Chapter 257: The Business Prodigy Liu Liu Yifei

Immediately, Jiang Jiang Mingyu spoke again.

"By the way, is everything alright with Liu Yifei in Lanzhou?"

When Jiang Jiang Mingyu asked about the situation in Lanzhou, the smile on Zhang Zhang Jiaqi's face vanished instantly. She knew that Jiang Jiang Mingyu always cared most about Liu Liu Yifei, which left her feeling a pang of loss.

However, Tu Tu Kesiluo noticed nothing and laughed, "Big Brother, you don't know yet. Miss Liu pacified Lanzhou long ago, and your hotpot restaurant has already opened in Guizhou!"

"It can be said that Miss Liu is now on the verge of becoming the most successful merchant in Great Feng."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu was somewhat surprised upon hearing this; his dynasty had not yet been established, yet Liu Liu Yifei's commercial empire had already begun to take shape.

However, he quickly understood the reason—now that he was the most powerful figure in Great Feng, with his protection, who would dare to trouble Liu Liu Yifei? In this light, Liu Liu Yifei's business would soon spread throughout the entire Great Feng.

"That's good. It seems that even if we are truly defeated in the future, we won't have to worry about military supplies anymore," Jiang Jiang Mingyu muttered.

Zhang Zhang Jiaqi heard this sentence, and her heart grew even more complex. She knew that in Jiang Jiang Mingyu's heart, no one could compare to Liu Liu Yifei. For her, this was a huge blow.

But a hero of Jiang Jiang Mingyu's era was destined to unite with a woman like Liu Liu Yifei. Zhang Zhang Jiaqi understood that there was no possibility between her and Jiang Jiang Mingyu; she could only contribute silently and strive to assist this hero who looked down on all rivals.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu aimed for the world, while Liu Liu Yifei held up the sky in the sea of commerce; Zhang Zhang Jiaqi knew propriety and kept her place, yet her heart remained unsettled. The three harbored their own thoughts, yet were connected and supported each other; this was undoubtedly a kind of fate. Zhang Zhang Jiaqi could only use her own efforts to fill the emptiness and sorrow in her heart.

Just as Jiang Jiang Mingyu was preparing to enter the city, Li Goudan, who had gone ahead to deliver orders, galloped back on horseback.

"My Lord, all orders have been issued."

It was then that Jiang Jiang Mingyu discovered that Li Goudan, whom he had not seen for many days, had become significantly stronger and more spirited.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu nodded and patted the other's shoulder.

"Not bad, Goudan. You're starting to look more and more like a commanding general."

Li Goudan, receiving the praise, chuckled.

"So, when will My Lord become Emperor? Can I then mix in and become a Grand Commander?"

Tu Tu Kesiluo also chimed in from the side.

Tu Tu Kesiluo joined in the teasing: "Big Brother, Goudan is right. Fei Hou is on the verge of collapse. Why not take this opportunity to proclaim yourself Emperor and unify Great Feng with the might of an Emperor?"

"By then, the morale of the three armies will surely be high, and it will be much easier to capture the three southern provinces in one stroke."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu smiled slightly upon hearing this and said steadily, "There is no rush on this matter. Let us discuss it after dealing with Fei Hou."

Although Tu Tu Kesiluo did not speak, he thought to himself: "It seems the matter of proclaiming the Emperor still needs to be reasoned out with Mr. Master Zhuge; Big Brother always listens to him."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu turned to Li Goudan and asked, "Goudan, how is the situation in Taizhou now?"

Li Goudan quickly replied, "Replying to My Lord, Taizhou has basically been pacified. Other small bands of righteous armies have also retreated in succession, and the situation is favorable to our army."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu nodded upon hearing this; he knew well that steady progress was the true way. For now, he must first resolve Fei Hou, and proclaim the Emperor and establish the nation only when the time is ripe. He would surely discuss grand strategies with his confidants, advancing and retreating with proper measure.

Tu Tu Kesiluo and Li Goudan's admiration for Jiang Jiang Mingyu grew even deeper—he did not act rashly due to momentary impulse, and his steady and experienced demeanor won people's heartfelt respect. With Jiang Jiang Mingyu in command during this expedition, the overall situation was already under control. Everyone was filled with confidence in ultimately seizing the world.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu radiated an air of kingship throughout his body; he was shrewd in planning, decisive in courage, and capable of promoting and appreciating his subordinates. Such a ruler would surely create a great achievement.

Seeing him change the subject, Li Goudan, though somewhat disheartened, still spoke.

"My Lord, you also know that Taizhou, like Guizhou, has only five commanderies."

"Before I came, I, along with Mr. Master Zhuge and Miss Zhang Jiani, had already broken through two commanderies."

"The second day after I left Taizhou, Mr. Master Zhuge split his forces into two routes, with Miss Zhang Jiani leading troops eastward and southward respectively."

"Judging by the time, I'm afraid it will only take a few more days to breach the city."

"Mr. Master Zhuge possesses great talent and strategy, Miss Zhang Jiani is highly skilled in martial arts, and with my humble assistance tapping the sidelines, Taizhou will soon belong to My Lord."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu was greatly encouraged, and his expression showed extreme satisfaction.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu patted Li Goudan encouragingly and smiled, "You have worked hard. Taizhou and Guizhou will be captured soon. When that time comes, I will surely reward you heavily."

