Chapter 522: This Governor Comes to Support You Today (5k)

"Sir...this..." The old man of the Lu family was stunned, as if he still couldn't believe his ears.

It was not until he met Zhao Duan's eyes, which seemed calm but actually contained murderous intent, that he suddenly woke up.

"Is there a problem?" Zhao Duan said expressionlessly.

"No problem! I will immediately send someone to notify everyone and prepare the banquet." The white-haired old man agreed immediately, then slowly stood up and sent his servants to prepare.

Zhao Duan then raised his buttocks with satisfaction and said:

"Clean up a quiet courtyard. I don't have a place to stay in the city, and the government office is crowded, so I'm worried about finding a place to stay. I plan to stay at the Lu Mansion for a few days."

A great commander-in-chief is actually going to stay in his own home?

In the past, the Lu family would have been overjoyed and unwilling to miss the opportunity to curry favor with the empress's favorite.

But now, I can only complain in my heart, feeling extremely unwilling.

But I could only accept it and pretend to be happy.

Immediately, the old man ordered his servants to clean up, and at the same time, he smiled and invited Zhao Duan to go to the inner hall to have some tea and sit for a while.

Zhao Duan nodded happily, turned around, raised his hand and patted the shoulder of "Grain Supervisor" Zhao Shande, and smiled gently:

"The matter is settled. Let's go with the Lu family to get food. Since your last name is Zhao, stand up straighter and don't bring disgrace to the Zhao family name."

After saying that, he walked towards the inner hall in a leisurely manner.

Only the old official Zhao Shande was left standing there, flattered. He had not yet come to his senses and was just staring blankly at the Lu family members around him.

The other party changed his usual arrogance and coldness, and flattered and apologized to him almost eagerly.

Zhao Shande felt uncomfortable all over. At this moment, he suddenly remembered and asked the eldest son who was left to cooperate with him:

"May I ask... who exactly is this lord?"

Young Master Lu looked at him in surprise, his eyes strange and he said:

"Brother Shan De, don't you know this guy? He and you both have the same surname, Zhao. Is there anyone else with the surname Zhao in the city now?"

In my mind, a name flashed through my mind...

The Empress's close minister, the commander-in-chief of the rebellion suppression, the Prince's guardian... Zhao Duan.

Zhao Shande breathed rapidly and opened his mouth in disbelief.

This gentle young man who talked and laughed with me along the way was actually the famous King Yan Zhao?

On the other side, Zhao Duan swaggered and had a conversation with the old man of the Lu family in the inner hall. The servants who were sent out to convey the "dinner invitation" returned one after another, bringing an unexpected news.

The core block of the city is only this big, and the wealthy families in the city have moved into the city center because of the war, so it is very convenient to send a letter.

"Are the gentry in the city unable to come due to some matters?"

Zhao Duan smiled, "Can't come, or don't want to come?"

The servant said timidly:

"Mr. Qian from Datong Bank said he's ill and bedridden, unable to come. Mr. Li from Kangzhuang Rice Shop said he's not in the city, but is currently outside Taicang... and..."

He called out names one by one and gave reasons for shirking his responsibilities.

Zhao Duan listened calmly, then suddenly smiled and looked at Old Man Lu:

"Do you think these people are really in trouble, or are they just pretending to be in trouble?"

Lu Taigong showed hesitation and said, "Please calm down, my lord. I will go and invite him again myself."

"No need," Zhao Duan said to the servant calmly:

"Go again and tell them about the banquet tonight. You don't need to wait for any response or say anything else."

Just notify, no need to wait for response?

Old Master Lu was stunned at first, then cold sweat oozed from his temples, and he seemed to understand something:

"Sir, if there are still people who refuse to come..."

"They will come." Zhao Duan stood up and walked towards the courtyard prepared for him by the Lu Mansion, leaving only one sentence:

"If you really don't come, you never have to come."

…

…

After the armies of Shenjiying and Wujunying entered the city, they were arranged to set up camp in specific areas.

Because the existing military camps were insufficient, they simply vacated some of the government's warehouse buildings and used them for camping.

"Wei Xianzong, there's no water in the jar. Didn't you hear me fill it up? Are you deaf?"

In a camp, a soldier cursed coldly at a person not far away.

Wei Xianzong was now wearing a gray, dirty piece of clothing with the word "Soldier" written on his chest.

With disheveled hair and haggard face, he sat tiredly beside a pile of wood, breathing silently.

