CHAPTER 287: CHAPTER 284 EMERGENCY

The seriously injured man in front suddenly made a move, catching Song Yu off guard. However, he still had some boxing and kicking skills, so his body instinctively dodged, avoiding a strike to the neck but taking a hit on the shoulder.

Song Yu staggered and was about to retaliate when the household general on horseback leapt over and pinned him to the ground.

"Take him down..." Song Yu had just opened his mouth when he saw several riders surrounding him.

Song Yu’s eyes widened as he immediately realized what was happening. These people were all Song Qizheng’s confidants; it was impossible for them to betray Song Qizheng together. The only possibility was that they were acting on Song Qizheng’s instructions.

The plot had been exposed.

A thought flashed through Song Yu’s mind, and he immediately thought of a way to salvage the situation: "What are you doing? Where is my father? Are you in cahoots with outsiders to harm us father and son?"

Song Yu, with gritted teeth, tried to use words to turn the tide.

However, those household generals who usually treated him with utmost respect ignored his pleas and mercilessly captured his men.

Song Yu struggled to reach for the longsword at his waist, but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t move an inch.

"Second Master," said the household general pressing him down, "the Great General said you are still useful at the moment. Don’t you want to command the Song Family Army? Now is the time."

Song Yu didn’t understand what the household general meant: "What are you talking about?"

The household general replied, "The General wants you to command the Song Family Army, fulfilling the wishes of both you and Madam."

Saying this, the household general began tying Song Yu up with a rope.

Even if Song Yu were foolish, he would understand now. Song Qizheng was using the strategy of urging action to catch someone, making it appear to outsiders that his father was being manipulated while he took over the Song Family Army.

His mother’s plans must have long been detected by Song Qizheng, and although he tried to stay out of it, his actions just now had revealed his intentions, raising Song Qizheng’s suspicions. Even if he defended himself now, Song Qizheng wouldn’t believe him.

But Song Yu didn’t want to be taken without a fight: "Where is Father? What on earth has happened..."

Before Song Yu could finish his sentence, a rag was stuffed into his mouth, and he was hoisted onto a horse.

"Second Master," the household general said, "I’m taking you to dispatch troops."

The Commanding Tiger Talisman appeared before Song Yu’s eyes, an item he had longed for, but now it sent shivers down his spine.

On the official road, Song Yu was taken to the military camp.

The sound of firearms exploding still echoed in the forest.

Mrs. Rong, disheveled, was being dragged forward by the Liao people. It never occurred to her that she would be so humiliated. In the chaos, she tried to escape their control, only to be beaten mercilessly.

Mrs. Rong’s eyes were swollen, making it difficult to see clearly. She stared wide-eyed at the sharp blade, her hair standing on end, not knowing when it might fall upon her.

"Did she leak the information and deliberately trick us?"

The Liao people muttered quietly among themselves.

Mrs. Rong shook her head in fear.

The ambush hadn’t killed Song Qizheng; instead, a team of soldiers surrounded them.

One of the Liao people cursed and kicked Mrs. Rong in the stomach: "This worthless woman failed, and we’re likely all going to die here." Aside from dying here, their families back in Liao wouldn’t have good outcomes either.

"When you see Song Qizheng, shout for help," the Liao man said, gripping Mrs. Rong’s shoulder tightly, not waiting for her to speak, slapping her on the head.

Mrs. Rong only felt hot liquid trickling out of her ears.

"When will Cai Rong’s troops arrive? We need to hold out until Cai Rong’s army shows up. If we can assist at this time, we can account for it to the lord when we return."

Hearing this, Mrs. Rong looked at the Liao people in shock.

"What are you looking at?" the Liao man cursed, "You were meant to be a gift from Mr. Xiao to Cai Rong."

Mrs. Rong’s body trembled uncontrollably, realizing that the Liao people had secretly colluded with Cai Rong.

Using her hand to kill Song Qizheng and disrupt the entire Song Family, both the Liao people and Cai Rong stood to gain.

At this moment, Mrs. Rong felt true fear, and her last glimmer of hope vanished. She had hoped Xiao Xingzong might show some old affection. Even though he was using her, it was all to deal with Song Qizheng, and after achieving his goal, he would leave her a way out.

"Move quickly."

Once again, Mrs. Rong was dragged forward by the Liao people.

...

Cai Rong sat in the tent, incessantly sending people to gather information.

No matter how the Song Family turned out this time, he intended to act.

The Liao troops had attacked the Daqi pass, and this time Xiao Xingzong personally led the army. He couldn’t miss such a great opportunity.

Even if Song Qizheng survived, he would hold Mrs. Rong, the Liao spy, accountable, and report to the court.

The affair between his concubine and Xiao Xingzong meant Song Qizheng couldn’t stay commanding troops in the North. The best outcome for the National Guardian General would be being transferred back to the Capital City for a nominal post.

"Sir," the deputy general stepped forward and whispered, "the Liao people sent word; there is movement in Zhenzhou. The General of the Country’s wife has been captured by them, and Song Qizheng led troops to intercept them. By the timing, if things went smoothly, Song Qizheng should have already been assassinated by the Liao people, and Zhenzhou should be in chaos."

After all, getting information from Zhenzhou took some effort, and it might not be entirely accurate, but it was enough.

As long as the Liao people made a move, he had an excuse to dispatch troops.

Cai Rong stood up and instructed the deputy general in the tent: "The Liao people have invaded the borders, reaching Zhenzhou; we all must go and inspect the situation, ensure we capture the Liao people, and quell the turmoil."

The deputy general responded affirmatively.

Cai Rong continued, "Send the war report and official documents to the Capital City, and also to the nearest Dingyuan Army and Dezhou to send news and request them to send people. With witnesses, no one on the court will say that I framed Song Qizheng in the future."

Having made arrangements, Cai Rong led his soldiers and mounted horses, heading for Zhenzhou. Last year, he plotted against Song Qizheng but was foiled by Song Xian. This time, making a comeback, what awaited Song Qizheng was a dead end.

Ah, the Song Family Army, which had suppressed him for years, would finally be dealt with, relieving him of a major concern.

"Take my token to mobilize nearby troops and head to Zhenzhou together," Cai Rong said, "Do not delay the opportunity."

After speaking, Cai Rong set off first with his confidants.

The camp was in chaos.

Lishu stood in the courtyard, able to hear the urgent sound of hooves outside. In recent days, Cai Rong had gone westward for dozens of miles under the pretext of troop training, just to rush to Zhenzhou as soon as he got the news.

Lishu had a hard time persuading Cai Rong to follow her here, and now that Cai Rong was gone, she could just excuse herself to return to Yingzhou and, while Cai Rong was absent, lead the way to catch the Liao people sent by Xiao Xingzong.

"Let’s go quickly." Lishu hurriedly stepped out of the courtyard and got into the carriage.

The carriage rushed to Yingzhou City, where someone was already waiting outside. Lishu instructed the driver to stop, and as the accompanying servant was about to ask for instructions, he felt a pain in his neck and immediately fainted on the ground.

Lishu bent down and got out of the carriage to see Qin Maoxing standing outside.

"General Qin," Lishu said, "I’m all set, let’s go get the evidence."

Qin Maoxing still couldn’t suppress his amazement at this point. He didn’t know what method Miss Xie had used to have Cai Rong’s favored concubine work for her.