Chapter 340: Tearing Back Tears to Execute Zhang Jiaqi

From the moment Zhang Zhang Jiaqi was escorted into Jiang Jiang Mingyu's tent, the air was filled with more than just chill. Everyone exchanged glances, pondering the complex web of relationships behind this.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu, his face solemn, scrutinized Zhang Zhang Jiaqi. His eyes, filled with surprise, emitted a venomous, cold light. He never expected that the person he loved most would ultimately try to kill him with his own hand. Complex emotions churned in Jiang Jiang Mingyu's heart; he did not understand how his decision back then could have made her hate him to this extent!

"Call Tu Tu Kesiluo," Jiang Jiang Mingyu ordered in a deep voice. He understood this matter was of great consequence and must be handled personally.

Moments later, Tu Tu Kesiluo, his face equally solemn, hurried into the tent. Jiang Jiang Mingyu slowly closed his eyes, then opened them, and a cold voice rang out: "Zhang Zhang Jiaqi colluded with deadly enemies, causing soldiers like Su Feng to suffer cruelly; today she infiltrated the tent to assassinate me. Her crimes warrant death. She deserves execution; you shall send her on her final journey!"

"As you command." Tu Tu Kesiluo's Adam's apple moved slightly, and he finally responded to accept the order. He understood that if Zhang Zhang Jiaqi was not eliminated today, Jiang Jiang Mingyu would have no way to explain himself.

After the two left, Jiang Jiang Mingyu's heart seemed pressed down by a thousand-pound boulder, unbearably heavy. The howling wind outside began to blow, as if accusing something.

At the fifth watch, Tu Tu Kesiluo returned alone. The long sword in his hand still bore fresh bloodstains. In a low voice, he said, "Big Brother, Zhang Jiaqi has been executed. Her bones are buried in the heavy snow..."

Upon hearing this thunderous statement, Jiang Jiang Mingyu merely nodded lightly, then waved his hand to order the trusted attendants present to withdraw. Through their word-of-mouth, the entire army would soon learn of this heartbreaking tragedy that occurred in the dragon tent today.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu felt bitter in his heart. He understood this was also the best explanation for Fang Hang and the spirits. But there was no going back to the past anymore...

He closed his eyes, and the countless moments of his acquaintance and deepening bond with Zhang Zhang Jiaqi constantly surfaced in his mind. If he had made a different choice back then, would the aftermath have been different? How could such a lifelong regret and pain be soothed?

Thus, only Jiang Jiang Mingyu remained in the tent, sitting quietly amidst the wind and the flickering oil lamp, letting that heart-wrenching pain spread in his heart...

In the Wang Cheng of Other Xi Xia, Tuoba Tuoba Jiqian sat anxiously on the throne in the main hall. The military grain in his hands was only enough for two days; if dragged on any longer, the people and soldiers in the city would starve to death. What was infuriating was that Jiang Jiang Mingyu, that southern barbarian outside, had actually changed his mind and no longer intended to strike directly at the heart, but instead chose to besiege the city on the spot, wanting to trap him to death.

Tuoba Tuoba Jiqian spoke sternly to the guards on his left and right: "Quickly, go inquire about Zhang Zhang Jiaqi's situation. Why has she not been seen yet? Only she can help me solve the matters in this city!"

The guard hurriedly replied, "Replying to Your Highness, I have already sent people to inquire everywhere. It is said that last night Zhang Zhang Jiaqi, the concubine, mysteriously disappeared, and there has been no news of her since."

"What!" Upon hearing this news, Tuoba Tuoba Jiqian flew into a rage. "My most beloved concubine has disappeared without anyone reporting it? Has the entire royal palace been raised in vain!"

The guard could only stand aside with lowered brows and a submissive expression, daring not to make a sound.

At this moment, a commotion suddenly arose from the city wall defenders, as if Jiang Jiang Mingyu's army was pressing towards the city gate again. Tuoba Tuoba Jiqian immediately stood up and strode quickly towards the city wall, wanting to personally command his subordinates to meet the enemy.

However, to Tuoba Tuoba Jiqian's great disappointment, Jiang Jiang Mingyu's southern barbarian army stopped at a distance of one arrow's flight from the city gate. Jiang Jiang Mingyu raised his steel blade high, smiling as he shouted to the city wall: "Tuoba Tuoba Jiqian, we have clashed many times, evenly matched. Today I have decided not to fight you head-on; I will besiege you on the spot and see how long you can last trapped in this Other Xi Xia Wang Cheng!"

Tuoba Tuoba Jiqian ground his teeth, suppressing his anger and shouting loudly: "Jiang Jiang Mingyu, do you truly intend to act like a deserter, not striking directly at the heart but changing to a siege without fighting? Do you think a mere hundred thousand troops can trap my Great Other Xi Xia!"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu laughed heartily: "Tuoba Tuoba Jiqian, we both know military strategy well. Deep in enemy territory, supplies are cut off, and morale is unstable. I can reap the benefits of the fisherman within three to five days! How you will beg for mercy then depends on your fate, hahaha!"

"Jiang Jiang Mingyu! Do not be too arrogant! My Great Other Xi Xia is covered in snowfields where not a blade of grass grows; it is impossible to kill me through hunger and cold! On the contrary, it is you, unable to attend to both front and rear, who are the trapped beast!" Tuoba Tuoba Jiqian forced himself to rally his spirit, not letting Jiang Jiang Mingyu gain the upper hand in words.

"Good, let us wait and see! I can't wait to see how you will be starved out of the city and kneel to beg for mercy after your food and grain are exhausted!" Having said this, Jiang Jiang Mingyu ignored Tuoba Tuoba Jiqian no more, spurred his horse back to the middle of his army, and began planning the long-term blockade of Other Xi Xia Wang Cheng.

