Chapter 29: Why Did Them Turn Bandits?
It was noon when the army arrived at Mount Yong. However, Lian Qingyang didnât order the soldiers to attack the mountain and didnât even ask someone to explore intelligence.
Long Xiaoyuan felt confused and asked, âWhat does General Lian want to do?â
âHe probably wants to collect the detailed information about Mount Yong,â said s.h.i.+ Qingzhou.
âHow can he achieve that?â asked Long Xiaoyuan. âQingzhou, what will you do if you were him?â
s.h.i.+ Qingzhou said with a smile, âIâll only make actions after getting to know Mount Yong, so Iâll find some local civilians first.â
Long Xiaoyuan glanced at Mount Yong before him and knew that the mountain was rugged. âQingzhou, do you think the bandits are self-sufficient?â
âYes. There is land on Mount Yong, so they can be self-sufficient, and itâs thereby unrealistic to enclose them from here,â said s.h.i.+ Qingzhou. âThere are several thousand bandits on Mount Yong, so they canât rely on the people downhill to live. Even so, their self-sufficiency is limited.â
After some thoughts, Long Xiaoyuan said, âDo you think Lian Qingyang wants to enclose Mount Yong?â
s.h.i.+ Qingzhou said shaking his head, âIt might not be the case.â
âAh? By the way, Qingzhou, was him your colleague?â Long Xiaoyuan suddenly thought of this.
After a pause, s.h.i.+ Qingzhou nodded. âBut, Iâve not worked with him for a long time, so I donât know whether his working style is changed or not?â
âWellâ¦â Long Xiaoyuan said while touching his chin, âQingzhou, do you think he will send someone uphill?â
s.h.i.+ Qingzhou said with a smile while shaking his head, âYour Majesty, the army is here, so the bandits must know this. Itâs unrealistic to send someone uphill.â
Long Xiaoyuan blinked. âWhat if we know the mountain and send a messenger to summon them to surrender?â
s.h.i.+ Qingzhou was surprised and said with his eyes brightened, âItâs a good idea.â
Long Xiaoyuan said with a smile, âIf it goes as the plan, we may send someone uphill successfullyâ¦What if the one is good at disguises and replaces someone unimportant? After all, there are several thousand bandits, and the leaders may not remember all their followers?â
Hearing this, s.h.i.+ Qingzhou deeply glanced at Long Xiaoyuan and said with a smile, âI very admire your strategies.â
Long Xiaoyuan glared at s.h.i.+. âQingzhou, you should say, my husband, youâre smart, and I like it.â
s.h.i.+ Qingzhou blinked and felt somewhat embarra.s.sed and shy upon hearing the word âhusbandâ.
With his cheeks slightly flushed, s.h.i.+ Qingzhou coughed. âBut, this plan needs improving.â
âEh.â Long Xiaoyuan nodded and smiled again. âQingzhou, letâs go there.â
s.h.i.+ Qingzhou was astounded this time and couldnât believe what he heard. âWhat did you say? You want to go thereâ¦No way!â
Long Xiaoyuan said with a sigh, âQingzhou, Mount Yong is near the imperial city but is home to many bandits. I want to know why they turned bandits and that they are unpardonably wicked or are forced to be bandits. How do they lead a life, and what their personality isâ¦I want to figure out those by myself. Qingzhou, Iâve made the decision.â
s.h.i.+ Qingzhou fell into silence, and Long Xiaoyuan sneakily held his hand. âQingzhou, will you accompany me?â
s.h.i.+ Qingzhou took a deep breath. âIf youâve made a decision, Iâll go with you.â
âOkay.â Long Xiaoyuan smiled. â Even if the most dangerous situation waits for me, itâs my honor to have you with me.â
s.h.i.+ Qingzhou smiled bitterly with some lofty sentiments in his eyes. âI also want to know why these people ended up bandits!â