inspire-indiana Chapter 200 Encountering Enemy Attack While on Duty in the Prefectural City
Chapter 200 Encountering Enemy Attack While on Duty in the Prefectural City
Yan He wandered around the shop aimlessly, sneezing several times from the strong aroma.
She rubbed her nose, calculating that she'd been inside for a quarter of an hour already, so why hadn't she come out yet? Could it be...?
Just as she was wondering if this was a shady business, Meng Fuqing appeared from around the corner.
"Let's go."
As the two left the spice shop, Yan He couldn't help but look back at it one last time. "Is this spice shop some kind of shady business? Why are they being so secretive when buying something?"
"Shops that sell information charge one hundred taels per piece of information."
Not only that, Meng Fuqing also asked the shopkeeper if there were any seeds of precious woods such as sandalwood and agarwood, but in the end he only bought seeds of styrax, cinnamon and myrrh.
The money she spent today was more than she had spent since settling down in Jing'an Prefecture.
Before leaving, she gave the shopkeeper a secret code, as Qin Su had told her, and asked him to deliver a message to Qin Su.
She thought the shopkeeper would at least give her a discount because she knew the young master, and when he agreed, he smiled like a Buddha, clutching the money as if afraid she would snatch it back.
Yan He clicked his tongue in amazement, "You're even more of a spendthrift than me!"
She didn't ask Meng Fuqing what information he was inquiring about, instinctively feeling that asking would only bring trouble upon herself.
In reality, Meng Fuqing planned to go in person, since those things were too harmful to ordinary people and would be difficult to transport to Jing'an Prefecture.
She put it directly into her spatial storage, which was more convenient, and she could also use it to find Yu Shengyan for Xie Jin.
The only thing that made her hesitate was the matter of Jing'an Prefecture; she needed to complete her cooperation with Qin Su first.
Having dealt with Qin Su once, Meng Fuqing did not believe that Qin Su could be intimidated by his simple words.
He could go to Jing'an Prefecture to cooperate with Xie Jin, and he could also cooperate with others. He wasn't the only one eyeing Jing'an Prefecture; if their interests aligned, they could come together.
Therefore, her trip to the prefectural city was not only to buy information, but also to meet the legendary Lord Xu.
The two walked on the street for a while, and their stomachs started to rumble.
"Qingqing, treat your oxen and horses to a meal." Yan He leaned against Meng Fuqing like a spineless wretch.
Meng Fuqing pushed the man away, saying, "I've been treating you to meals every day, now it's your turn to treat me. After you've filled your stomachs, come with me to two places."
Yan He stumbled several steps after being pushed by her, and almost crashed into the wall.
Remembering the invitation she had received a couple of days ago to come to her home to have her feng shui checked, she didn't haggle—Meng Fuqing was her true benefactor, so it was only right that she treat him to a few meals!
I bought fried dough sticks and fried fish along the street, and finally stopped at the last ba tuo stall and ordered a bowl of ba tuo by myself.
After filling their stomachs, the two went to a private workshop run by a weapons craftsman, a place they had learned about from the spice shop owner.
It is said that Wu the blacksmith here can make even the most exquisite weapons.
Here, Meng Fuqing hands the blueprints he has drawn to the craftsman.
The craftsman squinted at the drawing for a long time, but could only make out that it was a whip.
He scratched his head. "Miss, why don't you just tell me what kind of whip you want?"
He casually placed the blueprints aside. Yan He glanced at them curiously and couldn't help but chuckle.
Having known Meng Fuqing for so long, she finally realized what Meng Fuqing wasn't good at.
“My painting skills are just average, but they’re still a little bit better than yours.” She gestured with her hand to indicate “a little bit”.
Meng Fuqing smiled slightly at her, "I will make good use of your new talent in the future."
Yan He: ...
She immediately shut her mouth and said no more.
Meng Fuqing explained his requirements to Wu the blacksmith in detail. The final prototype can be simply described as having a hollow interior, barbs on the whip body, and an attractive appearance.
Other blacksmiths thought it was nothing special, but they couldn't quite understand why it was hollow inside.
"It's just to reduce the weight of the whip." Meng Fuqing lied through his teeth without batting an eye.
After dispelling Wu the blacksmith's doubts, she paid the deposit before leaving with Yan He.
The two headed straight for the prefect's residence.
Before they even reached their destination, they suddenly heard the sounds of bells and drums.
At first, Meng Fuqing did not realize what the sound meant. But when she saw the people on the street suddenly become flustered and hurried, she realized that it was an enemy attack.
Yan He was clearly familiar with this kind of emergency and shouted a warning, "Quick, let's go! There's an enemy attack!"
As she spoke, she took Meng Fuqing's hand and walked in another direction.
Meanwhile, Qin Su, who had already received the message from Meng Fuqing, looked at the contents of the note with a playful expression.
Despite being literate, she made numerous spelling mistakes throughout the text; despite being just an ordinary farm girl, she knew many things she shouldn't have known.
He became increasingly interested in Meng Fuqing.
Qin Su handed the note to a middle-aged man with a long beard who was fanning himself with a feather fan, and then looked up towards the direction of Jing'an Prefecture.
What do you think, sir?
"Didn't the master say that this girl is too cunning and untrustworthy?"
"I did hesitate at first, but I suddenly realized that even if Meng Fuqing were to hold military power, what would it matter? How could a woman like her command respect? Rather than forming an alliance with others who covet Jing'an Prefecture, let alone attacking the prefectural city."
The ensuing power struggles would be troublesome enough; it's better to eliminate this potential threat first. Choosing Meng Fuqing suits my purposes perfectly.
“Master, you have thought things through. All our men have gathered here and are waiting for your command.”
At the gate of Jing'an Prefecture.
A man riding a tall horse was shouting at the gate of Jing'an Prefecture.
"Why don't you two surrender sooner? I know that Lord Xu is kind-hearted and devoted to the people! Surrendering sooner will reduce casualties!"
"His Majesty listened to the instigation of treacherous officials and slaughtered the entire Xie family, who were wholeheartedly devoted to the country and its people! How can the spirits of General Xie and General Pei rest in peace?!"
The frequent natural disasters are divine punishment! The 'purging of the court of corrupt officials' is imperative; Lord Xu, do not act recklessly and engage in futile resistance!"
……
The shouts below the city gate were deafening, while on the city gate itself, Xu Weizhi was still panting heavily.
"Sir, what's wrong...?"
Xu Weizhi was in such a hurry when he arrived that he rushed over with his men.
He waved his hand. "How's the situation?"
"The enemy has an estimated number of over ten thousand, while our total strength is only seven or eight thousand. Lord Qin's idea is to defend for the time being and observe the situation."
"Lord Qin has already arrived? Let's leave it at that for now."
The man riding a horse at the city gate had reached his limit of patience.
His subordinates couldn't help but wonder, "Are they stalling for time? Or do they have outside help?"
"Foreign aid?" The man laughed out loud, as if he had heard a joke.
"Lord Xu is upright and honest, and he is unlikely to form cliques for personal gain. Besides, Lord Xu is known for his defensive stance."
As he spoke, he waved his hand, and the army behind him immediately began to stir.