Chapter 668: In a National Crisis, One Longs for a Worthy General

Yan’s cultivators would not dare do such a thing. The cultivators assisting from the Western Three States were even less likely to.

They had already suffered from exactly that kind of trap once before.

The cultivators from Jin in particular merely showed up without exerting themselves. Their excuse was that they had already been tricked into suffering heavy losses once and remained deeply apprehensive.

The hearts of Yan’s people were in chaos. No matter how the perceptive men of both court and countryside cried out and lamented, private interests never disappeared, and the people could not unite. Against a famous general like Luo Zhao, Yan’s army lost again and again. Every battle became little more than sending men to die, and military morale gradually descended into disorder as well.

Yet victory reports were still being spread inside Yanjing.

The noise of those “victories” drowned out some of the “rumors” about defeats. To stabilize the hearts of the people and prevent uncontrollable disorder, the deception worked. The ordinary people, knowing nothing of the truth, cheered.

The places that felt the chill first were the establishments where money flowed fastest—great halls, pleasure houses, brothels, and the like. Business there suddenly became noticeably quieter.

...

“Master Liu, where is this whole household headed?”

At a city gate, the leader of one squad of guards was checking a departing convoy when he warmly asked the finely dressed man sitting inside one carriage.

The man in rich clothes smiled faintly, picked up a money pouch, and tossed it over. “The weather is good. We’re going out to enjoy ourselves for a while.”

The squad leader glanced at the line of carts behind him, all loaded with goods. He looked surprised. “The whole household is going out to enjoy itself?”

The finely dressed man nodded slightly. “More lively that way.”

The squad leader quietly opened the pouch and took a look. It held silver coins, probably more than a hundred. He immediately closed his hand around it and lowered it out of sight. With the other hand he waved toward his brothers, signaling that there was no need to inspect everything slowly and that the convoy could pass directly.

As far as he was concerned, the man was already someone of status in the capital. There was unlikely to be any problem, and even if there was, the man’s household could probably bear the consequences. Why offend him unnecessarily, especially after receiving such a generous benefit?

The convoy continued forward and left the city.

A young soldier edged closer to the squad leader and asked curiously, “Sir, quite a few wealthy households have been leaving the capital for outings lately.”

The squad leader sighed. “They have money. They can afford to enjoy themselves. If it were people like us, ah... even hiring this many carts would be hard enough.”

As he spoke, he casually tossed the young soldier one silver coin and received a stream of grateful thanks in return.

News of defeats traveled slowly by land, and the authorities were deliberately suppressing it, so most ordinary people remained ignorant.

But the truly influential people could not be kept in the dark. They were making arrangements in advance to avoid disaster, afraid that if the situation became uncontrollable, they might want to leave only to discover they no longer could.

Those with connections in other states went directly there. Those whose foreign connections were not reliable enough took their entire households to cultivation sects with which they had good relations. If disaster truly came, the cultivators who could fly through the skies would then be able to carry their families away.

If Great Yan survived the crisis, they could always return later. Their wealth was enough to bear the cost.

Those who had spent their lives moving through fields of profit and possessed fortunes in the millions had long since come to see interests before all else. The more capable among them had even blurred the idea of state borders in their own minds. They could live well anywhere. There was no absolute need to remain tied to Great Yan, and very few were willing to be buried alongside it.

...

At the residence of the Grand Minister of the Masses, early-morning mist drifted lightly across the grounds.

Gao Jiancheng, who had risen early, stood beneath the eaves with his hands clasped behind his back. His expression was deep, his gaze occasionally flickering.

Steward Fan Zhuan approached. “Master, shall I have breakfast sent over?”

Gao Jiancheng answered an entirely different question. “Quite a few people are preparing to leave the capital, aren’t they?”

Fan Zhuan nodded. “Some have already gone. I expect more will continue leaving one after another.”

Gao Jiancheng gave a cold laugh. “Shang Yongzhong ought to repay some of the favors he owes this old man.”

Fan Zhuan did not understand. He tried asking, “Master means...?”

