With a slight exertion, a mouthful of blood spurted out, and Zheng Zhun committed suicide.
The general was clearly stunned. It was only after a long while that he waved his hand, "Dig a pit and bury this man. He was a loyal and righteous person."
With that, he beckoned his subordinates and continued the pursuit.
Meanwhile, Liu Rumei had already led her people across the deep gully and into the mountains.
This group, finding their pursuit fruitless, continued their search while quickly sending someone to report to Prince Qiao Na.
They were still two hundred li from the capital. By the time the report reached the capital, Qiao Na had brought his troops back, and it would be well into the second watch of the night.
Qiao Na looked at the scene of the slain Da Cang country soldiers and nodded in his heart. No wonder he couldn't catch these people. A dozen individuals had stopped a pursuit of one to two hundred men. Such courage was truly commendable.
While admiration was one thing, capture was another.
"With this mountain as the center, spread out. Search within two hundred li carefully. Any suspicious individuals found are to be apprehended immediately."
At this time, Liu Rumei, hiding on a small hill, was also desperately thinking of a countermeasure. She knew that now that their tracks had been exposed, their survival would become even more difficult.
The enemy would surely tighten their blockade.
They had no horses, and with just their two feet, it was almost impossible to cross the Xiaoqing River before the enemy's blockade. Therefore, the best option was to find a suitable place to lie low.
Seeing Liu Rumei's worried frown, Zheng Hai patted his chest, "Miss, we'll fight our way back and engage the enemy. We'll break even if we kill one, and make a profit if we kill two!"
Upon hearing this, Liu Rumei's eyebrows twitched, and her eyes lit up.
Zheng Hai's words made sense!
She suddenly stood up, "Zheng Hai, you're right. We should go back!"
"However, going back isn't to fight the enemy, but to continue hiding in that mountain gully and wait for an opportunity. We still have too many brothers hidden in Da Tu country. If we die, what will happen to them?"
"Miss, isn't it too dangerous to go back again?" Xiao Qing said from the side.
Liu Rumei smiled calmly, "It's not dangerous at all. Think about it, they just searched there. They would never expect us to dare to return. I believe hiding there is the safest option."
With that, she said to everyone, "Everyone, pack up and follow me back."
Liu Rumei's idea was indeed correct. Prince Qiao Na clearly did not expect Liu Rumei to return, so his attention was entirely focused on the area spreading outwards from this point, neglecting a search of the immediate vicinity.
Liu Rumei and her group hid in the mountain gully for a day, and all was quiet.
The sound of horses' hooves could be heard continuously on the distant official road, indicating that Da Tu country was mobilizing troops, yet not a single person ventured into the mountain gully to take a look. The group had to admire Liu Rumei's ingenuity once again.
Liu Rumei had temporarily escaped the crisis. Meanwhile, in Wannian City, the Emperor's imperial decree for the marriage between Chen Xiaobei and Princess Zhaoning finally arrived.
Not only that, but the Emperor also bestowed a magnificent mansion upon Chen Xiaobei, stating that it was for the驸马 (fùmǎ - Emperor's son-in-law) to live in.
Chen Xiaobei was not very interested in this mansion.
Therefore, when Xiao Jingyun sent someone to inquire about its renovation, Chen Xiaobei replied indifferently, "Whatever."
What kind of house he lived in was unimportant to him. What he desperately wanted now was news of Liu Rumei.
However, the entire Wannian City was filled with joy. The common people had clearly forgotten about Liu Rumei.
Amidst this atmosphere, Lord Duobang arrived.
Duobang, disguised as a merchant, drove several carts laden with dried meat and preserved fruits into Wannian City. Su Dan Novel Network.
The dried meat and preserved fruits were, of course, prepared by people along the way. He only needed to put on a show upon entering the city.
In Wannian City, there were several inns run by Da Tu country people specifically to receive merchants like them.
However, after a brief tour, Duobang did not visit any of them. Finally, he chose an inn called "Brothers Inn."
Seeing a guest arrive, the waiter greeted him with a smile. Duobang spoke the Da Tu country dialect very fluently. He pointed to the carts behind him and said to the innkeeper, "Please help lead the horses to the backyard, unload the carts, and feed them well. They're hungry after a day's journey."
The innkeeper agreed and signaled for people to help lead the horses and carts to the backyard. Then, a middle-aged man came forward, introducing himself as the innkeeper, and invited them to rest in their rooms.
Duobang did not rush to check in. Instead, he pointed to the red lanterns hanging at the entrance of the inn, "What joyous occasion is celebrated in Wannian City, that you are all hanging red lanterns?"
The innkeeper smiled slightly, "You must be from out of town, sir. These past two days, the Emperor has decreed a marriage for the princess."
"I'm also hanging a red lantern to share in the good fortune."
Hearing this, Duobang became interested. He secretly pondered that if he were to kill this newly betrothed 驸马, it would surely cause a sensation. With this thought, he asked with a smile, "May I know which family's young master this 驸马 is from?"
When this was mentioned, the innkeeper's brow furrowed slightly.
"Alas, speaking of this 驸马, his reputation is indeed thunderous. His surname is Chen, and his given name is Xiaobei. The 驸马's abilities are known to all, women and children alike. A mountain villager who repeatedly achieved military merits, first married the daughter of Marquis Liu Xiangnan, and then, he became the 驸马."
"Oh, what exactly did he do?" Duobang became curious.
Duobang's curiosity was understandable. He also knew that according to the customs of their Da Tu country, a married man could not marry a princess.
The innkeeper, with a proud expression, replied, "Of course, he earned military merits. During the resistance against Da Tu country,驸马 Chen, along with Marquis Liu's daughter, Liu Rumei, led troops to raid Da Tu country, lifting the siege of Wannian City. Later, he devised a plan to cure the Crown Prince of his poison."
"Isn't this a monumental achievement? That's why the Emperor decreed this marriage for him and the princess."
Just as the innkeeper was about to continue, he suddenly noticed that the expressions of those before him did not seem as happy as he had imagined. He quickly changed the subject, saying, "It's getting late. Gentlemen, you should get some rest."
With that, he signaled to a young waiter to lead Duobang and his party to their rooms.
After entering the guest room, Duobang lay down on the bed and began to ponder.
"What you seek but cannot find after exhausting all efforts, comes to you effortlessly."
The raid of tens of thousands of troops on Da Tu country had caused them considerable embarrassment, and many high-ranking officials of Da Tu country were killed, including the Grand Tutor and others who had met their demise.
Now, he had found the culprit. It was Chen Xiaobei. How could such a perfect opportunity be missed? He had to find a way to eliminate this person.
With this thought, he summoned his subordinates and instructed them, "Starting tomorrow, you will all disperse and search for Chen Xiaobei's residence. Find out where he lives. We will start with him."