Chapter 227: Give Him Another Surprise

Amid the thunderous clatter of hooves, Jiang Jiang Mingyu suddenly heard an urgent cry from behind: "My Lord! —Don't go!"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu was startled and quickly reined in his horse, turning to look. He saw a soldier in Longwu Army uniform rushing toward him. This soldier was one of the captives he had previously subdued; originally a mere private, he had switched allegiance to Jiang Jiang Mingyu's command under a mix of threats and inducements.

"What's so urgent?" Jiang Jiang Mingyu asked, frowning.

The soldier dismounted, removed his helmet, and bowed before Jiang Jiang Mingyu, saying, "My Lord, I was born outside Yingchang. Since childhood, I have known of a small path that can save the main army half a day's travel!"

As he spoke, he pointed to a winding small path beside the main road: "It's right over there. I went to check it just now; there are no problems."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu glanced at the small path, feeling some hesitation. The path looked very narrow and treacherous; he was unsure if his main army could pass through it. Moreover, what if it was a trap? He began to doubt this soldier's sincerity.

"Are you sure?" Jiang Jiang Mingyu asked in a deep voice.

The soldier immediately straightened his chest and said, "I dare guarantee I am not lying! If I have deceived my Lord, let my Lord deal with me as he sees fit!"

Seeing his determined gaze, Jiang Jiang Mingyu felt slightly more at ease. He thought for a moment and felt this opportunity could not be missed. If they could arrive at Yingchang City half a day early, they could launch a surprise attack before the enemy was prepared, greatly increasing the chances of capturing the city.

"Very well, then we shall proceed as you say." Jiang Jiang Mingyu nodded. "You shall lead the way now. If we capture Yingchang City, I will surely reward you heavily!"

Hearing this, the soldier was so delighted he nearly jumped for joy. "Thank you, My Lord! Thank you, My Lord!" he exclaimed repeatedly. "My Lord, please follow me! All soldiers, please follow me!"

Having finished speaking, he remounted his horse and rushed into the small path. Jiang Jiang Mingyu followed suit, leading his main army into that unknown path.

They traveled on the small path for two days and two nights, encountering no obstacles along the way. By the early morning of the third day, the soldier suddenly whispered to Jiang Jiang Mingyu, "My Lord, Yingchang City lies ahead."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu looked up and saw a faint glimmer of light in the distant sky. That was the light from the walls of Yingchang City, indicating they were nearly at their destination.

A thrill of joy rose in Jiang Jiang Mingyu's heart. He said to the soldier, "You have worked hard; go to the rear to collect your reward."

The soldier hurriedly thanked Jiang Jiang Mingyu and retreated to the rear.

The night was as dark as ink, and the wind sounded like knives. Zhang Zhang Jiaqi tightly gripped the long sword in her hand, her gaze cold as she stared at the Yingchang City before her. This city was a crucial stronghold for the Other Xi Xia in the pass, and also the site of their crimes against the Han people. Tonight, she would wash away the city's shame with blood and avenge her compatriots.

She turned to look at Jiang Jiang Mingyu behind her and saw him smiling and nodding in acknowledgment.

Zhang Zhang Jiaqi sighed softly, temporarily setting aside her inner turmoil. Now was not the time for such thoughts; now was the time to kill enemies. She said to Jiang Jiang Mingyu, "Brother Jiang, how shall we attack?"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu checked the sky, a cunning smile curling his lips. "Perfect timing; it is the fourth watch, the time when the Other Xi Xia dogs are sleeping most soundly." He whispered, "Zhang Jiaqi, lead the elite forces to infiltrate the city first and open the gates. I will lead the main army to follow immediately and capture Yingchang City in one stroke."

Zhang Zhang Jiaqi nodded, accepting the order without hesitation. She knew Jiang Jiang Mingyu was giving her an opportunity to establish prestige and status within the army. Since Zhang Zhang Jiani was injured, Jiang Jiang Mingyu had been the subject of much discussion; some said he had lost his right arm, others said he had lost his fighting spirit. Although Zhang Zhang Jiaqi had assumed Zhang Zhang Jiani's position, she had not yet earned Zhang Zhang Jiani's respect and trust. She would use her own strength and wisdom to prove she was no less than Zhang Zhang Jiani.

"Rest assured, Brother Jiang," Zhang Zhang Jiaqi said firmly. "I will surely give you a surprise."

