Chapter 210: Second Deputy of the Western Guard

Tukesiluo, seeing Jiang Mingyu's unfathomable depth, asked curiously: "My lord, what's your plan? Spit it out—don't keep us guessing! I'm dying of suspense!"

Jiang Mingyu whispered: "We split into two forces. One column, led by me with Wang Leyuan and others, will take a back road to circle behind Xiawei City and launch a night assault on the gate. The other, led by you with thirty thousand new recruits, will advance directly toward Xiawei City."

"Don't rush to attack. Just display your force outside the city, making Zhong Nianyu and Xu Zhanhong believe we've come to assist. Then stall for time with Zhong Nianyu, while I pretend to ally with Xu Zhanhong. Once I breach the gate, I'll signal—and we storm in together."

"This way, Zhong Nianyu and Xu Zhanhong will both be caught off guard, and they'll begin to distrust each other. We'll seize the chance to eliminate them."

Tukesiluo clapped his hands in admiration: "My lord, you're brilliant! This plan is perfect!"

Jiang Mingyu smiled: "This plan owes much to Wang Leyuan. He knows Xiawei City inside and out—he can help us find the perfect strike point."

"Jiaqi, you'll come with me. Your martial skill is strong—you can protect Wang Leyuan."

Zhang Jiaqi beamed: "Great! I've been dying to see how tough Xiawei City really is!"

Jiang Mingyu nodded and told everyone: "It's settled. We move tonight. Everyone, prepare."

No sooner had Tukesiluo and his men left than Jiang Mingyu ordered Wang Leyuan summoned. To seize Xiawei smoothly, this newly surrendered Wang Leyuan was crucial.

Soon Wang Leyuan arrived and bowed respectfully before Jiang Mingyu: "My lord, what are your orders?" Aside from wearing Jiang Mingyu's Jiangzhou uniform, he looked unchanged.

Jiang Mingyu studied his eyes and sensed no treachery. He gathered his words and cut straight to the point: "Tell me about Zhong Nianyu and Xiawei City."

Knowing yourself and your enemy ensures victory in every battle. Wang Leyuan knew Zhong Nianyu and Xiawei City intimately. He pointed to the map and said:

"My lord, the straight-line distance from Dingdong to Xiawei is roughly five hundred li. Xiawei borders Lanzhou and is heavily fortified—without an inside man, Zhong Nianyu could never have taken it."

"The city holds over thirty thousand troops—you've likely already guessed that. To win by force alone will be no easy task."

He added a compliment: "My lord, you're truly heroic and wise! To capture Dingdong in one stroke—truly unmatched under heaven!"

But Jiang Mingyu paid it no mind and gestured for him to continue.

Wang Leyuan hurried on: "Zhong Nianyu's men are mostly poor peasants—mediocre fighters. But my lord, beware his two trusted lieutenants: Zhong Jinqiang and Lu Chuanwen."

"Lu Chuanwen was born with extraordinary talent—he could lift a hundred-jin stone lock with one hand by his teens. He adored martial arts and possessed rare natural gifts, advancing rapidly in skill until he became a famed master in his village. His signature weapon is a steel plate axe, razor-sharp, capable of cleaving iron and stone. His nickname is 'Little Whirlwind,' for his axe technique moves like lightning, rages like a hurricane, and no one can stand against it."

"One year, the Black Bear Bandits—over fifty men—raided the village, looting and killing everything. Lu Chuanwen, armed with his steel plate axe, stormed their lair in righteous fury. His eyes blazed red as he swung axe after axe, each strike aimed at the enemy's vital points. The Black Bear Bandits, unable to resist his ferocious assault, were cut down by the half within moments. The valley echoed with screams and wails; blood stained the hillsides, littered with carnage."

"Lu Chuanwen moved with agility, weaving effortlessly through the remaining bandits' slashing blades. His final axe swing severed the Black Bear leader's head; the survivors fled in terror. He let out a thunderous roar, its echo shaking the mountains—no one dared answer. In that single battle, he slaughtered the entire bandit gang alone, and the name 'Little Whirlwind' spread far and wide."

"Zhong Jinqiang is also a famed martial artist from the Lanzhou region. His skills are well-rounded, and he has trained his body into hardened, iron-like strength—his strikes carry immense power. His signature weapon is an iron cudgel, heavy and unbreakable, capable of shattering bronze and iron. His nickname is 'Iron Cudgel,' for his staff technique blends hardness and softness, shifts endlessly, and crushes all resistance."

"Once, he single-handedly captured an entire bandit gang—over thirty men. Later, the bandits conspired to escape prison. Zhong Jinqiang, unarmed, knocked down more than ten trying to break out, and ultimately subdued every fugitive alone. From then on, he became a legendary hero of Lanzhou."

"Both men are formidable warriors—one from the north, one from the south—securing Zhong Nianyu's dominance over Lanzhou."

Hearing Wang Leyuan praise the two generals' martial prowess, Jiang Mingyu smiled indifferently, thinking: With Tukesiluo and Zhang Jiaqi here, what do I fear from these two?

A glint flashed in his eyes as he asked: "You know Xiawei City inside and out, don't you? Can you help me find the perfect strike point?"

Wang Leyuan nodded eagerly: "Yes! Yes! My lord, rest assured—I know every inch of Xiawei City. I know the best point: the West Gate. It's the weakest defended, and there's a hidden path leading behind it. If you lead elite troops to ambush the West Gate, you can breach the city easily."

Jiang Mingyu's heart leapt: "Perfect! We'll do it your way! You'll come with me!"

Wang Leyuan beamed: "Yes! Yes! I'll follow my lord!"

Jiang Mingyu clapped him on the shoulder: "Don't worry. If you serve me faithfully, I'll never let you down."

Wang Leyuan bowed gratefully: "Thank you, my lord! Thank you, my lord!"