The Zhu Family Manor is located on a hill more than 20 miles away from the border between Hongyuan County and Gaoyi County. It belongs to Qingwu County, Hongyuan County, Jinzhou. The owner of the manor is a big drug dealer in Hongyuan County. After Concubine Rong and her friends came here, the manor was requisitioned by the governor of Hongyuan County for Concubine Rong and her friends to stay. Concubine Rong and her friends were waiting for Yan Liqiang and his friends to come back. As a result, Yan Liqiang and his friends were seen by Guo Sida and others who were guarding the official road as soon as they arrived in Hongyuan County this evening. Then Guo Sida brought Yan Liqiang and his friends to the place where the Zhu Family Manor was located.
"Sister Rui, Sister Duan, Sister Yi..."
Just outside the Zhu Family Manor where Concubine Rong and her group were staying, Yan Liqiang and his group had just stopped. Upon hearing the news, Concubine Rong rushed out of the main gate of the manor in a hurry. Seeing Concubine Rui, Concubine Duan, and Concubine Yi just getting off the carriage, Concubine Rong shouted excitedly, then rushed over and hugged the three people who had just got off the carriage tightly, tears flying...
“Sister Rong…” Concubine Rui, Concubine Duan, and Concubine Yi also shouted, and then the four of them hugged each other and cried bitterly at the gate of the manor.
“I thought I would never see my three sisters again this time. These past few days, I’ve dreamed of seeing my sisters every night…” Concubine Rong shed tears as she spoke. In the blink of an eye, her eyes were completely red.
"We also thought that we would never see our sister again this time. This time, thanks to Lord Yan, the three of us sisters escaped and were able to meet our sister again. It was also thanks to our sister that she sent people to find us, so we were able to get out of the mountains safely. Wuwuwu..." Concubine Duan held Concubine Rong's hand and said while crying.
"It's good that you're back, it's good that you're back, we sisters can still be together in the future..."
With a group of maids and guards around, they could only watch from the sidelines at this time.
Women are really emotional creatures. Before, Concubine Rui, Concubine Duan, and Concubine Yi were all fine on the road, especially when they heard that Concubine Rong and everyone were waiting here, the three women were quite happy. But for some reason, when the four women met at this moment, they hugged each other and burst into tears.
Yan Liqiang, who had dismounted from his rhino horse, was also standing nearby and watching. He heaved a sigh of relief, feeling both happy and relaxed. It really felt like he had walked the Long March - he had finally arrived in Jinzhou. He had sent these women and the two princes here, and this mission was basically successfully completed. The next step was for him to consider returning to the northwest.
The Han Empire was in turmoil, and there was a trend of unrest in various places. Although he had not encountered any trouble on the road in the past two days, he could clearly feel that the atmosphere in various places had changed. Even remote places like Guzhou Gaoyi County had become restless.
In the past few days, I have seen on the road that the wealthy families and big households in the local villages and counties have begun to form village groups and build high walls. Gangsters from all over the country have been mobilized, and all kinds of messy news are flying everywhere. The local government is also at a loss. Every day, you can see a lot of people carrying swords and bows and riding rhinoceros horses on the official road. The price of grain has begun to rise in many places. The people are extremely terrified. I have seen smashed grain stores along the way. All these signs are not a good sign. The curtain of troubled times has been lifted...
"Master, you are finally back..." Although Prince Min was one step behind, he also rushed out from behind Concubine Rong and ran towards Yan Liqiang with a happy face.
Seeing the expression on Prince Min's face, he was not pretending but was truly happy and joyful from the bottom of his heart. Yan Liqiang felt a little more comforted. To be honest, after getting along with him for these days, Yan Liqiang also felt that Prince Min just had some problems with his mind and way of thinking, which was different from that of ordinary people, but his heart was really not a bad one.
"Master, Master, your skill in catching the carriage after it flew down the cliff into the ravine that day was amazing. Can you teach me..." His Royal Highness Prince Min ran over and took Yan Liqiang's hand, his eyes sparkling with stars and he said with admiration.
His Royal Highness Prince Min never liked to practice martial arts since he was a child. No matter what master the palace found for him, it was the same. Concubine Rong was often worried about this. Now that she saw that His Royal Highness Prince Min was interested in practicing martial arts, Yan Liqiang also said, "Okay, come to me first tonight, and I will teach you the basic skills. When you have practiced it, you will be able to be like me in the future and have my skills!"
