Chapter 217: Get Into The City
The soldiers clasped their fists and responded to Zheng Dong, "This subordinate accepts the order."
After issuing the command, Zheng Dong mounted his war horse and rode back to Jin Cen.
Stopping before him, Zheng Dong clasped his fists and reported, "Your Highness, Feng Xiyan has given us permission to enter the city, but we may bring only ten guards."
Hearing this, Jin Cen let out a sigh of relief. "Good."
Seeing his relaxed expression, Zheng Dong hesitated before saying, "Your Highness, the Feng Army is even stronger than our Jin Army. Moreover, Feng Xiyan is renowned across the Central Continent as the God of War."
"Taking only ten guards with us... this subordinate is worried for your safety, as well as that of the Seventh Princess and Imperial Teacher Shi."
Jin Cen smiled at his concern.
Looking toward Feng Xiyan in the distance, he said calmly, "General Zheng, when this prince accepted this task, this prince was ready to die under Feng Xiyan’s sword. As long as we can enter the city, this prince believes Feng Xiyan will accept our offer."
Seeing the confidence in Jin Cen’s eyes, Zheng Dong sighed inwardly. ’Your Highness, this subordinate thinks you are counting your chickens before they hatch.’
While Zheng Dong worried for their safety, Jin Cen ordered, "Inform the Seventh Princess that we are going into the city. Tell her to get ready."
The soldier clasped his fists. "Yes, Your Highness."
Receiving the order, the soldier rode toward the horse carriage in the center of the army’s formation.
Seeing the soldier approaching from a distance, the maidservant said, "Seventh Princess, it looks like we can enter the city today."
When Jin Yan heard this, she lifted the gauze curtain and looked out.
Soon, the soldier stopped beside the horse carriage, clasped his fists, and said, "Seventh Princess, His Highness has instructed you to prepare to enter the city."
Hearing this, Jin Yan calmly said, "Alright."
Then she turned to her personal maidservant and said, "Come and help this princess change clothes."
The maidservant curtsied and replied, "Yes, Seventh Princess."
With that, she and three other first-rank palace maidservants surrounded the carriage with a thick curtain, then entered to help Jin Yan change.
When Jin Yan had finished changing, the maidservants removed the curtains that blocked the view into the carriage.
After the three maidservants stepped out, Jin Yan’s personal maidservant sat beside the coachman and ordered, "Let’s go."
Following her order, the coachman flicked his whip, and the carriage wheels rolled along the cracked ground. The three maidservants followed behind, walking with their heads held high.
Soon, the horse carriage reached the front line.
Lifting the gauze curtain, Jin Yan looked at her elder brother and asked, "Second Imperial Elder Brother, can we go in and find somewhere to rest? I want to take a bath."
Looking at his younger sister’s tired face, Jin Cen said, "Alright. Let’s hurry and get into the city."
Jin Cen then ordered, "Move out."
Riding alongside the horse carriage, Jin Cen and Zheng Dong headed toward the city gate.
Stopping beside Shi Yixi, Jin Cen looked up and saw Feng Xiyan. When he saw Feng Xiyan’s handsome face, Jin Cen glanced back at his younger sister.
Seeing Jin Yan staring at Feng Xiyan in a daze, Jin Cen smiled to himself and thought, ’Looks like Xiao Yan likes him.’
Letting out a sigh of relief, Jin Cen turned to Feng Xiyan, clasped his hands, and said, "Greetings, Great General Feng."
Feng Xiyan clasped his fists and returned the greeting. "Welcome to Xiqiang City, Second Imperial Prince of the Jin Empire."
After exchanging greetings, Xue Ruhong ordered, "Open the city gate!"
Following his order, the soldiers removed the heavy wooden plank bolting the gate, then pushed the massive doors open.
Riding his warhorse, Zhan Qi led fifty elite soldiers of the Feng Army out of the city.
Noticing their majestic silver armor and weapons, Zheng Dong narrowed his eyes.
Leaning closer to Jin Cen, he said, "Your Highness, those are the rumored Heavenly Weapons and Armor of the Feng Army. It is said that their swords can cut through metal as easily as they cut through clay."
At his words, Jin Cen’s gaze flickered with surprise and admiration as he studied the weapons and armor of Zhan Qi and his men.
While Jin Cen was studying the weapons, Zhan Qi stopped in front of them.
Nodding to Jin Cen, he said, "Second Imperial Prince of the Jin Empire, please come with this general. You may bring only ten guards with you."
Smiling at him, Jin Cen replied, "Alright. Please lead the way, General."
Signaling his soldiers with a glance, Zhan Qi ordered, "Return to the city."
At once, the elite soldiers of the Feng Army surrounded Jin Cen and his group.
Seeing this, Zheng Dong gripped the hilt of his sword. He scanned the elite soldiers vigilantly and said to his subordinates, "Ten of you, follow us inside. The rest will retreat one hundred li from Xiqiang City."
Forty soldiers clasped their fists and responded, "Yes, General Zheng."
After the forty Jin Army’s soldiers withdrew and gathered with the others, the remaining ten soldiers surrounded Jin Cen, Jin Yan, and Shi Yixi, then followed Zhan Qi into the city.
As they passed through the huge city gate, Xue Ruhong ordered, "Close the gate!"
At his order, the soldiers shut the giant doors and bolted them with the heavy plank.
Turning around, Jin Cen’s eyes flickered with surprise when he saw that the city gate was lined with metal on the inside.
Tightening his grip on the reins, he glanced at the Feng Army soldiers.
’Emperor Father is truly wise. If we had followed the Eldest Imperial Brother’s suggestion to attack Xiqiang City, the casualties would have been disastrous. A marriage alliance really is the best way to win over Feng Xiyan.’
While he was lost in thought, Tan Pengtai said, "Second Imperial Prince of the Jin Empire, we have prepared accommodations for you and your entourage. Please follow this general to the inn."