Chapter 240: Marching on Jingzhou

The winding mountain road stretched ahead; Jiang Jiang Mingyu and Tu Tu Kesiluo galloped on horseback for five days and five nights, leaving both utterly exhausted from the long journey. Yet for the ideal of revolution, they had to cast aside their fatigue and press onward toward Decangzhou on the western frontier.

After five days and five nights of rapid riding, they finally arrived beneath the walls of Decangzhou City. The scorching sun had passed noon; dust covered the ground, and days of travel had left both men parched and dry-throated. Faint sounds of a military camp echoed from within the city walls—it seemed they had found the agreed-upon Decangzhou main camp.

"Brother Yu, we have finally made it. Once inside, let me drink several bowls of water to soothe my throat!" Tu Tu Kesiluo's voice was somewhat hoarse from the prolonged journey.

"Haha, I too have long missed the fine wine and delicacies of the camp. Once we enter, we shall properly replenish ourselves!" Jiang Jiang Mingyu laughed heartily and, with Tu Tu Kesiluo, entered the Decangzhou main camp one after the other.

Inside the camp, dust and smoke rolled thickly. A middle-aged man with a weathered face and a small mustache stepped forward to greet them.

"Disciple!" Jiang Jiang Mingyu approached and struck palms with him. "You have worked hard waiting here for us these many days!"

Seeing the two arrive, Zhu Ge Yu also warmly embraced them.

The three sat down inside the tent. Jiang Jiang Mingyu briefly stated the purpose of this journey: to secretly plot a general offensive against the southern prefectures, aiming to overthrow the corrupt Jingzhou court in one stroke.

After hearing Jiang Jiang Mingyu's plan, Zhu Ge Yu did not immediately express agreement but pondered for a long time without speaking.

"What is it, Mr. Zhu Ge? Do you feel this course of action is improper?" Tu Tu Kesiluo asked cautiously.

Zhu Ge Yu shook his head, still seeming hesitant.

"Please grant me some time to consider the pros and cons. This great matter cannot be rushed."

Having spoken, he sat still, closing his eyes in deep thought. Seeing his focused demeanor, Jiang Jiang Mingyu and Tu Tu Kesiluo dared not disturb him and could only wait quietly.

Time passed minute by minute. Zhu Ge Yu sat for nearly half an hour before finally speaking, while Jiang Jiang Mingyu and Tu Tu Kesiluo had long since grown drowsy.

"Master, the plan for the northern expedition is feasible. Our army already occupies many key passes in You Beijing. Attacking from a high position, our chances of victory are great." Zhu Ge Yu analyzed slowly.

"After capturing Guizhou, Taizhou, and other regions, we can open the vital north-south transportation routes. Then, driving our forces forward, we can attack the Jingzhou court from three sides, surely crushing the enemy army and taking it in one surge!"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu immediately perked up, nodding repeatedly. "Your insight is unique! As long as we firmly control the north and then advance south to seize Jingzhou, the Fei Hou dynasty can be destroyed!"

"At that time, we can complete the great work of unifying the world and restore peace to society!"

Although Zhu Ge Yu expressed agreement, he still warned: "Let us return to the matter at hand. The enemy cannot be underestimated at this stage. We must make full preparations before launching the general offensive."

"Absolutely true!" Jiang Jiang Mingyu agreed. "We shall certainly exert all our strength to achieve victory!"

Having spoken, he ordered someone to beat the war drums to assemble the soldiers and prepare to issue battle deployments.

The rumbling sound of war drums emerged from the military camp, drowning out the chirping of cicadas and the flow of water, stirring the blood of all who heard it. At Jiang Jiang Mingyu's command, the soldiers lined up in orderly formation, awaiting the commander's orders.

"Good brothers, we have once crossed vast grasslands together and drunk from the same river. Today, we finally welcome a magnificent opportunity to change the heavens and the earth!" Jiang Jiang Mingyu swept his fiery gaze over the soldiers before him.

"Yes, my lord! We are all full of youthful vigor and righteousness. We only await your single command to fight fiercely against the capital!" Li Goudan shouted.

"If Brother Jiang speaks, we are ready to accompany him at any time!" Zhang Zhang Jiaqi also clenched her fists excitedly.

"Good brothers, today I have specially summoned you here to issue the military orders for the great northern expedition..." As Jiang Jiang Mingyu was about to express the plan on his lips, he suddenly saw a figure slowly enter from the side gate.

Was this not Zhang Zhang Jiani? Jiang Jiang Mingyu's expression changed instantly. He shouted sternly, "Why have you come here? Did I not order you to rest and heal your wounds?"

"My lord, my wounds have basically healed. I cannot stand by and watch you risk your lives!" Zhang Zhang Jiani said firmly. "I also wish to lend you a hand and fight a decisive battle with the enemy!"

"This northern expedition carries too much risk. I cannot let you take such a chance!" Jiang Jiang Mingyu replied with a hard tone.

"You underestimate me too much." Zhang Zhang Jiani would not yield. "I also wish to contribute a part to this movement. Please let me go to the battlefield!"

"Zhang Jiani, I only want you far from the battlefield, far from this passionate slaughter." Jiang Jiang Mingyu advised seriously.

"My lord, my ambition is not for longevity. I only wish to fight shoulder to shoulder with passionate patriots!" Zhang Zhang Jiani declared resolutely.

The two began to argue. Tu Tu Kesiluo, watching anxiously from the side, quickly interjected: "Zhang Jiani, are your wounds truly completely healed? The arrow wound that day was not shallow. That it healed so quickly is truly hard for me to believe."

