In my dream of returning to the Tang Dynasty, I snatched Wu Zetian from my lap.

This could be considered a group of highly intelligent people, but they've misused their intelligence.

From a personal perspective, it's understandable.

Legally speaking, however, such people are absolutely intolerable to the authorities.

Time ticked by, and Li Yuanchang waited quietly for news.

During this time, he also wondered, who could be so bold?

Judging from the overall strength of Heifenggang and Cai Hei's reaction, even as the largest band of mountain bandits in the area, they dared not take action against the government.

Do the other small groups of bandits really have the guts?

This question led Li Yuanchang to gradually shift his focus from bandits to a wider area, namely his enemies.

The Qin family's business enemies didn't even dare to offend them, since the Qin family was essentially an appendage of the Han King's mansion.

Soon, it got dark.

The twelve-hour countdown has begun.

Inside the county government office, the lights were on.

"What time is it?"

"Your Highness, it's almost midnight, nearly three hours away. Why don't you rest first? If there's any news, I'll inform you immediately," a guard stepped forward and said.

Li Yuanchang shook his head, just as he was about to say something.

The sound of dogs barking rang out outside the county government office.

Li Yuanchang's eyes, like torches, gazed into the darkness.

Then came a series of increasingly loud hoofbeats.

At the main entrance, Yuan Tong led the way, followed by Hong Zhu, whose voluptuous body was completely covered by black clothing, as they hurried in.

Li Yuanchang raised an eyebrow. So fast? Only nine hours have passed, eighteen hours in total.

"Greetings, Your Highness the Prince of Han!" the two bowed.

Li Yuanchang looked at Hongzhu: "Who did you find out?"

Red Spider looked up, somewhat nervous, with beads of sweat on his forehead, fearing that Li Yuanchang would execute everyone.

Her red lips parted slightly: "Your Highness, I do not yet know who it is."

"But through my own methods, I found out that there were unusual activities at Songshi Wharf before the incident at Yinfengpo. Some people saw many people escorting horse-drawn carriages arriving there overnight, and they never appeared again after that."

Li Yuanchang frowned: "The docks are crowded and bustling with merchants. What makes you think that's something I lost?"

Red Spider stretched out a hand, opened its palm, and inside was a folded piece of paper.

Li Yuanchang got up, took it, and opened it.

Everyone's pupils focused and jolted!

"That's true!"

This is no ordinary note, but a seal, clearly marked "Delivered by Zuixianfang, Fengzhou, in the twelfth year of the Zhenguan era!"

In ancient times, it was customary to use seals to ensure that important items had not been opened.

Li Yuanchang was shocked and took a deep look at the Red Spider. It was remarkable that it could find something he had not been able to find in just nine hours. Whatever method it used, it was enough to show its ability.

No wonder she could live so freely even after being wanted by the imperial court for several years!

"Is this what they found at the dock?"

"Yes, I had someone pay to buy it." Red Spider breathed a sigh of relief. Although she didn't give a specific result directly, Li Yuanchang was obviously pleased that she had found out to this extent.

Without hesitation, Li Yuanchang ordered, "Gather the troops and head to Songshi Wharf tonight!"

"Yes!" The county government office was shaken, filled with murderous intent.

"You come too." Li Yuanchang glanced at Red Spider.

Red Spider was completely relieved and forced a smile: "Yes."

"Your Highness, my people..." she drawled, then added, "each possess unique skills that might be of assistance to Your Highness."

Li Yuanchang knew what the other party was thinking, but he did not refuse.

"Bring it out with us."

"Yes, thank you for your kindness, Your Highness!" Red Spider said excitedly.

Half an hour later, the Han Prince's army regrouped.

After nine hours of rest, the more than two hundred riders had rested well and their warhorses had been fed enough grass. They set off at top speed!

The thunderous sound of horses' hooves echoed continuously at the south gate of Weixian County, waking many people from their sleep.

"..."

early morning.

The first rays of dawn fell upon the earth, and the hoofbeats of horses from the Han Prince's mansion shattered the tranquility of the outskirts.

Songshi Wharf, we've arrived!

With the arrival of spring, the canal transport is in full swing, with hundreds of boats of all sizes moored on the river, many of which come from Fengzhou.

This is also the only river that runs through Liangzhou and Fengzhou, but it is far smaller in scale than the Grand Canal built during the Sui Dynasty and other famous rivers such as the Luo River.

Just as the dockworkers and merchants groggily opened their eyes and got up to see what was going on, the Han Prince's army had already surrounded the entire dock.

"What, what's going on?"

"army!"

"The army of the Prince of Han!"

"How did I get here!"

"not good!"

The dock instantly descended into chaos and panic, with some people even fleeing.

"Grab them!" Li Yuanchang shouted.

Whoosh! Whoosh!

The guards swiftly moved in and quickly subdued those who tried to escape from the crowd.

The dock was in chaos, with clotheslines and dried fish overturned, and some people even jumped into the river.

Without exception, all eight were suppressed.

"Kneel down!"

The eight men were kicked so hard that their legs bent and they knelt down.

"Why did you run?" Li Yuanchang looked down at him, his gaze sharp as lightning.

The eight people trembled, their faces pale, and dared not raise their heads.

boom!

Yuan Tong drew his sword immediately: "Score three, or die!"

The brutal interrogation method instantly sent shivers down the spines of the eight men, who stammered incoherently, "We...we're afraid of being caught!"

"Why are you afraid of being caught?" Li Yuanchang asked again.

"I, I have evaded my corvée labor."

"The villain stole something."

"This scoundrel injured someone in Yangping County."

"..."

All eight people spoke up, unable to withstand the pressure, and each explained their reasons.

Li Yuanchang frowned.

Red Spider whispered a reminder: "Your Highness, the docks are a mixed bag. Some people who have committed minor offenses come here to find work and evade investigation."

"Not surprising."

Li Yuanchang nodded, seeing that these eight people were already terrified, they probably weren't the kind of people who would dare to rob the bronze chariot.

He waved his hand, ordering the eight men to be taken away first, and then rode out alone on horseback, addressing the throng of people at the dock.

"I am the Prince of Han of Liangzhou, here to investigate a case!"

"Everyone stand still and do not move. Keep an eye on each other. Anyone found leaving or moving without permission will be rewarded with ten strings of cash!"

"Anyone who leaves without permission or engages in any suspicious activity will be shot dead with arrows!"

The powerful voice echoed throughout the dock, startling the large crowd. Everyone tensed up, and no one dared to move an inch.

We looked at each other and then at each other.

"What happened?"

"yes."

After calming the crowd, Li Yuanchang waved his hand, and at least 150 of his personal guards dismounted, entered the dock, and began boarding ships to search them one by one.

The atmosphere at the scene was tense.

Among the throng of people, several individuals had sweat beading on their foreheads, exchanged glances, and appeared restless and uneasy.

They wanted to slip away, but everyone was watching them closely, eager to claim the Han King's reward, which forced them to stay put.

Then, with a tense look in his eyes, he watched the soldiers boarding the boats on the river.