Chapter 295

Jiang Mingyu saw the defenders on the wall wavering, and seized this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to urge surrender: "Gentlemen, you've seen it yourselves—Pang Wenguang is dead, and Deputy Commander Yu Feng is isolated and unsupported; you must know it too. The Great Jiang army is gathered beneath your walls—your resistance is futile. Open the gates and surrender; saving your lives is what matters!"

He paused, a flicker of cunning in his eyes, then added: "You aren't the masterminds—I'll show mercy. If you submit to Great Jiang, you'll enjoy my policies for the people: one year of tax exemption!"

He shifted tone, his gaze hardening, his voice dripping with coldness: "But if you persist in your folly... bear the consequences yourselves!"

Deputy Commander Yu Feng snorted coldly, furious: "Jiang Mingyu, don't try to scare us! You think I'll lead ten thousand troops from Maoling to surrender? Dream on!"

His eyes blazed red as he roared: "I've received the Emperor's grace—how could I betray him? If you want to storm the city, come then!"

Tukeslu exploded in rage, grinding his teeth: "Brother, no amount of reason can save a man doomed to die—attack!"

But these words struck straight at the defenders' hearts. They had been hastily conscripted by Pang Wenguang—where was their loyalty to crown or country? Now that Pang Wenguang was dead and Yu Feng powerless, preserving their own lives was the only sensible path. And Jiang Mingyu's promised policies were too generous to ignore... the soldiers began to waver.

At that moment, several soldiers exchanged glances, then suddenly drew their blades, pressing the tips against Yu Feng's throat!

"Open the gates! We won't die for nothing!" The lead soldier's face was fierce—he saw this as their final chance.

Yu Feng turned pale, trembling as he asked: "What do you mean? I've received the Emperor's grace..."

"Enough talk!" the man snapped coldly. "Whether you live or die depends on your actions. Open the gates now!"

"Traitors! What is Jiang Mingyu, that you'd betray the Emperor's grace?!" Yu Feng's eyes bulged with blood, consumed by fury.

Before he finished speaking—puch! a blade plunged straight into his throat, spurting blood.

Li Goudan and Tukeslu were stunned; Jiang Mingyu merely smiled faintly, as if he'd expected it.

Earlier, he had learned from scouts that Pang Wenguang had strictly forbidden civilians to flee—filling the conscripted commoners with bitter resentment.

Jiang Mingyu had precisely targeted this point—using the people's anger to break the defenders from within.

Indeed, the soldier, blood still dripping from his blade, shouted: "Brothers! Li Haoyang is a tyrant who treats us like dirt!"

"Open the gates! We surrender to Great Jiang!"

With a thunderous crash, the heavy gates slowly swung open, welcoming Jiang Mingyu.

"Charge in!" Tukeslu roared, leading the three of them forward.

The soldiers inside, seeing all was lost, surrendered without resistance.

Jiang Mingyu walked through calmly, nodding with satisfaction: "Every soldier in this city shall be rewarded. Tukeslu, post notices immediately: those who stay, stay; those who leave, receive travel funds."

Tukeslu immediately had notices posted at the city gate, announcing Jiang Mingyu's policies.

The citizens erupted in cheers. These days under Pang Wenguang had been unbearable—now, with freedom restored, every face lifted, praising Jiang Mingyu as a living Buddha sent from heaven.

Meanwhile, Li Goudan strolled through the city with a grin, finally arriving at the Pang residence: "Pang Wenguang must've hoarded plenty of treasures. Before the troops loot, let me pick a few to present to His Majesty?"

Li Goudan's party reached the Pang residence gate—two towering, ornate vermilion doors stood shut, their door rings and nails inlaid with luminous jade, gleaming brilliantly.

"Open the gates!" Jiang Mingyu ordered. Two imposing Imperial Guards stepped forward, struck together—the lacquered doors burst open.

They entered in a stream, finding the courtyard vast and dazzling—gold and jade everywhere. In the center rose a majestic pavilion, its pillars and eaves adorned with exquisite jade carvings, matching the gate's splendor.

Li Goudan strode to the pavilion and slammed his palm against the marble railing, barking down: "Pang family heirs—come forth and pay your respects!"