“Have someone make a trip.” Gao Jiancheng’s voice remained calm. “Borrow a force from among the troops Shang Yongzhong can mobilize and set ambushes at certain remote points these people have no choice but to pass.”

“The state faces disaster. Instead of sharing Great Yan’s hardship, they want to roll up their wealth and run. Fine. They may leave their money behind.”

“I have uses for it. If the worst happens, it can also leave something for my descendants. That ten million last time left the Gao family hurting for a long while.”

“Tell the people handling it to keep their eyes open. Among those leaving the capital, strike only at the ones we can touch. There is no need for courtesy. Make the work clean.”

Fan Zhuan broke into a faint sweat. “This... Master, is that really appropriate?”

Gao Jiancheng snorted. “My own son gave his life for the state and for His Majesty. Now others abandon the state in its hour of peril. This old man is full of grief and anger with nowhere to vent it. Am I not allowed to take a little wealth from people I cannot stand as compensation?”

“War consumes money. Funds are needed. The greater share will still be handed over for His Majesty to dispose of.”

Fan Zhuan said, “I’m only afraid the troops under Shang Yongzhong won’t dare do it.”

“Won’t dare?” Gao Jiancheng gave him a sidelong look. “Then he should not blame the censors under this old man for attacking him in court until they trample him to death!”

“At a time like this, I refuse to believe Shang Yongzhong dares oppose me.”

“Very well. This old servant understands. I’ll arrange it now.”

...

The small town was desolate and ruined, long ago looted by war. Only a few stray dogs had remained before.

Now it had suddenly become crowded with life. Soldiers on horseback patrolled everywhere, cooking smoke rose in plumes, and the sheer number of people had made the entire abandoned town feel cramped.

Meng Shanming’s procession had abruptly stopped and taken over the ruined settlement.

Inside one room that had been swept clean, Meng Shanming sat alone in his wheelchair in the main hall, eyes closed in silence. The traces of water used to wash the floor had not yet dried.

Huang Lie appeared outside, strode in, pulled over a chair, and sat opposite him.

“Marshal Meng, I heard this isn’t a temporary halt. You ordered the army to rest here for three days?”

Meng Shanming nodded. “Yes.”

Ever since Shang Chaozong’s arrest, he had become more taciturn. He looked older again, somewhat haggard.

Huang Lie asked curiously, “Why? Shouldn’t we hurry back to Nanzhou and join the forces there?”

“The border armies have suffered defeat after defeat,” Meng Shanming said. “I want some quiet time to consider what Nanzhou should do next.”

That was not actually the reason.

On the road, he had suddenly received a secret message from Niu Youdao. Niu Youdao told him that the three major sects had already discussed matters with the imperial court and that someone from the three sects would soon come to find him. Niu Youdao had also given him several points to keep in mind.

So Meng Shanming stopped.

He stopped here to wait for the guest.

“Ah!” Huang Lie sighed. “It really is time to think about where Nanzhou goes from here. Marshal Meng, still no news from Niu Youdao?”

Meng Shanming shook his head.

Huang Lie raised an eyebrow slightly.

In truth, he did not entirely believe that Niu Youdao would have no contact with this side.

Just then a Dachan Mountain disciple hurried in from outside and reported, “Sect Leader, Gong Lince, Sect Leader of Zijin Cave, has arrived. He wishes to see you.”

Huang Lie’s heart tightened. He sprang to his feet. “How many people came?”

“Only three, on a flying mount.”

Huang Lie had already turned to leave when he looked back and said to Meng Shanming, “Marshal Meng, to guard against the unexpected, please conceal yourself for the time being.”

Meng Shanming shook his head. “Great Yan has already reached this state. Do I still need to hide?”

“Killing me will not save the situation. It will only create more trouble. There is no longer any reason for the three major sects to kill me.”

Huang Lie thought about it and realized the old marshal was right. He left to receive the guest, though once outside he still ordered his people to strengthen the defenses around this place.

Shang Chaozong had already been seized. Huang Lie had no intention of letting anything happen to Meng Shanming as well. With the situation having deteriorated this far, Nanzhou needed a commander who could truly fight. Preserving Meng Shanming was also preserving Dachan Mountain’s own interests.

