Chapter 204 Ascend the throne today

Although it has entered early May, the late night in Hexi Canyon is still a bit cold.

In the wilderness outside Kawahara City, three scouts from the Imperial Guards were leaning against the fire to keep warm and gossiping. The key area where Meng Ke and Ye Haotian assigned scouts was the area within a 100-mile radius of the Tigers. On the contrary, the vigilance around Kawahara City and the Hexi Canyon behind was relatively relaxed.

The night is deep and the fog is heavy.

The captain of the three scouts shrank his neck and cursed: "This ghost weather is so fucking evil. It's already Mayday, but it's still so cold."

Another tall scout turned around and said, "Captain, it seems that there is fog on the river."

Finally, the short scout was left and shouted, "Don't worry if it's fog, come on, captain, let's have a fight."

As he said that, the short scoutsman took out a wine pot from behind like a magic trick, gently unzipped the lid, and the rich aroma of wine drifted away. The scout captain and the tall scouts sniffed two mouthfuls hard, with a look of enjoyment on their faces, and the expression seemed to have just fucked the girl's stomach.

Speaking of which, drinking is strictly prohibited in the army, but no matter how strict the military rules are, it is difficult for these veterans to get these prohibited items. And after all, the scouts are really a chore. They are all blowing wind and rain all year round, and they can't hold on to the cold, so the generals in the army turn a blind eye.

Just as these three scouts were drinking around the fire, thousands of bamboo rafts were swinging by the Tongtian River, a hundred steps away. These bamboo rafts were like stringing grasshoppers, one by one, leading the way from the one in front of them, breaking through the thick night and the thick fog and quietly tracing to the east of the Yangtze River...

Kawabara, Mengke's temporary headquarters.

Although various horse-studying reports that the Western Legion had suppressed the mutiny of the prisoners of war and the entire barracks had stabilized again, Meng Ke still felt a hint of uneasiness in his heart, and always felt something was wrong in some place. This feeling was unreasonable, but it really existed.

Meng Ke was not sleepy at all, so Ye Haotian didn't dare to sleep.

It was about midnight, and the captain of the servant suddenly came to the tent and reported, "Prince, I'll pay back the horse, and the fog in the Tongtian River."

"Mist?" Meng Ke's brows frowned and said in a low voice, "So the rainy season in the Tongtian River Basin is coming soon?"

As the regent of the Glorious Empire, Meng Ke still knows how much climate change in the Tongtian River Basin, and also knows that the Tongtian River Basin often causes heavy fog for several days before the rainy season, but it usually only fogs at night. After the sun rises during the day, the heavy fog will soon disappear without a trace.

So Meng Ke didn't take the heavy fog to heart. What he was worried about was the upcoming rainy season.

But after thinking about it, Meng Ke felt relieved again. Although this rainy season will have an impact on the military operations of the Imperial Guards and the Eastern Legion, will it have a greater impact on the remnants of the Western Legion? At that time, even if Meng Hu sees out his plan and leads his troops to escape, he will not be able to escape much in the mud of the rainy season.

Ye Haotian obviously wanted to go with Meng Ke, and said with a low smile: "Prince, this is a good thing. Once this rainy season comes, it will certainly be unfavorable to our army, but the impact of Meng Hu's remaining soldiers will only be greater. Even if they want to escape, they will not be able to escape. The continuous rain and the road is muddy, where will they escape?"

Meng Ke thought about it and said, "You still can't take it lightly."

"Yes." Ye Haotian said hurriedly, "I understand that I will strengthen surveillance."

More than a hundred miles west of Heyuan, the Tiger Legion is stationed.

It was around five o'clock in the morning, the darkest time before dawn, and the entire camp was pitch black.

As early as midnight, the 30,000 remaining soldiers of the Tiger Legion had already boarded the bamboo raft and quietly walked up the river. Now there is only a squadron responsible for the cut off the rear. This squadron responsible for the cut off the rear is responsible for two important tasks, one of which is to release the last two thousand remaining "bright moon men" before dawn.

Another task is to hunt down the scouts of the Imperial Guards to the north, creating the illusion that the main force of the Western Legion broke through to the north!

