Chapter 329: Determined to Take Tang Xiang

Tukesulu had the bandits taken away under strict guard and had already devised a plan. He decided to visit Jiang Mingyu early the next morning to report the events of last night and suggest using these men.

That morning, a thin mist hung over the camp. Tukesulu straightened his robes and strode boldly to Jiang Mingyu’s tent, waved aside the guards, and walked straight in.

Jiang Mingyu sat upright at the table, eating his morning meal. Seeing Tukesulu arrive, he smiled slightly and raised an inquiring gaze.

“Your Majesty, last night our rear guard captured a group of Xi Xia bandits—they were taken alive,” Tukesulu said bluntly, recounting the entire incident to Jiang Mingyu in detail.

Jiang Mingyu’s eyes widened slightly. He set down the lamb cake in his hand and gestured for Tukesulu to continue.

“I propose we put them to use,” Tukesulu bowed respectfully, making a “please proceed” gesture. “They know the terrain of Xi Xia intimately and are well-informed about enemy movements. They can serve as guides and strategists for our army.”

Jiang Mingyu listened, then nodded knowingly: “Well done! Your suggestion is insightful. Do it. First, integrate them into our ranks—they will have their use soon enough.”

Tukesulu bowed repeatedly: “Thank Your Majesty for your keen insight! I shall arrange them properly and make full use of them.”

“This was my oversight—I failed to strengthen our defenses,” Jiang Mingyu frowned slightly. “Fortunately, no major harm was done, but we must prevent such incidents from recurring.”

“Your Majesty need not worry—I shall strengthen our vigilance and ensure such a thing never happens again!” Tukesulu pledged solemnly at once.

Jiang Mingyu nodded in satisfaction, straightened his robes, and rose. “Come, accompany me on a patrol of our camp defenses—offer your suggestions.”

“Yes, Your Majesty!” Tukesulu fell in step beside him, walking shoulder to shoulder along the camp paths, inspecting every blind spot together...

The tenth day of the tenth month, Ji Hai Year, clear.

Jiang Mingyu led his three-hundred-thousand-strong army to rest two thousand li from Tang Xiang City. Warm sunlight bathed them, lifting spirits. Jiang Mingyu closed his eyes, savoring the quiet comfort of the sun.

Soon, Jiang Mingyu ordered Tukesulu: “Bring one of the men we recruited last night. I wish to question him.”

Moments later, a disheveled, fear-filled man stepped forward and bowed before Jiang Mingyu. Jiang Mingyu sized him up, then asked casually: “What is your name?”

The man hurriedly bowed: “Your Majesty, this subject’s name is Shi Gandang.”

Jiang Mingyu nodded, then asked: “I hear you bandits have held this region for years—you must know the surrounding terrain well?”

Shi Gandang nodded eagerly, adding with a touch of pride: “We’ve plundered these lands for years. Every ravine, every hill within hundreds of li—we know them all!”

Jiang Mingyu paid no mind to his expression and said coolly: “Then tell me—what do you know of Tang Xiang?”

Shi Gandang gathered his thoughts, glanced toward Tang Xiang, then hesitated: “Your Majesty, my knowledge of Tang Xiang is limited.”

Tukesulu shot him a sharp glance and snapped: “Say what you know—no idle words!”

Shi Gandang shrank back and hurried on: “Tang Xiang is the largest city in the northeast of Xi Xia, over a hundred years old. Last year I saw it myself—the city walls are seventy-eight zhang tall!”

“Tang Xiang’s defenses seem strong, but my army will take it,” Jiang Mingyu smiled, dismissing the height of the walls entirely.

“Your Majesty, what strategy will you use to breach this impregnable city?” Tukesulu asked curiously.

“Ha! I have my own plan,” Jiang Mingyu smiled mysteriously. “I took Yingyuan before—how difficult could Tang Xiang be?”

“Of course!” Tukesulu exclaimed in realization. “Yingyuan was famed for its strength, yet Your Majesty still broke it with cunning. Tang Xiang will be no match for us!”

“Precisely,” Jiang Mingyu said confidently. “No fortress, no matter how strong, lacks a weak point. When the time comes, you and I will act together—we will take it without fail.”

“Congratulations, Your Majesty, on your auspicious words!” Tukesulu bowed.

Jiang Mingyu fell silent for a moment, tightened his cloak, and asked: “Who commands Tang Xiang? How many troops are stationed within?”

Shi Gandang thought again, then replied firmly: “Your Majesty, the commander of Tang Xiang is Wan Fan Ti—he is a commander-in-chief of Xi Xia.”

“Last year, I personally visited Tang Xiang on business and saw this official with my own eyes.”

Here, his tone grew hesitant again: “At the time, I heard Tang Xiang held about one hundred thousand troops. Now, with Tuoba Jiqian’s main force moving to Tang Xiang for winter, the garrison must be at least two hundred thousand.”

Jiang Mingyu glanced behind him at his three-hundred-thousand-strong army, his confidence unshaken: “Two hundred thousand? They cannot match my three hundred thousand. Besides, the garrison is already low on grain and pay—they cannot stand against me.”

“Who is this Wan Fan Ti? I’d like to see if he dares to lead troops out to fight.”

Shi Gandang hurried to reply: “Wan Fan Ti is a scholar by training, thrust into command under duress—he likely has no will to fight.”

Jiang Mingyu fell into deep thought, tightened the silver clasp of his cloak, and looked up at the bright moon in the night sky.

“Wan Fan Ti, commander of Tang Xiang—a mere scholar? I’ve never heard of him.” Jiang Mingyu turned back to Shi Gandang. “Why was he given such a command?”

Shi Gandang quickly explained: “Your Majesty, when I visited Tang Xiang before, I heard he was appointed suddenly by Tuoba Jiqian.”

“Hmph!” Jiang Mingyu sneered. “Just a jealous general, desperate for a pawn—he dragged in a scholar to fill the role. Such a man has no talent for command.”

“Exactly!” Shi Gandang agreed. “A mere scholar—how could he compare to Your Majesty?”

Jiang Mingyu burst into laughter: “Good, Shi Gandang—you know how to flatter! I shall reward you handsomely!”

Shi Gandang bowed deeply: “Thank Your Majesty’s grace!”

Jiang Mingyu paused, then asked again: “How many troops are in Tang Xiang?”

“Last year I heard one hundred thousand. Now, with Tuoba Jiqian sending reinforcements, at least two hundred thousand,” Shi Gandang replied.

Jiang Mingyu glanced toward the nearby tents where his three-hundred-thousand-strong army was stationed. His confidence swelled further: “Two hundred thousand? They cannot match my three hundred thousand. The garrison hasn’t been resupplied in ages—they have no fighting spirit. We will surely win!”

“Indeed!” Shi Gandang agreed at once. “Your Majesty’s brilliance and martial prowess—Wan Fan Ti is no match. Tang Xiang will fall in days!”

Jiang Mingyu smiled faintly: “Your words today hold great value. I shall reward you well.”

Shi Gandang bowed repeatedly, ecstatic as he withdrew.