Chapter 296: The Empress Conquers Other Xi Xia with Gourmet Food

The dawn of the second day pierced the tent, a gentle breeze brushing Jiang Jiang Mingyu's face, bringing a touch of coolness. He had just finished a light breakfast, savoring the lingering fragrance of the broth, when suddenly, a scout horse, tasked with monitoring Zou Zou Jingtong, galloped back at full speed. This steed seemed to have traveled a thousand li, its body soaked in morning dew, radiating exhaustion from head to toe.

The scout horse rushed in, its legs trembling, the saddle cloth on its back slipping down, like a warrior worn out by relentless toil. Jiang Jiang Mingyu's brows furrowed slightly; he gazed deeply at the horse, as if trying to read the entire battlefield situation from the steed's eyes.

"Your Majesty, Zou Zou Jingtong learned that our army recently captured Maolingcheng and immediately changed course, leading his troops to Luohe." The scout reported amidst his frantic ride, his voice slightly breathless from the intense gallop.

Tu Tu Kesiluo, upon hearing this, couldn't help but roll his eyes, a hint of contempt curling at the corner of his mouth. "This Zou Zou Jingtong is indeed exceptionally cunning. If we had delayed just one more day, I could have crushed him into mud myself." He spoke in anger, fists clenched tightly, fire flashing in his eyes.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu pondered for a moment, his expression gradually becoming solemn. "Big Brother, the terrain of Luohe is complex, and with Zou Zou Jingtong's 50,000 troops, we may face significant resistance."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu waved his hand to stop Tu Tu Kesiluo's anger, his voice steady and firm: "It matters not. Zou Zou Jingtong has only 50,000 troops under his command, while we have a full 220,000 strong army. Even if we leave 30,000 to guard the city, 180,000 troops are still enough to suppress Luohe. Do you doubt we cannot conquer a mere Luohe?" At this point, a flash of cold light passed through his gaze, and his tone became resounding and powerful. "We will march out the day after tomorrow; order the soldiers to prepare fully. Once Luohe is broken, Anlu and Fuxiang are right before our eyes! Once the six commanderies of Hongzhou are in our hands, our army can advance east to Jizhou and annihilate Li Li Haoyang in one stroke."

Upon hearing the name Jizhou, a glint flashed in Fang Hang's eyes, and he quickly spoke: "Your Majesty, Hongzhou is about to be breached; Li Li Haoyang, to stabilize his position, will surely gather a large army in Jizhou. Your subordinate is willing to lead troops to Guizhou!" His voice was impassioned and firm, his eyes revealing strong war intent.

"If Your Majesty sends troops toward Jizhou, I will immediately lead an army south, striking straight for Huzhou. In this way, Li Li Haoyang will be trapped in a dilemma; no matter what, he will find it difficult to easily defend Jizhou. As long as our army successfully breaks through one point, compressing Li Li Haoyang's territory by half again, his fate of destruction is sealed."

Li Goudan, upon hearing this, slapped his thigh, a look of determination on his face: "Your Majesty, your subordinate requests to accompany General Fang; if we fail to capture Huzhou, your subordinate swears not to return to camp!"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu looked at the two of them, their spirits high, and smiled slightly. After pondering for a moment, he nodded: "Good. Fang Hang, you shall be the main general of the southern expedition, and Li Goudan the deputy general, leading the troops of Guizhou to attack Huzhou. I do not demand the capture of Huzhou; as long as you delay Li Li Haoyang's troops, it will already be a great merit."

Fang Hang and Li Goudan clasped their fists in unison: "Your subordinate obeys!" With determined eyes, the two quickly left Maolingcheng, mounted their galloping warhorses, and rode east toward Guizhou.

Watching the receding backs of Fang Hang and Li Goudan, Tu Tu Kesiluo sighed deeply, his heart filled with helplessness.

"Big Brother, without a master-level expert as an escort, can the two of them, Goudan and the others, succeed?" he asked with deep concern, a vague unease always lingering in his heart regarding the upcoming battle situation.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu smiled slightly, as if seeing through Tu Tu Kesiluo's thoughts. "Fang Hang is a general's talent, and Goudan must lead a large army independently in the future; this is a good opportunity. I have high hopes for him." His tone revealed trust in Fang Hang and Li Goudan, seeming full of expectation for their future development.

