30: Iron Pagoda Appears

Several days later, Jing Province.

At the end of the official road, dust flew up, and the smoke Dragon raised by three thousand Tie Fu Tu (Iron Pagoda) cavalry resembled a giant python poised to strike under the afternoon sun.

The thudding of hooves, heavy as thunder, finally ceased abruptly before the tall and majestic city gates of Jing Province City.

Three thousand cavalrymen stood in silence, with only a large banner embroidered with the character " Storage" fluttering in the wind. The golden Dragon patterns on the banner, baring fangs and claws, exuded an unquestionable Aura of authority.

At the very front of the procession, four young generals reined in their warhorses, their expressions varied.

After days of continuous travel, enduring wind and dew, their faces were covered in dust from the journey, but their eyes were like unsheathed blades, sharp and revealing their keen edge.

Qin Huaiyu, who led the group, had a calm demeanor, his gaze sweeping over the tightly shut city gate and the sparse guards on the city tower, betraying no emotion.

Cheng Chumo, beside him, was already somewhat impatient, muttering, "Damn it, this Jing Province City is putting on too much of an act, isn't it? We're already at the gate, and there's not even anyone to greet us?"

Yuchi Baolin, stroking the twin whips on his saddle, said in a booming voice, "Chumo, don't be impatient. Maybe they haven't seen us yet."

Despite his words, his round eyes were already wide open, clearly also simmering with suppressed anger.

Luo Tong, the youngest of the four, was even more unable to restrain himself.

He was a descendant of the famous general Luo Cheng, arrogant and ambitious, eager to achieve great deeds and escape the shadow of his father's glory.

This mission, sent by the imperial decree of the heir apparent, was his perfect opportunity to make a name for himself.

He urged his horse forward a step and requested of Qin Huaiyu, "Huaiyu Ge, let me go call at the gate!"

Qin Huaiyu glanced at him, not stopping him, only saying faintly, "Follow the rules."

"Don't worry!"

Luo Tong squeezed his horse's belly, and the white horse beneath him shot forward like a flash of lightning, rushing to the base of the city gate.

He straightened his back, pointed his long spear forward, channeled his Dantian Qi, and his voice boomed like a great bell: "We have come by the imperial decree of the heir apparent! Prefect Huang Jianzhong of Jing Province, quickly open the gate to receive the order!"

His voice echoed in the empty space before the city, lingering for a long time.

On the city tower, a few guards peered down cautiously, then quickly retreated, as if they had heard nothing.

The city gate remained motionless.

Luo Tong's face instantly turned crimson.

This was blatant disregard!

It was a harsh slap across his face, in front of three thousand Tie Fu Tu (Iron Pagoda) cavalry!

He shouted again, "The Eastern Palace's imperial decree of the heir apparent is here! Where is the Prefect of Jing Province? If you do not open the gate now, do not blame us for being impolite!"

This time, there wasn't even anyone peering out from the city tower.

Those guards were like clay statues, completely deaf to his shouts.

"This is outrageous!"

Luo Tong was furious, and he slammed his long spear down violently, creating a shallow pit in the hard bluestone ground.

Cheng Chumo and Yuchi Baolin behind him could no longer hold back.

"These sons of bitches! They're taking advantage of our goodwill!"

Cheng Chumo cursed loudly, his hand already reaching for the saber at his waist. "Huaiyu, why waste words with them! Just ram open the city gate, and I'd like to see if that old fellow surnamed Huang still dares to hide!"

"That's right! My whips have been eager for action for a long time!"

Yuchi Baolin echoed, his eyes spitting fire.

Qin Huaiyu raised his hand, stopping their impulsiveness.

His face remained calm, but his eyes were as cold as ice.

He looked up at the city tower, his voice not loud, yet clearly reaching everyone's ears: "Don't be agitated. They're not unable to hear; they simply don't want to listen."

This understated remark ignited more anger than any curse.

Although the three thousand Tie Fu Tu (Iron Pagoda) cavalry were well-disciplined, they couldn't help but stir in agitation at this moment.

They were all the Heir Apparent's personal guards, favored sons of heaven; when had they ever suffered such humiliation?

Qin Huaiyu did not turn around, but he could feel the suppressed rage behind him.

He knew this anger couldn't be held back indefinitely, but it also couldn't erupt at this moment.

The Heir Apparent had sent them to Jing Province, not to attack the city.

