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Although Han Fuqi was sent to welcome the Xu Zhen, Zhang Jian remained uneasy. He hosted a banquet with several officials from Yingzhou Prefecture at Duweifu, where he could not help but subtly incite both civil and military officials to ostracize the Xu Zhen.
These individuals were local officials who, with the impending campaign against Liao, dared not disobey the General's orders. Even the Inspector and the Deputy Secretary did not dare to speak up, and the others were increasingly obedient.
Just as they were chatting and laughing, a scout rushed in from outside, with a half-arrow shaft embedded in his thigh; it was the Ranger who had returned with news!
Unexpectedly, he had blocked Gou Renwu's Feathered Arrow with his blade, but only managed to sever the arrow's tail; the remaining shaft still struck his thigh. With the battle about to erupt ahead, he could not care for his injury and rode back to report.
Upon hearing this, Zhang Jian was overjoyed. Han Fuqi truly was a capable person; he had managed to seize evidence against the Xu Zhen on the very first day!
"Is it true that the Xu Zhen is colluding with the rebels?!" Zhang Jian suppressed his excitement and asked the Ranger, who confirmed, "Three hundred rebels are all armored, riding warhorses, accompanying the Loyal Martial General... along with the Xu Zhen!"
"Good! Hahaha! Heaven is aiding me!" Zhang Jian was ecstatic internally but feigned sorrow on the surface as he informed the officials at the banquet.
"Everyone, Han Simar has been tasked with contacting Commander Xu, yet such an incident has occurred. Given Han Simar's character, he must have fought valiantly for our country and is likely trying to capture this treacherous Xu Zhen. As guardians of Yingzhou, how can we sit idly by? I implore you all to mobilize troops and bring back this Xu Zhen!"
Zhang Jian had always communicated closely with Gao Lvxing and knew that Youzhou and Liaoxi had already eliminated remnants of the previous dynasty. He could surmise that these Cavalry accompanying the Xu Zhen were likely sent by Gao Lvxing in disguise, intending to harm her but ultimately failing and being incorporated by her instead.
Even though he understood this, Zhang Jian would never let such an opportunity slip away. Han Fuqi was brave and skilled in battle, leading three hundred elite soldiers who were seasoned veterans and passionate youths.
The three hundred Cavalry newly surrendered to Gao Lvxing must be unstable in their hearts. The three hundred men under him were merely auxiliary troops handling weapons; regarding these three hundred personal guards around the Xu Zhen, Zhang Jian had already received intelligence from Chang'an and thus did not take them seriously.
At this moment of conflict, Han Fuqi would surely still be holding out. Moreover, Han Fuqi was not a fool who would fight to the death; he might very well retreat while engaging in battle, leading the Xu Zhen toward Liucheng. If they mobilized troops now, they could certainly capture her in one fell swoop!
However, the Xu Zhen was after all a Fourth Rank Deputy Commander appointed by the court and held the title of Loyal Martial General. She also received honors from Brave Count and Colonel Murong Xiao of the Light Army. Not everyone present possessed Zhang Jian's courage.
They were seasoned officials who understood Zhang Jian's intentions to suppress the Xu Zhen. Yet she was an imperial envoy inspecting Youzhou and Liangzhou; this carried an imperial mandate. If pursued strictly, it meant she was inspecting on behalf of the Emperor. Zhang Jian's failure to personally welcome her was already enough of a slight; how could he even think of capturing her?
Although they did not understand why three hundred rebels accompanied the Xu Zhen, anyone present with a functioning brain should realize that how could the promising young Colonel Murong Xiao possibly collude with remnants of the previous dynasty?
If Xu Zhen could be captured and the crime established, Zhang Jian would certainly be able to keep all of Yingzhou's Imperial Guards under his control. However, Zhang Jian was already quite overbearing, and Local could not allow him to dominate alone.