Inside, rustling sounds followed; moments later, a young man in his twenties stumbled out, saw who stood before him, collapsed to his knees in terror, trembling: "Your servant... your servant Pang Mou pays homage to the Marquis Who Stabilizes the Nation!"

Li Goudan coldly said: "You're Pang Wenguang's son? Lead us to your family's gold, silver, and jewels!"

The young man stammered assent, leading them to a side hall—filled with antiques, littered with treasures. Gold, silver, pearls, and jade glittered so brightly, every eye turned red with greed.

Li Goudan circled once, then declared: "Take it all—present it to His Majesty!"

He swaggered out of the Pang residence, secretly delighted: This act would surely earn him even greater favor with His Majesty!

The Pang heir knelt on the ground, tears streaming down his face.

Meanwhile, Jiang Mingyu sat in his camp, waving toward the tent entrance: "Come in!"

A soldier knelt respectfully: "Your Majesty!"

Jiang Mingyu leaned forward slightly, reaching out to help him up: "No need for formalities—what's your name?"

Wang Defa stood firm, trembling with awe: "Your servant's name is Wang Defa, Your Majesty."

Jiang Mingyu nodded, slowly tasting the name "Wang Defa" as he studied him. Wang Defa wore simple armor, his face devoid of martial grandeur, his temples slightly gray—he looked like an ordinary middle-aged warrior. But Jiang Mingyu's instinct told him this man could be trusted.

"Wang Defa... today's victory in taking the city rests largely on your shoulders!"

He stroked his beard, then declared solemnly: "I hereby appoint you as Deputy General, and grant you a thousand taels of silver. From now on, serve diligently—don't let me down."

Wang Defa, overcome with joy, knelt again to thank him: "Your Majesty is truly divine—your servant will spare no effort, and never fail your trust!"

Jiang Mingyu smiled in satisfaction. He believed Wang Defa's sincerity. Then he spoke: "I entrust you with a vital task: reorganize the ten thousand newly surrendered troops from Maoling. Do not disappoint me." Wang Defa was stunned—he never imagined Jiang Mingyu would give him such a weighty responsibility. But he quickly steadied himself and bowed deeply in acceptance.

Standing nearby, Tukeslu harbored doubts—he worried the task was too heavy for Wang Defa, and whether he could fulfill it.

But Jiang Mingyu, calm and certain, shook his head: "Don't worry—Wang Defa will surprise you."

That night, Wang Defa arrived, dusty from travel, to report: aside from three thousand who returned home, the remaining seventy thousand Maoling troops had all pledged allegiance to Great Jiang! The unexpected news left Tukeslu awestruck—he marveled at Jiang Mingyu's insight.

Jiang Mingyu laughed heartily, clapping his shoulder: "I knew I didn't misjudge you! Go collect your reward from Fang Hang!"

Watching Wang Defa depart, Tukeslu finally relaxed his frown, smiling with satisfaction: "Brother, you're brilliant—we can now prepare to attack Luohe!"

Jiang Mingyu lightly tapped Tukeslu's shoulder, gesturing for him to sit. Sunlight filtered through the tent's seams, casting warmth across Jiang Mingyu's serene face.

"Our troops have endured a long march—let them rest for three days before deciding our next move. Wait for my scouts to return with reports, then we'll plan accordingly." His tone was calm, yet firm, his eyes sharp with wisdom.

Tukeslu nodded slightly—he understood the army needed rest, and said no more. In this moment, he placed complete trust in Jiang Mingyu's leadership.

Li Goudan and Fang Hang had already begun training the newly surrendered troops. Under Zhang Jiani's brutal discipline, the once-disorganized conscripts gradually grew disciplined, their combat effectiveness rising sharply.

At dawn the next day, Jiang Mingyu's scouts returned, dusty and breathless, bearing crucial news: Zou Jingtong had learned of the Emperor's army's capture of Maoling and was urgently rerouting toward Luohe.

Tukeslu sneered: "Zou Jingtong's a coward—wanted to settle our family feud myself."

But his expression turned grim: "Brother, the situation at Luohe is unclear, and with Zou Jingtong's fifty thousand troops, this will be another hard fight."

Jiang Mingyu wasn't worried—he smiled: "Don't fret. They have fifty thousand—we have two hundred and twenty thousand! Even if we leave thirty thousand to hold the city, we still outnumber them."