Chapter 238: The Wager

Inside and outside the city, the scent of blood filled the air, and corpses lay everywhere. This was a war of unparalleled cruelty, and also a war that would change the world.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu, carrying Hu Bo's severed head, slowly walked into Chen Tang's palace. His gaze was cold, his heart untroubled. He felt no smugness over this victory, nor any guilt over this slaughter. He knew only that this was something that had to be done, a price paid to realize his ideals.

Looking at the golden and glittering decorations, he found them somewhat glaring.

He spoke contemptuously: "Chen Tang, oh Chen Tang, with all that wealth and luxury of yours, why not use it to recruit soldiers and strengthen yourself? You only know how to chase women, drink, and play with power, ignoring your common people and your lands. You are truly a useless Emperor; dying by my hand is at least a relief for the world."

Tu Tu Kesiluo followed behind him, looking at the dragon throne inlaid with pearls, a trace of envy flashing in his eyes.

He grinned and said, "Big Brother, this chair is quite good; just sit here for a while and taste what it's like to be an Emperor." Jiang Jiang Mingyu shook his head, refusing his suggestion.

He said, "Tu Tu Kesiluo, I did not fight this war to become an Emperor. I did it to change this dark dynasty, to let the people of the world live good lives. I do not care for these flashy things; I only need enough military pay and grain. Order your men to tear down this palace and sell everything valuable for money."

Liu Liu Yifei was still rushing about everywhere for military pay; how could Jiang Jiang Mingyu enjoy himself here?

He felt he had the responsibility and duty to share weal and woe with his soldiers.

Tu Tu Kesiluo knew Jiang Jiang Mingyu was a high-minded and upright person, so he said no more.

He immediately ordered the demolition of the buildings to begin.

Meanwhile, the bearded Li Goudan, with his round eyes, clearly showed a component of regret. He muttered, "Isn't this wasting things? These are all exquisite works of art; to destroy them like this is such a pity."

Tu Tu Kesiluo rolled his eyes, ignored him, and simply asked Jiang Jiang Mingyu.

"Big Brother, Yizhou has already fallen; what do we do next?"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu smiled at Tu Tu Kesiluo before asking.

"What do you want to do?" Seeing the ball kicked back to him, Tu Tu Kesiluo fell silent for a long moment before speaking.

"In my opinion, the feasible plans right now come down to two points."

Seeing the Black-faced Yama actually using his brain for the first time, Jiang Jiang Mingyu asked with a smile.

"Explain in detail."

Tu Tu Kesiluo did not stand on ceremony; he plopped down on the steps in front of him and immediately continued.

"Actually, there is nothing much to say. Either attack Jingcheng directly and wipe out Fei Hou in one stroke to avenge our grievances."

"Or march south from Yizhou, attack Guizhou directly, then turn the army west to settle the score with Fei Hou." Jiang Jiang Mingyu smiled and sat down beside him.

"But have you considered that if our army attacks Jingcheng, the righteous armies of Jingzhou and Guizhou will surely take the opportunity to seize Lanzhou and Yizhou?"

"If we attack Jingzhou, even though Fei Hou is like the sun setting in the west, he will still send troops to attack our base, Cangzhou."

"And once Fei Hou ties down a large portion of our troops, the righteous army of Guizhou will also march north to Lanzhou."

"To sum it up in one sentence: no matter which one we attack first, we give the other an opening." Tu Tu Kesiluo knew Jiang Jiang Mingyu was right, but he furrowed his brow and asked.

"This hesitation, like being afraid to throw a stone for fear of breaking a jar, is indeed a trouble, but we cannot just waste time like this, can we?"

"Once Fei Hou finds an opportunity to quell the rebellions everywhere and catches his breath, the danger will be on us." Jiang Jiang Mingyu, confident in his plan, chuckled.

"I naturally will not give him such an opportunity; that would be no different from suicide." His vague, clouded manner made Tu Tu Kesiluo even more confused.

"Then what exactly do you mean?" The smile on Jiang Jiang Mingyu's lips gradually cooled as he spoke, word by word. "My meaning is: open war on three fronts simultaneously."

