Meng Ruliu said, "Father, you're only just realizing this? How come it took so long?"
Meng Kuan was a little embarrassed, and glanced at Wei Jingzhuo, saying, "Your mother and your grandparents are all in the capital. I'm afraid Emperor Kangping will use them to blackmail me..."
Meng Ruliu said, "Judging from your expression, Father, you don't seem worried at all."
Su Wan said to Wei Jingzhuo, "Ah Jin, so you also told General Meng the truth?"
Wei Jingzhuo nodded and said, "That's right. General Meng was originally dissatisfied with Emperor Kangping's actions. However, since his family is in the capital, he has no choice but to continue like this. I have already reassured General Meng."
Meng Kuan turned around and smiled, "With His Highness the Crown Prince's reassurance, I have no more hesitation."
Su Wan was completely confused and asked Wei Jingzhuo, "Ah Jin, what are you talking about?"
Wei Jingzhuo smiled but did not answer, only saying, "If my estimate is correct, the convoy should have already arrived."
Su Wan was even more dizzy. She, Wei Jingzhuo, and Meng Kuan, father and daughter, left the general's mansion and came to the city wall, looking into the distance. They saw a caravan slowly approaching Xiping Pass.
A soldier ran up the city wall to report: "General Meng, your parents and wife are in that convoy. They specifically sent me to inform you."
Meng Ruliu was overjoyed and pulled Meng Kuan to run down to the city wall, saying, "So His Highness the Crown Prince had already sent people to fetch Mother and the others. That's wonderful!"
Su Wan suddenly realized what was going on, crossed her arms over her chest, and said to Wei Jingzhuo with a forced smile, "So you were keeping this from me."
It takes seven or eight days to travel from Xiping Pass to Shangjing. If you calculate carefully, Wei Jingzhuo had already been considering seizing Xiping Pass from the day he learned of the Lin family's betrayal. The only leverage that the Xiping Pass garrison commander, Meng Kuan, had was that his family was in Shangjing.
Wei Jingzhuo smiled and said, "Warfare is based on deception, and it must be done without even your wife knowing. The Lin family's private army of a mere thousand or so men wouldn't dare to oppose the Northwest Army without backing. Besides, I've been planning these things ever since I stole the imperial edict. It's gone surprisingly smoothly..."
Su Wan said, "Don't brag. What if you bring General Meng's parents and wife here, and he still refuses to surrender?"
"Explain with emotion and reason. Humans are not plants or trees; how can they be without feelings?"
Wei Jingzhuo stood atop the city wall of Xiping Pass with his hands behind his back, gazing at the vast landscape within the pass, and said, "Since ancient times, war has always been about the right time, the right place, and the right people. I have the right place and the right people. With Xiping Pass as my shield, the Fifth Prince will certainly be no match for me."
As he was reminiscing, Su Wan pretended to be angry and poked his lower back with her finger.
"So you had it all planned out all along. And you even had me pretending to be a doctor, all this was just to tease me. And I took it so seriously."
The two men descended from the city wall and inquired at the caravan. It turned out that Emperor Kangping had suddenly fallen ill and was bedridden, and the Fifth Prince was away on a military expedition, so the men Wei Jingzhuo had sent to fetch Meng Kuan's family were able to get them out without much trouble.
However, Su Wan was still a little puzzled. She asked Wei Jingzhuo, "Why are General Meng's family members willing to listen to you?"
Wei Jingzhuo didn't answer and quietly slipped away.
General Meng's wife embraced Meng Ruliu and said, "Husband, since you have already pledged allegiance to the General and His Highness the Crown Prince, why didn't you inform us? You scared your parents-in-law half to death. We ran out without taking anything."
Meng Ruliu exclaimed in surprise, "Mother, what are you saying? My father just decided to pledge allegiance to His Highness the Crown Prince!"
Meng Kuan was speechless and could only manage an awkward laugh.
Su Wan finally understood. The people Wei Jingzhuo sent had deceived Meng Kuan's family, claiming that Meng Kuan had already sided with Wei Jingzhuo. Meng Kuan's family consisted of only one woman, and the two elderly people were naturally terrified. If the emperor found out, it would be a capital offense.
Xiping Pass was far from the capital, and they had no time to distinguish between truth and falsehood. After all, it was one thing if the news was false, but if it was true, their whole family would lose their heads. Who would dare risk being beheaded and stay in the capital? Of course, they could only secretly flee with the men sent by Wei Jingzhuo.
Ah Jin's abacus beads... are really sharp.
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