The Empress's No.1 Lackey

On the horizon.

The pitch-black cavalry, like a sharp blade, cleaved the ambiguous dividing line between the desolate autumn sky and the earth.

The horse hooves, as big as bowls, trampled heavily on the land, raising dust waves like muddied surf.

Zhao Douan laughed with squinted eyes, and as he tossed out this remark, a soaring eagle had already swooped above the heads of the cavalry procession.

"Stop!"

The commanding officer bearing the flag in the lead bellowed deeply, and the more than two hundred cavalrymen halted simultaneously hundreds of meters away, their actions uniform and precise.

This level of proficiency far surpassed that of ordinary soldiers.

It was evident they were well-trained elite forces.

The lead general planted the flagpole into the ground and rode alone to the city gate.

Dismounting, he knelt on one knee, bowing his head and saluting Zhao Douan with a fist:

"Deputy General Yuann Xingjun of Linfeng Road Commandery, at your service, Mr. Zhao!"

Men from the Linfeng Commandery?

The crow's feet at the corners of Gao Lian's eyes tightened instantly, and the Magistrate and Inspector behind him also pressed their lips together.

Zhao Douan turned around, smiling at the military officer draped in black fish-scale armor:

"Do you recognize me?"

Yuann Xingjun replied candidly:

"I had the fortune to see a portrait of Mr. Zhao. After the Commander received your letter, he dispatched me to escort you into the city and, during your stay in Linfeng, to follow your commands."

Since Zhenbao had granted him the authority to command troops, Zhao Douan naturally did not stand on ceremony.

The previous night at the inn, he had sent out two letters, one to the Prefecture of Taicang, ordering the local officials to come out and meet the imperial envoy.

The second letter was sent to the garrison.

In the provinces of the Great Yu Dynasty, the governor, Inspector, and Commander maintained a balance of power, with military and civil authorities separate.

Only with the cooperation of the local army could Zhao Douan, this "dragon crossing the river," stabilize this quagmire.

"Very well, General Yuann, have your troops follow behind. Mr. Gao has already prepared to host a meal to cleanse the dust from our travels at the station. We will shortly follow the envoy into the city," Zhao Douan said with a smile.

Before leaving, the Deputy General from Linfeng had been admonished time and again by the Commander to "be cautious and circumspect." He now stood up and took his leave.

Throughout the encounter, he did not glance at Gao Lian and the others.

"By the way, Mr. Gao just mentioned the station is spacious enough to accommodate everyone, right?"

Zhao Douan then looked towards Gao Lian.

The governor, a civil servant of high standing, awkwardly mustered a smile:

"Of course."

"Hahaha." Zhao Douan laughed heartily, boarded his carriage, and led the way into the city.

Behind him, two hundred Iron Cavalry entered like a torrent of steel, leaving only local officials behind, lifting their sleeves to cover their noses amidst the swirling clouds of dust, hearts and gall shaking.

Gao Lian, Sun Xiaozhun, and Liu the Inspector exchanged glances, their expressions grave.

A display of force?

This Mr. Zhao, what a grand display of force indeed.

...

As the procession moved on till out of sight.

On either side of the main thoroughfare of the Prefecture, the shops that had been ordered to close and stay indoors breathed a sigh of relief, reopening and attracting customers, all buzzing about the large contingent of officials and soldiers that had just entered the city.

Outside the less prominent East City Gate, which was used by those entering the city, two inconspicuous carriages slowly made their entrance.

Inside the lead carriage.

Xu Junling, dressed as a distinguished young lady, leaned against the side of the carriage, holding a scroll in her hand, while her maid Lv Shui slowly let down the lifted curtain.

"Commandery Princess, when did this guy manage to muster so many troops? Such an impressive display!"

The maid stuck out her tongue, still in shock.

They had followed at a distance and witnessed the scene unfold at the city gate.

Xu Junling's ears turned slightly red, as she realized just how "arrogant" her previous words at the tea stall had been.

"Hmph, it's nothing but a show of force on the outside," Xu Junling said disingenuously.

Yet, in her heart, she understood that Zhao Douan's move was likely meant to intimidate the local officials.

"Commandery Princess, shall we go straight to the inn now?" Lv Shui asked quietly, pursing her lips. "He brings so many troops into the city, not even considering us."

Xu Junling shook her head, for her identity was after all special. Appearing within the envoy's procession could lead to unnecessary speculation.

"Let's go to the inn."

Xu Junling's eyes were bright: "Instruct our people in the city to keep an eye on the envoy's movements."

"Yes," the maid replied.

...