The grand vision presented by Zhu Meng was met with a strong reaction, and many generals displayed expressions of joy.
Seeing that his men were responding, Zhu Meng felt more at ease, making his subsequent announcement less abrupt. He cleared his throat and said,
"Originally, I had already dispatched General Zhang Liao to scout ahead. After the decisive battle with Xiao Jingyun, we were to proceed to Jizhou. However, it now appears we will not need to fight. We will depart tonight and travel to Jizhou overnight."
To Jizhou?
Everyone looked at each other, their expressions tinged with surprise. This decision was perhaps too unexpected.
"Marshal, we now hold Qingniu County. Why should we travel to Jizhou, which is further afield?"
In response to this question, Zhu Meng chuckled, "There are things I haven't had time to tell you all yet. The Great Lin Kingdom is pressing close to the Baihe River. General Zhang Liao has gone to persuade the commander of Jizhou, Ge Cun. As long as we occupy Jizhou and can support each other across the river with the Great Lin Kingdom, what power will the Xiao family have to turn the tide?"
Upon hearing this, everyone's spirits immediately soared, and they became eager to fight. Their confidence returned in an instant.
Observing the excited faces of his men, Zhu Meng let out a long sigh of relief. He was, in essence, speaking without basis, but fortunately, communication was poor in those times.
If he said the Great Lin Kingdom was at the Baihe River, then it was at the Baihe River. His subordinates had no way to verify it.
Zhu Meng's falsehood proved highly effective, with immediate results. Once the news spread, there was significantly less dissent in the military camp.
Taking advantage of the situation, Zhu Meng ordered a swift departure for Jizhou, traveling light and with minimal baggage.
As long as they marched at full speed, they could reach Jizhou in at most three days. Therefore, they only needed to bring some dry rations and bedding. All other heavy supplies were to be discarded.
Additionally, a message was to be sent to the garrison in the mountains. They were to take what they could carry and not to force anything if they couldn't. Speed was of the essence; once they reached Jizhou, they would have everything.
After everyone dispersed, Zhu Lin cautiously asked, "Big Brother, what about Qingniu County? Should we notify them to withdraw as well?"
Zhu Meng pondered for a moment and shook his head. "The troops in Qingniu County will withdraw last. After we have left, we will send orders to Wang Lei. This is to avoid making too much noise and alerting Xiao Jingyun."
In reality, Zhu Lin understood that while Zhu Meng's reasoning sounded plausible, it was, in truth, a way to have the men in Qingniu County stay behind as a rearguard.
Meanwhile, back in their own tents, the brothers Lu Dong and Lu Xi began to plot again.
"Big Brother, if we follow them to Jizhou, I fear there will be no turning back."
Lu Dong shook his head. "Once we reach Jizhou, why would we need to turn back? The Great Lin Kingdom will soon cross the Baihe River, and then Cang Kingdom will be finished!"
"We will be the founding heroes of Zhu Meng."
In contrast to the somewhat smug Lu Dong, his brother Lu Xi, as always, remained cautious. He lowered his voice and said, "Big Brother, we must have a backup plan."
"Don't forget, the reason the Great Lin Kingdom has made such smooth progress is that various forces have come to aid the king, leaving their defenses empty. But once we withdraw, if the Crown Prince and his men are freed up and engage them separately..."
Hearing his words, Lu Dong fell silent.
After a long pause, he sighed again. "You are right. I shouldn't be so complacent. When we retreat later, you seize the chaos and leave the camp alone. Go and meet the Crown Prince in person, explain the situation to him, and clarify our intentions."
"Also, tell the Crown Prince that if we meet on the battlefield in the future and circumstances force me to be his enemy, I beg his forgiveness."
Crown Prince Xiao Jingyun had already retired for the night. When he heard that Lu Xi had arrived, he promptly rose to greet him.
Dressed only in his sleepwear, he met him outside the main tent. Seeing this, Lu Xi was deeply touched.
"Your Highness, I have disturbed your beautiful dreams. I beg your forgiveness."
Xiao Jingyun laughed heartily. "It is nothing, it is nothing. It is good that you have come, my loyal subject."
As he spoke, he invited Lu Xi into the main tent and ordered his men to serve tea.
Lu Xi waved his hand. "Your Highness, time is of the essence. I will not have tea. I have only a few words to say, and then I must leave immediately."
"Zhu Meng has changed his mind. He will not fight you tomorrow and intends to rush to Jizhou overnight."
What?
Xiao Jingyun was stunned. After all his efforts, why wasn't he coming?
"Did something unexpected happen?"
Lu Xi nodded.
"The mountain camp was burned. The morale is unstable, and Zhu Meng fears there might be trouble tomorrow, hence his overnight withdrawal."
What?
Xiao Jingyun's eyes widened instantly, but he quickly regained his composure. Yes, it must have been Chen Xiaobei and his men. What a brilliant move!
First, they burned the provisions, forcing Zhu Meng down the mountain, and then they burned the camp. Zhu Meng naturally couldn't return to the mountain, so retreating was his only option.
"Also, Zhu Meng has already sent Zhang Liao to Jizhou. Your Highness, please make your decision soon."
After speaking, Lu Xi clasped his hands in salute and left in a hurry.
Lu Xi was gone, but Xiao Jingyun had lost all desire to sleep.
Zhu Meng's army of three hundred thousand withdrawing to Jizhou was definitely not good news.
Xiao Jingyun immediately summoned Lord Liu and Lord Zhao to discuss the matter.
Old Lord Zhao, known for his impatience, slammed the table. "What is there to discuss? We should go and attack them directly! Their morale is unstable. Our hundred thousand might be able to defeat their three hundred thousand."
Old Lord Liu, however, waved his hand. "There is no need to be so hasty. We do not need to swallow them whole. We only need to dispatch our troops immediately and surround Qingniu County, preventing these fifty thousand men from retreating. Additionally, send someone to Jizhou to stabilize Ge Cun, and if the opportunity arises, kill Zhang Liao."
"But Zhu Meng's army has not gone far. If we surround Qingniu County and he comes back to rescue them, won't we be put in a passive position?"
Xiao Jingyun smiled and shook his head. "Don't worry, Zhu Meng's army will not return."
The two old Marquises returned to their respective camps and began to make arrangements.
Half an hour later, a hundred thousand troops moved out in full force, silently surrounding Qingniu County so tightly that not a drop of water could leak through.
Meanwhile, Zhu Meng had already quietly led his men away, traveling swiftly with light baggage. As dawn broke, he was already more than thirty miles from Qingniu County.
Only then did Zhu Meng call over a nearby guard and instruct him to return and deliver a message to Wang Lei: abandon Qingniu County immediately and proceed to Jizhou.
At this time, Qingniu County was already in utter chaos.
Wang Lei was woken from his sleep by news that the outside was surrounded by a vast army.
He ascended the city wall and looked out, his heart sinking halfway. A dark, endless mass stretched as far as he could see. How many troops could this be?
He stroked his chin, pondering. Something seemed amiss.
Yesterday, Marshal Zhu's letter stated that he would fight Crown Prince Xiao Jingyun to the death today.
But why were these hundreds of thousands of troops surrounding him? This clearly did not resemble an army preparing to fight Zhu Meng; rather, it looked like they were preparing to attack the city.
As he was lost in thought, he heard someone shouting from below, "Is the general Wang Lei on the city wall?"