Chapter 007: Fainting
Staying here is not a long-term solution, everyone has gathered together. Meng Chang also got off the vehicle to join in.
"We are quite numerous and rather conspicuous, so we must have already been noticed by others," Li Tinggui explained
Meng Chang replied: "Of course, it is possible"
Li Tinggui was taken aback for a moment, and upon seeing that this group of people was dressed as Tang soldiers, he immediately said: "Indeed. May I ask who the visitors are?"
I can't go anymore!" he replied helplessly
Especially Chai Rong, smiling as he patted Meng Chang on the shoulder, said: "Good brother!"
I believe we should rush out as soon as possible! I will take the lead with Brother Wang, creating a breach, while you all take advantage of the chaos to launch a surprise attack.
Chai Rongdao: "At present, we must first find a way out before making further plans"
Meng Chang was just about to respond when Chai Rong interjected: "Meng Zhixiang is indeed my father. May I ask why the esteemed hero inquires about this?"
These soldiers do not appear to be from Mianzhou said Chai Rong
Everyone proceeded cautiously, surrounded by towering strange rocks, while the mountain wind was eerie, sending chills down one's spine
"How is this possible?" Li Tinggui and the others exchanged glances.
Du Yifeng, after listening, leaped to a higher place and then jumped down, saying: "Their attire is similar to that of the righteous men from Brother Fu's stronghold, so they should not be the soldiers from Mianzhou."
There are no contingencies. Wu Zhang tightened the reins, and the carriage came to a stop
"May I also accompany you?" Chai Rong inquired
There are wolves in front and tigers behind, how do we get past? Meng Chang suddenly thought of a riddle, "Hehe, everyone, don't be nervous, how about I pose a question?"
"We did not alert the authorities; how could they know we have arrived here?" After hearing Li Tinggui's report, Li asked He Tushu.
Haha. That person laughed heartily and dismounted, saying, "I am Wu Qianfu, the Colonel under the administration of Wu Qianyu, the Governor of Mianzhou. I have been waiting here for a long time for the esteemed family of Lord Meng."
Wang Quanbin and Fu Yanqing then stayed behind to guard against unforeseen circumstances
"No need for formalities. While passing through Mianzhou, I have caused quite a disturbance, my apologies for the trouble." Li spoke from within the carriage
A person emerged from within, holding a long-handled axe, and loudly asked: "Is there anyone among you who is a family member of Meng Zhixiang?" Meng Zhixiang is the governor of Xishu, and being addressed by name suggests that this is not an official or military matter.
He brought no fewer than 200 soldiers, who quickly positioned themselves around the convoy
Wang Quanbin wielded his sword, while Fu Yanqing raised his spear. The accompanying soldiers, without much thought, immediately engaged the enemy
Wang Quanbin stood at the intersection, causing the soldiers from Mianzhou to shrink back in fear, and no one dared to take a step forward.
Wu Qianfu immediately shouted to the soldiers in the distance: "Quickly protect Lord Meng's family and return to Mianzhou City."
Indeed. Regardless of what lies ahead, no matter their intentions, let us first leave this place and then discuss further said Meng Chang
We can't go out. Look! Li Tinggui pointed to the intersection.
Everyone nodded in agreement
As soon as the soldiers over there saw someone approaching, they immediately raised their guns in response
Xie Die also recognized Li Tinggui's selfishness, but throughout this journey, they had relied on their protection to avoid any disturbances, so a bit of selfishness is certainly normal
Everyone was left speechless
Li Tinggui suddenly realized and looked at Chai Rong with gratitude, saying: "Young Master Chai, your reminder is appreciated"
What time is it, and who has the leisure to pay attention to you? However, he is indeed the third son of Lord Meng, so everyone has no choice but to listen carefully to the question
Meng Chang said: "How is that impossible? Team Leader Li, Hero Du, both of you accompany me to investigate, and we will discuss it further upon our return"
Du Yifeng could not help but admire the composure of the child
Of course, we should leave this place as soon as possible. The terrain here is treacherous, making it difficult to engage in battle, Li Tinggui replied
Hurry, retreat!" Li Tinggui urgently commanded.
Li Tinggui felt displeased when he saw the young man refuting him. Allowing you to accompany us has already given you enough face; do you still wish to take advantage of the situation further
Chai Rong pulled Xie Die aside and whispered a few words. Xie Die then said: "Their target is you; they should not harm us. This is how it will be: we will stay here. You should charge out first and then make plans."
Concealment? Li Tinggui looked towards Meng Chang
Everyone drew their swords and raised their guns, anxiously looking ahead, only to see that a group of people was already waiting at the exit
Meng Chang felt quite pleased with himself
Wu Qianfu approached Meng Chang's carriage and bowed, saying: "I, your subordinate, have arrived late to receive your presence, and I hope the princess will forgive my transgression". Although the emperor has changed, the princess's title remains, and the necessary etiquette must not be overlooked
Adjustments were made at random. Six carriages were arranged with three in the front and three in the back, while in the middle were eight large carts belonging to the caravan. The soldiers were positioned in two lines on either side, maintaining equal spacing between them.
Between two cliffs, there is a single-log bridge, and beneath it lies an abyss of unimaginable depth. One day, a woodcutter was walking on the bridge when he suddenly spotted a wolf ahead of him. Frightened, he quickly turned around to retreat, only to find a tiger at the other end of the bridge. How did he ultimately get past this situation
Li Tinggui walked forward to the exit, just as he was about to speak, the person in front of him immediately opened his mouth to ask: "Are you perhaps a family member of Lord Meng?"
