Chen Dayong clearly saw Chen Xiaobei's expression. He asked with a slight surprise, "Brother Xiaobei, everyone is gone, why do you still look unhappy?"
Chen Xiaobei sighed, "Thinking about them, they are quite pitiful. They didn't bring much provisions, and it's not enough to go to Jizhou. With so few people, what can they do by going down the mountain? They are powerless to change the current situation!"
Yes, a hundred or so people were not many, nor few. But if they all had to eat, solving one meal was a considerable pressure. Yet, if they were to march and fight, a hundred people wouldn't even be enough to fill the gaps.
"Brother Xiaobei, do you think they might steal our grain?" Chen Dayong couldn't help but worry.
Regarding this question, Chen Xiaobei shook his head with a smile.
"Unless they plan to become mountain bandits, as long as they still want to find Zhu Meng, they won't take this step."
Chen Dayong's words also reminded Chen Xiaobei. Perhaps Shen Hao would borrow some grain from Cui Hongyu and the others. With Cui Hongyu's intelligence, she should be able to handle it completely.
When they returned to the camp, the sky was already showing signs of dawn. The two took advantage of the early hour to catch up on sleep.
The villagers at the scene were also very understanding, tiptoeing around, fearing they would disturb them.
Chen Xiaowen, a member of the village guard, was on the last watch, yawning as he patrolled back and forth. Suddenly, he saw figures flickering in the distance. In the dim dawn light, he could vaguely see that it wasn't one or two people, but a large group, far more than his hundred or so villagers.
These people were all wearing helmets and armor, marching with orderly steps.
Seeing this, Chen Xiaowen quickly ran back, shouting as he ran, "The regular army is coming, the regular army is coming!"
Hearing the shouts, Chen Dachun was the first to jump up, "Where? Where?"
"It's ahead, about three or four li away."
The hurried footsteps of the village guards woke Chen Xiaobei. He poked his head out of the tent, "What's all the rush about?"
Chen Dachun quickly explained, "Xiao Wen said the regular army is coming."
A thought flashed through Chen Xiaobei's mind.
Yes, it was Qi Chong. It must be Qi Chong.
Thinking this, Chen Xiaobei said calmly, "Don't worry, it should be the Crown Prince's men. Let's go and see."
Chen Xiaobei led a few village guards forward. Before long, the regular army arrived, and the person in the lead was indeed Qi Chong.
Seeing Chen Xiaobei, Qi Chong was very polite and clasped his fists.
"Brother, we have met before, haven't we?"
Chen Xiaobei replied in kind, clasping his fists and saying, "If I remember correctly, you are General Qi Chong, aren't you?"
Qi Chong nodded, then suddenly slapped his head, "Yes, I remember. It was that night when Miss Liu went down the mountain, you were by her side."
Chen Xiaobei nodded, "Yes, my name is Chen Xiaobei. I accompanied Miss Liu down the mountain. General Qi has a good memory."
Facing Chen Xiaobei's flattery, Qi Chong clasped his fists again and asked, "So it's Brother Chen Xiaobei. What are you doing up on the mountain?"
Chen Xiaobei put on an innocent expression, "I was lurking in Ant Ridge for a while and missed the farming season. My grain is a bit tight, so I came up the mountain to hunt while the snow hasn't blocked the passes."
Qi Chong smiled and pointed to the continuous tents behind him, "There's no need to hunt. Just look through each tent. Many have provisions. You can take whatever you want, and it will be enough for you to eat and drink all winter."
I have to say, this Qi Chong was a straightforward person.
Chen Xiaobei clasped his fists again, "Thank you, General Qi, for the reminder. But we are here to search for military supplies. Is this appropriate?"
Qi Chong smiled, "If you don't say, and I don't say, who would know? I won't be coming back for the next three to five days after I go down the mountain. You can judge for yourself."
After speaking, Qi Chong waved his hand and led his men away.
Watching Qi Chong leave, Chen Xiaobei breathed a long sigh of relief. His last bit of worry disappeared. With Qi Chong's words, he was completely at ease.
He turned back to the villagers and said, "You all heard what was said just now. We have today to do this. We must leave before dark."
The crowd let out a cheer and immediately got to work.
There was still a military camp dozens of li ahead. Each of these hundred or so people could only carry a few dozen catties. They couldn't carry more.
Just as everyone was busy, another major event occurred in Qingniu County.
As dawn broke, Wang Lei's head was once again hung at the county yamen.
With Wang Lei dead, the soldiers in the city were completely panicked. Zhu Jianyue had surrendered, and the Zhu family's generals were essentially wiped out.
Wang Long was dead, Wang Lei was dead. The highest-ranking officer left was a deputy general, Wang Heng. Besides him, there were no other high-ranking military officers.
Therefore, Wang Heng had to grit his teeth and take charge.
One important task before him was to stabilize the morale of the troops.
To stabilize morale, the first step was naturally to find the murderer.
And this step was the most difficult.
Wang Lei gathered his most loyal subordinates, who were already at the level of fang generals and bie generals.
Looking at the people present, Wang Heng appeared worried, "Gentlemen, today we must find the murderer, no matter what. Otherwise, tomorrow, it is very likely to be us who are hung on the city wall."
Hearing Wang Heng's words, everyone felt a chill. Thinking about it, from Zhu Yan, then to Wang Long, and then to Wang Lei.
Whoever ruled Qingniu City was likely to meet with misfortune.
Today, Wang Heng was in charge, but if something happened to Wang Heng, who would it be next?
Just then, there was a sound of urgent footsteps from outside.
A soldier rushed in, knelt on one knee, and said loudly, "General, a new development has been discovered. A pigeon flew out of Baihua Tower and is flying out of the city."
Baihua Tower.
Hearing this, Wang Heng couldn't help but frown.
At this moment, someone stepped forward from the side, clasped his fists, and said, "General, I remember that Zhu Yan's subordinate also mentioned that on the night Zhu Yan was murdered, he had also called for a prostitute from Baihua Tower, but nothing was found out afterward."
Hearing this, Wang Heng suddenly stood up.
"Quick, send people to surround Baihua Tower!"
Inside Baihua Tower, the Lotus Cult leader had just finished sending a secret letter to the princess and began to sit cross-legged, circulating her internal energy.
She had barely run her energy for a short while when hurried footsteps were heard, and her door was directly pushed open.
A young maid rushed in, "Great Hero, Great Hero, something bad has happened! Baihua Tower has been surrounded by the regular army. Madam says you should hide quickly."
Hearing this, the Lotus Cult leader couldn't help but frown.
Why had the regular army arrived just after she sent out the carrier pigeon?
Perhaps the regular army had followed the pigeon.
The Lotus Cult leader's heart sank. On the surface, she still had to appear calm.
"Okay, I understand. You may go."
The maid, however, was persistent, "Madam asked me to take you to the backyard and have you disguise yourself as a laundry maid."