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墨書 Inktalez
Hou Polu was still discussing the taste of last night's female slave with Zhang Shenzhi when he received news from the scouts that the detestable Xu Zhen had ultimately been bound back to Liangzhou Camp. He felt a surge of joy and, without even changing into his military uniform, hurriedly rushed to the gates of the main camp.
Zhang Shenzhi, being perceptive, quickly summoned over a hundred elite soldiers from his ranks to support Hou Polu, allowing this Young Master Li to properly humiliate the Xu Zhen.
However, Duan Zan and the cavalry had not yet returned, and one by one, officers began to emerge from the camp, culminating in Li Daozong himself stepping out!
"What is going on?!" A sense of unease surged within Hou Polu as he noticed that Li Daozong was not in casual attire but was dressed in full uniform. The mysterious young man brought back by the Xu Zhen and her personal guard, Li Dejiang, stood beside Li Daozong.
Hou Polu's brows furrowed sharply. He quickly kicked his attendant away and grabbed his military uniform from the tent, disregarding his appearance as he hid behind a soldier to put it on.
Just as he finished dressing, the distant sound of thundering hooves echoed. Leading the Tang Banner fluttering in the wind, the warhorses' heavy and powerful steps struck the earth's pulse as they gradually came to a halt before the main camp's gates.
Duan Zan led the way alongside Li Deqian, while the Xu Zhen lagged half a horse length behind. However, her red armor was strikingly eye-catching!
As the troops slowly gathered, two or three hundred ragged riding team members followed behind like fallen barbarian tribesmen—each one emaciated and pale, yet their eyes gleamed with fierce determination!
What was alarming was that whether it was the thirteen riders in red armor behind the Xu Zhen or the tattered riding team that followed, each rider bore three to five gruesome heads hanging from their saddles!
It wasn't until Duan Zan and the Xu Zhen dismounted that Hou Polu craned his neck to see clearly. Behind the Xu Zhen's horse was a person hanging limply; despite being stained with blood, Hou Polu recognized him as Murong Xiao, who had been captured by the Xu Zhen that day!
Duan Zan had already informed the scouts about the situation regarding the Xu Zhen and ordered them to report back to the Chief of Military Operations in advance. However, no matter how great their achievements were—having eliminated over three hundred Murong Clan barbarians and brought back more than two hundred Rouran People—there was no reason for the Commander to personally welcome them!
In a flustered state, he dismounted hastily and approached Li Daozong with a bow, saying, "How could I deserve such treatment from you, Commander!"
Li Daozong waved his hand slightly and focused his gaze on the Xu Zhen. His eyes lingered on her red armor and the long knife at her waist for several moments before nodding at her. Then he expressionlessly said to Duan Zan, "Let them all dismount first and settle down properly. These Rouran heroes should be treated well; do not regard them as soldier slaves. I will discuss their merits later."
Li Daozong naturally understood the value of Rouran People but maintained his usual demeanor, leaving Duan Zan puzzled. After contemplating for a while, he realized that this Chief of Military Operations was likely not there to welcome his group.
However, he couldn't ask too many questions at that moment and instructed his cavalry to circle into the city while Li Daozong and other commanders remained at the gates.
The Xu Zhen tossed Murong Xiao off her horse to a nearby Tang Soldier. Just as she intended to return to camp, she saw Li Daozong beckoning her. She quickly stepped forward but heard him chuckle and say, "You are my personal guard; where do you think you're going? Stay close!"
All the generals turned pale.
The Xu Zhen chuckled, drawing her sword as she walked a few steps before stopping. She turned back and flicked her head at Zhang Jiunian, Zhou Cang, and the other thirteen men behind her. The latter were stirred and quickly followed.
Li Daozong did not stop her, but the generals beside him could not hold back. If they could not trust the Xu Zhen, how could they trust these thirteen ominous Crimson Armored Warriors behind her?
"How dare you approach the Commander! Are you seeking death?" a Colonel Murong Xiao unsheathed his sword, and other martial generals followed suit, brandishing their weapons. The Xu Zhen, however, remained unfazed and smiled at Li Daozong, saying, "These are my brothers recruited as a Captain, Commander. You wouldn't turn them away, would you? They are all top-notch fighters!"
