The prince is more stable

Chapter 388 Enthusiastic Villagers
Using the small to win the big, using the weak to defeat the strong, this kind of thing does not necessarily only happen on the battlefield.

Zhang Lan has learned her lesson well.

A general in his thirties or forties who commanded tens of thousands of imperial guards was defeated by a girl under twenty tonight. Who can he complain to?

Therefore, women not only affect the speed at which men draw their swords, but also affect their mouths when they eat, because there is a high probability that this man will not have to eat in the future, he only needs to eat ingots, incense and candles.

Still in this wealthy mansion, Zhang Lan woke up slowly, shook his dizzy head vigorously, and tried to identify the current environment. He was shocked to find that he was tied up and thrown into a woodshed.

There was not only him in the woodshed, but also the woman who had fascinated him, and several guards stood behind the woman.

Zhao Niaoniao sat elegantly on a chair, a cup of tea placed on the tea table beside her. Zhao Niaoniao took a leisurely sip from the cup and said without raising her head, "Are you awake? Your honored guest has been sleeping for quite a while. I'm getting a little tired of waiting, hehe."

Zhao Niaoniao was laughing, but Zhang Lan was not.

At this moment, his expression had become solemn and fearful. His pair of bloodshot eyes stared at the beautiful face with a smile like a flower, but it could no longer arouse any unrealistic fantasies in him.

Originally thought to be a delicate flower that no one would pick, it turned out to be a poisonous snake with a seductive appearance and a man-eating nature. Zhang Lan had to admit that he had made a mistake.

If his hands could be freed, the first thing he would do would not be to fight back, but to slap himself hard a few times.

This boat capsized in the gutter, it's so unfair!

"Zhao Niaoniao, we have no grudges against each other, why do you treat me like this?" Zhang Lan said in a hoarse voice.

Zhao Niaoniao giggled softly, and her laughter grew louder and louder, and she was leaning forward and backward without caring about her posture.

"No grudges or hatred? Haha, Zhang Shanfeng... well, that shouldn't be your real name, right? I'll call you that for now. Do you think we have no grudges or hatred?"

Zhang Lan said coldly, "We have never met before. How could I have ever offended you?"

Zhao Niaoniao's laughter gradually stopped. She wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes and said lightly, "You know in your heart what you are planning after seeing me tonight."

"If I don't use some tricks, after you've eaten and drunk your fill, I'm afraid you'll attack me and the guards. Are you planning to kidnap a stunningly beautiful woman like me and take me to the Liao Kingdom to be your woman?"

Zhang Lan's face turned pale: "I absolutely don't have such intentions..."

"In the middle of the night, in the midst of a snowy storm, a group of men came to my door and begged me to take them in. You don't think I'm such a naive and ignorant girl that I foolishly believed you, do you?"

"What kind of merchants would travel in the middle of the night in the snow? What kind of merchants would be a group of burly men with ferocious faces, radiating a murderous aura? From the moment you walked in, you've revealed so many suspicious points, yet you're still so complacent, thinking you've left nothing out. Hehe, interesting."

Zhang Lan still didn't laugh, and his face was pale.

Being captured by her at this moment, he knew very well what it meant.

All the bad consequences were the result of a sudden decision he made tonight. If he had not passed by this village, if he had not knocked on the door and asked for shelter, and if he had not gritted his teeth and continued on his journey in the wind and snow, his life and that of his generals would have been completely different.

"Miss Zhao, I have never offended you. We met by chance. There is no enmity between us, nor is there any need for us to harbor ill will. If you are willing to let me go, I will reward you with a thousand taels of gold. What do you think, young lady?"

Zhao Niaoniao stared into his eyes and said leisurely, "If nothing unexpected happens, you should be a general of the border army of Zhending Prefecture, and you hold considerable military power. You are traveling tonight to defect to the Liao Kingdom because you committed a crime in Zhending Prefecture and are wanted, right?"

Zhang Lan said in horror: "You, how did you know..."

Zhao Niaoniao sighed softly, "Don't ask me how I know. I just want to tell you that there's no way I'll let you go."

"Why? A thousand taels of gold is a lot!"

Zhao Niaoniao smiled sweetly and said, "When you heard that I was from Bian Jing, you should have been alert, but unfortunately you didn't..."

"What do you mean?" Zhang Lan asked blankly.

Zhao Niaoniao said softly, "I'm from Bianjing. The new governor and governor of Zhending Prefecture is also from Bianjing... Oh, and I've already told you straight up that my last name is Zhao."

Zhang Lan stared at her in horror: "You, you and Zhao Xiaoqian..."

Zhao Niaoniao smiled so much that her eyes curved into crescents. "My last name is Zhao because I wanted to, but Zhao Xiaoqian and I... well, yes, to be precise, you should call me 'Zhao Niaoniao'."

"Of course, a beautiful and gentle woman like me, suitable for a family, can only be matched with a young hero like Zhao Xiaoqian. What else? Do you think you are worthy?"

"Zhao Xiaoqian's enemy inexplicably fell into my hands. What a fate! Now make another wish and guess how much money it will cost for me to let you go, hehe."

