Chapter 292

Inside the military tent, the lamplight flickered. Jiang Jiang Mingyu sat in the main seat, facing a large map, his face wearing a look of determination. Tu Tu Kesiluo hesitantly looked at Jiang Jiang Mingyu and said, "Big Brother, Maolingcheng is under strict defense and deadlocked; contacting the common people inside the city will likely be very difficult."

Before the words had fully faded, a sentry outside suddenly galloped in: "Reporting to Your Majesty, there is urgent military news from Jizhou!"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu immediately asked about the new situation in Jizhou. The sentry wiped a layer of sweat from his brow and reported back: "Li Li Haoyang learned of the fall of Quyang and was greatly alarmed; he immediately ordered the Governor, Zou Zou Jingtong, to lead 50,000 troops to rush to Maolingcheng for reinforcement. When I traveled back along my route, Zou Zou Jingtong had already departed. Calculating by marching speed, he can arrive in at most two days."

"50,000 troops?" Tu Tu Kesiluo paced back and forth, calculating, "Adding the original 110,000, Maolingcheng's military strength could reach 160,000. Our situation will become very passive."

Xiong Xiong's eyes burned with the fire of battle: "Big Brother, why not set an ambush on the road to intercept and kill him, catch him completely off guard, and annihilate the 50,000 reinforcement troops in one stroke!"

Having spoken, he shook his head on his own accord: "By then, Jizhou will be left with only 50,000, which is not worth worrying about; it can be taken with a snap of the fingers!"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu spread out the map, his brows deeply furrowed, and said to Xiong Xiong: "This move carries too much risk. There are as many as five roads from Jizhou to Maolingcheng; we do not know which road Zou Zou Jingtong will take. If we divide our forces to prepare for an ambush, each route will have only 30,000, which is simply not enough to oppose Zou Zou Jingtong, who is still at the height of his momentum."

He analyzed in a deep voice: "Several days have already passed; Li Li Haoyang must already know of Qin Qin Lihai's defeat. Zou Zou Jingtong's journey this time will certainly be heavily guarded; setting an ambush is not guaranteed to succeed, and we might instead fall into a trap."

Seeing that everyone deeply agreed, Xiong Xiong pressed on: "Then what should be done?"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu thought for a moment,

and could not help but furrow his sword-like brows tightly, a sense of anxiety naturally rising within him. He focused all his attention on Maolingcheng's position on the map, as five possible advance routes for Zou Zou Jingtong's great army flashed rapidly through his mind.

The five routes emerged one by one in Jiang Jiang Mingyu's thoughts; he quickly analyzed the terrain and topography of each route, calculated the great army's marching speed, and simulated various possible battlefield situations... yet the results were all like looking at flowers through fog, impossible to determine. Jiang Jiang Mingyu only felt his temples throbbing and a thin layer of sweat breaking out all over his body.

"We must buy time!" These four words echoed constantly in Jiang Jiang Mingyu's mind. He knew that at this moment he was racing against the grand trends of heaven and earth, fighting for every single moment of precious time that could change the course of the war!

"Someone come, quickly issue the order for our entire army to rush to Maolingcheng!" Jiang Jiang Mingyu finally made his decision, but he understood that even a moment's hesitation could cause this excellent situation to turn upside down.

At Jiang Jiang Mingyu's single command, the 150,000-strong army, already fully equipped and ready to depart, immediately surged into motion, swarming onto the journey. The vast military formation stretched out like an unending long snake. Amidst the clanging war drums, heavy iron hooves trampled the earth, raising a roar like a thousand piles of spring thunder. The war horses clad in heavy armor also began to gallop, emitting a clanging sound of collision. On the banners fluttering in the half-air, the double-phoenix emblem of One Da Jiang shone so dazzlingly.