At this moment, Fang Hang and Tu Tu Kesiluo also walked in. Tu Tu Kesiluo said, "Big Brother, we are fully prepared and can depart at any time."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu nodded and said to them with deep sincerity, "Fei Hou is no trivial matter. You must be extremely careful on this journey. Fang Hang, once you reach Jingcheng, say that Tian Jiu and Hu Song are pursuing our defeated troops. If Fei Hou asks for details of the battle, attribute our military tactics to your strategies, and do not forget to mention that I will soon be captured by them. This way, Fei Hou will lower his guard."

After speaking, he looked at the two with exceptional seriousness and asked, "Do you both understand clearly?"

Tu Tu Kesiluo and Fang Hang said in unison, "Your subordinate understands!"

Only then did Jiang Jiang Mingyu nod in satisfaction and add a few more instructions on matters to note. Soon, the two departed.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu watched them leave and murmured to himself, "Fei Hou is cunning and scheming. Although this move carries risk, it is also an excellent opportunity to catch him off guard. I hope you return safely so we can annihilate Fei Hou in one stroke and complete the great cause!"

A slight smile curled Tu Tu Kesiluo's lips, and he felt grateful for Jiang Jiang Mingyu's instructions. After bidding farewell to Jiang Jiang Mingyu, he and Fang Hang walked side by side, their figures gradually disappearing into the night.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu watched the two leave, then turned to Li Goudan and said, "Goudan, you will stay here temporarily. Tomorrow, you will march with me to attack Hanshou."

With Master Zhuge Yu and Zhang Zhang Jiani stationed in Taizhou, Jiang Jiang Mingyu was not too worried about the situation there. He needed Li Goudan to lead the troops to attack Hanshou together and annihilate Fei Hou's main force.

Li Goudan had long been eager to follow Jiang Jiang Mingyu into battle and immediately said, "Alright, your subordinate will go immediately to organize the troops and prepare to depart tomorrow." After speaking, he happily turned and ran, fearing Jiang Jiang Mingyu might change his mind.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu watched Li Goudan's retreating figure, shook his head lightly, and sighed. He then turned to Zhang Zhang Jiaqi, who had been silent for a long time, and asked, "Zhang Jiaqi, has the casualty count of our army today been calculated?"

Zhang Zhang Jiaqi's face clearly froze, as if finding it difficult to speak on this matter. She struggled to say, "Although we annihilated Fei Hou's 120,000-strong army today, our losses also reached 60,000."

"Counting the troops brought by Brother-in-law and Goudan, besides those guarding the city, we can only mobilize 50,000 men now."

50,000 men! Jiang Jiang Mingyu nodded heavily. Although today's victory was unprecedented, the loss of soldiers was also unprecedentedly severe. Fortunately, 50,000 troops were sufficient to deal with Hanshou.

"Alright, you've been tired all day. Tomorrow we must continue the expedition, so go back and rest early," Jiang Jiang Mingyu said to Zhang Zhang Jiaqi. Zhang Zhang Jiaqi knew he was sad in his heart and said no more, silently withdrawing.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu stood alone under the moonlight, thinking of the horrific scenes on the battlefield during the day, and let out a long sigh. Thousands of corpses lay scattered, broken limbs and severed arms strewn everywhere, rivers of blood flowing, and the sight was unbearable everywhere.

This damn war should end as soon as possible, Jiang Jiang Mingyu thought to himself. If Fei Hou had not forced us to a point of no retreat, who would be willing to be stained with hot blood day after day, living in constant fear?

At this very moment, Jiang Jiang Mingyu only wished to quickly exterminate Fei Hou and end this bloody storm. He understood that even with victory, the losses could not be compensated. Every fallen soldier represented the shattering of a family. Every victory was bought at the price of life.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu could not help but think of his wife and children, whom he had not seen for a long time. This war, which seemed to have no end in sight, made them live in fear day after day. Jiang Jiang Mingyu whispered to himself, "I will definitely return safely and reunite with you."

A biting night wind suddenly swept up, and Jiang Jiang Mingyu could not help but shiver. He looked up at the sky, where the stars were like frost, yet his heart was cold as solid ice.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu shook his head, urged himself to put aside his wandering thoughts, and quickly return to his tent to rest. Tomorrow there would be another hard battle to fight; only by maintaining high alertness and a good state could the army ensure victories, big and small.

Relying on his firm willpower, Jiang Jiang Mingyu gradually cast aside his distractions, and his gaze re-focused. The immediate priority was to quickly capture Hanshou and Taojiang, all the way to Jingzhou, and annihilate Fei Hou and his remnants in one stroke. Only in this way could the war end and peace arrive.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu took a deep breath and strode purposefully toward his own tent. Gently lifting the curtain, he ducked into the tent, preparing to rest well and welcome the dawn of tomorrow. That night, Jiang Jiang Mingyu fell asleep quickly, because he knew that only by achieving final victory could true peace be obtained.