Chapter 191 The Boundness of Oath
"Go down."
King Mei Cheng of Xiliang waved his hand and ordered the scout who brought the news to retreat. He took two steps back and slumped down on a chair in the tent.
The army had just arrived in Zhangwu and had not yet fought against the Western Rong when it received news that the Jingzhou army was attacking Yongwei.
This is undoubtedly bad news.
"Your Highness," he looked weakly at Xiao Zhuo who was standing beside him, "On one side is my son, and on the other is Yongwei, the foundation of my life. What should I do?"
The counselors who had surrounded him before had long been driven away by him.
As long as Xiao Zhuo was there, he felt there was hope. As for those scholars, they really couldn't help him.
Xiao Zhuo's sharp gaze swept over him, and it was hard to tell what emotion was in it. The only thing that remained unchanged was Xiao Zhuo's calm and composed expression, which gave him some comfort.
With Xiao Zhuo's ability, he must be able to find a way to save the current crisis.
"Your Highness, Xiao Zhuo is the same as you," Xiao Zhuo said calmly, "On one side is my friend, and on the other side is my oath."
Mei Cheng smiled bitterly: "Yeah, I didn't expect it."
How did things suddenly come to this?
Zhangwu City was surrounded by the Western Rong army, just like when he was besieged in Leshan by the Western Rong army.
If Xiao Zhuo had not led the cavalry to lead the Western Rong army away, he would have been finished in Leshan. Xiao Zhuo was his savior. Now he had no doubt that Xiao Zhuo was capable of rescuing Meipu from the Western Rong.
However, Xiao Zhuo had signed a truce with King Duoma of the Western Rong. If it weren't for that agreement, the Western Rong would have continued their attack, perhaps all the way to Yongwei.
From this point of view, Xiao Zhuo not only saved him, but also saved the entire Xiliang.
However, in a rage, he sent Mei Pu to attack Zhang Wu, completely destroying everything Xiao Zhuo had built. At this time, the Jingzhou army launched another attack, and Yongwei was in imminent danger.
An army of 200,000 attacked Yongwei, but they had only 50,000 on their side. Including Mei Pu's 20,000 troops surrounded in Zhangwu City, the total number of all the Xiliang troops was only 70,000.
Given his repeated failures, he had no confidence in winning this battle.
But he did not dare to hand over the army to Xiao Zhuo. His daughter Mei Dai had written to him, saying that Xiao Zhuo must intend to seize Xiliang, and that he must not be handed over the army to Xiao Zhuo.
Mei Dai was in the palace and didn't know the current situation. Without giving Xiao Zhuo the army, Mei Pu and Yong Wei couldn't be saved.
Meipu was his son, and Yongwei was the legacy left by his father. If he gave the army to Xiao Zhuo, what would he be left to protect? Wouldn't Xiliang belong to Xiao Zhuo?
With a long sigh, Mei Cheng said to Xiao Zhuo, "Your Highness, please follow me out of the tent."
After saying that, he took the lead and walked out of the tent, with Xiao Zhuo following behind him.
Outside the tent, a chill wind blew, the sound piercing the ears. In the distance, Zhangwu City was clearly visible, the Western Rong army's camp surrounding the city from all sides. White tents, flags fluttering, densely packed together, surrounded the isolated city. The Western Rong army numbered perhaps fifty thousand.
"Should I save my son or Yongwei..." Mei Cheng muttered to himself.
"Your Highness, although Yongwei's walls are strong, the Jingzhou army has two hundred thousand men, and they're closer to Yongwei than we are. Even if we return immediately to rescue them, it will be too late." Xiao Zhuo pointed at Zhangwu. "Zhangwu's walls are in tatters, and there's not much food inside. If we rescue Yongwei first, the Crown Prince won't be able to wait until you can return. Since our army has already arrived at Zhangwu, we should rescue Zhangwu first."
The implication was clear: if they went to save Yongwei, both sides would be doomed. If Yongwei couldn't be saved, Mep would also be doomed.
"If Yongwei is occupied by the Jingzhou army, our army will be trapped and unable to retreat," Xiao Zhuo continued to explain to him, "If we rescue Prince Mei, not only will we gain 20,000 troops, but we can also garrison in Zhangwu City..."
