Chapter 221: Keeping Them in Suspense

Su Su Zimo was so terrified his soul nearly fled his body, shouting that he wanted to run. Tu Tu Kesiluo sneered once, drew his long sword: "Want to leave? No way!"

Before he could finish speaking, his body swayed, a flash of sword light appeared, and he stabbed straight at Su Su Zimo.

Su Su Zimo ran a few steps; how could he outrun Tu Tu Kesiluo's flying sword? Just then, with a "Boom!", a bloody hole appeared in his chest, the sword tip piercing through from behind.

Before Su Su Zimo could react, his head fell to the ground.

Tu Tu Kesiluo held the severed head and said coldly: "Su Su Zimo is dead and gone; do you still want to resist?"

The Wucheng soldiers were so frightened their legs turned to jelly. At that moment, Li Dogan led his troops charging over, surrounding the Wucheng soldiers so tightly not even water could leak through.

The Wucheng soldiers held swords and blades in their hands, all gleaming with cold light; they knew that daring to move recklessly again meant seeking death.

At this moment, Jiang Jiang Mingyu waved his hand to order the shield-bearers to retreat, slowly raised two fingers, and said:

"I give you two paths: either continue to stubbornly hold out until total annihilation; or surrender to me, and you can still keep your lives."

"Remember, you have only the time it takes to drink a cup of tea to consider. I do not have that much patience."

No one wanted to die for nothing. The Wucheng soldiers looked at the severed head on the ground and the sword light surrounding them, and immediately made their choice.

"I surrender! Don't kill me!" one soldier shouted, throwing down his weapon.

Immediately, the second and third also dropped their weapons, kneeling before Jiang Jiang Mingyu to beg for mercy.

In less than half a cup of tea's time, all the Wucheng soldiers had surrendered.

Throwing Su Su Zimo's severed head aside, Tu Tu Kesiluo sheathed his blade and said proudly: "Let me tell you, if I personally get my hands on you, no matter what you are, I'll make sure you're all dealt with cleanly and swiftly!"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu glared at him, ignored him, and ordered: "Dog-an, Zhang Jiaqi, quickly integrate these surrendered soldiers into our army and discipline them strictly! You people listen well: if you dare have any treacherous thoughts, I will have the entire army slaughter you!"

The surrendered soldiers trembled violently, answered in unison, and quickly reorganized their ranks.

One hour later, the newly formed ranks were basically established. Jiang Jiang Mingyu didn't expect that before even fighting, he had gained over twenty thousand troops. If Li Li Bolun found out, he would surely spit blood from anger.

At this time, Tu Tu Kesiluo leaned over and asked quietly: "Big Brother, according to the scouts, only thirty thousand soldiers remain in Wucheng City. With so many of us, how should we handle this?"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu had already formed a plan; he turned to one of the surrendered soldiers and asked: "Among you, who else commands troops?"

A burly man stepped forward; Jiang Jiang Mingyu nodded and said: "What is your name? How many men do you lead?"

The burly man dropped his weapon, knelt on one knee, and reported: "Replying to my lord, your subordinate is Meng Meng Fujun, originally commanding three thousand men."

Hearing Jiang Jiang Mingyu's words, a hint of tension and unease showed in Meng Meng Fujun's eyes. He hesitated for a moment and said in a low voice: "My lord, although your subordinate is a Thousand-Man Commander under Lord Li, betraying him to surrender to you this time, your subordinate's heart still..."

His voice gradually faded, and sweat beads seeped onto his face. Jiang Jiang Mingyu immediately realized his difficulty and quickly comforted him: "Meng Meng Fujun, you need not worry. I understand your concerns; this is not an easy choice for you. But the current situation is already as it is, and you have no other choice. Rest assured, after you surrender to me, I will employ you heavily and give you a broader future. At that time, you will surely be grateful for today's decision."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu's words seemed to steady Meng Meng Fujun's heart. He took a deep breath and said firmly: "The Zhugong Sect's teachings are correct. Your subordinate understands. Since I have decided to surrender, your subordinate will certainly exert all my strength and have no second thoughts!"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu looked at him, nodded with satisfaction: "Good! I'll give you a chance to earn merit; do you dare do it?"

Meng Meng Fujun immediately clasped his fists: "Whatever orders my lord gives, your subordinate will certainly do them even at the cost of my life!"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu said: "Good! Go select two thousand surrendered soldiers, young and strong ones, and return quickly."

