After saving the Empress, I became the top scholar in the imperial examination.

Upon hearing the Minister of War's question, the messenger, covered in sweat and with burnt-on face, hurriedly bowed and replied:

"My lord, these bandits captured two outposts on the west side, killing six of us. The remaining ten or so brothers gave the signal, blew the whistle, fought a fierce battle, and then withdrew."

"A patrol of cavalry, which was only about a hundred feet away from the outpost, heard the whistle and hurriedly rode over, accompanied by more cavalry from the north and south."

"But the band of thieves did not flee westward; instead, they retreated back to Miaofeng Mountain. As they climbed the mountain, they set fire to many pine branches and dry firewood along the way, and the smoke and fire obscured the cavalry's vision."

"Several hundred-man teams on the mountain, responsible for searching for thieves and fighting fires, also approached this area after hearing the commotion."

"But the fire was too big, with thick smoke. The officer on the mountain ordered some of the brothers to chase after the thieves, while the others stayed behind to clear the fire and put it out with wet soil to prevent it from spreading and making it difficult to pursue the thieves."

The messenger finished reporting with a nervous expression.

Ortai tapped his fingers, his expression shifting between light and shadow.

Instead of taking the opportunity to break out to the west or engaging the cavalry, the band of bandits retreated back to the mountains.

Why is that?

They fled back to the mountains, and the cavalry were unable to pursue and kill them.

The search teams on the mountain were all wearing armor, making it difficult to move around. In addition, the fire was raging and difficult to encircle. If they were not careful, they might be burned to death along with the thieves on the mountain.

The Minister of War raised his hand towards Huang Zhongcai and said in a deep voice:

"Governor Wong, please first order the search teams on the west side not to search too deep, and make sure they do not stray too far from the downhill roads, guarding the downhill roads that are not easy to catch fire. If the fire becomes uncontrollable, the search teams must descend the mountain as soon as possible."

Huang Zhongcai wiped the sweat from his forehead with his left hand and nodded very quickly:

"Your Excellency is thoughtful and considerate, loves your soldiers like your own children, and cares for your subordinates. I admire you greatly! These scoundrels have shot themselves in the foot and are courting death."

"No matter how much they burn the mountain, they have to come down if they don't want to be burned alive!"

"Immediately order all of my search teams to go to the west, with one team guarding the downhill passage and the other pursuing the thieves along the trail of black smoke and controlling the wildfire."

"The cavalry below the mountain are also being deployed westward; as soon as they descend the mountain, we will intercept and kill them at top speed!"

As he spoke, Huang Zhongcai observed Ortai's expression. Seeing that the Minister of War showed no impatience, he formally issued a military order, instructing a messenger to go out and inform the cavalry commander and the search team commander.

Before long, another messenger came to report:

"Three groups of bandits from the west charged out from three different places, carrying torches, and destroyed several of our outposts."

"After the cavalry arrived, the bandits immediately fled back to Miaofeng Mountain, refusing to linger. As they ascended the mountain, they simultaneously set fires!"

"Bang!"

"What a treacherous plaster!"

Huang Zhongcai slammed his fist on the table and roared:

"Order that the outposts surrounding the mountain remain in place, and that 1,500 men from the mountain search team be withdrawn to fill the positions at the western outposts, with at least 40 men at each outpost! Forty heavily armed and well-trained soldiers! Let's see if they dare to come again!"

Huang Zhongcai glared, his eyes bloodshot:

"Block them up, you bastards!"

"Yes, sir!" the messenger replied in a hoarse voice.

Ortai waved his hand and added a military order, saying that the search party and cavalry should shout along the way that those who surrender would be spared death, and that if they handed over the southerners, it would be a great achievement! They would be richly rewarded!

He didn't mention the envoy from the South, but only the people from the South, to prevent the news from leaking out.

Even ants cling to life; among those traitors of the Heavenly Principle Sect on the mountain, there must be some who do not wish to die.

Ortai narrowed his eyes slightly, placed his palm on his knee, tapped his fingers, and a question inexplicably came to mind.

"Who's in command of these thieves tonight?"

Judging from the fact that the bandits burned the mountain at different locations at the same time, and then attacked from the west and retreated, their advance and retreat were well-planned, indicating that this group of bandits must have now chosen a leader.

Han Qing and Mu Ziying were not present.

Prince Duan was completely removed from the list by Han Qing, and the two became enemies. Although Prince Duan still had spies within the Heavenly Principles Sect, he could no longer command the sect.

