Chapter 312: Luring the Enemy into the City

For the next two days, Shang Mu remained calm, while the common people in the city, knowing a great battle was imminent, began to repair the walls on their own.

Seeing the various military weapons pile up ever higher, Jiang Jiang Mingyu's confidence in defeating the Xi Xia people grew stronger and stronger.

At noon that day, Jiang Jiang Mingyu was looking at a map.

Tu Tu Kesiluo rushed into the tent with hurried steps; Jiang Jiang Mingyu, gazing at the map in deep thought, raised his head at the sound.

"Reporting to Your Majesty! Scouts have returned with good news: the Xi Xia main army has completed its assembly and is gathering at the border. The numbers are estimated to be between 230,000; it can be confirmed that this is the entire Xi Xia main force!"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu smiled faintly; the war he had waited so long for was about to arrive.

"Where are Fang Hang and the others now?"

"Replying to Your Majesty: Yesterday we received a message via carrier pigeon. General Fang has led the main army to leave Luyang County City and is expected to arrive tomorrow."

"Tomorrow?" Jiang Jiang Mingyu frowned. "Too late! Xi Xia and Shang Mu are separated by only one mountain. Once the main force enters our territory, our mere 30,000 men will be utterly unable to resist!"

Before the words had fully left his mouth, a thin scout soldier rushed into the tent in a panic, sweating profusely as he said, "Reporting to the City Lord: The Xi Xia main force has already broken through the border and is rushing directly toward this city, less than 50 li away!"

"What!" Tu Tu Kesiluo turned pale with shock. "So fast?!"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu shouted in a deep voice, "What is the rush? Mere Xi Xia ants dare to disturb this city? Truly laughable!"

Seeing the scout soldier lower his head in shame, he then said, "Go quickly and issue the order: all citizens inside the city must return home immediately. No matter what you see or hear, do not act rashly!"

Having spoken, Jiang Jiang Mingyu narrowed his eyes slightly, his expression stern, as an extremely risky idea began to brew in his mind...

"All troops at the North Gate are to withdraw into the city for defense. Leave only ten men to guard the city; there must not be a single person left below the walls!"

Ten men to guard the city?! This was simply madness! Tu Tu Kesiluo almost cried out in shock; this was clearly letting the enemy get exactly what they wanted!

"Big Brother! Fang Hang will arrive very soon. How can you give up defending the city?!"

"I am not that foolish. Go quickly and find Fang Hang; I have a clever plan." Jiang Jiang Mingyu rolled his eyes, looking completely confident.

Tu Tu Kesiluo's mind was in a complete mess; he truly did not understand what trick Jiang Jiang Mingyu was playing, but he had no other choice, so he led his men away, urging their horses to fly.

At this very moment, only ten soldiers in military uniforms stood at the North Gate on the city wall, their faces looking as if they had been smeared with white wall plaster.

"Hey, Big Brother, we only have ten people. How are we supposed to survive this..."

"If you ask me, the City Lord thinks we've lived too long! Just leave us here to die..."

"You cowardly woman! If war really starts, I'll be the first to kill you!"

"Tch! Try it if you dare!"

Seeing the North Gate defenders exchanging words and having lost all morale, a young scholar-like man in plain clothes slowly walked over.

"Everyone, wait! I have come at the City Lord's command to assist you. I believe that with your bravery, there is absolutely no danger to your lives!"

The defenders exchanged glances, seeing despair in each other's eyes. This scholar coming to assist was nothing short of adding frost to snow.

At this time, Jiang Jiang Mingyu was standing on the city tower gazing into the distance, yet he felt completely confident. As long as he could lure the Xi Xia main force into the city, wiping them out in one stroke was just a matter of time!

Whether this risky scheme would succeed, the clash between justice and evil was about to unfold in this lone city...

Before long, the North Gate commander stumbled over again: "Reporting to Your Majesty, the Xi Xia devils are about to reach the foot of the city walls!"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu looked around; there were only ten men on the city walls. His action was indeed a bit like gambling with his life. But then he thought again: utilizing the terrain, the chance to turn the tide of battle was not small.

"Go quickly and open the city gate!" he said in a deep voice.

"Open the gate?!" The city guards looked at each other, thinking they had misheard.

"Why are you just staring? Go quickly!" Jiang Jiang Mingyu's gaze was like lightning. The soldiers dared not hesitate and had to carry heavily the heavy gate bar to prepare to open the door.

At that moment, the sound of hoofbeats was already close at hand. Dozens of fierce Xi Xia generals holding spears shouted, "Jiang Jiang Mingyu, surrender immediately! Otherwise, we will surely massacre the city and return!"

"Massacre the city?" Jiang Jiang Mingyu laughed heartily. "I am just waiting for you to enter the city so I can chop off your dog heads!"

Mo Mo Yanbin, the leader, reined his horse around and said earnestly to Yan Yan Anfu behind him, "We must not act rashly; there must be a trap in this city."

