Xie Ming

Chapter 109 Zhao Huaixing's Intelligence
After explaining the matter of releasing grain and sorting out the population register, Qiu Zhizhong continued speaking.

"And what else? It's about the guy in Liu's shop!"

"I have sent Changting to capture him."

"After interrogation, we learned that this man's name is Zhao Huaixing, and the small village at the foot of Yuhu Peak is Zhaojia Village."

"After we left the village half a month ago, Zhao Huaixing, Lai Er and the others were really scared and worried all day long."

"So ten days ago, they thought of a way to tell the matter to several elders in charge of the village."

"But it would be better if they didn't say anything. Once they do, the village will no longer tolerate them, for fear of getting involved."

"So, the next day, Zhao Huaixing, Lai Er and two other villagers who participated in the incident, a total of four people, had nowhere to go and were forced to leave the village and find another way to make a living."

"At the same time, Liu Qiao'er, whom you wanted so hard to protect, can't live in peace either. She is also ostracized by the village and can no longer stay."

"I don't know whether these people felt sorry for the orphan and widow who had no one to take care of them, or whether the threats you made when you left worked."

"After Liu Qiaoer left the village, she had nowhere to go, so she got involved with these people again."

"Lai Er had worked as a security guard in the government office in the capital before. So after they left the mountains and arrived in Laishui County, Lai Er found a job as a doorman for a wealthy family."

"Then I heard from the family that the young mistress had given birth to a child, but her milk was not coming in, so she wanted to hire a wet nurse to come into the house."

"Lai Erdai saw this opportunity and after some mediation, he gave the job to Liu Qiaoer."

"This wealthy family has virtuous ancestors and is considered a scholarly family. The mistress and the mother-in-law are very kind to the servants and never scold or beat them."

"Liu Qiao'er was alone and had a child. When the mistress of the house heard about her situation, she was kind enough to let Liu Qiao'er and her child stay in the house to eat and live together."

"Originally, Zhao Huaixing and the other two also wanted to find a job in Laishui County."

"But what can we do? This kid named Zhao is addicted to gambling and has been hanging around in the gambling house in Laishui County for two days."

"During this time, Zhao Huaixing was very happy at the gambling table and did make some money, but due to his bad mouthing, he accidentally offended the second son of the county magistrate's family in the city. He was beaten up."

"Zhao Huaixing saw that he could no longer stay in Laishui County, so he had no choice but to say goodbye to Lai Er and the others and set off alone to Yi County in the southwest to seek refuge with his cousin."

"And this cousin is the shopkeeper of Liu Ji."

"So, we ran into him in front of Liu's shop yesterday!"

Qiu Zhizhong gave a rather long speech, describing in detail the matters concerning Zhao Huaixing, Liu Qiaoer and others.

Hearing this, Xiao Jingchuan said nothing, feeling helpless and sighing.

Zhizhong took a break and seeing that Xiao Lang had nothing to say, he continued.

"As for the specific military situation in Laishui County, I have interrogated them many times, and I am just short of using torture."

"But he is just a commoner after all, and a stranger from the mountains, so he doesn't know much."

"According to him, the number of enemy troops stationed in Laishui County has indeed increased significantly recently, but he doesn't know the exact number or details!"

"During the few days I stayed in Laishui, I heard from others at breakfast that the number of enemy troops stationed there might be around one or two thousand."

"And they each belong to different captains."

"It seems that one part was originally made by Liu Fangliang, and the other part was made by Liu Zongmin, the Marquis of Ru, the Great Shun."

"And the two groups of people are not on good terms with each other. In broad daylight, several fights broke out in the streets of the city!"

"This section is known to everyone in Laishui City!"

After hearing these details, Xiao Jingchuan was shocked, took a breath of cold air, and began to ponder to himself with a frown.

"One or two thousand?"

“So many!”

"It seems that things are getting more and more difficult!"

As Xiao Lang spoke, Qiu Zhizhong, who was standing beside him, also looked worried.

The two of them had nothing to say, so they sat down quietly.

Soon, in the front hall, Gu Changting slowly woke up.

He stood up and stretched lazily, hummed twice, and then looked around.

Seeing that his general and Mr. Qiu had already sat down to discuss matters, he chuckled and came closer embarrassedly.

"Oh! Today is really a rare day!"

"Our Young Master Changting actually woke up on his own at this hour?!"

"I just said to Feiyu (Qiu Zhizhong) that if I don't kick you, even if I hit a gong next to your ear, it will be enough to wake you up!"

Xiao Jingchuan smiled and teased, making fun of him to ease his mood. "Hey, what time is it?"

"General, why didn't you call me when you got up!" Chang Ting scratched his head and approached happily.

"Around four quarters past three in the morning, Changting, if you haven't slept enough, go to the backyard and lie down properly. If anything happens, your general and I will call you!" Qiu Zhizhong spoke warmly.

"Haha, Mr. Qiu, that's not necessary!"

"You'll feel more energetic once you get up!" Changting replied.

"Hey, that's right!"

"General, in the middle of the night, you asked me to send people to investigate outside the city. We did find something, but since you were asleep, I didn't rush to tell you."

"Oh? What discovery? Tell me about it." Xiao Jingchuan raised his eyebrows and asked.

"Well, the scouts I sent out last night reported that they found a shallow river in the east of the city!"

"The river is only about ten steps wide and the water is very shallow, barely covering the horse's hooves."

"I think it must be due to a sudden downpour, which caused too much rainwater to accumulate in the water pools upstream and flow from the northeast along the terrain!"

"So this shallow river may not be seen most of the year."

"I remember it was not marked on your map." Changting reported in detail.

After saying this, Xiao Jingchuan's mind turned and he jumped up from the chair!
"oh?!"

"Haha, well, it's better to arrive at the right time than to arrive early!"

"Changting, quickly send someone to investigate again. If the river is indeed flowing from the northeast, then have someone ride horses and wade all the way upstream!"

"See where it leads to?!"

"Go, go quickly!" Xiao Jingchuan was suddenly so excited and excited, like a crazy person.

This made Chang Ting look confused and he did not take any emergency action.

"Hey, what are you standing there for?!"

"Move!"

"Go and do my job!" Xiao Lang made gestures, pretending to kick.

When Gu Changting saw the general's action, he reacted and jumped away.

"Oh, oh, go, go right away!"

After saying this, Changting trotted out of the county government gate.

After he left, Qiu Zhizhong also stood up.

"Shallow river? What use can it have?!" Zhizhong asked.

“Hehe, this.”

"Feiyu (Qiu Zhizhong), why don't we set off overnight and head straight to Shigui Mountain?"

"I've been struggling with this for most of the night."

"First, the heavy rain continued, making it difficult to march."

"Secondly, and most importantly, is the issue of whereabouts."

"Although the rain has eased, the ground will not dry up if the sun doesn't come out."

"We have hundreds of people on the march, and our whereabouts are completely exposed!"

"Now, if this shallow river is long enough and can lead directly to the northeast, then I can make a big deal about it and completely cover up my whereabouts!"

Xiao Jingchuan's eyes lit up and he was very excited.

"Oh? Are you going to..."

"Oh, tell me the detailed plan quickly!" Zhixin seemed to have an idea in his mind, but it was difficult to form a system, so he still asked this question.

"Hehe, let's not talk about the specific purpose for now."

"Let's wait until the intelligence comes back before we decide."

Xiao Lang pretended to be profound and kept silent.

PS: I took a nap, and when I woke up it was already this time. The update is late, sorry, sorry!

(End of this chapter)