Book Synopsis
Book Tags
Donation Rankings
Comment
0 Comments
You May Also Like
墨書 Inktalez
After leaving Chang'an, Xu Zhen felt a sense of relief. Although she still felt some guilt towards Li Mingda, it was quickly overshadowed by the beautiful scenery along the way.
Traveling east from Chang'an to Eastern Capital, Bianzhou could reach Shandong, and heading north from Bianzhou would lead to Youzhou, while going south would take one to Yangzhou. Alternatively, one could head northeast from Chang'an, passing through Hedong to Taiyuan, and from Taiyuan, one could reach Youzhou. Once in Youzhou, it was natural to proceed to Yingzhou.
Youzhou was a significant area during the Sui-Tang period. Sui Yangdi referred to it as Zhuojun and built Linshuo Palace as a temporary palace. After the Year of Great Achievement Seven, he launched three military campaigns against Goguryeo, using Zhuojun as a rear base to gather troops and supplies.
By the Year of Martial Virtue, during The Rise of Tang and the Fall of Sui, Zhuojun was renamed Youzhou, with its administrative center in Jicheng, now known as Youzhou City.
At that time, the Tang Dynasty established Commanders in various states and conferred titles. The five states of Ling, Jing, Bing, You, and Jiaozhou were designated as the Grand Commandant's Office. Seven years later, it was renamed Grand Commandery and subsequently referred to as Governor.
This time, with military action against Goguryeo planned, Youzhou would undoubtedly remain a crucial location. Therefore, Xu Zhen had no choice but to make a stop at Youzhou along her journey. This was also something the Sovereign had personally instructed her to do.
Although she was eager to rush to Yingzhou to rescue Qin Guang, once she arrived at Youzhou, she had to meet with Youzhou Inspector Gao Lvxing. He was considered talented at a young age; his father Gao Shilian was the Crown Prince's Grand Tutor and held a high position among officials. He had also married Princess Dongyang and was titled Duke of the Right Guard, wielding significant local power.
During the Zhenguan Taiping era, when doors were left unlocked at night and thefts were rare, soldiers were respected. Xu Zhen brought three hundred personal guards with her on her journey without encountering any obstacles. Upon reaching Youzhou, fearing that Gao Lvxing might harbor suspicions, she ordered her brothers to set up camp outside the city. Xu Zhen entered the city alone with Caesar and Zhang Suling under the protection of Zhou Cang and fourteen Red Armored Guards to pay her respects to Gao Lvxing.
At that moment in Gao Mansion, Gao Lvxing was engaged in lively conversation with Murong Hanzhu, who had arrived earlier. Murong Hanzhu came from a prestigious family and was well-educated; Gao Lvxing also hailed from nobility. The two found common ground as they both belonged to Li Zhi's faction and naturally enjoyed each other's company.
Li Zhi had long regarded Xu Zhen as an obstacle. Murong Hanzhu sought to suppress her further; how could Gao Lvxing not understand the underlying dynamics? Thus, when he received Xu Zhen's invitation letter, he casually tossed it aside while continuing his banter with Murong Hanzhu.
Youzhou Chancellor Gao Di held a lower fifth-rank official position and was a distant relative of Gao Lvxing. He often exploited others and acted without restraint. Relying on his understanding of the Inspector's thoughts allowed him to rise through the ranks. Seeing Gao Lvxing ignore the invitation letter made him aware of how things worked; he immediately ordered that Xu Zhen be turned away.
Gao Di was an idle official who knew little about court affairs. In Youzhou, Xu Zhenzhi's name was hardly known. Xu Zhen held the title of Yingzhou Commander and naturally offended the original personnel in Yingzhou. Governor of Yingzhou Zhang Jian had always been protective of his own interests and maintained close ties with Gao Lvxing; Murong Hanzhu also incited matters between them. It was no wonder that Xu Zhen faced difficulties.
Xu Zhen had anticipated that this trip would not go smoothly but did not expect such incidents upon her arrival in Youzhou. Naturally displeased by this treatment from Gao Lvxing—who took pride in himself—she thought little of not being greeted; after all, such formalities were merely superficial courtesies in officialdom.
What truly angered Xu Zhen was that the city guard refused her entry into Youzhou City!
As an incoming military officer with official documents from the court and serving as an inspector overseeing military affairs in both Youzhou and Yingzhou, this neglect could be overlooked; however, being denied passage through the city gates felt like a blatant slap in the face!
The City Guard Officer was Yang Kui, Gao Di's brother-in-law—known for his lecherous nature—and many good men in town had suffered because of him. From the moment Xu Zhen entered the city, he had already been coveting Caesar and Zhang Suling's beauty.
The little man is nothing more than a frog at the bottom of a well. He thinks that having gained Gao Di's trust allows him to act as he pleases. Seeing that Xu Zhen is not well-regarded, he increasingly looks down on her. However, Xu Zhen holds the title of Loyal Martial General, which is a significant position for someone like him, a mere Captain.
Yang Kui, having received instructions from Gao Di, merely claims that Yamen is dealing with important matters. For Xu Zhen and her three hundred personal guards to pass through the city gate requires multiple notifications and orders from above before they can be allowed to proceed.
Ultimately, the powerful cannot suppress the local tyrant. Left with no choice, Xu Zhen can only let Zhang Jiunian calm her many Brothers while she goes to the Prefectural Office to negotiate again.
This time, however, she is told that the governor is entertaining distinguished guests and cannot meet with her, sending her away once more.
As night falls, Xu Zhen wishes she could just force her way in. However, Gao Lvxing's father holds a high position, and she does not want to cause trouble right away; she can only seek to keep the peace.
