Chapter 281: The Strategy of Splitting Troops to Lure Out the Spies

Early morning, Jiang Jiang Mingyu rose very early, stole a glance at Liu Liu Yifei who was still fast asleep, dressed quietly and neatly, and went to the outer room. As the newly enthroned monarch, he had far too many and too complicated affairs to handle; he must rush to Chongzhengdian as soon as possible to deal with state matters.

Upon arriving at Chongzhengdian, after all the ministers performed the three kneelings and nine prostrations with utmost respect, Prime Minister Master Zhuge Yuyu presented the latest news on the southern situation.

"Your Majesty, there is an urgent report from the south. Li Li Haoyang not only refuses to submit to the court, but also captured Hongzhou five days ago. Now he is striving to attack Jizhou, obviously intending to establish himself in the south and stand in opposition to the court."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu pondered for a moment and said calmly, "Since Li Li Haoyang has treacherous intentions and is bent on rebellion, I can only campaign against him to expand the territory of our One Da Jiang. I have decided to personally lead a hundred thousand troops south to suppress Li Li Haoyang's rebellion and pacify the south!"

"For this campaign, I appoint the Marquis of the Nation, Tu Tu Kesiluo, as the vanguard, with the Lady of the Nation, Zhang Zhang Jiani, and commanders from all routes to accompany us. You, my ministers, shall remain in Jingcheng to handle important court affairs. The main army will set out for the south immediately tomorrow. What do you all think?"

Hearing the Emperor's decision to personally lead the southern campaign, all the ministers clasped their hands and agreed, saying in unison, "Your Majesty is wise! We shall certainly obey your decree, complete all preparations, and ensure the smooth progress of the expedition!"

After the morning court ended, Jiang Jiang Mingyu went to Qifeng Palace. Liu Liu Yifei had already risen and finished washing and dressing. She asked with concern, "I heard you are leading the main army south to suppress the rebellion?"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu nodded and briefly told her the decision made at morning court. Liu Liu Yifei could do nothing but sigh, "If we can pacify the south early, we can live in peace. Fortunately, I also plan to go to Guizhou to expand my business these days. When you go south to suppress the bandits, I will take a detour to Guizhou. I hope luck is on my side and I can avoid the war."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu frowned and said, "Now that you are the Empress, going out to do business is truly beneath your dignity. It would be better to stay quietly in the palace and wait for my triumphant return."

Liu Liu Yifei shook her head and said, "It is true that I am the Empress now, but I am still an ordinary woman. Staying idle in the deep palace does not suit my personality at all. We will just be cautious going south; please rest assured."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu felt helpless and knew he could not dissuade Liu Liu Yifei. "Very well, since you insist on going, I will send five thousand imperial guards to escort you. If there is any danger on the road, turn back immediately. I hope you return safely soon."

Liu Liu Yifei smiled sweetly and nodded, "With so many soldiers guarding me, going to Guizhou will definitely be safe. Please rest assured!"

At the same time, in Guizhou. Li Meng, a junior Captain under Li Li Haoyang, was leading troops to besiege the city of Guizhou. Seeing the defenders on the city wall fighting desperately, he sneered and ordered a continued fierce attack.

"Use iron hammers to smash the city gate! Fire arrows and shoot all the defenders dead!" Li Meng shouted from horseback.

One by one, the sentries on the city wall fell pierced by arrows; the city of Guizhou was barely holding out. Just then, Liu Liu Yifei's caravan gradually approached, unaware of the fierce slaughter awaiting them ahead...

Early morning, after bidding a reluctant farewell to Liu Liu Yifei, Jiang Jiang Mingyu led the main army to the camp outside Jincheng. Gazing at the two hundred thousand troops before him, fully equipped and ready to march with high spirits, Jiang Jiang Mingyu could not help but feel a surge of heroism.

He strode up to the high platform and declared to the soldiers, "This battle is the first major war since the founding of our One Da Jiang, and it will also be the last. Our army is invincible; Li Li Haoyang and other rebels are destined for only one path: death! Once this battle is won, all of you will be heroes of One Da Jiang and will surely receive my generous rewards again."

Having spoken, he drew the sword at his waist, pointed the tip southward, and let out a long whistle, "March! Advance without retreat, live without dying! All troops must fight bravely to kill the enemy and utterly defeat the rebel army!"

Hearing this, the soldiers shouted, "Victory is certain!" Jiang Jiang Mingyu swung himself onto his horse, personally led the army to march out, and set off for the south in a grand procession.

