Chapter 307: Talks Collapsed

After conferring titles upon Tu Tu Kesiluo and Zhang Zhang Jiaqi.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu stood atop the high platform, speaking with vibrant spirit: "Li Goudan, Feng Feng Xiwei, Fang Hang." His voice was loud and powerful, echoing throughout the great hall.

As his words fell, the three knelt, then raised their heads to look at Jiang Jiang Mingyu. The expectation was evident in each of their eyes.

Li Goudan gripped his knees tightly, his wrist bones protruding, veins bulging. His sword-like brows were knitted tight, as if he were ready to erupt in anger at any moment.

Feng Feng Xiwei lifted his chin arrogantly; sunlight struck the scar on his face, the interplay of light and shadow bringing an overwhelming pressure.

The hand Fang Hang placed on the ground trembled slightly; the sharp angles between his brows highlighted his nervousness.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu curled his lips into a smile, tilting his head slightly to observe the three's reactions. His expression held a hint of cunning, intending to keep them in suspense first.

"The three of you, in this eastern campaign, assisted Jiang in wedging the wedge; your merit is indispensable. I hereby promote you to Commandants and advance you to Marquess!"

The three could not help but jump up excitedly, shouting loudly: "Thank Your Majesty!"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu stepped forward one pace and pointed vaguely in the air with his hand. The three immediately became solemn and respectful, waiting cautiously for orders.

"The three of you shall still command your original troops, but must obey Tu Tu Kesiluo's regulation."

The three answered in unison, their faces unable to hide their thirst and eagerness for power.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu recited several more names, conferring upon them the title of Commandant for each province, also requiring them to submit to Tu Tu Kesiluo's regulation. When he spoke Liu Liu Yifei's name, he paused slightly, his gaze drifting...

Jiang Jiang Mingyu let out a long sigh and changed the subject: "I have prepared a banquet to celebrate our victory; see you tonight!" With that, he laughed and left the hall.

Tu Tu Kesiluo and Zhang Zhang Jiaqi watched him depart, worry evident on their faces.

Tu Tu Kesiluo spoke softly to Zhang Zhang Jiaqi: "Your Majesty seems to have something on his mind; let us go see him."

Zhang Zhang Jiaqi nodded slightly. She brushed away a strand of beautiful hair, revealing her smooth forehead, her gaze firm: "Through wind and rain these past few years, I understand Your Majesty's thoughts. We must be by his side!"

The two exchanged a smile, clasped hands tightly, then hurried quickly to catch up with Jiang Jiang Mingyu.

The city was brightly lit, ten thousand families reunited. How little time had passed since the last victory celebration? In the blink of an eye, Jizhou City presented a new scene.

Complex emotions surged within him. As an excellent ruler, he was naturally gratified by the happy lives of his subjects; but as the person Jiang Jiang Mingyu, a vague sense of loss lingered deep within his heart.

If only Liu Yifei were here... Jiang Jiang Mingyu shook his head self-mockingly; you are no longer the person you once were, how can you still dwell on romantic sentiments?

"Your Majesty." The voice suddenly sounding behind him pulled Jiang Jiang Mingyu's thoughts back to reality. He turned slightly and saw Tu Tu Kesiluo and Zhang Zhang Jiaqi standing side by side at the bottom of the steps.

"We have been searching for you and finally found you." Zhang Zhang Jiaqi raised her head, her gaze burning: "Your Majesty must remember, you are not fighting alone."

Tu Tu Kesiluo nodded heavily, his eyes revealing firmness and trust: "Your Majesty, the victory banquet is ready. Everyone has been waiting for a long time!"

Within Jizhou City, the bright moon rose, the whole city filled with red lanterns and green wine.

Lanterns and colorful flags covered the city, everywhere overflowing with a joyful and harmonious atmosphere. The stone lions on both sides of the city gate were decorated in five colors, holding ribbons reading "First Year of Victory" in their mouths. Flutes and strings, caravans shuttling back and forth transporting fine wine and delicacies, all displayed the mood of the city's master—overflowing with joy.

This was the first victory banquet after Jiang Jiang Mingyu's eastern victory and his formal entry into Jizhou City.

A high wooden platform was erected on the square before the palace; Jiang Jiang Mingyu and the civil and military officials sat around it, cups clinking, laughing and talking cheerfully.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu raised his golden bowl, signaling to the people gazing up from afar, and shouted loudly: "Salute to all my subjects! From today, Jizhou City enters a new era of prosperity and strength!"

The people expressed immense gratitude, shouting the slogan "Honor Your Majesty" for a long time. A thread of pride and satisfaction surged in Jiang Jiang Mingyu's heart, and he could not help but reveal a gratified smile.

Tu Tu Kesiluo sat on the right of the main seat, occasionally clinking glasses with Jiang Jiang Mingyu and making loud jokes, causing both to laugh heartily. Zhang Zhang Jiaqi, wearing a magnificent brocade long dress, tasted fine wine on one side while listening intently to the reports of the civil officials beside her.

After several rounds of wine, a slight drunkenness overcame Jiang Jiang Mingyu. He squinted, looking around, seeking a quiet place to rest. At this moment, the scene twisted; he saw Liu Liu Yifei, dressed in a pale purple cheongsam, standing by a gurgling stream, waving at him, her eyes somewhat melancholy.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu involuntarily took steps toward her, but suddenly a huge weight pressed on his shoulder—it was the drunk-as-a-skunk Tu Tu Kesiluo hugging him!

