Chapter 60 The troops are divided into two groups
During this incognito visit, Di Renjie destroyed the rebel's lair and found the unexpected "surprise" of Princess Yiyang. It can be said that he had a fruitful harvest.

The nest had been broken and there was no need to hide it anymore. A large group of government troops stationed on the spot in the ghost town and the cave nest.

The people were also properly accommodated, and their relatives and friends nearby would be notified to take them home at dawn tomorrow.

In the hall of the cave, Di Renjie, Zhao Ji and Li Yuanfang sat together and discussed the case in depth.

Li Yuanfang said happily: "Sir, this time we defeated the rebels, destroyed their lair, rescued the missing people, recovered the lost treasury silver, found Princess Yiyang, and even the rebel leader Jin Mulan has surrendered. It can be said that we have won a great victory! We can finally report to His Majesty!"

Listening to Li Yuanfang's repetitive summary, Di Renjie and Zhao Ji both laughed.

Li Yuanfang had been wronged and suppressed for a long time since the Turkic envoys were killed. Today, he found the clothes of the Turkic envoys, which gave him a sense of relief.

Zhao Ji, however, poured cold water on Li Yuanfang: "Yuanfang, I'm afraid now is not the time to be happy."

"Why?" Li Yuanfang asked puzzled.

Zhao Ji smiled and said, "Yuan Fang, do you still remember how many assassins we two killed?"

Li Yuanfang touched his head and smiled sheepishly: "Not many, probably only about a hundred people."

"That's it. Based on our experience, do you think the rebel party will only have a hundred or so people?" Zhao Ji asked.

Li Yuanfang's smile suddenly disappeared, and he obviously realized the problem: "So, the rebels are hiding?"

Di Renjie nodded: "Chengyuan is right. The case has come to an end, but it is not over yet."

"We found official silver, the clothes of the Turkic envoys, the missing civilians, and even Princess Yiyang, but there was only one thing missing."

"What's missing?" Li Yuanfang asked.

"Of course it's weapons and armor!" Zhao Ji said.

"Yes, the reason why these rebels spend so much energy capturing civilians is to mine iron ore for them and make weapons and armor. But now there is no trace of weapons in the cave. Isn't this strange?" Di Renjie said, stroking his beard.

"That's true." Li Yuanfang understood it completely and asked, "Then what should we do next?"

"Now that their nest has been broken, they are the ones who should be anxious. As soon as His Majesty's decree to mobilize troops arrives, we will immediately arrange for Jili Khan to return to the country and put down the Modu rebellion. By then, everything will be settled." Di Renjie said with confidence, his eyes flashing with confidence.

He knew very well that the biggest threat to Youzhou had always been the Turkic reinforcements from Modu. Without the Turkic reinforcements, even if the rebels occupied Youzhou, they would not be able to cause any big waves.

Di Renjie made further arrangements: "Tomorrow, Jili Khan, Yuan Fang and I will return to Youzhou City to wait for the imperial edict. Chengyuan will stay here to arrange for the people to return home."

"Then mobilize people to count the recovered government silver and various confiscated items, load them onto trucks and transport them back to Youzhou. After that, seal the entrances to these caves to prevent them from being used by criminals in the future."

Zhao Ji did not agree immediately and said, "Sir, why don't I go back to Youzhou with you and let Yuan Fang stay here."

He still wanted to have a chance to be alone with Di Renjie and try to expose Li Qingxia's identity. He also didn't want to serve Li Qingxia, the unruly princess.

Di Renjie refused sternly: "No, you stay here, and Yuan Fang will follow me back. Also, you must stay by my side to protect the princess's safety. If anything goes wrong, I will hold you responsible. Do you understand?"

Zhao Ji listened to Di Renjie's words, thought about it, and agreed: "Yes!"

There is one very good thing about Di Pangpang: he clearly distinguishes between public and private affairs. Private feelings are private feelings, and public affairs are public affairs.

