Chapter 71 - The Search Begins

"Why do you think Commander Xie called us here?"

"Can't say anything, maybe the enemy country is planning for another attack"

The whispers inside the huge camp quitened down when Commander Xie entered the camp followed by a young man.

A few soldiers recognised him and bowed their heads together to greet Commander Xie and Xi Ying.

"Commander Xie, what happened? Are we under attack or something?"

A soldier stepped forward and questioned.

"There is nothing like that"

After that, Commander Xie glanced at Xi Ying and Xi Ying walked to him.

"These soldiers are the one who had worked under General Li for the most time. This commander assures Minister Xie that all of them can be trusted"historical

Xi Ying nodded and looked at the soldiers who were looking at him back since the moment they had heard General Li's name.

Commander Xie stepped in front of the soldiers and started.

"Soldiers, Minister Xi here suspects that General Yun framed General Li."

The soldiers looked shocked when they heard this and the a sudden uproar started in the camp.

All of them were furious when they came to know that the Emperor announced General Li a traitor without any investigation.

"Minister Xi wants soldiers help in gathering evidences against General Yun."

A burly masculine soldier stepped forward and said loudly.

"Tell me how can I help, Minister Xi? Even if you will ask me to kill General Yun to save General Li, I am ready to do that."

The soldiers immediately nodded their heads in agreement showing that they were all ready to do whatever they can.

Xi Ying was satisfied with their enthusiasm and said

"Then we shall start right now."

-----------------

The darkness of the night eneveloped the black camps of the soldiers. In the silent night, footsteps of soldiers echoed as they stepped inside a camp.

Inside the camp, a chubby man was snoring lying on the bed. One of the soldier covered his mouth tightly and then with the help of others he dragged the man outside the camp.

The man had woken up till now and started to struggle fiercely.

The soldiers controlled him easily. However, as soon as they came out of the camp, swords were pointed towards them.

"Fenyu, what are you doing? Leave Commander Ji right now."

The man holding the sword said to one of the soldier whose hand was covering Commander Ji's mouth tightly.

"Nah...Guan, I will not leave this pig."

Guan frowned hearing the impolite words for his commander. His face was hard as he said

"Fenyu, think before you talk. That's our commander you are talking about."

Soldier Fenyu just laughed at these words.

"Do you think I care?"

To prove his words, he even kicked Commander Ji's from back heavily and said

"Eat Eat Eat, he only knows how to eat. From this body Where does he look like a commander?"

Guan tried again when he saw Commander Ji glaring at him for not freeing him from the soldiers.

"Fenyu, you can't take away our commander like this. Leave him this instant."

Fenyu kicked Commander Ji again when he felt him biting his hand with his teeth.

"Ah...Guan, Do you think I am enjoying holding his body in my arms? You don't know what this pig had done? He sent a letter full of lies claiming that our General Li betrayed his country."

Fenyu didn't stop here and revealed everything that Minister Xi and Commander Xie had told him.

"And do you know the truth? It is he who framed General Li with General Yun."

Guan had an expression of disbelief as he muttered.

"How can you be so sure?"

"Minister Xi told us."

Fenyu looked at Guan with red eyes as he continued.

"Guan, do you know what it means? We lost so many friends of ours just because of this pig and General Yun. I ....I even lost my younger brother on that day on battlefield, Guan."

Fenyu face hardened when he said the next words.

"So if you want to have a fight with me then I am ready but I will not leave your Commander."

Guan looked at the pale face of Commander Ji and then at red eyed Fenyu.

After a moment, he lowered the sword in his hands. Seeing this, Fenyu dragged Command Ji forward.

-------------

Inside the camp, Xi Ying and Commander Xie were waiting for the soldiers.

The soldiers dragged Commander Ji inside the camp and tied him to the chair.

When his mouth was uncovered, Commander Ju screamed for help and shouted that it was wrong to abduct someone like this.

Irritated from his screams, Xi Ying suddenly stepped in front of him with the dagger in his hands.

He applied force on his jaw and opened his mouth forcefully.

"One more useless word and this lord will cut your tongue."

With the face full of horror, Commander Ji nodded vigorously implying that he will mot scream again.

The soldiers chuckled and looked at him in disgust seeing him crying like a woman.

"General Yun subordinates are just like him. When there is time to get praised they will step forward in front of the Emperor shamelessly but when it is time to step forward and show bravery, they shed tears and snots luke children."

The loud laughters of soldiers echoed in the camp.

Commander Ji felt humilated but he could only swallow down his anger in the situation he was.

"Now tell me where is General Li and Commander Li?"

Xi Ying left his mouth with these words but the dagger in his hands was enough to terrify Commander Ji.

Looking at the dagger fearfully, Commander Ji murmured in a low voice.

"I don't know any.....ahh...."

His words fell and then his screams followed.

Commander Ji howled in pain and fear as he looked at the blood flowing out of his hand.

The middle finger of his right hand was missing from its place.

The soldiers were smiling when they saw the ruthlessness of Minsiter Xi while Commander Xie felt that his nephew might not be lying to him.

"One more lie and next will be your hand, tell me again."

Thia time Commander Ji said directly.

"I don't know the name of that place but it is inside the forests. Very far away."

Xi Ying nodded and said

"It is good to be wise. You will take us there."