When the sun completely set, a sharp arrow with a sharp whistle streaked across the sky.
The leader's eyes lit up, and he, riding on his tall horse, raised his scimitar with the tip pointing upwards and gave the order: "Attack!"
A large group of people rushed down the hillside, with the aura of bandits and the sound of horses' hooves as they rushed into the city.
Seeing this, the people in the city fled in all directions. The eldest brother looked around, disdainful of these people, and was determined to find the official from the capital.
Jiang Zhaorong had just finished investigating the people's situation with the county magistrate and was about to return when he heard some unusual movement ahead. He frowned slightly and was about to head in that direction when he heard the guard Xu Yaowen had arranged to escort him say, "Prime Minister, we can't go. These bandits are used to being so tyrannical. Even Liu Zhijie was helpless against them."
Jiang Zhaorong's mind was slightly moved when he heard this, and he lightly rebuked: "What nonsense! Bandits are rampant and tyrannical, and it is the local people who suffer. As officials, we should naturally bear the brunt of it and fight against the bandits for the benefit of the people."
Having said that, the horse under his crotch did not move at all.
The guard scoffed inwardly and agreed with him, "Your Majesty is right, but they are outnumbered and powerful. We only have five or six brothers with us when we come out this time. It's better not to confront them head-on. We should go back to the mansion and discuss it first."
Jiang Zhaorong glanced at him approvingly and said softly, "Indeed, everything should be done after it's been fully prepared. For something as serious as suppressing bandits, it's only right that we discuss it."
Others echoed the sentiment.
Jiang Zhaorong turned his horse around, the man behind him gave him a subtle wink, and another man made a gesture. After Jiang Zhaorong walked more than twenty meters away, a sharp arrow streaked across the sky again.
"Quick! Big brother, over there!"
There was no whistle on the arrow, probably to avoid attracting attention. The eldest brother rushed in the direction of the sharp arrow and turned around to command: "Brothers, be smart and pay attention to your surroundings!"
Jiang Zhaorong originally wanted to go around them and go back, but not long after he stopped, he heard the shouting and cursing of bandits and the hurried footsteps of the people behind him.
So fast?
Before Jiang Zhaorong had time to think about it, he continued to rush towards the small path on the left under the guidance of the guards.
After this happened several times, looking at the familiar scene in front of him, Jiang Zhaorong let out a light "huff", stopped, turned his head to look at them, and doubts gradually appeared in his eyes.
The bandits kept chasing him relentlessly, and every time he took a step forward, they would follow him right after him. He would never believe that there was no one among them who had tipped him off.
"Prime Minister..."
When the guards saw him like this, they felt something was wrong. The place where Jiang Zhaorong stopped was more than a hundred meters away from the final destination, but he was obviously suspicious now and might not follow their route anymore.
As he expected, after he pointed out the direction, Jiang Zhaorong said calmly, "Over the past few days, I've gotten a general understanding of the roads within Jinzhou City. I haven't taken this road before, so bandits might follow us. Why not take the path on the right? It's a road we've already taken, so bandits probably won't use it again. What do you think?"
Although it was a question, his tone was full of certainty. The sense of oppression that came over them made the guards' hearts tighten, and they all lowered their heads: "Your Majesty is right."
Jiang Zhaorong retracted his gaze and continued, "You go first, I'll stay behind to cover your retreat."
"Prime Minister! How can this be possible..."
The guard's unfinished words were choked by Jiang Zhaorong's gaze, and his mind went blank.
"According to orders."
Jiang Zhaorong raised his eyelashes slightly, and the guards whispered yes, not daring to delay, and rode their horses forward.
Only when their figures disappeared from his sight did Jiang Zhaorong slowly turn his horse's head and head towards the path on the left.
The eyes of the person who was hiding in the bushes and was responsible for shooting arrows suddenly widened.
What should I do?
While he was hesitating, a small hand patted his shoulder.
The man shooting the arrow was so frightened that his heart almost jumped out. He turned around in confusion and saw a little girl holding a string of candied haws that was almost as tall as him. She was licking it and looking at him eagerly with her big dark eyes.
As if frightened by his expression, the little girl's eyes were full of surprise, her mouth became more and more flat, and she was about to cry out.
The man quickly reached out to stop her and coaxed her softly. After a moment, the little girl's expression returned to normal. She said in a baby voice, "Just now, a big sister bought me this..."
She waved the candied haws in her hand, with a hint of boasting in her eyes: "And you let me give this to you."
The man reached out to take it, and after seeing the contents of the note, he immediately breathed a sigh of relief.
Fortunately, the noble man was able to predict the future!
…
Jiang Zhaorong walked leisurely, observing his surroundings as he walked. After a cup of tea, he still didn't hear any sound from the bandits, and a sneer suddenly rose in his heart.
He had long known that Xu Yaowen had no good intentions in sending people to follow him, and that they had been informing him along the way. He was probably trying to have him die at the hands of bandits, so that he could both avenge himself and give an explanation to the emperor.
You are really good at calculating!
It's a pity that this plan is too childish.
Jiang Zhaorong's lips curled up, and even the horse under him seemed to feel the joy of the man on top of him, and its hooves also became erratic.
Jiang Zhaorong's desire to return home reached its peak at this moment.
He couldn't wait to see Xu Yaowen's expression when he saw that he was safe and sound.
Just as he was thinking this, he heard a familiar shouting and cursing from behind him. Jiang Zhaorong turned around in disbelief and his eyes met with the big brother who was leading the group.
Jiang Zhaorong's heart was beating like a drum.
This is not right...
He intuitively felt that his judgment was correct, but the current situation showed that the bandits were indeed coming towards him...
Jiang Zhaorong's mind suddenly became a mess.
But the current situation did not allow him to think too much.
The eldest brother narrowed his eyes slightly, an exaggerated smile appeared on his lips, and he shouted loudly: "Go! Brothers, the next ten years of your life of luxury and prosperity depend on this. Charge!"
Jiang Zhaorong tried his best to run forward calmly. The servant he brought with him from the capital had been sent away by other guards earlier and was left aside.
The guards sent by Xu Yaowen were just sent away by him, and now he was alone.
He was not familiar with the roads in Jinzhou, but after turning a few corners, he was completely in the dark. He could only walk on his own, and soon found himself in a dead end.
Jiang Zhaorong: ...
The bandits followed him all the way. The distance was so close that Jiang Zhaorong didn't have enough time to escape. When he turned his horse around, he was surrounded by the bandits in just a moment.
Jiang Zhaorong took a deep breath.
"Who sent you?"
The bandits looked at each other, and no one responded.
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