CHAPTER 99: CHAPTER 97: CAPTURE

Li You’s face revealed a slight smile, but there was no hint of warmth in it. Instead, it made him appear even more solemn and authoritative.

Having followed the Emperor in battles for many years, he had seen much open and covert strife. Upon receiving Song Xian’s letter and hearing news of the Chen Family Village from Mr. Dongli, now witnessing the conduct of this Deputy General with his own eyes, even if the Deputy General didn’t say it, he understood the whole story.

The Deputy General thought Li You would ask him something, but instead heard Li You say, "Since that’s the case, let him finish his play."

Once the play was finished, this northern journey would count as a successful retreat.

Li You ordered men to detain the Deputy General and his cohorts. The Zhenzhou County Magistrate stepped forward: "Mr. Li, how should the matters here be handled?"

Li You did not speak but instead looked at the Zhenzhou County Magistrate: "You are Qu Chengmei?"

The Zhenzhou County Magistrate’s heart stirred. After Mr. Li arrived in Zhenzhou, he often reported in front of him, but this was the first time Mr. Li called him by full name.

Qu Chengmei responded, "Yes, sir."

Li You looked at Qu Chengmei: "A strong general has no weak soldiers. I hope you act wisely in the future."

Although these words were a warning, Qu Chengmei understood that Mr. Li did not scold him but was guiding him, pointing out that it was meeting Song Xian that led to today’s situation.

Li You continued: "Song Xian told me about you. Many people in this world cannot be described in a few words. He understands and uses people well. With just this point, his victories in the North are only to be expected."

Qu Chengmei only felt a warmth in his heart. He had been born and raised here, saw too much officialdom, and learned how to be a parent official. After Song Xian arrived, he made mistakes, thought about relying on Song Yu and Song Min. After the incident, Song Xian did not punish him but gave him another chance.

This kindness was greater than knowing and recognizing someone, and Qu Chengmei gained a new understanding of Song Xian. That’s why, when he exposed Song Min’s presence, he wholeheartedly worked for Song Xian without much calculation. Seeing the Deputy General leading people to shoot the Chen Family villagers, he was glad not to side with such a person. By the time Mr. Li questioned him, he revealed the whole story, suddenly realizing his duty as Zhenzhou’s parent official.

Li You looked toward the grass house: "Set a fire here, send someone to inform Song Min and Song Qizheng that everything here is in order."

Song Xian had not colluded with the Liao people, then who had obtained warhorses and furs from the Liao?

So this matter was not over yet.

The court wants to capture the rebels; it’s just that this rebel is not Song Xian.

The mountain fire was blazing, the flame illuminating Li You’s face. He turned to see the people of the Chen Family Village, reaching out to call Xie Liangchen and Chen Zigeng siblings to the front.

Looking at the siblings with cheeks red from the cold, Li You rubbed the furry hat on Chen Zigeng’s head: "Are you afraid?"

Chen Zigeng nodded but then shook his head: "Sister says the court will protect us."

"Yes," Li You said, "The Daqi court will shield the people."

After saying this, Li You looked at Xie Liangchen: "When this matter is resolved, you need to testify in court."

Xie Liangchen responded with a bow.

Li You couldn’t help but take a few more looks at Xie Liangchen. This girl had directed the Chen Family villagers to move stones and hide, which wasn’t typical of ordinary people. Even if he hadn’t arrived in time, the Chen Family wouldn’t have been easily captured.

Song Xian, Chen Family Village, it’s unsure who made whom, but both will undoubtedly have a bright future.

Li You continued: "For the time being, don’t return to the village. Stay with me until I catch the real culprit behind the scenes and seek justice for you."

Once Li You had made the arrangements, the group was ready to leave the mountains.

Xie Liangchen kept an eye on the Wang Family Shopkeeper, wary of Wang Jian’s uncertain identity, making her more cautious of the Wang Family.

The Wang Family shopkeeper and staff had their hands tied behind them and were pushed forward by the government officials.