Youzhou City is not like Chang'an; the official post is simple and shabby. Unable to endure being under someone else's roof, Xu Zhen changes out of her military armor into civilian clothes and sets out with Caesar, Zhang Suling, and Zhou Cang to find an inn and get a sense of the local customs.
While walking, they hear laughter ahead. Following the sound into a dark alley, they see a group of ruffians surrounding an old man and a young girl, tormenting them. The leader is none other than Yang Kui.
The old man desperately tries to defend himself, but Yang Kui refuses to relent. He starts beating him mercilessly while a group of Evil Servants lunges at the young girl like wolves. The old man pleads continuously, struggling helplessly as the girl nimbly dodges their grasp, making them dizzy in their attempts to catch her.
Zhou Cang has long harbored deep hatred for Yang Kui. Seeing him bully the weak and elderly again makes him want to rush in immediately but is stopped by Xu Zhen.
After watching for a moment with flickering eyes, she exchanges glances with Caesar as if communicating something silently. After a while, she leads Zhou Cang over to intervene.
"Stop it!"
Xu Zhen's stern shout causes Yang Kui and his men to halt. They are used to bullying others on the streets and are somewhat dismissive upon seeing that Xu Zhen has few people with her.
However, Yang Kui recognizes Xu Zhen —more precisely, he recognizes the two beauties beside her—and immediately grins maliciously: "What advice does General Xu have?"
He deliberately raises his voice when mentioning "General," causing his Evil Servants to turn pale at hearing that Xu Zhen is a general; none dare act recklessly anymore.
Yang Kui intentionally uses the title of general to provoke Xu Zhen. Having already received instructions from Gao Di, he fears nothing from her anger; he only fears that she will shrink back and not dare to cause trouble!
As long as the Xu Zhen dares to cause trouble, Governor Gao Lvxing can find an excuse to ruin her reputation even before she takes office!
However, a dignified Loyal Martial General being toyed with by a mere Captain is akin to a dragon swimming in shallow waters being played with by shrimp. No matter how tolerant the Xu Zhen is, she cannot endure such humiliation. She immediately turned to the old man and asked, "Father-in-law, what happened?"
Upon hearing the word "general" and seeing the noble aura of the Xu Zhen, the old man initially wanted to cry out in grievance and seek her help. However, after catching a fierce glare from Yang Kui, he dared not say more.
The Xu Zhen was still an unknown figure; if she were just passing through, once she left, both he and the young girl would suffer even more.
"N-nothing happened..." The old man stammered. The young girl, unable to contain her anger, pointed at Yang Kui and shouted, "This corrupt official is bullying people! I ask the general to kill this corrupt official!"
Upon hearing the girl's reckless words, the old man's face turned pale with fear. Since ancient times, commoners do not confront officials. If it weren't for the ignorance of this young girl, who would dare to openly say they want to kill an official? This is a grave crime!
Yang Kui was coveting the beauty of Caesar and Zhang Suling but could not vent his desires. His female slaves had long since lost their novelty, so he came out looking for new entertainment.
Seeing that this fortune teller had brought along a pretty little girl, he intended to take her back for his enjoyment. However, he did not expect the old man to be so resilient and the girl to be so slippery that he couldn't catch her for a while.
Hearing this little girl say she wanted the Xu Zhen to kill him, Yang Kui felt both amused and angry. This Xu Zhen may have a title but could not even enter the doors of the Prefectural Office. In Youzhou territory, where the Gao Family ruled like local emperors, why would they fear a newcomer like the Xu Zhen with no foundation?
"You ignorant little girl! Don't think that just because you have a general's title you can order killings! Do you think there is no rule of law in this world? Hahaha!"
Yang Kui was merely a lowly Captain and did not dare confront the Xu Zhen directly; he could only mock her with words. But the Xu Zhen smiled lightly and shifted her gaze back from the old man.
"Captain Yang, beating an old man in public and forcibly taking a woman—if you truly understood the rule of law, then you would be breaking it," said the Xu Zhen with a smile. Upon seeing her smile, Yang Kui's heart suddenly tightened!
The Xu Zhen had been through many battles and exuded an aura of killing intent. At that moment, Yang Kui finally realized fear; he awakened to the fact that as a mere Captain, he had no right to challenge a general!
This is a world apart; the Inspector can confront the Xu Zhen, and even Gao Di can cause trouble for her, but he is just a mere Captain. If the Xu Zhen were to become angry, how could he bear the consequences?
He initially wanted to act tough, but thinking of the Xu Zhen's smiling face made his heart tremble. He could only stammer as he left with his subordinates and hurried to report to Gao Di.
The old man, seeing Yang Kui leave, was not happy at all; instead, he became even more worried. The threatening gaze that Yang Kui left behind made him furrow his brow.
The little girl was different. Although the Xu Zhen did not kill the villain Yang Kui as she claimed, at least she had driven him away. The little girl quickly came over to express her gratitude.
The Xu Zhen ignored the little girl and walked straight up to the old man, smiling as she asked, "Father-in-law, you could easily eliminate this group of people. Why have you endured to such an extent?"
Upon hearing the Xu Zhen's words, both the old man and the little girl changed their expressions, their eyes simultaneously radiating an astonishing killing intent!
Zhou Cang was a great hero, someone who had experienced life and death. Sensing this change, he had already drawn his sword! Although Caesar had not fought for a long time, as a top assassin, he was extremely alert, with dual blades hidden behind him!
Seeing the stance of the Xu Zhen, the old man's gaze softened immediately as he pulled the little girl back behind him.
The Xu Zhen stood there with her hands behind her back. Noticing that the old man had relaxed his guard, she smiled and said, "Shall we have a drink together?"
Comment 0 Comment Count