latelenovela Chapter 552 Barracks Inquiry
Chapter 552 Barracks Inquiry
Lin Er whispered, "When the general was patrolling the border, he encountered Wang Shizhong, who was by the side of Prince Yelü Qiqi of Liao. Normally, Wang Shizhong would not leave Yelü Qiqi to come to the Song Dynasty. He is already a rebel of the Song Dynasty. I guessed that they must have a conspiracy, so I followed them into Liao territory and returned about three days later. Others should not know about this. I know you are anxious, so I told you."
"What about Madam?" Sister-in-law Nie stood up in a panic.
"Don't worry, this matter is not simple! You should go back to your residence first. I have my own arrangements. The news of Madam Chen's arrest can't be kept secret. You should keep an eye on those children first." Lin Er had a headache. This matter needed to be considered carefully.
"Alright, then I'll go back to my residence first." Sister-in-law Nie thought this made sense; it was best to leave this matter to a smart person.
"Someone, go and invite Lord Ma!" Lin Er immediately ordered upon seeing the message Zhang Biao had delivered. "And also, invite Lord Zhang along!"
Lin Er wanted to hear his explanation of Lin Yuelou.
"Mr. Lin! You're going too far! This Youzhou City isn't your place to rule alone!" Ma Ying was dragged over, cursing and swearing. He tore off his clothes, stood with his hands behind his back, and angrily rolled his eyes at Lin Er.
"Lord Ma!" Lin Er looked at him with piercing eyes and suspicion. "You said there are spies in the gardens near Fang Village in the city, and that the city gates must be closed to prevent them from escaping! Where did you get this information?"
"I...I...This was reported by my subordinates. You didn't send Song Qing, did you? We'll know if what I said is true when he comes back," Ma Ying said somewhat weakly.
Just then, Zhang Biao entered and asked, "Then how does Lord Ma explain the fact that your personal guard, who has been with you for nearly ten years, has now disappeared without a trace, with his family all gone?"
"This, how is this possible? He ran away on his own?? That shouldn't be the case!!" Ma Ying tried to explain, "Mr. Lin, please believe me, I really didn't do anything. I didn't know he was a spy. I was just eager to make a name for myself, so I reported it to you."
Lin Er sighed, "Let's wait for Lord Song to return."
This is troublesome. General Wang and his wife have both disappeared. If it wasn't intentional, it's too much of a coincidence. There's no such thing as a coincidence in the world. He never believes in such things. It must be a scheme.
Zhang Biao felt extremely upset and gave him a disapproving sidelong glance, full of contempt. Ma Ying shrank back and sat obediently without moving.
After an incense stick had burned, Song Qing returned with the Tian brothers.
"How is it?" Zhang Biao asked immediately.
“We captured five women in white. After examining their arms, they were indeed disciples of the Qinglan Sect.” Song Qing gulped down a large bowl of tea and sat down, panting heavily. “However, the courtyard was small and rather strange. There weren’t many signs of life there, and the women seemed to have been tricked into coming there. They were all newly initiated disciples, and they confessed after being questioned a few times.”
Lin Er took a deep breath. "What a deep scheme! Everything is interconnected."
Zhang Biao asked doubtfully, "What do you mean?"
"Look, they bribed Ma Ying's personal guards and know Ma Da's weaknesses well," Lin Er said, glancing thoughtfully at Ma Ying.
Ma Ying forced a smile. It seems everyone knows he's ambitious but incompetent.
"So, they seized this weakness, made Lord Ma the scapegoat, and deliberately handed over a few women. They timed it perfectly, locking Lady Chen and the others outside the city. They also had the guard take the opportunity to guard the city gate, preventing those above from seeing Wang Shan's distress signal. Each step was meticulously planned." Lin Er frowned. It seemed that He Tianxia also had a highly skilled strategist. Things were getting more and more interesting.
"What about the general? Could the general be part of their scheme as well?" Zhang Biao slammed his fist on the table, causing dust to fall from it.
"That's not necessarily true. The general discovered the Liao people's tracks by accident. How can we calculate such an uncontrollable situation? Let's wait for the general to return. As for the lady, she should be safe for now. They probably want to use her as leverage. The most important thing now is to keep the city under control! We must not allow any chaos to occur!" Lin Er sighed. "We must control the situation and wait for the general to return."
"Mr. Lin, you have quite the airs! You even dare to invite me!" Zhang Yuntai strode leisurely into the tent.
"Not at all, I really have something to discuss with you, sir. Please have a seat!" Lin Er put on a professional fake smile and invited him to sit down.
"Hmph, what's wrong? Speak your mind." Zhang Yuntai plopped down on the chair next to him without any politeness; it was Wang Erniu's main seat.
Zhang Biao and Song Qing's expressions changed drastically upon seeing this. Did he know that General Wang was in trouble? Ma Ying looked at him with a hint of schadenfreude.
Lin Er's expression was slightly displeased. He gestured to the side and said, "Lord Zhang, you seem to have sat in the wrong place. This is our commander's seat. This way, please."
Zhang Yuntai didn't move an inch, staring intently at them.
Lin Er didn't even raise his eyes, and simply stretched out his hand to wait.
Zhang Biao was furious. With a "clang," he drew his long sword, causing the tent curtain to be blown open by the wind, bringing with it a chilling gust of air.
Zhang Yuntai's heart skipped a beat, and he involuntarily stood up and sat down next to him.
Lin Er then lost his previous coldness and smiled, "I wonder what your opinion is on your family's Lin Yuelou? Or do you think it's necessary to explain it to me?"
Zhang Yuntai then straightened up, sat up straight, and looked heartbroken, saying, "Mr. Lin, you mean those women who were carried out from inside? Oh dear, it was all done by that old He. He colluded with the Qinglan Sect and did these heinous things behind my back. Mr. Lin, just kill him. You don't need to ask me."
Lin Er smiled faintly, "That's excellent. I'm sure the Imperial City Guard under your command would think the same way."
"Ah, so you know Mr. Lin from the Imperial City Guard?" Zhang Yuntai tentatively moved closer.
"I am not very capable. When I first arrived in Youzhou, the Emperor ordered the Imperial City Guard to give the General a list of Liao spies in Youzhou. I did take a look at it." Lin Er sat down facing him with his feet shoulder-width apart, staring intently at him.
Zhang Yuntai broke out in a cold sweat. Although he was backed by the government, the Imperial City Guard reported everything, especially his affairs. This matter could not be kept secret.
"Hehe, actually it's partly my fault." Zhang Yuntai stood up, bowed to Lin Er, and resumed his warm demeanor. "I was not strict in my management, which allowed Old He to be tempted by others. However, he handed over a lot more money every month. I thought it was because he managed the business well, so I was a little lax."
Lin Er didn't reply and continued drinking his tea.
Zhang Yuntai gritted his teeth, took a deep breath, and said, "Mr. Lin, what can I do for you? Please don't hesitate to ask. I would be extremely grateful if you could lend a hand!"
Lin Er then smiled gently, "There is something I need to trouble you with, Lord Zhang!"
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