The head constable's eyes burned with fervor, and a mysterious smile played on his lips. "Weren't you just saying that if you could see the young general who made a name for himself in the battle of the Southern Frontier before you died, you would die without regrets?"
Now that they're right in front of you, how can you not recognize them?
Upon hearing this, the constables froze on the spot, and the area around the city gate was so quiet that the wind could be heard.
After a long while, the constable who had spoken earlier finally came to his senses, licking his lips in disbelief. "Boss, are you saying that the carriage that just passed by was carrying General Xiao from the Zhennan Camp?! How is that possible..."
As he spoke, he couldn't help but stand on tiptoe to look in the direction the carriage had left, and so did the other seven or eight people around him.
But the carriage had long since gone, and even the sound of the horses' hooves could no longer be heard.
Looking at the empty street, the constables suddenly slapped their thighs in unison.
"My goodness! I just opened the city gate for General Xiao and actually saw him alive! Am I dreaming?"
"What are you dreaming about when it's just gotten dark? I've opened the door for General Xiao too, hehehe, I've decided, I'm not washing my hands for a month!"
“What’s a month?! I’m never going to wash it again in my life. General Xiao infiltrated the enemy camp alone at the age of sixteen, killed the Southern Frontier Marshal, and defeated the Southern Frontier dogs. Now that I’m opening the city gates for General Xiao, it’s practically the same as killing the Southern Frontier dogs.”
"Let's not talk about washing our hands yet. We just saw a coachman in black, but we didn't even get a glimpse of General Xiao's face. What are we going to say if someone asks us what General Xiao looks like?"
"That's right. General Xiao went to the battlefield when he was young, and now he's finally come to Qingshui County. If we don't see him in person today, we might never have the chance again in our lives..."
As everyone spoke, they all turned to look at the head constable, their eyes practically screaming "I want to see!"
The head constable's lips twitched at the stares, and he promptly slapped each of them hard across the back. "What are you looking at? If you don't want this round thing on your shoulders anymore, then hurry up and get it! I won't stop you..."
Want to see General Xiao?! Is it a matter of wanting or not wanting? He had just wished a gust of wind would blow open the carriage curtain.
But General Xiao's face was not so easy to see. Apart from the people in the Southern Frontier Camp, very few people in the entire Dayu Dynasty had ever seen General Xiao's true face. Most people only knew his name.
Moreover, General Xiao's arrival so late at night clearly indicates he has important business to attend to.
If they delay General Xiao's affairs, even a few more heads wouldn't be enough to chop off all of them.
The group of yamen runners were instantly slapped until they looked dejected.
After a long silence, the junior constable, who was familiar with the head constable, looked at the man with a hint of curiosity in his clear eyes. "Boss, you just saw General Xiao's token. Do you think our General Xiao has any connection with Prince Zhan?"
Upon hearing this, the crowd was also somewhat tempted.
Even if they can't see the real people, it doesn't stop them from enjoying the gossip.
General Xiao and Prince Zhan were both young generals, both entered the enemy camp alone, both killed the enemy leader and guarded the frontier, and both had the surname Xiao!
The only difference is that one is on the southern border and the other is on the western border.
"Are you stupid?! What can you possibly figure out from a token?" The head constable rolled his eyes to the sky. "Besides, there are plenty of people with the surname Xiao in this world."
What kind of wealthy family is the War King's Mansion? The children of ordinary noble families are all raised with utmost care and affection.
Occasionally one or two would go to the military camp, but that was merely to gain a title and be granted a fiefdom in the capital under the protection of their families.
If General Xiao truly had a connection with Prince Zhan, how could he have joined the army at the age of eight, starting as an unknown fire-starting soldier?
Upon hearing this, most of the people's initial gossipy thoughts subsided, and their admiration was replaced by a touch of wistfulness.
"The boss is right. We may all have the same surname, Xiao, but we are all very different."
"The Prince of War has only had one son all these years, and he has always cherished him and raised him in the capital. I'm afraid he can't even tell whether the sky on the frontier is blue or green. How can he compare to our General Xiao!"
"Compared to the sons of nobles, our General Xiao is far superior; every step he has taken has been earned through a sea of corpses and blood..."
Xiao Jinhan and his group were completely unaware of the minor disturbance at the city gate.
Inside the carriage, Su Erhu was already filled with shock. How could someone who could command such respect from the head of a county yamen and be addressed as "Sir" be a centurion or commander of a thousand?
If not a centurion, then a chiliarch, what could it be!
The third brother usually liked to hear about the fighting and killing in the military camp, so he had heard a few things about the military ranks. In the Dayu army camp, the lowest rank was squad leader, followed by platoon leader, and centurion, who managed five, ten, and one hundred men respectively.
Next came the centurion, also known as the 'Grand Commander,' who commanded a thousand soldiers. Above the centurion were the lieutenant general, the junior lieutenant general, and the general and deputy general...
Xiao Jinhan isn't a centurion or a chiliarch, so could he be a lieutenant general, a junior officer, or even a general...?
The man immediately shook his head upon thinking about this. Xiao Jinhan was only a few months older than him. Even if he was a prodigy, it was impossible for him to be a lieutenant general or a general at such a young age.
However, he couldn't help but think of the young general who had become famous in the battle of the southern border two years ago. He only knew that the young general's surname was Xiao, but he didn't know what Xiao's given name was.
Moreover, if he were truly a general, how could he possibly be holed up in a desolate, godforsaken mountain village like Shanghe Village?
However, the more powerful Xiao Jinhan is, the more advantageous it will be for them to find Hua'er.
Su Erhu's mind was in turmoil, while Su Baishi, who was usually prone to motion sickness, was no longer affected. She was leaning against the car window, looking out with her slanted eyes scanning the road like spotlights, afraid of missing even the slightest trace.
Xiao Jinhan half-held Xiao Hei, his narrowed eyes appearing even colder under the light of the night-shining pearl. His usual aloof temperament had vanished, replaced by a sinister and eccentric demeanor.
If today's incident is just a false alarm, then so be it. But if anyone actually sets their sights on his Hua'er, he will make sure that person suffers a fate worse than death, no matter how far he goes!
Little Black lay in the man's arms, its chubby body trembling slightly, not daring to utter even a soft whimper.
After a short while, the carriage stopped.
"Sir, we've arrived."
Before Xiao Jinhan could respond, Su Baishi stood up abruptly from the carriage window, her ashen face finally regaining some color.
"Aunt Su, wait a moment." Xiao Jinhan pulled her back and said thoughtfully, "This matter should not be publicized. You and Erhu wait in the car for a while while I go to find Qin Yucheng to ask him for clarification."
Although Madam Su was eager to see her daughter, she immediately nodded, "Alright, go quickly, we'll wait for you here."
The carriage stopped beside the back gate of the Qin residence.
After getting off the carriage, Xiao Jinhan flew directly to an old locust tree next to the mansion, landing on the top of the canopy with his toes, his sharp gaze sweeping across the interior of the Qin mansion.
Immediately, he flew like a hawk towards a courtyard on the east side.
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