The journey of the only child of a peasant family to take the imperial examination

After breakfast, Zhang Ping'an went to bed.

Even an iron man couldn't endure it after a whole night, not to mention that there is a tough battle to fight next.

He slept soundly, but Wei Cunren was feeling very uncomfortable.

He also sent people to keep an eye on the tent where Ye He was imprisoned. When he heard his subordinates report that Zhang Ping'an had finished interrogating the person, had breakfast and went to bed, he became even more uneasy.

"Oh, why hasn't my adoptive father replied yet?" Wei Cunren was very anxious.

There was no way out. Treason was a serious crime and he couldn't help but feel anxious.

"The letter has been sent by carrier pigeon, and my fifth brother has also gone there in person. I believe there will be a reply soon. Big brother, please sit down and rest for a while." The young man who spoke was Wei Jide, the sixth among the thirteen sons.

He and Lao Wu have the best relationship among the Thirteen Sons, and they are basically inseparable.

The rare separation of the two this time shows how much importance Wei Cunren attaches to the matter of visiting He.

When talking about the fifth brother, the two inevitably thought of the second brother Wei Cunxiao, the tall, strong and stupid guy who was usually the most tolerant towards his brothers.

Even during the most difficult years, they were safe and sound.

But this time he was inexplicably killed by a hidden arrow, which is really unacceptable.

Thinking of this, Wei Cunren asked again, unwilling to give up: "Didn't you find any clues from the two arrows that hit the second brother and the man surnamed Zhao? I don't believe it can be that simple. Moreover, there is this confession of Ye He, which is complete nonsense. I think it must have been a conspiracy all along."

The sixth brother sighed and sat down to analyze the situation. "Brother, the Zadalan tribe's invasion of Yumen Pass was a waste of time and effort, and it was very strange. We all know this. The fact that Ye He was captured alive is even stranger. It's obvious that they were coming for my adoptive father. How could they have left any evidence behind? The only thing I can't understand is that I had already told my second brother in advance, so why did he get shot by an arrow? He is a veteran who has experienced many battles and is quite skilled. This shouldn't have happened. The only variable, I've thought about it for a long time, and I guess it's Zhao Renzhi. I guess he's also a pawn of the royal family."

"The second brother died unjustly," Wei Cunren said as he slammed the table, feeling heartbroken.

"Brother, please accept my condolences. I am also very sad about the death of my second brother, but now the matter has not been resolved. We don't have time to be sad. Among all the brothers, you are the most strategic. Think about what to do with Ye He. Once his confession comes out, it can basically be said that it is irrefutable evidence. If we don't want to be sentenced to death by the court, the only way out is to rebel. But my adoptive father is in poor health now. Even if we want to rebel, it is not the best time. We will be in a difficult situation."

Although Lao Liu is not as resourceful as Wei Cunren, he has a very clear understanding of the current situation because he and Lao Wu have been living on the edge of a knife for a long time.

"No wonder my godfather always says our enemies are not outside the pass, but inside."

Wei Cunren had already made a plan, and arranged in a cold voice: "When Zhang Ping'an wakes up, we'll see what he says. If he wants to use this as a handle, then we should strike first and there will be no evidence. By then, the emperor will have to weigh whether to break off relations with us. You go and prepare first, and I'll take a nap, otherwise I won't be refreshed enough."

"Okay, then big brother, you take a rest first, I'll go prepare," Lao Liu said and went out.

After a while, he quickly hid in the camp.

The matter was serious, so Zhang Ping'an didn't dare to sleep deeply. He woke up after only an hour's sleep. It was already mid-morning.

It's a cloudy day today, with little sunshine, and the morning feels like the afternoon.

After getting up, Zhang Ping'an's first thing was to pay attention to the war outside Yumen Pass.

Fortunately, Yumen Pass has experienced the baptism of war, and those who can be stationed at the border are all veterans of the battlefield. At present, everything is fine and there is no movement.

The people in the city were as quiet as chickens, staying indoors. The only sounds they could hear were the footsteps of soldiers coming and going and the metallic clang of armor and weapons.

At this time, Wei Cunren heard the report from his subordinates and immediately stood up.

After washing up, Zhang Ping'an changed his clothes and went to Wei Cunren's tent.

Wei Cunren had been waiting for a long time, just wanting to hear what Zhang Pingan had to say.

"General Wei, I'm afraid it's not too optimistic," Zhang Pingan said directly after sitting down.

Wei Cunren's heart sank when he heard this. "What do you mean?"

"Ye He not only has a confession, but also physical evidence. If he insists that it was General Wei who tipped him off, this matter will probably be very difficult to handle," Zhang Ping'an said with a very embarrassed look on his face.

Wei Cunren pressed the issue, "Are you going to convict my adoptive father based solely on this?"

"Of course not," Zhang Pingan shook his head. "I still say that a country has its own laws, and a family has its own rules. Everything should be done according to the laws of the Great Zhou. I will investigate this matter thoroughly later. For now, we should first deal with the enemy threat outside Yumen Pass."

In Wei Cunren's view, this was just an excuse to shirk responsibility and delay.

Suddenly, he was disappointed with Zhang Pingan, "I thought you would be special, but I didn't expect you to be the same as them."

After saying this, Wei Cunren took a deep breath, turned around and said, "Since that's the case, I will go and discuss a strategy to repel the enemy with the deputy generals."

"Oh!" Watching Wei Cunren walk away, Zhang Pingan couldn't help but shook his head and sighed.

Everyone has a different position and identity, so their choices are different.

There is no right or wrong.

After lunch, the sky became even darker.

Gradually a light drizzle began to fall.

Spring rain is as precious as oil, especially in the northwest region where rain is scarce.

The soldiers in the camp stretched out their hands to catch the raindrops, with smiles on their faces.

Zhang Ping'an also reached out to catch a handful of rainwater, muttering, "It's God's will!"

When Chi Bao brought people over, Zhang Pingan ordered without any expression that the people be taken into custody.

Wei Cunren received the news a moment later and knew that his sixth brother had failed.

He was very surprised. His fifth and sixth brothers had always helped their adoptive father deal with some tasks that were difficult to handle openly, so they were very alert and efficient. Judging from the situation when the fifth brother and his men kidnapped the thirteenth brother before, they should not have failed!

"General Wei, our master invites you over," Chibao said respectfully.

Wei Cunren was no longer a young man who had just started out, and he remained calm as he quickly followed.

But when he saw his fifth brother also tied up in the tent, his pupils really trembled.

My fifth brother had already set out to deliver a letter to my adoptive father. Now that he is here, does that mean that he failed to deliver the letter?

"General Wei, I believe you are very familiar with these two people," Zhang Ping'an asked in a gentle voice, as if nothing had happened before.

"You..." Wei Cunren's voice was a little difficult, "How did you do it?"

"Don't doubt it. No one knows what the other party's trump card is until the very last moment."