The straight-line distance from Fangshan County to the capital is just over a hundred miles. However, there are many rivers, so it would be a bit time consuming to take a detour back and forth.
However, what affected Zhang Mingwei and his group the most was actually Zhang Mingwei himself. Even though his riding skills have improved a lot compared to when he first crossed over, the speed of riding continuously is still dragging down the whole team.
It was almost evening when they left Fangshan County, so it got dark before they could go far.
After taking a short rest, we continued on our way with a torch.
Along the way, in order to ensure safety, Zhou Yuji really had to take it seriously. Especially Zhang Mingwei's speed is not fast, which gives him room to arrange.
The night in the team did not gather up, and spread out forward, backward, left and right. In the plains, wherever you can see, keep your distance and march with vigilance.
Even if it is nightfall, although the distance is not that far, we can still maintain the same rushing posture.
Late at night, under the light of torches, the team continued to move forward.
Anyone who saw it would know that Duke Xingguo was working very hard because of his riding skills. Finally, Princess Kunxing couldn't stand it anymore, so she said to Zhang Mingwei: "Sir, why don't you come down to rest, stretch your legs and have something to eat?"
After hearing this, Zhang Mingwei couldn't help but turn his head to look at her, smiled and said: "It's okay, I can just hone my riding skills. If I try a few more times, I will definitely be able to catch up with your riding skills!"
He didn't hone his riding skills in the dark. He was worried about his father!
Thinking like this, Zhu Yuya couldn't help but feel a little moved, and said to Zhang Mingwei: "Sir, I'm a little hungry, can I have something to eat?"
When Zhang Mingwei heard this, he had no choice but to stop. However, he understood that this was just Zhu Yuyao finding a reason to take a break.
This little girl is no longer straightforward when speaking. She can say whatever she wants and has learned to speak from the perspective of others.
Thinking like this, he was a little grateful, and at the same time, he was also relieved to see a person grow.
We found a sheltered place and lit a fire to keep warm. At the same time, we could only eat some dry food. The water could be heated up before drinking.
In the wilderness in March, it is still late at night, and it is very enjoyable to drink a sip of warm water.
Zhang Mingwei thought this while moving his legs and feet.
"Sir, at this speed, when we arrive at the capital, it will happen that the capital can open the city gate. Just in time!" Zhou Yuji said to Zhang Mingwei with a smile. The implication is, don't rush, otherwise it will be useless if you go early, the city gate will not be opened.
Zhang Mingwei smiled after hearing this and was about to say something. Suddenly, he saw a rocket flying into the sky in the distance, which was very eye-catching.
Almost at the same time, there was a faint sound coming from over there.
Zhou Yuji also saw it, and he immediately jumped up, stood next to Zhang Mingwei, stared over there and shouted: "If there is a situation, be on strict alert!"
While he was speaking, the cavalry officers and sergeants of the Yongwei Battalion and the Jinyiwei captains scattered around were also on alert.
Because they all know that this is a situation where they are not alerted at night, so they will send out rocket warnings at night.
Zhang Mingwei opened his eyes and looked over there carefully, but it was dark and he couldn't see anything clearly. However, Zhou Yuji roughly understood something and immediately issued an order: "Li Yunzhao, go over and take a look!"
Upon hearing this, one person immediately agreed, and then rushed over with five or six colleagues.
At the same time, the fire had been extinguished by Jin Yiwei's people, and Zhang Mingwei's side fell into darkness. Zhou Yuji whispered: "Sir, princess, let's move a little bit."
Of course Zhang Mingwei knew that he was afraid of being attacked by enemies in the dark, so he immediately moved. Then, he was surrounded by Zhou Yuji and his wife and their personal guards, and outside were the captains of the Jinyi Guards and the cavalry officers of the Yongwei Battalion.
After everything was settled, they all looked to the distance.
The torch over there was also thrown on the ground. It was a little far away, so the firelight couldn't be seen and the situation couldn't be seen.
However, shouts could be heard. But it didn't last long, the torches were lit again, and then a group of people came back.
When they met the soldiers on the outside, they informed each other and after confirming their identities, one of them continued to walk in and loudly reported: "Commander, you shot and killed a thief, and the other thief ran away!"
After hearing this, the torches were relit. Under the light of the fire, the visitor came closer and continued to add to the report: "About five or six thieves approached sneakily. They were discovered by the brothers on the outpost and they launched a violent attack. One of the brothers was slightly injured by an arrow, and they immediately fought back. One thief was shot and killed, and two others were wounded, but they all had horses and ran away on horseback. There was no way to pursue them in the dark. Of the number of thieves, five have appeared."
When Zhou Yuji heard this, he nodded and said: "All the outer sentries are doubled, and all the previous ones are replaced and rested."
After he finished arranging it, Zhu Yuluo, who was listening on the side, couldn't help but asked worriedly: "Could it be that these thieves are all here to assassinate Sir?"
