Chapter 23: The Daughter of Guiliang, the Minister of War

  September 15th, early morning.

  Li Zhen took Huang Shi Hai out of the tent and waited at the entrance of the camp.

  Qishan set out to return to Beijing, and Li Zhen went north together. After Huang Shi Hai learned the news, as a protector of Li Zhen, he also went north to Beijing. Although Huang Hu also wanted to go to Beijing, someone was needed to preside over the military camp, so Huang Hu had to stay behind, only Huang Shi Hai accompanied Li Zhen.

  "Huang Shi Hai said: 'Sir, Qi Shan has arrived, and He Ming is also here.'"

  Li Zhen looked up and saw that He Ming was indeed following Qi Shan, with over a hundred soldiers. Although He Ming's official position was lower than Wu Qigong's, he followed Qi Shan to the north, showing that he was also quite trusted by Qi Shan.

  At this thought, Li Zhen's heart felt somewhat gloomy.

  He Ming is like a toilet brush, extremely disgusting.

  Qishan walked ahead, dressed neatly.

  This time, Qi Shan's official hat was adorned with a red glass bead on top, and his official uniform had a square pattern embroidered with a crane, and he also wore court beads, looking like the attire of a first-class official. Li Zhen looked at Qi Shan's dress and thought not of majesty, but of the dress of zombies in later movies, which was almost identical.

  Li Zhen walked over, made a thousand bows and said: "I've seen you, sir."

  Qishan nodded and said, "Let's go, start our journey back to Beijing."

  A group of people left Jiangbei Dazhan after, Li Zhen, Huang Shi Hai and He Ming were all riding horses to hurry on the road, Qi Shan was sitting in a horse-drawn carriage, with more than 100 soldiers protecting him on both sides.

  Leaving Jiangbei Dazhan, they will enter Shandong and Zhili before finally returning to the capital.

  Taian Prefecture is located in the central part of Shandong Province, named after Mount Tai. Its name comes from "Mount Tai is stable and all four seas are peaceful", hence the name Taian. Within the borders of Taian Prefecture, there is a world-famous mountain - Mount Tai.

  Mount Tai is known as the 'First of the Five Sacred Mountains', with the reputation of being the 'Number One Mountain in the World', attracting countless tourists.

  Especially the emperors of past dynasties, they all have a special affection for Mount Tai and think about holding the Fengshan ceremony. At this time in September, the weather is cool and pleasant, with beautiful scenery everywhere. Qi Shan passed by Mount Tai and rested there for one day, roughly touring the scenic spots such as Ri Guang Peak, and also admiring the pines and cypresses of Mount Tai, before reluctantly leaving.

  After leaving Mount Tai, Qi Shan and his party continued northward.

  Because of a one-day delay at Mount Tai, the speed of rushing on the road was slightly accelerated.

  The sun was high in the sky, scorching hot, making people's heads and hair feel dizzy. Qi Shan, although anxious to hurry on his journey, also showed consideration for the soldiers following him and ordered them to rest. Qi Shan sat in his carriage and instructed, "Li Zhen, come inside the carriage."

  Li Zhen turned over and got off his horse, hastily getting onto a carriage.

  He Ming saw Li Zhenfeng's triumphant and proud appearance, with a hint of resentment and venom in his eyes. If it weren't for Li Zhen, Wu Qigong wouldn't have been able to win the battle and get promoted. If it weren't for Li Zhen, the one who would have entered the carriage would be him.

  Everything is Li Zhen's fault.

  He Ming's eyes rolled around, his eyes were cold and stern, thinking of ways to deal with Li Zhen.

  In the carriage, Li Zhen asked: "Sir, what are your orders?"

  Qishan said: "The sun is shining on people, let you come in and rest for a while."

  Can't help but say, Qi Shan relies heavily on Li Zhen, and keeps pulling him in, even taking Li Zhen as his confidant, making Li Zhen feel that the old man is really good to him.

  Li Zhen said emotionally: "Your Excellency's concern for me is no less than that of a reborn father and mother."

  As soon as the words came out, Li Zhen felt goosebumps all over his body. Qi Shan listened and smiled with joy, her wrinkled cheeks relaxed, revealing a satisfied smile.

  "How dare you! Who are you? You actually dared to attack government soldiers!"

  Suddenly, He Ming's angry shout came from outside the carriage.

  Li Zhen heard this and immediately tensed up, cupping his fists in respect: "Your Excellency, please wait a moment in the carriage. I will go ask what happened and report back to you."

  "Go ahead."

  Li Zhen got off the horse carriage and looked up.

  At the entrance, a sturdy and robust man was arguing with He Ming.

  The two men disagreed, and He Ming directly pulled out the steel knife from his waist, making a gesture to chop. He Ming's martial arts were mediocre, but Hanzi was agile and brave, dodging the knife with a swift movement of his body. His right hand flashed out like lightning, grabbing He Ming's right wrist. Hanzi suddenly used force, causing He Ming to cry out in pain, dropping the knife, then Hanzi dragged He Ming inside.

  "Get out of the way, all of you get out of the way!"

  Hanzi saw Li Zhen walking towards him, and with a flick of his sleeve, he pushed He Ming away, saying in a deep voice: "Do you want to block my way?"

