Chapter 20: Liangzhou City
ted two feet, narrowly dodging Tamu's hand that followed shortly after."As expected, they are a bunch of cowards who only know how to hide!"Tamu mocked while launching a simultaneous attack with both...Bang!
With a loud bang, Zhang Liyang and Xiao Heshan on the deck each took a step back.
"Master Zhang's cultivation has greatly increased, congratulations!"
"Many thanks also to General Xiao for his guidance and support!"
The two people bowed to each other and then laughed at the same time.
Looking at that handsome face and dashing air, Xiao He Shan couldn't help but sigh in his heart, "It's a pity he's a eunuch."
"General Xiao, we'll be arriving at Liangzhou City soon. The land journey ahead will be difficult."
"I know." A trace of worry appeared in Xiao He Shan's eyes.
To assassinate the reigning princess is to be guilty of treason!
Given the failure of our nighttime attack, it's certain that the enemy won't simply give up. Their silence these past few days only indicates they're gathering their strength, preparing for a decisive strike.
"I've already reported this matter to the Pan Shan Great Camp. They will likely send more people to protect Your Highness."
And he thought to himself, “I wonder what it would be like in the palace…”
Xiao He's words trailed off, but Zhang Liyang understood. The assassination of Mu Yinghua would not go unnoticed in the palace. Although she was a princess, once outside the palace walls, it represented the face of the royal family.
The Great Emperor of Dayan will not let this go unpunished!
As they talked, the river ahead gradually narrowed, and at the end of their sight, a pier came into view. Liangzhou City was here!
According to the route, the fleet would stop here to change to carriages and continue their journey.
Logically, if Mu Yinghua had been stabbed, she should have changed her course. But as I said before, Mu Yinghua now represents the royal face. How could she possibly change her course because of an assassination That's impossible!
To be blunt, the royal family of the Great Qin Dynasty could die by assassination, but they must never live in surrender.
As soon as the ship docked, Zhang Liyang saw that the pier was already crowded with soldiers and constables armed with weapons. The other people on the pier were apparently cleared out beforehand.
"I, the prefect of Liangzhou, Yu Chengshi, pay my respects to Your Highness, Princess!"
On the pier, the Prefect of Liangzhou, dressed in official robes, saw Mu Yinghua come out and hurried forward to pay his respects.
"There is no need for excessive formality when addressing me."
"Your Highness!"
Unlike the fat and round Xiangcheng Prefect, the Liangzhou Prefect before him was much thinner. His bearing was also different from that of Luo Prefect; he lacked the smoothness and worldly wisdom, instead possessing a sharp and imposing aura like a warrior.
Liangzhou City, when Feilong City was seized by Ci Lai, served as the rear base and main supply hub for resisting him.
It is said that when Zhai Liang's military power was at its strongest, he once directly attacked the city of Liangzhou.
So this Prefect of Liangzhou City is said to be a civil servant, but he's more like a military general.
"My lord, I hope you are well."
"The official has met Master Cai, a few years have passed, and Master Cai's demeanor remains unchanged."
Cai Ning also took the initiative to greet him, and it seemed like the two of them had known each other for a long time.
"There's no trace of former elegance, we are all aging and still can't find peace."
"If the lord were to take control of Flying Dragon City, that would be a great achievement. It's possible he could return in two or three years."
"Haha… We’ll talk about what happens later, but you, when are you going back to Beijing for a job"
"The order has been given, and after the new year, we will depart."
"It's a pity I wasn't there at the time, or I would have asked you for a few glasses of wedding wine."
Li Zhiyi's great victory against Ci Lai in retaking Feilong City naturally made him the first contributor. However, this does not diminish Yu Chenshi's contributions. Li Zhiyi was appointed as a national pillar, and Yu Chenshi is likely to enter the six ministries.
This is also why Cai Ning is so enthusiastic about Chengshi. Old acquaintances are only a small aspect of it.
After chatting with Cai Ning for a few moments, Yu Chengshi went back to Mu Yinghua's side, "Your Highness, I have prepared some wine and food. Let's rest in the city today and set off again tomorrow, what do you think"
"Thank you for your hard work, I will follow your arrangements."
"Not tired, not tired." Yu Chenshi heard Mu Yinghua's words and couldn't help but smile. He hurried forward to lead the way, "Your Highness, this way please."
As a princess of the dynasty, she would naturally not live in an inn or tavern. In order to welcome Mu Yinghua, Chen Shi had tidied up a manor house very early on, specifically for reception.
Having spent a long time on the ship, many things were actually inconvenient. Yuchengshi understood this, so he didn't come to disturb during the day and only came in the evening to see Mu Yinghua.
The banquet was held in the largest restaurant in Liangzhou City. Unfortunately, there was no position for Zhang Liyang, so he could only stand behind Mu Yinghua throughout the whole process, watching the delicious food on the table and secretly drooling.
“This is also a lack of foresight from Chen Shi. He arranged for the princess to have dinner but didn't arrange for me Just because I am an eunuch”
Looking at the crisscrossed wine glasses on the table, Zhang Liyang couldn't help but grumble to himself.
Because Mu Yinghua was a princess, the atmosphere at the wine table wasn't boisterous and unrestrained, but she wasn't neglected either.
Don't underestimate a scholar's eloquence. Even though Mu Yinghua was initially uncomfortable with this kind of banquet, she gradually adapted during her conversations with Cheng Shi and Cai Ning.
This pleased Zhang Liyang quite a bit. The path ahead wouldn't be like the one within the imperial palace. Mu Yinghua would also have to learn how to receive guests and how to converse with people.
After the dinner, Mu Yinghua went back. As for why Cai Ning stayed there, Mu Yinghua didn't care to ask.
"Here you go, I had someone pack you some food. Eat up."
In the carriage, Mu Yinghua took a package from behind and placed it in front of Zhang Liyang. Before Zhang Liyang even opened it, he smelled a savory aroma of cooked food.
This made Zhang Liyang, who was already hungry, unable to resist his craving. "Your Highness, then I won't be polite," he said.
"Don't be so polite with me, just eat it! Otherwise, it will get cold."
Looking at Zhang Liyang who was wolfing down his food beside her, Mu Yinghua couldn't help but cover her mouth and smile. This smile instantly brightened the carriage, like a plum blossom blooming in the midst of the cold wind, swaying gracefully with boundless charm.
Perhaps because of being away from the palace, Mu Yinghua's mood had improved considerably. The haggard and slightly pale complexion had also recovered its rosy glow. Under her star-like eyes and delicate beauty, even Zhang Liyang couldn't help but stop chewing his food and stare at Mu Yinghua in a daze.
At Zhang Liyang's bold gaze, Mu Yinghua couldn't help but blush, "Zhang Liyang, you..."
Zhang Liyang, coming to his senses, immediately lowered his head and continued to eat ravenously. However, from Zhang Liyang's expression, there was no longer the enjoyment of the delicious food, but rather a resentful meaning.
"What a piece of crap! Why not just travel to a better time, but had to become a eunuch!"
"Thank goodness I have a golden finger, I must recover my manhood!"
"Well, this dish is pretty tasty and crunchy."
"Damn, spicy bullwhip..."listened to Bai Fuhuan's words and fell silent.The token he didn't recognize, but the secret sect he did, and even just being in the northwest region, these two characters were almost as familiar as t...