Seeing the Xu Zhen's playful demeanor left Li Daozong both amused and exasperated. He waved his hand to the many martial generals and said it was fine. The Xu Zhen then led her brothers to stand behind Li Daozong.
Li Daozong observed that these thirteen men walked heavily, their eyes sharp and their demeanor calm; they did not resemble mere mountain bandits. His seasoned gaze immediately detected something unusual, and he slightly turned his head to ask, "Are these all from the household of guards? Who was their former master?"
Upon hearing Li Daozong's question, respect surged in the Xu Zhen's heart. This Old General indeed had keen insight; he could tell at a glance that Zhang Jiunian and the others were retainers. Without overthinking it, she replied, "They are from Zhang Yungu..."
"Zhang Yungu? That Zhang Yungu?" Li Daozong gestured as if to cut his throat with his hand. The Xu Zhen understood and thought to herself that yes, it was indeed that Zhang Yungu who had been executed.
"Yes, that Zhang Yungu..."
However, Li Daozong found it both amusing and frustrating. This kid had managed to find himself a good group of bodyguards; he had just protected Zhang Yungu to death and now was bringing them to protect me—wasn't this bad luck?
Seeing the expressions on the faces of the generals darken while Old Li secretly chuckled eased the Xu Zhen's mood. Boldly she asked, "Commander, now that my brothers have returned, why aren’t we going back to camp?"
Li Daozong gave her a light tap on the head and scolded her grumpily, "Do you really think you're a victorious general? When you bring me Nuohebo's head one day, I wouldn’t mind personally coming out to welcome you."
The Xu Zhen was perceptive enough to understand immediately that today’s welcome must be for someone else. She then asked, "May I know who the Commander is welcoming? Have they brought Murong Fuyun's head?"
Li Daozong chuckled lightly and teased her a bit: "Though this person hasn’t brought Murong Fuyun’s head, he has accompanied the current Sage in conquering the world with outstanding achievements. He holds the rank of Duke, pacified the Turkic tribes, and destroyed Gaochang. Do you think I should personally welcome him?"
Xu Zhenxin felt a sudden tightening in his chest; the answer was already apparent. The person coming was none other than Hou Polu’s esteemed elder statesman, who served as a deputy commander alongside Li Daozong—the Chief of the Jishi Road Expedition—Duke Chen Guo, Hou Junji!
Just days prior, Duan Zan had established military orders to divide merits and had informed Li Deqian about the Xu Zhen's potential betrayal. The Xu Zhen had been waiting to see Hou Polu's embarrassment; now that his father was arriving, things were bound to get even more lively. It remained uncertain how Li Daozong would handle this situation with his political acumen.
While Princess Jinyang was still pondering these thoughts, she felt a gaze sweep over her. Looking up, she saw Li Mingda, disguised as a little guard, turning her head slightly with a pout, clearly upset that Princess Jinyang had not acknowledged her immediately.
Everyone else was watching Princess Jinyang and the Red Armor's retinue, observing the heads of the Barbarians on horseback from the Rouran People. Only Li Mingda's attention was different; it was not focused on the troublesome Princess Jinyang but rather on the older sister, Caesar!
A daughter's thoughts run deep. She keenly sensed that upon returning, this plump and mature beauty from the Foreigners no longer harbored any disdain or hostility towards Princess Jinyang, which greatly displeased Li Mingda.
Just as she was sulking, Princess Jinyang quietly moved a few steps closer and stealthily slipped something into Li Mingda's hand. Then she chuckled and moved back.
Li Mingda's heart tightened, not because of what Princess Jinyang had given her, but because their hands had touched when the princess passed her the item!
Although they had once shared a horse and were pressed against each other out of necessity, that was a different situation. Now under the protection of Li Daozong and being of noble blood, how could Princess Jinyang dare to reach out? This made her quite annoyed, yet within that annoyance was an inexplicable thrill that left her utterly confused.
