Xiao Luofeng's voice became extremely soft as he asked, "Why is the young prime minister acting this way?"

Zhao Cheng lowered his voice to cooperate and said, "Xiao Luomu gave me a grand welcome at the gate of Yanchuan City, but I didn't go. Why is that? I hate being famous and prefer to keep a low profile."

"Your strategy was indeed effective in this battle, but the key to victory was that you used another group of people, wasn't it?"

"Commander Xiao, why do you have to ask so many questions?"

Zhao Cheng glanced at the garrison behind Xiao Luofeng and said, "Go back and tell your brothers that all the credit belongs to you. Don't mention me at all. It's better for everyone this way."

"Remember, don't tell them who I am."

"I enjoy making friends and I admire your character. Consider this a gift from me to you as a token of our friendship. It's that simple."

As he spoke, Zhao Cheng winked at Xiao Luomu.

Xiao Luomu thought for a moment, sighed, and said, "Brother, just give in..."

Zhao Cheng scoffed, "Can you even speak human language?"

Fearing Zhao Cheng would kick him again, Xiao Luomu quickly said, "Brother, let's put aside your dream of becoming a general for now. Just think about how Dad has been urging you to come home and take care of the family business. This is a good opportunity to shut him up with military merits!"

Xiao Luofeng's eyes lit up, and he suddenly took a step back, solemnly clasped his hands in a fist and bowed deeply to Zhao Cheng, saying, "I, Xiao Luofeng, will repay the great kindness of the young prime minister in this lifetime!"

"You're being too kind," Zhao Cheng quickly took Xiao Luofeng's hand and said with a smile, "It's good that you've accepted it!"

Zhao Cheng glanced at Zhao Wu, then quickly changed the subject, saying, "Then let's not delay, let's go back to Qingdong City!"

Xiao Luofeng blushed with excitement, unsure of what to say, and simply nodded emphatically.

Zhao Cheng then reminded them, "Remember to tell the brothers not to make a fuss when we get back; we have something important to do."

Xiao Luofeng nodded.

Xiao Luomu asked doubtfully, "What are you talking about? I don't know anything about this."

Zhao Cheng and Xiao Luofeng shouted in unison, "Catch the spy!"

...

The journey from Lingshan back to Qingdong City took a day, so the group stayed overnight at an inn in the town.

At the very end of Hai hour (9-11 PM), two dark figures stealthily slipped out of the inn, one man and one horse, and sped back towards Lingshan.

"Master, why not invite Commander Yang?"

"We can't ask her about this; she'll definitely stop us."

"She listens to Mr. Lian, but not to you?"

"drive!"

Zhao Cheng flicked the horse's rump and said, "She must have seen my father on the mountain. She listens to my father."

"oh……"

"This old man is so mysterious, I have to see what kind of tricks he's up to!"

The two tied their horses up at the foot of the mountain and lit torches.

"Master, do you know the way?"

"Judging from the direction Mr. Lian left that day, I am confident that I can find the general location."

"That old fox is so cunning, what if he deliberately goes in the wrong direction?"

"Hey!" Zhao Cheng patted Zhao Wu on the head and laughed, "You're getting smarter and smarter!"

"One who stays near vermilion gets stained red, and one who stays near ink gets stained black; it's all thanks to the good influence of one's master!"

"Indeed, one is influenced by one's company; they even dare to call me an old fox behind my back!!"

Suddenly, a row of torches lit up the mountain, and Lian Zhongyi's voice came down.

Zhao Wu immediately knelt down, holding up a torch, and said, "Mr. Lian, it was purely a slip of the tongue!!!"

"Get out!"

Lian Zhongyi laughed and scolded, "Young Master, I knew you wouldn't keep your promise and would sneak back!"

Zhao Cheng laughed and said, "Haha, Mr. Lian, you misunderstand. I forgot something and came back to get it!"

"What could you possibly forget while you're up in the mountains?"

Before Zhao Cheng could answer, Lian Zhongyi continued, "Could it be silver hidden in a bandit's den?"

"Exactly!"

Zhao Cheng nodded vigorously, then suddenly realized something: "Huh... how did you know?"

Lian Zhongyi said, "If you can find something, why can't I? If it's just for the money, then please leave!"

"What do you mean?"

"I was worried that you and Zhao Wu would have a hard time carrying so much silver back, so I had it carried up the mountain for you."

Zhao Cheng was furious and cursed, "You shameless old man!! You dare to touch my money?!"

“Young Master, you are mistaken! This Ling Mountain is a home that the Right Prime Minister provided for our old brothers in the military. Everything on the mountain belongs to our brothers.”

"You took my money to be a good person, how despicable!! Shameless!! Vulgar!! Unscrupulous!!"

"Tsk tsk tsk!!! The distribution of silver was arranged by the Right Prime Minister. Are you insulting your own father?"

"Holy shit!!!" Zhao Cheng immediately drew Zhao Wu's knife and charged up the mountain, roaring furiously, "I'm going to chop you up!!!"

"Let's go back!" Lian Zhongyi advised, "The Right Chancellor and I will be returning to our residence soon."

"No! I'm already here, you have to let me see my father!"

"The Right Chancellor said it wouldn't work."

"Then there's nothing to talk about! I'm going up the mountain right now, let's see who dares to stop me!"

"Don't be impulsive, it will hurt a lot." qqxδnew

"What hurts?"

As soon as he finished asking the question, Zhao Cheng suddenly realized something and turned around sharply.

Bang!

Just as Zhao Cheng saw Yang Taozhi's face, he heard a muffled thud, and his vision went black as he fainted.

Yang Taozhi supported Zhao Cheng with one hand and raised the other hand towards Zhao Wu.

Zhao Wu was taken aback and immediately lay down on the spot.

Yang Taozhi kicked Zhao Wu and said, "Stop pretending, get up and carry him on your back!"

"Yes!" Zhao Wu immediately jumped up and took Zhao Cheng.

Lian Zhongyi said, "Zhao Wu, you must not mention the Lingshan matter to anyone, understand?"

"Understood!" Zhao Wu nodded solemnly.

"You may leave!" With that, Lian Zhongyi turned and disappeared into the mountains.

early morning.

At the summit of Lingshan Mountain.

Without reaching the mountaintop and seeing it with your own eyes, no one could imagine that deep in the mountains of this desolate, lawless area, there actually exists a cluster of buildings resembling a large village.

Although the houses are built compactly, they are arranged in a staggered manner, appearing very rigorous and practical, and possessing a sharp and imposing presence.

The crowd got up early. One group took long spears and changed shifts with the night watchmen, while another group changed into clothes that looked like they were wrapped in vegetation. They walked briskly to a spot on the mountainside, then took off their vegetation-like clothes outside the cave and went inside to mine iron ore.

Most of those who remained on the mountaintop were still practicing.

Their military strength is formidable, their military might is overwhelming!

Women are rarely seen in the building complex; even the few who are there are busy working.

Zhao Huan, with long hair, walked out of a small house that was no different from the surrounding houses. Her eyes were squinted into slits, as if she hadn't woken up yet.

Lian Zhongyi stood outside the door, watching the soldiers of the garrison training not far away, and gently waved his feather fan.

Zhao Huan yawned and said, "Did that kid come last night?"

"They're here."

"Why doesn't this kid keep his word?"

"Does he have any credibility?"

Zhao Huan frowned, seemingly deep in thought, and then said, "Really not!"