After expressing her concern, Shen Lanxi left with the token.
The day of departure arrived quickly.
Shen Lanxi, clad in full armor, rode majestically on her warhorse.
"Today, I, Shen Lanxi, swear to the heavens that I will never return to the capital until I have reclaimed Tianjin and personally killed the traitors!"
"Soldiers, the opportunity to make meritorious contributions has come again."
"You must cherish this opportunity, because after this, there will probably be no more major wars. In the future, our Great Zhou will have a complete territory, a strong army, and no foreign tribes will dare to invade again!"
"After this journey, our Great Zhou will enjoy eternal peace!"
"Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"
"Your Majesty is mighty! Your Majesty is mighty..."
With tall horses in front and fluttering banners behind, the Eastern Expeditionary Army set off.
...
The news that Shen Lanxi was going to personally lead the expedition had already been sent to Tianjin via express mail.
Tianjin was in complete chaos half a month ago, and after several changes of power, it is now in a state of turmoil.
Regardless of what they think in private, on the surface they are united in their hatred of the enemy and work together as one.
"Your Majesty, I suggest that we take the initiative to expand our territory."
"Your Majesty, I agree!"
"Tianjin is still too small. Our only escape routes are the sea and the nearby islands. Now that the islands are causing trouble, we don't have many escape routes left."
"I suggest we take Funing first. The terrain here is uneven and there are no military forts built. Our chances of winning are greater."
"Your Majesty, I agree!"
"Although Funing is poorer than other places, it is our first time to send troops out, and we can only win, not lose. This place can be used for our soldiers to practice."
Zhou Ruyuan had been looking forward to this moment for a long time. Although it was not quite what he expected, it was already remarkable that he could get these people below to be willing to send out their troops.
His original plan was to send troops voluntarily, not to be forced to do so by Shen Lanxi.
Fortunately, Shen Lanxi also helped him out, making these old foxes realize the danger.
"Approved."
While Shen Lanxi was still heading towards Dongchuan, Zhou Ruyuan had already begun his first confrontation with the Dongchuan garrison.
"Your Majesty, Zhou Ruyuan has captured Funing."
The message was delivered to Shen Lanxi by express courier, and the soldiers accompanying her turned pale upon hearing it.
Hearing this news right after the troops were deployed is not a good sign!
Shen Lanxi remained silent. A short while later, a letter delivered by a flying eagle arrived in her hands.
After reading it, she gave the letter to Song Daoxi.
The latter, as if he had expected this, said confidently, "What's there to be happy about Zhou Ruyuan taking Funing? He doesn't know that it's the burial ground His Majesty specially reserved for him."
"If he takes Funing, we'll take Liedao Island, cutting off Zhou Ruyuan's retreat. Let him be happy for a few days, but when our Emperor arrives, he'll have nowhere to cry."
Upon hearing his words, the soldiers' expressions immediately brightened.
The Grand Preceptor's words could not be false. He truly lives up to his reputation as a descendant of Guiguzi; his wisdom is truly divine!
"It turns out His Majesty had already made arrangements; we were all worrying for nothing."
"With a disciple of Guiguzi present, we are destined for victory this time!"
Morale was boosted once again.
In addition to retaking Tianjin, Shen Lanxi also had to inspect Dongchuan during this eastern expedition.
To avoid the possibility that the officials she had previously worked for might slip out of her control after she had been away from Tianjin for a long time, she did not make her intention to inspect Dongchuan public.
"Your Majesty, ahead lies Xining. There is a military fort here, and Zhang Ling is stationed here."
"You gave him the name Zhang Jin. He was a disaster victim whose family died in the previous heavy snow. Fortunately, he was about to die when you started recruiting soldiers."
Shen Lanxi nodded. People's hearts are fickle. Compared to a lifetime of wealth and honor, many people would choose the latter, a momentary act of saving a life.
“Zhang Jin must have received the news long ago that we were passing by here.”
"Before we arrived at the Eastern Expeditionary Army, the army arranged for a double for you. We'll walk in front, so you can see whatever you want to see."
They dressed as merchants, with Liu Yanhui dressed as an accountant and Shen Lanxi dressed as a merchant boss, and behind them they were even pulling a cart full of spices.
The group entered Xining City at a leisurely pace.
"Passport, household registration certificate, identity certificate." The guards checked each person one by one, and when it was their turn, Liu Yan handed over the household registration certificate.
Their household registrations were all done in advance; it couldn't be more genuine.
What's on the truck?
Liu Yan replied, "The spices are transported to Dongchuan to be sold."
"Open the box and inspect."
Liu Yan took out the prepared bribe and stuffed it into the handover: "Please be lenient, sir."
My hand had just reached out when it was dodged.
“Our Lord Jinzhong despises such behavior. If he finds out we’re taking bribes, losing our official positions will be the least of our worries; we could even be imprisoned. You can’t harm us.”
The soldiers guarding the city were so frightened that they quickly withdrew their hands.
Liu Yanhui awkwardly put away her purse.
"Sir, who is this Lord Jinzhong you're talking about?"
The city guard said with a proud look, "Naturally, it's our Xining garrison commander, Lord Zhang Jin."
Liu Yanhui asked, puzzled, "Didn't you just call him Lord Jinzhong? Could it be that Lord Zhang has changed his name?"
The city guards hurriedly explained, "Our lord did not change his name. He chose this courtesy name out of gratitude for His Majesty's kindness. His given name, Zhang Jin, was given to him by His Majesty. Who would dare to change it?"
Shen Lanxi sat in the carriage and raised the corners of her mouth.
"The inspection is complete, you may proceed!"
"good!"
Liu Yan returned to the carriage.
"Your Majesty, this Zhang Jin is quite a remarkable person."
Shen Lanxi smiled and said, "To observe a person, you can't just look at these one-sided things. What we see and learn after entering the city is the most real."
"yes!"
It was noon. After entering the city, Liu Yan wanted to find a nice place to eat, but Shen Lanxi stopped her.
"Eating right by the roadside is the best way to show the local customs and traditions of a place."
Liu Yan nodded, walked a few more meters, and stopped at a clean stall.
"Your Majesty, would you like some noodles?"
Shen Lanxi: "Okay."
Liu Yanhui was initially worried that the stall only had coarse noodles, and was thinking about where to get some delicious food. As she thought about it, she walked closer to the stall to take a look.
"Oh, noodles made of wheat flour, boss, you guys in Xining city eat really well."
The boss smiled confidently and said, "That's right. If you had come here more than ten years ago, there wouldn't have been any noodles, let alone noodle soup. Thanks to His Majesty, we have such a good life now, with no worries about food or drink."
"You look like you haven't been here for a long time, have you?"
Liu Yan glanced at the meat, vegetables, and eggs in the pot and said with a smile, "That's right, it's been at least ten years."
As he spoke, he walked up to Shen Lanxi.
"Your Majesty, let's eat here. We have wheat flour, meat, vegetables, and eggs. It's just as good as what we have in the capital."
Shen Lanxi nodded and led her people to sit down at two separate tables.
Liu Yanhui knew what she wanted to hear, so she went to order food while talking to the owner.
"Boss, things have changed so much here. When I came here many years ago, it was a mess. A cornbread bun cost thirty coins." (End of Chapter)
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