Chapter 244: The Surprising Return Gift

Jiang Mingyu and Tian Mou waited for Fei Hou to deliver grain while training the new recruits. Zhang Jiaqi, as deputy commander, assisted beside them, but her training was extremely harsh, pushing the new soldiers to their limits.

Although Zhang Jiaqi was a woman, she possessed a man's heart. She longed to fight alongside Jiang Mingyu on the battlefield, earning glory for him. She refused to be merely a rear-line supporter—she wanted to charge into battle herself, clearing obstacles for Jiang Mingyu.

Thus, she held herself and her troops to high standards, aiming to forge an elite all-female army equal to Jiang Mingyu's male forces. Every day, she led the recruits through brutal drills—morning exercises to night raids, physical conditioning to combat skills, individual drills to team tactics—nothing was left out.

Zhang Jiaqi's methods were effective but cruel. She routinely tested new soldiers' reflexes and willpower with swords, spears, and clubs, disregarding their physical and psychological suffering. She employed various means to stir their fighting spirit and loyalty, forcing them to teeter on the edge of death. She believed only such trials could forge true warriors.

The new soldiers both revered and feared Zhang Jiaqi. They knew she meant well, yet her devilish training was unbearable. Each day brought endless pain and setbacks; sometimes, they even contemplated death. But they also knew there was no retreat—only gritting their teeth and enduring could make them worthy in her eyes.

Jiang Mingyu understood Zhang Jiaqi's eagerness for battle but warned her to proceed slowly: the new recruits were still weak. He said, "Jiaqi, don't go too far. These recruits are just ordinary civilians, never trained or tested. You can't demand they meet your standards overnight."

Zhang Jiaqi retorted, "Big Brother Jiang, you underestimate me. I didn't just pick anyone to fill ranks. These recruits are carefully chosen—they each have talent and potential. With proper guidance, they'll become your capable allies."

Jiang Mingyu smiled. "I know you're confident, but give them time and space. You can't force them to leap to mastery—they must adapt and grow gradually. War isn't a game; it doesn't bend to your will. You must consider the enemy, battlefield shifts, and unforeseen events. Don't see only your side—see the whole picture."

Zhang Jiaqi pouted. "Big Brother Jiang, I understand these principles—I just want them to mature faster. You know our situation is dire; Fei Hou could strike at any moment. We can't afford complacency. We must prepare thoroughly to face any crisis."

Jiang Mingyu nodded. "I understand your feelings, and I admire your passion and resolve. But training is a long process—it won't be completed in a day. You need patience and faith—they will improve slowly. Use encouragement and praise to ignite their spirit and confidence, not criticism and punishment to crush their morale. Nurture their loyalty with love and care, not threats and fear to breed terror and resentment. Guide their actions and thoughts with wisdom and strategy, not force and orders to control their bodies and wills."

Hearing Jiang Mingyu's words, Zhang Jiaqi lowered her head in shame. She knew he was right—she had been too extreme. "Big Brother Jiang, I was wrong. I'll correct myself. I'll train them the way you said."

Jiang Mingyu smiled and patted her head. "Good girl. I know you'll do better. Don't worry so much about war—I have my plan. Fei Hou won't come so easily. We still have time. If we advance steadily, step by step, we'll reach our goal."

Zhang Jiaqi looked up, meeting Jiang Mingyu's firm yet gentle gaze, warmth spreading in her chest. "Big Brother Jiang, rest assured. I'll support you fully. Whatever you need me to do, I'll do it without reservation."

Jiang Mingyu gripped her hand, moved. "Thank you, Jiaqi."

Zhang Jiaqi blushed. "Big Brother Jiang…"

On the sixth day, Fei Hou's envoy finally arrived at Guangshui. From the imperial edict and grain supply he brought, it was clear Fei Hou trusted and was pleased with Tian Mou's earlier victory report.

The envoy studied Jiang Mingyu closely, sensing something familiar, hesitating before speaking: "You… I feel I've met you before… could it be…?"

