Help! The cunning and treacherous minister and I were reborn together!

After days of rain, the green mountains seemed to have been washed clean, their colors and hues clearly visible.

Xiao Jianye exhaled a breath of cold air, "If I didn't feel cold, I would have thought it was spring!"

Xiao Zong's lips curved into a smile. "Although Nanzhou is warmer than the capital, it's mostly mountainous, and it gets colder at higher altitudes!"

The two had just led their men to wipe out the mountain bandits and were now heading towards the southern border. Before that, they decided to stop by Xunyong Pass to visit General Zhao and see if he was still in the city.

If the other party abandons their post, they can enforce the law, which is much more convenient for them.

As evening fell, the group looked out over the city wall, and the guards at the city gate spotted their flags and immediately ran to report to their superiors.

The message was passed up the chain of command, taking a considerable amount of time. Xiao Jianye was exhausted, glancing at the tightly closed city gates, and muttering to himself.

"Even a blind man could see from this distance, why haven't you opened the city gates to welcome us yet?"

Xiao Zong's eyes were cold and clear. "With the commander-in-chief absent, how dare they make any rash moves?"

He raised his hand and ordered the army to halt their advance and remain in place.

Xiao Jianye asked, puzzled, "Aren't we going into the city?"

"You are an imperial envoy, so you may enter."

Seeing that the other party was so tired that his mind was no longer working, Xiao Zong kindly explained, "General Zhao is at his wit's end and he's capable of anything when he goes crazy. If he orders the annihilation of us, we need to be prepared. We're still far from the city wall, so our arrows can't reach us. Tonight, we'll set up camp here."

Xiao Jianye pointed at himself, "Aren't you worried about your brother?"

Xiao Zong smiled and had his subordinate bring over the talisman, which was then placed in his hand.

“Throughout history, negotiating envoys have always been devoted to their country and have disregarded their own lives. I believe that you, my brother, are no different.”

Stop flattering me!

Xiao Jianye pointed at him, then, accompanied by several colleagues and holding official seals, rode off on horseback.

"Xiao Jianye, the special envoy to the southern frontier and Vice Minister of the Court of State Ceremonial, has led his entourage to pay a visit to General Zhao and request that the city gates be opened!"

The city gate guard deliberately delayed, shouting down, "How can the envoy prove his identity? Could he be a spy from the southern border?"

Xiao Jianye presented the imperial edict and token, saying, "These two are proof. Open the city gates immediately!"

"It's too far away, I can't see clearly!"

The officials of the Court of State Ceremonial were furious.

"If you can't see clearly, then send someone out of the city to verify. Why not leave the city walls and open the city gates? What kind of logic is that!"

"Your words are incoherent and disrespectful to your superiors. Do you intend to rebel?"

"Where is General Zhao? Bring him to me immediately!"

……

Those gathered below were the most argumentative ministers of the Great Qi, who could verbally abuse you until you were red in the face without using any vulgar language.

The garrison commander and soldiers were quickly overwhelmed and sent men to investigate when General Zhao Xiao had arrived at the city gate.

Zhao Xuanguang rode up on his horse, and before he even pulled on the reins, he had already jumped off.

The soldier, panting, said, "Young General, please hurry, we can't hold out any longer!"

"What's the panic? A bunch of civil officials, you think you can be this scared?"

She thought this group would go directly to southern Xinjiang, but to her surprise, they took a detour to Xunyong Pass, catching her completely off guard.

"Not only the Court of State Ceremonial, but there are also troops behind them!"

"army?"

A thought flashed through her mind, and she immediately understood what was going on.

The emperor ordered two teams to travel together, ostensibly to suppress bandits in the southwest, but actually to eliminate the Zhao family army.

Their emperor is truly a man of deep thoughts!

All of her aunt's subordinates had been eliminated; years of planning had come to naught. Her father was not in the city, and she would soon be going to the capital to report on her duties. The Zhao family was truly at its last gasp.

Zhao Xuanguang's eyes were sharp. She had some connection with Xiao Zong, the commander of the anti-bandit campaign. Now, she could only try to find a breakthrough by talking to him!

