Chen Xiaobei smiled faintly, clasped his hands behind his back, and paced a few steps in front of Sun Yuliang.
"My name is Chen Xiaobei, just an ordinary villager from Hetou Village."
Upon hearing his name, Sun Yuliang was taken aback, "You are Chen Xiaobei."
"Yes, he is Chen Xiaobei. It was he who devised the plan for us to descend Qingniu Mountain, strike directly at the heart of the enemy, and capture you, the rebel," Liu Rumei's tone could not hide her boastfulness.
Hearing this, Sun Yuliang fell silent.
Suddenly, he glared and gritted his teeth, roaring, "You ruined everything I had! What does a villager like you have to do with the struggle in the imperial court?"
Chen Xiaobei sighed at his words, "You probably haven't heard a saying. The rise and fall of a nation is the responsibility of every citizen."
"The Great Cang Kingdom is not your country, nor his country. It belongs to all the people of the world."
"When the country is in trouble, every citizen has a responsibility. Naturally, one must contribute money if they have it, and effort if they can. I, having little money, could only contribute effort by coming here to capture you, you scoundrel."
His speech was both witty and profound, easy to understand yet resonating with conviction.
Sun Yuliang was full of surprise at his words. He could not have imagined that a mere villager would possess such insight.
Liu Rumei also did not expect Chen Xiaobei to utter such words. Her gaze towards him gradually transformed from admiration to respect.
After dealing with Sun Yuliang, Liu Rumei wanted to take Chen Xiaobei to see the Emperor, but Chen Xiaobei repeatedly waved his hands.
"Forget it, forget it. I won't meet the Emperor."
Liu Rumei was full of surprise, "Why not? The Emperor will surely reward you handsomely."
Chen Xiaobei sighed, "You are right, it is precisely the Emperor's reward that I fear."
"Why wouldn't an official position given by the Emperor be better than you returning home to grow vegetables?" Liu Rumei was very puzzled.
Chen Xiaobei smiled slightly, "Serving in office means no freedom. Look at how much restraint you are under. How can that compare to the carefree life of a farmer like me?"
Hearing Chen Xiaobei's words, Liu Rumei sighed helplessly, "Alright, then as you wish!"
Liu Rumei had no choice but to escort Chen Xiaobei back to the Duke Huguo's mansion.
In fact, Chen Xiaobei had only revealed half of his reasons. He had not disclosed the other half.
As the saying goes, accepting payment for services rendered. If he accepted the reward, the Emperor would keep him in mind for future matters. Then, would he go or would he go?
Therefore, it was better to live a peaceful life with Cui Hongyu and Chen Qiaoer.
Thinking of Chen Qiaoer, Chen Xiaobei's heart ached fiercely again.
Yes, he had to return quickly to save Qiaoer.
Upon returning to the Duke Huguo's mansion, Liu Rumei saw her father, Liu Xiangnan, sitting there looking rather unhappy.
Liu Yuanwen sat beside him, not daring to utter a word.
Seeing this scene, Liu Rumei was very surprised and hurried forward, "Father, what happened?"
Liu Yuanwen quickly said, "Little sister, you don't know, but Father took people to search the Imperial Preceptor's mansion earlier. Steward Sun Qi and the Supreme Daoist were both gone. According to the servants in the mansion, they left in a hurry before we arrived."
At this moment, Liu Xiangnan added, "All the trouble is related to this Supreme Daoist. Now that he has escaped, I fear there will be no peace!"
The Supreme Daoist had escaped.
Liu Rumei could not help but frown.
"Father, I deduce that the Supreme Daoist will go to Qingniu County to find Zhu Meng. We must be prepared."
Hearing that the Supreme Daoist was going to Qingniu County, Chen Xiaobei became even more anxious. If the Supreme Daoist took his anger out on Chen Qiaoer, it would be troublesome.
Thinking of this, he bowed deeply to Liu Xiangnan, "Marquis, please grant me permission. I must take my leave immediately and rush back to Qingniu County."
Liu Xiangnan was also surprised. He looked at Liu Rumei.
Liu Rumei understood in an instant, "Father, Chen Xiaobei's sister, Chen Qiaoer, is still being held captive in Zhu Meng's military camp. If the Supreme Daoist goes there, it might be disadvantageous to Chen Qiaoer."
Upon hearing this, Liu Xiangnan stroked his beard and nodded slightly.
"What you say is very reasonable. Since that is the case, then you should leave quickly and rescue the child before the Supreme Daoist reaches Qingniu County."
Liu Rumei did not hesitate. After thanking her father, she immediately ordered Xiao Qing to pack their belongings.
Xiao Qing was confused. While packing, she kept complaining, "Miss, that Chen Xiaobei is just an ordinary citizen. We finally came back, and you're going back just for him?"
Liu Rumei looked at Xiao Qing with a solemn expression and said slowly, "Xiao Qing, remember, Chen Xiaobei is a great benefactor to our Liu family. Without him, whether we could be alive now is questionable."
"Chen Xiaobei is also the savior of our Great Cang Kingdom. Without him, wouldn't we still be trapped on Qingniu Mountain, and the Emperor couldn't be saved?"
"Remember, from now on, you are not allowed to call him by his name. You must call him Brother Xiaobei!"
Xiao Qing stuck out her tongue, "I remember."
Half an hour later, the melodious music in the palace resumed. Liu Xiangnan, along with the old Prime Minister Fang Zheng and the civil and military officials, entered the Hall of Diligent Governance in an orderly fashion.
At this time, Emperor Xiao An, having bathed and changed, felt much better.
Looking at the immaculately clean hall and the joyous officials, Xiao An was filled with emotion.
After everyone shouted "Long live" three times, they stood up and lined up on both sides.
Xiao An looked at Liu Xiangnan and then at Fang Zheng and said, "Today, I am able to sit here again thanks to the great contributions of both Your Excellencies."
Liu Xiangnan and Fang Zheng exchanged glances and bowed slightly, "Your Majesty is too kind. We have merely fulfilled our duties as subjects."
Xiao An smiled, stroked his beard, and nodded, "Where is Liu Rumei now? I wish to reward her handsomely."
Liu Xiangnan quickly bowed and replied, "Reporting to Your Majesty, my daughter has already left the capital. A Supreme Daoist escaped from Sun Yuliang's mansion. My daughter judged that he would go to Qingniu County to rendezvous with Zhu Meng, hence her hurried departure."
Upon hearing this, Xiao An's expression faltered, and a sense of disappointment was undeniable, "Very well, then after this matter is completely settled, I shall bestow the rewards."
At this moment, the old Prime Minister Fang Zheng stepped forward, "Your Majesty, Zhu Meng still has three hundred thousand troops at Qingniu Mountain. If the Supreme Daoist joins forces with him, they are likely to resist stubbornly."
"I request Your Majesty to immediately dispatch the ten regional lords to Qingniu Mountain to eliminate Zhu Meng and prevent future troubles."
Xiao An nodded and was about to speak when Liu Xiangnan spoke again, "Reporting to Your Majesty, according to Rumei, before the Crown Prince went to Qingniu Mountain, he had already sent people to convey a written order to the ten regional lords, summoning them to protect the Emperor."
Upon hearing this, Xiao An could not help but slam the imperial desk, "Excellent! With my son's written order, I believe the ten regional lords will all raise their armies."
Liu Xiangnan cupped his hands again, "Your Majesty, it is best to announce the capture of Sun Yuliang to the world as soon as possible."
Liu Xiangnan's intention was clear. Even if there were one or two hesitant individuals, once they knew that Sun Yuliang had been captured, they would have no further reservations.