Chapter 283: Li Haoyang

Tukeslu froze, quickly stopping in his tracks. At last, Jiang Mingyu turned around, scanned Tukeslu up and down, then let out a long sigh:

"I warned you to curb your ways that day out of good intent. As your sovereign, I am fair and discerning—I would never punish someone for their words. We are as brothers; don't take it to heart."

Tukeslu was stunned—he never expected Jiang Mingyu to suddenly say such things.

So that day, Jiang Mingyu had merely cared for him, with no ulterior motive. He himself had misunderstood, allowing suspicion to take root—truly disrespectful.

Thinking this, Tukeslu immediately knelt on both knees, voice trembling: "Your Majesty, your wisdom illuminates all—I truly misread your intentions. I am deeply grateful for your reminder to uphold decorum; I shall forever remember it. I beg Your Majesty's mercy—I harbor not the slightest act of overreach..."

Jiang Mingyu hurriedly signaled him to rise, smiling: "We've been through so much together—why such formality? I merely mentioned it in passing; don't dwell on it."

Jiang Mingyu looked at Tukeslu and said: "Do you think, now that I've ascended the throne, I've forgotten our brotherhood?"

Before Tukeslu could deny it, Jiang Mingyu continued: "Between us, no words are needed. I know full well you and the Chancellor are loyal men—you would never rebel."

"Keeping Peng Guolong in camp today was also a chance to observe him. I, Jiang Mingyu, am no traitor who cuts the bridge behind him—I won't easily doubt an old friend."

Tukeslu's face lit up with joy: "So Your Majesty doesn't believe the Chancellor would betray you—or Peng Guolong's slander?"

Jiang Mingyu nodded, smiling: "Even if we turned against each other, the Chancellor would never rebel. His troop movements must have been forced by dire necessity. I believe he acted alone because of sudden border unrest, with no time to report."

"Peng Guolong's attempts to sow discord have a hidden agenda. I kept him in camp precisely to expose his true face."

Learning the truth, Tukeslu knelt again, bowing his head in apology: "I am profoundly grateful for Your Majesty's clarity—I truly misjudged your intentions..."

Jiang Mingyu quickly helped him up, laughing it off. Tukeslu then realized: "So Your Majesty saw through everything all along! I am in awe."

The two continued discussing Peng Guolong's motives. Tukeslu guessed: "He first framed the Chancellor, then provoked infighting among us. If Your Majesty believed him, you'd turn and crush the Chancellor."

Jiang Mingyu nodded, then asked: "Then what is his ultimate goal?"

Tukeslu blurted out: "The greatest beneficiary must be Li Haoyang! He lured us back to destroy our own, so he could reap the rewards!"

Jiang Mingyu slapped his shoulder and laughed: "Exactly—you've figured it out. Peng Guolong is definitely Li Haoyang's spy; this southern campaign is their best chance to eliminate me."

"Fortunately, we saw through his plot in advance. Now we'll turn his own scheme against him—let the spy destroy himself!"

Jiang Mingyu mused: "After the assassination attempt, Peng Guolong knows I treat rebellion and assassination with extreme severity. When he stirs up discord between us again, he'll seize the chance to profit from our chaos."

Tukeslu suddenly understood: "So Peng Guolong is Li Haoyang's spy planted in our army! He was already lurking in the Ministry of Military Affairs when we entered the city!"

At this, Tukeslu regretted bitterly: "I should have seen through that dog long ago! Had I not ignored him, he wouldn't dare act so brazenly!"

Jiang Mingyu patted his shoulder: "The situation was urgent then—oversight was inevitable. Now the priority is to root out this spy before he causes more damage."

Tukeslu regained his resolve: "Brother's right! We must expose Peng Guolong's true face before he continues sowing discord and brings disaster to the army!"

Jiang Mingyu smiled mysteriously: "Don't worry—I already have a plan. If you cooperate, we'll turn his scheme against him and make the spy reveal his tail."

Tukeslu leaned forward eagerly: "What plan? I'll give my all!"

Jiang Mingyu glanced around, then whispered into Tukeslu's ear. Tukeslu nodded repeatedly: "Brother, your foresight is unmatched—this plan is brilliant! I'll act at once!"

In camp, Peng Guolong waited smugly for results, when suddenly Jiang Mingyu roared outside: "Release them! Why are you kneeling here? Are you plotting rebellion?!"

