Chapter 289: Wisdom Breaks Quyang

The next morning, the southern garrison drums boomed as Jiang Mingyu personally led his army north to attack Quyang.

The setting sun blazed like blood; in the twilight, a column of troops trudged forward. To shield against dust, all covered their mouths and noses, leaving only their eyes to see the path. Jiang Mingyu frowned deeply, silent, his heart heavy with worry.

At that moment, Tukesiluo, who had been watching Jiang Mingyu, edged closer and laughed: "Big brother, what's got you so glum? Our army is brimming with momentum—how could a mere Quyang city resist us?"

Jiang Mingyu sighed: "Precisely because the situation looks favorable, I'm even more anxious. The west is dark with storm clouds—I must end this southern campaign quickly."

Tukesiluo burst out laughing: "So that's it! Big brother, you're overthinking. Even if Yu Gaoyang clings to his walls, he can't escape destruction! Once you take Hongzhou, you'll strike straight for Li Haoyang's stronghold—no more than half a month!"

Jiang Mingyu shook his head: "War is always brutal. I only wish to end this bloodshed swiftly, so the people may soon know peace."

Tukesiluo was about to speak again when a plume of dust rolled in from the north. The two exchanged glances and shouted together: "The scouts are back!"

A rider galloped swiftly from the north, kicking up thick clouds of dust.

It was the scout returning from Jizhou! Jiang Mingyu hurriedly asked: "Any new developments in Jizhou?"

The scout reported: "Your Majesty, Li Haoyang flew into a rage upon hearing of Qin Lihai's defeat—he's conscripting troops and has already recruited over a hundred thousand new soldiers."

Jiang Mingyu nodded slowly, a faint smile curling his lips: "Good. Now Li Haoyang has sealed his own doom—our chances of victory have grown."

As he spoke, another scout arrived from the direction of Quyang. Jiang Mingyu immediately inquired about Quyang's status.

The scout replied: "Your Majesty, Quyang's commander Yu Gaoyang is holding the city tightly and has sent for reinforcements from Li Haoyang."

Jiang Mingyu sneered dismissively: "He doesn't even know Li Haoyang's army is in chaos? This is like shooting at a mountain from afar!"

Tukesiluo couldn't help laughing: "Ha! Our false intelligence worked perfectly! Yu Gaoyang still doesn't know we've crushed Qin Lihai—his plea for help is pure delusion!"

Night fell, and the column quickened its pace toward Quyang. Along the way, officers chattered and teased one another.

Li Goudan twirled his sword hilt and boomed: "Your Majesty, let's go teach Yu Gaoyang what it means to be powerless!"

Other officers were equally fired up, vowing to earn glory for their lord, ready to fight to the death.

Tukesiluo hesitated, then asked: "Big brother, Yu Gaoyang's defenses are ready—how do we break through?"

Anyone can bluster, but cracking Quyang, a fortified stronghold, demands careful planning.

Jiang Mingyu frowned deeply, murmuring: "I haven't yet devised a clear plan to take the city..."

His usual tactic was to feign weakness, lure the enemy, then strike suddenly. But Yu Gaoyang knew his methods—repeating the same tricks was impossible. Facing such fanatical defense, Jiang Mingyu had never encountered this before—he was at a loss.

Tukesiluo pressed on as they marched: "What if we copy our old tactic—launch a night raid on the walls?"

Jiang Mingyu immediately shook his head: "No. Yu Gaoyang's boasts prove he's prepared. Doing this would lead us straight into his seventy-thousand-man ambush."

Jiang Mingyu analyzed grimly: "I guarantee Yu Gaoyang sees holding Quyang as a life-or-death duel with us. Even if we win the city, our losses will be catastrophic—we won't have enough troops to continue south. We'd be stuck here."

Tukesiluo anxiously asked: "Then what do we do?"

Jiang Mingyu remained calm: "No rush. Let's reach the outskirts of Quyang, observe the terrain firsthand, then decide."

"Adapt to circumstances—that's the way of warfare."

Tukesiluo could only nod, fell silent, and trudged forward with a grim face.

Zhang Jiani and Fang Hang said nothing, but their eyes held a simmering battle-lust, as if sizing up Quyang's iron-walled fortress.

Midway, Jiang Mingyu suddenly raised his hand, halting the army: "Rest here. Advancing further might alert Yu Gaoyang's patrols."

He walked to a forest clearing, ordered tents erected, then sat atop a massive boulder, gazing calmly at the surrounding green hills and clear waters.

Zhang Jiani stepped close and whispered: "Big brother, any clever plan yet?"

Jiang Mingyu raised an eyebrow and smiled: "Don't worry—I've got one. We'll rest here tonight. Soon, Yu Gaoyang will see our strength."

