Chapter 242

The scout's words filled Zhang Jiaqi with dread: "Big brother, the enemy is numerous and well-fortified in their city. How can we breach it?"

Jiang Mingyu dismissed it: "Jiaqi, don't worry. General Tian Jiu's troops are all raw recruits, no match for us one-on-one. Besides, they were forcibly conscripted by Fei Hou—their morale is abysmal, worse than rabble. Why fear them?"

Zhang Jiaqi finally felt relieved. She knew her big brother had a plan; as long as she followed him, capturing Jingzhou was within reach.

That night, Jiang Mingyu ordered the entire army to march at dawn toward Guangshui, to let Tian Jiu witness his might.

Meanwhile, Tian Jiu in Guangshui rubbed his temples, head throbbing. He knew his inferior troops stood little chance against Jiang Mingyu's elite.

Worse, Fei Hou had given him only one month to take Jiang Mingyu—or face extermination of his entire clan. How could he defeat the enemy? Tian Jiu's brow remained furrowed.

A eunuch named Xie Chengxi strolled over slowly, sneering: "Commandant, what clever plan do you have against Jiang Mingyu? Scouts report he's arrived within ten li of the city!"

Tian Jiu frowned, deeply resenting this eunuch sent to spy on him. He forced a smile: "Forgive my stupidity—I've yet to devise a strategy. What advice does Eunuch Xie offer?"

Xie Chengxi feigned a sympathetic smile: "Commandant, I know nothing of warfare—I only know His Majesty is pressing you. If you fail to defeat Jiang Mingyu, His Majesty will rage, and both of us will die."

Tian Jiu snapped: "I'm already devising a plan against Jiang Mingyu—don't pressure me!"

Xie Chengxi sneered: "What's left to plan? We outnumber them—just fight and win. If you won't act, I'll have to petition His Majesty to deal with you."

Tian Jiu grew furious, about to retort, when Xie Chengxi added coolly: "Do you know your family has been summoned to the capital? Think of Ruan Chen and Hu Bo's fate."

Tian Jiu's face paled—he believed Xie Chengxi's words. He steadied himself, coldly replying: "Fine. Tomorrow I'll lead my troops out. Let Eunuch Xie join me—let us witness His Majesty's brilliance together."

Xie Chengxi was stunned, trying to refuse, but Tian Jiu had already left. Xie Chengxi glared hatefully at Tian Jiu's back, thinking: "You bastard Tian Jiu—you dare make me go to my death! If we lose tomorrow, I'll expose your incompetence to His Majesty in full!"

As the sun set, Jiang Mingyu and Zhang Jiaqi stood at the camp, gazing afar. Zhang Jiaqi sighed softly: "Big brother, how will we break through Guangshui's impregnable walls tomorrow?"

Jiang Mingyu too felt stymied. Tian Jiu held a fortified city; forcing him to fight was nearly impossible. After long thought, he said: "We must provoke him into battle. I'll send men tomorrow to curse the city—perhaps it will anger him into attacking."

Zhang Jiaqi nodded. Her big brother had a plan—Tian Jiu would fall for it.

That morning, the cold bit deep. Jiang Mingyu led fifty thousand troops to Guangshui's gates, shivering and pulling his sleeves tighter. On the distant ramparts, Tian Jiu stood grim-faced, hand on his saber, as if seated in rigid readiness for Jiang's assault.

"General Tian seems prepared to fight to the death," Jiang Mingyu murmured.

"My lord, rest assured—even if Tian Jiu clings to his walls, we will take Guangshui and clear the path for the northern campaign," Zhang Jiaqi called from horseback.

As they spoke, the city gate creaked open. Tian Jiu stepped out with a large saber, leading a small detachment, cautiously studying Jiang's formation.

"How is this possible?" Jiang Mingyu was baffled—he'd expected Tian to stay inside.

Tian Jiu shouted: "Jiang Mingyu, you—" But Xie Chengxi cut him off, urging him forward to fight.

"Commandant, why delay? Lead your troops out and fight! We must win within a month—His Majesty awaits your victory!" Xie Chengxi pressed aggressively.

"Eunuch Xie, I command on this battlefield—do not interfere!" Tian Jiu snapped.

Xie Chengxi sneered: "I serve His Majesty—I have the right to command you!" The two erupted into a heated quarrel.

