“Are these acts of soldiers plundering civilians in the Jiankang route authorized by the generals, or are the subordinates acting willfully on their own?” she asked straightforwardly without waiting for anyone to speak.
The men exchanged glances, appearing reluctant to answer.
Yue Linxi heard this and his expression changed slightly, but he said nothing.
Meng Tinghui understood these men’s expressions perfectly and spoke bluntly: “You all raise the banner of national restoration, repeatedly claiming that the new Emperor of Great Peace is ineffective and Prince Ping lacks virtue, saying you wish to establish fate and seek blessings for the common people under heaven. Now, not only are you capturing cities and seizing outposts, but these acts of disturbing civilian life and plundering the people—can this truly be called seeking blessings for the people?”
Seeing that they only lowered their heads in silence, she laughed coldly: “If this continues, even if we restore Zhongwan, how can we enjoy these territories? Now that I have accepted the mission of restoration, I cannot allow you to commit such perverse acts that ruin the reputation of the Zhongwan imperial lineage.”
Yue Linxi turned to address the men: “What the lord says is correct. When you return, you must strictly order the soldiers not to disturb civilians again, or face severe punishment!”
Everyone acknowledged and withdrew.
Yue Linxi turned his head and said: “My lord has been traveling wearily for many days. Now that we’ve reached the territory controlled by our army, you can rest easy.”
He was about to bow and withdraw when Meng Tinghui called him to stay.
Yue Linxi stood with his head lowered, “My lord, please speak.”
She adjusted to a more comfortable sitting position and said softly: “I know the reason those generals agreed just now was merely because they fear your influence, Yue Linxi, and has nothing whatsoever to do with me as their lord.”
His expression became somewhat uncomfortable. “My lord, this statement…”
Meng Tinghui smiled. “What’s wrong? Do you find my words too direct?” Seeing him fall silent, she continued: “I’ve struggled through the Great Peace court for these few years and can discern worldly power and human hearts to some extent. Though I am of the Meng lineage, here I have neither foundation nor close supporters. Why would those who hold military power listen to me? You respect and treat me well only because you wish to use my identity as an imperial descendant for your grand plans. As for what you do, how could you truly be at my disposal?”
Yue Linxi sighed lightly.
She said: “You, Yue Linxi, are considered a pillar among the former officials of Zhongwan. You went to North Jin to facilitate the three-state conflict, so your position is naturally different. But the reason you’ve been willing to follow my views until now is merely because I know the details of the Great Peace imperial army’s military affairs. For your rebellion to restore the nation, you could have found someone to impersonate a Zhongwan imperial descendant. But you specifically sought me out, even going to great lengths to bring me from the Great Peace court all the way here, simply because you value my understanding of Great Peace political and military affairs. Am I correct?”
He nodded frankly and said: “Yes.”
She laughed lightly. “If that’s the case, once you learn the details of Great Peace military and political affairs from me, would you still respect me as you do now? You would surely suspend me in midair, with nothing but an imperial shell, while inside I’d be nothing more than a puppet. Since I can see through all this, how could I easily let you know everything?”
Yue Linxi frowned slightly. “I’ve long heard of my lord’s intelligence and wisdom, and today I understand it in detail. Since that’s the case, please speak plainly about what you want.”
Meng Tinghui composed herself and said seriously: “I, Meng Tinghui, have always been ambitious for power. Since you want me to claim the throne and restore the nation, I must truly secure this imperial position. Now that the Great Peace Emperor is personally leading the campaign, it’s not just a matter of the three northern routes but concerns all twenty-eight routes of Great Peace. Although I won’t tell you all the details of the Great Peace imperial army, I can help you lead your troops to victory if you follow my commands.”
Seeing Yue Linxi hesitate, she continued: “You witnessed North Jin recapturing Jin Gorge Pass; I would never deceive you. Moreover, I am now despised by people across the land, and the Great Peace court will never accept me again. You need not worry that I might change my mind midway and return to Great Peace.”
Yue Linxi bowed and said: “Great Peace represents the hatred of a destroyed nation and family for my lord. I would never suspect that you would return to Great Peace.”
“Very good,” Meng Tinghui said pleasantly. “If you are willing to follow my plans, the benefits you’ll receive after restoration will surely be much greater than now. As for my identity, there’s no need to announce it to the world yet. This way, the Great Peace ruler and ministers will believe I am in North Jin and won’t be greatly vigilant against our army. They will only deploy their main forces to the north and focus on northern defenses, allowing our army to take advantage of the situation and advance south to invade their important cities.”
