Chapter 327: The Hardship of the Western Expedition, Clouds of Suspicion

After the generals departed, Jiang Jiang Mingyu kept Yan Su behind alone for a deep assessment. He saw that for every question Jiang Jiang Mingyu posed, whether regarding governing the people, defending the city, or military deployment, Yan Su could clarify the key connections and analyze the details with precision. Seeing Yan Su's outstanding talent and boldness, Jiang Jiang Mingyu finally set aside the major worry concerning the defense of Tanzhou.

At dawn the next day, the sound of gongs and drums shook the sky within the main camp as four hundred thousand troops stood ready to depart. Jiang Jiang Mingyu, clad in silver armor, stood atop a high flag-watching platform overlooking the vast army, his eyes radiating a determined light. He nodded in satisfaction, then cast a lightning-like gaze at Li Goudan, speaking in a deep voice: "Goudan, this western expedition is a long journey with complex and ever-changing circumstances. Your nature is straightforward, so you must remain cautious and careful at all times. Do not act rashly when facing events; be sure to listen carefully to Fang Hang's advice."

Li Goudan immediately nodded solemnly and patted his chest with confidence, promising: "Your Majesty, rest assured! I understand your deep intentions and will surely cling tightly to Fang Hang as my lifeline. When facing events, I will make fewer decisions myself and seek his opinion more often!"

Seeing Jiang Jiang Mingyu's intense gaze, which indicated there were no further instructions, Fang Hang stood up respectfully, clasped his hands, and bowed to Jiang Jiang Mingyu and Tu Tu Kesiluo: "Your Majesty, Prince, please take care! Your subordinate will surely complete the mission at the cost of his life and meet the two of you in victory beneath the walls of the Other Xi Xia Wang Cheng!" With that, he waved his hand and shouted once, and the hundred thousand troops began to rumble as they marched away.

Watching the army disappear into the horizon, a faint smile curled Jiang Jiang Mingyu's lips. He then looked meaningfully at Yan Su: "The defense of Tanzhou is now entirely entrusted to you, Inspector Yan. If any changes arise requiring discussion, you must report to the Prime Minister immediately. Furthermore, the transport of grain and forage must not encounter any errors; only with a stable rear for the army can we achieve victory. If this succeeds, I will certainly not treat you poorly!"

After Yan Su repeated his assurances three times, Jiang Jiang Mingyu mounted a white horse and waved to Tu Tu Kesiluo: "Depart!" Immediately, three hundred thousand troops roared as they advanced northward. At the same time, Yan Su's face darkened, and he gave a decisive order: "Quickly dispatch scouts to fully investigate the movements of the Other Xi Xia army. Report any anomalies immediately by fast horse; absolutely no errors in the rear are permitted!"

While Tanzhou was shrouded in a busy atmosphere, Jiang Jiang Mingyu and Tu Tu Kesiluo, braving the howling cold wind, had already embarked on their long journey. In the wind and snow, both men and horses were frozen through, their lips turning purple, and white breath could be seen puffing from their mouths as they spoke. Jiang Jiang Mingyu's thick fur cloak had almost frozen into a single hard block, while Tu Tu Kesiluo's hands were so stiff he could barely hold the reins.

Tu Tu Kesiluo shivered, his eyes wide as he stared at the map; he was on the verge of screaming in despair—five thousand li of travel, this would take a month and a half to reach! Jiang Jiang Mingyu could only helplessly curl his already frozen lips; the vast and sparsely populated lands of Other Xi Xia indeed left no other choice. Fortunately, with continuous supplies from Tanzhou, the army could continue pushing forward through this desolate land of ice and snow.

After marching for many days, the surroundings held nothing but snow swirling in the sky; this monotonous scenery was nearly driving people mad. Tu Tu Kesiluo could no longer distinguish the flow of time, feeling only that his entire mind was empty, nearly losing his reason. Just then, one of the spies Jiang Jiang Mingyu had previously sent to various places in Other Xi Xia to gather military intelligence finally returned, covered in dust and travel.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu hurried forward to meet him, his tone unable to hide his anxiety: "Have you discovered the situation of the Other Xi Xia army?" The spy, shivering all over from the cold, barely managed to stand firm in the biting wind and clasped his hands to report: "Reporting to Your Majesty, the main force of Other Xi Xia numbers about five hundred thousand and is currently hiding in the area around Liaotong, Tangxiang, and the Wang Cheng of Wei. They consist mainly of infantry, with cavalry numbering only between ten and fifteen thousand. In my opinion, before the ice and snow melt, they should not easily leave the city to engage in battle. It is said that Tuoba Tuoba Jiqian has ordered all Other Xi Xia troops to be on high alert before the coming spring, preparing to fight our army to the death. Tuoba Tuoba Jiqian also stated that after the spring grain shortage passes, he will display the might of his Other Xi Xia army..."

