Captain Li was sweating profusely from the pain, but he still managed to force a smile and said to Xue Yuanchu, "Secretary Xue, thank you for pleading for me just now. My life, Li, will be yours from now on."

Xue Yuanchu patted his shoulder gently and said, "Brother Li, we are all citizens of the Great Zhou. We should support each other. Go and rest. After you recover from your injuries, we will make plans to recover the food and grass."

Xue Yuanchu then turned and saluted Wang Zishan. "Lieutenant General, since Captain Li has been punished and is willing to make meritorious contributions, I request to participate in the mission of retrieving the food and fodder."

Wang Zishan glanced at him, a meaningful smile on his face. "Oh? Secretary Xue is also interested in participating in this matter? This is not an easy task."

Xue Yuanchu's expression was firm. "I understand the difficulty of the mission. But as a member of the military camp, I should do my part for the Great Zhou. Moreover, I have some knowledge of the surrounding terrain and may be able to provide some assistance."

Wang Zishan raised his eyebrows slightly after hearing this, and his smile seemed to be a little sarcastic. "Secretary Xue, this matter of retrieving food and fodder is no joke. You are of noble birth and have been spoiled since childhood. I'm afraid you can't bear the hardships involved. If something goes wrong, how will I explain it to the Marquis' Mansion?"

His words revealed an obvious contempt and exclusion, as if he was implying that Xue Yuanchu was just a dandy young man with all the courage of a common man but no actual ability.

The surrounding soldiers couldn't help but whisper to each other when they heard this. Some showed doubts, while others looked at Xue Yuanchu with sympathy.

Xue Yuanchu remained unmoved by this, remaining calm and composed. "Sir, if you have any concerns about my performance during this mission, I am willing to sign a military order. Life and death are decided by fate, and I will never burden anyone."

Although his voice was calm, it revealed an unquestionable firmness.

The soldiers fell silent and looked with complicated eyes at the young master of the marquisate who came from a prominent family but was willing to work with them.

Wang Zishan was also shocked by Xue Yuanchu's words. He didn't expect that this seemingly weak nobleman would be so determined.

However, the rejection in his heart did not dissipate, but instead became even stronger. He snorted coldly, "Secretary Xue, since you insist so much, then go ahead. But if you can't find the lost food within three days, you will also be subject to military law."

After saying that, he turned and left, leaving Xue Yuanchu with an indifferent back.

Centurion Yu Heng strode over with a firm face and eyes full of concern. Together with Xue Yuanchu, he steadily helped the grain transport team leader Li Hechuan up.

"Brother Li, go apply some medicine first, otherwise this injury will be serious." Yu Heng's tone revealed a sense of worry.

Li Hechuan turned pale with pain, but he still managed to force a grateful smile, "Thank you, Centurion Yu, and thank you, Steward Xue. I'm very lucky to have my life back."

Xue Yuanchu gently patted Li Hechuan's shoulder and comforted him, "Brother Li, don't worry. I've already asked someone to find a military doctor to treat your injuries. The most important thing for you now is to take care of your health. We will take care of the rest."

Yu Heng also nodded in agreement: "Secretary Xue is right. Brother Li, just rest assured and recover from your injuries. We will do our best to recover the food and fodder."

With the careful help of the two, Li Hechuan stood up with difficulty and returned to the military tent together. There, a military doctor was waiting there, ready to clean and bandage his wounds.

Xue Yuanchu asked about the details of the stolen food and fodder with concern.

Li Hechuan explained in a deep voice that the food supplies would be delivered in three batches.

Since the journey could not be completed back and forth on the same day, each batch of grain and fodder had to rest for one night at the post station when it arrived at Xiguan Town.

The first two batches of food and fodder were delivered safely, but something went wrong with the third batch.

At that time, bandits outside the city had been harassing the people, so the grain transport team dispatched a group of soldiers to go out of the city to suppress the bandits.

Unexpectedly, that very night, a fire broke out in an orphanage not far from the post station.

Seeing this, many soldiers in the post station rushed to put out the fire.

At this moment, a group of masked men took advantage of the situation, attacked the post station, and stole most of the food and supplies.

"The orphanage in Xiguan Town? That's..." Upon hearing this, Yu Heng turned his gaze to Xue Yuanchu, as if he had something to say, but hesitated and didn't say it out loud.

"That's right, it was opened by our Marquis' Mansion." Xue Yuanchu calmly took over Yu Heng's words and analyzed solemnly, "It seems that the fire and the looting of food supplies may not be just coincidences."

Upon hearing this, Yu Heng narrowed his eyes slightly, revealing a thoughtful expression. "Secretary Xue, are you saying that this fire might have been deliberately set to divert our attention so they can rob the food?"

Xue Yuanchu nodded, "I can't rule out this possibility. Moreover, the orphanage was established by our mansion. The other party chose to attack here, which is likely a targeted move. I'm afraid there's something behind this."

After hearing this, Li Hechuan also revealed a look of sudden realization. "No wonder those masked men acted so quickly and knew exactly the route and time of our grain transportation. It turns out there's a traitor!"

"The matter of the traitor still needs further investigation," Xue Yuanchu said in a deep voice. "The most urgent task is to recover the looted food and fodder as soon as possible. Brother Li, do you know where those masked men might have gone after they stole the food and fodder?"

Li Hechuan frowned and thought for a moment, then shook his head. "Those masked men moved cryptically, and I didn't see where they were going. However, since they chose to attack in Xiguan Town, they are likely very familiar with the terrain in this area. Perhaps we can start our investigation from this aspect."

After hearing this, Xue Yuanchu nodded thoughtfully, "Brother Li, what you said makes sense. It seems that we need to conduct an in-depth investigation of the terrain and personnel in the Xiguan Town area."

My dear, there is more to this chapter. Please click on the next page to continue reading. It will be even more exciting later!