Yun Xiangye, while boating on a spring day, lost her footing and fell into the lake. She was rescued by Gu Yan, a wealthy young master who was recuperating in Jiangnan.
To repay his great kin...
Zhao Yun said, "Thank you, Shi'an."
"I am here."
Zhao Yun said, "Take your men to Yongxing City and investigate the Zhu family's secret exchange of the King of Chu's bloodline."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Zhao Yun looked at Zhao Jing, who was kneeling below, and said, "Imprison Zhao Jing and the other rebels in the Heavenly Prison. Once everything is investigated, we will punish him for all the serious crimes he committed."
The guards stepped forward and arrested all of Zhao Jing's gang members.
Zhao Yun continued, "The Lijiang Jiedushi is plotting rebellion and colluding with pirates, causing great suffering to the people of Lizhou. Your Majesty has issued an oral order to appoint Gu Yan as General Pingnan and lead 70,000 troops to Lizhou to capture the rebels, rescue Xu Pei, and restore peace and prosperity to the people of Lizhou."
Gu Yan stepped forward and bowed, accepting the order: "I obey your command."
"Your Highness, Gu Yan has no military achievements and has never fought in a war. It would be inappropriate to rashly let him go to war as a general, right?"
Uncle Xie stepped forward and bowed.
It was not that he wanted to go against Gu Yan, but His Highness's appointment of Gu Yan might cause discussion among other military generals in the court.
Zhao Yun said, "Wei Jian is skilled in naval warfare. Generals with experience in naval warfare are rare in this dynasty. The garrisons in Mingzhou and Cangzhou in Lingnan cannot be transferred. It is not inappropriate for the court to let Gu Yan lead the troops. The army will set off for Lizhou in three days."
Gu Yan bowed and accepted the order: "Yes."
Yun Xiangye looked at Gu Yan from the side. Although she had been prepared for this, when the day finally came, she still couldn't hide her worry about separation.
Gu Yan said that all the military generals in the court were looking forward to the opportunity to make great achievements, but how could His Royal Highness the Crown Prince openly favor Gu Yan?
No other general would be willing to go to the battle of Lizhou. Wei Jian is good at naval battles. The sea is inherently dangerous, and it is difficult for generals from the Central Plains to go there and make achievements. Gu Yan's trip will definitely be full of dangers.
Gu Yan turned his head to look at Yun Xiangye and held her hand tightly.