Chen Xiaobei saw the outer garment draped over his shoulder and then looked at the bed beside him. Cui Hongyu was already gone.
Ah, he had slept too soundly, he hadn't even heard Cui Hongyu get up.
Chen Xiaobei quickly got out of bed, placed the robe back on the bed, and hurried out of the room.
Outside, Cui Hongyu had already organized the villagers to start boiling soup and making meals.
"Brother Xiaobei," Chen Xiaowen, a village guard, spotted Chen Xiaobei and shouted in surprise as he rushed over.
Hearing the shout, everyone turned to look and realized Chen Xiaobei was standing behind them.
As soon as they saw Chen Xiaobei, they immediately gathered around, bombarding him with questions, "Chief Xiaobei, you're back? How are things on the mountain?"
"Yes, yes, have the government troops retreated?"
Cui Hongyu heard the shout, turned her head, and seeing so many people surrounding Chen Xiaobei, knew she wouldn't be able to get through even if she tried. So, she simply turned back to cook.
Facing the crowd’s eager questions, Chen Xiaobei raised his hands, signaling for everyone to quiet down.
"Everyone, don't make a fuss. Everything is normal on the mountain now. I came back for Qiao'er's matter."
As soon as Chen Qiao'er was mentioned, everyone began to curse Chen Sanqiu again.
It was fortunate that Chen Sanqiu wasn't present at the moment, otherwise, a single mouthful of spit could have drowned the fellow.
"Alright, everyone disperse. After eating, you all need to go down the mountain to Xiao Family Town. We'll be staying at an inn starting tonight."
Upon hearing about staying at an inn, everyone present shook their heads repeatedly.
"Chief Xiaobei, we don't want to stay at an inn! It's fine here. We cut wood during the day and sleep soundly at night."
Chen Xiaobei shook his head, "No, if you don't go, what if the government troops come to arrest people again?"
A villager waved his fist and replied, "If the government troops come again, we'll fight them! At worst, it's a fight to the death."
"Right, if they come again, we'll fight them to the end! What's there to be afraid of?"
At this moment, Cui Hongyu parted the crowd and walked in.
"Husband, it's better to stay. Who knows how long we'll have to stay in Xiao Family Town."
Chen Xiaobei heard the unspoken meaning: the cost of accommodation for so many people in a day would not be a small sum.
Although all this money could be reimbursed by Xiao Jingyun later, he would have to front the expenses first. Since everyone was unwilling, he would shelve this plan.
Just then, Liu Rumei, Liu Ce, and others also returned.
Seeing them return, the villagers wisely dispersed, knowing that Chen Xiaobei had important matters to attend to.
Back in Chen Xiaobei's room, Liu Ce got straight to the point.
"We've basically figured out the situation. Qiao'er is being held in a tent near Zhu Meng's main tent."
"There are at least three layers of sentries outside, making it impossible for ordinary people to get close."
"We can see Chen Qiao'er moving outside the tent in the morning. Judging by her mental state, she doesn't seem to be in any distress."
Upon hearing this, Chen Xiaobei and Cui Hongyu exchanged a glance, both relieved.
Then, Liu Ce drew a detailed map of the surrounding terrain on paper.
Looking at the continuous expanse of tents, Chen Xiaobei secretly sighed, realizing that rescuing Qiao'er would likely not be an easy task.
Just then, Huang Ying, Shen Ziyan, and the leader of the Lotus Sect, who had received the news, also rushed in.
As soon as she entered, Huang Ying shouted, "Is there any news? Is there any news?"
Chen Xiaobei briefly recounted what Liu Ce had just said.
Huang Ying was furious, "What are you afraid of? Ten layers of sentries, so what? We'll charge over together, and eventually, we'll rescue Qiao'er."
Chen Xiaobei waved his hand, "Don't rush, don't rush. Let's discuss it slowly."
After speaking, Chen Xiaobei scanned the people present, "Since Qiao'er is not in any immediate danger, we shouldn't rush the rescue. Let's discuss what we should do next."
Hearing this, Liu Rumei and Liu Ce exchanged a look, both confused, "Brother Xiaobei, what do you mean?"
Chen Xiaobei pointed to the map Liu Ce had drawn, "Thirty thousand troops have surrounded Qingniu Mountain, solely aiming to take the Crown Prince's life."
"If the villagers refuse to move, even if we rescue Qiao'er today, she and Hongyu might be captured again tomorrow."
Chen Xiaobei's words cast a silence over everyone. While they were reluctant to admit it, what Chen Xiaobei said was the truth.
Indeed, as long as the villagers didn't leave, Cui Hongyu couldn't leave Wuguling.
On the other hand, the thought of the villagers staying in an inn was indeed a headache in terms of expenses.
"So, given this, we won't rush to rescue Qiao'er. If we can use Chen Qiao'er to keep Zhu Meng's thirty thousand troops tied down in Qingniu County, wouldn't that be killing two birds with one stone?"
Liu Rumei looked a little bewildered at Chen Xiaobei's words, but the Lotus Sect leader seemed to understand. Her eyes lit up.
"Brother Xiaobei, do you mean we should raid the capital?"
Chen Xiaobei nodded, "Yes, let the Crown Prince stall them on the mountain. We'll quietly head to the capital and capture that Imperial Advisor. Wouldn't that solve the problem?"
"When the armies of the ten feudal lords arrive and surround Zhu Meng, all problems will be resolved. The Crown Prince will be the Crown Prince, and I'll still be the Chief."
Liu Rumei lowered her head and thought for a moment, "But we have no legitimate reason. Why don't we go back to the mountain and invite the Crown Prince down?"
Chen Xiaobei shook his head, "No, the Crown Prince cannot leave. If he leaves, our plan will fail."
The Lotus Sect leader smiled and said, "It's also easy to have a legitimate reason."
As she spoke, she looked at the carrier pigeon in Liu Rumei's hand, "Send the carrier pigeon up, ask the Crown Prince for an imperial decree, and wouldn't that be enough?"
Upon hearing this, everyone's eyes lit up. It wasn't just the Lotus Sect leader; this idea was indeed brilliant.
Liu Rumei nodded. This was a good idea. He turned to Ma Xiaoyi, "This task will be yours. Go down, rest briefly, and depart at dark. Take the carrier pigeon and return the way you came to obtain the Crown Prince's imperial decree, then quickly send it to the capital via carrier pigeon."
Chen Xiaobei also knew that Liu Rumei and the others were exhausted and needed rest.
"Alright, you all rest. I'll go to Xiao Family Town to get some horses, and we'll depart tonight too."
Chen Xiaobei, along with Chen Xiaowen and Chen Xiaobo, ambled their way to Xiao Family Town.
Upon arriving at Xiao Family Town, Chen Xiaobei's first stop was the Four Seas Restaurant to find Feng Xiaoyue.
Seeing Chen Xiaobei arrive, Feng Xiaoyue appeared very excited.
"Brother Xiaobei, you haven't been here for a while."
Chen Xiaobei nodded, "Yes, I've been too busy lately. I need your help with something urgent."
"Hmph, just say what you need. As long as I, Feng Xiaoyue, can do it."
Chen Xiaobei looked around privately, then opened his palm and flipped it over, "I need ten fast horses. I have to leave tonight."
Upon hearing this, Feng Xiaoyue frowned, "This is indeed a bit difficult, and it might cost some silver."
Chen Xiaobei directly took out a 500 tael silver note from his sleeve.