In this way, the squadron responsible for the severance of the rear could not follow the large army on the water route. They would have to break through land and cross Qingyun Mountain to return to Qingniu Tun. In order to avoid the news of the army escaping from the water route, the squadron responsible for the severance of the rear was isolated from the army before the operation, which means they did not know that the Tiger Legion had already gone back to Jiangdong.

About ten minutes later, the cage that imprisoned Mingyue Zhuangren was opened. The disturbed Mingyue Zhuangren inside immediately rushed out, and then picked a direction and ran away. Just in the middle of the night, they were intimidated and said that they would be given a chance to escape before dawn today, but whether they could escape depends on their luck!

Whether this is a terrible conspiracy or the enemy's mercy is really kind, these Mingyue men don't want to sit and wait for death, they are willing to bet and take this risk, and maybe they can really escape back? This person has a lucky mentality, no exception. Now it seems that his luck seems to be pretty good. The thick fog increases their chances of escaping. At least this is what these Mingyue men think.

For a moment, shouts were everywhere in the fog and feet were like tides. More than two thousand bright moon men rushed out of the Tiger Legion like frightened deer, and then scattered all over the mountains and fields. The scouts of the Imperial Guards who were wandering around quickly became alert. Unfortunately, the thick fog blocked their sight, and they didn't know what was going on.

Soon, this sudden change spread to the temporary headquarters of Kawabara, and Meng Ke, who had just lying down, was immediately alarmed again.

When Meng Ke hurriedly walked through the hall, the scout general and Ye Haotian who were patrolling the night had already been waiting. Before they could see each other, Meng Ke asked anxiously: "What's going on? What's wrong?"

The scout general said: "Prince, at dawn, the Western Legion Camp suddenly became popular. Because the prince had strict orders, he did not allow me to get too close to the assassination news. So I still don't know what happened in the Western Legion Camp? But all signs indicate that the Western Legion may have mutiny."

"Must!?"

Meng Ke's brow frowned and said, "All signs? What signs?"

The captain of the scout said with a serious expression: "In the heavy fog, many soldiers are fleeing in all directions. The specific number cannot be counted, but according to my estimate, there are at least tens of thousands of people!"

This is probably severely distorted, but this is not unfair to the captain of the scout. Because the fog overwhelmed the sight, they could only judge based on their feelings and hearing. The fog was used to make a living, and they could not tell the difference between the east, south, west and north in the fog, and they rushed around like headless flies. As a result, the scouts of the Imperial Guards had a serious illusion. Many scattered scattered scatters were repeatedly "statistic".

"Ten thousand people!?" Meng Ke's expression suddenly became solemn, "Are you saying that there are tens of thousands of people running around?"

Meng Ke thought that if the news was true, the problem would be serious. If the Western Legion suddenly mutiny at this time, it would be really a tricky thing. However, what Meng Ke is most worried about now is the safety of Qiu Fengjin, the emperor of the Mingyue Empire. He thought that this unlucky emperor must not die under the mutiny sabre!

"Prince, it's a chance now."

Ye Haotian suggested, "The Western Legion Mutiny, and the Imperial Guards and the Eastern Legion must take immediate action, dispatch large troops to encircle them first, and then slowly clear out the rebels who dare to mutiny, so that they can not only protect Qiu Fengjin's safety, but also..."

Ye Haotian did not say the last half of the sentence. It should not be said explicitly in front of the scout general, but Meng Ke certainly knew Ye Haotian's unfulfilled words. Ye Haotian's unfulfilled words meant that as long as the Western Legion is controlled, who is the mutiny rebel, Meng Ke has the final say. At that time, the entire Western Legion can be classified as a rebel!

"Um."

Meng Ke focused his head and said loudly, "Come here!"

The captain of the servant responded and clasped his fists and said, "What are the instructions of the prince?"

Meng Ke said: "I ordered two armies outside the city to mutiny suddenly, and ordered them to move closer to the western legion base, and then ordered the army inside the city to leave the city and move closer to the western legion base."

"yes!"

The captain of the attendant responded and took the order.

