Chapter 351 - 291, Lushun
On the official road, the strong wind swept the yellow sand into the sky, blowing fiercely.
Everyone bent over, sitting on their horses, using their arms to cover their mouths and noses, almost unable to open their eyes due to the wind and sand.
The original plan was to reach Tianshui County in two days. With the horses given by the border army, they started in the morning and saw the distant outline of Tianshui County by dusk.
Chen Ji rode over to Qi Zhenzhuo: "Tell everyone..."
Qi Zhenzhuo could not hear clearly in the wind and sand, so he leaned closer and shouted: "Master, what did you say?"
Chen Ji glanced at him and raised his voice: "Pass the order, we are now merchants fleeing from Guyuan, having lost our goods, seeking refuge in Taiyuan Prefecture. Before arriving in the Imperial Capital, address His Highness as ’Young Master’. Anyone who reveals His Highness’s identity will be dealt with by military law."
"Got it," Qi Zhenzhuo accepted the order and ran off to remind each member of the Yulin Army, ensuring no one would let the secret slip.
When they entered Tianshui City, the wind and sand subsided slightly.
Zhang Xia looked back at Tianshui’s city gate and asked Chen Ji curiously: "Are you worried about what Mr. Chen said, that someone might use this opportunity to seize the throne?"
Chen Ji nodded, checked his surroundings to ensure no one was nearby, then reminisced: "I couldn’t figure it out before. Hu Junxian suddenly called me to the city gate tower and told me about the plan to open the gates and surrender the city. It was extremely suspicious."
Zhang Xia bowed his head in thought: "The timing when he called you was the most suspicious. Mr. Wang’s letter arrived before us, yet Hu Junxian didn’t summon you until the day before surrendering the city... Moreover, he never intended to recruit you."