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

"A scarecrow?" Han Chang frowned and asked in return.

Huang Zhongcai ordered someone to bring breakfast and morning tea to the two officials, cleared his throat, and explained in detail:

"Although it was dark, our men saw that the thirty or forty riders came from outside. The bandits from the mountains did indeed help the dozen or so scarecrows onto their horses."

"Throughout the pursuit, these scarecrows remained unchanged, while the bandits who broke out were driven back into the mountains by us, and none of them escaped."

Huang Zhongcai straightened his chest slightly, his smile carrying a hint of weariness and a touch of self-deprecating confidence, and comforted the two:

"In other words, the officials of the Southern Dynasty are still surrounded by us in the mountains."

Huang Zhongcai paced back and forth in front of the map, then pointed to the map hanging behind him:

"The thieves are cunning. They probably wanted to create a diversion in the east to lure us into chasing the cavalry so they could scatter and escape. But when they saw our cavalry coming, they realized they couldn't succeed and retreated back into the mountains."

Ortai leaned back stiffly in his chair. Although he had returned to his tent last night, he hadn't slept a wink. Huang Zhongcai had sent a large number of troops to protect his tent.

Even the dignified and imposing high-ranking military official, with his beard and hair in full bloom, was somewhat exhausted after a long night. His voice hoarse, he inquired about the situation in the army:

"How is it now? Have the cavalry resumed patrols?"

"Don't worry, sir."

Huang Zhongcai bowed and said:

About half an hour ago, Jige and the others rushed back. I ordered them to go directly to their respective outposts to rest.

"The fire on the western mountain has been almost extinguished. Although the soldiers are exhausted, they are still fighting bravely, taking turns to rest and defending the key mountain passes. Gong Cong's Green Standard Army has also returned to their posts."

Gong Cong's Green Standard Army was responsible for the western and northern outposts, and also arranged a search team of 3,000 men and a central army of 1,000 men, ready to surround and kill the bandits at any time.

But yesterday, the bandits set fires and harassed the area in different places to the west. Later, a large force attacked and circled back, keeping the Green Standard Army soldiers in armor busy. They are now preparing food and resting.

"After resting for an hour,"

Huang Zhongcai waved his hand and said fiercely:

"Our troops then conducted a full-scale search of the mountains and completely wiped out the bandits!"

Ortai calmly said, "Half of them fled from the west to the east. The west wasn't defended. What? Does Governor Huang intend to search the east, south, and north again?"

Huang Zhongcai's face paled, and his heart turned cold. He knew about this, of course, but apart from dividing the area into sections and sending out a hundred-man team to search again, there wasn't much else he could do.

Ortai shook his head and said:

"With such a large army out there, we are consuming too much money and food every day."

He waved his sleeve and pointed to the map, saying:

"Have all troops prepare. Today... prepare to burn the mountains in sections to force the rebels out."

Burning the mountain?

Huang Zhongcai's pupils contracted sharply.

Ortai shook his head and explained:

"Don't worry. Even though the thieves set fire to the mountain yesterday, it didn't catch fire. It's springtime, and it's not so easy to start a wildfire. Maybe it will rain today or tomorrow, and the fire won't reach the temple."

Ortai stood up: "After yesterday's disturbance, the thieves' den in the west should have been found and destroyed, right?"

Huang Zhongcai nodded:

"Our unit found many caves and many dens of thieves, with bedding, pottery jars, and charred firewood inside."

Ortai raised his hand and pointed to a point on the map:

"This is a water source. Send men to guard similar water sources, and also guard the streams in the mountains. Starting today from the east, order the guards to burn the mountains while searching them. If they find any trace of the bandits, shoot arrows. It's daytime, so don't worry about the arrows. Every one that dies is one less to lose."

"The bandits' den has been destroyed. They have no food or water. They will die of thirst or starvation. If we burn the mountain again, the pheasants and rabbits will all run away. Even eating raw meat and drinking blood will become a luxury for them. They will have no choice but to come out."

As Huang Zhongcai listened, he nodded silently. Grain? Water? He felt that Lord Ortai was indeed worthy of being the Minister of War; his words had truly awakened him from his dream.

If we deprive thieves of food and water, why worry about them not coming out?

"Your Excellency's insight is truly remarkable," Huang Zhongcai bowed and said, "This humble servant will proceed immediately..."

The final word, "arrangement," was not uttered yet.

But then a loud, urgent report came from outside the tent:

"Report!"

The messenger entered and kowtowed.

"My lord! Several outposts to the north have also been destroyed by the bandits; the cavalry discovered this during their patrol."

Huang Zhongcai's eyes were already bloodshot. He waved his hand impatiently and said:

"Order General Gong to quickly repair the breach..."

"Yes!" The messenger obeyed and left.

……

……

Not far north of Miaofeng Mountain is another mountain called Phoenix Ridge.

At the foot of Phoenix Ridge, there is a Longquan Temple, but compared to the now-famous Miaofeng Mountain Niangniang Temple, Longquan Temple pales in comparison.

Before dawn, the large group of shadowy figures escaped under the cover of darkness, slipping out of the encirclement at the foot of the mountain from a sentry post.

Walk quickly, trying to bypass Longquan Temple and enter Phoenix Ridge before dawn.

After entering Phoenix Ridge, everyone was exhausted.

But the leader of the group said that they could not stop, because stopping meant death. He took off his cloth shoes and put on straw sandals like them, stepping on the fallen leaves and mud of Phoenix Ridge, and told them to continue north.

Someone complained to his face and had half of his teeth knocked out by Old Man Peng.

They continued their journey along the mountain road.

They ran until they were starving and their mouths were dry.

Finally, on the north side of Phoenix Ridge, they found a mountain stream. No talking was allowed. He arranged for everyone to rest for half an hour, eat dry rations, drink stream water, and not light a fire. If they were cold, they would huddle together to sleep.

Half an hour later, many people were only able to get started by slapping each other.

By this time, it was already broad daylight.

Next, they continued running, traveling along the mountain road for another two or three hours before finally exiting the north side of Phoenix Ridge.

Zhen Susu, leading her white horse, had been waiting there for quite some time, along with Er Laizi and the others...

Ningnan rode a big white horse.

Jia Shi'an mounted a mule.

The mule was bought in a village here. The village has two old horses and four mules.

Ning Nan used the money he brought with him when he went north to buy it all.

These few mules and horses were a drop in the ocean for a team of over six hundred people, so they would need to buy more horses, mules, and weapons along the way.

As dawn broke, the new leaves of several locust trees by the roadside shimmered with a glistening luster.

Jia Shi'an looked at the Prince Consort Ning on horseback, his eyes filled with guilt and unease:

"Your Highness...actually..."

Ning Nan did not reply, but only sighed and looked northwest.

Last night, halfway up the mountain, before leaving, Jia Shi'an gave him a letter from Han Laoguai.