Chapter 284: Civilians Evacuate, Li Haoyang Proclaims Himself Emperor

Night fell, and Jiang Mingyu gazed at the starry sky, instructing Tukesiluo: "Send one reliable messenger to ride posthaste back to the capital with this memorial and deliver it directly to the Chancellor for review."

"All names listed here must be thoroughly investigated. Those colluding with Li Haoyang need not be reported to me—execute them on the spot."

"Also, tell the Chancellor that all military intelligence from the north is under his command—I fully trust his judgment."

Upon hearing this, everyone's faces softened with relief. Today, all truths were revealed, and their understanding of Jiang Mingyu deepened further.

Tukesiluo felt deep shame, bowed his head, and departed. At that moment, Li Goudan, eyes red, hurried over: "My lord, after interrogating Peng Guolong all night, he still insists he alone is the spy. He's barely alive—likely not lying."

Jiang Mingyu smiled knowingly: "Since you've used your 'special methods' and he still won't confess, he must be alone. Let it go—we needn't pursue further. The Chancellor will uncover everything clearly."

Li Goudan immediately ordered Peng Guolong beheaded and sent his head to Jizhou as a warning to Li Haoyang.

The next morning, Jiang Mingyu led his army forward. After this battle, the Da Jiang Army's morale soared; every soldier was invigorated.

Meanwhile, in Jizhou City, Li Haoyang still gloated, awaiting news. Suddenly, a subordinate burst into the tent, terrified: "Report! Peng Guolong's head has been delivered to the city gate—here is a note addressed to you!"

Li Haoyang turned pale. After reading the note, he flew into a rage, overturning his desk. His grand plan had failed; the spy was exposed; his situation was dire.

Upon learning of Li Haoyang's reaction, Jiang Mingyu sneered. With this lesson, he would never be deceived again. He knew the great undertaking of unification was within reach.

Meanwhile, in Jincheng, the Chancellor's residence. Chancellor Zhuge Yu frowned as he examined the list sent by Jiang Mingyu.

"I understand the truth—we are of one heart. Rest easy on the northern frontier; do not worry for my safety." After reading the note, Zhuge Yu smiled with relief.

Jiang Mingyu and he would fight side by side once more, forging Da Jiang's glory. Thinking this, Zhuge Yu clenched his fist, his gaze unwavering.

During the march, Tukesiluo chuckled: "Li Haoyang received Peng Guolong's head—he's surely chilled. Combined with the earlier rumors, he'll be on high alert."

Zhang Jiani worried: "True, but Li Haoyang will also fortify Jizhou tightly, viewing us as a thorn in his side. Taking the city won't be as easy as before."

Fang Hang added: "Your Majesty, Li Haoyang is no fool—he'll commit his full force to a decisive battle. Capturing Jizhou won't be easy."

Jiang Mingyu dismissed their concerns: "Precisely because he's heavily fortified, it's better. I fear most when he doesn't defend actively. Trust me—I have a plan."

The others didn't understand, but Jiang Mingyu said no more, only ordered the army to hasten its advance.

Days later, the army neared Jizhou. Along the way, civilians fled en masse, terrified of being caught in the war. Lines of refugees streamed northward toward Da Jiang. Dust rose on both sides of the road; travelers hurried; livestock moaned; wheel ruts sank deep—years of war had left this land barren and impoverished.

Li Goudan grinned: "Perfect! With civilians fleeing, Li Haoyang's manpower is cut off—he's just thrashing in his death throes!"

Jiang Mingyu shook his head: "No. Li Haoyang still has one path: a desperate, all-or-nothing battle against us."

"But that will only hasten his downfall—like Fei Hou in the past."

Jiang Mingyu nodded: "Exactly. So we must accelerate civilian evacuation, forcing Li Haoyang into a dilemma—no troops, no popular support."

He ordered Tukesiluo to issue another proclamation: civilians relocating to Da Jiang from the south would be exempt from taxes for five years—sure to draw even more people.

The next day, Tukesiluo arrived at the nearest county to Jizhou with soldiers, had drums beaten, and shouted: "Hear the edict! Hear the edict!" The people gathered before the county office. Tukesiluo cleared his throat and proclaimed loudly:

"His Majesty understands the people's suffering amid constant war and profound hardship. Today, by imperial decree, all southern civilians relocating to Da Jiang shall be exempt from taxes for five years, to ease their burdens. Let all subjects know this."

As soon as he finished, murmurs erupted. Some whispered: "True? Five years tax-free? This is a once-in-a-millennium chance!" Others hesitated: "Can we trust this? What if it's a trap to lure us to Da Jiang?" Some wept: "My ancestors lived here for eight generations—I can't abandon my home..."

Tukesiluo continued: "His Majesty's word is law—no falsehoods. Should he break this, may heaven strike him with thunder. This decree is true and binding!"

