Chapter 48: Returning to Jiayuan County Town Again

  Although the distance from Pingquan Village to Jiayuan County was only a short ten miles, who would have thought that such a brief journey would also be fraught with danger. Fortunately, Xiao Chen and his party finally returned safely to Jiayuan County.

  Finally saw that familiar small town again, and Xiao Chen was filled with emotions. Just a few days ago, he had secretly vowed to the heavens that he would never return to this place where he had so many unbearable memories, but in just a short time, he had no choice but to break his vow and reluctantly set foot here once more.

  Alas! Time flies like a dream, life is like a play. Life is always full of unexpected things.

  "What's the point of thinking about those messy things!" Xiao Chen shook his head to dispel the chaotic thoughts in his mind. At the gate of Jiayuan County, there were several soldiers patrolling back and forth with a vigilant expression at this time. Judging from their attitude, Ding Heng, Deputy General Ding, should not have left yet.

  Thinking of this, Xiao Chen's heart widened and he immediately stepped towards the city gate. "Wait a minute, Xiao Chen, you can't just go in like that." Liu Lan, who was standing beside Xiao Chen, hastily grabbed his sleeve.

  "What's wrong? Liu Lan!" Xiao Chen Qi said.

  "Xiao Chen, are you going in just like that?" At this moment, Liu Lan's expression was extremely serious.

  "How else can I get in if not like this?" Xiao Chen thought Liu Lan's question was quite amusing at the moment.

  "Xiao Chen, have you forgotten about Gao Yi's matter?"

  "Of course, I haven't forgotten!" How could Xiao Chen possibly forget something like that? Although Gao Yi's crimes were numerous and he deserved to die, Xiao Chen had almost lost his life because of this person. He was also forced out of Jiayuan County City because of him. Later, Ding Heng had sent a message through Liu Lan explaining the difficulties that led him to do so. Although Xiao Chen understood the reasons behind Ding Heng's actions, he couldn't forget the icy gazes of Ding Heng's soldiers as they left, which seemed to contain a hint of anger or contempt.

  "Xiao Chen, regardless of how guilty Gao Yi was or how he deserved to die, the fact remains that he was a general appointed by the imperial court. A commoner killing an official appointed by the imperial court is punishable by death. Although Ding Heng and his subordinates had no intention of capturing you for their own protection, you were still expelled from Jiayuan City. If you enter the city so brazenly, what will the soldiers who see you think? Moreover, if some people with ulterior motives see you, what will they do?"

  "Xiao Chen, this time you returned to Jiayuan County is to get the location of Huayang Sect, in other words, it's to ask for Ding Heng. You should at least consider the feelings of Ding Heng and his subordinates!"

  "Liu Lan, then what should I do?" After Liu Lan said that, Xiao Chen felt that he was indeed a bit rash.

  "Xiao Chen brother, what? You actually killed someone here? And it's a general appointed by the imperial court? It's too exciting! I didn't expect Xiao Chen brother to be so elegant and yet do something that shocks heaven and earth. Xiao Chen brother, quickly tell me, I'm really interested!" Xiang Yu little girl came back to life, she grabbed Xiao Chen's hand and shook it vigorously.

  "Xiao Yu, can't you be quieter? Can't you see I'm busy with something important?" The entwined Xiao Chen was somewhat at a loss whether to laugh or cry.

  "No, no, I'm going to listen!" The little girl didn't show any intention of stopping.

  "Sister, don't be naughty!" A soft scolding voice came from the Dinghun Pearl. Alas, perhaps only children do not know what it's like to worry!

  ……

  "Xiao Chen, I think it's better this way. You take Xiu Yu and rest outside the city for a while first. I'll go into the city to meet with Ding Heng and tell him you've come to see him. Let's hear his thoughts, whether he's willing to meet you or not. If he is, where and when does he want to meet you." It seems that Liu Lan had already given this matter some thought.

