Isolated town in northern border region

The Chu Emperor sat on the dragon throne, holding the secret report delivered by Du Ming in his hand.

He had read it over and over again, and every word and sentence was like a nail driven into his heart.

The Mu family has connections with the Panlong Guard, and Xiao Lie has also made contact with the Panlong Guard through the Mu family.

He weighed these three parties in his mind repeatedly, and finally a smile appeared on his lips.

It’s not a waste of time to break through the iron shoes.

He was just worried about not finding a suitable opportunity to make his move when Xiao Lie handed him the knife himself.

"deliver an imperial order."

The Chu Emperor sent down the secret report.

"The Mu family has rendered meritorious service in treating the disaster victims of Qingzhou and is rewarded with a thousand taels of gold and five hundred bolts of silk. Mu Cheng'an, the eldest son of the Mu family, has been promoted to the position of Imperial Secretary."

The eunuch was taken aback.

"Your Majesty, the position of Imperial Secretary is that of a close advisor..."

The Chu Emperor glanced at him.

"I know, I brought him here to be my close advisor."

On the day Mu Cheng'an arrived in the capital, the Chu Emperor personally summoned him in the Imperial Study.

The table was piled high with gifts, and the Chu Emperor spoke to him all morning in a friendly manner, asking about his experiences in Qingzhou, his views on the northern frontier, and his impressions of Xiao Lie.

Mu Cheng'an answered each question respectfully, his face beaming with gratitude, and left the imperial study with a radiant smile.

But the hand hidden in the sleeve was clenched so tightly that the knuckles turned white.

He could never forget the words Xiao Lie said to him on the shoulder in the Mu family's main hall.

"No one is allowed to be so arrogant in front of me!"

Xiao Lie shattered his pride completely with an extremely contemptuous attitude!

He didn't need Xiao Lie to bestow any credit; he only wanted complete revenge!

Now that the Chu Emperor has given him a chance, he will definitely make Xiao Lie pay the price.

"Xiao Lie, are you so great just because you're the King of the Northern Frontier?"

"You dare to insult me ​​for the sake of a few lowly commoners? I am now a close advisor to the Emperor, and I have plenty of opportunities to make you suffer eternal damnation!"

The Chu Emperor was unaware of the hatred in Mu Cheng'an's heart.

He only saw a compliant pawn, a tool that could be used to send false messages to Xiao Lie!

The Chu Emperor, brimming with confidence, began to make plans.

"Xiao Lie's change of route to Yongzhou must be a deliberate attempt to create a diversion."

"This is a classic case of 'protesting too much,' nothing more than a petty trick!"

The Chu Emperor muttered something, and the leader of the secret agents beside him chimed in at the opportune moment.

"The Mu family and the Panlong Guard are colluding. The Mu family's medicinal herb garden is in Bingzhou, so the Panlong Guard must also be hiding in the mountains and forests of Bingzhou."

"Xiao Lie will go sooner or later."

"Your Majesty only needs to transfer the new army to Bingzhou, and when Xiao Lie and the Panlong Guard join forces, they can be wiped out in one fell swoop!"

The Chu Emperor patted the bowed head of the guard approvingly.

"Then, I will solidify the Panlong Guard's status as traitors, pin the crime of killing Xiao Lie on them, and leave the people of the Northern Frontier speechless."

But as soon as he finished speaking, he realized that he was facing an even bigger problem!

Who should be sent to handle this matter?

The powerful officials have just taken office and are busy vying for power. Moreover, Xiao Lie is skilled in military affairs and the Panlong Guard is brave and loyal. What if the powerful families turn against him in the face of battle...?

This will shake the very foundation of the nation!

Princes should absolutely not be sent!

The second prince was at the height of his power and had previously overstepped his authority. Entrusting the new army to him was tantamount to handing a knife to a wolf that never knows when to stop.

The third brother was reckless and ignorant;

The fourth brother indulged in pleasure all day long;

The fifth brother is somewhat shrewd and patient, but lacks decisiveness;

The sixth child was just a ten-year-old boy!

