Chapter 254

Jingcheng, Chongzheng Hall.

Fei Hou looked at the letter before him, his eyes crinkling with delight. It was a "defeat report" from Tian Jiu in Wenzhi City, claiming that Jiang Mingyu's army was advancing and Hu Song had abandoned the city with his troops.

"Jiang Mingyu, you dog, you've finally fallen for my trap." He said triumphantly.

"Aren't you arrogant? Didn't you send back Xie Chengxi's head? Didn't you dig up my ancestral graves?"

"Wait. Within five days, I'll make sure you die without a grave to bury you. Hahaha…"

Recalling Jiang Mingyu's countless crimes, he gnashed his teeth with hatred. Had battlefield uncertainties not been so great, he would have long ago ordered Tian Jiu to capture Jiang Mingyu alive and subject him to a thousand cuts.

Seeing Fei Hou in high spirits, the eunuch beside him hurried to flatter: "Your Majesty, you're radiant today—what joyous news?"

Several ministers on the hall also looked puzzled. Wenzhi City had fallen; Jiang Mingyu was about to attack. How could His Majesty still be laughing? Had he gone mad?

Fei Hou felt his plan was within reach and no longer wished to conceal it. He revealed his conspiracy with Tian Jiu in full detail to all present.

He had long known Hu Song and Fang Hang were his loyalists; he ordered them to deliberately abandon Wenzhi City and Zigui City to lure Jiang Mingyu into a trap. He also had Tian Jiu pretend to defect to Jiang Mingyu, offering false strategies to win his trust.

Once Jiang Mingyu entered Zigui City, Hu Song and Fang Hang would lead 120, 00 troops to encircle him from behind. Tian Jiu would then betray him at the critical moment, delivering a fatal blow.

Jiang Mingyu would surely die, and his 100, 00 troops would be annihilated. Fei Hou could then easily reclaim the northern frontier, Taizhou, and Guizhou. After that, he would quell the southern rebellions and restore the unity of the Da Feng Empire.

At last, Fei Hou threw back his head and roared with laughter: "Jiang Mingyu thinks himself clever, but he doesn't know he's already in my trap. Wait—within five days, Jiang Mingyu's head will be placed upon my dragon desk."

His smile grew twisted. "Once Jiang Mingyu is dead, I'll reclaim every lost territory. The Da Feng Empire will be mine alone to command."

Upon hearing this, the eunuch immediately knelt and groveled: "Your Majesty, wise and mighty, you are the greatest sage ruler Da Feng has ever known. Your humble servant reveres you with all five limbs prostrate."

He then actually lay face-down on the floor, unmoving.

The ministers loyal to Fei Hou also knelt and praised: "Your Majesty, wise and mighty, you are the greatest sage ruler Da Feng has ever known. Your subjects revere you with all five limbs prostrate."

Fei Hou laughed again, as if he had already seen the moment of Jiang Mingyu's destruction.

The next morning, Wenzhi City.

Jiang Mingyu stepped out of his tent, his face alight with confidence. He saw Tian Jiu waiting and hurried forward: "General Tian, is the army ready?"

Tian Jiu replied respectfully: "My Lord, the army is fully assembled and ready to march at any moment."

Jiang Mingyu smiled: "Good. Then let's not delay. Order the troops—march on Zigui. Advance."

At Tian Jiu's command, Jiang Mingyu's 100, 00 troops marched out of Wenzhi's southern gate in a vast, sweeping column.

The officer left to guard the city was Wang Jianhua, a military secretary chosen by Jiang Mingyu from his ranks. This man had caught Jiang Mingyu's eye back in Cangzhou—he was capable.

Jiang Mingyu gave him only one order: If anything happens, follow Tian Jiu's instructions.

Tian Jiu had already made his own arrangements. He had bribed several scouts to deliver false intelligence to Jiang Mingyu.

As they marched, Jiang Mingyu and Tian Jiu chatted merrily, with Zhang Jiaqi smiling beside them. But all three knew this harmony would last only five days.

