Chapter 336: The Death of Fang Hang

Soon, a young messenger quietly left Jiang Jiang Mingyu's hidden camp in the mountains.

After the messenger departed, the only military order Jiang Jiang Mingyu issued was for the army to rest well.

The extremely harsh weather and nearly a month of long marches had already drained the soldiers of One Da Jiang of their strength.

If they did not rest well, how could they face the coming great battle?

Wang Cheng in Other Xi Xia remained very calm; the city gates were tightly closed all day, and no one knew what Tu Tu Kesiluo was busy with inside the city.

On the eighth day, just as Jiang Jiang Mingyu began to wonder again whether that Wang Fei was Zhang Zhang Jiaqi, the messenger finally returned.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu instantly snapped out of his deep thought and hurriedly asked the messenger.

"How is it? Is everything ready on Fang Hang's side?"

Facing his burning gaze, a visible trace of pain suddenly surged in the messenger's weary eyes.

He knelt with a thud before Jiang Jiang Mingyu, his throat rolling for a long time before he spoke haltingly.

"Reporting... Your Majesty, Fang... Commander Fang... Commander Fang has fallen in battle..."

After hearing the messenger finish, Jiang Jiang Mingyu felt his blood run cold; that god-of-war-level fierce general Fang Hang had died so inexplicably, which was hard to believe!

His heart churned violently, and he wished he could rush to Wang Cheng in Other Xi Xia immediately and cut Tu Tu Kesiluo into a thousand pieces.

Fang Hang's death was like a hard slap in Jiang Jiang Mingyu's face, causing the blueprint of this western expedition to crumble instantly. Now, with neither Zhu Ge Yu nor Zhang Zhang Jiani present, one of his limbs had suddenly been severed.

What was most infuriating was that Fang Hang, a man of deep schemes, how could he act rashly without contacting him? There must be something suspicious in this!

Having led armies in battle for many years, Jiang Jiang Mingyu immediately saw the implied meaning in the messenger's dry gaze—Fang Hang had definitely been ambushed!

His heart burned with rage, and he grabbed the messenger's collar by the scruff, demanding: "Tell me clearly, how exactly did Fang Hang die?"

Terrified by his ferocious appearance, the messenger's soul nearly fled, and he stammered out the details of the incident...

Stammering, he said: "Reporting to Your Majesty, according to Commander Li, that man in black possessed high Wu Gong and struck with poisonous intent... Commander Fang had no power to resist."

Assassination! Conspiracy! Betrayal! These three words were like sharp blades, stabbing hard into Jiang Jiang Mingyu's heart. He wished he could instantly sweep through Other Xi Xia and tear the culprit to pieces.

However, upon thinking of this, Jiang Jiang Mingyu calmed himself. He understood that Fang Hang's death would greatly weaken the army's combat power, and continuing the western expedition would likely lead to defeat. With a thousand thoughts swirling in his mind, Jiang Jiang Mingyu fell into deep thought...

"I know Fang Hang; he would never be unprepared. This matter is of great importance!" Jiang Jiang Mingyu paced back and forth in the tent, saying with hatred, "I explicitly ordered him to be careful in all things, yet he was so careless!"

Tu Tu Kesiluo, standing nearby, advised: "Big Brother, at this time we must re-discuss our strategy..."

"No!" Jiang Jiang Mingyu firmly interrupted him, "I swear to avenge Fang Hang, even if it means fighting to the death!" Having spoken, he slapped Tu Tu Kesiluo's shoulder heavily, "With your help, we will surely overcome all difficulties and obstacles!"

Tu Tu Kesiluo hesitated, then nodded: "Since Big Brother has decided, we will definitely serve with our lives! In this battle, let us see who can wear the other down!"

Thus, Jiang Jiang Mingyu issued an order for the entire army to rest and recover. At this time, Wang Cheng in Other Xi Xia was as silent as a grave, with its gates tightly closed. Gazing at the cold momentum on the city walls, he secretly thought he must tear Tu Tu Kesiluo to pieces!

Time passed quickly; in the blink of an eye, it was already the evening of the fourth day.

Wang Cheng in Other Xi Xia remained very calm, and no new bad news came from Li Goudan's camp.

Under the flickering and dim lamplight, looking at the generals before him, Jiang Jiang Mingyu said in a deep voice.

"Everyone, tomorrow morning, we will attack Wang Cheng in Other Xi Xia together with Li Goudan. All generals, listen to my orders."

Seeing everyone bow with clasped hands, he continued.

"In this battle, I will personally lead two hundred thousand main forces to attack the East Gate of Wang Cheng in Other Xi Xia."

"Liu Yi, you are a fierce general trained hand-in-hand by Tu Tu Kesiluo, with outstanding military achievements; the heavy responsibility of this city assault is entrusted to you."

That black-faced, big-bearded deputy general named Liu Yi quickly clasped his hands and said.

"Your Majesty, rest assured; this subordinate will definitely not fail the heavy trust."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu nodded, then continued.

"Shi Teng, Cha Zha Wenhua, you two will lead the infantry and spear soldiers, positioning yourselves behind Liu Yi, ready to support at any time."

Seeing the two nod, Jiang Jiang Mingyu continued.

"Gao Fei, you will take the fifty thousand Treading Snow Camp, positioned on the left and right flanks; once the city gate is breached, immediately lead the troops into the city."

