Chapter 206: Build High Walls, Stockpile Grain, Delay Proclaiming Kingship

Zhuge Yu was a man of strategy; he had long investigated the situation across the lands, sipping tea as he explained to Jiang Mingyu:

"In Xiangcangzhou, the east borders Yizhou, the west borders Lanzhou, and the south borders Guizhou. Though Fei Hou is a weakling, don't underestimate him—he's not stirring now, so we still have breathing room."

"In Yizhou there's Chen Tang—don't look down on him. He commands over a hundred thousand troops and has excellent connections; few can match him."

"Lanzhou is a mess—there are many rebels, but they're all small bands, disorganized and constantly turning on each other."

"According to my sources, the largest rebel leader in Lanzhou is Zhong Nianyu. He controls Dingdong and Xiawei prefectures with barely fifty thousand men. The rebels in the other three prefectures are nothing but rabble."

"Our army just took Xiangcangzhou—morale is high, strength is strong. Why wait? Now's the time to strike Lanzhou!"

As he spoke, a flicker of cunning gleamed in his eyes.

Jiang Mingyu listened for a long while, then paused before nodding. "You're right—we must attack Lanzhou."

"But if we move, Chen Tang in Yizhou will surely seize the chance to disrupt us. We'd be fighting on two fronts. And if Fei Hou joins in, it'll be worse."

Before Zhuge Yu could reply, a rapid flurry of footsteps sounded outside, followed by the familiar, grating voice of Tuxesiluo: "Chen Tang won't act rashly."

Jiang Mingyu looked up to see Tuxesiluo helping Zhang Jiani into the room. Her face was pale, her gaze vacant—she had not yet recovered. Tuxesiluo, by contrast, wore a smug grin, as if he'd struck a great fortune.

After seating Zhang Jiani, Jiang Mingyu asked: "You brought her out while she's still unwell? And what do you mean, Chen Tang won't act rashly?"

Tuxesiluo smirked. "Excuse me, I just received word from our scouts—Chen Tang is preparing to proclaim himself emperor."

Emperor? Jiang Mingyu thought he'd misheard. "What nonsense are you spouting? With his pitiful forces, he dares declare himself emperor? That's suicide!"

With barely tens of thousands of troops, he dares feed an army of hundreds of thousands—Chen Tang really is a character. Jiang Mingyu silently mocked him, convinced Tuxesiluo was just stirring trouble.

But Tuxesiluo spoke with certainty: "The scout's report is accurate. Chen Tang is having dragon robes and the imperial seal forged. He plans to establish a new dynasty in Yizhou and call himself Emperor of Han."

He chuckled. "My lord, if he's declaring himself emperor, why not you indulge in the same pleasure? Then we could be Grand Commanders—how glorious!"

Tuxesiluo, close to Jiang Mingyu, spoke this way without even sparing Zhuge Yu a second thought.

Seeing him spout nonsense, Jiang Mingyu spoke first: "Proclaiming emperor is premature—we lack the strength. Better to quietly seize more territory than chase empty titles. Think: when Chen Tang declares himself emperor, how many will oppose him? We'll win hearts and expand our power while he burns."

Jiang Mingyu unfolded a map and pointed to several locations. "We now hold Xiangcangzhou. If we take Lanzhou, we'll form a solid base. Then we'll have real leverage against Fei Hou."

Zhuge Yu nodded in agreement—he found Jiang Mingyu's plan prudent. "I agree. Chen Tang's imperial ambition will only bring him ruin. We needn't follow his reckless path. If we advance steadily, we'll one day unify the realm."

Seeing both men agree, Tuxesiluo said nothing more. He merely thought: How wonderful it would be if Jiang Mingyu became emperor.

Jiang Mingyu could already foresee: the moment Chen Tang declared himself emperor, Fei Hou would move first to destroy him.

Before his transmigration, he had been a student, not a historian—but he still remembered how Emperor Taizu Zhu Yuanzhang rose from beggar to supreme ruler. He had once heard a saying: "Build high walls, stockpile grain, delay proclaiming kingship." That was Zhu Yuanzhang's path to success.

Jiang Mingyu had long made this strategy his personal creed.

Tuxesiluo watched Jiang Mingyu's expression and felt a pang of unease. He knew Jiang Mingyu was capable; having followed him so long, he'd grown attached.

But the post of Grand Commandant was now out of reach—what could they do? He thought a moment, then rallied himself with a grin. "Ah, my lord, don't take it to heart! We still have Lanzhou, right? Didn't we agree to attack Lanzhou? Let's prepare quickly—take Lanzhou, then settle scores with that dog Chen Tang!"

Jiang Mingyu ignored Tuxesiluo's reassurance. He turned to Zhuge Yu. "Good disciple, what do you suggest? Chen Tang is about to declare himself emperor—should we still attack Lanzhou?"

Zhuge Yu pondered, then said: "Master, I believe we should strike Zhong Nianyu first. Though the Lanzhou rebels are fragmented, Zhong Nianyu is their most respected leader. If we defeat him, the rest will be leaderless—we can sweep them up easily. Then we'll face Chen Tang with full confidence."

Zhuge Yu spoke with clear logic; Jiang Mingyu found it sound. He nodded. "Very well. We march on Lanzhou in three days."