After lunch, Tang Huan once again began her afternoon nap without fail.
He didn't wake up until after 2 p.m.
As Tang Huan stepped out of the room, he immediately saw Princesses Gongyang Tingbai and Qin Yuyang sitting under the eaves, discussing something. Upon seeing him, the two of them simultaneously shut their mouths.
"What are you talking about?"
Tang Huan squeezed between the two people and generously put her arm around their shoulders.
Gongyang Tingbai raised his hand and slapped Tang Huan's hand away, saying, "Watch your hand!"
Tang Huan pouted, "How stingy! Look at Xiao Qin, she doesn't look down on me at all."
Qin Yuyang remained unmoved and did not stop the hand that was placed on his shoulder.
"She's just a princess of a fallen kingdom now, and so many people depend on you for their lives. I'm different. If you want to lay a hand on me, first find a way to destroy the Northern Region as well. Then you can have me seduce you in bed without any problem."
"Then let's skip it. Who knows how many people will die if a fight breaks out."
Tang Huan put down the hand on Qin Yu's shoulder, and then heard the latter say, "We were just talking about whether Wu Lanxi would fall for you."
Tang Huan's eyes widened. "I think you've all gone mad. Women are all the same, even princesses can't escape this gossipy heart."
"Are we wrong? That empress is exceptionally good to you. Even though it's a major event involving the interests of Daqing, she's willing to let you participate without worry. Isn't she worried that if you lose the competition, Daqing will lose everything?"
This is unreasonable, at least in Gongyang Tingbai's view.
"Instead of discussing this, let's focus on those who are blocking the trade routes. The Northern Region can also make a lot of money through trade. Don't you plan to do anything about it?"
"Do you expect me, a weak woman, to take action?" Gongyang Tingbai feigned a pitiful appearance.
"Don't joke around. How could someone from the Northern Region like you be just a pretty face? Even Xiao Qin is very good at fighting, so you must be no exception."
Gongyang smiled but didn't say anything.
After a short rest, Tang Huan led his team away from Qihuai County.
Li Daikui was in charge of driving the carriage, while Tang Huan sat inside with several women.
In addition, Du Ruhai personally led a team of more than twenty mercenaries on horseback to follow behind.
It didn't take long for Li Daikui to stop the carriage.
He saw figures moving around at the post station ahead.
"It was too dark last night, and I didn't even notice these people. They actually started blocking the road here. They don't intend to let Qihuai County have any contact with the outside world."
At this point, they had just left the territory of Qihuai County, less than ten kilometers away.
As expected, the carriage stopped, and a large group of people immediately came out of the post station and blocked the road.
The carriage curtain was lifted, and Tang Huan jumped off the carriage.
As the others disembarked, Du Ruhai arrived on horseback with his mercenaries.
"Who's in charge? Come out and speak!"
Tang Huan shouted loudly to the crowd in front of him.
A man stepped forward from the crowd and announced loudly, "I am He Lizhang, the registrar of Baofeng County."
As Tang Huan walked towards the other person, he shouted, "Just a clerk? You're not qualified to speak. Find someone else to speak!"
He Lizhang's face darkened, and he gritted his teeth, asking, "And who are you, sir?"
Tang Huan led the group closer, smiling as she asked, "You don't even recognize me? Then how dare you come here to ruin business in Qihuai County?"
"Are you Tang Huan?" He Lizhang stared at Tang Huan.
"Never mind whether I am Tang Huan or not. You have brought so many people to block the entrance of Qihuai County. I heard that you stop every carriage coming out of Qihuai County and won't let them leave without paying money?"
He Lizhang replied matter-of-factly, "Is that not allowed? Isn't this the usual practice in your Qihuai County? If you want to enter the city, you have to pay an entry tax. Where else in Yingzhou is there such a rule?"
“Yingzhou doesn’t have it, but this is the rule of Qihuai County. If you think there’s a problem, you can just not go.”
He Lizhang sneered, "If you think we're blocking your way, then you can just not leave."
What do you mean?
“This is no longer Qihuai County’s territory. Since that’s the case, we have the right to stop all carriages.”
Tang Huan nodded, "I can understand you stopping the car, but refusing to let us pass without paying is a bit excessive, isn't it?"
"Everyone says Qihuai County is rich and prosperous, yet they're unwilling to pay even a small toll?" He Lizhang retorted.
Tang Huan shook his head and asked Li Daikui, "Tell Lord He what happened to the bandits around Qihuai County back then."
He Lizhang immediately said coldly, "No need."
"Since that's the case, then I won't be polite either. Men!" Tang Huan shouted sternly, "Take down this group of lawless and lawless bandits and send them to the Prefect of Yingzhou tomorrow to exchange for a reward."
"How dare you!" He Lizhang roared, but to his surprise, his words had no effect on the people opposite him.
One by one, the people on horseback behind them quickly jumped down and rushed straight towards the group.
Some people tried to resist, but were subdued as soon as they tried.
The mercenaries were ruthless and showed no respect for the elderly or children; they treated repeat offenders with brutality.
By the time they subdued everyone, He Lizhang and his group were all injured.
He Lizhang was punched in the face by someone, and his eye swelled up immediately.
The group was tied up inside the post station, but Tang Huan wasn't in a hurry. He had tea prepared and drank it slowly.
He Lizhang sat on the ground, gritting his teeth, and said, "Tang Huan, you dare to lay a hand on an official of the imperial court? Aren't you afraid of losing your life?"
"Hmm? Who said I laid a hand on an official of the imperial court? I have clearly rendered meritorious service in suppressing bandits. Even if the prefect of Yingzhou knew, he would not make things difficult for me. On the contrary, he would send the reward money to Qihuai County. Yingzhou has been much more peaceful in recent years, but I did not expect that there are still fish like you who have escaped the net."
"Tang Huan, how dare you slander us! When the adults find out, they will absolutely not let you off!" someone shouted sternly.
Tang Huan said with a look of surprise, "Who was speaking just now? I never thought that even the county magistrate would collude with bandits. The world is going to the dogs and people's hearts are no longer what they used to be. Today, I will do my part to deal with the bandit problem on behalf of the prefect."
These words silenced He Lizhang, who was about to bring up Rong Shanhai, the magistrate of Baofeng County, to support him. He feared that if he spoke up, Tang Huan would also pin the blame on the magistrate.
He simply remained silent, sitting there quietly, waiting for people from Baofeng County to arrive.
Anyway, this was planned in advance. If there is a problem here, someone will arrive in less than half a day.
If they realize there's a problem at the post station, people from all the counties will immediately gather, and Tang Huan's group won't stand a chance.
Tang Huan felt somewhat bored when He Lizhang became mute.
He started chatting with Gongyang Tingbai and Qin Yuyang, inquiring about the different customs and traditions of the two countries, listening with great interest.
At this moment, Li Daikui suddenly walked in from outside the post station.
He said in a deep voice, "Sir, a group of people are approaching from not far away, and the leader is wearing official robes."
Tang Huan didn't look up, and directly ordered, "Take him down first."
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