Zhang Liao, however, appeared unusually solemn, carefully directing the soldiers around him.
"Prepare the arrows. Shen Qiang, keep a close watch once he enters. If there's any sign of trouble, release the arrows immediately. Don't let a single one escape."
All preparations complete, the gate creaked open with a groan, and the drawbridge lowered.
Shen Qiang, without hesitation, waved his hand. Leading over a hundred men, they split into two teams and quickly entered the city. As soon as they passed under the gate, they were stopped.
Someone held up a torch, illuminating Shen Qiang, and burst into laughter.
Shen Qiang narrowed his eyes, looking at the man, and couldn't help but laugh as well. "Brother Guan Yong, is that you?"
"I've been ordered by the Marshal to welcome you here. Come, let's go see the Marshal." Guan Yong couldn't help but chuckle.
As he spoke, he stepped forward, put his arm around Shen Qiang's shoulder, and led him inside. Not far ahead, they saw Zhu Meng and Zhang Liao descending from the city wall.
Shen Qiang quickly stepped forward, adjusted his robes, and knelt before Zhu Meng. "This sinner, Shen Qiang, pays his respects to the Marshal."
Zhu Meng heard this and roared with laughter. He stepped forward, supported Shen Qiang's arm, and pulled him to his feet. "Shen Qiang, I'm so glad you're here. After you left, I was blaming myself. No matter how rushed I was, I should have sent someone to notify you to withdraw earlier."
"I didn't expect you to find your way back yourself," he said, turning to the person beside him. "Shen Qiang has been with me for over ten years. He's my most loyal subordinate."
"It's late today. Tomorrow at noon, I will host a banquet to properly settle Shen Qiang's nerves."
Zhu Meng's words effectively put an end to the matter for the night; there would be no further arrangements for the evening.
Shen Qiang and his men were led to waiting tents that had already been prepared.
Guan Yong accompanied Shen Qiang to his quarters.
Once they were alone, Shen Qiang lowered his voice and asked, "Brother Guan, how have you been lately..."
Before he could finish, Guan Yong clapped his hands to interrupt him.
"Young brother, you shouldn't have come."
"Alas, I was sent by the Crown Prince to go undercover. If I hadn't come, could I have refused?" Shen Qiang deliberately sighed.
"What use is it for you to come? You're counting on these hundred or so men. Do you think you can..."
Shen Qiang waved his hands repeatedly. "Alas, Brother, I've already made it clear to the Marshal. The Crown Prince sent me, and I had no choice but to come. These are all my trusted men. How could I have any other intentions? I'm merely taking this opportunity to return to the Marshal's side."
Guan Yong looked around, then sighed. "You shouldn't have come. Although this Jizhou city seems impregnable now, even mountains of gold and silver will eventually be depleted. By then, who will be the victor is uncertain."
Shen Qiang also sighed in agreement. "But I still..."
"Enough. Let's not talk about it. Go back and rest. The Marshal will be holding a victory feast for you tomorrow."
Guan Yong escorted Shen Qiang to the entrance of his quarters and turned to leave. Shen Qiang stopped him again.
"Uh, there's something I don't know how to approach the Marshal about. When I came, the Crown Prince asked me to inquire about the situation of those three hostages. If I don't send any news back, I fear the brothers left behind will have a difficult time..."
Hearing Shen Qiang's words, Guan Yong hesitated for a moment, then smiled. "Alas, what's so difficult about that? Those three are all locked up in the Jizhou Prefectural Prison. Go straight ahead from your camp. The most imposing residence you see is it. Oh, and after Ge Cun died, his brother Ge Zhuang has essentially taken over everything of his. The Marshal is also indulging him somewhat now."
He said this, then placed a hand on Shen Qiang's shoulder. "Just say that the defenses are tight and you had no choice but to come in. Stay here for a few days of peace."
Shen Qiang didn't say anything further. He entered the tent Zhu Meng had arranged for him and instructed his men to disperse and rest. He specifically set aside a room for Liu Ruomei, Shen Ziyan, and Huang Ying.
Once everyone was settled, Shen Qiang quietly entered and cupped his fists towards the three women. "I've already found out that the Lotus Cult Leader and the others are being held in the Jizhou Prefectural Prison."
"Go straight out of the military camp, and you'll see a large courtyard. That's Jizhou Prefecture. As for where the prison is, you three will have to search for yourselves."
Liu Ruomei bowed slightly. "Thank you, Brother Shen."
Shen Qiang's expression turned grave, and he looked at Shen Ziyan. "You must take care of yourselves."
Shen Ziyan nodded. "Don't worry, Brother Qiang. I will."
The three tidied themselves up, shed their military uniforms, changed into dark clothing, and quietly left the military camp.
Following Shen Qiang's directions, they walked straight ahead for about three li before seeing a grand courtyard ahead.
This must be Jizhou Prefecture.
The three moved almost simultaneously, silently floating onto the rooftops. Navigating the uneven rooftops posed no difficulty for them.
They searched from the front courtyard to the back, finally spotting a room with lights on in a corner. The three quietly crept closer.
Liu Ruomei, a step ahead, silently floated down and approached the window. She first listened intently, hearing people talking inside. Then, Liu Ruomei put a finger in her mouth, wet it slightly, and gently poked a small hole in the window paper.
Inside, a stout man and a thin man were seated opposite each other at a table.
On the table were a few small dishes and a pot of wine. Even at this hour, they were still drinking.
The stout man took a sip of wine and sighed. "I knew this kind of dirty, thankless work would eventually fall to us two brothers."
The thin man also let out a long sigh. "Who's to say it wouldn't? Ge Zhuang doesn't have good intentions."
"While we're freezing here, he's already sleeping with Ge Cun's concubine."
The stout man quickly waved his hand. "Brother, are you tired of living? You know it, but why say it out loud."
The thin man shook his head repeatedly. "What's there to be afraid of? I've disliked him for a long time. If only Ge Cun's former subordinates knew what kind of beastly thing Ge Zhuang has done, they'd chop him into mincemeat."
"Alright, this has nothing to do with us. We two need to keep an eye on these three spies. When the shift changes at dawn, we'll find a bathhouse and have a good soak."
Hearing this, Liu Ruomei's mind stirred. She swayed her body slightly, her gaze searching the room carefully, but there seemed to be nothing unusual.
Just then, the stout man spoke again. "Yes, after tonight, we can at least rest for a few days. I'll take you to the Yihong Pavilion for a good time."
As he spoke, he picked up the wine pot and poured another cup for the thin man. "Come, let's drink."
The thin man raised his cup and took a sip, looking at the stout man with a smile. "Alas, elder brother, you're like holding a golden bowl and begging for food. There are two beautiful women inside, why would you still want to go to the Yihong Pavilion!"
The stout man's expression changed slightly. "That won't do. If it gets out..."
The thin man let out a few dry laughs and looked up at the sky outside. "Elder brother, it's still early before dawn, no one will come for a while."
"You're right. Then you go, I'll guard here."
The thin man chuckled. "Brother, such a good thing, how could I enjoy it alone? Why don't we go together? One for each of us."