Chapter 46: No Blood on the Blade

  Cai Yun's senior staff, based on the information provided by Ma Qi, Ma Yun-tao, Bai Meng and Ding Zhongming, completed a detailed plan within two days. Ma Qi would go to Nangqian with Bai Meng and Ding Zhongming, where they would secretly detain Zhang Mingyuan, the commander of the 23rd Regiment of the Qinghai-Tibet Army, in an attempt to force him to surrender to Sichuan. Then, concentrating their forces, they would coordinate with the 10th Brigade to capture Yushu, eliminating the five regiments of the Qinghai-Tibet Army stationed there, and wiping out nearly a quarter of the army's strength in one fell swoop. If the Qinghai-Tibet Army reacted slowly, they could even take advantage of the situation to advance on Maqin. If victorious, this would thoroughly secure their victory. Of course, the specific battle plan was as follows, but how far it could be carried out depended on the development of events.

  Originally, Wang Yuezhe asked to enter the bag with Ma Qi and others, but Cai Yun refused in severe terms. If Ma Qi and others were pretending to surrender to Sichuan, then Wang Yuezhe would inevitably fall into danger. In this way, not only would the plan of Sichuan be thoroughly defeated, but a series of serious consequences would also be produced. Therefore, Cai Yun could not let Wang Yuezhe take this risk.

  Of course, supervision of Ma Qi and his men was also indispensable. This heavy responsibility ultimately fell on Wang Yuze's cover, Wang Wei. As Wang Yuze's cover, the son of the governor of the patrol office, Wang Wei's loyalty to the Wang family was beyond doubt.

  One week later, the 10th Brigade's supplies were replenished, and the plan to attack Qingma Army was fully unfolded. Ma Yuntao, Bai Meng and Ding Zhongming sent a message to Xining, negotiating failed, they would leave Changdu and return to Xining. At the same time, Ma Qi had secretly infiltrated their ranks. Of course, the original thirty guards also defected to Sichuan. These people were underlings of Bai Meng and Ding Zhongming, even the big boss had surrendered to Sichuan, naturally they wouldn't resist anymore.

  Wang Wei also brought ten elite soldiers from the Tenth Brigade, who blended in with the original guards, leaving behind an equal number of people in Changdu. At the same time, the entire Tenth Brigade had been mobilized. All troops were ready for battle and would depart two days later. According to schedule, by the time they arrived at Cangyuan, Ma Qi and others would have already taken control of Cangyuan and seized command of the troops.

  By the end of March, the snow on the plateau had almost melted and the muddy roads had dried up, which would not affect the march of the main force. From Changdu to Nangqian, because we need to cross the Hengduan Mountains, the journey is a bit longer. But for cavalry, it only takes four days.

  On the afternoon of April 1, Ma Yuntao and others arrived at Tunqian. Since someone had been sent to inform them in advance, Zhang Mingyuan, the commander of the 23rd Regiment of the Qingma Army, came to greet them. However, Ma Qi and Wang Wei did not show up.

  "Mr. Ma, Brother Bai, Brother Ding, I've prepared wine and dishes, tonight we won't leave until we're drunk!" Zhang Mingyuan was a burly man in his thirties. He also had a good relationship with Bai Meng and Ding Zhongming.

  "Haha, good! Brother Zhang, wait a moment, we'll first return to the camp and definitely come to the banquet tonight!" Bai Meng and Ding Zhongming both replied. After returning to Zuanqian, they had to take control of the troops first. Otherwise, the entire plan could not be carried out.

  "Alright, then I'll wait for your arrival!" Zhang Mingyuan didn't say much else. Bai Meng and Ding Zhongming had been away from the troops for so long, of course they would first care about the recent situation of the troops, this is also human nature. As for Ma Yuntiao, he followed Zhang Mingyuan first. He was a person from Xining, with a very high status, even if this time he didn't complete the task, it's not something that Zhang Mingyuan could be negligent about. Therefore, towards Ma Yuntiao, Zhang Mingyuan maintained a very high respect.

  Bai Meng and Ding Zhongming returned to their respective units and immediately gathered their trusted subordinates. They did not hide anything, revealing that they had already pledged allegiance to Chuan Xi. This news shocked the officers under them, but then Ma Qi appeared and explained the reasons for defecting to Chuan Xi. Wang Wei, representing Chuan Xi, guaranteed everyone that after joining Chuan Xi's army, their ranks would not be lowered and their military pay would be the same as Chuan Xi's army. This immediately eliminated any objections. The military pay of Chuan Xi's army was more than double that of Qing Ma's army. Moreover, since even the regiment commander had defected to Chuan Xi, his subordinates naturally no longer needed to sacrifice themselves for Qing Ma's army. As for Ma Haiyan, even his son had betrayed him, and he probably had no choice but to accept it.

