Chapter 10: Rescuing the Great Confucian Cai Yong (Part 2)

  Lü Linggui's words made Cai Yan's slender neck turn as red as her face.

  Qin Xu's face also turned slightly red. For nearly forty years, he had never been questioned about his character by an eleven-year-old girl with a disdainful tone. What was even more infuriating was that he couldn't think of any reason to explain himself, and Qin Xu felt somewhat hurt inside.

  "I'll go take a look at the soldiers allocated to me by General Lü." As the atmosphere became increasingly awkward, Lü Lingxue was like a mother hen protecting her chicks, full of fighting spirit "protecting" Cai Yan behind her. This made Qin Xuan deeply feel the girl's combat power - if you can't provoke her, then don't mess with her!

  Nor did he know how Cai Yan would train Lv Linggui, who was single-minded. Qin Xu followed the memory of his arrival and found the warehouse between the front and back yards.

  A group of old friends stood outside the "old haunt" bar a few hours ago.

  Lü Bu temporarily transferred the ten soldiers of the Trapping Array Camp under Qin Xu's command, lined up like a halberd. Qin Xu couldn't help but laugh when he saw them, Old Xu and Sima Meng were both familiar faces.

  Among the ten people, six of them were those Qin Xiang had met as soon as he arrived in this era. At that time, except for Old Xu, they were all bold and reckless, muddled and confused but with a mind full of wild ambitions to enter the imperial court. The Qin steward who stole wine to drink led to Qin Xiang's transmigration. Later, Sima Mao promised to help Qin Xiang speak well in front of Gao Shun because Qin Xiang helped him avoid disaster, but unexpectedly, in the blink of an eye, Qin Xiang became their superior.

  However, Qin Xu really wanted to thank Sima Mao sincerely. Being able to find these familiar soldiers from the Trap Array Camp, Sima Mao must have put in a lot of thought. Otherwise, with the pride of the Trap Array Camp soldiers, the battlefield would be their paradise, and there's no need for them to follow a half-grown child around.

  "Cough, cough!" Qin Xu was made somewhat uncomfortable by the strange gaze of these ten veteran soldiers. He cleared his throat and said, "Everyone here is familiar with each other, so I won't say much more. There are many surrendered Western Liang troops within Chang'an City. General Lü has entrusted us with his family members; as for the significance of this, I won't elaborate. Old Xǔ, the Sima, will stay behind, while everyone else will attend to their duties."

  "Lao Xu, dead cat, can you help me out?" Qin Xiu said bluntly to Lao Xu and Sima Mao as the eight people left. Normally, Qin Xiu would not have spoken up without understanding the relationship between him and Lao Xu beforehand. Especially with the mysterious Sima Mao around.

  Qin Xu asked these two people for help, firstly because there was really no one else to use, and secondly because Qin Xu was very clear that after Lü Bu left this time, when he returned to Chang'an City, even if someone reported it to Lü Bu, Lü Bu would probably be too busy to care about these things. Moreover, the fact that Lü Bu could leave Cai Yan in the mansion also indirectly suggested that Lü Bu might remain neutral.

  As for Wang Yun, he was never in Qin Xu's consideration. When Li Jue and Guo Si occupied Chang'an, it was still uncertain whether Wang Yun could survive or not. Even if he knew about it, what could he do?

  "Yes!" Old Xu and Sima Mao exchanged a glance, without any objection, and responded in unison in low voices. They didn't even ask Qin Xu what the matter was, which showed how strict the military discipline of the Zhenyuan camp was.

  It was already deep in the night, and the news of Li Jue and Guo Si's invasion of Chang'an had not yet spread widely, but the solemnity of the night wind in Chang'an also brought a few hints of solemnity to this ancient city.

  As Lü Linggui accompanied Qin Xu and Cai Yan, Old Xǔ didn't seem to have anything out of the ordinary. However, Sima Mao's gaze towards Qin Xu was several degrees hotter. But Qin Xu's mind was completely focused on seeing Cai Yan soon, and he didn't notice Sima Mao's abnormality at all.

  Lao Xu was very familiar with the terrain in Chang'an City, and soon he brought Qin Xue to meet Sima Mao, Cai Yan, and Lü Lingxiao together at the Xi Yuan Longxiang Wei Junying.

  "Halt! This is a military zone!"

