Chapter 221 is more than just one
"Who? Do you know who did it?"
Only a handful of people have access to information about the weapons escort. Who leaked the information?
"Get up and speak," Emperor Xiao Jing said sternly.
Deputy General Han stood up, but kept his head down.
"Your Majesty, there are quite a few things to discuss. Please allow me to explain in detail."
As he spoke, Vice General Han repeated the lines that Chang Shenghou had taught him and that he had practiced countless times.
Before the Mid-Autumn Festival, only the Marquis knew that a new batch of weapons was about to be delivered to the entire Weiyuan Army.
Previously, grain was covered with straw and transported together with grain carts.
However, this time the weapons were only escorted to the northern border, still 150 li away from the Weiyuan Army's main camp. The people who were originally escorting them went back, and the Weiyuan Army took over.
The Marquis thought this approach was correct, as the Weiyuan Army's combat strength was far superior to that of the escorting officers and soldiers.
Just as the Marquis was sending troops to provide assistance, he suddenly received a message from a merchant caravan.
It is said that there was a sudden troop movement in Leigu City, with light equipment and simple movements, which did not seem like a long-distance raid.
The caravan owner was from Dayu and, fearing it would be detrimental to the Weiyuan Army, sent someone to deliver the message to the Marquis.
After thinking it over, the Marquis realized that the only thing worth keeping in mind for the Weiyuan Army was the newly delivered weapons.
With safety as the top priority, the Marquis sent another group of men to disguise some grain carts, which set off before the carts carrying weapons.
Unexpectedly...
The wagons carrying the grain supplies were intercepted by the people of Leigu City.
Fortunately, the Marquis made proper arrangements, sending many soldiers to protect them secretly, which enabled them to wipe out the people in Leigu City.
Then the Marquis immediately dispatched troops and captured Leigu City, and made it appear that he would also attack other border cities.
The Marquis declared that if the instigator was not handed over, he would occupy all the border cities one by one.
Later, someone from Saharan City came and said that the other city lords were unaware of this matter, and that it was all done by Lord Regu City himself.
They also sent over the person who had sent the message about the weapons being transported.
"That man... travels between the Northern Barbarians and the capital by caravan," said Deputy General Han.
Emperor Xiao Jing listened very attentively.
Upon hearing this, he let out a cold laugh.
Whose caravan is that?
"The Marquis of Wuding's residence, and the person in charge of escorting this time is Song San, the Marquis of Wuding's personal servant."
"Your Majesty, I have brought this man back and he is being held captive in a certain place," Vice General Han hurriedly said.
When Emperor Xiao Jing heard that it was Marquis Wu Ding, he was taken aback at first, but soon a cold smile appeared on his lips.
As expected, it was a spy among the military officers.
He's a marquis, after all...
Marquis Wuding was often in charge of escorting grain supplies and weapons; he certainly knew these things that others might not...
But what benefits did the Northern Hu offer to make Marquis Wuding leak this information?
"Is there any evidence?" Emperor Xiao Jing asked.
"Song San's confession serves as evidence."
"Any other letters or anything like that?" Emperor Xiao Jing continued to ask.
Deputy General Han shook his head.
Unfortunately, this time we only have Song San's confession.
Emperor Xiao Jing frowned.
Without written correspondence, it is impossible to directly convict Marquis Wuding based solely on oral testimony.
With the Duke of Anguo backing him up, he will definitely cry out for justice in the end.
He claimed that he hadn't managed his subordinates properly, and that his servants had secretly sold out this information...
Even if convicted, it cannot completely convict Wu Dinghou...
Should we resort to severe torture on Marquis Wuding? It's not impossible; under intense torture, he might finally confess...
Emperor Xiao Jing had already decided that this time he would definitely make an example of Marquis Wuding...
"Your Majesty, there is one more thing that the Marquis asked me to report to you as well," Deputy General Han suddenly said.
"Oh? Is there anything else?" Emperor Xiao Jing immediately perked up.
"The Marquis has also discovered something else this time."
Eleven years ago, both the Dayu and Beihu troops were stationed in the north, and war was imminent.
The commander of the Weiyuan Army at the time was prepared to fight a decisive battle with the Northern Hu.
But at the most crucial moment, the supplies His Majesty had prepared for the Weiyuan Army vanished without a trace. "That's what Deputy General Han said.
Emperor Xiao Jing nodded.
He remembered this incident; back then, the Duke of Dingguo stayed up for nearly half a month without sleep in preparation for this great battle.
Countless simulations were conducted in an effort to ensure that once that battle was won, the northern region could enjoy fifty years of peace.
However, a problem arose with the supplies.
The officers that Emperor Xiao Jing personally dispatched to escort the grain supplies disappeared along with the supplies.
This caused quite a stir at the time.
Many people even discussed privately whether Emperor Xiao Jing was afraid of Shen Huaichen and deliberately caused this incident.
But many others believe there must be more to the story.
No matter how much Emperor Xiao Jing feared Shen Huaichen, he would not joke about the safety of Dayu.
The Northern Hu were all prepared at the border. At this time, the Weiyuan Army was out of supplies. Wasn't this tantamount to opening the gates of the north and letting the Northern Hu people in?
Fortunately, the Duke of Dingguo took an unconventional approach, personally leading a group of men to infiltrate Saha City, where the Northern Hu stored their grain.
A fire destroyed all the grain and provisions that the Northern Hu army had stored in Saha City.
In addition, Marquis Changsheng promptly requisitioned another batch of grain and fodder, thus relieving the crisis in the northern region of Dayu...
"What happened to that batch of grain? Has it been found?" Emperor Xiao Jing asked.
Deputy General Han nodded.
"Your Majesty, the Marquis has discovered that the Marquis of Wuding was also behind that batch of grain."
He told the Northern Hu people the route for transporting the grain, and the Northern Hu sent a group of men to intercept them along the way.
Marquis Wuding planted his own people among the troops escorting the grain supplies and drugged their food.
The northern barbarians took advantage of this opportunity to rob people and supplies.
The grain supplies were delivered to Saha City by the Northern Hu people, who killed and buried the escorting soldiers.
That's why no signs of fighting were found along the way, only empty grain carts.
The person planted by Marquis Wuding was none other than Song San.
After Vice General Han finished speaking, Emperor Xiao Jing narrowed his eyes.
Alright, it's that Marquis of Wuding again.
No, there must be more to this than the Duke of Anguo's doing!
If the Duke of Anguo doesn't give the order, would the Marquis of Wuding dare to do this on his own?
"Are you sure?" Emperor Xiao Jing asked through gritted teeth.
"It's confirmed. This time, we not only have Song San's confession, but also those letters from eleven years ago."
Marquis Wuding was in contact with the city lord of Leigu City.
The Marquis asked me to bring all those letters.
As he said this, Vice President Han took out a stack of letters from his bundle and handed them over.
Emperor Xiao Jing only opened and read one letter before sweeping everything on the table onto the floor.
The commotion startled Wu Youde, who was standing at the door.
"Wu Youde, Commander of the Imperial Guards, and Minister of the Court of Judicial Review."
Deputy General Han, go and keep a close eye on that Song San for me.
"Don't let others harm us," Emperor Xiao Jing said bitterly.
Deputy General Han immediately agreed and withdrew.
Finally, that's all, Marquis Wuding...
You owe those soldiers of the Weiyuan Army their lives; you must repay them...
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