Chapter 334: Fierce Battle at the Abandoned Village

Early in the morning, three hundred thousand troops stood ready to march; Jiang Mingyu tightened his cloak and leapt onto Ma Bei. In the biting cold wind, he shouted to the entire army: “Comrades, we are about to advance—our target is the capital of Xixia!”

“This is the final battle—our Great Jiang shall prevail!”

Tukesiluo gripped his longsword and cried out: “Everyone be cautious! Though we outnumber them, don’t forget the emperor’s sister-in-law is in Xixia. A woman filled with resentment is harder to deal with than anything else.”

Jiang Mingyu’s expression hardened; he spoke in a low tone: “I know my limits. This time, we must cut off Xixia’s fate entirely!”

“Soldiers, spur your horses!” Jiang Mingyu waved his hand; the army moved forward with heavy, clanking steps through the snow.

In this frozen land, not a blade of grass grew; soldiers shivered, lips turning purple. Jiang Mingyu felt a pang in his chest—he knew Xixia held every advantage of weather and terrain.

“Man, we’re risking our lives here!” a young soldier complained. “We’re gonna freeze to death!”

“Shh!” Another soldier clamped a hand over his mouth. “Try saying that again and see what happens?”

Jiang Mingyu sighed: “I know it’s hard for all of you—hold on a little longer. The Xixia royal city is right ahead...”

“General, let me speak plainly,” an old soldier said, “We’ve got the numbers, we’ve got the advantage—Xixia is doomed. But you know better than anyone—aren’t you afraid the queen consort might pull some trick?”

“Rest easy,” Jiang Mingyu’s face hardened. “I’ve got it under control.”

With that, he cracked his whip and rode ahead, his expression as cold as carved ice.

Five hundred li from the Xixia royal city, the Snow-Treading Camp’s scouts galloped up: “Report! A deserted village found three li ahead—highly suspicious!” Jiang Mingyu’s heart jolted—could this be Mo Jiaqi’s trap?

“Send a hundred mounted archers to scout! The rest of the army, halt and rest!” He raised his arm; beside him, Tukesiluo immediately responded, swiftly assembling a elite squad that dashed forward like arrows.

Jiang Mingyu frowned, watching their retreating backs. “Your Majesty,” a captain asked, “could this abandoned village hide Xixia’s main force?”

“Unlikely,” Jiang Mingyu mused. “I suspect it’s a decoy—a carefully laid trap!”

No sooner had he spoken than distant, horrific battle cries erupted. Clattering hooves came one after another, merging into a thunderous roar. Jiang Mingyu’s chest tightened—had they walked into an ambush?!

“Quick! All troops, alert! Prepare to meet the enemy!” He roared. Three hundred thousand soldiers instantly lowered their spears, forming a rigid line.

Yet at that moment, thorny thickets on both sides stirred; the hundred mounted archers reined in, ready for battle. From a few thatched huts beside the village, over twenty black-clad figures leapt out, wielding curved blades and longbows. “Flank left and right! Fire!” A hoarse voice ordered. The black-clad men attacked from all directions.

“Watch out! Kill them with arrows!” Tukesiluo shouted, signaling his archers to unleash volleys. After more than ten grueling rounds, half the enemy and half the attackers lay dead or wounded; Tukesiluo was struck by an arrow and barely broke through. He fought his way back—forty-two dead, forty-nine wounded; the squad was nearly wiped out.

A ragged squad of scouts galloped up; their captain leapt off his horse and knelt before Jiang Mingyu. “Report! Our squad was ambushed by Xixia forces—catastrophic losses! This place is a trap!”

“I knew it!” Jiang Mingyu’s gaze turned icy as a blade. “Is Tukesiluo wounded?”

“The State-Protecting King suffered only minor injuries and has led the survivors back.”

“Rise. It’s not your fault,” Jiang Mingyu’s mind raced. “So Xixia’s main force is hidden around this abandoned village—we’ve fallen for their scheme...”

“General, what do we do? Should we retreat and reorganize?”

“No!” Jiang Mingyu’s eyes burned with resolve. “Right now, we intercept their three reinforcement columns! Surround the village and annihilate Xixia’s scattered remnants!”

The three reinforcement columns arrived swiftly, surrounding the village in fierce battle. Jiang Mingyu had no confidence—he could only wait, helplessly watching.

“You dared ambush my Great Jiang’s vanguard, Tuoba Jiqian—you’ve underestimated me too much!” His gaze grew distant; he remembered the day he first met Zhang Jiani. Could she be here, watching this slaughter with cold eyes?

