494 Desertion (1/2)

Two reports were placed in front of Gu Shenwei, one from Zhong Heng and the other from Xu Xiaoyi. Despite the differing details, the suspicion of betrayal was placed on the same group of people.

In the group of more than fifty, all of them shared a common characteristic: their families had escaped from Xiaoyao Lake that had been under the control of the Dragon Army in the past few months.

Most of the troops have never managed a country before, including Dragon King. Both Zhong Heng and Xu Xiaoyi established their respective independent intelligence networks but mainly focused on tracing the Golden Roc killers and the popular support. Though they had placed spies around the main generals in the army, their scope was not large enough to encompass their families.

However, both systems were highly efficient. After they received a secret order from Dragon King in the front, it took four or five days to hand in reports in tandem. Besides, they classified them for Dragon King to look through quickly.

By investigating the traces of their families, Gu Shenwei narrowed down the scope of suspects. It was not an accurate way to do so because of the high possibility of accidental omission. Fortunately, he found something.

But those people who were close to Dragon King had no family or their family were not residing in Xiaoyao Lake. Therefore, they could only use the most awkward way to investigate: to observe what they were doing and saying.

Gu Shenwei almost summoned all his early followers with various excuses but got little information out of them. After all, everyone had a reason to betray him but had a better chance before, but they withstood the test.

Gu Shenwei did not care for them but he must choose to trust a group of people before he could deal with another group of people.

There were more than fifty suspects, several of whom who were crucial to the battle of the Dragon Army. Gu Shenwei knew he must immediately identify the suspects.

”I'm leaving,” Gu Shenwei said, surprising Zhong Heng and Dugu Xian.

The war of the second defense line was about to start. The fact that Dragon King would abandon his army and leave at this critical moment confused them.

Zhong Heng had just arrived at the frontline camp from the capital of the An Kingdom and knew nothing about what he would do. Even so, he was shrewd. He merely frowned without making an immediate response.

On the contrary, Dugu Xian said at once, ”Those soldiers are anxious at this time. You mustn't leave, Dragon King.”

”I believe you can calm the soldiers.” Though he was surrounded by betrayal, Gu Shenwei must choose to trust someone.

”But...” Dugu Xian had always been conservative and often thought of the worst case scenario. He greatly doubted his ability to calm the soldiers.

Gu Shenwei waved his hand to stop his Left General from persuading him, indicating that he had made up his mind. He knew the reason, so he did not have to waste time. ”General Dugu will be entirely responsible for military affairs after I leave. I asked Prime Minister Zhong to take care of my troops and other affairs.”

Zhong Heng bowed to him, understanding that he was not only responsible for being Dragon King's regent but also balancing Dugu Xian's power.

Dugu Xian could only agree with Dragon King, but he cared about one question. ”Would everything go according to the original plan?”

”Yes, I will appear with troops on time.”

According to the plan, the Dragon Army still would not fight a decisive battle with the Golden Roc Army in the second defense line. Instead, they would try to buy time and then retreat to the third defense line to fight in the selected place. The outcome would then depend on whether the soldiers on the flanks would appear in time.

Gu Shenwei would take charge of Tuo Nengya's army in person because several people on the list of suspects were related to that army.

Had their plan been already exposed so that the Golden Roc Fort needed to bribe these people? But Gu Shenwei immediately denied this speculation because Shangguan Yun had already bribed them since several months ago. Meanwhile, intelligence showed that the relatives of the suspects left Xiaoyao Lake at that time, but Gu Shenwei had not worked out this sudden attack plan.

Either way, Tuo Nengya's army was indispensable because the betrayer of the army would produce larger destructive power.

As for the rest of the suspects, Zhong Heng had a list in his hand and he would prioritize monitoring them.

Dragon King suddenly left the frontline in the public name of returning to the capital of the An Kingdom, but people thought that he was going to the north shore. Some said that he would return to the Land of Fragrance, causing a great commotion in the barracks.

Dugu Xian tried his best to appease soldiers. Apart from the official news, he said nothing about Dragon King but went to the barracks to ask something carefully. He had decided to fight a second battle with the Golden Roc Army tomorrow.

It was actually a battle for delaying time, but Dugu Xian changed his mind and intended to fight a hard battle to show his strength. Therefore, he temporarily brought more troops from the rear.

In terms of calming the soldiers, the victory was of equal value to Dragon King.

Many people thought that Dragon King headed to the north shore by crossing Xiaoyao Lake because someone saw Chu Nanping boarding a small boat.

In fact, many people had no idea that Chu Nanping had begun guarding Right General Shang in the past few days.

This time, they headed to the north shore with a task.

The Golden Roc Army had hardly deployed soldiers in the water region. Therefore, Shang Liao's warships had little influence but served as a guard. He planned to carry out his agreement with Dragon King: to organize another army.

Unlike Shangguan Fei and Long Fanyun, the two men were much more serious. Shang Liao needed Chu Nanping's protection, but he also understood that this young man was someone Dragon King dispatched to keep an eye on him.

They left for the capital of the Hui Kingdom after landing. Nearly every royal family was gathered there, including the person Shang Liao wanted to look for.

Shang Liao was more careful than Shangguan Fei. After arriving at the destination, they were provided with horses and uniforms of the Golden Roc Army, so they disguised as common people and then arrived in Hui City without any trouble.