Chapter 257: The Business Whiz Liu Yi

Immediately, Jiang Mingyu continued speaking.

"By the way, is everything alright with Yi Fei in Lanzhou?"

When Jiang Mingyu asked about Lanzhou, Zhang Jiaqi's smile vanished instantly. She knew Jiang Mingyu's greatest concern was always Liu Yi, and this filled her with a pang of disappointment.

Yet Tu Kesiluo noticed nothing, laughing: "Big brother, you don't know yet? Miss Liu has already pacified Lanzhou—your hotpot shop has already expanded to Guizhou!"

"You could say Miss Liu is now nearly the most successful merchant in Da Feng."

Jiang Mingyu was slightly surprised—he had not yet established his dynasty, yet Liu Yi's commercial empire was already taking shape.

But he quickly understood why—now he was the most powerful man in Da Feng; with his protection, who would dare trouble Liu Yi? In this light, Liu Yi's business would soon spread across all of Da Feng.

"Good. Looks like even if we lose the war someday, we won't have to worry about military pay anymore," Jiang Mingyu muttered.

Zhang Jiaqi heard this and felt even more conflicted. She knew that in Jiang Mingyu's heart, Liu Yi's position was unmatched. This was a crushing blow to her.

But Jiang Mingyu, a hero of this era, was destined to be bound to a woman like Liu Yi. Zhang Jiaqi understood there was no future between her and Jiang Mingyu—she could only silently give, striving to support this peerless lord.

Jiang Mingyu aspired to attain the realm; Liu Yi ruled the seas of commerce; Zhang Jiaqi upheld propriety and knew her place, yet her heart remained restless. Each carried private thoughts, yet they were bound together, supporting and relying on each other—this was surely fate. Zhang Jiaqi could only fill her inner emptiness and sorrow with her own efforts.

Just as Jiang Mingyu was about to enter the city, Li Goudan, who had been sent earlier to deliver orders, galloped back on horseback.

"My lord, all orders have been issued."

At that moment, Jiang Mingyu noticed that Li Goudan, whom he hadn't seen in days, had grown much stronger and more spirited.

Jiang Mingyu nodded and patted his shoulder.

"Good job, Goudan—you're starting to look more like a commanding general."

Li Goudan grinned sheepishly at the praise.

"So, when will you become emperor? Can I get a title like Grand Commander then?"

Tu Kesiluo chimed in beside him.

Tu Kesiluo joined in: "Big brother, Goudan's right—Fei Hou is on the verge of collapse. Why not seize this chance to proclaim yourself emperor and unify Da Feng with imperial authority?"

"At that point, the three armies' morale will surge, and capturing the three southern prefectures will become far easier."

Jiang Mingyu smiled faintly and replied calmly: "No rush. We'll settle Fei Hou first, then discuss it."

Tu Kesiluo said nothing, but thought to himself: "Looks like I'll need to convince Master Zhuge about proclaiming emperor—Big Brother always listens to him."

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

Li Goudan hurriedly replied: "My lord, Taizhou is largely pacified; other small rebel bands have been defeated one after another—the situation favors our army."

Jiang Mingyu nodded in approval. He knew steady progress was the way. First, deal with Fei Hou; only when the time is ripe should he proclaim emperor and establish his state. He would deliberate carefully with his trusted advisors, acting with measured caution.

Tu Kesiluo and Li Goudan grew even more reverent toward Jiang Mingyu—he did not act on impulse, and his calm, seasoned demeanor won their full trust. With Jiang Mingyu commanding this campaign, the overall situation was already secured. All were confident of ultimate victory.

Jiang Mingyu radiated an aura of kingship—shrewd in strategy, decisive in action, and capable of recognizing and promoting his subordinates. Such a ruler would surely forge a great legacy.

Seeing Jiang Mingyu change the subject, Li Goudan, though slightly disheartened, still spoke up.

"My lord, you know Taizhou, like Guizhou, has only five commanderies."

"Before I left, I joined Master Zhuge and Miss Jiani in capturing two of them."

"The day after I departed Taizhou, Master Zhuge split his forces—Miss Jiani led one wing eastward, while he led the other southward."

"By now, judging by the timeline, they should be breaking through the cities within a few days."

"Master Zhuge is brilliant in strategy, Miss Jiani is formidable in martial skill, and with me adding a little support, Taizhou will soon be yours, my lord."

