Big Moon Ballad

Chapter 2641 Turning Point
It's all... a karmic entanglement.

Once you read about this person's life, you can basically understand why he became the leader of the rebels.

When the Second Emperor died suddenly at the Great Wall of Eternal Night, the empire fragmented. Ying Han was unable to control the large number of border guards left by Qin at the Great Wall of Eternal Night. Many of the Qin guards remained at their posts and became garrison troops of Northern Wei. Only a small number of soldiers with power and influence in the Former Qin were able to return to Qin.

General Zhou Fu's family had already lost everything in the Former Qin Dynasty, so he naturally stayed at the Great Wall and did not return home.

Such a person would not normally be loyal to the Northern Wei, but it is surprising that he would side with the Western Rong people.

It wasn't exactly an accident.

When Ying Baoyue learned that Yun Zhongjun's true identity was Jin Yun, the eldest son of the Jin family, she was worried that this would happen, and it did indeed happen.

The Jin family wielded considerable power along the Great Wall border, which is why Emperor Taizu later insisted on eliminating them.

As for Zhou Fu, his family has been loyal to the Jin family for generations. He rose to prominence because of Jin Cheng's appreciation. Now that Yun Zhongjun is the only bloodline of the Jin family, it is only natural for him to be loyal to Yun Zhongjun.

"It is understandable that this person would rebel."

Meng Shi looked at the scroll in Ying Baoyue's hand and sighed.

“I don’t think so,” Li Meiniang said calmly. “As a person from the Central Plains, to let wolves into the house and bring disaster to the people is against all reason and law.”

With a "snap," Ying Baoyue closed the scroll.

“Mei Niang is right.”

Ying Baoyue stood up and returned the scroll to Yelü Hua, saying, "No matter how many personal reasons he has, or how tragic his background is, none of these are reasons for him to lead the Western Rong people."

This statement is not only directed at Zhou Fu, but also at Yun Zhongjun, and also at herself.

"Hug the moon?"

This was the first time Meng Shi had seen such a cold expression on Ying Baoyue's face.

"Mei Niang, are Yun Niang and Duo Duo alright?" Ying Baoyue asked. "Why don't we see anyone from Liuyun Tower and Shanhai Residence?"

Li Meiniang's gaze was somewhat complicated. She took a deep breath and said, "At least when they broke up with me, they were still alive."

When Shanhaiguan City fell, the people of Shanhaiju and Liuyunlou suffered heavy casualties in their efforts to help the city's inhabitants escape. Although Qian Bofang and Wan Liuyun led the remaining people and the Silver Cicada Guards out of the city, they could not move quickly in order to take care of the wounded.

However, because the enemy was advancing south at a very fast pace, Qian Bofang and Wan Liuyun proposed to split up with her in order not to slow down the Silver Cicada Guards.

"Those who still had fighting ability in Shan Hai Ju and Liu Yun Lou joined the Silver Cicada Guard. Duo Duo and Yun Niang took the remaining wounded along a side path, saying they would go to find another Shan Hai Ju branch in the Northern Wei territory to stay in."

Li Meiniang said in a low voice.

Ying Baoyue sat quietly at the table without saying a word, while Li Meiniang lowered her eyes, almost not daring to look at her.

They all knew that Wan Liuyun and the others had made sacrifices so that the Silver Cicada Guards could go south to rescue Luoyang as soon as possible.

Taking the elderly, the weak, the sick, and the disabled with them, once separated, their fates are uncertain.

She abandoned them.

In such a perilous situation, she not only abandoned them but also took all her elite troops with her.

General Plum Blossom, who hadn't flinched even when surrounded by hundreds on the battlefield, had tears welling up in his eyes for the first time. Looking at the girl sitting at the table before him, he choked with guilt, "Baoyue, I..."

However, Ying Baoyue merely raised her hand to stop Li Meiniang from apologizing, saying, "I know you can't do anything about it."

She knew very well that Li Meiniang, who made this decision, was the one suffering the most.

Ying Baoyue stood up and asked softly, "Is Yunniang injured?"

Actually, she already knew the answer when she asked the question.

If he hadn't been injured, Wan Liuyun himself would have been a powerful cultivator and wouldn't have failed to come to Luoyang's aid.

Li Meiniang's eyes reddened even more, and she nodded. The entire study was eerily silent. Meng Shi was restless, her eyes filled with guilt.

No one knew what Ying Baoyue was thinking. She simply leaned on Yelü Hua's desk, her face showing no sign of sadness.

No one in the entire study dared to speak until the study's owner finally spoke.

"By the way, where did Zhaohua and Chunhua go? Why can't I see them?" Yelü Hua frowned, his face full of confusion.

It seemed to have become a custom for these two to appear together with Ying Baoyue; this was the first time he had seen neither of them present.

"Zhaohua went to Xirong, and I asked him to contact Zhao Guang and Celing. Jiashu stayed at the Epang Palace to guard it."

"The Western Rong?" Yelü Hua was taken aback. "How long have they been gone? Is there still no news?"

“It’s been more than ten days since we left,” Ying Baoyue said, “and there’s still no news.”

"is it?"

Yelü Hua couldn't help but glance at her discreetly. "Are you alright?"

"Why does everyone ask that?" Ying Baoyue laughed. "Do I think I can't do anything without him?"

"So what are you planning to do next?" Yelü Hua asked. "Will you continue north? I can mobilize troops to march north with the Former Qin army and recover the Great Wall."

This way, one can also visit Qian Bofang, Li Meiniang, and others along the way.

“No,” Ying Baoyue said after a moment of silence, “I want to go south.”

Everyone in the study gasped.

“I’m going to pursue that rebel army,” Ying Baoyue said. “The task of recovering the Great Wall in the north can probably only be left to the Northern Wei army.”

“Yun Zhongjun and Chunyu Ye are not in that army,” Yelü Hua frowned. “The Southern Chu should be able to handle it.”

“To be able to besiege Luoyang to such an extent, and to specifically target and kill Mei Niang, there must be someone from Yun Zhongjun’s army in command,” Ying Baoyue said. “Don’t forget, as long as they have that intention, this father and son can appear anywhere at any time.”

Ying Baoyue looked at the map on the wall. "If they really want to attack Southern Chu, then this battle will be even more brutal than the one in Luoyang."

"Why? Would anyone really dare to attack Southern Chu?"

Ying Baoyue was somewhat surprised. She looked at Meng Shi and asked, "Did you tell him about that?"

Meng Shi paused for a moment, then shook her head. "Not yet."

"What is it?" Yelü Hua was completely confused.

Meng Shi leaned close and whispered a few words in his ear.

Yelü Hua's handsome face froze. "Emperor Tai... Emperor Taizu..."

Ying Baoyue stopped him from continuing, "That person has always regarded Ji Mo as his greatest rival. If it were a battle against Southern Chu, he would definitely make thorough plans."

Indeed, there are few generals in the world who have the courage to challenge Ji Mo, except for Emperor Taizu.

For the six states within the Great Wall today, as long as they defeat the largest state, Southern Chu, the Central Plains will essentially fall.

“Meiniang,” Ying Baoyue looked at Li Meiniang, “are you ready to return to Southern Chu with me?”

Li Meiniang was stunned, her expression a complex mix of emotions that defied description.

She has never returned since she ran away from her arranged marriage in Southern Chu.

She closed her eyes and thought for a moment, then knelt on one knee.

"This subordinate obeys your command."