knife

Chapter 200 An Encounter at the City Gate
The peach blossoms are in full bloom.

A single peach tree may not be impressive, but when hundreds or thousands of peach trees bloom together, the magnificent sight is enough to captivate and leave one wanting more.

When the peach blossoms are in full bloom, the entire tree is covered with pink flowers, like a pink sea of ​​clouds. When a breeze blows, the petals fall gently, fluttering like snowflakes. Butterflies of all colors flutter and dance among the flowers, busily gathering nectar, adding even more vitality and life to the world.

Some areas where the peach blossoms were in full bloom were enclosed by gauze tents or cloth curtains. This was because the women of wealthy families were out for a stroll. Unlike ordinary families who would casually laugh and play among the peach trees, they were enjoying the flowers and drinking wine in this enclosed area, making it difficult for outsiders to catch a glimpse of their true selves.

Occasionally, one could see well-dressed noblemen and ladies walking side by side, whispering to each other.

Wu De disliked peach blossoms, especially peach trees that only bloomed but didn't bear much fruit.

He preferred the vast fields of rapeseed flowers, the yellow rapeseed flowers stretching as far as the eye could see, more beautiful than peach blossoms. More importantly, after the rapeseed flowers faded, the fruit could be pressed for oil, and the oil cake residue was not only excellent feed for warhorses and other livestock, but also a very good thing for people in times of famine.

Leading his exhausted warhorse through the peach grove, his attire clashed with the beautiful scenery. Many people glanced at Wu De and kept their distance, while a beautiful young man downwind held a handkerchief to his nose.

Or perhaps it was because the sour smell emanating from him drifted away on the wind!

The horse being led was equally oblivious to romance; as it walked, it tilted its head back, rolled its tongue, and began to chew on clusters of flowers.

Wu De ignored the angry stares from those around him and hurried on his way.

In Jinyang, he saw countless handsome men and beautiful women fall under the peach trees, petals falling on them and covering their bodies, but there was no beauty to be seen, only cruelty and heartache.

As Wu De glanced at these carefree people, he couldn't help but feel envious.

Ignorance is bliss!
Sometimes, not knowing anything is probably a kind of happiness.

Even if they eventually meet with great misfortune, at least they will be happy in the time before they die.

Perhaps because it had eaten a lot of peach blossoms, the horse finally caught its breath and washed itself in the stream where petals floated. After running for a long time, the horse had developed a thick white crust on its body.

For those frolicking among the flowers, this was naturally a very unpleasant sight. However, seeing Wu De's fierce and menacing appearance, no one dared to come up and reprimand him. They only dared to point and whisper timidly from a distance.

Wu De gave a cold laugh.
Have the young people of Chang'an lost all their fighting spirit these days?

If this were outside the Great Wall, such rude provocation would probably have already led to a fight.

Whether or not they can win is another matter; that's a matter of ability.

Whether or not to fight is a matter of attitude.

Even if they eventually had to beg for mercy because they couldn't win, at least they fought!

He mounted his horse and rode away.

He suddenly felt a sense of forgiveness for these people.

It's the time of youthful infatuation, the age of dreams and aspirations, and that's how it should be!
On the contrary, it is people like us who cannot allow the people of our country to live as carefree as they do, which is the greatest sin.

With a gentle tap on the horse's belly, the warhorse let out a long neigh and galloped away.

I could faintly hear shouts and curses coming from behind me.

Wu De smiled.

In the distance, I could see the city walls of Chang'an, and also the rapeseed flowers covering the hillsides.

In the sea of ​​rapeseed flowers, farmers and their wives are bent over, pulling weeds. Their movements, from bending down to standing up, reveal a strong sense of everyday life.

This is what a peaceful and prosperous era should look like!
This wasn't unique to Chang'an.

The city gates of Chang'an are always crowded and busy. I heard that the daily entrance tax alone amounts to over a thousand strings of cash.

Wu De dismounted and led his horse forward slowly with the others. He did not intend to reveal his identity and go in directly. For someone who had worked at the Black Ice Station for a long time, it was unwise to expose his identity unless absolutely necessary.

Especially in places like this.

At least Wu De knew that the Chang'an Black Ice Guard headquarters had stationed people at the city gate. These people were specifically there to gather information. Perhaps that lazy slacker sunbathing by the city gate was spying on you, or perhaps that soldier leaning against the money box was listening with a grin to the sound of coins falling into the box.

Although this was Chang'an, his own territory, Wu De still maintained a cautious attitude out of habit.

He heard the sound of a carriage rolling over the bluestone slabs behind him. Wu De turned around, his pupils suddenly contracting as he saw a familiar sign.

Embroidered on the carriage curtain is a cute cat sitting there with one paw raised.

Tai'an City!
He slowed his pace and carefully examined the carriage and its entourage.

That's incredibly arrogant!

The carriage was luxurious, and the men on both sides of it, dressed in brocade and carrying knives, were even more arrogant. Anyone who stood in their way was pushed aside, and anyone who tried to squeeze in was shoved aside with a shove of their hips. Wherever they went, only their family remained.

