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

Yanhe helped Yang Xuan back into the car before saying:

"What you just said wasn't just about setting rules."

"Um?"

"It's also to let them know that although you are seriously injured, you are not someone who lies down and waits to be carried away."

Yang Xuan leaned back against the soft mattress and closed his eyes.

"Human hearts are most adept at discerning strength from weakness."

"If I lie here and don't show up today, they will still comply on the surface, but in their hearts they will only be thinking their own thing. When night falls, if there is any disturbance, this team will be the first to scatter."

Yanhe did not deny it.

She thought for a moment, then suddenly said:

"You said that anyone who hoards travel expenses will be expelled from the group, but what if someone actually does?"

Yang Xuan did not open his eyes.

"That depends on who it is."

"If you're afraid of dying or starving, and secretly save a little money to survive, I'll remember it, but I might not punish you immediately."

"If someone takes my grain, my cart, and my title, and then tries to sell information for profit halfway through, then they cannot be allowed to live."

Yanhe listened and nodded slightly.

The area outside the car quickly became busy.

Cui Shen indeed took the travel permit to the post station and managed to borrow hot water, coarse rice, and a small kitchen at the back in less than half an hour.

Wen Bo led his men to install the medicine furnace first, and then connected the main carriage and the auxiliary carriage end to end, arranging them in a semi-circle around the sheltered area.

When Pei Zhao returned, he didn't say much. He just solemnly assigned the three layers of sentry posts one by one, even specifying in great detail how many fires to set up and where to tie the horses.

As darkness fell completely, the group, which had appeared somewhat shabby and disorganized during the day, finally began to look somewhat presentable.

As soon as the fire started, the wind seemed to grow louder.

The official road was deserted at night. Occasionally, traveling merchants would pass by in the distance, but upon seeing the fire and the figures of the night watchmen, they dared not approach easily.

The medicine was slowly simmering in the small kitchen.

Uncle Wen distributed the dinner, which consisted of coarse rice porridge and a little bit of cured meat.

It's far inferior to Chang'an, but for these people who have been on edge all day, having hot food to eat is enough to calm their nerves.

Yang Xuan drank half a bowl of porridge and was forced to take medicine. His complexion was finally a little better than it had been in the evening.

As the night deepened, the arguing outside began again.

Ah Fu lifted the curtain and came in, speaking in a low voice:

"Young master, there's an old servant named Dong behind us. He says he used to serve the princess's maternal grandparents and refuses to take turns keeping watch with the servants, complaining that Pei Zhao has assigned him too low a rank."

Yang Xuan opened his eyes and thought for a moment.

The man was probably in his forties. He wasn't very noticeable during the day, but he was quite efficient in his work.

But bringing up "who you used to be with" at this time shows that you haven't yet pulled your mind out of your old family background.

"What did Pei Zhao say?"

"Brother Pei said that tonight, it's only a matter of whether we can hold out or not, there's no distinction of rank or status. Old servant Dong disagreed and got stuck in a stalemate."

Yang Xuan leaned against the pillow and said calmly:

"Go tell that guy surnamed Dong."

"Tonight, he either has to keep watch, or he can take his dignity and walk back to Chang'an on his own."

Afu blinked.

"That's all?"

"That's what I'll say."

Afu responded and ran out.

Soon, it became quiet outside.

Yanhe listened silently. After a moment, he spoke:

"That man surnamed Dong did indeed work for my maternal grandfather's family before, and he had more influence than ordinary servants."

Yang Xuan turned his head to look at her.

"Are you saying I'm putting too much pressure on you?"

"no."

Yanhe shook his head.

"I'm thinking that once you set this rule today, many people in the team will probably have to gradually change their mindset."

"It has to be changed eventually."

Yang Xuan gazed at the flickering firelight outside the curtain.

"If they don't change their minds, they'll just be a few more mouths to feed in Yaozhou; they won't become real people."

After he finished speaking, the two of them fell silent for a moment.

The night grew deeper.

The wind gently billowed the carriage curtains, and the occasional bark of a dog could be heard in the distance before disappearing back into the darkness.

Just then, three very light taps came from outside the curtain.

Take your time, at a leisurely pace.

It's a pre-arranged signal.

Yanhe sat up straighter first.

Yang Xuan said:

"Come in."

Pei Zhao lifted the curtain and entered, his body carrying the scent of grass and dew from the night, his face even more somber than before he left.

"There's someone there."

Yang Xuan was not surprised, and only asked:

"several?"

"We can only confirm two right now."

Pei Zhao said in a low voice.

"One is behind the small grove west of the post station, and the other is on the edge of a hill further out. They're not close together, and they can change positions quickly. If I hadn't walked around half the area to check the ground, I might not have been able to find them."

"Are they from the Prime Minister's residence?"

"It doesn't look like it."

Pei Zhao shook his head.

"I recognize some of the ways the servants in the Prime Minister's residence operate, but their movements, walks, and hiding are never this clean. These two are more like scouts retired from the border army, or hired spies from some family."

Yang Xuan's eyes narrowed slightly.

The meaning is clear: they are not from the Prime Minister's residence.

Yang Guozhong's side wasn't the only one watching his southward journey.

That's not surprising.

The commotion at Hua'e Xianghui Tower last night has now brought another spectacle to Anhua Gate, drawing the attention of the entire city.

An eldest son who was cut off by the Right Chancellor but not quite dead is someone many people would want to take a second look at.

Will they make their move tonight?

"It doesn't seem like they're about to take action; it's more like they're assessing the situation."

Pei Zhao lowered his voice even further.

"Let's see if our team is scattered, if the injuries are really that serious, and if our night watch is well organized."

He paused at this point.

"When we changed positions just now, I also caught a glimpse of one of them wearing an old cowhide wristband on his left wrist, which is a common item in the military."

"It doesn't seem like you're here to take my life; it's more like you're here to see if you're worth the next blow."

There was a moment of silence in the car.

Yang Xuan gradually calmed down.

The fact that the other party is still observing and weighing the pros and cons indicates that they are still somewhat wary and hesitant about making a decision.

What I fear is that they won't even look at me, and will kill me with a single blow.

"Then let them see."

Yang Xuan said calmly:

"The sentries will remain on duty tonight as usual. No arrests, no coercion, and no alerting of the enemy."

"Don't let the fire go out, and don't let the knife out of your hand. Let Afu run a lap every half hour, and see who gets sleepy, lazy, or talks nonsense during this time."

"Tonight is the first time they've seen the true strength of our team."

Pei Zhao responded and stepped out, lifting the curtain.

After the carriage curtain fell, Yanhe looked at Yang Xuan and said softly:

"Aren't you afraid?"

"Afraid."

Yang Xuan answered quickly.

"But fear is useless."

"Right now, we've just left Chang'an. Our most valuable asset isn't our swords, but the cards we haven't yet revealed."

"They can't see through us tonight, so we'll have more initiative tomorrow."

Yanhe looked at him for a moment, then suddenly reached out and pressed the carriage curtain down even more tightly.

"Then you should sleep for half an hour first."

"There are people watching from the outside; you can't afford to wear yourself out first."

Yang Xuan responded softly, but this time he didn't try to hold on any longer.

He closed his eyes, but he could still hear the wind, the fire, and the faint rustling of the night watchmen's footsteps across the grass in the distance.

These voices are not peaceful.

Compared to the deathly stillness of Chang'an, this kind of night allows one to breathe more easily.