Chapter 61

The foreign giant sat astride a powerful white horse, its tall frame rearing and hooves kicking wildly as it neighed incessantly, revealing its master’s furious temperament.

The foreigner’s face was caked with grime and thick beard, his hair wild and matted, exuding a beastlike stench.

He gripped a long blade inlaid with intricate patterns; its edge glinted with cold fury under the sun as he laughed loudly: “You coward—you’re actually sensible.”

“As long as I get the grain I need, I might spare your life. Open the gate!”

A similarly unkempt brute beside him whispered: “Commander, are you really going to let them go?”

The man called Commander sneered: “First trick the gate open, then we do whatever we want. These pigs of Da Feng—they’re just wasting food alive. As soon as the gate opens, charge in and slaughter them all. The grain and women inside are ours—we’ll have a glorious winter!”

He wiped his beard and ordered his men: “As soon as the gate opens, let loose—let the boys loot freely and gorge on meat!”

Meanwhile, on the city wall, Jiang Mingyu had just ordered the gate opened when Murong Yunhai shouted sharply: “Wait! What are you doing? If their cavalry enters, won’t Shangmu suffer the same fate again?”

“The people’s lives are at stake—you’ll be butchered too! Handing Shangmu over like this, we’ll be cursed by history—eternal shame!”

“You actually believe their lies that they’ll spare you? Pure delusion! This is no trivial matter—the gate must not open!”

Murong Yunhai’s narrow eyes brimmed with contempt and fury at Jiang Mingyu’s decision.

Seeing Jiang Mingyu choose to surrender under the foreigner’s threat, everyone on the wall wore looks of disappointment and disdain.

Li Goudan, usually silent and reserved, now stared at Jiang Mingyu with deep revulsion.

He had been inspired earlier by Jiang Mingyu’s defiant stance on the wall—now he saw it was all a performance.

What a joke?

Li Goudan stared coldly at Jiang Mingyu, thinking: So this so-called hope was just a farce. If I’d known this man was so despicable, I’d rather be beaten to death than serve as his yamen runner.

Death meant little to Li Goudan—but losing one’s dignity as a man? No. Pah!

He spat forcefully on the ground, showing his utter contempt for Jiang Mingyu.

Yet Jiang Mingyu maintained his calm, composed expression, brows slightly furrowed as if annoyed by their doubts. He said coldly: “I have my reasons. No need to speak further.”

Jiang Mingyu paced frantically, whispering: “If you want revenge, follow my orders—go find Xiao Qi right now, or Shangmu is truly lost!”

Murong Yunhai pressed: “Xingqiu, what do you mean?”

Jiang Mingyu was frantic: “Go now, no time—”

Before he finished, the foreigner below bellowed again: “Damn it, what are you waiting for?”

“Open the gate now, or we storm it—when our army comes, not a single armor piece will remain!”

After shoving the two bewildered men down the wall, Jiang Mingyu turned and smiled obsequiously at the foreigner below: “Coming, coming!”

He then sprinted down the wall and strained to pull open the heavy gate.

Seeing only Jiang Mingyu emerge, the foreign commander blinked in surprise: “Boy, you finally showed yourself.”

“I thought you were mocking us—too much of a coward to even step out.”

Even with his plan ready, Jiang Mingyu’s palms grew slick with sweat before such a massive force.

Jiang Mingyu took a deep breath, forced a smile, and stepped forward: “Sir, you jest. I was so terrified I lost track of time—I beg your pardon.”

Jiang Mingyu’s mind raced, calculating his next move.

He added: “Forgive my boldness, but your coming to Shangmu shows you honor me—this alone grants Shangmu great face. I opened the gate myself to show my utmost respect—isn’t that right?” He clasped his hands, bowed low, embodying the perfect servant.

The foreign commander laughed triumphantly: “Didn’t expect this coward to have such smooth talk. Get out of my way—I keep my word, I won’t kill you yet.”

He turned and whistled to his hundred-odd cavalry: “Boys, storm Shangmu!”

Seeing the commander ready to charge, Jiang Mingyu frantically waved his hands: “Wait, my lord! Shangmu is utterly destitute—we have no grain for you!”

The commander snapped: “What do you mean?” His brows knotted in anger.

