The government troops are coming

As the Spiritual Qi gradually dissipated, the three horses opened their eyes one after another, rubbing against each other with a hint of reluctance, their minds filled with a sense of unfinished business.

Shen Jingchuan relayed the contract:

"No rush. Cultivation must be done step by step. Today is the first time, so let's get used to it first. There's plenty of time ahead."

The three horses nodded, understanding.

Liu Hu, who had been waiting not far away, felt that the air coming from the direction of the stables was particularly warm and moist. Taking a breath made him feel comfortable all over. He couldn't explain why, but he just thought it was because of the young master's mysterious methods.

Seeing that Shen Jingchuan was about to leave, he quickly stepped forward and deftly helped prepare the saddle and bridle for Big Black.

I'm going out for a bit.

Shen Jingchuan used the stirrups to mount his horse and then gave the following instructions:

"Go to the market this afternoon and buy plenty of the best fodder, the finest pieces."

"Yes, young master!"

Liu Hu quickly agreed, and watching Shen Jingchuan ride Big Black out of the courtyard, he became even more certain that his young master was no ordinary person, and these three horses might become some kind of mythical beast in the future.

Shen Jingchuan didn't dare let Big Black run, and after a short while, they arrived at the Lin Household Escort Agency. The guards at the entrance bowed and led him inside when they saw him.

Lin Weiyuan was sitting in the hall drinking tea, while his brothers Lin Shan and Lin Yue stood to the side talking. When he came in, they both looked up.

"Jingchuan is here."

Lin Weiyuan put down his teacup and smiled:

"Did things go smoothly on this trip?"

"Everything went smoothly, thank you for your concern, Father-in-law."

Shen Jingchuan bowed respectfully, then nodded to Lin Shan and Lin Yue, "Eldest brother, second brother."

Lin Shan grinned:

"You've been gone for quite a while now; we've been wondering when you'll be back."

The group sat down and chatted about the recent developments of the security escort agency and the carriage company. Lin Yue smiled and said:

"The methods you devised earlier have been quite effective. Our carriage company's business is booming, and even many merchants from other places are proactively approaching us to discuss long-term cooperation."

Shen Jingchuan also laughed:

"It's all thanks to my eldest and second eldest brothers for managing things so well; I just offered some suggestions."

As they were talking, the bodyguard rushed in to report:

"Chief escort, someone is looking for Mr. Shen outside, saying there is something important."

Shen Jingchuan was taken aback and asked in surprise:

"Looking for me? How did you get here?"

He and Lin Weiyuan exchanged a glance. Lin Weiyuan nodded slightly and said to the bodyguard:

"Let him in."

A moment later, the bodyguard led a fit and capable-looking man in quickly. It was Zhao Kui. Upon entering the hall, he immediately bowed deeply to Shen Jingchuan and said in a deep voice, "Young Master Shen."

"No need for formalities." Shen Jingchuan raised his hand, his eyebrows slightly arched. "How did you find your way here?"

Zhao Kui straightened up, his gaze sweeping over Lin Weiyuan and his two sons beside him, and hesitated for a moment.

"Speak freely, we're all on the same side," Shen Jingchuan said calmly.

Zhao Kui responded and then spoke:

"That day, you spared my life, sir. After returning home, I resigned from my teaching position at the Pan Household, citing poor performance. Although the head of the Pan family tried to persuade me to stay, I said I had no face to remain. I returned to my hometown to serve my elderly mother, made arrangements, and rested for a while. This time, I returned to the city intending to visit you and serve you in your service."

He paused, his tone becoming more serious:

"Who knew that yesterday I would run into the only remaining tutor of the Pan Household on the way, named Wang Meng. The three of us used to work for the Pan Household together. One of us died at the hands of the young master, and I resigned. Only he remained in the Pan Household."

He took the little man out for drinks, and after drinking too much, he let slip some important information.

Last night was too late, and I was afraid of disturbing you, young master. I was also delayed by other matters this morning. When I arrived at the Shen Residence, your coachman told me that you had come to the escort agency, so I rushed over."

"What exactly happened?" Lin Weiyuan asked in a deep voice from the side.

Zhao Kui cupped his hands in a respectful gesture to the crowd again, and said in a low voice:

"The Pan Household and Huang Household joined forces and spent a lot of money to find the Prince Jing's Heir in Chang'an Prefecture, persuading the prefectural city to send troops to suppress Azure Cloud Stronghold."

"Our Yuxi Prefecture has few soldiers, so we haven't dared to attack Azure Cloud Stronghold. This time, the prefectural government has agreed, and the Government Army will arrive in the next couple of days. They also need our Yuxi Prefecture to send people to cooperate in going into the mountains to encircle and annihilate them."

He paused, then added:

"From what Wang Meng said, it seems that the people from Azure Cloud Stronghold robbed five villages outside the city a while ago, and both sides couldn't swallow this insult, so they went to great lengths to ask the Government Army to take action."

The hall fell silent for a moment.

Shen Jingchuan tapped his fingertips lightly on the table, his mind instantly clear. These two families, having suffered losses, had actually brought out the Government Army from Chang'an City, clearly intending to completely eradicate Azure Cloud Stronghold.

"Okay, I understand."

Shen Jingchuan pondered for a moment, then looked up at Zhao Kui:

"Since you've come to me for help, I'll assign you a job right now."

Zhao Kui immediately bowed and clasped his hands in greeting:

"Sir, whatever you command, I will have no objection."

"Go to Azure Cloud Stronghold and tell Chief Hu everything that we just discussed about the Government Army coming to besiege them."

Shen Jingchuan stared at him and asked:

"After the message is delivered, do you dare stay in the village to help guard it?"

"Young master, what are you saying?"

Zhao Kui straightened his back:

"I've already taken care of my elderly mother before coming to seek refuge. You spared my life last time, young master; I was lucky to have this life. I'll go through fire and water to report the news and guard the stronghold, no matter what."

Shen Jingchuan smiled:

"It wouldn't be a matter of going through fire and water. I think you're not just doing this to repay a debt of gratitude, are you?"

Zhao Kui's face flushed slightly, and his expression appeared somewhat unnatural, but he still spoke the truth:

"To be honest, I can see that you, sir, are a man of great ability. Following you will surely lead to a bright future, and that is another of my sincere thoughts."

"Okay, he's a straightforward person."

Shen Jingchuan nodded, then turned to look at Lin Weiyuan:

"Father-in-law, please have someone prepare a fast horse for him so he can set off for Azure Cloud Stronghold immediately."

Lin Weiyuan immediately agreed and shouted outside. Soon, a bodyguard brought over a sturdy horse.

Zhao Kui bowed deeply to the crowd again, left the escort agency, mounted his horse, flicked the reins, and galloped straight towards Azure Cloud Stronghold outside the city.