Chapter 281: Divide the Forces, Lure Out the Spies

At dawn, Jiang Mingyu rose early, stole a glance at Liu Yifei still asleep, dressed quietly, and stepped outside. As the newly enthroned monarch, he had too much and too varied state business to handle—he must hurry to Chongzheng Hall to attend to the empire's affairs.

Arriving at Chongzheng Hall, the ministers bowed deeply and kowtowed. Chancellor Zhuge Yuyu then reported the latest developments in the southern region.

"Your Majesty, urgent news has arrived from the south. Li Haoyang not only refuses to submit to the court, but five days ago seized Hongzhou. He is now fiercely attacking Jizhou, clearly aiming to establish himself in the south and challenge the court."

Jiang Mingyu paused, then said calmly, "Since Li Haoyang harbors treacherous intent and openly rebels, I have no choice but to punish him and expand the borders of our great realm. I decree that I shall personally lead two hundred thousand troops southward to suppress Li Haoyang's rebellion and pacify the south!"

"For this campaign, I appoint Lord Protector Tukesiluo as Vanguard Commander, with Lady Zhang Jiani and all regional commanders accompanying him. You ministers shall remain in the capital to manage state affairs. The army departs southward tomorrow—what do you all say?"

Upon hearing the emperor's decision to lead the campaign personally, all ministers bowed in agreement, chanting in unison: "Your Majesty is wise! We shall obey your edict and complete all preparations to ensure a smooth expedition!"

After the morning court, Jiang Mingyu went to Qifeng Palace. Liu Yifei had already risen and dressed. She asked anxiously, "I heard you're leading the army south to crush the rebellion?"

Jiang Mingyu nodded and briefly recounted the court's decision. Liu Yifei sighed helplessly. "If we can quell the south quickly, we'll finally have peace. Coincidentally, I'm traveling to Guizhou to expand my business these days. When you march south to crush the bandits, I'll detour to Guizhou—hopefully I'll avoid the fighting."

Jiang Mingyu frowned. "You're now Empress. To still wander about doing business is beneath your station. Better to stay quietly in the palace and wait for my return."

Liu Yifei shook her head. "I am Empress, yes—but I'm still a normal woman. Cooped up in the inner palace, idle and quiet—it doesn't suit my nature. I'll be careful on the southward journey. Don't worry."

Jiang Mingyu sighed, knowing he couldn't dissuade her. "Fine. Since you insist on going, I'll assign five thousand Imperial Guards to escort you. If you face any danger, turn back immediately. I pray you return safely."

Liu Yifei smiled sweetly and nodded. "With so many soldiers guarding me, I'll be perfectly safe in Guizhou. Don't worry!"

Meanwhile, in Guizhou, Li Haoyang's junior captain, Li Meng, led troops besieging Guizhou City. Watching the defenders fight desperately on the walls, he sneered and ordered renewed assault.

"Smash the city gate with iron hammers! Shoot arrows—kill every defender!" Li Meng shouted from horseback.

One by one, the sentries on the walls fell pierced by arrows. Guizhou City was on the verge of collapse. At that moment, Liu Yifei's caravan drew near—unaware of the bloody battle ahead...

At dawn, after bidding Liu Yifei a reluctant farewell, Jiang Mingyu led his army to the camp outside Jincheng. Gazing at the two hundred thousand troops, fully armed and brimming with spirit, Jiang Mingyu felt a surge of grandeur.

He strode onto the high dais and declared to the soldiers: "This battle is our realm's first major war since its founding—and it will be our last. Our army shall crush all resistance. Li Haoyang and his rebels are doomed to die! When this war ends, you shall all be heroes of our realm, and I shall reward you lavishly."

He drew his sword, pointed the blade southward, and let out a long cry: "March! Advance only, never retreat! Live only, never die! Fight with all your might—shatter the rebel forces!"

The troops roared, "Victory assured!" Jiang Mingyu mounted his horse and led the army forth, vast and thunderous, heading south.

Their first target was Li Haoyang's stronghold—Huzhou. The straight-line distance from Jincheng to Huzhou is roughly fifteen hundred li; even at full speed, it would take over a fortnight. Jiang Mingyu had already dispatched scouts ahead—he trusted they would soon report the front-line situation.

During the march, Jiang Mingyu glanced awkwardly at Zhang Jiani beside him. "Jiani, you've just married and now you're enduring this grueling campaign. I'm truly sorry."

Zhang Jiani smiled and shook her head. "Big Brother, why say that? Both I and Tukesiluo are ministers of our realm—we must follow the emperor on campaign. Besides, we're as close as siblings. This hardship means nothing."

Here, she hesitated slightly and sighed softly. Jiang Mingyu sensed her unease and asked gently, "What's wrong? Speak your mind."

Zhang Jiani forced a smile. "I'm worried about Jiaqi. Since she left Jincheng, we've heard nothing. The whole family is anxious. She's alone out there—I don't know how she's faring..."

Recalling why Jiaqi had left, Zhang Jiani flushed with embarrassment. Jiang Mingyu knew it was his fault—he too felt ashamed.

"Don't worry. Jiaqi is highly skilled in martial arts and clever by nature. She'll be fine alone. When she resolves her inner turmoil, she'll return."

Zhang Jiani managed a faint smile. "I hope so..." She tactfully changed the subject, and their conversation grew lively again.

Yet Jiang Mingyu still felt a lingering guilt. Jiaqi had run away purely because of him—he had already wounded her beyond repair. May she never cause further trouble, may she quickly let go of this mistaken emotion, so she and her family can emerge from shadow and smile again.

