Chapter 230: Strategizing

As Jiang Mingyu finished speaking, a familiar figure entered his sight—Li Goudan, his right-hand man. Since the Battle of Xiawei, he had remained with Zhuge Yu guarding Cangzhou and had not seen Jiang Mingyu again. Now reunited, his face brimmed with excitement and anticipation.

"My lord, if we are to campaign against Yizhou, I volunteer as vanguard," he declared, his eyes gleaming with battle lust.

Jiang Mingyu looked at him, warmth stirring in his chest. He knew Li Goudan was a true warrior, unwilling to sit idle in camp. He wanted to take him along—but there was another he had to consider.

"Very well. I'll take you and Tukesiluo with me. Let Goudan and Jiaqi rest in the city for a few days," he said.

Li Goudan's lips twitched slightly at those words. He didn't dislike spending time with Zhang Jiaqi—only that she was too domineering, always challenging him. He also saw clearly how she felt for Jiang Mingyu. He didn't know whether Jiang Mingyu had noticed.

"Yes, my lord," Li Goudan could only bow his head in response.

Zhang Jiaqi was not present. After returning to Cangzhou, she had gone to visit her younger sister, Zhang Jiani. Zhang Jiani had been severely wounded in the Battle of Xiawei, nearly dying. Now she was gradually recovering, though she still needed rest.

Seeing her sister, Zhang Jiaqi felt both relief and guilt. She knew Zhang Jiani had risked her life for Jiang Mingyu. She also knew Zhang Jiani harbored deep affection for him. Yet she herself could not let go of her feelings for Jiang Mingyu. She did not know how to face this situation.

After discussing matters with Zhuge Yu and others, Jiang Mingyu took his leave. He intended to visit Liu Yifei, the woman who had stirred his heart. Since entering Cangzhou, he had not seen her. He missed her smile, her gentleness, her wit.

Tukesiluo sensed his thoughts and reminded him: "Big brother, we're leaving tomorrow. Go see Miss Liu."

Jiang Mingyu nodded. "All right. I'll visit Jiani first, then find her."

Zhang Jiani had been injured because of him, and he had never forgiven himself. Fortunately, she had recovered well and bore him no resentment. On the contrary, she expressed gratitude and respect toward him.

Upon seeing Zhang Jiani, Jiang Mingyu asked after Liu Yifei's whereabouts. She told him Liu Yifei had been busy building her commercial empire and rarely had free time. She had recently heard Liu Yifei was hosting a grand banquet at a villa in the western quarter of the city, inviting many dignitaries and merchants from Cangzhou.

Jiang Mingyu's heart stirred. He wanted to see Liu Yifei, speak with her, hear her thoughts. He took his leave of Zhang Jiani and, accompanied by a few guards, headed toward the western quarter.

Unbeknownst to him, every move he made was watched by a pair of cold eyes. A shadow lurked in the darkness, trailing Jiang Mingyu.

She had waited so long—finally, the opportunity had come. Watching Jiang Mingyu's retreating figure, she curled her lips into a cruel smile.

Jiang Mingyu, you are dead.

Jiang Mingyu walked with steady steps through the winding alleys of Cangzhou, his heart heavy with unease. These past days, he had constantly thought of Liu Yifei's face. Now, finally, he had a chance to meet his beloved—but he dared not let himself rejoice. Zhang Jiaqi's complicated gaze kept flashing in his mind, reminding him of his inner conflict.

Dressed in a dark blue robe, with a heavy sword at his waist, Jiang Mingyu turned several corners along the stone-paved path until he reached a stately, elegant mansion. Two soldiers in chainmail stood guard at the gate, their expressions stern.

"Lord Jiang, long time no see. Please come in," a young maid bowed respectfully and led him inside.

Jiang Mingyu entered the villa, passed through a wooden corridor, and before him stood a delicate pavilion. Inside sat Liu Yifei—the woman he had longed for day and night. She wore a pale purple gown, her face unchanged, lips slightly curved.

She sat at a table, reviewing ledgers. Her eyes were shadowed—clearly, she had been working tirelessly for her business. A warm surge rose in Jiang Mingyu's chest. He approached her and softly called her name.

"Yifei, I'm back."

Liu Yifei lifted her head in surprise. She saw the familiar yet distant face—the man she had dreamed of night and day, her beloved, her Jiang Lang. A glimmer of tears flashed in her eyes. She rose quickly and rushed to Jiang Mingyu's side.

"Jiang Lang, when did you arrive in Cangzhou?" she asked, her voice filled with joy and concern.

Jiang Mingyu gazed at her, his heart brimming with tenderness. He reached out and gently brushed her temple. He felt her softness, her warmth. He whispered.

"Yifei, you've worked so hard these past days."

His words were thick with love and regret. He knew how much she had sacrificed—for him, for Da Feng. He wanted to repay her, to cherish her.

Seeing his intimate gesture, Liu Yifei's face flushed red. She felt his sincerity and passion. She gently pushed him away, feigning annoyance.

"So many people are watching—what are you doing? You've traveled far. Will you stay in the city for a few days now?"

