radicalducati Page 670
Page 670
what?
Not only the commanders of ten thousand and a thousand, but even the nearby elite warriors looked at Meng Tian in shock.
Originally, they were merely unwilling to accept Fusu's death.
After all, it was the Dragon Emperor's order, and no one dared to disobey it.
Even if the Dragon Emperor were to order Meng Tian's death, it would only be another imperial edict and a matter of the white silk.
But now Meng Tian has revealed that the Dragon Emperor has passed away, and the imperial edict ordering the death of Prince Fusu may have been forged by Zhao Gao and Li Si.
In an instant, all resentment turned into anger, and a murderous aura soared to the sky.
"This news was sent by the Zhang family's experts in the sand dunes."
My brother Meng Yi was His Majesty the Dragon Emperor's most trusted advisor; and Ying Ji, the commander of the Black Ice Guard, was also His Majesty's most trusted commander of the secret guards. However, the Zhang family discovered their bodies near the sand dunes, leading them to conclude that His Majesty may have met with misfortune.
Hiss...
With the deaths of Minister Meng Yi and the commander of the Black Ice Guard, the fate of the Dragon Emperor was practically sealed.
·········Requesting flowers·· 0
The generals present were all high-ranking officials of the empire, many of them from powerful and influential families in Guanzhong. They naturally knew of the Meng family's loyalty, and Meng Yi was the Dragon Emperor's most trusted close advisor.
For decades, day after day, at least twenty-eight days a month, they waited quietly by the Dragon Emperor's side.
The Black Ice Platform was the most mysterious organization in the empire, and Ying Ji was a member of the royal family. In addition, the Dragon Emperor suddenly issued an imperial edict to kill Prince Fusu, leaving no room for doubt in everyone's hearts.
If the Dragon Emperor had not passed away, how could Zhao Gao have had the opportunity to forge an imperial edict and order the death of Prince Fusu?
Everyone present knew that the Dragon Emperor had arranged for Fusu to be here for his protection.
This place is guarded by the Empire's greatest warrior and 300,000 elite troops, and Prince Fusu is the first heir to the throne. How could he possibly be put to death by a single imperial edict?
... ...
Unfortunately, Fusu had already hanged himself, and they had failed to live up to the Dragon Emperor's trust.
"Someone, hurry to Xianyang and confirm His Majesty's fate!"
"Yes, General!"
This is news from the Zhang family.
Even though the Zhang family was still trustworthy in the hearts of the generals, they were still outsiders, and they still needed to verify it in person.
If His Majesty were truly dead, the outcome would be self-evident.
However, everyone tacitly accepted this.
After all, the Zhang family's information and trustworthiness are built on decades of friendship established through border cooperation.
In dealing with foreign tribes at the border, the Zhang family donated at least one million taels of gold every year, all of which consisted of secret weapons, armored vehicles, military rations, and even some sophisticated and sharp weapons and equipment.
This is also why the Zhang family's reputation has remained consistently high.
Furthermore, the Zhang family did not directly confirm the Dragon Emperor's life or death, but rather deduced it from the deaths of Meng Yi and the Black Ice Platform Commander.
"In addition, the Zhang family just rescued Meng Tian and ordered the Meng family army not to return to Xianyang for three years."
If a real upheaval were to occur within the empire, with Zhao Gao plotting a rebellion and His Majesty being murdered, then only one of Meng Tian and the empire could exist.
Meng Tian was a man of unwavering loyalty and courage, but he was also branded a traitor.
Therefore, if any of his brothers were to leave, Meng Tian would not hesitate to agree. After so many years of brotherhood, Meng Tian did not want to turn against his own brothers.
However, if he stays, Meng Tian will surely lead his army south three years later to punish the rebels.
Chapter 800 Paying Homage to Fusu: A Frank and Open Cooperation
"We are willing to follow the general, to punish the traitors, and to avenge our nation!"
Most of these soldiers were elite troops who had followed Meng Tian in his campaigns across the frontier, sweeping across the northern deserts and sharing life and death experiences. Naturally, they would not back down at this time.
