CHAPTER 315: CHAPTER 312: THE BIG NET

Xie Liangchen poured a cup of water for Chen Lizheng: "How did the village chief find out?"

Village Chief Wang was momentarily at a loss for how to begin. He took a sip of water: "In recent years, the Liao people frequently invade, and the government office turns a blind eye. Only after the Liao people have left do they send troops to make a show of it."

"Even if they received news beforehand, they wouldn’t inform us, lest the border generals of Qi Land discover it before the Liao people take the route."

Although Xie Liangchen had heard about it before, seeing Village Chief Wang’s strained expression, she couldn’t help but frown along with him.

Village Chief Wang said, "We considered fleeing, but there are too many elderly and young in the village, and the government office watches closely. Any refugee caught fleeing faces certain death. Over time, we’ve developed our own coping methods, stationing people in the mountains to keep an eye on the situation over at Lingqiu."

Village Chief Wang let out a long sigh: "As long as there’s any movement from the Liao people, we take the elderly and young into the mountains to hide and store food in the caves. Unless we encounter a major battle like this one, we can get through tough times."

Xie Liangchen nodded.

Village Chief Wang continued, "The path to Lingqiu is one we made ourselves in the mountains, and it’s usually concealed so no one would discover it. Recently, our people patrolling the mountains said they saw people around Miss Xie heading to Lingqiu."

Xie Liangchen had previously taken people from Chang Yue’s side to Wang Family Village, so when the people from Wang Family Village saw those faces in Lingqiu, they immediately recognized their identities.

Xie Liangchen pondered for a moment: "Village Chief Wang sent people into the mountains at this time because he feared there might be further conflicts, right?"

Village Chief Wang nodded: "In fact, when we heard that the Qi people would bring troops, we decided that if the battle became too fierce, we would all go to the mountains. There is food stored in the mountains, enough for the entire village for a month."

"It’s not that we don’t understand favor, but because we’ve seen too much, we’re hesitant to trust easily. However, upon hearing Miss Xie talk about the affairs of Chen Family Village..."

Village Chief Wang looked at Xie Liangchen: "We don’t want to keep living like this. We want General Song to win and turn this place into Zhenzhou."

Xie Liangchen said: "So the village chief is willing to tell me the village’s secret in the mountains."

"Yes," Village Chief Wang said, "If Miss Xie wants to avoid people and go to Lingqiu, just take the path opened by our village. No one will detect it."

Wang Family Village revealed its lifeline, which moved Xie Liangchen somewhat. She had only treated the villagers’ ailments and provided a little food.

Village Chief Wang said: "People say we produce unruly villagers here, resisting the court’s orders and often opposing officials who come to collect taxes because those officials don’t treat us like people. But Miss Xie genuinely helps us, and we should find a way to repay her."

Xie Liangchen stood up to thank Village Chief Wang.

Village Chief Wang said: "I don’t know if Miss Xie is in a hurry. I told my family I might not return for the next few days. If Miss Xie trusts us, I can lead your people into the mountains."

Xie Liangchen’s face was full of gratitude: "Then I’ll trouble Village Chief Wang." Many things are still uncertain now, but no matter the outcome, she will remember the kindness of Wang Family Village.

Village Chief Wang said: "As long as I can be of help."

Xie Liangchen looked at Chang Yue.

Chang Yue said: "I will go arrange it immediately." Once they fully understood the situation over at Lingqiu, they could respond more swiftly.

Village Chief Wang led his people up the mountain.

Until their figures disappeared into the distance, scenes from Wang Family Village floated through Xie Liangchen’s mind. After a while, she turned back to the military tent.

She hoped that with Village Chief Wang going into the mountains, they would get precise information, which would give them more confidence to counter Xiao Xingzong and ensure the safety of everyone, even the whole Dai State.

...

Inside the central army tent outside Taiyuan Prefecture, Song Xian looked at the letter in his hand, which carried news sent by Xie Liangchen.

His people in Liao had gathered intelligence: the Third Prince of Liao, Ge Kun, had mobilized troops to Lingqiu, and Xiao Xingzong had stationed his men in Lingqiu and Ying County.

Spies discovered Xiao Xingzong surrounded Lingqiu, as if laying a large net, but it was unclear who was caught within.

Song Xian frowned. Although the information was not definitive, he and Liangchen had their suspicions. It was related to the person who went to Chen Family Village to give warning.

Liangchen always believed that tracing this lead might provide some news about her parents.

Because of this, their men carefully pursued the investigation. Before clarifying everything, they couldn’t act rashly, or they’d risk alerting Xiao Xingzong.

If Xiao Xingzong sensed trouble and withdrew his net prematurely, the person within would be trapped.

Song Xian didn’t want Liangchen to stay in Dai County, especially after learning that Xiao Xingzong was bound to take action. He grew increasingly worried about her, longing to rush from Taiyuan Prefecture to Dai State. But doing so would shake the army’s morale, and the Pseudo King could seize the opportunity to lead his troops out of Taiyuan City, attacking all the way to Dai State.

This would result in being encircled by the Pseudo King and the Liao people.

Xie Liangchen’s letter also conveyed this thought. She would remain in Dai State and find ways to discern the situation over there; her words consistently aimed to reassure him.

Song Xian had been engaging in skirmishes with the Pseudo King’s forces for several days, with little time to rest. Whenever he closed his eyes, he dreamt of Liangchen.

He needed to quickly resolve the present conflict so he could reinforce Dai State, so he had to invigorate himself, forcing his worries aside.

"Sir," Chang An approached, "News from Taiyuan Prefecture: the Pseudo King has captured several officials, and the royal city is in chaos."

Song Xian’s eyes lit up: "Has it been figured out what’s happening?"

Chang An said: "The Pseudo King ordered his confidants to arrest people and personally interrogated them. One of them is Xue Shougui."

Song Xian roughly understood the situation; it seemed the Pseudo King and Xiao Xingzong were preparing to act.

"Send a message to Du Zhuo," Song Xian instructed, "Have his troops feign defeat and refrain from coming to Taiyuan Prefecture for the time being."

Chang An nodded, although he remained somewhat apprehensive: "Sir, do you really want to do this?"

Song Xian said: "The Pseudo King is also one who bullies the weak and fears the strong. If Du Zhuo joins me in encircling Taiyuan Prefecture, he might not dare lead an expedition himself. Right now, he dares to engage because I clearly have fewer troops under my command than he does. I want to draw him out, so this battle can end quickly."

No sooner had Song Xian spoken than a house general from the Song Family arrived: "Sir, there’s movement on Old General Zhang’s side."