This statement was like a bolt from the blue, shocking Tu Tu Kesiluo and Li Goudan.

They both knew Jiang Jiang Mingyu was bold yet meticulous, but wasn't this plan far too risky?

Opening war on three fronts simultaneously, wouldn't that disperse their own forces and increase their own risks?

Moreover, Jingzhou and Guizhou were not opponents to be trifled with; they both possessed powerful armies and solid cities. To break through them would require paying a heavy price.

Hearing this plan, Tu Tu Kesiluo felt it was too risky. He knew Jiang Jiang Mingyu had the support of Cangzhou, Lanzhou, and Yizhou, but even adding those three provinces together, they had no more than two hundred thousand troops. Meanwhile, Taizhou, Jingzhou, and Guizhou each had their own allies and forces, with numbers not small either. If they fought three provinces at once, they would likely be trapped in a bitter struggle.

Tu Tu Kesiluo wanted to persuade Jiang Jiang Mingyu again to abandon this plan, but Jiang Jiang Mingyu suddenly raised his head, looked into his eyes, and spoke.

"Tu Tu Kesiluo, how long have you been with me?"

"Big Brother, you are the person I respect most." Tu Tu Kesiluo hurriedly replied.

"Then do you trust me?" Jiang Jiang Mingyu asked.

"Of course I trust you." Tu Tu Kesiluo said without hesitation.

"Then listen to me." Jiang Jiang Mingyu said with a firm tone. "This time I am attacking three provinces, not out of blind impulse, but with full preparation and confidence."

"I have already calculated: Cangzhou, Lanzhou, and Yizhou combined, the troops we can mobilize are at least one hundred and eighty thousand. Deducting those defending against Other Xi Xia, the troops we can deploy for each city assault are at least fifty thousand. Moreover, we have ample grain and supplies; after taking each place, we recruit tens of thousands more, feeding ourselves as we fight. Are three provinces not just a small dish?"

"You must think clearly; Taizhou, Jingzhou, and Guizhou are not so easy to conquer." Tu Tu Kesiluo said, frowning. "Taizhou has Wang Shangshan Jian, that cunning fellow; Jingzhou has Fei Hou, that old fox; Guizhou has Li Jing, that famous general. None of them are easy to deal with; how will you handle them?"

"Rest assured, I have already thought of countermeasures." Jiang Jiang Mingyu smiled and said, "Although Wang Shangshan Jian is treacherous, he is also greedy. I only need to give him some sweeteners, make him think I truly trust him, and he will lower his guard. Then I will attack Taizhou by surprise and take it in one stroke."

"Although Fei Hou is deep in schemes, he is also stubborn. He has always looked down on me, thinking I am a rising talent with no ability. He will surely underestimate me and not take me seriously. Then I will use Zhu Ge Yu's wisdom to set a trap and make him fall into it."

"Although Li Jing is highly skilled in martial arts, he is also arrogant. He has always thought he is the number one general of the south, with no one comparable to him. He will surely be overconfident and not guard against me. Then I will use your bravery, lead the charge personally, and fight him to the death."

"You... you want me to lead a contingent?" Tu Tu Kesiluo, hearing Jiang Jiang Mingyu's words, was instantly stunned.

"Yes, do you not want to?" Jiang Jiang Mingyu asked, looking at Tu Tu Kesiluo's expression.

"It is not that I don't want to..." Tu Tu Kesiluo hurriedly shook his head and said, "It's just... this matter is of great importance, Big Brother. Are you sure I can do it?"

"Of course you can." Jiang Jiang Mingyu patted Tu Tu Kesiluo's shoulder and said, "You are the brother I trust most; I know your abilities best. Do you remember that day you led men to ambush the soldiers of Other Xi Xia? You alone killed over three hundred elite soldiers of Other Xi Xia and even beheaded their great general. That battle made Other Xi Xia tremble at the mere sound of our names."

"That... that was just good luck." Tu Tu Kesiluo said modestly.

"Stop being modest." Jiang Jiang Mingyu said with a smile. "You are the number one fierce general under my command. If you compare yourself with Li Jing, I guarantee you will win."

"Really?" Tu Tu Kesiluo asked, his eyes lighting up.