And that's all predicated on the Dragon Emperor being in trouble.
If something happens to the Dragon Emperor, they will be the forces of justice, and they will also be able to give an explanation to Prince Fusu, who hanged himself.
After all, during this period, Prince Fusu had a very high reputation in the army.
In an instant, cries for revenge shook the heavens, and murderous intent soared to the sky.
The next day at noon, white sails filled the entire military camp tent. Fusu's coffin was laid out for a day before being sent back to Xianyang.
Even if Fusu is dead, he is still a prince of the empire and should be buried in the imperial mausoleum. It is impossible for him to be buried in this desolate wilderness, just somewhere random.
Even if the empire were to truly fall into crisis this time, with Fusu dead, Zhao Gao would not dare to defy the world and deviate from the "733" principle.
"Young Master Zhang and the High Priest of Loulan have come to pay their respects to you!"
At the front of the main camp, Zhang Xiaoshan and the High Priest of Loulan, amidst a procession of holy warriors, came to pay tribute to Prince Fusu.
The two figures, like a golden boy and a jade girl, also amazed everyone.
After three years in the army, even a sow can rival Diao Chan in beauty.
Moreover, such a stunningly beautiful woman, whose beauty could topple kingdoms.
However, the soldiers only showed a fleeting glimpse of envy and did not cause any disturbance.
The difference between warlords and bandits lies in their discipline.
Moreover, one is the renowned and unparalleled "Young Master Zhang" of Kyushu, and the other is the Queen of Loulan in the Western Regions; they are truly distinguished guests.
Moreover, the information they received came from the Zhang family.
Although the news about the Zhang family is still uncertain, they are basically 90% certain of it.
The death of Prince Fusu, the assassination attempt on Meng Tian by the Luowang organization, and the prestigious reputation the Zhang family had built up over the decades.
Put them all together, and the remaining ten percent is just the final confirmation.
"Meng Tian greets the young master and the high priest!"
Inside the Chinese army's tent.
Meng Tian and other high-ranking imperial generals are discussing the next steps.
Upon hearing of Zhang Xiaoshan and the High Priest of Loulan's arrival, they all came out to greet them, as they still had many questions to answer.
As the two approached, Zhang Xiaoshan remained mysterious and unpredictable, exuding the air of a noble young master from the Southern Dynasties; while the High Priest of Loulan possessed a sacred and charming aura, with a naturally graceful and dignified demeanor that was truly stunning.
However, what shocked Meng Tian the most was that hazy, dreamlike atmosphere, blending seamlessly with the heavens and earth.
Great master!
Even though Zhang Xiaoshan had come to greet him beforehand, explaining that his trip was to help the High Priest of Loulan improve his cultivation level.
Unexpectedly, Zhang Xiaoshan actually did it.
He helped the High Priest of Loulan, who had reached the pinnacle of martial arts, to reach a level that many martial artists dreamed of.
"Congratulations, High Priest, on reaching the Celestial Realm!"
Taoism speaks of the unity of heaven and man, but that is merely a term for an unparalleled state, like the unity of man and sword, or man and knife... After that comes the realm of heaven and man (sword, knife), and the ultimate realm of heaven and man.
However, among martial arts practitioners, those who can achieve perfect harmony between man and sword, and between man and nature, are extremely rare.
Moreover, the Grandmasters above them ultimately reach the celestial realm, akin to immortals on land.
"It is only because of your favor, young master, that I have the opportunity to take this step and protect Loulan."
Upon hearing the Loulan High Priest's affirmation, all the lieutenants and commanders in the tent gasped in surprise.
After the Western Regions, there was another existence they couldn't afford to offend.
A Grandmaster can easily take the head of a general from a million-strong army.
Even a grandmaster is an invincible force on the battlefield. Masters like Bi Xuan and Meng Tian, who are skilled in physical training, are war gods in the army who can defeat ten thousand men.
The high priest is a great sorcerer who can manipulate the heavens and earth, and has even reached the level of being able to unleash forbidden spells.
As for them?
Although they were a battle-hardened force, they were not the Imperial Guards; they were the elite of the Imperial Army's elite soldiers.