The crowd erupted again, debating whether to move. Coincidentally, several ragged refugees stumbled into the county, fleeing the frontlines. They described southern fires spreading, civilians displaced, fields abandoned—no one could stay. Hearing their stories, the crowd finally resolved to leave.

That night, the entire county buzzed with activity. People packed belongings, preparing to depart north at dawn. Some cooked dried rations, others cared for the elderly and children, some repaired carts—all eager to leave before the army arrived.

Three days later, Jiang Mingyu's army entered the county. But the town was empty, only desolation remained. Jiang Mingyu's face lit up—he had succeeded.

Thus, as the army advanced, civilians across counties surrounding Jizhou, moved by the edict, fled north to Da Jiang. Li Haoyang faced a dual collapse of manpower and popular support—his situation grew increasingly dire.

Inside the county,

suddenly a swift horse galloped toward Jiang Mingyu, stopping before him.

The rider wore common clothes, but his true identity was Fang Hang's scout sent to Jizhou.

He was around thirty, bushy brows and bright eyes, strong and sharp. He dismounted, knelt before Jiang Mingyu, and said respectfully: "Your Majesty, urgent report from Jizhou!"

Urgent report? Jiang Mingyu frowned slightly. "What happened? Tell me."

The scout's first words stunned them all: "Your Majesty, Li Haoyang declared himself emperor in Jizhou three days ago!"

"What? Declared himself emperor?" Tukesiluo thought he'd misheard. After a long pause, he demanded: "Explain! Tell us everything!"

The scout bowed: "Your Majesty, three days ago, Li Haoyang rushed back from the front in Huzhou to Jizhou, proclaimed himself emperor, founded the Great Liao, made Jizhou the capital, appointed Jin Ling as Chancellor, and ordered Wang Sichao to command the national army. Jizhou is now in full celebration—lanterns everywhere, festivities everywhere."

Tukesiluo sneered: "This Li Haoyang is truly odd. Our army is nearly at his doorstep, yet he still has time to crown himself and parade? Does he plan to march north and fight us head-on?"

Li Goudan angrily added: "If he dares come, I'll chop off his dog head! A brat thinks he can stand equal to my brother? Not a chance!"

But Jiang Mingyu shook his head: "You misunderstand. Precisely because our army presses him, Li Haoyang must declare himself emperor. He needs to reward his generals, boost morale, and strike a decisive blow against us."

He recalled how Zhuge Yu had warned him to beware of Li Haoyang's tactics.

He added, concerned: "More critically, Li Haoyang dares openly declare himself emperor—meaning the Huzhou campaign is nearly over. Only if he's nearly certain of victory there could he sit on that throne."

The scout nodded: "Your Majesty is wise. Huzhou is nearly entirely under Li Haoyang's control. He's ordered the campaign to end in three days, then shift all forces to defend Jizhou."

Zhang Jiani grew anxious: "Brother, if Li Haoyang holds Huzhou, his morale will surge—he might launch a northern strike against Guizhou. We only left fifty thousand troops there—they won't hold."

If Guizhou fell, Jincheng to the west would lie exposed to Li Haoyang's blades. Even Zhuge Yu with two hundred thousand troops might not withstand it.

Jiang Mingyu pondered: "You're right. We must hasten our advance, reach Jizhou quickly, and force Li Haoyang to abandon his northern plans and focus entirely on us. Only by seizing the initiative can we control the situation."

He immediately ordered the army to accelerate, heading straight for Jizhou's gates. The vast cavalry vanished into the dust of the open plains.

Meanwhile, in Jizhou City, joy reigned. Giant banners reading "Great Liao" hung over the city gates; on either side, drums beat, flags fluttered. Homes everywhere were decorated with lanterns; joy and vitality filled the air. Three days ago, Li Haoyang returned from Huzhou, granted princely titles to Wang Sichao and other generals, established the Three Dukes and Nine Ministers system, and proclaimed himself emperor—boosting army morale instantly.

Now, Li Haoyang sat on the dragon throne in Zhenyuan Hall, guards standing sternly on either side, radiating imperial dignity. He smiled slightly: "My lords, I grant you princely titles first to honor your years of loyalty; second, to unite you in overcoming this crisis. I rely on you to repel southern invaders and defend our homeland!"

The ministers roared: "Long live Your Majesty! Long live Your Majesty! Long, long live Your Majesty!"

Li Haoyang nodded, satisfied, ready to deliver his accession edict, when a report arrived: Jiang Mingyu's army was advancing rapidly. After a brief pause, he decided: "We have time. Postpone the celebration and rewards. I shall lead the army out personally to repel the southerners and secure our realm!"

Thus, Jizhou erupted in fervor. Li Haoyang and his ministers agreed: once Huzhou was secured, they would launch a massive northern campaign to seize Guizhou. In just three days since his coronation, Li Haoyang would unify the realm and sit firmly upon the Ninefold Throne!