Other than the 200 family generals, Nanzhong Inspector-General Kuai Lantu also had 10 sets of heavy armor and 15 sets of light fur coats. If he added a giant kite, then in terms of firepower and steel armor, Yanhui Town's city defense equipment was only so-so.
The moment he received Sun Jiao's letter, he knew that the day he had been looking forward to was about to arrive.
Fu Zhi Cheng had been a local emperor for a long time. He was rude and arrogant. More than once, he had humiliated Kuai Lantu, who was sent by the imperial court to monitor him, in front of others. The enmity between the two had been long-standing.
The emperor was determined to gather the military power of the entire territory and carry out the drumming order. He needed someone to sacrifice the flag first. The northwest was Gu Yun's territory and temporarily could not be moved. Jiangnan mainly had the navy, which had the important task of monitoring the ships coming and going. There was also the Wokou disaster, so it was inconvenient to move first. The army of the Central Plains was in the middle to guard the country. If they wanted to move, they had to leave it for last. Only the remote and desolate Nanjiang could be a breakthrough point.
If Fu Zhi Cheng was smart, he would have obediently squatted in Nanjiang and pretended he did not exist. However, he jumped out and used the name of Ding You to threaten the imperial court.
A family general came forward and said in a low voice, "Sir, the kerosene has been prepared."
Kuai Lantu took the Clairvoyance and looked at the charming green mountain in front of him from afar. The owner of the mountain was a Taoist priest with the Buddhist name Jing Xu. Because the emperor believed in Buddhism, the people all followed and the Taoist temple could not continue. There were often ruffians who saw that he could be bullied and came to rob him. In a fit of anger, Jing Xu killed one of the ruffians.
This person was literate and his methods were ruthless. He was quite a character and later became the leader of the 300 li mountain bandits in Nanjiang.
Kuai Lantu knew that Jing Xu and Fu Zhi Cheng wore the same pants. If he wanted to kill Fu Zhi Cheng, he had to start with this Taoist priest.
As early as when the emperor invited Gu Yun, Kuai Lantu and Sun Jiao made a plan. He first spread the news in Nanjiang that the imperial envoy of the imperial court was coming to thoroughly investigate the case of Fu Zhi Cheng colluding with the bandits.
In order to ensure that nothing went wrong with the imperial envoy, Fu Zhi Cheng must have told the bandit leaders in advance that the "Imperial Envoy of the Fu Army" was about to arrive and ordered them to restrain their subordinates. This way, would these bandits listen to General Fu or listen to rumors? If they had doubts in their hearts and Fu Zhi Cheng downplayed the imperial envoy investigating the case as an "imperial envoy to Fujun," what would the bandit leaders think?
Just before the imperial envoy entered the country, Kuai Lantu received a message from Sun Jiao and sent someone to disguise himself as a Nanjiang garrison to find Jing Xu. He told him that the carriage of the Marquis of Stability and the imperial envoy was robbed halfway. General Fu did not want to be implicated and could only ask for help from the Taoist priest.
Jing Xu had the best relationship with Fu Zhi Cheng. No matter whether she was suspicious or not, she would cover for him at this critical juncture. As soon as she heard that Fu Zhi Cheng was here, she immediately brought people over.
As soon as they left, Kuai Lantu and the others, who were hiding in the mountains, used heavy armor to seal off the mountain path. Thousands of arrows dipped in oil were placed on the bowstrings and set fire to Jing Xu's old nest.
The light and heavy armor patrolled the mountains. When they saw people who escaped, they fired a short cannon. The bandits guarding the mountain, the old, the weak, women, and children in the mountains were all treated equally. They did not let anyone go. They only let a few live so that they could inform Jing Xu.
"It's about time. Let's go see Marshal Gu." Kuai Lantu waved his hand. The heavy armor, light fur, and 200 elite soldiers gathered in a well-trained manner and prepared to move. Kuai Lantu mounted his horse and turned his head to look at the mountain that had been licked into a bloody mess by the fire. He carelessly said, "Listen to Fu Zhi Cheng's excuses. What mountain bandits are cunning? What 'wildfire can't burn, they'll grow again when the spring breeze blows.' I've burned the wildfire. I'd like to see how they'll grow again when the wildfire blows."
This time, all the bandits in the territory knew that Fu Zhi Cheng was using a stalling tactic. In order to protect himself in front of the imperial envoy, he had made a move against his former "brothers."
Kuai Lantu wanted the bandits and Fu Zhi Cheng to fight each other. Didn't Fu Zhi Cheng think he was smart and think no one could get a hold of his weakness?
Of course, in order to prevent Fu Zhi Cheng from acting out of desperation and rebelling in a moment of desperation, Sun Jiao had specially invited the Marquis of Stability to oversee the situation.