"Save my son first, yes." Mei Cheng placed his hand on Xiao Zhuo's shoulder. "If it weren't for the Crown Prince's explanation, I wouldn't know what to do."
After Xiao Zhuo's explanation, he completely understood.
Now no matter what my daughter Mei Dai says, it is absolutely impossible not to provide Xiao Zhuo with troops.
The previous battle with the Western Rong had shown that the generals of the entire Western Liang were no match for the Western Rong army. Now his only support could only be Xiao Zhuo.
He lifted his cloak, returned to the tent, and said to Xiao Zhuo, "Your Highness, I will give you 20,000 troops. Please rescue Meipu."
In any case, he can only rely on Xiao Zhuo now.
"I can't," Xiao Zhuo shook his head. "King Doma and I have a vow, and I cannot go back on my oath."
Mei Cheng turned the table and came to Xiao Zhuo, his face showing anxiety: "Your Highness, my son once led the troops to rescue you. Don't forget it."
"I also lifted the siege of Leshan." Xiao Zhuo said calmly.
Mei Cheng sighed, knowing Xiao Zhuo's resolve. He could only say helplessly, "Alright, I'll lead my own troops to rescue them. This is our Mei family's own business, and we really can't rely on outsiders."
He was about to ask someone to put armor on him when Xiao Zhuo raised his hand to stop him.
"Your Highness, although I cannot appear before the Western Rong army, I can offer you advice. It all depends on whether Your Highness can execute my plan."
Mei Cheng smiled bitterly and said, "I have learned a lot of strategies, but when it comes to using them, they are not what they used to be."
I've read military books and learned a lot of strategies, but when I put them to use, I find the enemy isn't following the instructions at all. Of course, I don't know how to respond.
"It doesn't matter. As long as Your Highness is determined to win and lets his soldiers fight hard, as long as you have these two things, I guarantee Your Highness will win."
"Well, now that Xiliang's fate hangs by a thread, I will obey His Royal Highness the Crown Prince," Mei Cheng slammed his fist on the table. "Since the battle with Xirong, I have not won a single victory. I have been frustrated for a long time."
"Your Highness, please come here first. We must not rush into battle. I will explain the geography of this place to you first."
Xiao Zhuo called Mei Cheng to the topographic map hanging up. "There's a river in front of Zhangwu City... right here... the Benniu River. This place is shaped like a pocket. Although the river surface is frozen, it's impassable... We can ask Prince Mei to cooperate..."
Mei Cheng smiled and said, "This prince knows nothing about his own territory and needs His Royal Highness to explain it to him."
"A general should be knowledgeable in astronomy and geography," Xiao Zhuo said, shaking his head slightly. "If you don't understand geography, how can you fight? Your Highness, don't be distracted. Let's continue."
As soon as he finished speaking, a soldier came in hurriedly to report.
"Your Highness, Prince Mei led his army to break through the encirclement and encountered the Western Rong general Su Monai. The two exchanged several rounds. His Highness was exhausted and Su Monai chopped off his left hand with a single blow. He was defeated and retreated back to the city."
"What...what?" Mei Cheng asked repeatedly in disbelief, "Say it again."
Even Xiao Zhuo opened his eyes wide.
The sergeant repeated what he had said before, and finally whispered, "The Western Rong army sent an envoy to deliver the Crown Prince's severed hand to our army for His Majesty to see."
After saying that, the sergeant turned around and waved his hand: "Bring it in."
Another soldier walked into the tent nervously, holding a plate covered with a blood-stained white cloth in his hands.
Mei Cheng rushed forward two steps and pulled the white cloth away.
Xiao Zhuo also rushed forward, and both of them looked at the severed hand on the plate.
The severed hand was cut off along with half of the forearm, with the five fingers bent.
Mei Pu's illness caused his left hand to be noticeably different from that of an ordinary person. Although he could move his hand normally after taking the medicine prepared by Shen Yuexi, it looked completely different. Both Mei Cheng and Xiao Zhuo recognized that it was indeed Mei Pu's left hand.
Xiao Zhuo frowned and stood in front of the severed hand in silence.
Mei Chengze took a few steps back and sat down on the ground: "This is... this is my son's hand..."
"Your Majesty, please hand me the seal," Xiao Zhuo turned around, his eyes piercing, "I will lead the troops into battle now."
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