Chapter 735: Southern Domain in Peril |
Fortunately, Jinzhou was prepared both psychologically and materially. Southern Domain had already prepared an escape route for them. With the outbreak of war, a large quantity of materials from Jinzhou began flowing into Southern Domain. Without permission, Southern Domain opened the Yan border and allowed Jinzhou's forces to enter unimpeded.
The people of Jinzhou retreated during the fighting and finally fell back into Southern Domain. The foundation that Wandong Heavenly Palace had maintained for many years finally fell into the hands of the Zhao court.
The forces of the Zhao Kingdom also advanced to the border of Southern Domain, which was also the border of the Yan Kingdom. However, whether to invade the territory of the Yan Kingdom and engage in a major war was highly controversial within the Zhao dynasty. The Zhao Kingdom's forces hesitated at the border, seemingly wavering for a moment.
The people of Zhao State were in a panic.
Although the Zhao State had not launched an attack, Southern Domain was preparing for war and began relocating its residents towards Dingzhou to spare the common people from suffering the ravages of conflict.
Many people were unwilling to abandon their homes and businesses; they did not want to leave. They supported the old and carried the young, their faces full of sorrow.
The favorable situation and stable order established in Southern Domain over the past years were instantly shattered.
As the swift army paused to rest, a large bird flew down from the distant sky. Huang Li, the head of Dachang Mountain, had returned to Southern Domain to assess the situation.
He went directly to the military tent, his face dark.
The most important reason was that Meng Shan Ming, as a vassal, was relatively easier to control among the various factions present. Secondly, if Meng Shan Ming were to seize control of Southern Domain and leave Prince Shang here, the Prince would likely be in danger. If the imperial court could poison Prince Shang once, they could do it again.
Here, Niu You Dao had secretly contacted him. When Southern Domain's forces were far from here, Niu You Dao would send large birds to meet them. First, he would send Prince Shang back to Southern Domain to lead the battle, and then the cavalry would continue their journey.
Seeing Huang Li enter, Meng Shan Ming said, "Director Huang, you're just in time. The Prince is about to return to Southern Domain. Please escort him to Dachang Mountain."
Huang Li's face was grim, and he did not answer the question. "Why did you send the people of Jinzhou into Southern Domain? Why didn't you consult me beforehand on such an important matter?"
Meng Shan Ming and Prince Shang exchanged a look, the latter asking, "What happened?"
Huang Li retorted, "Don't tell me you don't know the situation in Southern Domain now! Don't you know that Jinzhou's people and forces would only fight against Zhao's people and forces if they weren't given a way out? Now, Jinzhou hasn't become the vanguard of our Southern Domain. Instead, their people and forces have fled into our Southern Domain. Hasn't our Southern Domain become Jinzhou's refuge? Didn't we just give Zhao the best excuse to attack Southern Domain! Now, Zhao State demands and orders Southern Domain to immediately expel the people of Jinzhou, otherwise, it will become an enemy of Zhao State. Haven't you thought about the consequences?"
Prince Shang said, "After all, Jinzhou's leader is Southern Domain's ally. They have been friends for many years, relying on each other. They won't simply abandon their ties now, nor would they stand by and watch them die alone."
Huang Li was so furious that he stomped his foot and cried, "I said, 'Prince, you are truly muddled.' You must first be able to save yourselves! When it comes to this point, you can still claim your allies are deluding themselves! Prince, Marshal Meng, the problem is already laid bare now. Please order the Jinzhou people to immediately leave Southern Domain. If they don't take the initiative to leave, threaten to unite with Zhao State to deal with them. They wouldn't dare not leave! We aren't concerned with where they go, as long as they are not in my Southern Domain!"
Other matters are easily discussed, but today's situation directly threatened his interests on Dachang Mountain, and he couldn't help but be anxious.
Meng Shan Ming waved his hand and said, "Director, it's not what you think. It wasn't Lord Dao's decision alone to let Jinzhou's people and forces retreat into Southern Domain. I discussed this with Lord Dao at Maolu Villa before Southern Domain decided to launch the eastern expedition. I anticipated that Zhao would attack Jinzhou. At that time, I was prepared to allow Jinzhou's people and forces to retreat into Southern Domain. This is not only for Jinzhou's benefit but also for Southern Domain's benefit."
"For my Southern Domain? Marshal Meng, are you joking or deceiving me?" Huang Li asked in a deep voice. His face was not pleasant. The other side clearly had no intention of repenting, ignoring Dachang Mountain's interests.
Meng Shan Ming first ordered Lu Zheng to step outside to keep watch. Then, he gestured for Luo Da An to push the map closer and pointed with a stick at the geographic positions of Guide Province and Jinzhou. "In those days, the Prince fled the capital with only a few hundred followers. Later, he borrowed troops from Guanyi County to establish himself in Cangwu County. His Majesty feared him, but did not depose the Prince because His Majesty had other plans. When the Lord's territory expanded and he gained two counties, His Majesty wished to eliminate him, but he could not resist with his own strength!"
