"Master Junma, the border town is just ahead."

As the voice was spoken, a city appeared on the horizon ahead. Pei Yun and his men sped up and soon arrived outside the city.

Before entering the city, I could feel a murderous aura coming towards me.

Pei Yun looked up at the city, and the three big characters "Linnan Pass" on the city gate came into his sight.

This is a typical case where a pass is a city and a city is a pass.

The city wall was a little taller than he had imagined, and its surface was covered with cracks and traces of repairs, as if telling of the war that had taken place here.

"This is the southernmost important border town. Beyond that is the territory of the southern barbarians."

Lu Jingxuan rode his horse closer to Pei Yun and spoke.

Pei Yun nodded. He had never been here before. This border town was indeed different from Ruifeng County.

A row of border troops had already been standing at the city gate. When they saw Pei Yun and others approaching, the leading general, wearing half-worn armor, stepped forward and saluted with his fists.

"Your humble servant, Linnan Pass Guard General Zhou Su, respectfully welcomes the Imperial Envoy."

Pei Yun dismounted and clasped his fists in return, "General Zhou, there is no need to be polite."

Lu Jingxuan smiled and said, "Brother Zhou, the imperial ambassador is the county horse master, one of us."

Zhou Su's face became even more enthusiastic when he heard this. "So it's you, Lord County Horse. I'm so sorry. I've asked someone to prepare some wine. Please follow me."

Pei Yun responded with a smile, but he was a little more alert in his heart. The border troops were all under the management of the court. Lu Jingxuan pointed out his identity. Was he trying to tell him that the 100,000 border troops were under the control of the prince. Was he showing off his muscles to let him know the prince's strength?

It seems that the prince's methods are really extraordinary. He killed the previous garrison commander and supported the people he bribed. In this way, the border troops still belonged to the court in name, but secretly obeyed the prince's orders.

After entering the city gate, Pei Yun glanced at the streets on both sides and saw that most of the shops were closed. Only a few were open, but they didn't have much business.

On the city walls, there were teams of border troops patrolling, making the whole city seem a little tense.

After turning two streets, a low building appeared in front of us. This was the post station. Two soldiers were standing in front of the door. When they saw everyone coming, they immediately saluted.

"The inn is simple, please forgive me, Lord County Horse."

"You're too polite, General Zhou."

Afterwards, the group entered the inn, and the 200 soldiers each found a room to stay in, while Pei Yun, Lu Jingxuan, and Zhou Su drank and chatted in the main house.

But what they talked about were all unimportant things, and Pei Yun listened to most of them without saying much.

Zhou Su seemed to be familiar with Lu Jingxuan and drank one cup after another.

When they were almost done eating and drinking, Pei Yun asked, "Do the Nanman know that I am going on a diplomatic mission?"

Zhou Su nodded and said, "I know. Someone sent the document a few days ago. But you still have to be careful when you go there. Although it is said that envoys will not be killed when two countries are at war, the southern barbarians are not educated and may not understand this principle."

"If you encounter a conflict, be tolerant if you can, and be careful in everything you do."

Pei Yun raised his glass and said, "Thank you, General Zhou, for your reminder."

The three chatted for a while, and then Zhou Su said goodbye and left.

…

In other rooms.

Although the inn had prepared food, there was not much and it was not enough to fill their stomachs. Huo Xiao and others took out the compressed biscuits and canned meat that Pei Yun had given them.

"Brother Chang Wei, how do you eat this?"

When they received these supplies before, the 100 Shudu soldiers were very curious. They had never seen these things before. The dry food they brought with them on the previous march was coarse biscuits, which they brought this time as well. However, when they were in the mountain stronghold, Pei Yun also gave them canned food and biscuits and said they were dry food.

Chang Wei smiled and said, "You can pull the ring upwards to open the lid. Don't just eat canned food, you'll get tired of it. Eat a bite of biscuits and then a bite of canned food, it's absolutely delicious."

Huo Xiao and others pulled the pull ring, and imitating Chang Wei, took out a dagger and scooped out a piece of luncheon meat inside. When they put it in their mouths, the 100 Shudu soldiers' eyes widened.

Oh shit!

It was so delicious, they had never eaten such flavorful meat before, and they hurriedly dug out another piece.

They haven't eaten meat for a long time. They usually drink soup made with fatty meat and have the chance to eat meat three or four times a month.

It was not like this originally, but since the drought and famine, Yizhou has not yet recovered, and the pigs and sheep have not grown up, so there is no meat to eat most of the time.

Eating this luncheon meat now is like opening a new door.

I have never eaten such delicious meat in my life. As for saying that I am tired of it, it’s simply a joke. Can you let me eat ten cans without getting tired of it?

Chang Wei and others took a bite of the compressed biscuit and ate a piece of luncheon meat.

They no longer have much feeling for meat. Instead, they think vegetables and fruits are delicious. For example, the canned yellow peaches that Pei Yun brought out are very popular among them.

When Chang Wei saw the Shudu soldiers wolfing down the food and wanting to lick the jar clean, the corners of his mouth curved slightly.

"You guys don't look like you eat much meat."

"Of course not. Nowadays, it's good enough to have enough rice to eat, let alone meat."

Chang Wei shook his head and said, "You guys are really miserable. We ate so much meat in Qianhu Suo that we vomited."

Huo Xiao paused, "Is this true?"

"Why would I lie to you? The canned food you are eating now is something we only eat during marches. We don't eat it at other times."

"So what do you usually eat?"

Chang Wei began to read out the names of the dishes, and the 100 Shudu soldiers were stunned. How could a small Thousand Households Office eat so well? This was even better than the food in the royal palace.

“Try this.”

Chang Wei took out the instant noodles and soaked them in boiling water. The smell of the instant noodles immediately spread out, and Huo Xiao and others were stunned.

My dear, there is more to this chapter. Please click on the next page to continue reading. It’s even more exciting later!