As the column marched, the iron-armored army gradually vanished into the rolling dust of soaring success, leaving only the war drums to sound from afar, like a startling boom of thunder. This 150,000-strong army was like a single bolt of lightning, swiftly sweeping across the wasteland, pointing straight beneath the walls of Maolingcheng!

Watching the great army streak across the sky like a meteor, Jiang Jiang Mingyu felt his own heartbeat quicken in response. He took a deep breath and murmured to himself: "I will, with the momentum of a thousand thunderbolts, pierce through this wall of copper and iron on Pang Pang Wenguang's city walls and seize directly the paradise within Maolingcheng!"

This time, he must win, because these 150,000 people all placed their trust in his decisions and strategic planning!

Gazing at the 150,000-strong army crossing the vast Gobi Desert as bright as day, Jiang Jiang Mingyu's tightly furrowed brows could not relax. Along the way, his greatest worry was that the ancient weather would turn cloudy again, bringing great obstacles to the march. Fortunately, when they arrived at a distance of fifty li from Maolingcheng, the sky remained clear, and Jiang Jiang Mingyu finally felt slightly relieved.

However, once the view opened up, another worry would not leave him—where had Zou Zou Jingtong's 50,000 reinforcement troops reached by now? Once they joined forces with Pang Pang Wenguang, the situation would be extremely unfavorable for our army.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu ordered Xiong Xiong to send out twenty light cavalrymen, departing separately, whipping their horses to gallop fast to search for the traces of Zou Zou Jingtong's great army beneath Maolingcheng and along the surrounding key roads. He repeatedly instructed them that once any discovery was made, they must immediately gallop back without stopping to report.

At the third watch of that night, the scouts returned one after another to report. Jiang Jiang Mingyu listened to the news with a solemn expression, first learning that the gates of Maolingcheng were under strict defense and deadlocked, and that temporarily, the connection to the common people inside the city could not be established.

After the rapid report, Tu Tu Kesiluo pressed on: "The scouts have all returned; why is it that only you have a look of joy on your face? Have you discovered some good news?"

That scout hurriedly reported back: "Replying to Your Highness, Zou Zou Jingtong's great army, due to encountering heavy rain and mud, is still nearly one hundred li away from Maolingcheng; their march is blocked. I have investigated this news and was just about to return to report the great joy."

"What? Still a hundred li away?" Tu Tu Kesiluo was overjoyed, "Quickly report to Big Brother; we can take this opportunity to seize Maolingcheng!"

Hearing the report, Jiang Jiang Mingyu also smiled broadly: "Good news! Since we cannot establish a bridge to the common people, we will directly launch a city assault! While the Zou army has not yet arrived, quickly capture Maolingcheng!"

Having spoken, he slapped the table to decide and shouted a command to the generals and soldiers: "Issue my order: launch a full-scale attack, strike directly beneath the walls of Maolingcheng!"

Xiong Xiong immediately responded loudly: "Yes! Seize the initiative now; Maolingcheng must be ours! Brothers, follow me and kill!"

In an instant, the 150,000-strong army galloped and shouted, their killing intent surging as they pointed straight toward the walls of Maolingcheng...

The entire army surged like a spreading wild wave, charging toward the target with tremendous momentum. The ground trembled; the charging sounds of the heavy-armored warriors and the hoofbeats intertwined into one stirring war song. The banners of One Da Jiang snapped loudly in the wind, as if trying to transmit the breath of victory into the heart of every warrior.

And Jiang Jiang Mingyu sat in command of the central army, his expression grave yet resolute. He knew that this battle was not merely an assault on Maolingcheng, but also a contest of time. The momentum like thunder brought immeasurable pressure to the enemy army, and the common people within Maolingcheng, perhaps, were also waiting for their deliverance.

At Maolingcheng, the defending army stood ready. Pang Pang Wenguang stood on the city wall, looking down at the approaching army of One Da Jiang. The city walls were densely packed with arrows; the defending soldiers held long spears, standing in neat formation. Pang Pang Wenguang's eyes were resolute; he deeply understood the importance of this battle.

