Chen Xiaobei understood Chen Dayong's meaning, which was to wait there and bask in the sun. The sun was bright today, and waiting like a hunter watching for a rabbit was a good option.
Soon, seven or eight people were leaning against the thatched hut, soaking up the sun.
The sun was warm, and after a long time, everyone naturally felt sleepy. Before long, some were snoring.
Chen Xiaobei forced himself not to fall asleep. He turned and looked around. Du Juan, who was next to him, had already fallen asleep. It made sense; she was a young girl who had run a long way and was truly tired.
He turned to look at the others. Apart from Chen Dayong, who was still awake, the rest had fallen asleep. Chen Xiaobei dared not sleep. He stood up and tried to move his limbs.
Seeing him get up, Chen Dayong also stood up. Chen Xiaobei quickly reached out to stop him. "Brother Dayong, you should sleep. I'll wake you later."
Chen Dayong stretched his limbs and did a couple of jumps on the spot. "I'm fine, you rest."
As they were talking, Chen Dayong's gaze swept into the distance, and his eyes suddenly lit up with joy.
"Brother Xiaobei, look." Following the direction Chen Dayong pointed, Chen Xiaobei saw it.
More than a dozen people were approaching in the distance.
These people were all dressed in green and were marching in a somewhat disorderly formation. Even so, it was still evident that they had been trained. Although their faces were not clear from afar, Chen Xiaowei felt that these people looked somewhat familiar.
Chen Xiaobei quickly ran to the intersection to meet the dozen or so people. As he got closer, he recognized the leader as Guo Chuan.
Chen Xiaobei waved and called out, "Brother Guo Chuan, Brother Guo Chuan."
Seeing Chen Xiaobei appear, Guo Chuan was clearly a little surprised.
Guo Chuan raised his hand, and the dozen people behind him immediately stopped in unison. Taking a step forward, Guo Chuan cupped his fists towards Chen Xiaobei. "Brother Xiaobei, you, why are you here?"
Chen Xiaobei got straight to the point. "I came to find you. I heard you are going to the capital to find Miss Liu, is that right?"
Guo Chuan nodded. "Yes, all the military provisions from the mountain have been transported down. We need to report to Miss Liu."
Chen Xiaobei looked behind Guo Chuan. "Brother Guo, didn't you have about a thousand people? Why are there only a few of you?"
Hearing this, Guo Chuan chuckled. He looked very pleased. "More than a thousand people would be too conspicuous on the road. We have to break into smaller groups." Su Dan Novel Network
At this, Chen Xiaobei began to understand. He had been looking for places that could accommodate many people along the way, but he had overlooked some smaller locations. No wonder he couldn't find them.
"Brother Guo, there's a sudden situation. The capital is not very stable right now, so you should not go."
Chen Xiaobei spoke vaguely. Guo Chuan naturally did not buy it. "Thank you for the reminder, Brother Xiaobei. We know what we are doing."
Chen Dayong, standing beside him, was a little anxious. "Brother Guo, you really shouldn't go. You might cause trouble for Miss Liu if you go."
"Don't worry, we won't cause trouble for Miss Liu." Guo Chuan thought for a moment, still not understanding Chen Dayong and Chen Xiaobei's intentions, and his face remained full of smiles.
Seeing this, Chen Xiaobei knew that if he didn't make the situation sound serious, he wouldn't be able to stop them.
Chen Xiaobei had no choice but to tell the truth. "Brother Guo, to be honest, Lord Liu has been ordered by the Emperor to become a monk, and Miss Liu has been demoted to a commoner."
"Therefore, it is not a suitable time for you to go to the capital to find Miss Liu."
It was better not to mention it, but as soon as he said it, Guo Chuan's temper flared up instantly.
"This is infuriating! Everything in the world can't escape reason. Miss Liu has worked so hard for the country, why is she treated like this? No, we must go and petition for Miss Liu."
With Guo Chuan taking the lead, the people behind him also started to argue.
Chen Xiaobei felt a bit awkward for a moment, not expecting to have stirred up a hornet's nest.
Soon after, another twenty or so people walked up. These were the ones Guo Chuan mentioned breaking into smaller groups. Now, there were twenty or thirty people arguing here.
The situation was getting a bit out of hand.
Seeing that Guo Chuan and the others were determined to leave forcefully, Chen Xiaobei could only grab Guo Chuan's arm. "Brother Guo, please don't go. It's for Miss Liu's good, and also for your own good."
Guo Chuan gritted his teeth, hardened his heart, and shook off Chen Xiaobei's grasp with a flick of his hand.
At this moment, Du Juan and the others, who had been dozing, were also alerted. Seeing Chen Xiaobei being pushed by Guo Chuan, Du Juan immediately flew forward and stood in front of Chen Xiaobei.
Clearly, Guo Chuan knew Du Juan's skills. He cupped his fists towards Du Juan. "Miss Du Juan, I apologize to Brother Xiaobei. We cannot tolerate the injustice Miss Liu has suffered. We must go to the capital today."
Chen Xiaobei stood in the middle of the road, spreading his arms and shouting, "Everyone, listen to my advice, please don't go."
Guo Chuan cupped his fists towards Chen Xiaobei again. "Brother Xiaobei, you can block us for a moment, but you can't block us forever. Even if we stop today, we will still go tomorrow. Please don't make things difficult for us."
"That's right, we must go to the capital."
"Yes, we must go to the capital."
"We must seek justice for Miss Liu."
"Let's go and appeal for Lord Liu."
Amidst the impassioned shouts, Guo Chuan waved his hand. A few people gathered around and blocked Chen Xiaobei. The rest strode forward.
Just then, the sound of hooves suddenly rang out.
Then, a sharp shout came, "Stop right there."
This voice sounded familiar. Chen Xiaobei looked in the direction of the voice and saw the approaching person. Chen Xiaobei couldn't help but be startled. It was none other than Princess Zhaoning.
The princess had been sent to Qingniu County by the Crown Prince's order. She had originally brought more than a dozen carriages, but Princess Zhaoning found the carriages too slow. So, she took a few guards and rode ahead.
She happened to be here today and saw the messy scene ahead.
Upon clearly seeing Chen Xiaobei entangled with a group of people, she immediately urged her horse forward and happened to block Guo Chuan and the others.
When Guo Chuan and the others saw Princess Zhaoning, they all fell to their knees with a "whoosh." The two shopkeepers from the steamed bun and noodle shops nearby were also stunned and instinctively knelt down as well.
Seeing this, Chen Xiaobei also quickly stepped forward, preparing to kneel.
Princess Zhaoning hurriedly dismounted and reached out to support Chen Xiaobei's arm. "Brother Xiaobei. No need for formalities."
This, Brother Xiaobei?
Guo Chuan and the others were stunned.
They couldn't figure out what made this poor-looking young man so remarkable that he could even be a sworn brother to the princess.
After supporting Chen Xiaobei, Princess Zhaoning turned to Guo Chuan and the others and pointed at them, sternly reprimanding, "You truly have the guts of a bear and leopard, daring not to listen to Brother Xiaobei's words."
Guo Chuan cupped his fists and said to Princess Zhaoning, "Your Highness, we heard that Lord Liu suffered injustice, and we are indignant. We plan to go to the capital to seek justice for Lord Liu."