At this very moment, Jiaqi rode alone across the ends of the earth. She reached a place of green hills and clear waters, and a quiet calm stirred within her. Perhaps I should rest here awhile, reflect deeply on myself... Perhaps when my inner knots unravel, I'll see clearly and set forth anew.

Jiaqi gazed into the distance, her eyes filled with resolve.

That night, in Jiang Mingyu's command tent.

"Lord Protector arrives!" The guard announced. Tukesiluo strode in.

Jiang Mingyu looked at his imposing figure and chuckled. "Tukesiluo, your pomp has grown considerably—you're a different man from before."

Tukesiluo shook his head helplessly. "Big Brother, I don't want this. But rules demand it—I must play the part. I still miss when we were just brothers, messing around together."

Seeing Jiang Mingyu wasn't angry, he continued: "Big Brother, I just received word from our scouts: Li Haoyang is pouring all his forces into attacking Jizhou—he hasn't yet noticed our advance. This is our golden chance. I suggest we strike swiftly, seize the initiative, and launch a surprise attack on Huzhou before he's ready."

Jiang Mingyu nodded, thinking. "You're right—but hiding our movements from Li Haoyang won't be easy. He's surely placed spies everywhere, just as we have. He likely already knows most of our deployment. I predict he's already preparing fiercely in Huzhou, ready to fight us to the death."

Tukesiluo frowned. "So there's a spy in our camp? That's troublesome. Checking every man one by one won't catch them all."

Jiang Mingyu smiled mysteriously. "Don't worry—I have a plan to root out every spy. Go summon all commanders to my tent for a war council. You'll see my strategy then."

As Tukesiluo turned to leave, Jiang Mingyu called out: "Tukesiluo, your status has changed. Your behavior must change too. That signature Lanhuazhi —stop waving it around so carelessly."

Tukesiluo blushed. "Big Brother, you're right—I'll be more careful." He knew Zhang Jiani despised his mannerisms—if she caught him, she'd surely give him another beating.

Thinking of Zhang Jiani's icy glare, Tukesiluo shuddered and slipped away immediately, fearing she'd catch him red-handed.

Soon, the commanders arrived one by one. Jiang Mingyu announced he had urgent matters to discuss—everyone guessed he had another brilliant plan.

Jiang Mingyu fell silent for a moment, then spoke plainly: "Gentlemen, after much thought, I've decided to divide our forces."

"Divide?" The commanders exchanged glances, confused. Murmurs rose—some said they didn't understand; others urged silence.

When the chatter ceased, Jiang Mingyu continued: "Our two hundred thousand troops will be split in two. Tukesiluo and Li Goudan will lead one hundred thousand as the vanguard, advancing straight on Huzhou. I will lead the other hundred thousand eastward, secretly striking Jizhou from Guizhou."

"Li Haoyang will be thrown into chaos, unable to respond to our two-pronged assault. Huzhou and Jizhou will fall in quick succession. Hongzhou, isolated and unsupported, won't hold long. By early snowfall, we'll return victorious. What do you say?"

After a long silence, Tukesiluo raised his head. "Your Majesty is wise. This will catch Li Haoyang completely off guard. I stake my head on it—I'll take Huzhou within a month and meet you beneath Jizhou's walls!"

Li Goudan added: "Your Majesty's foresight is unmatched. I vow to follow Lord Protector into battle and never disgrace this mission!"

The other commanders all voiced their support. Jiang Mingyu nodded. "Good. Since we've decided, prepare tonight. At dawn tomorrow, we split and march."

After the commanders departed, Jiang Mingyu called Tukesiluo and Zhang Jiani back. "You two stay—I have something to tell you."

Tukesiluo was puzzled. Zhang Jiani, however, sensed the deeper meaning in Jiang Mingyu's words.

Jiang Mingyu spoke plainly: "At the second watch tonight, you'll secretly station ambushes at every exit of the camp and along all key roads leading to Huzhou. Stop and detain anyone attempting to pass."

Tukesiluo was baffled. "Big Brother, why? We're splitting our forces—how can we block the routes?"

Jiang Mingyu smiled. "Remember our plan to catch the spy? Jiani, can you guess my true purpose?"

Zhang Jiani smiled knowingly. "Big Brother's division of forces is a ruse to lure the spy out. Once this plan unfolds, it will devastate Li Haoyang—so the spy in our ranks will surely try to send word. We'll catch them all at the checkpoints, none escaping. I understand your brilliant plan."

Tukesiluo suddenly understood. "So that's it! Big Brother, your vision is far beyond mine. I'll set up the ambushes tonight—I'll capture every spy."

Jiang Mingyu chuckled. "Tukesiluo, you should learn from Jiani—foreseeing danger is the mark of a true man." Tukesiluo rubbed his head sheepishly, bowed, and hurried off to arrange the ambushes.

Night deepened. The moon rose above the willows. At the fourth watch, every path through the central camp was sealed by layered sentries. Soon, over a dozen suspicious figures tried to flee—they were all captured.

At dawn, the dozen spies, bound tightly, were brought before Jiang Mingyu. Tukesiluo reported respectfully: "Big Brother, all spies captured. Your plan worked perfectly."

Jiang Mingyu's face was expressionless. He gave a simple order: "Kill them." Li Goudan nodded. Executioners stepped forward. A few swift "slish-slish" sounds—and the dozen spies lay dead.

Tukesiluo stared at the blood-soaked corpses and sneered. "Big Brother, the spies are gone. Shall we proceed with the original plan and strike Huzhou tomorrow?"

Jiang Mingyu yawned, waved his hand. "Proceed as planned. Issue orders: all troops march together at dawn—directly for Li Haoyang's lair!"