Chapter 133 Controversy
Just when the bandit leader finally realized that his target had disappeared.
The Regent's grain transport team was only 150 miles away from the capital.
At this time, there were still three days left before the half-month deadline, which was just enough time to get back to the capital. The morale of the whole team was high, and Nan Zheng's worries were finally put to rest.
Now the prince no longer has to bear responsibility for the military order.
In the carriage, Yun Qingqing, who had been slept for half a day, opened his eyes, yawned, stretched heavily, and sat up straight.
"We haven't arrived in Beijing yet. You should sleep a little longer. I'll call you when we get there." Xiao Changheng said in a gentle voice with a flash of pity in his eyes.
No one knew better than him that the wind-flying talisman formation along the way was entirely supported by Yun Qingqing's daily injection of spiritual power, which was why she was so tired.
Yun Qingqing didn't respond to him. She closed her eyes and moved her fingers. When she opened her eyes again, her brows were furrowed.
"Stop the team first."
Xiao Changheng didn't understand, but seeing her serious expression, he ordered to stop without hesitation.
The team stopped, and Nan Zheng came to the carriage and asked in confusion:
"Your Majesty, if we don't hurry up, we won't be able to reach the outskirts of the Imperial Capital before dark tomorrow."
Yun Qingqing got off the carriage in silence, looked at the team from front to back, with a clear light flashing in his eyes and his expression becoming more solemn.
"What's wrong?" Xiao Changheng also got off the carriage and asked her.
"There are big changes ahead. If we continue to move forward like this, there will be disaster."
"Ah? So serious." Nan Zheng said in surprise.
However, he did not doubt his princess' words at all, but he was extremely anxious:
"But there is no way to change the route now. Time is so tight and there can't be any delay. What should I do?"
Yun Qingqing looked at Xiao Changheng:
"My Lord, do you believe me?"
Xiao Changheng's eyes moved slightly, and he looked directly at her:
"Whatever you want, just go ahead and do it."
This was a dilemma that only she could solve. Since he had chosen to believe her from the beginning, he would continue regardless of the consequences.
Yun Qingqing nodded and immediately ordered Nan Zheng:
"First, find a hidden spot to set up camp and unload all the food and fodder."
Nan Zheng was slightly stunned for a moment, but turned around and made arrangements without saying a word.
However, when the order was passed down, there were waves of opposition from the team, which had always been disciplined.
"The Imperial Capital is just ahead, why are they suddenly unloading the grain?"
"Yes, our schedule is so tight, and we finally managed to arrive on time, but we can't afford any delays!"
"Your Highness has signed a military order. If these grains cannot be transported to the capital within three days, Your Highness will not only lose his military power, but will also be confined to his home for half a year!"
"This was all the princess's idea. Will the prince really let her do this?"
Those who spoke were all generals with some experience in the Northwest Army, but their ranks were not high.
But like all the soldiers and generals of the Northwest Army, there is no doubt that he is loyal to the Regent.
Chang Zongyan had returned to the army after the autumn hunt. This group of people was sent back after the food crisis. They had only heard about what happened during the autumn hunt, but it was different from being there in person.
However, these generals have always believed that the rumors are incredible, and they are just what the prince said deliberately to flatter the princess.
They have some experience in leading troops in battles, but after all, they are not in high positions and are not good at leading troops over long distances or controlling the overall situation.
They did not understand Yun Qingqing's operations along the way. They just thought that they could return between Dijing and Jingguo so quickly only because the prince led the troops like a god and found an extremely special route.
Therefore, it was totally incomprehensible that the prince allowed Yun Qingqing to unload the food and fodder on the spot after hearing her words.
Someone took the lead, and for a while the soldiers all complained, thinking that this move was inappropriate.
Nan Zheng whipped the ground with a whip and said sternly:
"Shut up, everyone! Military orders are as heavy as a mountain. Anyone who delays orders will be punished by military law!"
Everyone suddenly became quiet.
But even though they kept their mouths shut, dissatisfaction was clearly evident in their eyes, and they all stood stubbornly where they were without taking any action.
"Are you disobeying orders? Hurry up and go!" Nan Zheng clenched the whip.
Considering the fact that his generals had fought bravely in the northwest, he specifically stopped these people from committing suicide before the prince got angry. He didn't expect that they would not appreciate it and instead started to slack off.
"General Nan," a general named Zhu Han stood up and said righteously, "We are all loyal to the prince, so even if it angers the prince, we have to persuade him!"
"Why are our team traveling day and night at all costs? Isn't it just to get back to the Imperial Capital in time to report?"
"But now, with just one word from the princess, the blood and sweat of all the soldiers are wasted, and the prince is humiliated for losing the military order! How can we execute such an order!"
He became more and more excited as he spoke, and he knelt down before Xiao Changheng with a plop, saying loudly:
"Your Majesty! Please take back your order! We will definitely reach the capital within the time limit even if we die!"
The generals behind him all knelt down and shouted:
"Your Majesty, please take back your order!"
Nan Zheng closed his eyes and stopped talking.
You can't stop a person who is determined to seek death.
"I only have one question. Do you really want to disobey my orders?"
Xiao Changheng's eyes were dull and his face showed no joy or anger, but as soon as he opened his mouth the air pressure around him seemed to drop a few degrees.
Zhu Han's heart tightened slightly, but he gritted his teeth and said resolutely:
"I swear to be loyal to the prince until death, but today's order will put the prince in a difficult situation. I'm sorry that I can't obey your order!"
Several people behind him said in unison:
"I second the motion! Your Majesty, please take back your order!"
"Very good!" Xiao Changheng said coldly.
"Come here, tie them up and punish them with fifty military sticks according to military law!"
"Nanzheng, dismiss them from their posts and investigate them! Immediately reappoint the vacancies created and execute the princess' orders!"
"Your Highness!" Zhu Han and the others gritted their teeth and remained unshaken when they heard about the caning. However, when they heard that the prince was going to dismiss them and investigate them, and that they still had to act according to the princess's orders, they gasped and stared with their eyes wide in disbelief.
"Your Majesty, please think twice!"
But Xiao Changheng never even glanced at them. He personally supervised the Nanzheng and made sure that the orders were strictly carried out. He pointed out several temporary generals on the spot.
Zhu Han and several others were tied up, gagged, and taken with them.
The team quickly found a hidden dense forest and began to unload food and fodder.
Soon the food and grass were unloaded, and the southern expedition returned with a report:
"Princess, all the food and fodder has been unloaded. Please give us your instructions on what to do next!"
Yun Qingqing sighed that this efficiency was higher than she had imagined, and nodded approvingly, and ordered:
"Next, replace the food with sand, rocks and branches and fill up all these carts!"
Nan Zheng was stunned again, but still carried out the action without hesitation.
Soon, the food carts were all filled with sand and gravel, except for the tops of the first few carts, which were filled with food bags for camouflage.
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