Chapter 220: Ambush

The veiled woman said coldly, "Fine, since you're so eager for revenge, I'll accept you as my disciple. But don't think it's that easy—you must pass my trials to prove you're worthy."

Jiang Mingyu led forty thousand troops and met up with Li Goudan in Dongning. They also brought along Ning Li, recommended by Zhuge Yu.

Li Goudan stared at Ning Li, praising him endlessly: "Big Brother, Ning Li is a rare talent selected by Commissioner Sima from among a thousand! He's a genius who excels in both literature and martial arts!"

Jiang Mingyu glanced at Ning Li once, seeing his dignified appearance and calm bearing—he was quite satisfied. He casually asked Ning Li a few questions about Xiawei's situation, then appointed him as Inspector of Xiawei Commandery.

He shifted the topic and asked Li Goudan about Dongning's situation. At that moment, Tukesiluo hurried in and reported that Dongning had taken in over a hundred thousand civilians, and the people's hearts had turned toward them.

Jiang Mingyu was overjoyed: "If the people support us, they oppose Marquis Fei. If things continue like this, Marquis Fei's days are numbered!"

He ordered Li Goudan: "Rest your men well. Tomorrow, our army marches—destination: Zhangwu."

Li Goudan and Tukesiluo both replied: "Yes, my lord!"

Deep into the night, Jiang Mingyu's camp still glowed with lantern light, bustling with activity. Li Goudan had just returned from patrol when Zhang Jiaqi pushed open the tent flap and whispered, "Lord Jiang, the scouts sent to Zhangwu have returned!"

Jiang Mingyu had been lying on the kang studying maps. At her words, he sat up quickly and called out, "Come in and speak."

A scout, sweat-drenched and gasping, entered behind Jiaqi and reported: "My lord, the situation in Zhangwu is dire! A few days ago, a man named Li Bolun suddenly appeared, crushed all the rebel forces, seized Zhangwu City, and now commands over fifty thousand men! This fellow is no pushover—Lord Jiang, you must be cautious!"

Li Bolun? Jiang Mingyu narrowed his eyes, thinking inwardly: This man is formidable—he seized Zhangwu City in one stroke. He's no ordinary man.

"Who the hell is this Li Bolun? Any notable background?" Jiang Mingyu pressed.

The scout shook his head: "Details are unclear, but we know he has a strategist named Su Zi'mo—a crafty schemer who excels at manipulation. Lord Jiang, beware his tricks!"

Jiang Mingyu fell silent for a moment, then waved for the scout to rest. He told Jiaqi: "If Li Bolun has a strategist like him, taking Zhangwu won't be easy."

Tukesiluo dismissed it: "Lord Jiang, don't worry. Tomorrow we march to crush Li Bolun. Give the order, and I'll lead the troops straight into the city and wipe them out!"

Jiang Mingyu shook his head: "Tu, don't underestimate Li Bolun. He defeated so many forces—he must have real skill. We mustn't be careless."

"You and Jiaqi mustn't confront him head-on. Hide your strength until we take Zhangwu."

Tukesiluo was resentful but still agreed.

Jiaqi asked softly: "Lord Jiang, aren't you afraid of Li Bolun and Su Zi'mo?"

Jiang Mingyu smiled: "Why fear them? They're rebels, no matter how skilled. With our sixty thousand troops and the people's support, can Zhangwu truly stop us?"

Hearing this, Jiaqi's heart warmed. She murmured gently: "Lord Jiang, wise and mighty—you will surely quell the Great Feng and bring blessings to the people!"

Jiang Mingyu kissed her forehead, smiling faintly: "Tomorrow, we strike with full force—let Li Bolun see our might!"

As dawn broke, Jiang Mingyu rose and assembled his army. Sixty thousand troops marched north along the main road, heading straight for Zhangwu City, ready to face off against Li Bolun!

At dawn, Jiang Mingyu led sixty thousand troops out of Dongning toward Zhangwu City. They rode hard along the main road, dusty but brimming with morale.

Jiang Mingyu rode atop his horse, flanked by his trusted wife Zhang Jiaqi and his loyal aide Tukesiluo. The three conversed, sometimes discussing battle, sometimes joking.

"Big Brother Jiang, what kind of trick do you think Su Zi'mo will use?" Zhang Jiaqi asked curiously.

Jiang Mingyu glanced around, then whispered: "We don't know yet, but if he's got a reputation, he's no good. Our army's coming hard and fast—they must already know we're here. Stay alert, keep guard."

Zhang Jiaqi nodded and passed Jiang's words to the others.

From Dongning to Zhangwu was only four hundred miles—they reached it in three days. On the second day of marching, Tukesiluo suddenly shouted: "Stop!"

Jiang Mingyu pulled his reins tight and halted. "What is it?"

Before Tukesiluo could speak, Zhang Jiaqi pointed to the distant woods: "Big Brother Jiang, look—those birds have all taken flight. There's an ambush in the forest!"

