knife

Chapter 192 Personally Offering Congratulations
Zhang Ruozi felt guilty about wanting to break away from the Anxi Protectorate and establish his own power base. He felt he had done something wrong and was sorry to Xiao Changche and Li Dachui.

But he didn't think he had done anything wrong.

As an individual, he felt he owed these two people something.

But from a business perspective, he felt that this was the only right thing to do.

Today, the Inspectorate officially opened, and the Protectorate General of Andong has arrived; this was to be expected.

Given that he had no immediate options, sowing discord and dividing himself from the Anxi Protectorate was Linghu Ye's most basic tactic. Who knows what more complex and sophisticated schemes might follow?

But as long as he puts on a show of supporting him, his goal will be achieved.

The hundreds of thousands of troops and millions of people outside the pass, who previously dared not openly support him due to Linghu Ye's tyranny, are now able to interact with him openly or covertly. This is his opportunity.

But if the Anxi Protectorate doesn't come today, it's like losing half the country. Even someone like Cai Ming might hold back when cooperating with us.

While exchanging pleasantries with everyone, Zhang Ruo kept glancing outside. Cold dishes were already being served at the banquet in the courtyard, and the increasingly rich aroma coming from the kitchen reminded her that time was running out.

Outside the door, Yuan Tong was also very anxious, constantly shading his eyes with his hand and looking into the distance. In fact, his eyesight was excellent, and he didn't need to do that at all.

He naturally understood the importance of the Anxi Protectorate's presence here today.
If he doesn't come, it means that Anxi is very dissatisfied with Zhang Ruo's actions, and it's feared that the scholar will face great difficulties in doing anything in the future.

Don't be fooled by Li Guohua's large number of gifts; it's like a weasel offering New Year's greetings to a chicken—he has no good intentions whatsoever.

Even if the scholar really wanted to do something, he would ultimately have to rely on the Anxi Protectorate.

Even though Cai Ming and his fellow scholars formed a powerful force, they were still undoubtedly the weakest.

Peeking through the door frame, I crossed the courtyard and met Zhang Ruo's gaze as she sat in the main seat in the center of the hall.

"They're here!" A guard's shout from behind startled Yuan Tong.

He turned around abruptly and saw a flag fluttering in the wind on the road at the end of his vision.

The familiar black background with white lettering, the familiar character "Xiao".

"Could it be that Protector Xiao has come in person?" Yuan Tong's heart skipped a beat.

After a short while, the banner with the character "Xiao" became clearer. Although it was far away, Yuan Tong recognized at a glance who was riding a magnificent black horse slowly approaching from under the banner.

He jumped up and darted into the house in one step.

"Scholar, Protector Xiao has come in person!" Yuan Tong's voice trembled slightly.

Zhang Ruo suddenly stood up.

Although Li Guohua still had a smile on his face, he no longer seemed as relaxed as before.

Cai Tianyou looked surprised.

None of them expected Xiao Changche to come in person.

In terms of status alone, Zhang Ruo is certainly no less than Linghu Ye and Xiao Changche, but when it comes to strength, the difference is like heaven and earth.

However, the area outside the Great Wall is a place where only strength matters.

Linghuye sent his chief secretary Li Guohua, which others considered a great honor for Zhang Ruo. However, the governor of Anxi Protectorate came in person, which was a level higher than Linghuye's actions.

Is the Anxi Protectorate trying to show everyone that Zhang Ruo is still a member of the Anxi Protectorate?
This grand drama unfolded so spectacularly that those without any vested interests would find it incredibly captivating, while those with a stake in it would find it utterly bitter.

Zhang Ruo: This place is just a stage; the real highlight is the power struggle between the Andong Protectorate and the Anxi Protectorate!
Choosing sides, making a choice—it sounds simple, you can just utter those four words with a snap of your lips.

But what if you choose the wrong option?

The Yan family of Baoping City has set a very good example for everyone.

That would mean death and the extermination of one's entire clan.

After a moment of stunned silence, Zhang Ruo was overjoyed. He flicked his sleeves and strode out.

Li Guohua, Cai Tianyou, Xu Ziqi, and others followed Zhang Ruo's steps and walked outside. Xiao Changche is now the General of the Cavalry and the Protector-General of Anxi. In this area outside the pass, without Linghu Ye's presence, he is number one in both official rank and power.

The crowd of over a thousand people shocked everyone.

Xiao Changche actually brought a full five hundred heavily armored cavalrymen. Seeing those cavalrymen, whose entire bodies were shrouded in black armor, lined up at the entrance of the yamen, an invisible pressure made everyone lose their smiles.

Previously, the impoverished 3,000 cavalrymen were renowned beyond the Great Wall. After being integrated with Li Dachui, the standing cavalry expanded to a full 5,000, with 500 heavy cavalrymen at its core.

These five hundred men were all at least at the Qi Control level. To the people outside the pass, these five hundred men alone constituted an extremely terrifying force. Apart from Commander Linghu, no one outside the pass could withstand the charge of these five hundred men.