"Rest assured, my wounds are basically no longer a serious concern. You need not worry about me." Zhang Zhang Jiani emphasized.

Tu Tu Kesiluo wanted to say more, but Zhang Zhang Jiani already waved her hands with a smile: "Enough, enough. Let us save idle talk for when we return. For now, listening to Brother Jiang's military orders is most important."

Seeing Zhang Zhang Jiani insist on going to the battlefield, Jiang Jiang Mingyu felt deeply worried. But then he thought that a woman's determination could not be dissuaded by a few words. Finally, he nodded reluctantly and agreed to let Zhang Zhang Jiani accompany the army north.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu looked around at everyone. Seeing that Zhang Zhang Jiani, though still somewhat weak, was in high spirits, he announced: "Everyone, as you know, our army has already occupied many areas in Da Feng's northern border. This is a great opportunity to advance south. I have decided to launch a three-pronged attack tomorrow with one hundred and fifty thousand troops to seize Taizhou, Jingzhou, and Guizhou!"

"Capture the three prefectures, strike directly at the dragon's heart, and unify Da Feng!" His voice was loud, his spirit soaring. Hearing this, every general felt ambitious and eager to try.

"Listen to orders!" Jiang Jiang Mingyu called out. The generals immediately sobered their expressions and stood in solemn readiness.

"Tu Tu Kesiluo, Li Goudan, tomorrow you two shall lead fifty thousand troops departing from Lanzhou, taking the route through Guizhou!" Jiang Jiang Mingyu commanded decisively.

In fact, sending Tu Tu Kesiluo to Lanzhou also stemmed from Jiang Jiang Mingyu's personal motive—there lived Liu Liu Yifei, the most important person to him. With Tu Tu Kesiluo stationed there, Liu Liu Yifei's safety would surely be guaranteed.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu then ordered Zhu Ge Yu and Zhang Zhang Jiani to advance south to capture Taizhou. He had originally wanted the two to fight side by side, but sending Zhu Ge Yu alone made him uneasy, so he let Zhang Zhang Jiani go with him to look after each other.

As for himself, Jiang Jiang Mingyu would personally lead the main army to strike directly at Jingzhou and annihilate Fei Hou in one stroke. This grudge and entangled fate, Jiang Jiang Mingyu vowed to end with his own hands.

After receiving the order, Zhang Zhang Jiaqi's face lit up with joy—she had originally wanted to stay close to Jiang Jiang Mingyu. How could she miss this opportunity? She vowed to protect him and fight back-to-back with Jiang Jiang Mingyu!

The remaining soldiers also received their respective tasks, each with high morale. With the three armies capturing the three prefectural cities, fame and success were within reach; at that time, wealth and honor would be just around the corner!

After everyone withdrew, Zhu Ge Yu still wanted to remind Jiang Jiang Mingyu to beware of assassins, but Jiang Jiang Mingyu waved him off. Jiang Jiang Mingyu said that assassins in Jingcheng were in droves; even if one or two were eliminated, endless dangers would follow.

"Rather than living in constant fear, it is better to ignore them and focus on dealing with Fei Hou. Once Fei Hou is dead, the assassins will naturally vanish!"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu spoke with firm conviction, showing no fear. Zhang Zhang Jiaqi also chimed in: "Mr. Zhu Ge, do not worry. As long as I, Zhang Zhang Jiaqi, am here, I will surely protect and escort Brother Jiang to unify Da Feng!"

Seeing her heroic bearing, Jiang Jiang Mingyu could not help but feel gratified and wonder—could she truly have fallen for him? Once the situation was settled, he would probe slowly.

After the victory at Decangzhou, Zhu Ge Yu arranged the city's affairs properly before confidently preparing to lead his troops into battle. Although this border town was important, compared to the impending northern expedition, it was merely a minor matter to Zhu Ge Yu. Only helping Jiang Jiang Mingyu complete his ancestral cause and sweep away corrupt forces was his unchanging wish for this life.

On the night after the army was fully assembled, Jiang Jiang Mingyu and the generals drank deeply until late at night, celebrating this grand event before departing, not knowing when they might meet again. At dawn the next day, after tearful farewells, everyone set out on their journey. Jiang Jiang Mingyu watched Tu Tu Kesiluo and others gradually move farther away, his heart filled with mixed emotions.

This parting was inevitably sorrowful, but for the ideal, everyone was willing to make the sacrifice. After resting briefly, Jiang Jiang Mingyu summoned Zhang Zhang Jiaqi to prepare for departure. "The army is assembled; we too must set out." Jiang Jiang Mingyu said in a deep voice.

Zhang Zhang Jiaqi quickly responded and went to prepare. Before long, fifty thousand troops had formed square formations, fully equipped and ready to march. Jiang Jiang Mingyu, mounted on his horse, looked up at the magnificent formation, and a surge of heroic spirit rose within him.

"All troops, listen to orders! Strike directly at Jingzhou. March!" he shouted loudly. The fifty thousand strong troops surged forth, their momentum overwhelming.

The distant city of Jingzhou gradually grew larger under Jiang Jiang Mingyu's gaze. He silently thought to himself: "Fei Hou, our feud is about to end. I, Jiang Mou, have finally returned!"

Three days later, the northern expeditionary army, marching without pause, had approached Jingzhou territory.

"We have entered Jingzhou territory!" Zhang Zhang Jiaqi shouted loudly.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu looked up and saw the bustling border city of Jingzhou standing before them. Upon the high city walls, defenders were everywhere.

"Fei Hou, our paths of enmity have crossed again. I will settle this grudge today!" Jiang Jiang Mingyu murmured to himself, then advanced toward the city with even greater determination.