Their first target in this campaign was Li Li Haoyang's headquarters—Huzhou. The straight-line distance from Jincheng to Huzhou is about fifteen hundred li. Even at full speed, it would take more than half a month. Jiang Jiang Mingyu had already sent scouts ahead to explore the road; he believed they would soon grasp the dynamics of the battlefield ahead.

On the march, Jiang Jiang Mingyu looked somewhat embarrassed at Zhang Zhang Jiani beside him, "Zhang Jiani, you have just finished your wedding, yet you follow the army through hardships. I am truly sorry."

Zhang Zhang Jiani smiled and shook her head, "Why say such a thing, Big Brother? Both Tu Tu Kesiluo and I are subjects of One Da Jiang; we ought to accompany Your Majesty on the expedition. Besides, you and I are like siblings; what are these few hardships?"

Speaking of this, she hesitated slightly and sighed softly. Jiang Jiang Mingyu keenly sensed her sorrow and asked with concern, "What is wrong? If you have something on your mind, just say it and let me hear."

Zhang Zhang Jiani forced a smile, "I am worried about Zhang Jiaqi. Since she left Jincheng, there has been no news at all; our whole family is very anxious. She is alone out there drifting; I do not know how she is doing now..."

Mentioning the reason for Zhang Jiaqi's departure, Zhang Zhang Jiani became embarrassed and her face turned red. Jiang Jiang Mingyu also knew it was because of himself and could not help feeling a bit ashamed.

"Rest assured, Zhang Jiaqi is highly skilled in martial arts and has a slippery personality. She should be fine traveling alone. Once her heart knot is untied, she will surely return." Jiang Jiang Mingyu comforted her.

Zhang Zhang Jiani forced a smile, "Let us hope so..." Sensing the topic, she changed the subject, and their conversation became lively again.

However, Jiang Jiang Mingyu still felt a slight resentment in his heart. Zhang Jiaqi ran away purely because of him; the harm he had done to her was already a done deal. He hoped Zhang Jiaqi would not harbor further grievances, quickly cast aside this wrong emotion, so that she and her family could walk out of the shadow and regain their smiles.

At this very moment, Zhang Jiaqi was riding a horse at full gallop alone to the ends of the earth. She arrived at a place of green mountains and clear waters, and a trace of calm rose in her heart. Perhaps I should rest here for a while and quietly examine myself... Maybe once my heart knot is untied, I will suddenly see clearly and set out again.

Zhang Jiaqi gazed into the distance, her eyes revealing determination.

That night, inside Jiang Jiang Mingyu's main tent.

"The Marquis of the Nation has arrived!" With the guard's loud shout, Tu Tu Kesiluo strode into the tent.

Seeing his imposing appearance, Jiang Jiang Mingyu smiled, "Tu Tu Kesiluo, your current display is getting bigger and bigger; you are a completely different person from before."

Tu Tu Kesiluo shook his head helplessly, "Big Brother, I do not want to be like this, but with rules in place, I can only pretend. I still miss the days when we brothers used to mix together."

Seeing that Jiang Jiang Mingyu had no intention of blaming him, he opened up, "Big Brother, I just received news from the scouts ahead. Li Li Haoyang is fully attacking Jizhou and has not yet noticed our troop movement. This is a great opportunity for us. I suggest we fight quickly and decisively, strive to strike first, and ambush Huzhou while Li Li Haoyang is unprepared."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu nodded and pondered, "What you say is correct, but it is also difficult to deceive Li Li Haoyang. He must have spies stationed everywhere just like us; our troop deployment is probably already largely known to him. It can be predicted that he is now actively preparing in Huzhou to fight us to the death."

Tu Tu Kesiluo frowned, "So, there are also spies planted by Li Li Haoyang inside our camp? This is difficult to handle. Checking them one by one would probably never end."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu smiled mysteriously, "Rest assured, I already have a clever plan that will surely expose the spies one by one. Go and gather all the commanders to my tent to discuss urgent military matters; you will know my plan then."

Just as Tu Tu Kesiluo was about to turn to deliver the order, Jiang Jiang Mingyu suddenly called him back, "Tu Tu Kesiluo, your status is different now; your words and deeds should also change. For example, that signature orchid-finger gesture, you had better put it away and stop pointing and slashing around everywhere."

Tu Tu Kesiluo's face turned red, "Big Brother, you are right; I will pay attention." He knew Zhang Zhang Jiani could not stand his Fuzuo Sect mannerisms the most; if she found out, she would probably give him another good beating.

Thinking of Zhang Zhang Jiani's frowning and cold glare, Tu Tu Kesiluo shivered, quickly acted first and reported later, and slipped away, fearing she would catch him red-handed.