Three days later, the reinforcements arrived at the village’s edge—blood stained the ground in chaotic splatters, yet not a single enemy remained. “An empty village! We’ve been fooled!” The reinforcement commander slammed his fist into his palm. Tukesiluo finally understood—the enemy had merely bluffed, their true aim: to delay our advance! “Cunning, treacherous bastards! I swear I’ll avenge this insult!”

Jiang Mingyu sighed inwardly—he’d been tricked. And Tuoba’s move clearly aimed to buy time. Xixia’s capital must be heavily garrisoned. Victory still hinges on breaking through the royal city’s defenses.

Inside the Xixia royal palace, warmth filled the halls like spring. The queen consort sat by the fireplace, her expression complex as she gazed out at the howling winter wind.

Soon, Tuoba Jiqian strode in, slammed himself down beside her, poured himself a cup of wine, and drained it with a heavy sigh: “My dear, the situation is dire... Jiang Mingyu is bringing three hundred thousand troops to surround us.”

The queen consort frowned coldly. “How are our defenses arranged? Are the weapons on the walls stocked?”

“All arranged,” Tuoba Jiqian grimaced. “I just fear we can’t win. Jiang Mingyu is no easy foe—he fights like a dog with a bone.”

The queen consort shot him a scornful look. “I told you not to underestimate Jiang Mingyu. Your underlings? All useless trash!”

Her voice rose with fury; she slammed her fist on the table. “I could’ve killed Jiang Mingyu and wiped away my shame! Hmph! It’s your incompetent men who lost half our territory—this makes me furious!”

“My love, you blame me unfairly...” Tuoba Jiqian forced a smile. “This war came too suddenly—I never expected it.”

The queen consort snorted, her gaze fixed on the howling wind outside. Countless storms churned within her—her hatred had no outlet.

“Do you think Jiang Mingyu will lead the army himself to storm the city?”

Tuoba Jiqian paused. “My dear... what are you planning?”

The queen consort’s eyes flashed with icy light. “I’ve waited long enough. This time, right here in the royal city, I’ll end him myself.”

“You’re mad! With our strength, we can’t defeat Jiang Mingyu!”

“Don’t worry—I have my plan...” Her eyes slowly ignited with the fire of revenge. She rose and paced the hall.

The veil over the queen consort’s face trembled slightly—as if she smiled: “Your Highness, I have a brilliant strategy. We lure Fang Hang deep into Xixia, then ambush and encircle him. Jiang Mingyu will be thrown into chaos—we can strike while he’s vulnerable and turn the tide.”

Tuoba Jiqian frowned skeptically: “How exactly? Fang Hang’s army is strong—we’re exhausted, low on supplies. Where do we find the strength to fight him?”

The queen consort’s eyes gleamed with malice: “Have you heard how desperate the people of Mancheng have become? Jiang Mingyu’s spies are everywhere. Refugees flee in all directions; everyone knows how long our grain will last. Fang Hang will hurry his advance.”

“Precisely. We set traps at key points—small losses here, small losses there—to wear down his strength. By the time Jiang Mingyu reaches the capital, Fang Hang will be spent. Then we send a small force to provoke him.”

Tuoba Jiqian’s brow knotted. “This is suicide—fighting outnumbered?”

Tuoba Jiqian now regretted his decision—executing the envoys and declaring war on Great Jiang had been too rash.

Like the queen consort, he’d never imagined Jiang Mingyu’s forces would be this formidable.

He never imagined his so-called elite troops would collapse so quickly.

Had we used negotiations to stall Jiang Mingyu and Great Jiang, prepared more thoroughly, things wouldn’t have reached this state.

He’d assumed Jiang Mingyu would never dare launch an offensive in the brutal winter—but Jiang Mingyu did the exact opposite.

“No,” the queen consort smiled mysteriously. “Once my plan is complete, I guarantee Fang Hang will retreat on his own. Then, without worrying about supplies, Your Highness can lead the army out and reclaim our honor.”

Before she finished speaking, Tuoba Jiqian’s thick brows had already twisted into two dark, knotted lumps.

“My dear, isn’t this too risky? Will it even work?”

He’d never dreamed this usually cold, proud woman would propose such a reckless plan.

The queen consort paid it no mind.

“Your Highness, rest assured—if I say this, I have at least an eighty percent chance of success. Wait and see.”

Without delay, she strode out.