  In fact, Xiao Chen was not a rash person, and the things Liu Lan considered, he should have thought of them long ago. However, don't forget that Xiao Chen originally lived in a world of peace and prosperity, while Liu Lan grew up in a world plagued by disasters and hardships. Growing up in such an environment, Liu Lan's mind was naturally much more mature than Xiao Chen's.

  "It's probably for the best!" Xiao Chen immediately understood as well, and it seemed that this was currently the most suitable solution.

  Inside the city walls of Jiayuan County, a large group of soldiers were practicing martial arts with great enthusiasm. Any normal person has the desire to pursue fame and wealth, and to bring glory to their family. Even those hermits who retreat to the mountains and forests, few are truly disillusioned with worldly life; most are just waiting for the right price to sell out.

  Ding Heng seized this characteristic of human nature, causing his soldiers to burst out with unparalleled enthusiasm.

  But now the new General Ding Heng is on the side, looking at all this with satisfaction, this is the result he needs. Just a short while ago, more than a dozen soldiers were excited to ask for leave to return home. Ding Heng understands that when they come back, they will bring him a large number of qualified soldiers. And he is steadily advancing towards the goal of expanding and strengthening his army.

  In a place even farther away from Ding Heng and his men, there were three people dressed in extremely simple and somewhat shabby clothes watching everything that was happening here. But no matter who would have thought that these three unremarkable people were actually the famous national teacher of the Great Yan Kingdom, Huangfu Yan, and his two grandsons.

  "Ding Heng indeed had two strokes of genius, and in just one morning's time, he gave a scattered band of soldiers the appearance of elite troops." Watching the soldiers sweating profusely and listening to their thunderous battle cries, Huangfu Yan nodded repeatedly.

  "Cut! Is it just a few flattering words and some enticing conditions that make these inexperienced soldiers so excited? What's the big deal? I can do it too!" Huang Fu Jun sneered, curling his lip in disdain.

  "Yes, Grandfather, why do you value Ding Heng so much? Don't look at him as a Radiant Stone Martial Venerable, but in my hands, he absolutely can't even last one round." Huang Fu Jie also said disapprovingly.

  "You..." Huang Fu Yan was about to open his mouth to give these two arrogant grandsons a good scolding, but someone's action was faster than him. Suddenly, there were two crisp slapping sounds.

  "Who dares to hit your grandfather Huanfu Jun? Are you looking for death?" Huanfu Jun burst into a rage.

  "Can your grandfather, Huang Fu Jie, also be beaten at will?" Huang Fu Jie's anger was also boiling over. The two furious people suddenly turned their heads to see who had eaten the leopard's gallbladder. But...

  "Is it me? Do you two have any opinions?" Behind them, Huang Fu Yan crossed her arms and said angrily, "Let me tell you two idiots, if you dare to speak ill of Ding Heng again, I'll hit you every time I hear it."

  "Ah, it's little sister! How could brothers get angry with you?" As soon as they saw Huangfu Yanran, the angry faces of Huangfu Jun and Huangfu Jie immediately changed to smiling ones. After all, their own little sister was Grandfather's most beloved treasure, if they were to provoke her, the two brothers would have to face Grandfather's thunderous wrath.

  Just thinking about it sends shivers down my spine.

  "Yan Ran, I haven't seen you for half a day, where did you go?" For some reason, as soon as he saw his precious little granddaughter, Huang Fu Yan's depressed mood would lift significantly.

  "Ah, little sister, aren't you always clinging to Ding Heng? How come you've changed your ways now? Is it because that useless Ding Heng has finally become too much for you to handle? As your brother, I knew this would be the outcome." Huang Fu Jian chuckled and put his arm around Huang Fu Yan's shoulders, with a "I told you so" expression.

  "Yes! My younger sister, Huangfu Jie, is unmatched in this world, whether it's her status, appearance, or abilities. Such a peerless woman, how could she be matched with someone like Ding Heng, that toad?" Huangfu Jie also burst out laughing.

  "Get out, you two idiots!" Huāng Fǔ Yān Rán couldn't hold back her anger and kicked out with a flying foot. Of course, she didn't actually hit her two brothers - after all, they weren't ordinary people.

