Chapter 327: The Hardships of the Western Campaign, Heavy with Suspicion

After the generals departed, Jiang Mingyu kept Yan Su behind for an in-depth examination. Yan Su responded to every question Jiang Mingyu posed—whether on civil administration or military defense—with clear logic and meticulous analysis. Seeing Yan Su’s exceptional talent and resolve, Jiang Mingyu finally set aside his chief concern over Tanzhou’s defense.

At dawn the next day, the camp echoed with thunderous gongs and drums; four hundred thousand troops stood ready to march. Jiang Mingyu, clad in silver armor, stood atop a high flag platform, gazing down at the vast army, his eyes gleaming with determination. He nodded in satisfaction, then turned his piercing gaze toward Li Goudan and said sternly: “Goudan, your western campaign will be long and fraught with unpredictable challenges. Your straightforward nature demands constant caution. Never act rashly—always heed Fang Hang’s advice.”

Li Goudan immediately bowed solemnly and patted his chest with confidence: “Your Majesty, rest assured! I understand your intentions—I’ll cling tightly to Fang Hang as my lifeline, make few decisions on my own, and seek his counsel at every turn!”

Seeing Jiang Mingyu’s gaze fixed and signaling no further orders, Fang Hang rose respectfully, clasped his hands, and bowed deeply to Jiang Mingyu and Tukesiluo: “Your Majesty, Prince, please take care! I swear to complete this mission at all costs—we shall meet you victoriously beneath the Western Xia capital!” With that, he gave a sharp signal, and the hundred-thousand-strong army began its rumbling march away.

As the army vanished beyond the horizon, Jiang Mingyu’s lips curled into a faint smile. He turned thoughtfully to Yan Su: “I entrust the entire defense of Tanzhou to you, Governor Yan. Should any emergency arise, report it immediately to the Chancellor. The grain supply must not falter—only with a secure rear can we win. If you succeed, you will not be forgotten.”

After Yan Su gave his triple assurance, Jiang Mingyu mounted his white horse and waved to Tukesiluo: “Advance!” Three hundred thousand troops roared northward. At the same time, Yan Su’s expression darkened as he ordered decisively: “Send out scouts immediately—track every movement of the Western Xia army. Report any anomaly at once—no lapse in the rear is acceptable!”

While Tanzhou buzzed with activity, Jiang Mingyu and Tukesiluo braved howling winds, embarking on their endless journey. Snow and ice froze them to the bone; their lips turned purple, and each breath released visible clouds of vapor. Jiang Mingyu’s thick fur cloak had hardened into a solid block of ice, while Tukesiluo’s hands were so numb he could barely grip the reins.

Tukesiluo shivered as he stared at the map, nearly screaming in despair—five thousand li to cover, it would take a month and a half to reach! Jiang Mingyu could only force a frozen smile; the Western Xia lands were vast and sparsely populated, leaving no alternative. Fortunately, Tanzhou’s steady supply lines allowed the army to press forward through this desolate frozen wasteland.

After days of marching, only endless snowflakes filled the horizon—the monotonous scenery nearly drove them mad. Tukesiluo had lost all sense of time; his mind felt hollow, teetering on the edge of reason. Then, one of Jiang Mingyu’s spies, dispatched earlier to gather intelligence across Western Xia, finally returned, dust-covered and exhausted.

Jiang Mingyu hurried forward, his voice tinged with urgency: “What news of the Western Xia army?” The spy, trembling violently from the cold, struggled to stand upright and bowed: “Your Majesty, the Western Xia main force numbers about five hundred thousand, now entrenched around Liaotong, Tang Xiang, and Wei Wang City. Mostly infantry, with only ten to fifteen thousand cavalry. I believe they will not dare sortie before the snow melts. It is said Tuoba Jiqian has ordered all troops to remain on high alert until spring, preparing for a decisive battle with us. He also vowed to showcase the might of his Western Xia army after the spring grain shortage.”

At Tuoba Jiqian’s boast, Tukesiluo sneered: “He won’t live to see spring! With Brother and Fang Hang attacking from both sides, we’ll encircle Wei Wang City—let’s see how he boasts to the King of Hell then!”

Jiang Mingyu nodded; the situation matched his expectations. He shook snow from his cloak and pressed: “Any new developments at the capital? Especially regarding the new queen—what have you learned?”

The spy gathered his thoughts and replied slowly: “Since Tuoba Jiqian seized power, the political situation has remained stable, with no major upheavals. One notable event: before winter, he took a new concubine—and soon after, he swiftly seized power and launched his invasion of us. This queen is extremely mysterious; she has never appeared in public, and even among Tuoba Jiqian’s inner circle, few know her true face. I know nothing further—please forgive my ignorance!”

Jiang Mingyu sighed. He sensed a hidden link between this queen and Western Xia’s military actions: “Investigate her identity further. Report any discovery immediately.”

The spy departed. Jiang Mingyu’s doubts deepened—who was this mysterious queen, and what grudge did she hold against him, driving her to spare no effort to destroy him? He could not fathom it.

Jiang Mingyu stared fixedly at the churning clouds overhead, his face rigid as a stone statue—only his eyes slowly dimmed, betraying no emotion. Beside him, Tukesiluo gripped the reins with one hand and stroked his beard, white frost forming on its strands from his breath. He watched Jiang Mingyu silently; when the latter gave no response, he finally spoke softly: “Brother, what that spy said just reminded me of someone—my little sister-in-law, Zhang Jiaqi.”

“Jiaqi?” The name jolted Jiang Mingyu. He turned his stiff neck slowly, his expression dark as he stared at Tukesiluo: “You mean… this mysterious queen might be Jiaqi?”

Tukesiluo forced a grim smile and nodded: “Brother, how long have we known her? Besides Jiaqi and your wife, who else understands your methods so well?” He paused, gathering words: “Besides, after our weddings, Jiaqi vanished without a trace. Now that the entire realm is unified under Da Jiang, where else could she have gone?”

Jiang Mingyu clenched the reins until his knuckles turned white. He seemed to fight back some overwhelming emotion, his facial muscles twitching faintly. After a long silence, he whispered: “That’s too hasty… Even if Jiaqi was bitter, how could she marry a Western Xia man? The cost would be too great…”

Tukesiluo sighed deeply, white vapor drifting from his tangled beard: “Brother, I wish with all my heart it isn’t her. But remember—when Tuoba Jiqian declared war, his first order was to expel your wife’s merchant caravan. In this backward, isolated realm, how could a young prince newly crowned know that hot pot was your wife’s business? I told you then: only someone who knew your wife intimately could have issued such an order.”

Jiang Mingyu’s fists tightened further, skin stretched pale and taut over his knuckles. He looked up at the sky, where dark clouds cast shadows across his pale face: “Could it… really be Jiaqi?” The question sounded less like a query and more like a whisper to himself.

He knew Tukesiluo’s logic held no flaw—but part of him still refused to accept it.

As both men fell silent, Jiang Mingyu suddenly shook his head and rasped: “Enough. We’re still far from Tang Xiang—we must keep moving!” He knew all suspicions would be resolved once Wei Wang City fell.

Tukesiluo had nothing more to say. He gave a hollow reply and signaled the army to continue its grueling march through the frozen wasteland.