Their bickering left Jiang Mingyu utterly confused. What was happening?

"Eunuch Xie, is it you who had my entire family taken hostage to force me out?" Tian Jiu demanded.

"Indeed. I acted on His Majesty's orders—nothing wrong with that," Xie Chengxi replied with unshakable confidence.

Tian Jiu accused Xie Chengxi of holding his family hostage to force him into battle. Xie Chengxi openly admitted it.

"Die!" Tian Jiu's eyes blazed with fury. He swung his saber—Xie Chengxi's head flew far away.

"General Tian!" Jiang Mingyu gasped, riding forward several paces. "What is this?"

Tian Jiu dropped his saber, knelt on both knees: "Lord Jiang, I was forced to lead troops. I beg your mercy—allow me and mine to surrender!"

This scene stunned Jiang Mingyu. He saw the grief and resolve in Tian Jiu's eyes, the blood on Xie Chengxi's neck, the terror frozen on his face. He didn't know how to respond. Countless questions and confusion filled his mind.

Jiang Mingyu felt trapped in a vast conspiracy. He didn't know who was enemy or ally. He didn't know whom to trust or help. He didn't know what to do or say. He could only stare blankly as Tian Jiu knelt, awaiting his judgment.

After hearing Tian Jiu's account, Jiang Mingyu remained baffled: "General Tian, why exactly do you surrender to me?"

Tian Jiu bowed his head to the ground: "To be honest, I was coerced by Fei Hou into defending this city. I beg Your Excellency's mercy—allow me to serve you."

Last night, Xie Chengxi had forced him to fight. Only today did Tian Jiu realize he'd been tricked.

Tian Jiu was a loyal general who had won great victories for the court. But he was also a devoted family man, unwilling to sacrifice his kin for power or glory. He knew his troops were unfit to fight—if he marched again, it would be suicide. He'd planned to refuse the emperor's order, but Xie Chengxi had taken his wife and children hostage, threatening to kill them unless he obeyed.

Xie Chengxi was a treacherous, cunning eunuch who controlled everything near the emperor. He wanted Tian Jiu dead—he saw him as an obstacle. He knew Tian Jiu enjoyed the emperor's trust and the people's admiration; if Tian lived, he'd threaten Xie's position and interests. He wanted Tian to die on the battlefield—to eliminate a rival and claim credit for the victory.

Jiang Mingyu's smile flickered, then he asked: "What of your sixty thousand men? Have you won their loyalty?"

Tian Jiu looked back at his standing soldiers and said firmly: "They were all forcibly conscripted by Fei Hou—no will to fight. I've given them the choice: leave freely, or follow you."

He turned to the troops: "All of you, I've decided to surrender to Lord Jiang. You may choose to leave or join us."

The soldiers murmured among themselves. Moments later, they all knelt: "We pledge allegiance to you—let us build peace together!"

Jiang's army opened its gates and accepted them. All sixty thousand of Tian Jiu's men surrendered. Jiang Mingyu rejoiced—Guanshui fell without a drop of blood.

That night, Jiang Mingyu hosted a banquet in the general's mansion to celebrate the capture of Guangshui. He raised his cup, praising the officers' great deeds. The generals returned the toast, the feast lively and joyous.

Then Tian Jiu approached with a wine jug, pouring for Jiang Mingyu with humble deference: "I am eternally grateful, my lord, for your mercy in accepting my surrender and giving me a chance to fight again. But my parents, wife, and children remain in Fei Hou's hands—alive or dead, I know not. I beg you, my lord, to save them."

He set the jug down, knelt again, face beaming with pleading hope: "My lord, your wisdom and virtue can surely rescue my family from this torment. I, Tian Jiu, am foolish—if I cannot reunite with them, my heart will always be burdened, and I cannot serve you fully. I beg you, my lord—save us all!"

Jiang Mingyu, moved by his sincerity, readily agreed: "General Tian, you overstate it—we are now one family. Your family's fate is mine. I entrust this to my trusted aide, Zhang Jiaqi—she will rescue them, and you will be reunited."

"Thank you, my lord!" Tian Jiu wept with joy, bowing three times. Jiang Mingyu helped him rise, inviting him to join the feast. Tian Jiu's heavy heart lifted; his gaze toward Jiang Mingyu grew even more reverent and fervent.

That night, Tian Jiu could not sleep.