Chapter 242: Accepting Surrender

The scout's words made Zhang Zhang Jiaqi extremely worried: "Big Brother, the enemy forces are numerous and rely on a fortified city. How shall we break through?"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu was unconvinced: "Zhang Jiaqi, do not worry. The enemy general Tian Jiu's troops are all newly recruited soldiers; they cannot withstand our one-on-one fight. Moreover, they were forcibly conscripted by Fei Hou, so their morale must be low, worse than a rabble. Why fear him?"

Zhang Zhang Jiaqi finally felt her heart's heavy stone lift. She knew her Big Brother must have a clever plan; as long as she followed him, capturing Jingzhou was just a matter of days.

That night, Jiang Jiang Mingyu ordered a full departure for Guangshui at first light tomorrow, wanting Tian Jiu to witness his prowess.

Meanwhile, Tian Jiu rubbed his temples in Guangshui, suffering from a severe headache. He knew well that with his inferior troops, opposing Jiang Jiang Mingyu's elite forces would be fraught with difficulties.

Even more deadly, Fei Hou had given him only one month to defeat Jiang Jiang Mingyu, or he would exterminate his entire clan. How exactly to break the enemy? Tian Jiu's brow remained furrowed.

At this moment, a eunuch named Xie Xie Chengxi walked over slowly, asking with a mocking tone: "Commander Tian, what clever plan do you have to deal with Jiang Jiang Mingyu? The scouts report he has arrived ten li from the city walls!"

Tian Jiu's brows tightened; he felt great disgust toward this eunuch sent to monitor him. He forced a smile and asked: "Forgive my dullness; I have not yet thought of a countermeasure. I wonder what high opinion Master Xie holds?"

Xie Xie Chengxi feigned a smile: "Commander Tian, I do not understand military affairs, I only know that Your Majesty is urging you to your death. If you cannot defeat Jiang Jiang Mingyu, Your Majesty will surely be furious, and then neither of us will escape death."

Tian Jiu roared: "I am already devising a way to deal with Jiang Jiang Mingyu; do not urge me!"

Xie Xie Chengxi sneered: "What is there left for the Commander to think? Our troops outnumber the enemy; we can win simply by engaging. If you wish to avoid failure, I can only petition Your Majesty to deal with you."

Tian Jiu was furious and was about to retort when Xie Xie Chengxi said calmly: "Does the Commander know your family has been summoned by Your Majesty to Jingcheng? Think of the fates of Ruan Chen and Hu Bo."

Tian Jiu's face instantly changed color, guessing Xie Xie Chengxi's words were true. He steadied himself and said coldly: "Very well, tomorrow I will lead the troops out to fight. Please, Master Xie, join us on the battlefield to witness Your Majesty's wisdom and martial prowess together."

Xie Xie Chengxi was greatly alarmed and wanted to decline, but Tian Jiu had already left. Xie Xie Chengxi glared hatefully at Tian Jiu's back, thinking: "You Tian Jiu, you dare ask me to go and die! If we suffer a great defeat tomorrow, I will thoroughly expose your incompetence to Your Majesty!"

As the sun set that day, Jiang Jiang Mingyu and Zhang Zhang Jiaqi stood in the camp gazing into the distance. Zhang Zhang Jiaqi sighed lightly and asked: "Big Brother, how shall we break through the impregnable city of Guangshui tomorrow?"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu also felt deeply troubled; Tian Jiu held a fortified city with troops, so challenging him was indeed extremely difficult. After thinking for a long while, he said: "We can only use a stratagem to provoke him into fighting. I will send someone to curse the city tomorrow; perhaps that will anger him into sending troops out."

Zhang Zhang Jiaqi nodded; Big Brother Jiang must have a clever plan, and Tian Jiu would surely fall into the trap.

That morning, the cold air was biting. When Jiang Jiang Mingyu led his 50,000-strong army to the foot of Guangshui City, he could not help but shiver, pulling his sleeves tighter. On the distant city tower, Tian Jiu stood with a grim face, hand on his sword hilt, seemingly sitting upright and waiting for the Jiang army's attack.

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

"My Lord, please rest assured. Even if Tian Jiu holds out stubbornly, our army will surely capture Guangshui, clearing the obstacle for the Northern Expedition," Zhang Zhang Jiaqi called out loudly from his horse.

As the two were speaking, the city gate creaked open. Tian Jiu, holding a large blade, led a small squad of soldiers walking out slowly, looking at the Jiang army's formation with caution.

"How could this be?" Jiang Jiang Mingyu was greatly puzzled; he had clearly intended to block the enemy from coming out.

Tian Jiu shouted: "Jiang Jiang Mingyu, you..." Before he could finish the sentence, Xie Xie Chengxi urged him to hurry forward and kill the enemy.

"General Tian, why not lead the main army out immediately to welcome the battle? We must achieve victory within one month; Your Majesty is still waiting for you!" Xie Xie Chengxi said aggressively.

"Master Cheng, on the battlefield I issue the orders; do not give chaotic commands!" Tian Jiu frowned and shouted.

Xie Xie Chengxi snorted: "I serve Your Majesty and have the right to order you!" The two immediately began to argue loudly.

The two immediately started a fierce quarrel, leaving Jiang Jiang Mingyu completely confused. What was going on?

