Chapter 282: Will He Betray the Country?

On the second day at dawn, just as the main army prepared to march, Zhang Zhang Jiani dragged over a man with a sharp beak and monkey-like face: "Big Brother, this man is also a spy, but smarter than the others. Last night, while everyone else went to deliver messages, he hid and stayed still, only slipping out of the camp after the fifth watch when the dark wind settled. If I hadn't ambushed him in advance at various spots, he would have escaped successfully."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu sized the man up and down, sneered once, and said: "You have some courage and cunning. Since you are so clever, I will send you to a place of equal strength. Cut off his head to boost our army's morale."

Following a wail of agony, the spy's head rolled to the ground. Jiang Jiang Mingyu swung onto his horse, looking spirited, and shouted: "The main army marches! Strike straight at the enemy's heart!"

After marching several dozen li, Jiang Jiang Mingyu called Tu Tu Kesiluo over and ordered: "Go select fifty eloquent soldiers and immediately head along the official road to Jizhou. Spread rumors along the way that I am leading five hundred thousand troops to seize Jizhou directly. Also, write a document stating that Li Li Haoyang has surrendered to the court and deliver it to Jizhou City immediately."

Tu Tu Kesiluo was completely baffled: "Big Brother, I understand creating momentum; it is meant to shake the enemy's morale. But since Li Li Haoyang has already refused to surrender, sending any document is bound to have no effect, right?"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu smiled without speaking, turned to look at Zhang Zhang Jiani, and asked for her opinion. Zhang Zhang Jiani pondered for a long time, then shook her head, indicating she did not understand either.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu laughed heartily: "If even you cannot figure out my intention, it seems the plan is already half successful. Tu Tu Kesiluo, go handle it quickly. Once the deed is done, you will naturally understand my deep intentions."

Tu Tu Kesiluo remained baffled, muttering "Big Brother is playing games again" before going to transmit the military order.

The soldiers Jiang Jiang Mingyu sent out to spread rumors and deliver letters soon disappeared into the ranks. Two days later, the rumor "One Da Jiang has raised five hundred thousand troops to seize Jizhou directly" had spread through every village and town along the route. Hearing these rumors, Jiang Jiang Mingyu felt quite satisfied and smiled: "The first step is completed; just continue smoothly."

Just then, a string of urgent hoofbeats suddenly came from the rear. Jiang Jiang Mingyu turned to look and saw three fast horses galloping toward them. The riders on the horses were covered in dust and panting heavily, obviously having traveled a long distance.

The three riders soon reached Jiang Jiang Mingyu. The leader shouted, "Your Majesty, there is urgent military news from Jincheng!" Jiang Jiang Mingyu looked closely and saw that the newcomer was none other than Peng Peng Guolong, the Vice Minister of War in his new government.

Peng Peng Guolong was originally an official of the Great Feng and only submitted to Jiang Jiang Mingyu after the city fell. Seeing his talent, Jiang Jiang Mingyu appointed him Vice Minister of War. During this period, Peng Peng Guolong had worked diligently and remained utterly loyal to Jiang Jiang Mingyu.

Now, Peng Peng Guolong was covered in mud with a face full of anxiety; clearly something important had happened in Jincheng, prompting him to come personally to report. Jiang Jiang Mingyu asked in a deep voice: "Since Vice Minister Peng came personally, there must be a major incident in Jincheng. Tell me about it."

Peng Peng Guolong wiped his sweat and stammered: "Reporting to Your Majesty, a major incident has occurred in Jincheng! I repeatedly asked Your Majesty how to handle it, but I was at a loss, so I could only come personally to report..."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu frowned. Zhu Ge Yu was his most trusted confidant, and all major court affairs were entrusted to him. How could a problem suddenly arise?

Seeing him ponder, Peng Peng Guolong looked left and right before whispering: "Your Majesty, my other purpose for coming is to report on the Prime Minister's issues... I suspect he is plotting treason and planning some conspiracy!"

"What?!" Tu Tu Kesiluo, standing nearby, instantly flew into a rage. "Peng Peng Guolong, how dare you slander the Prime Minister's disloyalty? This is a heinous crime punishable by death!"

Tu Tu Kesiluo knew well that without Zhu Ge Yu's assistance in court, Jiang Jiang Mingyu could not have seized power so quickly. Initially, Zhu Ge Yu had even been wrongly accused by Li Goudan and nearly lost his life. How could Tu Tu Kesiluo tolerate anyone defaming Zhu Ge Yu's integrity?

Peng Peng Guolong quickly clasped his hands and said: "My Lord, please calm your anger. I have my reasons for saying this; I hope Your Majesty sees clearly." He glanced around to ensure no one else was near, then quickly reported in a low voice:

"Your Majesty, I suspect the Prime Minister is forming cliques and cultivating private support within the court, secretly winning hearts to prepare for a rebellion and proclaim himself Emperor while you are away on campaign. Yesterday, I accidentally overheard the Prime Minister's confidants discussing this matter; it is definitely true. I dared not act rashly, so I could only come personally to report for Your Majesty's judgment."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu looked at Peng Peng Guolong solemnly: "Do you have concrete evidence? The Prime Minister has always been utterly loyal; it is hard for me to believe he would suddenly rebel."

