Chapter 1017 Entering the Palace to Inquire About the News

"Okay, go ahead, I'll watch over here."

Qiao Erhe stared at the blazing fire at the bottom of the ditch and felt sorry for the bucket of kerosene.

Such useful oil could be used to make fires or for lighting, but it was used on these damn soldiers and bandits. What a waste!

Although he felt sad, he also knew what was important and it was indeed important to deal with these thousands of corpses.

When Qiao Ran found the Mo family father and son, they were repairing a used trap. Mo Beihan was helping, so she also went forward to help.

The poisoned arrows were reinstalled on the mechanism, the poisonous bamboo branches and wooden pieces were reinserted into the trap, the poisonous gas and poisonous water were also set up, and the highly poisonous snakes were lured by her with the spiritual spring water.

After finishing all these, it’s time to set up new mechanisms.

In the wide open space outside the valley where the tents originally stood, as long as a large number of soldiers and bandits entered, the mechanism would be triggered, and arrows coated with flaming oil shot from all directions would surround them.

The arrow feathers were coated with phosphorus powder, which would catch fire when in friction with the air, roasting the men and horses trapped in the encirclement like roasted pigs.

Even if they manage to escape by chance, the deadly traps behind them will not let them off easily.

It was not until dawn that all the mechanisms and traps were repaired and set up.

The burning of the corpse was over and everyone returned to the cave.

The women volunteered to take turns to stand guard at the edge of the cliff so that the young men, who had been busy all night, could have a good sleep.

Qiao Ran was not very tired, but Old Lady Qiao still forced her to rest for a while.

When I woke up, it was already noon and most of the men were awake too.

Only then was Qiao Ran able to have a good talk with her family and tell them about her experiences of the past few days.

In the afternoon, everyone woke up and gathered at the Qiao family unconsciously, waiting for Qiao Ran's next instructions.

Qiao Ran talked about her experience in Northern Xinjiang and what she saw and heard on the way back.

"Now the Yunwang troops have been stationed thirty miles outside the city's south suburbs, waiting for the arrival of other princes' troops to attack the city together. When we came back, we passed by Yunwang's camp and observed secretly that Yunwang should have more than 40,000 troops, and they did not dare to attack the city at this time."

"But with so many people, the daily consumption of food and grass is considerable, so the subordinates of King Yun are plundering everywhere like bandits. The reputation of our Qingshui Village being rich has spread throughout the capital and the entire Zhongzhou. Those people will definitely come to rob again. Everyone must pay attention to safety and don't go down the cliff if there is nothing to do."

"Tomorrow I will find a way to get into the city, find my uncle, and learn from him about the situation in the city and the palace. The Dingbei Army led by the old prince is already on the way, and my grandfather's Zheng family army should be here soon."

"These princes are rebels who are waving the banner of suppressing the rebellion but are actually plotting a rebellion. My grandfather and the old prince's troops are the real troops suppressing the rebellion. Before they arrive, we must find a way to protect our lives. As long as this wave of turmoil passes, we should have nothing to worry about."

After hearing Qiao Ran's words, everyone felt much more relieved.

Yes, although these princes’ rebel forces are numerous, with the Dingbei Army and the Zheng Family Army, they will definitely be defeated and bring peace back to the people of Dayue.

That night, no one went down the cliff to check the situation because there was a mechanism for kerosene. As long as the enemy entered, they would be able to see the fire on the cliff.

Everyone listened to Qiao Ran and fished out the blue water fish from the pond. Each family got two fish, ate a hearty meal, and then went to sleep peacefully.

And that day and night, no soldiers or bandits came again.

I don’t know whether no one knows where those thousands of people are going, or whether they are holding back some big move.

However, it is impossible for King Yun’s camp to be unaware of the actions of so many people.

The next morning, Qiao Ran and Mo Beihan went out of the valley to find out the news.

They first wore the clothes they had stripped from the soldiers and bandits the night before and sneaked into King Yun's camp.

After inquiring, we learned that yesterday morning, when Prince Yun learned that the troops led by General Luo had gone out and never returned, he was so angry that he smashed a whole set of expensive tea sets.

He immediately wanted to lead tens of thousands of troops to flatten the Devil Valley, but was persuaded by several of his staff members.

Right now, the most important thing is to gather strength and wait for the arrival of troops from other princes so that they can attack the imperial city together, kill the emperor and ascend the throne. Their military strength is only similar to that of Prince An among those princes, so they must not lose any more men.

Otherwise, even if he captured the imperial city, he would not be able to defeat Prince An, and the throne would be a wedding dress for others.

Even though he was so angry that he couldn't eat or sleep well, King Yun had to swallow his anger and swear.

When he seizes the throne and becomes the ruler of Dai Viet, the whole of Dai Viet will be his. What is this small Devil's Valley on the outskirts of Beijing?

At that time, he would definitely order his men to raze the Devil's Valley to the ground and kill all the mud-legged untouchables from the Qingshui Village, even the pigs, cattle, sheep, horses, and even the chickens, ducks, geese, and fish they raised would not be spared!

Qiao Ran finally felt relieved when she heard that King Yun would not attack Qingshui Village for the time being.

However, there is no guarantee that other princes' troops will not also set their sights on Qingshui Village after their arrival, so we still cannot let down our guard.

After leaving Prince Yun's camp, the two men slipped into Prince Ping's manor not far outside the city and entered Prince Ping's mansion in the city through a secret passage.

At this time, Prince Ping was still dreaming of becoming an emperor in the palace, and the servants in the palace were not on guard at all. The two men swaggered out of Prince Ping's palace, changed into the clothes of Prince Ping's guards, and successfully entered the palace with Prince Ping's badge.

The atmosphere in the palace was somewhat tense. Firstly, the emperor and all the princes and nobles in Beijing were under house arrest by Prince Ping. Many palace maids and eunuchs were also killed by Prince Ping. Everyone in the palace was in danger.

Secondly, the city was surrounded and a war would begin soon. No matter who won, they, the eunuchs and palace maids, would be implicated and might even lose their heads.

Prince Ping is now the most powerful person in the palace. The guards in Prince Ping's mansion are also bullying in the palace. They can find any excuse to kill any palace maid or eunuch they don't like.

When they saw two people dressed in the uniforms of Prince Ping's guards entering the palace, the eunuchs and palace maids tried their best to hide from them, for fear of angering these plague gods.

Holding the badge and asking along the way, Qiao Ran and Mo Beihan successfully met General Zheng.

After not seeing each other for a few months, General Zheng was still as mighty and majestic as ever, but his expression was filled with deep sorrow.

The General's Office is loyal to Dai Viet. No matter who is the emperor, they will not do anything that will harm the interests of the people of Dai Viet.

However, he was absolutely unwilling to let King Ping become the emperor.

King Ping was a greedy and lustful man. He was extravagant and licentious, narrow-minded, selfish, stingy, cruel and vicious.

If such a person becomes emperor, the people of Dai Viet will live in the abyss of darkness forever.

However, Prince Ping was in power now, issuing orders under the guise of the emperor. He had no choice but to cooperate with the Imperial Guards and prepare to resist the siege of the city by the armies of various princes.

General Zheng was greatly surprised to see Qiao Ran and Mo Beihan, and the sadness on his face disappeared in an instant.

"Ran Ran, you're back? Prince, is the old prince okay? How is the Dingbei Army doing?"