Mentioning Tuoba Tuoba Jiqian's boast, Tu Tu Kesiluo sneered: "I think he will not live to see spring! With my brother and Fang Hang attacking from two sides, they will completely surround the Wang Cheng of Wei; let us see how he then shows off his might to the King of Hell!"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu nodded; the situation was roughly as he had anticipated. He shook the snow from his clothes and pressed further: "Is there any new situation regarding the Wang Cheng? Especially regarding that newly appointed Wang Fei; have you discovered any inside information?"

The spy organized his thoughts and spoke slowly: "Since Tuoba Tuoba Jiqian took power, the political situation has remained relatively stable with no major changes. The only thing worth mentioning is that before winter, he took a new concubine, and shortly after, he swiftly seized supreme power and attacked our country. It is said this Wang Fei is extremely mysterious, never appearing in public, and even Tuoba Tuoba Jiqian rarely knows her true face. Your subordinate truly knows nothing; please forgive Your Majesty!"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu sighed; he vaguely felt there was some connection between this Wang Fei and the Other Xi Xia military actions: "You must investigate the identity of this Wang Fei further. Report any findings immediately!"

The spy took his leave, but Jiang Jiang Mingyu's heart grew more puzzled—who exactly was this mysterious Wang Fei, and what grudge did she hold against him that required her to spare no effort to put him to death? For a moment, Jiang Jiang Mingyu could not figure it out no matter how hard he thought.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu stared fixedly at the rolling dark clouds in the sky; the muscles on his face were stiff as a plaster statue, revealing no emotion except for his eyes gradually losing their luster. Beside him, Tu Tu Kesiluo held the reins in one hand and stroked his beard with the other, the white breath from his mouth forming tiny ice crystals on his beard. He silently observed Jiang Jiang Mingyu; seeing no reaction from the other for a long time, he finally spoke softly: "Brother, what that spy just said suddenly reminded me of someone—my sister-in-law, Zhang Zhang Jiaqi."

"Zhang Jiaqi?" This name made Jiang Jiang Mingyu's body tremble violently. He slowly turned his stiff neck and looked at Tu Tu Kesiluo with a dark expression: "Are you saying... that mysterious Wang Fei might be Zhang Jiaqi?"

Tu Tu Kesiluo forced a grim smile and nodded: "Brother, how long have we known her? Besides Zhang Jiaqi and my sister-in-law, who else could understand your methods of operation so well?" He paused, as if organizing his thoughts, and continued: "Moreover, after you and I, brothers, held our wedding, Zhang Jiaqi vanished from the world. Now that the world is unified under One Da Jiang, where else could she go?"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu gripped the reins tightly, his knuckles turning white from the force. He seemed to be struggling to suppress some emotion; the muscles on his face twitched slightly. After a long while, he spoke in a low voice: "This is too rash... No matter how unwilling Zhang Jiaqi might be, how could she marry a man of Other Xi Xia? That price is simply too high..."

Tu Tu Kesiluo also let out a long sigh, white breath drifting from his messy beard: "Brother, I also desperately hope that person is not her. But do you remember? At the very beginning of Tuoba Tuoba Jiqian's declaration of war, he ordered the immediate expulsion of my sister-in-law's merchant caravan. In such a closed and backward place as Other Xi Xia, how would a newly ascended young prince know that hot pot is my sister-in-law's business? At that time, I told you that only someone who knew my sister-in-law very well could issue such an order."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu's fists clenched tighter and tighter, the skin over his knuckles stretching until it turned white. He looked up at the sky, where dark clouds cast shadows on his pale face: "Could it be... that person truly is Zhang Jiaqi?" The tone of this question sounded more like he was asking himself.

He understood that Tu Tu Kesiluo's analysis had no flaws, yet a part of his heart still resisted believing it.

Just as neither knew what to say, Jiang Jiang Mingyu suddenly shook his head and spoke hoarsely: "Enough, let us not speak of it! Tangxiang is still far away; we must hurry!" He knew that all speculation would be revealed when the Wang Cheng of Wei was breached.

Tu Tu Kesiluo could say nothing more and could only dryly acknowledge with a single sound, signaling the army to continue its arduous trek through this land of ice and snow.