Chapter 1244: That Bastard

"Form up, form up!"

The Youzhou Army was suddenly thrown into a panic.

How could Meng Zan allow these cavalry to run rampant among the Youzhou Infantry! Any army surely has its own specialized battle formation, and the one Youzhou excelled at was the Wild Goose Formation—a relatively simple yet practical formation. The Wild Goose Formation is a formation that spreads out horizontally, with the left and right flanks either forward or backward in a trapezoidal arrangement. When facing forward, it forms a "V" shape, much like the arms of an ape reaching out. It is a formation used for outflanking and maneuvering. However, in this configuration, the rear defense becomes relatively weak. When facing backward, it becomes an inverted "V" shaped formation; this formation is used to protect the flanks and the rear to prevent the enemy from outflanking. If the flanks are cavalry with high mobility, they can receive protection and support from the central infantry while stationary. In this way, the offensive power of the Youzhou Tuji can be greatly increased.

Seeing that Jinghua had actually brought out cavalry, Meng Zan naturally did not hesitate.

What are the Youzhou Tuji for!

They are likewise one of the best cavalry forces under heaven!

With an order, the Wild Goose Formation was formed immediately.

Only in this way could they barely withstand the charge of the cavalry from Jinghua.

But just from the previous charge, they had already lost quite a few soldiers!

"Damn it!"

Meng Zan's face was livid.

Caught off guard!

He never expected this Yu Qian to play so far outside the rules!

"Steady!"

"Hold steady for me!"

He felt that he could not be rash on his side.

Before coming, he had also considered whether the Jinghua army would try to outflank him.

Encircle him?

Now, seeing Jinghua's such intense resistance, his heart actually settled down.

He knew that the internal struggles within Longyan were also very fierce. With a massive army pressing on the border, how many were truly here to support the throne?

Therefore, he wanted to stabilize first, then fight slowly!

"Is that it?"

"Yu Qian, is that all you've got?"

"A one-trick pony!"

At this moment, on the city tower, a group of people had already erupted into chaos.

They questioned Yu Qian's command ability once again.

The Feudatory Kings and scholar-officials all had their noses twitching in indignation.

"Chief Councilor, this Yu Qian doesn't know how to command troops at all!"

"He just used twenty thousand cavalry to go out and show off, and now what? It hasn't posed any threat to the Youzhou Army at all!"

"Indeed!"

These people were all anxious.

They did not want Jinghua to be besieged again.

Once besieged, the morale of the people in the city would naturally collapse, and the morale of the army would also be greatly affected.

This was something they were unwilling to accept!

Facing the questioning of so many people, Yu Qian smiled faintly.

Liu Zheng also couldn't help but laugh: "Councilors, you don't really think that our few tens of thousands of men can go out and wipe out this hundred-thousand-strong Youzhou Army, do you? What are you thinking?"

"This..."

The group was suddenly speechless.

That's right.

They could defend the city, but if they took the initiative to attack, this small force was simply not enough.

Liu Zheng shook his head with a smile: "Trust Yu Qian; at least I trust him. Gentlemen, do not think that just because you have studied a little Art of War, you can see through everything..."

He sighed deeply, looked at the Youzhou army outside that had already stabilized its formation, and continued: "Sometimes, in war, you are playing with the human heart."

He knew Yu Qian had his own deep-seated plans.

Do not suspect those you employ, and do not employ those you suspect—this was Liu Zheng's consistent style.

But he still couldn't help but ask Yu Qian: "Lord Yu, what exactly are you waiting for?"

Waiting?

The others were completely confused.

Yu Qian, however, had his eyes light up and laughed heartily.

It seems only Chief Councilor Liu can understand him!

He chuckled: "I am waiting for the other hundred thousand troops of Youzhou!"

He gave a chuckle: "I am waiting for the other one hundred thousand troops of the Youzhou Army!"

The group's expressions changed drastically.

Liu Zheng also raised an eyebrow.

This Yu Qian... he is truly bold!

He finally understood what Yu Qian wanted to do. From deliberately letting this Youzhou army drive straight in, while the armies of Jinzhou, Pingzhou, and other provinces only offered symbolic resistance without blocking the Youzhou Army too much. This Yu Qian was deliberately letting the Youzhou Army come!

He finally understood what Yu Qian wanted to do. From deliberately letting this Youzhou Army drive straight in, the armies of Jinzhou, Pingzhou, and other provinces only put up some symbolic resistance; they did not excessively obstruct the Youzhou Army. This Yu Qian was deliberately letting the Youzhou Army come through!

And then round them all up!

But Liu Zheng thought that what he was eyeing was this hundred-thousand-strong army.

But Liu Zheng believed that what he was staring at was this army of one hundred thousand.

However, he did not expect that what Yu Qian was eyeing was the entire Youzhou Army of two hundred thousand!

Such audacity!

Too fierce!

Even Liu Zheng felt that if it were his own choice, he certainly would not dare to trifle with Jinghua City, the city that symbolized thousands of years of Longyan glory. But Yu Qian dared.

He knew deeply that one must throw a sprat to catch a whale.

Since Youzhou was a disobedient child, then he would resolve it all at once!

One hundred thousand was not enough.

What he wanted was two hundred thousand!