"Reporting to General, the army of One Da Jiang is coming with fierce momentum and in great numbers!" An officer hurriedly reported.

Pang Pang Wenguang said in a deep voice: "We have been waiting for a long time; let them see the strength of Maolingcheng! Prepare to meet the enemy; there must not be the slightest negligence."

Instantly, the sound of beating drums rose from the city wall; the air over the entire city wall was filled with a tense atmosphere. Jiang Jiang Mingyu's army was already not far from Maolingcheng; they gathered

into a massive military formation and rushed toward the city walls like a violent storm.

Pang Pang Wenguang stood on the city wall, his brows slightly furrowed; seeing the enemy army coming from afar, covering the sky and earth, a trace of firmness flashed in his gaze. The city walls of Maolingcheng were tall and thick; it was an ancient city that had weathered vicissitudes, and after the baptism of time, it appeared even more indestructible.

The 150,000-strong army led by Jiang Jiang Mingyu finally arrived beneath Maolingcheng, standing solemnly at the foot of the heavy city shrouded in morning mist. At the edge of the city tower, the figures of the standing guards were vaguely visible.

"Hey, people on the city wall, listen!" Tu Tu Kesiluo shouted with a sudden roar, "I, the Emperor of One Da Jiang, personally lead a great army to visit; why do you not quickly inform Pang Pang Wenguang to come out and welcome us?"

Moments later, a Commandant wearing an iron helmet appeared on the city tower in response, his expression changing slightly as he said: "You are actually subordinates of Jiang Jiang Mingyu? Go quickly and inform General Pang!"

Having spoken, he waved to the thousand-plus defending soldiers behind him; one saw swords drawn from their scabbards and bows drawn to full, and with a whoosh, they surged onto the city wall. Under the morning light, the cold light reflected by the arrowheads seemed to foreshadow that a bloody battle was inevitable.

Seeing the reflective arrowheads, Tu Tu Kesiluo looked down on them with disdain, sneering and mocking: "General Pang knows the art of war deeply; his defense is so strict, I fear it is cowardice before the enemy! I would like to see what kind of man this 'invincible against ten thousand' actually is!"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu said not a word, only waiting quietly for Pang Pang Wenguang's arrival. In a short while, the city gate swung open, and a middle-aged general with messy hair and a dirty face strode out with long, swift steps; it was indeed Pang Pang Wenguang! The guards behind him, relying on his past fame, were also stirred with excitement, determined to fight.

Sharp light flashed in Pang Pang Wenguang's eyes as he sized up Jiang Jiang Mingyu and Tu Tu Kesiluo from head to toe. These two enemy commanders who had already strutted boldly across the world were now standing beneath his city walls, truly making him extremely vigilant and disturbed.

"Who are you!" Pang Pang Wenguang shouted sternly.

Tu Tu Kesiluo stepped forward boldly, pointing a finger at the city wall and shouting: "I am the famous Tu Tu Kesiluo! Has General Pang heard of me?"

Pang Pang Wenguang immediately furrowed his brows and snorted coldly: "A mere bandit from a small town in One Da Jiang dares to puff out his chest before me? Today I will let you see what it means to be a steel-boned, iron-backed warrior of the Great Liao!"

As soon as the words fell, a burst of laughter immediately rose from behind him. About thirty burly Liao warriors, fully armed, eagerly squeezed themselves into the corner of the city wall.

Tu Tu Kesiluo laughed loudly with delight: "I love opponents the most! With General Pang pressing such heavy forces, I, Tu, would like to learn the strength of your skills!"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu gazed intently at the hot-blooded Tu Tu Kesiluo and gently shook his head. He understood his old friend's temperament; this time, a fierce battle was likely unavoidable. To avoid greater losses, he spoke to dissuade: "General Pang, why not create less trouble? The great army has already arrived beneath the city; why do we not discuss a result properly?"