Chapter 230: Strategizing

As soon as Jiang Jiang Mingyu finished speaking, a familiar figure burst into his view. Li Goudan, his right-hand man. Since the Battle of Lower Wei, he had been stationed in Decangzhou under Zhu Ge Yu and had not seen Jiang Jiang Mingyu again. Now reunited, his face was full of excitement and expectation.

"My lord, since we are to conquer Yizhou, this subordinate is willing to serve as the vanguard," he said loudly, war intent flashing in his eyes.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu looked at him, feeling a warmth in his heart. He knew Li Goudan was a good man who disliked sitting idly in the military camp. He also wanted to take him on the expedition, but there was another person he had to consider.

"Very well. For this battle, I will take you and Tu Tu Kesiluo with me, while letting Goudan and Zhang Zhang Jiaqi rest in the city for a few days," he said.

Hearing this, Li Goudan's mouth twitched slightly. It was not that he did not want to spend time with Zhang Zhang Jiaqi; he just felt she was too domineering, always wanting to compete with him. Moreover, he had seen the feelings she held for Jiang Jiang Mingyu. He did not know whether Jiang Jiang Mingyu had noticed.

"As you command," Li Goudan could only bow his head and reply.

Zhang Zhang Jiaqi was not present at this moment. After returning to Decangzhou, she had gone to visit her younger sister, Zhang Zhang Jiani. Zhang Zhang Jiani had suffered heavy injuries in the Battle of Lower Wei and nearly lost her life. Now she was gradually recovering her health, but still needed a period of quiet rest.

Seeing her sister, Zhang Zhang Jiaqi felt both relief and guilt in her heart. She knew Zhang Zhang Jiani had taken the risk for Jiang Jiang Mingyu. She also knew Zhang Zhang Jiani harbored deep affection for Jiang Jiang Mingyu. But she herself had feelings for Jiang Jiang Mingyu that were hard to sever. She did not know how to face such a situation.

After discussing matters with Zhu Ge Yu and others, Jiang Jiang Mingyu took his leave. He intended to go see Liu Liu Yifei, the woman who stirred his heart. Since entering Decangzhou, he had not seen her again. He missed her smile, her gentleness, and her wisdom.

Tu Tu Kesiluo saw through his thoughts and reminded him, "Big brother, we are to set out on campaign again tomorrow. Go see Miss Liu."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu nodded and said, "Very well. I will first go with you to see Zhang Jiani, then find her."

Zhang Zhang Jiani had been injured because of him, and he had always felt guilty about it. Fortunately, Zhang Zhang Jiani had recovered well and held no resentment toward him. On the contrary, she had expressed gratitude and respect to him.

After meeting Zhang Zhang Jiani, Jiang Jiang Mingyu asked her about Liu Liu Yifei's whereabouts. Zhang Zhang Jiani told him that Liu Liu Yifei had been busy managing her commercial empire and rarely had free time. She said she had recently heard that Liu Liu Yifei was holding a grand banquet at a manor in Chengxi, inviting many celebrities and merchants of Decangzhou.

Hearing this, Jiang Jiang Mingyu's heart stirred. He wanted to see Liu Liu Yifei, talk with her, and listen to her heart. He took his leave of Zhang Zhang Jiani, gathered a few guards, and hurried toward Chengxi.

What he did not know was that every single one of his movements was being closely watched by a pair of cold eyes. A figure hidden in the shadows had been following Jiang Jiang Mingyu all along.

She had waited so long and finally had her chance. Watching Jiang Jiang Mingyu's figure gradually fade into the distance, a sinister smile curled her lips.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu, you are doomed.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu walked with steady steps through the winding alleys of Decangzhou City, his heart filled with unease. These past days, he had constantly missed Liu Liu Yifei's countenance. Now that he finally had the chance to meet his beloved, he dared not let his own joyous emotions run wild. Because Zhang Zhang Jiaqi's complex gaze often floated in his mind, reminding him of his inner conflict.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu wore a dark blue long robe, with a heavy precious sword at his waist. Following the stone-paved road, he turned several corners and finally arrived before an elegant, towering mansion. At the gate stood two guards in chainmail, their expressions stern.

"My lord Jiang, it has been a long time. Please, come in," a young girl in the guise of a maid respectfully guided Jiang Jiang Mingyu inside.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu entered the manor, passed through a wooden corridor, and came upon an exquisite wooden pavilion. Sitting in the pavilion was Liu Liu Yifei, whom he had thought of day and night. She wore a pale purple skirt, her face unchanged, a slight smile on her lips.

She was sitting at a table, flipping through some account books. Her eyes were somewhat dark, obviously from being busy with business for a long time. A warm current surged in Jiang Jiang Mingyu's heart. He approached her and softly called out.

"Liu Yifei, I have returned."

Hearing this voice, Liu Liu Yifei looked up in surprise. She saw that familiar yet strange face. It was the person she had missed day and night, her lover, her Jiang Lang. A glimmer of tears flashed in her eyes. She quickly stood up and ran a few steps to stand before Jiang Jiang Mingyu.

