Exile with Storage Space: Family Fortunes in the Barren Lands-Chapter 848 - 16: Regent King Enters, but Never Returns (3)

Chapter 848: Chapter 16: Regent King Enters, but Never Returns (3)

The investigation results were indeed as Li Xingsheng expected.

It was not an army sent by Zhao Country, but rather a ragtag group of mountain bandits in disguise.

However, there were quite a few of them, over two thousand in number.

It made people mistakenly think that Zhao Country had dispatched troops.

Li Xingsheng quietly infiltrated this group, and secretly discovered that among them, there were not only people from Zhao Country but also Southern Yue people.

In the places at the border of the two countries, the accents were already similar. Southern Yue people blended in with the Zhao people, wore Zhao’s clothes, making it hard not to believe they were from Zhao Country.

Just as Li Xingsheng was wondering who had gathered these people, he discovered a luxuriously dressed merchant speaking the Southern Yue language, emerging from the group’s encampment.

Taking the opportunity when he wasn’t paying attention, Li Xingsheng and Lou Chengye captured and tied him up.

"You are from Nanyue? How did you come out from the Zhao troops?" Li Xingsheng grabbed a small knife and started interrogating, "Tell the truth; if you lie even once, I’ll make a cut on your body."

He spoke in the Luocheng Southern Yue dialect.

The man thought that Li Xingsheng misunderstood him as a traitor. He immediately begged for mercy with a smile on his face, "Brother, you misunderstand me. I am not a traitor; I am under the Regent King’s order to meet with Zhao’s garrison commander."

Regent King?

Li Xingsheng squinted his eyes and raised the small knife, "Be specific!"

Under his further intimidation, the man finally spoke the truth.

As it turns out, this so-called Zhao troop was organized by the Regent King, uniting local bandits and some Nanyue refugees, having them all wear Zhao’s uniforms to create a facade of attacking Nanyue.

As for why this was done, the man didn’t know; he said the Regent King never mentioned it.

Li Xingsheng’s eyes narrowed slightly, a feigned attack?

Planning to lure Ling Yuezi to lead her troops here and set a trap to capture her?

"Chengye, we can’t let this person go; he’s a witness!" Li Xingsheng shouted to Lou Chengye and continued to sneak into the army to investigate.

Li Xingsheng was surprised to discover that a military officer from a border town of Zhao Country was colluding with the Regent King.

He barged into the officer’s central army tent when no one was around.

The officer was terrified upon seeing him.

"Li... Mr. Li..."

Li Xingsheng served under Prefect Lou as the Military Defense Governor.

All matters related to military defense, such as the selection of soldiers, required him to record.

When the men below needed supplies, they sent the documents for his review, and he reported to Prefect Lou, who then issued reply orders which Li Xingsheng conveyed downward.

So, all the town guards recognized Li Xingsheng regardless of rank.

And they didn’t dare offend him; offending him could mean documents wouldn’t be processed, or supplies would be reported short. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

"Tell me, how much did the Regent King pay you to gather this bunch and pretend to attack Red Tree Ridge?" Li Xingsheng pointed his sword at him, curling his lips into a cold smile.

The officer’s face turned pale, "It’s not true, Mr. Li, you are slandering me."

"Slandering? Ha! In that case, do you have Lord Prefect’s official letter? Oh, and don’t try to pass off a fake one. I’m his relative and dine with him daily. I can recognize his handwriting with just a glance."

The officer indeed took benefits from the Regent King to gather a group to feign an attack on Nanyue.

He had no official letter from Prefect Lou.

Seeing his exposure, he shouted loudly, "Someone—"

Li Xingsheng was quick, punching the officer and knocking him out cold on the ground.

He stuffed a cloth in the officer’s mouth and tied him up.

Then, Li Xingsheng fetched cold water and poured it on the officer to wake him up.

The officer realized he was tied up and saw Li Xingsheng sitting before him with a sardonic smile. The officer shivered in fear, trying to mumble something.

"Enough with the noise, listen to me!" Li Xingsheng kicked him, "Your deeds are clear to me—for just three thousand silver pieces, you dared to misuse Prefect Lou’s name to muster forces against Nanyue, with the aim of capturing the Nanyue Princess alive, right? First, you get three thousand for yourself, and second, you hand the princess over to Prefect Lou for a reward. This is the Regent King’s idea, isn’t it?"

The officer widened his eyes in shock.

"I just returned from Nanyue, and I know the situation there better than you." Li Xingsheng patted the officer’s shoulder, "If you cooperate with me, I’ll explain your case to Prefect Lou, ensure no punishment, and you can continue your post. If you don’t cooperate, then I’ll report your crimes. It would be up to Prefect Lou to decide your fate, whether it’s you alone for treason or your entire family."

The officer paled in fright, anxiously mumbling "mmm-mmm" in panic.

Li Xingsheng continued, "Nod if you agree to cooperate, or shake your head if not."

Being tied up, shaking his head wouldn’t bode well.

The officer nodded vigorously.

Li Xingsheng smiled faintly, "Good, then let’s stage this play together."

He did not release the officer immediately but revealed his plan, "Continue to hold this position with the troops. If the Nanyue people attack, capture the leading Regent King for me and bring him back alive!"

The officer’s eyes widened in shock, mumbling anxiously.

"I’ll lend you a hand, already familiar with the Regent King’s skills, no big deal." Li Xingsheng chuckled lightly.

The officer was dubious, blinking in disbelief.

"What, don’t you dare, or disagree?" Li Xingsheng’s face turned stern.

"Mmm-mmm," the officer shook his head.

Li Xingsheng removed the cloth from his mouth.

The officer immediately said, "I agree, Mr. Li, whatever you say, I’ll do!"

Li Xingsheng smiled faintly, "Good, let’s collaborate smoothly! You shall redeem yourself, and I only want the Regent King!"

The officer exhaled deeply, wondering what was happening. How did Mr. Li know about the Nanyue Regent King?

Had he really come from Nanyue?

.

After setting the plan with the officer, Li Xingsheng quickly wrote a letter, instructing Lou Chengye to swiftly deliver it to Luocheng and hand it to Ling Yuezi.

In the letter, he asked Ling Yuezi to lead her troops and attack, and insisted the Regent King must accompany them.

He would "wait" for the Regent King here, and ensure he doesn’t return.

Lou Chengye returned to Luocheng, disguised as a merchant’s servant boy, bearing Li Xingsheng’s token to find Ling Yuezi, and personally handed over Li Xingsheng’s letter to her.

Ling Yuezi was astonished upon receiving the letter.

So, this military unrest is a conspiracy? And Li Xingsheng resolved the issue for her?