When everyone had shouted enough, Zhou Fei ordered the troops to be reorganized, preparing to welcome Xiao Jingyun into the city.
By this time, Xiao Jingyun had already received the news. Shen Qiang, who had followed Zhu Meng's soldiers, naturally stopped halfway through his charge.
Soon, Shen Qiang was brought before Xiao Jingyun. "Your Highness, please quickly send troops to pursue Zhu Meng. He plans to assemble at Blackwater Bridge, fifty li away."
Xiao Jingyun waved his hand. "No hurry, no hurry. North of Blackwater Bridge is the flat road to Da Lin Kingdom. I suspect Zhu Meng intends to flee."
"Your Highness, there are still over fifty thousand troops in the city, under the command of Ge Cun's brother, Ge Zhuang. Your Highness could attack tonight, and it would be easily taken," Shen Qiang said, cupping his fists.
Hearing this, Xiao Jingyun nodded. "That is a good idea. Our nearly two hundred thousand troops can surely take Jizhou without difficulty."
Just as Xiao Jingyun was about to order preparations to attack Jizhou City, someone rushed in.
"Reporting to Your Highness, the four gates of Jizhou City are wide open. The defending troops have all come out, but they are all kneeling on the ground. The leader says his name is Zhou Fei and he respectfully invites you to enter the city."
Xiao Jingyun was a little stunned by this.
However, Liu Rumei, who was beside him, reacted quickly. "Your Highness, most likely the city's defending troops saw Zhu Meng flee and realized the situation was hopeless, thus offering to surrender the city."
Hearing this, the two princes Liu and Zhao nodded repeatedly. "Yes, yes, this old man also agrees with what Miss Liu said."
"Although they have offered to surrender, we must not let our guard down. We should still be cautious."
Xiao Jingyun nodded and said to Zhou Quan beside him, "Be sure to keep a close eye on these leaders and prevent them from exploiting any loopholes."
"Furthermore, after our main army enters the city and controls all the city gates and key routes, then let the surrendered troops enter."
With all arrangements made, Xiao Jingyun donned his armor, mounted his horse, and rode to the front of the two armies.
Indeed. As the scouts had reported, from a distance, they could see fires blazing outside Jizhou City. All the soldiers had placed their weapons on the ground in front of them, holding torches high and kneeling on one knee.
In front of the soldiers were several generals.
The leader was Zhou Fei.
Seeing Prince Xiao Jingyun arrive, he, along with Bai Xiu and others, quickly knelt down and shouted in a clear voice, "Criminal Zhou Fei."
"Criminal Bai Xiu."
"Respectfully welcome the Crown Prince's imperial chariot."
Xiao Jingyun nodded with satisfaction, dismounted, and quickly stepped forward to help Zhou Fei up, smiling. "General Zhou, please rise quickly."
"All generals, please rise quickly."
After rising, Zhou Fei cupped his fists again and said to Xiao Jingyun, "Your Highness, Zhu Meng murdered General Ge Cun and falsely accused Your Highness. We were deceived by him and became your enemies. We beg for the Crown Prince's forgiveness."
Xiao Jingyun was quite surprised to hear this. Although he had suspected it might be an internal affair, he had not expected Zhu Meng to be capable of such an act.
Considering that such a person had once commanded the armies of Da Cang Kingdom as the Grand Marshal for years, Xiao Jingyun still felt a chill of fear.
"Your Highness, please permit us to lead troops in pursuit and capture Zhu Meng alive to avenge General Ge," Zhou Fei and others shouted again.
Hearing this, Xiao Jingyun waved his hand. "General Zhou, do not be in a hurry."
"According to scout reports, Zhu Meng has already assembled at Blackwater Bridge. Five hundred li north of Blackwater Bridge is Da Lin Kingdom. I believe Zhu Meng will go to Da Lin Kingdom."
"Once he goes to Da Lin Kingdom, things will become easier. I will find a way to have Da Lin Kingdom capture Zhu Meng and send him back to us."
Hearing this, Zhou Fei's eyes lit up. "Your Highness, is this true?"
Xiao Jingyun nodded. "You can rest assured about this. I naturally have a way. The Crown Prince of Da Lin Kingdom is a disciple of the Peerless Daoist, and this Peerless Daoist is currently in my hands. I will have him write a letter, and it will be done."
"Excellent, this is wonderful. Then everything will be done according to Your Highness's instructions."
Xiao Jingyun looked at everyone present and announced loudly, "I also have good news for all of you. Da Tu Kingdom and Da Lin Kingdom have withdrawn their troops and have retreated beyond our borders. The war is over."
Upon hearing Xiao Jingyun's words, the soldiers present erupted in cheers. Hearing these cheers, Liu Rumei's eyes became moist. It was evident how much everyone detested war. Su Dan Novel Network
"Your Highness, please enter the city to rest." Zhou Fei and others moved aside, respectfully inviting Prince Xiao Jingyun into the city.
Jizhou City was a scene of peace and tranquility, while a hundred li away, Chen Xiaobei was frowning with worry.
They had set up several tents around the crossroads.
Of course, in those times, setting up tents and living outdoors was commonplace.
Therefore, no one suspected what they were doing.
Chen Xiaobei's heart was filled with anxiety, unsure if this method of waiting for the rabbit would yield the desired result.
Huang Ying obviously saw his worry.
She stayed by his side silently, leaning against each other, neither speaking.
Just then, the sound of footsteps was heard outside, followed by Liu Tie's voice. "Is Brother Xiaobei asleep?"
Huang Ying consciously straightened up and maintained a certain distance from Chen Xiaobei. Chen Xiaobei stood up, lifted the tent flap, and went out.
"Brother Liu, I'm here!"
"Brother Xiaobei, the scouts who retreated earlier reported that fifty li from here, there is an inn with a carriage parked there."
"It is said that two men are driving the carriage, and there are two women inside. One of the women has her hands and feet bound."
Upon hearing this, Chen Xiaobei became agitated. "What are we waiting for? Let's go quickly..."
Liu Tie waved his hand. "No, I'm telling you this not to go, but to calculate the distance. They should arrive at this crossroads around noon tomorrow, so everyone needs to be extra vigilant tomorrow."
Hearing this, Chen Xiaobei nodded vigorously. "Brother Liu Tie, was it a bit hasty for me to ask the Prince to withdraw the scouts? If that order hadn't been given, perhaps they would have rescued Hongyu today."
Liu Tie smiled, reached out, and patted Chen Xiaobei on the shoulder. "Brother Xiaobei, you are overthinking. They are not sure if it is Cui Hongyu, so how could they act rashly? Therefore, it was right for you to have the Prince withdraw the people."
Liu Tie's comfort put Chen Xiaobei at ease somewhat. He returned to the tent and saw Huang Ying already leaning there, asleep. Chen Xiaobei felt a pang of heartache.
Not only had Huang Ying rushed back and forth in pursuit of Cui Hongyu, but she had also entered the city with Shen Ziyan to rescue her senior sister. She had been busy for the past few days.
Chen Xiaobei stepped forward, gently picked up Huang Ying, placed her on the bed, and covered her with a blanket.
In her drowsy state, Huang Ying felt Chen Xiaobei's warmth and reached out her hands to wrap around his neck.
"Brother Xiaobei, hug me, let's sleep together."
Chen Xiaobei's nose inexplicably stung. In the end, he gently lay down beside Huang Ying, and the two of them, leaning against each other, drifted off to sleep.
The next day, at the first light of dawn.
Chen Xiaobei was awakened by the sound of hurried footsteps. He quickly got up, crawled out of the tent, and looked outside. He saw many people rushing from the direction of Jizhou City.