In the middle of the night, Meng Hu, Qi Diaozi and Zhang Xingba finally arrived outside Kawahara City.

"Who!" Before the three of them approached the suspension bridge, a thunderous shout sounded from the top of the city, "Stop, go ahead and shoot arrows!"

Meng Huce immediately stepped forward and shouted, "This general is Meng Hu, the western legion. He comes to Kawahara under the order of the king. Who dares to stop him?"

"Meng Hu!?"

Soon a head came out of the battlements on the top of the city. Zhang Xingba put the torch in his hand forward. The captain of the defenders at the top of the city saw Meng Hu's appearance clearly through the fire, and immediately shouted, "It's indeed General Meng Hu. Please wait, General, please let someone open the city gate immediately."

After saying that, the captain shouted to the soldiers behind him: "Hurry up, put down the suspension bridge and open the city gate!"

The soldiers responded with a loud promise, and the hanging suspension bridge slowly descended, and the originally closed city gate slowly opened. Meng Hu gently held up his legs, and the dark clouds under his crotch shook off his four hooves and went up to the suspension bridge. As soon as he crossed the suspension bridge and had not yet passed through the city gate corridor, Meng Hu smelled a faint smell of blood.

The smell of blood?

Meng Hu sniffed hard, and a trace of doubt flashed through his heart.

When Meng Hu rode his horse through the city gate corridor and walked into the city city, the smell of blood suddenly became strong. Even Qi Diaozi and Zhang Xingba who followed Meng Hu also smelled it. Zhang Xingba, the rash man, had no reaction. Qi Diaozi, who was as careful as his hair, couldn't help but exclaimed in surprise, and a hint of confusion flashed across his face.

Although he was confused, Meng Hu and Qi Diaozi didn't think too much, so he continued to ride a horse through the urn and head straight to Meng Ke's temporary headquarters.

When they arrived outside the gate of the headquarters, the guards stopped Zhang Xingba as usual and allowed Meng Hu and Qi Diaozi to enter.

At this time, the head of the King of Yan was brightly lit. The three division commanders of the Imperial Guard Corps, four division commanders of the Eastern Army, Li Yu, the Eastern Governor Li, the Chief of Staff Luo Ping'an, the King of Yan Mengke, the King of Qin Mengyan, the Minister of War Ye Haotian, the Chief of the King of Qin Shi Miyuan and others were all here. In addition, Yue Meng, the leader of the regiment, was also among them.

When Meng Hu appeared with the lacquer devil, everyone's eyes turned to the outside of the gate.

Under the gaze of everyone, Meng Hu and Qi Diaozi entered with great pride, clasped their fists and bowed to Meng Ke, "I am the Western Legion Meng Hu (Qi Diaozi), see the prince."

Meng Ke waved his hand solemnly, and then shook his hands to signal Meng Hu and Qi Diaozi to join the list.

Meng Hu and Qi Diaozi turned around and walked to the right side of the hall, standing at the lower head of the eastern governor Li Yu. According to the imperial military system, the generals of the major legions were particular about taking sides when attending military meetings. Generals directly under the royal family, such as the Imperial Guards and Guards, generally stood at the left head, that is, the upper head, while ordinary local legions stood at the right head, that is, the lower head.

Among the eight local legions, there are also differences between superiority and inferiority. From high to low status, they are the Eastern Legion, the Western Legion, the Southern Legion, the Northern Legion, and then the Northeast Legion, the Northwest Legion, the Southeast Legion and the Southwest Legion.

Meng Ke took a breath and said in a deep voice: "Since everyone has arrived, then start now."

When Meng Ke heard Meng Hu said this, he was stunned for a moment, thinking that although most of Meng Yan's Guards and Chongshan's Northern Legion had been destroyed, did Lu Chengwu's Fifth Division escape back? But now Lu Chengwu is not here, Meng Ke said that everyone has arrived? Could it be that Lu Chengwu has been taken down as a scapegoat? Well, this is very likely.

