Chapter 133 Controversy
Just when the bandit leader finally realized that his target had already 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 return 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 slumbering 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-Moving Talisman Formation along the way was entirely supported by Yun Qingqing's daily injection of spiritual power, which was why she was so exhausted.
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 what was going on, but seeing her serious expression, he ordered them to stop moving forward without hesitation.
The team stopped, and Nan Zheng came to the carriage and asked in confusion:
"Your Highness, if we don't hurry, we won't be able to reach the outskirts of the Imperial Capital before dark tomorrow."
Yun Qingqing got off the carriage in silence, looking at the team from front to back, with a clear light in his eyes and his expression becoming more solemn.
"What's wrong?" Xiao Changheng also got off the carriage and asked her.
"There are major changes ahead. If we continue like this, disaster will surely befall us."
"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's no way to change the route now. Time is so tight, there can't be any delays. 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 no matter what the consequences were.
Yun Qingqing nodded and immediately ordered Nan Zheng:
"First, find a secluded spot to set up camp and unload all the food and supplies."
Nan Zheng was slightly stunned, 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 that had always been disciplined.
"The Imperial Capital is right in front of us, 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 already issued a military declaration. If these grains cannot be delivered to the capital within three days, Your Highness will not only lose his military power, but will also be confined to his residence for six months!"
"This was all the princess's idea. Does the prince really let her do this?"
Those who spoke were all generals with some experience in the Northwest Army, and their ranks were not high.
But like all the soldiers and generals of the Northwest Army, his loyalty to the Regent is beyond doubt.
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 thought that the rumors are incredible, and they are just what the prince said deliberately to praise the princess.
They have some experience in leading troops in battle, 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 actions along the way. They just thought that they could return between Dijing and Jingguo so quickly because the prince led the troops like a god and found an extremely special route.
Therefore, it was completely puzzling that the prince allowed Yun Qingqing to unload the grain and grass on the spot after hearing her words.
Someone took the lead, and for a while the soldiers also complained, thinking that this move was inappropriate.
Nan Zheng lashed the ground with his 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 quieted down.
But even though they kept their mouths shut, dissatisfaction was clearly visible 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 the generals had risked their lives in the northwest, he stopped these people from committing suicide before the prince got angry. However, he did not expect that they would not appreciate it and even started to slack off.
"General Nan," a general named Zhu Han stepped forward and said righteously, "We are all loyal to the prince, so even if it angers the prince, we have to persuade him!"
"What is the reason for our team to travel day and night at such a desperate pace? Isn't it just to return 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 also being humiliated by losing the military order! How can we carry out such an order?"
He became more and more excited as he spoke, and he knelt down in front of Xiao Changheng with a thud, saying loudly:
"Your Highness! Please revoke your order! We will make it to the capital before the deadline, even at the cost of our lives!"
The generals behind him all knelt down and shouted:
"Your Majesty, please take back your order!"
Nan Zheng closed his eyes and stopped talking.
There is no way to stop a person who is determined to seek death.
"I only have one question to ask: do you really want to disobey my orders?"
Xiao Changheng's eyes were dim, 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 His Majesty until death, but today's order will put His Majesty in a difficult situation. I'm sorry, I cannot obey!"
Several people behind him said in unison:
"I second the motion! Your Highness, please revoke 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 follow the princess's 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 actually wanted to dismiss them from their posts 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 didn't even glance at them. He personally supervised the Nanzheng Army and made sure they strictly followed the orders. 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 the efficiency was even higher than she had imagined. She nodded in approval 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 order 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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