For example, every Imperial Guard soldier could be equipped with the Ironclad Cavalry, and every archer was a crack shot, capable of sweeping across the battlefield like a mighty dragon. Furthermore, the Imperial Guard contained many hidden masters, such as those from the Net and the Black Ice Guard…
If the various schools of thought were to assassinate Fusu, they could definitely fight their way in and out of the 300,000-strong iron-blooded army seven times over.
After the two offered incense to Fusu, Meng Tian invited Zhang Xiaoshan and the High Priest of Loulan to take the seats of honor.
"Did you already have the news, young master?"
"The message was sent a long time ago, but Zhang only got out of the country at noon the day before yesterday."
However, I understand what General Meng wants to ask, and I can tell the general clearly:
The Zhang family had the opportunity to save the person, but they couldn't.
Zhang Xiaoshan used the term "Zhang family," not an individual's abbreviation.
Meng Tian was initially angry, but then regained his composure and pondered the gains and losses involved.
It can be said that Zhang Xiaoshan was very direct in his discussion, and had no intention of being evasive or pretentious, so time was no longer important.
The important thing is the Zhang family's purpose.
"Why? What benefit would this bring to the Zhang family?"
"Although the Zhang family and the empire have always supported each other, the mutual fear between the Zhang family and the empire is actually a life-or-death struggle."
As the Grand General of the Empire, I believe General Meng should have noticed this.
The conflict did not erupt because both sides were wary of each other.
But the empire cannot tolerate the Zhang family, and will absolutely not allow the Zhang family to exist outside the control of imperial power.
Therefore, as long as they have the time, the conflict between the Zhang family and the empire will eventually erupt.
Since Zhao Gao and Li Si are willing to take action, the Zhang family can simply observe and wait to eliminate their greatest threat. Why not do it?
Hiss...
Meng Tian suddenly realized, and the generals also uncovered this veil at Zhang Xiaoshan, understanding that the relationship between the Zhang family and the empire was not as harmonious as they had imagined.
The Zhang family's terrifying power, aside from anything else, stems from the numerous trump cards they possess within their military camp—
Hongyi cannons, armored chariots, and various incendiary bombs... were all provided by the Zhang family.
The empire mainly provides substandard products.
There was no way around it; the Zhang family was highly skilled in steelmaking, and their forging process utilized many advanced technologies.
Even if the empire wanted to replicate it, it could only imitate the Hongyi 2.0 cannon and armored chariots at most.
These are things that the Zhang family owned ten years ago.
At this point, the empire was unclear about the extent to which the Zhang family's mechanical arts had developed, but they were definitely a force to be reckoned with.
Therefore, even the Dragon Emperor was wary of the Zhang family's numerous experts and hidden strengths.
Otherwise, the Zhang family, which was independent of imperial power, would have been destroyed by the Dragon Emperor long ago.
The fact that the Zhang family didn't take advantage of the empire's internal strife is already an act of immense mercy.
As for the Zhang family's assistance in stabilizing the border and preventing foreign tribes from taking the opportunity to invade southward, their contribution was immeasurable.
For a moment, the generals in the central command tent also put aside their concerns.
And they will still need the Zhang family's supplies. Military pay, food, equipment... they all need the Zhang family's support to withstand the opportunistic attacks from the foreign tribes.
Chapter 801 The Three-Year Agreement: The Recapture of Meng Tian
"Young Master Fusu is kind and benevolent, and like the Zhang family, his goal in helping the poor is to focus on the livelihood of the common people."
If Prince Fusu were alive, he would be the best successor to the empire. Prince Huhai, on the other hand, is a puppet supported by Zhao Gao, lacking any qualities of a benevolent ruler, and the eunuchs will surely wreak havoc on the court.
The Zhang family's inaction this time will ultimately lead to suffering for the common people.
Prince Fusu is known throughout the land for his benevolence and righteousness.
The Dragon Emperor's domineering rule over the Nine Provinces, his suppression of various schools of thought, and the powerful clans of the land is what makes the Zhang family's attitude unacceptable.