Chapter 86: Schemes

"That goes without saying; I won't treat you poorly when the time comes."

Song Ya draped his arms over the shoulders of two Qingfeng Stronghold followers.

After the defeat at Qingfeng Pass, he had luckily escaped, but the Qingfeng Stronghold followers were almost entirely wiped out.

Having fled Yanshan, he had originally intended to find Zhang Kang, but realized that since the trade matter had been exposed, he and Qingfeng Stronghold were of no further value.

Based on his understanding of Zhang Kang's character, he feared Zhang Kang would only plot to harm him.

Thus, he took his fleeing confidants and hid here and there, heading south all the way to the southernmost part of Yan Commandery, intending to pull one last job here to get some Silver.

After that, he would continue south, taking the Silver to live a life of leisure.

According to what he knew, business for Yan Wang was becoming increasingly prosperous.

Many merchants from the south were traveling the official roads toward Yan Commandery.

Having kept watch here for several days, he had let go of some merchants who looked rather ordinary.

Unfortunately, today he encountered a merchant accompanied by over forty guards.

He immediately felt he had encountered a big fish.

Because the wealthier the merchant, the more guards they tended to carry.

"I hope this time goes smoothly; the people from the Zhang Family seem to be looking for us everywhere," another bandit said with a worried tone.

Song Ya's brow furrowed abruptly, and he raged: "That bastard Zhang Kang is even more ruthless than his older brother; he definitely won't let me off."

"Exactly, we've done so much for them, this Zhang Family truly has no conscience," one person said indignantly.

Song Ya sighed, "I'm also to blame; I shouldn't have gotten involved in that matter back then. Zhang Kang likely fears I will leak the secret."

"What matter?"

"Zhang Kang intends to coordinate with the Northern Di during the Autumn Hunt to kill Yan Wang..."

"..."

In the woodshed, the Chun Wang had not dared to breathe loudly the entire time.

At this moment, the conversation of the three people outside drifted into his ears incessantly.

He was instantly stunned.

One day later.

Yancheng, Yan Commandery Trading Firm.

"Do you recognize this person?" in the bustling trading firm.

Merchants came here in an endless stream.

Amidst the busy crowd, a young man with a shifty-eyed appearance looked particularly conspicuous.

After asking over a dozen merchants in a row, the young man scratched his head, wondering if the First Chieftain had been played for a fool.

After being puzzled for a while, he continued to inquire. Just then, a young man walked by, and he grabbed him to ask: "Do you recognize the person on this paper?"

The young man glanced at the slip of paper, and his expression changed drastically.

"Who are you, and how do you know this name?" the young man asked.

"So, you do recognize it. Then, please trouble yourself to deliver this note to the owner; there will be a heavy reward for you."

The young man nodded, "Wait here for a moment; I will be right back."

Having said that, the young man left the trading firm.

Once outside the door, the young man said to the guards at the entrance: "Watch him; he must not be allowed to leave."

The young man was none other than Yang He.

He looked at the note again, ordered a horse to be brought over, and headed straight for the Prince's Mansion.

The note read: "Nephew Zhao Xu, I am your Fifth Uncle Zhao Yin. Borrowing 100,000 taels of Silver, please send it quickly to Yuanyang County, Muyu Cun."

He did not know this Zhao Yin, but he certainly knew the name Zhao Xu.

Moreover, although the people of Yan Commandery all knew of Yan Wang, hardly anyone knew Yan Wang's real name.

Therefore, when he saw the note, he was greatly shocked.

Of course, he had also considered that it might be someone with the same name.

But as the manager of the trading firm, he had never heard of such a merchant.

Furthermore, there were originally very few merchants capable of borrowing 100,000 taels of Silver.

After weighing the situation, he still decided to make a trip to the Prince's Mansion.

Because this was the basic vigilance required of an official in Yan Commandery.

Upon entering the Prince's Mansion, he immediately had the gatekeeper deliver the note to Yan Wang.

Within a few breaths' time, Zhao Xu arrived at the front courtyard.

"How did you get this note?" Zhao Xu asked.

From yesterday until now, he had been worrying about the matter of the Chun Wang.

Seeing this slip of paper, he was startled.

Zhao Xu was his name, while Zhao Yin was the name of the Chun Wang.

His own name might be known to some, but it was impossible for anyone in Yan Commandery to know the Chun Wang's real name.

Without a doubt, this must have been sent by the kidnappers.

Seeing Yan Wang so nervous, Yang He recounted what had happened at the trading firm.

"Your Highness, what has happened?" Yang He was completely confused.

Zhao Xu then explained the matter of the Chun Wang being kidnapped.

Upon hearing this, Yang He was shocked, "These bandits truly have the guts of a bear and the heart of a leopard."

Zhao Xu said, "You go back now, tell that person the one hundred thousand taels of Silver are ready, we can set off immediately, and have him lead the way."

Yang He nodded and turned back.

At this moment, Zhao Xu immediately had people go to the North Camp to muster over three hundred soldiers.

He had them take off their Armor, put on civilian clothes, and then filled boxes with the Silver.

Next, he sent people to Yuanyang County to contact Xu Ke and the merchant caravan that had already set off yesterday, telling them to provide support.

"Yo, this Silver is quite heavy."

As soon as the team left the city, the young man delivering the message opened one of the boxes.

Seeing that the Silver inside was genuine, he nodded with satisfaction.

"Is my uncle alright?" Zhao Xu and Xu Lie were both disguised as merchants.

At this time, Zhao Xu asked.

"He's fine, as long as the Silver arrives, you can be reunited with him." The young man reluctantly put the Silver back into the box.

He thought to himself that the fish the First Chieftain caught this time was quite big.

Looking at the long convoy transporting the Silver, his heart grew heated.

The First Chieftain had already promised them that once they got the Silver, they could head south and live freely.

One day later.

The convoy transporting the Silver entered Yuanyang County.

Under the guidance of the young man, they veered off the main road, entered a small path, and finally stopped in front of a dense forest.

"Alright, this is the place, leave the Silver, and you people can go."

Throughout the journey, the young man had been fairly well-behaved, but now he suddenly became arrogant.

"Where is my uncle? It was agreed that we would hand over the money and receive the person at the same time," Zhao Xu said.

"Stop the nonsense, we have received the Silver, and we will naturally release the person." The young man looked impatient.

As soon as his voice fell, suddenly three bandits carrying blades darted out from the forest.

"Is it Silver in the boxes?" one bandit asked.

"Checked it, it's all real Silver," the messenger youth laughed loudly.

The three bandits ignored Zhao Xu and the others, used their blades to pry open the ropes on the boxes, and sure enough, saw the gleaming white Silver.

"Go notify the First Chieftain," one bandit said, then turned to Zhao Xu's group, "You lot leave quickly, we will naturally release the person, otherwise you can just wait to collect a corpse."

"Fine." Zhao Xu gave Xu Lie a look, and the group returned the way they came.

Back on the main road, Xu Lie said, "Your Highness, are we just giving them the Silver like this?"

Zhao Xu smiled, "Do not worry, there are already people watching them."

When they were camping outside Yuanyang County last night, Xu Ke had already contacted him in secret, and he had also given instructions to Xu Ke.

As soon as the sky brightened, Xu Ke and the people from the Flame Guard had been tailing the team.

However, at this time they were all disguised; they might look like merchants, or they might look like farmers.

By now, they were likely following the bandits to track down their lair.

And the reason he was being so careful was all for the life of this imperial uncle.