TPATTHU Chapter 19

Chapter 19: Xiao Zhinian Arrives

Chapter 19: Xiao Zhinian Arrives

In front of Luo City’s gate.

Zhao Yuanwai (a local rich man) had been waiting there since early morning. He had bought a piece of inside information from Governor Yang Shihui with two boxes of gold. It was said that a noble person from the Capital City was traveling incognito on a private inspection. Although the identity of the visitor was not explicitly stated, everyone knew who it was.

The Zhao family made its fortune through the express horse trade around the Northern Borders. Under the protection of the government for many years, the business grew bigger and bigger. However, Governor Yang’s appetite for silver was also increasing. At this rate, he was afraid that his entire family fortune would not be enough to fill that old turtle’s stomach.

The more he thought about it, the more annoyed he became, and the more he felt that this was not a viable solution.

It was at this time that he accidentally obtained this news. Originally, Governor Yang was evasive and refused to reveal any information. Finally, he set up a table at Helou and added more chips, and finally pried open his mouth.

Therefore, Zhao Yuanwai waited early, and his mansion also prepared wine and dishes, so as not to be robbed of the limelight by that old turtle.

Everything was ready, only the east wind of the noble person who came from afar was missing.

This was how he calculated it: if he could please the noble person and receive his protection, firstly, his business would go to the next level, and secondly, he would expand the express horse business to the Capital City, selling not only express horses, but also warhorses. Wouldn’t that be enough to ensure a worry-free life even if his legs were broken?

By that time, he would donate for a small official position, marry a concubine, and hehe, wouldn’t this little life be so moist that it would drip water?

Just as he was smacking his lips and dreaming of a thousand-year dream, the accompanying servant muttered with some complaints: “Governor Yang must be tricking people, saying that he would arrive at Chen Shi (7-9 am), and now it’s almost Wu Shi (11am-1pm). Where is the noble person?”

As soon as Zhao Yuanwai heard this, he slapped the servant’s forehead and scolded, “Shut up! Just wait!”

Although he said so, he thought again that Governor Yang, the old fox, was very cunning. On the surface, he called him brother, but privately he was just staring at his money bag. It was not impossible for him to sell him fake news.

His eyes rolled around, and he stared eagerly at the official road in the distance, unwilling to miss every passing carriage.

“Here it comes! Here it comes!”

The servant exclaimed.

He saw an ordinary carriage slowly appearing from the end of the official road. The wind and sand in Luo City were strong, and under the scorching sun, it seemed to be plated with a layer of brilliant golden light, which fell into Zhao Yuanwai’s eyes and became shining gold and silver treasures.

Zhao Yuanwai couldn’t wait to pile a basketful of flattering smiles on his face. Before the carriage had completely stopped, he hurried up to meet it and said with a grin, “Your Majesty…… ah!”

Before he could finish speaking, a cold and gleaming long sword was placed across his neck, missing it by half a hair, scaring him so much that his face turned pale and his legs trembled.

Holding the hilt of the sword was a tall, thin teenager. Perhaps for the convenience of traveling, he had a high ponytail and a close-fitting outfit. He seemed to be a guard traveling with them.

The teenager said with a straight face, “Step aside.”

Zhao Yuanwai was frightened by his expressionless face, and his legs softened. It was difficult for him to kneel on the ground with his big belly, begging for mercy, “Hero! Hero! Spare me! I am here to feast the noble person, and have no malicious intentions!”

The teenager didn’t know whether to believe him or not, but in short, the sword was still pointing at Zhao Yuanwai’s lowered neck, and he didn’t say anything.

Zhao Yuanwai almost pressed his entire face into the sand, trembling, for fear that the guard would not hold the sword steady and stab him, and he would become a wronged ghost.

At this moment, he heard a leisurely voice from the carriage.

“Who are you?”

“I, I am Zhao Jianji, having learned that the noble person has arrived, I have come to welcome you…” Zhao Yuanwai stammered.

“Oh? Is that so?”

“Yes, yes, I dare not be presumptuous…”

After a while, no one spoke. Zhao Yuanwai glanced over, and the curtain of the carriage was lifted from the inside, revealing a hand with distinct bones, which could be seen as well-maintained. What was even more eye-catching was the Dragon Scale Ring worn on the index finger.