Meng Meng Fujun responded and left. Tu Tu Kesiluo looked puzzled and asked: "Big Brother, what exactly are you planning to do?"

Zhang Jiaqi said nothing, simply waiting quietly for Jiang Jiang Mingyu to speak.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu shook his head: "Wait until Meng Meng Fujun returns before I tell you; don't rush yet."

Tu Tu Kesiluo muttered: "Every time you keep us in suspense; I can't stand this act."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu could only smile bitterly. He knew Tu Tu Kesiluo was an impatient person, but he had his own plans.

Half an hour later, Meng Meng Fujun returned with two thousand surrendered soldiers, running up to Jiang Jiang Mingyu.

"Zhugong, the people are all selected; as for how to arrange them, you decide."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu glanced at the people he brought and nodded.

"Alright, these are the ones."

Tu Tu Kesiluo, who had been waiting impatiently, urged:

"Big Brother, can you hurry up and tell us?"

Zhang Zhang Jiaqi also blinked her big eyes, and Li Dogan wore a look of curiosity.

Only then did Jiang Jiang Mingyu open his mouth.

"This time we will do it like this... you just need to... and then Da Gong will be achieved; do you understand?"

After hearing Jiang Jiang Mingyu's words, Tu Tu Kesiluo and the others were amazed.

"Big Brother, you are truly a genius! How did you come up with such an amazing plan?"

Zhang Zhang Jiaqi also praised:

"Yes, Big Brother, your calculations are truly divine! With this, we can capture Wucheng in one stroke!"

Li Dogan also said excitedly:

"Big Brother, you are too amazing! Following you has not been in vain!"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu smiled and patted their shoulders.

"Alright, alright, stop praising me. We set out early tomorrow morning; everyone get ready. Remember my arrangements and absolutely do not make any mistakes."

Tu Tu Kesiluo and the others immediately responded:

"Rest assured, Big Brother, we will certainly do exactly as you say!"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu nodded, looking at them with satisfaction.

Half an hour later, Tu Tu Kesiluo led two thousand surrendered soldiers and three thousand Jiang army troops and set out together.

Only Jiang Jiang Mingyu and Zhang Jiaqi remained. Zhang Jiaqi looked at Jiang Jiang Mingyu somewhat shyly, secretly admiring him in her heart. She felt Jiang Jiang Mingyu was not only handsome and dashing but also wise and brave, the hero in her heart.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu chuckled softly and asked: "Zhang Jiaqi, why have you been staring at me like this? Is there something you want to say to me?"

Zhang Jiaqi's face turned red; she stammered: "Brother Jiang, I just admire your ability to come up with so many brilliant strategies; it truly makes people look at you with new respect! Your plan this time is too wonderful; you have outmaneuvered both Li Li Bolun and Su Su Zimo!"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu smiled bitterly: "This was forced out of me; if not for these tactics, I would have been killed by Fei Hou in Shangmu long ago. At that time, both you and Uncle Tu Ke almost lost your lives; I swore that never again would I let anyone suffer harm."

After speaking, he added inadvertently: "Of course, you are the same."

Zhang Jiaqi heard this, felt confused and her face turned red again; she murmured quietly: "I believe you..."

She had originally intended to speak her heart at this opportunity, but thinking the great undertaking of capturing the city was not yet accomplished, she swallowed her words. She did not know whether Jiang Jiang Mingyu had feelings for her and dared not confess lightly. She could only silently pray that once Changwu City was captured, they would have a beautiful future.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu did not hear clearly what she was muttering, only saying, "Alright, Zhang Zhang Jiaqi, Uncle Tu Ke and the others have already set out; you should prepare quickly as well. Tomorrow we will attack Changwu City, and there can be no carelessness whatsoever."

Zhang Zhang Jiaqi nodded with a red face and turned to get busy.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu felt quite puzzled by her actions but had no time to ponder deeply, immediately throwing himself into planning the city assault. He took out the map and intelligence, carefully analyzing Changwu City's defenses and Li Bo's deployments. He needed to find the most suitable breakthrough point and the best timing.

Zhang Zhang Jiaqi secretly made up her mind on the side that once Changwu City was captured, she would definitely speak her heart clearly and could not dawdle any longer! She believed Jiang Jiang Mingyu would definitely like her. She would use her true heart to move him.