"Of course, really." Jiang Jiang Mingyu said affirmatively. "If you don't believe me, shall we make a bet?"

"What bet?" Tu Tu Kesiluo asked curiously.

"A bet on whether you can conquer Guizhou within three months." Jiang Jiang Mingyu said.

"Three months?" Tu Tu Kesiluo was startled. "This... this is too fast, isn't it?"

"How is it too fast?" Jiang Jiang Mingyu countered.

"Guizhou is the most prosperous province in the south, with a large population and solid cities; Li Jing is also a capable fighter. Asking me to conquer it in three months is forcing me to go to my death!" Tu Tu Kesiluo complained.

"Do not underestimate yourself." Jiang Jiang Mingyu encouraged. "You have the elite troops I give you, the strategist I give you, the strategies I give you, and the confidence I give you. As long as you follow my arrangements, Guizhou will be in the palm of your hand."

"Then... then what are you betting on?" Tu Tu Kesiluo asked.

"I'm betting my life," Jiang Jiang Mingyu said.

"What?" Tu Tu Kesiluo exclaimed.

"That's right, it's my life," Jiang Jiang Mingyu repeated. "If you capture Guizhou within three months, I will give you my life. From now on, you will be my master, and I will be your slave. Whatever you tell me to do, I will do. If you tell me to die, I will die."

"Big Brother, you... what kind of joke is this?" Tu Tu Kesiluo said, unable to believe it.

"I'm not joking," Jiang Jiang Mingyu said solemnly. "This is my vow. If I break it, may heaven strike me with thunder."

"Big Brother, this is far too unworthy of you," Tu Tu Kesiluo said, moved. "You are the most promising figure in Great Feng. How can you bet your life on something like this?"

"Because I believe in you," Jiang Jiang Mingyu said. "And I also believe in myself. I know this plan will succeed. As long as we work together with one heart, nothing can stop us."

"Then... then what if I fail to capture Guizhou within three months?" Tu Tu Kesiluo asked.

"Then it means you didn't try hard enough," Jiang Jiang Mingyu said. "In that case, you must give your life to me. From now on, you will be my slave, and I will be your master."

"Big Brother..." Tu Tu Kesiluo said, speechless.

"Well? Do you dare to bet with me?" Jiang Jiang Mingyu said provocatively.

"I dare!" Tu Tu Kesiluo said through gritted teeth. "Since Big Brother thinks so highly of me, I will bet with Big Brother. As long as Big Brother trusts me and lets me lead a force to attack Guizhou, I will definitely not disappoint Big Brother."

"Good!" Jiang Jiang Mingyu clapped and cheered. "Then it's settled. Someone, bring ink and brush!"

Soon, a young servant entered carrying a brush, ink, paper, and inkstone. Jiang Jiang Mingyu picked up the brush, wrote their wager on a sheet of white paper, and pressed his fingerprint sealed with blood upon it.

"Come on, Tu Tu Kesiluo," Jiang Jiang Mingyu said, handing the paper to Tu Tu Kesiluo. "You press your fingerprint on it too."

Tu Tu Kesiluo took the paper and looked at it, his heart surging with excitement. He felt that what was written on this paper was not merely a wager, but an opportunity. An opportunity to prove himself, an opportunity to change his fate.

He hesitated no longer, bit his finger, and pressed his own fingerprint onto the paper.

"Good, then it is settled," Jiang Jiang Mingyu said, putting away the paper. "Tu Tu Kesiluo, immediately take over the city defense. Send orders to Zhu Ge Yu and the several Inspectors of Lanzhou to quickly organize their forces. In three days, we return to Huicangzhou. Time is tight; once the battle plan is decided, we will immediately march south."

"Yes!" Tu Tu Kesiluo responded. "Big Brother, rest assured. I will definitely Li Xia Da Gong for you."

"I believe in you," Jiang Jiang Mingyu said with a smile. "Then let us go create history together."

Having spoken, he stood up, exchanged a smile with Tu Tu Kesiluo, and then they walked out of the room together.

What they did not know was what storms and changes this wager would bring to Great Feng. Nor did they know what turning point their fates would undergo because of this wager.