Before long, the commanders arrived at the tent one after another. Jiang Jiang Mingyu mysteriously said there were important matters to discuss; everyone guessed he had another clever plan.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu remained silent for a moment, then got straight to the point, "Everyone, after much thought, I have decided to adopt the strategy of splitting the troops."

"Splitting the troops?" The commanders looked at each other in confusion, none understanding Jiang Jiang Mingyu's intention. Voices of discussion arose; some said they did not understand, while others urged everyone to be quiet and listen to the Emperor speak.

Seeing everyone stop discussing, Jiang Jiang Mingyu continued to explain, "What I mean is, our current two hundred thousand troops will be divided into two halves. Tu Tu Kesiluo and Li Goudan will lead the ten thousand vanguard army to continue directly to capture Huzhou. I will lead the other hundred thousand troops to turn back and march east, ambushing Jizhou from Guizhou."

"At that time, Li Li Haoyang will surely be in a panic and unable to cope with our two-front surprise attacks. Before long, Huzhou and Jizhou will surely fall one after another. Hongzhou, isolated and without help, will not hold out for long. Thus, it seems that by the earliest time before the first snow, our army can return to the court in triumph. What do you all think?"

After a long silence, Tu Tu Kesiluo looked up and said, "Your Majesty is wise; this move will surely catch Li Li Haoyang off guard. I pledge my head as guarantee; within one month, I will surely capture Huzhou and meet Your Majesty beneath the walls of Jizhou!"

Li Goudan also said, "Your Majesty has far-sighted vision and is so decisive; Li Li Haoyang does not know where to lead his troops. I am willing to accompany the Marquis of the Nation on the expedition and swear not to disgrace my mission!"

The other commanders also expressed their agreement with Jiang Jiang Mingyu's decision one after another. Jiang Jiang Mingyu then nodded and said, "Good, since the decision is made, all units prepare tonight and set out separately tomorrow morning. Go."

After the other commanders had all left, Jiang Jiang Mingyu called Tu Tu Kesiluo and Zhang Zhang Jiani to stay, saying mysteriously, "You couple stay behind; I have important matters to tell you."

Tu Tu Kesiluo was full of doubts, while Zhang Zhang Jiani keenly sensed the deep meaning in Jiang Jiang Mingyu's words.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu got straight to the point, "At the second watch tonight, you will quietly set up ambushes at all exits of the camp and on the key roads leading to Huzhou. Whoever it is, block them all and do not allow passage."

Tu Tu Kesiluo was completely confused, "Big Brother, what are you doing? We are splitting the troops; how can we block the passages?"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu smiled, "Do you still remember the matter of catching the spies earlier? Zhang Jiani, guess what my purpose is this time?"

Zhang Zhang Jiani smiled understandingly, "Big Brother's move to split the troops is probably a feint to lure the snake out of its hole. Once this plan is implemented, it will be a devastating blow to Li Li Haoyang, so the spies hidden in our army will surely try to send warnings. At that time, if we just set ambushes on the key roads and let none escape, we can capture all the spies. I already understand Big Brother's good plan."

Tu Tu Kesiluo then suddenly understood, "So that is it; Big Brother has far-sighted vision, and I did not see through the clues for a moment. Tonight I will immediately go to arrange it and surely capture all the spies."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu smiled, "Tu Tu Kesiluo, in the future you must learn more from Zhang Jiani; being prepared is what makes a hero." Tu Tu Kesiluo touched his head embarrassedly, quickly bowed and took his leave, and went to arrange the ambushes.

As the sky grew darker and the moon rose above the willow branches, by the fourth watch, all passages in the central army camp were completely controlled by layers of sentry posts. Before long, indeed, more than a dozen suspicious persons attempted to escape, but all were captured by the ambushers.

At dawn, these dozen or so spies were already tied up with five flowers and brought before Jiang Jiang Mingyu. Tu Tu Kesiluo respectfully reported, "Big Brother, all spies have been captured and brought to justice; your good plan indeed worked."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu showed no expression and simply ordered, "Kill them." Li Goudan, hearing the order, immediately had the executioners step forward; only the sounds of "shhh-shhh" were heard, and the dozen or so people all submitted to justice.

Tuke Tuke Siluo looked at the corpse soaked in blood on the ground and sneered, "Big Brother, the spy is eliminated. Shall we proceed with the original plan and strike Huzhou directly tomorrow?"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu yawned, waved his hand, and said, "Proceed according to the original plan. Order the entire army to march out tomorrow and take Li Li Haoyang's lair directly!"