Zhang Lan still didn't laugh, his face was full of despair.

It's over! They're doomed! It was just such a coincidence that he fell into the hands of Zhao Xiaoqian's woman. How could he and his generals have any hope of survival?
how much is it?
No amount of money can buy life. When Zhao Xiaoqian was mentioned, the tenderness in Zhao Niaoniao's eyes said it all.

Outside the woodshed, the wind and snow were still howling, and the biting cold wind came in through the crack in the door. Zhang Lan felt cold all over.

Footsteps were heard outside the house, and a servant standing outside the door announced, "Young lady, someone wants to see you. They say it's Zhao Xin, the Imperial City Bureau's censor and a subordinate of Anle County Duke Zhao Xiaoqian. They've heard the news and brought people to take these suspicious people away."

A gentle light flashed in Zhao Niaoniao's eyes again, and she said lightly: "Hand the person over to them, and I won't meet with them."

After saying this, Zhao Niaoniao looked at the pale Zhang Lan and chuckled, "I'm sorry, general, you traitor. In your next life, remember not to trust beautiful women easily. The more beautiful a woman is, the more vicious her mind is."

…………

Inside Zhending City.

The chaos of the entire night ended at dawn, but the streets in the city were still dead silent.

Such a big thing happened last night that shops didn't dare to open in the morning and people didn't dare to walk on the streets. People hid in their houses, carefully inquiring about what happened last night and whether it had any impact on their poor lives.

The only thing visible on the streets were teams of soldiers from the Dragon Guard Battalion patrolling the city with flintlock rifles.

Since last night, the Dragon Guard Camp has completely taken over the defense and public security of Zhending City. All officials and runners in the government office have been temporarily dismissed, waiting for the Imperial City Administration to identify the loyal and treacherous. Those who have committed crimes will be dismissed and punished. Innocent officials will only be reinstated after review.

In the early morning, the heavy snow had not stopped yet. Zhao Xiaoqian walked out of the house, spread his arms, stretched lazily, and rubbed his sore eyes.

Outside the courtyard of the residential house, Chen Shou and other imperial guards still did not dare to slack off and surrounded the residential house. When they saw Zhao Xiaoqian coming out, Chen Shou and others saluted.

Li Qingchen was also standing outside the courtyard gate at this time, looking haggard and bitter, with his head hung in silence. However, in his heart he had great admiration for Zhao Xiaoqian, even a bit of worship.

In just one night, the entire evil forces in Zhending Prefecture were completely eliminated. They were worthy of being the relatives of the emperor and the pillars of the court. Such courage, such boldness, such swift and decisive measures...

In comparison, Li Qingchen is absolutely incomparable.

During his two years as the prefect of Zhending, Li Qingchen was clearly the top leader holding great power in the local area, but he was restricted in every way and had to give in and compromise everywhere. He endured these two years like this, but nothing could be changed. The only thing he could do was to not go along with those people.

Unlike Duke Zhao, who had just been in office for a few days and found that something was wrong, he wiped them all out without saying a word, and it only took him one night.

This is Zhao Xiaoqian's ability and also his advantage.

If it were Li Qingchen, he would never be able to do it.

Because he had no background, was not valued by the government, did not have military power, and was even more afraid of the backers behind them.

Only Zhao Xiaoqian had the qualifications and the courage to take such a swift and decisive action, because of his family background, his official status, and his military power...

Walking out of the courtyard, Zhao Xiaoqian saw Li Qingchen standing outside the door with a haggard look. He couldn't help but smile and walked up to him and patted him on the shoulder.

"Old Li, was last night's excitement enjoyable?" Zhao Xiaoqian asked with a wink and a smile.

Li Qingchen smiled bitterly, then bowed and said, "I sincerely admire the Duke of the County. Last night, I witnessed the Duke of the County's methods and learned a lot from them."

Li Qingchen then continued, "After this matter is resolved, I will apologize to the emperor and the court. I was incompetent and caused the corruption in the Zhending government, and the people's livelihood was in vain. I should take the blame."

Zhao Xiaoqian said calmly, "You are indeed guilty. Your crime is 'inaction'. You must bear some responsibility for the suffering of the people."

Li Qingchen was so ashamed that he lowered his head even lower.

Zhao Xiaoqian continued, "But you have managed to stay out of trouble after all. It's not easy in this environment. I will submit a petition to the government. Old Li, please make amends for your crime and make meritorious contributions..."

"The Zhending government office has been cleared, but local government affairs cannot be delayed. You will be demoted to the position of magistrate of Zhending Prefecture and help me get local government affairs running. I will ask the court to appoint officials to fill the remaining positions."

As he was speaking, Zhao Xin strode over excitedly.

"My Lord, great news! The Imperial City Division has captured the fugitive Zhang Lan and other implicated generals in the incident in a village in the northern suburbs of the city!"

Zhao Xiaoqian was stunned and asked, "How did you get it?"

Zhao Xin said seriously, "I captured it with the help of kind villagers."

(End of this chapter)