The left protector of the Heavenly Principle Sect became Xu Xiyin.

He had only heard of this person by name, but had never met her. Both Prince Duan and the spies from the Sticky Rod Office said that she was a woman who always dressed as a Taoist nun and was about thirty years old.

"Did Xu Xiyin arrive at Miaofeng Mountain and take command of this group of people?"

Ortai frowned slightly.

"Is it still the oldest, Peng Liangang? Or perhaps one of the Four Generals?"

He ran his fingers over the silk fabric.

"Although the four generals are all capable generals, Xiang Qi even has some talent as a commander. Nian Gengyao once wrote a memorial saying that this person is extremely difficult to deal with. The emperor read several secret memorials about this person's battles and also wrote a secret memorial saying that this person is a talent who can make Nian Gengyao suffer.

"But the Four Generals' status within their sect is at most equal to that of the Altar Master. It is not certain that they can command the seven or eight hundred people on the mountain to obey their orders and ensure that their orders are strictly followed."

Ortai pondered in his mind who the culprit was who dared to "burn the mountain" tonight, and his heart sank slightly.

To be able to resort to such desperate measures to survive, this person is truly ruthless!

"If it really is Xu Xiyin," Ortai silently took a breath, "then Your Majesty and I have truly underestimated this woman!"

His eyes flickered several times.

I believe that the one commanding the bandits in the mountains at this moment should be Xiang Qi, one of the Four Generals, or Su Lang. The other two Four Generals, Lin Zhang and Yue Li, are still a bit lacking.

It was only after Xu Xiyin, the highest-ranking Left Protector, arrived and gave them some support that Xiang Qi was able to command them with ease.

As time progressed, more and more military reports arrived, and the bandits' actions became increasingly bizarre.

It's impossible to guess what they're up to.

At a certain moment.

The Grand Councilor, wearing a red-tasseled hat, said in a deep voice:

"Governor Huang, please send someone to invite Prince Duan."

Huang Zhongcai, who was marking the location on the map where the bandits would come out of the mountains from the west to attack the outpost, hesitated for a moment, but had already given the order.

"Your subordinate obeys!"

He clasped his hands in a fist salute a moment after speaking.

After Han Chang arrived, Ortai finished his greetings and went straight to the point:

"May I ask Prince Duan, does Your Highness know who is currently commanding the bandits on the mountain?"

Han Chang sat down in the chair on the left, a look of doubt appearing on his handsome face. After a moment, he gently shook his head and said:

"Your Excellency, to be honest, I am also unaware of this matter. However, I suspect it is one of Su or Xiang."

"I just went to the west and had a detailed discussion with the outposts and the escapees."

"The actions of the traitor are quite in line with the principles of military strategy, and Xu Xiyin has never had the ability to lead troops."

"Apart from Su and Xiang, it is probably difficult to find anyone who can take risky actions and still command with composure in such a chaotic situation."

Ortai grunted in agreement, nodded, and gave a cold laugh, saying:

"What Prince Duan said coincides with my own. The Heavenly Principle Sect is full of talented people; I have underestimated them this time."

Han Chang picked up a cup of coarse tea that a soldier had brought in, chuckled, and remained noncommittal.

Ortai looked at the prince with his eyes, and then smiled and said:

"However, Your Highness can rest assured that if the bandits do not take risks, they can still live until tomorrow. But once they set the mountain on fire, they will be in a panic and will not know where to go."

"It is late spring, not midsummer, so burning the mountain completely will not be so easy."

"Your humble servant and Governor Huang are determined to trap them to death on the west side. If they don't want to be burned alive, they have no choice but to come down the mountain and surrender."

Night had fallen outside, but the western side of the mountain was ablaze with firelight and thick smoke.

Upon hearing the Minister of War's words, Huang Zhongcai's expression turned solemn. He had intended to express his loyalty, but after recalling something, a chill ran through him, and he immediately changed his words:

"Lord Ortai is absolutely right. With Lord Ortai and I here, Prince Duan can simply wait quietly in the army and need not make any effort."

This means not allowing the other party to interfere.

At this time.

"Report!"

Urgent news has arrived.

The messenger entered the tent, knelt down, and spoke urgently:

"Reporting to the Governor-General! Reporting to the Minister!"

The people inside the tent were startled. Before they could ask any questions, they heard the messenger say:

"Thieves... thieves... thieves and their gang..."

"They've broken through from the east!"

Swish!

Ortai suddenly stood up!