Chapter 260: The Impregnable Taoyang

Jiang Mingyu then gestured for Fang Hang to sit as well, smiling: "General Fang, we're all comrades—no need for formality. Sit down." Through this incident, he had confirmed Fang Hang was fully on his side.

After Fang Hang sat, Jiang Mingyu asked: "Tell me about the defenses of Taoyang County and the capital. How are things?"

Tukesuo didn't interrupt this time, leaving the floor to the new arrival, Fang Hang. Fang Hang cleared his throat and said: "My lord, let me put it this way—the Fei Marquis is on the brink of collapse." Jiang Mingyu's interest sparked instantly: "Why say that?"

Fang Hang took a deep breath and explained: "Earlier, the Fei Marquis desperately recruited new soldiers to crush rebel forces across the land, stirring widespread public resentment. Then, to deal with you, he gathered tens of thousands more troops—since then, countless civilians have tried to flee Jingzhou, migrating south or north to join your ranks. The Fei Marquis flew into a rage and ordered that anyone caught leaving Jingzhou be executed publicly. Yet he couldn't stop the exodus. We saw the walls of Taoyang lined with corpses. Once-prosperous Chang'an is now shuttered homes, a living hell. And the Fei Marquis still dreams of reviving the Great Feng—laughable to the extreme."

Tukesuo nodded repeatedly. Jiang Mingyu chuckled: "He who sows chaos reaps destruction. It seems the Fei Marquis won't last much longer." He ordered Tukesuo: "Quickly issue proclamations to Cangzhou, Lanzhou, Yizhou, and our controlled Taizhou and Guizhou: any civilians who abandon Jingzhou to join us will be exempt from taxes for one year—we welcome them to settle in our territory!"

You can't catch a wolf without sacrificing a child. Jiang Mingyu was willing to risk everything to win the people's support. His wealth was vast; even if supplies ran low, his wife—the richest woman in Dongyue—would hold up the front. Fang Hang agreed: "My lord, wise indeed. With this, the people's hearts will turn to you. Public sentiment is heavenly mandate—your great cause is within reach!"

Jiang Mingyu waved his hand, already plotting his next military move. He decided to first send envoys to pacify and recruit civilians across the land.

Jiang Mingyu waved again, ending talk of recruiting civilians, and asked: "General Fang, how many troops remain in Taoyang now?"

Fang Hang answered without hesitation: "Since Yuewang City lies within Taoyang, the garrison there has never dipped below 200, 00 since Dongyue's founding. Even now, as the Fei Marquis weakens, I estimate Taoyang still holds at least 150, 00 elite troops."

Tukesuo froze: "How did so many suddenly appear? Didn't we hear the Fei Marquis couldn't spare any more troops? This contradicts my earlier estimate!"

Thinking of it, Tukesuo muttered inwardly: "Under the Emperor's nose, things are different—a single county with 350, 00 men? Unbelievable!"

Fang Hang explained: "General Tukesuo may not know—these 150, 00 are the final defensive force of Yuewang City, not counted in Dongyue's total army. Had the Fei Marquis not secretly diverted 50, 00 to fight Wu Chengyun, there'd be 200, 00 now. And they're far more elite than the 120, 00 you defeated earlier."

Hearing "elite," Tukesuo sneered dismissively: "General Fang, don't think I'm boasting, but we fear nothing called 'elite.' Weren't the Northern Liao cavalry hailed as the finest on the continent? We crushed them utterly. If the Fei Marquis truly had such formidable troops, he wouldn't be holed up in Yuewang City waiting to die. Let me tell you—I, Tukesuo, fear no elite!"

Jiang Mingyu listened to their words, silently amused. He knew Tukesuo's stubborn nature, yet Fang Hang's words rang true. These 150, 00 defenders were indeed a hard nut to crack—must be handled with caution.

Seeing Tukesuo's confident expression, Fang Hang seemed ready to argue further, but stayed silent. As a newly surrendered general, he feared speaking too much might arouse Jiang Mingyu's suspicion.

Jiang Mingyu warned Tukesuo: "Never underestimate your enemy—you'll pay dearly for it." Tukesuo quickly nodded, acknowledging the warning.

Jiang Mingyu then asked: "General Fang, with my 100, 00 troops, what are the odds against the Fei Marquis's 150, 00 elite?"

Fang Hang pondered long before replying carefully: "My lord, to be honest, your recent 50, 00 recruits are unstable and haven't yet integrated with your old troops—unified command in battle is unlikely. Victory odds? At most one in three. No more."

Tukesuo disagreed: "You saw our strength that day. I'll say it again—I, Tukesuo, fear no elite. Besides, Brother and Master Sima said warfare isn't just brute force—it's strategy. That Fei Marquis trapped in his city? He can't possibly stir up much trouble!"

