Chapter 253

Jiang Mingyu's words had barely finished when Zhang Jiaqi lifted her tear-filled eyes and glared at him: "You had already made preparations? Why didn't you tell me sooner? Don't you know how terrified I was today when you said nothing at all?"

"Look at those absurd proclamations—do you know how furious I was after reading them? If you hadn't stopped me, I would've stormed out already. Why did you hide the truth from me?"

Saying this, she flung herself into Jiang Mingyu's arms, clutching his waist as she sobbed: "Don't you know how desperately I worried for you? Don't you know?"

Jiang Mingyu's heart tightened; he quickly placed a hand on her back and whispered soothingly: "There are too many people coming and going in the camp—I feared spies might be among them. I couldn't risk revealing secrets; it would ruin everything. I know you're worried about me, but I have my reasons. Trust me—no one else in this camp deserves my trust but you."

Hearing this, Zhang Jiaqi wept even more bitterly. She understood his implication—he was hinting at Liu Yifei. They had grown up together, inseparable as siblings. How could she intrude between them?

After a long silence, she lifted her head from his embrace and wiped her tears with her sleeve: "Jiang Mingyu, I was wrong to blame you. I won't act so capriciously again."

Jiang Mingyu gently patted her shoulder: "It's late. Get some rest. We'll march tomorrow. And one more thing—say nothing of tonight's events to anyone. This is military intelligence."

Zhang Jiaqi nodded firmly, and Jiang Mingyu withdrew with a faint smile.

Standing alone outside the tent, Jiang Mingyu gazed at the moon and sighed deeply. Zhang Jiaqi's outburst had thrown him into turmoil. How could he ever explain this to Liu Yifei? Liu Yifei was his closest friend—how could he bear to betray the woman he loved? To ignore Zhang Jiaqi's feelings would be unjust to Liu Yifei too. To accept Zhang Jiaqi's affection? He couldn't even imagine it.

Jiang Mingyu was torn apart by inner conflict—he knew he was trapped in an impossible dilemma. This tangled web of childhood affection left him paralyzed. But no matter what, he could not let Liu Yifei be hurt. This cruel emotional battle was more helpless than any armed conflict.

The night passed in silence. Tian Jiu emerged from his tent, energetic and alert, and seeing Jiang Mingyu standing at the camp gate, stepped forward and bowed: "My lord, the proclamation has been sent for a full day—Hu Song must already be in panic."

"Your reputation echoes like thunder. If Hu Song is wise, he'll surrender now and spare himself annihilation."

Jiang Mingyu smiled and nodded, gazing at his hundred-thousand-strong army, its morale soaring. "General Tian speaks truly. Jiang Mou shares this view. Is it not better to subdue the enemy without fighting?"

Zhang Jiaqi stood nearby, watching their mutual flattery with cold eyes, silently cursing: You scoundrels—how long can you keep smiling?

Jiang Mingyu looked up at the sky. "Daybreak has come. We march."

With that, he led his troops toward Wenzhi.

Tian Jiu followed closely, his expression relaxed. He thought: Once we reach Wenzhi, it will be your death, Jiang Mingyu.

For the past two days, he had waited for Fei Hou's reply. He was certain Fei Hou would not disappoint him.

Indeed, on the third morning, a scout galloped back with thrilling news.

"My lord, Hu Song, upon hearing of your army's advance, has abandoned the city with all his troops."

Tian Jiu stepped forward two paces and laughed: "My lord, did I not tell you? Hu Song is no match for you—he fled the moment he heard you were coming."

"Your brilliance and valor have won Wenzhi without a single blow."

Jiang Mingyu burst into laughter. "Excellent! General Tian, you foresaw this perfectly. Jiang Mou is deeply grateful. I shall reward you handsomely later. Now, let us enter the city."

Zhang Jiaqi watched their smug expressions and thought: You're fine actors. Too bad you don't know how many enemy troops lie hidden inside Wenzhi.

After entering Wenzhi, Tian Jiu hurriedly urged: "My lord, our army has taken Wenzhi unscathed—our morale is at its peak. I urge you to strike Zi Gui immediately. Time waits for no one."

Jiang Mingyu feigned hesitation. "General Tian speaks sense. But Zi Gui is a major enemy stronghold—it won't be easy to take."

Tian Jiu quickly replied: "My lord, rest assured. I've already contacted Fei Hou. He says that if we attack Zi Gui, he'll send reinforcements. We can then crush the enemy between us."

Jiang Mingyu sneered inwardly: Do you think I don't know your conspiracy with Fei Hou? You want me to walk into my death—I'll make you regret it.

But outwardly, he wore a delighted expression: "So that's how it is. Then I shall follow General Tian's advice. We march at dawn tomorrow to attack Zi Gui."

Tian Jiu rejoiced inwardly: You fool—you're finally caught.

As he spoke, Zhang Jiaqi entered with a dusty messenger. "Jiang Mingyu, Master Sima has sent a letter from Taizhou."

Jiang Mingyu's eyes lit up. "It must be good news—quickly, tell me."