Inside the tent, dim light fell on Jiang Jiang Mingyu's peaceful face, highlighting his steady expression. A thoughtful light flickered in his eyes, as if he had already made a careful plan for all of this.

Tu Tu Kesiluo remained silent for a moment, finally nodding, seeming somewhat relieved by Jiang Jiang Mingyu's decision. In this silent military tent, the leader's wisdom and trust intertwined in the air, forming a firm and powerful picture.

The night was deep, and a profound silence reigned inside and outside the military tents. Although the future battlefield situation was difficult to predict, Jiang Jiang Mingyu seemed full of confidence in the path he had chosen. Tu Tu Kesiluo also silently vowed in his heart to give everything for this trust. Under the starlight, the leaders in the tent seemed to become the spiritual pillar of the entire army, paving a solid road for the coming storm and journey.

On the morning of the third day, golden sunlight filtered through the clouds, bathing the earth and dyeing Maolingcheng with a layer of warm radiance. Jiang Jiang Mingyu rose early, standing on the tower of Maolingcheng's city wall, holding a spread-out map, intently examining the locations of the cities marked on it. A gentle breeze blew, lightly stirring his clothes and hair; the sunlight gilded his profile, making him look like a wise emperor.

Suddenly, a messenger riding a fast horse rushed into the tower, the sound of hooves ticking orderly on the stone pavement. He flipped off his horse, covered in dust and drenched in sweat, hurriedly approached Jiang Jiang Mingyu, knelt on both knees, and panted heavily.

"Reporting... the Prime Minister's envoy..." he spoke haltingly, his voice somewhat hoarse from the journey.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu frowned slightly, his eyes revealing threads of worry. He helped the messenger up, his gaze burning as he waited for him to continue reporting.

The messenger took a deep breath and, after resting a bit, said: "Grand Secretary Zhu Ge Yu is meticulous and has already entered Other Xi Xia to prepare for negotiations. He has secretly planted many spies in Other Xi Xia." At this, a smile of gratification flashed across Jiang Jiang Mingyu's face.

The messenger then vividly described the booming copper-pot mutton business in Other Xi Xia, as well as Liu Liu Yifei's plans for the money-lending business.

The messenger was originally panting, but the moment the copper-pot mutton business was mentioned, the whole person seemed filled with vitality, light shining in his eyes.

"Recently, spies sent back word that the Empress's copper-pot mutton business has already taken root in Other Xi Xia!" he said excitedly, gesturing, "Even many nobles of Other Xi Xia now consider it an honor to taste copper-pot mutton, competing with each other. Copper-pot mutton has become their new trendy signature dish!"

Listening to the messenger's description, Jiang Jiang Mingyu couldn't help but laugh, raising an eyebrow, a hint of pride flashing in his eyes.

The messenger said excitedly: "Before long, this business will spread throughout the capital of Other Xi Xia, Yuncangcheng! By then, the profits will surely multiply several times!" At this, he couldn't help but wave his fists.

"The Empress is also planning to open a money-lending house; by then, the financial industry of Other Xi Xia will be firmly under our control!" The messenger's eyes shone, a smile he couldn't suppress hanging on his lips.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu smiled slightly upon hearing this, his expression revealing a touch of pride. He nodded in satisfaction and casually smoothed out the map, making it rustle: "Good! Very good!"

"Good, Zhu Ge Yu is brilliant, Zhu Ge Yu employs people well, and Liu Liu Yifei has worked hard." His voice was loud yet gentle. "Go back and tell Zhu Ge Yu that half of Hongzhou has already been taken by Your Majesty; Li Li Haoyang's army is collapsing like a mountain of mud. Before the snow falls, Your Majesty will surely pacify Great Liao." At this point, the corners of his mouth turned up slightly, and he had already pictured the scene of victory in his heart.

At this moment on the city wall, sunlight filtered through the blue sky, falling on Jiang Jiang Mingyu, complementing his resolute expression. This news was undoubtedly a shot in the arm for the upcoming war, filling the entire military camp with confidence.