RWNEFE -Chapter 625 Traveling incognito in Xining!

Soon, the day of the expedition arrived.

Shen Lanxi was clad in full armor, riding majestically atop her warhorse.

“Today, I, Shen Lanxi, swear to Heaven: until Jinmen is reclaimed and the traitors brought to justice, I shall not return to the capital!”

“Soldiers, the opportunity to achieve glory has come once more.”

“You must cherish this chance, for after this campaign, there may be no great wars for a long time. Our Great Zhou will have complete lands, strong armies, and no foreign invaders shall dare cross our borders!”

“After this campaign, Great Zhou shall enjoy eternal peace!”

“Long live Her Majesty, ten thousand years, ten thousand times ten thousand years!”

“Long live the majestic Empress! Long live Her Majesty!”

With powerful steeds in front and blazing banners behind, the Eastern Expeditionary Army set off.

…

News that Shen Lanxi would personally lead the expedition had already reached Jinmen via swift couriers.

For the past half-month, Jinmen had been in chaos. After several shifts of power, the factions had now been forced into unity.

Regardless of private intentions, outwardly they were united against the enemy, bound as one.

“Your Majesty, I recommend taking the initiative to expand our territory.”

“I second the proposal!”

“Jinmen is too small. Our only retreat is by sea and nearby islands. Now with the islands causing trouble, our options are limited.”

“I suggest capturing Funing first. The terrain is uneven, with no military fortifications—our chances of victory are greater.”

“I second the proposal!”

“Although Funing is relatively barren, this being our first deployment, we must win, not lose. This location is suitable for training our soldiers.”

Zhou Ruyuan had long awaited this moment. Though it wasn’t exactly as he had expected, forcing these veterans to mobilize the army was no small feat.

His original plan had been a voluntary deployment, not being pressured by Shen Lanxi into action.

Fortunately, Shen Lanxi had helped stir a sense of urgency among these old foxes.

“Approved.”

While Shen Lanxi continued toward Dongchuan, Zhou Ruyuan had already engaged in his first skirmish with the Dongchuan defenders.

“Your Majesty, Zhou Ruyuan has taken Funing.”

The urgent report, carried over 800 li, reached Shen Lanxi. Her accompanying soldiers turned pale.

Hearing this news right after deployment was hardly a good omen.

Shen Lanxi said nothing. Soon, a letter arrived by flying hawk.

After reading it, she handed it to Song Daoxi.

He looked as if he had anticipated it, nodding confidently: “Zhou Ruyuan capturing Funing is no cause for joy. He doesn’t realize it’s the grave site Your Majesty deliberately left for him.”

“He may celebrate Funing for a few days, but once Your Majesty arrives, he won’t even have a place to cry.”

The soldiers’ expressions immediately cleared.

“What the Grand Tutor says cannot be wrong. As a disciple of Guigu, he is truly a master strategist!”

“Turns out Her Majesty had already planned this. We worried for nothing.”

“With a Guigu disciple guiding us, we cannot fail this time!”

Morale was restored.

This eastern campaign was not only to reclaim Jinmen; Shen Lanxi also intended to inspect Dongchuan.

To prevent officials from knowing she had been away too long and that previous subordinates were no longer under her control, her inspection of Dongchuan was kept low-key.

“Your Majesty, ahead is Xining. There is a military fort here, guarded by Zhang Ling.”

“The name Zhang Jin was given by you, Your Majesty. He came from a family of disaster survivors—his family died in the great snow—but fortunately, he joined your recruitment before he nearly perished.”

Shen Lanxi nodded. Human hearts change easily. The debt of a temporary life-saving act often pales compared to a lifetime of wealth and status—many would choose the latter.

“As we pass through, Zhang Jin has surely already received word.”

“Before us in the Eastern Army, a decoy was placed. Whatever you wish to observe, you will see firsthand.”

The party was dressed as merchants. Liu Yanhui took the guise of an accountant, while Shen Lanxi posed as a shop owner, pulling a cart of spices behind her.

They entered Xining at a leisurely pace.

“Travel documents, residence registration, identification,” the guards inspected one by one. When it was their turn, Liu Yanhui presented their paperwork.

Everything had been prepared in advance—impossibly authentic.

“What’s in the cart?”

“Spices, to sell in Dongchuan,” Liu Yanhui replied.

“Open the cart for inspection.”

Liu Yanhui discreetly offered a bribe: “Please show some leniency, sir.”

Before he could hand it over, it was dodged.

“We, loyal to our lord, cannot tolerate such actions. Were he to discover we accepted money, the minor offense would cost our positions; a severe offense could land us in prison. You mustn’t get us into trouble.”

The guards shrank back in fear.

Liu Yanhui awkwardly retracted his hand.

“Sir, who is this ‘Loyal Lord’ you mentioned?”

The guard proudly said: “Why, that is our Xining commander, Zhang Jin, Lord Zhang.”

Liu Yanhui, confused: “But you just said ‘Loyal Lord’? Did Lord Zhang change his name?”

The guard hurriedly explained: “Not at all. Out of gratitude for His Majesty’s kindness, he chose the courtesy name ‘Loyal’ for himself. His full name, Zhang Jin, was given by the Emperor—who would dare change it?”

Shen Lanxi, riding in the carriage, smiled.

“Inspection complete. You may proceed.”

“Understood!”

Liu Yanhui climbed aboard.

“Your Majesty, Zhang Jin is quite a remarkable man.”

Shen Lanxi smiled: “To truly observe a person, one cannot rely on these superficial appearances. What we see after entering the city will reveal the truth.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

It was noon. Upon entering the city, Liu Yanhui wanted to find a decent place to eat, but Shen Lanxi stopped him.

“Eat by the roadside. The common people best reflect the character of a place.”

Liu Yanhui nodded and walked a few meters to a clean stall.

“Your Majesty, shall we have noodles?”

“Good.”

Liu Yanhui, concerned there might be only coarse noodles, wondered how to get some proper food as he approached the stall.

“Ah, white wheat noodles! Boss, Xining eats well.”

The owner laughed confidently: “Indeed. If you had come a dozen years ago, there were neither noodles nor even noodle broth. Thanks to Your Majesty, we now live comfortably, without worry for food or drink.”

“You haven’t visited us for a long time, have you?”

Liu Yanhui glanced at the meat, vegetables, and eggs in the pot: “At least ten years.”

He walked to Shen Lanxi.

“Your Majesty, let’s eat here. White wheat noodles, meat, vegetables, eggs—no worse than the capital.”

Shen Lanxi nodded, and the group sat at two tables.

Liu Yanhui, knowing what she wished to hear, ordered the food while chatting with the owner.

“Boss, this place has changed so much. Many years ago, during the chaos, even a simple steamed bun cost thirty wen each.”