Seeing many local officials silent, Zhang Jian was displeased. He snorted coldly, waved his sleeve, and left the banquet, summoning the Eight Hundred Cavalry. They thundered away from Liucheng. The people of Yingzhou feared that if they lost Xu Zhen, the Sovereign would vent his anger on them, so they hurriedly mounted their horses and followed Zhang Jian, knowing that at a critical moment, they must persuade him to spare Xu Zhen's life.
However, when they reached Wuli Pavilion, Zhang Jian's Riding Team came to a halt. Many local officials quickly rode forward, only to see a group of horsemen approaching from afar, led by the Xu Flag. It was likely the newly appointed Loyal Martial General and Xu Zhen, but there was no sign of Han Fuqi's troops!
A sense of foreboding surged in Zhang Jian's heart. The scouts had clearly reported that Xu Zhen had three hundred Cavalry wearing the previous dynasty's traitorous Mingguang Armor. At this moment, indeed, there were three hundred Cavalry guards flanking Xu Zhen, but they were clad in the attire of the Tang Dynasty!
Although Youzhou and Liangzhou were remote regions, during the New Year period, many local officials traveled to the capital to pay their respects. Thus, they recognized Xu Zhen's appearance and demeanor.
At this time, Xu Zhen led the way on horseback, her hand resting on her sword. Although she was only around twenty-five or twenty-six years old, she had deliberately grown a neat mustache, giving her an increasingly composed and mature look.
To her left was a formidable general exuding an air of authority, with a fierce demeanor and a beard like steel needles; he was none other than the captain of her personal guards, Captain Zhou Cang.
On her right side was a guard dressed in white on a white horse whom no one had seen before; presumably, he was a new attendant of Xu Zhen. The group appeared dignified and well-organized, with high morale—there was no hint of decline!
As the procession drew closer, Zhang Jian and the others finally saw that behind the three hundred troops of Xu Zhen, there were three hundred captives dressed in the former Sui Dynasty's traitorous armor!
Those with sharp eyes quickly realized that these captives were none other than Han Fuqi and his three hundred personal soldiers!
"This... how is this possible!"
Both Zhang Jian and many local officials found it hard to believe! Everyone said that Xu Zhen had risen rapidly through the ranks; she seemed to be on an upward trajectory. However, she was still just someone with bravery but lacking wisdom—she knew little about court struggles and had almost lost the favor of the Sovereign while offending both Minister of State Changsun Wuji and the current heir apparent of the Eastern Palace, Li Zhi, among others.
Given this context, it was natural for them to think that when Xu Zhen came to serve as Colonel Murong Xiao in this Yingzhou Prefecture, she would have to rely on others and dare not be too assertive. Yet unexpectedly, before even entering Liucheng, she had already captured the local commander of Yingzhou Prefecture, Han Fuqi!
What was even more astonishing was that both Han Fuqi and his three hundred personal soldiers were wearing the previous dynasty's traitorous armor!
Zhang Jian felt it was hard to accept at the moment. Behind him, eight hundred elite Cavalry stood ready for battle, yet they waited a long time for the General's military orders. Through the crowd, he could see the General's back rising and falling violently.
Seeing Zhang Jian and the officials from Yingzhou waiting together at Wuli Pavilion, Xu Zhen already understood the situation in her heart, but she maintained a calm smile on her face.
"General Zhang is truly too polite. Many colleagues are busy handling local affairs and public duties; how could I trouble you to come and greet us? It would be too much for me!"
Xu Zhen did not dismount. Zhou Cang and Xue Rengui, along with other generals, merely ignored her while Han Fuqi and others were left speechless. Seeing their Governor personally come to intervene filled them with shame, yet they still stammered, wanting to argue.
Zhang Jian's face was cold as he snorted and said, " Xu Zhen, you have quite the audacity to hold my Sima and many soldiers hostage!"
As soon as these words were spoken, the Cavalry behind him drew their weapons. Xu Zhen was unwilling to show weakness either. Many Yingzhou officials turned pale with fear, thinking that Xu Zhen was being too ungracious; this was Zhang Jian's territory. Even if she did not want to back down, she had no choice but to yield. Why bother resisting?
