Chapter 270 This secret must not be revealed to anyone.
The warm stoves and yokan (sweet bean jelly) of the capital city are ultimately a gentle haven separated by thousands of miles.
The real frontier has no poetry, no paintings.
The wind swept across the vast snowfield like a wild beast, whipping up snowflakes that stung our faces.
Like being cut by a knife.
Zhou Congxian stood on the city tower of Yumen. His black iron armor had long been frozen into a block of ice by the cold air, and with each breath, he could bring out a thick cloud of white mist.
The weather here is different from that in the capital.
During the day, the sunlight was dim, shining on the boundless snowfield, so bright that it was hard to open one's eyes.
At night, the temperature drops sharply, as if it could freeze a person's blood.
He has been here escorting grain and fodder for over a month.
They thought it was just a routine escort mission, but they never expected that on the third day after arriving in Yumen, they would be caught in a night raid.
He had never witnessed such battlefield carnage.
Crimson blood, splattered on the pure white snow, bloomed into shocking flowers.
The mournful neighing of warhorses, the shouts of soldiers, and the wails of the wounded blended into a tragic song.
If he hadn't arrived with his men ahead of time, that crucial batch of supplies would likely have been trapped and lost forever on the way due to the sudden heavy snow.
At that time, the 100,000-strong army inside Yumen collapsed before the battle even began.
"Your Highness."
Ji Xiaoman stepped forward quickly, her voice trembling slightly in the cold wind.
"I'm afraid things aren't going well with General Meng."
Zhou Congxian's heart sank, and he quickly walked down the city wall.
Inside the command tent, a strong smell of medicine mixed with the aroma of charcoal fire wafted over.
Meng Yushan lay on the bed. The once powerful and imposing Duke of Zhenguo, with his booming voice and imposing figure, now had a pale face and closed eyes.
Each breath was accompanied by a violent and painful cough, as if he were coughing up his internal organs.
Having spent half his life in the military, he had countless old wounds, large and small, on his body.
When I was young, I was able to suppress it because I was physically strong.
But now, the hero is old and frail, and a snowstorm easily broke down this pine tree that had stood firm on the border for decades.
The military doctor stood respectfully to the side, shaking his head with a solemn expression.
"The old general's old ailment has affected his heart and lungs, and he is now only being kept alive by precious medicinal herbs."
Zhou Congxian clenched his fist quietly inside his sleeve.
Just then, the tent flap was suddenly flung open, and a scout rushed in, stumbling and crawling, still covered in unmelted snow.
"Report—!"
The sound was shrill and urgent, making everyone in the tent hold their breath.
"Chirong, Chirong's army... has launched a surprise attack on the west flank!"
The moment those words were spoken, everyone in the tent was astonished.
"What?"
Lieutenant Guo Fang rushed forward and grabbed the scout by the collar.
"It was...it was General Muta who personally led the troops!" The scout's voice was choked with sobs.
Wooden Pagoda!
This name struck like a heavy hammer, slamming into everyone's heart.
A defeated general under General Meng.
Too……
He was also the treacherous villain who assassinated six members of the Meng family!
"The news has been leaked..."
On his sickbed, Meng Yushan struggled to open his cloudy eyes, his voice hoarse like a broken bellows.
He had barely fallen when the wooden tower's blade was already at his throat.
Originally, Dasheng was in the center, Wule was in the north, and Chirong was in the west, forming a triangular formation that restrained each other.
But now that Meng Yushan has fallen, the anchor of Yumen has been shaken.
Chi Rong immediately reached a tacit understanding with Wu Le, trapping Yumen firmly in the middle.
The triangular situation instantly turned into a desperate situation of being attacked from both sides!
For the first time, Zhou Congxian felt so clearly what the cruelty of the battlefield meant.
The situation here is constantly changing. One wrong step could lead to an abyss, with the lives of 100,000 soldiers and the vast land of Dasheng behind them.
"Cough cough...cough..."
Meng Yushan coughed violently again. He struggled to sit up, but Zhou Congxian pressed him down.
"Lord Meng".
Meng Yushan was panting, his cloudy gaze falling on Zhou Congxian's young yet resolute face.
"From the obvious...did you see it?"
"This is the Great Sheng Border Army today."
His voice was weak, yet every word was filled with anguish.
"In the imperial court, those corrupt officials only know how to embezzle rations and military supplies. They don't realize that a dull knife or a piece of tattered armor means a human life on the battlefield!"
"Fifteen years..."
"Since our dynasty signed the ceasefire agreement with Ule and Chirong, these past fifteen years have been spent licking their wounds, preparing for war, and accumulating strength..."
"And what about us?"
"We are fighting amongst ourselves, decaying, and digging our own grave!"
"They are no longer the ignorant fools they were fifteen years ago!"
Zhou Congxian remained silent; every word Meng Yushan spoke felt like a needle piercing his heart.
Thinking of the wealthy and powerful people in the capital who live in luxury and scheme for petty gains.
Compared to the iron and blood before our eyes, how absurd and laughable it all seems.
With trembling hands, Meng Yushan pulled a mask from under his pillow.
A hideous black iron demon mask that covered half of the face.
The mask was covered with marks from knife cuts and axe strokes; each wound seemed to tell a story of a brutal battle.
"Put it on."
With all his might, Meng Yushan handed the mask to Zhou Congxian.
Zhou Congxian's pupils suddenly contracted.
"Lord Meng, this..."
“From now on, you…” Meng Yushan stared intently at him, a startling light flashing in his eyes.
"You are 'General Meng'!"
Zhou Congxian was struck dumb, his entire body frozen in place.
"Absolutely not!"
"Nothing is impossible!"
Meng Yushan's voice suddenly rose, but then turned into rapid panting due to exhaustion.
"Ahem... This army can do without Meng Yushan, but it cannot do without 'General Meng'!"
Zhou Congxian pursed his lips.
The name 'General Meng' is the courage of these 100,000 Northwest Army soldiers and their reassurance!
As long as General Meng's banner stands, this army will forever remain the invincible Meng family army!
Even if it were a massive army, they would dare to charge into battle.
What he couldn't understand.
If they find out that General Meng has fallen...
The morale of the army collapsed...
Looking at the mask, Zhou Congxian felt it weighed more than a thousand pounds.
This symbolizes the glory of a family, the faith of an army, and the security of a nation's borders.
He knew he had no choice.
He agreed.
"good."
Seeing that he had agreed, Meng Yushan lowered his voice, so that only the few people inside the tent could hear him.
"This secret must not be revealed to anyone."
"Even the He family army that came to provide support..."
Zhou Congxian slowly reached out and took the cold and heavy mask.
The touch of iron, carrying a chilling coldness, spread from my fingertips all the way to my heart.
He took a deep breath and, under everyone's gaze, slowly put the demon mask on his face.
The moment he put on the mask, he was no longer Zhou Congxian, the heir apparent of the Duke of England's mansion.
Rather, it is the unyielding flag guarding Yumen Pass.
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