Meng Shanming said helplessly, "The soldiers don't know the general, and the general doesn't know the soldiers. What's the point of me going? Wei is rich, and its soldiers have never suffered much. They don't have the foundation to fight to the death. It's not something that can be done by just anyone. They have destroyed their own foundation, and the morale of the army has fallen to such an extent that they are only thinking of self-preservation. Wei is doomed against Jin. Now that the Qin army has been blocked by Yin at Xi Ping Pass, we can only rely on Qi. Huyan Wuhen is the only one who can turn the tide! "
"The biggest problem now is that Wei has too many people who surrendered to protect themselves. These surrendered soldiers are not willing to fight to the death for Wei. Instead, they are being forced to fight to the death by Jin. The more people who surrender, the more people who are willing to provide food to Jin. With such momentum, Jin is getting stronger and stronger. Once they get enough food, they may turn the whole country into soldiers. Huyan Wuhen will be under a lot of pressure! "
"If the army of Qi can defeat the army of Jin, Qi Kingdom won't dare to take advantage of Wei Kingdom's misfortune and scatter its troops too much. Wei Kingdom might still be safe!"
Shang Chaozong stared at the map and said, "If Qin cannot break through Xi Ping Pass and send their troops out, Wei will not be able to protect itself. Jin's attack is too fierce, and they are devouring Wei. With such a defeat, the morale of the Wei army is getting lower and lower. If Qin cannot break through Xi Ping Pass in time, once Jin takes over the territory and fights with Xi Ping Pass, it will be even more impossible for Qin to take down Xi Ping Pass. "
"If it really comes to this, Wei will be destroyed. The State of Wei is doomed, and the only thing left is for the State of Qi and the State of Jin to fight to the death! "
Meng Shanming pointed at Xi Ping Pass and said, "Tian Zhengyang is useless. The Qin army should have changed their general long ago. If Luo Zhao was the first to attack, with his ability and the help of Waning Moon Pavilion's Tianji Tiangang Arrow, he could have taken down Xi Ping Pass in one go. It's too late to regret now!"
Shang Chaozong sneered, "How can we give such a great credit to Luo Zhao? The soldiers belong to Tian Zhengyang and Ma Changan. If they don't agree, Yu Cang can't do anything. Now it is indeed too late for regrets. I reckon that the Qin State is also anxious. "
Meng Shanming said, "A bunch of shameless people. Once the trend is gone, it will be too late for Luo Zhao to step up!"
At this time, Lan Ruoting arrived. After cupping his hands to greet the two, he solemnly said, "Prince, Meng Shuai, Hong Niang sent a message saying that the people from Thatched Cottage Courtyard will arrive at the Southern Prefecture's Prefecture City within half a day. She wants us to prepare to receive them!"
The room immediately turned silent. Shang Chaozong suddenly sighed and said, "I thought we were just passing through the Southern Region … Could it be that Daoye didn't tell them anything when he was alive?"
They had already received news of Niu Youdao's death, but there was nothing they could do. What else could they do?
As for the bigger worry, they didn't have as many worries as the outsiders. Because when Niu Youdao was alive, he had already told them that if he couldn't come back, the Southern Prefecture would directly rely on the Purple Golden Cave. This was the only way to reduce the ups and downs.
According to what Niu Youdao said, the people from Thatched Cottage Courtyard should have found another place to go. Now that they were coming here, it would only make the situation awkward if they still asked them to prepare to receive them.
If they relied on the Purple Golden Cave, they naturally had to cut off their relationship with the people from Thatched Cottage Courtyard. If they continued to be ambiguous with Niu Youdao's people, how could the Purple Golden Cave be at ease?
Once the Purple Golden Cave wanted to eliminate these people, what would happen to the Southern Prefecture? Would they sit idly by or stand on the side of Thatched Cottage Courtyard to fight against the Purple Golden Cave?
If they didn't help, not to mention other things, Niu Youdao's long-accumulated prestige and influence in the Southern Prefecture was too great. If Shang Chaozong sat idly by, how would the people in the Southern Prefecture think of him? That was why the people from Thatched Cottage Courtyard came here to make things difficult for him.
Meng Shanming pondered and said, "We still have to welcome them. Daoye's body is still cold. It's not right to be too harsh. Let's see what happens first. Maybe it's just a border crossing, or maybe we're overthinking it. "
Lan Ruoting reminded again, "They sent a message asking us to prepare to receive them."
Meng Shanming said, "Then what should we do? Stop them outside the city and refuse to let them in? If you really do that, have you thought about how big of a wave it will cause in the Southern Prefecture? The Prince is the king. How can he bear such a bad name? "
Shang Chaozong waved his hand and said, "Let's not worry about that for now. Order our people to get ready. I will personally go 30 miles out of the city to welcome them!"
"Prince!" Lan Ruoting reached out and pressed his arm. "Have you thought about how to explain to the Princess? Once these people come, I'm afraid the Princess can't hide it anymore. "
Hearing this, Shang Chaozong and Meng Shanming frowned.
When the news of Niu Youdao's death came, Shang Chaozong immediately secretly ordered everyone to hide it from Shang Shuqing. Shang Shuqing still did not know that Niu Youdao was dead.
Not for anything else, Shang Shuqing's current situation was that he was discussing marriage. It was not easy to get to this step. Once he knew about Niu Youdao's death, no one knew what would happen.
They also knew that some things could not be hidden forever. They just wanted to wait until Shang Shuqing got married. What's done can't be undone and some things will naturally pass.
