Seeing the sun gradually turning towards the west, Xiao Chen's stomach was already starting to feel a little hungry. He still had no news of the return of the four thousand households.
Sitting at the table, he was inevitably a little anxious.
As soon as those few thousand households are in place, an arrest order will be issued immediately.
He believed that since those four people could be present when Huang Anliang was talking to Jin Yiwei's people, they must have been involved in this matter.
Even if Huang Anliang, an old fox, doesn't recruit anyone, he can definitely get some inside information from the other four people.
On the chair next to him, Huang Anliang lowered his head. He didn't know if it was true or pretending, but he actually dozed off.
"Sir Huang, do you, the Qianhu, usually take so long to come back?" Xiao Chen knocked on the table with his hand and said.
"Yeah, um." As if he was awakened from his dream, Huang Anliang suddenly raised his head, looked around, and then reacted, saying: "No, no. At his usual speed, he would have been back a long time ago."
After saying that, he actually raised his right hand and wiped the snoring water from his mouth with his sleeve.
"Old fox, how dare you deceive me." Xiao Chen slapped his palm on the table, and the large square table made of solid wood shattered into powder.
Hearing the commotion inside, several Dongchang captains who had been standing still outside rushed in with sharp blades in hand.
"Put on shackles and escort him back to Dongchang." Xiaochen shouted.
With a crashing sound, heavy black shackles were locked on Huang Anliang's wrists and ankles.
Looking at the captains of the 7th and 9th regiments, Xiao Chen said: "Trouble with the two captains, please escort Huang Anliang back to the East Factory. You must be careful on the way and you must not make any mistakes."
"Brother Xiao, don't worry, more than 200 of us will escort a criminal and we will send him safely to Dongchang Prison."
The two captains clasped their hands and replied.
"Take away the tied infantryman Qianhu together."
"Would that row of guards be escorted back?" the two asked.
Xiao Chen shook his head: "They don't know anything, so don't pay attention."
As he watched the two hundred troops escorting Huang Anliang away, Duan Tianming came up to him and asked, "Why are we staying here?"
"The troops were divided into four groups and went to the areas defended by four thousand households to see what they were doing. Once they were seen, they were arrested on the spot."
Xiao Chen pointed to the map of Yanqing Guard's fortifications on the wall and said.
Outside the camp, more than a hundred captains from the Thirteenth Battle were instantly divided into four groups.
Xiao Chen and Duan Tianming each led one group, and the other two groups temporarily assigned a person in charge.
"No matter what the situation is, we will gather here after returning. We will never return to the East Factory until we see the last team. Follow the points marked on the map and set off."
The four small teams, like goddesses scattering flowers, galloped away in four directions.
The place Xiao Chen wants to go is Longhu Terrace, which is more than forty miles away from the Yanqing Guard headquarters.
Longhu Terrace is in the southeast of Yanqingwei, which is also the direction to the capital.
The reason why we chose this place is precisely because this road leads to the capital.
Now, the Yanqing Guards can no longer hide. If there is no other way out, they will definitely flee to the Jinyi Guards in the capital and hide.
And this Longhu Terrace will definitely serve as a gathering place for several people.
The horses galloped faster, and in less than half an hour, the marching camp of Longhu Terrace was seen in the distance.
Several white tents surrounded a slightly larger white tent in the middle.
All around, a fence as high as one person was built with dry wood.
At the entrance of the fence, there was a tall wooden stake with a large oil lamp basin hanging on it.
Two guards armed with spears stood on both sides of the gate.
In the middle of the camp, there was a team of more than a dozen people, patrolling back and forth around the tent.
After taking a look at the orderly layout of the camp, Xiao Chen couldn't help but feel a little admiration.
Huang Anliang is really not picky when it comes to leading troops in battle.
"Who is it? Please stay away from this important military area."
Seeing Xiao Chen and his team of nearly thirty people, the guard at the door immediately became vigilant, held a spear in his hand, and shouted loudly.
Hearing the movement at the door, the patrol team of more than ten people rushed over quickly.
Xiao Chen flashed the Plum Blossom Order on his waist and said, "The East Factory is handling the case."
Hearing that Dongchang was handling the case and seeing the dark plum blossom order, the two guards, together with a dozen patrols, all fell to their knees.
"See my lord."
Xiao Chen pointed at one of the men, who was dressed like a squad leader: "You, stand up and answer."
"This is the Yanqing Guard Longhutai defense area camp?"
"Sir, this is the Longhu Terrace Camp." The man stood up and replied simply.
"What do you call thousands of households? Can they be in the camp?"
"Sir, our Qianhu are Lan Linkun and Lan Qianhu. A few hours ago, we received the order from the Yanqing Guards to leave and have not returned yet." The man replied.
"Dongchang is handling the case, please stay out of the way for a while." After saying this, Xiao Chen waved his right hand and said, "Search."
After searching all the tents, they could not find Longhu Terrace Lan Qianhu.
"Take all the paperwork in the camp and return to Yanqing Guard."
Under everyone's doubtful gazes, Xiao Chen's team shot towards the distance like an arrow from a string.
"People from Dongchang are here, did Qianhu commit something?"
"We just have to stand our guard. It's better not to make random guesses about matters at the top."
Watching the captain of the East Factory leave, the two guards in charge of the gate muttered quietly.
When we returned to Yanqing Guard, a small team was already waiting there.
