Volume 3 Chapter 61: Effortless Acquisition

  "How is it? Any clues?" In the midst of summer, after several days of running around, Chen Ping was already drenched in sweat. He sat under a big tree, enjoying the rare coolness, and saw the soldiers who had been sent to investigate returning, so he hastily asked.

  The soldier shook his head and said gloomily: "There is no clue for the time being!"

  A reasonable answer, Chen Ping's newly risen idea was chilled again, and he couldn't help but sigh.

  "Tomorrow we'll cross the mountain," said Shouzhang comfortingly. "There are still several villages on the other side, no need to rush."

  The soldier was about to leave, but hesitated and stopped, wanting to speak but stopping himself.

  Chen Ping saw this and asked: "What? Is there something else?"

  The soldier hesitated and said: "Sir, we heard that General Yin's side is specifically looking for a cowherd boy!"

  "Herdsboy?" The scholar's wording was always a bit more elegant, Chen Ping furrowed his brow in great perplexity.

  "Yes, General Yin's side also went to every village and paid extra attention to the cowherd. I heard that Pu Jun, who is under General Yin's command, was personally in charge of it." Pu Jun is one of General Yin's most trusted confidants, known for being cautious and meticulous, and the tasks assigned to him are a testament to this.

  Chen Ping and Qu Ming exchanged a glance, seeing the confusion and incomprehension in each other's eyes. How did searching for Prince Huai's legitimate grandson turn into finding a cowherd? Could it be that he was certain that Prince Huai's legitimate grandson was now a cowherd?

  Chen Ping's mood was very complicated, thinking of the various things that happened at the Xue Di alliance meeting. The solemn vows in the hall made everyone think he knew the clues and had a plan. But when he left, he came to find Chen Ping again, claiming that he had always known, and asked for his advice. Chen Ping was very puzzled, and honestly speaking, at the time, he really couldn't figure out what Yin Xu was up to. For their common interests, Chen Ping chose to cooperate, inviting Chu Gong's guard Wei Ming, who performed very cooperatively.

  From Xue Di to Jiujiang, they have been searching everywhere according to Qu Ming's opinion. Along the way, Yin Xu has shown no clue except for his firm faith, at least that's what Chen Ping thinks. It was Chen Ping who suggested splitting up by the river, supposedly to improve efficiency, but in fact, he also had some personal motives.

  It was just unexpected that Yin Xu suddenly came up with a move, looking for the cowherd boy, which made people confused. Chen Ping had naturally heard about how Yin Xu was in the past, he didn't believe that the famous General Yin would act rashly, if he did this, there must be a reason. Maybe the eldest grandson of King Huai was indeed a cowherd boy, who knows.

  Why didn't he tell himself? Was the ignorance he showed in front of him all a disguise? Or did Yin Xu already know when he accepted this task in the hall? Hiding secrets? Using himself? Or is there another mysterious reason? The more Chen Ping thought about it, the more confused he became, and he really couldn't understand Yin Xu's thoughts and intentions. At this moment, Mr. Chen also deeply felt that he had underestimated Yin Xu, and this young and powerful general was indeed unpredictable.

  Chen Ping couldn't fathom Yin Xu's intention, so he continued to use his own method, going from door to door in search of the legitimate grandson of Prince Huai. Finding a cowherd was not a reliable way for him. However, diligence pays off, and on the second day afternoon, news arrived that a family had been found in Xihewan Village, who came from Shouchun.

  No cleverness, no book. While Chen Ping had a clue, Yin Xu also had a lead. Under the sunset, Yin Xu rode his horse slowly, the gentle evening breeze made him feel comfortable and cool. Pu Jun and Su An followed behind him, looking somewhat dejected. It had been several days already, with over 100 people's energy focused on finding Putongwa, but to no avail.

