The More You Cover It Up, the More It Shows

That same night, Governor Fang Qian was also hurriedly patching up the loopholes and taking swift action.

At Youzhou's south gate—the execution platform Di Renjie and his party had seen after first entering the city—the villagers of Great Willow Tree Village were still bound there, watched without pause by more than a dozen soldiers.

Under cover of night, a troop of mounted soldiers arrived at the execution platform.

The captain in charge of the guards asked, "General, what is it?"

The general leading the mounted soldiers reined in his horse and replied, "By order of the governor, remove the prisoners from the execution platform."

The captain watching over the platform immediately answered, "Yes."

That night, the sounds of battle suddenly erupted.

Di Renjie hurriedly dressed and opened his door to investigate. At that moment, Hu Jinghui and Lu Dayou also arrived outside his room.

Di Renjie asked, "What happened?"

Hu Jinghui replied, "I don't know. Could the Göktürks be attacking the city?"

Hearing this, Lu Dayou hurriedly hid behind Hu Jinghui in fright.

After listening carefully, Di Renjie said, "Absolutely impossible..."

Just as Di Renjie was explaining why, Youzhou Governor Fang Qian came rushing over with Sima Wu Yizhi and several soldiers.

Fang Qian cried anxiously, with concern, "Lord Di, are you all right?"

Di Renjie also asked urgently, "Lord Fang, what happened?"

Fang Qian immediately replied, "We just received a report from the south gate. The rebels from Great Willow Tree Village broke through the south gate under cover of night and rescued all the villagers imprisoned on the execution platform for aiding the rebellion."

Di Renjie and Hu Jinghui exchanged glances. Hu Jinghui's shock was plain to see.

Yet Di Renjie shrewdly countered, "Have you been to the south gate?"

Fang Qian froze. He had never expected