A secret letter from Du Gujue reached King Leide of the Quanrong. They had contacted each other before. The Quanrong wanted the annual tribute from the Feng State, while Du Gujue only desired that throne.
They hit it off right away, each getting what they wanted.
"Your Majesty, are you really going to agree to that southerner's request? How could we just give away such a fertile land?" Kalu, King Leide's counselor, had a glint in his eyes. Such a great opportunity had just fallen into their laps. How could they let it go?
"Humph, that southerner thinks we Quanrong are fools and would act as his lackeys for nothing?"
There was a sneer in King Leide's eyes. He wasn't going to let this great opportunity slip by either. He immediately replied to Du Gujue, saying that they would send troops soon, as long as Du Gujue didn't renege on his promise. They, as nomads, regarded their horses as their homes. It was better to get some tangible benefits.
Du Gujue was overjoyed when he received King Leide's letter.
Concubine Yu saw her son's delight and quickly reminded him, "Jue'er, aren't you just inviting a wolf into the house?"
"Mother Concubine, I've made up my mind. You can't catch a wolf without sacrificing a child." There was determination in Du Gujue's eyes. He had to give it a try anyway. It was still uncertain who would win in the end.
Even if it meant inviting a wolf into the house, he didn't care. It was impossible for him not to desire that throne. He had been vying with Du Guming for so long. It wasn't his style to give up without a fight. If he was going to do it, he would do it thoroughly, even if it meant falling into eternal damnation.
Before the imperial court was aware of the Quanrong's movements, Du Guqing already knew what Du Gujue was up to. However, he couldn't do anything and could only feel anxious secretly.
Before long, the imperial court learned that King Leide of the Quanrong personally led 100,000 troops straight to the border. Du Guyou was so angry that he slapped the table. He had always felt that something was going to happen, but he didn't expect it to be like this. Judging from the current situation of the imperial court, it seemed that if Du Guming didn't say a word, no one would send troops. The Minister of War commanded all the military officers. The few who dared to openly oppose Du Yueshu were all powerless.
The Quanrong army attacked, killed, and looted all the way along the border without encountering any resistance.
They advanced unopposed all the way. King Leide laughed triumphantly, "Those southerners are nothing. When they heard of this king, not a single one dared to resist."
Kalu flattered him, "It's still because Your Majesty is mighty. Those southerners were scared out of their wits as soon as they saw Your Majesty's flag."
"Take a short rest. Then we'll kill all the way to their capital," King Leide waved his riding whip, his eyes full of greed.
Du Gujue was in a panic. Originally, they had agreed that the army would approach the border and then threaten and intimidate. Once Du Gujue gained power, he would naturally offer the annual tribute they wanted every year. He didn't expect that the Quanrong had wolfish ambitions and actually went back on their word.
Concubine Yu knew that her dream of becoming the empress dowager was shattered, so she committed suicide by jumping into a well. Her death confirmed Du Gujue's guilt, but Du Gujue didn't know that his mother concubine had died so neatly.
"Arrest Du Gujue and confine him in the Gulan Garden," Du Guyou issued an imperial edict, and Du Gujue's fate was sealed. Du Guming was the happiest person. Now that the prime minister didn't make a statement and the emperor didn't issue an order for a long time, he could hold back the troops from being sent.
As the battle reports from the border came in, the situation became more and more serious. The Feng State had already lost several border cities in succession. "Qiner, what do you think I should do?"
Du Guyou looked at Concubine Qin, his eyes full of helplessness. His two sons had both done outrageous things. "Now the only troops I can mobilize are 30,000 imperial guards. Who do you think I should send to fight?"
"Normally, I shouldn't say much, but I heard Qing'er mention once that the eldest son of Mei Zhenguo is a military talent. I just don't know if the old prime minister would be willing to let his son go to war?"
"He's just a boy. Forget it," Du Guyou shook his head. "Your Majesty, Mei Haoxuan, the deputy commander of the imperial guards, requests an audience!" A eunuch stood respectfully in front of Du Guyou.
"Look?" There was a faint smile on Concubine Qin's face. At this critical moment, it was clear which official could be used.
"Admit him..."
Du Guyou was secretly delighted. Mei Haoxuan must have come to volunteer. "I pay my respects to Your Majesty, long live, long live, long live!" Mei Haoxuan knelt on one knee on the ground.
"Rise, Lord Mei."
"Your Majesty, I request to lead the 30,000 imperial guards to the border to repel the enemy."
"Oh?"
Du Guyou looked at Mei Haoxuan calmly, "Do you know that your 30,000 troops will be facing 100,000 enemy troops?"
"I know, Your Majesty. As a subject, I should put the country first. I'm willing to die on the battlefield and have my body wrapped in horsehide!"
"Good. You're truly worthy of being Mei Zhenguo's son." There was admiration in Du Guyou's eyes. "I appoint you as the Grand General of the Western Expedition and command my 30,000 imperial guards. I'm waiting for your good news!"
"I will surely not disgrace my mission," Mei Haoxuan said respectfully. "I need to make some preparations and can set off at any time. The supply of food and forage for the 30,000 troops is a problem."
"I'll figure this out," A shadow of worry crossed Du Guyou's heart. All the important departments were in Du Guming's hands. This rebellious son.
"I take my leave,"
Mei Haoxuan strode away. What he had to do now was to say goodbye to his family. When he returned to the Mei Mansion, Mei Zhenguo looked at his high - spirited son and already guessed his intention for coming home.