As Xie Liangchen glanced over, she saw the Wang Family shopkeeper’s mouth move. A familiar image suddenly flashed across her mind. Before she understood what it was, her body reacted, stepping forward to kick the shopkeeper’s leg and then elbowing his chin.

The Wang Family shopkeeper was caught off guard and hit squarely. The government officials beside him raised their hands to intervene, only to discover it was Xie Liangchen, leaving them momentarily stunned.

The sudden turn of events halted the entire procession, and Li You at the front snapped back to attention.

The torches gathered, illuminating Xie Liangchen.

Xie Liangchen’s face was slightly pale compared to usual, her eyes filled with confusion, but she quickly regained composure and looked toward Li You.

"Mr. Li," Xie Liangchen said, "I... I just saw... it seemed like he had something in his mouth... I thought of how the storyteller on West Street mentioned... some hidden weapons could be concealed in the mouth, so I thought..."

As soon as Xie Liangchen finished speaking, the ever-trusting Chen Zigeng had already run over to the spot where the Wang Family shopkeeper stood and began searching.

"Found something."

Chen Zigeng searched with a torch and retrieved an item from the ground.

Li You walked over to check; it was a wooden tooth bound with iron wire. Li You had seen such items before, used by doctors skilled in embedding wooden teeth for those who had lost teeth.

However, this wooden tooth appeared slightly larger, as if two teeth were connected together.

Li You looked at the Wang Family shopkeeper. Though the shopkeeper tried to conceal it, he revealed a look of panic.

This wooden tooth had a problem.

Li You picked up the wooden tooth, slowly dismantling the iron wire wrapped around it, and carefully examined it under the torchlight, discovering a thin seam on the wooden tooth. Using a knife, he cautiously pried along the seam.

The wooden tooth split in two, revealing a rolled-up piece of cloth. The cloth was tiny but enough to write a line of words.

Li You glanced at the Wang Family Steward and the staff: "Keep an eye on them." These people were likely spies passing messages.

Xie Liangchen’s ears buzzed, as if someone was speaking in her mind, yet she couldn’t clearly hear.

Who taught her these things? In her past life, she shouldn’t have learned them either.

Unless they were in those forgotten memories.

...

Wang Jian was hidden in a courtyard within Zhenzhou City.

Shortly, his subordinate came to report: "A fire is burning in the mountains outside the city. The government office has mobilized men to go outside the city, and more patrol soldiers are in the city. Guards are at the city gate, and no one is allowed to enter or leave Zhenzhou freely. No messages have been sent back from the steward’s side either."

Wang Jian nodded, took a sip of tea from his cup—this was all within his expectations. Rebels were discovered outside the city, linked to Song Xian, so the first action was to mobilize troops and close Zhenzhou city to prevent Song Xian’s allies from escaping.

As for the fire, it’s needed to frame the Chen Family villagers for refusing to comply; certain measures must be taken to mislead people. When the time comes, they will say the Chen Family planned to burn herbs, forcing the court to act against them.

If there was anything worrisome, it was the fear that Song Min would fail, losing to Song Xian.

"Continue to gather information."

Upon noticing signs of trouble, he’d figure out a way to leave with his men. He didn’t want to remain as collateral for the Song Family. Whether Song Min or Song Xian won, the Song Family would face considerable upheaval, and he could return to report with these results.

At the same time, Song Qizheng arrived in Zhenzhou, only to find the city gates closed. As he was about to instruct someone to order the gates open, he heard someone from the city wall say, "We are ordered to guard the city gate. Without the county magistrate’s document, no one is allowed in or out of the city."

"Impudent," Vice General Qiao said, "Can’t you see? This is the National Guardian General."

Before the gate guard could respond, Song Qizheng heard someone stumbling in pursuit: "Great General, something’s wrong. The camp outside Zhenzhou is on the move... The Master has mobilized troops to leave camp."

Song Qizheng’s eyes lifted, his expression more imposing: "I said no one should act recklessly. Where is he dispatching troops to?"

The reporting soldier said, "The Master claims to be acting on court orders to apprehend rebels."