Tuoba Tuoba Jiqian watched Jiang Jiang Mingyu's retreating back, his heart heavy and unsettled. The trusted attendants on his left and right showed worry in their eyes, fearing that the Prince, not pursuing a desperate enemy, might do something extreme in the short term.

After a good while, Tuoba Tuoba Jiqian finally shifted his gaze from Jiang Jiang Mingyu's camp, speaking in a deep voice: "Bring over a few low couches; I, the Emperor, wish to discuss countermeasures on the spot!"

Before the words had fully left his mouth, the guards immediately showed joy on their faces, hurriedly bringing over several low couches and placing them at the edge of the city wall, inviting the Prince to take a seat. Tuoba Tuoba Jiqian, clad in leather armor, radiated majesty and unyielding spirit. His subordinates were all death-defying warriors, kneeling before the couches to ask for countermeasures.

Tuoba Tuoba Jiqian pondered for a moment, then slowly spoke: "The military situation is critical now, with grain supplies lasting only two days. My primary task is to find my beloved concubine as soon as possible; perhaps she is the only hope for our clan to turn disaster into fortune..."

Inside Other Xi Xia Wang Cheng, the people were in a state of panic, whispering among themselves about whether Tuoba Tuoba Jiqian could lead the army to defeat the southern barbarian and remove the impending threat of famine.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu, looking smug, gazed at the brightly lit palace within Western Xia's Wang Cheng, thinking Tuoba Tuoba Jiqian must be in a frantic state trying to figure out countermeasures. He happily hummed a tune, deciding to tease this old rival once more.

Before dawn on the second day, Jiang Jiang Mingyu led his army to the foot of the city, beating the city gate forcefully and shouting: "Tuoba Tuoba Jiqian, open the gate and surrender quickly! Look at your army, hungry and tired, and the grain in the city is running low! Dragging this on further only harms yourself. Open the gate and surrender quickly, and I can guarantee the lives of your entire family!"

The generals on the city wall could no longer bear it and began cursing loudly. Tuoba Tuoba Jiqian sneered from the city tower: "Jiang Jiang Mingyu, you underestimate my Great Other Xi Xia too much! With your mere hundred thousand troops, you think you can capture this King? Dream on!"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu laughed heartily and said, "Mere hundred thousand troops? Then you underestimate me! Actually, I have five hundred thousand troops behind me as support; I only brought the ten thousand most elite to play with you!"

Upon hearing this, the generals were all shocked and pale. Tuoba Tuoba Jiqian's face also darkened, and he roared, "Nonsense! Where did five hundred thousand troops come from? There are not that many soldiers in the entire world!"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu shook his head and said, "Not in the world, but in my kingdom, there are plenty! My kingdom is powerful with vast manpower; what is there that we do not have?"

The generals exchanged glances, all showing expressions of terror and despair. Tuoba Tuoba Jiqian flew into a rage, punching the city wall with his fist, leaving a dent in the solid green stone wall. Suppressing his anger, he shouted at Jiang Jiang Mingyu: "Jiang Jiang Mingyu, stop blowing your own horn here! Dream on if you think you can capture me alive!" Having said this, he strode quickly into the city, preparing to summon the civil and military officials for an emergency meeting to discuss countermeasures.

However, to his surprise and anger, Zhang Zhang Jiaqi not only did not appear, but no one could find a single clue. At this moment, Tuoba Tuoba Jiqian desperately longed for her appearance. Because even facing a desperate situation, as long as she was by his side, he had infinite courage and confidence. But now, he did not even know her whereabouts, and the panic and despair in his heart were beyond measure...

The civil and military officials all shook their heads secretly, believing that the Prince was no longer what he was and would likely not escape disaster. And the Prince himself deeply felt that time was running out, having to ask the ministers for countermeasures as if betting everything on a single throw...

At the same time, the panic of the people in the city reached its peak. They could not sleep all night, waiting anxiously for the arrival of dawn the next day. Old Lady Zhang and her family huddled in the cellar, shivering. She sobbed, "Oh my, what shall we do? If the King is defeated, will we, the common people, not be trampled by that southern barbarian?"

Her daughter-in-law, holding the crying granddaughter, said helplessly, "Mother, stop crying! We don't know if that southern barbarian is truly formidable; what if the King manages to hold on?"

"Is that possible!" Old Lady Zhang cried even harder. "Look at the officials in the city these past two days; they all look haggard, like homeless dogs! It is clear that the King and his men are also finished... Alas, for us common people, we will either be killed by the southern barbarian or starve to death!"

A small soldier nearby, covered in scars, could no longer bear it and shouted hoarsely, "Women, stop talking! How can the people of our Great Other Xi Xia lose their fighting spirit like this! The King must have a way; he will surely kill that southern barbarian and quell this mutiny!"

"This small soldier speaks the truth!" A neighbor of Old Lady Zhang also spoke up to advise, "Our people's fate is tied to the King's; at this moment, no one can do anything about it. But as long as the King comes up with a countermeasure, won't we play that southern barbarian to death!"

"I think we should go kneel at the palace gate and ask the King to send out the royal concubine to command again! Didn't the royal concubine help us achieve a great victory in the last battle? With her here, we will fear nothing!" the small soldier added.

"That is true!" Old Lady Zhang also gained confidence in her heart and said to her daughter-in-law, "Daughter-in-law, help me go kneel at the palace gate and beg the royal concubine! The King has no hope without her right now!"

Thus, in Other Xi Xia Wang Cheng, from the civil and military officials at the top to the common people in the market at the bottom, all longed for Zhang Zhang Jiaqi's appearance in despair. However, what they did not know was that their royal concubine would never appear again...