Chapter 243: Straw Boats Borrow Arrows

Zhang Jiaqi led her troops through the night, avoiding enemy patrols and sentries. She found the rear gate of the enemy camp and stabbed the guard with a sharp dagger. Then she led her forces silently into the camp.

Guided by her sharp instincts and familiarity with the terrain, she located the enemy's prison. She saw Tian Jiu's family—old and young, men and women—all locked in iron cages, their bodies covered in wounds, clothes tattered, faces gaunt. Her heart ached, and tears welled up unbidden.

She stepped forward and said to them, "Don't be afraid. I'm here to rescue you. You're General Tian Jiu's family, aren't you?"

At these words, Tian Jiu's family looked up in astonishment. They saw Zhang Jiaqi clad in a black battle robe, holding a long sword, her gaze firm yet gentle. A thread of hope and warmth stirred within them.

"Yes, yes, we are General Tian Jiu's family," his father said, tears streaming down his face. "Are you truly sent by my son to save us?"

"Of course," Zhang Jiaqi said. "General Tian has always been deeply concerned for your safety. He sent me to bring you back to him."

"That's wonderful!" Tian Jiu's mother exclaimed, her voice trembling. "We'll finally see our son again!"

"Hurry, hurry," Zhang Jiaqi said. "We have no time to waste. Let me unlock your cages."

She used her dagger to pick the locks on the iron cages, letting Tian Jiu's family emerge one by one. She then took out dried rations and water skins from her person and gave them food and drink. Watching them eat with relish, she felt joy in her heart.

"Alright, alright," Zhang Jiaqi said. "Let's go quickly. This place isn't safe."

She had Tian Jiu's family follow behind her and led her troops out of the camp with caution. Throughout the journey, she remained alert, watching for any sign of enemy movement.

Fortunately, they escaped the enemy's encirclement without incident.

Jiang Mingyu sat in the General's Mansion of Guangshui, chin resting on his hand, eyes deep. He had just received Zhang Jiaqi's secret message: she had successfully rescued Tian Jiu's family and was escorting them back to Guangshui. A surge of joy filled Jiang Mingyu—he knew this was a major strategic opportunity to win over the famed general Tian Jiu and strengthen his northern campaign.

At that moment, hurried footsteps sounded outside the door, and a guard entered to report: "My Lord, General Tian Jiu requests an audience."

Jiang Mingyu smiled faintly, as if expecting this. He immediately ordered the guard to bring Tian Jiu in.

Soon, Tian Jiu rushed into the hall. Upon seeing Jiang Mingyu, he hurried forward, fell to his knees, and wept bitterly: "My Lord, did you send someone to rescue my family?"

Jiang Mingyu, moved by his anguish, spoke gently: "General Tian, rise. I have dispatched my trusted aide, Zhang Jiaqi, with over a hundred elite troops to rescue them. Your family is surely safe."

Hearing this, Tian Jiu felt the world spin, his vision flooded with golden light. He looked up at Jiang Mingyu's eyes, as if seeing angelic radiance. "Thank you, My Lord! Thank you, My Lord! My entire family has been spared—my gratitude is boundless!"

He immediately knelt again, bowing his head, tears and snot streaming: "My Lord, your magnanimity has saved our lives! If I had ten lives, I would give them all to serve you!"

Jiang Mingyu quickly pulled Tian Jiu up, laughing and saying it was nothing more than what any lord ought to do.

Tian Jiu shook his head three times: "My Lord, you speak too modestly! My entire family's survival is due solely to your boundless grace. I can never repay this debt—I can only dedicate my life to you, become your most loyal and fierce general, and fight beside you to unify the land!"

He knelt heavily once more: "I swear this with no second thoughts! I beg you, My Lord, to accept me and grant me the chance to serve!"

Jiang Mingyu smiled and said, "Good. General Tian, I have a favor to ask of you."

Tian Jiu asked, puzzled: "What does My Lord require?"

Jiang Mingyu smiled slyly: "I want you to write a letter to Lord Fei, claiming you've crushed my army—but due to lack of grain, you couldn't finish me off. Tell him to hurry and send you supplies."

Tian Jiu was stunned. He didn't understand Jiang Mingyu's intent. "My Lord, why? Lord Fei hates you—why would he send you grain?"

Jiang Mingyu smiled: "We've just gained sixty thousand new troops and desperately need provisions. Let's use this chance to ask Lord Fei for grain—he won't dare let us starve to death."

"My Lord, Lord Fei hates you—why would he send you grain?" Tian Jiu asked again.

"Precisely because he hates me so deeply," Jiang Mingyu explained, smiling. "If he hears my army is starving and trapped, he'll be overjoyed—and he'll send you grain to help you destroy me. And when he does, he'll be in for a surprise."

Tian Jiu suddenly understood, nodding vigorously: "My Lord is brilliant! This trick of borrowing arrows with straw boats will surely fool Lord Fei! I'll write him at once, claiming I've crushed your army but lack grain to press the advantage."

Jiang Mingyu nodded in satisfaction: "Go. I await Lord Fei's grain—and his surprise. With provisions, we can train our new troops and build strength. When we take the next city, Lord Fei will be utterly shocked."

Immediately, Tian Jiu ordered a letter written, exaggerating his victory and claiming he had crushed Jiang's army but lacked grain to finish them off. He urgently begged Lord Fei to send supplies to annihilate Jiang Mingyu.

True to form, Lord Fei received the letter and rejoiced. He immediately ordered tens of thousands of shi of grain sent to Guangshui, instructing his men to capture Jiang Mingyu alive. The long-awaited day of Jiang Mingyu's downfall had finally come.