Her words revealed both hope and worry. She wanted to spend more time with him, to care for him.

Jiang Mingyu smiled apologetically. "Tomorrow, we leave again."

His voice carried resignation and resolve. He did not wish to leave her—but he could not abandon his duty.

Liu Yifei's smile grew strained. "Are you going to Yizhou?"

Her tone revealed both fear and support. She knew Yizhou was dangerous—but she believed he would return safely.

Jiang Mingyu nodded, his bitterness deepening. He briefly explained the situation of Da Feng.

Liu Yifei listened silently, offering a quiet prayer. "Zhuge Yu is in the city—you can rest easy. Besides, I'm leaving on a journey these next few days. When I return, you'll be back victorious."

Jiang Mingyu nodded, his bitterness deepening. As he spoke, he briefly outlined the situation in Da Feng.

Jiang Mingyu asked, "In this time of chaos, where are you going?"

Liu Yifei smiled. "Lanzhou has fallen to you. I plan to use this opportunity to expand our business there."

"As you said—it's a huge market. We can't afford to miss it."

Her tone carried confidence and pride. She was a clever, capable woman—working hard for him, for Da Feng.

Jiang Mingyu's heart stirred again. "Yifei… you've truly worked so hard…"

His voice overflowed with gratitude and admiration. He was proud of her. He was happy to have her.

Liu Yifei suddenly interrupted him, a spark of mischief and anticipation in her eyes.

"I have a problem I need your help with," she said, taking his hand and leading him swiftly to an empty ledger room.

She knew this was their safest, most private place. She wanted to be alone with him, to hear his voice, to feel his warmth.

No sooner had she closed the door than he pulled her tightly into his arms.

He lowered his head, inhaling the scent of her hair, drawing a slow, deep breath.

He loved the fresh, sweet fragrance of her—like the tenderest petals of spring.

"Tell me," he asked gently, "what problem can't be solved?"

He always cared for her. He always trusted her. He never dismissed her as a woman—in this world ruled by men, he gave her respect and equality.

He never doubted her as a merchant—in this age where strength reigned, he gave her support and encouragement. Liu Yifei buried her head against Jiang Mingyu's chest, utterly content.

She heard his strong, steady heartbeat—like the most beautiful song. She felt his broad, solid chest—like the safest fortress.

"The weather's growing hotter, and customers are dwindling. Business has dropped significantly," she said, her voice laced with worry. She was a clever, diligent merchant who, in this turbulent age, had built a hotpot restaurant through her own wit and effort.

Hotpot was one of Cangzhou's most popular dishes—warming and satisfying in the cold, dry winter. But in the sweltering summer, it lost its appeal. Customers preferred cool drinks over spicy, fiery food.

"By the time the heat peaks, no one will come at all. What should we do?" she said helplessly. She didn't want to abandon her business, didn't want her staff to lose their livelihoods, didn't want her customers to lose their comfort.

But she didn't know how to adapt, how to innovate, how to change.

Jiang Mingyu's eyes flickered, then he smiled softly. He pinched her nose gently, his tone affectionate.

"That's no problem. I'll order soldiers to collect ice blocks from the homes of nobles and officials."

Ice blocks were rare and precious—luxury items in wealthy households, offering coolness and comfort.

Hot pot is one of the most popular dishes in Xiangcangzhou; in the cold, dry winter, it brings warmth and satisfaction. But in the scorching summer, it loses its appeal—guests prefer cool, refreshing drinks over spicy, stimulating food.

He wanted to use them to surprise and delight his beloved.

Ice? Liu Yifei didn't understand. "You can't put ice in hotpot, can you?" she asked, puzzled.

She didn't know how he planned to use the ice, what scheme he had, what thoughts stirred in him.

She only knew he always made her feel amazed and excited, always filled her with happiness and sweetness.

Jiang Mingyu chuckled. "We can't put ice in hotpot—but we can grind it into shaved ice and mix it with milk."

He introduced her to a novelty he'd heard of from distant lands.

In some southern cities, people used special machines to crush ice into fine granules, then blended it with fruit juices or milk to create a sandy-textured treat.

This dessert was cool and delicious—quenching thirst, satisfying hunger, pleasing the palate, nourishing the body.

"On a scorching summer day, pairing spicy hotpot with refreshing milk shaved ice—that's no ordinary pleasure," he said, his voice tempting.

He painted for her the perfect combination he imagined.

Jiang Mingyu chuckled. "You can't add ice to hot pot, but we can grind the ice into snow and mix it with milk." He spoke with a mysterious tone.

He introduced her to a novelty he had heard of from afar.

It was said that in some southern cities, people used a special machine to crush ice into fine granules, then mixed them with various fruit juices or milk to create a food resembling sand.

This food was both cool and delicious, quenching thirst and satisfying hunger, pleasing the palate while nourishing the body.

"On a scorching summer day, spicy hot pot paired with refreshing milk snow—this is no ordinary pleasure," he said in a tempting tone.

He described to her a perfect combination he had imagined.