It is said that the Tiger Legion fled eastward and was extremely closed to the outside world. At least before breaking through Fenglin Port, Meng Hu did not know the battle situation east of Hu Xiao Pass, nor did he know the news of the destruction of Meng Yan and Chongshan Legion. This was the questioning of the navy soldiers of the Mingyue Empire after he seized several enemy warships during the water battle in the Bharu Bay.

When Meng Hu was shocked, Meng Ke continued: "The first phase of the Western Expedition has ended, but the result is not so ideal. Because the Mingyue Empire Army dug the Dayue Lake crazy, our army suffered considerable losses. However, in comparison, the Mingyue Empire Army suffered even more heavy losses!"

Meng Hu was even more confused, thinking to himself what Mr. Mengke was going to do? He deliberately downplayed the fact of the Western Expedition and did not even openly pursue Meng Yan's responsibility. Is he really planning to continue the Western Expedition? In theory, the 200,000 troops gathered in Kawabara can also be called the elite of the Empire, but the question is, does the Empire still have enough food and supplies?

There is also the surroundings of the empire? Once these 200,000 troops are in full swing, will the Rising Sun Kingdom in the south and the Galaxy Empire in the north take advantage of the situation? Will the Virgin Church continue to sit idly by? If these three forces join forces, the little force left by the Guanghui Empire in the country will be unable to withstand it?

"The Mingyue Empire is now at the end of its reach, and it is vulnerable! The opportunity is rare. It is time for you to make achievements for the empire. If you can annex the Mingyue Empire in one fell swoop, the names of the generals will be engraved in the empire's merit book forever, and future generations will always remember you..."

Meng Ke said this and turned his head to Ye Haotian and said, "Mr. Ye, announce the military order."

"Yes." Ye Haotian stood at Meng Ke's right hand with respect, then turned to face the imperial generals in the hall, and said in a deep voice, "The King of Yan..."

"Ka!"

The Imperial Generals in the hall immediately straightened their chests, and at the same time they closed their legs together, making neat sounds.

Facing the generals' burning eyes, Ye Haotian shouted loudly: "Western Legion, Guards are stationed in Hayuan for rest. The eastern Legion goes out to Heyuan for camping twenty miles northwest. The Imperial Guards are the first, third, and sixth Divisions go out to Heyuan for camping twenty miles southwest. The two units and Heyuan City are in a shape of a font to defend each other, and they are supporting each other. After half a month, the food and supplies transported from the imperial capital will be transported to the east. The three armies advance together and strike the Hu Xiao Pass directly west!"

"yes!"

The generals of several major legions agreed, and Meng Hu also pretended to respond.

"Okay." Meng Ke waved his hand and said in a cold tone, "The military situation is like fire, please execute immediately, all generals."

The generals of several major legions promised again and then dispersed one after another. Meng Hu and Qi Diaozi looked at each other, thinking that Old Meng Ke was going to drive people away, but he still had a major military situation and did not report it. After all, it is not a trivial matter to catch Qiu Fengjin and Xiao Chengliang. Even if you want to hide this matter, it cannot be hidden.

When Meng Hu was about to report to Meng Ke, Meng Ke first asked: "What, is General Meng Hu still in trouble?"

"This..." Meng Hu turned around and exchanged glances with Qi Diaozi, and said, "I do have important things to report."

"Oh……"

Meng Hu was about to continue to tell the story of the Tiger Legion fighting Wanli, twice conquering Xijing and capturing Qiu Fengjin, the emperor of the Mingyue Empire, Meng Ke suddenly yawned long, his face was exhausted, then reached out to rub his forehead, and said to Meng Hu: "General Meng Hu, I am tired and can't stand it anymore. If you have any questions, wait until you and the Western Legion enter Kawahara. It's not bad for this midnight, haha..."

As he said that, Meng Ke yawned again, and Gu Zi turned around and left.

Meng Hu turned around and looked at Qi Diaozi helplessly, and Qi Diaozi also smiled helplessly.

