Chapter 244: A Surprise Return Gift

Jiang Jiang Mingyu and Tian Jiu waited for Fei Hou to deliver the grain while burying themselves in training the new recruits. Zhang Zhang Jiaqi, serving as deputy commander, also assisted at the side, though her training was extremely harsh, putting her subordinate recruits through absolute hell.

Although Zhang Zhang Jiaqi was a woman, she possessed the heart of a man. She longed to march into battle alongside Jiang Jiang Mingyu and earn merit for him. She was unwilling to remain merely a rear-echelon supporter; she wanted to take the field and slay the enemy herself, sweeping every obstacle from Jiang Jiang Mingyu's path.

Therefore, her demands on herself and her subordinates were very high. She hoped to train an elite women's army that could match Jiang Jiang Mingyu's men's army. Every day she led the new recruits through all manner of grueling drills—from morning exercises to nighttime stealth, from physical fitness to technical skills, from individual combat to team coordination, leaving nothing out.

Zhang Zhang Jiaqi's training methods, though effective, were also brutal. She often used blades, spears, staves, and clubs to test the recruits' reactions and willpower, sparing no injury to their bodies and minds. She would also use every means to stimulate the recruits' fighting spirit and loyalty, making them struggle at the edge of life and death. She believed only in this way could true warriors be forged.

The recruits all regarded Zhang Zhang Jiaqi with a mixture of reverence and fear. They knew she had their best interests at heart, but her devilish training was nearly unbearable. Every day they endured countless bouts of pain and setback, sometimes even entertaining thoughts of death. Yet they also knew there was no retreat—only by gritting their teeth and persevering could they become qualified warriors in Zhang Zhang Jiaqi's eyes.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu knew Zhang Zhang Jiaqi was eager to see action, but he reminded her to take it slowly; the recruits' combat power was still very weak. He said: "Zhang Jiaqi, don't go too far. These recruits are all commoners who have just been enlisted. They haven't gone through any training or tempering. You can't demand they meet your standards all at once."

Zhang Zhang Jiaqi said indignantly: "Brother Jiang, you underestimate me. I didn't just round up random people to make up the numbers. These recruits were all carefully selected by me; each has a certain talent and potential. As long as I teach them well, they can become your capable assistants."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu smiled and said: "I know you have confidence, but you must also give them some time and space. You can't force them to ascend in a single step; you must let them gradually adapt and grow. You must understand that war is no child's play—it's not something you can do however you like. You have to consider the enemy's factors, the changes on the battlefield, and unexpected situations. You can't just see your own side; you have to see the whole picture."

Zhang Zhang Jiaqi pouted and said: "Brother Jiang, it's not that I don't understand these principles—I just want them to mature as quickly as possible. You know our situation is very critical right now. Fei Hou could launch an attack at any moment; we can't afford to let our guard down. We must be fully prepared to handle any possible crisis."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu nodded and said: "I understand how you feel, and I truly appreciate your passion and resolve. But you must also understand that training is a long-term matter; it can't be accomplished in a day. You need patience and confidence—believe that they will gradually improve. Use encouragement and praise to spark their fighting spirit and confidence, not harsh criticism and punishment to crush their morale and self-assurance. Use love and care to cultivate their affection and loyalty, not threats and intimidation to breed fear and resentment. Use wisdom and strategy to guide their actions and thinking, not force and orders to control their bodies and wills."

Zhang Zhang Jiaqi, hearing Jiang Jiang Mingyu's words, lowered her head in some shame. She knew Jiang Jiang Mingyu was right, and that she had been somewhat extreme. She said: "Brother Jiang, I was wrong. I will correct myself from now on. I will train them according to the methods you described."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu smiled, patted her head, and said: "Good child, I believe you'll do even better. Don't worry too much about the war—I have my own plan. Fei Hou won't get past us so easily; we still have time. As long as we advance steadily, step by step, we will reach our goal."

Zhang Zhang Jiaqi raised her head, looked into Jiang Jiang Mingyu's firm yet gentle eyes, and felt a warmth in her heart. She said: "Brother Jiang, please rest assured. I will support you with all my strength. No matter what you need me to do, I will do it without reservation."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu, deeply moved, took her hand and said: "Thank you, Zhang Jiaqi."

Zhang Zhang Jiaqi said, blushing: "Brother Jiang…"

On the sixth day, Fei Hou's special envoy finally arrived at Guangshui. Judging from the imperial edict and the amount of military grain he brought, Fei Hou was very trusting and satisfied with Tian Jiu's earlier report of victory.

The envoy looked Jiang Jiang Mingyu up and down, seeming to notice something, and hesitantly spoke: "You… I think I've met you before… Could it be…"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu smiled faintly: "Your kind words, envoy. I am indeed the Jiang Jiang Mingyu who placed on the imperial examination list back in the day."

