With the grain deal settled, Song Yanqing planned to send the silver to the Dayu Kingdom after returning to the military camp.
He had already calculated that the grain harvested by the border town's grain garrison this year, plus the grain he could buy with his silver, would be enough to get through the winter without any problem.
If the imperial army's pay had arrived before then, they could have safely passed through the spring.
In this way, a major problem was solved.
Lian Haoyu originally wanted to keep Song Yanqing for two more days, but Song Yanqing was the commander-in-chief of the border defense, and staying for even one more day would be more detrimental to the border city.
Knowing Song Yanqing's current predicament, Lian Haoyu, whose good intentions were rejected, did not try to persuade her to stay.
On the day he left the city, he secretly climbed onto the city gate and watched the group of people gradually disappear into the distance until they were out of sight.
A cool breeze blew by, and the servants on the city wall draped a cloak over Lian Haoyu.
Following the eldest prince's gaze, the attendant looked at the unseen figure and whispered a reminder, "Master, it's time for us to return to the capital."
Upon hearing this, Lian Haoyu withdrew his gaze, gave a faint reply, and then walked down the city wall and boarded the spacious and unassuming carriage.
Having learned from their experience, the Shadow Guards' return journey was significantly faster.
Just like when we went to the Great Yu Kingdom, when we approached the territory of the Tatars, we changed to riding at night and resting during the day.
After traveling for two days, Song Yanqing changed his approach on the third day to rest during the day and travel through the Tatar territory under the cover of darkness.
As night fell, after they had eaten, they continued their journey under the cover of darkness.
Unexpectedly, when they were almost in Tatar territory, they discovered a fire a mile away.
Lighting a campfire on the grassland serves two purposes: to keep warm and to ward off wolves.
Judging from the scattered lights, there were quite a few people.
Song Yanqing couldn't help but suspect that news of his departure from the military camp had already reached the ears of the Tatars.
This once again confirms his guess: the person who could contact the Tatars was not General Wu, but someone else.
He would only understand all of this once he returned to the military camp.
The prerequisite is that he has to get back alive.
Upon seeing the campfire, the Shadow Guards concealed themselves, along with their horses.
Subsequently, someone was sent to investigate the situation.
The Shadow Guards returned after they left.
They quickly slid down to the foot of a small hill that could hide a dozen or so people.
The Shadow Guard whispered, "Your Highness, there is a group of men at the fire ahead."
A group of fifty people.
The Tatars were extremely powerful in combat, and the ten Shadow Guards they carefully selected were naturally no less formidable.
But after traveling for two days and two nights, and now facing five opponents alone, their chances of winning are too slim.
Judging from the Tatars' attitude, they won't give up until they find someone.
They were able to hide behind the hill undetected entirely because of the darkness and poor visibility.
If they wait until dawn tomorrow, they will reveal their true forms without the Tatars having to search for them.
We can't just sit here and wait to die.
Song Yanqing said in a low voice, "Go around two miles, and we'll get there overnight."
The Shadow Guard said, "Young Master, if we go around, it will take us two more days to get back to the camp."
The dangers involved are self-evident.
If they encounter Tatar troops on the road, they will be like turtles in a jar, sooner or later turning into trapped beasts.
Song Yanqing said, "Let's not worry about anything else, let's go!"
If the enemy is spotted, it will be late at night, and the sound of horses' hooves will alert them.
Therefore, the group could only lead their horses back a mile before mounting them and bypassing the Tatars' blockade.
They traveled until dawn without encountering any Tatars along the way.
Song Yanqing then found a place with many slopes for the Shadow Guards to rest, and they would continue their journey at night.
As evening approached and the sun was about to set, the Shadow Guards quickly swallowed their rations, preparing to set off before nightfall.
Unexpectedly, a loud shout shattered their plans.
There are people there!
This is not the official language of the Great Jin Dynasty; it is the language of the Tatars!
The Shadow Guards all turned their attention to Song Yanqing, waiting for his command to protect the young master and help him break through the encirclement.
The thunderous sound of hooves rang out, and Song Yanqing gave the order, "Mount up!"
The Shadow Guards moved in perfect unison, mounted their horses, and galloped off, while the Tatars chased after them, hurling insults and profanities.
"You weak two-legged sheep, Grandpa will spare your lives, hahahahaha!"
"Warriors, capture them alive and bring them back for the reward!"
Song Yanqing's eyes were sharp. He urged his horse forward and turned his head to assess the enemy behind him.
The number of people was roughly the same as the Tatars they had encountered the previous night; both groups consisted of fifty people.
The Tatars rode horses that roamed the grasslands year-round, which, compared to the horses kept in captivity, could not match the grassland horses in terms of speed or endurance.
Song Yanqing's Qingyun is a Ferghana horse, which is better than any Tatar horse.
But the remaining ten Shadow Guards, as time went on, had already put some distance between him and the Tatars, and it was only a matter of time before they were captured.
We can't just sit here and wait to die!
Song Yanqing said, "There's a small hill ahead!"
The well-trained Shadow Guards instantly understood and dismounted as they approached the hill.
These horses are also trained to run away or return on their own when the whistle is sounded.
The whistle was blown, and the horses automatically ran away.
The Tatars watched helplessly as the men dismounted, and naturally, they weren't foolish enough to abandon the men and instead chase after the horses.
However, they had suffered a lot at the hands of the two-legged sheep, and in their eyes, the people of the Great Jin were all treacherous and cunning, and were always good at cheating!
Therefore, the leading Tatar made a gesture, and dozens of people dismounted in unison.
As they pressed closer, they surrounded the spot where Song Yanqing and his men dismounted.
To their surprise, the place was completely empty!
Where are they?
"Cunning two-legged sheep!"
Just as the leading Tatar was cursing under his breath, a sharp-eyed Tatar spotted the Shadow Guard's trail.
The Tartar shouted, "There it is!"
Hearing the shouts, the Tartars turned around and looked back, only to find that the people they had been chasing had somehow circled around behind them.
They are riding on their horses right now!
With a neighing sound, dozens of fine horses scattered in all directions.
The Tatars' eyes seemed to be filled with venom as they watched helplessly as Song Yanqing and his men escaped right under their noses!
But it doesn't matter, even if they escape from them, there are other people in the tribe waiting for them!
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