  Li Zhen shook his head and said: "General He, I've come to ask about the situation."

  He Ming glared at Hanzi, silent for a moment, and then said in a huff: "Li Zhen, this guy is spouting nonsense, claiming to be the bodyguard of Minister of War Gui Liang. Look at his attire, tattered clothes, and bloodstains all over him - what does he look like, a bodyguard? Moreover, Minister Gui is in Beijing, not Shandong. I think this guy is an assassin, intent on making an attempt on the master's life."

  Li Zhen furrowed his brow and said: "General He, how dare you take it upon yourself to make decisions on behalf of the master?"

  He Ming wanted to retort, but swallowed his words again just as they reached his lips.

  He Ming lacked insight, but Li Zhen saw that the person in front of him was a practitioner's son.

  Even if Hanzi's martial arts are not as good as Huang Shihai, they won't be too bad. He stared at the Hanzi in front of him and asked: "This strong man, you are the guard of Mr. Guiliang, do you have any evidence?"

  The man rubbed his head and said hastily, "It happened suddenly, there is no evidence!" Immediately afterwards, the man said again, "My name is Gurd, I am really Mr. Guilian's bodyguard. Who is the person in the carriage? I want to see him immediately."

  Overbearing tone, with an air of superiority.

  Li Zhen did not refuse, nodded and said: "You follow me, personally report to the adults. I tell you, my family's adult is Qi Shan, the imperial envoy of Jiangbei Dazheng, who has come to Beijing this time to report on his duties. If you have anything, just tell the adults directly." While speaking, Li Zhen carefully stared at Gurd, but was vigilant in his heart.

  Guldu heard this and a delighted expression appeared on his face.

  He Ming saw Li Zhen taking matters into his own hands and shouted: "If this man is an assassin, can you take responsibility?"

  Gourd stared at He Ming with a fierce gaze, his body emitting a strong killing intent.

  Li Zhen said in a low voice, "General He doesn't need to worry, I believe Guld is not an assassin." After that, Li Zhen brought Guld to the side of Qi Shan's carriage. Li Zhen still had his guard up, he stood beside the carriage, directly facing Qi Shan's position, while Guld stood behind him, with Huang Shi Hai by their side.

  Even if Guld has ulterior motives, it's hard for him to succeed.

  "Gurdu made a bow and said: 'Qishan, I am the guard of Guizhang, the Minister of War. My eighth sister was traveling on Mount Tai and encountered bandits on her way back to Beijing. Please help us, sir.'"

  Qishan brushed aside the curtain and hastily asked: "Gurtu, where is your family's young lady?"

  Gourd said: "Three miles away, please help adults."

  Qishan was delighted to hear that Guilian's daughter had been attacked, and even thought Li Zhen was his lucky star. Li Zhen defeated the rebels attacking Jiangbei Dazhan, he received a reward from Xianfeng; Li Zhen went on an envoy to Nanjing, he got 100,000 taels of silver; now because of Li Zhen, he had another chance to get in touch with Guilian.

  Qishan immediately understood the pros and cons, and ordered without hesitation: "Li Zhen, take all the soldiers with you, and Gourd, go rescue people immediately."

  He Ming broke out in a cold sweat and hastily said: "Your Excellency, I'll go rescue people too."

  At this time, He Ming's body was trembling with fear, knowing that he had done something wrong.

  Li Zhen got on Qi Shan's carriage, He Ming was in a bad mood and met Gule Duo without being polite. Moreover, Gule Duo didn't say that it was Gui Liang's daughter who was attacked, but insisted on seeing Qi Shan, so He Ming and Gule Duo had a dispute. Now that He Ming knew the situation, he regretted it so much that his intestines turned green.

  Qishan knew that Guld was disgusted with He Ming and feared that He Ming would make trouble, so he shouted: "He Ming, stay behind!"

  He Ming's heart was like dead ashes, praying that Gudu would not mind what had just happened.

  Li Zhen looked at the anxious Gurtu and said, "Your Excellency, I will lead the troops to rescue people, only 50 soldiers are needed. The remaining soldiers stay behind to protect your safety." After a pause, Li Zhen turned to Huang Shi Hai and ordered: "Shi Hai, you protect the safety of Your Excellency, do not leave the carriage more than one zhang away."

  Huang Shi Hai was reluctant in his heart, but could only agree.

  Qishan heard this and felt that Li Zhen was very thorough in his work. Guiliang's daughter had encountered bandits on the road, and if he had sent all of his soldiers out, he would have been left vulnerable to attack himself. Li Zhen had left Huang Shi Hai to protect him, along with several dozen soldiers, which was enough to ensure his safety.

  Qishan thought of this and was even more satisfied with Li Zhen.

  Li Zhen continued: "Gurtu, let's go ahead first and have the soldiers follow behind."

  Gurd accepted the letter with a skeptical look at Li Zhen, but still agreed. The two rode horses ahead of the others, followed by fifty soldiers. Li Zhen knew he was going to fight, his right hand holding a sniper rifle loaded with ammunition, and a steel knife hanging from his waist, which could be used for close combat or long-range shooting.

  "Ta-da! Ta-da!!"

  The sound of horseshoes echoed, and the two quickly disappeared from everyone's sight.

  P.S: The first update is early