It was already dawn when Meng Ke led his army out of the city, but the fog that spread over the Tongtian River had not yet dissipated, and even the area on the Tongtian River was still shrouded in thick fog. Although Meng Ke turned his head and looked at the river, he never expected that Meng Hu was leading his Tiger Legion to escape quietly through the Yangtze River through the cover of the heavy fog.

Tongtian River, river center.

Meng Hu, Qi Diaozi and Jia Wudao stood shoulder to shoulder in front of a bamboo raft. Looking around, the surrounding area was white, and the sight became hazy after only a dozen steps. However, the bright light that penetrated the fog indicated that the sky was already bright, which was undoubtedly cruel news for the Tiger Legion.

Because it is dawn, it also means that the heavy fog on the river is about to dissipate.

Once the fog dissipates, the Tiger Legion on the river will no longer be able to escape the suspicion of the Imperial Guard Scouts. Unfortunately, from midnight yesterday until now, although the soldiers of the Tiger Legion have been desperately paddling their bamboo oars, they have only walked forward less than a hundred miles away. Although they cannot see the terrain on both sides of the shore, based on their feelings, it seems that they have just arrived in Kawahara.

Seeing Meng Hu looking at the seriousness of his feelings, Qi Diaozi couldn't help but caress and smiled: "General, don't worry, the fog on the riverside will immediately dissipate when the sunrise is sunrise, but the fog on the river surface cannot dissipate for a while."

Meng Hu's mood was not relaxed by Qi Diaozi's consolation. He asked in a deep voice: "But the water route is not as good as the land route. Our marching speed is too slow. Even if the heavy fog on the river cannot dissipate for a while, it cannot last for too long. How far can we go forward in just a little time?"

"hehe……"

Qi Diaozi smiled and said, "General, what if the heavy fog on the river can last until noon?"

"Oh?" Meng Hu turned around after hearing this, looked at Qi Diaozi with a bright look, "Can this heavy fog last until noon?"

Qi Diaozi smiled and nodded, turned around and said to Jia Wudao: "Old Jia, please take out the topographic map of the Mingyue Empire."

Jia Wudao said oh, and hurriedly took out the map from his arms and spread it out in the air with Meng Hu. Qi Diaozi pointed to Kawahara Castle on the map and said, "General, you see, there is a big bend in Tongtian River near Kawahara. The heavy fog in this river bend is often thicker than other sections and lasts longer."

"The general looked at the Tongtian River again. The north bank is the flat Hexi Canyon, but the south side is close to the southern lineage of Qingyun Mountain. Due to the obstruction of the mountains, although it is already bright now, it is difficult for the sun to shine on the river before noon, so I am sure that the heavy fog will not dissipate before noon."

"Very good!"

Meng Hu was overjoyed when he heard this, "If this heavy fog really lasted until noon, then our army could at least go forward for about a hundred miles, so that we could completely get rid of the surveillance of the Imperial Guards. Even if Lao Mengke was cautious enough to leave a scout team in the Hexi Canyon, that would be nothing. Xiong Batian's barbarians were enough to deal with them!"

Qi Diaozi said: "Yi Beizhi estimated that our army could buy between three and five days. If things went well, when Meng Ke found out that our army had escaped from the water, we could almost return to Sanjiang City. If Meng Ke was smart enough, then our army could only go to Hexi Fortress at most."

"Three days are enough!"

Meng Hu said in a grim voice, "With these three days of preparation, Old Mengke needs to think twice if he wants to do it. Humph, the same thing is the case, our Tiger Legion is definitely not easy to mess with!"

Jia Wudao next to him suddenly looked moved and suggested: "General, Lao Qi, can we start first and release the news that our Tiger Legion fought for Wanli, captured Mingyue Capital twice and captured Qiu Fengjin alive? Once the nobles and the people of the imperial capital had preconceived ideas, Lao Mengke's conspiracy would no longer be carried out."

"This idea is indeed a good idea. If the truth can be revealed in advance, Old Mengke can only break his teeth and blood and swallow it into his stomach. Meng Yan, a fool, will not escape the blame, and the general can become an imperial hero again with his great military achievements in breaking through Xijing twice and capturing Qiu Fengjin alive, and enjoying supreme glory."