Who from Tai'an City has come to the capital? Wu De was somewhat curious.

It should be noted that although Tai'an City is large, not everyone is qualified to display this symbol.

Only those connected to the City Lord's Mansion have a chance.

The carriage curtain was suddenly opened, and a familiar face appeared in Wu De's eyes.

Zhang Qingyun.

"Brother Wu, what a coincidence! I can't believe I'm running into you here. Did you just come back from outside?"

Upon seeing Zhang Qingyun, Wu De's first thought was that Li Dachui was finally starting to exert his influence within the pass, actually sending Zhang Qingyun back directly. Chang'an, already in chaos, was now likely to be thrown into even more turmoil.

But thinking about it, it makes sense. Zhang Qingyun is truly the best choice to return and develop intelligence in Chang'an.

Now she is the daughter of Zhang Ruo, the current Vice Censor-in-Chief and Inspector General of the Northeast.

Zhang Ruo was exiled to the area beyond the Great Wall for his crimes, but he made great contributions there, restraining the powerful Linghu Ye for the court. He continues to serve diligently there. Moreover, because of last year's events, the Zhang family suffered a tragic loss, with many members dying. Now that Zhang Ruo's only bloodline, the young lady, has returned, the court will treat Zhang Qingyun well, both out of courtesy and reason.

Of course, the purpose was also to make Zhang Ruo work even harder outside the Great Wall.

Wu De knew that when Wei Yi went to the border region at the beginning of the year, the imperial court returned Zhang Ruo's old house and even ordered the Ministry of Works to renovate it.

It is conceivable that the residence of the next Vice Censor-in-Chief will become the main base of the Zhi Qiu Academy of the Anxi Metropolitan Prefecture in Chang'an.

However, Wu De did not intend to inform Black Ice Station about this matter.

Firstly, he had an agreement with Chi Qiuyuan, a tacit understanding between the two parties that could not be broken. Once broken, trust would be destroyed, and in the intelligence community, once the most basic trust between the two parties is lost, bloodshed would become the main theme.

Secondly, Wu De is now genuinely confused. Having witnessed the advantages of the areas under the jurisdiction of the Anxi Protectorate outside the Great Wall, and seeing the current chaos within the Great Wall, his resolve is wavering. His conversation with He Zudao has further disoriented him.

He Zudao's actions were definitely wrong.

But who was it that drove this talented and capable general step by step into this desperate and vicious situation?
Upon returning this time, Wu De wanted to ask Da Yin whether it was truly as He Zudao had said—that He Zudao was merely a pawn in Da Yin's hands, someone who could be thrown out at any time to become a bargaining chip on the gambling table.

It shouldn't be like this!

People like He Zudao should be treated well and made into pillars of the court, not just pawns.

Did the Grand Chancellor and the Minister of War ultimately intend to make peace with those Taotie beasts?
Wu De didn't want to.

Especially when I think of the soldiers who died in the Battle of Xiangcheng.

The Qin Dynasty had a chance to be revived, but it was ruined by these parasites.

"Miss Qingyun, why are you back?" Wu De asked.

“I’m originally from Chang’an, so what’s so strange about me returning to my hometown?” Zhang Qingyun said with a smile.

"That's not what I meant. I thought Miss Qingyun would stay with the scholar outside the pass!"

“My father pities me and is afraid that I will be harmed by the sandstorms beyond the Great Wall, so he sent me back!” Zhang Qingyun said with a smile. “I corresponded with my old friends in the capital and they mentioned that the court returned the family house to me and decorated it all anew.”

“This is exactly what the imperial court should do!” Wu De nodded.

As the two were talking, a commotion suddenly arose ahead. Wu De turned around and saw two young men in brocade robes and carrying long swords riding tall horses. Although they were only waving their whips in the air, the cracking sound they made was a deterrent to those who were about to enter the city.

"Qingyun, we've come to pick you up!" One of them saw Zhang Qingyun in the carriage and rushed over excitedly, causing the group of people blocking his way to quickly make way.

The soldiers guarding the gate turned a blind eye to this scene, and even smiled ingratiatingly.

Wu De chuckled and led his horse aside.

"Brother Wu, I'm hosting a banquet at my home in three days to invite a bunch of friends. I'd love for you to join me in the fun!"

Wu De shook his head and said, "I've been very busy these past few days. I'll visit your residence again when I have more free time!"

“Then it’s a deal!” Zhang Qingyun said.

The young man in brocade rushed to the carriage, looking at Zhang Qingyun with a beaming smile: "Qingyun, you've really suffered. The sandstorms outside the pass must be unbearable, right?"

“The scenery beyond the Great Wall is completely different, Brother Zhou, you should go and see it!” Zhang Qingyun smiled radiantly, making the man in brocade robes stare at her with wide eyes.

Wu De, standing to the side, couldn't help but shake his head and sigh.

This kid's surname is Zhou, so he should be the son of Scholar Zhou, who is in charge of drafting imperial edicts in the court. But judging from his appearance, he'll be sold off by Zhang Qingyun and still have to help her count the money!

(End of this chapter)