The flickering candlelight stretched the figures of Zhao Muyun, Fan Nan, and Han Zhong, casting them onto the wall, swaying gently with the flames.
The atmosphere was very solemn.
Shen Qiansu stood aside and had finished reporting the details of the rumors in Jinyang.
Fan Nan twirled his beard, his brow furrowed. "His Royal Highness the Prince of Jin has been missing for nearly two months, and suddenly news broke in Hebei Province that he was seriously injured and in hiding... This is incredibly strange."
"Why didn't it spread earlier or later, but it happened right after the incident at Black Wind Village? What a coincidence!"
Han Zhong calmly replied, his gaze sharp, "Mr. Fan is absolutely right. I suspect this is a sinister plot orchestrated by Xiao Lie and the Northern Di Tartars, targeting His Highness the Crown Prince."
"They didn't dare to attack the Crown Prince openly in Jinyang, so they wanted to use this rumor to lure the Crown Prince to leave Jinyang and go to Hebei Road."
"The situation there is complicated, and the Northern Di have infiltrated deeply. If the Crown Prince goes there, it would be like a sheep walking into a tiger's mouth."
Zhao Muyun stood by the window with his hands behind his back, looking out at the dark night, his voice cold:
"Although it was Village Chief He and Village Chief Xu who took action, Xiao Lie definitely wanted to attack us."
"Xiao Lie wanted to deal with us but had no excuse, and couldn't think of a better way to get rid of the Crown Prince, so he resorted to such despicable means."
"Fan Wenjing is a sinister and cunning man. This plan is most likely his."
He turned around, a cold glint in his eyes. "We must stop the prince. Immediately warn him through secret channels that this is a trap. Don't fall for it!"
"At the same time, dispatch additional personnel to monitor the relevant areas of Hebei Province, especially those prefectures and bandits that are colluding with the Tartars."
Fan Nan added, "We also need to secretly fan the flames in Jinyang and spread rumors that this is Xiao Lie's conspiracy to eliminate dissidents and frame the Crown Prince. This will confuse the public and allow some of the Prince of Jin's former subordinates who are still suspicious to see Xiao Lie's true face."
"Okay! I'll follow your advice, gentlemen."
Zhao Muyun decisively ordered, "Chen Qian, do it immediately! Make sure the news reaches the prince as quickly and safely as possible!"
"Yes! I obey your command!"
Shen Qian accepted the order and left in a hurry.
…
Jinyang, the residence of the crown prince.
Yinji also received rumors that his father might be seriously injured and hiding in Hebei Province.
When he first heard the news, he stood up suddenly, his heart pounding, and excitement and worry instantly overwhelmed his rationality.
"Father...Father is still alive?"
His voice trembled, and hope ignited in his eyes. "Mr. Zhou! Quick! Find a way. I need to go to Hebei Road! I must find my father!"
Mr. Zhou, however, looked solemn and hurriedly dissuaded him, "Your Highness! Absolutely not! This happened too suddenly, and the rumor's source is unknown. I'm afraid it's a scam!"
"I think this is most likely Xiao Lie's conspiracy, intended to lure His Highness out of the city!"
Yinji was not listening at this moment. He grabbed Mr. Zhou's arm and said anxiously:
"Sir! Even if there's only a glimmer of hope, I can't give up! That's my father! If he were seriously injured in Hebei Road and left unattended, how could I, as a son, sit here and do nothing?"
"Your Highness! Your filial piety is commendable, but you need to be rational!"
Mr. Zhou said earnestly, "Xiao Lie is worried that he has no excuse to attack you. If you leave Jinyang now, it will just give him an opportunity!"
"Not only can we not save the King of Jin, I'm afraid we can't even save yourself! Will the King of Jin's bloodline be cut off? Your Highness, please consider the overall situation and think twice before acting!"
At this moment, an absolutely loyal guard quietly presented a secret letter.
There was no signature on the letter, only a unique code from Shuozhou.
Yinji's heart moved and he quickly opened it.
The letter was written in a hasty handwriting, but its contents were like a downpour of cold water:
"The rumor is a trap conspired by Xiao Lie and Fan Wenjing of Beidi, intended to lure the Crown Prince away from Jin. We are also fully investigating the whereabouts of the King of Jin. Do not act rashly and fall into their trap. Take care of yourself and wait for the opportunity. Master."
“It’s Master’s reminder…”
Yinji clenched the letter tightly, his excitement gradually subsided, replaced by a cold fear and deep anger.
He sat down slowly, lit the letter in the candle flame, and watched it turn to ashes.
"Xiao Lie...Fan Wenjing...you guys are so cruel!"
Yinji gritted his teeth, and the sound squeezed out from between his teeth.
Taking advantage of his concern and filial piety towards his father to set up a trap is simply trampling on the most precious feelings in his heart.
Seeing his expression change, Mr. Zhou felt relieved and whispered, "Your Highness, General Zhao has also sent a letter?"
Yinji nodded heavily: "Master, please remind me that this is a trap."
He closed his eyes, took a few deep breaths, and forced himself to calm down.
When he opened his eyes again, there was still pain in them, but there was a bit more determination and rationality.
"Mr. Zhou, you're right. I was in a moment of impatience and nearly fell into a trap."
Yinji's voice returned to calm, but with a hint of hoarseness, "We can't go to Hebei Province. But we can't do nothing either."
"What does your Highness mean?"
"Take advantage of their own strategy!"
Yin Ji's eyes gleamed with wisdom. "Doesn't Xiao Lie want to see me make a fool of myself, panic, or fall into a trap? Then I'll act it out for him!"
He gave detailed instructions:
"Starting tomorrow, you will secretly send people to publicly inquire about the route to Hebei Province and inquire about the local customs and situation there. Create the illusion that I am eager to find my father and am ready to set off."
"But in terms of practical arrangements, we need to delay and demonstrate various difficulties, such as Xiao Lie's strict surveillance and the inability to find reliable guards."
"At the same time, you must find a way to let Zhang Huan, Wang Ben, Li Mao and the others know that I was worried about my father and had a fierce argument with Xiao Lie, and my emotions are extremely unstable."
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