Night falls.
The surrounding scene became blurry.
Camp outside Zhongren County.
Ever since Mr. Hu gave His Highness a bad idea last time, the military rations for one meal a day in the camp outside the city have finally seen some old grain, except for a handful of soybeans.
Although it was not much, just half a bowl, it was much better than the previous meal.
The soldiers were unaware of the truth. After lining up to receive their meals, they sat on the ground and wolfed down the food in their bowls, not wanting to waste a single grain.
The more Xing Shi watched, the more uncomfortable he felt. He instantly lost his appetite. He gave his share of the meal to his soldiers and hurried out of the camp.
Survival was difficult, and he couldn't even guarantee how long his soldiers could live.
Xing Shi couldn't help but think, now that the princess has returned, should he mention it to the princess and ask her to help persuade His Highness to clean up the entire Zhongshan area as soon as possible and look for the people who are struggling to survive outside.
There is also the water problem, which has not been solved yet.
The people below had no water to drink, but they heard that Madam Wei had water to bathe.
Compared with the lives of the nobles, aren’t soldiers’ lives also lives?
Without these soldiers, who will ensure the safety of Zhongren County?
The more Xing Shi thought about it, the angrier he became. He wanted to rush into the palace and wake up His Highness.
His deputy general Zhang Jian sighed and followed him out.
The two walked along the path outside the city.
Seeing that no one was around, Zhang Jian advised, "General, don't worry too much. It's a good thing that the soldiers have food to eat right now. For the rest, we can only take it one step at a time."
Xing Shi looked desolate. "Your Highness loves the people like his own children, and your Excellency is gentle and polite. Did you and I ever imagine that Zhongshan would fall to this point?"
Zhang Jian was silent.
yes.
How could Zhongshan have fallen to this point...
Both he and the general were native Zhongshan people and had deep feelings for this land.
Zhongshan has a small land area and a large population. It mainly relies on animal husbandry and farming for its livelihood.
Although natural disasters occurred frequently in the past few years, under the governance of His Highness, the severely affected counties reduced taxes and distributed relief grain, so the people lived a relatively stable life.
A sudden disaster not only dealt a fatal blow to Zhongshan, but also caused them to lose their king.
With the death of the old prince and the envoy, only Sanlangjun's bloodline remains in the royal family.
Could they possibly rebel?
Zhang Jian was startled by the sudden thought that came to his mind.
His eyelids twitched. How could he have such a rebellious idea? Sanlang was the only one left in the royal family. What could he do if he rebelled? Zhongshan would only fall into greater disaster without a leader.
The two of them said nothing more and walked along the path in the night.
As soon as General Chen left, Xing Shi had to help with the duty, patrolling the situation outside to prevent monsters from wandering in at night.
Since you have been entrusted with a task, you must do it seriously and responsibly.
It’s called duty, but actually it’s more like relaxing.
It was no surprise to occasionally meet soldiers from the Right Vanguard Battalion.
General Xing is just too honest, and he is always betrayed by General Chen.
I don’t know how many times I have helped the right vanguard battalion on duty, and the soldiers under me have long been accustomed to it.
The princess went to Huangli Mountain to worship and will not return until tomorrow. She has two nobles with her, so she must have brought a lot of food and supplies.
The group of soldiers who followed might have a treat tonight.
Thinking of this, everyone was envious.
Xing Shi was full of thoughts and walked aimlessly along the path. The two of them walked further and further away, and further and further away.
The place illuminated by the torch was getting farther and farther away.
Zhang Jian came back to his senses and said, "General, we didn't bring anyone with us. Let's find another way to the border and then go back."
Xing Shi also realized that putting himself in danger was a big taboo.
He nodded and said, "Well, let's go to the border and check the situation."
The two men turned around and were about to go back when they suddenly heard rustling noises in the dark area behind them.
Zhang Jian thought it was a monster, his face changed slightly, and he turned around in an instant and drew the sword at his waist.
Xing Shi also reacted, suddenly turning his head and staring at the darkness in the distance.
He also thought that it was a monster that escaped into the territory of Zhongren County.
There are barricades at the border, how did the monster get in?
Could it be that the chevaux de frise was destroyed and the soldiers didn't notice it?
Zhang Jian was just about to call for help when he heard soldiers from the Right Vanguard Battalion patrolling nearby. As soon as he called out, someone would come immediately.
"General Xing, Lieutenant General Zhang, how are you?" A figure slowly walked out of the darkness.
The night is hazy and the stars and moon are sparse.
I couldn't see the face clearly, and the voice sounded vaguely familiar, but I couldn't remember who it was for a moment.
Yuan Wu sighed. It was really effortless. He had originally thought of using all his brains to lure people out, but these two people ended up walking to their hiding place by themselves.
Is it fate?
Xing Shi's expression was complicated, his chest began to rise and fall violently, he had recognized the person.
He was a former guard battalion that defected to Zhongshan State and was the commander of the old prince's personal guard.
Xing Shi murmured, "Captain Yuan."
Yuan Wu nodded gently, "It's amazing that the general still remembers me."
Zhang Jian was about to shout, but when he heard the identity of the person who came, his words were stuck in his throat and he became mute.
Yuanwu is a traitor. Logically, he should shout loudly, capture the person, and bring him before His Highness to claim credit.
But for some reason, Xing Shi and Zhang Jian kept their mouths shut tacitly.
They have many doubts.
Xing Shi's voice was hoarse as he asked, "Zhongshan Kingdom has treated you well, why did you defect?"
Not far away.
The right vanguard battalion was still patrolling nearby.
Yuan Wu listened to the noise but did not answer. Instead, he said, "This is not the place to talk. Please follow me. Don't worry, I will tell you everything I know and help you resolve your doubts."
Zhang Jian became wary upon hearing this. He stood still and asked, "Captain Yuan, what does he want to do by lurking quietly near Zhongren County?"
Not speaking out immediately to arrest Yuan Wu was a great disrespect to His Highness.
They are still in a safe place for now.
If they really followed Yuan Wu, what would become of them?
Collaborating with the rebels is a serious crime. If discovered, one could lose his life and put all the soldiers in both camps in danger.
Yuan Wu sighed, "Don't you two have any doubts about how the old prince and the princess died?"
Xing Shi and Zhang Jian's faces changed drastically.
"What do you mean by that?"
Xing Shi's heart tightened. "Didn't you defect because you despised Sanlangjun's humble origins and were unwilling to pledge allegiance?"
Yuan Wu laughed out loud and said sarcastically, "General Xing, do you believe this? I, Yuan Wu, am loyal to Zhongshan State. If you two want to know the truth, then follow me. If not, then forget it."
In the distance, a team of Zhongshan troops quietly surrounded the area.
A soldier who was patrolling the situation was walking towards this side when he suddenly felt a pain in the back of his head. He fell to the ground with a groan and his life or death was unknown.
Although Yuanwu said this, he couldn't let it go in order to prevent his whereabouts from being revealed.
If the princess ordered, he would tie Xing Shi and Zhang Jian to the front of the princess's tomb.
Pay attention to the movement around you.
Xing Shi clenched the knife in his hand, his eyes dark, "Captain Yuan, are you planning a rebellion? Overthrowing Zhongshan?"
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