Two days later, Li family in Longxi.
As soon as Li Heng returned home from the military camp, he saw his father's face full of worry and trouble.
After Li Heng took off his armor, he went straight to his father's study and asked, "Father, what arrangements has Prince Rui made?"
It's no wonder that Li Heng made such a guess. In fact, since Chu Hong took control of the military power of Youzhou, all the states, counties, and counties around it that could be won over have been won over by him in various ways.
Chu Hong is very good at planning, and he uses the White Lotus Sect to seemingly promote peace and benefit the people, but in fact only very few people know that the White Lotus Sect is actually a knife in Chu Hong's hand.
It was given a sacred name and was specifically used to eliminate dissidents and win over the surrounding dignitaries.
Of course, the Li family did not know that the true identity of the saint was actually Gu Yanran, the fake daughter that the Li family had raised for eighteen years. Otherwise, the Li family would never have obeyed the orders of the third prince.
Father Li sighed and pushed a secret letter in front of Li Heng: "King Rui ordered us to mobilize 50,000 stones of grain and grass to Youzhou within three days, saying that it is to resist the barbarians in the north."
Li Heng frowned, "But there has been no war in the northern border since General Pei returned to the capital. What do they need so much food and fodder for?"
"Father finds it strange, too. It is said that the Youzhou garrison is arresting the remnants of the White Lotus Sect everywhere, causing the people to complain."
Li Heng pondered for a moment, and suddenly asked: "Father, is the Third Prince worried that the princess will seize power, so he wants to make arrangements in advance? Is he thinking..."
Thinking of a certain possibility, Li Heng's heartbeat began to accelerate.
If the third prince really wants to confront the princess, which side should the Li family stand on?
Father Li nodded, also feeling very embarrassed.
The Li family has been stationed in Longxi for generations, and never thought that one day they would be involved in the disputes in the court.
Father Li pondered for a long time and finally made up his mind: "Heng'er, tomorrow you will personally lead a team of trusted people and disguise yourself as a merchant caravan to enter Youzhou City. You must find out the princess's attitude and see if she is worthy of our assistance."
After saying this, he took out a gold medal from the secret compartment and handed it to Li Heng solemnly, "This is the gold medal of immunity from death bestowed by the late emperor on my Li family. It can ensure that you can escape unscathed."
Li Heng took the token solemnly, and felt his palms getting hot: "Father means..."
"If the princess is really as wise as the rumors say."
Father Li's eyes were sharp, "It's time for our Li family to find a way to make a living for ourselves."
Li Heng held the token tightly, "I understand, but..." He hesitated for a moment, "If I see my second brother, what should I do?"
Speaking of Li Yao, Li's father's face suddenly darkened: "That rebellious son has been away for so long, I guess he's gone somewhere again. If you see him in Youzhou City this time, don't pay any attention to him, just tie him up and bring him back!"
Li Heng smiled bitterly: "I'm afraid that my second brother's temper..."
"If you can't tie him back, break his legs!" Father Li said angrily, "It's better than getting involved in this dispute, being used as a raft by others, and losing your life in vain."
That night, Li Heng secretly summoned twenty of his trusted men. They changed into caravan uniforms, hid their weapons in cargo boxes, and set off for Youzhou City.
——
Two days later, Li Heng and his party were walking on the streets of Youzhou, leading their horses. But what greeted them was not the prosperity and bustle of the past, but a dead silence and depression.
It was broad daylight and there were only a few people on the street. The doors of the shops on both sides were half-closed. A few children just wanted to run out to play but were hurriedly pulled back by the adults behind them.
"Have you heard? The youngest son of the Zhang family in the east of the city was arrested by soldiers this morning just because he said 'Saint Maiden bless you.'"
At the street entrance, several middle-aged women gathered together, discussing the latest gossip they had heard.
"Hush! Keep your voice down!" His companion looked around nervously, "The streets are full of soldiers now, do you want to die?"
Before he could finish his words, a group of ferocious-looking soldiers suddenly rushed over and grabbed an old woman who was selling incense and candles on the roadside.
"Search for the White Lotus's talisman and take it away!"
The old woman cried and shouted that she was innocent, but was whipped in public by several officials.
Li Heng saw this and was about to step forward with his fists clenched, but was stopped by his confidant: "Sir, don't do that! There are spies everywhere!"
As a last resort, Li Heng had to suppress the anger in his heart and walk somewhere else.
However, just as I turned the corner, an even more shocking scene came into view - I saw a dozen ragged civilians chained with iron chains, kneeling in a row under the scorching sun, with the leading officer wielding a whip:
"Tell me! Where are the evil people of the White Lotus Sect hiding?"
"Please spare us, sir. We really don't know anything..."
"How dare you quibble!"
Without saying a word, the officer kicked over an old man who was begging for mercy, "Her Royal Highness has ordered that it is better to kill a thousand people by mistake than to let one go!"
When Li Heng saw this scene, he was so angry that his chest heaved and his nails dug deeply into his palms.
Is this the 'wise' princess that her father mentioned?
Is it worthy for the Li family to follow?
Just when Li Heng could no longer bear it and wanted to step forward to argue, he saw a team of red cavalry suddenly appear at the other end of the street.
“Da da da…”
A steady sound of horse hooves came closer like thunder, and then a team of female guards in fiery red riding uniforms appeared. The leading woman had a high ponytail and the silver whip at her waist shone coldly in the sun.
"stop!"
Zhixia shouted, swung the long whip in his hand into the air, and hit the officer's wrist with a "snap".
The officer screamed and the whip in his hand fell to the ground.
"The Phoenix Feather Guards are doing their job, everyone else please move away!"
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