The Marquis of Stability, Gu Yun, had not arrived. He might be a deterrent against a rebel army, but he might not be able to suppress Fu Zhi Cheng, who was a regional official who had crawled out from a pile of corpses. But that didn't matter. Who asked the old Marquis of Stability to guide and recognize his worth?
Kuai Lantu was certain that Fu Zhi Cheng wouldn't dare to touch Gu Yun. Although most of the old Marquis of Stability's former subordinates had retired from the army and retired, their relationships were intertwined and their influence still remained. If Fu Zhi Cheng really dared to be ungrateful and touch The Old Marquis's only son, the internal chaos in his Nanjiang garrison would be enough to make him suffer.
Furthermore, no matter how savage Fu Zhi was, he wouldn't think that a mere Nanjiang garrison would have the ability to start an uprising and shake the foundation of Daliang, right?
Just as they turned to leave, a palm-sized wooden bird rolled its eyes and flapped its wings. It flew into the sky amidst the thick smoke and blood. In the blink of an eye, it became a little black dot and disappeared.
At the same time, Fu Zhi Cheng, who was in the Nanjiang garrison, received news that the Marquis of Stability's carriage had been robbed. His entire body trembled and he leaped up. He grabbed the scout by the collar and asked, "Where is the Marquis of Stability right now?"
The scout said, "The Marquis of Stability killed the Apricot Forest, but for some reason, he stayed in the Apricot Forest's lair and didn't leave. He also changed his original flag to the Black Iron Battalion's commander's flag."
After Fu Zhi Cheng heard this, his face twitched for a moment. He raised his hand and threw the wine cup and teacup on the table to the ground. He said hatefully, "Unable to accomplish anything, but good at spoiling things!"
The scout knelt on one knee, not daring to breathe loudly. He watched as the Nanjiang garrison's commander paced around the room like a trapped beast. He wasn't surprised that Gu Yun had destroyed the Apricot Forest bandits' lair. If Gu Yun had really been robbed, that would be a rare and unheard of story.
The question was... what did the Marquis of Stability want?
Why didn't he continue on his journey and instead stayed in the Apricot Forest?
If it was only to interrogate the bandits, why did he change his flag?
Who was he waiting for? What was he waiting for?
Gu Yun came in the name of consoling the army to offer condolences, so why did he bring the Black Iron Battalion's commander's flag with him?
Since the commander's flag was there, then was the Xuan Tie's Tiger Tally there?
Did he really only have a few bodyguards and a good-for-nothing assistant minister by his side?
Also, the governor of Nanzhong, who was hundreds of li away, must have prepared a large basket of black mud to smear on his body. Had Gu Yun already made contact with him?
Which side was Gu Yun on?
Fu Zhi Cheng's eyelids twitched. He had originally been a subordinate of the old Marquis of Stability, but he hadn't interacted much with Gu Yun. He also knew that Gu Yun had always disliked his banditry.
Fu Zhi Cheng had no confidence in Gu Yun's visit.
"Prepare the horses," Fu Zhi Cheng suddenly said, "Mountain Tiger, White Wolf, and Spirit Fox battalions, come with me to see the Marquis of Stability and the imperial envoy. Linbao is on standby. If you see the fireworks, be ready to set off at any time."
The scout looked at Fu Zhi Cheng in bewilderment. General Fu had mobilized nearly half of the Nanjiang garrison's military strength. Was he going to observe the Marquis of Stability or to encircle and suppress him?
Fu Zhi Cheng grabbed the halberd from the wall and said angrily, "What are you dawdling for!"
Closely following the governor's family general, the Nanjiang garrison also used nearly half of their military strength to open a path toward the apricot forest without turning back.
As the night deepened, the large and small caravans that had missed their lodgings on the official road of Nanjiang began to set up temporary tents by the roadside. The traveling merchants who traveled north and south were accustomed to sleeping under the sky and on the ground. Leaving only the night watchmen and torches, they gradually fell asleep.
In the third watch period, the sound of cuckoo birds rose and fell in the forest.
The night watchmen and a portion of those who pretended to be asleep stood up one after another. They didn't speak to each other. When they passed by each other, they only made eye contact. Completely silent, they sneaked behind the accompanying carriages.
The carriages carrying the goods had a compartment. When the goods on top were pried open and pulled, the cold armor underneath was revealed. There wasn't a trace of reflection.
Groups of three to five night walkers fastened the steel armor on their bodies at lightning speed. There were "eagles", "armor", and a portion of cavalry in light fur.
Turning around, they melted into the night from all directions. The forest swayed for a moment, startling the sleeping birds. After a moment, it was as quiet as before.
