Chapter 32: The Uncanny Foresight of the "Consort" (Part Two)

But if these generals truly trusted Meng Tian, they should know what kind of person he is.

"Your Majesty! This old minister questions General Meng Tian's answer!" Elder Zhang was momentarily stunned, but quickly regained his composure and, clasping his hands respectfully, addressed Qin Suwen.

Looking at Elder Zhang's contorted expression, one might almost believe he was acting out of concern for Qin Suwen. But Qin Suwen was not unaware of the tension between Elder Zhang and Meng Tian. It was clear that Elder Zhang now intended to bring Meng Tian down.

"General Meng, is this matter absolutely true?" Qin Suwen, though somewhat uncertain, knew well what kind of person Meng Tian was. Such flippant remarks would never come from him.

Qin Suwen could hardly believe Meng Tian would fabricate military intelligence; after all, the truth will always come out in the end.

And seeing Meng Tian's excited expression at this moment, it was hardly the look of a minister deceiving his sovereign. Instead, Qin Suwen found herself somewhat bewildered.

"Heh! There was a barbarian raid last night, and this old minister remembers that General Meng Tian was still in the capital. How could he possibly withstand the barbarian army?" Elder Zhang scoffed at Meng Tian.

Everyone knew that traveling from the capital to the frontier would take several days at least, or half a month at most, which was why Elder Zhang raised such doubts.

Moreover, Elder Zhang saw himself and Meng Tian as rivals; this was a chance to cement Meng Tian's guilt for negligence.

"Oh? So Elder Zhang is so concerned about me? I am truly flattered," Meng Tian smiled at Elder Zhang, then bowed slightly.

"Hmph! If I were not so concerned, how could I know what mistakes General Meng Tian has made?" Elder Zhang shook his sleeve with a hint of disdain.

"Ahem! Since General Meng Tian did not leave the capital last night, how could he have resisted the barbarians at the frontier? The barbarian assault was a surprise—may I ask how General Meng Tian managed to withstand it?" One of Elder Zhang's confidants stepped forward from among the civil officials, clasped his hands to Qin Suwen, and then questioned Meng Tian.

Clearly, Elder Zhang's gesture just now was a signal, and his confidant had taken it as a cue to voice his doubts.

"Minister Li is correct! May I ask how General Meng Tian managed to withstand the assault?" Another minister stepped forward, bowing in inquiry.

It was obvious to those with discernment that Elder Zhang was targeting Meng Tian, yet none of the military officials dared speak up.

After all, the military officials were genuinely curious as well, wondering about the very questions Elder Zhang's confidants had raised.

"Minister Wang and Minister Li are both right. Indeed, I did not leave the capital last night. As everyone knows, traveling from the capital to the frontier takes several days or even half a month—so it was impossible for me to reach the frontier," Meng Tian said, clasping his hands and looking at Qin Suwen.

"In that case, doesn't that prove General Meng Tian was negligent?" Minister Li and Minister Wang seized the opportunity, especially since Meng Tian himself had admitted to not leaving the capital.

"But! Even though I did not leave, everyone knows that with a messenger eagle, it takes only a few hours to reach the frontier," Meng Tian replied with a smile, before whistling.

A large eagle swooped in from outside the Golden Throne Hall and landed firmly on Meng Tian's outstretched arm.

Qin Suwen's eyes gleamed at the sight.

Messenger pigeons were used routinely, as they were far more convenient than dispatching couriers, but pigeons were often hunted and lost, and the frontier involved major military affairs—any mishap could be catastrophic.

For this reason, Meng Tian had requested permission from Qin Suwen to use messenger eagles. Not only were these eagles fiercely powerful, their speed far surpassed that of pigeons, greatly reducing the risk of military secrets being intercepted.

"Even so, how could General Meng Tian have known the barbarians would invade last night? Is there something unspeakable behind all this?" Elder Zhang had seen the speed of messenger eagles, and knew it was plausible to reach the frontier in just a few hours.

Unable to accuse Meng Tian of negligence, Elder Zhang now sought to guide the assembly toward another possibility.

As expected, after Elder Zhang voiced his suspicion, both the civil and military officials grew somber.

None present were fools; they understood perfectly what Elder Zhang was implying. The military officials cast complex glances at Meng Tian.

They were curious too—how had Meng Tian foreseen the barbarians' nighttime raid on the frontier?

If Meng Tian had anticipated the enemy's move, it was not impossible, but how many would truly believe that? More likely, some suspected Meng Tian might have secret dealings with the barbarians.

"Heh, Elder Zhang truly overestimates me! Even if I tried to ally with the frontier barbarians, they would hardly pay me any mind. Besides, countless barbarians have died at my hands—they hate me so much they'd eat my flesh and drink my blood," Meng Tian replied with a contemptuous smile.

"In that case, can General Meng Tian tell everyone how he knew the barbarians would raid at night? Are you going to claim you can predict the enemy's moves?" Elder Zhang's lips curled in a slight smile, convinced Meng Tian could offer no satisfactory answer.

Even if Meng Tian claimed foresight, how many would believe him? Moreover, rumors could easily spread, undermining public trust in Meng Tian.

"Elder Zhang truly thinks highly of me. It's not because I can foresee the enemy's actions, but because of this." As he spoke, Meng Tian unfastened a scroll from the eagle's ankle.

Everyone's eyes shifted to the scroll in Meng Tian's hand; many swallowed nervously. Had Meng Tian truly betrayed the Great Qin?

An inconceivable thought flashed through many minds, while Elder Zhang stared hungrily at the messenger scroll, secretly wondering if his suspicions had been proven right after all.