Cloud Province Shows Unusual Activity, Lu Bu Heads to the Capital
After seeing Li Yi off, everyone returned to their seats in the main hall. Chu Xuanao looked at everyone with a hint of doubt in his eyes and asked.
"Why did Imperial Father send Feng Xian to the Capital? Was it because of the Wolf Cavalry?"
"Should we stall for time?"
Logically speaking, given Lu Bu's dubious background, how could he have risen through the ranks and been transferred to the Capital, becoming the commander of the Capital's garrison? That position isn't one that just anyone can hold; there must have been some shady dealings involved.
To be honest, Chu Xuanao didn't really want Lu Bu to go. His next target was the Land of Cangshui, where he needed Lü Bu to Feng Xian into battle and fight on the battlefield.
Bai Yi spoke slowly, his expression complex.
"His Majesty is after your iron cavalry, and also the power behind you. He wants them to show themselves. He won't allow things to get out of his control; he wants to control everything. He wants to find out who the power behind you is."
As the winner of the last competition, Bai Yi even sacrificed his daughter, so Bai Yi believed he had some understanding of the current Emperor Gan Chu Tianxiong.
Domineering, petty, ruthless, and extremely cautious, Chu Tianxiong believed he was in control of everything, so he couldn't possibly let his grandson's power go unchecked.
As the leading general, Lu Bu was the first choice.
Of course, it wasn't just Chu Tianxiong who wanted to know about the power behind his grandson; Bai Yi himself was also extremely curious.
A sinister glint flashed in Zhu Wushi's eyes as he spoke.
"Your Highness, this is an open trap, but we have no choice but to enter it. The garrison commander is the bait. We already have fewer people in the Capital, so we have to make a move to get this position."
"Capital's Feng Xian in the capital will bring a lot of trouble, but we can't refuse it either. The imperial decree has been issued, and the news will probably spread soon."
Thinking of someone, Zhu Wushi said again.
"No, Your Highness, once Feng Xian goes, trouble will ensue. The current Commander of the Capital Garrison is Zheng Sanyuan, a member of the Zheng Family."
Chu Xuanao frowned slightly. The Zheng Family, the Duke An's Mansion, one of the Four Great Dukes mansions?
That old man is really ruthless; everything was prepared, just waiting for Feng Xian to go.
Chen Gong spoke up at this moment.
"Your Highness, Feng Xian, we must go to the Capital. Not only must we go, but we must also make Feng Xian famous and publicize his achievements. We must let everyone know that Feng Xian is a hero of our Dagan and the leading general of our Prince of Qin's Manor."
"Since His Majesty has given us this position, we must accept it. Such an important position is coveted by many. This kind of official position is inherently troublesome, so we are not afraid of endless troubles to come."
"Slightly reveal your true strength, so that the world may know of Your Highness's power and capabilities."
"This matter is not only a bad thing, but also a good thing. We can deal with whatever comes our way. If His Majesty wants to see it, then let him see some. By taking advantage of this momentum, His Highness's power and prestige in the Your Highness will be completely different from what it is now."
Chu Xuanao, Zhu Wushi, and the others' eyes lit up. They understood; it was similar to Wang Hanying's situation.
However, the difference is that Wang Hanying is only at that level. She is all alone and has chosen the wrong side. She has no foundation, while Chu Xuanao does. In the Capital, Chu Xuanao also has considerable influence.
Chu Xuanao looked at Lu Bu and said.
"Feng Xian, it seems you're going to take up a high post in the Capital."
That's it. Let's give it a shot. At least the opponent his Imperial Father chose for him isn't good enough. As for his Imperial Father using this opportunity to investigate the power behind him, Chu Xuanao can only say, "Imperial Father, take your time investigating. I'm not in a hurry."
The group discussed until noon, and just as they were about to leave, a report came from outside that General Wang Hanying, Marquis Wang Long, and Prefect Lu Shuangxing had all arrived.
"Greetings, Your Highness."
Looking at the three of them, Chu Xuanao said calmly.
"Sit,"
After the three of them sat down, Lu Shuangxing spoke first.
"Your Highness, that Eunuch Li has already left."
Chu Xuanao, somewhat taken aback.
"Gone?"
They just arrived and left?
Lu Shuangxing said with certainty.
"Yes, Your Highness, Li Yi Eunuch Li has already left. He seemed to be in a hurry, and the three of us personally saw him off out of the city. After leaving Your Highness, he summoned the three of us and conveyed a secret decree."
Upon hearing Lu Shuangxing mention this, Wang Hanying chimed in, her tone seemingly deflated.
"Your Highness, our plans to attack Land of Cangshui must be postponed. There has been unrest on the border of Cloud Province. His Majesty has issued a secret decree to temporarily cease hostilities and allow the region to recuperate."
Hearing Wang Hanying's words, Chu Xuanao was full of questions. Cloud Province border, Great Yan, his fifth brother who received the same treatment as him?
Then Chu Xuanao's expression turned somewhat grim. On the border of Cloud Province, the Great Yan had made unusual movements and ceased hostilities, which meant that they could not raise an army for the time being.
Well, while it's true that a general in the field may disobey the emperor's orders, things wouldn't be fun if a war between two countries turned into a pincer attack on one.
With a sigh, Chu Xuanao's expression returned to calm.
"Let's rest and recuperate, and wait for the peace delegation from the Great Feng! Spies from all sides should keep a close eye on the Great Feng's movements and prepare for what's to come."
On the second day of the third month, just one night later, Lu Bu had prepared everything and was ready to set off. Having made the decision, there was no need to hesitate any longer. Lu Bu set off directly for the Capital.
Zhenyou City, Lu Bu only brought eight hundred Wolf Cavalry, along with four generals: Cheng Lian, Wei Xu, Song Xian, and Hou Cheng. After all, his father had handed over the command of the Capital's garrison, and he had to take it.
The remaining 30,000 Wolf Cavalry after the battle of You Province would be led by Zhang Liao, with Zang Ba, Hao Meng, and Cao Xing as his assistants. At the same time, Chu Xuanao also arranged several positions for the four of them in the Youzhou Grand Camp.
After using his Ghost Servant True Qi to isolate the surroundings, Chu Xuanao looked at Lu Bu with a slight smile.
"Feng Xian, I'm leaving things in the Capital to you. If you need anything, you can go to the Prince of Qin's Manor to find Haitang and the others."
Chen Gong smiled.
"Feng Xian, on this trip to Tiandu, go all out and display the might of the Prince of Qin's Manor. Preparations are already underway in the Capital for you; you must pave the way for Your Highness."
After discussing it yesterday, Zhu Wushi ordered Haitang and the others to create momentum for Lu Bu in the Capital. If they were going to cause trouble, they should make it even bigger.
Lu Bu nodded solemnly.
"Please Your Highness assured, Your Highness, Lu Bu will never disgrace the dignity of my Prince of Qin's Manor."
"Your Highness, we're leaving."
Chu Xuanao nodded, watching Lu Bu and his cavalry disappear onto the official road before turning back to Zhenyou City. He wasn't in a hurry to return to Hanshan Prefecture; he was still waiting for the arrival of the Great Feng delegation.
News has arrived from the Great Feng. It is said that the representative of this delegation is the Xing Wang Huangfu Wuliang of the Great Feng, and Chu Xuanao wants to meet him.
Chu Xuanao even arranged a place to welcome them, setting up eighteen mounds of Imperial Ossuary outside Zhenyou City to let them remember their fallen soldiers.