Chapter 753
: Using the fake Chen 3, the real Chen Xun is lured out and captured alive!
While the Liao army was preparing for war, the scene inside Fangcheng was already quite different.
Disguised and blending into the crowd, Chen Xun successfully infiltrated Fangcheng.
He dared not be careless in the slightest, and was extremely cautious in every word and deed. Taking advantage of the large and chaotic crowd in the city, he quietly inquired about the latest situation in the city, especially the whereabouts of Da Liao Fang and Chen San.
As an important stronghold of the Han army, Fangcheng saw a large number of people entering and leaving the city, with a constant stream of pedestrians, and the city was heavily guarded.
Chen Xun carefully weaved through the crowd, afraid of revealing his identity.
For an entire day, Chen Xun wandered around every corner of the city, gathering information from all directions, not daring to stop for a moment.
Persistence pays off. As evening approached, he finally gleaned a clue from a street vendor.
The day before yesterday, Han soldiers took away a man who had been causing trouble in the Da Liao Ward.
The vendors only caught a glimpse of the person from afar and had no idea what the person had done or who he was.
Upon hearing this news, Chen Xun's heart stirred.
Considering Chen San's purpose in going to Fangcheng, he couldn't help but guess that the troublemaker who was taken away by the Han army was most likely Chen San.
To confirm his suspicions, Chen Xun pondered for a moment and then decided to secretly go to the Han army's prison to find out if the person being taken away was indeed Chen San...
As night deepened and the patrol soldiers changed shifts, Chen Xun nimbly evaded the patrol and quietly slipped into the outer door of the prison cell.
He held his breath, lowered his body, and was about to take the opportunity to sneak into the cell to find out what was going on when he suddenly heard the guards chatting. He stopped and listened carefully.
"Isn't that weird? Who rescued that person? We could see him perfectly well, how could he just disappear without a trace?"
One of the goalkeepers said in a puzzled tone, with a hint of frustration.
Another soldier rubbed his arm, looking aggrieved and angry:
"Who knows! I was suddenly attacked from behind and passed out. When I woke up, I was gone."
"What bad luck! I hope I find out who did this, or I'll kill him! How dare he rescue someone right under our noses? He's completely disregarding our Han army!"
The former cursed angrily, his tone full of resentment.
Upon hearing this conversation, Chen Xun was startled and immediately fell into deep thought.
The first question is, was the person who was rescued Chen San?
If it was Chen San, then who was the person who rescued him?
Was it an inside agent of the Liao Kingdom, or someone from another force?
Where in the city is Chen San hiding right now?
A series of questions swirled in his mind.
But Chen Xun also knew that the most important thing right now was to confirm Chen San's whereabouts. Now that they knew the man was not in prison, there was no point in staying outside the cell any longer.
He suppressed his doubts and quietly withdrew, determined to continue gathering information within the city while secretly searching for Chen San's whereabouts and bringing the news back to Gongsun Yuan.
Just after Chen Xun's figure completely disappeared near the prison, the Han soldiers who had been chatting and cursing just moments before instantly lost their annoyance and replaced it with a strange smile.
The two exchanged a glance, immediately composed themselves, and one of them turned around to report to Xiao He about Chen Xun's investigation.
At this moment, Xiao He was sitting in the Da Liao Fang with Fei Yi and others, drinking tea and discussing strategies to deal with the Liao army.
Upon hearing the soldier's report, Xiao He's lips curled up slightly, and he slowly put down his teacup.
Before Xiao He could speak, Ma Su burst into laughter:
"It seems that Gongsun Yuan has indeed become impatient and sent a newcomer to Fangcheng to gather information. It seems that he is anxious because there has been no movement from Chen San's side."
Deng Ai, standing to the side, frowned, her face full of confusion, and looked at Xiao He, asking:
"Grand Marshal, Chen San is actually dead. Why did we deliberately spread false information that he was rescued? What was our purpose in doing this?"
Fei Yi put down his teacup, a smile playing on his lips as he explained to Deng Ai:
"Because the Grand Marshal wanted to see the true movements of Gongsun Yuan and find out their background, he deliberately spread false information, claiming that Chen San had been rescued, and even let the guards at the gate reveal it during their idle chatter."
He paused, then continued:
"Once this scout finds Chen San, the two will inevitably exchange information privately. At that time, we will be able to easily learn about the latest situation on Gongsun Yuan's side through their conversation, including their troop deployment, battle plans, and Gongsun Yuan's true intentions."
After listening, Deng Ai suddenly understood, slowly nodded, and asked:
"But Chen San is dead, so there's no way to exchange information with him. What should we do?"
Upon hearing this, Xiao He smiled faintly:
“What’s so difficult about that? Just find someone whose build and voice are similar to Chen San’s and have them impersonate him.”
"But what if this person who comes to investigate knows Chen San and recognizes him as an imposter at a glance? Wouldn't our plan be exposed?"
