Li Zinian, dressed in a fox fur coat, led a group of henchmen from the Governor's Mansion, waiting beneath the Wangbei Gate. The raging snow continued unabated, showing no sign of stopping. Seeing some of his underlings, whose cultivation was insufficient, already teetering on the brink of collapse, Li Zinian's heart was filled with even more hatred.
Yesterday, Qin Mo's large army informed the Governor's Office that they would be leaving the border early this morning. Li Zinian took this to heart and led his men to wait at the North Gate early in the morning, ostensibly to see them off, but actually to discuss Qin Mo's lavish emptying of several treasuries two days prior. Two heavy snowfalls had left the ground covered in over a foot of snow, making travel by cart and horse extremely difficult. Li Zinian simply couldn't believe that Qin Mo could take away five million catties of military supplies with only ten thousand men.
"Commander, they're here." A general behind Li Zinian reminded him that a large cavalry force was approaching the North Gate. Li Zinian opened his eyes and looked at the general, sighing inwardly. This was a member of his elder brother's branch of the Jinyang Duke's family. After He Jin's death, he had been temporarily appointed as the commander of the Pingwei Army. As for how to officially appoint him, that was a matter for his elder brother to handle. With He Jin's death, he had essentially handed the Pingwei Army over to the Li family's main branch.
Qin Mo led 500 cavalry as the vanguard to Wangbei Gate. From afar, he saw a group of people. Qin Yumu and Qin Yuanze, having received his instructions, did not come to see him off. Qin Mo did not want to send his two friends into the limelight. Although their elders were still alive and not afraid of Li Zinian's troubles, it was still not worth being targeted.
"Governor Li, I am young and not worthy of your presence to see me off," Qin Mo said, dismounting and bowing as he rode up to Li Zinian, laughing heartily.
“The Crown Prince is a pillar of the nation. He stepped forward when the country needed him and is a model soldier. How can we judge a hero by his age?” Li Zinian was a smooth talker and readily uttered such nonsense.
"In that case, please open the city gates and let our army cross the border. It's cold and windy, so let's set off early to avoid being unable to reach our campsite and causing unnecessary trouble."
"Please wait a moment, Your Highness. My supply officer needs to inspect the provisions before you can leave the border. This is standard military practice. I hope Your Highness will not be offended...hehehe."
"Oh! There's such a thing? Then hurry up and check it. I'm waiting to go beyond the Great Wall and kill the enemy! Hahahaha!" Qin Mo's loud and unrestrained laughter echoed throughout the area around Wangbei Gate and into the sky.
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