Not only the Yan cultivators, but also the cultivators from the three Western countries, who had suffered losses in the past, wouldn't dare to do so.
Especially the cultivators from the Jin State, they didn't put in much effort. The reason was that they had suffered losses in the past and were still afraid.
The people of the Yan State were confused. No matter how the knowledgeable people in the court cried, some people were selfish and the people were not united. Facing a famous general like Luo Zhao of the Song army, the Yan army was defeated again and again. Every battle they fought was tantamount to death, and the morale of the army was in chaos.
However, the news of victory still spread in Yan Jing, which overshadowed the 'rumors' of the defeat. To calm the people and prevent uncontrollable chaos, the ignorant people cheered.
As for those brothels and the like, they were the first to feel the chill, and their business suddenly became a lot quieter.
"Master Liu, where is this big family going?"
At the city gate, a leader of the guards asked a man in a luxurious robe in a carriage while inspecting.
The man in the luxurious robe in the carriage smiled and threw a money bag over. He said with a smile, "The weather is good. They are going out to play."
The leader looked at the things in the carriages behind and said in surprise, "The whole family is going out to play?"
The man in the luxurious robe nodded slightly, "It's lively."
The leader opened the money bag secretly and found it was a bag full of silver coins. There were probably hundreds of silver coins. He quickly grabbed it and waved his other hand to his brothers, indicating that they didn't need to inspect it slowly and let them go directly.
In his opinion, the other party was a famous person in the capital and wouldn't get into trouble. Even if something happened, the other party could bear it. Why should he offend him? Moreover, the other party had given him benefits.
The carriages continued to move forward and left the city.
At this time, a soldier approached the leader and said curiously, "Lord, there are many big families leaving the capital for play recently!"
The leader sighed, "They are rich and can afford it. If it were us, alas, it would be hard for us to hire these carriages." Then he threw a silver coin to the soldier and thanked him repeatedly.
The news of the defeat spread slowly by land. Moreover, the people were deliberately blocked. Most people didn't know about it. However, for those who were really famous, the news of the defeat couldn't be hidden. They all took precautions in advance so that they wouldn't be able to leave when the situation got out of hand.
Those who had connections in other countries went straight to other countries. For those whose relationships in other countries were not stable, they would take their families and go straight to the cultivation sects that they were on good terms with. Once something bad happened, the cultivators who could fly would take their families and flee.
If Yan could survive this ordeal, it would not be too late for him to come back. He had the financial resources at hand.
Those who were rich and used to mingle in the field of interests only had their own interests in their eyes. Those who were more capable had even blurred the concept of national boundaries. They could live well anywhere and did not necessarily have to stick to Yan. Not many of them were willing to die with Yan.
Early in the morning in the Great Minister's Mansion, Gao Jiancheng stood under the eaves with his hands clasped behind his back. His face was dark and his eyes flickered from time to time.
Steward Fan Zhuan walked over. "Master, do you want someone to send breakfast over?"
Gao Jiancheng didn't answer the question, "Many people are leaving the capital, right?"
Fan Zhuan nodded. "Some of them have already left. I reckon there will be more to come."
Gao Jiancheng sneered. "It's time for Shang Yongzhong to return some favors to me."
Fan Zhuan was puzzled. He asked tentatively, "Master, what do you mean?"
Gao Jiancheng said, "Send someone to borrow a troop from Shang Yongzhong's available men to set up an ambush in some remote places. In the face of national crisis, instead of going through thick and thin with Yan, they want to run away with the money. Don't even think about running away. Leave the money to me. I have some use for it. In case of an accident, I can leave some money for my descendants. It took the Gao family a long time to recover from the 10 million last time. Let those who do this know what to do. Those who leave the capital should do it if they can. Don't be polite and do it cleanly. "
"This …" Fan Zhuan sweated a little and asked tentatively, "Master, is it appropriate to do this?"
Gao Jiancheng snorted coldly. "My son has sacrificed his life for the country and His Majesty. Now someone has abandoned the country. I can't vent my grief and indignation. Can't I get some money to make up for it? War costs a lot. Most of the money should be given to His Majesty. "
Fan Zhuan said again, "I'm afraid Shang Yongzhong's men don't dare to do it."
"Don't dare to do it?" Gao Jiancheng sneered. "Then don't blame my Imperial Censors for trampling on him in the imperial court! I don't believe Shang Yongzhong dares to go against me at this moment! "
"Alright, I understand. I will arrange it now."
…
A desolate and dilapidated town that had been ravaged by war. Originally, there were only a few stray dogs left. But now, it suddenly became lively. There were soldiers patrolling back and forth on horseback. There was also smoke from kitchen chimneys. There were so many people that the town became crowded.
The troops led by Meng Shanming suddenly stopped and occupied the abandoned town.
In a clean house, Meng Shanming sat alone in a wheelchair. His eyes were closed and the water stains on the floor were still wet.
Huang Lie appeared outside and strode in. He pulled a chair and sat opposite Meng Shanming. He asked tentatively, "General Meng, I heard that this is not a temporary rest. I heard that you ordered us to rest here for three days?"
Meng Shanming nodded. "Yes."
After experiencing Shang Chaozong's capture, he was much quieter. He also looked old and haggard.