Having finished speaking, she led five hundred elite soldiers and quietly headed toward Yingchang City. By the time Jiang Jiang Mingyu arrived at the city walls with fifteen thousand troops, the garrison on the walls was still fast asleep.

"Follow me!" Zhang Zhang Jiaqi was the first to climb the city wall. Agile and highly skilled in Wu Gong, she quickly scaled the ramparts with the help of ropes. She immediately spotted the Other Xi Xia soldiers on the wall, each sleeping like a dead pig, completely unalert.

"Quick, hurry up and climb," Zhang Zhang Jiaqi whispered, urging the soldiers behind her. She knew time was tight and they could not let the enemy discover them.

Just as more than twenty people had climbed onto the tower, one careless soldier suddenly let out a loud fart. In the silence of the night, this sound was like a clap of thunder, heard clearly by those both above and below the wall.

"Damn it, who farted?" Zhang Zhang Jiaqi cursed inwardly, her heart sinking. She knew the situation was compromised.

Sure enough, a sleeping Other Xi Xia soldier was startled awake. He opened his bleary eyes and saw Zhang Zhang Jiaqi and the others. He immediately shouted, "The enemy is here! The enemy is here!"

Before he could finish shouting, Zhang Zhang Jiaqi pierced his throat with her sword. But the other guards were also alerted by his cry and, one by one, grabbed their weapons to surround and attack Zhang Zhang Jiaqi and her group.

"Kill!" Zhang Zhang Jiaqi snorted coldly, wielding her long sword to meet the enemy. The soldiers beside her also fought bravely, engaging the Other Xi Xia soldiers in a life-and-death struggle.

With Zhang Zhang Jiaqi blocking the front and Jiang Jiang Mingyu's army climbing the walls from behind, in less than half an hour, the garrison on the wall was completely annihilated.

"Open the city gates!" At Zhang Zhang Jiaqi's command, several soldiers immediately ran to push open the heavy gates.

With a Boom, the gates swung wide. Jiang Jiang Mingyu led his army in like wolves and tigers, charging inside.

"Listen to orders! Divide into four routes and strike straight at the Yingchang main camp! Leave no survivors tonight!" Jiang Jiang Mingyu issued his final command in a loud voice.

After regrouping with Jiang Jiang Mingyu, Zhang Zhang Jiaqi led two thousand troops directly toward the Yingchang main camp. The Yingchang main camp was the Other Xi Xia's general headquarters in the pass, garrisoned by ten thousand elite soldiers. However, due to Hamastren's surprise attack on Changwu County, the Other Xi Xia believed Jiang Jiang Mingyu would certainly return to defend Changwu County, so they had relaxed their vigilance. They never expected Jiang Jiang Mingyu to take the opportunity to attack Yingchang City.

Half an hour later, before dawn, Jiang Jiang Mingyu's main army finally fought its way to the Yingchang main camp. They first used arrows to shoot down a few dozing sentries, then silently entered the camp.

"The target is that tent!" Zhang Zhang Jiaqi pointed to the central command tent. "That is where the Other Xi Xia's deputy general, He He Tianhong, is located! If we kill him, this battle will be over!"

"Follow me!" Jiang Jiang Mingyu agreed, leading Zhang Zhang Jiaqi and two thousand elite soldiers in a charge toward the central command tent.

But just as they were about to reach their target, a sudden burst of hurried footsteps and low

voices and lights came from inside the tent. A group of Other Xi Xia soldiers rushed out of the tent, wielding swords and spears, charging to kill Jiang Jiang Mingyu and the others.

"No good, we've been discovered!" A shock ran through Jiang Jiang Mingyu's heart, and he quickly drew his long sword to meet the enemy.

"Zhang Jiaqi, charge with me and kill He He Tianhong!" he shouted to Zhang Zhang Jiaqi.

"Good!" Zhang Zhang Jiaqi agreed, following Jiang Jiang Mingyu into the enemy formation.

Both had fought in a hundred battles and were incredibly brave; they carved a bloody path through the ranks, heading straight for the central command tent.

He He Tianhong, the Other Xi Xia's deputy general, heard the commotion outside and ran out of the tent, wielding a long blade that shimmered with silver light, looking majestic and imposing.

"Who dares invade my camp?!" he bellowed.

"I am the one your Other Xi Xia fear most—Jiang Jiang Mingyu!" Jiang Jiang Mingyu rushed to his front and thrust his sword at his chest.

Seeing this, He He Tianhong quickly raised his blade to block. Their weapons clashed, producing a sharp metallic ring.