Jiang Mingyu was greatly encouraged—his expression showed utter satisfaction.

Jiang Mingyu patted Li Goudan encouragingly and smiled: "You've worked hard. Taizhou and Guizhou will fall soon. I'll reward you handsomely."

At that moment, Fang Hang and Tu Kesiluo entered. Tu Kesiluo said: "Big brother, we're ready. We can depart anytime."

Jiang Mingyu nodded and spoke solemnly to them: "Fei Hou is no ordinary foe. Be extremely cautious. Fang Hang, when you reach the capital, say that Tian Jiu and Hu Song are chasing our retreating troops. If Fei Hou asks for battle details, attribute our tactics to your own plans—and don't forget to say I'll soon be captured by them. That will make Fei Hou lower his guard."

He fixed them with a serious gaze and asked: "Do you both understand?"

Tu Kesiluo and Fang Hang answered in unison: "We understand, my lord!"

Jiang Mingyu nodded in satisfaction, gave a few more reminders, and soon the two departed.

Jiang Mingyu watched them leave, silently thinking: "Fei Hou is cunning and calculating. This plan carries risk, but it's the perfect chance to catch him off guard. May you return safely—we'll strike him down together and complete our great cause!"

Tu Kesiluo's lips curled slightly—he felt grateful for Jiang Mingyu's trust. After bidding farewell to Jiang Mingyu, he and Fang Hang walked side by side, their figures fading into the night.

Jiang Mingyu watched them go, then turned to Li Goudan: "Goudan, you'll stay here for now. Tomorrow, march with me to Hanshou."

Jiang Mingyu wasn't overly concerned about Taizhou—Master Zhuge and Zhang Jiaqi were holding it. He needed Li Goudan to lead troops and attack Hanshou to destroy Fei Hou's main force.

Li Goudan had longed to fight alongside Jiang Mingyu; he immediately replied, "Yes, sir! I'll go prepare the troops for tomorrow's march!" Then he turned and ran off happily, afraid Jiang Mingyu might change his mind.

Jiang Mingyu watched Li Goudan's retreating back, sighed softly, then turned to Zhang Jiaqi, who had been silent for a long time: "Jiaqi, have we tallied today's casualties?"

Zhang Jiaqi's expression stiffened, as if struggling to speak. She said reluctantly: "Today we annihilated Fei Hou's 120, 00 troops, but our own losses reached 60, 00."

"Including the troops brought by Brother-in-law and Goudan, excluding those guarding the city, we now have only 50, 00 troops available."

Fifty thousand! Jiang Mingyu nodded heavily. Though today's victory was unprecedented, the cost in lives was equally unprecedented. Still, fifty thousand troops should suffice to take Hanshou.

"Enough. You've worked hard today. Rest early—we march again tomorrow," Jiang Mingyu told Zhang Jiaqi. She knew he was heartbroken and said nothing more, quietly withdrawing.

Jiang Mingyu stood alone under the moonlight, recalling the horrors of the battlefield, and let out a long sigh. Thousands of corpses lay strewn about, limbs severed, blood flowing like rivers—everywhere, unbearable.

This damned war must end soon, Jiang Mingyu thought. If not for Fei Hou forcing us into a corner with no retreat, who would willingly endure daily terror and bloodshed?

At this moment, Jiang Mingyu only wanted to exterminate Fei Hou swiftly and end this bloodbath. He knew even victory could not compensate for the losses—each fallen soldier meant a shattered family; every triumph was paid for with lives.

Jiang Mingyu thought of his wife and children, whom he hadn't seen in so long—this endless war left them in constant fear. He whispered softly: "I will return safely to you."

A biting night wind suddenly surged, making Jiang Mingyu shiver. He looked up at the sky—stars glittered like frost, yet his heart was as cold as ice.

Jiang Mingyu shook his head, forcing himself to discard idle thoughts and return to his tent to rest. Tomorrow held a hard battle—he must remain alert and in peak condition to ensure victory.

With unwavering will, Jiang Mingyu gradually cleared his mind, his focus sharpening once more. The immediate goal: capture Hanshou and Taojiang, then push to Jingzhou, annihilating Fei Hou and his remnants. Only then could the war end and peace arrive.

Jiang Mingyu took a deep breath and strode toward his tent. He lifted the flap and slipped inside, preparing for rest, awaiting tomorrow's dawn. That night, Jiang Mingyu fell asleep quickly—for he knew only final victory could bring true peace.