Chapter 319: Grain Bait to Lure the Enemy

A few days later, deep in the night, inside the military tent.

Tu Tu Kesiluo slipped in quietly, afraid of disturbing anyone. Jiang Jiang Mingyu was still pacing in circles; seeing him arrive, both lowered their voices.

"How is it? Have they made any move?" Jiang Jiang Mingyu asked anxiously.

"Rest assured, Big Brother. I saw with my own eyes them leaving the city and surging outward." Tu Tu Kesiluo lifted the door curtain to glance outside before turning back.

Only then did Jiang Jiang Mingyu let out a long breath, a faint smile appearing at the corner of his lips: "Very good. It seems our strategy has worked. Within three days at the latest, Ge Ge Wenkang in Yingyuan will learn of the grain transport. At that time, we will wipe out this batch of Western Xia people in one net."

This was the perfect plan Jiang Jiang Mingyu had devised. Having ventured deep into Western Xia territory, the army's scouts and spies could expose their tracks at any moment. Had they not launched a surprise attack on Jijiana, their actions would likely have been exposed long ago. This time, Jiang Jiang Mingyu intended to use their mouths to convey the grain transport information to Ge Ge Wenkang. By then, the grain-starved Western Xia army would surely come to snatch it, exactly as he wished.

"Big Brother, you are right!" Tu Tu Kesiluo grew excited too. "At that time, we will surely annihilate this batch of Western Xia people completely and destroy their morale in one stroke!"

The next morning, shortly after Jiang Jiang Mingyu's main army began marching, a scout rushed back in haste. The scout was handsome, appearing to be just over thirty years old. Still covered in unmelted snowflakes, he hurriedly reported:

"Reporting to Your Majesty, your subordinate has discovered that a portion of the Western Xia army has already made preparations within Yingyuan City. Currently, Ge Ge Wenkang commands over a hundred thousand troops, including fifty thousand fierce Western Xia cavalry!"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu merely nodded lightly, his expression unchanged. He waved his hand and said, "Continue."

The scout quickly added, "Yingyuan is the most formidable among all Western Xia cities; its walls are high and thick, its defense extremely strict, absolutely not something ordinary forces can assault."

No sooner had the words left his lips than Tu Tu Kesiluo's brows furrowed tightly. Two hundred thousand Western Xia troops locked inside a fortified city; would the strategy to lure them out not become uncertain?

"Big Brother, Yingyuan has gathered heavy troops; will our idea of luring them out of the city still work?"

Even if the Western Xia people were clumsy, they would not move their entire force of two hundred thousand troops out just for a mere few tens of thousands of loads of military grain. If they still stubbornly held the city and refused to come out, what would Jiang Jiang Mingyu do?

Unexpectedly, Jiang Jiang Mingyu showed no sign of worry; instead, he chuckled. He casually brushed the snow off his clothes and said leisurely, "In this case, things have actually become much simpler!"

Simpler? The words made Tu Tu Kesiluo suspect he might be hallucinating. He questioned doubtfully, "Big Brother, what do you mean by that?"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu offered no explanation, only mysteriously saying one sentence: "You will understand in two days." After speaking, he waved his hand and said, "Alright, everything is on the track of our plan. Quickly, order the main army to continue advancing!"

Shortly after the army marched, Jiang Jiang Mingyu looked at the map and suddenly ordered, "Immediately change course and enter the mountains of Dashan; increase the speed!" He immediately formulated a new marching route and then ordered it transmitted. In an instant, the entire army disappeared from the official road.

That deep night, Jiang Jiang Mingyu summoned Tu Tu Kesiluo and Fang Hang to discuss countermeasures.

"The main army is only a hundred li from Yingyuan; the grain transport unit from Changzhou has already passed through and is on the way. The transport unit will surely arrive at the agreed location on time. We will quietly follow behind them. As soon as Ge Ge Wenkang sends troops to snatch the grain and supplies, we can take the opportunity to annihilate them completely."

Tu Tu Kesiluo frowned and said, "Big Brother, even if we annihilate their eighteen thousand people, what then? Yingyuan City still holds heavy troops; taking it will still be extremely difficult!"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu flicked the lamp beside him, his smile becoming even more cunning: "This is only the first step of the plan..."

"This is the core of the plan." Jiang Jiang Mingyu looked at Tu Tu Kesiluo and Fang Hang. "We will use the captured Western Xia armor and grain to cloak our main army and enter the city silently!"

Tu Tu Kesiluo and Fang Hang exchanged a glance, seeing surprise in each other's eyes.

"Then we can indeed enter the tiger's den and seize Yingyuan City!" Fang Hang couldn't help but praise.

"Exactly!" Jiang Jiang Mingyu smiled. "Our army's disguise as Western Xia soldiers will surely not arouse suspicion in the city defenders. By nightfall, we will launch a surprise attack to open the city gates and directly usher in the main army; at that time, Yingyuan City will be ours!"

After hearing this, everyone couldn't help but raise their thumbs, repeatedly praising that this strategy was truly brilliant.

