Before the house was raided, the maidservant of the Prime Minister's residence absconded with t

Chen Ergou, kneeling on the ground, trembled like a withered leaf in a storm, his forehead pressed against the cold earth, not even daring to lift his head.

He could only mechanically repeat the sentence, his voice trembling so much he could barely form coherent sentences: "Return..."

"Your Highness, as I just mentioned, my name is Chen Ergou..."

"Snap"

Xie Jingxing slammed his hand on the table, making the teacups on it rattle loudly.

A cold glint flashed in his narrow eyes, and his tone was full of impatience and a hint of murderous intent: "I'm not asking you what your name is!"

I asked you where you come from?

What does it do?

Standing to the side, Liu Wei felt a chill run down his spine and secretly glanced at his lord.

He thought to himself that if Chen Ergou couldn't answer the question, there might really be another lonely ghost in this desolate wilderness tonight.

Xie Jingxing stared at the trembling figure on the ground, his disgust growing stronger.

What use is this piece of waste that's shaking like a sieve?

He waved his hand irritably: "Liu Wei, have you brought back an idiot for me?"

Drag him out and chop him up, then throw him into the mountains to feed the wolves!

Just looking at it annoys me!

"Your Highness, spare my life!"

"Your Highness, spare my life!"

Chen Ergou finally raised his head, tears streaming down his face, and kowtowed desperately, blood quickly seeping from his forehead.

Liu Wei quickly stepped forward, smiling obsequiously, "Your Highness, please calm down."

This person is probably seeing such an important person as you for the first time, and is so scared that his legs are weak.

Let him speak properly, speak properly.

After saying that, he kicked Chen Ergou in the butt and cursed in a low voice, "Hurry up and answer the prince properly!"

Do you want to die?

That kick did seem to wake Chen Ergou up a bit.

He swallowed hard, trying to suppress the surging fear in his heart.

This Prince Cheng's eyes, filled with murderous intent, were even more vicious than those of the Tiger Head Stronghold's chief, and more cruel and terrifying than those of the deceased second-in-command, Hu Biao.

He dared not stutter any longer and blurted out all the words: "Your Highness, spare my life!"

This gentleman is right. I was too nervous and too scared just now!

Whatever you want to know, I'll tell you!

I am...

They are bandits from Tiger Head Village, men under the command of Hu Biao, the second-in-command!

The second-in-command is dead, and the village is in complete chaos. Taking advantage of the confusion, a commoner sneaked down the mountain!

The murderous intent in Xie Jingxing's eyes subsided slightly, replaced by a hint of amusement and sharpness.

He leaned forward slightly: "Oh?"

You say you're from Tiger Head Stronghold, and Hu Biao is your master?

"Then tell me, how did your family's second-in-command die?"

Seeing that the prince's tone had softened, Chen Ergou felt a little relieved, knowing that his life was temporarily saved.

He straightened his knees slightly, but still dared not raise his head: "Your Highness, my master..."

She was killed by a young cook named Xiao Tao!

I don't know if it's true or not, but that's what the boss said.

"My master is dead, and I no longer wish to stay in that awful place, so I secretly slipped down the mountain."

That's certainly the truth.

He still had a dozen or so taels of silver that he had taken from Hu Biao's house. He had originally planned to go back to his hometown, buy a few acres of poor land, get married, and live a stable life.

When bandits live on the edge, who knows when their heads will be taken away?

He never expected that he would run into King Cheng's soldiers and be captured as soon as he came down the mountain. This place was truly a den of wolves and tigers!

To save his life, he dared not hide anything.

"What a vile servant!" Xie Jingxing's eyes flashed with anger as he gritted his teeth and cursed.

"It really was her who killed Hu Biao!"

I didn't realize they had such skills.

This surprised King Cheng, who found the woman to be so capable and courageous, unlike other women.

Upon hearing this, Chen Ergou acted impulsively and blurted out, "Does Your Highness know that Miss Xiao Tao?"

No sooner had he finished speaking than he was struck hard on the back by a whip!

"Snapped!"

A searing pain instantly spread, and Chen Ergou screamed as he collapsed to the ground.

"You have no right to interrupt when the prince is asking questions?"

Don't ask questions you shouldn't ask!

Liu Wei put away his whip and shouted sternly.

Chen Ergou was so frightened that his soul almost left his body, and he kowtowed repeatedly, saying, "This humble subject has spoken out of turn!"

This commoner deserves to die!

Your Highness, please spare my dog's life!

Your Highness, I know you want to attack Tiger Head Stronghold, and I can help you!

"I'll tell you everything!"