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

Jiang Jiang Mingyu looked at her, his heart overflowing with tenderness. He reached out and gently stroked Liu Liu Yifei's temple hair. He felt her softness and warmth. He spoke in a low voice.

"Liu Yifei, you have worked hard again during this time."

His words were full of love and apology. He knew how much Liu Liu Yifei had given for him, for Great Feng. He wanted to repay her well and dote on her well.

Seeing his actions so intimate, Liu Liu Yifei's face instantly turned red. She felt his passion and sincerity. She gently pushed Jiang Jiang Mingyu and pretended to be angry as she said.

"So many people are watching. What are you doing? You've had a hard journey; you can stay in the city for a few more days this time, right?"

Her words revealed expectation and worry. She wanted to accompany him more and take care of him more.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu smiled apologetically. He said.

"Tomorrow, we must set out on campaign again."

His words carried helplessness and determination. He did not want to leave her again, but he could not abandon his mission.

Liu Liu Yifei's smile instantly became somewhat forced. She asked.

"Is it to Yizhou?"

Her words revealed worry and support. She knew Yizhou was a dangerous place, but she also believed he could return safely.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu nodded, the bitterness in his heart growing even stronger. As he spoke, he briefly explained the situation of Great Feng.

Listening, Liu Liu Yifei silently prayed in her heart. She said.

"With Zhu Ge Yu in the city, you can rest assured. Coincidentally, I will be traveling far in the next two days. By the time I return, you will also have returned in triumph."

Traveling far?

Jiang Jiang Mingyu could not help but ask.

"With all this chaos, where are you going?"

Liu Liu Yifei smiled. She said.

"Lanzhou has already been conquered by you. I plan to take this opportunity to expand our business to Lanzhou as well."

"In your words, that is a huge market, and we cannot easily miss it."

Her words revealed confidence and pride. She was a smart and capable woman, and for him, for Great Feng, she was also striving.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu's heart churned again. He said.

"Liu Yifei, you have truly worked hard..."

His words were full of gratitude and admiration. He was proud to have such a woman; he was happy to have such a woman.

Liu Liu Yifei suddenly interrupted him, a glimmer of cunning and expectation flashing in her eyes.

"I happen to have a difficult problem; help me think of a solution." She took his hand and quickly walked toward an empty accounting room nearby.

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

As soon as she closed the door, she was tightly embraced in his arms.

He lowered his head, inhaled her hair fragrance, and gently took a breath.

He loved the fresh and sweet scent on her, like the tenderest flower stamen in spring.

"Tell me, what unsolvable problem do you have?" he asked gently.

He always cared for her like this, always trusted her like this. He never despised her for being a woman; in this world dominated by men, he gave her respect and equality.

He never doubted her for being a merchant; in this era where might made right, he gave her support and encouragement. Liu Liu Yifei buried her small head in Jiang Jiang Mingyu's chest, her expression extremely content.

She could hear his strong and steady heartbeat, like the most beautiful song. She could feel his broad and solid chest, like the safest fortress.

"The weather is getting hotter, and there are fewer and fewer customers; business these days is much worse than usual." She said with a worried tone. She was a smart and hardworking merchant who, in this turbulent era, ran a hotpot restaurant through her own wisdom and effort.

Hotpot is one of the most popular delicacies in Cangzhou; in the cold and dry winter, it brings warmth and satisfaction to people. But in the scorching summer, it loses its appeal. Customers would rather drink cool, heat-relieving beverages than eat hot and spicy food.

"I'm afraid that when summer gets even hotter, no more customers will come. What should we do?" She said somewhat helplessly. She did not want to give up her business, she did not want her employees to lose their jobs, and she did not want her customers to lose their enjoyment.

But she also did not know how to change the status quo, how to adapt to the market, or how to innovate products.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu rolled his eyes, then gave a light smile. He gently pinched Liu Liu Yifei's small nose, his tone doting.

"This is no problem. I will issue an order right now for the soldiers to requisition the ice stored in the homes of high officials and nobles." He said confidently.

Ice is a rare and precious item; in wealthy and luxurious households, it brings coolness and comfort to people.

But in the poor and hard military camps, it is of little use.

He wanted to use this ice to bring surprise and joy to his beloved.

Ice? Liu Liu Yifei did not understand. "But why? We can't possibly add ice to the hotpot, can we?" She asked, puzzled.

She did not know how he planned to use this ice, she did not know what clever plan he had, and she did not know what he was thinking.

She only knew that he could always make her feel novelty and excitement, and always make her feel happiness and sweetness.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu chuckled. "We can't add ice to the hotpot, but we can grind the ice into shaved ice and mix it with milk." He said mysteriously.

He introduced to her a new novelty he had heard about from a distant place.

It was said that in some cities in the south, people used a special machine to crush ice into fine particles, then added various fruit juices or liquids like milk to create a food resembling sand.

This food was both cool and delicious, could quench thirst and satisfy hunger, and could satisfy the palate while being nutritious and healthy.

"In the scorching summer, pairing hot and spicy hotpot with refreshing milk shaved ice is no ordinary enjoyment." He said in a tempting tone.

He described to her a perfect combination he imagined.