At this moment, on the city tower of Jing Province City, in stark contrast to the tense atmosphere below, there was an air of leisure.

Prefect Huang Jianzhong of Jing Province, a short, stout man over fifty, was squinting, holding a cup of hot tea, and comfortably leaning back in a reclining chair.

A trusted adjutant walked quickly over and reported with a bow, "Prefect Huang, those people outside the city are calling at the gate again, saying that... they have come by the imperial decree of the heir apparent."

When he said the words "imperial decree of the heir apparent," his voice involuntarily lowered, and his face showed a hint of unease.

Huang Jianzhong sipped his tea, too lazy to even lift his eyelids, and slowly said, "Let them call if they want to. Their throats are their own; if they shout themselves hoarse, this Official won't feel sorry."

The adjutant hesitated, "But Sir, they are, after all, people from the Eastern Palace, and they have three thousand cavalry. Just leaving them out there... what if..."

"What if what?"

Huang Jianzhong finally opened his small eyes, a sharp glint flashing through them. "What if they dare to attack the city? Even if you lend them ten times their courage, would they dare?"

He scoffed, his face full of undisguised disdain.

"A bunch of wet-behind-the-ears brats, relying on their ancestors' merits, accustomed to running rampant in Chang'an City, do they really think everyone in the world has to pander to them? This is Jing Province, not Chang'an! The emperor is far away; how can an Heir Apparent who hasn't even ascended the throne yet try to extend his reach so far?"

Huang Jianzhong put down his teacup, slowly stood up, walked to the parapet, and looked down.

He saw the glaring " Storage" banner, saw the four imposing young generals, and the smile on his face grew even wider, carrying a hint of cat-and-mouse amusement.

"imperial decree of the heir apparent? Haha, what a huge joke. This Official only recognizes His Majesty's imperial edict; when did it become the turn of a young Heir Apparent to give orders?"

With his hands behind his back, he instructed the adjutant beside him, "Pass down the order: no one is allowed to open the gate without this Official's command. Just let them bake in the sun, to properly temper the pampered Aura of those Young Master-types."

"But... Sir, how long should we leave them out there?"

Huang Jianzhong extended two plump fingers and wiggled them in the air: "At least... two hours. Wait until the sun is at its fiercest, then open the gate."

The adjutant's heart tightened, and he dared not say more, quickly bowing and retreating.

Huang Jianzhong returned to his reclining chair, a calculating smile spreading across his lips.

He, of course, knew that the Heir Apparent and His Majesty were at odds, and precisely because he knew, he dared to act this way.

He had long secretly pledged allegiance to the Longxi Li Clan, with powerful backing.

In his view, the Heir Apparent Li Chengqian was merely a grasshopper in autumn, with not many days left to jump.

By humiliating the Eastern Palace envoy today, he was offering a pledge of allegiance to his new masters.

The scorching sun hung high in the sky, baking the earth.

Qin Huaiyu and the others, clad in heavy armor, stood motionless outside the city, like four iron-cast statues.

Sweat trickled down their foreheads, soaking their garments, but not a single person complained.

Behind them were the three thousand Tie Fu Tu (Iron Pagoda) cavalry.

Time passed bit by bit; it was an ordeal more grueling than a clash of swords.

Finally, when everyone was on the verge of being sun-baked to a crisp, the city gate, which had been tightly shut for over two hours, emitted a grating "creak" and slowly opened a crack.

Huang Jianzhong, accompanied by a group of Jing Province Officials, slowly walked out.

His face was plastered with a false smile, and from a distance, he cupped his hands in a bow: "Oh dear, oh dear! A few Young Master generals, forgive me, forgive me! This Official was just handling an urgent public matter and was delayed, unable to come out to greet you in time. It was truly impolite, truly impolite!"

His voice was loud, and his posture was exaggerated, but he deliberately avoided mentioning the imperial decree of the heir apparent, implying that Qin Huaiyu and his companions were just ordinary generals passing through.

Cheng Chumo's face was as black as the bottom of a pot, and he gritted his teeth, whispering, "Bah! This old fox!"

Qin Huaiyu's face was expressionless. He urged his horse forward a few steps, looking down at Huang Jianzhong, his voice devoid of warmth: "Prefect Huang, still well."

He deliberately emphasized the word "Prefect" to remind the other party of his official status.