On the wedding day, my wife was abnormal

In the days that followed, the Zhenbei Palace operated at high speed like a sophisticated war machine. The eighth day of the fifth lunar month was designated as the day for the expedition, and with time running out, all preparations were carried out in an orderly manner.

Lin Zhen didn't seem to care too much about the "auspicious day" calculated by the Imperial Astronomical Observatory.

When Li Yuangui nervously handed over the "Auspicious Time Table" written on yellow paper with red ink, Lin Zhen just glanced at it casually and threw it on the pile of documents.

The morning before leaving Beijing, the sky was just getting light and the mist had not yet dissipated.

In the northeast corner of the palace, the vast training ground, which was specially used to mobilize the royal army, was already a scene of solemnity.

The air was filled with the clanging of metal, rough commands, and the impatient neighing of war horses.

Five thousand fully armed elite Jinwu Guards formed neat square formations like a black steel jungle.

They all wore specially made light black mail armor, which was different from the heavy armor they wore when they went to war against Northern Yan. The armor plates reflected a cold light in the dim morning light.

The soldiers had resolute faces and eyes as sharp as eagles, and they exuded a murderous aura condensed from hundreds of battles.

They held a standard fine steel round shield in their left hand, the edge of which was as sharp as a blade, and in their right hand they tightly grasped an arm-length armor-piercing crossbow "Cun Mang", which was extremely fierce in close combat.

A narrow-bladed horizontal sword gleamed with cold light hung at his waist, and a heavy rapid-fire crossbow called "Zhuihun" was slung on his back.

This was streamlined after many modifications by Lin Zhen. It can not only ensure efficient defense, but also be a powerful guard force capable of carrying out fatal counterattacks!

The entire formation was filled with a silent and heavy sense of oppression, as if a dormant prehistoric beast was ready to roar and bite at any time to protect its master.

Before the square formation stood a young general, not tall but as straight as a javelin. He was none other than Mao Mengji, the brave general who, following Lin Zhen's personal order, had traveled day and night, returning from the fierce battle at Qinghe in just three days and three nights!

A striking scar running diagonally across his left cheek still had a newly healed red tint to it, and his sunken eye sockets showed the fatigue from days of rapid marching. However, the almost solidified murderous intent and loyalty in his eyes were like fine iron in a furnace, hot and pure!

Lin Zhen has appointed Mao Mengji as the imperial general, responsible for leading the five thousand Jinwu Guards, who are also Lin Zhen's most trustworthy personal barrier on his journey south!

Lin Zhen stood on the high platform, his figure seemed a little blurry in the dim light, but he exuded a solemn majesty like a mountain.

His gaze slowly swept across the silent armored formations below the stage. Without much words, every soldier felt the weight of his lord's gaze, their bodies straightened straighter, their eyes more fiery!

They are His Highness's sharpest sword and strongest shield!

No matter there are mountains of swords and seas of fire or demons and monsters ahead!

Lin Zhen's voice was not loud, but it reached everyone's ears clearly, with a decisive tone: "Mao Mengji!"

"I am here!" Mao Mengji took a step forward, clasped his fists and bowed, and his armor made a crisp clash sound.

"This prince orders you to lead 5,000 elite Jinwu Guards. Immediately prepare your gear and escort the convoy south to Hu County! This is not a march, but an escort! Anyone who is suspicious, anyone who dares to approach, and anyone with ill intentions will be killed."

Lin Zhen's voice suddenly turned cold, icy cold, "Kill without mercy!"

"I obey your orders! I guarantee it with my life! Wherever Your Highness goes, I will make sure it is as strong as a rock. Not a single tile will be shaken!"

Mao Mengji's voice was hoarse but sonorous, with a fire of determination burning in his eyes. The newly healed scar twisted in the morning light like a hideous living creature.

"Very good." Lin Zhen nodded, turned around and walked down the command platform.

The call is complete!

......

The wheels are rolling and the flags are waving.

Lin Zhen's huge southbound convoy was like a winding and magnificent dragon, moving slowly forward on the official road.

The most eye-catching thing in the convoy was the extremely exaggerated and luxurious huge carriage that Lin Zhen was riding in.

Its frame is made of the toughest Nanyang ironwood, and the whole body is inlaid with polished rosewood wall panels. The windows are inlaid with large pieces of pure and clear glass, and the curtains are the top-grade flowing brocade in Jiangnan.

The interior of the carriage was covered with thick Persian carpets and was the size of an ordinary room.

At this moment, Lin Zhen was wearing a loose navy blue silk suit, leaning lazily on a soft velvet cushion, playing with a warm mutton-fat jade pendant in his hand.

Beside him, on his left, is the shrewd and steady business tycoon Zhang Li, who is calmly looking at the fields outside the window through the glass; on his right is the gentle and graceful Huanbi, who is quietly brewing soothing tea for Lin Zhen; in the front, slightly lower, is the charming and pretty Qingwen, who is holding the chattering little Chengyu in her arms, and seems a little bored with the monotonous scenery outside the window.

