Even women who travel through time can become prime ministers and nobles.

Chapter 459 Wang Fu is caught

Shi Wanxia spoke again, "Willow Lane has a complex terrain; there might be an ambush."

"Why don't we have Zhou Zhuangshi lead us to scout ahead first, and then proceed after confirming that it is safe?"

Shen Yanchu nodded: "Miss Shi is very thoughtful. Mr. Zhou, then I'll leave it to you."

Zhou Tie cupped his hands in greeting: "This humble subject obeys!"

The group immediately got up and followed Zhou Tie to Willow Lane in the west of the city.

Although some order had been restored in Chuzhou City at this time, a tense atmosphere still permeated the air. Most of the people on the streets stayed indoors, with only a few peeking out of their doors, their eyes filled with fear.

Willow Lane is located in a remote corner of the west of the city. The lane is lined with low houses, and there is a blacksmith shop at the entrance of the lane.

The sign above the door reads "Fuji Blacksmith Shop," and the sound of hammering can be heard from inside, making it seem no different from any other blacksmith shop.

Zhou Tie pointed to the blacksmith shop and whispered, "Your Highness, this is the place."

“I have seen men in black coming and going from here every night.”

"Moreover, the sound of hammering inside the shop is louder at night than during the day, so they are probably forging weapons overnight."

Shen Yanchu gestured for everyone to hide, then said to Lin Yiyu, "Young Master Lin, go and check on the situation inside the shop."

Lin Yiyu nodded, his figure flashed, and like a ghost, he circled around to the back window of the blacksmith's shop, gently pushed open a crack, and looked inside.

Sure enough, there were more than a dozen blacksmiths inside the shop, forging weapons. Dozens of longswords and spears, all standard military weapons, were piled on the ground.

Moreover, there were several men in black inside the shop, sitting to the side wiping weapons; they were clearly members of the rebels.

Lin Yiyu quietly retreated and whispered to Shen Yanchu, "There are more than a dozen blacksmiths and five men in black in the shop, as well as a large number of finished weapons."

Shen Yanchu's eyes turned cold: "Make your move!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Shen Yanchu and Lin Yiyu rushed out at the same time. Shen Yanchu held a long spear and kicked open the door of the blacksmith shop. The spear was like a dragon, instantly knocking away two men in black.

Lin Yiyu drew his sword, its blade flashing like a bolt of lightning, pointing directly at the other men in black.

Upon seeing this, the men in black inside the shop immediately drew their weapons to fight back, while the blacksmiths were so frightened that they retreated and hid in a corner.

Shen Yanchu and Lin Yiyu were highly skilled in martial arts, and the men in black were no match for them. In just a few minutes, all five men in black were killed.

Shen Yanchu walked to the pile of weapons in the shop, picked up a long sword, and examined it carefully. The sword was engraved with the mark of "Chuzhou Guard", which was obviously a replica of the standard weapons of Chuzhou Guard.

"It seems that Prince Rongyang wants the rebels to disguise themselves as soldiers of the Chuzhou Guard, infiltrate the city, and launch an even bigger rebellion."

Lin Yiyu then discovered a hidden door in a corner of the shop. He pushed the door open, revealing a secret room inside.

Inside the secret chamber were piles of oil barrels and bows and arrows, as well as an unfinished siege plan that marked the defensive weaknesses of Chuzhou City.

"Your Highness, look!"

Lin Yiyu picked up the siege plan and handed it to Shen Yanchu.

Shen Yanchu took the plan and examined it carefully, his expression growing increasingly grave: "This plan actually details the deployment of Chuzhou Guard. It seems that Wang Fu is not only the leader of the secret agents, but also leaked Chuzhou's defense situation to Prince Rongyang!"

Just then, footsteps sounded at the alley entrance, and Cui Zhihao ran over with several soldiers: "Your Highness, we found an account book in Wang Fu's residence."

"The ledger records the supplies and money he provided to the rebels over the years, and it also records the names of several informants!"

Shen Yanzhou took the ledger, opened it, and saw that it indeed recorded evidence of Wang Fu's collusion with the rebels, as well as the names of several informants, all of whom were clerks from the Chuzhou government and local gentry.

"it is good!"

Shen Yanzhou was overjoyed. "Immediately send men to arrest the informants listed in the ledger! This time, we must capture them all; we can't let any of them escape!"

The group split up and began a search operation within Chuzhou City.

Meanwhile, Wang Fu, disguised as a commoner, was hiding in a dilapidated temple outside the city. He looked at the secret letter in his hand, a ruthless glint in his eyes.

The secret letter was sent by the Prince of Rongyang, ordering him to burn down the granaries of Chuzhou within three days at all costs, or else commit suicide to atone for his sins.

Wang Fu gripped the letter tightly and gritted his teeth, saying, "Your Highness, Prince Xiang, Lord Shi, you wait! Even if I die, I will drag the people of Chuzhou down with me!"

The dilapidated temple outside the city had been abandoned for many years. The roof leaked, the walls were covered with vines, the interior was filled with withered branches and leaves, and the air was filled with a musty smell.

Wang Fu hid behind the shrine inside the temple, holding his breath and listening to the sounds outside.

He knew that Chuzhou City must be in chaos, and the Crown Prince and the Prince of Xiang were searching for him everywhere, so he dared not enter the city and could only hide in this dilapidated temple, waiting for an opportunity.

He took out a piece of dry ration from his pocket and slowly ate it, while plotting how to burn down the Chuzhou granary.

The granary was heavily guarded by soldiers from the Beijing Garrison, making it extremely difficult to get close.

"Perhaps we can wait until nightfall, and sneak into the granary during the soldiers' shift change, and light the kerosene..."

Wang Fu thought to himself, a ruthless glint flashing in his eyes.

Just then, the sound of horses' hooves came from outside the temple, growing ever closer.

Wang Fu was startled and immediately blew out the torch in his hand. He hid behind the shrine and looked out through the crack.

A group of soldiers from the Beijing garrison rode up to the temple, led by Cui Yu'an.

Cui Yu'an reined in his horse, looked at the dilapidated temple, and said to the soldiers, "His Highness suspects that Wang Fu may be hiding in the dilapidated temple outside the city. Let's split up and search carefully, leaving no corner unchecked!"

The soldiers obeyed the order, dismounted, and, holding their spears, cautiously entered the dilapidated temple.

Wang Fu hid behind the shrine, his heart pounding faster and faster. He pulled a short knife from his pocket, gripped it tightly in his hand, and thought to himself, "If I'm discovered, I'll fight to the death!"

The soldiers searched the temple carefully, clearing away dead branches and leaves, and poking at the shrine with their spears.

Cui Yu'an stood at the temple entrance, his eyes scanning every corner of the temple with vigilance.

Suddenly, a soldier noticed the corner of a garment behind the shrine and shouted, "There's someone here!"

Knowing he had been exposed, Wang Fu suddenly jumped out from behind the shrine, grabbed a short knife, and rushed towards the temple entrance, trying to break through.

Cui Yu'an was prepared. He drew his longsword and charged forward. With a flash of light, the sword pointed directly at Wang Fu's chest.

Seeing this, Wang Fu hurriedly dodged to the side, but the short knife slashed towards Cui Yu'an's arm.

Cui Yu'an twisted his wrist, blocking the short knife with his long sword, and at the same time kicked Wang Fu in the chest, knocking him to the ground.

The soldiers immediately surrounded him, pointing their spears at Wang Fu's throat and pinning him down.

Wang Fu struggled, but the soldiers bound him tightly.