The envoy's face went deathly pale in an instant; his legs gave way and he knelt—

begging for mercy on the ground: "Please spare my life!"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu bore no grudge, and laughingly said he had no intention of harm. He even had the envoy tell Fei Hou that he would destroy him within half a year.

The envoy, as if granted a great reprieve, was about to leave when Jiang Jiang Mingyu had someone bring out a box: "Take this meeting gift to Fei Hou as well—tell him to wash his neck clean and wait for me."

The envoy, utterly baffled, opened the box, only to see inside Xie Xie Chengxi's blood-drenched head!

The envoy was scared out of his wits, at a loss for what to do. Jiang Jiang Mingyu, meanwhile, cheerfully urged him to set off quickly and deliver the "gift" to Fei Hou.

The envoy fled the city in panic, clutching Xie Xie Chengxi's head, and galloped away on horseback. He knew in his heart that disaster had fallen from the sky—the end of that foolish, tyrannical ruler Fei Hou was close at hand!

Jiang Jiang Mingyu, meanwhile, grew even more jubilant. Having secured the grain, he would next take a city, pressing Fei Hou step by step. He had already chosen his target: Qianjiang, northeast of Guangshui.

Qianjiang was one of Fei Hou's important strongholds, with over ten thousand defenders, sturdy walls, and rivers encircling it. But Jiang Jiang Mingyu was confident and bold; he believed Qianjiang would not be hard to take.

His plan was this: first, he would send a small squad to pretend to raid a village outside Qianjiang's walls, luring the defenders out of the city to pursue. Then, he would use part of his force to lie in ambush in the woods by the river, waiting for the defenders to cross and suddenly striking, causing chaos and casualties. Next, he would use another part of his force to circle around the river from another direction and head straight for the city gate. Finally, he would personally lead the main force in a frontal charge, taking advantage of the defenders' dispersal and panic to breach the city in one stroke.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu's plan was extremely clever and meticulous; he had considered every possible situation and variable. He believed that as long as it was executed properly, Qianjiang could be taken in the shortest possible time.

Thus, on the morning of the seventh day, Jiang Jiang Mingyu set out with three thousand elite troops. He left the remaining two thousand new recruits under Tian Jiu and Zhang Zhang Jiaqi's care, entrusting them to continue training and defense.

Tian Jiu and Zhang Zhang Jiaqi both expressed their approval and support for Jiang Jiang Mingyu's plan, and wished him an early triumphant return. They were also full of confidence and a sense of responsibility for their own task, and swore not to fail the trust their lord had placed in them.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu, leading three thousand elite troops, raced along the road and reached the vicinity of Qianjiang in less than half a day. He arranged the positions and tasks of each unit according to plan, and waited for the optimal moment.

When the sun set, a horn sounded, and the feint squad began their operation. They charged into a village outside Qianjiang's walls, setting fires, killing, and looting. The villagers fled in terror, cries rising on all sides.

The defenders inside Qianjiang quickly noticed the disturbance and immediately dispatched over a thousand cavalry to rescue them. They assumed it was just some bandits or rebels, paid it no heed, and made no preparations.

They swaggered across the river, heading toward the village. As they neared the village, the feint squad immediately retreated, fleeing toward the woods by the river. Seeing this, the defenders grew even more arrogant and gave chase, hoping to wipe them out in one stroke.

Just then, Jiang Jiang Mingyu's forces hidden in the woods suddenly launched their attack. They trained their bows and catapults on the defenders, loosing a dense rain of fire. The defenders were caught completely off guard, suffering countless casualties. They scattered in terror, only to find themselves surrounded. Jiang Jiang Mingyu's troops closed in from all sides, encircling them and cutting them down to the last man.

At the same time, another part of Jiang Jiang Mingyu's force had already circled around the river and quietly approached the city gate. They scaled the walls with ladders and ropes, and while the defenders were unprepared, they fought their way into the city. They swiftly seized the city gate and threw it open, allowing the main force to enter.

Finally, Jiang Jiang Mingyu personally led the main force in a frontal charge, launching the final assault on the city. He gripped a long spear, wore armor, and cut a majestic figure. He shouted rallying cries, boosting morale. Wherever he went, he was invincible; none could stand in his way.

The defenders inside Qianjiang had already fallen into chaos and panic. They saw their comrades falling one after another, saw their city breached, saw their enemies swarming in like wolves. They had no heart to fight on, only wanting to flee for their lives. But there was nowhere to escape—they could only await the descent of death.

In less than one shichen, Qianjiang was captured by Jiang Jiang Mingyu. Jiang Jiang Mingyu dispatched men to search the city for wealth and grain, and pocketed it all. He also seized the city's officials and generals, and beheaded them in public as a warning.