Ning Chen raised a hand. "On your feet, all of you! You—go into the residence and catch a chicken."

"Thank you, my lord prince!"

The soldiers rose, and the one Ning Chen had singled out ran inside to catch a chicken.

There were no chickens anywhere else in Xiguan City, but the city lord's residence had some. They'd all been looted from Linxuan City.

Ning Chen walked over and signaled Lei An to help the terrified manager to his feet.

The manager was shaking all over. "This humble commoner deserves death. This humble commoner didn't know it was my lord prince. Please pardon the offense, my lord prince!"

Ning Chen touched his face and looked at Lei An. "Does this prince look that scary?"

Lei An shook his head.

Ning Chen muttered, "So if it's not my looks that are scary, it must be my length."

Then he turned to the manager. "Don't be afraid. You can't be blamed for what you didn't know. Besides, you were defending this prince the whole time you talked. What crime is there in that?"

As they were talking, the soldier came back with the chicken.

Ning Chen had him hand it to the manager and went on, "Take this chicken back and stew it for them... But don't let on who this prince is."

The manager was puzzled, but he didn't dare ask. "This humble commoner obeys!" he said quickly.

"Go on!"

The manager bowed, grabbed the chicken and shot off.

Only Pan Yucheng and Lei An knew that this chicken was probably a condemned man's last meal for more than a few people... A man ought to eat well before he dies.

Ning Chen said, "Lei An, go tell Yuan Long that tonight this prince will hold a banquet at the city lord's residence for the officials the court sent.

Oh, and feed them well at noon.

Also, have Yuan Long write down the names of every official who left the inn today, and put men on them to see what they get up to."

"Yes!"

Lei An took the order, bowed,…