Chapter 254 The Mei Family’s Allegiance
Shen Yuexi and Mei Dai climbed up the city wall of Zhangwu together.
Under a clear blue sky, the fields, though trampled by the iron hooves of the soldiers, were still covered with vibrant green. A khaki road meandered from the distance to the city gates. Along the road, groups of civilians, carrying loads and driving mule carts, rushed into Zhangwu City.
Mei Dai held the parapet with both hands and looked into the distance.
Like her, Shen Yuexi took a deep breath of fresh air facing the sunshine and felt refreshed.
Now Xiao Zhuo had an army and a city, and everything started to get better.
"Sister," Mei Dai looked at her for a while, then turned and said to her seriously, "I want to thank you."
Shen Yuexi was a little puzzled and asked, "Why did Sister Mei suddenly say that?"
"When I lost my brother, I was already in despair," Mei Dai once again looked towards the fields outside the city. "All the men in our Mei family were gone, leaving me alone as a woman. At that time, I felt that everything I had fought so hard to protect was already lost."
Shen Yuexi did not interrupt and listened quietly.
"But after meeting my sister, I saw something different in her. You knew Xiao Zhuo had failed, but you still went back to find him, accompanied him through hardships, and persevered until today to stand up again. Compared to you, I am ashamed of myself."
Shen Yuexi was surprised. Mei Dai actually thought so?
"Sister Mei, I think the exact opposite of what you think," Shen Yuexi said, "I think you are the most admirable. Even my husband said that Sister Mei is a woman worthy of admiration."
In her heart, Mei Dai was the person she admired the most, having persevered despite such a heavy blow. Although Xiao Zhuo was also very strong, he was a man after all.
Mei Dai lowered her head and smiled: "I know in my heart that I once gave up and wanted to end my life like this. It was your actions that inspired me and allowed me to pick myself up again."
She reached out and took off the metal mask from her waist: "Sister, do you know why I always wear it?"
"It was worn by Prince Mei when he was alive. Sister wants to commemorate her brother."
Shen Yuexi felt that Mei Dai always carried Mep's mask with her as a souvenir.
"It's indeed for commemoration," Mei Dai ran her fingers over the mask. "And one more thing, to fulfill my father and brother's wishes. I want to continue to protect the Xiliang Mei family's legacy, even though I'm the only one left in the family."
Shen Yuexi replied in surprise: "Guardian?"
"The Four Counties of Xiliang are the foundation of the Mei family. I cannot hand it over to anyone else. Even if I lose it, I will take it back, and I will never stop until my death." Mei Dai hung up the mask. "Sister, you and the young master have done so much for our Mei family. I cannot bear to deceive you again."
Shen Yuexi asked: "Sister, you said you lied to me?"
Mei Dai walked slowly along the city wall, her hand brushing across the battlements. "I lied to you when I said Bai Ling was in Zhangwu. In fact, Bai Ling has always been in my hands."
"Ah, then... then..." Shen Yuexi was confused, "Then why do we have to talk about it here?"
"With my own strength, I can't recapture these cities." Mei Dai stopped and turned to look at her. "I have to rely on your help, sorry."
Shen Yuexi finally understood.
Mei Dai had been thinking about the Mei family from the beginning to the end. She wanted to take back the Mei family's city from the enemy, so she lied to her and said that Bai Ling was in Zhangwu and asked Xiao Zhuo to attack.
"Now that Zhang Wu has been defeated," Shen Yuexi took a few steps to catch up with Mei Dai, "Can we give Bai Ling to you?"
"No," Mei Dai raised the corner of her mouth, "I need you to help me defeat Yongwei, and then I will return the white silk."
Shen Yuexi felt that she should be angry, but she couldn't get angry at Mei Dai.
If she were in Mei Dai's situation, it seemed like she would have no choice but to do the same. Furthermore, she deeply admired Mei Dai. She was the only woman left in the Mei family, and she hadn't given up yet. This kind of persistence was something she couldn't do.