Deng Ai was still somewhat worried and couldn't help but ask further.
Xiao He waved his hand and said with a smile:
"It's very simple. Beat the person impersonating Chen San until he's black and blue and his face is swollen, so that you can't see his face. Even if the two know each other, it will be difficult to tell the real one from the fake one. This way, you can be sure of success."
"Haha, the Grand Marshal is indeed very thoughtful!"
Upon hearing this, Deng Ai suddenly understood, burst into laughter, and all his doubts vanished. He immediately said:
"This subordinate will go and select suitable people and arrange them properly according to the Grand Marshal's instructions."
...
In a secluded corner of the city, a dilapidated courtyard is hidden among the scattered houses.
The fake Chen San leaned against the tattered straw mat in the corner of the wall, his face as pale as paper, with undried blood crusts at the corners of his mouth, his eyes half-closed, and his breath weak, looking like he was on the verge of death.
Meanwhile, Chen Xun was wandering through the city's streets and alleys, approaching everyone he met to ask questions.
He stopped a passerby and asked:
"Excuse me, have you ever seen a man of this height and slender build?"
As he spoke, he raised his hand to gesture out Chen San's approximate figure.
This person was someone Xiao had arranged beforehand. Upon hearing this, he pretended to ponder, his brows furrowing slightly as if he were trying hard to remember.
After a moment, he slowly leaned close to Chen Xun's ear and lowered his voice:
“Yesterday evening, I saw a person covered in blood and walking unsteadily near my own yard wall. Judging from his figure and appearance, he did look somewhat like the person you described.”
These words were like a ray of light, instantly illuminating Chen Xun's eyes. He quickly pressed for an answer:
"Really? Please take me to see him. I will be very grateful!"
Seeing Chen Xun's eagerness, the passerby deliberately showed some wariness and asked in return:
"Who are you? Why are you in such a hurry to find him? Don't you have some other purpose?"
Chen Xun's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly composed himself:
“I am his distant cousin. A few days ago, he ran away from home in a moment of confusion. His family was very worried. I have been searching for him all this way to bring him back.”
The passerby stared at Chen Xun for a moment, seemingly trying to discern the truthfulness of his words, before slowly speaking and continuing to press for answers:
"Since he's your cousin, tell me, what's his name?"
"Chen San, his name is Chen San."
Chen Xun blurted it out without the slightest hesitation.
The passerby nodded upon hearing this.
"Oh, it must be him. I vaguely heard him mutter the name 'Chen San' yesterday."
"Okay, then come with me, I'll take you to where he is."
Upon confirming that everything was correct, Chen Xun was overjoyed, and a smile instantly spread across his face:
"Thank you so much, thank you so much!"
Following the passersby through several narrow alleys, they arrived at the secluded courtyard. Chen Xun stepped forward, pushed open the creaking, dilapidated courtyard door, and then gently closed it behind him, shutting out the outside noise.
The courtyard grew increasingly quiet. In the far corner, a figure covered in blood and dressed in tattered clothes was huddled up.
"who is it?"
Upon hearing the sound of the courtyard gate closing, the fake Chen San immediately became alert. He jerked his heavy head up, his eyes filled with vigilance, trying hard to make out the appearance of the person who had entered.
Chen Xun paused, slowed his pace, and tentatively began to speak:
"It's me, Chen Xun."
His gaze locked onto the person in front of him, scrutinizing him closely. He saw that the other person had a bruised and swollen face, with his cheeks swollen and his eyebrows and eyes almost completely covered by blood, making it impossible to recognize his original appearance.
Upon hearing the name "Chen Xun," the fake Chen San shuddered and struggled to open his swollen eyelids:
"Chen Xun? Is it really you? Chen Xun, you've finally arrived. I've been waiting for you for so long. I thought... I thought I would never see you again."
Upon hearing the other person call him by name, Chen Xun's doubts instantly vanished. Confirming that the person before him was indeed Chen San, he quickly crouched down.
"Chen San, what happened to you? Who beat you up like this?"
Tears welled up in the fake Chen San's eyes, and his voice choked as he said:
"I...I was gathering information about the Da Liao Ward when I was accidentally captured by the Han army. These wounds were all inflicted by the Han army. They were extremely ruthless and didn't give me a chance to explain."
Chen Xun frowned and nodded slightly:
"The Han army is indeed brutal, acting without any order or method, and they have treated you so cruelly."
After a moment of reflection, Chen Xun suddenly remembered the true purpose of his trip, his expression turned serious, and he pressed for an answer:
"Let's not talk about that anymore. Since you went to investigate the news from Da Liao Ward, what exactly did you find out? What's the situation?"
Fake Chen San slowly lowered his eyes, a hint of helplessness on his face:
"Sigh, don't even mention it. The Da Liao Ward has been completely taken over by the Han army. All the people the Crown Prince had arranged there have been killed by the Han army. Not a single one is left."
