"What's wrong, Si Man? Why the rush?" Gu Zhenshan asked, putting down his chopsticks and looking up.
He had to admit, ever since Yun Si Man joined the army, Gu Zhenshan had been much more relaxed...
This young man was very capable and skilled. He had rectified all sorts of problems that arose in the army, and even improved the overall quality of Liang's soldiers.
Gu Zhenshan was very fond of this nephew. After their triumphant return, he was determined to ask the Emperor for rewards and recognition for him...
Yun Si Man bowed to the First Madam and Fourth Madam, then looked at Gu Zhenshan, "Uncle, I heard something this morning!~"
"What is it?" Gu Zhenshan asked curiously.
Yun Si Man pointed outside, "This morning, the soldiers on patrol discovered dozens of suspicious individuals. Judging by their clothing and attire, they shouldn't be barbarians..."
Gu Zhenshan frowned slightly upon hearing this, "Where did they go? Weren't they stopped and interrogated?"
The northern border was currently in a sensitive period. Any suspicious individuals appearing here would be strictly investigated and only allowed to pass after their identities were confirmed...
Yun Si Man said, "Those people were moving incredibly fast, our cavalry couldn't catch up. However, judging by their southward trajectory, they should be heading towards the Central Plains!~"
"The Central Plains?" Gu Zhenshan became more confused the more he heard, and said in surprise, "The barbarian army has already retreated to Suicheng. They want to recuperate and rearm, so they won't be causing trouble. Since the barbarians are ruled out, who else would be making such a big move towards the Central Plains?"
It was truly perplexing...
Yun Si Man narrowed his eyes, "If it's not the barbarians, then it must be the Suizhi people!~"
The Suizhi people lived in the area north of the northern border. Under the leadership of Na Risongde, the Suizhi people were spreading rapidly like a dark nightmare...
When a force or group expands to a certain extent, it will inevitably expand outwards.
"Could it be that the Suizhi people are going to attack Liang?" Gu Zhenshan asked, his face full of alarm. He quickly stood up and rushed to the map to examine it closely.
Given Liang's current national strength and military preparedness, they couldn't even defeat the barbarians, let alone Na Risongde's heavy cavalry...
This was simply like hitting a rock with an egg.
"I'm not entirely sure what's going on, but Uncle should remain vigilant recently. Even if the situation worsens, don't confront the Suizhi people head-on..." Yun Si Man advised.
Gu Zhenshan grunted, then suddenly had an idea. He looked at Yun Si Man, "You go to Harinla City immediately and find out the truth of the matter. If Na Risongde has no intention of invading Liang, that would be for the best. If he truly harbors ambitions of conquest, report back to me immediately..."
Foresight ensures preparedness.
The brutality and combat power of the Suizhi people made even the barbarians tremble, let alone the weak and vulnerable Great Liang...
Yun Si Man cupped his hands and replied, "Understood, Uncle. I'll depart now!~"
That noon, Yun Si Man rode a swift horse and galloped towards the Suizhi capital, 'Harinla'.
At the same time, outside the Bocai Academy in the Southern Frontier Prefecture, three carriages slowly arrived...
Murong Taotao lifted the curtain and glanced outside, "I heard this academy is considered one of the best in the Great Liang. But why aren't there many students to be seen?"
Eunuch Ruan heard this, stretched his neck to look, "Perhaps they are all in class. Your Majesty, are you sure the Eldest Miss has been here?"
Good heavens, His Majesty the Grand Tutor had traveled a long and arduous journey, enduring hardship and sleeping outdoors, just to find his elder sister. The suffering he endured on the road was beyond description...
Even the Emperor had lost several pounds.
"Whether they are here or not, we'll know if we inquire!~" Murong Taotao lowered the curtain and stepped out of the carriage with the support of Eunuch Ruan.
Just as he was about to stop a passerby to ask a question, he suddenly heard a snoring sound from the carriage behind...
"Snore, snore, snore!~"
The sound was so loud that passersby stopped and covered their mouths, chuckling.
Was someone in this carriage a heavy sleeper? They could sleep so soundly in broad daylight.
Murong Taotao: "......"
This old emperor was truly embarrassing him.
"Go and wake up Old Ming!~" Murong Taotao ordered coldly.
To conceal his identity, he called Emperor Ming "Old Ming" in front of others, and Emperor Ming called him "Nephew"...
Eunuch Ruan responded, trotted to the carriage, and just as he was about to lift the curtain and wake Emperor Ming, he suddenly heard a "poof" sound.
Eunuch Ruan sniffed, and his face turned green.
Your Majesty, as the ruler of a nation, how could you fart publicly? Oh, it truly damaged your imperial dignity...
Perhaps it was because he ate too much fried pork skin with soybeans at noon, but Emperor Ming kept farting all afternoon. The young eunuchs serving him in the carriage were almost suffering from heart disease.
Murong Taotao's face turned as black as ink. He turned and got into the carriage, "Old Ruan, find an inn..."
It wouldn't hurt to postpone the search for his sister by a day.
"Y-yes, Young Master!~"
"And another thing!" Murong Taotao frowned. "Get a doctor for Old Ming. We need to cure his habit of farting everywhere!"
Eunuch Ruan: "......"
Your Majesty the Grand Tutor, could you show a little more respect to the Emperor?
So, that evening, the group checked into an inn.
The night was hazy, the full moon hung high, and a cool evening breeze gently caressed the weeping willows along the street. From the pond not far away, the croaking of frogs could be heard...
In the inn's first-floor lobby, Eunuch Zhao was eating with two subordinates.
"Do you know what to say later?" Eunuch Zhao confirmed again.
A slightly older man nodded with a smile, "Chief Steward Zhao, please rest assured, your subordinate knows what to do..."
Because he knew Murong Taotao's purpose in going to Liang from the beginning, Eunuch Zhao also had to assess the situation and adapt. As long as these Yan people could be driven away, it would be fine.
"You two, pay attention. If this matter is not handled well, His Highness will be angry..." Eunuch Zhao said with a look of distress.
"Oh, Chief Steward Zhao, you've said that ten thousand eight thousand times, and my ears are almost calloused!" said the guard surnamed Li.
Eunuch Zhao was still not at ease. He looked up at the second floor of the inn, "I'll wait outside. Guard Li, Old Gao, you two can start..."
After speaking, Eunuch Zhao walked out of the inn and squatted by the wall, waiting for news.
He hoped this matter could be handled smoothly so that he could return to the palace to serve the Emperor sooner.
In the guest room, Murong Taotao drank a cup of tea and took out his game console, intending to play. Suddenly, he heard a discussion from downstairs...
He pushed open the door and looked down, seeing two men drinking like ordinary guests.
But their conversation made Murong Taotao lose all sleep...