Chapter 341: The Culinary Strategy to Win Hearts

After returning to the camp, Jiang Mingyu immediately spoke.

“Notify Goudan at the West Gate and Tukesiluo at the South Gate—the plan begins at noon tomorrow.”

Watching the messenger’s retreating figure, he coldly curled his lips.

“Tuoba Jiqian, the most thrilling act of this battle is about to begin.”

The next day, Jiang Mingyu’s three forces once again surrounded the Western Xia capital without exception.

The defenders on the walls, having run out of grain, moved slower than ever—sluggish in drawing bows and guarding against Jiang Mingyu’s assault.

With empty stomachs, they shivered uncontrollably in the freezing wind; many felt they were nearly frozen stiff.

To alleviate this dire situation, Tuoba Jiqian kept rotating the defenders, sending them in turns to warm themselves by fires below the walls.

But this tactic not only failed to solve the core problem—it left the defenders even more exhausted.

Yet these Western Xia brats had no idea their misfortune had only just begun.

In contrast to the starving brats, Tuoba Jiqian looked flushed and healthy—after all, no one could afford to shortchange the current ruler of Western Xia.

Watching Jiang Mingyu, calm and leisurely, as if he weren’t besieging a city but sightseeing, Tuoba Jiqian flew into a rage.

He raised his sword and roared.

“Jiang Mingyu, if you have guts, attack the walls! Face my Western Xia army head-on!”

“It’s laughable that you, the mighty Emperor of Dajiang, cower here so timidly—it’s truly disgraceful.”

Jiang Mingyu acted as if he hadn’t heard a word; he only whispered quietly to Lu Yi, showing no interest in replying.

Seeing this, Tuoba Jiqian felt a pang of regret.

If only he had fought Jiang Mingyu while there was still some grain left, the outcome might have been uncertain.

Now, all food was gone—self-preservation had become impossible.

To sally out would be less painful than cutting his own throat.

For the next hour and more, Tuoba Jiqian, his patience exhausted, began shouting curses at Jiang Mingyu into the freezing wind.

All his words boiled down to one: Jiang, attack already! Let the battle end quickly, win or lose.

But Jiang Mingyu gave no response at all.

Watching Tuoba Jiqian nearly smoke with rage and the Western Xia soldiers grow even more listless, Jiang Mingyu smiled at Lu Yi.

“Time’s up. Let’s begin.”

Lu Yi sensed the wind’s direction, then flashed an even brighter smile.

“Time to eat! Time to eat!” Lu Yi waved excitedly at the troops, signaling them to grab their bowls and chopsticks.

Instantly, steaming pots of meat were set out across the camp; soldiers’ eyes lit up as they rushed forward eagerly.

“Come on, lads! Dig in! This pork is imperial black pig—from the Dajiang palace kitchen—tender as silk! Eat your fill!” Lu Yi ordered, grabbing a fragrant roasted pork leg himself and shoving it into his mouth. Then he turned to Jiang Mingyu with a cheerful grin:

“Your Majesty, this tactic is brilliant! In my southwestern barbarian lands, there’s an old saying: ‘When winter winds howl and freeze men to the bone, the scent of roasted meat warms the heart.’ Look—these Western Xia soldiers won’t last till dawn; some will freeze to death or surrender!”

Jiang Mingyu threw back his head and laughed loudly, gesturing to a eunuch behind him to bring him some roasted pork.

On the Western Xia walls, Tuoba Jiqian pounded his chest, trembling slightly. He glared at Jiang Mingyu’s army, entranced by the savory meat, his teeth clenched, veins bulging on his forehead, fists crushed tight.

“Damned Jiang Mingyu—is he trying to starve us all into surrender? Disgusting! Absolutely disgusting!” Tuoba Jiqian snarled at his trusted aides.

At that moment, a battered young soldier on the wall could bear it no longer and growled: “Your Majesty! I’d rather die than let these southern barbarians break us! We can’t wait any longer! If we don’t strike now and capture their leader, our morale will collapse!”

“The soldier speaks sense!” “Exactly! We’ve had enough! Let’s fight now!” Other officers on the wall echoed in unison.

Tuoba Jiqian erupted in fury: “Silence! I’m waiting for Zhang Jiaqi’s arrival! Don’t you see Jiang Mingyu is prepared—he’s baiting us into losing our minds and charging out? His fifty thousand troops aren’t empty threats!”

But the officers were beyond reason, eyes bloodshot, screaming in unison to attack.

