Chapter 81: The First Show of Strength (I) Update
The soldiers, equally shocked, straightened their postures and shouted in unison, "Yes!"
The sun gradually moved westward, and Chi Mu led a group of people into Yucheng.
The road was paved with smooth, hard cobblestones. From a distance, Chi Mu spotted a city gate that looked completely different from what he remembered.
Back then, when he led his Wuweiying Imperial Guards into Yucheng through this gate, it was just a dilapidated gate tower with a rickety rammed earth and wooden beam structure.
Now there is indeed a huge city gate with gray brick walls and dark red double-sided sloping roof structure.
This time, no matter how loud their horses' hooves roared, the city gate stood firm as a rock. No matter how the wind and sand lashed at it, no matter how loud the shouts were, it couldn't be shaken in the slightest.
This group of soldiers led by Chi Mu into Yucheng were almost all from the Wuwei Camp. They were all the imperial guards who had come to Xiguan in the past.
What I saw today was truly amazing.
Even though Chi Mu enforced strict military discipline, some people couldn't help but stare at each other, open their mouths and mouth shape their words to express their shock.
Chi Mu seemed unaware.
Only after entering the city did they slow down their horses and move slowly along the hard road paved throughout the city.
A pair of sharp eyes scanned every scene in the city. Everything he saw was constantly stimulating his nerves.
Is this really the former Yucheng?
Even if the emperor himself were to come, he would not be able to bring about such a radical change that is not achievable in the human world.
When he finally followed his old memory of the geographical location of the Xiguan Marquis Mansion and stopped in front of the steps of this equally strange yet familiar mansion, Chi Mu took a few deep breaths before dismounting.
After all, their group was an external imperial army. When Chi Mu dismounted in front of the Xiguan Marquis Mansion.
Not only was the gate of the Xiguan Marquisate wide open, but Du Hui also came out to greet him in a dignified manner. Wang Yanpeng, the governor of Xiguan, who lived not far from the Xiguan Marquisate, also arrived in his car.
"General Chi!"
"General Chi!"
The two men stepped forward to greet them. Chi Mu glanced at Wang Yanpeng coldly, completely freezing his flattering and enthusiastic smile.
He turned his gaze lightly and looked at Du Hui: "Mr. Du Hui, the chief teacher of Xiguan Marquis Mansion?"
Du Hui hurriedly said, "It's me."
He only expressed his welcome at first and exchanged greetings before continuing his advance. Chi Mu, appearing here, must have no intention of engaging in unnecessary small talk with him, and Du Hui certainly understood that.
He just stood there solemnly, allowing Chi Mu to examine him from head to toe.
"Where is the young Marquis of Xiguan now?"
After a moment, Chi Mu asked.
Du Hui bowed and replied, "The young marquis just left the mansion three days ago and went to the fiefdom camp."
Great, he's not here.
Chi Mu curled his lips slightly and continued, "My visit to Yucheng today has been truly eye-opening. In less than four years, Xiguan County and Yucheng have undergone such transformations. The young marquis must be burdened with important matters."
After saying that, he walked ahead to the Xiguan Marquis Mansion.
Du Hui followed beside him and respectfully invited him into the house.
After being stared at and then ignored the whole time, Wang Yanpeng didn't know whether he should continue to follow, and looked at Du Hui for help.
Du Hui also extended his hand towards him: "Sir Governor, please come in."
Wang Yanpeng finally calmed down a bit and followed Chi Mu and his group into the mansion.
This time, Chi Mu brought no more than a hundred soldiers.
Except for a dozen people who followed Chi Mu closely, Du Hui handed the rest of the people over to Wang Zhi, who arranged their whereabouts.
I guess that tonight, today's General Chi has made up his mind to let the Xiguan Marquis Mansion take charge of the reception.
Du Hui had anticipated this and arranged everything in perfect order. Chi Mu had barely stopped since entering the mansion, spending his time exploring the Xiguan Marquisate except for meals. Water flowed at the flick of a switch, taps flowed freely, the washrooms filled and drained automatically, the new flush toilets, the novelty of modern furniture that felt soft to the touch...
Early the next morning, Chi Mu, who had hardly slept the entire night, was led out of the north of the city by someone from the Marquis' Mansion arranged by Du Hui, heading towards the fiefdom camp at Xiguan where the young Marquis was.
Finally, they arrived at the outskirts of the camp where the young Marquis of Xiguan was. The person leading the way in the Marquis of Xiguan wanted to send one person to notify the young Marquis of Xiguan in advance to prepare, but was stopped by Chi Mu.
At this time, a group of people were outside the camp, and people from Xiguan Houfu were negotiating with the sentries outside the camp.
Soon they were allowed to enter the camp.
However, even after entering the camp, it seemed that the area within it was still very vast. Chi Mu was handed a map by the person from the Marquis' Mansion who led the way. He glanced down and saw that it was probably a regional map, with the words "Queping Mountain Industrial Park Guide Map" written at the top.
Chi Mu waved his hand to stop the guide and asked him, "Where is the young marquis now?"
The man replied, "The park is so vast that no one knows the young marquis's whereabouts at this time. Let's go to his camp first and report it to him before we see what's going on."
Chi Mu listened to him speak, his eyes quickly scanning the map, pointing to a campsite at the southern foot of Queping Mountain and asking, "Is it here?"
"Exactly."
"good."
Chi Mu nodded.
Afterwards, he no longer needed anyone to lead the way, and he followed the very clear and detailed instructions on the map to the outskirts of the camping area.