Yan Yan Anfu, having less experience, dismissed it, saying, "What's so hard? He has only ten men, while we have hundreds of thousands in the main army. We can capture them in one stroke!"

"Wait!" Mo Mo Yanbin snorted. "Let me test him first!"

So Mo Mo Yanbin urged his horse forward and shouted toward the city wall, "Jiang Jiang Mingyu, if you truly seek peace, lead your army out of the city to discuss matters. Otherwise, we will not fall for your trick!"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu laughed and said, "General Mo is indeed wise and fearless in the face of danger. However, my army has already discarded their weapons, and there are no ambush troops in the city. I hope the General will grace us with his presence to state his intentions!"

Mo Mo Yanbin pondered for a moment and said, "Very well. To show my sincerity, I will not enter the city today. However, I must speak face-to-face with Jiang Jiang Mingyu before we can decide on the grand plan!" Having spoken, he turned his horse and left.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu frowned slightly; this move of his did not seem to be working very well. Meanwhile, Tu Tu Kesiluo, standing nearby, was already so anxious that he was pacing in circles, fearing the Xi Xia people would see through the emptiness of the city and rush in directly.

"Big Brother, what are we doing? We are about to fight for our lives!" Tu Tu Kesiluo could not hold back any longer.

"Rest assured! I have a countermeasure!" A trace of poisonous cold light flashed in Jiang Jiang Mingyu's eyes. He had predicted that Mo Mo Yanbin was suspicious and would enter the city cautiously. At that time, luring him into the main army tent and capturing him in one stroke would be enough to intimidate the entire Xi Xia army!

At this very moment, Mo Mo Yanbin was also pondering carefully. Being suspicious and distrustful by nature, the more he thought, the more something felt wrong: "Something is not right. How could Jiang Jiang Mingyu be isolated and without help? There must be a trick involved!"

Yan Yan Anfu, standing nearby, could not help but interrupt: "Report! The Third Imperial Prince has personally led heavy troops and is already approaching the foot of the city! If we do not attack the city now, there may be a change!"

"What?!" Mo Mo Yanbin was so shocked that his beard stood on end. Before he could think further, he had to wave his army to charge back. And Jiang Jiang Mingyu, on the city wall, also saw from afar that magnificent army...

Seeing Mo Mo Yanbin still hesitating, Jiang Jiang Mingyu pressed on: "I, Jiang Jiang Mingyu, have always valued loyalty and righteousness. I never go back on my word. General Ma, rest assured and enter the city; you will surely be warmly welcomed!"

Mo Mo Yanbin sneered: "A mere promise to surrender immediately, how can that be trusted! Today we must see Jiang Jiang Mingyu himself, or we will clash with weapons; we have no other option!"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu helplessly spread his hands. The commanders on the city wall all looked at each other, thinking that with a great enemy at the gates, how could the lord expose himself so easily? A huge city stood empty, with the main forces all on duty on the outskirts. If Lord Jiang suffered any mishap at this moment, the entire city would surely fall immediately.

Thus, the veteran general at the head could not help but step forward to dissuade him: "My Lord, our army is currently at a disadvantage. How can you expose yourself rashly? If we lose our commander, the entire army will surely collapse. It would be better to refuse tactfully and stall for a while!"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu, however, said with a smile, "Rest assured, I have a clever plan. As long as Mo Mo Yanbin enters the city, this battle can be won." Upon hearing this, the old general felt even more uneasy, but since the Lord was determined, he could only shake his head and sigh.

Mo Mo Yanbin, below the city, saw no movement in the city for a long time and could not help but secretly sigh that the Southern barbarians were indeed cunning and calculating. He then ordered his subordinates to transmit the command: "All units, quickly spread out your formations! As soon as dawn breaks, launch a massive attack on the city! Let's see how long he can deceive the heavens!"

That night, Mo Mo Yanbin's army of over a hundred thousand encamped around the city, with lively scenes of roasting fires and cooking food. Inside the city, there was an eerie silence. No matter how Mo Mo Yanbin provoked, not a single shadow appeared on the city tower. Mo Mo Yanbin secretly smiled, certain that Jiang Jiang Mingyu, seeing the tide had turned and his strength greatly diminished, had no choice but to hide to save his life.

At dawn the second day, Mo Mo Yanbin, stationed in the main tent, was just about to give the order to charge and attack the city when suddenly dozens of fast riders galloped over and immediately reported: "The Third Imperial Prince has brought heavy troops to within 20 li of the city and ordered our army to quickly surround the city, demanding it be taken within one day!"

Upon hearing this, Mo Mo Yanbin's beard nearly stood straight up! Without time to think further, he leaped onto his horse and shouted loudly, "All troops, listen to the order: quickly surround the city!" That magnificent Xi Xia army immediately roared like thunder, breaking through all obstacles as they charged toward the North Gate tower...