Having ventured deep into enemy territory, Jiang Jiang Mingyu would absolutely not let go of the opportunity to seize Yingyuan City so easily. He had long been eyeing this fortress in Western Xia territory; this time, he could seize the opportunity to take it for himself!

The next morning, Jiang Jiang Mingyu personally led the main army straight to the agreed location and finally met the Grain Transport Commander Qiu Tong at noon. Jiang Jiang Mingyu explained the plan point by point; Qiu Tong immediately clasped his hands and said:

"Your Majesty, rest assured; your subordinate will surely not fail your trust!"

"Go. My main army is only a few li away from you. When the Western Xia people come to raid, you simply give up resistance and retreat toward my side." Jiang Jiang Mingyu assured him without hesitation.

Qiu Tong was full of confidence in him. After immediately agreeing, he led the grain transport troops forward. Only then did Jiang Jiang Mingyu order his attendants:

"Tu Tu Kesiluo, you lead one hundred fifty thousand as the left wing. Fang Hang, you lead one hundred fifty thousand as the right wing. I will take the remaining main army in the center; we will form a fan-shaped formation to completely surround Qiu Tong. When the Western Xia soldiers come to raid the grain, we will encircle and annihilate them from four sides, cutting off the roots!"

The two understood again and each promised they would surely not disappoint expectations.

Time passed minute by minute. The grain transport column led the way, while Jiang Jiang Mingyu's three main armies followed far behind. Sure enough, before half a day had passed, an elite force of Western Xia soldiers charged out from Yingyuan City, heading straight for the grain transport column.

"They're here! It's this Western Xia force!"

Seeing the Western Xia soldiers gradually approaching the grain transport unit, Jiang Jiang Mingyu laughed heartily in satisfaction. He waved his sword and shouted loudly; the three armies quickly converged and, swift as lightning, surrounded the invading Western Xia army!

"Ge Ge Wenkang, you will never return to Yingyuan City!"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu let out a long roar to the sky, his figure like an arrow leaving the string, heading straight for the Western Xia army's commander!

The two armies clashed instantly; swords and blades crossed, hooves thundered, the battle extremely fierce. Jiang Jiang Mingyu attacked from three sides, quickly forcing the Western Xia soldiers into a desperate situation. The generals and soldiers fought bravely at the forefront, cutting through in one surge and splitting the Western Xia army into several parts.

"Go! Go!"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu urged loudly. He saw Tu Tu Kesiluo and Fang Hang each leading a cavalry unit quickly circle to the rear of the Western Xia army, firmly blocking their retreat.

Soon, the entire Western Xia grain-snatching force was completely annihilated under Jiang Jiang Mingyu's encirclement and suppression. Jiang Jiang Mingyu immediately ordered the collection of the enemy soldiers' armor and flags, then deployed several ten thousand people to disguise themselves as Western Xia soldiers.

At this moment, Grain Transport Commander Qiu Tong also led the surviving troops to Jiang Jiang Mingyu's presence, along with many wounded soldiers. Jiang Jiang Mingyu immediately ordered people to carry the injured away for treatment.

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for saving us! If not for you, this batch of grain would surely have all gone into the belly of the Western Xia bandits." Qiu Tong bowed deeply.

"Commander Qiu has made an indispensable contribution; I hope you will continue to assist in the future." Jiang Jiang Mingyu also spoke politely. "Alright, the next step of our army's plan is to launch a surprise attack on Yingyuan City. You take the transport unit and rest here; after my main army successfully captures the city, we will meet up."

Qiu Tong repeatedly agreed. Only then did Jiang Jiang Mingyu lead the troops straight to the foot of Yingyuan City, slowly approaching the city gates in the guise of a victorious Western Xia army. Just as the guards on the city wall were preparing to welcome and congratulate them, Jiang Jiang Mingyu suddenly gave a loud order; the army disguised as Western Xia soldiers immediately drew their swords and charged in!

"Come! Open the city gates!"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu shouted fiercely. The guards at the city gate had no time to react and were cut down to pieces. Soon, the gate tower of Yingyuan City fell into the hands of Jiang Jiang Mingyu, who was impersonating the enemy army. Then he ordered people to open the gate and lower the drawbridge; his own three hundred thousand troops surged into the city like a tide!

"Kill! Kill!"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu revealed his ferocious nature, personally commanding the battle from horseback. The three armies attacked the city separately and quickly seized all key points at the city gates. The defending Western Xia soldiers arrived one after another to reinforce but were pushed back step by step under their swords and blades.

"Go annihilate the Western Xia commander! Do not let a single living soul escape!" Jiang Jiang Mingyu shouted loudly.

Soon, the entire city fell into chaos. Everywhere were figures fighting, sounds of wailing and screaming. Finally, the Western Xia commander Ge Ge Wenkang was captured alive. Jiang Jiang Mingyu glanced at him disdainfully and ordered his immediate beheading for public display!

Seeing their commander captured, the Western Xia soldiers instantly became headless, all weapons dropping from their hands. Jiang Jiang Mingyu laughed triumphantly to the sky; he had finally seized this formidable Western Xia city as he wished!