"Feng Shen, I entrust all the archers to you; you must suppress the soldiers of Other Xi Xia on the city walls and assist Liu Yi in attacking the city."

"The remaining troops will be personally commanded by me to coordinate from the center, ready to handle various situations at any time."

Since this was a performance, it had to be a complete act; after all, besides deceiving Tu Tu Kesiluo, he also had to guard against Zhang Zhang Jiaqi's eyes.

Seeing everyone bow and accept the orders, Jiang Jiang Mingyu finally revealed the last deployment.

"Tu Tu Kesiluo, you will take one hundred thousand troops and secretly advance to the vicinity of the North Gate of Wang Cheng in Other Xi Xia; once the battle becomes stalemate, immediately attack the North Gate."

"Once the North Gate is breached, Zhao Bing will surely return his troops to rescue, and then I and Goudan can break through the East and West Gates and capture Wang Cheng in Other Xi Xia in one stroke."

Tu Tu Kesiluo's expression was cold and stern; without wasting words, he clasped his hands and said.

"Big Brother, rest assured; this younger brother will definitely not disgrace the mission."

Early the next morning, looking at the fully equipped army with high morale, Jiang Jiang Mingyu said in a deep voice.

"Set out."

Soon, three hundred thousand troops gradually disappeared in two different directions.

Half an hour later, looking at Wang Cheng in Other Xi Xia which was now close at hand, Jiang Jiang Mingyu said in a deep voice.

"What time is it?"

Liu Yi looked at the sky and secretly calculated for a moment.

"Your Majesty, there is less than a quarter-hour left until the first quarter of the Mao hour."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu hummed, and the royal sword in his hand flashed out of its sheath.

"Beat the war drums; prepare to attack the city."

Amidst the booming sound of war drums, Liu Yi galloped to the foot of Wang Cheng in Other Xi Xia, holding a trident high and shouting loudly.

"People above, listen well; I, the Emperor of One Da Jiang, leading five hundred thousand troops, have completely surrounded Wang Cheng in Other Xi Xia."

"Go back and tell Tu Tu Kesiluo to open the city gates and surrender immediately; our Emperor is benevolent and might even spare his dog's life."

"If you dare to speak nonsense, once our great army breaks the city, I guarantee not a single chicken or dog will be left, nor a single tile will remain."

Seeing him finish speaking, the two hundred thousand troops behind him struck their shields with their short blades and roared in unison.

"Kill!"

"Kill!"

"Kill!"

At the same time, Tuoba Tuoba Jiqian, who had long since received word, strode up onto the city tower in great strides.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu smiled with an easy, breezy air, as if making small talk with an old friend he hadn't seen in ages. Tuoba Tuoba Jiqian, his brows tightly furrowed, barked viciously: "You southern barbarian, I am Tuoba Tuoba Jiqian of Xi Xia. Are you Jiang Jiang Mingyu?"

Amid the thundering war drums, the two hundred thousand troops bristled with killing intent. Jiang Jiang Mingyu said unhurriedly: "That's right, I am indeed Jiang Jiang Mingyu. Tuoba Tuoba Jiqian, you treasonous wretch who imprisoned your father and murdered your brother — you still dare show your face in public? If that isn't shamelessness, what is it?"

Tuoba Tuoba Jiqian, beside himself with rage, bellowed: "Jiang Jiang Mingyu, you dare to invade our Xi Xia — I will surely send you to your death!"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu said calmly: "Today my great army presses against your borders. Do you still have a chance to surrender? Surrender, and you may be spared one death. Resist to the end, and there is only one path — death!"

At the same time, Tuoba Tuoba Jiqian's army had also taken formation atop the city tower, awaiting only his signal to sally forth. Tuoba Tuoba Jiqian, his face dark as pitch, glared with bulging eyes and roared: "Jiang Jiang Mingyu, you southern barbarian actually dare to launch a great invasion of my great Xi Xia — have you grown tired of living?!"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu, however, still wore a leisurely, carefree air. He didn't even turn his gaze toward Tuoba Tuoba Jiqian, but looked instead at the silent, motionless city behind him and said lightly: "My friend, you've had a long journey — won't you enter the city and rest awhile?"

Tuoba Tuoba Jiqian, seeing him in such a state, burned all the more with fury. With a sharp slap he swung his curved blade against the wall and bellowed harshly: "Jiang Jiang Mingyu! Do you know the present state of affairs? Heroes the world over rise in swarms, feudal lords rise on every side! My great Xi Xia holds one corner of the Hetao region, with several hundred thousand brave and battle-hardened warriors. You, a mere southern barbarian, actually dare to dream of invading our territory — isn't that seeking death?!"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu, hearing these grand boasts, looked utterly contemptuous and laughed: "Great Xi Xia? Holding the Hetao lands? My friend, surely you must be joking, yes? My One Da Jiang stretches across thousands of li of Heshan, with a hundred peoples submitting to its rule — are heroes not rising here as well? How can a paltry Xi Xia be mentioned in the same breath as my One Da Jiang? Have you already forgotten that my great army entered and left the Hetao lands three and five times, pressing right up to the walls of Wang Cheng?"

"Besides — where exactly are these brave and battle-hardened warriors of Xi Xia you speak of? I see no more than a few thousand men atop the city tower — what can they possibly do to me?"

Having said this, he raised a hand and pointed behind him. There, over a hundred thousand troops beat their war drums in unison, bristling with killing intent as they spread into formation — the very main army he led in person.