Chapter 145 - 122: Seeing Xiao Heng Again

Chapter 145: Chapter 122: Seeing Xiao Heng Again

This was also a major northern stronghold.

Currently, a hundred thousand Imperial Guards were stationed here. However, they did not concern themselves with daily matters like city patrols, merely cultivating in their barracks.

And in this place, they answered only to Xiao Heng.

Because today was the day they were to meet Xiao Heng, the pair dared not delay after entering the city, heading straight for the Imperial Guard’s Government Office.

Upon arriving, Lu Yuan found that Zhou Ren, Helian Shang, and the others were already there.

There were several hundred people outside the gate, all having rushed here from various regions. There were more than ten Border Marquises alone.

And that wasn’t even everyone.

Each contingent stood distinctly apart.

After Lu Yuan dismounted, Zhou Hongling led him toward a figure standing in front of Zhou Ren. The man had a powerful build and wore a red Military General’s Robe.

He stood his ground, a look of displeasure on his face.

Nevertheless, Zhou Hongling said, "Greetings, Marquis. This humble general has arrived late."

Lu Yuan bowed in salute at the same time.

Evidently, this was the Marquis of Zhenbian, Shang Yong. His tone was cold and hard as he said, "So you know you’re late? Everyone else set out early, but you two cut it close."

"What? Did you not get the notice, or are you deliberately putting on airs?"

His words were heavy, especially in front of so many people. He was clearly trying to embarrass Zhou Hongling.

At this, Lu Yuan’s brow twitched. "Marquis, this humble subordinate only just returned to Icefield Fortress two days ago. General Zhou notified me as soon as I entered the city."

"The two of us rushed to Jizhou without a moment’s rest, with absolutely no intention of showing disrespect. Besides, the Imperial Guard’s Government Office hasn’t even opened its gates, and the high officials inside have not begun summoning anyone yet."

"Therefore, I do not believe we are late."

Lu Yuan knew that Zhou Hongling had chosen to let him rest for a night before setting off the next day, seeing as he had just returned.

Now that she was being wronged, he naturally wouldn’t stand by and watch.

His words made Shang Yong’s expression darken instantly. Nearby, Zhou Ren quickly looked over.

The latter couldn’t help but think to himself, ’Lu Yuan’s temper is too hot-headed.’

’Offending a direct superior so openly will only lead to trouble.’

But Lu Yuan’s expression remained unchanged. ’It doesn’t matter what happens to me, but letting those who’ve helped me suffer is not my style.’

In the Imperial City, he was truly a nobody, but here in the Northern Border...

’With the rise of the Celestial King Stronghold, plus the Zhou Family, I’m confident I can make things difficult for this Marquis of Zhenbian standing before me.’

For example, Lu Yuan knew that the route taken by Shang Yong and the Noble Merchant Team he backed passed right by the Celestial King Stronghold.

Moreover, even facing a Border Marquis, he wasn’t completely powerless to fight back.

He had saved quite a few people back in the day. Helian Shang might not give face to Zhou Hongling, but he would definitely give it to him.

’Subtly tripping someone up, feigning compliance while acting otherwise... who doesn’t know how to do that?’

After all, a single local power like the Li Family had been enough to give Zhou Hongling a massive headache.

The scale of Lu Yuan’s current influence and the connections he commanded were far beyond what the mere Li Family could compare to.

And just as Shang Yong was about to lose his temper...

"CREAK!"

The great gates of the Imperial Guard’s Government Office swung open.

An Imperial Guard officer walked out and announced to the crowd, "Everyone, go inside. Marshal Xiao wants you to assemble on the training ground for inspection."

Lu Yuan recognized the man. He was a Captain of the Imperial Guard who served under Xiao Heng. He hadn’t expected this man to be the one overseeing things in the Northern Border this time.

Then, the corners of his mouth couldn’t help but lift into a smirk.

He glanced at Shang Yong and saw the man looking back at him coldly, but Lu Yuan said nothing.

There was, however, no fear in his eyes.

This infuriated Shang Yong even more, but with someone from the Imperial Guard’s Government Office present, it wasn’t a good time to pursue the matter.

He could only turn and head inside.

Zhou Ren, however, approached Lu Yuan and said, "Yuan, you were too impulsive. You shouldn’t have argued with him face-to-face."

Lu Yuan glanced at Zhou Hongling, whose face showed she was moved, and said, "Say what you want about me, but you can’t talk about our General like that."

Hearing this, Zhou Ren felt a warmth in his heart. He clapped Lu Yuan on the shoulder and said, "I knew I wasn’t wrong about you. I’ll figure out a way to resolve this matter."