Huang Lie asked curiously, "Why? Aren't you going to Southern State to meet up with the people there? "
Meng Shanming said, "The border army has lost so many battles. I want to quietly think about what to do next for Southern State."
Actually, it wasn't like that. He suddenly received a secret message from Niu Youdao. Niu Youdao told him that the three major sects had discussed with the imperial court. The three major sects would soon send someone to find him and told him some things to pay attention to.
Thus, he stopped and waited for the guest to arrive.
"Sigh!" Huang Lie sighed. "It is time to think about where Southern State should go. General Meng still has no news from Niu Youdao?"
Meng Shanming shook his head.
Huang Lie raised his eyebrows. He actually didn't believe that Niu Youdao had no contact with this side.
At this moment, a Great Zen Mountain disciple ran in and reported, "Sect Master, Purple Gold Cave's Sect Master Gong Lince is here and wants to see you."
Huang Lie's heart tightened. He suddenly stood up and asked, "How many people are here?"
The disciple reported, "Just three people on flying beasts."
Huang Lie turned and said to Meng Shanming, "General Meng, to prevent any accidents, please hide for now."
Meng Shanming shook his head. "Yan is already like this. Do I still need to hide? The three major sects can't save the situation even if they kill me. If they kill me, it will only cause more trouble. There is no need to kill me. "
Huang Lie thought about it and agreed. He left to meet the guest. However, after he left, he still ordered people to strengthen the defense here. Shang Chaozong was captured. He didn't want anything to happen to Meng Shanming. At this point, Southern State needed a commander who could fight and protect the interests of Great Zen Mountain.
He met with Gong Lince on the main street of the town.
A large flying beast landed on a roof. The tiles on the street were missing pieces. On the roofs on both sides of the street, there was a Purple Gold Cave expert guarding the surroundings.
Gong Lince didn't bring many people as he was afraid of misunderstandings. However, he could still see the Great Zen Mountain experts staring at him.
After Huang Lie came to greet him, Gong Lince stared at him for a long while. He stared at this guy who only paid lip service but secretly opposed him.
Huang Lie understood the meaning in his eyes but there was nothing he could do.
He had been threatened and tempted by the three major sects. Although he promised, he didn't do as they said. For example, killing Meng Shanming!
He felt that the three major sects' promises weren't reliable. Whether or not Yan Shan could be kept was a problem. Let Great Zen Mountain kill Meng Shanming? With Yan Shan's current situation, it was even more impossible for him to touch Meng Shanming. Yan Shan's country was about to perish. Great Zen Mountain still had to rely on Nan Zhou's troops to gain a foothold. If he killed the capable commander of Nan Zhou, wouldn't he be shooting himself in the foot?
Moreover, there was the sinister Niu Youdao hiding behind Meng Shanming. That person wasn't someone to be trifled with. He could make the troops of Nan Zhou and Great Zen Mountain fall out at any time, causing Great Zen Mountain to lose everything.
"Cave Master, you came personally. Do you have any orders?" Huang Lie tried to ask again.
Gong Lince didn't want to be a runner. The matters of Nan Zhou were originally handed over to Long Xiu to handle. However, Xiao Yao Palace captured Shang Chaozong because of Shi Sheng's death. It would be awkward to capture the commander of Nan Zhou. The rebel troops of Cang Prefecture were originally controlled by the Purple Gold Cave. Now that they rebelled, the Purple Gold Cave had to bear some responsibility. Therefore, only the people of Purple Gold Cave could run errands.
"I don't have any orders. You did well." Gong Lince said coldly.
Huang Lie laughed dryly. He gritted his teeth and thanked him for his sarcasm.
Gong Lince said again, "I'm not here for you. Where is Meng Shanming? I want to see him. I have something to discuss with him."
Huang Lie immediately turned around and said, "Quickly go and find him. See where Commander Meng is." He asked despite knowing the answer. In reality, he was signaling someone to inform Meng Shanming.
The disciples of Great Zen Mountain quickly found Meng Shanming and explained the purpose of Gong Lince's visit. They were afraid that Meng Shanming would be harmed, so they asked Meng Shanming to hide.
However, Meng Shanming insisted on meeting Gong Lince.
After the disciple returned to the street, he whispered a few words into Huang Lie's ear. Huang Lie frowned slightly, but on the surface, he glared at the disciple. "Quickly lead the way." Then, he extended his hand to invite Gong Lince.
Meng Shanming was still sitting quietly in the hall. Even when Gong Lince and Huang Lie came, he still sat there indifferently. He had no intention of greeting them.
Huang Lie said awkwardly, "Commander Meng, let me introduce you. This is the famous Cave Master of Purple Gold Cave Palace."
Meng Shanming said calmly, "There's no need for introductions. When I met him, he wasn't the Cave Master of Purple Gold Cave Palace yet."
"Uh …" Huang Lie looked at the two of them.
Gong Lince looked down and said calmly, "Meng Shanming, we haven't seen each other for a long time."
Meng Shanming said, "Mister Gong's power is all over Yan. May I know why you have come to see a crippled old man like me?"
Gong Lince didn't beat around the bush. "It's hard for a country to find a good general. Back then, Commander Meng's might shook the world. Now that Yan Mountain is facing an invasion from outside, the war is not going well. I came personally to invite Commander Meng to take charge of the war!"
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