These princes are fine causing trouble in the capital, but if they really went to the battlefield and clashed head-on with Xiao Lie...

That's a free gift!

The Chu Emperor shook his head and crossed out the names one by one.

As for the secret guards, they are good at sneak attacks and assassinations, but they are complete amateurs when it comes to troop deployment.

The Chu Emperor frowned as he paced back and forth in his study, his gaze sweeping over the memorials on the table.

Then it stopped on Du Ming's secret report!

Du Ming's report was meritorious, and there was no indication that Du Ming helped Xiao Lie when Xiao Lie was in Qingzhou. Moreover, Du Ming had outstanding political achievements, so he must have the ability.

He was not a prince and had no ambition to seize the throne.

You can trust someone who uses your products, and it's easy to throw them away after you're done.

All it takes is to assign a general skilled in military affairs to assist you, and great things can be accomplished!

"deliver an imperial order."

The Chu Emperor stopped in his tracks, and a hint of calm finally appeared in his voice.

"Du Ming, the prefect of Qingzhou, was transferred to be the prefect of Bingzhou. Peng Xuan, the commander of the Imperial Guards, was appointed as the governor of Bingzhou, commanding a large army."

"Take up your post immediately, without fail."

The Chu Emperor wove a net full of death, waiting for Xiao Lie to crawl into it.

But at this moment, Xiao Lie was writing furiously at his desk by lamplight!

Yongzhou is a gathering place for powerful families. If Xiao Lie wants to open up trade routes in the northern frontier, he must feed these wolves.

But coincidentally, Xiao Lie's mind is never short of all sorts of novel and interesting things!

Refined salt, soap, smelting technology...

Each of these items alone would be enough to make the aristocratic family a fortune!

At that time, the major families and Xiao Lie will become a community of shared interests. As long as Xiao Lie can continue to help them make money, these families will be the most loyal henchmen!

Xiao Lie wrote all night until Bi Su came to help him wash up in the morning, which woke him up.

"Your Highness!"

"You're not getting any rest again!"

"At this rate, even the strongest body can't withstand it!"

Xiao Lie stretched and pinched Bi Su's cheek.

"Hey! You're starting to boss me around now!"

"Don't worry, I'm in great health. Besides, this kind of thing doesn't happen every day."

"Come on, let's go for a stroll in the streets!"

"What would you like to eat? This king will pay!"

The morning light in Yongzhou is beautiful; golden rays stream down through the gaps in the upturned eaves, bathing the entire city in a warm hue.

Xiao Lie strolled down the street with his hands behind his back, while Bi Su followed closely behind, shuffling along.

Thinking about how he could make a name for himself at the literary gathering tomorrow and open the eyes of the aristocratic families of Yongzhou, Xiao Lie's lips never left his mouth!

The vendors on both sides of the street enthusiastically called out to customers, offering fragrant flatbreads, wontons sprinkled with scallions, and golden-brown, crispy sesame balls...

The aroma of food and the shouts of vendors created a lively atmosphere that made Xiao Lie's heart itch with desire.

suddenly!

Xiao Lie paused in his steps!

In a small alley in the East Market of Yongzhou, people were kneeling on both sides of the street!

Xiao Lie's gaze, filled with surprise, fell on a little girl.

That girl was the little girl Xiao Lie had met by the roadside a few days ago, the one carrying a basket on her back!

She curled up into a small ball and knelt on the street corner, like a grain of sand blown to the base of a wall by the wind.

Her father, standing beside her, had his head down, his hands gripping his trouser legs tightly, and his lips trembling.

"My lord... my Cui'er is obedient... she only costs three taels of silver... if you want her..."

The whole family was working hard in the fields, and the crops were growing very well. Why did they end up selling their children after just a few days?

Xiao Lie felt a lump in his throat and quickly walked over.

"Little girl, do you still recognize me?"

The little girl seemed startled by something, and looked up at Xiao Lie in a panic, her eyes full of grievance.

But she had to hold back her tears.

"I...I recognize it!"

"A distinguished guest has bestowed upon Cui'er water to drink!"