"What's going on over there?" Xiao Chen asked.
"Since I'm not at the station, I've brought back all the documents from the camp." The temporarily assigned little leader replied.
Half an hour later, Duan Tianming and another team also returned.
The situation was almost exactly the same. No one was arrested, and only a lot of documents and information were brought back.
The night was getting darker, and there was no gain. Xiao Chen had a trace of unwillingness on his face.
It seems that their judgment was wrong. If such a big thing happened, they should not go to the capital.
If he didn't go to the capital to seek the protection of the Jin Yiwei, where would he go?
It's cold and freezing, and no one can survive a whole night in the wild, so they won't hide in the wild.
Although there are inns in the town, today is the second day of the Lunar New Year.
The inns and taverns in the town will not open because there are no customers on their way, and they will not go there.
They will go to the surrounding counties or prefectures.
Thinking of this, Xiao Chen took out the map on his body, and with the last glimmer of light in the sky, he placed his hand on the words 'Changping Prefecture'.
As the saying goes, it's dark under the lamp.
The magistrate of Changping Prefecture has just been arrested. They must think that Dongchang will not go to Changping Prefecture in the near future.
Everyone hasn't eaten all day.
They were all strong men, and they had been running back and forth for a long time. Although no one complained about hunger, Xiao Chen knew that they were just holding on.
Glancing at the Yanqing Guard headquarters behind him, Xiao Chen revealed a smirk on his face.
"Let's go, follow me to the kitchen of Yanqing Wei Headquarters. Remember, pick something for me to eat. Don't take the steamed buns and chew them like a fool. As long as it's meat, you can eat whatever you want. But one thing is, you are not allowed to drink."
Watching these Dongchang captains, like robbers, rummaging through boxes and cabinets in the kitchen, looking for something to eat.
None of the guards and patrols stationed there dared to step forward to stop him.
Half an hour later, everyone's stomachs were bulging.
"Xiao Chen, I feel like our behavior is a bit like bandits?" Maybe it was because the meat was a bit greasy. Duan Tianming picked up a sweet potato, rubbed it on his clothes a few times, and took a bite.
"Look, look, you are of low level, you still don't admit it. Where have you seen bandits who dare to eat and drink in the kitchen of the guard headquarters? This is the guard of the Ming Dynasty, and we all work for the court.
We have a meal to help each other, don't blame Dongchang, the factory owner will be angry if he finds out."
Xiao Chen bit a carrot in his mouth and said seriously.
After resting for another half an hour, Xiao Chen shook his head lazily.
"Brothers, have you rested?"
"alright."
"Then let's go and get familiar with the streets of Changping Prefecture tonight."
Changping Prefecture deserves to be called the prefecture city. Even on the second day of the Lunar New Year, the pubs and restaurants on the streets are all brightly lit.
Even so, there were not many customers inside.
Most pedestrians are just wandering on the street, looking at the lanterns on the street, preparing for the next festival, the Lantern Festival.
Xiao Chen divided the team into four teams and started searching street by street.
On a slightly remote street, Xiao Chen led the team and walked slowly forward.
Not far away, a large signboard was placed at the door.
The bright lantern at the door shines on the signboard, making the word "wine" half a person's height visible on the signboard from a distance.
There were very few people on the street, but there was a man sitting at a table against the wall in the tavern.
Xiao Chen waved his hand, signaling the team to surround the tavern, and walked in alone.
"How many guests are there?"
There was no waiter in the tavern, so the boss greeted him personally with a smile.
"The government is handling the case." Xiao Chen waved his hand and walked straight towards the drunk man.
Hearing the official's son, the shopkeeper stepped back to the counter and said nothing.
In front of the man, there was a huge plate with very little beef left.
He was dressed in a gray cloth coat that was a little wrinkled. On his head was a big cotton hat often worn by northern people, which almost covered his ears.
Holding a wine flask in one hand and a wine glass in the other, he poured himself a glass of wine.
"Are you full?" Standing at the table, Xiao Chen looked at the man and asked.
"Ask me?" The man raised his head and asked in confusion.
"Besides you and me, are there any other customers in this tavern?"
"Oh, I'm full. Who are you? We are strangers, two grown men, what are you talking to me about?" He picked up the wine glass he had just filled and drank it all in one gulp.
"The government is handling the case." Xiao Chen put his buttocks on the table and sat directly on the table.
"If you handle the case, handle the case. What's wrong with you sitting at a table where others are drinking." The man stood up with a shout. His burly figure was a head taller than Xiao Chen.
"What's your last name?" Xiao Chen continued to ask, ignoring the other party's anger.
"The surname is Sun."
"Where is your family name?"
The man was stunned for a moment, and then said: "I am from Shunyi County and came to Changping Prefecture to visit relatives. I haven't been in contact with each other for many years, and I can't find the address of my relatives' homes, so I can only fill my stomach here."
Xiao Chen smiled softly: "It sounds reasonable, but I only asked where you are from, why are you answering so many questions?"
"The government is handling the case. I'm afraid of trouble, so I'll tell you all about my itinerary."
"It's just a routine inspection, what's the trouble? Could it be that you thought of this excuse in advance?"
"How is that possible? Why should I lie to you?" The man panicked.
"Hahaha." Xiao Chen laughed.
"Sun Qianhu, we came all the way, it was so hard to find you..."