Matters of love were the most troublesome and could not be solved with common sense.
Shang Chaozong said in silence, "First, do not let Qing-er know that the people from Thatched Cottage Courtyard have arrived. Otherwise, she will also go to welcome them. Let this Prince see Hong Niang first and give her some advice first."
This was the only way. After leaving Valiant Martial Hall, Shang Chaozong immediately looked for Princess Feng Ruonan to inform her.
Feng Ruonan understood and quickly went to look for Shang Shuqing. She looked for Shang Shuqing to play and pestered Shang Shuqing, not letting her know of the news and movements outside.
After some preparations, Shang Chaozong set out and the army escorted him out of the city. They waited 30 miles away from the city … …
A group of people came in a hurry and saw flags fluttering in the wind. The 'Shang' imperial flag was very eye-catching.
Yuan Gang stared at them and Guan Fangyi smiled faintly. She seemed to unintentionally turn her head to see Niu Youdao's reaction in the crowd.
The welcoming party, the arriving party, finally met.
The welcoming party was in high spirits while the arriving party was in low spirits. Both parties could not help but sigh when they met. Niu Youdao's death had a great impact on everyone.
The man had already passed away, and it was difficult for the two sides to continue their conversation. They did not know what to say even after exchanging a few pleasantries. No one mentioned Niu Youdao. The Shang Emperor extended his hand and invited him into the city.
Both parties met up. Guan Fangyi and Yuan Gang were on Shang Chaozong's left and right. The three of them rode at the front and returned to Nan Zhou's capital.
At the guest house, Meng Shanming and Lan Ruoting also appeared and waited in advance.
After a round of pleasantries, Shang Chaozong temporarily invited Guan Fangyi to one side and appeared to be hesitant.
Guan Fangyi smiled, "Prince can speak frankly if you have something to say."
Shang Chaozong smiled bitterly, "Qing-er still does not know that you all have arrived. I intentionally hid it from her."
Guan Fangyi thought that he was going to say some heartless words about disbanding and did not expect it to be this. She could not help but be astonished, "Why?"
Shang Chaozong found it difficult to speak but finally said it, "Hong Niang, now that Daoye is no longer around, there is no need to hide some things. All along, Qing-er had some thoughts about Daoye. One do not know if you can understand this Prince's meaning? "
Guan Fangyi could not help but laugh, "What is hard to understand? I am also a female and understand a female's thoughts. I also know a little about a Region Lord's thoughts so there is no need to hide it."
Shang Chaozong gave a sigh of relief, "Then I will speak frankly. What kind of person is Daoye? We also know that Qing-er is ugly and is not worthy of Daoye so we dare not say much in front of Daoye and really do not dare to claim connections. Hong Niang, your news should not be blocked and you should know that Qing-er is already discussing marriage. We concealed the news of Daoye's death because we do not want Qing-er to have any misfortune. You know that it is not easy for Qing-er to marry and it is even more difficult to marry a suitable person. This Prince hopes that everything will go smoothly. Since you are here, she will definitely come to see you after hearing the news. It is not good for us to stop her from coming as it would make her more suspicious. If Qing-er comes, one hope that Hong Niang's side will take care of it. "
Guan Fangyi nodded, "I understand Prince's meaning. You can rest assured that I will pass it down so that no one will mention the news of Daoye's death to Region Lord."
"That is good. Many thanks." After Shang Chaozong cupped his hands in thanks, he bade farewell with Meng Shanming and Lan Ruoting and prepared to set up a banquet to entertain them. Some things that were not easy to say would be mentioned later.
"No hurry!" Guan Fangyi invited the three of them, "It is good that the three of you are present. Daoye had left behind a relic that needs the three of you to witness. This is also the purpose of our visit."
The three of them looked at each other. There was still a relic for the three of them to witness?
Guan Fangyi turned her head and signaled Yuan Gang to immediately bring people in to clean up a place where they could meet and talk.
After confirming that there were no problems, Yuan Gang came over to greet them and Guan Fangyi invited the three of them to go together.
When they arrived at the place, they did not allow the guards of Zijin Cave to accompany them. The people of Zijin Cave were not happy and it was Shang Chaozong who stopped them. "It is alright!"
The people of Zijin Cave hesitated and had to give up. It was not the time to restrict Shang Chaozong's freedom.
There were already guards around the house where they would meet. Yun Ji sat in the courtyard and looked around vigilantly.
When the few of them entered, there was already a person in the house who seemed to be a cleaner.
After Guan Fangyi and Yuan Gang invited the guests in, they moved to the left and right and closed the door.
Shang Chaozong, Meng Shanming, and Lan Ruoting all looked back and were slightly surprised.
Guan Fangyi smiled and slightly raised her chin to the person in the house. The three of them looked back again and saw that the cleaner in the house had thrown away the rag, lifted his hand and tore off the disguise on his face, revealing his real face. He stared at the three of them with a faint smile.
Of course, this person was Niu Youdao.
"…" The three of them widened their eyes and were dumbfounded as if they had seen a ghost. Their faces were full of disbelief.
Niu Youdao smiled and turned around. He slowly walked to the main seat and sat down. "Long time no see!"
"Dao … Daoye … this …" Shang Chaozong stuttered and looked back at Guan Fangyi as if to confirm whether it was true or not.
Guan Fangyi smiled and nodded. She pointed at herself and then at Yuan Gang, meaning that they were here and it could not be fake.
You've already exceeded your reading limit for today. If you want to read more, please log in.
Login
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
