Reborn and returned, sisters swapped

Chapter 177 Incitement

The scout captain quickly calculated in his mind: if they could find more clues by following their trail, they might uncover more evidence of collusion between the enemy and the merchants.

He decisively ordered two scouts to follow, while instructing the rest of the team to continue monitoring the valley to ensure that no detail was overlooked.

The first rays of morning sunlight fell on the valley, their soft glow illuminating the hidden corners.

This adds a layer of brilliance to the conspiracy that is about to be revealed.

The scouts patiently waited, anticipating the enemy's next move.

Several hours later, the scouts sent to track the caravan quietly returned, bringing back important intelligence: the caravan leader had secretly set up a hidden outpost in the city, ready to provide supplies and support to the enemy at any time.

Upon hearing this intelligence, the scout captain's expression became even more grave.

This was not merely a simple collusion, but a crucial plot by the enemy to launch another attack.

The scout captain quickly compiled the intelligence records and ordered his men to return to the camp immediately to present all the information to Bai Nishang.

Meanwhile, he led the remaining scouts to remain hidden in the valley, waiting for an opportunity to strike.

Whether it's wiping out the remaining enemy forces or cutting off the enemy's connection with the city's merchants, both are crucial measures to ensure the city's safety.

Soon after, Bai Nishang received the news and immediately summoned her generals to deploy a dual action plan targeting both the enemy and the traitor.

Inside the tent, the soldiers' eyes were sharp, and they were all eager to fight, waiting for this contest of stillness and strategy.

In a private teahouse room in Hersha City, several local wealthy merchants sat facing each other, each holding a teacup, their expressions varied.

Shen Wanfu, a prominent merchant, was one of the most prestigious merchants in Hesha City and maintained good relations with the government.

They even hold a decisive position in some key decisions.

He took a leisurely sip of tea, his expression calm and composed.

Sitting next to him was Hu Gongwang, the owner of the silk shop, with fair skin and hands covered with calluses from years of hard work.

His family has been in the silk business for decades, monopolizing the supply of fabric near Hersha.

Hu Gongwang's somewhat serious expression contrasted sharply with Shen Wanfu's.

Not far away, Zhu Dachang was wearing a long silk robe. He was slightly overweight and always had the typical smile of a businessman on his face.

Although he didn't speak, he frequently observed the people opposite him, as if trying to figure out what they were thinking.

Zhu Dachang is a low-profile person who focuses on real estate. He owns a lot of land around Hesha City.

In contrast, tea merchant Lin Qingya appeared much younger. She wore a plain-colored long dress and had a delicate and clever look.

He only took two sips of tea, his eyes darting among the wealthy businessmen as if scrutinizing each person's intentions.

Although her family has only been in the business for a short time, they have already gained a reputation in the Hesha area due to the superior quality and fair prices of their tea.

Although these four people usually cooperate, their relationship is not close.

Shen Wanfu held the highest position of power, controlling the trade and commerce within Hesha City, and had a long-standing cooperative relationship with Hu Gongwang and Zhu Dachang.

However, Shen Wanfu was experienced in his actions and adept at navigating the edge of power. Although he had good relationships with people, he never truly allowed anyone to understand his inner thoughts.

Hu Gongwang had an even closer relationship with Zhu Dachang, and the two families maintained a mutually beneficial relationship from supply and marketing to land development.

Lin Qingya maintained a low profile throughout, keeping a friendly facade with everyone but not getting deeply involved in their core business.

This also made her stand out as more independent and cautious among the group.

What brought them together at this moment was a case involving the Liu family's merchant caravan.

The Liu family's caravan was renowned, known as the fastest caravan in the world, traveling to various places and even traversing the border regions year-round, bringing many rare goods from Hesha City.

But recently, their reputation has been tarnished by one incident.

Rumors circulated quietly in the city that the theft of the army's supplies might be related to the Liu family's merchant caravan, causing much discussion throughout Hesha City.

"The Liu family caravan is quite bold." Zhu Dachang narrowed his eyes slightly, put down his teacup, and said with a hint of cold laughter.

"They've been eating too much these past few years, daring to touch the army's food supplies."

Hu Gongwang snorted lightly and said calmly, "It may not necessarily be the Liu family's original intention. Perhaps their subordinates are greedy and have forgotten their principles for profit."

"Mr. Shen, what's your opinion on this matter?"

Shen Wanfu put down his teacup, a glint of light flashing in his eyes. He stroked his beard and said, "Whether it was someone from the Liu family caravan who did it, involving the military is no small matter."

Hersha is currently in a critical period of reconstruction, so those of us in business should be extra cautious.

If the Liu family's merchant caravan was indeed involved, then there must be an explanation.

As the group was talking, Gu Jinyan gently knocked on the door and entered, sitting upright at the head of the table with a solemn expression.

Although she was the deputy general of Hesha City, she was also responsible for rebuilding the city, and everyone held her in high esteem.

She looked at the businessmen, her brows furrowed slightly, and said bluntly, "Gentlemen, I'm here today for no other reason than to ask for your cooperation in finding out the truth."

The Liu family's merchant caravan matter involves many people. I have already dispatched General Bai Nishang to investigate. If there are indeed problems, I will definitely give the people an explanation.

Tea merchant Lin Qingya was slightly taken aback, and asked softly, "General Gu, there is no doubt about General Bai's abilities."

However, the Liu family's caravan has had frequent business dealings with us over the years, and if something really goes wrong, we merchants will also be implicated.

We need to know the full extent of this matter so we can prepare a response accordingly.

