Chapter 32 Chapter 32

A soldier noticed the commotion and came over. After questioning the scout, he learned that the scouts were former residents and had fled because they mistook them for barbarians. He smiled reassuringly and said, "Don't worry. The barbarians were already defeated by General Wei. There's no way they'd attack Anyuan Prefecture."

As they spoke, the soldiers' faces were filled with pride. They had this confidence before, and after they defeated several large barbarian cities under Wei Xuan's leadership, this confidence became even stronger.

"Sir..." Sister Zhao opened her mouth anxiously, but before she could finish, the scout spoke first and reported in a low voice.

Jiang Huai then understood why the scouts looked so angry. It turned out that they had been active in the heartland of the barbarians for the past few months, coming and going like the wind, so they had no idea about the news from Anyuan Prefecture, let alone the incident at the Wei family.

After meeting Sister Zhao, Sister Zhao learned of their identities and quickly reported the changes in Anyuan Mansion to them. Otherwise, the soldiers would return to Anyuan Mansion unprepared, and who knows what would happen.

After hearing the scout's report, the soldiers' faces changed instantly. They asked the people behind them to take good care of Jiang Huai and his group, turned around and left in a hurry, probably to report to Wei Xuan.

Sister Zhao and her friends' tent was not occupied by anyone. After standing outside and enjoying the breeze for a while, the group gradually returned to their original tents.

However, Jiang Huai and his group had nowhere to go. Sister Zhao also saw their situation and took Jiang Huai and his group to their previous tent.

"You can rest here today. I think you can go back tomorrow." Sister Zhao said, and took out the mutton that had been slaughtered and cut earlier, preparing to roast it for them.

This had been arranged in advance. Since there was no danger, the business had to be carried out and the guests had to be treated well. Sister Zhao also wanted Jiang Huai to eat and drink well and come to their tribe to buy wool next time.

However, after all this trouble, Jiang Huai didn't want to mobilize too many troops, so he stopped Sister Zhao and said, "Chief Zhao, you should go and do your work first. I believe you are needed more in other places."

For example, the other frightened women in the tribe, who had just fled in such a panic, were probably unprepared. After being blown by the cold wind and frightened, their weak bodies might make them sick, and this night will not be an easy one.

Sister Zhao was stunned when she heard Jiang Huai's words. She didn't expect Jiang Huai to be so observant. She hesitated for a moment, and made sure that Jiang Huai was telling the truth before she apologized and left.

Jiang Huai lifted the curtain, revealing a gap, and then skillfully roasted the mutton. The flames jumped up from time to time, licking the bright red mutton, and then gradually changing the color of the mutton.

Jiang Huai sprinkled some of the seasoning he had prepared before going out, and a little bit of aroma spread in the tent.

Jiang Huai turned around and found Xiao Jingzhao staring blankly at the front, not knowing what he was thinking about.

"What are you thinking about?" Jiang Huai asked.

When Xiao Jingzhao came to his senses, he realized that he and Jiang Huai were the only ones in the tent. He asked, "Where are the others?"

"Mrs. He and Luo Yuan have gone to other tents. Luo Da and the others went to see how the wool we bought is doing." Jiang Huai said as he turned the barbecue. Before Xiao Jingzhao could react, he reached out to him, "Give me the knife. This mutton is too big. The outside is cooked. I'll cut it first and then roast the inside."

Xiao Jingzhao snatched the roasted lamb from Jiang Huai's hand and said, "Let me do it."

Jiang Huai originally wanted to say that he would be fine, but after weighing the mutton in his hand and estimating the difficulty of holding the mutton with one hand and cutting the meat with the other, he stood up and gave up his seat.

Xiao Jingzhao sliced ​​the cooked mutton one by one. Jiang Huai picked up a piece and tasted it, squinting his eyes in satisfaction. His control over seasoning was as good as ever. The sheep raised by Sister Zhao were also of good quality. The mutton had no strong smell, but only the unique freshness and fragrance of mutton. With the help of seasonings, Jiang Huai felt his hunger come back.

After running outside, Jiang Huai's hunger was almost gone. He was worried that he might not be able to eat, but now he is not worried anymore.

After taking a bite, Jiang Huai didn't stop and picked up a piece of meat and put it to Xiao Jingzhao's mouth. He ate it himself, but he couldn't treat the chef badly.

Xiao Jingzhao tilted his head, bit the edge of the meat, and swallowed it.

The two of them took turns eating. Jiang Huai found that there was an advantage to eating this way. The meat slices could be eaten soon after they were cut, so they didn't get cold, and it was much more comfortable to eat.

…

There were noisy footsteps outside the tent, but the sound had been there from the beginning, and Jiang Huai didn't pay attention to it until someone lifted the curtain and walked in. Jiang Huai thought it was Luo Da and the others coming back, but when he looked up, he saw a strange man in armor.

The person came with his back to the light, so people couldn't see his face clearly. Only his eyes could be seen clearly. They were like cold stars in the night sky, which made people feel cold in their hearts.

"General, you are here..." Jiang Huai spoke hesitantly. Through the armor, he could tell that the man in front of him was probably not an ordinary soldier.

Wei Xuan had just learned the news about Anyuan Prefecture from Sister Zhao, but Sister Zhao's tribe was a little far away from Anyuan Prefecture and was not very well-informed about the news, so after telling her what she knew, Sister Zhao mentioned Jiang Huai.

