Chapter 218

Jiang Mingyu heard the scout had returned and hurried forward to ask: "What happened? Tell me quick!"

The scout hurriedly replied: "My lord, Dongning County is no easy place—there are several factions, the biggest led by Zhao Xiang with over twenty thousand men. The others combined only total about ten thousand, and they're all sabotaging each other, so none have wiped out the rest."

"Technically, Zhao Xiang should now hold Dongning City. The smaller factions have all fled to surrounding counties."

Jiang Mingyu said: "Then let's crush Zhao Xiang first—the rest won't matter."

But the scout shook his head: "My lord, it's not that simple. Zhao Xiang already heard we took Dingdong and Xiawei, so he knows our next move is Dongning. He's fortified the city and sworn never to leave."

Jiang Mingyu's face darkened: "From Xiawei to Dongning is seven or eight hundred li—we have limited grain. Zhao Xiang's just trying to stall us, drain our strength, then strike back."

At that moment, Zhang Jiaqi asked: "What do Zhao Xiang's men wear?"

The scout blinked, then answered: "Zhao Xiang's forces are weak—his soldiers have no uniform. They all dress like ordinary civilians."

Zhang Jiaqi smiled mysteriously and said to Jiang Mingyu: "Big Brother Jiang, I have a plan to take Dongning City!"

Jiang Mingyu was thrilled and pressed her for details. Zhang Jiaqi whispered a few words into his ear. Jiang Mingyu burst into laughter, praising her brilliance.

Jiang Mingyu exclaimed: "Jiaqi, how did I never know you were so brilliant? Whoever marries you is truly lucky!"

Zhang Jiaqi blushed, stammering helplessly.

At that moment, Tukesiluo walked in, watching them, and asked curiously: "What were you two talking about that made you so happy?"

Zhang Jiaqi quickly made an excuse and left.

Jiang Mingyu invited Tukesiluo to sit and explained: "Just now, Jiaqi gave me a brilliant plan to capture Dongning..."

He then recounted Zhang Jiaqi's plan in full to Tukesiluo.

Tukesiluo laughed heartily: "That's devious, brother! I'll get everything ready right away!"

Jiang Mingyu said slowly: "Zhong the Old Russian will scratch his head till he's bald and never guess Jiaqi's plan. Ha! Just wait and watch the show!"

Jiang Mingyu thought to himself: Zhao Xiang is finished this time!

The next morning, Jiang Mingyu ordered: "I'm taking twenty thousand troops to Dongning. Goudan stays behind in Xiawei. Tukesiluo, Jiaqi, come with me!"

No sooner had he spoken than Tukesiluo led twenty thousand troops, disguised as civilians, speeding off.

Three days later, they arrived near Honghe County, the easternmost part of Dongning Prefecture—a poor, remote town with fewer than ten thousand people. Rumor had it that a rebel band led by Qian Dadan still held the town.

Jiang Mingyu decided to take Honghe first, then push westward against other counties. He and Tukesiluo hid in the hills, observing for hours, then whispered: "Bring me the map."

A soldier quickly brought a map and handed it to Jiang Mingyu. He studied the marked location of Honghe County, then pointed: "Start here."

He glanced at the sky: "It's still early. Tukesiluo, let the men rest. We move after noon—follow the plan."

Tukesiluo nodded: "Got it, boss. You can count on me."

Time passed quickly—it was soon afternoon. Jiang Mingyu waved his hand: "Move out!"

His five hundred soldiers, already dressed as civilians, slipped into Honghe County in batches. The rest, led by Tukesiluo, hid nearby, waiting for Jiang Mingyu's signal.

Inside Honghe City, Jiang Mingyu glanced around and muttered to Tukesiluo: "This dump calls itself a county town? Pure backwater." Tukesiluo whispered back: "Yeah, boss, even worse than Shangmu. Qian Dadan's got no ambition—only this pitiful patch of land!"

Honghe County was small, its town narrow, even smaller than old Shangmu. The townsfolk wore tattered clothes, their faces dull, lives miserable.

Rebel leader Qian Dadan lived in the county office—a fat middle-aged man with a face full of coarse flesh, clearly greedy and shameless. His men lounged in groups along the streets, basking in the sun, brandishing weapons to intimidate civilians.

