Chapter 282: Will He Betray His Country?

On the second day at dawn, just as the army was preparing to march, Zhang Jiani dragged forward a man with a pointed nose and monkey-like face: "Big Brother, this man is also a spy—only smarter than the others. While everyone else went to deliver messages last night, he hid in place and didn't move until after the fifth watch, when the wind died and darkness fell. Had I not stationed ambushes ahead of time, he would have escaped."

Jiang Mingyu sized up the man, then sneered: "You've got some courage and wit. Since you're so clever, I'll send you to a place worthy of your wit. Cut off his head—to honor our troops' departure."

With a cry of anguish, the spy's head rolled to the ground. Jiang Mingyu mounted his horse and called out brightly: "March forward! Strike straight for the enemy's heart!"

After marching several dozen li, Jiang Mingyu summoned Tukesiluo and ordered: "Select fifty soldiers who can speak well. Immediately head along the main road to Jizhou and spread rumors that I am leading 500, 00 troops to seize Jizhou. Also draft a document claiming Li Haoyang has surrendered to the imperial court, and deliver it straight to Jizhou City."

Tukesiluo frowned: "Big Brother, I understand the bluff—it's to shake enemy morale. But Li Haoyang already refused to surrender. Won't any document we send be useless?"

Jiang Mingyu smiled without answering, turning to Zhang Jiani: "What do you think?"

Zhang Jiani pondered for a long time, then shook her head, equally baffled.

Jiang Mingyu burst into laughter: "If even you can't fathom my intent, then half my plan has already succeeded. Tukesiluo, go carry out your orders. You'll understand my true purpose once it's done."

Tukesiluo, still confused, muttered "Big Brother's playing games again" and went to issue the orders.

The soldiers Jiang Mingyu sent to spread rumors and deliver the document soon vanished into the ranks. Two days later, rumors of "Great Jiang raising 500, 00 troops to seize Jizhou" had spread through every village and town along the route. Jiang Mingyu, hearing the rumors, was quite satisfied: "First step complete. Keep moving forward."

At that moment, a rapid clatter of hooves came from behind. Jiang Mingyu turned and saw three swift horses galloping toward him, their riders dusty, breathless, clearly having ridden a great distance.

The three riders reached Jiang Mingyu at once. The lead man shouted: "Your Majesty, urgent military news from Jincheng!" Jiang Mingyu looked closely—it was Peng Guolong, his new government's Vice Minister of War.

Peng Guolong had once been an official of the Great Feng, only surrendering after the city fell. Jiang Mingyu, recognizing his talent, appointed him Vice Minister of War. During this time, Peng Guolong had worked diligently and shown unwavering loyalty to Jiang Mingyu.

Now, Peng Guolong was caked in mud, his face filled with anxiety—clearly, something dire had happened in Jincheng, forcing him to come in person. Jiang Mingyu asked gravely: "You came yourself? Jincheng must be in crisis. Speak."

Peng Guolong wiped sweat from his brow, stammering: "Your Majesty, great disaster in Jincheng! I repeatedly sought your orders on how to handle it, but I was at a loss—so I came in person to report."

Jiang Mingyu frowned. Zhuge Yu was his most trusted confidant—he had entrusted him with all state affairs. How could trouble suddenly arise?

Seeing Jiang Mingyu hesitate, Peng Guolong glanced around, then whispered: "Your Majesty, I have another reason for coming—I must report a matter concerning the Chancellor... I suspect he harbors treasonous intent, plotting some conspiracy!"

Tukesiluo exploded in fury: "Peng Guolong, how dare you slander the Chancellor's loyalty? That's high treason—deserving death!"

Tukesiluo knew well: without Zhuge Yu's support in court, Jiang Mingyu could never have seized power so swiftly. Zhuge Yu had once been falsely accused by Li Dog Dan and nearly lost his life. How could Tukesiluo allow anyone to defile Zhuge Yu's honor?

Peng Guolong quickly bowed: "Your Grace, please calm down. I have solid reasons for saying this. I beg Your Majesty to investigate." He glanced around again, then whispered urgently: "Your Majesty, I suspect the Chancellor is forming factions within court, secretly winning over officials, planning to rebel and declare himself emperor while you're on campaign. Yesterday, I overheard his confidants discussing this—I'm certain it's true. I dared not act on my own, so I came personally to seek Your Majesty's judgment."