Even though he cared about the Li Tang royal family, he would not let Li Qingxia know what she should not know.

There might be some special purpose behind arranging Zhao Ji to stay behind.
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The next morning, Zhao arranged for the people to return home. Some people quickly arrived home and spread the news that the government army had defeated Guizhen.

Upon hearing the news, people from all over the surrounding villages and towns rushed to the ghost town, some to recognize their relatives, some to watch the fun. The streets were crowded with people. Fathers and sons recognized each other, couples reunited, people cried with joy, people laughed in joy... the whole place was noisy.

But when some people are happy, others are sad.

There are also people whose relatives have been tortured to death and will never see their families again.

Some of those wives and parents had envious looks on their faces; some still had some expectations, thinking that their husbands and children were also alive but had not met them yet; others realized the cruel reality and shed tears silently.

Zhao Ji brought his officers and soldiers to maintain order on the street. When he saw this group of innocent and poor people, he felt pity for them and sighed silently.

At this time, Li Qingxia appeared from nowhere and walked to Zhao Ji with a few Qianniu Guards.

In this atmosphere, Zhao Ji's face immediately turned unhappy when he saw this woman appear.

"Princess, why are you coming here instead of staying in your room?"

Li Qingxia still looked down on people and said coldly, "This princess has been in the cave for a month, and you still let me stay in the cave. Do you want to suffocate this princess to death?"

Zhao Ji turned his head and looked at Li Qingxia, only to see that her face was indifferent. The sorrows and joys of the people were of no importance to her.

Zhao Ji suppressed his anger and spoke politely: "Okay, I'll prepare a clean house for you in the town, is that okay? It's windy and sunny outside, and it's dangerous, so it's better for you to go back to your room and rest."

Li Qingxia did not appreciate it, and had a provocative expression on her face: "Who wants to live in this house in this broken town? Let me ask you, where is Lord Di?"

Zhao Ji looked at Li Qingxia's arrogant and domineering appearance and became furious.

Are you here to cause trouble on purpose?

"Hehe... Lord Di's whereabouts are confidential, so Princess should not ask about it." Zhao Ji said with a wry smile.

He immediately gave an order: "Where are the Qianniu Guards? Why don't you 'escort' the princess back? Lord Di has ordered that if anything happens to the princess, we will all be held responsible."

The Qianniu Guards acted upon hearing the order and immediately surrounded Li Qingxia, preparing to "escort" her away.

Upon seeing this, Li Qingxia immediately put on a dignified face and tried to use her momentum to repel the Qianniu Guards: "Who of you dares to touch me? Get out of here!"

However, Zhao Ji's Qianniu Guards were well-trained and unmoved. They said respectfully and firmly, "Princess, please! We are just following orders. I hope you will cooperate."

Li Qingxia was a little surprised to see that the Qianniu guards were unmoved, but she still refused to give in. Unexpectedly, the two Qianniu guards actually wanted to carry her away.

At this point, Li Qingxia finally panicked. She broke free from the two Qianniu guards and shouted angrily, "Don't touch me, I can walk by myself!"

She glared at Zhao Ji fiercely and said, "Okay, I'll remember what happened today. You just wait!"

Watching Li Qingxia being taken away, Zhao Ji sneered.

"What the hell, you are acting wildly and are now throwing yourself at me. Don't tell me I know your true identity. Even if you are innocent, how dare you, a remnant of the Li Tang Dynasty, show off in front of a Qianniu Guard from Wu Zhou."

"It's just that Fatty Di cares about Li Tang and gives you some face. Otherwise, who would care about a princess like you? You really don't know how to live or die."

Zhao Ji was cursing Li Qingxia in his heart, but suddenly he felt an inexplicable chill, as if someone was secretly watching him.

　Thanks to Sifang, Uncle95, Wentian Jialan and Langdangyouxian for their tips

　　
　
(End of this chapter)