Reborn to be replaced, remarried to the royal palace to raise children and train husband

Just as they were about to leave, Zheng Huiyi's face showed a trace of obvious panic, and she hurried over: "Sister-in-law."

Gu Qinlan gently comforted her, "Don't worry, the valley is quite peaceful, and our protective measures are impregnable. There is no way the evildoers can break through. The first thing you need to do now is to stay calm and accompany your mother. She is naturally timid."

Zheng Huiyi quickly regained her composure: "I understand, sister-in-law. I will take good care of mother and Huaiyu. You should also be more careful."

Gu Qinlan responded with a soothing smile: "Okay, when the daylight comes, we can return to our warm home."

After comforting Zheng Huiyi, Gu Qinlan set out on the road leading to the entrance of the valley.

It was late at night, the coldest time in the forest.

The biting cold wind made Gu Qinlan shiver involuntarily.

Seeing her coming, Sang Qian immediately came up to greet her warmly: "Madam, why are you here? It's late at night and the frost is heavy. You should go back to the cave first. I'm here to make sure everything is safe."

Gu Qinlan shook her head and said, "It doesn't matter. I'm tossing and turning and having trouble falling asleep anyway. Where are those suspicious people now? I need to know the latest situation."

Sang Qian lightly took out a delicate telescope from his palm, handed it to Gu Qinlan, and said with a smile: "Madam, please look at this distant place."

This telescope is a rare item brought by a merchant from afar and was specially customized for Sang Qian.

Gu Qinlan took the telescope and looked in the direction Sang Qian pointed, and caught sight of the traces of the stalkers in the hazy night.

The night was dark, and these people entered the mountain quietly without lighting torches, relying only on the dim light of the stars and the moon.

"They are only three or four miles away from us. Fortunately, it snowed last night, otherwise it would be difficult to detect them."

Gu Qinlan put down the telescope and calmly ordered: "Light a bonfire and lead them here."

On this cold night, if they were allowed to explore the mountains and forests blindly, who knows how long it would take.

Since fighting is inevitable, she prefers a quick resolution.

Soon, a bonfire was lit and flames shot up into the sky.

When the refugees saw the fire on the mountain, they quickened their pace.

In just a moment, they groped their way to the foot of the mountain.

There were a large number of refugees. In the snow under the moonlight, there were crowds of people, and it was roughly estimated that there were no less than a thousand people.

They held a variety of weapons in their hands, including crude wooden sticks, farmers' tools, and weapons looted from wealthy families and government offices in the city.

As soon as they reached the foot of the mountain, someone shouted incitement: "The people from Prince Duan's Mansion are hiding in the mountain. Let's rush up the mountain in one go, capture them, and bring them back to the city. It will be a great achievement."

"But remember, do not harm the main figures in Prince Duan's mansion. Our city lord also intends to recruit Prince Zheng to fight against the court together, and his family is the most important chess piece in his hand."

The refugees responded in unison, shouting, “Yes!”

"Let's rush up together!"

They raised their weapons high, shouted "Charge!", and began to attack the mountain.

Gu Qinlan adjusted her fur cloak and stared sharply at the approaching refugees.

"Do it!"

Seeing that the refugees were approaching within a hundred meters of the valley, Sang Qian decisively gave an order, and his servants immediately waved the stones in their hands and poured them down the mountain.

Countless rocks rolled down the mountain. The refugees saw a dark shadow pressing down on them and tried to hide, but the rocks were like rain and there was no escape.

Sharp screams echoed in the night sky, and the refugees hit by the rocks rolled down the mountain.

The uninjured refugees hurriedly fled to the sides to avoid the attack of falling rocks.

This is the most effective tactic, because if you run downwards, the rocks will still chase you down, but if you dodge to the sides, you can avoid the attack and climb the mountain in a roundabout way.

However, they did not run far before their feet suddenly slipped and they fell into a pit specially prepared for them.

The pit was filled with sharp wooden stakes. Those who were unlucky would be pierced on the spot; those who were slightly luckier would also not escape the pain of flesh and blood.

In a blink of an eye, nearly half of the refugees were lost.

Seeing this, the leader was anxious and angry, and quickly ordered the remaining refugees to retreat.

When the servants saw them retreat, they couldn't help cheering.

Sang Qian reminded in a heavy tone: "Don't be complacent, they haven't given up."

Gu Qinlan picked up the telescope and looked down the mountain, only to see the refugees gathering at the foot of the mountain with no signs of leaving.

"Be on high alert. They must be trying to climb the mountain from other directions."

Sang Qian continued, "For more than two months, I have set traps on all the roads leading to the mountain. No matter which direction they attack from, they will pay a heavy price."

In this cunning plan, attempting to completely block the refugees by setting up traps in the mountains and forests may not be realistic, but it can at least greatly weaken their fighting power.

Gu Qinlan raised a faint smile and nodded gently. During this period, she silently observed and remembered every move of Sang Qian and his men.

Sure enough, everything happened just as they expected. The refugees realized that it was hopeless to climb the mountain head-on, so they cleverly dispersed the team and tried to encircle the mountain from both sides.

However, soon after they entered the forest, some unfortunate people fell into the newly set trap again.

This scene filled many refugees with fear.

"Have they set traps all over this forest?"

"I don't want to take any more risks. I want to give up and retreat down the mountain."

Some refugees began to consider retreating.

When others heard this, they also began to waver and consider backing out.

The leader quickly found the first person who offered to give up, and executed him on the spot with a sharp knife.

"Anyone who gives up halfway will face this outcome!"

"We have put in so much effort, and victory is within sight. Are you willing to give up now?"

"Do you think you can escape by retreating now?"

"Zheng Dinglian has led tens of thousands of troops to surround Jindu. If we cannot capture his family and force him to withdraw, or cooperate with him, death will be waiting for us!"

"As long as Zheng Dinglian agrees to join forces with the city lord, we will be able to compete with the imperial court!"

"When the city lord overthrows the tyrant, we will become heroes and go down in history!"

"Do you want to live a life of poverty and lowliness for generations to come? Do you want your descendants to continue to live like us, worse than pigs and dogs?"

"Brothers, as the saying goes: Fortune and honor are sought in danger! Since we will die if we retreat, why don't we work together and fight to the death? Even if we fail, we will only die, but if we succeed, we can at least get a job."

"Think about those officials. Even a small county magistrate can live a glorious life. Moreover, with our great achievements, we can at least get a seventh-rank official position."

After some passionate agitation, the originally wavering refugees suddenly became excited and their morale was boosted.

"Yes, let's fight!"

"I just don't believe that we can't catch these women and children!"

"Let's go. If we fail, we will die. If we succeed, we will be successful. From now on, the glory of my family will start from me!"