"Master, you didn't lie to me?"
"How could I lie to you? Now that I'm in Jinzhou, I have the opportunity to teach you some skills!"
“Great, great, I also want to become a great master like you, Master…” King Min clapped his hands and jumped for joy.
Over there, Concubine Rong, Concubine Rui, Concubine Duan, and Concubine Yi cried and said a few words, and Concubine Rong led the three people inside. But before leaving, Concubine Rong paused for a moment and nodded to Yan Liqiang who was standing next to her, "This time, it is all thanks to Lord Yan, otherwise we sisters would have been separated by the Yin and Yang this time..."
"I just did what I could. It was thanks to the good fortune of the ladies that we were able to escape danger!"
Concubine Rong glanced at Yan Liqiang and said in a measured way, "Well, I'll go in and talk to a few sisters first. Master Yan, take a rest later. After dinner, please come to my courtyard. I have something to discuss with you!"
"Go slowly, madam!"
Several ladies entered the Zhu family compound together. Yan Liqiang also let Prince Min in and made an appointment to meet him in the evening. There was a commotion outside the compound gate, and a group of palace maids and guards also followed them into the compound.
"Is this Lord Yan, the Protector General of Qiyun? I've heard a lot about you!" As soon as King Min left, a very dignified man in his thirties appeared in front of Yan Liqiang. He saluted Yan Liqiang and looked at the unnaturally young Yan Liqiang with curiosity.
"I don't deserve it, I don't deserve it. May I know what this big brother's name is?" Although Nian She had already told Yan Liqiang the identity of this person, Yan Liqiang still looked as if he didn't know who this person was and asked politely.
"My name is Luo Feiyun, and I'm the governor of Hongyuan County!"
"It turns out to be Lord Luo. I am so sorry for my disrespect!"
“Master Yan, there’s no need to be polite. According to seniority, in the Luo family, the imperial concubine is my aunt…” Luo Feiyun looked at Yan Liqiang with a serious face, “Master Yan was able to escort my aunt all the way from the imperial capital back to Jinzhou this time, so you are the benefactor of our Luo family. Please accept my greetings, Master Yan!” As Luo Feiyun said this, he took two steps back and saluted Yan Liqiang again.
Yan Liqiang quickly supported Luo Feiyun and said with a smile, "Master Luo, you are too polite. This is my duty!"
"As soon as the Royal Concubine arrived in Hongyuan County, I passed the news to Jinzhou City. In a few days, the troops from Jinzhou City will arrive to pick up the Royal Concubine. The head of my Luo family knew that Lord Yan escorted the Royal Concubine to Jinzhou, and he specially wrote a letter to remind Lord Yan to do us the honor of meeting at the Luo family in Jinzhou City. The Luo family in Jinzhou will welcome you with open arms!"
"Jinzhou's craftsmen camp is well-known throughout the world, and its scale is second to none in the Han Empire. Even if you didn't mention it, I have long been curious and wanted to go and see it!" Yan Liqiang nodded with a smile.
"Hahaha, Lord Yan, please stay at the Zhu Family Manor for the next few days. If you need anything, just tell the steward here. I have arranged two battalions of soldiers to escort you at the foot of the mountain. There will be no problem with safety, and no one will come to disturb you!"
"The county magistrate has already made all the arrangements. How can I be worried?"
"Master Yan, have you encountered any White Lotus bandits on the road these days?"
"I encountered them after I left Imperial Capital, but I haven't encountered them much since then. Could it be that there are also people from the White Lotus Sect causing trouble in Jinzhou?"
"A few days ago, Hongyuan County just beheaded several White Lotus sect leaders. These White Lotus sect members are omnipresent, but fortunately they don't have any roots in Jinzhou. I just received news two days ago that just a few days ago, the White Lotus sect had already started an uprising in several southern states, and had already raised the banner of establishing the Kingdom of Heaven. The situation in the south has become even more chaotic, and undercurrents are surging. If Lord Yan has nothing to do, just stay in this villa and rest for two days!"
Although he knew that it was only a matter of time before the White Lotus Sect reached this point, Yan Liqiang was still somewhat shocked when he heard Luo Feiyun tell him the news. Calculating the time, the White Lotus Sect started a large-scale uprising in the south, which should have happened after the Emperor was killed by Lin Qingtian...
(End of this chapter)