Chapter 2054: Chapter 1830: Seeing Is Believing
Especially as both sides discreetly began to ready their Heavy Crossbows, Yan Yan and Guann Hai, seasoned military officers who had endured numerous battles, merely had to notice the subtle movements to deduce that everyone on the opposite side was equipped with a Heavy Crossbow.
Both were utterly shocked by this revelation, as possessing a Heavy Crossbow illegally meant death. Although this rule had become more lenient over time, possessing such a weapon was a sign that the individuals inside the carriage were far from ordinary.
"My Lord, you should refrain from stepping out. Those two hundred Heavy Crossbows are aimed right here," Yan Yan said bitterly.
"What nonsense! Under the rule of my Han Dynasty, who dares to recklessly attack the Imperial Family? The Han Dynasty is not yet fallen; what is there to fear?" Liu Zhang stepped forward, truth be told, because of his ignorance, he genuinely felt no fear as he walked ahead without any hesitation!
"Who dares to besiege the carriage of the Imperial Clan of the Han Dynasty!" Liu Zhang appeared, pushing aside Yan Yan who blocked his path, and coldly inquired, his fearless expression indeed carrying the demeanor of a Feudal Lord King.
Guann Hai saw Liu Zhang push aside Yan Yan, his presence overwhelming, his sharp eyes turned toward him, making his heart skip a beat. Upon closer inspection, the man clothed in official attire indeed displayed a formidable charisma that somewhat unnerved them—the combination of the attire and his aura commanded respect.
This daunting shout caused hesitation in the hearts of Guann Hai, Zhang Du, and Fann Zhe. As Liu Zhang was preparing to further interrogate them, Ji Xiang opened the carriage door, and bowed respectfully toward Liu Zhang.
"Head of the Medical Academy of Mount Tai, Ji Xiang, greets the Governor of Yizhou." Ji Xiang performed a distant courtesy towards Liu Zhang’s direction, causing Liu Zhang to frown repeatedly.
"Is the Academy Head from the Ji clan?" Liu Zhang furrowed his brows and said, "The Grand Commandant is indeed generous, merely for your protection, he arranged so many escorts; it seems the Grand Commandant holds you in high regard."
"It’s not me, Ji Xiang, that he values, rather my wisdom," Ji Xiang replied without servility.
"Is that so?" Liu Zhang glanced up and down at Ji Xiang; Sichuan and Shu are not short of beauties, Ji Xiang may be pretty, but she did not inspire any particular thoughts from Liu Zhang, though he did admire her composed tranquility.
"Indeed it is." Ji Xiang responded calmly.
Liu Zhang took another look at Ji Xiang, then returned to his carriage, and the soldiers led by Yan Yan ceased their vigilance. Led by Yan Yan, they resumed their leisurely pace forward with Liu Zhang’s carriage.
"Follow them, at the same speed, just don’t overtake them," Ji Xiang glanced at the direction Liu Zhang’s carriage was headed, then looked back at Guann Hai and said.
[Rumors appear to be unreliable, although unable to converse much, Liu Jiyu faced hundreds of Heavy Crossbows without a hint of fear; his actions lacked frivolity, and the soldiers under him were indeed exemplary. This Imperial Clan of the Han Dynasty cannot be underestimated.] Ji Xiang thought silently as she retreated to the carriage.
"Master, did something just happen?" Zhang Chunhua saw Ji Xiang retreat and immediately asked.
As Ji Xiang traveled this road, her poise and erudition indeed earned Zhang Wang’s deep respect, coupled with Zhang Chunhua’s conduct, which satisfied Ji Xiang greatly.
Thus, under Ji Xiang’s persuasive words, Zhang Wang naturally requested Ji Xiang to accept Zhang Chunhua as a disciple, to which Ji Xiang, after showing a thoughtful expression, nodded in agreement.
"Come, I will teach you a wisdom of life," Ji Xiang said with a smile.
"What kind of wisdom?" Zhang Chunhua asked, resting her little head on her palm.
"Before meeting someone personally, all rumors should be regarded merely as references; do not believe them easily," Ji Xiang said, patting Zhang Chunhua’s little head.
Zhang Chunhua nodded repeatedly, and memorized the sentence; Ji Xiang expressed her satisfaction.
In the subsequent journey, Ji Xiang’s carriage consistently followed behind Liu Zhang’s without any heed of crossing.
"Zichi, why do I feel like you constantly peer back?" Zhang Song frowned and asked, "Do you have some ideas regarding that woman?"
"..." Qin Mi looked at Zhang Song speechlessly, his handsome face was a stark contrast to Zhang Song’s astoundingly unattractive visage.
"You better not take an interest in that woman." Zhang Song advised earnestly, fearing that Qin Mi might have some special intentions towards the woman behind them, "Don’t be misled by her saying she’s the Head of the Academy of Mount Tai; judging by her level of protection, you ought to understand she’s not as simple as she claims."
"How would I not know such things? More than puzzled why such a woman would be here at this time?" Qin Mi frowned and spoke, "As for having ideas about her, hah, the beauties of Sichuan and Shu are easily within my grasp; why make trouble for myself."
"That’s good, as to why she’s here, it’s none of our concern," Zhang Song chuckled, "What she does has no bearing on us."
Hearing this, Qin Mi silently nodded, no longer pondering the matter.
"With one more day’s journey, we will reach the outskirts of Chang’an, station the troops outside, report to the Emperor, and then we can enter the city." Meanwhile, Liu Bei and others, also nearing Chang’an, discussed matters concerning Chang’an.
"Without imperial decree, the army cannot enter Chang’an." Chen Xi sighed, "Which means at most we can lead five thousand troops into Chang’an."
"That’s quite favorable, allowing five thousand troops into Chang’an can be considered one of the largest scale movements aside from bandit suppression." Cao Cao appeared quite satisfied with the arrangement, "In the past, allowing five thousand outside troops into Chang’an was impossible."
"How to allocate the five thousand troops?" Chen Xi turned his head, asking Xun Yu and Zhou Yu.
Xun Yu and Zhou Yu both frowned and then looked at Chen Xi. "According to merit allocation, the Grand Commandant holds two thousand five hundred, and we two families split evenly."
"Oh, when will Sunx Bofu return? If he doesn’t come back soon, he’ll miss the time to head to Chang’an, and we won’t wait for him," Liu Bei, appearing in high spirits, turned to Zhou Yu and said with a smile.
"He will arrive today; given Bofu and the others’ pace, as long as they wish, they can arrive today." Zhou Yu said calmly, meanwhile he had already picked up on the change in Chang’an’s trends from the Local Tyrants of Sili who spontaneously came to reward the army.
"That’s good; if he doesn’t make it, and we can’t gather five people when crossing the Chidao, I’ll have to find someone else as a substitute," Liu Bei said calmly.
"Anyway, if it’s seven people?" Chen Xi frowned, acknowledging that he was named for this endeavor, and precisely, Liu Bei always included him for rewards; but as for the other person, Guan Yu might not have enough merit, Jia Xu might cause the military generals to wail, uh, could it be Huang Zhong!
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