Fearing being killed for his overwhelming merits, the empress decided to marry him.

"It's terrible! There's a fire! Someone come quick!"

Dozens of Molotov cocktails were thrown onto the grain cart, instantly igniting a raging fire.

The fire spread and spread, causing the wheels of the vehicle to roll over it, which immediately set fire to the nearby grain sacks as well.

Amidst the smoke and flames, the mules and horses were the first to be startled, pulling the burning grain carts in all directions, running over the unsuspecting laborers and auxiliary soldiers on the ground, causing them to scream in agony.

For a time, chaos erupted on the official road, with cries of alarm echoing everywhere.

"Hurry, put out the fire!"

Huang Yuan was guarding the only grain cart on his side that wasn't on fire, crying and directing everyone to put out the fire.

However, the chaos stretched for miles, with tens of thousands of grain transport teams running around like headless flies.

Many people were caught in the fire while trying to put it out, their clothes were ignited by flying sparks, and they were writhing on the ground in pain.

Many others inhaled so much smoke that they died on the spot.

Seeing that the fire was growing bigger and bigger and could not be extinguished, Huang Yuan sat down on the ground with tears streaming down his face.

"What are we going to do? What are we going to do?!"

Having committed such a heinous crime, it was obvious that he was to blame. Huang Yuan slapped the hard, hot ground and burst into tears.

The fire raged until around midnight before finally being extinguished.

At this moment, the sky was beginning to brighten.

Looking at the soldiers and laborers before him, their bodies charred black by the smoke, Huang Yuan cried until his voice was hoarse.

"Oh no, oh no, what are we going to do now?"

Just three days after leaving the city, all the provisions were burned to ashes, and Huang Yuan was at a loss for what to do.

Even the grain transport official was at a loss, let alone the soldiers and laborers, who were completely clueless and could only kneel on the ground and weep.

The scene resembled a funeral procession, but unfortunately, there were no wreaths or mourning clothes, which diminished the festive atmosphere.

Not far away, Liang Zhi squatted in front of a bag of burnt-out grain, grabbed a handful and threw it hard to the ground.

"Pigs, they're all pigs!"

Suddenly, he stood up and shouted at Huang Yuan and his group with all his might.

"What did I tell you? This is no place to rest, no place to rest! But did you listen to a word I said?"

"Now look what's happened! All the grain has been burned. How are we going to explain ourselves to Qidao?"

"Are the soldiers at the front still hungry? You bunch of pigs, even pigs are smarter than you..."

He wanted to hurl even harsher insults, but seeing the grieving man before him, he could only sigh helplessly and then slump to the ground, clutching his broadsword.

For a moment, the atmosphere became so oppressive it was suffocating.

After a long while, Huang Yuan calmed down and sighed, "Such a big thing has happened, there's no use saying anything now. The most urgent thing is to think of a way to get through this."

Upon hearing this, Liang Zhi turned around and asked, "Make excuses? With such a big incident happening, everyone is going to suffer along with us, how do you plan to make excuses?"

Huang Yuan ignored him and said to the group of people in front of him, "I have an idea that might get the higher-ups to be lenient, but I'll need your help."

"Sir, just tell us. We'll do anything you say as long as we can live."

"Yes, sir, just tell us, what do you need us for?"

Huang Yuan pointed to the charred corpses of the soldiers and said, "Just say that these people secretly colluded with bandits."

The accomplices burned our supplies while we weren't looking. If we all stick to the same story, there might still be a glimmer of hope.

Upon hearing this, everyone exchanged glances.

Although this is extremely unethical, there seems to be no better way to save my life right now.

"We will all listen to the adults, we just hope to save our lives."

Seeing that everyone agreed with his plan, Huang Yuan nodded: "Since no one has any objections, let's go back to the manor together to see General Cao."

Liang Zhi stood up and said, "I'm sorry, but I won't associate with you bunch of pigs. I must report the burning of the grain and fodder to my superiors truthfully."

Huang Yuan frowned: "Report? How do you intend to report, Liang Zhi?"

I know you have a grudge against me, but this concerns everyone's lives. Are you just going to stand by and watch us all die?"

Liang Zhi: "This whole mess is your responsibility as the grain transport official."

If only you had listened to me last night and left this godforsaken place sooner, you wouldn't be in this mess.

"That's enough. What's the use of saying all this now that it's already happened? The most important thing right now is to save everyone's lives. We can talk about the rest later."

"Hehe, that's your problem. I won't go along with you."

After Liang Zhi finished speaking, he shouldered his broadsword and headed towards the capital.

"Stop right there! Where are you going?"

"Naturally, I should return to camp and truthfully report to General Cao that the grain supplies were burned due to negligence."

You dared to hide something this big? You're treating people like idiots! Humph!

After saying that, Liang Zhi turned around and strode towards the capital.

Everyone was suddenly panicked.

"Sir, Governor Liang is unwilling to cooperate with us. What should we do?"

"Sir, please think of a way! I have an elderly mother and three children to support. If I die like this, how will they survive?"

"grown ups……"

Huang Yuan was annoyed by the noise. Watching Liang Zhiyuan's departing figure, a wicked plan suddenly came to mind.

"Stop arguing!"

He silenced the soldiers who were buzzing around like flies.

“I have an even better plan now, listen up to me.”

Huang Yuan told them about his plan.

The group looked at each other, momentarily at a loss.

Seeing that everyone was hesitant, Huang Yuan immediately threatened, "What, you still don't want to cooperate at this point?"

I'm saving everyone's lives; this is your only chance to survive!

A shirtless soldier sighed, "That's all we can do for now. We can only blame Liang Duyun for his bad luck."

Huang Yuan glanced around and then looked at the others.

"As the saying goes, 'Every man for himself, or the devil take the hindmost,' and right now... this is the only option left. Sigh..."

Seeing that everyone agreed with his opinion, Huang Yuan finally relaxed his brows.

"Alright, then it's decided. Everyone, come with me back to the manor to see General Cao."

……

Two days later, inside the Dongzhou camp...

"You bastard, how dare you show your face in front of me? I'm asking you, where's the grain? Where did you take it all?"

Upon seeing Huang Yuan, Cao Meng immediately lifted him above his head and shouted at him.

"I asked you to transport grain, and in just three days you had it all burned to the ground! Do you even know that the Prince is still starving on the front lines? You pig, I'm going to kill you!"

Cao Meng shoved Huang Yuan to the ground, then grabbed the cold-looking saw and was about to smash it down on his head.

Huang Yuan was so frightened that he lost control of his bladder and bowels. He closed his eyes and shouted, "General! Spare me! The destruction of our supplies was unavoidable. Someone in the army colluded with bandits!"

As soon as he finished speaking, a gust of wind swept across his face.

The heavy, gleaming blade stopped abruptly an inch from his nose.

"Explain yourself!"