She had never seen anything, and what she had heard before was that the capital was plotting against Mr. More importantly, she knew how important Mr. was, so she immediately thought of it.
After hearing this, Zhou Yuji replied: "It's hard to say. It's not peaceful now, and thieves who block the road and rob are also possible. Wait a while, the general will check again..."
Before he finished speaking, he heard a sudden exclamation from the outside. He didn't say any more and immediately looked over after hearing the sound.
There was only a commotion on the outside, but it soon became quiet again. Then, Li Yunzhao came back and reported: "Sir, those thieves used poisonous arrows. Fortunately, the injured brother discovered it quickly and bled it out."
Upon hearing this, Zhou Yuji couldn't help being shocked, and then he immediately looked at Zhang Mingwei and said seriously: "Sir, maybe these thieves are really coming for you!"
Ordinary thieves who block roads and rob are basically unlikely to poison their arrows. Only those who are bent on taking the lives of others would have such vicious thoughts. Of course, this is most likely the idea, and special cases cannot be ruled out.
Zhang Mingwei was not surprised to come to this conclusion. For what I have done, it would be strange if no one targeted me!
He immediately replied to Zhou Yuji: "Let's see how the injured brother's injury is and whether he needs further diagnosis and treatment from the doctor!"
Hearing that he was not worried about himself, but instead immediately cared about his injured brother. The surrounding cavalry officers and soldiers of the Yongwei Battalion couldn't help but turn their heads and look at him. Although their expressions could not be seen clearly, it was obvious that Zhang Mingwei's words immediately won their favor.
After Zhou Yuji heard the order, he sent someone to check the situation. As for himself, he suggested: "It is estimated that it will be dawn in another hour. In the dark suburbs, I don't know if there are still thieves hiding. I would like to suggest that we wait until dawn before setting off?"
"Sir, just listen to Vice General Zhou!" Upon hearing this, Zhu Yuyao immediately agreed.
After hearing this, Zhang Mingwei did not hesitate, nodded and said: "Okay, let's all take a rest. Wait until daybreak and then check on the thief's situation!"
In the wilderness, there were more than twenty fires for warmth. The soldiers inside were half alert and half resting. However, the sentries who took turns in the darkness outside had to endure the cold spring day, vigilantly paying attention to their surroundings to prevent thieves from coming again.
However, nothing happened until dawn.
The body of the shot thief had been brought to Zhang Mingwei. He is a young man, wearing ordinary black clothes, and there is nothing unusual about his clothes.
Zhou Yuji personally searched the body and found several meat buns wrapped in paper. Everything else was gone. Obviously these thieves were very careful.
However, Zhou Yuji still saw something and immediately reported to Zhang Mingwei: "Sir, these people should be soldiers, but I don't know where they are soldiers?"
Soldiers always have their own characteristics. Zhang Mingwei believes that what Zhou Yuji said is definitely true.
Many of today's thieves are soldiers of the border army or guard station, so it is impossible to investigate based on this alone.
At this moment, a guard in Jinyi suddenly interrupted and said: "These steamed buns smell fragrant and look like this, they seem to be the steamed buns from Majiapu in the capital!"
As soon as he heard this, Zhou Yuji immediately handed over the buns. After the Jinyi Guardsman looked at them carefully, he reported to Zhang Mingwei: "Sir, yes, these are the buns from Majiapu in the capital. I like them." Our steamed buns have a lot of fat in the meat filling, and the meat buns close here, no more, no less, just folded in five layers, so I eat them often."
This means that these thieves have been to the capital, or came from the capital.
After reaching this conclusion, the eyes of many people present suddenly lit up. However, this conclusion is quite scary.
Only Zhu Yuyao had no scruples and immediately spoke out: "Could it be the traitor Duke Cheng Guo who did it?"
It is a bit unimaginable that a Duke of the Ming Dynasty tried to murder another Duke.
After hearing this, Zhou Yuji said, "It might be a coincidence!"
After all, these thieves are from out of town, and it makes sense to go to the capital. It does not mean that these thieves came from the capital and were appointed by Duke Cheng.
Zhu Ainao disagreed, and immediately said: "Didn't we catch that Zhu Youfu before? He drove all night and happened to go to Fangshan County to visit relatives. It happened that as soon as he arrived, Fangshan County was about to go to the den of thieves. Is this an attempt to silence someone?"
Seeing that her husband's words were questioned, Mrs. Zhou Liu said: "I also arrested the servant of Mr. Wei, the assistant minister of the cabinet, and also traveled overnight."
However, Wei Zhaocheng's servant did not go to Fangshan County, but it is possible that he changed his mind when he saw something was wrong.
After listening to their opinions, Zhang Mingwei made a decision: "No matter what, we will investigate in this direction. Take this body and return to Beijing first."
At this time, he did not have any fear of being targeted. Instead, he was happy, because what he feared most was that the enemy would not act, and it would be difficult to detect if it was hidden.
Afterwards, the group rushed to the capital without incident.
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