Early that morning, just as Zhang Xiu and Lan Zhi were tenderly feeding each other, the doorman suddenly rushed in.

"Master, Madam, Zhang Changshi has arrived, saying that His Majesty has issued an imperial edict!"

"Quickly, open the main gate to welcome them!"

Upon hearing that an imperial edict had been issued, Zhang Xiu and his wife quickly got up and went outside.

The couple had just arrived at the hall when they saw Zhang Rang holding a scroll of imperial edict, standing in the courtyard. They quickly went forward to pay their respects.

"Zhang Xiu, accompanied by his wife Lanzhi, greets Attendant Zhang!"

"Oh, General Zhang, you're too kind!"

Zhang Rang responded with a friendly expression, showing no arrogance or domineering demeanor.

Then, Zhang Rang picked up the imperial edict and announced loudly, "Zhang Xiu, receive the decree!"

"This humble general, Zhang Xiu, receives the imperial decree!"

Zhang Xiu and his wife, along with the servants in the mansion, all bowed respectfully before the imperial edict.

Zhang Rang slowly unfurled the imperial edict and proclaimed loudly: "Minister Zhang is loyal, brave, and skilled in both literature and martial arts; he is truly a valuable asset to the nation."

The people of Gaochang are in turmoil and cannot live in peace. I cannot bear this, so I hereby appoint Zhang Qing as a Privy Councilor and Protector of Gaochang, to proceed to Gaochang immediately to quell the unrest and protect the region.

"I urge you to fulfill your duties faithfully and not fail my expectations. This is my decree!"

"Your subject Zhang Xiu accepts the imperial decree and expresses his gratitude!"

Zhang Xiu bowed to the imperial edict with a joyful expression, and then respectfully accepted it.

After the imperial edict was read aloud, Zhang Rang exchanged a few simple pleasantries with Zhang Xiu before taking his leave.

After Zhang Rang left, Zhang Xiu and Lan Zhi, along with the servants in the mansion, began to tidy up.

Just as everyone was busy, a carriage stopped in front of Zhang Xiu's mansion.

The carriage curtain was lifted, and Cheng Yu, who had not appeared for a long time, got off the carriage and came into the mansion.

"Commander Cheng, what's going on...?"

Looking at Cheng Yu, who had come uninvited, Zhang Xiu couldn't help but ask in a suspicious tone.

Zhang Xiu had only met Cheng Yu, one of the heads of the Investigation Bureau, a few times, and the two had no interaction.

Cheng Yu smiled and said, "I've come here to deliver some things to General Zhang, which may be of some help to your trip to Gaochang!"

As he spoke, Cheng Yu took out a letter and a token from his sleeve and handed them to Zhang Xiu.

"This is……?"

Upon receiving the item from Cheng Yu, Zhang Xiu's expression of doubt deepened.

"This is a handwritten letter from the Right Chancellor of Gaochang, along with a token from my intelligence agency. Once you arrive in Gaochang, you can use these two items to instruct the Right Chancellor and the intelligence agency personnel to assist you in your mission!"

"Many thanks to Commander Cheng for his help, Xiu is deeply grateful!"

As he spoke, Zhang Xiu bowed to Cheng Yu, for these two items were extremely helpful to him.

"General Zhang, there's no need to be so polite. We both serve His Majesty, and this is simply our duty!"

Cheng Yu smiled and waved his hand, then his expression turned serious: "However, there is something General Zhang needs to pay attention to!"

Zhang Xiu was taken aback: "I wonder what Commander Cheng is referring to?"

Cheng Yu glanced at Lan Zhi inside the room, then lowered his voice: "The Xiongnu have migrated westward and are threatening Gaochang. General Zhang, besides pacifying Gaochang, you will definitely be at war with the Xiongnu. Facing the Xiongnu, you must not lose, but you cannot win completely!"

"What... what does Commander Cheng mean by that?"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Xiu was taken aback and looked at Cheng Yu with some confusion.

Cheng Yu explained in a low voice: "The Western Regions have been separated from the Han Dynasty for many years. Although they still remember the Han Dynasty's remaining prestige, they do not have much recognition in their hearts and may rebel at any time. Therefore, it is not advisable to have too many men there."

"The Xiongnu's departure will serve as a convenient opportunity to eliminate those unstable factors, leaving only women and children, so that our Great Han can better take over the Western Regions in the future..."

"Hiss!"

Upon hearing Cheng Yu's words, Zhang Xiu couldn't help but gasp.

He never expected that Cheng Yu would actually plan for him to use the Xiongnu to eliminate the men of the Western Regions. This ruthless scheme truly terrified him.

Of course, what he didn't know was that this plan wasn't just Cheng Yu's idea, but also the result of discussions between Liu Hong, Xi Zhicai, and others.

There was no other way; for the benefit of the Han Dynasty, there was nothing that couldn't be done.

Seeing Zhang Xiu's hesitant expression, Cheng Yu advised, "General Zhang, you must think this through. If you don't do it, it will be our Han soldiers who die in the future."

Do you think it's better to let our Han soldiers die, or to let those Western Region people with ulterior motives die?

"Of course..."

Zhang Xiu paused, then said, "Of course, we should let the Western Region people die. How could they possibly compare?"

Thinking of his comrades who had trained alongside him through thick and thin, Zhang Xiu's hesitation turned into determination.

For him, ten men from the Western Regions were not as valuable as one of his comrades.

"In that case, I shall take my leave now. Rest assured, once you arrive in Gaochang, the intelligence bureau will do everything in its power to assist you!"

With that, Cheng Yu cupped his hands in a respectful gesture to Zhang Xiu, then turned and left.

Watching Cheng Yu's departing figure, Zhang Xiu lowered her head and looked at the letter and token in her hand, and couldn't help but sigh softly.

Lanzhi only came out of the house after Cheng Yu left.

"Husband, what was that gentleman doing here?"

"It's nothing, they just knew I was leaving and came to give me two farewell gifts!"

Zhang Xiu smiled and explained, then tucked the two items into his pocket.

Cheng Yu's scheme also involved the people of Gaochang, and Zhang Xiu would never tell her about such a thing.

...

Two days later, Zhang Xiu changed into the attire of a Yulin Lang (Imperial Guard) and came to Deyang Palace to pay his respects to the Emperor.

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