"Mu Xiaoge, just ahead is the Mobei territory. I wonder which general's camp your brother serves under?"

  The speaker was a man in his forties, whose real name I didn't know, but everyone called him Dong Ye. He was generous and enthusiastic, and was the leader of this merchant group.

  That day, after leaving the garden, I and Shu Ying both dressed up as men. I couldn't help but feel fortunate that I wasn't born with a face as stunningly beautiful as Huan'er's, or else how could I have disguised myself as a man?

  I took a glance at myself and Piao Ying's appearance, although it was a bit too delicate, but it would only make people think that we were two weak and feeble young masters, without revealing our true nature.

  "My brother followed the Third Prince to conquer from the Upper Capital, and now I don't know which general he is serving under. Originally, I shouldn't have come looking for him so hastily, but Mother's illness really can't be delayed any longer. She also refused to let someone bring a message to inform my brother, so I brought a small servant and secretly ran out."

  I set out immediately with him to gaze afar at the vast and expansive land of Mengbei, we have been on this journey for seven or eight days now, I wonder if Nan Xiangyao is safe in Ye city at this moment.

  Thinking of this, I couldn't help but feel a little uneasy in my heart. However, along the way, I paid close attention to various sources and didn't hear any news about the commander being unwell, so I was slightly relieved.

  I didn't act alone with Shu Ying, but chose to follow the merchant group, although this might slow down our journey by one or two days, it was undoubtedly the safest approach.

  The northern border is far away, and without mentioning that we are not familiar with the road, it's inevitable that we will take a detour. Along this road, bandits and robbers can be seen everywhere. If it weren't for Master Dong's familiarity with the route and his skillful handling of situations, we would have been delayed by who knows how many days, and worse still, perhaps even our lives would not have been spared.

  Now that I see Ye City is imminent, I am truly grateful for his care for me and Shu Ying on this road, and secretly rejoice in my own decision.

  Thinking of this, he couldn't help but turn his head and sincerely say: "Along the way, Mu Qin was able to meet Lord Dong, and I'm grateful for your kindness in taking care of me on our journey. It's truly a fortunate encounter in three lifetimes - thank you!"

  Master Dong hastily held up his hand to stop me: "Quickly, don't say that. What I, Dong, respect most is a person who is well-read in poetry and classics, loyal and filial. Whether it's your elder brother going on an expedition to the north for the country or you, young master, searching for your relatives thousands of miles away for your mother, both make me admire you greatly. How can I not help with this matter?"

  A sturdy man beside him nodded repeatedly, saying: "My family lives in this Ye City. Every winter, the northern barbarians would plunder livestock and food, causing a commotion. This year's snow is particularly severe, not even leaving an inch of withered grass or roots. I suppose their cattle have starved to death, and there's no food, so they're attacking Ye City with all their might. My wife was scared to death, locking the doors every day, not even daring to let out our cattle. Since the Third Duke led his troops to station in Ye City, we've finally felt at ease. Little brother, since your older brother is also following the Third Duke to protect our northern border, we will definitely help you with whatever you need."

  I smiled slightly and thanked them, but when I turned around, I didn't want to see the proud look on Shu Ying's face that she couldn't hide, as if she was the one being praised, and I couldn't help but stifle a laugh.

  After two more days of walking, they arrived in front of Ye City.

  Dong Ye had to take goods to nearby villages, so he temporarily did not enter the city and had to take a detour. So I bid farewell to them outside the city of Ye.

  "Mu Xiaoge, you don't even know where your brother is specifically working, why not come with us and enter the city a few days later? At that time, everyone will help you find him, it's more convenient!"

  Before the words had fallen, another bright and clear voice immediately followed: "Look at what you said, Mu Xiao Ge is worried about his seriously ill mother at home, and he can't wait to find his brother and return with him as soon as possible. How can he wait? In my opinion, why don't we accompany him into Ye City to find his older brother first, and then send these goods? It's okay to be late for two days."

  Everyone in the merchant group is kind and generous, all the way here, they have been taking good care of me and Shuying, who seem weak. Now that we are about to part ways, it's natural to feel a little reluctant.

  "I shook my head and declined: 'You gentlemen have already helped Muchen too much, I dare not delay your important matters. Although I don't know which general's camp my brother is serving in, I can be sure that he is now in Ye City, as long as I ask one by one, I will find him.'"

  Master Dong pondered for a moment before speaking: "Alright, since we've already arrived in Ye City, although it's remote, the people are simple and honest. You can enter the city directly, and you won't encounter any more trouble. We'll probably enter the city in three to five days. If by then you still haven't found your brother, come find us at the Dongji Merchant House."

  I nodded hastily to thank him, and then heard Dong Ye say: "In this city of Ye, during the period of war, there are naturally many generals, big and small. However, you should first go find General Long Fei Qin Zhao, it's definitely not wrong. He is a man of great talent and noble character, and he has always been admired in the north of the desert, with extremely high prestige. Even if your brother is not under his command, he may still know something about it."

