Dressed as a farmer's widow, she brought her daughter to stock up on food and reached the top

Thinking of this, Liu Guozhong forced himself to stand up, his face quickly changed to a flattering and evasive expression, and he hurriedly said: "General Wu, you've come at the right time! The unruly people in this village are trying to occupy the land and rebel. You must arrest all these unruly people and rebels and enforce the law!"

Upon hearing this, Afan retorted loudly, "Don't talk nonsense! We are just honest country folk, working the land and wanting to live a peaceful life. We are not rebels, let alone rebels! You, a corrupt official, are the ones with evil intentions, trying to steal our food and oppress the good people!"

Liu Guozhong raised his hand tremblingly, pointing at the smoke-filled, devastated battlefield, and shouted, "Look at this! This is the good work of those so-called honest farmers you mentioned! Look at this tragic scene, it's all their 'masterpiece'..."

Wu Yong's face was solemn as he rode slowly forward, his gaze sweeping across the post-battled battlefield. He saw the ground was covered in large, deep pits, as if gnawed by a giant beast. The areas surrounding the pits were charred black, and the pungent smell of gunpowder emanated.

Looking at the bodies of the Jizhou soldiers, they were scattered all over the place, a horrific sight. Some were burned black and unrecognizable, while others were missing arms and legs, their limbs scattered to who knows where.

Wu Yong had been a veteran of countless battles, marching for twenty years and witnessing countless battles, but this was his first time witnessing such a brutal battlefield. If it weren't for his own son, Afan, who was present and knew Xiuying well, anyone would have suspected that this was the work of a rebel army, given the sight of ordinary villagers beating the well-trained Jizhou soldiers so miserably.

At this moment, the tightly closed village gate slowly opened with a creaking sound, and Xiuying led the villagers of Futian Village out one after another.

Xiuying quickly walked up to Wu Yong, saluted respectfully, and said, "Thank you, General Wu, for taking the trouble to lead your troops to rescue the villagers of Futian Village. We will never forget your great kindness."

Wu Yong quickly raised his hand to signal, with a gentle smile on his face, and said, "Sister Xiuying, there's no need to be so polite. We are all family, so there's no need to be so polite."

Seeing how familiar Wu Yong and Xiuying were, Liu Guozhong's eyes widened. He pointed at Wu Yong and angrily cursed, "Well, Wu Yong! You're actually acquainted with these unruly people! Are you planning to protect these rebels? You're openly defying the emperor's orders!"

Wu Yong's face darkened, and he said coldly, "Master Liu, you can eat whatever you want, but you can't say anything you want. Where are the rebels here? They are clearly just a group of innocent villagers. It's you who has raised an army to invade without caring about the lives of the people."

Seeing this, Liu Guozhong became even more furious and yelled, "Your Wu family has been loyal for generations, yet you've committed such a crime. Are you worthy of our ancestors? If you release these villagers, and if it destabilizes the Great Yan state, are you worthy of the horrific crime you'll be charged with?"

Wu Yong sneered and responded fearlessly, "Master Liu, please don't lie here! You, on the other hand, mobilized the Jizhou soldiers to wantonly massacre innocent villagers. Such evil deeds are punishable by death according to the law! Come on, capture Liu Guozhong!"

"How dare you! You have such a guts!" Liu Guozhong was furious. "I am the prefect of Jizhou, a high and powerful official. How can I allow a warrior like you to be arrested at will? Wu Yong, are you planning to openly rebel by doing this?"

Wu Yong looked at Liu Guozhong solemnly. Given his status, he certainly didn't have the authority to arbitrarily dispose of the Jizhou prefect. Even if he were to be escorted to the capital, Concubine Sun held immense power. With just a few words, she could easily have Liu Guozhong released, allowing this evildoer to go unpunished.

Just when Wu Yong was in a dilemma about this matter, suddenly, the crisp sound of a sword being unsheathed cut through the sky.

Liu Guozhong didn't even have time to let out a scream. A flash of cold light appeared, and his head and body were separated. With a "thump", his headless body fell straight to the ground, and blood spurted out from his neck like a fountain.

Everyone looked in astonishment, only to see Fusu holding a long sword and standing behind Liu Guozhong with a stern expression. Zhuiying stood quietly beside Fusu, his eyes calm.

Xiuying stared at Fusu with eyes wide open in disbelief, a wave of worry welling up in her heart. You know, beheading an official of the imperial court is a heinous crime that will punish the entire clan!

Even though Liu Guozhong is guilty of a heinous crime, he shouldn't act rashly in public.

"Your Highness!" When Wu Yong saw that the man holding the long sword was actually Prince Fusu, a trace of astonishment flashed across his face. Then, without hesitation, he knelt on the ground with a plop. "Long live the Crown Prince!"

Fusu's expression was indifferent. He only glanced at Liu Guozhong, who had fallen to the ground and was already dead. Then he turned his gaze to Wu Yong. His tone was calm but with unquestionable majesty. He slowly asked, "General Wu, according to the laws of Great Yan, what is the crime for assassinating the crown prince?"

Wu Yong quickly lowered his head and responded, "Your Highness, according to the law, all nine generations of your clan must be punished!"

Fusu nodded slightly, his expression still as calm as water, and said, "I just witnessed with my own eyes that this person attempted to assassinate me. Now I have personally executed this traitor. Is this treatment in accordance with the law?"

Wu Yong quickly responded, "Your Highness is wise! Your Highness's actions are completely in accordance with the law. These treacherous villains deserve death!"

Xiuying just woke up from her dream at this moment. She was shocked and a little panicked. She hurriedly led the villagers to kneel down.

Everyone was in disbelief. No one had expected that Asu, who lived with everyone and fought against foreign enemies together, was actually so noble that he was the current crown prince.

At this moment, on the battlefield where the smoke had not yet cleared, everyone knelt down in unison, their voices resounding through the sky: "Long live His Royal Highness the Crown Prince!"

Seeing this, Fusu raised his hand slightly and personally helped Wu Yong to his feet. A faint smile appeared on his face, and he said gently: "General, there is no need to be so polite. This time, you came to rescue me in time and protected me well. It is indeed a great achievement. I will reward you handsomely!"

Wu Yong's timely arrival at the critical moment was indeed a great relief. Fusu knew full well that the credit for this achievement must go to Wu's army.

In the current volatile situation, now is the time to make every effort to win over the Wu family army. Once he can gain the support of the Wu family army, it will be like gaining half of Dayan, which is crucial to his future cause.

"Your Highness, I am sorry for being late in rescuing you. I hope Your Highness will forgive me!" He looked full of guilt and self-blame.

Fusu raised his hand slightly to signal Wu Yong to stand up. He looked at him gently, then cast his gaze on the people of Futian Village who were kneeling on the ground, "Everyone, please stand up! This time, the people of Futian Village faced a powerful enemy and bravely resisted, protecting me and saving me. I will reward you according to your merits and will not treat you unfairly!"