Chapter 263: A Bold Idea

After Tukeslo pursued and slaughtered the fleeing Liu troops, Jiang Mingyu smiled calmly and said, "Jiaqi, let's enter the city."

By the time Jiang Mingyu arrived at the Taoyang Inspector's residence, the last remaining Liu soldier had been slain by Tukeslo. Jiang Mingyu announced loudly, "Jiaqi, take charge of the city's defenses. General Fang, tally our casualties. Send messengers to locate Zhuge Yu and Goudan. Tukeslo, come with me to discuss the assault on Jingcheng."

The others dispersed to carry out their orders, and Jiang Mingyu stepped into the Inspector's residence.

Jiang Mingyu surveyed the former enemy residence, his gaze calm and confident, showing no trace of triumph. He gestured to his trusted attendant and whispered, "Immediately fortify the four sides of the Inspector's residence. Set up checkpoints every li, with round-the-clock patrols. Monitor the city to prevent internal collusion. Gather provisions actively and coordinate supply with the main army."

The attendant bowed and left. Only then did Jiang Mingyu stroll into the main hall and take his seat on the central dais.

Liu Jiayi's official residence was as grand as an imperial palace, glittering with gold and jade. The floor of the great hall was carved from a single slab of ivory; window frames and curtains were inlaid with gemstones of every color. Walls hung with priceless masterpieces and rare scrolls; tables and chairs were crafted from rare purple sandalwood and tortoiseshell. Treasures piled like mountains—just one jade vase was worth a thousand gold pieces. Liu Jiayi's daily dining ware was made of gold and silver, and the table overflowed with exotic delicacies, radiating arrogance.

Such extreme luxury left Tukeslo dumbfounded and awestruck. He sighed, "Liu Jiayi's residence is as magnificent as the imperial palace! His daily expenses and comforts surpass even the Emperor's!"

Jiang Mingyu replied coolly, "Liu Jiayi amassed this wealth by exploiting the people. Had we not come, heaven itself would have been blinded by their excesses!"

He then ordered his men to transport all these luxuries to the state treasury for future military use.

Tukeslo knew Jiang Mingyu's nature well—he instantly understood. Clearly, his elder brother had received letters from Goudan and Master Zhuge, meaning they would soon march on Jingcheng. He pressed, "Brother, are we attacking Jingcheng? I can see you've waited for this day a long time!"

Jiang Mingyu replied firmly, "Yes. We've waited too long. Now we can finally erase our shame and bring salvation to the people."

Tukeslo stared at the map of Jingcheng and asked, "Jingcheng is heavily fortified, its troops elite. Victory won't come easily. How do we break through?"

Jiang Mingyu sat in silence for a long while, then said slowly, "We stand on the brink of success or failure—we must be cautious. Even with 150, 00 troops, the enemy holds a fortified city with ample supplies, capable of prolonged resistance. General Fei will never sortie. He'll hold out for reinforcements. A direct assault would cost us dearly."

"So we must force the enemy to collapse from within. Cut off their supply lines to break their morale. Spread rumors to turn the populace against them and undermine General Fei's authority. Above all, we need a flawless plan—win through cunning, not brute force."

Tukeslo frowned. "You're being vague—no decisive strategy yet? Just say it outright. Maybe I can help brainstorm?"

Jiang Mingyu laughed heartily and clapped him on the shoulder. "To be honest, I don't have a surefire plan yet. That's why I called you in—we must deliberate carefully to ensure victory."

Tukeslo was half-amused, half-embarrassed—he never expected Jiang Mingyu to seek his opinion. He knew his own strategy paled beside Jiang's and bowed humbly, "Brother, my strategies are no match for yours. I beg you to share your wisdom."

Jiang Mingyu waved his hand. "We've always exchanged ideas. This time, to seize Jingcheng, we must work together—pool our thoughts to succeed."

The two sat together, studying the map of Jingcheng. Jiang Mingyu pointed to it. "Jingcheng is surrounded by water. Only four gates—east, west, south, north—allow entry. The enemy can concentrate their forces. A frontal assault puts us at a disadvantage."

Tukeslo considered, then said, "What if we split our forces and launch simultaneous assaults on all four gates? Force them to divide their defense."

Jiang Mingyu paused, then replied, "With their elite troops, they'll repel our divided attacks. Direct confrontation will cost us dearly."

They discussed other tactics—fire attacks, sabotage—but Jiang Mingyu rejected them all.

Seeing Tukeslo growing discouraged, Jiang Mingyu was about to speak when Fang Hang rushed in.

"Lord, our losses total 15, 00. Only about 80, 00 troops remain combat-ready."

Jiang Mingyu's smile faded, turning bitter. Even 150, 00 troops were now beyond reach—the situation was dire.

He sighed and turned to Fang Hang. "General Fang, what are your thoughts on capturing Jingcheng?"

Fang Hang smiled awkwardly. "Lord, I must admit—I spent my career defending Jingcheng. I never once considered how to take it."

Jiang Mingyu, aware Fang Hang had once served General Fei, didn't hold it against him. He smiled. "Then from a defender's perspective—what are Jingcheng's critical weak points?"

This was classic reverse thinking. Fang Hang thought deeply, then said, "Jingcheng's walls are strong, its supplies ample. The only vulnerability is the Fenghe River outside."

"The Fenghe River?" Jiang Mingyu turned to the map. "Explain."

Fang Hang pointed. "Lord, General Tukeslo—look. Jingcheng sits in a low basin, sustained entirely by the Fenghe River. When the capital was founded, this location was chosen precisely because the Fenghe provided abundant, accessible water."

"But the Fenghe flows violently. If its embankment breaks, a flood will drown the city. For generations, emperors have prioritized its maintenance—reinforcing it every few years. That is Jingcheng's Achilles' heel."

Jiang Mingyu's eyes lit up—he saw a plan.

He fell silent for a moment, then said to Tukeslo and Fang Hang, "I have a bold idea. What do you think?"

Tukeslo urged, "Brother, speak! Let's hear it!"

Jiang Mingyu asked, "Since General Fei took power, has he reinforced or repaired the embankment?"

Fang Hang shook his head. "Lord, you've forgotten—right after Fei ascended, rebel armies erupted everywhere. He was overwhelmed just keeping them at bay—how could he spare attention for river dikes?"

Tukeslo suddenly understood, his excitement rising. "Brother! If we breach the Fenghe embankment, flood the city—General Fei's entire army, even 100, 00 strong, will be wiped out! This is the perfect strategy!"

Jiang Mingyu nodded with a smile. "Precisely. Fei's morale will shatter. Besides, June is peak summer—rain is frequent. The Fenghe's water level will rise further, making flooding more certain. Once flooded, grain rots, soldiers lose strength—we strike while they're defenseless."

He clapped Fang Hang hard on the shoulder. "General Fang—you've done great service! If we win by this plan, Jiang Mou will reward you handsomely!"

Fang Hang bowed humbly and withdrew to prepare.

With the plan settled, Tukeslo felt relieved. "Then we needn't wait for Zhuge Yu and Goudan. Let's strike immediately—depart tomorrow to destroy the Fenghe embankment?"

But Jiang Mingyu shook his head. "No haste. What we've thought, Fei may have too. If he sends men to repair the dike, our plan fails. Also, we have only 80, 00 troops—too few to act now. We must wait for reinforcements."

Tukeslo pondered, then nodded in agreement. "Agreed. We hold position for now. Wait for Zhuge Yu and Goudan to arrive. Only then, with overwhelming force, will we strike—sure of success."