Chapter 330: The Unusual Scholar

After Shi Gandang withdrew, Tukesiluo excitedly said: “Big brother, I think Tang Xiang is a strong city, but its garrison is small—we can easily take it with a clever strategy. Our forces are vast as a raging river; Tang Xiang is as thin as a sheet of paper—poke it once and it breaks!”

Jiang Mingyu smiled and said: “Tukesiluo, things aren’t as simple as you think. Tang Xiang’s walls are sturdy, and though its garrison is small, they are surely Xixia’s elite. We may be numerous, but we must not underestimate the enemy.”

“Big brother, you’re right!” Tukesiluo quickly said. “I’m too young and impulsive—I spoke too boldly. But I still have full confidence: with your wise leadership, Tang Xiang will surely be ours in time.”

“Hah! Good brother, we are of one heart and one will—we shall surely achieve great things!” Jiang Mingyu laughed, clapping Tukesiluo on the shoulder.

Tukesiluo frowned again and said: “Big brother, the weather ahead is worsening—snow and wind are raging. Our advance may be blocked. Shouldn’t we find shelter and wait for conditions to improve?”

Jiang Mingyu shook his head. “Good weather helps us, but it also helps Xixia move reinforcements to Tang Xiang. We must seize this moment—strike now and take Tang Xiang in one push, pinning down Xixia’s forces. Tell me, with our army at their gates, wouldn’t Xixia’s commander Tuoba Jiqian be in a panic, scrambling troops everywhere?”

“Hah! Big brother, you’re brilliant!” Tukesiluo suddenly understood. “I was only seeing the immediate hardship and missed the bigger picture. With you here, we only need to follow your lead!”

Jiang Mingyu gave a faint smile.

“Enough. While the weather holds, keep moving.”

Soon, his troops, swept up with snow spray, vanished into the Xixia wasteland.

Thirteen days later, gazing at the towering city in the distance, Tukesiluo let out a long sigh.

“Big brother, that’s Tang Xiang, right? After two months of grueling travel, we’ve finally arrived.”

Jiang Mingyu glanced at the sky, then pointed his whip.

“Form ranks. Prepare for assault.”

As the saying goes, “Seeing a mountain doesn’t mean you’ve reached it”—it took a full quarter-hour before his troops reached the foot of Tang Xiang’s walls.

Seeing the emaciated defenders on the ramparts, Tukesiluo raised his sword and roared.

“Listen up, men on the wall! I am Tukesiluo, Military Protector of Great Jiang! Bring out Wan FanTi to face death!”

Facing the dark sea of three hundred thousand troops below, the Xixia soldiers on the walls immediately fled down the ramparts.

“Bad news! Jiang Mingyu has arrived at Tang Xiang! Disaster! Disaster!”

Tukesiluo smirked.

“These Xixia soldiers are so weak. Big brother, your siege plans were wasted.”

Jiang Mingyu saw it differently. He spoke gravely.

“Do not underestimate them.”

Tukesiluo nodded dismissively but said nothing more.

Meanwhile, the defenders, shaken but quick, nocked arrows and drew bows, fearing Jiang Mingyu would launch an immediate assault.

Soon, a Xixia man in armor, dressed like a scholar—Wan FanTi—climbed the ramparts at top speed.

He glanced at Jiang Mingyu’s banner behind him, and his thick black eyebrows knitted into a tight frown.

“Jiang Mingyu, you’ve taken three southern provinces and still aren’t satisfied? Now you come to Tang Xiang to die? Your ambition is wolfish, your crimes unforgivable.”

“Withdraw your army at once and leave Xixia, or you’ll keep your miserable lives. Make us angry, and today you all die.”

Tukesiluo sneered, pointing his sword at Wan FanTi’s nose.

“Enough talk. Half of Xixia is already under my brother’s control. Who gave you the courage to speak so boldly?”

“If you’re truly capable, come out of the city and fight me personally. Whining like this only makes you laughable.”

Damn it—everyone in Xixia trembles at Jiang Mingyu’s name, yet this brat dares to be so arrogant. He has no sense of his own limits.

Wan FanTi smiled coldly.

“Tukesiluo, I know you have some skill—but that doesn’t mean I fear you southern barbarians.”

“You dare to be so bold on the battlefield? How insolent! I’ll come out and cut off your head myself.”

Without waiting for a reply, he seized his large saber and charged down the ramparts.

Tukesiluo stared at Jiang Mingyu in disbelief.

“Big brother, Wan FanTi really dares to lead troops out? Has he gone mad?”

Jiang Mingyu frowned. “He’s not mad—he’s setting a trap. A mere scholar wouldn’t dare face us head-on. Something’s wrong here.”

No sooner had he spoken than Wan FanTi led ten thousand Xixia troops to the city’s foot, directly confronting Jiang Mingyu’s three hundred thousand.