Jiang Mingyu beamed apologetically: “I mean the people are penniless, but I myself have saved tens of thousands of taels of silver—all of it yours, my lord. Spare my life, and it’s all yours.”

He hurried to add: “Also, I’ve already ordered the secret selection of over a hundred beautiful young girls from the city—please accept them as well.”

As he spoke with utmost deference, he bowed deeply, deliberately swaying his hips to flatter.

His sycophantic grin stretched ear to ear; he looked pitifully subservient.

The foreign commander sized him up, clearly swayed by the promise of wealth and women.

Jiang Mingyu now clasped his hands together, utterly submissive, awaiting the commander’s final word.

The commander’s frown slowly eased: “Are you telling the truth?”

Hearing “one hundred thousand taels,” the commander’s brows relaxed.

That sum was astronomical for Shangmu—no amount of searching the city could uncover it.

Seeing Jiang Mingyu wasn’t bluffing, the commander’s expression softened noticeably.

Jiang Mingyu seized the moment, bowing lower, voice even more reverent: “I dare not deceive you, my lords. This is the truth. You’ve traveled far—surely you’re starving. I’ve prepared a feast in the county office—please, join us.”

The foreigners, already short on food, perked up at the mention of a meal.

The commander waved his hand grandly: “Good lad! With a son like you, we won’t be polite. Let’s eat first—then we’ll talk. Brothers, enter the city!”

Seeing the commander’s resolve waver, Jiang Mingyu immediately stepped forward.

He offered the reins with both hands, gushing praise for the commander’s majestic bearing.

He hunched his back, shrinking into a groveling worm, pouring out every flattering word he could muster.

“I’ll lead your horse into the city, my lord—please, after you!” His tone dripped with obsequiousness, bordering on deification.

Jiang Mingyu bowed low, leading the foreign commander and his men through the empty, silent streets.

He shouted exaggerated praise, gesturing wildly at the ruined houses lining the road: “My lord, look—this place is utterly destitute! Not a soul on the street—no grain for you at all!”

Jiang Mingyu’s grin stretched to his ears, his eyebrows contorted into absurd angles, his gestures wildly exaggerated to please the foreign commander.

“If not for my private savings, you’d have made this trip for nothing. My lord, we agreed—I give you all the silver. Please, spare my life!” His voice trembled with fear and pleading.

The foreign commander snorted, glancing at him with disdain: “We’ll see how you behave.”

Jiang Mingyu’s heart tightened, but his face still wore the sycophantic smile—inside, he remained utterly calm.

He knew the commander could turn on him at any moment—survival now depended on flattery. But soon…

At the county office gate, Jiang Mingyu bowed deeply with a beaming smile: “My lords, please enter, please enter!”

His grin stretched ear to ear.

After leading the foreigners inside, Jiang Mingyu hurried to Murong Yunhai, already waiting in the hall: “Are the food and wine ready?”

Murong Yunhai, moments ago furious, now wore an even more exaggerated sycophantic smile: “Almost ready, my lords—please, this way!” His obsequiousness surpassed Jiang Mingyu’s.

At the modest banquet, Jiang Mingyu raised his cup: “My lords arrived suddenly—I’m unprepared. Please forgive me.”

“These are humble dishes—please drink freely. I’ll toast you first. After three rounds, I’ll present the silver.”

The foreigners were already wolfing down food—no prompting needed.

Jiang Mingyu had only a few men under him; no fear he’d flee, and the silver wouldn’t vanish.

The wine jars emptied quickly, yet the hundred-odd foreigners remained unsatisfied.

The foreign commander drained his cup and glared at Jiang Mingyu: “Damn it, where’s the wine?”

Jiang Mingyu coughed sharply at Murong Yunhai, feigning irritation: “Hurry up! What are you waiting for? Ruin the lord’s mood, and I’ll punish you!”

Soon, Murong Yunhai and others brought new wine jugs. Jiang Mingyu beamed as he refilled their cups: “My lords, please drink your fill!”

Watching them drain their cups, Jiang Mingyu’s face twisted into a sinister smile as he raised his own: “Come, let’s drink one more! After this cup, I’ll fetch the silver notes.”

Hearing “silver notes,” the already drunk commander grinned wider: “Good! Boys, drink it down!”

As all drank their cups empty, Jiang Mingyu’s face slowly revealed an unfathomable smile.

Soon, someone began vomiting blood—then a second, then a third…