"The reason Prince can stand firm is based on Jinzhou's support. At one point, Yumen befriended the three major factions of the Yan State and put pressure on the imperial court. Moreover, the imperial court was unwilling to truly confront Jinzhou, nor did Zhao State wish to, fearing it would provoke a full-scale national war. The imperial court paid little heed to just two counties, thus turning a blind eye. When the Prince took Southern Domain, the situation suddenly changed, and the true consequences became evident, making it difficult for the imperial court to prevent an attack."
"At that time, Jinzhou and Southern Domain were equally powerful, truly becoming an alliance of mutual reliance. If Zhao Kingdom moved against Jinzhou, or Yan Kingdom moved against Southern Domain, they would have to face a joint confrontation between the two states. Any aggressor would have to pay an enormous price. The consequences of the Cangzhou rebellion were clear enough; what about the combined efforts of two states? Such mutually beneficial relations would be maintained in the current situation, which is advantageous to both sides. As the Prince said, the two states have been close to each other for many years. It is not a temporary relationship. If one side is in peril, the other cannot be saved without intervention."
Huang Li replied, "Marshal Meng, I understand all of that. What you said is nothing new. I said I can't even protect myself now. What can I do to take care of Jinzhou?"
Meng Shan Ming, hand held, said, "Director, I only understand the relationship that safeguards Jinzhou. If the situation is as dire as the Director believes, do you truly think that after we agree to Zhao's demand to hand over Jinzhou's people and forces, Zhao will truly refrain from fighting Southern Domain? In the grand scheme, if Zhao State intends to send troops into Yan State, whether we hand over Jinzhou's people and forces or not, Zhao State will still act. If Zhao does not intend to use troops against Yan, and doesn't seek great gains, they will merely take Jinzhou. Even if we hand over Jinzhou's people, they still wouldn't dare to easily start a war against Yan."
Huang Li remained silent.
"After discussing this matter with Lord Dao, we came to this conclusion, and then we devised the plan to take in the people of Jinzhou. At that time, Southern Domain's troops were about to move east. Southern Domain's defense forces were insufficient, and Zhao would have to defend against them. Jinzhou's allies could serve as Southern Domain's forward defenses. Once Jinzhou could no longer hold back Zhao's attack, this decision, based on foresight, had already taken effect!"
"If the Zhao State insists on attacking Yan, Southern Domain will bear the brunt. At that time, Southern Domain's elite will be fighting outside, and Dachang Mountain's elite will follow the army, making it difficult for them to return for aid. In this war against the Song State, Southern Domain also consumed a lot of material support, and Southern Domain's resources were unable to withstand a new war."
"Currently, Southern Domain adheres to its ally's faith, regardless of its own safety. Jinzhou is very grateful to Southern Domain. Jinzhou views Southern Domain as a lifeline. Jinzhou's troops have almost emptied Jinzhou, and a large number of materials have been exported to Southern Domain. At the same time, most of the people from Jinzhou have gone to Southern Domain, and Wandong Heavenly Palace's cultivation forces have also gone to help Southern Domain. Southern Domain, which has gathered Jinzhou's human, material, and financial resources, needs people and horses, grain, and resources. If Zhao doesn't offend us, it's fine. But if they do, Jinzhou's forces will have no way out and will fight to help us in the first battle for Southern Domain. Southern Domain will have the courage to fight bravely, at least until our reinforcements arrive!"
Huang Li stared at the map in a daze, a sense of sudden realization washing over him.
"Director Huang, I decided to let the people of Jinzhou into Southern Domain when the situation changed, after discussing it with Lord Dao. We can not only earn Jinzhou's gratitude for our loyalty, but also use Jinzhou's strength to fight foreign enemies. If we expel Jinzhou at this time, would it not be suicide? If Director Huang helps expel Jinzhou at this time, when Zhao State attacks Southern Domain, how can Southern Domain block it? Who can help Dachang Mountain's interests? You would harm others, but not yourselves. I hope Director Huang thinks twice!"
The two men awaited his response under his piercing gaze. Huang Li was sullen for a moment, then slowly uttered, "After making such an important decision, you should at least inform me in advance!" With that, he left, as if still displeased.
Meng Shan Ming and Prince Shang slowly turned and exchanged smiles.
As Huang Li stepped out of the camp, he sighed. Before he had gone far, he suddenly saw a large bird flying in the air, releasing another large bird that then descended into the camp on the other side, the Zijin Cave's encampment.
Huang Li glanced at the newcomers and saw two Zijin Cave disciples escorting a female disciple. Although he watched from afar, he could see that the female disciple was exceptionally beautiful.
The woman's attire fell gracefully to the ground, and she walked with a dignified air behind the other Zijin Cave disciples. She had beautiful temples, fair skin, a crystal-clear complexion, and a graceful posture that attracted the attention of many men around her.
From the way they arrived, it was clear the beautiful woman seemed to be the main figure. Elder Yue Yuan of Zijin Cave emerged from his tent and welcomed the woman inside, but did not allow anyone else to enter.
After observing for a while, Huang Li asked Huang Dong, his senior nearby, "This girl has a marvelous appearance. If she can meet in the palace, she must not be an ordinary disciple. Who is she from Zijin Cave? Why is she here? It's all so strange?"
Huang Dong shook his head. "I haven't heard of her nor seen her before. Let me find out."
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