Tukesiluo nodded: "I thought the same. Little niece, your eyes are sharp."

An ambush here? No need to guess—it had to be Su Zi'mo's doing!

Jiang Mingyu gazed into the distance and smiled: "So Su Zi'mo's scheme has begun. This fellow knows how to play games."

He narrowed his eyes, surveyed the surroundings, and calmly ordered: "Transmit my command—prepare for battle! We outnumber them. If we advance steadily, we'll break this ambush. Jiaqi, you and Uncle Tu stay alert—don't fall for his trap."

Zhang Jiaqi and Tukesiluo both nodded in agreement.

Jiang Mingyu continued riding as he arranged: "Goudan, take ten thousand men and circle around the left flank behind the hills. Uncle Tu, take ten thousand and flank from the right. Jiaqi and I will hold the center, draw them out, then encircle and annihilate them. This time, we'll reap a great harvest!"

Tukesiluo and Li Goudan both responded and led their troops swiftly into the woods.

The army pressed forward. Jiaqi gripped her longsword tightly, guarding Jiang Mingyu's back. Jiang Mingyu waved his hand: "Jiaqi, don't be tense—it'll alert them. Act as if nothing's wrong. Stay calm."

Jiaqi loosened her grip. They had traveled barely ten li when a loud shout rang out ahead: "Jiang Mingyu! Trying to run?"

At the voice, a massive wave of peasant rebels surged from all sides, surrounding the Jiang army.

A man with a goatee stood atop a rise, sizing up Jiang Mingyu with a cold smirk: "So you're Jiang Mingyu? With your pitiful strength, you dare lay claim to Zhangwu? How presumptuous!"

Jiang Mingyu feigned panic, stammering: "Who are you?"

The goatee laughed loudly: "You're almost at Zhangwu and still don't know who I am? Jiang Mingyu, your name echoes far and wide—but face to face, you're a coward!"

"Let me tell you—I'm Su Zi'mo, Li Bolun's strategist. You think your wit is enough to seize Zhangwu? Dream on!"

"I learned of your arrival two days ago. I've stationed twenty thousand troops here to wait for you—prepared a big sack."

"Look at the terrain—you can't even turn back, let alone deploy your full force!"

Jiang Mingyu smiled inwardly: Twenty thousand? You're vastly underestimating me. I was hoping to harvest more heads.

Seeing Jiang Mingyu's face flicker with emotion, Su Zi'mo assumed he'd surrendered. He spoke coolly: "Jiang Mingyu, I've said all I needed to. Time to meet Yama. Archers—fire!"

If we kill Jiang Mingyu today, Zhangwu Commandery is secure. Then Dongning, Xiawei, and Fen Yin will all fall into our hands. With this great merit, Lord Li will reward us handsomely, Su Zi'mo thought.

No sooner had he spoken than a hail of arrows flew through the air.

Jiang Mingyu and Jiaqi immediately ducked behind their horses.

"Su Zi'mo, you scheming villain—your plan has failed! When I reach Zhangwu City, I'll send you and Li Bolun straight to hell!" Jiang Mingyu shouted.

As the bowstrings twanged, Jiaqi saw the arrowstorm coming and cried: "Big Brother, where are my brother and Goudan? Why aren't they moving?"

Jiang Mingyu remained calm: "Don't worry—they're fine. Watch yourself!" Then he shouted loudly: "Jiaqi, watch out!"

Jiaqi turned—and saw arrows raining down. She slashed one away with her sword and roared: "Raise shields! Protect Lord Jiang!"

The strategists immediately raised shields, forming a wall around Jiang Mingyu. They saved him—but nearly a hundred strategists fell.

Su Zi'mo waved his hand: "Charge! Kill Jiang Mingyu!"

Twenty thousand Zhangwu troops roared forward. As Su Zi'mo predicted, the Jiang army couldn't deploy in the narrow space. Soldiers barely drew their blades before their hilts collided with comrades' arms.

Su Zi'mo sneered: "Jiang Mingyu, today you're finished!"

A Zhangwu soldier lunged at Jiang Mingyu—Jiaqi cut him down with one stroke. Her sword danced, and a dozen Zhangwu soldiers fell.

The Zhangwu troops, enraged, shouted: "Kill this bitch!"

Su Zi'mo cried: "Ignore her! Kill Jiang Mingyu first!"

Jiaqi held the line impenetrably; the Zhangwu troops pressed harder.

At that moment, thunderous shouts erupted from both sides of the hills—Tukesiluo and Li Goudan had returned!

Su Zi'mo's face turned ashen—he realized he'd been tricked! Before he could react, Jiang Mingyu drew his sword and roared: "Come on! All of you!"

The trapped Jiang troops surged with renewed morale, joining the reinforcements to turn the tables—surrounding the Zhangwu forces in the center.