Simply wipe out the Youzhou Army and let them rebuild!

This was the best way for Longyan.

It was just that...

The risk was too great.

Yu Qian was a ruthless man.

Next, the twenty thousand Cavalry outside the city began to fall into a passive position.

Hundreds upon hundreds of Cavalry began to suffer losses...

Finally, they "fled back" to Jinghua in a sorry state.

The Youzhou Army, with morale like a rainbow, cheered incessantly.

Formally, they began their siege.

"Your Majesty, Menshikov has been a scourge to the Empire for many years; if he is not punished now, I fear it will be an outrage to both men and gods!"

Osilev, heartbroken and indignant, once again denounced the several major crimes of Menshikov.

The others did not dare to speak.

Peter the Great also wore a look of impatience.

He was the Tsar!

What was wrong with letting his brother make some money?

Although Menshikov had been a bit excessive lately... he could go and give him a warning; he did not believe that Menshikov would truly disregard the interests of Tsarist Russia. Wasn't brotherhood about you looking out for me and me looking out for you?

"Enough, enough! I am tired! You may withdraw first!"

He had originally intended to reprimand them for why the war situation had made no progress.

Yet it had been turned into a denunciation meeting against Menshikov by Osilev.

It seemed that every recent council meeting had been like this...

This Osilev really made one feel helpless!

However, just at this moment.

Suddenly, someone ran in from outside: "Your Majesty, Lord Menshikov has arrived!"

The whole hall was in an uproar, and they looked at each other in dismay.

Menshikov had come?

What was he here for?

It had been many times; didn't he usually not come no matter how he was summoned? Moreover, Peter the Great's patience with him was very strong. Many times he had not been angry. Yet today...

"Let him in!"

Peter the Great also became happy.

This brother of his had still given him a lot of face this time.

However...

Guarded by several attendants, the Menshikov who walked in was reeking of alcohol.

This caused the expressions of many people to change instantly.

This fellow's level of extravagance was at the very pinnacle of the entire Tsarist Russia; it was rumored that even Peter was not as wealthy as him. Therefore, the attire on his body was always extremely magnificent, even to an incredibly exaggerated degree.

Thus, his stride was also arrogant and unbridled, extremely exaggerated.

"Hahahaha! I'm here! Who is looking for me?"

Menshikov had been very conceited lately.

Because his deposits in the European Bank had doubled again! Those two Longyan merchants were truly his lucky stars! After starting to cooperate with the Qian father and son, these Longyan people taught him many ways to play... This simply opened up a new world for Menshikov, who had previously only known simple and crude corruption. So it could be played like this?

His trust in the Qian father and son increased by a few more points.

Therefore, as he walked through this council, his arrogant stride naturally did not put anyone in his eyes.

"Menshikov, mind your influence!"

Seeing Menshikov like this, Peter could not help but angrily rebuke him.

This guy, he treated him as a brother, but for him to be like this, wasn't it giving him too little face! Yekaterina hurriedly stroked Peter the Great's back from the side, worried that he would have liver pain again because of anger.

Menshikov still had to give Peter face; he let out a fierce alcoholic burp before coming to the seat at the very front of the council with a swagger. He could not help but look at Osilev, who had just spoken, with cold, sinister eyes, and sneered coldly: "Is it this guy who is impeaching me for something again? Hahahaha! A loser is just a loser! Only knowing how to wag his tongue here! When I am busy with the Empire's war and the frontline soldiers, where are you?"

"Literati ruin the country! Literati ruin the country!"

He began to curse angrily as if no one else was around.

The people in the council were as silent as cicadas in winter.

After Menshikov finished speaking, he cupped his hands toward Peter: "Your Majesty, a person like Osilev who is skilled at causing internal division must be beheaded! Otherwise, the Empire will not be stable!"

"You..."

Osilev's expression changed drastically.

The others also gasped.

Peter, however, cursed coldly: "Menshikov, you have really had enough! Osilev is likewise a Councilor of our Committee; he has the right to impeach you! As for whether the impeachment will succeed, that depends on the Committee's investigation!"

"Investigate me?"

When Menshikov heard these words, a flash of murderous intent appeared in his eyes.

To think they dare to investigate me!

Peter's heart at this moment was also extremely conflicted.

In terms of personal feelings, Menshikov was his brother. From the time he was selling flatbreads on the street and they first met, until now, they had decades of history together. All along, he had trusted Menshikov deeply. Menshikov was the Logistics Minister of Tsarist Russia, which was a lucrative position. But in terms of professional ability, Menshikov was very strong. Not only did Peter have to admit this, but everyone in the Committee had to acknowledge it as well.

But the only thing was, this guy was too greedy.

As the Tsar of the Empire, Peter did not mind letting his brother get rich along with him.

But he could not be too excessive!

He had already reprimanded Menshikov many times.

But he still had not shown any improvement...

Today...

He actually came to the Committee swaggering after drinking like this!

And what's more...

The others all dared to be angry but dared not speak!

The Empire has changed!

For the first time, Peter felt that the Empire had changed!

"Your Majesty, there is no great need to establish a Committee... I see that Menshikov is merely acting out of character due to the alcohol; you all, take your master back!"

Yekaterina panicked all of a sudden.

Osilev could not help but curse in his heart, this bitch!