As soon as the two ropes were set up, Lu Dong impatiently rushed to the other side.
Lu Dong, along with several soldiers, conducted a search and soon discovered the supplies left by Liu Kai in the woods.
Since preparations were made for two months, but they actually stayed for less than half a month, there were plenty of supplies left.
Seeing the piled-up supplies, Lu Dong beamed with joy.
"Excellent, we'll make camp here tonight and enjoy the place where the Crown Prince slept."
Just then, Wang Long also arrived, and seeing so many supplies, he couldn't help but sigh.
"To transport so many supplies up the mountain, the Crown Prince certainly has some skills."
The two lamented as they climbed to the mountain top and surveyed the surroundings.
Looking at the seemingly endless grand canyon, Wang Long frowned.
"General Lu, from where do you think the Crown Prince and his men escaped?"
Hearing this question, Lu Dong scratched his head.
"General Wang, I truly cannot figure this out."
Wang Long pointed to the grand canyon and said, "I suspect they must have descended here and escaped from somewhere. There is no other way."
Lu Dong slapped his head and laughed heartily, "General Wang has extensive battlefield experience, as expected! How did I not think of that?"
"Shall we send people to pursue them? Perhaps we can still catch up."
Descending from the mountain top, Lu Dong immediately ordered his brother, Lu Nan, to lead five thousand soldiers and pursue them into the canyon.
Two days passed in the blink of an eye. The transport of grain and fodder from the foot of the mountain to the mountain progressed halfway, which put Zhu Meng at ease.
That night, Zhu Meng received some disturbing news.
Two of the ten regional lords were only three days' journey from Qingniu County, and their combined forces exceeded one hundred thousand.
Upon hearing this, Zhang Liao again advised Zhu Meng to retreat to Qingniu Mountain.
However, according to the advice of the Apex Daoist, Zhu Meng was still determined to hold Qingniu County.
Facing the disagreement between the two, Zhu Meng finally decided to adopt a balanced strategy.
He ordered a banquet to be prepared, specifically to entertain the Apex Daoist.
After several rounds of wine and food, Zhu Meng spoke.
"Daoist Master, I have carefully calculated. Qingniu County can accommodate at most fifty thousand troops; the rest will have to retreat to the mountain."
Hearing Zhu Meng's words, the Apex Daoist took a sip of wine and slowly put down his cup.
"Marshal, as the saying goes, 'He who understands the times is a wise man.' Since Qingniu County cannot accommodate all our forces, let's retreat the main army to the mountain and leave a small force to defend the county, forming a pincer formation."
Seeing the Apex Daoist's insistence on holding the county, Zhu Meng spoke frankly.
"Daoist Master, I wish for Zhu Yan to remain and defend the county. What are your thoughts on this?"
As he spoke, Zhu Meng raised his wine cup and respectfully offered it to the Apex Daoist.
Upon hearing this, the Apex Daoist understood.
He picked up his wine cup, gently clinked it with Zhu Meng's, and drank it all in one gulp.
"I am grateful for the Marshal's trust. I shall not refuse."
With the Apex Daoist appeased, Zhu Meng's last worry was removed.
The next morning, the main army broke camp and retreated towards Qingniu Mountain.
Zhu Yan, on the other hand, led fifty thousand troops towards Qingniu County.
The magistrate of Qingniu County, Hu Fan, heard that a large army was heading towards the county town and was utterly terrified.
He had received prior notification that these were rebel forces, but the imperial army had been slow to arrive. Fortunately, Zhu Meng's forces did not enter the county town, so there was no conflict.
At this point, the advisor Mao You spoke, "My Lord, we should retreat as soon as possible."
"We only have a thousand men. How can we possibly resist Zhu Meng's tens of thousands of troops?"
"As the saying goes, 'As long as the green hills last, there will be wood to burn.'"
Hearing Mao You's words, Hu Fan nodded, but then sighed slightly.
"But where can we retreat with so many people?"
"Three meals a day, and all the other necessities, this is no small matter."
Mao You chuckled, "My Lord, do you remember Centipede Ridge? I scouted it when we dealt with Big Black. It's a good place to hide troops; it can accommodate not just a thousand, but three thousand men."
"Furthermore, it's close to Xiao Family Town, so if we need supplies urgently, we can buy them there."
Hearing Mao You's words, Hu Fan nodded, "Very well. You take He Dali and the others to scout ahead. I will follow shortly."
The magistrate fled with his men, and Qingniu County was thrown into chaos.
The citizens, with their families, fled in droves.
Chen Liu also hurried to find Tian Wen, "Shopkeeper, I heard the army is about to enter the city. We should leave quickly."
Tian Wen's mind raced. In such a situation, wouldn't this be a perfect opportunity to earn merit? Thinking this, he smiled slightly.
"Don't be afraid. The army that is coming is also from our Great Cang Kingdom. Even if they are at odds with the Emperor, what does it have to do with us?"
"But everyone else is leaving," Chen Liu said, still fearful.
Tian Wen chuckled, "This is a matter of personal choice. If you want to leave, I will not stop you."
After inquiring, two shop assistants decided to leave, while the rest chose to trust Tian Wen and stay.
Seeing this, Chen Liu gritted his teeth and stamped his foot, "Fine, then I will not leave either."
Whether he stayed or not, Tian Wen still had to make arrangements.
He immediately went to find Ma Han and asked him to send people out to find an opportunity to contact the Princess and inform her that they would remain in the city as insiders.
By the time Zhu Yan and the Apex Daoist led their troops into the city, seven or eight out of ten citizens had fled.
Looking at the desolate streets, Zhu Yan couldn't help but curse loudly, "Damn it, I'm not attacking or scolding you, why are you running away?"
The Apex Daoist laughed heartily and cupped his hands, "General Zhu, do not be angry. Throughout history, the common people have feared soldiers."
"Please order immediately that the people are only to be appeased, not scolded or bullied, and no looting is allowed. Gradually, the people will support us."
Zhu Yan nodded, then his gaze shifted, and he looked around. "Alas, why do I not see the magistrate of Qingniu County to welcome me?"
At this, a soldier next to him cupped his hands and bowed, "Reporting to the General, the magistrate of Qingniu County has disappeared, and the yamen is empty."
Upon hearing this, Zhu Yan was about to curse again, but then he remembered the Apex Daoist's words and stopped himself. After a pause, he turned and said, "Since that is the case, then we shall simply reside in the yamen. That would be less troublesome."
As Zhu Meng entered the county town, Mao You hurried with his men to Centipede Ridge.
The guards on Centipede Ridge saw that it was an official and quickly informed the mountain.
Chen Xiaobei was surprised to hear it was an official.
Crown Prince Xiao Jingyun was even more perplexed. "The closest place to Centipede Ridge is Qingniu County. It's likely that Hu Fan sent someone."
As he said this, he suddenly frowned. "Zhu Yan's army entered the city today. Could they have abandoned the city and fled?"
Princess Zhaoning's eyebrows shot up, and her almond-shaped eyes widened. "If that is indeed the case, deserting in the face of the enemy is punishable by death."
Upon hearing this, Chen Xiaobei spoke, "Your Highness, that cannot be said."