Chapter 26 Return to Lecheng
Lingwu was an important town in the north and the seat of the Shuofang Jiedushi, so there was an official road leading directly to Chang'an.

Although Li Xuan's horses were of high quality, they also needed rest. In order not to hurt the horses, he only traveled more than a hundred miles a day.

Only when there is urgent military information or the emperor urgently summons a minister or general to the capital can one pass through the post station.

Each post station was equipped with good horses. Usually a horse was changed every thirty miles, and a horse was changed every sixty miles. The fastest express journey that could be completed was "eight hundred miles".

"Qilang, ahead is Huile County, the seat of Lingwu Prefecture."

Half a month later, Luo Xing took out the map, gestured with his fingers, and shouted to Li Xuan.

After traveling for more than ten days, the master and servant were exhausted.

They only took the official road and had no time to go sightseeing. They traveled for about four hours a day. At night, they stayed at the inn beside the official road. If they couldn't find an inn, they would rest at the post station on the official road.

Li Xuan was a fifth-rank military officer who was about to take office and was qualified to live in the guest room of the post station.

Along the way, Li Xuan showed the fish token, and no matter whether it was the clerk at the post station or the patrolling officers and soldiers, they all treated him with great respect.

According to the Tang Law Commentary, ordinary people were not allowed to wear swords and knives and walk around the city. If the master and servant were both wearing swords and bows, they would be easily stopped by the soldiers.

"Huile City is magnificent, worthy of being called an important city in the Northern Frontier."

Li Xuan rode his horse to the top of the hill and saw the outline of Huile City.

The city is surrounded by a three-meter-high rammed earth wall and a moat.

The mighty Yellow River flows along the west side of the city, serving as a natural barrier.

There were many carriages and horses on the roads leading to the front and rear city gates.

Huile City is an important economic city in the Northern Frontier. Every day, hundreds of merchants and peddlers transport furs, herbs and livestock obtained from the grasslands to Chang'an and Luoyang.

Some are sold directly in Huile City.

There is a military camp in the north, south and east of Huile City.

The Shuofang Jiedushi had a standing army of 64,700 men and 14,300 horses.

There were 27,000 troops stationed around Huile City alone.

The Feng'an Army was stationed 180 miles west of Huile City outside the Yellow River.

After entering Huile City, Li Xuan went straight to the Shuofang Jiedushi Mansion.

"I am the newly appointed deputy envoy of Feng'an Army. This is an imperial decree from the Ministry of War. Please report it to Marshal Wang."

Li Xuan took out the "letter of appointment" and handed it to the clerk on duty.

Wang Zhongsi had outstanding military achievements and held multiple positions.

In order to commend Wang Zhongsi's achievements, Li Longji appointed him as the third-rank General of the Left Yulin Guard as early as the end of the Kaiyuan period.

This is the nominal commander of the imperial guards, which is just a symbol of status and cannot control the imperial guards.

Not long ago, Wang Zhongsi also served as the governor of Lingzhou, a third-rank official, and acting chief censor.

In the Mogan River Battle last year, the Khitan and Xi coalition forces were defeated. After three battles and three victories, he was also appointed as the Minister of Rites and the General of the Left Guard.

Wang Zhongsi's official title was the third-rank General Yunhui, and his title was Baron of Qingyuan County.

Soldiers generally call him "Shuai" or "Shangjiangjun". Shogunate officials and county governors call him "Daifu" or "Dudu".

"Please wait a moment, General!"

The clerk on duty looked at Li Xuan deeply, then took the pardon letter and went in to report.

After a while, a middle-aged man in casual clothes walked out.

Behind him were two soldiers, carrying a general's armor.

"Are you the deputy envoy of Feng'an Army, General Ningyuan Li Xuan?"

The middle-aged man said in a domineering tone.

"Exactly. May I ask who you are?"

Li Xuan didn't know this person's identity, but guessed that it was not Wang Zhongsi.

"The Deputy Envoy of Shuofang Jiedu and Military Commander-in-Chief is Zhang Qiqiu."

The middle-aged man introduced his identity.

"I am Li Xuan, the last general, and I am here to see you, General."

Li Xuan naturally knew him and immediately bowed to greet him.

