Over the years, the 300,000-strong army has long since become a shell of its former self.
The six cities along the Lingnan border, at most, only had 100,000 troops.
There were only 50,000 cavalrymen in the rear, along with auxiliary troops and laborers, totaling about 50,000 people.
Your father took 30,000 troops with him, leaving only 20,000 Great Wind Cavalry in the city who are capable of fighting.
The other auxiliary soldiers and laborers, going to the battlefield, were practically committing suicide.
Upon hearing this, Meng Xingyun couldn't help but ask, "How could this be? Then we should send troops from the border to rescue Father and ask the imperial court for help."
The princess looked at her son with a wry smile, feeling that she had protected him too well over the years: "The court treats Lingnan as barbarians. Over the years, apart from exiled prisoners being sent here, which official in the court would really consider Lingnan to be a part of the Ming Dynasty?"
The reason your Meng family ancestor surrendered to the Ming Dynasty back then.
It's because Lingnan is sparsely populated and unsuitable for farming, so there's no food to feed so many people.
Therefore, they surrendered to the Ming Dynasty.
Help the Ming Dynasty guard the border, and in return, receive some relief.
The Ming Dynasty is struggling to survive; where would it get food to help us?
As for saving your father, I'm afraid it will only happen after Lingnan has exhausted its resources and your father dies at Jiayang Pass, at which point the imperial court will send troops to take over Lingnan.
Meng Xingyun slumped in his chair. He had always thought that his father was always smiling and that nothing could stump him.
Only now do I realize that the Meng family has long been in decline, and is merely struggling to maintain a facade of prosperity.
The princess closed her eyes and pondered for a long time.
Frustrated and confused, Meng Xingyun couldn't help but say, "This won't work, that won't work, are we just going to watch Father die at Jiayang Pass?"
The princess suddenly opened her eyes and stared at Meng Xingyun, saying, "Yun'er, take the military tally, go to Dafeng Camp to mobilize three thousand cavalry, bring ten thousand auxiliary soldiers, prepare enough provisions, and go to Jiayang Pass to rescue your father."
Upon hearing this, Meng Xingyun stood up and nodded.
The princess continued, "Remember, don't go directly to Jiayang Pass. Go to the west side of Lingnan City first, take a stroll around, and then take a detour to rescue your father."
"Why?"
The princess took a deep breath: "I have a brilliant plan. You can go now. By the way, it would be best to bring Eunuch Wang and his entourage with you."
Meng Xingyun was completely confused, not understanding what her mother had up her sleeve.
However, seeing that his mother kept her eyes closed and didn't speak, he withdrew.
After he left, the princess said to the person behind her, "Jia, tell Meng He to come over. I have something to tell him."
After the aura behind her had disappeared, the princess looked into the distance and murmured to herself.
"Yun'er, whether the Meng family can get through this depends on how deep your fate with Mr. Li is."
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