Sister Zhao didn't know Jiang Huai's identity. She just thought Jiang Huai was a merchant in Anyuan Prefecture. In her impression, merchants were always more informed than her.

Wei Xuan also received her hint and turned to find Jiang Huai to learn more in-depth information, such as whether the other party knew the current situation of the Wei family, and the situation of the queen and the prince.

Because of his heavy mood, Wei Xuan was a little distracted when he lifted the curtain, and only came back to his senses when he heard Jiang Huai's hesitant voice.

Wei Xuan was about to answer when he caught a glimpse of the person standing next to Jiang Huai. Although the other person's face looked much more mature and dull than before, Wei Xuan was too familiar with him and recognized him at a glance.

Wei Xuan trembled all over and almost suspected that he was dreaming. Otherwise, how could he see the prince who was said to be dead? Could it be that the prince's wronged ghost came to complain to him?

Wei Xuan was in a trance, just because Xiao Jingzhao and Jiang Huai were standing together, so in Jiang Huai's opinion, it was Wei Xuan who was staring at him, as if he was looking at an old friend.

Could it be that this general knows me?

"General, do you know me?" Jiang Huai asked tentatively.

Wei Xuan came back to his senses and noticed Jiang Huai again. When he saw him, he was stunned again. This was also an acquaintance.

The relationship between the Wei family and the Jiang family is pretty good. Because Wei Xuan was naughty when he was young, he was sent to study under the old tutor Jiang for a period of time. Although the relationship between teacher and student was not deep, Wei Xuan almost recognized everyone in the Jiang family, including Jiang Huai.

"Jiang Huai, why are you here?" Wei Xuan was a little shocked. This shock was no less than when he saw Xiao Jingzhao just now. You know, as the only son of the third branch of the Jiang family, Jiang Huai could not possibly appear in Anyuan Mansion, not to mention that from what Sister Zhao said just now, Jiang Huai appeared as a businessman, which was even more incredible.

Wei Xuan took a few steps closer, and Jiang Huai finally saw the other person's face clearly. Then he searched for the corresponding face in his memory and took a deep breath. The person who came was actually Wei Xuan.

"What exactly happened in Kyoto?" Wei Xuan glanced at Xiao Jingzhao who was standing beside him, and realized that he couldn't expose himself easily, so he asked Jiang Huai.

Jiang Huai took a deep breath and told Wei Xuan about the false accusations against the Wei family in Kyoto, as well as various things about the Crown Prince, the Queen, and the Jiang family. The more Wei Xuan listened, the darker his face became, and he clenched his fists, obviously trying to suppress his anger.

He said, why his father and brother had clearly designed a strategic action, but he had not been waiting for any response.

Because no one showed up for a long time, even though Wei Xuan thought something might have happened on the way, he had no way to turn back. He could only fight to support himself. As a result, the fighting became more and more successful, and there was also a sense of emptiness within the barbarians. Not wanting to miss such an opportunity to fight, Wei Xuan stirred up trouble in the heart of the barbarians, almost causing serious damage to the barbarians.

When he came from the heartland of the barbarians to the Great Zhou, the captured slaves, cattle and sheep were countless. Because he had to bring back these spoils, his progress was slower, but it was still considered fast.

After all, most of the tribes were defeated by Wei Xuan this time. Even if they saw the army slowly passing by with spoils, they did not dare to act rashly, otherwise they would have returned even slower this time.

It would be fine if it was really a strategic mistake, but when he thought about the weapons and armor that should have belonged to the Great Zhou when he saw them when fighting the barbarians, Wei Xuan clenched his fists even tighter.

When he was in the heartland of the barbarians, he was still wondering: a small amount of weapons might be sold by ordinary people, but such a large amount of weapons must have been sold deliberately by someone. He actually had a vague guess about the target, and even thought about how to deal with it after returning. But now, after hearing what Jiang Huai said, all the dirty water was poured on the Wei family.

But it's normal, because the Wei family suffered heavy casualties in this battle. Even if they are thrown dirty water, no one will stand up to question it. But if time goes on for a long time, the dirty water will be on the Wei family's head and it will be impossible to wipe it off.

The changes in the Queen, the Crown Prince, and the Jiang family made Wei Xuan keenly aware that perhaps the Emperor was also involved.

So Xiao Jingzhao is here, is...

"Brother Wei, this is Wei Xi. He used to be a jailer, but later he stayed in Anyuan Mansion to take care of me and was very nice to me." Noticing Wei Xuan's gaze, Jiang Huai thought that the other party was worried about Xiao Jingzhao's identity, so he introduced him.

"General Wei." Xiao Jingzhao whispered.

After hearing Jiang Huai's identity, Wei Xuan knew how Xiao Jingzhao came to Anyuan Mansion under an assumed name, and also knew why Xiao Jingzhao pretended not to know him.

Once he returned to Anyuan Prefecture, he would undoubtedly be the center of public attention. Even if Xiao Jingzhao was already dead in the eyes of the emperor, his death was somewhat suspicious, and the emperor would certainly pay more attention to the people around him. If Xiao Jingzhao became conspicuous and his identity was discovered, all his previous efforts would be in vain, and he might even be in danger of his life.

Moreover, they are not ready to directly confront the emperor now.

When he knew everything and saw Xiao Jingzhao appear in Anyuan Mansion, Wei Xuan had already guessed what Xiao Jingzhao might do next.