No, I think it would be great if we could make them faint," Meng Chang explained
But there are still so many women and children merchants, what should we do? Li Tinggui was in a difficult position
Wu Zhang quickly turned the vehicle around and raced back towards the First Line Sky, with several other drivers closely following behind. Xie Die and Chai Rong also hurriedly led the caravan members to turn back. The few large carts were no longer a concern; preserving their lives was the priority
Meng Chang said: "No. Wu Qianyu is clearly intent on exterminating us completely; how could he possibly leave you alive? Thank you, Uncle Xie Die and Young Master Chai, for your kindness. We shall live and die together, what is there to fear!"
Xie Die and others, including Chai Rong, retreated to this location and were taken aback to see that their escape route was blocked
Meng Chang peered out and saw that a troop of soldiers was already waiting at the retreat route, their weapons glinting menacingly.
After a considerable amount of time, no one answered. Meng Chuang smiled and said: "Well, I will tell you the answer: that woodcutter fainted in the end"
Haha, very well. I will not change my name nor my surname. I am Ho Xini, the deputy general under General Kang Yanxiao. Lord Guo Chongtao was wrongfully killed, and General Kang has risen to avenge him; what crime is there in that! Consider that Meng Zhixiang and Lord Guo were also close friends; not only did he fail to seek justice for Lord Guo, but he also suppressed us and killed General Kang. If this grudge is not avenged, my hatred cannot be quelled.
Chai Rong smiled and said, "But with your arrangement, my lord, both front and back are blocked by large carts. How can we escape from this place?"
Li Tinggui said: "I will report this immediately"
Chai Rong and others truly did not wish to burden everyone, which is why they reluctantly requested to stay. Now, being pointed out by the nine-year-old Meng Chang, they feel a deep sense of gratitude for not being abandoned.
Fu Yanqing retreated to the back and shouted, "Who dares to come forward!" With a sweep of his long spear, several soldiers from Mianzhou fell to the ground
In such a small space, what use is it to have so many people
Li Tinggui and others retreated while defending, and soon they all fell back to the front line.
As a humble person passing through this place, I do not dare to disturb you, esteemed heroes. If the mountain does not turn, let the water flow; I hope for your kind assistance.
Wu Zhang drove at the front, while Du Yifeng and Li Tinggui protected the sides of the vehicle, which carried Meng Chang and her son among others
Wu Zhang drove forward, his sole purpose being to quickly exit this narrow passage. Should the enemy seal off his retreat again, or hurl stones down from the mountain, the consequences would be unimaginable
Meng Chang anxiously asked in the car, "Why aren't we leaving?"
Chai Rong pointed to the sky and asked, "If faced with danger, what does Lord Li consider to be the most important thing?"
Wu Qianfu has already ordered the soldiers to retreat, allowing Meng Chang and his group to exit the narrow passage.
Seeing the vehicle come to a stop, Meng Chuang sensed that something had changed. He leaned out to take a look and said, "Captain Li, do not panic. Let us inquire further before making any plans."
The woodsman is unsure whether he has fainted or not; it was you, Young Master Meng San, who caused us to lose consciousness.
Li Tinggui, Du Yifeng, and the soldiers have also arrived. Upon witnessing this situation, they inwardly exclaimed that it was not good.
In this way, if any unforeseen circumstances arise, one can quickly rush forward or retreat to the rear carriage and turn back.
What should I do? Li Tinggui pondered in his heart
As they were about to emerge from the mountain, Du Yifeng shouted back: "Stop"
Du Yifeng discerned the hidden meaning in the text, "Could it be that the young master intends for us to faint?"
This person is a cousin of the current high-ranking official, the Chief Minister An Zhonghui. On the surface, he is under the authority of my lord, but in reality, it is to restrain my lord
The crowd was astonished
Haha. Wu Qianfu laughed while retreating, and when he reached what he deemed a safe distance, he shouted: "Bold thief, impersonating the family of a court official, shall be killed without mercy!"
Huo Xini, and mixing mud, haha, what a good name. Meng Chang chuckled to himself
Li Tinggui and others had never let their guard down, yet even so, they were taken aback by this sudden change. They did not expect the enemy's slaughter to be so blatant.
Meng Chang said with a smile: "It's just average, Brother Chai, please don't laugh. The only one who can understand the essence of this is you, Brother Chai"
How has it passed? Everyone has begun to meditate
Wang Quanbin, Fu Yanqing, as well as Xie Die and Chai Rong all approached. Chai Rong inquired, "I wonder what the relationship is between Wu Qianyu and your esteemed master"
The adults nearby all laughed along. What is this topic? You two little brats are still flattering each other, which is truly amusing
"Wonderful!" Chai Rong clapped in praise, "Fainting is still a thing of the past; this question posed by Young Master Meng is truly brilliant"
"That scoundrel Wu Qianyu is truly despicable, clearly intent on exterminating us all," Li Tinggui exclaimed in anger
"Chang'er, be careful," Li said from the car.
The soldiers immediately drew their swords and raised their guns, charging forward.
Wang Quanbin and Fu Yanqing calculated that they had already emerged into the narrow sky, and they turned around to chase after them. Upon seeing them still in the valley, they anxiously shouted: "Hurry up and get out!"
Brother Fu, Brother Wang will cover our retreat; the rest of you quickly exit this place