As everyone maintained a solemn demeanor, Li Mingda discreetly opened her palm to find a small, colorful stone resting quietly within. She had no idea where Princess Jinyang had obtained it.
As a princess, what good things had Princess Jinyang not encountered? Such trinkets were everywhere on the grasslands!
"You stingy miser! Greedy little servant!" Li Mingda silently cursed at Princess Jinyang, who responded with an unrepentant smile. However, once Princess Jinyang turned away, Li Mingda secretly tucked the stone into her inner pocket. Feeling its coolness made her heart race inexplicably; that annoying brat!
Li Daozong was of similar age to the current emperor and had not yet reached the point of failing eyesight. His attention was not on the little antics of Li Mingda and Princess Jinyang but rather on a rider approaching from the end of the military road. The Tang Military Flag fluttered in the wind as a flag bearer rode in like a towering iron tower, holding a thick flagpole with both hands while skillfully guiding his horse with his legs.
After the Tang Military Flag passed over the horizon, another flag bearer galloped in, carrying a dark crimson banner. Following this banner was another flag with the character "Hou," and behind them came an array of flags like a forest. The sound of hoofbeats shook the ground; Duke Chen Guo, Hou Junji's display was truly astonishing!
Princess Jinyang couldn't help but snort softly. She knew very well what would become of Hou Junji and felt increasingly displeased at his ostentatious entrance. Even setting aside her entanglements with Hou Polu, she held no goodwill towards Hou Junji.
However, Li Daozong smiled as if he bore no ill feelings towards Hou Junji's showmanship. Instead, he instructed his generals to have the laborers in camp assist Hou Junji's army in setting up their encampment.
Under the protection of his personal guards, this Duke who had kept Li Daozong standing under the sun for nearly half an hour finally arrived slowly but surely. He dismounted steadily and laughed heartily: "Hou Junji is late! Li Gong has come to welcome you; I am humbled!"
Li Daozong stepped forward to shake hands with Hou Junji amidst continuous laughter from both sides. Everyone cooperated seamlessly, creating a scene filled with camaraderie.
Though Princess Jinyang remained silent with her head bowed, seeing Hou Junji's true appearance left her somewhat disappointed. She had imagined countless times what this formidable general of the Tang Dynasty would look like; naturally, other famous generals also occupied her imagination.
Hou Junji had sunken cheeks and lacked any flesh on his face, with only a sparse beard remaining. He looked less like a general who commanded the battlefield and more like a cunning and treacherous strategist.
After exchanging pleasantries with Li Daozong and slightly praising the appearance of the generals, he entered the camp alongside Li Daozong. His gaze swept over Xu Zhen, hesitating for a moment, but it was not Xu Zhenzhi's face that caught his attention; rather, it was the bright red bronze armor worn by Xu Zhen and her brothers.
Throughout this time, he did not glance at his son even once!
This was entirely within Xu Zhen's expectations. However, there was another person who received treatment similar to Hou Polu, and that was Li Mingda, who stood beside Li Daozong during the Xuanwu Gate Incident.
As a favored general of Emperor Li Tang, currently serving as Minister of War and Chief of the Jishi Road Expedition, it was simply unbelievable that Hou Junji would not recognize Li Mingda, the Emperor's most beloved figure involved in the Xuanwu Gate Incident.
Xu Zhen was well aware of the Historical Records and understood that Hou Junji had a direct connection to the impending storm in the imperial court, even playing a role in fanning the flames. Therefore, even if he had no part in Li Mingda's abduction, he would undoubtedly be informed about it!
Yet he did not look at Li Mingda even once throughout this encounter. Was this not an indication of guilt, an attempt to cover up his own involvement?
(Note 1: The grand banner, also known as the Mao banner. Mao refers to a flag decorated with the tail of a yak; it can also refer to precious banners adorned with animal skins or feathers. The term "pei" refers to flags with pointed ends, often shaped like swallowtails. Such banners are typically held by high-ranking commanders of an army.)
(Note 2: The term "Tang People" is commonly used for self-reference and can be used by men as well; it is not exclusively a female self-reference in later generations.)
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