Only the scattered torches of the caravans were left. They were scattered in all directions on the winding and complicated land of Nanjiang's mountains and rivers. They were like scattered pieces of gold.
That night, many complicated powers and people with ulterior motives were rushing toward the apricot forest.
The Apricot Forest bandit leader, who had died under the mountain rock, probably would never have dreamed that he was like an important string. Unintentionally, he made a stupid decision and ignited the situation in Nanjiang that could be triggered at any moment.
In the old lair of the Apricot Forest bandits, a group of bandits gritted their teeth and said that they didn't know about the imperial envoy's visit. Sun Jiao interrogated them for a while like a rolling cart but couldn't get anything out of them. He could only give up. His eyes kept glancing toward the door.
Gu Yun simply ate two mouthfuls of food to fill his stomach. He wiped his mouth and didn't move his chopsticks. Seeing Sun Jiao's expression, he smiled and said, "Assistant Minister Sun, you've looked at the door seven or eight times in the time it takes to eat a meal. Are you looking forward to Governor Kuai?"
Sun Jiao's expression changed a few times. He forced a smile and said, "Marshal is joking. Marshal, it's not to your liking. Why don't you eat more?"
"No." Gu Yun looked at him meaningfully. "It's not good to eat too much. Just enough is enough. That's right, Jiping, if you have nothing to do, count how much gold and silver there is in this bandit lair. We can't rob the bandits for nothing. Later, we'll pack it up and take it away."
Sun Jiao was speechless.
Gu Yun said, "Sir Sun won't go back and report me, right? Sigh, I won't hide it from you. The Ministry of War is stingy. Our Black Iron Battalion doesn't have an easy time either. "
The bandits who were tied up were still quite clever. Hearing this, they quickly said, "We have an account book! We do! It's... it's on there! "
Shen Yi looked back and saw that there was a "secret room". There was a large ladder in the corner that led straight to the roof. A pile of straw covered a small attic that was placed on a beam.
"How nice," Shen Yi thought. "I'm back to being an accountant in the henhouse."
At this moment, Kuai Lantu was the first to arrive at the apricot forest.
Kuai Lantu strode in with his subordinates. The blood and fire on his body hadn't dissipated. It was as if he still had a murderous aura. He took a step forward and said loudly, "This subordinate is Governor Kuai Lantu of Nanzhong. Greetings to the Marquis of Stability, Sir Sun, the generals, and this..."
Changgeng smiled at him and said, "Li Min."
Kuai Lantu was speechless.
Sun Jiao quickly lowered his voice and reminded him, "Don't be rude. That's Yanbei Of Gojoseon, His Highness the Fourth Prince!"
Kuai Lantu was shocked.
The emperor's younger brother, Li Min, had never appeared in front of the world. Most people only knew that he had been wandering among the commoners. After he was found, he had been living in the Marquis of Stability's residence. He didn't have any achievements and was still so young... Kuai Lantu knew rationally that although this young man had a noble status, there was nothing to worry about. However, he was still an unexpected variable that made people feel uneasy.
As if foreshadowing something, the corners of Kuai Lantu's eyes twitched.
Before he could say anything, a guard quickly walked in and whispered in Kuai Lantu's ear.
Gu Yun said, "What's wrong? Sir Kuai, your family's spittle is so precious that you don't want us to hear it."
Kuai Lantu kicked the guard away and said, "Impudent! Whispering in Marquis's and His Highness's ears, what a scandal!"
The guard suffered a kick that was neither light nor heavy, but there was no resentment on his face. He immediately half-knelt on the ground and reported, "Reporting to my lords, there are tens of thousands of soldiers heading towards the apricot forest. They seem to be from the Southern Border's garrison!"
Before he finished speaking, an unfamiliar vanguard official came to the mountainside. The patrolling guards all raised their swords and spears, and the cold light shone on the night.
The vanguard official was not afraid at all and said loudly, "Southwest Governor Fu Zhi Cheng is here to welcome the marshal!"
Gu Yun's expression was indifferent as he thought, "Fu Zhi Cheng is really courting death."
Kuai Lantu subconsciously glanced at Changgeng again. Changgeng smiled at him and calmly turned to the ladder at the corner of the wall and climbed up the loft where the account book was hidden.
Kuai Lantu realized that he couldn't miss this opportunity and immediately stepped forward and said, "Marshal, this official has something to report!"
Gu Yun looked up.
Kuai Lantu said, "That Fu Zhi Cheng, as a garrison general, neglected his duties and colluded with bandits. He preyed on the commoners and communicated with Nanyang. His intention to rebel is clear. Marshal, please make early preparations!"