"Your... Your Majesty! Tonight is truly joyful! Come, let us drink three more rounds together!" Tu Tu Kesiluo shouted with slurred speech. Jiang Jiang Mingyu looked in the direction just now; Liu Liu Yifei's figure was gone, leaving only an empty corridor, the dim yellow light casting mottled shadows on the ground.

A pang of sorrow struck Jiang Jiang Mingyu's heart, yet he understood that reality and memory were ultimately separate. He patted Tu Tu Kesiluo's shoulder heavily and shouted loudly: "Good! Let us drink until dawn! Tonight belongs to victory, to Jizhou City, and even more to us old friends who have wandered for so many years!"

The two staggered back to the banquet, clinking glasses and drinking heartily with the civil and military officers, laughing and talking freely. The entire Jizhou City brightened; the people's hearts were aligned, and the victory banquet did not end until the second day dawned.

After the banquet ended, and after Jiang Jiang Mingyu fell into a drowsy sleep, he even had a strange dream.

In the dream, Jiang Jiang Mingyu walked through a mist, vaguely seeing a blurry figure ahead. Upon approaching, it turned out to be the long-missing Mo Zhang Jiaqi!

Jiang Jiang Mingyu widened his eyes, sizing her up and down. Mo Zhang Jiaqi wore a pale purple long dress, a red sash wrapped around her waist, a strange pointed soft hat on her head, and red soft-soled boots with upturned toes on her feet. This attire was very pleasing to the eye but also quite strange, making Jiang Jiang Mingyu unable to recognize her instantly.

"Zhang Jiaqi, what is this outfit? Where have you been during this time?" Jiang Jiang Mingyu stared at her tightly, his face full of suspicion.

Mo Zhang Jiaqi was expressionless, her eyes cold as a snake's. She walked step by step toward Jiang Jiang Mingyu, and when she opened her mouth, her voice was shrill:

"Jiang Jiang Mingyu, if you had not been obsessed with those women, how would I have fallen to this state today! I demand you and your subjects pay with blood for blood!"

A tightness seized Jiang Jiang Mingyu's heart; just as he was about to speak, the sword in Mo Zhang Jiaqi's hand was already pressed against his throat! Jiang Jiang Mingyu stepped back a few paces, exploding in rage:

"Zhang Jiaqi, what is the meaning of this? Put down your weapon quickly! My subjects have no grievance or hatred with you!"

Mo Zhang Jiaqi's face turned iron-green, approaching Jiang Jiang Mingyu step by step: "Just wait and see; I will make you pay the price! Without my consent, you shall not have a good time!"

Terror overwhelmed Jiang Jiang Mingyu's heart; just as he was about to scold, Mo Zhang Jiaqi suddenly turned into a wisp of clear wind, vanishing without a trace...

Jiang Jiang Mingyu woke up, the scenes from the dream still echoing in his mind.

He rubbed his temples; Mo Zhang Jiaqi's poisonous and resentful expression from the dream still lingered before his eyes, so real it made his hair stand on end.

"Zhang Jiaqi, what is... what has happened to you?" he murmured to himself, his voice revealing panic and worry.

At this moment, the sound of hurried footsteps suddenly came from outside the door. Jiang Jiang Mingyu was startled and instinctively reached for the precious sword by his pillow.

"Who!" he shouted.

Only the bright echo from outside the door replied: "Report! Your humble subject Tu Tu Kesiluo pays homage to Your Majesty!"

Only then did Jiang Jiang Mingyu relax. He straightened his clothes, steadied his emotions, and then said: "Come in."

Tu Tu Kesiluo's appearance looked extremely urgent; on his effeminate face, a trace of sweat still hung faintly.

"Big brother, you must see this quickly; this is an urgent report sent by the Prime Minister."

Speaking thus, he hurriedly handed the urgent document sent by Zhu Ge Yu to Jiang Jiang Mingyu.

Holding Zhu Ge Yu's urgent report, Jiang Jiang Mingyu's finger joints turned white from excessive force. The ink on the letter paper was blotchy, and the handwriting appeared somewhat scribbled due to haste. However, the shocking content was exceptionally clear—Other Xi Xia had suddenly broken faith, killing the entire One Da Jiang delegation.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu found it difficult to understand everything happening before his eyes. Clearly, the two nations had reached a consensus to meet; why would the Other Xi Xia king, Tuoba Tuoba Jiqian, suddenly turn ruthless and cruelly kill the envoys?

"Big brother, this matter is truly too suspicious." Tu Tu Kesiluo was also completely confused, irritably ruffling his short hair.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu examined the letter, murmuring to himself: "If it were not for Zhu Ge Yu, this great merit-maker, holding the position, the stubborn Tuoba Tuoba Jiqian would surely take the opportunity to act. We must prepare in advance."

Having spoken, he waved his hand and ordered: "Quickly send word to Li Goudan to immediately lead the six hundred thousand strong army back to Jin City! As for the other routes, let Lao Lao Huarong and Kuang Kuang Boya take over the defense."

Tu Tu Kesiluo quickly responded and departed. Jiang Jiang Mingyu gazed at the sky where the morning sun was just rising, a cold light flashing in his eyes: "Tuoba Tuoba Jiqian, you dare kill an envoy of One Da Jiang? I will settle this score with you slowly!"