novelSusiti Chapter 24 A Shocking Turn of Events During the Siege: Meng Huo's Choice
Chapter 24 A Shocking Turn of Events During the Siege: Meng Huo's Choice
Outside the city of Zangke, dust obscured the sky and blocked out the sun.
The sound of horses' hooves echoed across the wilderness, a resounding buzz.
Yong Kai was clad in gleaming silver armor.
He held a long sword and stood at the front of the battle.
His gaze was sharp as a knife, fixed intently on Li Hui's Shu army camp.
Tens of thousands of rebels lined up in formation.
Banners fluttered in the wind, and a murderous aura filled the air.
They completely surrounded Li Hui's five hundred elite troops.
"Li Hui, come out and face your death!"
Yong Kai's roar pierced through the sandstorm, deafeningly loud.
"You colluded with Meng Huo and betrayed the Southern Regions!"
"Today is your death day!"
Inside the Shu army camp, Li Hui's expression was solemn.
He gripped the long sword tightly in his hand, his fingertips turning white from the force.
The guards all looked on guard.
They gripped their weapons tightly, but their eyes betrayed their anxiety.
With such a disparity in troop strength, a direct confrontation would undoubtedly result in certain death.
[Li Hui thought to himself]: Yong Kai is coming on strong.
Their troop strength is dozens of times that of our army.
Meng Huo has yet to express his opinion, and the city gates of Zangke County remain tightly closed.
We are trapped like turtles in a jar, unable to escape.
"General, the rebels are too numerous!"
One of the guards gritted his teeth and volunteered for the mission, his tone resolute.
"We can't hold out for long, so let's fight our way out and fight to the death!"
Li Hui waved his hand, his tone calm: "No."
"Our forces are vastly outnumbered; a hasty breakout would only result in total annihilation."
"Aman has gone back to report to Meng Huo."
"If we just hold on a little longer, things might turn around."
He paused, then gave a deep order: "Pass down the order."
"Archers lined up outside the camp."
"Shield bearers, hold the camp gates. No one is to engage in battle without my order!"
"promise!"
The guards responded in unison, quickly taking their positions and standing ready for battle.
When Yong Kai saw that the Shu army refused to fight, a hint of impatience flashed in his eyes.
He shouted sternly, "Since you refuse to come out, then set the camp on fire!"
"I will burn you all inside, leaving no one alive!"
No sooner had he finished speaking than several rebel soldiers appeared, holding torches.
He charged madly toward the Shu army camp.
A large number of rebel troops followed behind, preparing to launch a strong attack amidst the chaos.
"Release the arrows!"
Li Hui shouted loudly, his voice piercing through the tent.
The Shu archers immediately drew their bows and fired.
A dense barrage of arrows rained down.
The rebels at the forefront were all struck by arrows and fell to the ground.
The torches scattered on the ground and quickly went out.
However, the rebels were too numerous.
As one wave falls, another immediately surges forward.
The Shu troops surrounding the camp gradually began to falter.
The shield was covered in knife marks and was already badly damaged.
Some of the guards were already wounded and lying on the ground, groaning in pain.
[Li Hui's mind raced]: If this continues, before Meng Huo can even respond.
We would then be attacked and our camp would be breached by Yong Kai, resulting in the annihilation of our entire army.
It seems the only option is to risk sending someone to break through the encirclement and urge Meng Huo to hurry up again.
He beckoned and summoned a nimble bodyguard.
He lowered his voice and solemnly ordered, "Take two elite soldiers with you."
"Break through from the rear of the camp and find Meng Huo at all costs."
"Tell him that if he doesn't take action now, the alliance between Shu Han and the tribes will be null and void!"
"I obey your decree!"
The guard bowed and agreed without delay.
He immediately took two companions and quietly circled around to the back of the camp.
Taking advantage of a lull in the rebels' attack, he leaped out of the encirclement.
Meanwhile, in the city of Zangke County.
Inside Meng Huo's tent, the atmosphere was so heavy it was suffocating.
Aman stood bowing to the side.
He reported Li Hui's words truthfully, word for word.
Meng Huo sat in the main seat.
His fingers tapped lightly on the table, his brow furrowed.
His expression was hesitant, and he was struggling internally.
"Chief, General Li is now surrounded by Yong Kai and is in imminent danger."
Ah Man advised in a low voice, her tone earnest.
"If we don't help him, he's sure to die."
