Chapter 347 Betrayal
After Old Ma followed Lin Changning out of the tent, he looked back at the brightly lit camp. After the others led them to their lodgings, he couldn't help but ask, "Changning, why are you so sure that Commander Sun is not right?"
Lin Changning shrugged: "From the moment we entered the city, Commander Sun has shown a subtle hostility towards us. While it's plausible that the defeat caused them to have a problem with us, something still feels off."
Lin Changning casually lay down on the couch and let out a comfortable sigh: "What I find even stranger is that before Li Mingde could even speak, one of the commanders actually drew his sword at us. I sensed something was wrong the moment he drew his sword, and this abruptness became even stronger during the meal. So I tentatively tried to take over their command. Sure enough, the man surnamed Sun tried to step over Li Mingde and attack me again. That's why I was sure something was wrong with him. He didn't seem to have any grudge against us; he seemed to be stalling for time."
Lin Changning leaned back on the couch, his eyes half-closed: "At this point, what time can we delay? It must be time for the imperial army to arrive. If I'm not mistaken, that guy surnamed Sun will send a message out tonight."
Old Ma scratched his head. It was too hot, so he took off his armor, leaving only a thin shirt. He opened his chest and fanned himself: "Shouldn't we go and catch them? If we really get caught, there aren't enough of us to break through."
Lin Changning shook his head: "Li Mingde is a smart man and he won't risk his soldiers. We don't need to worry about the matter of the Prince Sheng's mansion. He should be able to handle it tonight. Let's get some rest early tonight, regroup during the day, and leave tonight."
Old Ma nodded in agreement, and soon began snoring loudly on the other side of the couch.
Lin Changning: ...
Tsk, I'm afraid I won't be able to sleep well again.
Lin Changning sighed, resignedly turned over, and took out two small pieces of paper from his pocket and stuffed them into his ears.
Early the next morning, Lin Changning heard a commotion outside the tent. Wan Jin carried two bowls of cold tea to the tent.
"Assistant Commander, Commander, the kitchen has brewed some herbal tea. Would you like some to cool off?"
Lin Changning, a light sleeper, suddenly sat up, straightened his clothes, and went to wake up the still-sleeping Lao Ma before leaving the tent.
Wan Jin and Lu Shan were waiting outside when Lin Changning took the tea and gulped down a few mouthfuls.
Lin Changning glanced lightly at Lu Shan and Wan Jin, who seemed hesitant to speak, and raised an eyebrow: "They've been detained?"
Wan Jin nodded slightly: "They arrested him last night, and I heard they caught him red-handed."
Lu Shan patted his chest, still shaken: "The Crown Prince of Sheng was furious yesterday. I heard that the camp over there was noisy for most of the night."
Lin Changning replied, "I understand. I'll take Lao Ma over there later. You all take our people and get some rest today, as we'll be traveling tonight."
He handed the bowl in his hand to Wan Jin, winked at Lao Ma, and the two of them walked together toward Li Mingde's tent.
Upon reaching Li Mingde's tent, Lin Changning was stopped by Li Mingde's personal guards. He and Lao Ma stood respectfully outside and waited until a low voice came from inside the tent.
Lin Changning and Lao Ma exchanged a glance and went inside together. Li Mingde seemed to have been sitting at his desk all night; he had large dark circles under his eyes, looked unwell, and was somewhat haggard.
Upon seeing Lin Changning and Lao Ma enter, Li Mingde stood up, cupped his hands in greeting, and politely asked, "Is there anything you two can do for me?"
Lin Changning shook his head: "It's nothing, the person has already been detained?"
Li Mingde's face darkened again, and he nodded silently.
After inviting the two to sit down, Li Mingde had his personal guards serve them tea. After they left, he looked at Lin Changning with a hint of doubt.
How did Vice Commander Lin know about Commander Sun's betrayal?
Lin Changning took a sip of tea before looking up at Li Mingde and saying, "I didn't know beforehand, I was just guessing. Commander Sun is at least a third-rank commander, but his behavior last night, where he kept drawing his sword and attacking us, was really unusual. So I tested him. Actually, I don't really care whether Commander Sun has betrayed us or not. Even if he hasn't, we can just detain him first and release him when we get back to Taiyuan."
Li Mingde remained silent. Lin Changning's words were very clear: regardless of whether Commander Sun had betrayed them or not, he would detain the abnormal Commander Sun to ensure the safety of his own team.
Li Mingde sighed softly, then suddenly began to smile bitterly: "Our Prince Sheng's Mansion thought we had treated Commander Sun well, but in the end, we never expected this... Alas..."
Lin Changning put down his teacup and looked at the somewhat dejected Li Mingde: "Your Highness, there's no need to dwell on these things. This rebellion by the Prince Sheng's Mansion was already a losing proposition. It's understandable that Commander Sun would turn against the court at this time. The court must have offered him some position or some power, which is why he betrayed us on the spot. Instead of worrying about these useless things, we should think about how to break up the troops and safely retreat to Taiyuan tonight."
Li Mingde nodded hesitantly: "I understand."
After speaking, he seemed somewhat exhausted and looked up at Lin Changning, asking, "Has Vice Commissioner Lin already decided on how to retreat?"
Lin Changning nodded: "My men have been on a long march and need to rest during the day. Once the weather cools down at night, they will be divided into four teams. The arrangements have been made. Your Highness only needs to divide the teams into four groups, and we will exit from different city gates and retreat back to Taiyuan."
Li Mingde nodded: "Then I will give the order right away."
Lin Changning turned his head and glanced at Lao Ma. Lao Ma nodded almost imperceptibly at Lin Changning and then turned around and walked out with the guards that Li Mingde had summoned.
After Lao Ma and his guards went out, Lin Changning and Li Mingde looked at each other in silence.
They were not very familiar with each other, and the atmosphere became a little awkward for a moment. Just as Lin Changning was about to get up to take his leave, Li Mingde suddenly asked, "Does Vice Commissioner Lin know how to play chess?"
Lin Changning was somewhat surprised, but still answered truthfully: "I know a little, but I'm not an expert."
Li Mingde smiled slightly and looked at Lin Changning, saying, "Since the orders have already been given, why don't you play a couple of rounds of chess with me, Assistant Commissioner Lin?"
Lin Changning thought it over and realized it wouldn't be right to offend Li Mingde, so he accepted Li Mingde's invitation and sat down at the table. After watching Li Mingde tidy up the chess game on the table, he said, "I am indeed not very proficient in chess, so I hope Your Highness will be lenient."
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