She remounted her horse, ordered the soldiers to open the city gate, and rode out alone.

A cold wind blew, lifting Zhao Xuanguang's fire-fox cloak. Her silver armor gleamed coldly in the sunlight. She held a ring blade in her hand, her oval face, untouched by makeup, was clean and resolute.

After halting his warhorse and verifying the documents, Zhao Xuanguang, his face full of apology, clasped his hands in a fist salute to the crowd.

"My father has suddenly fallen seriously ill. I have just taken over military affairs and am not yet familiar with them. I apologize for keeping you all waiting!"

Xiao Jianye's throat was practically burning from shouting. He squeezed his throat and said, "In that case, we should visit him. General Zhao, lead the way!"

Zhao Xuanguang seemed not to hear him, gripping the reins and tilting his head to look behind him.

"Is that Commander Xiao behind me? It's been so many years since we last met, why don't you come and catch up with me?"

Xiao Jianye was surprised by her intelligence and said with a smirk, "Cong Yun and the soldiers have shared weal and woe, and will camp outside the city tonight."

Zhao Xuanguang ignored him, "I'll go find him!"

Astride her Ferghana horse, she galloped off in a flash, arriving at the camp in the blink of an eye. Dou Zhao was a few meters away from her and was about to report to his master when the woman's ring blade flew towards him.

The soldier opened his mouth to warn him, but before he could finish speaking, Dou Zhao had already nimbly dodged away.

Zhao Xuanguang caught the flying blade, and after a few exchanges, Dou Zhao gradually fell into a disadvantageous position.

The woman stopped in time, patted his chest, and said, "You still need to practice!"

Dou Zhao scratched his head. Although he was skilled in martial arts, he was still inferior to the battle-hardened border soldiers who had tasted blood.

To defeat Zhao Xuanguang, we still need our master.

Xiao Zong had chosen a suitable place to set up camp when he suddenly heard a commotion over there. He patted the dirt off his hands and walked over.

When Zhao Xuanguang saw him, he raised his arm and waved, "Xiao Congyun, long time no see!"

Xiao Zong remained calm and smiled broadly, "It's been a long time since we last met. General Zhao's skills have improved even more."

Zhao Xuanguang waved his hand with a smile, "Compared to you, I'm nothing."

She glanced around and said, "How can we not sing and drink when we meet old friends? I'll have my men bring over some food and wine to entertain your brothers. You must come back to the city with me; today, I'm going to get you completely drunk!"

The man shook his head and refused decisively: "I appreciate your kindness, but you know my nature. Unless His Majesty bestows a reward, my soldiers will never drink alcohol. It's getting late. Quickly settle those people from the Court of State Ceremonial. Tomorrow I will go with them to pay a visit to General Zhao."

Knowing that General Zhao was not in the city, he deliberately mentioned it to test her reaction.

The woman stiffened and guiltily turned her face away.

“My father is suffering from a terrible disease, his body is covered in sores, and several servants and maids have developed similar symptoms. The Court of State Ceremonial and Lord Xiao are entrusted with imperial orders. If they were to contract this disease and fail to perform their duties, I would be able to atone for it even if I were to die a hundred times.”

Xiao Zong's smile didn't reach his eyes; his deep gaze was like an abyss, unfathomable.

"General Zhao single-handedly guarded the pass, protecting Fuzhou for twenty years. Everyone knows how heavy his burden and how difficult his task was. If we don't go to attend to your father's illness and instead indulge in feasting and pleasure, wouldn't that disappoint such a loyal and capable minister as your father? Those who know will say we were invited by you, while those who don't will say that His Majesty is mistreating his meritorious officials."

His tone left no room for argument: "Let's skip the welcome banquet. I have a good doctor in my army who specializes in treating difficult and complicated diseases. I'll bring him to your residence tomorrow to take a look at Uncle Zhao's illness."

These words openly rebuked Zhao Xuanguang for neglecting his father's illness and disregarding human ethics; they also implicitly implied that the Zhao family had ignored imperial favor and had become traitors and rebellious ministers.

Zhao Xuanguang was speechless, surprised that Xiao Zong's words had become so sharp.