Before leaving the headquarters, Meng Hu saw that there was no one around, so he lowered his voice and said to Qi Diaozi: "Old Qi, the King of Yan is a bit strange."

"Um."

Qi Diaozi nodded and said, "I also think Meng Ke is a bit strange today. Even if the carriages and horses are exhausted, they will not be so tired, right? Although the general can still report military information to Lao Meng Ke after leading the Western Army to Kawahara, he will be so tired that he has no energy. It's incredible."

"And," Meng Hu frowned and said, "Old Mengke is actually going to fight the West. This is a bit extraordinary."

"Yes." Qi Diaozi agreed with it. "If this was Meng Yan's decision, it would not be strange at all. But after all, Lao Mengke has been a regent for more than ten years. Whether it is knowledge, strategy, or political considerations, he is much more mature than Meng Yan. How could he make such a hasty decision? It's incredible."

"And," Meng Hu said again, "Have you observed Lao Qi? Lu Chengwu and Pu Sanzhi did not attend the meeting."

"Wei Yi also discovered it." Qi Diaozi nodded, "Did the general infer that they have been executed as scapegoats?"

Meng Hu frowned and asked, "Is there any other possibility?"

Qi Diaozi pondered and said, "If you want to say that Lu Chengwu and Pu Sanzhi are both Meng Yan's confidants, but their ranks are humble. Lu Chengwu is just a division commander, and Park Sanzhi is even just an aide. Even if Old Mengke wants to excuse Meng Yan, it seems a bit difficult to convince the public when he finds such two scapegoats with no weight?"

"That's the reason."

Meng Hu said fiercely, "If I were Lao Mengke, then I would just put the blame on the dead man Chongshan, or simply push it on our heads, hiss..."

“Huh!?”

Speaking of this, Meng Hu couldn't help but take a breath of air conditioning, and Qi Diaozi next to him couldn't help but exclaim in surprise.

The King of Yan is on the head of the side hall.

Meng Ke carried his hands on his back and looked at Xingke with a cold expression. On the Xingke was a knife stand with exquisite patterns. On the exquisite knife stand was a simple treasure knife. The knife was heavy in color and restrained in form. It was neither inlaid with gold nor jade, but you could tell at a glance that it was not an ordinary weapon.

In fact, this precious sword is the "slaying sword" that scares the governors of all parts of the Guanghui Empire.

For hundreds of years, I don’t know how many local governors who are rebellious have already been dying of hatred under the sword of the general.

Amid the rapid footsteps, the Minister of War Ye Haotian quickly stepped into the side hall, clasped his fists to Meng Ke and bowed, "See the Prince."

Meng Ke waved his hand and asked in a deep voice: "Haotian, are you all ready?"

"Report to the prince, everything is ready."

Ye Haotian responded solemnly, "The First Division of the Imperial Guards and the Fourth Division of the Eastern Legion left Heyuan twenty miles northwest, the Third Division of the Imperial Guards and the Third Division of the Eastern Legion left Heyuan twenty miles southwest, the Sixth Division of the Imperial Guards and the First Division of the Eastern Legion, and the Remaining troops of the Second Division Qiao Zhuang Guards are still stationed in Heyuan. Just wait for the Western Legion to enter Heyuan City, the two armies of the northwest and southwest will fight back, block the four gates, and work with the army in the city to encircle the western legion in the city!"

Meng Ke said in a deep voice: "Be careful in your actions and never show any mistakes."

"Don't worry, prince."

Ye Haotian responded, "The mobilization of the two armies in the northwest and southwest circles is in accordance with the prince's military orders. I don't know that Meng Hu can see any flaws. Besides, no matter how cunning Meng Hu is, he would never expect that the prince would attack him! When Meng Hu realized something was wrong, his 200,000 remaining soldiers were already surrounded by a large army of 200,000!"

"But this is a tiger after all." Meng Ke said sternly, "We must not take it lightly."

"No matter how fierce the tiger is, it is just a beast after all." Ye Haotian said respectfully, "How can he escape from the cage set up by the prince?"

