Listening to Zhu Meng’s words, Zhang Liao frowned again.
"Commander, it might be better if we don't get involved in this matter. This is originally a dispute between Ge Zhuang and Crown Prince Xiao Jingyun."
Zhu Meng waved his hand. "No, that's not right. Three spies have already been rescued, and Ge Zhuang has no cards left to play. It's time for us to take over the forces in Jizhou."
Upon hearing Zhu Meng's words, Zhang Liao was first stunned, then gave him a thumbs-up.
"Commander, if we want to bring down Ge Zhuang, just losing the spies won't be enough. We need to find some other corroborating evidence."
Zhu Meng nodded. "You're right, we need to give him some charges. As long as he can't bring back Ge Cun's head in three days, his followers will inevitably lose heart. If we add a few more charges, it will be easy."
After speaking, the two looked at each other and laughed heartily.
Meanwhile, in Crown Prince Xiao Jingyun's military camp outside the city, there was a wave of joy. The successful rescue of the three, especially the young girl, lifted a heavy stone from Xiao Jingyun's heart. Su Dan Novel Network.
As for Princess Zhaoning, all three were rescued, especially her master. Although injured, the injuries were not serious, which greatly reduced her guilt.
Xiao Jingyun quickly ordered people to take them to rest, but Chen Xiaobei had no intention of sleeping.
He found Huang Ying and Shen Ziyan, explained his intentions, and planned to leave immediately to search for Cui Hongyu's whereabouts.
Huang Ying hesitated for a moment and then said, "Brother Xiaobei, I want to bring Senior Sister along. She's injured, and Zi Yan and I can take turns looking after her."
Chen Xiaobei naturally couldn't refuse Huang Ying's request.
However, when Shen Ziyan and Huang Ying proposed to take the Lotus Cult leader with them, they were strongly opposed by the princess. Her reason was that the Lotus Cult leader was her master and she would naturally take care of her.
Finally, the Lotus Cult leader herself spoke, "Your Highness, this is the front line, and my staying here will only be a burden to you. How about this, I will return to Hetou Village with you, Aunt Huang Ying. If you need anything in the future, you can find me in Hetou Village."
Faced with the Lotus Cult leader's insistence, Princess Zhaoning had no choice but to agree.
When the news of Chen Xiaobei's departure reached Xiao Jingyun, Xiao Jingyun naturally did not try to detain him.
As soon as Chen Xiaobei and his group left, Xiao Jingyun received a report that Ge Zhuang and Zhu Meng had joined forces and led their troops out of the city to challenge him.
Upon hearing this news, Xiao Jingyun immediately summoned Liu Rumei and his subordinate generals to discuss countermeasures.
Prince Liu was the first to speak. "Everyone, Ge Zhuang rushing out of the city to challenge us must be because my people were rescued, and he cannot explain it to his subordinates, hence resorting to this risky move."
After hearing Prince Liu's words, Liu Rumei's mind suddenly stirred. "Your Highness, before I rescued the three, I overheard two guards say that Ge Zhuang actually occupied his elder brother's concubine. I wonder about this matter..."
Hearing this, Xiao Jingyun burst into laughter.
"It's useful, this matter is definitely useful. I didn't expect Ge Zhuang to be so beastly, not even letting go of his elder brother's woman."
"When we reach the battlefield later, we will spread this news and see how he handles it."
Soon, Xiao Jingyun assembled his troops and went to meet Ge Zhuang and Zhu Meng.
This was the first time Xiao Jingyun and Zhu Meng had met face to face.
Seeing Zhu Meng, Xiao Jingyun was still angry. He pointed at Zhu Meng and said loudly, "You led troops to instigate trouble and harm the common people. Surrender the city quickly, and perhaps your life can be spared."
Hearing Xiao Jingyun's words, Zhu Meng let out a hearty laugh.
"Xiao Jingyun, you think too highly of yourself."
"Who do you think you are, daring to boss me around here? Your father is probably already a prisoner by now."
Xiao Jingyun also burst into laughter. He began his psychological warfare. "Zhu Meng, you probably don't know yet, but the Great Tu and Great Lin countries have already retreated. They are no longer helping you."
"Impossible, absolutely impossible! They will soon cross the White River and march towards Jizhou City. Your end is near, Xiao Jingyun." Zhu Meng appeared somewhat hysterical.
Seeing Zhu Meng's reaction, Xiao Jingyun became even calmer. He smiled and looked at Ge Zhuang again.
"Ge Zhuang, was your elder brother's concubine gentle last night?"
Ge Zhuang's face turned pale instantly.
Seeing that Ge Zhuang did not dare to reply, Xiao Jingyun continued to address the crowd present. "I believe you all know that my men rescued your so-called spies last night. Of course, while rescuing them, we also heard some good news: Ge Zhuang and his elder brother Ge Cun's concubine were intimate."
"What a good brother indeed."
Hearing this, the generals following Ge Zhuang looked at each other, somewhat bewildered. In their eyes, Ge Cun was their spiritual leader, and Ge Cun's concubine was naturally Ge Cun's representative.
So, would Ge Zhuang commit such a despicable act? Everyone began to doubt.
Ge Zhuang naturally would not admit it on the spot. Blushing, he stretched his neck and roared loudly, "Xiao Jingyun, you are slandering me!"
After speaking, he spurred his warhorse and charged forward.
Seeing this, Liu Rumei also spurred her warhorse to move forward, but unexpectedly, someone beside her was faster. A red shadow shot out – it was Princess Zhaoning.
Princess Zhaoning had long been holding a grudge and wanted to avenge her master. Seeing someone engage in battle, she was naturally eager to rush forward.
Although Ge Zhuang was cunning in normal times, his martial arts were indeed mediocre.
He only fought with a heart full of anger, without regard for the consequences, resorting to a head-on confrontation. As a result, after three moves, he forced Princess Zhaoning to retreat repeatedly.
Seeing Ge Zhuang's ferocity, the generals behind him began to cheer. Zhu Meng, however, saw the trick. Ge Zhuang was only relying on brute force and would surely suffer later.
But now Zhu Meng was hesitating. Should he save him or not? In that moment of hesitation, Princess Zhaoning began to counterattack. Her long spear, like a dragon emerging from the sea, was elusive. Ge Zhuang, caught off guard, was struck in the thigh by the spear.
"Ah!" Ge Zhuang cried out in pain, reined in his warhorse, and fled back.
Seeing him retreat, Princess Zhaoning did not pursue. She pointed her long spear at Zhu Meng.
"Zhu Meng, quickly come forward and die!"
Zhu Meng was willing to step forward, but he also knew that if he stepped onto the battlefield, the opponent would definitely change generals. They would not let Princess Zhaoning take such a risk, because Xiao Jingyun knew his strength thoroughly.
However, he did not know who the master was in the opponent's formation.
Thinking of this, he shouted at Xiao Jingyun, "Xiao Jingyun, you have won the first round today. We will fight again tomorrow."
With that, he raised his great saber, and the sound of bells immediately rang out from the city wall. This was the signal to recall the troops.
Seeing the enemy retreat back into the city, Xiao Jingyun was not in a hurry. After all, he had already sowed the seeds of division among the people in the city.
Originally, everyone had some reservations about Ge Zhuang's character and conduct.