Chapter 333: Cruel Price

On this day, Jiang Jiang Mingyu came to the command tent as usual to discuss the tactics for capturing the city with Tu Tu Kesiluo.

"Big Brother, we have besieged Tangxiang for five days; the defending army of this city appears to be at the end of its tether," Tu Tu Kesiluo said straight to the point.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu nodded and said with concern: "What worries me more is Fang Hang and Li Goudan on the Liaotong road; there has been no news of them for so long, and I do not know how the progress of the city capture is going."

"Big Brother, rest assured; Fang Hang is a genius, and he will be fine. I dare bet that within at most one month, they will capture Liaotong City and report victory to us," Tu Tu Kesiluo said with full confidence.

"I hope so. Now the most critical thing is to capture the Xi Xia Wang Cheng as soon as possible and completely annihilate the Xi Xia people before they regroup their forces," Jiang Jiang Mingyu said, slapping the table.

"Exactly! Regarding the Xi Xia Wang Cheng, we need more intelligence. I have already asked Gao Fei to find a surrendered Xi Xia soldier who once served as a personal guard under Wan Fan Ti and has been to the Xi Xia Wang Cheng," Tu Tu Kesiluo said hurriedly.

In no time, a one-eyed Xi Xia soldier was brought in. "Reporting to Your Majesty, your subordinate Chai Sui once followed Wan Fan Ti to the Xi Xia Wang Cheng and can provide some intelligence," he said respectfully.

"Good, describe the situation of the Xi Xia Wang Cheng as detailed as possible," Jiang Jiang Mingyu ordered.

"Four months ago, I went to the Xi Xia Wang Cheng with Wan Fan Ti; at that time, the defending forces numbered 250,000, and the general commanding them was Wu Gaojie; this person is unchangeable in his stubborn nature and has very strong combat power. Now Tuoba Ji Qian has controlled the Xi Xia army; I estimate the forces in the Wang Cheng are at least between 300,000 and 400,000," Chai Sui said.

"Hmph, Tuoba Ji Qian, this usurper, indeed has powerful forces under his command. How about the defensive works of the Wang Cheng?" Jiang Jiang Mingyu pressed on.

Chai Sui closed his only remaining eye and tried hard to recall the situation at that time: "The Xi Xia Wang Cheng is the first strongest city of Xi Xia, and the defenders are all the elite of Xi Xia. Although Wu Gaojie, this Grand Commander, is not loyal enough, he is very skilled in using troops. The reason Tuoba Ji Qian could control the entire army so quickly is precisely because the two of them colluded, and their combat power is very strong. Attacking the Wang Cheng will absolutely be fraught with difficulties."

Seeing that Chai Sui seemed to be hiding something, Jiang Jiang Mingyu narrowed his eyes and asked in a deep voice: "Is that all? What are the specific defensive works of the Xi Xia Wang Cheng? How high are the city walls, and what are the reserves of weapons and provisions? Answer in detail, and do not hold anything back!"

Chai Sui swallowed and continued to speak stutteringly: "The walls of the Xi Xia Wang Cheng are 20 zhang high, built of solid granite. Every ten zhang along the walls there is a blockhouse equipped with crossbowmen. In addition, the armory inside the city manufactures various weapons day and night; tens of thousands of arrows are stored in the city's armory. The granaries inside the city are also fully stocked and can support an army of 300,000 for half a year. A moat has been dug around the four sides of the city, and only the east and west gates are passable. There are drawbridges and water gates at the entrances that can be raised quickly, making it extremely difficult to attack."

After hearing Chai Sui's answer, Jiang Jiang Mingyu fell into deep thought. The defenses of the Xi Xia Wang Cheng were so tight that capturing it would not be easy. However, to completely crush Xi Xia, this heart-like capital city must be broken first.

"Your Majesty, your subordinate's advice this time may have omissions; please take it into consideration," Chai Sui said again, clasping his hands in a bow.

"It is fine," Jiang Jiang Mingyu waved his hand. "Regarding our army's city-capturing matters, do you have any suggestions?"

"With Your Majesty's auspicious words, in my humble opinion, the enemy forces outside the east gate of the Xi Xia Wang Cheng are the fewest, so it is best to break in through this gate. If some deception can be used to confuse the defenders' attention, a surprise attack on the naked city might be possible. Furthermore, capturing the king is the key to victory. If Your Majesty can capture the Xi Xia monarch alive, it will surely cause the Xi Xia army to instantly become headless," Chai Sui said cautiously after deliberating for a moment.

