“Is there any news from Chen Laoda?” Zhang Fang asked directly.
A Biao quickly changed to a serious expression and told Zhang Fang, “There were markers along the way, but our group split at Qinglan Mountain into ten teams. Our people are tracking in several directions and almost got discovered. The enemy has too many people, and our brothers were afraid to get into trouble, so they withdrew.”
Those assassins were truly terrifying! Each team had hundreds of people! These mountain bandits valued their lives too much! There was no way they would sacrifice themselves for Zhang Fang. They could gather information, but once their safety was at stake, they hesitated to continue the pursuit.
Although Mu Qing did not fully understand the situation, he found the mountain bandits too cowardly and mocked, “What else can you do besides harming unarmed civilians? You really are just a bunch of bullies!”
A Biao looked at Mu Qing speechlessly, his expression awkward.
Zhang Fang furrowed his brow, his face serious.
Yuan Quan brought over a bowl of steaming medicinal broth and handed it to Zhang Fang, “Young Master Zhang, drink the medicine first!”
Zhang Fang was distracted and said, “Just leave it.”
Yuan Quan placed the medicine beside Zhang Fang’s bed, exchanging a glance with Mu Qing to inquire about the situation.
Mu Qing also shook his head, not knowing the specific details.
Zhang Fang picked up the bowl of medicine and realized he had lost his sense of taste; he didn’t even notice the bitterness. He simply gulped down the medicinal broth in one go.
After drinking, Zhang Fang felt a warmth in his stomach, and his mind cleared up significantly. He said to them, “Continue sending people to track them. There’s no need to follow too closely; just follow their direction and investigate the traces they left behind immediately.”
A Biao nodded, “Understood.”
While they were talking, footsteps approached from outside, and A Kuo limped into the room, visibly excited upon seeing Zhang Fang awake, “Young Master, there are many people outside the city!”
Zhang Fang was taken aback, his eyes darkening with a hint of coldness. According to Chen Laoda, there were not many useful people around Xu Chang. Any inconvenient matters were usually handled by Chen Laoda. Just a couple of days ago, they had captured someone sent by Xu Chang, so Xu Chang wouldn’t receive news that quickly. For the next four to five days, Xu Chang would likely just wait for information. Who could possibly be coming to Meixian now? Could it be people sent by the Prime Minister?
With that thought, Zhang Fang quickly got up, changed clothes, and headed to the city gate personally.
The steward of the Zhang family had quietly arrived in Jiangzhou with many people, searching for Zhang Fang while following the direction the officers had taken convict northward. Upon reaching Jiangzhou, they switched to carriages, disguising themselves as a merchant convoy heading to Meixian. However, unexpectedly, they encountered a flooded area! Meixian was submerged!
Worried about Zhang Fang, the steward hastily sent people back to retrieve the ship, exerting considerable effort to bring it over. As they navigated the waters, the steward searched for any signs of life. Seeing corpses floating in the water, unrecognizable due to the flooding, made the steward’s heart feel as if it were being roasted on a fire, enduring unimaginable torment!
Upon reaching the outskirts of Meixian, they found that this area was not flooded. The steward, filled with a heavy sense of anxiety, led a large group to the city gate. However, those inside the city were slow to open the gates!
Even though Prime Minister Zhang had instructed them before leaving that there might be unexpected changes in Jiangzhou, the steward did not expect the situation to be so complicated. Not knowing what was happening in Meixian, the steward began to consider spending money to persuade those inside to open the gates.
As Zhang Fang arrived at the city wall, he hadn’t even reached the edge when he heard a familiar voice.
“Old man has three hundred taels of silver! If you all are willing to open the gates for us, this money is yours for drinks and meat!”
It was the steward of the Zhang family’s voice!
Zhang Fang perked up, hurriedly rushing to the edge to look down, and indeed, it was the steward! He shouted loudly, “Xing Shu!”
“Quick! Open the gates!” Zhang Fang turned to command the others.
Upon hearing Zhang Fang’s voice and recognizing the familiar face atop the city wall, Xing Shu’s eyes instantly brimmed with tears, and he excitedly waved his hands, shouting, “Young Master! Old servant has come!”
Zhang Fang quickly turned and descended the stairs. As the gates opened, both sides ran toward each other joyfully, embracing.
“Young Master, you’ve suffered!” Xing Shu cried bitterly.
“Xing Shu!” Zhang Fang smiled happily. This was truly good news, like a ray of light breaking through the clouds after a long period of gloom, bringing immense relief!
Looking at Zhang Fang’s haggard appearance, Xing Shu couldn’t stop the tears, muttering, “How cruel the Master is! Only now does he send someone to look after you. You must have suffered greatly; your face is so thin! Poor young master!”
“Alright, Xing Shu, stop crying. Are all these people you brought?” Zhang Fang said, looking brightly at the large group of people. They seemed to be skilled warriors. The Prime Minister really is wonderful! Knowing he was thirsty, he sent water to him!
Wiping his tears, Xing Shu pointed to those people and told Zhang Fang, “The Master let me hire some skilled fighters along the way; they all have good martial skills.”
Zhang Fang nodded in satisfaction, smiling, “My father is truly good! Don’t just stand there, come with me to rest!”
With several more capable people at his side, Zhang Fang felt considerably more confident.
Arriving at the room where Zhang Fang stayed, Xing Shu noticed a bowl placed beside the bed, which was empty. He picked it up and sniffed; it smelled bitter and unpleasant. Changing expression, he anxiously asked, “Is Young Master unwell?”
After instructing Yuan Quan on how to arrange the hundreds of people brought by Xing Shu, Zhang Fang closed the door and turned to talk with Xing Shu, “Xing Shu, my current situation is very dangerous.”
Xing Shu’s eyes widened as he asked, “Did I bring too few people? Should I go hire a few hundred more?”
“Please, sit down. There are some things I need to clarify,” Zhang Fang needed to understand the situation in the court before explaining his current predicament to Xing Shu.
Xing Shu nodded anxiously, fidgeting with his hands, unsure where to place them.
“What is the attitude of the Empress and the Crown Prince towards my father now?” The original character was a wastrel who had little interest in court affairs. Zhang Fang’s limited information made him less informed.
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