Liu Tie shook his head, "That's not how it should be said. Since ancient times, there has been no reason for princes to go to the battlefield."
"We, as ministers, naturally have to serve the royal family. You, don't get your identity wrong."
After speaking, Liu Tie pointed forward, "Let's go ahead and take a look."
Meanwhile, in Qingniu County.
Wang Long ate and drank heartily again. This time, however, he didn't ask Zhu Jianyu to accompany him, but rather his副将 (fùjiàng - deputy general), Wang Lei.
After a few cups of wine, Wang Lei opened up, "The Grand General has arrived. Have you felt anything amiss these past two days?"
Wang Long shook his head, "What is amiss? I don't feel anything."
Wang Lei waved his hand, signaling the guards beside him to retreat, and then leaned forward in a lowered voice.
"Grand General, it is said that troops from the northern and eastern routes have already arrived, numbering over a hundred thousand."
"Why do you think they aren't coming to our Qingniu County, but are staying more than ten miles away?"
Hearing Wang Lei's question, Wang Long was also slightly taken aback.
"That's right. They are so close, and they know our reinforcements have arrived, so why aren't they besieging the city?"
Wang Lei chuckled, "Reportedly, they surrounded the city that day, captured the Peerless Daoist Master, and forced Zhu Jianyu to surrender the city. Then Zhu Jianyu planned to abandon the city and go up the mountain, and then they sent us here."
Listening to Wang Lei's words, Wang Long nodded, "You're right, that's how it happened."
"But why didn't they attack? You still haven't said why."
Wang Lei put on a knowing air, "Grand General, think about it, why didn't they attack? It's all because of Zhu Jianyu."
"I heard that the Crown Prince immediately withdrew his troops the last time Zhu Jianyu said he would consider surrendering."
"What does this show? It shows he is trying to win over Zhu Jianyu's support."
Hearing this, Wang Long frowned.
"You might have a point there. Could it be that Zhu Jianyu is colluding with Xiao Jingyun?"
Wang Lei looked confident, "This is very possible, General. We must be on guard."
Wang Long nodded, "Send people to keep an eye on them. If there's any movement, arrest them immediately."
As dusk fell in the military camp, Princess Zhaoning received another letter from her master, the Lotus Cult Leader.
After reading the letter, Princess Zhaoning appeared slightly nervous.
She went to see her brother, Xiao Jingyun, again.
"Imperial Brother, my master has sent another letter. Please take a look."
Xiao Jingyun took it and scanned the content of the letter. It was simple, stating that Zhu Meng had dispatched his subordinate general Wang Long to Qingniu County. The Lotus Cult Leader intended to repeat his previous tactic and kill Wang Long, creating chaos.
Xiao Jingyun pondered this suggestion for a long time.
"Wang Long is a fierce general, skilled in martial arts, brave and resourceful. It would be a shame to kill him."
Old Marquis Zhao, who was beside him, shook his head, "Your Highness, our Da Cang Kingdom is not short of generals. Keeping Wang Long alive will inevitably make him a formidable enemy. It would be better to eliminate him sooner."
After hearing these words, Xiao Jingyun finally made up his mind. He nodded slightly, "Old Minister speaks the truth. Please reply to the Lotus Cult Leader and tell him to stir up some trouble in Qingniu County. The more chaotic it is, the better."
"Oh, and don't do anything to Zhu Jianyu for now. This person still has value for us to win over."
The sky gradually darkened, and the Hundred Flowers Pavilion was silent.
Madam Gui Lan, the procuress, didn't dare to open the doors now, so the girls inside were just eating and sleeping, sleeping and eating.
Of course, Gui Lan was extremely polite to the Lotus Cult Leader, serving him delicious food and drinks every day.
One day, after preparing wine and food, she personally delivered it to the Lotus Cult Leader's room. "Please enjoy your meal, great hero. Call me if you need anything."
After speaking, Gui Lan turned to leave, but the Lotus Cult Leader called her back. "I've been eating and drinking here. Don't you want to ask me when I'll be leaving?"
Madam Gui Lan's heart leaped with joy, but she still had to pretend to be overly deferential. "You are welcome to stay as long as you wish, great hero. Whenever you decide to leave, you may do so. If you don't leave, you can stay here forever."
Hearing her words, the Lotus Cult Leader smiled slightly, reached out, took out a silver note, and placed it on the table.
"This is two hundred taels of silver. I will leave when I have spent all this money."
When Gui Lan saw that he was actually paying, she was overjoyed.
"Great hero, you are too kind. You're too polite. You're too polite." As she spoke, she reached out and carefully took the silver note, tucking it into her sleeve without even looking at it, and turned to leave.
"I haven't finished speaking yet," the Lotus Cult Leader's words made Madam Gui Lan freeze in place, daring not to take a step forward. She turned back with a fawning smile, "Great hero, please speak, please speak."
"I'm going out to kill someone tonight. If anyone comes to search, you know what to say, right?"
"Yes, yes. I'll tidy up your room later and say that no one is staying here."
The Lotus Cult Leader nodded with satisfaction and waved his hand.
Madam Gui Lan, as if granted amnesty, hurried away.
Soon, it was the second watch.
Outside, except for the neat footsteps of patrolling soldiers, there was no other sound.
Only then did the Lotus Cult Leader leisurely pack his belongings, open the window, and silently disappear into the darkness from the rooftop.
At this time, Wang Long, having eaten and drunk his fill, was about to go to sleep. Wang Long was indeed a gentleman; even when drunk, he wouldn't look for girls to sing and dance with, but would return to his room and sleep soundly.
A guard helped him make his bed and served him. After he lay down, just as the guard was about to turn and leave, he heard a creak. The window opened.
But there was nothing outside the window. The guard stepped forward to look, shook his head, and couldn't help but mumble.
"What a strong wind."
Before he finished speaking, he felt something flash before his eyes, and then a cold sensation on his neck.
He wanted to shout, but could not. In the next instant, a dark figure swept past his head and silently drifted into the room.
At this time, Zhu Meng had already closed his eyes. Hearing footsteps, he thought it was his guard and impatiently waved his hand, "Alright, alright, you can leave."
Before he finished speaking, he suddenly had a feeling that something was wrong. He abruptly opened his eyes.
A cold glint was already attacking him. Wang Long instinctively twisted his body, dodging the vital point, but his shoulder was still nicked.
Seeing that his attack had missed, the Lotus Cult Leader was slightly surprised. He didn't expect this brat to have such good martial arts.
But it was only a fleeting thought.
The Lotus Cult Leader quickly drew his saber and struck again.
Wang Long curled up his body again, hiding in the corner. The Lotus Cult Leader, missing his target, became a little impatient. He raised his hand and directly threw a handful of white smoke.
Alas, Wang Long, who had just opened his mouth to shout, was engulfed by the white smoke.
"Ah!" After swallowing a large mouthful, Wang Long's vision went black, and he fell to the ground with a thud.
The Lotus Cult Leader pulled off the bedsheet, wrapped Wang Long in it, slung him over his shoulder, and disappeared into the night.
The next morning, as soon as dawn broke, Zhu Jianyu was woken up again.