Confucian and Taoist scholar

Chapter 671 Wei Border Army

Before Lu Zheng could see Xiao Yan and her party out of the city, he saw a figure rushing over in a great hurry.

"I've finally found you..."

Hu Qing approached Lu Zheng, still catching her breath, and said, "Something's happened, and we need your help..."

Upon hearing this, Lu Zheng asked, "What's wrong?"

Seeing that there were others present, Hu Qing transmitted her voice, "Someone on patrol encountered suspicious individuals, and a conflict ensued. We arrested and interrogated them, but at first they wouldn't confess. Later, they claimed to be from the Wei border army... Their identities have been carefully verified, and they are indeed scouts sent by Wei. What do you think we should do?"

Lu Zheng spoke directly: "Is that all? You can't even make up your minds?"

Hu Qing couldn't help but say, "This isn't just a small matter, is it?"

They dared not easily deal with the scouts coming from the Wei border army camp.

Xiao Yan, who was standing nearby, heard the conversation between the two and wondered what had happened.

Lu Zheng asked, "Were there any casualties?"

Hu Qing said, "Someone was injured, but there is no danger to their life."

Lu Zheng then said, "Tell me the specific details of what happened."

Hu Qing quickly pulled out a stack of papers and said with a grin, "I knew you were going to ask. We've interrogated both sides of the conflict separately. Their testimonies are genuine, and they've all signed and fingerprinted them."

Lu Zheng took it and examined it carefully, then took out a piece of paper and wrote some words on it.

"Disable all the captured scouts and send them back to the Wei army. Also, have them take this letter with them..."

"Tell them that we welcome everyone to visit us and will treat every dishonest person equally."

Hu Qing was stunned for a moment and couldn't help but ask, "Completely crippled?"

Lu Zheng said calmly, "Is there a problem?"

Hu Qing thought that it would be better to secretly deal with those people and pretend nothing had happened than to cripple them and send them back to the Wei border army.

This approach feels like openly going against the other party.

No matter how much trouble the forces and powerful figures in the Northern Region cause, few are willing to have any conflicts with the Wei border army.

Xiao Yan probably understood what had happened by now, and looked at Lu Zheng with a strange expression. Was this young man really always this brave?

Lu Zheng said, "In the future, if you encounter a similar situation, act in accordance with the law. There's no need to waste time coming to me. As long as it's compliant with the law, even if a bigger one comes after a smaller one, I'll take the blame."

They sneaked over to gather intelligence and even injured someone. How could Lu Zheng possibly let this go unpunished?

A few Wei scouts were not enough to make him wary.

If the Wei border general were wise, he wouldn't actually send a large army to retaliate for this.

After all, waging a large-scale war against foreign powers is no small matter. If the war is lost, the Wei court will hold those responsible accountable, and countless soldiers will be punished.

Seeing Lu Zheng's unwavering stance, Hu Qing had no choice but to say, "Alright..."

After receiving Lu Zheng's reply, Hu Qing hurriedly left again.

Xiao Yan couldn't help but whisper, "Young Master Lu should know the principle that excessive rigidity leads to breakage."

She felt that Lu Zheng's actions had created a grudge against the Wei border army.

Xiao Yan had some understanding of the border troops' situation; there were members of the royal family stationed in the main camp, and those important figures were not easy to talk to. Lu Zheng glanced sideways upon hearing this, smiled, and said, "Everyone else can bow their heads, but I can't. Besides, it's just a small matter."

Lu Zheng knew very well that he would never back down in the face of any provocation or test from any force.

Because once the first time happens, the other party will become even more aggressive, thinking that he is easy to bully.

Small matter? Xiao Yan thought to herself, what would be considered a big matter? Only when the Wei army was at the city gates could it be considered a big matter?

Seeing this, Xiao Yan said nothing more and led Ze Rui and Ze Yu into the carriage.

Zerun was still a little reluctant to leave. After leaving the city, he asked softly, "Mother, when can we come back to play again?"

Xiao Yan said, "You don't want to leave? Is this place better than the palace?"

Ze Rui said, "The teachers and classmates here are all very nice, and there are many things I've never seen before. I can also learn a lot... I heard that Mr. Lu occasionally gives lectures, but it's a pity I haven't been able to attend his class."

Xiao Yan said quietly, "You really think of him as a teacher? Do you even know what he's done and what he's planning to do in the future?"

"I……"

Ze Rui said in a small voice, "I know, I don't think Mr. Lu did anything wrong."

Xiao Yan said, "Really? Then if he brings people to the Bai Ze Kingdom and drives the three of us, including your father, out of the palace, takes away all the things you like, and makes you live like an ordinary child, where you don't eat well, dress well, or live in a small house... you think that's right?"

Zere said weakly, "Those things shouldn't have been mine in the first place. The gentlemen all say that a real person creates wealth with their own hands, not by exploiting others and becoming a bloodsucker. That's wrong!"

Xiao Yan felt a little dizzy. She had been educating Ze Rui for so long, but it turned out that it was not as effective as the words of outsiders, right?

She took a deep breath and said, "Don't you want to be king anymore?"

Ze Rui mustered his courage and said, "My mother taught me to be a good ruler in the future, to govern the country and bring peace to the people. I think that even if I don't become a king, I can still benefit the people. There is no king here, and it's even better than our Baize Kingdom."

"And most importantly, I feel we can't beat Mr. Lu, Mother. Let's just surrender and try to get leniency..."

"I heard that Di Renyuan's father did many wrong things and was sent to do hard labor, the most tiring work..."

Xiao Yan remained expressionless, then turned to Ze Yu and asked, "You think so too?"

"what……"

Zeyu blinked and whispered, "Mother is smarter than us. I believe Mother can make the best choice."

Xiao Yan suddenly felt exhausted and had an urge to take people back to her parents' home.

But if we just go back like this...

Back then, for the sake of her family's interests, she was arranged to marry into the Northern Region. If she lost her status as the Queen of Bai Ze Kingdom, her position in the family would definitely be much lower than before, and she would not be well-liked.

The first talented woman of the Xiao family, the queen of the Bai Ze demon king... all her identities seemed to vanish in an instant, and all her previous efforts were in vain.

Xiao Yan looked dazed. Upon reflection, she realized that her past status, reputation, and honors had all relied on her family. She could say that she had never truly proven herself.

To prove herself... Xiao Yan recalled Qing Wan's words.

Without the protection of her family, is she incapable of achieving anything significant?

Xiao Yan's thoughts raced. She lifted a corner of the curtain, summoned a trusted aide, and handed over the intelligence that Lu Zheng had just given her.

"Hurry back and investigate. Have the King mobilize the Imperial Guards, so they are on standby..."

The trusted aide, having received the order, quickened his pace and returned to Bai Ze Kingdom first. (End of Chapter)