Gu Jinyan glanced at her, his expression softening slightly, and slowly said, "Miss Lin, rest assured, the focus of our investigation is whether the Liu family's caravan is suspected of colluding with officials and bandits."

If so, then it should be done as it should be.

However, if only a few individuals take the risk, innocent people will not be implicated. Our military knows what it means.

Lin Qingya nodded slightly and lowered her head in thought.

She knew that although her family had a tea business, they were ultimately weak and powerless, and dared not easily offend the military.

At this moment, Shen Wanfu smiled gently and said calmly, "General Gu is right."

If the Liu family has indeed engaged in illegal activities, those of us who associate with them will proactively distance ourselves from them and cooperate with the military's actions.

Meanwhile, Bai Nishang, along with several of her men, was venturing deep into the mountains outside the city to track down the bandits who had stolen military supplies.

She was dressed in full armor, looking heroic and graceful, with light steps and agile movements, carefully observing the tracks on the ground along the way.

She knew that this trip carried a great responsibility; if she could find solid evidence, she could uncover the truth behind this conspiracy.

"General, there seem to be hoofprints ahead," a subordinate whispered.

Following the direction he pointed, Bai Nishang saw several messy hoofprints on the ground, gradually receding into the distance, pointing directly to the Liu family's caravan's transport route.

Her gaze sharpened, and she said in a low voice, "It seems that the Liu family caravan is indeed colluding with the bandits."

Continue tracking them, but do not alert them.

His men nodded in agreement and continued on their way in silence.

The woods along the way grew denser, and Bai Nishang carefully concealed her presence when she suddenly smelled a faint scent of smoke.

A thought struck her, and she gestured for everyone to stop. She slowly crouched down and moved forward. In the open space ahead, several robbers were gathered around a campfire, chatting and laughing. Beside them were several bags of stolen grain.

Beside the campfire, a familiar figure suddenly came into view; it was one of the managers of the Liu family caravan.

Bai Nishang smiled coldly, already having made up her mind.

She whispered to her subordinates, "I'll rush out to draw their attention, and you guys take the opportunity to launch a surprise attack. Don't let a single one escape."

Before she finished speaking, Bai Nishang had already charged out with her sword, startling the bandits who all drew their knives to fight her.

However, her martial arts skills were superb, and she subdued them in just a few rounds. Her men then rushed in and captured all the robbers.

Bai Nishang looked at the trembling Liu family steward and asked coldly, "Do you know what you are doing? Stealing military rations is a heinous crime!"

The steward, pale-faced and trembling, protested, "I was just... just acting on behalf of the family head, I know nothing else!"

Bai Nishang snorted coldly: "Who you act for is a matter for military law to investigate. Take him away!"

Soon after, the news reached Hesha City. Upon hearing it, Gu Jinyan immediately summoned several merchants and told them the truth he had uncovered.

Shen Wanfu and the others' expressions changed slightly, and they quickly declared that they were severing ties with the Liu family's caravan.

Gu Jinyan reiterated to them that the reconstruction of Hesha City was related to the safety of the people, and anyone who dared to get involved in illegal activities would be severely punished.

The night was deep, and the cold moonlight shone on the desolate valley. A gentle breeze rustled the surrounding grass and trees.

Bai Nishang led an elite light cavalry force, quietly approaching the rumored location where supplies were cut off.

She was clad in light armor, her gaze was cold and stern, and the battle fan in her hand swayed slightly in the night breeze.

This operation must be swift and decisive to defeat the enemy in one fell swoop, so as not to alert the deeper-level enemies.

"Their hiding place is just ahead," a scout reported in a low voice, pointing towards a dense forest ahead.

In that dense forest, a few wisps of fire could be faintly seen, flickering uncertainly through the shadows of the trees.

Bai Nishang nodded calmly and waved for everyone to continue forward.

The team held their breath and moved stealthily, gradually surrounding the enemy camp.

In the night breeze, the enemy guards seemed somewhat lax, some talking in hushed tones, others dozing off against the trees.

Bai Nishang sneered and whispered, "Later we will split into four groups and make sure that each exit is guarded so that they have no chance to escape."

With a low shout, the elite soldiers swooped down on the enemy camp like night hawks.

Bai Nishang led the main force straight to the center of the camp. A sharp sword drew a cold light under the moonlight and charged into the enemy with the force of thunder.

Caught off guard, the enemy had no time to react before Bai Nishang cut down several of them, and shouts of battle immediately filled the camp.

The enemy screamed and scattered in panic, only to find that all the exits were blocked. In their haste, they could only barely put up a fight.

However, Bai Nishang's troops were well-trained and acted decisively, quickly defeating the enemy one by one, and the scattered enemies were subdued one after another.

The entire camp was instantly surrounded by elite troops, like turtles trapped in a jar.

In the short time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the enemy troops were all captured, and not a single one escaped.

The prisoners were gathered in an open area in the center of the camp, and several soldiers tied their hands behind their backs and forced them to kneel on the ground.

Bai Nishang walked slowly to them, her eyes cold, and glanced around indifferently.

She casually picked out a prisoner who seemed to be the leader and slowly said, "Who ordered you to cut off my army's food supplies?"

"If you don't tell the truth, don't blame me for being ruthless."

The leader of the prisoners was a burly man covered in wounds, yet he stubbornly remained silent, gritting his teeth.

Seeing this, Bai Nishang raised an eyebrow and sneered slightly: "What a tough guy. Looks like he still has some backbone."

After saying that, she waved to the soldier next to her, who immediately stepped forward and kicked the man several times, forcing him to lower his head.

Seeing the pain on the prisoner's face, Bai Nishang remained calm: "I'm giving you one last chance. Confess honestly, and you might save your life."