Chapter 203

In just seventy-eight days, Jiang Mingyu had made not a single move. Tukesulu and the other three were already frantic, like ants on a hot pan, yet Jiang Mingyu sat calmly sipping wine with Zhuge Yu, chatting away as if nothing mattered.

Just as they were about to rush back and pressure Jiang Mingyu for a strategy, a scout arrived with earth-shattering news—General Liu Jian had been thrown into the death cell!

"What? What did you say? Say it again!" Tukesulu froze in shock and demanded urgently.

"I didn't mishear, sir—Liu Jian's been locked in the death cell!" the scout stammered, trembling.

"How did this happen? Tell me every detail!" Tukesulu grabbed the scout by the collar and roared.

"I heard that one of Liu Jian's own men is a spy—he reported to Fei Hou that Liu Jian refused to fight and had been fraternizing with our lord beneath the city walls. Fei Hou flew into a rage, executed Liu Jian's entire family, then personally ordered him dragged to the death cell. He's to be beheaded tomorrow. The newly appointed general, An Zhichao, has already issued orders: as soon as Liu Jian dies, he'll lead his troops to attack our camp!"

"Damn! What a coincidence!" Tukesulu was stunned. He remembered Jiang Mingyu had predicted Liu Jian would die within ten days. Now, though not yet dead, Liu Jian was as good as dead—this matched Jiang Mingyu's prophecy perfectly!

"Our lord is truly a master of divine strategy! He foresaw this!" Tukesulu exclaimed in awe. Jiang Mingyu's methods were so profound, so unfathomable!

"Enough chatter! Go find our lord at once! This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!" Li Goudan said.

"Yes, yes, let's go!" Tukesulu scrambled to his feet and rushed after them toward Jiang Mingyu's tent.

As soon as they entered the tent, Tukesulu blurted out: "My lord, tell me—what in the world just happened?"

Jiang Mingyu glanced at Zhuge Yu, took another sip of wine, and said slowly: "You explain it to them."

Zhuge Yu set down his cup and smiled: "Ever since that night we drank with Liu Jian, everything has been part of Master's plan."

He continued: When Jiang Mingyu learned Fei Hou had sent Liu Jian to lead the campaign, he knew an opportunity had arisen. He devised a counterintelligence scheme and laid his strategy in mind.

Jiang Mingyu understood Fei Hou's nature—he knew Fei Hou would station spies to watch Liu Jian, fearing betrayal. So he first used provocation to lure Liu Jian down from the walls for wine. He deliberately conversed with Liu Jian as if they were kindred spirits, ensuring Fei Hou's spies saw it all.

Thus, suspicion of collusion between Liu Jian and the rebels grew. To keep Liu Jian from moving, Jiang Mingyu deliberately exaggerated the strength of his own forces.

Fei Hou, desperate to crush the rebellion, even threatened Liu Jian's family—proving he was losing his composure. His spies, therefore, would pressure Liu Jian to attack immediately. But Liu Jian, believing the rebels were vastly superior, grew even more cautious.

The spies, eager to ease Fei Hou's burdens, interpreted Liu Jian's caution as cowardice. Combined with the fact that he had spoken casually with the rebels, the charge of treason was sealed. As expected, soon after, Fei Hou executed Liu Jian's entire family and imprisoned him in the death cell.

With Liu Jian's death, Xiangcangzhou would descend into chaos. The newly appointed An Zhichao would be utterly unable to control the situation—this was Jiang Mingyu's perfect chance to strike while the iron was hot.

After hearing Zhuge Yu's explanation, Tukesulu and the others, who had been furious moments before, now bowed in complete awe. They never imagined that the ever-smiling Jiang Mingyu had plotted so deeply—truly divine strategy!

Seeing their stunned realization, Jiang Mingyu smiled and said: "Tukesulu, prepare the army at once. Tonight, we strike Xiangcangzhou with full force—we must take it in one blow!"

By the time An Zhichao realizes what's happening and tries to stabilize things, it will be too late.

Time flew. Night fell. Jiang Mingyu saw all were ready and whispered: "Extinguish the torches. We move under cover of darkness to the gates of Xiangcangzhou. Advance!"

After marching twenty li in darkness, it was nearly the third watch. The city walls above showed only sparse lanterns; a dozen guards yawned lazily, clearly long since lax.

On the ramparts, a few guards whispered quietly:

"Man, General Liu's being beheaded tomorrow—what a terrible injustice!"

"The Emperor never liked him. Everyone in the army knows. That Hu Bajiang is just the Emperor's lapdog—he says jump, everyone jumps."

"We all fought under General Liu. Now the Emperor's in such a rage—what if he drags us down with him?"

Jiang Mingyu, hidden in the shadows, heard every word clearly. He smiled inwardly—Hu Bajiang was indeed Fei Hou's spy planted beside Liu Jian.

Just then, the guards walked away. Jiang Mingyu gave Zhang Jiaqi a signal—time to act.

A few soft *whooshes* rang out. The sleeping guards atop the wall collapsed one by one, arrows piercing their vital points.

Jiang Mingyu watched, satisfied, and whispered: "Tukesulu—your turn."

Tukesulu and a few men slapped their chests, swung their ropes, and hooked them onto the battlements.

With a clatter of metal, Tukesulu and his men scaled the wall, swung their long blades, and cut down the entire patrol of seven guards in one sweep.

Tukesulu roared: "Hurry up! Climb! Open the gates and let the army in!"

Soon, the gates swung open from within. Zhuge Yu stood at the entrance and ordered sternly: "Charge! Capture An Zhichao alive! Kill!"

Fifty thousand troops surged into the dark city like a tidal wave—Jiang Mingyu's night raid had begun.