Peng Peng Guolong quickly replied: "Your Majesty, I have only been away from Jingcheng for three days, yet I heard that the Prime Minister has begun frequently moving heavy troops in Lanzhou and Yizhou. The hundred thousand Imperial Guards of You Beijing are also gathering to march toward Xiangcangzhou, with all necessary grain and fodder fully supplied. As Your Majesty knows, Xiangcangzhou is the base where you raised your army. The Prime Minister has deep influence there; if he intends to rebel, Xiangcangzhou will be his best base for launching the uprising."

"More importantly, most officials in Lanzhou and Yizhou are the Prime Minister's confidants. If the Prime Minister gives the order, these Imperial Guards will submit to him. Once the Prime Minister leads troops back to Jingcheng, the capital's defenses will be empty, and the consequences will be unimaginable. I only beg Your Majesty to see clearly and prepare early!"

As he spoke, Peng Peng Guolong's expression was both anxious and worried, as if a great disaster was about to strike at any moment.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu asked calmly: "Have you asked the Prime Minister the reason for moving the troops? Has he given any explanation to the outside?"

Peng Peng Guolong hurriedly said: "As an official of the Ministry of War, I naturally inquired about this matter with the Prime Minister many times. But the Prime Minister kept his lips sealed, saying it was a matter of great military secrecy that could not be questioned in detail. Later, he even warned us that meddling would bring disaster, speaking in a very severe tone."

"Your Majesty, we deeply felt something was amiss, so we jointly submitted a memorial to express our concerns. The Prime Minister's deliberate concealment of military intelligence is truly suspicious."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu nodded and said: "Do you have the original of the joint memorial? Bring it for me to read."

Peng Peng Guolong quickly took a memorial from his robe and respectfully presented it. After reading it carefully, Jiang Jiang Mingyu's brows gradually furrowed. It not only listed in detail the number of Imperial Guards moved by the Prime Minister and the names of the officials involved, but also bore the signatures of over thirty Ministry of War officials at the end, a scene quite shocking.

Tu Tu Kesiluo, standing nearby, was still defending the Prime Minister: "Big Brother, this is only one side of the story; it may not be true. It is better for us to wait for the Prime Minister to explain personally."

But Jiang Jiang Mingyu's face had already darkened. He said to Peng Peng Guolong in a deep voice: "You go rest in the rear army first. I will investigate this matter thoroughly. If it is truly as you say, you have achieved Da Gong, and I will certainly not treat you poorly."

Peng Peng Guolong's face lit up with joy; he quickly agreed and bowed to take his leave. Seeing this, Tu Tu Kesiluo's face also darkened: "Big Brother, do you really believe Peng Peng Guolong's words? The Prime Minister is utterly loyal; there must be a valid reason."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu said indifferently: "I will investigate this matter clearly; you should not speak more. Quickly transmit the order to advance; do not delay the march."

Tu Tu Kesiluo sensibly fell silent, though his heart was extremely complex. He could see that Jiang Jiang Mingyu had already become suspicious of the Prime Minister, leaving him with mixed feelings.

Just yesterday, Jiang Jiang Mingyu had warned him to tone down his arrogance; now he suspects the Prime Minister like this... Could he be guarding against himself? A chill ran through Tu Tu Kesiluo's heart; he quickly responded respectfully and transmitted the order to advance.

During this day's march, Jiang Jiang Mingyu felt that the confidants around him were unusually restrained and silent. Li Goudan, Fang Hang, Feng Xiwai, Zhang Zhang Jiani—everyone spoke to him perfunctorily, and their expressions were very constrained, as if they had become different people.

Especially the newly surrendered Fang Hang was even more cautious, afraid of touching Jiang Jiang Mingyu's sore spot. Jiang Jiang Mingyu saw all this but remained noncommittal.

That night, as the camp was set up, a report came from outside that the Marquis of Zhennuo sought an audience. Jiang Jiang Mingyu, without turning his head, said: "Let him in."

Tu Tu Kesiluo, having tidied his appearance, strode into the tent and respectfully bowed: "Your subject pays respects to Your Majesty." Having spoken, he knelt on the ground and kowtowed to offer greetings.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu waved away the surrounding guards and signaled for Tu Tu Kesiluo to rise. After Tu Tu Kesiluo stood up, he respectfully reported again: "Your Majesty, everything has been properly handled; I have come to report the situation."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu nodded, and Tu Tu Kesiluo politely took his leave. Just as he turned around, Jiang Jiang Mingyu spoke to call him back: "Wait a moment."