xymnovel Chapter 40 Wang Meng's Mind: Planning the Big Picture
Chapter 40 Wang Meng's Mind: Planning the Big Picture
Mu Yun Lingyuan gave Wang Meng a deep look, but didn't reply. Instead, he turned to face the tent entrance, his voice suddenly turning cold, carrying an undeniable decisiveness: "Cang Ye!"
"Your subordinate is here!" Tai Chu Cangye's deep and clear voice immediately came from outside the tent, clearly indicating that he had never been far away and had been dutifully performing his duties.
"Guard the gate well. Not even birds are allowed to approach within ten zhang! Without my personal order, no one, whether a noble of the Hu tribe or an envoy of Muyun, dares to approach or spy on us."
Mu Yun Lingyuan's voice was icy cold: "Kill them without mercy!"
"Yes! I will obey your command!" Tai Chu Cang Ye's reply was firm and resolute, carrying a chilling killing intent.
Immediately, an even deeper silence fell outside the tent, and even the sound of wind and snow seemed to be blocked by some invisible barrier.
Inside the felt tent, the atmosphere suddenly became solemn.
The dim light cast their shadows on the felt wall, swaying uncertainly.
The crackling of the charcoal fire was exceptionally clear. Mu Yun Lingyuan finally put down the bowl of mare's milk wine that he hadn't drunk yet, his fingertips unconsciously tapping lightly on the rough edge of the table, producing a monotonous and suppressed soft sound.
He no longer concealed his feelings, looking directly at Wang Meng, his heavy pressure and unwavering determination pouring out without reservation:
"Mr. Jinglue, we have known each other for several years and have spoken frankly. You know my situation better than anyone else. In name, I am the grandson of the king, appointed by my grandfather, and the legitimate heir of the Muyun tribe. But what is the reality?"
A bitter smile curved his lips.
"I was held hostage in the land of Hu for twelve years, and was almost cut off from communication with the tribe."
Within the Muyun tribe, seven or eight tenths of the military, financial, and personnel power have fallen into the hands of my good second brother, Muyun Zhao, and his mother's clan, the Xiutu tribe.
In the imperial court, how many people still remember me, the eldest prince far away in the north wind? Even my father…”
He choked up, his voice growing lower and lower, "Because my mother was a princess of the Changning Empire in the past, I have always harbored resentment and estrangement towards her. Over the years, I have neglected her, which eventually led to her falling ill and passing away prematurely... The bond between father and son has long been as thin as the ice in the north."
He took a deep breath, as if trying to force down the icy coldness and pain that had accumulated in his chest for twelve years, and his eyes were replaced by a blazing fire that seemed to burn away everything in its path:
"This return eastward, ostensibly a triumphant homecoming, is in reality stepping into a den of dragons and tigers. One wrong step, and all is lost. Sir,"
He leaned forward slightly, his gaze sharp and intense, fixing Wang Meng's eyes on him. Every word seemed to burst from between his teeth, carrying immense weight.
"Tell me, how should Ling Yuan break this deadlock? The road ahead is uncertain, how should I... go on?"
Wang Meng listened quietly, the feigned joy on his face gradually fading, revealing his calm and composed true nature.
Meeting Mu Yunlingyuan's burning and heavy gaze, he pondered for a moment, and then a faint, almost "naive" smile slowly appeared on his face. His tone also became "relaxed" and even carried a hint of "comfort":
"Does the prince's statement indicate that he has already harbored ambitions of seizing power and is vying for the crown prince position and even the throne of the Great Chanyu?"
He shook his head slightly, seemingly disagreeing. "In my humble opinion, the Second Prince is deeply entrenched in the Muyun tribe, the Great Chanyu's intentions are unpredictable, and the relationships among the various Xiongnu tribes are complex and intertwined."
The prince had gone through many hardships to return east. If he could temporarily conceal his sharpness, show weakness to others, obtain a leisurely royal title, enjoy wealth and honor, and live out his old age in peace and comfort, wouldn't that be a carefree and leisurely life?
Why insist on being drawn into the center of that vortex, undertaking such a perilous undertaking? Warfare is fraught with danger, and intrigue is treacherous; a single misstep could mean certain death and the destruction of one's entire family.
These words, seemingly meant to dissuade, were in fact a final test and a provocation.
He wanted to force out Mu Yun Lingyuan's truest and most unwavering ambition and will, and also to see if this young prince truly possessed the perseverance, decisiveness, and responsibility necessary to achieve great things.
"Enjoy wealth and luxury? Live out your old age in peace?" Mu Yun Lingyuan suddenly stood up, his movement creating a gust of wind that nearly extinguished the solitary lamp on the desk.
A fierce glint flashed in his eyes, and all the emotions he had suppressed seemed to find an outlet. His voice suddenly rose, and although he tried his best to control the volume, the force and resentment in it made the air in the tent tremble.
"A true man should be born between heaven and earth, like a swan spreading its wings, aspiring to the blue sky! How can he be like a sparrow under the eaves, living a life of complacency and mediocre existence?"
