Carrying the little lucky star, leading the villain on the road to exile

Chapter 188.019. Countermeasures
Everything was prepared perfectly, but unfortunately, the weather didn't cooperate. That night, it started to drizzle again, and the rain gradually got heavier.

Xu Zitian, who was trapped in the house, breathed a sigh of relief. Wu Xingshun patted his chest and said, "It's raining, so we should be able to save our lives, right?"

Zhang and his men were unable to leave and were forced to stay in this house to protect themselves.

Fortunately, Xu Zitian and his companion were not pleasure-seeking people. They also disliked living in the county government office, as it would make it seem like public and private matters were indistinguishable. So they bought this small courtyard with only six rooms, a well, and a small garden.

The two of them, plus their attendants, lived there just right.

When they came in, they had already tried to get the message out, but they didn't know if they would get help.

We're trapped here, unable to get out or in. We have enough food to last a few more days, but we're afraid the enemy might resort to desperate measures.

They guessed that the enemy would eventually use fire, and this rain has saved them.

"I'm afraid not," Xu Zitian said. Although he had only dealt with the Third Prince once, his master and fellow disciples had mentioned in their letters that the Third Prince was no kind person, but was just better at pretending than the other princes.

They've only just met, yet they not only want their own position, but they probably also want to control the Lingnan region.

If he were to succeed in his scheme, the world would likely be thrown into turmoil once again.

If imperial power cannot be transferred peacefully, it will be a disaster for the world.

"How many more days can our food supply last? I'm just worried that our aid won't arrive in a few days."

Wu Xingshun had a bitter face. "You tricked me into coming here. Now we're really going to live and die together. How about we become sworn brothers first?"

Xu Zitian looked bewildered. "What's wrong with you now?"

"Let's die on the same day. Since we're going to die anyway, let's swear a blood oath so that we'll at least have each other in the underworld."

Xu Zitian kicked him directly, but he didn't have enough force and almost stumbled and fell. It was only thanks to the guard next to him that he was caught.

Wu Xingshun clutched his stomach and laughed so hard he bent over. "With your weakling appearance, you still want to kick me? Don't break your back. We can't call a doctor right now."

"Ada, grab him."

"How could you be so despicable? Ada, don't listen to him. I'll treat you to roast chicken later."

Before he could finish speaking, he was already in Ada's hands. "You don't want the roast chicken anymore?"

Xu Zitian kicked him in the butt, vented his anger, and then said, "Don't try to bribe Ada with a roast chicken. You're so stingy, how dare you offer it?"

Ada, who was holding his arm, nodded in agreement, "Uncle Wu, you're getting more and more stingy."

Wu Xingshun broke free from his hand, clutching his backside and glaring angrily at the master and servant. "It's not that I'm stingy, it's that I'm really poor..."

"Alright, stop joking around," Xu Zitian said, looking at the rain outside. "We still need to be more vigilant at night."

During the day, they dared not do anything, since the surrounding area was inhabited by wealthy families, some of whom had hired guards who would come to check if they heard any commotion.

Even if they wanted to kill someone to silence them, they would only dare to do it secretly.

"I hope my senior brothers receive the message soon. Even if we lose our lives here, the Third Prince won't get away with it."

Though they said this, both of them knew in their hearts that the Third Prince would not let them leave Zhang County, nor would he let them leave this small courtyard. Moreover, after dragging it out for several days, his last bit of patience had been worn away. In a small courtyard in the county town, Chen Dafu finally waited for the person he was waiting for in the middle of the night.

"Lord Chen," the visitor Yao Zhengshu asked respectfully, "why are you in such a hurry to see me? Is there something you need?"

Upon seeing him, Chen Dafu immediately stood up. "Lord Yao, you've finally arrived."

"The situation is urgent. How many people can we mobilize?"

"My men have already assisted the Third Prince in suppressing those bandits. For now, we only have four or five skilled men." Yao Zhengshu explained to Chen Dafu, fearing he might not know, "His Majesty sent the Third Prince here to oversee the bandit suppression. Our men have been hiding in the shadows to assist him along the way."

"It's the Third Prince again," Chen Dafu thought with a headache upon hearing that there were only so few people.

"But is something wrong?" Both of them were His Majesty's men and knew that the princes had already begun to fight.

Chen Dafu briefly explained what was happening in the county town, and Yao Zhengshu found it unbelievable. "The Third Prince is so muddle-headed?"

He's just a bald prince, not even a king yet, and he dares to act like this?
"What's there to be afraid of? Have you forgotten why he came out here?"

"Suppressing bandits," Yao Zhengshu said, his expression changing. "Yes, then we can just accuse Magistrate Xu of any crime, and the matter will be handled logically."

His Majesty has already made up his mind to begin the purge of Lingnan, and will soon send troops to garrison the area. Such a large piece of meat, do you think the Third Prince wouldn't want a bite?

Yao Zhengshu fell silent. Not to mention the Third Prince's actions, he himself had secretly bought two estates here.

“But he is, after all, a prince,” Yao Zhengshu said, somewhat hesitantly, “we…”

Chen Dafu didn't give him a chance to speak, but said directly, "Xu Zitian is a student of Grand Tutor Lu."

Yao Zhengshu's eyes immediately cleared. "So you are a disciple of Grand Tutor Lu. I'll have someone guard that courtyard right away."

Grand Tutor Lu had been kind to them; if it weren't for Grand Tutor Lu upholding justice back then, their family would have been exiled somewhere long ago.

"Don't rush," Chen Dafu certainly couldn't let him act so rashly. "Try to reduce the number of people you have on hand now, and leave a few people to guard outside the courtyard. If anyone makes a move, lend a hand secretly."

Also, try to report this matter to higher authorities.

"Should we inform Grand Tutor Lu?" Yao Zhengshu felt that this matter should be left to Grand Tutor Lu to handle. After all, the emperor and his son were still father and son. Should he be favored in the end?
This kind of thing has happened before, and Lu Taifu's top student might end up taking the blame.

"You must not act rashly in this matter; there is no need to involve Grand Tutor Lu again."

I will try to spread some rumors in this county to deter them from making any rash moves.

The Third Prince did not have the authority to punish officials appointed by the court, but he still did so, which means he must have made thorough preparations.

This is beyond our control; let the Emperor decide.

The Third Prince has some privileges when he comes down to do official business, but he must have evidence. I'm afraid he might fabricate some evidence, and then even if Xu Zitian has a great injustice, he will have nowhere to seek redress.

"That's really despicable," Yao Zhengshu believed in Lu Taifu's character. His disciples might have other flaws, but they were all very clear-headed in political affairs.

“Lord Chen, I will personally guard outside the courtyard,” Yao Zhengshu said angrily. “I want to see how this Third Prince plans to frame loyal officials.”

(End of this chapter)