Chapter 311: 301 You have no right to speak in front of this General!

Chapter 311: Chapter 301 You have no right to speak in front of this General!

The journey of over fifty miles, with a fast horse and a whip, could be covered in just over an hour.

When Yang Zhenshan arrived at Liao’an Prefecture City, there was nothing unusual inside, except there were more soldiers guarding the city gate than usual.

After arriving, Yang Zhenshan did not choose to enter the city immediately. Instead, he arranged for two Personal Followers to disguise themselves and blend into the city first.

After about an hour, the two Personal Followers returned after making a round within the city and reported, “My lord, everything inside the city seems normal, but Mr. Zheng’s residence has been cordoned off by government soldiers, and the exact situation inside the residence is unknown.”

Yang Zhenshan looked towards the silhouette of Liao’an Prefecture City in the distance and asked, “Is it just cordoned off? Are the gates open? Is anyone going in or out?”

“It appears to be just cordoned off; the gates are open, and there are soldiers coming and going, but we didn’t see any of Mr. Zheng’s servants!” replied the Personal Followers.

Hearing this, Yang Zhenshan let out a sigh of relief.

The gates being open and soldiers coming and going likely meant that Zheng Xiao had only been put under house arrest, and they hadn’t gone as far as to take his life.

If they had indeed taken his life, the city would not be so calm.

After all, Zheng Xiao was the Salt Transport Department Imperial Censor, and if Luo Fu had him killed, he would definitely need to explain to the court, even if he’d bribed all the relevant officials, some pretense would have to be made.

The city gates would be sealed, a search for the murderer would begin, and a scapegoat found.

Yang Zhenshan pondered for a moment, then said to the two Personal Followers at his side, “You two go check where Song Dashan and the others are, and come report back to me when they are twenty miles away from the city!”

“Yes!” The two soldiers rode off swiftly on their horses.

Yang Zhenshan looked around and sat down beside a rock.

At this moment, they were about four or five miles west of Liao’an Prefecture City. There were several hills, not very high, which were very suitable for them to conceal themselves.

“Keep your eyes on the city gates. If you notice the gates are to be closed, notify me immediately!” Yang Zhenshan instructed the two Personal Followers he had dispatched.

A thousand soldiers marching would be hard to conceal, and if someone stumbled upon them, they might report it to the various government offices within the city, potentially leading the city to instantly seal the gates and prepare to defend the city.

Right now, Yang Zhenshan was waiting—for the arrival of the main army and for the reaction from within the city. If the city did not react until Song Dashan’s forces arrived at its gates, it meant Yang Zhenshan had won the gamble.

If they reacted in advance, he might have to deal with further complications.

The key issue at the moment was whether he could smoothly lead his troops into the city.

As for storming the city, that was definitely not possible.

Yang Zhenshan could not and would not dare to do so.

While Yang Zhenshan leading his troops to Liao’an Prefecture might be tolerated by the old Emperor, if he were to lead an attack on the city, the old Emperor would definitely order his beheading.

“My lord, Mr. Song is now twenty miles out!” The two Personal Followers who had gone to find Song Dashan returned and reported.

Yang Zhenshan stood up, just as the two Personal Followers who had been watching the city gates also returned.

“Mount up!”

He immediately got on his horse to meet them.

“My lord, there seems to be some movement at the city gate!”

Yang Zhenshan’s expression changed slightly, realizing that someone had discovered Song Dashan and his forces.

This was not a border town; the cities and garrisons would not send out soldiers to patrol the surroundings. However, the area around Liao’an Prefecture was prosperous and Song Dashan’s forces had passed through many villages and towns on their way.

Ordinary citizens, unaware of military movements, would simply steer clear of large troops but might approach to inquire about their origins.

Should anyone feel that something was amiss, there was the possibility they would report to the city.

Moreover, Liao’an Prefecture was not an ordinary jurisdiction; it housed the Liao Yuan Governor’s Office, the Inspector General’s Office, and the Capital Commander’s Office. In simple terms, Liao’an Prefecture was like a provincial capital, where all the major government offices were based.

Yang Zhenshan had anticipated this situation, so he knew the city would soon react when he saw the Personal Followers return from watching the gates.

They would seal the city gates, investigate the origins of Song Dashan and his forces, and prepare for a potential siege.

What Yang Zhenshan needed to do was prevent the city gates from closing before Song Dashan and his forces arrived.

Without any hesitation, Yang Zhenshan led twenty Personal Followers straight towards the city gates.

By the time they arrived, the soldiers at the gate had already started moving the defenses, preparing to close the gates.

“Halt, who goes there!”

The sight of Yang Zhenshan and his men galloping towards the gate immediately put the gate guards on high alert.

Hiii-hi-hi-hi~~~

Yang Zhenshan reined in Red Cloud, who let out a loud neigh, halting in front of the city gate.

“Tenglong Guard Commander Yang Zhenshan! Make way!”

Yang Zhenshan gripped the reins tightly with one hand and held the Mystical Iron Spear with the other, clad in his golden armor, his expression cold and handsome as he faced the soldiers guarding the gate.

There were about fifty soldiers in front of the city gate, likely one General Flag.

Upon hearing the name that Yang Zhenshan announced, the garrison soldiers were all taken aback; they were aware of the Tenglong Guard, as it was located just over a hundred miles north of Liao’an Prefecture.

“Liao’an Advanced Guard General Flag Chen Qia pays his respects to the lord!”

A man in his forties quickly stepped out from the city gate tunnel, cupping his fist in homage to Yang Zhenshan.

“Hmm!”

Yang Zhenshan stroked Red Cloud’s mane, and Red Cloud moved forward, “Make way, this General has urgent matters to attend to.”

