If someone else said this, the five of them would definitely think it was inappropriate.
To put it bluntly, in the current Great Yan, there were only a handful of people who were qualified to command them, and Shang Yongzhong and the others did not take them seriously. Judging from all aspects, there was only one person in Great Yan who was truly qualified to command them, and that was the man sitting in the wheelchair.
Regardless of their qualifications or anything else, these five people were all trained by Meng Shanming. For example, the current Provincial Governor of Changzhou, Zhang Hu, was originally a little-known groom. Meng Shanming took a fancy to him and promoted him. Which of these five people didn't receive Meng Shanming's kindness?
The five of them grew up under Meng Shanming's guidance. Who didn't know that they were trained by Meng Shanming? He could put on airs in front of anyone but Meng Shanming. He didn't even have the right to do so.
This was also the reason why Gong Lince went to Meng Shanming, hoping that Meng Shanming could take charge of the war.
Now, Meng Shan Ming's weird words made the five of them feel uncomfortable. They felt like they were being slapped in the face, but it was not a direct slap, but it felt worse than being slapped in the face.
Was it suitable to be the Great General of the Eastern Punitive Expedition? Did they have the right to say that Meng Shanming was not qualified to command them? The only excuse they could come up with was that he was not well.
The five of them looked at each other and exchanged glances.
Su Qitong didn't know whether to laugh or cry. He said, "Commander, your words are strange. Since you are the Great General of the Eastern Punitive Expedition, we will follow your orders."
"Yes, Commander."
"That's enough, Commander. We will follow your orders."
The five of them promised one after another. They were afraid that Meng Shanming would not stop.
But Meng Shanming said, "You said you would follow my orders. I didn't force you."
"No, no."
"No, we didn't force you."
"Yes, Marshal, we are willing to do it."
The five of them awkwardly made the promise, not knowing whether to laugh or cry.
Of course, there was a reason for them to make the promise.
It was not that the five of them were being disrespectful to Meng Shanming. In fact, they were very respectful to him. However, the situation was not the same as before. Some things could no longer be ruled by emotions. Even if they did not think for themselves, they had to think for their brothers who had sworn to follow them.
If you don't think about your brothers, how can your brothers follow you?
The reason why Meng Shanming made such a promise was simple. Firstly, it was because Meng Shanming was qualified enough to command them. Secondly, the three major sects would definitely agree with the current situation, so there was no need to worry. Finally, they had confidence in Meng Shanming.
If they knew that they were going to lose, they would have to think of a way out. Now that Meng Shan Ming was here, they saw hope again. Meng Shan Ming suppressed the disloyalty in their hearts. At least he could give his brothers an explanation.
On the other hand, if Shang Yongzhong were to command them in battle, even if the five of them agreed, the generals below them would clamor to disagree. They knew that they were going to die, but they still wanted to do it. Who could easily agree? However, if Meng Shan Ming was mentioned, it would be a different story. Once this name was mentioned, it would become a signboard. His brothers would not be able to say anything.
To a certain extent, this was the prestige of Meng Shan Ming in the army, which was convincing!
Behind Gong Zhou was Elder Yue Yuan of Purple Golden Cave; behind Tu Zhou was Elder Yuan Long of Spirit Sword Mountain; behind Fu Zhou was Elder Zu Ande of Spirit Sword Mountain; behind Hao Zhou was Elder Shen Yuhong of Xiao Yao Palace; and behind Chang Zhou was Elder Nong Fengting of Xiao Yao Palace. All of them silently watched this scene from the side.
After seeing this scene, they could deeply understand why the higher ups wanted to ask Meng Shanming to come out of the mountain. This group of arrogant and valiant soldiers didn't even put them in their eyes. Only this crippled old man in the wheelchair could control them.
After the five people expressed their stance, Meng Shanming slightly nodded. "There's no joking in the army. If you go back on your words and disobey the order, don't blame me for not considering our old friendship. You all know my military law!"
The five people stood in a row, cupped their hands together and said, "We obey the Marshal's order!"
After saying this in unison, the five of them were somewhat in a trance, as if they had returned to the past.
Meng Shanming slightly tilted his head to look at the five Elders of the three major sects and asked, "Are the three major sects willing to enforce the law for me?"
The implication was that the people of the three major sects would enforce the law for him. Once the five of them dared to disobey the order, he would order the people of the three major sects to punish the five feudal vassals for him!
It was not that he didn't believe in his five former subordinates, but the battlefield was not a child's play. Once something went wrong, the consequences would be unimaginable. At this time, he had to borrow the hands of the three major sects.
Upon hearing this, the five people secretly shivered. The five of them knew Meng Shanming, so they were not surprised at all. On the battlefield, Meng Shanming was ruthless!
The five Elders looked at each other. At this point, there was no room for hiding anything. Otherwise, they wouldn't agree to let others manipulate their forces.
The five people slightly cupped their hands to show their respect, indicating that they would obey the order, even though they were still somewhat unwilling.
The prelude had been straightened out, so Meng Shanming's tone changed. "Military order is like a mountain. The army must be strictly disciplined. You must ensure that the military order is carried out smoothly. Five generals, listen up!"
"Yes!" The five feudal vassals cupped their hands in response.