He clasped his hands toward Jiang Jiang Mingyu, indicating that he had finished speaking.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu nodded, waved his hand to signal Chai Sui to withdraw, and only then spoke.

"Tu Tu Kesiluo, what do you think of this matter?"

"Big Brother, I do not believe there is any city in the Xi Xia Wang Cheng that we cannot capture!" Tu Tu Kesiluo said carelessly, spreading his hands.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu shook his head and said with concern: "The problem is not whether we can capture it or not, but I do not know how to deal with Mo Zhang Jiaqi when I see her. I must give an explanation to the five thousand soldiers who died, but I cannot bear to hurt Zhang Jiaqi. This is truly a dilemma..."

"You just stop worrying blindly! What if that so-called Wang Fei is not Mo Zhang Jiaqi at all?" Tu Tu Kesiluo comforted him.

"I have my own judgment on this. But I must make the worst preparations; when the city is broken, do not say Zhang Jiaqi, even if it were Mo Tiantian, I could not bring myself to harm her," Jiang Jiang Mingyu said bitterly.

Tu Tu Kesiluo paced back and forth, as if racking his brains.

"How about this: when the city is broken, you specially send someone to protect Mo Zhang Jiaqi? After the soldiers vent their anger, we will figure out how to handle this matter," Tu Tu Kesiluo suggested.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu pondered for a moment, as if considering the feasibility of this approach.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu looked at the gloomy sky in the distance and said slowly and deliberately.

"How exactly to break the city still depends on waiting for Fang Hang and Goudan to have clear news before saying anything."

After all, the victory or defeat of Fang Hang attacking Liaotong and the number of casualties are important references for determining future operational strategies.

Moreover, compared with Tangxiang, Liaotong is closer to the Xi Xia Wang Cheng, and in the future Fang Hang will surely bring more detailed intelligence.

Tu Tu Kesiluo sighed and said somewhat depressedly.

"Then let us wait together."

In the following few days, except for Gao Fei training the newly formed Tuxue Camp, the entire Tangxiang was very quiet.

More than ten days later, the messenger sent by Fang Hang from Liaotong finally arrived before Jiang Jiang Mingyu after much calling and waiting.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, Commander Su and Commander Liao captured Liaotong City fourteen days ago; your subordinate has come specially to present the victory."

On the messenger's dry face hung visible exhaustion and excitement.

In order to deliver this good news to Jiang Jiang Mingyu as soon as possible, he had ridden day and night against wind and snow for half a month, covering more than a thousand li.

Finally, having exhausted five horses to death and nearly frozen to death several times, he arrived in Tangxiang City with a narrow escape.

That is great.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu slapped his hand down, and naturally, Tu Tu Kesiluo's expression was also very happy.

"Fang Hang and Goudan did a great job; with this, our remaining targets are only Tuoba Ji Qian and the Xi Xia Wang Cheng."

"Big Brother, time waits for no one; let us send troops immediately and attack the Xi Xia Wang Cheng together with Fang Hang as soon as possible."

Six states of Xi Xia have already been lost, and even if Tuoba Ji Qian is very powerful, how big a wave can he still raise?

Jiang Jiang Mingyu waved his hand, indicating that this matter was not urgent, and then instructed the chief clerk beside him.

"Capturing Liaotong within two months, Fang Hang and Goudan have made the greatest contribution; issue an edict that all troops who attacked Liaotong shall receive rewards."

Seeing that the messenger was also very happy, Jiang Jiang Mingyu asked again.

"In the battle of Liaotong, how many of our men and horses were lost?"

The messenger hesitated to speak; Jiang Jiang Mingyu frowned tightly and asked in a deep voice: "Speak quickly; what were the losses in this city-capturing battle? Are Commander Fang and other main generals safe and sound?"

The messenger still wanted to evade, but seeing Jiang Jiang Mingyu's unfavorable expression, he could only tell the truth: "This campaign resulted in the loss of many generals! Except for Commanders Fang and Li who are still alive, six deputy generals including Chao Biao and Li Shun have died, and several thousand soldiers are beyond counting!"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu's face changed abruptly: "With such heavy losses, Fang Hang and the others must have concealed something!"

Tu Tu Kesiluo hurriedly comforted him: "Big Brother, do not lose your temper; capturing Liaotong in this battle is already no small feat. Facing the treacherous situation, Commanders Fang and others may not have avoided mistakes."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu pondered for a moment, then asked the messenger in a deep voice: "Tell me the full picture of this battle. What mistakes did Fang Hang and others make during the city capture that led to such damage?"

