Chapter 220: Ambush

The woman behind the veil spoke coldly: "Very well, since you are so eager for revenge, I shall accept you as my disciple. However, do not think this will be easy; you must pass my trial to prove you have the ability!"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu, leading an army of 40,000, met Li Goudan in Dongning. They also brought Ning Li, the Inspector recommended by Zhu Ge Yu.

Li Goudan looked at Ning Li, full of praise: "Big Brother, this Ning Li is a talent selected from a thousand by Lord Tang Sima! He is a rare genius capable in both civil and military affairs!"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu sized Ning Li up, seeing his dignified appearance and steady demeanor, and felt quite satisfied. He casually asked Ning Li a few questions about the situation in Xiawei, then appointed him as the Inspector of Xiawei Commandery.

Changing the subject, he asked Li Goudan about the situation in Dongning. At this moment, Tu Tu Kesiluo also hurried in, reporting that Dongning had already sheltered over 100,000 commoners and that the people's hearts had turned to them.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu was extremely pleased upon hearing this: "If the people support us, it is equivalent to opposing Fei Hou. If this continues, Fei Hou's days are numbered!"

He instructed Li Goudan: "Let the men you brought rest well; tomorrow our army will set out, with Changwu as our destination!"

Li Goudan and Tu Tu Kesiluo both responded: "As you command!"

Deep in the night, when all was quiet, Jiang Jiang Mingyu's camp was still brightly lit with people coming and going, quite lively. Just as Li Goudan returned from patrolling with his men, Zhang Zhang Jiaqi pushed open the door and entered Jiang Jiang Mingyu's tent, whispering: "My Lord, the scouts sent to Changwu have returned!"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu, lying on the kang studying a map, heard her speak and quickly sat up, calling out: "Come in and speak."

A scout rider, sweat on his head, followed Zhang Jiaqi in and reported breathlessly: "Reporting to My Lord, the situation in Changwu is dire! A few days ago, a Li Li Bolun suddenly appeared, knocked down all the righteous armies, occupied Changwu City, and now has over 50,000 men under his command! This fellow is no pushover; My Lord, you must be careful."

Li Li Bolun? Jiang Jiang Mingyu narrowed his eyes, thinking to himself, This fellow is formidable; taking Changwu City in one stroke, he seems no ordinary person.

"Who is this Li Li Bolun? He must have a significant background?" Jiang Jiang Mingyu pressed.

The scout shook his head: "The specific details are unclear, but we know he has a strategist named Su Su Zimo by his side, a man who plays dirty, skilled at scheming against others. My Lord, you must be extremely careful of his treacherous plots."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu pondered for a moment, then waved his hand to let the scout go rest. He said to Zhang Jiaqi: "Since Li Li Bolun has such a strategist assisting him, taking Changwu City will not be easy."

Tu Tu Kesiluo disagreed, interjecting: "My Lord, do not worry. Tomorrow we set out to annihilate Li Li Bolun; at your single command, I guarantee I will lead the troops into the city and crush them!"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu shook his head: "A-Tu, let us not underestimate Li Li Bolun. He defeated so many troops; he must have some real skill. We cannot be complacent."

"You and Zhang Jiaqi must not fight him head-on; you must hide your true strength until we have taken Changwu City."

Tu Tu Kesiluo felt resentful in his heart but agreed nonetheless.

Zhang Jiaqi asked softly: "My Lord, are you not afraid of Li Li Bolun and Su Su Zimo?"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu smiled: "What is there to fear? No matter how powerful, they are just rebels! With our 60,000-strong army and the support of the people, can Changwu City possibly stop us?"

Hearing him say this, Zhang Jiaqi felt warm inside and said in a soft voice: "My Lord is wise and majestic; you will absolutely pacify Great Feng and bring benefit to the common people!"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu kissed her forehead, smiling faintly: "Tomorrow, we will strike with one burst of energy and let Li Li Bolun witness our might!"

As dawn approached, Jiang Jiang Mingyu rose, organized the troops, and set out. The 60,000-strong army marched north along the official road in great momentum, heading straight for Changwu City, waiting to settle the score with Li Li Bolun!

In the early morning, Jiang Jiang Mingyu led the 60,000-strong army from Dongning, advancing toward Changwu City. They spurred their horses along the official road, covered in dust all the way, yet their morale was high.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu rode on horseback, with his trusted wife Zhang Zhang Jiaqi and his confidant Tu Tu Kesiluo by his side. The three of them conversed, sometimes discussing military matters, sometimes joking.

"Brother Jiang, what kind of treacherous plots do you think Su Su Zimo will use?" Zhang Zhang Jiaqi asked curiously.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu looked left and right, speaking in a low voice: "We do not know yet, but since he has a reputation for talent, he is certainly no good bird. Our great army approaches with fierce momentum; Li Li Bolun and the others must already know. It is better to be cautious and guard against them."

Zhang Zhang Jiaqi acknowledged, then relayed Brother Jiang's words to the others.

The distance from Dongning to Changwu City was only over 400 li; traveling for three days would get them there. On the second day of departure, Tu Tu Kesiluo suddenly shouted: "Wait!"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu quickly pulled the reins and stopped. "What's wrong?"

Before Tu Tu Kesiluo could speak, Zhang Zhang Jiaqi pointed to the woods in the distance: "Big Brother Jiang, look, those birds are scared into flying up; there must be an ambush in the woods!"

Tu Tu Kesiluo also nodded: "That is what I thought too; little sister-in-law has excellent eyesight."