Meng Shanming said, "Order Xu Jingyue to lead the troops from Gong Province, An Xianzhao to lead the troops from Tu Province, Su Qitong to lead the troops from Hao Province, Shi Xinmao to lead the troops from Fu Province, and Zhang Hu to lead the troops from Chang Province. They will be the Five Military Commanders!"
He actually wants the Five Military Commanders? Not to mention the five Elders, even Zhang Hu and the others were shocked. Why did he want so many people to enforce the law?
"Huh?" Meng Shanming snorted coldly.
Zhang Hu and the others, who had been looking around for an answer, immediately came back to their senses. They cupped their hands together and said, "Understood!"
Meng Shanming continued, "Five generals, return to your divisions immediately. Contact the nearby prefectures and gather the troops from the Song army. Report the situation to me as soon as possible. Go!"
"Understood!" The five of them received the order again.
That's it? After confirming that there was nothing else, the five of them bid farewell to Meng Shanming.
Zhang Hu had just sent the other four out of the tent when a young general came in and reported, "Milord, there is news from the frontlines. They say that the Song army's Viceroy is here to give a gift to Commander Meng."
The five exchanged looks. Luo Zhao is actually giving a gift to Commander Meng? What's going on?
Zhang Hu asked, "Do you know what the gift is?"
The young general replied, "A warhorse and a letter."
A warhorse and a letter? Zhang Hu frowned slightly and gestured for the others to bring the items over.
An Xianzhao and the others, including the elders of the three major sects, wanted to see what was going on. So, they stayed behind temporarily.
Naturally, this matter could not be hidden from Meng Shanming. Zhang Hu returned to the tent to report. When Meng Shanming heard the news, he also felt it was strange. He suspected that Luo Zhao was trying to persuade the Song army to surrender.
After waiting for a while, the Song army's Viceroy's gift arrived. Luo Daan pushed Meng Shanming out of the tent to take a look.
The horse was indeed a good horse. It was tall and majestic, and its entire body was snow-white. With one look, one could tell that it was a top-notch steed. It neighed majestically on the green grass.
However, the white cloth covering the horse did not look right. No matter how one looked at it, it looked like a burial cloth.
Meng Shanming, who trained Wu Lie Graud, naturally knew the importance of a warhorse to a cavalry. When he saw the horse, he could not help but be fond of it.
When the letter was in Meng Shanming's hands, he opened it. After seeing the signature, he knew that Luo Zhao wrote it personally.
As for the contents of the letter, Meng Shanming frowned and could not help but snort coldly.
Seeing Meng Shanming's reaction, everyone wanted to know the contents of the letter. Zhang Hu asked, "Commander, what is written in the letter?"
Meng Shanming did not hide anything and handed the letter to Zhang Hu.
Zhang Hu received the letter and read the contents. Immediately, his expression turned ferocious. He shouted, "Luo Zhao, you are too arrogant!"
What's going on? Su Qitong and the others quickly went forward to take the letter and read it. There was only one short sentence in the letter: Can Meng Shanming be ridden?
It was signed by Luo Zhao.
Combined with the warhorse that Luo Zhao sent, it was not difficult to understand the meaning of the letter. The letter was mocking Meng Shanming, saying that he could not ride him even if he was given a good horse.
It was as if the letter was mocking Meng Shanming for coming to the battlefield when he was old and his legs were crippled.
Looking at the white cloth covering the horse, it was obvious what it meant. It was not a gift, but a mourning party. It was here to attend Meng Shanming's funeral.
Su Qitong and the others were furious that Luo Zhao was mocking and humiliating Meng Shanming. They scolded Luo Zhao for being too arrogant.
"Give me the saber!" Zhang Hu asked for a saber and walked towards the warhorse with a murderous look.
The warhorse seemed to have a mind of its own. It seemed to have sensed Zhang Hu's evil intentions and began to move restlessly. However, the soldiers held the reins tightly.
Just when Zhang Hu was about to cut the horse down, Meng Shanming shouted, "Stop!"
Luo Daan pushed him over to the white horse.
Zhang Hu turned around and pointed his saber at the white horse. He said painfully, "Marshal, Luo Zhao is too arrogant. This gift cannot be kept."
"Why not? A good horse is not wrong. " Meng Shanming, who was approaching, signaled for his men to take off the white horse's cover. He patted the strong chest muscles of the horse and looked at it. He praised, "Good horse! I will accept this gift. Write a letter to Luo Zhao for me. Tell him that I like his gift very much. If I have the chance to meet him again, I will give him a gift in return! "
Shi Xinmao also came over and advised, "Marshal, this gift is not a good omen. It is not good to keep it with you!"
Meng Shanming suddenly turned around and scolded, "Do I need you to say anything? The military order has been given. Why are you still here? Are you trying to test the law? "
Shi Xinmao and the others were speechless. They left with their tails between their legs.
With Meng Shanming's arrival at the frontline, the situation on the battlefield changed drastically. The Song army changed their strategy. They did not want to be entangled with the Yan army. Instead, they took the opportunity to advance westward. Those who were familiar with warfare could tell that the Song army was heading straight for the capital.
The imperial court in Beijing was filled with fear.
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