Zhang Jiani smiled in relief, said no more, and stood quietly by. Birdsong and insect chirps drifted through the woods; in the tranquil stillness, all waited, poised for the next battle.

One day later, Jiang Mingyu's army marched toward Quyang under a sky choked with dark clouds, through drizzling autumn rain, along muddy roads. Fang Hang led the vanguard, alert at all times for enemy movements.

Suddenly, a messenger rushed up and knelt before Fang Hang: "Your Majesty, Quyang lies thirty li ahead."

Jiang Mingyu remained silent, his gaze locked ahead, as if piercing the rain mist to see Quyang's walls. Then thunder cracked across the heavens, shaking the clouds—darkness churned, pulsing with ominous portent.

As the thunder faded, a torrential downpour erupted. The cool autumn wind whipped through the rain, drenching the earth. Fang Hang's long hair clung wet to his face as he silently pondered the next move.

The rain intensified, flooding the land. Jiang Mingyu's plan to scout Quyang was thwarted—he ordered the army to set up camp.

"We've marched continuously for days—men are exhausted. Use this chance to rest. Wait for the rain to stop before preparing to assault the city." The tent reeked of dampness and weariness.

But five days of rain had deepened the soldiers' fatigue. Tukesiluo entered Jiang Mingyu's tent and found his brother studying a map, his face grim.

"Why so downcast?" Jiang Mingyu asked lightly, eyes still on the map.

Tukesiluo sighed: "Big brother, five days of rain, plus the heat—our grain is rotting, weapons may be rusting. We've marched a thousand li; supply lines are stretched thin. Lose our arms, and we can't fight."

Jiang Mingyu remained calm: "What's the rush? We're just taking Quyang—I've already got a plan."

Tukesiluo froze, then blurted: "Big brother, you've got a plan? Why not share it? Let's discuss it together!"

Jiang Mingyu lifted his head, a sly smile forming. He pointed at the map: "Look here."

Tukesiluo followed his finger—and his eyes flickered with sudden understanding, though doubt lingered: "This is..."

Jiang Mingyu nodded: "It's a river. Normally low, but after days of rain, its level has risen. And it flows directly downstream of Quyang."

Tukesiluo frowned: "Big brother, you mean to use this river to break Quyang?"

Jiang Mingyu smiled: "Exactly. Water carries boats—and drowns them. We'll breach the dam and let the flood surge into Quyang."

Tukesiluo gasped: "Brilliant! Let's act at once!"

Jiang Mingyu waved him off: "Not yet. Wait for the rain to stop. Five days' downpour is enough—more is useless."

Tukesiluo pondered, then nodded: "You're right. We wait for the rain to cease, then execute the plan."

That night, rain poured relentlessly, floods raging. Jiang Mingyu and Tukesiluo stood outside camp, watching Quyang in the distance. Jiang Mingyu's smile grew sharper; Tukesiluo's eyes gleamed with anticipation.

"Tomorrow, let Quyang witness our might," Jiang Mingyu murmured, his voice brimming with confidence in the coming battle. Tukesiluo nodded silently, a surge of fierce resolve rising within him.

Deep into the night, Jiang Mingyu and Tukesiluo slipped from camp. Through the endless rain, they moved between tents, searching for the hidden river marked on the map.

Tukesiluo walked cautiously, whispering: "Won't this arouse enemy suspicion?"

Jiang Mingyu smiled: "No need to worry. In this rainstorm, they can't even guard their own puddles. And our target is Quyang—they'll never expect us to strike this way."

Moments later, they found the river Jiang Mingyu had marked. In the darkness, Jiang Mingyu stared at the current. Raindrops fell from his hair, but his gaze burned with resolve.

"Here. Move." Jiang Mingyu ordered.

Tukesiluo raised his arm—troops surged into motion. Bowmen and engineers formed squads, carrying tools. In the black rain, Jiang Mingyu's army moved in secret.

Less than a minute passed—a roar echoed. They heard the rush of water. The plan had begun.

Water burst from the riverbed, a monstrous flood surging toward Quyang. Jiang Mingyu stood by the bank, watching the torrent, a sly smile on his face.

"Prepare bows and crossbows. Hold the dam. If Yu Gaoyang's men come to block the flood—shoot them down immediately."

Tukesiluo relayed the order. Soldiers formed ranks, arrows nocked, ready to repel any attack. The army lined the riverbank, securing the operation.

"He loves defending? Let him stay inside—until he drowns," Jiang Mingyu said coldly, his tone radiating control and contempt. Tukesiluo nodded silently, gazing at his brother with admiration—he knew his brother's cunning was extraordinary.

Rain still poured, but to Jiang Mingyu, this storm was part of his plan. Rainwater mixed with mud, forming a raging flood that surged toward Quyang.