Chen Zhaoci would have nightmares for a long time. She really didn't expect that she would encounter two groups of assassins on her half-day journey back to the capital from Tongzhou.
Those people rushed forward like madmen, and the guards surrounding the carriage were slaughtered like weeds; as soon as they killed the ones in front, the ones behind followed suit.
Later, it was only when the soldiers from the outskirts of Beijing arrived with a group of men that the siege was lifted. After returning to the capital, Chen Zhaoci always felt that there was a bloody smell in his breath.
It wasn't just Chen Zhaoci who was like this; Li Yuexi and Granny Lu also started to have high fevers that night. Bai Wei and Bai Mi examined them, prescribed medicine, and stayed with them until their fevers subsided before they went to rest.
It was only later that Chen Zhaoci learned that those people's goal was not only the lives of Xu Di's relatives, but also Xu Di's two children. As long as they had the children in their hands, how could they worry that Xu Di would not obey their orders?
Unfortunately, due to the interference of several forces, the plan ultimately failed. Later, because the Imperial Guards around Emperor Liang Cheng intervened, Emperor Liang Cheng learned of the matter. When Marquis Yongning returned home safely, he went to the Imperial Study in tears and told Emperor Liang Cheng about the unpleasant events that had taken place along the way. It is said that Emperor Liang Cheng was furious. From then on, the safety of the Xu family was finally guaranteed. With Emperor Liang Cheng's attention, who would dare to make a move? If they did, not only would they lose the Emperor's favor, but they would also face endless troubles. It was also this incident that made those who wanted to harm the Marquis Yongning's family somewhat wary.
Chen Zhaoci rested for two days and finally recovered. Because Li Yuexi had a fever and took antipyretics, she dared not breastfeed the child easily. The wet nurse arranged by the Marquis's mansion came in handy, and Li Yuexi was finally able to sleep peacefully at night.
While things settled down in the capital, things were not peaceful on Xu Di's side.
After sending his family away, Xu Di went to talk to the scholar who had been captured, but unfortunately the scholar didn't say a word. Xu Di didn't force him to say anything and went back to make preparations.
Under Xu Di's tutelage, the people of the county all understood that if a stranger came to the county, they had to report to the county government. He couldn't control the other three counties, but he could make decisions for his own territory. Soon, someone came to the county government to report that a stranger had entered a village near the county seat, specifically to inquire about the county magistrate.
Upon hearing this, Zheng Boyuan said to Xu Di, "Brother-in-law, I think I should send someone to inquire and find the person."
Xu Di waved his hand and said, "Do you think they're waiting for you to come out? They've already run away."
Zheng Boyuan asked Xu Di, "Brother-in-law, you said you sent your mother-in-law and sister-in-law back to the capital. What are you planning to do? Even if you're worried about them here, what if something unexpected happens on the long and arduous journey?" Xu Di thought of his own conjectures and said, "Years ago, I knew people from the Cao Gang. I had Chief Li go to Linqing and find the gang leader there, so they could escort them to the capital. Boyuan, your great victory over the Japanese pirates at sea will have two consequences. Either the pirates will give up and we'll have clear skies and no more attacks, or it's already June. Typhoons are common at sea in June, and it's difficult to sail during typhoons, which is very disadvantageous for the pirates. Although the possibility of the Bohai Sea being affected by typhoons is not very high, we still have to be prepared for their counterattack. After all, we've been preparing for so long, and we can't let a small county magistrate like me get some information and ruin the whole plan."
After listening, Zheng Boyuan remained silent for a long time before saying, "That's why you sent them back to the capital. But what if they try to assassinate us on the way?"
Xu Di's expression was somewhat grim. He said, "I rushed them to the capital before they could react. Boyuan, when you captured those two, the capital probably hadn't received the news yet. Then you defeated the Japanese pirates at sea and captured several alive for interrogation. It would take the Japanese pirates time to get the news to the capital. I took advantage of that time difference. I calculated that if they wanted to make a move, the earliest would be between Qingzhou and Linqing, and then on the Grand Canal. But the Grand Canal is dominated by the Canal Gang. With their help, there shouldn't be any problems. As for the most crucial part, it's the half-day journey from Tongzhou to the capital."
Zheng Boyuan listened quietly to Xu Di's analysis. Xu Di also had many uncertainties, but he really didn't want his family to stay with him here. It was very dangerous here now. If the Japanese pirates and the Jin people joined forces to seize Dengzhou and cut off the line of troops transported from Dengzhou to Liaodong, then Penglai, which was closest to Liaodong, would become a must-win place. Xu Di didn't even dare to think about what the situation would be like then.
Zheng Boyuan sighed and said, "Brother-in-law, you're probably taking a gamble yourself, aren't you? If something really happens at such a long distance, you'll regret it for the rest of your life."
Xu Di listened to Zheng Boyuan's words and remained silent for a long time. Finally, he just sighed and said, "Boyuan, if I had any other way, I wouldn't have let my family go to the capital like this. Duoduo and Guoguo are still so young. The weather is getting hotter and hotter. There are so many unexpected situations that could happen on the way. How could I bear it? But have you thought about what kind of situation we will face in the future?"
Xu Di took out his map, pointed to Penglai, and said, "Do you know what this place will be used for in the future? It will be used to transport troops and grain to Liaodong. Liaodong is the northern gateway of Daliang. If we defend Liaodong and prevent the Jin people from going south, the people of Daliang can still live a peaceful life. If Liaodong is lost, there will be no advantageous terrain to stop the Jin people from going south. At that time, the fertile land of Daliang will be trampled and ravaged by the Jin people. Boyuan, can you imagine how terrible it will be?"
This chapter is not finished yet. Please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
