Zhao Tinglei said, "Send the Swift Wind Battalion to escort the two Censorate officials back to the capital as quickly as possible. Take the memorial I wrote last night and the Lin family man with you and deliver it directly to the Ministry of War."

In addition, a note was sent to the Duke of Anguo's residence, instructing the father to pay attention to the actions of the Eldest Princess..."

Zhao Tinglei kept moving while simultaneously making arrangements for the next steps.

Qi Kexian had only two options after escaping Hecheng: one was to return to the capital and seek help from his family.

The second option was to escape to the grasslands...

Zhao Tinglei paused, inwardly cursing his misfortune.

According to intelligence, the tribe that is on good terms with the Qi family is Simon, and the third brother is also attending a wedding banquet in Simon.

If the Qi family goes there, they'll run into the third brother.

According to the Qi family's intelligence, they already knew about the relationship between their third brother and themselves. This was bound to be another fierce battle. Their third brother had plenty of manpower, but they were worried that he might be ambushed if he was caught off guard.

Zhao Tingduo went to the Simon tribe ostensibly to attend a wedding banquet, but in reality, she was trying to obtain information about human trafficking channels from Simon.

As for Zhao Tingduo's act of returning the slaves, he explained it by saying that the Wu Dynasty garrison was willing to exchange them for a pass.

Exchanging some sick and injured slaves brought back from the grasslands for passes to Xiashi Pass would obviously attract the attention of the Simon chieftain, Kuska.

However, this excuse can only work if Zhao Tingduo is there. If Qi Kexian also escapes there, the scheme will be exposed.

"Immediately have someone inform the Third Young Master that he must return to the city and abandon his cooperation with Simon," Zhao Tinglei said without hesitation.

For Zhao Tinglei, Qi Kexian's retreat without a fight only brought benefits, not harm.

Once he has gathered all the witnesses and evidence, the rest will naturally fall to the investigation of the three judicial departments of the Dali Temple, and will have nothing to do with him, the border garrison commander.

"Yes!" The lieutenant accepted the order and was about to make arrangements, but hesitated for a moment and said, "Sir, Miss Song's guards Guo Tong and Abu have come out of the pass!"