Chapter 239: Multi-Front Warfare

Jiang Mingyu's strategy pierced through Yizhou's defenses like a sharp blade; his proclamation swept across its commanderies like a storm. Chen Tang and Hu Bo, two former generals who had once dominated their regions, were effortlessly neutralized by him. The remaining six commanderies trembled in fear and all surrendered their seals, submitting at the first sign of his advance.

Jiang Mingyu, watching the stream of good news, felt a joy and pride beyond words. He had long yearned for the day he could stand alone, command vast armies, and wage war across the land. Now, that opportunity had finally come. He would make everyone know he was not merely a brilliant strategist, but an undefeated war god.

"Goudan, swiftly send capable men to take control of Yizhou's commanderies and integrate all surrendered troops into our ranks," Jiang Mingyu instructed Li Goudan beside him.

Li Goudan was one of Jiang Mingyu's most loyal and trusted subordinates. He had followed Jiang Mingyu since childhood, witnessing both his glory and his downfall. He held boundless admiration and reverence for him. He was also a man nearly obsessed with warfare—he loved seeing enemies fall beneath his hand, loved hearing their cries before him. He had fought countless battles alongside Jiang Mingyu and had never lost.

"Don't worry, boss. Leave it to me," Li Goudan replied eagerly.

His speed was indeed swift. Within three days, he had everything neatly settled. He dispatched his most trusted and capable men to assume control of Yizhou's civil and military affairs. He integrated all surrendered troops into Jiang Mingyu's forces. He executed or exiled anyone who refused to surrender or showed signs of resistance.

On the morning of the third day, mounted and fully prepared, Jiang Mingyu turned to Li Goudan and said, "I leave Yizhou in your hands—be cautious. Zhuge Yu will arrive in no more than a few days. Then we can launch our offensive."

He nodded solemnly and replied, "Boss, rest assured. I'll hold Yizhou tightly."

He smiled and clapped Li Goudan on the shoulder. "Good. Then I'm at ease. Don't you dare let me down."

"Boss, you can count on me. I won't let you down," Li Goudan swore earnestly.

With Li Goudan's solemn nod, Jiang Mingyu and Tukesiluo rode alone back to Cangzhou.

On the way back, Tukesiluo wiped the dust from his face and said to Jiang Mingyu, "Big brother, have they found the assassins in Cangzhou yet?"

At the mention of this, Jiang Mingyu's expression darkened.

"Those assassins appear and vanish without a trace. How easy is it to find them? If we had any word of them, Zhuge Yu would have already sent word."

Tukesiluo nodded. "True. But as long as they remain unfound, trouble is inevitable. And once the army moves—"

"—I won't be by your side. You must be extra careful," Tukesiluo said with concern.

Jiang Mingyu gave a cold smile. "No need to worry. Zhuge Yu said that if we can't find them, we should wait and let them make the first move. Once they stir, won't we have ample chances to deal with them? Besides, we have so many troops. They don't have the strength to kill Jiang Mingyu in the midst of ten thousand soldiers."

Seeing his fearless face, Tukesiluo suddenly wore a peculiar smile. "Big brother, though I won't be beside you on campaign, you could let my little sister-in-law join the army."

"Since she has some feelings for you, she'll give her all and ensure you suffer not the slightest harm."

Tukesiluo had long noticed Zhang Jiaqi's feelings for Jiang Mingyu, and he thought she was a fine girl. He believed Jiang Mingyu should give her a chance—and give himself one too. He felt if Jiang Mingyu accepted Zhang Jiaqi, they could become family. He thought this would be good for both of them.

So he often brought up Zhang Jiaqi in conversation with Jiang Mingyu, hoping to bring them together. But every time he did, Jiang Mingyu grew angry—even furious—because Jiang Mingyu had already told him plainly: he would not speak nonsense, he loved only Liu Yifei, and he would never entertain other feelings toward Zhang Jiaqi. He was a man of his word; he would not betray Liu Yifei, who traveled tirelessly for him. He was a man of principle and boundaries; he would not do anything against his conscience.

Seeing Tukesiluo bring it up again, Jiang Mingyu's face hardened. He snapped, "I've told you countless times—don't speak nonsense. I'll consider letting Zhang Jiaqi join the army, but not for the reason you say. If you mention it again, I'll break ties with you."

Seeing Jiang Mingyu's anger, Tukesiluo dared not speak further. He forced a dry laugh and clamped his mouth shut. Inside, he sighed—he thought Jiang Mingyu was too stubborn, too rigid. He believed Jiang Mingyu was missing out on lifelong happiness by rejecting Zhang Jiaqi. He thought if Jiang Mingyu would only open his heart, he'd see Zhang Jiaqi was the one truly suited for him.

But he also knew Jiang Mingyu's nature and resolve. He knew any further words would be useless. So he silently wished them well, hoping one day they might come together.

This state of affairs continued until they reached the outskirts of Cangzhou.