The Princess's Scheme

Lin Baichuan was no ordinary person and didn't immediately believe Ye Kang.

Ye Kang didn't need his trust. He simply took out his Imperial City Department waist token and said calmly, "Ye Kang of the Imperial City Department. I've been ordered to protect the Ninth Princess. As long as it doesn't involve her, I won't interfere with anything."

Lin Baichuan frowned, nodded, and said, "The Ninth Princess is of great importance and cannot be taken lightly. Lord, you may stay at my humble residence for now. Hanzhi, you will accompany me to invite the Ninth Princess."

"Yes, Father."

Lin Hanzhi, ignoring the dust from her journey, immediately arranged a room for Ye Kang before quickly heading to the Grand Tutor's Mansion.

Along the way, Lin Baichuan's guard never dropped.

"Daughter, this Lord Ye's strength is unfathomable. If he truly is from the Imperial City Department, it's fine. But if he isn't..."

Lin Hanzhi shook her head.

"Father, you can rest assured. Lord Ye has killed many experts from the Golden Saber Sect, including their second-highest expert, Elder Fire. If he were impersonating someone, the price would be too high."

"That's true. However, the Ninth Princess cannot afford any mishap. Let's not let them meet for now."

"What does Father mean?"

"We'll see when we meet the Ninth Princess."

They said no more and soon arrived at the Grand Tutor's Mansion.

Lin Baichuan, as the Lord of the Prefecture, had visited the Ninth Princess many times and was naturally able to meet her smoothly.

When he explained his purpose, the Ninth Princess exchanged a look with Old Wu behind her, both revealing wry smiles.

"As expected, this fellow has disrupted my plan. With Elder Fire dead, the Golden Saber Sect won't be able to hold back."

Old Wu also nodded, "No wonder their actions are days ahead of schedule. General Sikong's troops are not yet in position, and Mengzhou City will inevitably face a tough battle."

"I intended to lure out all these rebels and capture them in one fell swoop. Now it seems I can only cast the net early. Guards!"

The Ninth Princess shouted, and an Imperial Guard immediately entered, respectfully cupping his hands.

"Relay the Princess's verbal order to General Sikong, telling him to prepare the army to set off. As soon as fighting breaks out in Mengzhou City, have him provide reinforcements immediately."

"Yes, Your Highness."

The Imperial Guard quickly withdrew.

The Ninth Princess continued, "I just wonder, besides the Golden Saber Sect and the Sword Worship Sect, how many other simmering sects will be drawn out, and who is the mysterious person secretly connecting the Rebel Faction?"

"Your Highness, do not worry. Although that person never shows himself, when a major event occurs, he cannot help but reveal himself. I will deal with this person, and we will surely uncover the forces behind him!"

"Thank you for your trouble, Old Wu. However, since Lord Ye has arrived, we cannot let him be idle. Lord Lin, take my token and tell him I want him to guard the city gates and contribute to Mengzhou City."

"Your Highness, Lord Ye's attitude is rather strong; I fear he won't simply obey orders!"

"Indeed, Innate experts are troublesome. If he is unwilling, tell him this and this..."

"This..."

Lin Baichuan and his daughter were stunned.

How could this Ninth Princess be so different from the innocent and lively child they knew before!

However, they were both intelligent and didn't ask further questions.

After they left the Grand Tutor's Mansion, Lin Hanzhi finally breathed a sigh of relief.

"Father, from what Her Highness said, it seems she knew about the rebels causing trouble long ago?"

"People of the royal family are never simple. Staying in Mengzhou for half a year without leaving, she was likely waiting for the rebels to appear. I just don't know how many of my Prefecture Army will be left this time..."

Lin Baichuan sighed, his face filled with unspeakable weariness.

Upon returning to their residence, they relayed the Princess's wishes to Ye Kang.

Ye Kang was completely dumbfounded.

"What is this! Sending me to guard the city gates?"

"Lord Ye, Her Highness means for you to assist me in defending the city."

"Isn't that the same as guarding the city gates! This little brat, she really doesn't know any better. I should just knock her out and take her back."

Lin Baichuan was startled by his words and quickly said, "Lord Ye, you mustn't! Her Highness has her own arrangements. Regarding this rebellion, Her Highness must have been prepared long ago. You absolutely must not disrupt her plans!"

Lin Hanzhi also immediately exclaimed, "Her Highness said that if you can protect Mengzhou City, the Imperial City Department can even add a Deputy Commander position!"

"Absurd! Am I someone who covets power and status?"

"I am doing this for the people of Mengzhou City."

Ye Kang put on a righteous expression and immediately abandoned the idea of kidnapping the princess back to the capital.

As if!

Consort Jing had only promised to promote him from a candidate to a formal Tongzhi Lang. This princess was generous, offering a Deputy Commander position.

Promotion and fortune awaited him today!

As expected of Ye Kang, who had taken the civil service examination eleven times. His love for official positions had surpassed everything.

Seeing him like this, Lin Hanzhi and Lin Baichuan were left speechless.

The case is solved. This person is definitely someone from the Imperial Court.

To be arrogant before and subservient after, it's laughable to think about.

Truly a classic example.

Although Lin Hanzhi was somewhat disdainful, she still quickly followed Ye Kang's footsteps and arrived at the city wall.

Thanks to Lin Hanzhi's report, the city's defenses had been greatly strengthened, with rows of soldiers standing ready.

But in Ye Kang's opinion, they were too weak, too weak.

"The provincial army's strength is a bit too weak. Most of the soldiers are not even third-rate experts."

Lin Hanzhi felt a little embarrassed.

"The provincial army's budget is limited. My father has already tried his best to be economical, and this is all he could scrape together for a 2,000-strong city guard. There's really no other way."

"Only two thousand people? Do you know how many people are in the Rebel Faction?"

"As far as I know, the bandits on Liuhe Mountain number as many as twenty thousand. If you add the bandits from other large and small mountain strongholds, it won't be less than thirty thousand."

As Lin Hanzhi spoke, her voice grew quieter.

She also knew that without reinforcements, this would be a completely unequal battle.

The gap in strength between the two sides was too large.

"Didn't you say there was another military camp within Mengzhou? Where are they?" Ye Kang continued to ask.

Lin Hanzhi said awkwardly again, "The Ninth Princess said that General Sikong's troops are responsible for blocking the martial arts alliance of the Golden Saber Sect and the Sword Worship Sect. Compared to the mountain bandits, those people are the most difficult to deal with."

"It's not wrong, then this is going to be difficult."

"Lord Ye, there are still quite a few martial arts experts in the city. My father has already gone to rally them. These people have settled here and will definitely contribute to defending the city!"

"It's like trying to scoop up a blaze with a cup of water."

Ye Kang frowned deeply.

Just then, the system voice suddenly rang out.

[Ding]

[Mission Issued: Pre-battle Dance (Host needs to awe the bandit alliance with overwhelming presence and boost reputation)]

[Mission Reward: Distributed based on reputation value]

A mission has arrived!

Boosting reputation?

Isn't this just showing off before the battle!

Ye Kang suddenly became excited.

He was very familiar with showing off!

Since the Ninth Princess promised to promote him to Deputy Commander, why not take this opportunity to make a big splash, achieve a great feat, and make his promotion to official status logical!

Thinking of this, Ye Kang immediately put on a righteous expression.

"The enemy is numerous, and we are few, but there is no need to worry. Two thousand against thirty thousand, the advantage is ours!"