Moreover, in today's world, we are surrounded by wolves and tigers, and the law of the jungle prevails! If I back down today, I will be someone else's prey tomorrow, my life, death, honor, and disgrace all in the hands of others!
I, Mu Yun Lingyuan, would rather die standing on the path to the throne than live kneeling under the eaves of someone else's scorn!
He walked a few steps to the open space inside the tent, turned around abruptly, and his gaze seemed to pierce through the felt wall, shooting straight towards the distant east, the direction of the Muyun Royal Court, and the destination of his bloodline and ambition.
The voice gradually rose in pitch, carrying an almost declarative resolve and longing:
"I often read 'The Chronicles of the Great Yan' at night, and every time I come to the chapter on Emperor Taizu of Yan, my heart surges with emotion, and I cannot contain myself! I think back to Emperor Taizu of Yan, who once lived under the roof of others, experiencing the bitterness and hardship of life. Yet, he took up his three-foot sword, gathered his scattered soldiers, resisted tyranny, conquered the rebellious, and through skillful maneuvering, finally swept across the land, established his rule in the Central Plains, and laid the foundation for the glorious eight-hundred-year-old Great Yan dynasty! This is what makes a true hero, a great man!"
He abruptly withdrew his gaze, fixing it once more on Wang Meng, the burning flame in his eyes intertwining with a chilling decisiveness that created a terrifying light:
"I, Mu Yunlingyuan, have the blood of the Great Chanyu of the Xiongnu and the royal family of Changning flowing through my veins. I am the grandson of the king appointed by my grandfather. How can the mandate of heaven be in the hands of others?"
Now that the Hu lands have finished their hibernation, it is time for the dragon to return to the sea and the tiger to roar in the mountains! My mind is made up; I will not only return to my tribe, but also reclaim everything that belongs to me!
Not only must he command the Muyun main force, but he must also unite the various Xiongnu tribes, intimidate the northern barbarians, and look south towards the Central Plains, establishing achievements on the northern frontier of this Xuanxu Continent no less than those of Emperor Taizu of Yan!
At this point, he suddenly took a step forward, clasped his hands together, and bowed deeply to Wang Meng, who was sitting upright!
His posture was utterly humble, yet his upright back and the unwavering firmness in his words carried more power than any command from above.
"Mr. Jinglue! Ling Yuan knows that you are a man of great talent and wisdom, possessing extraordinary abilities and strategic acumen, surpassing even the ancient Han Ce and Zhu Wang!"
When you were in trouble, I, Lingyuan, by chance, did my best to help you. This was the will of Heaven that allowed you to assist me!
Now, Ling Yuan intends to undertake this arduous and perilous undertaking, defying fate. The road ahead is fraught with danger, like standing on the edge of an abyss or walking on thin ice. I earnestly request your assistance, sir! Analyze the advantages and disadvantages for me, devise a strategy, clear away obstacles, and secure our destiny!
He raised his head, his gaze intense, each word carrying immense weight:
"If I succeed in this endeavor, Ling Yuan hereby swears that I will treat you with the respect due to a national hero, honor you as my mentor, share power with you, and together we will enjoy the vast grasslands and even... a prosperous era for the world! Heaven and earth bear witness to this heart and this will, and the gods will observe it!"
This bow and these words completely dissected Mu Yun Lingyuan's pretense and probing, revealing to Wang Meng the naked image of a king who was unwilling to accept his fate, ambitious, eager to seek talent, and at the same time, deeply aware of the difficulties ahead and willing to exchange his utmost sincerity for assistance.
Looking at the young prince bowing deeply before him, and listening to his declaration that combined personal humiliation, family feuds, tribal responsibility, and boundless ambition, Wang Meng's calm, deep eyes finally stirred with genuine recognition and admiration.
He quickly stood up, not to avoid the greeting, but to reach out and firmly support Mu Yunlingyuan's arms, lifting him up.
His expression was no longer feigned; it became incredibly solemn and dignified, yet also carried a sense of joy and determination at having found a wise ruler and been able to realize his ambitions.
"Prince! Please rise, you are too kind!" His voice was deep, yet contained immense power.
"The prince possesses the ambition to conquer the world, the perseverance to endure humiliation and bear heavy burdens, the insight to understand the current situation, and the benevolence to treat his subordinates. These are the essential qualities for those who achieve great things!"
My subordinate Wang Meng was once as destitute as a stray dog, but the prince did not abandon him, took him in and protected him, placed his trust in him and treated him with utmost sincerity.
This kindness and virtue, even if I were to give my life, I could never repay even a fraction of it! The prince's ambition is the very path to enlightenment that I have sought throughout my life! Even if the road ahead is fraught with peril and abyss, I am willing to lead the prince, clearing all obstacles, and never hesitate to die for him!
He stepped back and bowed deeply once more: "From this day forward, I, Meng, entrust my life and wisdom entirely to the Prince! I am willing to serve you with utmost loyalty, assisting you in sweeping away all obstacles and achieving your hegemony! This oath is witnessed by Heaven and Earth!"