Jiang Mingyu agreed wholeheartedly: "Exactly. Even if the Fei Marquis's army is strong, we can still win through strategy. I swear—I will take Yuewang City and the Fei Marquis's head."

Seeing Fang Hang still uneasy, Jiang Mingyu ordered Tukesuo: "Time waits for no one. At dawn tomorrow, we march on Taoyang. General Fang, tell us about their defenses."

Fang Hang sighed helplessly and began describing Taoyang's defenses.

"My lord, Taoyang City is essentially a natural fortress."

"Its walls stand five zhang high—more than double the height of ordinary city walls. Arrows struggle to reach inside."

"My lord, the commander of Taoyang is Liu Jiayi, the Fei Marquis's most loyal confidant."

"You passed through Taoyang yourself on your way from the capital to Shangmu—you know how formidable its defenses are."

"Beyond the walls lies a moat two zhang wide, further increasing the difficulty of assault."

"The walls are lined with Liu Jiayi's archers—each an expert marksman, guarding with iron discipline."

"Even more troubling, a two-zhang-wide moat encircles the outer walls—making direct approach to the walls impossible."

"The moat is filled with sharp wooden stakes and hidden reefs, with swift, treacherous currents—nature's own barrier against attack."

"Such impregnable defenses allow Liu Jiayi to sit comfortably within, directing his troops—it's almost unbearable to contemplate."

"Therefore, before we advance on the capital, we must first remove Taoyang's thorn—otherwise, it will haunt us endlessly."

"From what I know, Liu Jiayi commands 50, 00 elite troops. Combined with the Fei Marquis's remaining 150, 00, we face a total of 200, 00 enemies with our 100, 00."

"Since Liu Jiayi still holds Taoyang with 50, 00 troops, we cannot afford to leave him unaddressed."

"I recommend we first sever the Fei Marquis's wings—eliminate Liu Jiayi's force—so when we face his main army, we won't have to worry about our rear, and can fight with full strength."

Jiang Mingyu fell silent for a moment, then commanded firmly: "You two have worked hard. Rest well tonight. At dawn, issue my order: Doggum must prepare for battle."

"This time, all 100, 00 of our troops will march out—none left behind except one thousand old, weak, and wounded soldiers, and one deputy general to hold the city. Tell Doggum to prepare for departure."

Jiang Mingyu was certain: all of Yuezhou would soon fall into his hands. Even with so few troops left behind, no mishap would occur.

Tukesuo and Fang Hang departed. Jiang Mingyu turned to face the map, lost in thought.

He studied every name on the map, brow furrowed, deep in contemplation. He tapped a few spots lightly, as if plotting his route.

Jiang Mingyu's 100, 00 troops were about to march—he had to consider every detail to ensure victory.

On the map, Taoyang stood out prominently. Jiang Mingyu stared at it, eyes resolute. He must find a way to break through Taoyang, defeat Liu Jiayi, and advance unimpeded.

As Jiang Mingyu stared intently, seconds slipped away. To ensure the success of his 100, 00-man army, he still had much to prepare.

Jiang Mingyu was fully absorbed in studying the map when a soldier's voice came from outside: "My lord, a messenger from Guizhou requests an audience."

Jiang Mingyu didn't turn around: "Let him in."

A man in his thirties entered, standing respectfully behind Jiang Mingyu: "My lord, here is the battle report from Guizhou."

Jiang Mingyu finally turned, his tone calm: "What does Doggum say?"

The messenger, though weary, spoke with excitement: "My lord, I come on General Li's orders. Three days ago, our forces captured Guizhou's last county city. Guizhou is now entirely under our control. General Lu Tong sent me to deliver the good news."

So soon? Jiang Mingyu was surprised—he hadn't expected Doggum to secure Guizhou before Zhuge Yu.

After a brief silence, Jiang Mingyu burst into laughter: "Excellent! Doggum has done well! Immediately send word to Cangzhou—reward Guizhou's three armies generously."

Seeing the messenger nod respectfully, Jiang Mingyu asked: "How many troops can Doggum still mobilize?"

The messenger anticipated the question and replied immediately: "Excluding garrisons left in each city, General Lu Tong can still deploy about 20, 00 men."

Tukesuo had brought 20, 00; now Doggum added another 20, 00. Though not a massive force, Jiang Mingyu didn't underestimate it.

He ordered firmly: "Ride back at once. Tell Doggum to lead his 20, 00 toward Yuewang City—hurry. Leave all heavy supplies behind. He must arrive and rendezvous secretly outside Yuewang City within three days."

Every additional fighting force strengthened his chance of defeating the Fei Marquis.