Because in five days, it would be a battle for life or death.

Every so often, Jiang Mingyu asked Tian Jiu: "Why haven't we heard from Zigui yet? General Tian, are you certain Fang Hang will flee?"

Tian Jiu always replied: "My Lord, rest assured. Fang Hang is a coward. Upon hearing of your glorious reputation, he will flee in terror."

On the third day, the scouts Tian Jiu had arranged finally returned with good news.

"My Lord, good news, great news!" the scout exclaimed. "Fang Hang dared not resist your army—he's fled with his troops, abandoning Zigui City."

Tian Jiu was about to caution the scout not to overdo it, but Jiang Mingyu cried out joyfully: "Excellent! Then Zigui is ours!"

"Once we take Jingfeng and Tianxin counties, Fei Hou will have no escape."

He told the scout: "You've done well. When we reach Zigui City, I'll reward you handsomely."

The scout bowed and added: "My Lord, there's even better news."

This too was arranged by Tian Jiu—he wanted Jiang Mingyu to grow even more complacent.

Jiang Mingyu asked: "What else? Speak quickly."

The scout said: "I overheard that Hu Song and Fang Hang, fearing punishment from Fei Hou, have defected with their troops to Fang Yuliang."

"The obstacles to your vengeance have diminished further. Truly cause for celebration."

Jiang Mingyu was even happier. He told the scout: "You're my lucky star. When we reach Zigui City, I'll reward you again."

Then he turned to Tian Jiu: "General Tian, we can't delay any longer. Let's head for Zigui immediately."

Tian Jiu was even more eager than Jiang Mingyu. He thought: Jiang Mingyu, you fool, you've walked straight into my trap. Wait—once you enter Zigui City, it'll be your death.

Tian Jiu was desperate, more anxious than Jiang Mingyu. The plan to seize Zigui had reached its critical stage; he could hardly wait for Tu Kexiluo and Zhuge Yu's actions.

Jiang Mingyu, meanwhile, was elated—he had received word of victories in Taizhou and Guizhou, and felt certain victory was within grasp.

Tian Jiu urgently proposed continuing forward, and Jiang Mingyu readily agreed, unaware they had already walked into a trap.

Zhang Jiaqi, however, looked down on their arrogance, for she knew Zigui City was already filled with hidden enemy troops.

Tian Jiu dispatched scouts to reconnoiter Zigui City's condition.

Soon, the scouts returned in haste with shocking news: "My Lord, I've confirmed—Zigui's gates stand wide open. Not a single soldier remains inside. Fang Hang's troops have long departed. Please enter the city, My Lord."

Jiang Mingyu glanced at Tian Jiu with slight suspicion, but still decided to enter, trusting Tian Jiu's judgment.

Two miles outside Zigui City, Jiang Mingyu and his army halted, preparing to enter. At once, Tian Jiu ordered his bribed scouts to verify the city's condition, ensuring Jiang Mingyu's safety.

Tian Jiu was frantic, hoping everything proceeded smoothly, yet fearing Jiang Mingyu might sense the trap.

The scout left quickly and returned even faster, reporting cautiously: "My Lord, I've confirmed—Zigui's gates stand wide open. Not a single soldier remains inside. Fang Hang's troops have long departed. Please enter the city, My Lord."

Jiang Mingyu nodded, preparing to lead his troops inside. Tian Jiu exhaled in relief, hoping the plan would proceed without flaw.

Yet just as Jiang Mingyu's horse stepped across the city gate, Tian Jiu's face split into a sinister grin.

"Jiang Mingyu, listen well, dog—this gate to Zigui City, you will never cross in this lifetime."

Jiang Mingyu stared, bewildered, not understanding Tian Jiu's meaning.

"What do you mean?" He turned to Zhang Jiaqi beside him, but saw only her confusion.

Tian Jiu laughed loudly, mocking: "Jiang Mingyu, they say you're brilliant—but to me, you're dumber than a pig."