  Chang'an City's Longxiang Wei was also a powerful army under Dong Zhuo. Unfortunately, after Dong Zhuo was killed, the dragon had no leader and was absorbed by the imperial court. It was handed over to Huangfu Song, the Imperial Inspector of Jingzhao, and degraded from its original status as the imperial palace guard to become prison guards.

  Wang Yun's original intention was to have Huang Wan use the nearly 30,000 troops to counterbalance Lü Bu, but unfortunately, Huang Wan came from a wealthy and influential family, perhaps he knew how to ride horses and shoot arrows, but in terms of military prestige, he couldn't be compared to Lü Bu. However, the Dragon Wing Guard was still somewhat useful in Wang Yun's eyes, so they didn't lack food, grass, or horses, and were well-trained on a daily basis.

  The soldiers on duty tonight saw that apart from Qin Xu and others who came in the middle of the night, they quickly informed other soldiers to set up a defensive formation, blocking Qin Xu and others outside the gate.

  "I am here on official business at the behest of General Lü Wenhou. All irrelevant personnel, please step aside!" Qin Xu, who had often participated in business negotiations in his past life, knew that the key to gaining the upper hand was to take control of the situation from the start. Merchants who couldn't even argue over trivial matters would naturally find it difficult to close deals. Although Qin Xu had never led troops before, he understood the importance of maintaining a strong presence and barked out the order.

  That night, the soldier was just an ordinary small soldier in the Longxiangwei, and he couldn't see Qin Xiang's color. Seeing that Qin Xiang had a lot of prestige, he didn't dare to act arbitrarily, but he also didn't dare to let people in at will, so he could only bow his head and salute, asking Qin Xiang and others to wait for a moment, and ordering someone to go and ask the night general.

  "I don't know which general under the command of General Lü Wenhou has come to pay respects, but I am Mo Zhi, a low-ranking officer from the Dragon Cavalry Guard, recommended by Brother Ximen. General, you have waited for a long time." A sturdy man with a short and stout build, dressed in iron armor, led seven or eight personal soldiers out of the West Garden Camp gate, and upon seeing Qin Huo's slightly immature face under the firelight, Mo Zhi said hesitantly.

  "I am a subordinate official of the Warm and Auspicious Department, sent to see a certain important criminal. Please, General, quickly bring him out." Qin Xu knew that his age was his greatest weakness, but for the time being, he had no other good solution, so he put on a stern face and said indifferently.

  "This... Excuse me, General, do you have Lord Lv's token or Wang Situ's written order?" Mo Zhi glanced at the people behind Qin Xu with a hint of embarrassment and said: "General, please don't misunderstand. Since Dong Zhuo was executed... no, since Dong Zhuo was executed, Wang Situ ordered that anyone who wants to interrogate the prisoners here must have Wang Situ's written order. Lord Lv is Wang Situ's son-in-law, so his token would also be valid, but..."

  "You're so hesitant, do you still doubt that we can't even pretend to pass on a military order?" Lü Linggui, who had been arranged by Cai Yan to stand behind Qin Xu, and had just escaped Mo Zhi's notice, spoke up impatiently after hearing Mo Zhi's evasive words, which seemed to be hindering the rescue of Cai Yan.

  "Miss Lü! ? I, Mo Zhi, did not know it was Miss Lü who had arrived in person. My crime is deserving of ten thousand deaths! With Miss Lü present, she can naturally represent General Lü Bu. I, Mo Zhi, have been impolite. Quickly, open the camp gate! Please, come in."

  Lü Bu was previously a sworn son of Dong Zhuo and had unmatched bravery and martial prowess, so his prestige in the Western Liang army was extremely high. Lü Lingqi followed Lü Bu to learn martial arts and was known by many generals and officers in the Western Liang army. Previously when Lü Lingqi wanted to come with two people, Qin Xiang did not stop her, but unexpectedly at this moment Lü Lingqi became the key for everyone to enter the camp gate, and even Mo Zhi became more friendly towards Qin Xiang and others.

  Although Chang'an City is not as good as Luoyang, it is also one of the capitals of the Han Dynasty. The prison walls are extremely thick, with a thickness of over one meter, and the strange noises that come from time to time make this place look very gloomy. After Dong Zhuo's death, the Longxiangwei deliberately tried to please Wang Yun, and they guarded the Tianlao as if it were an iron tube, making Cai Yan tongue-tied.