Furthermore, Xu Zhen's methods were too crude and straightforward; she truly was a newcomer in court struggles. To actually treat Han Fuqi as a rebel to capture was telling enough where Han Fuqi and his soldiers' Mingguang Armor came from!
However, Xu Zhen merely smiled at his words, slightly raising her hand to push Zhou Cang's sword back three inches. She feigned surprise and said to Zhang Jian, "General, why do you say such things? These are all rebels from the previous dynasty that Xu captured on the road. How could they possibly be Yingzhou local soldiers? There must be some misunderstanding..."
"How dare you slander like this! These are clearly my Yingzhou soldiers who were sent by my Governor to make contact. How can you dare to quibble? Why seal the mouths of these Brothers!" Zhang Jian shouted with authority.
Xu Zhen did not want to tear their faces apart on the first day; however, it had been too frustrating along the way. It felt as if anyone could ride on her head and do as they pleased, which made Xu Zhenxin furious.
"Since General says so, it must be a misunderstanding. I led my team here, and these gentlemen intercepted our path, resulting in some verbal disputes. I noticed they were wearing mismatched Mingguang Armor; fortunately, someone under me recognized it as belonging to the previous dynasty, which is why I captured them. Since General claims these are Yingzhou Prefecture troops, I naturally wouldn't doubt you."
"Come here! Release all the Yingzhou Brothers!"
With a command from Xu Zhen, Zhou Cang and others moved to release Han Fuqi and the others. Han Fuqi returned with three hundred men to Zhang Jian's side but spat out a mouthful of foul cloth while protecting Zhang Jian's horse leg and pointed at Xu Zhen while cursing loudly.
"Governor must stand up for us Brothers! This Xu Zhen is despicable and shameless; she actually accuses us of disloyalty! Truly a disgrace to Tang people!"
Zhang Jian initially intended to take this opportunity to suppress the Xu Zhen, but he did not expect that Han Fuqi would be so incompetent, allowing everyone to be captured in just a short moment. Zhang Jian had the Eight Hundred Cavalry behind him, yet he found himself without a place to exert his power.
"Hmph! You brought this upon yourself; how can you shift the blame onto Commander Xu? Take them all back!" Zhang Jian knew that it was impossible to make any moves against the Xu Zhen today, so he used this as an excuse and ordered the cavalry to take Han Fuqi and the others back to Liucheng.
He understood that this was the Xu Zhen's attitude, as if she were warning him that she was not someone to be easily manipulated. If Han Fuqi wanted to treat her like a rebel and capture her, she would treat him as a rebel in return!
If Zhang Jian stubbornly pursued the matter or even resorted to violence, perhaps the Xu Zhen would have been more lenient. However, now that he was trying to avoid conflict, it was clear that he felt guilty for his actions. Moreover, the Xu Zhen had already discerned from Zhang Jian's demeanor that he was aware of the origins of the Mingguang Armor.
Zhang Jian was indeed similar to Gao Lvxing; both were under Prince Li Zhi or Minister Changsun Wuji. Furthermore, Zhang Jian must have had close ties with Youzhou's Gao Lvxing; otherwise, he wouldn't be so well-informed about the origins of the Mingguang Armor.
In a short period, the Xu Zhen saw through all the intricacies, while Zhang Jian bowed and said, "It was all a misunderstanding; I apologize for startling Commander Xu. Please allow me to take you into Liucheng and properly accommodate your brothers, as well as arrange a welcome for them."
Upon hearing Zhang Jian speak so calmly without changing his expression, Xu Zhenxin quickly began to think. It would not be easy to successfully take over Yingzhou Prefecture's troops from Zhang Jian. If they were to tear their faces now, it would be even more impossible; it would be better to feign compliance for now.
"Since that's the case, I will respectfully comply with your request!"
The Xu Zhen returned the gesture, while Zhang Jian forced a smile and exchanged insincere pleasantries with several Yingzhou officials. Finally, he led the Xu Zhen's entourage back to Liucheng.
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