In the thirteenth year of the Tianbao era: I became Yang Guozhong's eldest son.

After reading it, Yang Xuan turned around.

"Pei Zhao is right that we cannot enter the post station tonight."

Cui Shen's expression froze.

Pei Zhao's eyes lit up.

But before he could speak, Yang Xuan continued:

"Cui Shen is right to say that not going to the post station would be bad for his future and his reputation."

At this point, neither of them spoke.

Yang Xuan said slowly:

"You're not fighting over lodging."

"What you're arguing about is how this team will operate from now on."

"No one can suppress anyone else, and no one is willing to submit to anyone else, is that right?"

No one answered.

But that's the default.

Yang Xuan didn't need their answers.

"Since we've come this far, let's just get straight to the point."

He turned his head and looked at everyone.

"We were just driven out of Chang'an."

"Life is a gift, the road is a prize, and there are countless eyes following behind. My father, the Right Chancellor who has severed all ties with me, wants me to die on the road, and there are certainly many in Chang'an who want to see us rot halfway through our journey."

"At times like this, if anyone still considers themselves a servant of the Prime Minister's mansion, a member of the imperial family, a book seller in the West Market, or a former soldier from Hexi, and acts according to their own temperament, then this group will disintegrate within three to five days without even reaching Yaozhou."

The wind blew along the official road.

No one spoke.

Despite his injury, Yang Xuan spoke softly, but his words were steady.

"Therefore, from this day forward, let's establish the rules first."

As he spoke, his gaze first fell on Cui Shen.

"Cui Shen."

"exist."

"Money, provisions, account books, travel permits, documents, lodging, and dealing with officials along the way—all of these are under your jurisdiction, Prime Minister. You are not just a scribe; from now on, you are in charge of ensuring that we have food, lodging, and a persuasive voice along this route."

Cui Shen's expression changed, and he immediately cupped his hands in greeting.

"Be careful when accepting the order."

Yang Xuan then looked at Pei Zhao.

Pei Zhao.

"exist."

"You decide the carriages, horses, men, knives, night patrols, and which side to stand on in case of an emergency. You're not a gambling addict in the West Market. From now on, you'll be watching whether this group will be sneaked in tonight, and whether anyone will run away halfway tomorrow."

Pei Zhao felt a surge of warmth in his chest and responded in a deep voice.

Pei Zhao obeys the order.

"Uncle Wen".

"This old servant is here."

"You are in charge of everything: household affairs, medicines, women, old servants, kitchen, and luggage. You must know what to put in the main car, what to put in the secondary car, what must be left unattended at night, and what should be discarded first."

Wen Bowen bowed firmly.

"This old servant understands."

"Yanhe".

Yanhe, who was supporting him by one arm, looked up when he heard this.

"You're not just walking with me."

"You're in charge of keeping those in this group who still value rules, dignity, and long-term goals in check."

"If I make any mistakes, besides Wenbo and Caifan, you will be the first person to watch over me."

This sentence is even more important than the one before it.

Yanhe glanced at him, and after a moment, nodded slightly.

"it is good."

Yang Xuan finally looked at Afu.

"You're quick on your feet and sharp-eyed. From now on, you'll be in charge of running errands, relaying messages, and keeping an eye on details."

"Report to me who spread rumors, who hid money, who slacked off on night duty, and who seems honest but isn't really committed to the team."

Ah Fu had initially thought he was the least useful among these people, but upon hearing this, he immediately straightened his back.

"I understand."

Only after saying this did Yang Xuan truly turn his gaze back to the crowd.

"There's one more."

"From this day forward, all cash, loose change, and exchangeable items must first be reported and then entered into the register. Anyone found to be hoarding travel funds, no matter how much, will be immediately expelled from the group."

Upon hearing this, the expressions of the servants and old men behind him all changed.

Some people even subconsciously touched their cuffs.

Yang Xuan saw this but didn't point it out; he simply continued:

"Not all of you will necessarily submit to me."

"It's okay."

"The road ahead is long, let's take it one step at a time."

"But as long as you continue to follow this carriage, eat my food, ride in my carriage, and rely on my travel permit to leave Chang'an, then you must abide by my rules."

"Those who do not keep their promises may leave now."

The official road was so quiet that only the sound of the wind could be heard.

No one moved.

Having just left Chang'an, everyone knows what they fear most.

It's not about suffering.

They were thrown down.

Once thrown onto this official road, without the title of Prime Minister's mansion or the protection of the imperial clan, no one can say for sure whether they will live or die.

Therefore, the phrase "You can leave now" is harsher than any beating or scolding.

Because it directly tears away any lingering hope in people's hearts.

Seeing this, Yang Xuan knew the time was right and stopped pressing.

"We will not enter the post station tonight."

"Let's rest here."

"Cui Shen went to the post station to negotiate, borrowing water, a stove, and two empty rooms for the women and medicine stove. He didn't ask to stay all of them, but only to have his status established."

Pei Zhao led his men to surround the carriage, first surveying the ground, then assigning sentries. Tonight, the fire must not be extinguished, the men must not scatter, and not more than half of the horses must be unsaddled.

"Uncle Wen packed his bags, putting away all the valuables and discarding the unnecessary odds and ends. Afu followed along, making a list of what everyone was carrying and what they had left."

"Now, get to work."

Everyone responded in unison.

This sound was quite different from the one before.

It's not about dealing with things haphazardly.

Rather, it truly conveyed a sense of obedience.

Yang Xuan then slowly exhaled.

As soon as he let out a breath, the pain in his back surged up immediately. His legs went weak, but Yanhe caught him first.

"Have you had enough?"

She spoke in a very low voice, so that only the two of them could hear her.

Yang Xuan gave a wry smile.

"It's alright."

Yanhe ignored him and helped him toward the car.

Before turning back to the car, Pei Zhao suddenly took two steps closer and whispered:

"My lord, I would like to go and touch that little inn again."

Yang Xuan stopped.

"What's wrong?"

"It's not just the lodging." Pei Zhao lowered his voice. "The woods next to the post station are too quiet. When I was looking at the road just now, there were two new hoofprints on the ground to the west. They weren't ours. The hooves were narrow and the horses were light, unlike the large horses of a caravan. They seemed more like light cavalry used for scouting."

Yang Xuan's eyes darkened slightly.

"How long have you been following them? Can you tell?"

"I can't tell."

Pei Zhao shook his head.

"But it's probably not something that just appeared. There were many people and messy footprints on the road after we left Anhua Gate, making it hard to tell. But it's clear here. I suspect that someone is following us from a distance, but they don't dare to get close yet."

This is decent.

It would seem strange if Yang Guozhong truly left no room for maneuver.

It's just that we don't know yet whether the people trailing behind are people released by the Prime Minister's residence or spies from elsewhere.

Yang Xuan pondered for a moment, then said:

"Don't disturb anyone else."

"Go yourself and look at the woods, the post station, and the area behind the ditch. If there are people there, just look, don't arrest them. Come back and tell me."

Pei Zhao nodded.

"clear."

"besides."

Yang Xuan looked up at him.

"Don't use all your men for the sentry duty outside tonight. Take two old servants with you, and let Afu pick one who's talkative but quick on his feet. Mix the old and the new, and let each keep an eye on the others for the night."

Pei Zhao was taken aback at first, but then he understood.

This is not just about keeping watch.

They also used the night watch as an excuse to check on people first.

"Rest assured, my lord."

Pei Zhao turned and left.