"Oh, is that so?" Gu Yun wasn't surprised when he heard it. He only twirled the old Buddhist prayer beads on his fingertips as if he was thinking about something.
After a moment, he said, "Then, invite him up."
Kuai Lantu and Sun Jiao looked at each other and thought that they had misheard.
Gu Yun said, "Invite General Fu up. I want to see how he plans to rebel."
Changgeng climbed up the small loft. It was a completely different world inside. There were windows and skylights, and the view was good. From the skylight, one could see the place where the Apricot Forest bandits planted their flag. Shen Yi had set up a tall torch by the side. It was unknown what he was burning, but a wisp of white smoke that the wind couldn't blow away rose into the sky.
Changgeng smiled and said, "I thought that the General Shen was here to be an accountant and wanted to help. So it turns out that he's here to light the smoke."
Shen Yi jumped down from the skylight and asked curiously, "Your Highness, do you still know how to keep accounts? What have you been doing outside for the past few years? "
Changgeng said, "Nothing much. I learned medicine from Miss Chen for a period of time. Occasionally, I helped a few Jianghu friends and ran errands. I also rode in a caravan's carriage. I know a little bit of everything."
When Shen Yi saw that he was being evasive, he tactfully did not pursue the matter any further. A person's knowledge and experience could not be faked. No matter how much a young man pretended to be calm, there would always be clues that could be seen through.
Changgeng's experience traveling Jianghu these past few years must not be simple. Otherwise, he wouldn't have that unfathomable feeling.
Changgeng pushed open the small window in the loft and looked out.
He saw a majestic army winding up the mountain. The commander's flag fluttered like a large banner.
In the torches, the armor was cold and the steam was thousands of miles away. It was like a panting dragon.
Fu Zhi Cheng had commanded the Nanjiang garrison for almost ten years and was about to become the local tyrant. If he had brought one or two hundred people to "suppress the bandits and welcome the imperial envoy," there would still be room for maneuver. But he actually brought half of the Nanjiang garrison.
Changgeng said, "Adoptive father may have wanted to protect General Fu at the beginning. But now, it seems that he can't."
"It seems that not only does he not appreciate it, but he also wants to give us a signal by smashing a cup." Shen Yi looked at Changgeng's calm face. "Your Highness is so young, but you have the demeanor of a general who doesn't panic in the face of danger. It's really rare."
"The first time is unfamiliar, the second time is familiar," Changgeng said calmly. "Last time, I really didn't know what to do when I went deep into the Eastern Sea rebel's nest with Adoptive Father. At that time, he only had a few useless burdens by his side. There were also a few Jianghu helpers that we didn't know how long it would take for the navy to arrive. We also didn't know if they would receive our messages along the way. He still talked and laughed freely and retreated. At that time, I understood one thing."
Shen Yi said, "What?"
Changgeng said, "Fear is not reasonable."
Shen Yi thought about it and shook his head with a smile. "Of course, everyone knows that fear is not reasonable. But this is like a person being hungry when it's time, or cold when they don't wear clothes. These are all natural reactions of the body. How can a person control their body's reaction?"
Changgeng's face floated with an unnoticeable smile. "You can."
Shen Yi was stunned. He suddenly had an indescribable intuition that Changgeng's "you can" seemed to hide a lot of things.
Changgeng said, "I believe that as long as you are willing, there is nothing in the world that can defeat you, including this body."
These words sounded ordinary, but Changgeng's expression and tone when he spoke were too firm, so firm that there was a trace of strange bewitchment, making people involuntarily believe him.
Shen Yi said, "Your Highness, last time when you and the Marshal were trapped in the East China Sea, there were still dozens of Linyuan Pavilion masters around you. It could be said that you cooperated with them from the inside. This time, it is different. We only have Assistant Minister Sun, who is wholeheartedly promoting the drumming order, and Governor Kuai, who is harboring evil intentions. And that Fu Zhi Cheng is probably about to fight his way up the mountain. He has thousands of soldiers and horses in his hands. Isn't this situation worse than the last time? Is Your Highness not worried? "
Changgeng smiled calmly and said, "I am not worried. When I saw the Black Iron Battalion's flag in the attic, I felt that there were three thousand Xuan Tie Divine Cavalry hiding in the mountains of the southwest. My heart could not help but feel at ease."
Shen Yi was stunned, then he put his hand to his forehead and smiled bitterly. He was almost sweating for Gu Yun. Their Little Highness was indeed worthy of being the true dragon's descendant. She was really not easy to deal with.
Changgeng said, "What's more, General Shen also knows, right? My adoptive father may not wholeheartedly want to protect Fu Zhi Cheng. "
Shen Yi, "..."
I really don't know about this!
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