The deputy envoy is also the commander of the army, which is equivalent to the "reserve commander" of a town. If Wang Zhongsi leaves Shuofang, Zhang Qiuqiu will take over as expected.

"The doctor is busy with official duties today and has no time to see you. The imperial edict has been signed. Take your armor and go to Feng'an Army to take up your post!"

"Remember, this is a frontier fortress. No matter how noble your status is, it's all about ability. There are many areas where young generals are inferior to veterans!"

After saying that, Zhang Qiqiu turned and entered the mansion.

Li Xuan was left standing there in shock.

Not to mention that he is the son of the prime minister of the current dynasty, even if he is a newly appointed deputy general, he has to enter the palace!
I wasn't even entering the door when I was poured a bucket of cold water. What kind of thing is this?
Especially Zhang Qiqiu's last sentence "There are many places where young generals are not as good as veterans" is ironic. Li Xuan originally wanted to see the elegance of Wang Zhongsi, the god of war in the prosperous Tang Dynasty.

Now it was obvious that he was not going to be seen.

"Qilang, why don't you take out the letter from the Left Prime Minister?"

Luo Xing was indignant and said to Li Xuan.

"Don't they know that I am the prime minister's son? Taking out the letter is just bringing shame upon themselves." Li Xuan shook his head and said.

There must be a reason for this.

"Put the armor on the horse and go!"

Li Xuan took the imperial edict and instructed Luo Xing.

It was already noon, and Li Xuan did not leave Huilecheng immediately.

He went to a tavern and had a big meal first.

"My dear, please come in!"

When the porter who was guarding the tavern saw the master and servant, he immediately came over to take the horse.

He is wearing a sword, armor on horseback, and a strong bow, and it is obvious that he is not an ordinary person.

“Feed the horses with the best hay, money is not an issue.”

Li Xuan gave instructions to the servant who was leading the horse.

"okay!"

The servant said yes.

After entering the tavern, Li Xuan sat down casually in the corner of the lobby and asked the manager to bring two pounds of mutton, four buns, and a pot of wine.

During this period, Li Xuan asked Luo Xing to have dinner with him, which touched Luo Xing, a slave.

Just then, several burly men entered the tavern.

The doctor who managed the store was obviously familiar with them, and he served them wine and meat without them saying anything.

Judging from their titles, they are all low-ranking officers such as squadron leaders and escorts.

"It is said that the son of the left prime minister has arrived in Huile City. But the commander Wang has left him outside the palace."

An officer who seemed to be drunk suddenly said.

"General Chen started as a soldier and made great contributions. He was promoted to the commander of an army. The king valued him very much. When he was preparing to attack the Turks, he used the Feng'an Army as the vanguard. Now he was transferred to Chang'an by a fast horse imperial edict. How can the king not be angry?"

A team leader replied.

"You're only sixteen years old, and you want to rely on your father, the Minister of War, to control an army. Look at us. After ten years on the battlefield, we're only a squad of a hundred people." Another team leader spread his hands and interjected.

"Didn't the messenger from Chang'an say that he was an excellent archer?"

An escort officer glanced at where Li Xuan was.

"Bullshit! The princes and sons of Chang'an have some archery skills, but they only dare to shoot rabbits and elks. I don't know if they dare to shoot people!"

A team leader stood up and cursed.

"The messenger also said that the Kaiyuan Wu Champion was unhorsed by him in two rounds in the cavalry battle."

The escort officer continued to speak in a sarcastic tone.

"Bullshit! His father is the prime minister, and the general of the imperial guards must give way to him. Who dares to hurt the noble young master's precious body?"

The leader of the team became even more angry.

“I heard he can write poetry!”

"I can't read, it's none of my business!"

The leader of the team spoke in increasingly vulgar language.

"Meng Da, didn't you see him just now? What does he look like?"

The escort officer asked a sergeant.

"He looks very heroic, but not tough at all. I think flashy is the best way to describe him!"

That sergeant was also quite good at talking.

Luo Xing, who had been listening nearby, became very angry and was about to stand up and fight.

But he was held down by Li Xuan and could not move.

Li Xuan drank wine and ate meat with a smile on his face.

As if he didn't hear what they said.

Li Xuan knew clearly that these soldiers were coming for him.

(End of this chapter)