Their group was welcomed into a reception and rest room, had some tea, and waited for a while before they finally saw the young Marquis of Xiguan who had hurried over from the workshop area.
Chi Mu has never sat down for a moment since he entered this reception room.
Always standing indoors, looking outside from the windows on both sides, carefully observing the situation of this so-called "park", and comparing it with the map in hand from time to time.
Upon seeing the young Marquis of Xiguan, Chi Mu raised the corner of his lips slightly, and greeted him with an unclear but respectful expression: "Chi Mu greets the young Marquis of Xiguan."
When Liu Ziye saw Chi Mu, he smiled slightly and said, "General Chi, long time no see."
Chi Mu raised his head, and his pair of black pupils suddenly collided with the other person's eyes, which were flashing with a strange light because of the smile.
After nearly four years of not seeing each other, the young Marquis of Xiguan has lost most of his youthfulness.
Those narrow eyes, the straight strokes, and the dark brows were even more fierce than before. In fact, because of the changing look in his eyes, the young Marquis of Xiguan before him now had even more of the charm and grace of the Emperor Shengzu in his youth.
Chi Mu also smiled back unconsciously.
He was not surprised.
This is the real Little Marquis of Xiguan.
At the beginning, the young Marquis of Xiguan who hugged his thighs and cloak, cried his heart out, and was hated by everyone was just a protective color for him.
But even so, thinking back on it now, this clumsy and superficial performance actually deceived his eyes and deceived everyone in Yanjing for nearly four years.
Chi Mu kept one hand on the hilt of the sword at his waist, and tightened it silently.
However, such a tiny movement made Chi Mu instantly feel a sharp and intimidating gaze coming towards him.
He shifted his gaze slightly and met the captain of the Marquis's private guard, who was standing behind the young Marquis of Xiguan and watching his every move with caution and warning.
Of course, Chi Mu also knew the captain of the marquis's private guard.
The corner of his lips twitched slightly, and he greeted her in a light and ambiguous manner: "Jin Jie."
Jin Jie also placed one hand on the hilt of his sword and nodded slightly, saying, "Greetings, General Chi."
His tone was full of respect, but when he raised his head and looked at me, he still didn't budge.
Silently declaring his defense and warning.
Naturally, it was impossible for Liu Ziye not to see the undercurrents surging in this short period of time.
Chi Mu looked at her and said, "Young Marquis is truly surrounded by hidden dragons and crouching tigers. After not seeing you for many years, you, young Marquis, are even more impressive and breathtaking."
Liu Ziye shrugged casually.
"General Chi, you are too kind! Since we are old friends, would you be willing to come to my barracks to talk about our farewell?"
Chi Mu: “Of course.”
When he arrived at Liu Ziye's barracks, Chi Mu was not surprised to find that this house had a completely different style from that of the Great Zhou Dynasty.
The two men sat down as host and guest, and Liu Ziye took the lead, saying, "This Marquis would like to offer General Chi a cup of tea. Let's not mince words. Since General Chi is willing to come alone to meet me today, this Marquis naturally understands the general's intention to protect me."
Chi Mu did not deny it. He picked up the teacup on the table and drank it all in one gulp.
He said, "I'm deeply impressed by the abilities of the young Marquis of Xiguan. However, if this impression were revealed to others, it would definitely not be a good thing."
"If the young marquis has any plans, or needs the assistance of my army, please let me know. I was once saved by the young marquis of Xiguan, so this time, I will do my best to plan for him."
Liu Ziye chewed over Chi Mu's words and repeated, "This time."
Chi Mu's eyebrows remained unchanged, and he nodded: "That's right."
"A million troops are stationed in the border county of Xiguan. If they discover the changes that have been hidden in Xiguan County for the past few years, the entire county and the entire prefecture will be overthrown in a matter of seconds. I, Chi, saved the young Marquis of Xiguan from this danger, and I also repay the young Marquis for saving my life, Chi Mu, and the lives of the Wuwei Camp's imperial guards."
Liu Ziye patted the armrest of his chair and said with a smile, "Very good, very good. What General Chi said is very fair! In fact, if you calculate it carefully, my Xiguan Marquisate and Xiguan County have actually gained the upper hand!"
Chi Mu felt confused when he saw his reckless look that appeared from time to time.
Liu Ziye continued unfazed, "But... what if this Marquis says that General Chi Mu doesn't need such a scheme? Then can General Chi repay the favor he owes me someday?"
Chi Mu looked at him and said, "Young Marquis is a wise man. Although I have received your kindness, you and I are not on the same path after all."
"Today, I am willing to give the young marquis this chance, but if the young marquis does not like it, I will not be able to repay the favor I have shown you when we meet again in the future."
As early as four years ago, when Liu Ziye first met Chi Mu, he knew that Chi Mu had been a man of Crown Prince Liu Ziling from beginning to end.
In the original world line, he eventually followed the prince in battle and was defeated and killed.
That's why when Chi Mu surrounded the Xiguan Marquis Mansion, she used the salt lake on the north bank of Xisai Lake as a lure, causing Chi Mu to temporarily let her go.
In Chi Mu's eyes, Xiguan County's initial strength had already posed a huge threat to the prince.
He was greatly shocked and was eager to sever the ties between them in one go.
If we meet in battle someday, there will be no need to show mercy.
She smiled lightly: "In this case, my Xiguan Marquis Mansion will not be polite."
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