiang Jiang Mingyu was treating him with genuine kindness or had some sinister plot.

Liu Shangshan Jian took a sip of the wine and found it indeed excellent. Feeling it improper to refuse Jiang Jiang Mingyu's kindness, he said, "Lord Jiang is too polite. This Daughter Red truly lives up to its reputation; I rarely have the chance to taste such fine wine."

Seeing Liu Shangshan Jian drink the wine, Jiang Jiang Mingyu felt secretly delighted. Thinking this was a good start, he continued, "General Liu, do you know why you are trapped in this city?"

Hearing these words, Liu Shangshan Jian's heart sank. He knew what Jiang Jiang Mingyu was about to say. He replied coldly, "Of course I know. I fight to be loyal to my lord and my country."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu shook his head. "You are wrong. The reason you are trapped here is not because of your loyalty, but because of the incompetence of your lord and your country. Think about it: what kind of person is your lord? He is a tyrant who is cruel and lawless, licentious and shameless, and insatiably greedy. He disregards the lives of the common people and only knows how to wage war for his own selfish interests. He does not value loyal subjects like you, but only values those petty men who flatter and obey blindly. You sell your life for him, yet he does not give you the respect and treatment you deserve. Tell me, why should you be loyal to such a person?"

Hearing Jiang Jiang Mingyu's words, Liu Shangshan Jian felt helpless in his heart.

Liu Shangshan Jian angrily said, "Lord Jiang, you have gone too far. Although I am merely a general, I have my own beliefs and principles. Since childhood, I have vowed to serve my country and defend my hometown and compatriots. I will not change my stance due to temporary interests or temptations. If you want me to surrender or defect, that is a pipe dream."

Seeing Liu Shangshan Jian so resolute, Jiang Jiang Mingyu felt somewhat disappointed. He thought Liu Shangshan Jian was a person of blind loyalty who did not know how to be flexible. Not wanting to waste any more time or words, he said, "In that case, I will not force you. It is just a pity that such talent as you should sacrifice yourself for someone unworthy."

A hint of triumph flashed in Jiang Jiang Mingyu's eyes, but he quickly suppressed it. He calmly ordered his subordinates, "Continue pouring the wine."

On the city wall, Liu Shangshan Jian's deputy had already ordered the archers to prepare, in case Jiang Jiang Mingyu suddenly changed his face.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu stood up, clasped his hands, and said, "General Liu, it is truly a rare honor to converse with you today. With this cup of wine, I toast you as a hero."

Saying this, he drank it down in one bold gulp.

Liu Shangshan Jian also stood up and said, "Lord Jiang, you too are a figure rarely seen. Being able to talk with you today has indeed broadened my horizons. With this cup of wine, I toast you as an opponent."

Saying this, he also drank the cup of wine without hesitation.

After drinking, Liu Shangshan Jian relaxed his guard slightly. Jiang Jiang Mingyu then started chatting about everyday matters, saying, "You know, General Liu, with the world in such chaos, we can still live to this day; it is truly not easy."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu, having traveled through time, inadvertently made some witty remarks: "Look at those emperors and princes; each one is like a madman, fighting for power and profit, killing and burning, doing everything. We common people below are like chess pieces, manipulated by them at will. Tell me, what are we doing this for?"

This made Liu Shangshan Jian laugh heartily. "You young man, your words are truly amusing. We are doing this for the country, for the people, for honor! Do you understand?"

In the shadows on the city wall, a man frowned, seeing the two of them chatting happily.

Liu Shangshan Jian felt it was inappropriate and was about to take his leave when Jiang Jiang Mingyu spoke first: "Thank you, General Liu, for honoring me. After parting today, we will face each other with weapons another day. When that time comes, I hope General Liu will show some mercy!"

What an open and blatant declaration of war!

The previously harmonious atmosphere instantly vanished. Liu Shangshan Jian snorted coldly, "We shall see whose skill is greater then. Farewell!" Liu Shangshan Jian stood up to leave, and Jiang Jiang Mingyu also stood up, smiling as he watched him go.

Just moments ago, the two were laughing and talking; now they were tense and ready for battle. This sudden reversal of atmosphere caught the surrounding soldiers off guard.

Liu Shangshan Jian's face was solemn, and the corner of his mouth still seemed to hold the afterimage of his earlier smile, but his gaze was already cold as a blade. His hand loosely clenched into a fist, then relaxed, before he slammed it heavily against his sword scabbard, producing a dull sound.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu still appeared leisurely and at ease, but his eyes sparkled with sharp light, like a blade hiding infinite power. He adjusted his sleeves, revealing a wrist with prominent veins, then quickly hid it back within his wide sleeves, concealing that ferocious appearance.