Huang Lie met Gong Lince on the main street of the town.

A large flying mount crouched on the roof of one building. Paving stones were missing here and there from the street below, and a Zijin Cave expert stood watch on each of the roofs to either side.

Gong Lince had brought very few men because he was also afraid of creating a misunderstanding on this side. Even so, he could still see Dachan Mountain experts appearing and disappearing nearby, quietly watching him.

After Huang Lie arrived and offered the proper greeting, Gong Lince stared at him indifferently for quite some time.

He was staring at a man who obeyed in words while resisting in deed.

Huang Lie understood the meaning in his gaze perfectly well, but he had had no choice.

Earlier, when the three major sects used both threats and inducements against Dachan Mountain, Huang Lie had verbally agreed, yet he had not carried everything out. For example, killing Meng Shanming.

The promises made by the three major sects simply had not seemed reliable enough. Whether Yan could even survive remained uncertain. And now they wanted Dachan Mountain to kill Meng Shanming?

With Yan’s present situation, that had become even more impossible. The state was on the verge of destruction. Dachan Mountain still needed Nanzhou’s forces as the foundation for finding somewhere to stand. Killing Nanzhou’s capable commander would be the same as lifting a rock only to drop it on its own foot.

Worse, behind Meng Shanming still lurked the sinister shadow of Niu Youdao. That man was no easy meal. At any moment he could make Nanzhou’s troops turn on Dachan Mountain and leave the sect with nothing.

“Cave Master has honored us with his presence. What instructions might you have?” Huang Lie tried asking again.

Gong Lince had never wanted to make this trip in the first place.

Matters concerning Nanzhou had originally been handed to Long Xiu. But Xiaoyao Palace had seized Shang Chaozong because of Shi Sheng’s death, and after arresting Nanzhou’s commander, having Xiaoyao Palace come again now would have been rather awkward.

Meanwhile, the Cangzhou rebels had originally belonged to forces under Zijin Cave’s influence. Now that they had rebelled, Zijin Cave had to shoulder some responsibility.

That left Zijin Cave with no choice but to make this trip.

“No instructions,” Gong Lince said coldly. “You’ve done very well.”

Huang Lie gave a dry laugh and forced himself to thank the man for the obvious sarcasm.

Gong Lince continued, “I didn’t come to find you. Where is Meng Shanming? I want to see him. There is something I need to discuss with him.”

Huang Lie immediately turned and ordered, “Go look around. See where Marshal Meng is.”

He knew perfectly well where the man was. The glance he secretly gave the disciple was actually an instruction to go warn Meng Shanming first.

The Dachan Mountain disciple quickly found Meng Shanming, explained why Gong Lince had come, and urged him to hide for fear that the Cave Master intended him harm.

Meng Shanming insisted on meeting Gong Lince.

When the disciple returned to the street, he leaned close and whispered a few words into Huang Lie’s ear.

Huang Lie frowned slightly, but outwardly he glared at the disciple instead. “Then why are you still standing here? Lead the way.”

Afterward, he gestured respectfully for Gong Lince to proceed.

Meng Shanming still sat quietly in the main hall. Even when Gong Lince and Huang Lie entered, he remained seated without moving and showed no intention of offering a greeting.

Huang Lie looked somewhat awkward. “Marshal Meng, allow me to introduce you. This is the famous Cave Master Gong of Zijin Cave.”

“There is no need for an introduction,” Meng Shanming said calmly. “When I knew him, he was not yet Cave Master of Zijin Cave.”

“Uh...” Huang Lie glanced between the two men.

Gong Lince looked down at him and said evenly, “Meng Shanming, it has been many years since we last met.”

Meng Shanming replied, “Mr. Gong now holds power enough to sway Great Yan. I wonder what business could bring you to lower yourself and suddenly come see this crippled old man?”

Gong Lince did not circle around the matter.

“In a national crisis, one longs for a worthy general. I remember well how Marshal Meng’s tiger might once shook the realm. Now Yan faces invasion by foreign enemies and the war is going badly.”

“I came in person to ask Marshal Meng to come out of retirement and take command of the war!”

[End of Chapter 668]