Chapter 342: A Night of Stunning Slaughter

Jiang Mingyu paid no attention to the inner turmoil of the Western Xia soldiers on the city wall; he sipped his fine wine, waiting for the situation to worsen further.

At dusk, the well-fed army returned to camp, thoroughly satisfied. Soon after, messengers from the eastern and western fronts galloped in one after another.

“Your Majesty, the situations on the eastern and western fronts are much the same as here—the Western Xia soldiers have lost their will, their morale is shattered, and they are at their wit’s end.”

“Good.” Jiang Mingyu nodded after hearing this, set down his cup, and ordered his attendants, “Summon General Gao Fei to me at once.”

Not long after, Gao Fei arrived in swift strides and bowed respectfully to Jiang Mingyu: “What are Your Majesty’s orders?”

Jiang Mingyu clapped his hands, beaming with excitement: “The moment is ripe! The Western Xia troops are demoralized—this is the perfect chance for a night raid to seize the royal city. Do you dare infiltrate their camp, incite mutiny among the Western Xia soldiers, and open the city gates at the fourth watch to let my army storm in and annihilate the remaining Western Xia forces, ending this war in one decisive blow?”

Gao Fei returned the bow with firm resolve: “I accept the order! I will not fail Your Majesty’s trust!”

“Hah! Good, good!” Jiang Mingyu was thoroughly pleased, nodding repeatedly. “I’ve already laid meticulous plans—this assault will succeed without fail!”

“Thank you for Your Majesty’s trust. I shall give my all,” Gao Fei replied, bowing deeply.

“Go. My army follows close behind. Be careful!” Jiang Mingyu clapped Gao Fei on the shoulder.

After Gao Fei departed, Jiang Mingyu’s expression turned grim. He ordered his subordinates sharply: “Quickly relay my command: prepare for battle! March at the third watch! At dawn tomorrow, we enter the Western Xia royal city! This decisive battle must eradicate every last remnant of Western Xia power!”

“Yes! The men have been itching to cut down the enemy!” The commander bowed hastily in reply.

Soon, the previously silent camp erupted into noise—horses neighed, weapons clanged, and an air of jubilation spread everywhere.

At the third watch, Jiang Mingyu lit a towering bonfire that bathed the night sky in crimson. He slapped his thigh and roared: “Bring me my horse!”

The commanders immediately led forward several sturdy warhorses. Jiang Mingyu mounted one, raised both arms, and his voice boomed across the night: “All units, form up! Follow the original plan! March straight to the gates of the Western Xia royal city! At dawn, I want to see the Western Xia royal banner lying on the ground!”

“Yes!” One hundred thousand troops roared in unison, their battle fury surging.

At that moment, one commander suddenly spoke up: “Your Majesty, can Gao Fei alone truly breach the Western Xia royal city? To end this war swiftly, shouldn’t we launch a direct frontal assault?”

Jiang Mingyu laughed heartily, unconcerned: “Excellent question! But you need not worry—Gao Fei will complete his mission flawlessly. He is the key to victory! Long ago, I planted spies on both eastern and western fronts; Gao Fei is merely the final, decisive strike. This plan is foolproof!”

Hearing this, all the commanders felt reassured, praising their lord’s brilliance and declaring this battle certain to triumph.

Jiang Mingyu’s heart surged with triumph as he thought: “Western Xia remnants, your end has come! When that day arrives, I will make you pay with blood for every drop spilled!”

At the third watch, the Western Xia royal city was swept by biting winds, offering no warmth. Only a few dim lanterns flickered on the walls; the guards huddled together, shivering, utterly devoid of spirit.

Jiang Mingyu pulled his cloak tighter and spoke calmly: “General Lu, the third watch has come. It is time to act. All troops, prepare to advance!”

“Yes, Your Majesty!” Lu Yi responded instantly and galloped back to camp to relay the order. Soon, the rhythmic thunder of hooves drew nearer as the army slowly emerged from camp, marching toward the Western Xia royal city under the howling north wind. The freezing cold made even seasoned veterans and new recruits shiver, heads bowed as they muttered complaints.

“Damn, it’s freezing! If it weren’t for the city being empty, who’d risk freezing to death in the middle of the night!” a young soldier grumbled.

“Shut up!” an old soldier snapped. “This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance! If you want glory, hold firm!”

After the third watch, Jiang Mingyu’s army arrived at the familiar eastern gate. The gate stood tightly shut; the guards on the wall were lethargic, showing no vigilance.

“What’s going on? Why hasn’t General Gao appeared yet?” Lu Yi frowned.

“Relax. Something will happen soon,” Jiang Mingyu said calmly.