"Mei Dai isn't greedy or ungrateful. As long as the Mei family is the flag bearer of the four Xiliang counties, and Young Master needs troops and food, Mei Dai won't hesitate at all," Mei Dai said with a smile. "Also, from Xiaogang Village to Zhangwu, I've learned how to march, how to set up camp, and how to defend against enemy attacks..."
Shen Yuexi gasped: "Sister Mei, you actually learned so much?"
Then think about yourself, you have been with Xiao Zhuo for so long, but you still don't know the whole thing about marching and fighting. Mei Dai has only been with Xiao Zhuo for more than half a month, and she has learned so much.
"Sister, you and I are different," Mei Dai placed her hand on her shoulder. "You have the young master here, so you don't need to learn these things. I must learn them. After you leave, I will lead the Xiliang army to defend the Mei family's city."
Shen Yuexi suddenly felt that Mei Dai had a really hard life. She was obviously a weak woman, but she had to fight against fierce enemies.
These are men's things.
"Sister Mei, I understand." She placed her hand on the back of Mei Dai's hand. "I'll go talk to my husband."
Mei Dai's only wish was that the four Xiliang counties not belong to anyone else. She wasn't sure what Xiao Zhuo thought. But since Mei Dai had been frank with her, she had to speak to Xiao Zhuo as well.
To her and Mei Dai's surprise, when they mentioned this to Xiao Zhuo, Xiao Zhuo agreed without hesitation.
"I originally wanted to take Xiliang just to gain a foothold." Xiao Zhuo looked at the two of them. "Now I have only one goal, which is to conquer the King of Qi and avenge my father. As long as you give me troops and food, the ownership of the city is meaningless to me."
Mei Dai was surprised and delighted.
She was worried that Xiao Zhuo would not agree. If that happened, the two sides would have no choice but to go to war. She didn't expect that this would be the good result.
"My army can be stationed outside Zhangwu City as a guest force," Xiao Zhuo looked at Mei Dai, "and we can exchange the Mei family's flag for the top of Zhangwu City now."
"That's great." Shen Yuexi hugged Mei Dai.
Mei Dai's eyes welled up with tears. She patted Shen Yuexi gently to let her calm down. Then she took a step back and bowed solemnly to Xiao Zhuo and said:
"Young Master is so righteous. Mei Dai expresses her gratitude on behalf of my father and brother. From this day forward, the Mei family will be your minions. If you break this oath, Mei Dai will not be allowed to enter the Mei family ancestral hall after her death."
Although Shen Yuexi only partially understood what was said, she understood the general meaning.
Like Liu Yi, Mei Dai swore allegiance to Xiao Zhuo.
In this way, as long as Yongwei and Nanping are captured, the entire Liangzhou can serve as Xiao Zhuo's rear base.
Xiao Zhuo said to Mei Dai, "I have arranged for the governor, Liu Yi, to go to the three counties within the pass to gather troops and food. I hope Mei Dai can gather troops for me in Leshan and Zhangwu counties. Once everything is ready, I will lead my army to attack Yongwei. After Yongwei is captured, I will march eastward to settle the matter with the King of Qi."
Mei Dai said, "Don't worry, sir. Mei Dai will handle this matter right away."
Although King Mei Cheng of Xiliang was cowardly and incompetent, the Mei family had ruled Xiliang for many years, earning them deep respect from the local people. Mei Dai personally went to collect supplies and mobilise troops. By late May, she had amassed 6,000 infantry and 4,000 cavalry. Liangzhou Governor Liu Yi, in turn, had assembled 20,000 infantry and 9,000 cavalry, who were marching north from eastern Liangzhou, bypassing the border at Jingzhou and heading towards Zhangwu City to join them.
Now Xiao Zhuo's military strength has increased to nearly 40,000 infantry and 13,000 cavalry.
At this time, news came from the east that King Qi and Xiao Beiheng's Dingbei Army had attacked from both sides and defeated the governor of Yuzhou, thus pacifying the east. Now King Qi was personally leading an army of 100,000 to the west, with Xiaogang Village as their target.
The plan to attack Yongwei had to be temporarily stopped.
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