Subsequently, at Zhang Xiu's request, Lan Ming allocated a sum of military funds from the annual tribute and distributed it to the guards.

When they saw that Zhang Xiu had indeed retrieved their military pay, the guards were overjoyed and bowed to him in gratitude.

Imagine someone who has been owed wages for years suddenly receives their due wages with the help of others. How could they not be grateful?

Seeing this, Zhang Xiu nodded in satisfaction, and then ordered the Imperial Guards to lead the guards out of the city to dig trenches and set up traps in preparation for a future attack by the Xiongnu.

After dealing with military matters, Zhang Xiu returned to the guesthouse.

Not long after he sat down in the living room, a guard came to report: the Left Chancellor of Gaochang Kingdom requests an audience.

"What brings the Left Chancellor of Gaochang here?"

Upon hearing the guard's report, Zhang Xiu frowned.

Unable to figure it out, Zhang Xiu stopped thinking about it and then waved to the guards.

"Please let him in!"

"promise!"

The guard agreed and retreated. A short while later, a middle-aged man dressed in a Han-style robe followed the guard in.

"Your humble servant, Ma Ping, Left Chancellor of Gaochang, greets the angel!"

"Are you a member of the Han Dynasty?"

Upon seeing Ma Ping's appearance and demeanor, Zhang Xiu couldn't help but ask with a curious expression.

Ma Ping smiled and shook his head: "The angel may not know, but the Kingdom of Gaochang was originally established by the descendants of the Han garrison after Emperor Xiaowu. Later, for various reasons, it fell into the hands of others."

My ancestor was a Han general named Ma Lian who was stationed here.

"Oh, I see. I never imagined the Left Prime Minister was from a family of loyal and virtuous officials. How rude of me!"

Upon learning that the other party's ancestors were Han army generals, Zhang Xiu's attitude changed instantly. He hurriedly stood up, cupped his hands in a salute, and spoke to the other party with great intimacy.

"You are too kind, angel. I have been away from Han for so long, and I am truly ashamed before my ancestors!"

Ma Ping quickly stood up to return the greeting, expressing his loyalty to the Han Dynasty.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Xiu suddenly realized that Ma Ping must have had other purposes for coming here.

After dismissing everyone in the hall, Zhang Xiu looked at Ma Ping and asked in a low voice, "I wonder what brings the Left Prime Minister here?"

Ma Ping straightened his expression and said, "This humble official has come here only to pay respects to Princess Lanzhi!"

Who is Princess Lanzhi?

Upon hearing Ma Ping mention Lanzhi, Zhang Xiu's expression shifted, and he feigned ignorance by asking a question.

Ma Ping smiled and said, "Princess Lanzhi has already married the general and has come to Gaochang with him. She is currently staying at the inn. Why did you hide this from me, General?"

How did you know that?

Zhang Xiu narrowed his eyes, staring intently at Ma Ping, while his right hand reached for the hilt of the sword at his waist.

It should be noted that even the Imperial Guards accompanying the group only knew that Lanzhi was his wife; only a few of his personal guards knew Lanzhi's true identity.

Now, however, this Left Chancellor of Gaochang saw right through him with a single sentence, leaving Zhang Xiu with no choice but to be nervous.

Seeing that Zhang Xiu seemed about to make a move, Ma Ping quickly said, "General, don't be nervous. I am one of our own."

"One of our own?"

Zhang Xiu frowned, still staring intently at the other person.

Ma Ping nodded, then took out a token from his pocket, placed it on the table, and pushed it in front of Zhang Xiu.

"This is……?"

Upon seeing the token that Ma Ping had taken out, Zhang Xiu was slightly taken aback. He then took out the token that Cheng Yu had given him and compared it with the one he had taken out.

The two tokens were identical in style, but differed in material. Zhang Xiu's was made of bronze, while Ma Ping's was made of wood, clearly indicating that the former was of a higher grade.

"Are you from the Investigation Division?"

After looking at the token, Zhang Xiu couldn't help but ask.

Ma Ping smiled and nodded: "As early as three years ago, Commander Cheng Yu sent someone to contact me and appointed me as the head of the Gaochang Investigation Division!"

Regarding your matter with Princess Lanzhi, it was Commander Cheng who sent someone to inform me!

"I see!!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Xiu's doubts vanished, but he was also deeply shocked by Cheng Yu's methods and the power of the Investigation Division.

Ma Ping then said, "Now that the general knows my identity, please bring out Princess Lanzhi. I have something to give to the princess!"

"good!"

Zhang Xiu nodded, then got up and walked towards the back hall.

Before long, Lanzhi, looking nervous, followed Zhang Xiu to the front hall.

"Your humble servant Ma Ping greets Your Highness the Princess!"

Upon seeing Lan Zhi, Ma Ping immediately stood up and bowed in greeting.

Lanzhi gripped Zhang Xiu's arm tightly and said weakly, "I am no longer your princess, you don't have to do this."

Ma Ping replied solemnly, "No, in the hearts of the people of Gaochang, you will always be our most honored princess."

"People...do you still remember me?"

Hearing Ma Ping's words, Lan Zhi couldn't help but feel excited, and her voice trembled slightly.

"Of course, you are the moon of our Gaochang Kingdom, how could the people forget you? Especially after Lanming became king, he levied exorbitant taxes and committed inhumane acts, making the people's lives worse than death..."

Afterwards, Ma Ping told Lan Zhi about Lan Ming's tyranny over the years and the suffering of the people.

"The people of Gaochang have suffered so much these past years!"

After hearing Ma Ping's request, Lan Zhi couldn't help but tear up and start sobbing softly.

She came with Zhang Xiu mainly because she was worried about the people here. Now that she learned that the people here were suffering terribly, she was naturally heartbroken.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!