Yue Linxi remained silent for a long time, then nodded slightly.
She looked somewhat relaxed and said: “The agreement with North Jin was established by me. After this campaign of capturing cities and territories, even if you wanted to replace me with someone else, the North Jin army would not comply.”
He looked up, his gaze remarkable. “With my lord’s strategic insight, no one could replace you. I only knew of your eloquence in North Jin before, but today I realize you truly are a heroic woman.”
“You may withdraw now,” Meng Tinghui said with a calm expression. But she added at the end: “You, Yue Linxi, are no ordinary person, and your ambitions surely extend beyond common fame and profit?”
Yue Linxi gave her a deep look, then bowed and withdrew.
After resting in Yongzhou city for three days, they set out again, continuing southward.
Further south, the rebel forces in Jiankang route grew stronger. Most important towns and outposts had been occupied by rebels. The Great Peace imperial guards, having suffered consecutive defeats and lacking effective strategies against the rebels, became even more reluctant to advance rashly upon hearing that fires of war had broken out again in the north.
When they passed through Qiongzhou, definite news arrived that the Great Peace Emperor had departed from Northern Capital on the twentieth day of the eighth month, personally leading a campaign with thirteen imperial guard armies from the capital region, totaling 130,000 troops.
Besides the capital region, there were signs of troops being withdrawn and shifted north from seven routes: Fengqing, Yongxing, and Pingde routes in the west, Heyang South and North routes, and Beilian and Zhongning routes in the north. Great Peace seemed intent on deploying the entire nation’s military strength against North Jin.
Within ten days, more news came from the north: Great Peace’s valiant general Han Peng had taken Huizhou.
North Jin deployed its troops to press toward the Linhui route, intending to force Han Peng’s forces to retreat. Meanwhile, Di Nian’s forces, having been stationed for a long time, launched another attack on Jin Gorge Pass.
Although the Great Peace imperial guards made progress in the north, they did not launch a major offensive against the nearly 100,000 rebel troops in the southern parts of Jiankang, Chao’an, and Linhui routes, which was somewhat puzzling.
As the world situation changed dramatically, Yue Linxi consulted Meng Tinghui. She ordered him to deploy the northern garrison troops of Chao’an route to advance westward and attack the Chengfu route, and ordered the Linhui route to withdraw troops and cease fighting, temporarily observing the situation.
The closer they got to Shuzhou, the more mountainous the forests became, making the road increasingly difficult to travel.
Although they were already in Zhongwan heartland, Yue Linxi acted cautiously. Before reaching Shuzhou, he still wasn’t at ease and dispatched nearly ten thousand troops to escort them from the front and rear.
For convenience, Meng Tinghui had abandoned her carriage and rode on horseback, slowly advancing with the escort troops.
The early autumn breeze was slightly cool, blowing fallen leaves and flowers into disorderly layers on the mountain path. Due to the war, the civilian lodgings along the way were all empty. Despite the beautiful autumn scenery, there was no one to appreciate it.
After passing several dozen li beyond the border county, past midday, with no villages ahead or behind, Yue Linxi ordered everyone to rest briefly on the side of the mountain road, fearing that Meng Tinghui might become tired.
However, before long, a scout rode back hastily and whispered something to Yue Linxi with a panicked expression.
Yue Linxi’s face changed abruptly. “Really?!” Then he added, “Go scout more clearly!”
The soldier accepted the order and left urgently.
Meng Tinghui had been dozing against a green tree. Seeing this, she lifted her skirt, stood up, and raised an eyebrow, asking: “What’s the matter?”
Yue Linxi approached her and lowered his voice: “The scout just reported that Great Peace imperial guards have been spotted ten li ahead.”
She narrowed her eyes slightly.
This area was in the heart of Zhongwan rebel territory, with various army units connected like a spider’s web. Even with tremendous ability, Great Peace imperial guards couldn’t possibly penetrate this deep. Moreover, throughout her journey south, she hadn’t heard of any Great Peace troops attacking this area around the Jiankang route. How could the shadows of Great Peace imperial guards suddenly appear now?
Unless…
There was newly erupted fighting in some nearby prefecture or county, and before the battle reports arrived, those Great Peace imperial guards had already advanced to this area.