Destroy Jin and conquer Song, and carry the Northern Expedition through to the end

Chapter 302: Each other's opinions

If Meng Tian, the guardian of the country, knew what Li Xiu was thinking, he would definitely call him bullshit.

He had already witnessed the fighting power of the Loyal Army. Now facing the opponent's long-planned attack, how could he really be completely relieved?

You must know that the ones guarding the two villages outside the city are not Tu Danzhang and Wen Dun Hunyu, but the ninth and tenth Meng'ans who are at the bottom of the battle sequence.

How can this be insured?

However, just when Meng Tian was about to gather the remaining armored cavalry to go out of the city to harass the loyal army's troops attacking the manor, Atuer came hurriedly and told Meng Tian something that shocked him to death.

Soon, a timid officer was brought over. This man was the guard of the South Gate and a Puliyan among the Fourth Meng'an. His name was Li Cong.

"Repeat what you just said to the Prime Minister." He pushed Atu'er at Li Cong.

Li Cong shrank his neck. "Liang Yuan'er from the Fourth Meng'an came over today and told us that the Wuxing Army is like an old turtle in a frying pan, unable to grow any more. It would be better for us to surrender when the loyal thieves attack the city."

Meng Tian, the state guardian, knew that Liang Yuan'er was Zhang Jueming's confidant, so upon hearing this, he asked directly, "Is it Zhang Jueming or Liang Yuan'er? Please explain clearly."

Li Cong knelt on the ground. "It's Liang Yuan'er, but the commander-in-chief also knows about their relationship. What's the difference between Liang Yuan'er and General Zhang? This might be General Zhang's plan."

Meng Tian, the guardian of the country, felt cold all over, as if he had fallen into an ice cave.

He had already gathered the cavalry. If he rushed out of the city at this time, Zhang Jueming would cause chaos in the city. There was no need to do much, just close the city gates, and he would be helpless.

Meng Tian Zhenguo forced himself to calm down, his expression unchanged: "Then why did you come forward to report to the Prime Minister? Could it be that Zhang Jueming has treated you too poorly?"

Li Cong kowtowed and sobbed, "I... I don't want to be a villain, but my family is in Liaodi. I... I really don't dare to surrender to the bandits."

Meng Tian, the guardian of the country, nodded, then lowered his head and thought for a moment, then said to Ba'atur, "Call Zhuo Tuo'an."

With the rest of the Jurchen generals either outside the city or killed in battle, the eighth fierce general Anduoan was the only general Meng Tian could trust to defend the country, so it was not surprising that he was called over at this time.

However, Ba'atur stepped forward and whispered, "General, this matter must not be made a big deal. The Fourth Meng'an still has five or six hundred soldiers. If they cause trouble in the city, the city will be impossible to defend.

If Zhang Jueming really wants to rebel, sending Zhuo Tuoan would only spark chaos. Even if Zhang Jueming doesn't want to rebel, seeing Zhuo Tuoan's stance would alienate him. It would be better to summon him to the military meeting and see what he will do. Even if he wants to rebel, what if he thinks his actions are flawless and actually comes?"

Meng Tian, the state guardian, thought for a moment and finally nodded: "Then you go there for me and tell them that there is a serious military meeting and ask Zhang Jueming to come."

Atuer bowed and agreed.

Meng Tian, the guardian of the country, climbed up to the top of the city wall and looked at the two Zhuangzi in the south who were shouting and killing, feeling extremely anxious.

The external threat had not yet been resolved, and now there was internal strife. A myriad of things came to his mind at once, making Meng Tian, the country's guardian, almost completely depressed.

Ba'atur came to the east of the city with several personal guards, holding up a badge and shouting his name all the way, claiming that he had orders from the commander-in-chief. The soldiers who originally wanted to stop him gave way, allowing Ba'atur to arrive unimpeded in front of Zhang Jueming's central military tent.

At this time, Zhang Jueming was naturally aware of the commotion outside the city. He was already fully armed. When he heard that Atuer had come in person to deliver the order, he immediately bowed and said that he would receive the order.

"The commander-in-chief has ordered a military meeting to be held at the South City Tower, and General Zhang is summoned to come in person." Ba'atur said loudly.

Zhang Jueming was slightly taken aback, but immediately replied, "Weren't we told to send troops? The fighting has already started outside the city. How can we still have time to hold a military meeting?"