“Southern barbarians, do you dare not kneel before me? Lay down your weapons and surrender!” Wan FanTi brandished a silver spear, eyes blazing, aura terrifying.

“A scholar dares command me to kneel?” Tukesiluo roared. “Hundreds of thousands of troops surround you—even the Xixia king would bow his head!”

“A caged beast still fights—how much more so am I?” Wan FanTi’s gaze was resolute, unshaken. “I’ve been ordered by the Xixia king to slay you—your head will be mine!”

Before his words faded, Wan FanTi roared and lunged with his spear, striking straight for Tukesiluo’s face. Tukesiluo didn’t flinch—he parried with his sword, and the two tumbled to the ground, locked in fierce combat.

While the two clashed, both armies plunged into bloody chaos. Jiang Mingyu, wielding his black iron greatsword, led his personal guard cavalry deep into enemy lines, slashing as he searched for Wan FanTi’s weakness.

“Your Majesty, beware!” A Xixia warrior charged suddenly. From Jiang Mingyu’s cavalry, a general emerged, thrusting his spear with perfect timing—impaling the warrior and sending him tumbling from his horse. Jiang Mingyu recognized him: his fierce commander, Leng Yanjie.

“Thank you!” Jiang Mingyu steadied his mount, eyes locked on Wan FanTi. Meanwhile, Wan FanTi had already driven back Tukesiluo and was retreating with a small force toward the city gate.

“Big brother, this kid’s skilled—I’ll fight him again!” Tukesiluo wiped blood from his forehead, unconcerned.

“Not yet,” Jiang Mingyu’s gaze burned. “He’s setting a trap. We must proceed cautiously—don’t fall for it!”

Wan FanTi had now retreated inside the city, shouting orders to lower the gates and reinforce defenses. Jiang Mingyu watched, alarm ringing in his mind: “This man is no fool—we must be extremely careful.”

But Tukesiluo was still riding high from battle, oblivious to Jiang Mingyu’s unease. He licked the blood from his blade, eyes fixed on Tang Xiang’s ramparts, desperate to storm in and slay Wan FanTi on the spot.

Seeing Wan FanTi retreat into the city, Jiang Mingyu fell silent, gazing at Tang Xiang’s walls, a dark premonition rising within him. He knew this battle would not be easy—he must advance step by step to win.

“Big brother, we’ve met a strong foe! Wan FanTi is no weakling—he’ll fight us to the end,” Tukesiluo said, wiping blood from his brow, his face grim.

“Unusual… a mere scholar, yet so skilled in combat,” Jiang Mingyu muttered, frowning. “He went through such trouble to lead troops out—he must have a hidden plan. We must prepare for it…”

With that, he turned his horse and returned to his tent. The generals followed, gathering for war council.

Jiang Mingyu sat at the head, idly turning a black-and-white chess piece in his fingers. He stared at it silently, deep in thought.

“Wan FanTi commands two hundred thousand defenders inside, yet personally led troops out—he must have devised a strategy to outmaneuver us.”

“This battle won’t be easy. What do you suggest, my generals?”

“The city’s base is lined with boiling oil pits—direct assault is suicide. We must besiege long-term,” one general proposed.

“Tomorrow is Winter Solstice—this land will freeze solid. Our army can’t endure here long,” another worried.

Jiang Mingyu sighed, recalling the scene of Wan FanTi splitting his forces to fight. He focused his mind—and slowly, an idea formed.

Suddenly, a commotion erupted outside the tent, followed by screams. A ragged, burly man was dragged in, hands bound behind his back, kneeling on the ground. It was a Xixia starving civilian captured by Tukesiluo’s men.

“Big brother, this man tried to ambush our camp—I captured him,” Tukesiluo said respectfully.

The starving man wailed, begging for mercy. Jiang Mingyu narrowed his eyes, then ordered the ropes cut and personally handed him a biscuit.

The man devoured it in seconds, wolfing it down. Jiang Mingyu then spoke gently, guiding him to reveal Tang Xiang’s food reserves. The man answered without hesitation, spilling everything.

The city had long run out of grain and supplies—soldiers and civilians alike were starving. Wan FanTi’s sortie was a desperate gamble—a final, life-or-death fight.

Jiang Mingyu’s face lit up. He slapped his thigh in delight. “They came to us! The wolf has cut off its own path—Heaven itself will destroy him!”

Hearing this, the generals perked up, all clamoring to attack. Jiang Mingyu tossed the chess piece lightly into the air and ordered sternly: “Execute the original plan—strike from all four sides. I will personally cut off their escape.”

The generals bowed and withdrew to prepare. Jiang Mingyu stood alone outside the tent, staring at Tang Xiang’s towering walls.

“A mere scholar dares to match wits with me? Too bad—his heart is willing, but his strength is gone. This city is already mine—I only need to close the net.”