Qi Diaozi nodded, and then sighed with regret, "It's a pity that we lack timely and quickly communication tools now. Even if everything goes well, we will have to go back to Sanjiang for five days. Then we will send someone to transfer to Xiling to the fast horses, which will take at least one day. Then Mrs. Qinghan will send a letter to the nobles and elders of the imperial capital with a flying pigeon. This will also take time. In this way, it will take at least seven days for us to reveal the truth of the Western Expedition to the imperial capital. But Meng Ke cannot give us so much operating time."

"yes."

Meng Hu sighed and said, "Old Mengke is old and it is not easy to fool. Once this old guy finds out that the situation is wrong, he will definitely pass the letter to the imperial capital first. It will take seven days for our news to arrive at the imperial capital. But Old Mengke's Feige's letter can be transmitted back to Luojing in at most two days, and it is incomparable."

"That's true."

After listening to Qi Diaozi's analysis, Jia Wudao also looked regretful and said, "This time when I returned to Xiling, I must try my best to acquire more carrier pigeons. Next time I go to the war, we will no longer have to worry about the lack of fast and effective communication tools, and we will not delay major events."

Meng Hu sneered: "Although we have little chance to control public opinion in Luojing, it is not difficult to cause some trouble for Lao Mengke and the imperial court. As long as we secretly send people to steal the truth to the other princes and the noble elders who secretly support those princes, hehe, there will be a good show at that time."

At noon, Meng Ke's three armies finally met at the Tiger Legion's garrison.

Because the fog on the riverside was covered with unknown circumstances in the morning, the three armies were very cautious and the speed of traveling was not fast. Out of caution, Meng Ke ordered the three armies to fully unfold, lay a large net with the Tiger Legion as the center, and slowly crush it from three directions to the middle.

Meng Ke originally thought that the Western Legion trapped in the net would have nowhere to hide, but the final result was completely beyond his expectations. After the three armies met to command, Meng Ke discovered a surprising fact that the Western Legion camp was empty, and the remnants of the Western Legion who were supposed to be stationed in the camp were missing!

This result was completely beyond Meng Ke's expectations, because the scout general reported that the riot army with only about 10,000 people fled in scattered areas. According to the strength of the remnants of the Western Legion, at least 20,000 troops should be stationed in the camp, but the camp is empty now. Where are the 20,000 people going?

Could it be that General Scout lied about military information?

Did the scout team be deceived by Meng Hu?

Could it be that Meng Hu had already noticed his plan, so he set up a suspicious formation to attract the scouts under the guise of a small number of troops scattered and fleeing, while the main force of the Western Legion took the opportunity to break through quietly? No matter which possibility, the ironclad fact is that the main force of the Western Legion is gone!

Ye Haotian rode his horse close to Meng Ke and whispered: "Prince, this matter is a bit weird!"

A sharp light suddenly flashed through Meng Ke's old eyes, and he whispered: "The main force of the Western Legion suddenly disappeared, the situation has lost control, and the final result is hard to predict. Now we must make the worst plan!"

Ye Haotian said sternly: "The prince means..."

Meng Ke said flatly: "Immediately send Luojing to the Lord Cao Mo to tell the world the truth about the defeat in the Western Expedition, and then summon the nobles and elders to read the will of the ancestors. We also have to immediately convene all the generals above the division commander and above to organize a brief ceremony, which will be presided over by this king. Meng Yan ascends the throne on the same day and takes charge of the world!"

Ye Haotian said in a lost voice: "Prince, the last emperor's will has established the second highman as the crown prince of the empire, but the hasty ascension here seems to be inconsistent with etiquette? I think, should I announce the last emperor's will to the world to calm the hearts of the people and the army of the empire, and then hold a grand throne ceremony after returning to Luojing?"

"Haotian, you are confused!"

Meng Ke frowned and shouted, "You don't want anyone Meng Hu to be? This guy is not a good guy. This is originally because we are deceiving the world, we are taking the lee from the fire. Now I am on the battlefield and cannot control the situation in the court. If I do not use iron-fisted means to show my determination and deter those opposition forces, the consequences will be unimaginable!"
Chapter completed!