That night, they camped on the southern border of Liangzhou, right at the junction leading to Wuliang City.
"Has the carrier pigeon been delivered?" Sun Mian asked.
“They were released three days ago!” a cavalry general replied.
"That damned guy, how could he be so rude!" Sun Mian said angrily.
Jiang Wan'er and Sun Mian came here on the orders of the new emperor, and also with a personal letter from Lin Mo.
They have now reached the territory of Wuliang City, but Huo Minggao has yet to respond.
"To remain inactive and observe the situation, and never make a move until the situation is clear—this is truly Huo Minggao's unchanging style," Sun Mian thought bitterly.
“Lord Sun, if this fellow wants to be our enemy, he’s courting death!” a general said confidently. “His Highness the Regent will crush them like bugs. If necessary, we’ll wipe out Liangzhou.”
“I’m afraid it won’t be easy,” Jiang Wan’er warned them. “It will certainly not be easy to take it down in a short time. While we are still besieging the city, the Northern Barbarians, the Eastern Pango, and the Abbasid Caliphate will lead their armies to attack the capital.”
Lin Mo's forces are insufficient and he is surrounded by enemies on all sides. He really cannot afford to make any more enemies!
Sun Mian looked at her, then at the general, trying to find the answer, but to no avail.
"I hope the King of Xiliang will heed my son's words."
The following morning, there was still no news from the King of Xiliang.
Jiang Wan'er and the others continued on their way until noon, when Wuliang City came into view. This was the base of the King of Xiliang.
Sun Mian looked up and saw a square, ugly but sturdy city, which looked no different from the important border towns of the Great Xia Dynasty. The city walls stretched across the city and had been guarding Liangzhou for hundreds of years.
It has towering city walls, a deep moat, and heavy oak-inlaid iron gates.
The city's three entrances are all located in the heavily fortified inner city, at the bridgehead and the iron gate.
Jiang Wan'er only needed one glance to know that the city in front of her could not be conquered quickly.
The city walls were ablaze with the glint of spears and swords, and teeming with large crossbows. Archers were positioned on every crenellation and arrow slit. The drawbridges were raised, and the gates were lowered. The city gates were tightly shut and bolted.
Upon seeing this, a cavalry commander immediately began to curse loudly. Sun Mian, however, watched quietly without uttering a word.
"If there are 50,000 elite troops inside this city, it certainly won't be able to be breached in a short time!" Jiang Wan'er thought to herself. "Cousin, I hope your changes aren't too drastic!"
Just as everyone was marveling at this, a side gate suddenly opened, and a wooden bridge stretched across the moat, leading to a dozen or so cavalrymen. They were led by the two sons of the King of Xiliang, carrying their own gray banners.
Huo Cheng, the eldest son of the King of Xiliang and his successor, spoke on their behalf.
The Huo family members were all tall, but not handsome.
Huo Cheng was around thirty years old. He had a long face, black hair, upturned nose, and a neatly trimmed beard that was beginning to turn white.
He bowed politely to Jiang Wan'er, "Greetings, Aunt! My father sent me to welcome you."
"Thank you!" Jiang Wan'er replied.
A hint of interest flashed in Huo Cheng's watery eyes, but his mount hummed uneasily twice. "If you, Aunt, are willing to come to the city to have dinner with my father and explain your purpose, I believe he will be very honored."
However, please forgive me, my father only invited you and Lord Sun.
His words were like a boulder launched from a catapult, exploding through the visiting group.
Everyone was very dissatisfied; they cursed, argued, and shouted at each other.
"Madam, you mustn't go! Be careful, it might be a trap!"
Sun Mian nodded. "If only the two of us go to the appointment, we're at his mercy. He can throw us into the dungeon and do whatever he wants with us."
"What kind of hospitality is this!" a general complained.
Jiang Wan'er shared their doubts, but she knew that if she said a few more words, she might lose the opportunity, as she had never been very patient since childhood.
She had to act, the sooner the better. "Lord Sun, let's go together!" she called out.
"Huh?" Sun Mian was startled. "We're going?"
"Madam, are you sure?" Clearly, the general sent to protect Jiang Wan'er was unsure.
“Yes, I’m sure!” Jiang Wan’er said firmly. “He’s my cousin. I’ve known him since I was a child. He would never do anything to me.”
Unless there's something to gain, she silently noted to herself, but some things are better left unsaid.
“I believe my father would be happy to speak with you, Aunt,” Huo Cheng said. “To ensure that we have no ill intentions, my second brother will stay here until Madam and Lord Sun return safely.”
“And we will treat him as an honored guest,” Jiang Wan’er assured him.
The second son of the King of Xiliang dismounted and handed the reins to his elder brother.
“Your Highness, I hope that the Lady can return before sunset,” said Lin Mo’s cavalry general.
Huo Cheng nodded politely: "Everything is as you wish!"
Then, Jiang Wan'er and Sun Mian were put into a carriage and sped away.
If Lin Mo were here and saw Huo Minggao, he would definitely think that he was an Earthling and had awakened the "Many Children, Many Blessings" system.
Jiang Wan'er was quite surprised when she saw him. Huo Minggao received her in the main hall of his palace, surrounded by twenty-five living sons, nineteen daughters, and numerous granddaughters and grandsons.
Huo Minggao is fifty-seven years old this year, but his head is almost completely bald and age spots are starting to appear. He also looks to be in poor health and needs help to walk.
Beside him was a pale and thin girl of about seventeen or eighteen years old, who was said to be Huo Minggao's eleventh concubine.
“Cousin, it’s been so many years since we last met. I’m so happy to see you again today,” Jiang Wan’er said.
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