Indeed, no sooner had he spoken than a figure appeared on the wall, shouting down to the guards. The soldiers perked up, scanning the surroundings. Then came a thunderous crash—the heavy gate groaned open. Simultaneously, booming sounds echoed from the southwest.

“Here we go! Advance!” Jiang Mingyu’s eyes lit up as he clapped and shouted. Lu Yi led a group of fierce officers into the city first; the rest of the army surged in behind. But Jiang Mingyu strictly ordered: no harm to civilians—any violator would face military law.

At that moment, Gou Dan stepped forward: “Your Majesty, it’s time for us to enter the city too!”

Jiang Mingyu and Gou Dan rode their horses straight through the gate. Along the road, Western Xia soldiers knelt trembling, their faces gaunt, eyes filled with despair. Most wore thin uniforms, battered by snow and wind, now weeping bitterly, tears freezing on their cheeks. Some weakened soldiers lay near death, lips cracked, unable to utter a single coherent word. These warriors, who had fought day and night against hunger and cold, now collapsed into sobs at the sight of Jiang Mingyu’s army.

From the cramped houses lining the road came the cries of infants and the wails of women. More Western Xia civilians, clutching a few clothes and household items, ran in panic, searching desperately for shelter. Many doors stood wide open, thresholds lined with emaciated elders, families dragging children and elders, faces terrified, steps unsteady. Some cried out in prayer; others knelt, offering their last scraps of food and ornaments to Jiang Mingyu, begging for mercy—pitiful beyond words.

Along the wide avenue, the cries of civilians, the moans of soldiers, the whimpers of infants, and the clatter of hooves merged into a dull, endless hum—utterly hopeless. This ancient city, long ravaged by snow and war, now revealed its most fragile, desperate face.

Jiang Mingyu felt a pang of compassion. He slowed his horse, stood atop a rise, and gazed at this sea of lamentation. These Western Xia people had suffered displacement for years amid war; now, surrendering to his army was their only hope—no wonder they showed such grief and despair.

At that moment, a black steed suddenly cut through the crowd. Tu Kesiluo, who had been overseeing the southern gate, galloped toward Jiang Mingyu.

Tu Kesiluo rode up, his face alight with excitement. He announced loudly: “Brother, Gao Fei has performed brilliantly! I’ve seized all key positions in the city—over four hundred thousand Western Xia troops have surrendered! Right now, Tuoba Jiqian and his loyal bodyguards are trapped inside the palace. The entire Western Xia royal city is ours!”

He exhaled deeply, his expression radiant: “I’m overjoyed! After half a year of fighting, we’ve finally taken this damned Western Xia!”

Jiang Mingyu smiled faintly: “Well done, Tu Kesiluo. You and Gou Dan have performed excellently.”

Tu Kesiluo hurried to humble himself: “Not at all, Brother—it’s all due to your brilliant strategy. Without your meticulous plan, we could never have seized the royal city so smoothly!”

Jiang Mingyu shook his head: “Enough. Taking the royal city is only the first step. More important tasks lie ahead.”

Tu Kesiluo immediately grew serious: “Brother, give your orders—I’ll spare no effort!”

Jiang Mingyu said gravely: “First, notify Gou Dan to immediately integrate the newly surrendered Western Xia troops. Disarm them—no weapons allowed. Then, prepare wine and meat to treat them well.”

Tu Kesiluo nodded eagerly: “Understood, understood! Don’t worry, Brother—I’ll send the orders right away.”

Jiang Mingyu continued: “Second, deploy elite troops to tightly surround the palace. Tuoba Jiqian still has loyal guards—do not let your guard down.”

Tu Kesiluo thumped his chest: “Brother, rest assured! The palace perimeter is sealed tight. Even if Tuoba Jiqian were to rage, he cannot escape our control!”

Jiang Mingyu smiled faintly and nodded: “Good. Then let us pay a visit to that self-important Western Xia emperor.”

Tu Kesiluo laughed heartily: “Hah! Exactly! That emperor cowering in the palace must be trembling so badly he’s about to soil himself! When we show up, he’ll be terrified out of his wits!”

The two mounted their horses and galloped toward the palace. Tu Kesiluo kept talking nonstop:

“Brother, do you think Tuoba Jiqian will turn to jelly when he sees us? He once boasted he’d destroy our Great Jiang—now he’s about to be captured alive!”

Jiang Mingyu said nothing, only smiled lightly. Yet in his silence, he sensed something was not as simple as it seemed. A ruler like Tuoba Jiqian—even at this point—would never be an easy target...

Jiang Mingyu said nothing, only smiling faintly; in his silence, he vaguely felt that things were probably not so simple—such a ruler as Tuoba Jiqian, even reduced to this state, would surely not be an easy target...