However, continuously allocating food and supplies was not a long - term solution. Although he had extorted a bit more food and supplies from the Ministry of Revenue on his way here, the daily consumption couldn't be sustained for long.
Jin Yuanzhou mused that besides worrying about the lives of the common people, Chen Xuan's reason for not allowing them to leave was probably also because he was concerned that the spies mingled among them would take the opportunity to escape.
After all, the adjutant of General Mao had managed to deceive General Mao, and the human - skin mask on his face had played a crucial role.
Jin Yuanzhou's brows furrowed deeply. He secretly made up his mind that he must find out this spy as soon as possible.
As usual, Chen Xuan was watching the soldiers distribute porridge to the common people. His adjutant stepped forward, looking worried. "My lord, those people from the capital complain that the food is too coarse and refuse to eat it. They insist on having white - flour steamed buns."
Chen Xuan sneered. "It's good enough that they have something to eat. Do they still want white - flour buns? Tell them that if they like it, they can eat; if not, they can get out. I, Chen Xuan, won't spoil them!"
Hearing this, Jin Yuanzhou frowned and stepped forward. "Among them, there are a few young men from official families in the capital, who came here to gain some experience. Don't bother with them."
On this trip, there were both people from the court and those from the Second Prince. And since they were only escorting an unconscious criminal, which was much safer than going to the battlefield, some people naturally had the idea of taking the credit.
"If they don't want to eat, don't send them food," Jin Yuanzhou said softly, a cold glint flashing in his down - cast eyes. "A few days of hunger will make them obedient."
However, the adjutant was a bit worried. "After all, they are people from the court. If they go back and impeach you, my lord..."
Before Chen Xuan could sneer, Jin Yuanzhou burst into laughter. With a smile as cunning as a weasel about to pounce, he said, "A general away from the capital can ignore some military orders. Let them impeach. My lord has so many merits. Is he afraid of such trivial matters?"
Chen Xuan gave him a meaningful look and nodded. "Lord Jin is right. Do those young upstarts think they can bring me down? They're dreaming."
The adjutant had nothing more to say. He turned around and was about to leave to handle the matter.
Jin Yuanzhou's gaze fell on him. Suddenly, he noticed a white cloth tied around his arm. "Wait. What's wrong with your arm?"
The adjutant stopped in his tracks. He looked at his arm and scratched his head sheepishly. "I went to the blacksmith shop to gather information before. I was accidentally pushed by someone and happened to bump into an iron sheet, which cut my arm. It's not a big deal. I didn't pay much attention before. The doctor said the wound was a bit inflamed, so he told me to tie this cloth."
Jin Yuanzhou frowned. "Someone pushed you on purpose?"
The adjutant was taken aback. "I didn't pay much attention. I only saw that he was dressed like a commoner. I always thought it was an accident."
"Did he apologize to you?" Jin Yuanzhou continued to ask.
The adjutant shook his head blankly. "No. He left quickly. I was busy gathering information at that time, so I didn't care. But it's just a small wound. It doesn't matter if he didn't apologize..."
Chen Xuan interrupted him. "All right. Go and do your job first."
The adjutant didn't understand but obeyed. He left neatly.
Chen Xuan looked at Jin Yuanzhou. "Is there a problem?"
Jin Yuanzhou nodded. "My lord said there were signs of a fight in the room, and there was also blood on the cross - bow arrow nailed to the tree. Although we don't know if it was from the spy or the rescuer, there must be a wound on someone's body. Just now, I saw the adjutant's wound on his arm, so I asked."
Chen Xuan remained calm. "Is it him?"
Jin Yuanzhou glanced at Chen Xuan and folded his arms. "My lord, don't try to test me. Don't you know whether the adjutant has a problem or not?"
Chen Xuan laughed. "Scholars are really smart."
There was no problem with the adjutant. His naive look was exactly the same as before. Moreover, he was always under Chen Xuan's nose every day. If he had been replaced, Chen Xuan would have noticed it first.
If so, it could only mean that this wound was deliberately made by the murderer to frame someone.
Jin Yuanzhou rubbed his temples. "My lord, don't praise me for now. If the adjutant is okay, then this clue is broken again."
The adjutant only saw the back of the murderer and only glanced at it roughly. Even if the person was standing in front of him now, he might not recognize him.
The common people in the city were already like惊弓之鸟 and couldn't withstand a house - to - house search. At such a critical moment, public sentiment was the most important thing. They couldn't cause a riot just because of one spy, or it would easily affect the situation.
Chen Xuan patted his shoulder. "I'll leave it to you."
Since he said he would let Jin Yuanzhou be in charge, Chen Xuan would not interfere.
Jin Yuanzhou rubbed his temples with a headache.
The spy had failed to kill General Mao before. He would surely choose another opportunity to make a move. The key was how to anticipate this opportunity.
He looked around the crowd. His gaze swept over the common people and suddenly landed on a beggar in the corner.
It wasn't quite right to call him a beggar. After all, since the city had emptied out, beggars could also find empty houses to live in. But he used to be a beggar, and his demeanor was different from others.
Jin Yuanzhou waved to the person he had brought along and whispered a few words in his ear. The man was stunned for a moment and then nodded solemnly.
General Mao was critically ill!
Suddenly, a rumor spread in the city. No one knew where it originated from, but the common people passed it on from mouth to mouth. Originally, they all cowered in their homes and didn't go out. Now, they boldly stood in the corners and shared the news with their neighbors.
Some common people who had received General Mao's kindness burst into tears instantly. They rushed to the city lord's mansion crying and asked if the news was true, but they didn't get a definite answer.
General Mao had been ill for so long. It was reasonable for him to be critically ill one day.
Almost half of the common people believed this sad news. They cried for General Mao at home. Some even wanted to break into the city lord's mansion to see General Mao for the last time.
Jin Yuanzhou watched the situation unfold quietly. No matter how bitterly the common people wept, he sat firmly on his chair.
The big fish was about to take the bait. He couldn't be soft - hearted at this moment.
He just sent people out to continuously appease the common people and invited a doctor to sit at the door. If someone fainted from crying, the doctor could treat them in time.
Mid - night.
The city lord's mansion finally regained its silence. The sky was pitch - black, without a single ray of light.
A dark figure climbed over the wall and sneaked into a corner. Step by step, he groped his way towards General Mao's room.
There were still guards at the door. The intruder didn't attack immediately. He just quietly approached. With a flying leap, he suddenly scattered a handful of medicinal powder at them.
The guards had just drawn their swords when they suddenly lost consciousness and fell heavily to the ground.
The dark figure stepped over them and gently pushed open the door. Looking at General Mao lying almost silently in the bed curtain, he quietly approached. He suddenly lifted the bed curtain. A cruel glint flashed in his eyes. With a movement of his right hand, a dagger slipped out of his sleeve. In an instant, he raised the dagger and stabbed towards the bed!
Unexpectedly, the person on the bed suddenly jumped up!
The dark figure was startled. He thought to himself that something was wrong. He had fallen into a trap!
He turned around and tried to retreat, but he heard a furious shout from behind. "Where do you think you're going!"
The next moment, someone grabbed his shoulder. He threw the dagger and stabbed backward with his left hand. As soon as his shoulder was free, he immediately leaped out of the window.
Unexpectedly, as soon as his feet landed in the courtyard, torches suddenly lit up all around. Countless soldiers jumped out from somewhere and instantly surrounded him tightly.
The soldiers made way, and Jin Yuanzhou walked in slowly, his face as cold as ice.
"Surrender now, and you may still spare your life."