  They treated me with sincerity despite my involuntary concealment of identity. As I looked at him, I felt a subtle sense of emotion and guilt in my heart, but also understood the importance and urgency of the matter, and wouldn't recklessly reveal everything.

  After bidding farewell and parting with them, I rode directly to Ye City with Shuying.

  The city of Ye is not large, and its buildings are mostly simple, with a very strong flavor of the northwest.

  I dismounted and walked with Xiao Ying, casually finding a big sister selling pancakes to ask about the location of Ye City government.

  The old woman looked at me coldly and said, "Looking at your appearance, you're not a local, what do you want to do in the government office of Ye City?"

  I smiled and bowed in response: "As a younger brother following the Third Highness on an expedition to this place, I have come from the Upper Capital to search for relatives."

  She listened to me like this, and the coldness between her eyebrows and eyes eased a lot. After thinking for a moment, she muttered to herself: "That's right, it's indeed the authentic accent of the capital, and it's delicate and knowledgeable, those barbarians can't learn it."

  She was taken aback, and she put down the work in her hands, gave me a slightly apologetic smile: "This young man, don't mind, it's just that recently there have been too many Northern Hu spies sneaking into Ye City, and just the other day they even attempted to assassinate the Third Prince, so we can't help but be more vigilant."

  My heart tightened, and I hastily asked: "Assassination? How are the three princes now?"

  The old woman smiled proudly: "The third prince has the blessing of heaven, how can those barbarians easily hurt him? As soon as he came, several victories were won and the northern barbarians retreated dozens of miles. Those barbarians were so afraid that they sent many spies into the city to plot assassinations. We just look forward to the day when the final victory comes, and thoroughly defeat the northern barbarians back to their hometown!

  I felt slightly relieved, but after a moment, I couldn't help but worry again. If what the old lady said was true, and now in Ye City, due to the infiltration of the Northern Barbarians, the whole city is on high alert and all are armed, then I'm afraid it won't be easy for me to see Nan Xiangyao.

  Following the lead of the old lady, we soon arrived at the front of the Ye City government office. As I had expected, this government office was not large, but it was heavily guarded.

  Not to mention that I wanted to go in and find someone myself, even taking out the jade pendant worn on my body to let the guards pass it on, they were unmoved, only expressionlessly telling me that now, except for those with a permit, no one is allowed to enter the mansion, even if the King of Heaven himself came. He also won't help me secretly deliver anything, leaving behind a pretext for treason and rebellion.

  "Can't you see that my young master is not some spy sent by the northern barbarians? Why are you so inflexible? We won't go in, just take this jade pendant to show it to the Third Prince, and he'll naturally know my young master's identity!"

  The soldier still refused expressionlessly, without any sign of relaxation.

  The onlookers, although sympathetic to me and Shuying, still stood on the side of the guard and said: "You two gentlemen shouldn't blame this guard for being unreasonable. Ever since that northern barbarian snuck into the official residence a few days ago to attempt to assassinate the Third Prince, not only did Lord Zhao issue strict orders to fight to the death to protect him, but also everyone in Yenching, from top to bottom, young and old, has been on high alert at all times, and would never let the Third Prince encounter danger again. And as for the transmission of objects you mentioned, do you know that the traitor relied on this trick to collude with insiders and sneak into the residence? That's how they found an opportunity to strike. So even if they felt guilty about it, how could they make the same mistake again?"

  After hearing his words, I was somewhat angry, but also strangely calm. Since ancient times, the key to victory in war has been the harmony of heaven, earth and man. Now it seems that at least this person's heart is one that South Zhaoyao possesses.

  Since the people of Ye City, from top to bottom, even the most ordinary civilians, have taken it upon themselves to protect the three princes, then even if I don't see him for a short while, he will be safe and sound, won't he?

  Shu Ying still refused to give up and argued with the guard, "This time the nature of the transmission is completely different, isn't it? We are asking you to hand over the jade pendant directly to the Third Prince, could he be an insider?"

  The guard still didn't give in: "Since it's for the Third Prince, it can't be easily passed on. What if there's poison on the object?"

  "You!" Xiao Ying's face turned cold with anger.

  I gave her a reassuring glance, hesitated for a moment, and then spoke to the guard: "Since we can't see the Third Prince, I wonder if you could call out General Long Fei to meet with us?"

  He looked at me and shook his head, saying: "Even if the general is not here now, even if he was, I wouldn't be willing to pass on a message for you. You're better off leaving, kid. I can tell you're not a bad person, but military law is strict, we have to be careful. Once Ye City is at peace, if you really find the Third Prince in the mansion, I, Li Hu, will kneel down and apologize to you. But for now, please don't make things difficult for us."