Following the five hundred heavily armored soldiers was a grand convoy, consisting of a hundred or so large wagons, each loaded to the brim with gifts.

Of course, the most attractive thing is not these gifts, but Xiao Changche and Li Dachui under the banner.

The Protector-General and Deputy Protector-General of Anxi came to support Zhang Ruo.

Xiao Changche was fully armed, his face covered by a demon mask, making his expression impossible to discern.
Li Dachui, as always, was all smiles.

"Zhang Ru greets Protector Xiao and Protector Li!" Zhang Ru greeted loudly as he walked, clasping his hands in greeting.

Li Dachui was the first to dismount and greet them, while Xiao Changche snorted coldly behind him and slowly dismounted.

"How could I possibly accept such a grand gesture from a scholar!" Li Dachui first returned Zhang Ruo's greeting, then clasped his hands in a fist and bowed to the group of people behind Zhang Ruo, saying, "I'm so sorry, we're late and have kept you all waiting."

Xiao Changche walked up behind him, pushed Li Dachui aside with his riding whip, and stood in front of Zhang Ruo, saying coldly, "I don't have much free time. The Black Domain bandit suppression is in full swing. I wouldn't have come if Li Dachui hadn't come to me personally."

"Thank you for your support, Protector General!" Zhang Ru sincerely clasped his hands in a salute once again.

Xiao Changche then removed his mask, turned around and pointed to the five hundred iron cavalrymen behind him who had dismounted, saying, "Take good care of them. They've just come from the battlefield, so don't let them go hungry!"

After saying this, Xiao Changche put his hands behind his back and strode into the house.

Li Dachui walked over with a grin and said, "Scholar, don't be angry. Things aren't going well in the Black Domain war, and the Protector-General is feeling uncomfortable! It wasn't meant to target you."

"Is the war in the Black Domain not going well?" Li Guohua leaned closer, his face full of concern. "Weren't you sweeping through everything just a few days ago?"

"So it's Secretary Li!" Li Dachui nodded and said, "We've run into a tough opponent. They actually have our army's standard crossbows and powerful crossbows, and with the advantage of the terrain, they're a formidable force."

"Even with Protector Xiao's intervention, they still can't take it down?"

Li Dachui chuckled: "In the past, Protector Xiao could always take the lead and be at the forefront. Now that he's a Protector, how can he still do what only a brave warrior does? Besides, according to our intelligence, there's a real expert waiting for Protector Xiao to lead the charge in Black Wind Ridge this time!"

Seeing Li Guohua's expression change slightly, Li Dachui grinned and said, "But it doesn't matter. Let the soldiers below hone their skills. If that expert still doesn't know what's good for him and doesn't leave, then Protector Xiao and I will join forces to deal with him. If that still doesn't work, then we'll ask the old man to take action!"

“How could the old city lord lower himself to do such a thing?” Li Guohua said.

"There's nothing I can do, the old man spoils me. I'll go and invite him; he'll always give me some face. He doesn't need to kill me, just beat me half to death will do!" Li Dachui said with a grin. "Kaixin, come over and tell Secretary Zhang if this is true?"

The chubby Li Kaixin walked over with his pigeon-toed gait. "Actually, there's no need to trouble the old city lord. I'll lend a hand to you, young master, and that should be enough. With Protector Xiao added, it'll be like catching a turtle in a jar—a sure thing!"

"The Protector-General is having a tough time in battle and you're still trying to put on a show for me? I'm truly ashamed!" Zhang Ruo heard this and realized that the setbacks in the war were probably related to the Protectorate General of Andong. No wonder Xiao Changche was annoyed. "Please come inside, everyone. The banquet is ready."

Li Guohua nodded and said, "Today is Scholar Zhang's big day. Let's drink the celebratory wine first, and then discuss other matters. As for wiping out the bandits of the Black Domain, the two Protectorates of Andong and Anxi are bound by common interests. If there is anything we can do to help, we will do our duty without hesitation!"

“That makes perfect sense. We are all border troops of the Great Qin, so naturally we should work together. There are at least hundreds of thousands of people in the Black Domain. If we can bring them under our control, it will be of extraordinary significance to our strength!” Li Dachui said.

The four of them chatted and laughed as they entered the house. Cai Tianyou, who was a step behind them, curiously looked at these people.

It's truly a clash of titans; the moment these two meet, a good show is about to unfold!

However, the fiercer their fighting becomes, the more valuable places like Xuanwu become.

He looked around and, sure enough, many people had excited expressions on their faces.

Dozens of tables were set up in the courtyard, seemingly without any markings, but to a discerning eye, they were clearly divided into groups. Those who followed Anxi sat on one side, and those who followed Andong sat on the other side; both sides were quite powerful. The other two or three tables were closer to the main hall, just below the steps on either side, and those tables were for those who had decided to follow Zhang Ruo.

The two groups, An Dong and An Xi, glared at each other, their tension palpable, as if a fight could break out at any moment. Meanwhile, the two lone tables nervously glanced back and forth, their minds set on escaping into the main hall the instant a fight broke out.

(End of this chapter)