"The autonomy and tax exemption promised by Shu Han were all sincere."
"If we miss this opportunity, the tribe will surely fall under Yong Kai's control and never have peace again."
[Meng Huo's inner struggle]: What Li Hui said is true.
Yong Kai colluded with Eastern Wu and became an ally of Sima Yi.
They are only concerned with their own selfish interests and are by no means truly dedicated to the South.
However, Yong Kai had a strong military force and a powerful influence.
If they help Li Hui and fail, their tribe will face annihilation.
"Chief, Yong Kai's confidants are still in the city monitoring us."
Another tribal chief whispered a reminder.
"If we send troops to help, we will probably be the first to suffer their wrath."
Meng Huo remained silent for a moment.
A flicker of hesitation crossed his eyes, but it was quickly replaced by determination.
"Yong Kai colluded with foreign enemies and wreaked havoc in the south, and has long lost the hearts of the people."
He said in a deep voice, his tone firm and resolute.
"His Majesty Liu Shan is sincere, but General Li is leading a lone army deep into enemy territory."
"It's all for the sake of the people of Nanzhong living in peace and prosperity; we cannot sit idly by!"
Just then, a tribal member rushed in.
His expression was urgent, and his voice was panicked: "Chief, something terrible has happened!"
"Yong Kai dispatched a large army to besiege General Li's camp."
"He even sent someone to tell us that if we didn't leave the city to help him..."
"After breaching Li Hui's camp, immediately massacre the entire city!"
Meng Huo's expression changed, and he suddenly stood up.
He stood with his hand on his sword, exuding a murderous aura.
[Meng Huo was furious]: How dare that scoundrel Yong Kai threaten me!
Today, I will fight him to the death.
This would both preserve the entire clan and repay the Shu Han's sincerity!
"Send the order: gather all the tribe's forces!"
Meng Huo gave the order in a stern voice, his tone leaving no room for argument.
"Open the city gates and follow me to support General Li!"
"promise!"
The people inside the tent responded in unison and immediately turned to gather their forces.
A hint of relief flashed in Aman's eyes.
He bowed and said, "The leader is wise."
"This move will surely preserve the tribe and bring lasting peace to the south."
Meng Huo waved his hand, his gaze resolute.
"Success or failure hinges on this."
"If we can help General Li defeat Yong Kai, there will be hope for the south."
Inside the Chengdu Imperial Palace.
Liu Shan sat upright on the dragon throne.
Dong Yunzheng bowed and reported on the handling of the secret agents.
"Your Majesty, the lurking guard."
Dong Yun spoke with a solemn tone and looked serious.
"Even after being subjected to severe interrogation by me, he still insisted that he was coerced."
"The whereabouts of the other covert agents are unknown."
"It seems that Sima Yi's secret agents in Chengdu are very well hidden."
Liu Shan stroked the jade pendant at his waist with his fingertips.
His expression was calm, but a hint of coldness lurked in his eyes.
[Liu Shan thought to himself]: Sima Yi is an old and cunning man.
There will certainly be more than just this one hidden plot.
Since he refuses to talk, let him stay.
Perhaps this will lure out other lurking pawns and wipe them all out in one fell swoop.
"Lock him in the imperial prison and keep him under strict guard."
Liu Shan said in a deep voice, his tone leaving no room for argument.
"No one is allowed to contact him; his every move is to be closely monitored."
"Continue the covert investigation, with a focus on court officials and military generals."
"We must find all the hidden leads and eliminate them completely!"
"I obey your decree!"
Dong Yun bowed in agreement and turned to leave.
Liu Shan stood up and walked to the window of the palace.
Looking south, he already had a plan in mind.
[Liu Shan's plan]: Li Hui is trapped in the south.
Whether Meng Huo can act in time remains to be seen.
With Sima Yi secretly assisting Yong Kai, this suppression of the rebellion will likely not be smooth sailing.
We must send Ma Zhong with troops to provide reinforcements as soon as possible to prevent any unforeseen circumstances.
He raised his hand and summoned his personal guards.
He said in a deep voice, "Convey my decree."
"Order Ma Zhong to lead three thousand elite troops and set off immediately to aid the southern regions."
"Await Li Hui's command and assist him in quelling the rebellion in the south!"
"promise!"
The guard bowed in agreement and hurriedly left.
Inside the Wei camp.
Sima Yi was pacing back and forth, his expression sinister.
He exuded a terrifying chill, sending shivers down one's spine.