Meng Ke nodded with a serious expression and said nothing more. From a personal perspective, he was not willing to attack Meng Hu and the Western Legion because he admired Meng Hu's generals very much. He wanted to wipe out such a famous general who had never met in a century. Meng Ke couldn't help but feel regretful.

But reason told Meng Ke that he had to do this. He had to eliminate Meng Hu and the Tiger Legion mercilessly, because compared with Meng Yan, Meng Hu was always just a general, and if he had to die, he would be a local governor. Meng Hu only represented the marginal interests of the Glorious Empire, while Meng Yan represented the core interests of the royal family!

If Meng Yan loses power, it is likely to lead to internal strife of the Meng family, which will lead to the division of the Glorious Empire and civil war, which will cause the Meng family's forces to suffer heavy damage. In this way, other families will have the opportunity to take advantage of the opportunity to replace the Meng family, and the core interests of the Meng family will be fatally threatened, which Meng Ke will never want to see and will never tolerate.

In order to protect Meng Yan and protect the core interests of the royal family, Meng Ke would attack Meng Hu and the Tiger Legion without hesitation. For Meng Ke, losing one general is nothing, and losing two or three thousand veterans is nothing. The Guanghui Empire has a vast territory, with a population of more than 70 million. It has never lacked famous generals, let alone elite soldiers.

Kawahara, Ximen Wucheng.

Meng Hu, Qi Diaozi and Zhang Xingba entered the city again and smelled the bloody smell in the air again.

Because I was already suspicious, Meng Hu was so careful this time that he rode the dark clouds and snow to the northeast corner of the city to look carefully. With the light of the fire emitted by the torch in Xiong Batian's hand, Meng Hu indeed saw that there were still dark red blood stains on the blue bricks at the base of the city wall of the city.

Qi Diaozi looked around and said in a serious tone: "General, there are blood in many places."

Meng Hu nodded, turned over and dismounted, pulled out his sword and pried up a floor tiles. He found that even the soil under the floor tiles had been dyed dark red. He then pried up several nearby floor tiles in succession, and found that the dark red blood had soaked the soil. Meng Hu couldn't help but feel awesome when he saw the costume. How many people would die and how much blood would shed to have such an effect?

"What are you doing?" Meng Hu and Qi Diaozi were secretly frightened, and a shout suddenly sounded behind him, "What are you doing?"

Meng Hu and Qi Diaozi turned around when they heard the sound. They saw a corps leader of the Imperial Guard standing solemnly at the gate of the inner city of the urn city surrounded by more than a dozen officers. The corps leader obviously did not know Meng Hu, and frowned and asked, "Sneaky, what are you doing?"

"Well……"

Qi Diaozi uh and replied, "We are looking for crickets."

"Cricket?" the captain of the Imperial Guards frowned and asked, "How did you find this when you look for crickets?"

Qi Diaozi shrugged and replied, "This officer doesn't know. I like to fight crickets the most in my life. Just now, I seemed to hear the screams of the best 'red-robed general' among the crickets, so I searched here."

"Okay!"

The captain of the Imperial Guards shouted in a bad tone, "There are no crickets you are looking for here, go quickly!"

Meng Hu had been coldly beside him just now, but suddenly had an idea, suddenly his face sank, and shouted coldly: "Don't you, do you know who this general is?"

"No matter who you are?"

Seeing Meng Hu's face lowered, the captain of the Imperial Guard Corps immediately changed his face and shouted with murderous intent, "This is the city defense base of our Imperial Guard. Without the order from the prince, no one is allowed to stay here without authorization. Violators will be killed!"

"Don't kill me?" Meng Hu sneered, "Just you?"

When he heard Meng Hu's tone, Zhang Xingba pulled out his two iron halberds from behind, then looked up and stared at the captain of the Imperial Guards. Judging from the posture, as long as Meng Hu gave the order, the rash man would go forward without hesitation and take the life of the Imperial Guards officer.
To be continued...