"Father, I'm going to the battlefield. Whether I win or lose, I won't disgrace the Mei family. Don't tell Mother for now,"
"Your mother is more open - minded than your father," Mei Zhenguo looked at his wife who was walking out slowly. "Father, Mother... Take care of yourselves!"
Xia Ruolan gently wiped the corners of her eyes and waved her hand gently, "Go, my son. Kill more enemy soldiers and come back alive." As she said this, the tears she had been holding back gushed out.
"Mother, Father!" Mei Haoxuan slowly knelt down.
"Son will surely return victorious!"
"I can't help you in any way on this trip. You'd better write to your sister for help. Your sister will surely help you."
"Sister?" Mei Haoxuan smiled slightly. "Father, you're confused. How could sister possibly help me?" Du Guqing had no power or influence, and his sister was just a woman confined to the inner chambers.
"Your sister has her own ways!"
Mei Zhenguo smiled confidently. The name of the Plum Blossom Fairy wasn't for nothing.
"Yes, Father," Mei Haoxuan straightened his clothes and turned to leave. The couple watched Mei Haoxuan's back, their eyes full of sadness.
"Can our Xue'er really help Xuan'er?"
Xia Ruolan asked in disbelief.
"You don't need to ask about this. Go to the temple tomorrow to offer incense and pray for Xuan'er,"
"Okay," Xia Ruolan wiped her tears for a while and then turned back to the back room by herself and didn't come out again. Her daughter was thousands of miles away, and her son was going to the battlefield.
Her heart was in great pain as if it were being torn apart.
"Lan'er, stop crying. Our Xuan'er is a lucky person and will surely be blessed," Mei Zhenguo didn't know how to comfort his wife, so he just hugged her tightly in his arms.
As soon as Mei Haoxuan said goodbye to his family, he immediately took Xiaobei and Guo Jun with him.
Standing on the general - appointing platform, Mei Haoxuan looked at his subordinates. "Everyone, the enemy outnumbers us. Are you afraid?"
"No!"
"No..."
Thirty thousand voices sounded like one, echoing in Mei Haoxuan's ears. "Let's do our best to drive those Quanrong bandits out of our country's territory."
"Restore our territory! Restore our territory..." Seeing the soaring morale, Mei Haoxuan waved his hand.
"Set off!"
The imperial court had delayed sending troops for a long time, and several cities had already fallen into the hands of the Quanrong.
Thirty thousand against one hundred thousand was like a mantis trying to stop a chariot.
Mei Qingxue already knew that her brother had volunteered to lead the troops and was also worried. She knew many examples of winning battles with fewer troops, but she hadn't discussed them much with Mei Haoxuan. Although there were a few classic cases, she didn't know if her brother could apply them flexibly.
"Don't worry. I think big brother will be fine. The key is..." Du Guqing's voice paused slightly, and Mei Qingxue turned to look at him.
"Is it the supply of food and forage?"
Du Guqing nodded, "An army marches on its stomach. Now that the imperial court is holding back the dispatch of troops, it will be even more difficult to get the food and forage."
"I hope it won't be like this," Mei Qingxue knew that it was too late to write to her brother now. Mei Haoxuan had already engaged in battle with the enemy.
"Why haven't I heard of such a powerful young general in the Feng State?" King Leide frowned as he watched Xiaobei confront Kamae in the battle between the two armies.
"I haven't heard of him either," Kalu also looked unhappy. He didn't expect that the Feng State would have such a young and powerful general.
"Kalu, go and ask."
"Yes."
That young general in white clothes had already defeated eight of their generals in a row. "Hey, you in white. Who are you? Report your name. The king doesn't kill unknown people."
Kalu shouted at Xiaobei.
"Barbarian bandit, you're not qualified to know my name. I'll tell you my name when I cut off your head."
Seeing Xiaobei defeat eight opponents in a row, Guo Jun was so excited on the side that he could hardly hold his horse still. "General, let me also go and kill a few of them!"
Mei Haoxuan nodded. Guo Jun was even more powerful than Xiaobei. Suddenly, he remembered why his father had told him to ask his sister Mei Qingxue for help when he was really in a difficult situation.
Both Xiaobei and Guo Jun were people his sister had sent him a few months ago. He didn't expect them to be so brave one by one.
"Xiaobei, come back. You've won eight consecutive rounds. I'll record this achievement for you!"
"Thank you, General. I still have the strength. I want to defeat a few more." Xiaobei was still eager for more and casually wiped the sweat off his forehead with the back of his hand.
"There will be a chance for you to fight. They have 100,000 troops," There was a cold glint in Mei Haoxuan's eyes.
"Guo Jun, you go. This man has great strength in both hands. Dodge him a bit."
"Yes." Guo Jun slapped his warhorse. The one who came onto the battlefield from the Quanrong side was a tall and strong man holding two hammers. "A reckless fool!" Guo Jun didn't dare to be careless. Since King Leide had sent this man onto the battlefield, he must be extraordinary.
"Boy, I'm Man Kada. I don't kill unknown people. Quickly report your name."
The strong man holding the two hammers had a booming voice.
Guo Jun chuckled, "Let your Grandpa Guo come and take your head to comfort the innocent people you've killed." Guo Jun was very agile. After just a few exchanges, Man Kada's head rolled off like his golden hammers.