The messenger calmed himself slightly and then said: "The Xi Xia generals defended the city excellently, and the Xi Xia soldiers were exceptionally fierce. Although Commanders Fang and Li commanded well, the city-capturing strategy lacked some consideration, resulting in heavy losses for the army. Xi Xia generals led from the front and sniped several of our deputy generals, greatly crushing morale; the Xi Xia soldiers also fought desperately, and many of our siege engines were burned. The two, Fang and Li, had no choice but to change tactics, split their forces, and feign attacks on the east while striking the west to repeatedly exhaust the enemy. Several days later, Commander Liao ordered sharpshooters to raid the west city at night; one arrow killed the Xi Xia defending general, and thus Po Cheng Cheng Gong was achieved."

After hearing this, Jiang Jiang Mingyu pondered for a long time. Tu Tu Kesiluo asked tentatively: "Big Brother, now that we have gained Liaotong, we have also paid a painful price. What is your opinion?"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu sighed: "Originally, the victory of this great battle should have made me happy, but hearing that more than half of our army died or was injured, it is really hard to accept."

Tu Tu Kesiluo slapped Jiang Jiang Mingyu's shoulder heavily: "I can understand Big Brother's feelings. But this is after all a city-capturing battle; paying some price is within expectations."

"But half the casualties!" Jiang Jiang Mingyu paced back and forth restlessly. "This has a huge impact on the morale of the army. I always worry that the soldiers will lose their fighting spirit, affecting subsequent operations."

Tu Tu Kesiluo pondered for a moment and spoke to comfort him: "Big Brother, you are too hasty. With the abilities of Fang Hang and Goudan, they will surely consolidate the morale of the army. Besides, occupying Liaotong is of great strategic significance to us; seeing the dawn of victory, the morale will also rise accordingly!"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu said calmly: "What you say makes sense. Although the price is heavy, the foundation is just beginning, and our ambition is Xi Xia. I will comfort and compensate the fallen soldiers, and at the same time order Fang Hang to conduct a deep self-criticism, avoid arrogance and impetuosity, and rebuild the army's prestige. Tu Tu Kesiluo, inform all camps to strengthen defenses and avoid similar mistakes. I will personally lead the army on a chosen day, together with Fang Hang and others, to directly capture the Xi Xia Wang Cheng and uproot the source of the Xi Xia disaster in one stroke!"

Tu Tu Kesiluo hurriedly replied: "Big Brother is divine and mighty, commands troops like a god—how could a mere Xi Xia possibly withstand our Da Jiang cavalry? In my humble view, victory is a sure thing, nine times out of ten!"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu gazed into the distance where the autumn wind blew bleak, and asked lightly: "Oh? Such a heartening conclusion—is there any evidence to support it?"

Tu Tu Kesiluo was stunned for a moment, and stammered: "This is merely my one-sided opinion; I beg Big Brother to discern clearly."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu laughed and said: "No matter. Tell me the military situation in detail. Our Da Jiang army is known as eighty thousand strong, but how much real combat power can it actually muster? Liao Tong has suffered losses of more than half—how many can it mobilize this time?"

Tu Tu Kesiluo hurriedly replied: "Your Majesty may rest assured. I have carefully tallied the troops and mounts; the force currently available is still over forty thousand. The remnants of Liao Tong are also being reorganized. Adding in Tang Xiang's new army, our forces still hold the advantage for now."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu frowned and muttered to himself: "Forty versus fifty—victory and defeat hang by a thread..."

Tu Tu Kesiluo continued: "Why should Your Majesty lack for reasons? As I advised before, transfer troops from the various provinces for reinforcement, and our advantage will be within reach!"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu shook his head in refusal: "No! Such a redeployment would leave the Western Regions empty; Tuoba will surely counterattack, and all our previous efforts will be wasted! This matter must not be rushed."

Tu Tu Kesiluo heard this and was downcast, replying helplessly: "Your Majesty sees clearly. I shall keep your admonishment in mind and dare not move the army rashly."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu smiled faintly and patted his shoulder: "Enough. Let us wait until the Liao Tong army's morale recovers; when that day comes, breaking Tuoba and destroying Xi Xia will be just around the corner!"

In the days that followed, Jiang Jiang Mingyu was in excellent spirits, and the training of the cavalry camp was also exceptionally arduous...