Yuan Qingshan frowned. Hu Xiaotian had certainly arrived at an opportune moment. After a brief pause, he asked, "Where is he?"
"He has just entered through the East Gate!"
"He came from outside the city?" Yuan Qingshan asked.
The soldier nodded. "He also said he wanted to see Great General Su!"
"Invite him here!" Yuan Qingshan said.
Accompanied by Liang Yinghao and Xia Changming, Hu Xiaotian arrived at the West Gate. Along the way, he saw Yunyang's soldiers standing in two orderly ranks, with the refugees from Western Sichuan passing between them. After Yuan Qingshan decisively ordered that they be allowed through, both sides naturally stopped fighting. All Yunyang's troops needed to do was keep watch over the refugees and prevent them from slipping into Yunyang City amid the confusion. In truth, even that was unnecessary. The refugees' greatest wish was to pass through Yunyang into the territory of the Prince of Suppressing the Sea. After all, the prince had promised to take them all in.
A Black-beaked Sparrow fluttered onto Xia Changming's shoulder and chirped away. After listening, Xia Changming relayed its message to Hu Xiaotian. "Three fully armed contingents are being dispatched toward the West Gate. They're probably coming for you, my lord."
Hu Xiaotian smiled dismissively.
"My lord, you should still exercise greater caution," Liang Yinghao reminded him.
"By letting the refugees into the city, Yuan Qingshan has already defied the Imperial Court's orders," Hu Xiaotian said. "Don't worry. At most, he's putting on a show of force."
As they spoke, they reached the West Gate. Leading eight warriors in gleaming armor, Yuan Qingshan strode up to Hu Xiaotian and cupped his fists. "Your humble servant pays his respects to Your Highness. May you live a thousand, thousand years. As I am in armor, I cannot perform