The two locked eyes, and a tense, sword-drawn atmosphere spread. The surrounding soldiers dared not make a sound, fearing that one careless move would ignite this dangerous powder keg.

Thus ended this drinking gathering. Jiang Jiang Mingyu and Liu Shangshan Jian finally revealed their true cards, stating their respective stances. With the battle imminent, no one knew what the outcome of the upcoming duel would be, leaving people both anxious and expectant.

When the two reached the city gate, they turned back to look at each other once more. Their eyes held complex emotions: hostility, respect, regret, and expectation.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu said, "General Liu, we shall see the truth tomorrow. Regardless of the outcome, I admire your courage and talent. You are the most outstanding general I have ever seen in my life."

Liu Shangshan Jian said, "Lord Jiang, we shall meet in life and death tomorrow. Regardless of the outcome, I respect your wisdom and demeanor. You are the most difficult scholar I have ever encountered in my life."

After speaking, the two turned and left separately.

As Liu Shangshan Jian turned to ascend the city wall, Jiang Jiang Mingyu narrowed his eyes, and the faint smile on his face added three parts more killing intent...

After returning to the city, Liu Shangshan Jian thought Jiang Jiang Mingyu would surely pursue relentlessly and seize Cangzhou City in one blow while his army was in disarray. But after waiting for a long time, he saw no sign of the Jiang army. He sent out scouts to investigate and learned that Jiang Jiang Mingyu had actually withdrawn his troops.

Liu Shangshan Jian became greatly suspicious, not knowing what Jiang Jiang Mingyu's true intention was. He secretly heightened his alertness, strengthened the city defenses, and prepared to welcome a possible surprise attack from Jiang Jiang Mingyu.

Meanwhile, in the Jiang army camp, Tu Tu Kesiluo could no longer hold back. He ran into Jiang Jiang Mingyu's tent and shouted loudly, "My lord, what was that act of yours today? We had clearly routed them, so why did you suddenly withdraw your troops?"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu did not answer him directly but calmly ordered, "Listen well: from now on, no one in our army is allowed to act rashly. Do you understand?"

This left even Li Goudan bewildered: "My lord, we traveled so far to fight, wasn't it to capture Cangzhou City? What trick are you playing now?"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu exchanged a glance with Zhu Ge Yu and made up a story: "A few days ago, I had a dream in which an immortal told me that within ten days, Liu Shangshan Jian will surely die. At that time, Cangzhou City will fall into internal chaos, and we can easily capture it. Let us just wait patiently."

Hearing these words, Tu Tu Kesiluo cursed inwardly: "Damn it, is my lord crazy? What immortal appearing in a dream? It would be better to just pray to Heaven to strike Liu Shangshan Jian dead..."

He shook his head and walked out of the camp. He did not notice that behind him, inside the tent, Jiang Jiang Mingyu and Zhu Ge Yu were already laughing until they nearly fell over.

Outside Cangzhou City, there was silence, broken only by the occasional sound of wind and bird calls, shattering the lifelessness here.

Inside the city, Liu Shangshan Jian sat before a large red wooden table, his gaze solemn as he stared at a point on the map, the location of the rebel army led by Jiang Jiang Mingyu.

He had been waiting here for eight days, yet Jiang Jiang Mingyu had made no move at all, as if he had vanished from the world.

"What exactly does this Jiang Jiang Mingyu want to do?" Liu Shangshan Jian wondered silently in his heart.

"General, we have waited eight days already; why do we still see no movement from those rebel thieves?" A bearded deputy general approached, looking impatient.

Liu Shangshan Jian came back to his senses, glanced at him, and said coldly, "If Jiang Jiang Mingyu does not send troops, we cannot move rashly. We have sufficient grain and troops; Deputy General, just wait patiently."

But that Deputy General surnamed Hu would not let it go, saying, "General, you speak lightly. The Emperor is still waiting in Jingcheng for us to destroy the rebels. If Jiang Jiang Mingyu never comes out to fight, will our hundred thousand strong army just waste away here in Cangzhou for nothing?"

Liu Shangshan Jian knew this Deputy General surnamed Hu was a spy sent by the Ministry of War; his purpose was not to annihilate the rebel army but to monitor Liu Shangshan Jian's actions.

Liu Shangshan Jian was originally a short-tempered person. Seeing that this man did not respect him at all, he immediately flew into a rage and shouted, "Deputy General Hu, listen well: do you not know who the commander-in-chief is here? Dare you disrespect me again, and I will have someone beat you into a pig's head!"

Deputy General Hu cursed inwardly: "Liu Shangshan Jian, you son of a bitch! I will make you taste the feeling of crying for your mother and father!"