"General Deng!"
They watched helplessly as he was escorted away. The soldiers and commoners spoke almost in one voice.
"General Chen!"
"You said those who surrender would not be killed, but... but please, do not harm General Deng's life!"
"That's right!"
"General Deng's righteousness reaches the clouds! Ever since he came to Laizhou, who knows how many good deeds he has done!"
"Bastards! Shut your mouths!"
Sha Wenlong cursed impatiently. "Whether he lives or dies, is that for you to discuss?"
"Cui Congyi, Sha Wenlong!"
Chen Sanshi issued his orders. "Now that Zhaotong has surrendered, we no longer need fear trouble behind us. I order Cui Congyi to lead the Huben Army to Green Ridge Mountain and set up camp, blocking Daqing reinforcements from Green Ridge Mountain. Sha Wenlong, lead three thousand men back to the camp thirty li outside the city and settle the surrendered troops. Without my order, no one is to enter the city! Also, Heir Cao Fan is to take more than twenty riders and return to Yongle Prefecture at full speed to report to Commander Meng. Everyone else will remain in the city and await orders with this general! Oh, and leave Deng Feng in the city as well."
"Yes, sir."
Cui Congyi accepted the order unwillingly and departed.
"Not letting me into the city?"
Sha Wenlong cursed inwardly, but he had no choice but to obey.
He and Cao Fan arrived outside the city gates. Suddenly worried, he said, "Your Highness, the one surnamed Chen has arranged things this way and only given you twenty-odd riders to return to Yongle Prefecture. Could he be plotting something?"
Cao Fan was startled upon hearing this. "Would he?"
"Why wouldn't he?"
Lowering his voice, Sha Wenlong analyzed, "This arrangement clearly shows he wants to separate us!"
"No