"So it is you, little thief! Didn't you go to defend Changwu County? How did you end up here?" He He Tianhong asked in surprise.

"Hahaha, you Other Xi Xia are truly fools! Did you think I would give up such a good opportunity? I knew your deployment in Yingchang City long ago, so I deliberately sent Hamastren to attack Changwu County to draw your attention. Then, under the cover of night, I led elite troops to raid your nest. Now your city has been captured, and your main army is already surrounded. You have no hope left! You have only one choice—surrender or die!" Jiang Jiang Mingyu laughed triumphantly.

"Surrender? We Other Xi Xia will never submit to your Great Feng. There are only Other Xi Xia who die fighting, never Other Xi Xia who surrender," He He Tianhong retorted.

"Kill him!" Jiang Jiang Mingyu immediately issued the order. He knew He He Tianhong was the elite commander of the Other Xi Xia; if they could behead him, it would greatly crush the Other Xi Xia's morale.

Hearing this, Zhang Zhang Jiaqi rushed at He He Tianhong first. She swung her long sword, ready to engage He He Tianhong.

But just then, several Other Xi Xia soldiers suddenly emerged from the tent behind He He Tianhong. They were He He Tianhong's personal guards; seeing the enemy break in, they all drew their blades to assist.

"Be careful!" Seeing this, Jiang Jiang Mingyu quickly warned Zhang Zhang Jiaqi. He immediately led the other soldiers to rush to Zhang Zhang Jiaqi's support.

In an instant, the central command tent was filled with flashing blades and the deafening roar of battle. Zhang Zhang Jiaqi and He He Tianhong engaged in fierce combat; both were highly skilled in martial arts, exchanging blows evenly with neither gaining the upper hand.

Although Zhang Zhang Jiaqi was young, she had learned Wu Gong from her elder sister Zhang Zhang Jiani since childhood and later received guidance from Jiang Jiang Mingyu. Her swordplay was agile and ruthless, and she did not fall behind.

He He Tianhong, however, was a veteran general. His blade technique was fierce and steady; every strike carried the force of a thousand pounds, making it difficult for Zhang Zhang Jiaqi to withstand.

After exchanging more than ten moves, Zhang Zhang Jiaqi gradually felt her strength waning. In her anxiety, she conceived a dangerous plan.

She deliberately exposed a flaw, allowing He He Tianhong to see an opportunity. Overjoyed, He He Tianhong immediately swung his blade to strike at Zhang Zhang Jiaqi's neck.

Zhang Zhang Jiaqi, however, dodged at the critical moment, letting the blade only graze her shoulder. Seizing the instant He He Tianhong lost his balance, she thrust her sword backward into his heart.

"Ah!" He He Tianhong let out a wretched cry; his head was severed by a single sword strike and, like a kite with a broken string, flew more than ten zhang away. Blood gushed from the severed neck, staining the ground red.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu watched this scene and chuckled softly.

He turned around and said to the soldiers behind him: "Alright, the matter here is over. Next, we are going to visit those Xi Xia dogs still asleep."

Zhang Zhang Jiaqi said happily: "Brother Jiang, congratulations on capturing Yingchang City!"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu smiled slightly, walked forward, took her hand, and said: "Zhang Jiaqi, it's all thanks to you."

Zhang Zhang Jiaqi shyly nodded and said: "This is all I should do."

"Very good," Jiang Jiang Mingyu praised. "You are truly my capable assistant."

Hearing these words, Zhang Zhang Jiaqi felt warmth in her heart. She secretly glanced at Jiang Jiang Mingyu and found him looking at her kindly. She couldn't help but blush and lower her head.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu did not notice her expression and simply continued: "Now that we have controlled Yingchang City and the main camp, as soon as news arrives from Tu Tu Kesiluo's side, we can recover the entire Lanzhou."

"How is Tu Tu Kesiluo's side?" Zhang Zhang Jiaqi asked.

"Rest assured," Jiang Jiang Mingyu said. "They will definitely succeed. Hamastren has already fallen into our trap; he cannot escape our pursuit."

"Then what should we do now?" Zhang Zhang Jiaqi asked.

"We will just wait inside the city," Jiang Jiang Mingyu said. "When Hamastren's defeated soldiers flee back, we will give him a surprise."

"What surprise?" Zhang Zhang Jiaqi asked curiously.

"Just wait and see," Jiang Jiang Mingyu said mysteriously with a smile. "He will definitely like it."