If not for their weapons, they'd be indistinguishable from ordinary civilians. Jiang Mingyu's five hundred soldiers blended into the crowd, waiting for their moment.

Jiang Mingyu watched Qian Dadan's men, drunk and lewd, every one a wastrel. He thought bitterly: "Qian Dadan's a scumbag—his troops are this undisciplined and he thinks he can do big things? Hah, laughable."

As dusk fell, Jiang Mingyu signaled his men and whispered: "Begin, brothers!"

Instantly, the five hundred moved. Fires erupted simultaneously across the town.

Qian Dadan's men panicked: "Shit! Fire! Put it out!"

At that moment, Tukesiluo led his men charging in from outside, banging gongs and drums, shouting: "I'm Zhao Xiang's man! Here to seize grain! The fire? I set it—dare you still withhold grain?"

Qian Dadan, still drunk, jolted awake, staggered to the city wall, and saw a large group below.

He brandished his blade and roared: "I never provoked your master Zhao! No grain! If you want a fight, I'll give you one!"

Tukesiluo sneered: "No grain means death! Archers—fire!"

A rain of arrows rained down, killing and wounding over a hundred of Qian Dadan's men.

Qian Dadan fumed: "Fuck you, Zhao Xiang! You're asking for death!"

Tukesiluo had no intention of fighting. He wheeled his horse and fled: "Outnumbered! Retreat to report to Lord Zhao!"

Jiang Mingyu had already slipped away. Tukesiluo's force suffered no losses, completing the mission effortlessly.

Seeing Tukesiluo flee, Qian Dadan seethed but dared not chase them out of the city. He ordered his men to extinguish the fires and clean up the mess.

He seethed inwardly: "Who the hell are these bastards? Daring to defy me! I'll find their hideout and wipe them all out!"

He didn't know it was all Jiang Mingyu and Tukesiluo's scheme. They had already probed Qian Dadan's weakness—his men were drunk, indulgent, and undisciplined. They slipped into the city, scattered their forces, and created chaos. They deliberately posed as Zhao Xiang's men to draw Qian Dadan's attention, making him believe Zhao Xiang was behind the attacks.

Their goal: to distract Qian Dadan, preventing him from launching a full assault on Xiawei County, while buying time for their next move.

Jiang Mingyu and Tukesiluo returned to their mountain camp and reported their success. Jiang Mingyu smiled: "Qian Dadan's surely rattled now. Let's wait and see how he handles this."

Tukesiluo nodded: "Yeah, that brat was asking for it. But we can't be careless—if he discovers our trail, we're in trouble."

Jiang Mingyu shook his head: "Don't worry. We were too subtle—he can't find us. Besides, we still have one more card."

Tukesiluo's eyes lit up: "You mean that..."

Jiang Mingyu nodded with a smile: "Yes, that one. When the time's right, we'll give Qian Dadan a real surprise."

Tukesiluo grinned: "Perfect—that's our trump card. I can't wait to see Qian Dadan's face then."

The two exchanged a knowing smile.

Qian Dadan stared at the bloody, mangled bodies on the ground, his rage boiling: "Zhao Xiang, you son of a bitch—I'll kill you or die trying!"

One of his soldiers hurried to urge: "Lord, let's chase them!" Qian Dadan kicked him away, cursing: "Chase? Look at how many they've got! We're nothing but trash—barely enough to fill their teeth!"

"Keep the gates locked tight from now on! If this happens again, I'll castrate all of you!" The soldiers nodded frantically, then timidly asked: "So... we just let this go?"

Let it go? Qian Dadan sneered. "I bet Zhao Xiang, after failing to grab grain here, will go harass other counties."

"When he pisses off the other rebel bands, we'll join them and crush him together!" As expected, things unfolded exactly as Qian Dadan predicted.

Half a month passed—these "Zhao Xiang" bastards had raided nearly every county in Dongning.

A few county magistrates, even worse off than Qian Dadan, found their hard-earned grain stores looted overnight.

Finally, the seven rebel bands besides Zhao Xiang united. They gathered over ninety thousand troops and stormed toward Dongning City.

Dongning City, the capital of Dongning Prefecture, had formidable defenses.

But facing eighty thousand rebel troops, the city's defenders were terrified.