With only the words "Cao Yijun", Cai He didn't think that the girl would definitely bite the hook, so he had to make the bait more tempting.
Knowing that Ah Li cared about Zhu Xian, Cai Hexu created a close friend of Zhu Xian's.
He was said to be upright and honest. He was a classmate of Zhu Xian. He was arrested and imprisoned last month for writing an article criticizing Song Zhiyi. The person who arrested him was Cao Yijun.
Imprisonment for writing has existed since ancient times, especially during the changing dynasties, when tens of thousands of works were listed as banned books. Cai He believed that this trick was effective, and this bait would definitely make Ah Li bite.
The common people were anxious all day long and gathered in teahouses, teahouses and streets more than during the Taiping years. Therefore, these fabricated news spread as quickly as possible once Cai He spread them.
But neither Cai nor himself expected that the bait he cast would surprise the bait himself.
When I first heard that Shen Lie had appeared in the Panzhou area, in addition to Zuilu Guo's people, Song Zhiyi's secret agent also set out immediately.
Cao Yijun and Lu Qiyuan lost trust in front of Jin Hongkang because of his failure to intercept Shen Lie in April. They have been grudges for the past six months.
Therefore, upon hearing that Shen Lie had appeared in Panzhou, Cao Yijun immediately took twenty of his confidants and one counselor to Liujing Mansion, and then to Shoushi.
On his first day here, Cao Yijun saw a wanted order related to him.
Song Zhiyi and Zhuang Mengyao had suffered a bloody blow in the past few years. Before Cao Yijun was appointed as the commander of the attack camp, he killed at least 10,000 people in the Jiangnan barracks. It was understandable that he was wanted, but who leaked the news?
In addition to the wanted notices torn off on the street, there were several secret letters before the case of Cao Yijun. One of the secret letters stated that Shen Lie led people to capture Shanjing City in the southeast of Tanzhou.
First, it was said that Shen Lie was in Panzhou, less than half a month had passed, and then it was said that Shen Lie had captured Shanjing City.
Cao Yijun was a Confucian general with a very good temper, but some of the lieutenants around him slapped the table.
"It was said at first that Shen Lie was in Panzhou, and his traces were clear and confirmed. I only came here after that. Why, was it false?" Lieutenant General Qiu shouted.
"Don't be impatient. If it weren't for the fact that Shen Lie was in Panzhou, Zuilu wouldn't have sent so many men." General Lin Lang said opposite Vice General Qiu.
"Don't be a fool!" Lieutenant General Qiu shouted, "I think both sides have been deceived!"
"By the way," another person said, "Didn't we say before that someone from Li Qian showed up? Will he deliberately release the news about Shen Lie and lead us to Panzhou to catch turtles in a jar?"
"That's impossible," General Lin Lang said, "How could Zhuang Mengyao allow Li Qian's people to be so presumptuous? This was not four years ago."
"Damn it! Could it be that you are using a borrowed knife to kill someone?" Deputy General Qiu said.
Cao Yijun did not take anyone to stay at the inn. He stayed in a merchant's mansion. The owner of the mansion, Liu Yun, was Song Zhiyi's secret envoy and was apparently an oil merchant.
Butler Liu Yun knocked on the door and brought the boiled Huguang tea. Before leaving, he thought about it and said respectfully to Cao Yijun: "General, our master has not come back from the Chamber of Commerce yet, so there is something that the general must not know about yet. Don't talk too much."
"What's the matter?" Cao Yijun asked.
"That woman named Ah Li, she appeared in Shoushi."
Cao Yijun was stunned: "She?"
Everyone in the room fell silent and looked at the housekeeper.
The housekeeper said: "This news is conclusive. Our master came back from Yuxi Tower. Moreover, this Ah Li also caused a big stir. She brought together all the gangsters of the Jinchuanfang generation who formed gangs and started fights on the streets. It’s been cleaned up.”
"Are you saying that Ah Li was responsible for those teenagers who were tied up by the river in Jinchuanfang a few days ago?" General Lin Lang said.
"Well, it was also reported from Yuxi Tower. Not many people know that it was Ali who did this."
Cao Yijun nodded and ordered him to retreat first.
After the housekeeper left, Cao Yijun looked at counselor Huang Yong.
Huang Yong touched his beard and said nothing during the whole process.
"Sir," Cao Yijun said, "Where to go next? What do you think, sir?"
Huang Yong raised his hand and bowed to him: "General, since Shen Lie is not in Panzhou, let's withdraw."
"But sir, I can't understand this wanted order. Why did I settle down in Shoushi and my name was written on this wanted order?"
"I don't care," Huang Yong, a man with clear goals, said solemnly, "General, we are only here for Shen Lie. If Shen Lie is not here, we will retreat."
