417: Chapter 417 Arrival in Longxi County

The Governor of Longxi Commandery was Li You, the son of Li Si.

Before Zhao Fusu reclaimed military authority, Li You commanded fifty thousand commandery troops and held a prominent status.

Precisely because he held military power, when Zhao Fusu imprinted the Thought Steel Seal on the armies of Great Qin, he also conveniently imprinted it upon Li You as well.

Zhao Fusu trusted Li You implicitly.

Li You and the commandery troops were extremely excited after learning that Zhao Fusu was coming.

The administrative seat of Longxi Commandery was Didao, where a grand and solemn welcoming ceremony was being prepared with great intensity.

Governor Li You personally directed the efforts, determined to make this ceremony for Zhao Fusu a magnificent affair.

Starting from the city gates of the commandery capital, both sides of the road were lined with the black military flags of Great Qin, the black dragons upon them snapping in the wind.

Every ten paces, a commandery soldier in brand-new black armor stood ramrod straight, the long halberds in their hands glinting with a cold light; their postures were erect and their gazes focused, like a row of statues.

At the city gate, rows of drummers and musicians stood ready; the drums were massive ox-hide war drums painted with the totems of Great Qin, and the musicians' instruments, such as the bronze bells and pan flutes, were polished until they gleamed.

Thirty thousand commandery soldiers were arrayed in neat formations on the drill grounds outside the city, their phalanxes as orderly as a chessboard; every soldier wore new armor and an iron helmet with a crest fluttering in the breeze.

As Zhao Fusu's convoy slowly approached, the drums and music suddenly erupted in unison.

The drummers swung their mallets with all their might, the thunderous roar of the war drums shaking the very earth.

The musicians played a stirring tune, the crisp ring of the bronze bells intertwining with the melodious strains of the pan flutes.

Li You led a group of officials forward at a quick pace, knelt on one knee, and shouted, "Welcome, Your Majesty the Paramount Leader!"

The thirty thousand commandery soldiers also shouted in unison, "Welcome, Your Majesty the Paramount Leader!"

Their voices resonated through the clouds, majestic and powerful.

Zhao Fusu looked at the armor the commandery soldiers were wearing; he had issued them buren armor.

This buren armor was silver when it left the factory, but since the people of Great Qin favored black, they had used black lacquer to paint it.

"Rise."

After being a ruler for a long time...

His mindset had inevitably changed.

He found it quite gratifying and satisfying to have tens of thousands of people kneeling before him in unison.

He was also lucky; not only did he catch the favorable winds of being a transmigrator, but he also received the perks that came with it.

"All of you, rise."

Zhao Fusu did not make them kneel for long and told them to stand up.

"We thank Your Majesty the Paramount Leader!"

Everyone rose slowly.

"This humble servant, Li You, pays his respects to Your Majesty the Paramount Leader."

Li You bowed with hands clasped toward Zhao Fusu.

Looking at Li You, who bore a striking resemblance to Li Si, Zhao Fusu could tell at a glance that he was indeed Li Si's biological son.

Zhao Fusu nodded and said, "Let us go inside; this is no place to discuss business."

"Understood!"

Li You nodded in response.

His eyes flickered with light.

He had long since learned from the letters sent by Li Si that Zhao Fusu intended to conquer the Thirty-Six Kingdoms of the Western Regions.

To do that, he would have to secure the Hexi Corridor.

This time, Zhao Fusu's purpose in coming to Longxi Commandery must be to take the Hexi Corridor!

This was also the reason he had gathered a large number of commandery troops.

"Your Majesty the Paramount Leader, this humble official has prepared a meal. Why not eat something first?"

Said Li You.

"Very well."

Zhao Fusu agreed.

He planned to discuss matters while eating.

"Li You."

Zhao Fusu asked Li You directly, "How much do you know about the powers in the Hexi Corridor?"

Li You had guarded Longxi Commandery for many years, and it bordered the Hexi Corridor.

He was the person who understood the situation in the Hexi Corridor best.