“This…My lord, just moments ago, the Capital Commander’s Office and the government office had ordered the closure of the city gates, no one may enter or leave!” Chen Qia said stiffly.

Yang Zhenshan swept a detached glance over Chen Qia, who immediately felt a chill run through his body, shivering.

“If you want to live, stand aside. This is no longer under your jurisdiction!”

As Yang Zhenshan spoke, he urged his horse forward.

The Personal Followers close behind followed suit, and the soldiers guarding the gate, seeing this, revealed fearful expressions and retreated.

“Sir!” Chen Qia still wanted to intervene, but before he could speak, a long spear was thrust in front of him.

“You have no right to speak in front of me, General!”

Yang Zhenshan said coldly.

Chen Qia looked at the gleaming spear tip in front of him, nervously swallowed his saliva, then while retreating, said, “This officer obeys, this officer obeys!”

He must not have heard of Yang Zhenshan’s notorious reputation, otherwise he would never have dared to utter an extra word just now.

But even if he hadn’t heard, it wouldn’t matter—in the face of swords and spears, in the face of the formidable Yang Zhenshan, he had no choice but to withdraw from the city gate.

And so, Yang Zhenshan took control of the city gate.

After that, Yang Zhenshan rode on his horse and stood behind the city gate, with twenty Personal Followers standing behind him.

Chen Qia understood his posture—that he was waiting for the arrival of the troops behind him.

“What’s going on here?”

Chen Qia’s heart was in turmoil; as a General Flag, he had no access to the high-level intelligence and was unclear about what was actually happening inside the city.

After hesitating for a moment, he hurried towards the Governor’s Office.

“Sir, sir, it’s bad news!”

He burst into the Governor’s Office, shouting in alarm.

Xu Huazhen walked out from a side room inside the government office and asked, “What’s wrong?”

Xu Huazhen is the Commander of the Liao’an Advanced Guard, and his office should be in the Advanced Guard, but now he is leading the soldiers of the Liao’an Advanced Guard stationed at the city defense of Liao’an Prefecture, so he is temporarily working inside the Governor’s Office.

Before Chen Qia could speak, an official dressed in a crimson robe came out from the depths of the government office, surrounded by a crowd.

“What other matters have arisen?” Capital Commander Dong Yanhe asked in a deep voice.

Chen Qia glanced at Xu Huazhen and Dong Yanhe, sweating profusely, yet he remained silent.

He was a soldier under Xu Huazhen, and although Dong Yanhe was Xu’s superior, there is a saying that the present steward is better than the county official, so there are things he could say to Xu Huazhen but could not say to Dong Yanhe.

Seeing this, Dong Yanhe’s expression grew even darker, his deep-set eyes staring at Xu Huazhen like sharp swords.

Xu Huazhen’s expression changed slightly, and came forward to kick Chen Qia, “Speak up!”

Chen Qia cried out in pain and dared not hesitate any longer, hastily speaking up: “Sir, the Tenglong Guard Commander Yang Zhenshan has seized the western city gate!”

“Yang Zhenshan!”

Dong Yanhe’s eyes narrowed; he had heard this name before.

He glanced at Xu Huazhen and the corner of his mouth showed a cold smile, “Good, very good, now let’s see how you will handle this!”

“Mr. Xu! Look at the mess you’ve made!”

Xu Huazhen’s face turned from one change to another.

Why would Yang Zhenshan come to Liao’an Prefecture City?

This was not hard to guess!

He had just put Zheng Xiao under house arrest the day before yesterday, and Yang Zhenshan had now arrived—for what purpose, it goes without saying.

Xu Huazhen’s face showed a look of panic, and his mustache trembled slightly.

“Sir, I must excuse myself for a moment!”

With that, he hurriedly walked towards the door.

He needed to find Luo Fu.

The house arrest of Zheng Xiao was something Luo Fu had instructed him to do, and Luo Fu had said that it would not cause any serious trouble.

The Salt Transport Department’s government office was not far from the Governor’s Office, and soon Xu Huazhen found Luo Fu.

“Lord Luo, it’s bad, Yang Zhenshan is here!”

Upon hearing this, Luo Fu’s expression changed as well, “Where is he?”

“At the western city gate!” said Xu Huazhen.

Luo Fu did not panic but his face was stern as he stroked his beard.

“No need to panic, the situation has not reached the worst point yet!”

“Even if Yang Zhenshan has come, he would not dare to run amok in the city!”

At this moment, he still harbored a sliver of hope; he did not believe that Yang Zhenshan would dare to do anything!

Yang Zhenshan’s bringing troops to Liao’an Prefecture was already against the rules, could it be that Yang Zhenshan would dare to go on a killing spree within the city!

“But what should we do next?” Xu Huazhen was completely flustered at this moment.

Luo Fu’s thoughts raced, and with a sudden wave of his hand, he said, “Assemble the troops, stop Yang Zhenshan, he must not be allowed to enter the city!”

“What about Mr. Zheng?” Xu Huazhen asked.

Luo Fu took a deep breath, “Leave him for now!”

“Let’s go!”

Having said that, he walked out of the door first.

Moments later, the soldiers of the Liao’an Advanced Guard in the city began gathering towards the western city gate.

It wasn’t just the troops; officials from various government offices were also converging on the western city gate.

The Governor’s Office, the Governor’s Office, the Inspector General’s Office, the Magistrate’s Office, and so on, one by one, officials with somber expressions were gathering at the western city gate.

Regarding the issue of the Salt Transport Department, officials from various government offices were somewhat aware, and many were even involved, otherwise Luo Fu would never dare to openly confine Zheng Xiao.

Now that Yang Zhenshan had arrived, regardless of their involvement, all officials understood that if this matter was not handled well, a major upheaval would follow in Liao’an Prefecture.