Xiao Jingyun smiled slightly, "Last time was different from now. Last time, hundreds of thousands of our troops had passed, and if it had stalemated, Da Lin Kingdom would have gained nothing, which is why they retreated."
"Moreover, Qiao Sen has always been known for his cunning schemes. How could he do such a losing business."
Speaking of this, Xiao Jingyun stood up.
He slowly descended his own steps, came before everyone, looked at the assembled people, and said word by word with seriousness, "Everyone, please think about it. For Qiao Sen to write a personal letter from Da Lin Kingdom to reach us, it would take at least three to four days."
"And from the time I left Jizhou to sitting here today, after calculating, it has been no more than five or six days."
Upon hearing this, everyone suddenly understood, "Your Highness, you mean someone in Jizhou City colluded with the enemy, and your whereabouts were reported to Da Lin Kingdom."
Xiao Jingyun nodded, "Yes, someone colluded with the enemy. But for Qiao Sen to know I returned and only write such a letter, asking to exchange his master for me, what do you think his true intention is."
The crowd looked at each other, a little bewildered.
Suddenly, a heavily armored general standing nearby recovered his senses and cupped his fist to Xiao Jingyun, "Wait a moment. I, Du Bai, believe that Da Lin Kingdom wants to make a comeback. They want to re-enter Jizhou City."
Hearing this, Xiao Jingyun nodded in approval, "General Du is correct. This letter is a tactic to confuse us. Five thousand for one, I have no reason not to agree."
"Our attention will be entirely focused on the exchange of hostages. Not only Jizhou, but the entire border defense will surely be lax, which will give them an opportunity."
After he finished speaking, everyone present nodded in succession.
"Yes, yes, Your Highness is indeed wise. How did we not think of this?"
Xiao Jingyun, however, waved his hand and said to the crowd, "Since we know the opponent's plan, the next steps will be easier. Tian Wenhao, receive my order."
Tian Wenhao quickly stepped forward and cupped his fist to Xiao Jingyun.
"Tian Wenhao, quickly organize provisions and transport them to the border, and prepare for three months."
Then he looked at Du Bai.
"Only the two old princes Liu and Zhao are present in Jizhou. I worry that due to their advanced age, there might be oversight. You will immediately take your men and rush to Jizhou tonight. After stabilizing the situation in Jizhou, you will proceed north to the border."
After making the arrangements, he looked at the Minister of the Court of Ceremonial, Zhu Ziming.
"After lunch, you will meet with this Bell and negotiate terms. We not only want Zhu Meng and his fifty thousand troops, but also all the supplies they plundered from us and the civilians they took away."
Zhu Ziming's face was full of surprise, "Your Highness, isn't this a bit too much?"
Xiao Jingyun laughed heartily, "This is precisely the 'too much' I want. He definitely cannot agree to your demands, so he will inevitably find a way to contact Da Lin Kingdom."
Hearing this, Zhu Ziming's eyes lit up, "Your Highness, you mean to completely root out the spies Da Lin Kingdom has hidden in our capital."
Xiao Jingyun nodded, "Yes, if not for this, how can we defeat Da Lin Kingdom."
Everyone present once again gave Xiao Jingyun a thumbs up, having to admit that Xiao Jingyun was indeed demonstrating extraordinary leadership.
However, Xiao Jingyun's joy did not last long.
As the sun began to set and it was almost time for dinner, Zhu Ziming suddenly arrived in a hurry.
Xiao Jingyun naturally knew that it must be an urgent matter at this hour, so he did not have people enter the reception hall, but instead directly had Zhou Quan bring him into his study.
As Zhu Ziming entered, he didn't even have time to bow. He cupped his fist and said anxiously, "Your Highness, something big has happened!"
Xiao Jingyun looked at him and asked with a slight surprise, "What is it? Why are you in such a panic?"
"Your Highness, the people I sent to pursue the old Prime Minister Fang have returned."
"Last night they rested by the ferry. This morning they discovered that the old Prime Minister was missing."
"What, the old Prime Minister is missing?" Xiao Jingyun shot up from his seat.
"Quickly tell me, what exactly happened?"
"Your Highness, because of the continuous travel, they were quite tired, so they slept very soundly at night. When they woke up this morning, they found the old Prime Minister missing. Also missing was the carriage he rode during the day."
"They thought the old Prime Minister did not want to leave and had returned to the capital alone, so they searched along the road back to the capital. Thirty li from the ferry, they found the old Prime Minister's carriage, but there was no horse."
Hearing this, Xiao Jingyun was completely stunned. What was this all about?
"They found the old Prime Minister's carriage, but where is he?"
Zhu Ziming spread his hands, "Fang Jun and the young girl have gone to search in all directions, but there has been no news so far. I fear the old Prime Minister is in grave danger."
Xiao Jingyun heard this and appeared remorseful, slamming the table fiercely.
"This infuriates me!"
"It's all my fault for being foolish. I should never have let the old Prime Minister leave Wanning City."
After Xiao Jingyun had vented, Zhu Ziming stepped forward and asked cautiously, "Your Highness, do you think it might be people from Da Lin Kingdom, intentionally trying to disrupt our vision? Oh, and also those rumors from Marquis Liu."
Hearing this, Xiao Jingyun's emotions were complex. He knew very well what was going on with Liu Xiangnan and that it had nothing to do with Da Lin Kingdom. However, whether Fang Zheng's disappearance this time was related to Da Lin Kingdom, he was unsure.
Thinking of this, he couldn't help but sigh, "Alas, heaven does not favor me. I never expected that a decision of mine would bring such misfortune to the old Prime Minister."
Zhu Ziming also looked troubled, "Your Highness, with the old Prime Minister's disappearance, the matter of Feng Pengju will likely be difficult to resolve."
Xiao Jingyun also looked distressed.
He had confidently vowed to help Feng Pengju clear his name and restore his official position. Now, the person holding the direct evidence, Fang Zheng, had vanished.
What should be done now? Perhaps the most heartbroken upon hearing this news would be Feng Xiaoyue.
Thinking of this, Xiao Jingyun said in a deep voice, "Do not spread the word about this matter for now."
Then he turned to Zhou Quan and said, "You immediately take your men and rush to the ferry to meet up with Wang Jun and the others. You must find a clue to the old Prime Minister's disappearance."
Zhou Quan nodded, "Your Highness, rest assured. I will depart immediately and will surely find the old Prime Minister's whereabouts."
After arranging for Zhou Quan to leave, Xiao Jingyun still felt uneasy. However, despite his unease, he had no better solutions.
Just as uneasy was Feng Xiaoyue. Zhu Ziming had sent someone to say they were pursuing the old Prime Minister, and considering the distance, they should be back by now.
During dinner, Feng Xiaoyue seemed distracted. Chen Xiaobei understood his thoughts and comforted him.
"Perhaps Minister Zhu was delayed by something and hasn't had time to send someone to inform you yet."
Feng Xiaoyue remained silent, still showing no appetite for food.