The mountain roads in Jiangnan were not as rugged as those in the northern deserts, but because it was dark and the roads were slippery, and because they were afraid of attracting the attention of the garrison in the city, they dared not travel at high speed.

They traveled south from Jiangzhou until the evening of the second day, when they finally reached Huizhou.

In contrast to the deserted official road in Jiangzhou, the official road in Huizhou was full of people.

Mr. Huo slightly raised his hand, and the entire group stopped silently.

He made a few hand gestures to Jiang Kangming, who immediately understood and tiptoed around the mountain to the other side of the official road.

Mr. Huo stepped forward and asked softly, "Young Master, have you discovered anything?"

Gu Yuzhi stood with his hands behind his back, looking down at the people on the official road. He remained silent for a long time, appearing very unfathomable.

Mr. Huo didn't urge them, he just watched quietly, and no one said a word.

It wasn't until a bird call came from the woods that Gu Yuzhi seemed to snap out of his daze, turning his head and saying in a low voice, "Huizhou is surrounded."

Mr. Huo smiled with satisfaction, then asked, "How did you figure that out, young master?"

Gu Yuzhi pointed to the crowd behind the official road: "Look behind there, there are pots and stoves, which means they are not passing through here, but are stationed here."

Otherwise, no passing traveler would bother with something as complicated as building a stove outside the city.

"Furthermore, after observing them for so long, I noticed that these people don't have the looseness that ordinary people have. Their posture, whether standing or sitting, is just like my guards—very upright and proper."

The distance was too great for Gu Yuzhi to see their expressions, but when he thought of how Guard Qi and the others looked on their journey, Gu Yuzhi felt that he knew enough.

These people either had no expression or their brows were furrowed, but they were all very cautious.

Gu Yuzhi clenched her small fists, somewhat worried about Jiang Kangming's safety.

As Gu Yuzhi spoke, Mr. Huo nodded repeatedly, clearly agreeing with what the young prince had said.

At this moment, Chief Secretary Xie stepped forward and said in a very soft voice, "Looking around, there aren't many people on this official road. What are they doing blocking the way outside Huizhou City?"

If it's just a matter of preventing the people of Huizhou from entering or leaving, as long as the garrison in Huizhou and the guards around Prince Qi work together, dealing with these people will definitely not be a problem.

After all, these people didn't have flags around them, weren't wearing armor, and were dressed like ordinary people.

Gu Yuzhi couldn't figure it out either, so he just waved his hand, signaling the team to rest on the spot and wait for Jiang Kangming to return before deciding whether they wanted to enter the city or go around to the back.

After two days of traveling without any additional supplies, their rations were all used up, and they didn't even have much water left. Gu Yuzhi only took one sip and refused to drink any more.

He knew that if he wanted to drink, Xie Changshi and the others would definitely give him their water, but he would never do something so selfish.

Gu Yuzhi quietly smacked his lips and looked up towards the direction of the official road, where he could only vaguely see some firelight.

Those people down there seem to have already started cooking; I wonder when they'll be able to get into the city.

Gu Yuzhi secretly rubbed his stomach; he was a little hungry.

They hadn't had much to eat during their journey, and by noon today they had used up the last of their rations, and they still hadn't eaten.

The men guarding below are most likely the King of Chu's brother's private soldiers or the Jiangnan navy, which keeps them from making any noise, let alone hunting...

Gu Yuzhi kept thinking about drinking water one minute and eating the food cooked by Granny Xu the next, his mouth almost watering from thinking about it.

He quickly wiped his drool, and then Guard Zhang handed him a wild fruit, saying softly, "Young Master, have this fruit to tide you over."

Gu Yuzhi hurriedly took it, wiped it casually on his clothes, and took a big bite.

Wild berries are very juicy and can relieve the urge to drink water.

but……

Gu Yuzhi's little face scrunched up like a steamed bun...

He spat it out forcefully, pointed at Guard Zhang, and couldn't speak for a long time. After a while, he said aggrievedly, "Guard Zhang, you lied to me. This fruit is sour and astringent, and it doesn't taste good at all."

Guard Zhang chuckled softly, "It's my fault, I didn't explain it clearly to the young master. This fruit needs to be eaten in small bites. Although it tastes sour and astringent at first, it has a sweet aftertaste. Young master, would you like to try it again now?"

Gu Yuzhi smacked his lips. The sour taste in his mouth was indeed gone. Although the aftertaste wasn't very sweet, it was much better than the sour taste before.

He took a second bite cautiously, and his face scrunched up like a bun again. But this time, Gu Yuzhi didn't spit out the fruit; instead, he tried his best to swallow it back.

He waited until the sour taste subsided before taking another bite.

Taking small bites, Jiang Kangming finally returned before he finished eating the fruit.

Jiang Kangming moved swiftly, and even after dark, he moved through the dense forest as if on flat ground. In no time, he reached Gu Yuzhi's side and said with a strange expression, "Young Master, I have found out that these people are the Jiangnan Navy."

Gu Yuzhi suddenly stood up, his fists clenched.

Just as he thought!

Chief Secretary Xie asked in a low voice, "Then why are they only besieging the area and not fighting? And what's the situation in Huizhou?"

Jiang Kangming continued, "From what I understand, the young master Qi killed Chief Secretary Ling, and they were ordered to arrest him. But the young master Qi refused to be arrested, and they couldn't use force against the people, so they surrounded Huizhou like this."

Jiang Kangming pointed to the road ahead of Huizhou: "The other gates of Huizhou have also been surrounded by the Jiangnan Navy, with a thousand men at each gate."

Gu Yuzhi looked up at Chief Secretary Xie, then at Mr. Huo and Guard Zhang. Even in the darkness, their unpleasant expressions were still visible.

Mr. Huo spoke first: "No wonder the garrison in Huizhou City only watched from afar and dared not make a move."

This situation is so complex that a single move can have far-reaching consequences!

In particular, Prince Qi is now burdened with a completely unfounded crime.

Xie Changshi said softly, "Young Master, it's probably not easy to enter Huizhou City now."

No matter which gate they enter through, the King of Chu will definitely receive the news.

Once the King of Chu learns that the King of Wen has brought his elite troops to Jiangnan, he will understand the Emperor's intentions. Then he will no longer tolerate it and will launch a full-scale attack on Huizhou.

Once Huizhou is captured, the King of Chu can use Jiangnan as a base to declare himself emperor, and then, taking advantage of the emperor's lack of understanding of the situation in Jiangnan, he can join forces with the Northern Di to attack now...

Thinking of this, Xie Changshi couldn't help but shudder.

Seeing their increasingly serious expressions, Gu Yuzhi pouted, patted his chest, and said softly but confidently, "Don't worry, since my brother sent me to Jiangnan, he must have a backup plan!"

Although my elder brother's words are harsh, he always considers my safety...