  I know that at this moment, saying more is useless. In a situation where things are not clear, I also dare not rashly reveal my true identity. Even if I did say something, they probably wouldn't believe me anyway. So with some reluctance, I could only bring Shadow and leave first.

  We stayed at an inn called "Half Green", which was not very big and the rooms were quite simple, but still clean.

  Shu Ying's face was pale as she tidied up the bed, and she couldn't help but ask anxiously: "Young Master, what should we do now?"

  I watched her smile slightly, this girl looks rough but is actually very careful at critical moments. I was worried that she couldn't change her old way of addressing me, and had reminded her several times to address me properly. Unexpectedly, on this trip, she has been very cautious and hasn't slipped up once, even when we're alone together, she still calls me "young master".

  She saw me but smiled without speaking, and hastily said: "Young master, what are you smiling at? I'm almost anxious to death here. On this journey, in order to travel light, we didn't bring much luggage or money. If we can't see the Third Prince, I'm afraid we won't even have enough silver to pay for our stay at the inn."

  "Shu Ying, what do you think is the hardest thing to convey in these chaotic times, and what can be spread the fastest and easiest?" I gazed out the window at the children playing in groups of three or five, without moving my gaze, and asked with a faint smile.

  "Isn't it obvious? The hardest thing to convey is the connection between people and objects, otherwise we would have seen the Third Prince already. Why must Young Master still be humbled in this small inn?"

  She finished speaking and tilted her head for a moment before saying: "The thing that spreads the fastest and easiest... could it be money?"

  I couldn't help but burst out laughing and ignored her, getting up straight to go play with the children outside the door.

  "Master, where are you going? What is it after all?"

  I went to the street first and exchanged a few sugar people with broken silver. I handed them over to the children playing: "Little friends, brother invites you to eat sugar people, okay?"

  "Thank you, brother!" The children excitedly accepted the sugar people and smiled at me in gratitude.

  "Hey, what's going on here?"

  "We were playing house, he was the dad, she was the mom..." The children started chattering excitedly.

  I smiled and asked: "How about brother also play with you guys?"

  "Okay okay...... But what are you dressed up as, brother?"

  I thought for a moment and then said, "Brother, let's pretend to be a teacher today. How about I teach you guys a nursery rhyme first?"

  "Alright, alright......"

  I hesitated for a moment amidst the children's cheers and then softly recited the first line: "The capital city is clear and windy, crossing the northern desert."

  "Going up to the capital, the clear wind blows across the northern desert..." The children giggled and trailed behind me, drawing out their voices as they recited.

  I smiled slightly and continued: "Autumn's chill brings a wife's thoughts of sending winter clothes."

  "Autumn chill, wife thinks of sending warm clothes to her husband on the border"

  "It is like a mountain, yet cannot be seen."

  "Like a mountain, can't see it all at once——"

  "The solitary city of Ye hears the sound of the jue (a musical instrument)."

  "The solitary city of Ye hears the sound of the jue (a musical instrument) being played"

  "Half of the creek is empty, waiting for the Marquis and the royal grandson..."

  "Half of the creek is empty, waiting for the Marquis and the royal grandson——"

  I smiled faintly and listened to their soft chanting, again and again.

  More and more children noticed the commotion here, giggling and running over to join in the fun. Before long, they also started reciting together.

  Their childish voices, initially not very familiar, stuttered and stumbled, often needing to remind each other with giggles, until they couldn't remember anymore, then they all looked at me with wide eyes.

  I smiled and taught them over and over again, tirelessly.

  In these turbulent times, all the grass and trees are soldiers. Especially now that there is also the infiltration of the Northern Barbarians, in Ye City, the most difficult thing to transmit is people and objects. In this regard, Shu Ying did not say anything wrong.

  But if we're talking about what spreads the fastest and easiest, it's got to be rumors. It's always been that way, and especially during these tumultuous times.

  In ancient times, military affairs were always a major matter for the state. When two armies engage in battle, only by knowing both the enemy and oneself can one achieve victory in every battle.

  So, listen to words and watch for changes, see opportunities and take action, it has always been the way of the ancient military family to defeat enemies.

  So I believe that within this city, there will be no exception. The movements and rumors of the people in the city will definitely receive great attention from the military, and even to the extent of arranging special personnel to collect these messages.

  So I'm not worried.

  I took a distant look at the official residence of Ye City, a place I couldn't enter, but this ballad can.

  The implication in the song, Nan Chengyao would not be able to hear it. If I'm right, within three days, he will definitely send someone to this "Half Creek" inn to investigate.

  "The capital's clear breeze blows across the northern desert, autumn chill reminds me to send warm clothes to my wife. The imperial order is like a mountain, yet I see it not. In Ye city, only the sound of the horn can be heard, half of the creek is empty, guarding the marquises and princes..."

  The sound of children's clear reading still echoes in my ears, and I gaze in the direction of the government office with a faint smile.

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