In general, if they confessed honestly, the Zhou army’s attitude was quite good. They said they would first take them to the prison, and had already recorded everything in the files. Given their voluntary confession, they promised to release them after the matter was concluded, putting their minds at ease. Those citizens thanked them profusely and followed the Zhou soldiers away.
Very soon, more households were found to have issues, and many problematic people who hadn’t returned were also discovered within Jiangzi City. Naturally, some were citizens who hadn’t had the chance to make it back home, while others... were Xiliang soldiers with some skills. The information was always sent to Liu Pinggao at the fastest speed, and Liu Pinggao, after organizing it, forwarded it to Bai Qingyan’s desk.
After an unknown length of time, Bai Qingyan sat at the desk, looking at the map of Jiangzi City and the large map surrounding Jiangzi City, thinking of how to fight the coming battle. Just then, a report came from outside... saying that General Cui Shanzhong had arrived at the foot of the city and requested an audience with the Emperor of Zhou.
Liu Pinggao, with a furrowed brow, looked at Bai Qingyan and said, "If Your Majesty plans to go out of the city to meet General Cui Shanzhong, I will accompany Your Majesty as you go!"
"How many Xiliang spies infiltrating the city have been captured?" Bai Qingyan asked.
"Reporting to Your Majesty, so far, forty-one have been captured alive, and twenty-seven have been killed!" Liu Pinggao responded.
Mainly because Bai Qingyan ordered it timely, catching those spies off guard, and the Xiliang citizens were afraid of leading spies into the city and getting themselves in trouble. When their homes were searched... they would confess. Some Xiliang spies were captured alive before they even managed to leave their homes.
Later, Li Jiang, the General checking the refugees for the Zhou Army, deliberately spread... the news that Xiliang spies, to hide their identities and afraid of being betrayed, simply killed the Xiliang citizens who covered for them into the city.
Upon hearing this, the citizens became even more terrified and dared not keep Xiliang spies they barely knew at home just for some silver, so they all betrayed those Xiliang soldiers.
Although everyone loves silver, life is required to spend it,
Bai Qingyan sneered, "I didn’t expect General Cui planted so many people in Jiangzi City! Continue the investigation... I’m afraid there are more."
"Yes! Then... does Your Majesty intend to bring everyone along?" Liu Pinggao asked.
"Bring the bodies as well!" Bai Qingyan commanded.
"Yes!"
·
General Cui Shanzhong had dismounted, with cushions laid beneath his knees. Beside him were two young boys, one holding a lantern and the other holding tea utensils, with two Xiliang Great Generals leading horses following behind.
General Cui Shanzhong looked up, gazing at the towering city walls of Jiangzi City, his face marked with brown age spots, lines radiating from the corners of his eyes, his expression solemn, his grey hair tied on top of his head, his beard fluttering in the wind.
After thirty years, he donned his armor again, not expecting the first battle to be at their Xiliang’s Jiangzi City.
Soon, the city gates of Jiangzi City slowly opened, only to see Bai Qingyan, dressed in ordinary girl’s clothing, draped in a fox-fur cloak, riding a white horse and slowly emerging.
The Xiliang Great General behind General Cui Shanzhong saw a team seemingly accompanying Bai Qingyan and immediately became alert.
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