Immediately followed by Tukeslu's urgent voice: "Your Majesty, the Chancellor has no disloyal intent—I swear it! Please reconsider!"

Li Haoyang and others also defended the Chancellor, making Jiang Mingyu even angrier: "Fine! Then wait and die alongside that traitor!"

Peng Guolong secretly rejoiced, smiling: "Perfect—my scheme has worked!"

He recalled how, when Li Haoyang first declared himself emperor, he had secretly tipped him off, enabling Li Haoyang to repel Fe Hou's army. Now he would once again succeed in turning Jiang Mingyu against his closest allies.

At that moment, Zhang Jiani's plaintive voice rang out: "Your Majesty, how can you believe slander and doom the Chancellor?!"

Jiang Mingyu flew into a rage: "Fine! Since you all insist the Chancellor is innocent, I'll show you the joint memorial!"

After a pause, Jiang Mingyu's voice came again: "Where's the memorial? Never mind—bring Peng Guolong here! I'll make him repeat his lies before your eyes!"

Peng Guolong, hearing this, smiled inwardly and stepped out of his tent. He saw Tukeslu and others kneeling, faces grim, while Jiang Mingyu seethed with fury.

As Peng Guolong entered, Tukeslu's brows shot up in fury as he glared: "Explain yourself, you spy!"

Jiang Mingyu slammed his fist on the table: "Tukeslu, if you speak another word, I'll punish you severely!" Tukeslu fell silent, glaring hatefully at Peng Guolong.

Jiang Mingyu turned to Peng Guolong, softening his tone: "Minister Peng, your previous memorial has gone missing. To convince everyone your words are true, please rewrite it."

Peng Guolong beamed: "As Your Majesty commands—I'll rewrite it at once!" He picked up his brush and began writing.

Halfway through, Jiang Mingyu slammed his fist: "Seize Peng Guolong!" Soldiers immediately pinned him to the ground.

Peng Guolong turned pale: "Your Majesty, I harbor no treasonous intent—why arrest me?!" Jiang Mingyu sneered, tossing a document onto his head: "Read it yourself!"

Peng Guolong picked it up—and his face turned ashen. It was the original copy of his secret memorial!

He checked it—many details contradicted his rewritten version; his story was incoherent and unexplainable.

Jiang Mingyu coldly said: "Liars always leave traces. Your fabricated evidence of rebellion collapses. Still trying to lie?"

Tukeslu glared fiercely: "So it's true—you're using the throne to control others! Brother's wit has left you nowhere to hide, you dog!"

Peng Guolong's face darkened, sweat pouring down—he knew his plot was fully exposed.

Meeting the knives of their stares, Peng Guolong gritted his teeth: "Jiang Mingyu, you outmaneuvered me well! Since I'm caught, I won't lie anymore!"

"Just kill me quickly—spare me more pain! Come, cut me down!"

Jiang Mingyu laughed loudly: "Dream on! I'll make you confess every secret of Li Haoyang—he'll die with you!"

Jiang Mingyu sat down calmly: "I won't kill you yet. Confess: who are Li Haoyang's spies in the city? What military secrets did you leak to him?"

Peng Guolong stared: "How did you know..."

Jiang Mingyu smiled: "Whether I knew or not doesn't matter. What matters is you confess honestly—maybe you'll die quickly. Otherwise, you'll face lingchi—and beg for death."

Peng Guolong paused, then burst into laughter: "Jiang Mingyu, I'd rather die than betray my master—torture me all you want!"

Li Haoyang kicked Peng Guolong over, snarling: "Filthy beast! Still talking back? Confess your plot—or I'll make you suffer!"

Jiang Mingyu said calmly: "Since you're so stubborn, hand him over to them for thorough interrogation. Make sure he doesn't die too easily."

Li Haoyang grinned wickedly: "Brother, rest assured—I know exactly how to handle him. I'll make this beast beg to die, screaming for mercy!" He dragged Peng Guolong out.

Tukeslu watched Peng Guolong being dragged away, smiling coldly: "Peng Guolong's in for a world of pain, haha."

Zhang Jiani frowned: "Why say that?" Jiang Mingyu also smiled strangely, leaving her baffled.

Tukeslu explained: "You don't need to know. Suffice it to say, Peng Guolong's next moments will be excruciating—we won't interfere."

Zhang Jiani blushed and dropped the subject. Jiang Mingyu changed topic: "Now that the spy is caught, we must prepare for the next step."