"And that Gongsun Rong, she has already surrendered to the Han army and completely sided with them. She can no longer be trusted."
Upon hearing this, the hope on Chen Xun's face vanished instantly, replaced by utter disappointment, and his eyes dimmed.
Fake Chen San's words were like a bucket of cold water, completely extinguishing his expectations.
This means that the Liaofang will never have a chance to return to Gongsun Yuan's hands.
The Crown Prince's plan has collapsed.
But just as he was feeling disappointed, Chen Xun suddenly had a thought, and a doubt quietly arose in his mind.
He suddenly realized something was wrong.
He looked up at "Chen San," who still appeared weak, and his tone suddenly became sharp:
“Chen San, now that Gongsun Rong has surrendered to the Han army and become our enemy, no one can save you.”
"Tell me, who saved you? And how did you end up in this secluded courtyard?"
Chen Xun thought to himself that before he learned of the changes in Da Liao Fang, he had always thought that Gongsun Rong was still the Crown Prince's person, and he was convinced that Gongsun Rong had secretly saved Chen San and allowed him to escape to deliver a message to the Crown Prince.
But now, "Chen San" himself says that Gongsun Rong has sided with the Han army, so none of this makes sense.
Without Gongsun Rong's help, how could Chen San, who was trapped in the hands of the Han army, have escaped safely and stayed here precisely to wait for him to come looking for him?
As soon as the thought arose, Chen Xun felt a chill run down his spine and spread throughout his body, making him feel cold all over.
He subconsciously took another look at the bruised and swollen "Chen San" in front of him. This time, he looked at him very carefully and was shocked to find that a strange smile was quietly rising on the corner of the other man's swollen mouth.
There was not a trace of grievance in that smile, only mockery.
"not good!"
Chen Xun was startled, and instantly understood all the key points.
He fell for the trap!
Without thinking twice, he turned and rushed toward the courtyard gate, wanting only to escape the trap as soon as possible.
Where are you going?
A loud shout suddenly rang out.
Chen Xun pushed open the dilapidated courtyard gate, but froze on the spot.
Outside the courtyard gate, he was already surrounded by dozens of fully armed Han soldiers, their swords and spears gleaming, every pair of eyes fixed on him, making escape impossible.
Chen Xun whirled around, his gaze locking onto "Chen San" inside the hospital, and roared angrily:
"Chen San!"
"You actually betrayed the Crown Prince and colluded with the Han army to set a trap!"
In his view, the person in front of him must be Chen San, but he had been bribed by the Han army and betrayed Gongsun Yuan.
At this moment, the fake Chen San slowly raised his hand and wiped the bloodstains from his face with his sleeve, and his originally hunched body slowly straightened up.
That near-death appearance vanished without a trace in an instant.
He scoffed, his tone dismissive:
"Open your dog eyes and see clearly, am I really Chen San?"
Chen Xun's heart sank, and he quickly focused his gaze. This time, he finally saw the other person's appearance clearly.
After removing the blood and swelling from the face, the face was not the Chen San he knew at all. It was only because of the similar figure and the deliberate disguise that he was momentarily mistaken.
Shock swept over him, and he questioned sharply:
"Where is Chen San? What did you do to Chen San?"
The fake Chen San smiled, his tone icy:
"Chen San? He's long gone to meet the King of Hell, not even leaving behind a complete corpse."
These words struck Chen Xun like a bolt from the blue.
He felt his legs go weak, all his strength drained away, and he collapsed to the ground, his eyes vacant.
He never imagined that Chen San, whom he had been desperately searching for, had already been killed, and that he himself had stepped into the trap set by the Han army, delivering himself right to their doorstep.
The fake Chen San looked down at Chen Xun, who was slumped on the ground, and gave an order in an icy tone:
"Take him down, keep him under strict guard, and hand him over to the Grand Marshal for personal disposal!"
As soon as he finished speaking, several Han soldiers stepped forward and tied Chen Xun up with thick hemp ropes.
Chen Xun hung his head, filled with despair and disillusionment. He knew clearly that this time, he would have little chance of survival.
He had held onto a sliver of hope that if Gongsun Yuan's remaining forces still existed within the city, there might be a glimmer of hope, and perhaps someone could secretly rescue him.
But now, the Great Liao Ward has been lost, all the men the Crown Prince arranged have been wiped out, Gongsun Rong has surrendered to the Han army, and even the only clue, Chen San, has died tragically.
Looking around, he saw enemies everywhere, and no one would come to his rescue.
He knew very well that he was doomed to die.
Chen Xun did not struggle or argue; he simply lowered his head in despair and let the Han soldiers drag him step by step toward the prison outside the city.
the other side.
As the fake Chen San watched Chen Xun being dragged away, he immediately turned and ordered his trusted confidants to quickly relay the news of "Chen Xun's successful capture" to Grand Marshal Xiao He. (End of Chapter)