From behind the formation came a sharp rebuke. Two guards "escorted" Sun Lin to the front, and in the firelight, it was indeed that familiar face.
A sharp weapon pressed against Sun Lin's back, while his family was under Lan Yuan's control. At a time like this, he could only let others manipulate him.
"You wished to see me?" Sun Lin's face was expressionless.
Seeing that it truly was Sun Lin, Zhang Cheng hurriedly cupped his fists in greeting. "So it truly is Governor Sun. I had thought you were spies from an enemy state. Please forgive any discourtesy."
Sun Lin neither confirmed nor denied it. Chu Qing pointed up at the city wall and demanded, "You look down on us from high above, yet you still speak of discourtesy and forgiveness? Do you mean to leave General Sun waiting outside the city until dawn?"
"In my excitement, I forgot. General Lu specifically instructed me to be cautious before he departed. Please wait a moment longer, Gongda. I'll have someone open the gates at once." Zhang Cheng continued to cup his fists in apology.
"What airs you put on, General. Must our governor come to see you?" Chu Qing continued to sneer.
"I'll come down myself." Zhang Cheng finished with a genial smile, then turned away, his face instantly darkening.
Xu Sheng did not gloat at Zhang Cheng's humiliation. Instead, he frowned and asked in confusion, "Who is that fellow shouting below the city? Since when did Sun Lin raise such a vicious dog?"
"Probably some member of the imperial clan. Let's hurry down to receive them, otherwise... sigh." Zhang Cheng let out a sigh.
The two turned to leave, when a soldier nearby suddenly cried out in panic, "Fire! A huge fire!"
Zhang Cheng and Xu Sheng turned back