To encounter an ambush in this place, without thinking, it must be a trap set by Su Su Zimo!

Jiang Jiang Mingyu glanced toward the distance and smiled: "It seems Su Su Zimo's plot has already begun. This fellow knows how to play games!"

Having finished speaking, he narrowed his eyes to examine the surroundings and calmly ordered: "Convey my military order: the entire army prepare for battle! Currently, we have a numerical advantage; as long as we fight steadily, we can break this ambush. Zhang Jiaqi, you and Uncle Tu Ke must stay alert and not fall into the trap."

Zhang Zhang Jiaqi and Tu Tu Kesiluo both nodded in agreement.

While continuing the journey, Jiang Jiang Mingyu arranged: "Goudan, you take 10,000 brothers and circle around from behind the mountain on the left. Uncle Tu Ke, you also take 10,000 men to encircle from the right. Zhang Jiaqi and I will fight head-on, lure them out, and then surround and annihilate them. We must make a big profit this time!"

Tu Tu Kesiluo and Li Goudan both agreed with a sound, leading their men and quickly disappearing into the mountains and forests.

The main army continued forward, Zhang Jiaqi tightly gripping her long sword to protect Jiang Jiang Mingyu's back. Jiang Jiang Mingyu waved his hand: "Zhang Jiaqi, do not be too nervous; it will make the enemy suspicious. Let us act as if nothing is wrong, leisurely and carefree."

Zhang Jiaqi finally loosened her grip. They had not walked ten li when a loud shout suddenly came from ahead: "Jiang Jiang Mingyu, do you want to run?"

Following the voice, a huge crowd of peasant soldiers surged from all directions, surrounding Jiang's army completely.

A man with a goatee stood on high, sizing Jiang Jiang Mingyu up and down, a cold sneer appearing at the corner of his mouth: "So you are Jiang Jiang Mingyu? With such little skill, you still want to make a move on our Changwu? Truly ignorant of the heavens and the earth!"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu pretended to be terrified, asking repeatedly: "Who are you?"

The man with the goatee laughed heartily: "You are almost at Changwu and still do not know who I am? Jiang Jiang Mingyu's reputation is far-reaching, yet meeting you, I find a waste!"

"Let me tell you, I am Su Su Zimo, the strategist of Li Li Bolun. With such low intelligence, you still want to occupy our Changwu? Dream on!"

"I learned of your arrival in Changwu two days ago. I specifically brought 20,000 soldiers to lie in ambush here for you, preparing a big net."

"Just look at the terrain; even turning to flee will be difficult, let alone trying to deploy everyone!"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu smiled inwardly: Just 20,000 men? They underestimate me too much. I originally wanted to harvest more heads.

Seeing his expression change repeatedly, Su Su Zimo thought he had accepted his fate and said indifferently: "Jiang Jiang Mingyu, everything that needs to be said has been said; you may proceed to meet the King of Hell. Men, release the arrows!"

If Jiang Jiang Mingyu was beheaded today, Changwu Commandery would be secure. At that time, Dongning, Xiawei, and Fenyin would all fall into our hands! With such Great Merit, Lord Li will surely reward us greatly! Su Su Zimo thought.

As soon as he finished speaking, a shower of arrows flew in.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu and Zhang Jiaqi immediately hid behind their horses to avoid them.

"Su Su Zimo, you scheming villain, your plan has failed! When I reach Changwu City, I will make you and Li Li Bolun go to hell together!" Jiang Jiang Mingyu shouted loudly.

The bowstring twanged; Zhang Jiaqi saw the arrow shower coming and hurriedly said: "Brother Jiang, why haven't my brother and Goudan attacked yet?"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu said calmly: "Rest assured, the two of them are fine. You be careful!" Then he shouted loudly: "Zhang Jiaqi, watch out!"

Zhang Jiaqi turned her head to look; the sky was already filled with arrows flying over. She slashed one arrow away with her blade and roared: "Raise shields to protect My Lord!"

The strategists immediately raised shields to surround Jiang Jiang Mingyu. Although they saved him, over a hundred strategists still fell.

Su Su Zimo waved his hand and said: "Charge for me! Cut down Jiang Jiang Mingyu!"

The 20,000 Changwu soldiers roared as they charged forward. Jiang's army, just as Su Su Zimo predicted, could not deploy at all in such a narrow place. As soon as they tried to draw their swords, they found the hilts colliding with their own comrades' arms.

Su Su Zimo sneered darkly, "Jiang Jiang Mingyu, today you are finished!"

One Changwu soldier tried to stab Jiang Jiang Mingyu, but Zhang Zhang Jiaqi cut him down with a single sword strike. She wielded her long sword, and more than a dozen Changwu soldiers fell to the ground.

The Changwu soldiers, eyes red with rage, shouted, "Kill this little woman!"

Su Su Zimo cried urgently, "Ignore her! Cut down Jiang Jiang Mingyu first!"

Zhang Zhang Jiaqi defended so tightly that not even water could pass; the Changwu soldiers grew more frantic with every kill.

Just then, the roar of battle shook the sky from both sides behind the mountain; it turned out that Tu Tu Kesiluo and Li Goudan had returned!

Su Su Zimo's face changed drastically; only then did he realize he had fallen into a trap! Before he could react, Jiang Jiang Mingyu had already drawn his sword and shouted, "Come on, all of you at once!"

The morale of the besieged Jiang soldiers surged greatly; cooperating with the reinforcements from behind, they turned the tables and surrounded the Changwu soldiers in the middle.