  Cai Yong was a famous Confucian scholar in the country, and Wang Yun did not dare to let Cai Yong lose his life easily. The prison cell where Cai Yong was detained was also deliberately cleaned very clean.

  When Qin Xu and others arrived in front of Cai Yong's prison cell, they saw an old man with a white head and beard writing something on a low stone table. Except for a simple bed, a dim oil lamp, and a thick stack of manuscripts, there was nothing else.

  Mo Zhi took over the keys from the prison guard, pushed him aside, and personally bent down to open the heavy wooden door of the cell.

  Cai Yan looked through the stone window and saw the old man, at which point she became somewhat flustered. Her pale face was slightly **, her lips were bitten by her white teeth to the point of no blood color, and her lively eyes were also filled with mist. Qin Xu also couldn't care about the distinction between men and women at this time, in Lv Linggui's murderous gaze, he tightly grasped Cai Yan's jade hand, and made a gesture towards Mo Zhi's back who was opening the door.

  Cai Ye had gone through a lot, and for the time being, she suppressed her emotions, but instead of pulling her hands back, she tightly grasped Qin Xu's hands, her fingers turning pale.

  "A few generals, this is where Lord Cai's prison is." Mo Zhi noticed that Qin Xu seemed to be the leader of this group, and even Lü Linggui was standing behind him. Although he wasn't very clear about Qin Xu's identity, he was being extremely cautious everywhere.

  "Thank you, General Mo. We will certainly inform Lord Lü of your help... You see..." Qin Xu nodded casually, indicating that Mo Zhi could leave.

  "This...". Mo Zhi was after all the head of this place, who in the entire city of Chang'an didn't know about the conflict between Cai Yong and Wang Yun? Although Lü Lingqi was also present, she hadn't seen Lü Bu's token, so Mo Zhi didn't dare to let Cai Yong out of his sight easily.

  "General Mo! Be careful of your future!" Since Qin Xu's order, the usually silent Si Lao suddenly stood in front of Mo Zhi, blocking his view, and pulled out a token from his pocket, waving it in front of Mo Zhi.

  "Invincible Camp?" Mo Zhi smacked his lips, and saw that Sima Mao had also taken out a similar iron plaque. At this point, he understood that his plan was not going to work here. As the trump card of Lü Bu's army, the Invincible Camp often represented Lü Bu's army in many situations, and their great reputation was built on countless white bones. Even in the Western Liang army, it was already a taboo term, Mo Zhi didn't dare guarantee that if he really provoked these two, he wouldn't lose his head.

  "General, please go ahead! I'll wait for orders at the door." Seeing these two fierce gods standing behind this young man with a childish face, Mo Zhi couldn't understand Qin Xiang's identity even more, but now that Long Xiawei didn't care about her uncle, Mo Zhi wisely chose not to touch his sore spot.

  "Dad!"

  Yan Er?

  Cai Yan's low, heart-piercing whisper made the old man, who had just opened the door without being disturbed by Mo Zhi, suddenly raise his head and look at Cai Yan with an incredulous expression.

  "But Lord Cai?" Qin Xu couldn't help but interrupt the warm reunion between Cai Shi and her father, who were both speechless with emotion.

  "These few must be Yan'er's friends? I am Cai Yong, Cai Bogui!"

  "Dad, don't say any more, let's go now. Whatever you want to say, we can talk about it when we're in a safe place." Seeing Cai Yong still being so elegant and courteous at this time, performing the rituals of Confucianism, introducing himself... Cai Yan was anxious, pulling on Cai Yong's sleeve.

  "But did Master Wang instruct you to come and escort me out?" Cai Yong asked with a delighted expression.

  "Dad, don't ask anymore, we..."

  "How could you... No, no, I, Cai Bojie, have always been upright and honest in my dealings, how could I do such a thing?"

  "What a stubborn old man!" Qin Xu shook his head and thought to himself. Seeing Cai Yan, who was usually calm and wise, almost in tears, Cai Yong still refused to leave prison.

  "Wang Situ won't let you go." Qin Xu was helpless, with Jia Xu in the Western Liang army outside Chang'an City, Lü Bu's trip would not be easy, time was pressing, and he could only use his trump card.

  "You little fool!" Cai Yong, although being locked up by Wang Yun, seemed to still not understand the true nature of old Wang, and couldn't tolerate Qin Xu "slandering" Wang Yun for even a sentence.

  "Not necessarily!" Qin Xu sneered.