Zhang Yan donned his armor, making himself look as imposing as possible, then rushed outside in a blazing hurry.
He had barely left the Central Army Camp when he saw Li Laosan respectfully escorting a man in splendid silk robes toward him.
"Chief, I've brought the imperial envoy."
Upon seeing Zhang Yan, Li Laosan immediately began winking and making faces, making Zhang Yan want to cut him down.
How could he call him chief in front of an imperial envoy!
He was a properly appointed Zhonglang General Who Pacifies Difficulty, invested by the Imperial Court. He should be addressed as general!
Had he not invaded Henei in a moment of hotheadedness all those years ago, he would long since have been enjoying a comfortable life. Why else would he still be holed up in the Taihang Mountains as an outlaw?
Now that an imperial envoy had arrived, he dared not show the slightest neglect.
He immediately plastered a smile across his face and went forward to greet him.
"I did not know an imperial envoy was coming. Forgive me for not welcoming you farther out."
The imperial envoy looked Zhang Yan up and down and asked, "Are you Zhang Yan, leader of the Black Mountain Army?"
Zhang Yan replied, "I am."
The envoy nodded, took out the Imperial Edict, and declared solemnly, "Zhang Yan, receive the edict!"
Zhang Yan hurriedly called to the men around him, and they all bowed in full ceremony before the Imperial Edict.
The envoy read, "An imperial decree to the imperial censor: I have heard that Zhang Yan, though risen from the wilds, has not forgotten his desire to serve his country. I hereby appoint Zhang Yan General Who Pacifies the North, to lead the Black Mountain Army in containing Traitor Yuan Shao. Should he