Hot sweat soaked his clothes and pants, and there were some scars on his body.

He raised his head, his eyes were restrained under his black hair, and he said calmly:

"There are ten large vats in the camp, and I filled them all by myself."

"Full?" The soldier suddenly pushed hard, and a whole vat of water covered the ground. He taunted:

"How can it be full? Isn't it still empty? Is it?"

Around them, the other idle soldiers also laughed and echoed: "Yes. It's empty."

Others also pushed the water tank over to let the water flow out, and loudly urged Wei Xianzong to continue fetching water.

The dignified commander has now fallen to the level of a menial soldier.

Ever since the surrounding soldiers learned that this new soldier was once a big shot, they had someone to amuse themselves with.

During this period, Wei Xianzong worked hard in the camp, and anyone could order him around or even insult him in person.

There aren't many opportunities to bully a commander who was once unattainable.

"What are you looking at? I told you to work, did you hear me? Do you want to hit me?"

The soldier was frightened by Wei Xianzong's look and became fierce again.

Wei Xianzong had a blank expression on his face. His hands gradually clenched and finally loosened. He silently got up, picked up the bucket, and walked towards the well.

The laughter and scolding behind me gradually faded away.

Suddenly, a figure stopped in front of him. The figure was wearing the uniform of the "Protectors" and looked at him with a frown:

"Wei Xianzong, the former commander of Qingzhou? Come with me. Envoy Xue wants to see you."

…

…

Wei Xianzong was taken to the government office and met Xue Shence in a room not far from the "command center".

"Look up and speak."

Xue Shence was sitting behind the desk. Seeing that Wei Xianzong had kept his head down after entering the room, his eyes fixed on the floor, he spoke calmly.

When the latter raised his head, revealing a haggard and thinner face, Xue Shence said with a complicated look:

"I don't want you and I to meet again in this situation."

Wei Xianzong, who had been extremely silent since being captured, laughed at himself:

"The Privy Councilor would not have asked me to come here just to make some ridicule."

The two had previously been in a superior-subordinate relationship, so they naturally knew each other.

However, Wei Xianzong, as a general supported by Yuan Li, was not from the same faction as Xue Shence.

"The city is busy with military affairs right now, so I really don't have the time, nor the interest, to ridicule you. I've seen the detailed battle report of your battle against the Five Army Battalions at the Qingzhou border. Yuan Feng also recognized your combat capabilities. He said that placing you in Qingzhou would be a waste of your talent."

Xue Shence asked seriously, "Do you want to redeem yourself from your crimes and make meritorious contributions to escape from your current situation?"

Wei Xianzong's eyes suddenly lit up under his messy black hair: "What do you want me to do?"

Xue Shence folded his hands on his abdomen and sat upright:

"I plan to select a group of elite soldiers from the military to form a 'suicide squad' to carry out an extremely dangerous, risky, and low-success mission. After much deliberation, we believe you are the most suitable person to lead this squad."

Wei Xianzong's eyes moved, and he looked suspicious:

"You dare to let me lead the troops?"

He didn't ask what the mission was, how difficult or dangerous it was, or whether he could complete it, but he asked this.

Xue Shence smiled slightly:

"Since Commander Zhao dared to brave the danger of impeachment in the Golden Palace to rescue you from death row, and even specially placed you in the Divine Machine Battalion and brought you to the front lines, how could I not dare to use you?"

Wei Xianzong stared at him seriously for several seconds and said:

"When will the Death Battalion be formed and put into operation?"

Xue Shence said, "I've already ordered the selection of personnel. The team will be assembled tomorrow and will be deployed to the battlefield the day after tomorrow at the latest."

Wei Xianzong nodded and said, "I do."

Xue Shence nodded with satisfaction, and immediately ordered his personal guards to send Wei Xianzong back to the camp, pack up his things, and then go to the temporarily formed "Suicide Battalion" to serve as an officer.

After watching the other person leave, another person walked in from outside the door. It was Shi Meng, the commander of the Shenji Camp.

"Sir, Wei Xianzong's ability is certainly sufficient, but... can he really be trusted?" Shi Meng looked hesitant.

Xue Shence stood up and said calmly, "I don't know."

Shi Meng was stunned.

Then Xue Shence explained:

"But I believe in Zhao Duan. He dared to send someone to the Shenji Camp, which means he thought he could use this person. The war situation is critical, and we should recruit talents regardless of their background. Besides, Wei Xianzong is not a mediocre person to begin with."