Everyone in the world knew that the only symbolic object passed down from generation to generation by the Yan Country Emperors was this ring. Seeing the ring was like seeing the monarch, and they should all kneel and worship.

With just this one glance, Zhao Yuanwai was so nervous that his back felt cold. He immediately retracted his gaze, not daring to peep at the Emperor’s face.

“Huai Wu, put away your sword.”

“Yes.”

The sword spun like a dragon, flowing smoothly. Before anyone could see it clearly, the sword had already been sheathed.

It turned out that the young guard was Huai Wu from back then. Over the years, he had followed Xiao Zhinian and had developed excellent martial arts skills, becoming an Imperial Guard.

Huai Wu walked back to the side of the carriage, his long sword was worn at his waist, his hand pressed on the hilt, ready to be deployed at any time.

A handsome face was revealed in the carriage. After the youthful immaturity faded, the unfolded features became more handsome and calm. A jade crown tied his hair, and his gestures were all heroic, like a spring seedling that had been nourished and finally grew into a tall tree that could support the sky.

It was Xiao Zhinian.

“I sent a secret decree to inform Yang Shihui of my arrival today. How did you, a mere commoner, know about this?” Xiao Zhinian tapped his fingers on his knee twice, and then raised his eyelids to stare at Zhao Yuanwai kneeling outside, his voice was not loud, but his tone forced people to not dare to breathe.

Zhao Yuanwai wiped the sweat from his forehead, stammering: “This…”

It was really a sin. Governor Yang said that this newly enthroned young Emperor was only ten years old, a little brat who was easy to fool. How could he be so powerful? He was really tricked by Governor Yang and was burning himself.

Xiao Zhinian saw through his inner thoughts at a glance, and asked again: “Where is Yang Shihui?”

“Here! Your subject is here!”

On the main path for horse-drawn carriages, a man wearing a red official uniform squeezed through the crowded crowd, holding his black gauze hat with one hand and waving his hand, rushing towards Xiao Zhinian’s direction in a hurry.

When he ran to the city gate, he accidentally tripped over a stone, and then rolled to the carriage shaft, eating a face full of sand.

“Ouch! This old waist of yours is useless for a day,” Governor Yang muttered, and then quickly got up and knelt down, “Your subject has failed to meet you from afar, and I hope Your Majesty will punish me!”

Xiao Zhinian sized him up from a high position, seeing that although his manners were flustered, compared to Zhao Jianji, he didn’t seem to be panicked in the slightest. It seemed like he was pretending to put on a show.

Xiao Zhinian had not been in court for a long time, but he also clearly knew the truth that the sky was high and the Emperor was far away. These local officials far away from the Emperor’s feet always thought that the Capital City’s hands could not control themselves, so they became lazy and even arrogant. Even he dared not take them seriously.

“Tell me, what kind of things have been delayed?”

Governor Yang had already prepared a set of words, and slowly said: “Recently, a major murder case occurred in the city, but the murderer is still at large. Your subject has been working day and night, neglecting food and sleep, just to investigate this case, hoping to bring the criminal to justice as soon as possible. I never thought that I would miss the opportunity to welcome Your Majesty. That’s right, Your subject ran over in a hurry as soon as I remembered, and even forgot that Your Majesty had instructed me not to wear official clothes to meet you. I really deserve to die!”

Who wouldn’t say high-sounding words? Xiao Zhinian was not a child anymore, so he smiled lightly: “In this case, Governor Yang has a sincere heart for the people, congratulations, get up, I don’t blame you.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty!” Governor Yang got up, but after two seconds, he seemed to remember something terrible, hissed, and looked embarrassed, “Your subject forgot to set up a banquet in the mansion, what should I do?”

Zhao Yuanwai, who had been left out in the cold, finally had a chance to perform, and grabbed the words: “Your subject has hot wine and dishes over there, I wonder if Your Majesty can grace my humble abode with your presence?”

Xiao Zhinian glanced at Zhao Yuanwai, and didn’t care: “Lead the way.”

Governor Yang said: “Your subject is familiar with Zhao Yuanwai, please follow your subject.”

Seeing them walking away, the servant helped Zhao Yuanwai up, but in return he received a heavy slap in the face, innocently covering his face.

Zhao Yuanwai spat and cursed loudly: “Go to hell, Yang Shihui! I did the favors, and I paid the silver. He is so good that he has taken all the good things! Bah! I’ll see how arrogant he can be!”