The messenger wiped his sweat and exclaimed: "My lord, Master Sima has ordered me to report that half of Taizhou's cities now lie under our control."

Before Jiang Mingyu could rejoice, another messenger, drenched in sweat, burst in: "My lord, news from Guizhou! Commander Duan has captured another fortified city and recruited twenty thousand enemy troops. I come to report victory."

Jiang Mingyu's smile widened. "Good! Zhuge Yu and Tukesiluo are both fierce generals. Order grain supplies dispatched from Cangzhou and reward the entire army."

He declared proudly: "Soon, Taizhou and Guizhou will be ours for the taking."

Tian Jiu seized the moment to echo: "My lord, we must march now."

Jiang Mingyu feigned confusion. "Why?"

Tian Jiu put on a sincere face: "Consider this: personally, Master Sima is your disciple, Tukesiluo your brother. Officially, you are the lord, they are your subordinates. They've achieved great victories—how can you, as lord, show no recognition?"

He stepped back. "Of course, this is also for the sake of your grand cause. The decision to advance rests with you, my lord."

Jiang Mingyu pretended to ponder, glancing at Zhang Jiaqi.

"Jiaqi, what do you think?"

Zhang Jiaqi nodded feigning agreement: "Jiang Mingyu, I agree with General Tian. We should advance on Zi Gui. If your brother-in-law and Master Sima claim all the glory, what face will you have as lord?"

Jiang Mingyu clenched his teeth. "Fine. Since you all say so, issue orders—we march tomorrow to attack Zi Gui."

Tian Jiu rejoiced inwardly: You fool—you've finally taken the bait.

He suppressed his glee and added: "My lord, I have another suggestion. Let us send another proclamation to Zi Gui's commander. Perhaps he, like Hu Song, will surrender without a fight?"

Tian Jiu thought: If Jiang Mingyu sends another proclamation, I can bribe a scout to report that Zi Gui's commander has fled. Then Jiang Mingyu will enter Zi Gui unprepared—where he'll face the united force of Hu Song and Zi Gui's commander: one hundred twenty thousand troops. He will die without a chance.

Jiang Mingyu feigned curiosity. "General Tian, tell me—what's truly happening in Zi Gui?"

Tian Jiu put on a casual smile: "My lord, the commander of Zi Gui, Fang Hang, is a weakling. He was originally under Wu Chengyun, then transferred by Fei Hou to guard Zi Gui. His troops number only thirty thousand—no threat at all."

"Fang Hang has no loyalty to Fei Hou—he's always felt mistreated. I believe that once your proclamation arrives, he'll flee in panic."

Jiang Mingyu frowned. "Thirty thousand? Just like Hu Song? General Tian, doesn't that seem too convenient?"

Tian Jiu hurried to explain: "My lord, this is all Fei Hou's doing—perhaps he has some deeper plan. Besides, Fei Hou is already at his last breath. Even if he wanted to reinforce Fang Hang, he has no spare troops."

Jiang Mingyu nodded. "True. Then send another proclamation to Fang Hang and see his response."

"General Tian, order the troops to prepare—we march at dawn tomorrow to attack Zi Gui."

Tian Jiu eagerly agreed, turning to leave—when Jiang Mingyu added one more thing.

"You will lead the vanguard in this assault on Zi Gui. General Tian, you are my most valiant commander—I place great trust in you."

Tian Jiu bowed deeply and withdrew.

Once he was gone, Jiang Mingyu yawned. "After days of marching, I'm exhausted. I'll rest a while. Jiaqi, stay."

As the door clicked shut behind him, Tian Jiu cursed inwardly: Jiang Mingyu, you lecher—how many women will you toy with? Wait—you'll die in my hands soon.

When the corridor fell silent, Zhang Jiaqi suddenly smiled. "Jiang Mingyu, you played that perfectly. By the way—any word from Tukesiluo and Zhuge Yu?"

Her eyes sparkled with cunning.

Jiang Mingyu set down his teacup. "Yes. Tukesiluo has seized half of Guizhou. Zhuge Yu has taken several key cities in Taizhou."

His tone carried pride and relief.

With no one around, Zhang Jiaqi whispered to Jiang Mingyu: "Jiang Mingyu, I've met the messengers from Tukesiluo and Zhuge Yu. They've already hidden in the forests near Zi Gui, as planned."

"They say that once we reach Zi Gui's walls, they'll launch their attack at the signal of a flare arrow—we'll trap Hu Song and Fang Hang's one hundred twenty thousand troops between us."

"Once Fei Hou's main force is destroyed, he'll be powerless to resist."

Jiang Mingyu nodded, satisfied. "Good. Very good. Within five days, Tian Jiu will be dead."

As they plotted in secret, Tian Jiu had already dispatched the absurd proclamation. Watching the messenger vanish into the distance, he sneered: Jiang Mingyu, you fool—you think you'll claim the glory of Taizhou and Guizhou? You're nothing but a pawn in my and His Majesty's game.

Wait—when you enter Zi Gui, that will be your death.