  As the battalion commander of the Western Sichuan Army, Bai Meng and Ding Zhongming had a good grasp of their troops. Ma Haiyan didn't mind this, after all, every battalion commander's family was in Xining, so he didn't have to worry about them rebelling. Moreover, if the battalion commanders could strongly control their troops, it would also greatly improve the combat effectiveness of the troops. Therefore, when Bai Meng and Ding Zhongming defected to Western Sichuan, the 12th and 17th regiments of the Qingma Army also defected to Western Sichuan along with them.

  At night, Bai Meng and Ding Zhongming took the guards to attend the banquet. Tonight, they will also force Zhang Mingyuan to join them. They had just defected to Chuanxi and urgently needed military achievements to prove themselves in order to stand firm in the Chuanxi army.

  During the banquet, everyone raised their cups and crossed them, chatting happily.

  "Mr. Ma, this time the Sichuan army has gone too far. The commander has already given the order and will not hesitate to engage in a fierce battle with the Sichuan army. Now is our chance to make a name for ourselves!" Zhang Mingyuan exclaimed excitedly after downing his cup of wine. For them, soldiers who only knew how to fight, this was their opportunity to achieve merit and possibly get promoted or wealthy.

  Ma Yun smiled and didn't say much. Bai Meng and Ding Zhongming also looked at Zhang Mingyuan with a playful expression, making Zhang feel very uncomfortable in his heart, he always felt that there was something strange about Bai Meng and Ding Zhongming tonight.

  "Brother Bai, Brother Ding, why are you looking at me like that?" Zhang Mingyuan asked.

  "Zhang, we have something to discuss with you tonight!" said Bai Meng.

  "Third Brother Bai, don't be like this! If there's anything, just say it!" Zhang Mingyuan replied generously.

  "Brother Zhang, this trip to Western Sichuan has really broadened our horizons! The power of Western Sichuan is far beyond what our Qing Ma Army can handle. Even if the three families of the Ma Army join forces, they are still no match for the Western Sichuan army! I think that within ten years, the world will change hands!" White Meng exclaimed.

  "Yes! We rough men must prepare a way out for ourselves. Otherwise, when the boat sinks, it will be too late!" Ding Zhongming also said.

  Zhang Mingyuan was suddenly shocked, Bai Meng and Ding Zhongming's meaning was so clear, how could he not understand it. At this moment, the wine he had drunk earlier all turned into sweat, quickly soaking his entire body.

  "Bai Meng, Ding Zhongming, are you two planning to betray Governor Zhang?" Zhang Mingyuan asked sternly.

  "That's right, Brother Zhang! We've already joined the Western Sichuan Army. Why don't you join us too?" Bai Meng acknowledged.

  "You're looking for death, come on! Take these traitors away!" Zhang Mingyuan shouted loudly. However, the courtyard outside was still quiet, and his subordinates did not come in.

  "Don't call out, your man has already been taken care of by us!" The door to the room was pushed open and a young man walked in from outside. Zhang Mingyuan took one look and it was He Ran, the young master of the Qingma Army.

  "Big young master, could it be that you too...?" Zhang Mingyuan was completely stunned.

  "That's right, the Qingma Army is already in decline, following the Qingma Army will only lead to a bad outcome!" Ma Qiken said firmly.

  What kind of world is this? The son has turned against his father! Zhang Mingyuan had no idea that things would turn out like this.

  "Zhang, what are you hesitating about? Make a decision quickly!" Ding Zhongming urged.

  Zhang Mingyuan shivered with cold sweat. The cold light in Ma Qi's eyes, he saw it very clearly. If he didn't agree, then now he only had a dead end.

  "Alright, since Young Master has said so, I, Zhang Mingyuan, will definitely obey and take action!" Zhang Mingyuan made his decision instantly.

  "Good! General Zhang, please go and comfort your subordinates! Also, seal off the news and wait for the Sichuan Army to arrive at Rong County!" Ma Qi excitedly said. This matter was finally settled, he had made a great contribution to the Sichuan Army!

  PS: The second update is coming, please collect it!