Chapter 269: Gathering of Men and Horses

Zeng Ce's voice faded into the distance, while Fei Hou's expression grew even darker.

He sat upon the dragon throne, his eyes as gloomy as still water, fingers tapping the armrest with a thudding rhythm.

He knew full well that Zeng Ce spoke the truth—Jiang Mingyu's army had already reached the city gates, and his dynasty teetered on the brink of collapse.

But he refused to accept it—he refused to be destroyed by a single transmigrator, refused to lose the empire he had built with his own hands, refused to become a laughingstock to all under heaven.

He still wanted to resist, to struggle, to find even a sliver of hope.

He glared fiercely at the ministers, teeth clenched.

"Who has any good ideas? Speak up."

After Zeng Ce's fate, who dared speak the truth? The ministers all bowed their heads, silent as stones, not a sound escaping them.

Fei Hou's fury was nearly burning his eyebrows off.

"Useless! A pack of useless fools! I'd rather keep a few dogs than feed you."

He huffed and scanned the crowd, then spoke sharply.

"He Xinzhe, I appoint you commander of the city's troops. Engage Jiang Mingyu in battle outside the walls."

"Listen well—if you fail to destroy Jiang Mingyu, kill your family first, then slit your own throat."

He Xinzhe had been Fei Hou's Minister of War, but alas, he was merely a scholar.

Hearing Fei Hou's order, he broke into a cold sweat and nearly fainted.

Even Ruan Chen's hundreds of thousands of troops had failed to stop Jiang Mingyu—what could one scholar possibly accomplish?

Seeing his legs trembling, Fei Hou's brow tightened further, his voice dripping with malice.

"What? Do you refuse to obey the imperial decree?"

He Xinzhe's eyes darted, and he immediately dropped to his knees.

"Your servant obeys. I shall immediately inspect the city defenses, muster the troops, and prepare for a final stand against Jiang Mingyu."

"Before Your Majesty, I swear—if I fail to break Jiang Mingyu, I will bring my own head to you."

Fei Hou grunted.

"That's better."

By the time He Xinzhe left the court, Jiang Mingyu's army was still racing toward the city.

He sprinted all the way to his mansion, dared not enter, and summoned his trusted aides at once.

"Quick, quick, quick—pack everything I own. We're leaving."

The aide stared, confused.

"Master, what are you saying? Where are we going?"

He Xinzhe glared at him, voice urgent.

"Where? To surrender to Jiang Mingyu, of course. Do you think I'm actually going to fight him?"

"Don't you know what order Fei Hou just gave? He wants me to lead the city's broken remnants against Jiang Mingyu's million-strong army—is that not suicide?"

"I don't want to die, and I don't want my family to die. We have only one choice: surrender."

"If we surrender in time, we might still save our lives. Otherwise, when Jiang Mingyu breaches the city, we're all dead."

The aide, hearing this, nodded in agreement.

"Yes, Master. I'll arrange it at once."

He Xinzhe nodded, then called him back.

"By the way, find a few others to join me in surrendering—preferably those with some reputation. Jiang Mingyu will take us seriously only then."

"Go find anyone willing to come with me—no matter their rank or status. If they want to live, tell them to come to me."

"Remember, time is short. We must escape before Jiang Mingyu attacks, or it'll be too late."

The aide hurriedly agreed and set off.

He Xinzhe watched his retreating back, secretly relieved.

He thought himself clever, resourceful—able to find a path to survival amid crisis.

He did not know that this decision would plant a far greater disaster for himself and his family.

He did not know that this act would deliver an even greater crisis to Fei Hou's dynasty.

He did not know that this behavior would open a wider breach for Jiang Mingyu's army.

He only knew he wanted to live, to preserve everything he had.

The setting sun slanted across the sky, staining the clouds in brilliant orange-red, adding color to the once-bare, yellow earth. Jiang Mingyu galloped along the road, his heart heavy with purpose.

Suddenly, a tall steed raced toward him from the opposite direction, its rider dressed lightly, clearly in haste. Jiang Mingyu signaled his men to clear the path; the horse soon drew near.

"Report! Lord, Master Zhuge and General Li are just twenty li ahead!" the rider cried out.

It was his own scout, bringing good news. Jiang Mingyu's face lit up; he gazed into the distance and saw dust rising—surely, a large army approached.

He immediately ordered Tuxesiluo: "Lead the army off the road, into the woods. We're within fifty li of the capital—move with caution."

Tuxesiluo responded at once, issuing orders; the entire army swiftly left the road and vanished into mountain trails, hidden beneath thick forests.

Jiang Mingyu followed close behind, riding along the dark, damp mountain paths. After an hour of winding progress, distant campfires came into view—their target was near.

Jiang Mingyu finally met Zhuge Yu and Li Goudan, whom he had not seen in ages.

Zhuge Yu looked unchanged, his small mustache intact, a cross-shaped scar on his face. He strode forward, squinting. "Master, how have you been?"

Jiang Mingyu nodded, slapping Zhuge Yu's shoulder hard. "You and Jiani took Taizhou fast—well done!"

Li Goudan frowned. "Lord, Zhang Junhao and I captured Guizhou too—why no praise for me?"

Jiang Mingyu laughed heartily. "Good, good—you've all done excellently. I'll reward you all handsomely later."

Watching the joyful group, Fang Hang stood aside, lost in thought. Such harmony—unthinkable in the capital.

Amid the laughter, Zhang Jiani suddenly spoke: "Big Brother Jiang, where's my sister? Is she hurt?" Her voice trembled with worry.

Jiang Mingyu's smile turned awkward. "Jiaqi returned to her family home in Huicangzhou."

Zhang Jiani opened her mouth to press further, but Tuxesiluo pulled her aside. "Jiaqi is fine. Focus on the mission—I'll explain later."

Though still doubtful, Zhang Jiani fell silent.

Jiang Mingyu cleared his throat. "Friends, the day of our final battle is upon us. We march straight to the capital to capture Fei Hou. Any suggestions?"

Zhuge Yu stroked his mustache. "Lord, I've sent scouts to gather intelligence. Fei Hou has ten thousand elite troops stationed around the capital, ready to meet us. A direct assault would cost us dearly."

Li Goudan grinned. "Then let's sneak in. We strike under cover of night, storm his mansion, drag him out—done."

Fang Hang shook his head. "That won't work. Fei Hou's mansion is the most heavily guarded place in the capital—walls high, guards thick. Even if we get in, we won't get out. And Fei Hou isn't a fool—he'll be prepared. He might even set a trap."

Zhang Jiani blinked. "Then let's use deception. Pretend to surrender—lull him into complacency, then strike."

Tuxesiluo frowned. "That's no better. Fei Hou's a cunning old fox—he won't trust our surrender. He'll suspect us, maybe even turn it against us. And if we pretend to surrender, we'll damage our reputation and morale. Our troops and the people will lose faith."

Jiang Mingyu listened, thought for a moment, then said: "All your points are valid. But we cannot retreat because of difficulty. We must find a way that succeeds while preserving our safety and honor. I have an idea—what do you think?"

All fell silent, eyes fixed on Jiang Mingyu.

As the matter turned serious, Jiang Mingyu turned to Zhuge Yu.

"Zhuge Yu, how do you suggest we break the capital?"

Though he already had a plan, he still wished to hear Zhuge Yu's counsel on such a critical matter.