Jiang Mingyu studied Peng Guolong solemnly: "Do you have concrete proof? The Chancellor has always been loyal. I find it hard to believe he would suddenly turn traitor."

Peng Guolong replied quickly: "I left the capital only three days ago, yet I learned the Chancellor has been urgently relocating heavy troops from Lanzhou and Yizhou. Ten thousand imperial guards from the northern border are converging toward Xiangcangzhou, with ample grain and supplies. Your Majesty knows Xiangcangzhou is your original base of rebellion—the Chancellor holds deep influence there. If he intends rebellion, Xiangcangzhou is his ideal stronghold."

"Moreover, most officials in Lanzhou and Yizhou are his loyalists. If he gives one order, those imperial troops will obey him. Should he lead his army back to the capital, the city's defenses will be hollow—catastrophic consequences will follow. I beg Your Majesty to investigate and prepare in time!"

As he spoke, Peng Guolong's expression was both anxious and fearful—as if disaster loomed at any moment.

Jiang Mingyu asked calmly: "Have you asked the Chancellor why he's moving troops? Has he given any public explanation?"

Peng Guolong replied: "As a Ministry of War official, I've questioned him repeatedly. But he refused to speak, calling it military secrets, forbidding further inquiry. Later, he even warned us that meddling would bring disaster—his tone was severe."

"Your Majesty, we all sensed something suspicious, so we jointly submitted a memorial expressing our concerns. The Chancellor's deliberate concealment of military movements is highly suspect."

Jiang Mingyu nodded: "Do you still have the original petition? Bring it for me to review."

Peng Guolong quickly pulled a memorial scroll from his robe and presented it respectfully. Jiang Mingyu read it carefully, his brow slowly furrowing. It detailed the exact number of imperial troops moved and the names of officials involved—and at the end, bore the signatures of over thirty Ministry of War officials. The scale was staggering.

Tukesiluo, still defending the Chancellor, said: "Big Brother, this is only one side's word—it may not be true. We should wait for the Chancellor to explain himself."

But Jiang Mingyu's face had darkened. He spoke gravely to Peng Guolong: "Go rest in the rear. I will investigate this thoroughly. If what you say is true, you've done a great service—I will not forget your loyalty."

Peng Guolong's face lit up with joy. He bowed deeply and withdrew. Tukesiluo's expression turned grim: "Big Brother, you actually believe Peng Guolong? The Chancellor is loyal—he must have a valid reason."

Jiang Mingyu replied coolly: "I will investigate this myself. Don't speak further. Order the army forward—don't delay the march."

Tukesiluo wisely fell silent, though his heart churned with turmoil. He could see Jiang Mingyu now suspected the Chancellor—and the shift left him deeply unsettled.

Yesterday, Jiang Mingyu had warned him to tone down his arrogance. Now he suspected the Chancellor... Was he turning against him too? Tukesiluo's heart tightened. He bowed respectfully and issued the order to advance.

That day's march felt strange. Jiang Mingyu sensed his inner circle had grown stiff and silent. Li Dog Dan, Fang Hang, Feng Xi, Zhang Jiani—all responded to him with forced politeness, their expressions tense, as if they'd become strangers.

Especially the newly surrendered Fang Hang, who moved with extreme caution, terrified of offending Jiang Mingyu. Jiang Mingyu noticed it all—but said nothing.

That night, as Jiang Mingyu studied a map in his tent, a guard announced the arrival of the Marquis of State Security. Jiang Mingyu didn't turn: "Let him in."

Tukesiluo entered, his attire neat, bowing deeply: "Your servant pays homage to Your Majesty." He knelt and kowtowed.

Jiang Mingyu dismissed the guards, gesturing for Tukesiluo to rise. Tukesiluo stood, then bowed again: "Your Majesty, all is arranged. I've come to report."

Jiang Mingyu nodded. Tukesiluo politely took his leave—then Jiang Mingyu called out: "Wait."