After a pause, he added with a wry smile:

"Besides, we have to use all the methods we can use now. Wei Xianzong's move is just one of our several plans, and it's a very late plan. I didn't have much hope for him.

Even if he fails, the loss is bearable. Let's go back and continue."

Inside the "command center", a group of generals were still making plans, and Xue Shence only took time out to come out for a short while.

After walking a few steps, he suddenly remembered something and said:

"Send out more scouts to investigate enemy movements. Also be vigilant of any suspicious individuals near the Jingying camp in the city."

Shi Meng suddenly realized:

"Your Excellency is worried that the Yunfu rebels will send spies to investigate military activity in the city?"

Xue Shence nodded and said worriedly:

"Prince Mu's Mansion has secretly cultivated an assassin intelligence team called Xiu Yi Zhi Zhi, so we must be on guard."

…

The backyard of the government office.

Nie Yurong pushed open the door and just walked into the courtyard, she saw the smiling but somewhat feminine eunuch walking towards her.

Nie Yurong hurriedly saluted respectfully:

"Eunuch Song, my injuries have improved somewhat. May I ask what your next plans are?"

The "Embroidered Clothes Envoy" in the Embroidered Clothes is faithfully playing the role of his current fake identity.

The Shadow Guards were nominally affiliated with the royal family and were therefore called subordinates.

Song Jinxi said with a smile:

"Commander Zhao said that you risked your life to deliver the intelligence and saved the Taicang Silver Mine, which is a great achievement. You should recuperate here for the next few days. I will recommend you for merit later. How can we make a meritorious official shed blood and tears?"

“…” Nie Yurong forced a smile and silently clenched her fists.

Damn it! How did I, a spy in Prince Mu's palace, become a meritorious official of the imperial court?

After careful questioning and learning that Zhao Duan had successfully saved the silver mine and wiped out the rebel army, Nie Yurong fell silent.

This was slightly different from her plan.

In order to enhance the authenticity of her impersonation, she deliberately allowed herself to be chased by the Yunfu soldiers and also deliberately revealed the news of a light cavalry sneak attack.

But she did not say where the light cavalry attacked.

The purpose is to gain Zhao Duan's trust without really sacrificing anything.

She had originally expected that after encountering Zhao Duan on the road, this treacherous minister beside the empress would immediately lead his troops to the provincial capital to provide assistance.

Later, I learned that there was indeed a surprise attack by light cavalry, which just proved what I said.

Unexpectedly, Zhao Duan guessed the direction of the sneak attack based on such vague information.

Nie Yurong, by some strange coincidence, actually helped the imperial court a great favor...

But it's all worth it.

"Haha, this is what my subordinates should do." Nie Yurong asked curiously:

"Where's the governor? And Mo Zhaorong isn't here?"

Song Jinxi said with a smile:

"Mo Zhaorong is resting in her room. As for Lord Zhao, he just left. Do you have something to talk to him about?"

"It's okay, it's okay." Nie Yurong waved her hand and turned back to the room. When she turned around, her eyes suddenly became deep.

Judging from Song Jinxi's reaction and the lenient treatment he received, he was not suspected and had successfully sneaked into the government office.

But Nie Yurong was not planning to spy on military intelligence - her goal was to find an opportunity to assassinate Zhao Duan. If that didn't work, she would settle for the next best thing and assassinate Mo Zhaorong.

Only by killing people of this level can the impact on the balance of war be great enough.

However, according to intelligence, Zhao Duan had a good cultivation level, so Nie Yurong did not dare to act rashly and could only slowly look for opportunities.

"Hmph, so what if I'm in this world? As long as I'm still human, I'll be careless and get killed. Throughout history, countless powerful people have been killed by assassins because of carelessness."

Nie Yurong's eyes were cold. As one of the top assassins in the Embroidered Clothes Group, she had a lot of patience.

Just wait.

However, what she didn't notice was that after she turned around, the smile on Song Jinxi's face slowly faded and his eyes became cold.

Youyou stared at her back. This eunuch, who was the best at assassination among the eunuchs in the imperial palace, stood like a ghost.

Next door, Jin Jian, who was lying on the bed with his arms and legs spread out in a deep sleep, suddenly stretched himself, muttered something in his sleep, and fell asleep again.

Yuxiu, who was sitting cross-legged beside him, sighed softly and closed her eyes.

…

Lu family residence.

Zhao Duan was arranged to live alone in a courtyard with a rather luxurious architectural style. The courtyard was elegantly decorated and had a strong scent of books.