Meanwhile, inside the city, every household was gripped by unprecedented panic. Women wept, elders collapsed helplessly, children trembled in their parents’ arms.

“Mother, what do we do? If the king and his men all die, won’t we be at the mercy of these southern barbarians?” A ragged, impoverished man sobbed, clutching his emaciated mother.

“My son… I don’t know what to do… We’re just common folk—how can we escape the horrors of war?” The mother wept, shivering.

The fire burned fiercely; the scent of roasting meat drifted swiftly to the Western Xia soldiers on the walls. Some swallowed hard, others’ stomachs growled, their faces filled with longing.

“My god, this smell is unfair… I haven’t eaten in three days…” a young soldier muttered.

“Shut up!” a middle-aged officer barked. “This is a matter of life and death—and you’re thinking of food? Despicable!”

The young soldier flinched, blushing and lowering his head. Other soldiers said nothing aloud, but their minds screamed. The scent of Dajiang’s food was trampling their last shreds of dignity.

At that moment, Tuoba Jiqian strode forward, furious, and roared down: “Shoot! Kill every last one of those southern barbarians cooking! Leave none alive!”

The soldiers exchanged glances, hesitant to act. The middle-aged officer stepped toward one soldier and snapped: “Shoot now! It’s the King’s order!”

The soldier trembled as he picked up an arrow and nocked it. He strained to draw his bow—but the arrow fell halfway. Others tried too, but every arrow fell short, clattering to the ground below.

“Hahahaha!” Lu Yi burst into laughter. “Can’t reach, can you, Your Highness? Aren’t you furious?”

“Fuck you!” Tuoba Jiqian wanted to slice him apart. “Southern barbarian, you’re too bold!”

“Come now, Your Highness, don’t get angry,” Lu Yi waved him off, turning to his men. “Keep the fires burning! Serve the meat to the boys! Don’t let these Western Xia dogs starve before they get their due.”

As he shouted, the north wind howled—but to the Dajiang soldiers wrapped in thick wool cloaks and fur-lined gloves, it was nothing. The Western Xia soldiers, meanwhile, shivered so hard their teeth chattered, starving and freezing.

Soon, the meat boiled through; Dajiang soldiers dug in, chewing loudly with exaggerated smacks.

“Whoa, this is amazing!” one soldier chewed vigorously, praising.

“Damn, it melts in your mouth!” another winked. “Buddy, ladle me another big bowl!”

“Thanks, Western Xia brothers!” one wiped his greasy mouth and waved toward the walls. “If not for you, we’d never eat this well!”

The Western Xia soldiers on the walls stared, eyes nearly falling off the battlements, saliva dripping. One couldn’t take it anymore and whispered to his neighbor: “I can’t hold out anymore—I’m going down to steal that meat, no matter what!”

“You dare!” Tuoba Jiqian roared, drawing his sword. The man flinched, pulling his head back, forced to keep staring helplessly.

Then Lu Yi shouted loudly: “Men on the wall! Why not come down and join us? There’s plenty to go around!”

At that moment, Jiang Mingyu strolled over slowly, sweeping his sleeve: “Bring me a bowl too.”

“Your servant is here!” Several attendants rushed forward with large bowls. Jiang Mingyu took a bite, praising: “Delicious! Issue a decree—extra rations for the troops tonight!”

“Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!” The soldiers below cheered wildly.

“Gentlemen!” Lu Yi called up to the walls. “Brothers up there—why not come down and eat with us?”

As he spoke, he chewed loudly, the scent teasing the Western Xia soldiers until they could bear it no longer. They glanced at each other, weighing whether to risk a sortie.

Then Tuoba Jiqian struggled to his feet, enraged: “Southern barbarian! You’re too insolent! I won’t forgive—”

Before he finished, his body lurched sideways and crashed to the ground, unconscious. The Western Xia soldiers and officers stared at each other in silence.

“What… what just happened?” someone whispered.

“The city’s food is nearly gone. We’ve starved for days. And they…” another soldier gazed at the jubilant scene below.

“Yes… we’re trapped here, while they feast on fine food and wine…”

“Maybe… maybe we shouldn’t hold out here. The new king below doesn’t seem cruel—surrender might be our only chance…” the soldiers whispered among themselves.

“Who dares show disloyalty!” the middle-aged officer shot them a deadly glare. “I’ll report this to the King! You beasts—you know what happens to traitors!”

The soldiers fell silent, exchanging helpless glances. Deep inside, their resolve had already begun to crack...