The day the army set out was brilliantly sunny.
The expedition had taken a long time to prepare. Jiang Yanchuan had risen early to perform Bathing and Changing, Hand Cleansing and Incense. After sincerely praying for blessings, he donned his cold armor and rallied the troops.
Once all that was done, he personally approached the wagons loaded with provisions and medicinal supplies, lowering his gaze as Lei Zhixin and the others stopped before each wagon to inspect it.
The whole process went on for so long that the civil and military officials were the first to grow weary of standing.
Taking advantage of his exceptionally favorable position, Vice Minister Quan of the Ministry of Rites, Pu Yuanzhou, tilted his head toward Lan Yangyu, a director from the Ministry of Personnel standing diagonally behind him, and muttered, "What exactly is His Majesty... checking?"
Lan Yangyu cast Pu Yuanzhou a sidelong glance.
He certainly was a curious one.
Despite inwardly grumbling, he leaned closer with a smile and replied just as quietly, "This humble official isn't quite sure either, but... didn't they catch two people switching out the medicinal supplies a while ago? His Majesty is probably making one final inspection of that matter-"
"Weren't they already caught? Why is he still checking?"
"If this humble official might venture a guess... perhaps he's looking for fish that slipped through the net?"
"Oh-"
Several people in the crowd abruptly stopped breathing for a moment. Lan Yangyu shook out his broad sleeves, a meaningful smile curling at his lips.
That's what you get for having no conscience. See if I don't scare you to death!
Time slowly passed, and traces of agitation finally crept into Jiang Yanchuan's eyes.
The Wei Clan had requested permission to accompany the army, and he had granted it.