In particular, the banana clumps in the yard grew extremely plump, and there was a group of fat white geese in the pond.

Zhao Duan praised the environment highly and was quite satisfied. As he had not eaten lunch yet, he ordered the servants of the Lu family to catch a fat goose, pluck its feathers and roast it in the yard.

She also disliked the maid's clumsiness, so she deliberately called the women from the Lu family over to chat with her to relieve her boredom and learn about the local customs and practices in the city.

Among the three young masters of the Lu family, the youngest master is not married yet, while the wives and concubines of the eldest and second sons are all very beautiful and gentle. Before being called over by Zhao Duan to accompany them, they were all like chaste and heroic women.

But when he saw Zhao Duan's demeanor and appearance, he immediately "compromised".

"Sir, please drink this ice mist fruit wine in the mansion. It is the best way to quench your thirst." The eldest lady held the wine pot in her bare hands and shyly poured wine for King Zhao Yan.

Zhao Duan looked at the iced, misty vessel and the crystal clear wine in the fruit bowl and sighed softly:

“Prices in the city are soaring and people are short of food, but inside the Lu Mansion, it’s a completely different scene.”

The eldest lady was stunned for a moment, her expression slightly stiff, and she vaguely felt that the atmosphere was not right.

The second wife next to him was young and introverted. She didn't talk much, but her eyes frequently glanced at Zhao Duan's face, her heart pounding. When Zhao Duan occasionally looked at her, she hurriedly turned her head away, pretending to be scared.

Haha… How many of the sons of wealthy families marry wives and concubines with any real affection? It's all just a casual affair.

However, Zhao Duan could imagine how depressed the men of the Lu family who were waiting outside the yard to avoid the wind must be.

He took over the magpie's nest, snatched the wife and concubine to accompany him drinking... and he's not angry about that? This Lu family is really tolerant.

But... you are so tolerant, how can I find fault with you and deal with you?

Zhao Duan sighed softly, picked up the iced fruit wine soaked with the eldest lady's love, and started drinking.

Suddenly, footsteps were heard outside the yard. Zhao Duan looked up and smiled.

He waved his hand, driving away the two young ladies of the Lu family who were accompanying him for drinks, and patted the low wooden chair beside him that had been warmed by the eldest lady's buttocks.

"Prefect Sun, you've arrived just in time. The roast goose is freshly roasted. Please sit down and have something to eat."

Sun Xiaozhun came over with a wry smile, sat down, looked at the scenery of the banana pond, the roast goose and fruit wine, and said with a wry smile:

"The governor is so quiet, it's frightening! I wasn't paying attention, and the governor caused such a big incident. Now the gentry in the city are rushing here in a panic."

Zhao Duan glanced at the gradually sinking sky and said with a smile:

"Is this a letter from the Lu family?"

Sun Xiaozhun was stunned for a moment, nodded, and said:

"I was busy setting up the military camp when I heard the news, so I thought of coming over to take a look. The Lu family didn't say anything."

Zhao Duan took a sip of wine and sneered:

"They don't need to say anything. They're not sure whether you knew about this banquet in advance. But having you, a parent official, come here will definitely make them feel more at ease than leaving me here alone.

Oh, people, it's always easier to feel at ease when there are a few familiar faces on the field. Just like this military rations, wasn't Governor Sun unable to do anything about them before? "

Sun Xiaozhun's heart skipped a beat and he broke out in a cold sweat.

"Commander-in-Chief, I absolutely have never sided with the Lu family. The reason I used gentler tactics before was because we were facing a formidable enemy and needed the help of these gentry... That's why..."

He was worried that he would be held accountable. After all, he failed to collect military rations. It was hard to say whether it was because the Lu family was unwilling to pay, or because he, the prefect, secretly accepted bribes and was unwilling to contribute...

Zhao Duan said in a gentle voice:

"Don't be nervous, Magistrate Sun. I trust you. I also know that as an official in Taicang Prefecture, you can't completely ignore the reputation of these local tyrants in many things. So, I will do the things that offend people."

He smiled slightly:

"Today, just think of me as someone who's here to support you."

Sun Xiaozhun was stunned for a moment, swallowed his saliva, and couldn't help but say:

"Today, my Lord, you are going to..."

"Just watch me do what I'm going to do later." Zhao Duan looked at the last ray of afterglow in the sky and stood up with a smile:

"Let's go, the banquet is about to begin."

(End of this chapter)