  "Alright, stop making a fuss. Yanran, Grandfather knows you're absolutely unwilling to leave Dingheng, but where did you go during this half-day? Can you tell Grandfather about it?" Huangfu Yan asked with a smile.

  "I'm going to do something serious, unlike these two who are not growing up and not doing their job. They're always staying by your side, letting you take care of them, letting you pamper them." Huangfu Yanran glanced at her two brothers, "Grandfather, do you still remember the incident where a group of rioters attacked the government treasury not long ago?"

  "This, I certainly remember!" Huang Fu Yan nodded. This matter, his own granddaughter had already told him more than once. And in his granddaughter's description, most of it was used to praise Ding Heng's calmness in the face of danger and his extraordinary wisdom.

  "Alright, alright, sister. No need to show off. It's just a few rioters attacking the government office. And Ding Heng is really something else. Why make such a big deal out of a simple matter? If it were me, I'd have killed all those guys. But Ding Heng, not only did he turn a simple thing into a big fuss, but in the end, he only killed a few people. His guts are too small!" Huang Fu Jian laughed loudly.

  "Yes, sister, those who do great things must have a certain degree of courage and strong wrists. It seems that Ding Heng is still far from enough in this aspect compared to me!" Huang Fu Jie was also laughing wildly.

  "You..." Huangfu Yan's face turned pale with rage.

  "Shut up, you two idiots!" Huang Fu Yan roared, then turned to face Huang Fu Yanran, "Yanran, don't mind these two foolish brothers. I think Ding Heng handled this matter very appropriately and perfectly."

  "The common people may be insignificant, but they are the indispensable foundation of a country. In dealing with them, we cannot just use harsh methods; we must use both kindness and severity, making them feel both fear and gratitude, so that they will willingly work for us. If we were to kill all those who resist, then who would provide for our food, clothing, shelter, and other needs, we who hold high positions?"

  "You two little rascals, when will you learn to think things through as thoroughly as Ding Heng?"

  "Cut!" Huangfu Jun, Huangfu Jie disagreed and cut him off with a single word.

  "Grandfather, Ding Heng said that if there wasn't someone behind the scenes directing them, these common people wouldn't have dared to risk their lives and storm the government treasury. There must be a mastermind behind them. If we can't catch him, this matter won't be considered settled!"

  "Mastermind behind the scenes? Weren't those few noisy guys beheaded by Ding Heng? What mastermind is left? Is it that Ding Heng thinks handling things this way doesn't make his merits stand out enough, so he wants to create some extra trouble? I understand, I understand!" Huang Fu Jun smiled with a flushed face.

  "Idiot!" Huang Fu Yan cursed loudly, "Do you have a brain? The real mastermind behind the scenes would be foolish enough to charge forward at the very front?"

  "You're so stupid!" Seeing Huang Fu being scolded, Huang Fu felt a great relief. "However, little sister, since he's a behind-the-scenes person, he must be hiding very deeply, I'm afraid it'll be difficult for you to find him. Do you want big brother to help you?" The tone of his voice couldn't hide the deep concern he had for his little sister.

  "Huang Fu Jie, what are you gloating about? You and Huang Fu Jun are both fools. Ding Heng told me that finding the mastermind behind the scenes is actually very simple. No matter who it is, everyone has a desire for fame and wealth. As long as you're willing to pay out a sum of money that will move people's hearts, those deceived commoners will probably compete with each other to tell us the whereabouts of the hidden person." Mentioning Ding Heng, Huang Fu Yan's face was full of pride, "Foolish commoners are just foolish commoners. As long as you give them a small benefit, they'll do things for you with all their heart and soul."

  "Excellent, truly excellent. There is no true loyalty in the world, what is called loyalty is just that the cost of betrayal is not enough. And for these foolish commoners, with a very small price, it's easy to find the hidden mastermind behind the scenes, Ding Heng, I indeed didn't misjudge you."