Jiang Mingyu smiled calmly. "Your words are kind, Envoy. I am Jiang Mingyu, the one who topped the imperial examination years ago."

The envoy's face turned ashen; his legs buckled, and he knelt.

"Please spare my life!"

Jiang Mingyu dismissed it with a laugh, saying he had no intention of harming him. He instructed the envoy to tell Fei Hou: within half a year, he would destroy him.

The envoy, as if granted amnesty, turned to leave—when Jiang Mingyu ordered a box brought forth. "Take this as a gift for Fei Hou. Tell him to wash his neck and wait."

Confused, the envoy opened the box—and inside lay Xie Chengxi's bloody, severed head.

The envoy screamed in terror, paralyzed with shock. Jiang Mingyu chuckled, urging him to hurry off and deliver the "gift" to Fei Hou.

The envoy clutched Xie Chengxi's head and fled the city on horseback, galloping wildly. He knew disaster had fallen from the heavens—Fei Hou's tyrannical reign was nearing its end.

Jiang Mingyu grew even more elated. With grain secured, his next target was a city—his chosen goal: Qianjiang, northeast of Guangshui.

Qianjiang was one of Fei Hou's key strongholds, defended by over ten thousand troops, with sturdy walls and rivers encircling it. Yet Jiang Mingyu possessed confidence and boldness—he believed Qianjiang would not be hard to take.

His plan: First, send a small squad to feign an attack on a village outside Qianjiang, luring the garrison out. Then, station part of his forces to ambush in the woods beside the river, striking as the enemy crossed, causing chaos and casualties. Next, deploy another contingent to circle the river and assault the gates from the rear. Finally, lead the main force in a frontal charge, exploiting the enemy's disarray to breach the city.

Jiang Mingyu's plan was ingenious and meticulous—he accounted for every possible scenario and variable. He believed that, if executed properly, Qianjiang would fall swiftly.

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

Tian Mou and Zhang Jiaqi both endorsed Jiang Mingyu's plan and wished him swift victory. They embraced their own duties with confidence and responsibility, vowing not to betray their lord's trust.

Jiang Mingyu led his three thousand elite troops in rapid advance, reaching the vicinity of Qianjiang before noon. He positioned each unit according to plan and waited for the optimal moment.

As the sun set, a horn blared—the decoy squad launched their assault. They stormed a village outside Qianjiang, setting fires, killing, and looting. Villagers fled in terror, cries echoing everywhere.

The Qianjiang garrison quickly noticed the disturbance and dispatched over a thousand cavalry to rescue the village. They assumed it was mere bandits or rebels, paid no heed, and made no preparations.

They marched boldly across the river toward the village. As they neared, the decoy squad retreated swiftly into the woods beside the river. Seeing this, the garrison grew even more arrogant, charging after them, determined to annihilate them.

At that moment, Jiang Mingyu's hidden forces erupted from the woods. Arrows and trebuchets unleashed a torrent of fire. The garrison was caught utterly off guard—scores fell, wounded and dead. Panic spread as they scattered, only to find themselves surrounded. Jiang Mingyu's troops surged from all sides, encircling and slaughtering them to the last.

Meanwhile, another contingent of Jiang Mingyu's forces had circled the river, slipping silently toward the city gates. They scaled the walls with ladders and ropes, catching the defenders unaware, storming inside. They seized the gates and flung them open, allowing the main force entry.

Finally, Jiang Mingyu led the main force in a frontal assault, charging the city. Clad in armor, spear in hand, he rode with terrifying majesty. He shouted battle cries, boosting morale. He cut through enemies like a storm—none could stand before him.

Inside Qianjiang, the defenders were plunged into chaos and terror. Their comrades fell around them; their walls breached; their enemy surged forward like wolves. They lost all will to fight—only escape mattered. But there was no escape. Only death awaited.

Less than an hour later, Qianjiang fell to Jiang Mingyu. He ordered his men to seize the city's wealth and grain. He captured all officials and officers and had them beheaded publicly.