"Speaking of wanted orders," Vice General Qiu said, "General, Ah Li also has a wanted order."
No matter Shen Lie or Ah Li, they are both on Song Zhiyi's wanted list, and Ah Li's reward is higher.
The head of Sima Wu that was sent back from the letter shocked everyone in Daping.
This way of declaring war is really insulting.
In anger, King Xunping issued a reward order, offering 500 taels of gold, the title of Marquis Guangxuan, and a Chunluo County seat in exchange for Ali's head.
Now that I know that Ah Li is in Shoushi, I shouldn't miss this opportunity.
"I have nothing against Ah Li. The only person I hate with all my heart is Shen Lie," Cao Yijun said.
"Then let's go," Huang Yong said, "A gentleman does not stand under a dangerous wall."
"No," Vice General Qiu said, "General, Ah Li is here. Regardless of whether King Xunping has a reward order or not, if we don't kill this woman, how can we, Daping, establish a country?"
"I agree with what Vice General Qiu said," General Lin Lang said, "General, in order to strengthen the morale of the army, this woman has to die."
"What do you think, sir?" Cao Yijun looked at Huang Yong.
After a moment of silence, Huang Yongsurong said: "General, do you know why the important events of the country are to sacrifice to the Rong? Although the word "sacrifice" refers to offering sacrifices to heaven, its meaning is to focus on gathering strength. For our country, Daping, it has been less than five years since the founding of the country. There is absolutely no support from the people. As far as the world is concerned, Emperor Xuan Yan abandoned the capital and left, the people's support collapsed, and there is no talk of faith. If this Ali is killed, it will have a strong support in the hearts of our army, but not in the hearts of our people."
"People's hearts and minds?" Vice General Qiu said, "The world is still in chaos and the people don't even have enough to eat. It's useless to talk about their hearts and minds!"
Huang Yong ignored him and continued: "The people of the world do not believe in Li Ju, nor do they believe in me, Emperor Song, but the people of the world respect heroes and martyrs. If there is no great traitor after a hero, you must not touch him. General, retreat."
Vice General Qiu was unwilling to give in: "General, you don't want to find out about this reward order? Why is there a reward order posted as soon as we arrive in Shoushi?"
Huang Yong looked at him: "Vice General Qiu wants to stay?"
"That's what I meant!"
"Since Vice General Qiu has recommended himself," Huang Yong looked at Cao Yijun, "General, let Vice General Qiu lead a few people to stay."
Vice General Qiu was stunned: "Me?"
"That's okay," Cao Yijun nodded, "Qiu Xiang, you will stay to investigate the reward order, but remember, don't conflict with Ah Li head-on unless you are absolutely sure."
Vice General Qiu was a little confused and was about to explain, but the knock on the door came again.
Butler Liu Yun came in again and said in a low voice: "General, five people have come, claiming to be Mrs. Yan's subordinates."
Everyone frowned.
Huang Yong said: "The leader is Yu Yanchi?"
"He calls himself Yu."
"Disgraceful person!" Vice General Qiu shouted immediately.
The butler looked embarrassed and lowered his head.
Huang Yong's sharp eyes noticed the figures of several people outside, so he looked towards Cao Yijun and gave him a look.
The five people standing outside all looked extremely ugly.
Yu Yanchi, who was the leader, immediately looked at Chu Zheng behind him with displeasure.
Chu Zheng lowered her eyebrows and could only endure it.
If in the early years, Chu Zheng had known that Yu Yanchi would definitely go in, Yu Yanchi's character would not confront anyone head-on, but would have a fierce fight between yin and yang.
Now, Yu Yanchi can only swallow his anger.
"If they are outside the door, let them come in." Cao Yijun said.
"Yes." Butler Liu Yun responded.
"Vice General Qiu, you have company now," Huang Yong looked at Vice General Qiu and said with a smile, "They must have come to Shen Lie for Shoushi. With them here, Vice General Qiu will not be alone."
"Then I have to thank Mr. Huang for digging a hole and letting me jump." Lieutenant General Qiu gritted his teeth.
Yu Yanchi and others came in, and the atmosphere at the scene became a little weirder.
The butler knew that this kind of scene was not something he should stay for any longer, so he flattered him a few times and left in the name of having dinner and dinner.
As soon as he came out, the housekeeper hurriedly sent two more people to Yuxi Tower to urge Liu Yun.
After ordering the men, he turned around and saw Yu Yanchi's female subordinate standing behind him.
Chu Zheng stood five steps away and looked at him coldly.
The housekeeper swallowed his saliva and stepped forward and said, "My lord, I have something to tell you."