"Master Cheng, is it you who caused my entire family, old and young, to be held hostage and forced me to face certain death, isn't it?" Tian Jiu demanded.

"Indeed, I am acting on Your Majesty's orders; it is beyond reproach," Xie Xie Chengxi said with self-righteous confidence.

Tian Jiu asked Xie Xie Chengxi if he had held his family hostage to force him into battle. Xie Xie Chengxi self-righteously admitted it.

"Die!" Fire burned in Tian Jiu's eyes. With a wave of his long blade, Xie Xie Chengxi's head flew far away instantly!

"General Tian!" Jiang Jiang Mingyu was shocked, riding his horse forward a few steps. "What is going on?"

Tian Jiu threw down his blade and knelt on both knees: "My Lord Jiang, Tian Mou was forced to lead troops; please show mercy and accept us!"

This scene shocked Jiang Jiang Mingyu immensely. He saw the sorrow and determination in Tian Jiu's eyes, and also the blood and terror on Xie Xie Chengxi's neck. He did not know how to handle this situation. He had countless questions and confusion in his heart.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu felt he was trapped in a huge conspiracy; he did not know who was the enemy and who was the friend. He did not know whom to trust or whom to help. He did not know what to do or what to say. He could only stare blankly at Tian Jiu kneeling on the ground, waiting for his judgment.

After hearing Tian Jiu's account, Jiang Jiang Mingyu was still completely confused: "General Tian, what exactly is the reason for your surrender to me?"

Tian Jiu knelt and kowtowed: "To speak frankly, I, your humble subject, was coerced by Fei Hou into leading troops to defend. I hope my Lord will show mercy and allow me to surrender and serve."

It turned out that last night Xie Xie Chengxi forced him to fight, and only now did Tian Jiu realize he had fallen into Xie Xie Chengxi's treacherous trap.

Tian Jiu was a loyal general who had once established great military merits for the court. However, he was also a man who loved his family and was unwilling to sacrifice his relatives for power and fame. He knew his army was incapable of fighting; if they went out to fight again, it would surely be suicide. He originally intended to refuse the Emperor's order, but Xie Xie Chengxi used his wife and children as hostages, threatening him to lead the army forward.

Xie Xie Chengxi was a sinister and cunning eunuch who controlled everything around the Emperor. He wanted to eliminate Tian Jiu because Tian Jiu was an obstacle in his eyes. He knew Tian Jiu had the Emperor's trust and the people's admiration; if he continued to live, he would threaten Xie Xie Chengxi's position and interests. He wanted Tian Jiu to die on the battlefield, which would not only eliminate a rival but also allow him to establish his own merit.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu smiled fleetingly and countered: "What about the 60,000 troops under General Tian's command? Have you won their hearts?"

Tian Jiu looked up at the soldiers standing at attention behind him and said firmly: "These were all forcibly conscripted by Fei Hou; they have no will to fight. I have promised them freedom to leave or to follow the Lord."

Having said this, he turned to the crowd and said: "Everyone, I have decided to submit to Lord Jiang. You are free to choose to leave or to follow us."

The crowd whispered among themselves, and moments later, they all knelt down: "We wish to follow the Lord and create peace together!"

Thus, the Jiang army opened the gates to welcome them, and all 60,000 of Tian Jiu's men surrendered. Jiang Jiang Mingyu was overjoyed and entered Guangshui without drawing blood.

That night, Jiang Jiang Mingyu held a banquet at the General's Mansion to treat the three armies' officers and soldiers, celebrating the capture of Guangshui. During the banquet, Jiang Jiang Mingyu raised his cup to signal, praising the generals for their outstanding merits. The generals also toasted one after another, and the celebration banquet proceeded enthusiastically.

At this moment, Tian Jiu brought a wine pot over to toast Jiang Jiang Mingyu. While pouring wine, he spoke with a respectful expression: "I am extremely grateful to My Lord for showing mercy and accepting our surrender, allowing me to fight again. However, my parents, wife, and children are still in Fei Hou's hands; their life or death is unknown, which truly terrifies me. I hope My Lord will show mercy and save my entire family from danger."

Having said this, he placed the wine pot on the table, knelt on both knees, and pleaded with a face full of smiles: "My Lord, you are wise and martial. Your great kindness and virtue will surely save our entire family, great and small, from the sea of bitterness. I, Tian Mou, am dull; if we cannot be reunited as a family, I fear there will always be a worry in my heart, making it difficult to serve fully! I beg My Lord to fulfill this and save our lives!"

Seeing his earnestness, Jiang Jiang Mingyu was deeply moved. He immediately agreed cheerfully: "General Tian, you speak too heavily. We are already one of us. Your family's matter is my matter. I will assign my trusted Zhang Zhang Jiaqi to handle this; the rescue will surely succeed, allowing your family to reunite."

"Thank you, My Lord, for fulfilling this!" Tian Jiu wept with joy and kowtowed three times in gratitude. Jiang Jiang Mingyu then asked him to rise, and they drank and feasted together with the generals. With the heavy stone in his heart finally put down, Tian Jiu looked at Jiang Jiang Mingyu with even greater reverence and fervor.

That night, Tian Jiu could not fall asleep for a long time.