  Yin Xu's confidence was shaken, could it be that the historical records were wrong? Or did history take a different turn? Wasn't the Crown Prince of Huai just a cowherd? Or had he already moved to another place from Jiujiang? It was also unknown how Chen Ping's side was doing. Moreover, his subordinates were quite puzzled about paying attention to the cowherd matter, Pu Jun didn't say anything, but Su An's behavior had already revealed something.

  It can't go on like this!

  The sun sets in the west, and the low hills are covered with green grass like a carpet, shining brightly in the twilight. Yin Xu looks up and sees several well-fed cows walking leisurely towards him, their steps slow and relaxed. On the backs of the cows, several teenagers who are herding them chat and laugh.

  The soldiers were no longer as enthusiastic as they used to be, each one looking dull and unresponsive, it had happened many times before, asking was also futile. Moreover, these few shepherd boys were limited and familiar, seemingly having seen them before. Yin Xu saw this scene, furrowed his brow, and revealed a hint of bitter smile.

  Since no one else wants to move, I'll just have to do it myself! With that, he spurred his horse on and gave chase.

  "A few young brothers, why the delay?" Several shepherd boys saw Yin Xu riding a war horse, with a long sword hanging from his waist, and a heroic aura rushing towards them, and they all felt a little timid. Only one youth sitting on the back of an ox, seemed to have not heard anything. Yin Xu secretly sighed, and had already paid several points more attention.

  Yin Xu smiled lightly: "A few little brothers don't need to worry, I have no malice, just want to ask you a few questions?"

  Several young herdsmen stared at him cautiously, fortunately General Yin had a gentle face and a smile with considerable affinity, finally winning that little bit of trust.

  "What do you want to ask?" The vigilant look in the shepherd boy's eyes had not completely dissipated, and Yin Xue secretly sighed: Do I really look that much like a bad uncle?

  Yin Xu smiled and said, "Are you all native locals? Is there anyone from outside the village? Or take me to your village and let me meet your parents?"

  The shepherd boys were a bit stunned, Yin Xu secretly blamed himself for talking too much, and the little guys couldn't digest it. After a moment, he noticed that the eyes of several little guys intentionally or unintentionally glanced back, falling on the fallen shepherd boy.

  Huh? Is this kid a prodigy or an outsider? Thinking of the guy's unique temperament, Yin Xue's heart skipped a beat, could it be...

  When I wanted to ask him something, that cool and collected cowherd had already ridden his ox down the mountain, it's clear that this guy is a bit of a loner.

  A shepherd boy came up and sneered, "Give me a bell, I'll tell you."

  General Yin smiled lightly, plucked the small bell from the horse and threw it over. The shepherd boy caught it in his hand, revealing a prominent front tooth, and chuckled to a stop. After a while, he pointed at the solitary figure going down the mountain and said: "His family is the only outsider in our Xihai Village, they moved here fifteen years ago."

  "Oh?" In 223 BC, Qin destroyed Chu, exactly fifteen years ago. Yin Xu immediately asked: "What's his name?"

  "Be brave!"

  "Is it a bear's heart?" Yin Xu's body shook with surprise, and he burst out laughing. It was indeed a case of "treading on iron shoes without searching for a place", and getting something without any effort.

  Yin Xu was suddenly excited and immediately shouted for Pu Jun and Su An to follow him. Seeing General Yin's excited expression, everyone seemed to understand something.

  "Prince? Could it be...?" Su An was somewhat incredulous.

  Yin Xu smiled and said: "It's probably true, I need to go home and confirm it."

  Xiong Xin rode the green cow slowly in front, with more than a hundred rebels following behind to escort him. The shepherd boys on the hillside were all stunned, and the silent Xiong Xiaozi was going to rise to power? Hurriedly driving the green cow, he took a shortcut and ran back to the village.

  After entering the village, it was discovered that soldiers in uniform had already surrounded the entrance of Xiong Xin's house, and several shepherd boys were staring curiously with their eyes wide open. At this moment, Yin Xu followed Xiong Xin into the village entrance, only to find that Chen Ping and Qu Ming were already waiting at the door.

  It seems they acted separately but coincidentally converged.