Atu'er looked embarrassed and said, "General Zhang, I am only a personal guard after all. The commander-in-chief said there was an important military meeting to discuss, so I came to pass on the order. As for what it was, I really can't explain it clearly."

Zhang Jueming was about to say something when he felt his belt tighten slightly. Knowing that it was Liang Yuaner pulling him, he immediately replied, "Please wait a moment, General. I am assigning military affairs and preparing my troops to meet the enemy. This matter cannot be delayed." After that, Zhang Jueming went straight back to the tent.

Ba'atu'er also stepped forward, but Zhang Jueming's personal guards did not tolerate him and directly blocked his way with their swords.

Atu'er wanted to scold him, but he didn't dare to alert the enemy, so he could only wait quietly outside the tent.

Liang Yuaner said anxiously in the tent, "This must have been discovered by that bastard Meng Tian, the guardian of the country. That's why he summoned you at such an urgent moment, just to harm you."

Zhang Jueming's heart trembled, and he shook his head again: "Of course it's possible, but today's battle is too urgent. No matter how stupid Meng Tian is, he can't kill a general in the middle of a battle. Otherwise, how can he defend this city?"

Liang Yuan'er's voice was low and fast, and he said anxiously, "Even if he doesn't kill you, can't he just detain you? Without you, how can I control the rest of the Fourth Meng'an? Aren't we still being bullied by that bastard Meng Tian?"

Zhang Jueming thought about it and finally shook his head: "Ayuan, if we disobey orders now, we will really fall out. What should we do if the commander-in-chief doesn't lead the army to attack, but instead turns around and attacks us?"

Liang Yuaner said anxiously: "He doesn't dare."

Zhang Jueming continued to shake his head: "It's just a matter of life and death, why wouldn't I dare?"

Liang Yuaner was speechless for a moment, and he suddenly realized that in terms of personal ability alone, his second brother was far inferior to Meng Tian in terms of national defense.

For example, now, Meng Tian is really willing to fight to the death to defend the country, but Zhang Jueming is hesitant and unable to make a decision.

This was the case when he was fighting against the Loyal Army some time ago. Now that he has been defeated and the Loyal Army has reached his doorstep, why is Zhang Jueming still like this?
Thinking of this, Liang Yuaner felt a little powerless again.

No matter how capable and thoughtful he is, he still has to persuade Zhang Jueming to act. Now he is so indecisive that he doesn't want to fight hard when he should. What should Liang Yuaner and his family do?

"Ayuan, if I can come back later, everything will be fine. If I can't come back, you must not drag the Fourth Meng'an into a fight. It's really hard to win. Then you can take a few people to hide in this city. The city will be captured in a few days. Can't we escape this disaster?" Zhang Jueming smiled with the corners of his mouth. "Besides, we are just wandering in our thoughts now, but we haven't really rebelled. Even if the commander-in-chief blames us, he won't kill me. Don't worry."

After saying this, Zhang Jueming walked out of the tent without waiting for Liang Yuaner to stop him, and left with Batu'er.

However, after only marching a mile, just away from the Fourth Meng'an Defense Zone, and turning a few streets, several of Meng Tian's personal guards reined in their horses and sandwiched Zhang Jueming in the middle.

Ba'atur sighed and said, "General Zhang, do you think we can defend this small city or not?"

Zhang Jueming didn't know what this person meant. After pondering for a moment, he chose an ambiguous statement: "As long as we are united, we will be able to hold on."

He turned Atu'er's head and looked into Zhang Jueming's eyes: "How could it be so simple? Wasn't the Wuxing Army united enough in the battle a few days ago? How could they be defeated like this?"

Zhang Jueming felt something was amiss, but seeing armored cavalry on all sides and no room for resistance, he could only bite the bullet and say, "Could it be that the commander-in-chief suspects me of leaking information? How is that possible?"

Ba'atur shook his head and said, "Whether General Zhang is a loyal and capable general or a traitor, Yishui County cannot be defended after all. Now we can only seek our own way forward.

So General Zhang, don't blame me when you get down there."

Zhang Jueming was suddenly startled and just as he was about to resist, he was hit by several steel whips and bronze maces at the same time.

One of the hammers directly smashed his helmet, leaving a dent.

Zhang Jueming staggered on his horse and fell down without a word.

Ba'atul steadied his trembling right hand, exchanged glances with the guards, nodded to each other, and then rode away independently.

(End of this chapter)