The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure

Chapter 1733 - 1727: I’ll Give You a Quick Death

Wang Yongzhu pondered for a moment before saying to Chen Xing, "Can you send all this information, as well as the Rebel Army’s data, to me? I want to take a good look and think about giving you a reply."

Chen Xing seemed prepared in advance, and as soon as Wang Yongzhu’s voice fell, his mind was flooded with a large amount of data: "These materials have all been classified, and are accessible at your current level. If there’s any question, you can summon me directly. Chen Xing will be available anytime, anywhere, to provide service for you!"

Lastly, he left a sentence saying the Alliance awaits Wang Yongzhu’s response, before cutting off contact.

Wang Yongzhu let out a long sigh, looked at the letter in his hand, and lay weakly on the bed, staring at the ceiling in a daze.

Whether to accept or not is a question worth careful consideration.

In the County Yamen.

Song Chongjin was sitting upright in the high seat, looking at the tightly bound man below.

This man was in a pathetic state, his joints had been dislocated, and he lay limp on the ground, cold sweat soaking his back.

Even his jaw had been dislocated, and his teeth thoroughly searched to ensure he hadn’t hidden any poison, fearing he might bite onto poison to commit suicide.

This procedure was naturally the work of Song Xiaoyin and his brothers.

Back in the day, when Song Hong was at the frontier, spies and assassins from the grasslands appeared one after another.

His Personal Soldiers, caught off guard and careless at first, allowed assassins or spies either another chance to act or time to commit suicide.

Later, after gaining experience, Song Hong’s Personal Soldiers developed a reflex—whenever they saw something suspicious, they’d act without hesitation, first dislocating the limbs so the person couldn’t move, then dislocating the jaw to prevent biting the tongue or committing suicide with poison.

Then they’d search the body.

This tightly bound man was honored to enjoy this treatment years later.

Song Xiaoyin reported from the side, "This man is named Ma Erbao, from Xia Yushu Village in Chicheng County. All his family members perished in the battle against the grasslands, leaving only him alive, supported by the villagers. When he turned sixteen, he was recruited by the local defense forces."

"During a small conflict with the grasslands, he was seriously injured and stayed behind to cover the retreat, saving others’ lives. At that time, everyone thought he was dead, but unexpectedly, he returned three months later. He explained being thrown into a river by the grassland enemies, drifting along for dozens of miles until he was washed ashore, barely alive."

"It was his good fortune; the area was surrounded by mountains, a village boy, accustomed to injuries, managed to recognize a few common herbs and stumbled through recovery."

"After barely recovering a bit, he followed the river out only to find the area was within grassland territory. He dared not appear during the day for fear of being detected, traveling secretly at night through hardships until he escaped back to Great Chu."

"However, his Colonel was happy for his return, but his three-month ordeal went unauthenticated, and although he struggled to survive, his injuries meant he couldn’t fight again. The Colonel simply discharged him, but remembering his sacrifice, privately compensated him with considerable Silver Coin."

"Upon returning to Xia Yushu Village, with Silver in hand, families who had helped him before came to borrow money, and soon his funds were nearly exhausted. With poor health and no livelihood, his days grew tough, until he sought refuge under Zhao Liu."

"Because of his weak health, Zhao Liu assigned him lighter tasks. Later, when Zhao Liu sought out the lord, Ma Erbao was initially placed in the outer courtyard, feeding horses and cleaning. After years without exposure, people deemed him honest and reserved, speaking little, so in the past two years, he started interacting with us, first cleaning our brother’s courtyard, then Master Jian’s—without issues, until June when he was assigned to clean the lord’s study—"

Song Chongjin nodded at this point.

Previously, the study didn’t contain any critical documents, mostly handling daily county paperwork.

It was the same in Master Jian’s courtyard.

The truly critical information was kept in the back courtyard’s study.

Behind was Song Chongjin and Wang Yongzhu’s residence, where any slight movement would be noticed.

Not to mention the Hidden Guard watching, they always kept an eye on the front courtyard, leaving no room for anyone to act.

Cleaning the study was always done by Song Chongjin or Wang Yongzhu personally, never by others.

Even when discussing matters, all attendants would be sent away, leaving no one in the courtyard.

Therefore, this Ma Erbao likely didn’t leak any important intelligence.

Besides, he hid so deeply, probably an unused hidden card, only revealed upon the owner’s command, never showing any signs.

Such a spy, unless something happens, is truly difficult to detect.

Now, just to send a letter for Qi Le, this deeply buried chess piece was activated, indicating impatience on Qi Le’s side.

He was about to say something when Song Xiaowu blew in like a wind from outside. After they identified the man as Ma Erbao, they divided into two groups, one bringing him before Song Chongjin.

Song Xiaowu led a search at Ma Erbao’s residence, and now returned to report.

Naturally, there were no findings; the only clue was Ma Erbao’s neighbor mentioning seeing him at a grocery store yesterday, which was normal, visiting a grocery store for daily needs.

But the grocery store was far from Ma Erbao’s home, and it was an accidental encounter by his neighbor who saw him hurrying in.

Song Xiaowu returned to report, and Song Xiaowei had already gone to the grocery store.

The prone Ma Erbao, upon hearing Song Xiaowu’s answer, showed an indescribable look in his eyes.

Song Chongjin noticed it and laughed: "No need to rush; your companions will surely join you soon!"

Ma Erbao couldn’t speak with his jaw dislocated, but his eyes showed a hint of urgency.

Song Chongjin said meaningfully, "You must know, from the moment I saw that letter, I ordered a lockdown of the entire Chicheng City—no bird can fly out. If you’re hiding inside the city, you’re likely mistaken! My Chicheng County’s people hate the grasslands but hate you traitors to Great Chu even more. As long as the search team calls out for spies from the grasslands, even if your companions dig three feet deep and hide in mouse holes, they’ll be found—"

Looking at Ma Erbao again, he said: "Although I don’t know why a hero once sacrificing himself for comrades would become a spy, betraying Great Chu—I can grant you quick relief, considering your past guardianship of Great Chu’s borders—"