"But you absolutely must not be so impulsive again."

Lu Yuan nodded, then followed Zhou Ren into the Government Office.

However, just as he reached the entrance, an abrupt voice rang out, drawing many gazes. "Lu Yuan? You really are back! I’ll find you for a drink later. Don’t sneak off on your own like last time."

The speaker was none other than Xiao Heng’s Captain of the Imperial Guard, a man about Lu Yuan’s age.

His name was Xiao Ze, a distant nephew of Xiao Heng’s. His talent was decent, so he served by Xiao Heng’s side.

Back on the Xirong border, he often drank with Lu Yuan.

The two were on good terms.

Speaking of Lu Yuan, he had been quite famous on the Xirong border. Many Imperial Guard officers who looked down on other Border Army soldiers would still give him face.

Ultimately, in the military, strength was what truly mattered.

Besides, everyone knew that Xiao Heng held Lu Yuan in high regard.

"Alright. I’ll come find you after I’ve seen Marshal Xiao," Lu Yuan said with a cheerful laugh, clearly not expecting to run into an acquaintance here.

Shang Yong looked back, a trace of surprise in his eyes. He remembered that the last time he came to offer a gift, this Captain had been incredibly arrogant.

He had completely disregarded him, a Border Marquis.

Yet now, he was so enthusiastic toward Lu Yuan.

’Perhaps I can use Lu Yuan to deliver gifts to Marshal Xiao in the future. In that case, I’ll just give him a light punishment for his insolence this time and let it go.’

Shang Yong couldn’t help but think.

Meanwhile, Zhou Ren and Zhou Hongling also wore expressions of curiosity.

They also hadn’t expected Lu Yuan to know someone from the Imperial Guard.

Don’t be fooled by the fact that this man was just a Captain of the Imperial Guard. To be honest, even Zhou Ren didn’t necessarily have as much clout as him in the Yong Dynasty’s imperial court.

Any random soldier from the Imperial Guard could probably be connected to some high-ranking figure.

At this moment, Lu Yuan also noticed many gazes turning his way, so he continued walking inside.

After they entered the training ground,

they saw that the high command of the Imperial Guard was already on the high platform.

They stared down at the Border Army generals below, their faces impassive. The coldness and detachment practically spilled from their eyes.

"CLOMP! CLOMP!"

Once everyone had arrived, Xiao Heng strode vigorously to the center of the high platform.

At once, the assembled Border Army generals bowed and said, "Greetings, Marshal Xiao!"

Everyone could feel an immense pressure bearing down on them.

This was Xiao Heng’s way of asserting his dominance.

Then, the Marshal said impassively, "I’m sure you all know the purpose of my visit to the Northern Border. I am here to supervise all of you."

"There have been many incidents in the Northern Border recently, so I hope you will all perform your duties diligently and not betray the court’s trust."

"Focus your energies on protecting the border, not on sending me gifts."

"If I see it happen again, don’t blame me for being merciless with military law!"

Xiao Heng’s words were delivered with resounding force.

The group of Border Army generals trembled in fear.

Lu Yuan could see beads of sweat had already formed on Shang Yong’s forehead.

Then, the crowd immediately replied, "We shall obey."

Seeing that the border generals had been thoroughly intimidated, Xiao Heng’s voice was no longer so harsh.

He continued, "Alright, that’s all for this morning. The purpose was to have you all recognize me. Starting this afternoon, all State Generals and those of higher rank will begin reporting to me on the situation in their respective regions."

As his voice fell, he gestured for the crowd to disperse. Everyone wiped the sweat from their foreheads, breathing a sigh of relief as they prepared to leave.

Zhou Ren and the others, however, had bitter expressions. Being asked to report on their regions meant the official supervision was about to begin.

With this, many of their income streams would likely be forced to a halt.

Still, the State Generals were relatively well-off.

The losses for the Border Marquises would likely be even greater.

They wondered how many days this Marshal Xiao would make them stay.

But just as everyone turned to walk away, the Marquis of Mucheng, who was standing beside Xiao Heng, spoke up. "Lu Yuan, you stay behind. Marshal Xiao has something to say to you."

His voice wasn’t loud, but the hearts of the Border Army generals trembled once more.

They could accept that Lu Yuan knew a Captain of the Imperial Guard.

But for Marshal Xiao to keep him behind alone? That was shocking.

Shang Yong looked as if he had seen a ghost.

He kept looking back at Lu Yuan, his expression stiff. When he saw Lu Yuan looking at him, he even managed to force an awkward smile.

Lu Yuan, however, paid him no mind and walked straight toward the high platform.