At the rear of the convoy, there were several smaller but equally exquisite carriages. From the simple and elegant compartment of one of the carriages, came Chu Xiling's gentle and peaceful voice, which was full of wisdom.

The team set out on time at noon on May 18th, the "auspicious day" calculated by the Imperial Astronomical Observatory. They traveled through wind and rain, trekking through mountains and rivers, and finally arrived in Yangzhou at dusk on the tenth day.

Ten miles away from Yangzhou City, a "Changting" for officials and merchants to rest is already in sight.

However, at this time, the area near the pavilion was unusually crowded with people, and the traffic was completely blocked!

Sun Wenqian, the governor of Yangzhou, had already been waiting here anxiously with a group of officials from Yangzhou Prefecture.

Governor Sun was wearing a red fifth-grade white pheasant patched robe. He tried to straighten his back, forced a most appropriate smile on his face, stood at the front of the team, stretched his neck, and looked in the direction of the dusty convoy at the end of the official road.

He deliberately came back a few days earlier than Lin Zhen just for today.

The line of officials behind him was dozens of steps long, wearing blue and green robes of various colors. Each of them tried their best to put on a respectful expression, but the fatigue from waiting for days and the uneasiness of the unknown were ultimately difficult to conceal, making the atmosphere seem a little dull and depressing.

Finally, Lin Zhen's huge exclusive convoy arrived in the afterglow of the setting sun and under the strict protection of the Jinwu Guards.

Like a silent tide, it finally stopped not far from the pavilion.

Sun Wenqian's eyes lit up, and his spirits lifted instantly. He quickly straightened his clothes, and with the most enthusiastic and humble smile on his face, he hurried forward with a group of officials. When they were still more than ten steps away from Lin Zhen's huge carriage, they all bowed in salute, their voices loud and respectful:

"I, Sun Wenqian, the Governor of Yangzhou, lead the officials of Yangzhou Prefecture to respectfully welcome His Royal Highness the Crown Prince! We have prepared a light banquet at the official post station in the city, and have also prepared the best accommodations for His Royal Highness and the distinguished guests. We hope Your Highness will honor us and allow us to perform our duties as hosts..."

The tall rosewood door of the carriage was pushed open, and under the expectant gaze of everyone, Lin Zhen, dressed in a navy blue silk shirt and with a calm temperament, walked down slowly.

He just casually glanced at Sun Wenqian's face, his eyes calm and without any waves, neither appreciation nor criticism, as if the person standing respectfully in front of him was not a provincial governor, but an ordinary passerby.

He didn't even pay attention to the long line of officials behind Sun Wenqian who were saluting respectfully.

"Thank you for your hard work, Governor Sun." Lin Zhen's voice was calm and emotionless. "There's no need for a banquet at the post station. This prince has a clear goal on this trip: Hu County. The situation in Hu County is changing rapidly, and we could face changes later. You all should perform your duties and take good care of the Yangzhou area."

Just a few words, so concise and clear that it was almost ruthless, like the autumn wind sweeping away fallen leaves, completely swept into the trash the arrangements that Sun Wenqian had carefully prepared for many days and wanted to use this opportunity to curry favor with him.

The smile on Sun Wenqian's face froze instantly, as if a basin of cold water was poured over his head. Most of his enthusiasm was extinguished, leaving only coldness and embarrassment.

But he didn't dare to express the slightest dissatisfaction, and quickly bowed again, his voice filled with unconcealable loss and a hint of fear:

"Yes... yes! Your Highness cares deeply about the people's livelihood and is eager to serve the public. I admire you deeply! I will immediately arrange for someone to guide Your Highness's motorcade to the official road to Hu County."

"No need." Lin Zhen interrupted him directly, turning around to get in the car, "Prince Lu Ben recognizes him. The Jinwu Guards' attendants all carry the latest atlas and compass. You don't need to see him off."

After saying that, Lin Zhen didn't even look at Sun Wenqian again. He held the arm that Cheng Xuan offered with one hand and got back into his carriage which was as big as a palace.

Under the desperate gaze of Sun Wenqian and others, the heavy car door made a dull "clang" sound and closed tightly.

Then, under the sharp gaze of the Jinwu Guards, the entire silent and majestic convoy restarted, bypassed the long pavilion and the dozens of Yangzhou officials who were standing there like stone statues, and headed straight for the southeast, leaving behind only billowing smoke and dust and a scene of embarrassment and desolation.

As dusk fell, Sun Wenqian and the officials behind him looked at the convoy disappearing in the dust in the distance, speechless for a long time.

An elaborately prepared welcoming banquet?

Where to stay?

All opportunities to hang out and make friends have become a bubble.