Chapter 210: The Two Generals of Xiawei

Seeing Jiang Jiang Mingyu so profound and unfathomable, Tuke Tuke Siluo asked curiously, "My lord, what idea do you have? Speak quickly, don't keep us in suspense! I'm dying of anxiety!"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu said in a low voice, "We will first split our forces into two routes: one route I will lead with Wang Wang Leyuan and others, taking a small path to circle around behind Xiawei City and launch a night surprise attack on the city gate; the other route you will lead with 30,000 new recruits, advancing toward Xiawei City from the front."

"You need not rush to assault the city; just set up your formation outside the walls so that Zhong Nianyu and Xu Xu Zhanhong both believe we have come to assist. Then you deliberately stall for time with Zhong Nianyu, while I pretend to form an alliance with Xu Xu Zhanhong. Once I have breached the city gate, I will send a signal, and we will charge in together."

"In this way, both Zhong Nianyu and Xu Xu Zhanhong will be caught completely off guard by us, and they will also begin to suspect each other. We can then take the opportunity to deal with them."

Hearing this, Tuke Tuke Siluo clapped his hands in praise, "My lord is truly brilliant! This stratagem is exceedingly clever!"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu smiled and said, "We must thank Wang Wang Leyuan for this. He knows the situation in Xiawei City like the back of his hand and can help us find the most suitable point of attack."

"Zhang Jiaqi, you will accompany me as well. Your Wu Gong is excellent, and you can protect Wang Wang Leyuan."

Zhang Zhang Jiaqi said happily, "Excellent! I wanted to see just how formidable Xiawei City is!"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu nodded and said to everyone, "Then it is settled. We will act tonight. Everyone, make your preparations."

As soon as Tuke Tuke Siluo and his group had departed, Jiang Jiang Mingyu ordered someone to summon Wang Wang Leyuan. To successfully capture Xiawei, this newly surrendered Wang Wang Leyuan was undoubtedly crucial.

Before long, Wang Wang Leyuan arrived; upon seeing Jiang Jiang Mingyu, he bowed respectfully and said, "What orders does my lord have?" Apart from having changed into Jiang Jiang Mingyu's Decangzhou military uniform, he appeared unchanged.

Looking into his eyes, Jiang Jiang Mingyu felt he harbored no treacherous intentions. He organized his words and spoke directly, "Tell me about Zhong Nianyu and the situation in Xiawei."

Knowing oneself and knowing the enemy ensures no defeat in a hundred battles; regarding Zhong Nianyu and Xiawei City, Wang Wang Leyuan was incomparably familiar. Pointing at the map, he said:

"My lord, the straight-line distance from Dingdong to Xiawei is approximately 500 li. Xiawei neighbors Lanzhou and is heavily fortified; initially, without an inside accomplice, Zhong Nianyu could not have captured it."

"The city holds a military force of about 30,000 men, something my lord must have already guessed. If we wish to triumph by force, I fear it will require considerable effort."

Having finished speaking, he even took the opportunity to praise Jiang Jiang Mingyu: "My lord is truly heroic and divine! To capture Dingdong in one swift stroke is to be invincible under heaven!"

But Jiang Jiang Mingyu paid it no mind, gesturing for him to continue.

Wang Wang Leyuan hurriedly continued, "In truth, all of Zhong Nianyu's subordinates are impoverished peasants, with rather ordinary combat capability. However, my lord must beware of his two confidants—Zhong Jinqiang and Lu Lu Chuanwen."

"Lu Lu Chuanwen was born with extraordinary talent; while still in his teens, he could lift a hundred-jin stone lock with one hand. He had a deep passion for martial arts, and blessed with such innate aptitude, his martial skills advanced a thousand li a day, quickly making him a famous expert in the village. His signature weapon is a steel plate axe, sharp beyond measure, capable of splitting iron and stone. His nickname is 'Little Whirlwind,' because his axe technique is as fast as lightning and as furious as a hurricane, unstoppable by anyone."

"One year, more than fifty bandits from the Black Bear Gang raided a village, killing and plundering everything. Lu Lu Chuanwen, wielding his steel plate axe and filled with righteous indignation, charged into the bandits' lair. His eyes turned crimson as he swung axe after axe, each strike aimed directly at a vital point of the enemy. Facing Lu Lu Chuanwen's frenzied assault, the Black Bear Gang members were utterly unable to defend themselves; within moments, more than half were dead or wounded. Wails and moans echoed through the valley, blood stained the foothills, and the scene was a gruesome mess."

"Lu Lu Chuanwen moved with agile prowess, advancing and retreating at will amidst the chaotic blades of the remaining Black Bear Gang thugs. With a final axe swing, he beheaded the gang leader; the remaining bandits, terrified by his reputation, scattered in flight. Lu Lu Chuanwen let out a long roar, his prestige echoing through the mountains, leaving no one within miles daring to respond. In this battle, he alone annihilated a band of bandits, and thus the glorious name 'Little Whirlwind' resounded in all directions."

"As for Zhong Jinqiang, he too is a famous expert throughout the Lanzhou region. His martial arts are comprehensive, and he has cultivated a body of toughened sinews and bones through hard exercises, making him immensely powerful in combat. His signature weapon is an iron staff, heavy and solid, capable of smashing copper and iron. His nickname is 'Iron Staff,' because his staff technique blends hardness and softness, changes endlessly, and can destroy anything."

"Once, he alone captured an entire bandit gang, taking more than thirty bandits into custody. Later, when this group of bandits collaborated to escape from prison, Zhong Jinqiang, bare-handed, knocked down more than ten bandits attempting to break out of the jail, finally subduing all the escapees by his own strength alone. Since then, he too has become a hero of the Lanzhou region."

"With these two possessing high martial skills, one in the north and one in the south, they have secured Zhong Nianyu's position as the boss of Lanzhou."

Hearing him praise the two generals of Xiawei for their superior martial arts, Jiang Jiang Mingyu smiled indifferently, thinking to himself that with Tuke Tuke Siluo and Zhang Zhang Jiaqi present, why should he fear those two?

A glint of sharp light flashed in his eyes as he asked, "You know the situation in Xiawei City like the back of your hand, correct? Can you help me find the most suitable point of attack?"

Wang Wang Leyuan nodded hastily, saying, "Yes! Yes! My lord, rest assured, I know every inch of Xiawei City like the back of my hand. I know of an optimal point of attack: the West Gate in Chengxi. The defending troops there are the fewest, and there is a small path that can be used to circle around. As long as my lord leads elite soldiers to launch a surprise attack on the West Gate, we can easily breach the city."

Hearing this, Jiang Jiang Mingyu was overjoyed in his heart: "Good! We will proceed exactly as you say! You will accompany me!"

Wang Wang Leyuan said happily, "Good! Good! I will follow my lord!"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu patted his shoulder and said to him, "Rest assured! As long as you serve loyally, I will not treat you unfairly!"

Wang Wang Leyuan said gratefully, "Thank you, my lord! Thank you, my lord!"