Pang Lai's expression darkened slightly: "How do you know those are Northern Rong soldiers? We have never heard of any Northern Rong soldiers invading the Tamu Mountain area before."
The old man shook his head and said, "How could we recognize what kind of soldiers they are? We just heard people say they are Northern Rong soldiers."
Having figured things out, Pang Lai gave them all the silver he had on him as travel expenses before reporting back to Xue Shen: "The massacre of the village is true, but it may not have been the remnants of the Northern Rong army."
Xue Shen was ordered to quell the remnants of the Northern Rong army, so he naturally sent scouts to investigate the whereabouts of the Northern Rong remnants in the northwest. There had been no Northern Rong remnants causing trouble in Tamu Mountain before. It was clearly a trick used by the Xu family to lure him into sending troops.
Xue Shen thought that Xu Qiao was just spreading rumors to trick him into sending troops, but he did not expect that this man was so ruthless. In order to make the play more realistic, he actually sent people to massacre the village.
Xue Shen's expression turned solemn. He said, "Let's go check out Fangjia Village first."
The army marched along the Tamu Mountains toward Fangjia Village.
As evening approached, they finally arrived at Fangjia Village. Just as the old man who had fled had said, Fangjia Village had been burned to the ground. The once vast village was now nothing but charred ruins and scattered charred bones.
Xue Shen led his men into the village and saw that some of the charred bones still had knives stuck in them. He pulled out the knives, examined the patterns on the hilts and the shape and length of the blades, and said with certainty, "These are military knives. This is the type of knife used by the soldiers stationed in Xizhou City."
Although they had already suspected it, seeing the evidence in person made everyone present angry.
Based on the size of Fangjiazhai, it was estimated that at least several dozen families, numbering several hundred people, lived there. But now, all the people have become victims of the knife, their bodies melted in the fire, leaving only a few charred bones.
Pang Lai, with a violent temper, spat and cursed, "Tell me to catch those scumbags and bring them here to be killed!"
Xue Shen's eyes were also filled with a fierce aura. He said, "Let's collect these charred bones first. We'll set up camp here tonight and send out scouts to search for any trace of the Northern Rong remnants."
Pang Lai responded and went to relay the order.
The soldiers set up camp and collected the remains of the dead, everything proceeded in an orderly fashion. Xue Shen glanced back at the ruins of Fangjia Village, then spurred his horse up a small hill not far away.
Not far from the hill lies a desolate Gobi Desert, and if you go any further, you will reach the territory of the Tubo Kingdom.
Over the years, the Great Wei Dynasty has relied on high annual tributes to support small border states such as Tibet and the Northern Rong, in exchange for temporary peace. However, with each increase in the tributes, the appetites of these small states have grown ever larger. Not only are the Northern Rong restless, but Tibet has also repeatedly invaded the borders. However, compared to the valiant and warlike Northern Rong, the threat from Tibet is relatively small, and Emperor Cheng'an has been solely focused on seeking peace in recent years, thus indulging them and nurturing a hungry wolf within them.
Xue Shen didn't believe it was just the Xu family who sent troops to massacre the entire village at the border between the two countries.
There must have been some Tibetan involvement among them.
Xue Shen's brows furrowed as he gazed at the Gobi Desert for a long time before riding back to camp.
*
On that day, 30,000 troops were stationed at Fangjiazhai. Afterwards, Xue Shen, seemingly unaware of anything amiss, sent out a large number of scouts to search for traces of the remnants of the Northern Rong army.
Xu Qiao, who was far away in Xizhou City, received the news, stroked his beard with satisfaction, and said to Xu Dalang, "Everything is ready, we can make our move."
Xu Dalang said, "No need to wait for Erlang to return? The men we sent to meet Erlang have already returned. They said they encountered Erlang's scouts on the way and that they have captured him. However, they have been chasing him for over a hundred miles and are carrying a pregnant woman, so it will probably take some more time."
Xu Qiao said, "There's no need to wait any longer. The King of Qin has taken 30,000 elite troops to Tamu Mountain, and the main camp outside the city only has 20,000 troops left to guard it. We should first blockade Xizhou City, take out the 20,000 troops in the main camp outside the city, and then launch a surprise attack on the border to catch them off guard."
Xu Dalang bribed a Tibetan tribe with a high price of 100,000 gold coins, and they agreed to send troops to help him destroy the Qin King's army.
Ideally, the Qin King's 30,000 troops could be wiped out in one fell swoop at Tamu Mountain. Even if not, the real killer move would only be discovered when the Qin King fled back to Xizhou City with his remaining troops.
Xu Dalang said, "Then I'll go to the governor's mansion first."
Xu Qiao nodded: "Lock him in jail, and don't let your sister know the news, lest she soften her heart and beg for mercy."
After Xu Dalang took charge, he immediately counted his men and surrounded the governor's mansion overnight.
Although Cai Wenxuan had long known this moment would come, he still felt a tremor in his heart when he heard his servants frantically report that the governor's mansion had been surrounded.
He took a deep breath, casually brushed off the flustered and bewildered Chen, and hastily put on his outer robe before going out.
Since it's a charade, a trap must be set. Cai Wenxuan opened the door, carrying a lantern, and squinted at the numerous soldiers in the darkness. He questioned Xu Dalang with displeasure, "What does the Xu family mean by this? Surrounding the governor's mansion with troops in the dead of night! If I were to submit a memorial accusing you of treason, could you bear the charge? My Cai family may not be as powerful as the Xu family, but even a rabbit will bite when cornered. Don't push your luck!"
Xu Dalang sat on his horse and looked at him with disdain, ordering his subordinates, "Gag him and tie him up."
Upon receiving the order, the subordinates immediately surrounded Cai Wenxuan, gagged him, and tied his hands.
Cai Wenxuan seemed surprised that the Xu family would actually take action, his eyes widening in shock as he made muffled noises. Xu Dalang, however, was too lazy to waste words with him and ordered the governor's mansion to be taken into custody.
With Cai Wenxuan, the disloyal governor, gone, Xizhou City was finally clean.
Once day breaks, the officials and people of Xizhou will only know that the governor has contracted the plague and is recuperating in his residence.
*
After dealing with Cai Wenxuan, Xu Dalang found the governor's seal. He ordered someone to imitate Cai Wenxuan's handwriting and tone, write a letter, affix the governor's seal, and send it to the military camp outside the city.
The King of Qin left 20,000 troops in the military camp, among whom there must be a general in charge, and he would make corresponding emergency arrangements. Cai Wenxuan has already pledged allegiance to the King of Qin, and must have some dealings with the King of Qin's people. If Cai Wenxuan were to send an urgent letter to the King of Qin's general at this time, revealing that the Xu family had the intention to assassinate the King of Qin, then the King of Qin's general would certainly take action.
That was the time for them to make their move.
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