He was willing to risk everything to survive.

Xie Jingxing narrowed his eyes, his voice unreadable, but his eyes were terrifyingly sinister: "Oh? Then tell me, how will you help me?"

Chen Ergou tried his best to calm himself down and spilled everything he knew: "Your Highness, Tiger Head Stronghold is now a disorganized mess!"

Not only did the second-in-command Hu Biao die, but the first-in-command Zhang Fei was also killed by the third-in-command, and even his body was burned!

But the third leader didn't fare any better; he was also killed!

The village is currently leaderless, and it's in its most chaotic state!

Your Highness, if you lead your troops to attack under cover of darkness, you will surely achieve a great victory!

As he spoke, he silently prayed in his heart: Madam, brothers in the village, please don't blame me...

If a person doesn't look out for themselves, they'll be punished by heaven and earth!

I just want to live!

Xie Jingxing threw his head back and laughed loudly, the sound echoing in the tent, "Hahaha..."

good good!

This is great news!

"This is truly a stroke of luck!"

The laughter stopped abruptly, his expression suddenly turned cold as he stared at Chen Ergou: "However, I've heard that Tiger Head Stronghold has many secret passages and traps."

Where's the deployment map?

Do you know where it is?

Chen Ergou's body stiffened, cold sweat pouring down his forehead: "Return..."

Your Highness, I do not have a defense map!

That thing was always kept by the third leader himself, and he also designed part of the mechanism.

Now that he's dead, who has the defense map? I really don't know!

"So how did you manage to get down the mountain all by yourself without any problems?"

Xie Jingxing stared at him intently, his gaze as sharp as a venomous snake.

Chen Ergou felt as if a snake was coiled around his neck, making it difficult to breathe: "Your Highness..."

We, the people of Hutou Village, all have an entry and exit token engraved with our surname and serial number.

And there is...

We need to match the slogans.

"slogan?

What slogan?

A glint of light flashed in Xie Jingxing's eyes.

Chen Ergou stammered, his face ashen: "Your Highness, this humble subject...this humble subject dares not speak..."

"explain!"

"I, the King, pardon you!"

Chen Ergou closed his eyes and, forcing himself to read it aloud, said, "Those who obey me... will prosper!"

Those who oppose me... perish!

"Bang!"

Xie Jingxing slammed his hand on the table, and the teacup fell to the ground and shattered: "Outrageous!"

Does Zhang Fei want to rebel and become emperor?

Good, very good!

Today, I'll personally wipe out his den of thieves!

Liu Wei quickly stepped forward to appease him: "Your Highness, please calm down!"

This news came at just the right time; now is indeed the perfect opportunity to attack Tiger Head Stronghold!

It was dark and foggy, and their internal strife was still unresolved. We had the advantage of timing and location!

What do you think?

Xie Jingxing took a deep breath, suppressed his anger, and nodded.

He looked at Chen Ergou: "Where's your token?"

Chen Ergou hurriedly pulled out a rough wooden plaque from his pocket and presented it with trembling hands.

Liu Wei took it and presented it to Xie Jingxing.

Xie Jingxing picked it up and glanced at it.

It was just a piece of broken wood, crudely carved, but to them at that moment, it was the key to unlocking the gate of Tiger Head Village.

He tossed the token onto the table and waved his hand: "Leave the things behind."

Liu Wei, take him away and keep him under strict guard.

Chen Ergou's expression changed drastically, and he kowtowed violently: "Your Highness!"

Your Highness, why are you still imprisoning me?

I've said everything!

You promised to spare my life!

Xie Jingxing looked down at him, his tone neither warm nor cold, "Chen Ergou, don't worry, once I conquer Tiger Head Stronghold, you will be richly rewarded."

But you can't leave yet.

Who knows if what you're saying is true?

Take him away!

Liu Wei beckoned, and two soldiers immediately entered the tent and dragged the crying Chen Ergou out.

The tent fell silent again, with only the flickering candlelight remaining.

Liu Wei turned to Xie Jingxing and asked in a low voice, "Your Highness, what's next...?"

Are we really going to take advantage of the darkness to attack the mountain?

Should we wait until dawn to discuss this further?

Xie Jingxing stood up, walked to the tent entrance, lifted the felt curtain, and looked at the dark mountain shadows in the distance.

The night wind rustled his robes, and his eyes burned with fierce fighting spirit.

He sneered, "Wait?"

impossible!

Speed ​​is of the essence in war; opportunities are fleeting!

"Pass down the order: the three armies shall immediately prepare food and cook. We will attack the mountain in one hour!"