The guard rushed in and knelt on one knee.
His voice was urgent and somewhat panicked: "Grand Tutor, something terrible has happened!"
News has come from the south that Yong Kai has led his army to surround Li Hui.
"But it seems Meng Huo is showing signs of sending troops to help!"
Sima Yi suddenly stopped in his tracks.
A glint of ruthlessness and shock flashed in his eyes, and his expression became increasingly ferocious.
[Sima Yi was furious]: Meng Huo, you scoundrel, how dare you betray me, the Grand Tutor!
They even dared to help Shu Han quell the rebellion, ruining my grand plan!
If Li Hui were to collude with Meng Huo, the grand plan in the south would be completely exposed!
He slammed his hand on the table and shouted sternly, "Issue my secret order!"
"Have your secret agents in the south take immediate action to stop Meng Huo from sending troops!"
"If that doesn't work, then eliminate Meng Huo to prevent future troubles!"
"In addition, send another 5,000 elite troops to secretly reinforce Yong Kai."
"We must eliminate Li Hui before Ma Zhong's reinforcements arrive!"
"promise!"
The guard trembled with fear and bowed in agreement.
He turned and left in a hurry, not daring to delay for even a moment.
Sima Yi walked outside the tent.
He gazed southward, his eyes filled with resentment and malice.
"Liu Shan, Li Hui, Meng Huo!"
He growled in a low voice, his tone full of ferocity.
"You dare to ruin my grand plan! I, the Grand Tutor, will make you pay with your blood!"
Outside the city of Zangke, the flames of war intensified.
Li Hui's Shu army has suffered more than half casualties.
The rebels set fire to the camp, and the flames soared into the sky, illuminating half the heavens.
The guards continued to fight desperately, but they were already at their last gasp.
Yong Kai, wielding a long sword, personally charged into the Shu army's ranks.
The long sword flashed, its cold light gleaming.
He successively killed several Shu soldiers, his momentum unstoppable.
His gaze was fixed on Li Hui, his murderous intent fully revealed.
"Li Hui, surrender!"
Yong Kai shouted sternly, his tone full of disdain.
"This general will spare you your life, leaving you with a whole corpse and sparing you from further suffering!"
Li Hui was covered in wounds, and blood was spilling from the corner of his mouth.
Yet he still gripped his longsword tightly, refusing to retreat even a step.
His eyes were firm, revealing an unyielding spirit that would rather die than submit.
[Li Hui sighed inwardly]: Am I going to die here today?
Is the grand plan to quell the rebellion in the south, entrusted to His Majesty, destined to fail at the last minute?
Just as Yong Kai's long sword was about to strike Li Hui...
Suddenly, a shout came from afar.
Dust billowed as a large tribal army charged in.
The leader was none other than Meng Huo!
"Yong Kai, stop!"
Meng Huo's roar echoed across the battlefield.
"You colluded with foreign enemies and wreaked havoc in the south; you deserve to die!"
"Today, I will act on behalf of Heaven and eliminate you!"
Yong Kai's expression changed, and he turned to look.
Seeing Meng Huo leading his army towards them, a hint of panic flashed in his eyes.
Then it was replaced by ruthlessness, and the killing intent became even stronger.
But before he could react...
Meng Huo's tribal army had already charged to the front lines.
They fought fiercely with the rebels, their shouts shaking the heavens.
A glimmer of hope flashed in Li Hui's eyes.
He immediately gathered the remaining personal guards and launched a fierce counterattack.
They attacked from both sides with Meng Huo's army.
The rebel army was thrown into chaos and routed.
Just when the tide of battle was about to turn.
An unidentified cavalry unit suddenly charged from the side.
They were all agile and moved like the wind.
They headed straight for Meng Huo—they were the spies sent by Sima Yi!
Meng Huo was only concerned with fighting the rebels.
Completely unaware of the deadly threat lurking behind them.
The assassin, wielding a short knife, leaped into the air.
The short dagger flashed with a cold light and pierced straight for Meng Huo's back!
Will Meng Huo be able to escape this fatal blow?
Will Sima Yi's spies succeed?
Will Ma Zhong's reinforcements arrive in time?
Meanwhile, inside Chengdu, there was the guard who had been imprisoned in the imperial jail.
A strange glint flashed in his eyes.
He quietly took out a small token from his pocket.
Sima Yi's covert operations never ceased.
[End of Chapter]