"Who sent you? Speak clearly."
"You, are you Brother Liu Tie?" one of them suddenly exclaimed in surprise.
Liu Tie looked at him with confusion, "You recognize me?"
"Yes, yes, we followed Captain Zhou Quan to Hetou Village a few days ago and saw you."
Hearing this, Liu Tie couldn't help but smile. It was truly a case of a family not recognizing its own.
Liu Tie quickly helped the two men up, "Oh, I'm so sorry, please get up."
"It's still over a hundred miles to Jizhou, how did your net spread so far?"
The two men briefly explained that Shen Ziyan and Huang Ying had rushed to the military camp to find Cui Hongyu. Liu Tie listened and secretly sighed, these two girls were truly loyal. Without waiting for Chen Xiaobei to return, they had already rushed here to make arrangements in advance.
Liu Tie turned back and briefly explained the situation to Chen Xiaobei. Chen Xiaobei listened and frowned, "Brother Liu Tie, why do I feel something is not right? Huang Ying and Shen Ziyan chased all the way, and we also chased all the way without noticing any abnormality. Could it be that they aren't coming to Jizhou?"
After hearing this, Liu Tie also sighed, "But if they don't come, where else would they go? It wouldn't be convenient for them to travel with such a living person."
What was said without intention was heard by the listener, and the phrase "inconvenient" suddenly reminded Chen Xiaobei.
"Oh. Brother Liu Tie, you're right. We were too anxious. Think about it, how far could Liu Xiaobao travel in a day driving a carriage towards Jizhou? And if he were carrying Hongyu, wouldn't they have to stop early and find an inn as soon as it got dark?"
"I think it's more likely that we missed them by rushing day and night."
Hearing this, Liu Tie nodded in approval. It was indeed possible, "What do we do next?"
"Let Yang Chun and Yang Zhi lead their men to go back. We will stay here and wait."
"But since we've come this far, I think it's still necessary for us to see my young lady," Liu Tie proposed.
Hearing Liu Tie's words, Chen Xiaobei thoughtfully nodded with a smile, "That's true. We're at our doorstep, and it would be hard to not visit. Alright, then we'll go to the main camp."
At this time, outside Jizhou city, in Xiao Jingyun's camp, the soldiers were already preparing dinner. Bonfires were lit everywhere, the aroma of food wafted through the air, and people were coming and going, creating a lively scene. Meanwhile, Shen Qiang quietly slipped out of the camp and made his way alone to about a mile outside the south gate of Jizhou.
He observed carefully from the shadows and confirmed there were no ambushes. Only then did he continue forward. When he was about an arrow's shot away from the city gate, he stopped and aimed at a piece of wood on the city wall, shooting an arrow.
The arrow carried a letter he had written to Zhu Meng.
Soon, the letter written by Shen Qiang was delivered to Zhu Meng. After reading it, he appeared hesitant. "Go and call Zhang Liao for me."
As Zhang Liao entered, Zhu Meng waved his hand and pushed the letter on the table towards him, "Zhang Liao, look at this. What's going on?"
In the letter, Shen Qiang wrote directly that Xiao Jingyun had ordered him to feign surrender and sneak into Jizhou city to act as an inside informant. Su Dan novel network.
After reading the letter, Zhang Liao smiled slightly.
"Marshal, this is very simple. At the third watch tonight, we will open the city gate and let him in as Shen Qiang said."
"What if Shen Qiang has other intentions?"
Zhang Liao heard this and laughed heartily, "Marshal, you are probably worrying too much. Shen Qiang has followed you for ten years, and Xiao Jingyun for only a few days. Besides, even if Shen Qiang has ulterior motives, he only brought a hundred men. What kind of storm can they stir up?"
"However, if you don't let him in, and this matter spreads, then the surrendered soldiers from the Qingniu County under Xiao Jingyun will naturally have no inclination to join us."
After hearing Zhang Liao's analysis, Zhu Meng nodded, "Good, then I will immediately write him a reply. Tonight, at the third watch, we will open the south gate to welcome him in."
After receiving the reply, Shen Qiang immediately returned and handed it to Liu Rumei to read.
Liu Rumei nodded solemnly after reading it, "Shen Qiang, remember what I told you. Act as if you have truly surrendered to Zhu Meng again. Don't make any rash moves. As long as you bring me, Shen Ziyan, and Huang Ying into Jizhou city, your mission will be complete. Do you understand?"
Shen Qiang nodded, "I understand. My mission will be complete once I bring you into the city. I will accept all of Zhu Meng's arrangements."
Liu Rumei did not speak, but raised her head to look at the crescent moon in the sky, "I hope everything goes smoothly."
As the third watch approached, Crown Prince Xiao Jingyun and Princess Zhaoning arrived. Xiao Jingyun looked at Liu Rumei with a solemn expression, "Rumei, you must return safely."
Princess Zhaoning did not speak, but stepped forward and gently embraced Liu Rumei, "It was Jing Feng's lack of consideration that caused my sister to put herself in danger."
Liu Rumei shook her head, "Your Highness, you flatter me. Serving the court is my family's duty."
Princess Zhaoning then went before Shen Ziyan and Huang Ying and bowed again, "Second Senior Aunts, I trouble you with everything."
The two also returned the bow, "Your Highness, you are too kind. We are willing to serve the court."
After Liu Rumei, Huang Ying, and Shen Ziyan bowed to Crown Prince Xiao Jingyun and Princess Zhaoning, they turned and entered the tent.
Not long after, three valiant and heroic soldiers walked out. Seeing their appearance, Xiao Jingyun couldn't help but give a thumbs up, "They look so alike. Even I can't tell you three are women."
As he spoke, he turned to look at Shen Qiang with a solemn expression, "Shen Qiang, please ensure their safety. I will reward you handsomely after the mission is accomplished."
Shen Qiang cupped his fists towards Xiao Jingyun, "Please rest assured, Your Highness the Crown Prince. As long as I, Shen Qiang, have a breath left, I will not let the three of them come to any harm."
Xiao Jingyun nodded and waved his hand. Shen Qiang then led the three away.
Among the more than a hundred people Shen Qiang had brought initially, many were willing to join Zhu Meng. Although there were a few who were unwilling, overall, they were willing to follow Shen Qiang's lead.
According to the plan, Shen Qiang had already instructed them to break up into small groups of three or two and wait outside the main camp.
Shen Qiang led the three to the crowd and said in a deep voice, "These are my three good brothers who will go with us."
The soldiers under him naturally did not dare to say anything more. Shen Qiang instructed the three to stay close behind him, so they could look out for each other.
Soon, the group arrived outside the south gate. According to the prearranged plan, Shen Qiang took out a fire starter and lit three torches, drawing circles in the air.
On the city gate tower, Zhu Meng saw the signal and urged, "Good, Shen Qiang has arrived. Quickly open the gate and let him in!"