"Greetings to Marquis Yang!" Wang Zhongzhi came over and clasped his hands in a salute.
Yang Zhenshan sized him up, then turned to look at Lv Hua.
There was a ferocious scar on Lv Hua’s face that added a fierce touch to what had once been an elegant appearance; his air of nobility had now turned to a ruthless aura.
Yes, ruthless; the ruthlessness in his eyes was unmistakable.
"I am getting ready to return to the Capital City!" Yang Zhenshan said bluntly, without any pleasantries.
Wang Zhongzhi nodded, "Does Marquis Yang have any arrangements for us?"
"No arrangements; you are free to leave at any time if you wish!" said Yang Zhenshan flatly.
In fact, he did not want to get involved with the Secret Martial Guards too much, neither in the past nor now.
To him, the Secret Martial Guards were synonymous with trouble, invariably leading to endless hassles once involved.
Wang Zhongzhi’s expression shifted slightly, "I would like to ask for Marquis Yang’s assistance?"
"What do you need help with?"
"I want to see His Majesty!"
"Hmm, you are not afraid of dying!" Yang Zhenshan looked at him, surprised.
"Afraid, but I do not wish to die without clarity!" Wang Zhongzhi declared.
In terms of loyalty, Wang Zhongzhi could be deemed utterly faithful, both to the late Emperor Chengping and the current Emperor Yanping.
He did not wish to question Emperor Yanping, he simply wanted to serve him loyally.
Should Emperor Yanping wish for his death, he would willingly end his own life, but he hoped Emperor Yanping would acknowledge his loyalty.
Yang Zhenshan did not understand his reasoning, nor did he care about it.
"Sorry, this is a favor I cannot accommodate!" Yang Zhenshan refused.
It was not a refusal out of politeness, but truly beyond his ability to help.
Wang Zhongzhi fell silent, and Lv Hua stood by without a word; as for Wei Cen, he was on guard at a distance.
Since no one else spoke up, Yang Zhenshan said with a sense of helplessness, "Wait until I understand the situation in Capital City. Give Ding Qiu a way to contact you; if there’s an issue, I will contact you myself!"
He genuinely did not want to deal with the Secret Martial Guards, but now he had no choice as he had already been entangled with them.
"Then I will have to trouble Marquis Yang!"
Wang Zhongzhi said, thereafter giving Lv Hua a look, who stepped forward to tell Ding Qiu how to contact them in Capital City.
Although now reduced to a desperate state, both Wang Zhongzhi and Lv Hua held significant power, having controlled the Secret Martial Guards and the Northern Station for decades.
After they finished talking, Yang Zhenshan turned and walked down the mountain.
"Until we meet again!"
He waved his hand and strode away.
Wang Zhongzhi watched his retreating figure, frowning deeply.
"Are you worried?" Lv Hua asked solemnly.
"Yes! Marquis Yang has just entered Capital City and might fall into Nansheng’s traps. Should he fall for Nansheng’s schemes, he might be in danger!" said Wang Zhongzhi.
Although this was the first time Wang Zhongzhi had interacted with Yang Zhenshan, he did not wish any trouble for him; after all, they still needed Yang Zhenshan’s help.
Lv Hua fell silent for a moment, then slightly shook his head, "Yang Zhenshan may appear upright and open, but he is deeply cunning. Should Nansheng attempt to go against him, it may very well backfire!"
Wang Zhongzhi didn’t understand Yang Zhenshan, but Lv Hua did.
Yang Zhenshan always struck others as assertive, never hiding his intentions or thoughts, preferring to deal with matters in a forthright manner.
To say that he was upright and open wouldn’t be an exaggeration.
But those who truly understood Yang Zhenshan knew that he was inherently cold, indifferent even in taking a life.
Yang Zhenshan was also a man of planning, preferring to strategize in advance and then methodically execute according to his plan.
This could be seen from his governance of Chongshan Town and the Tenglong Guard, always devising numerous plans for his subordinates to implement.
The same was true on the battlefield. During the battle at Guanshan Pass, he faced the armies of Wuliang head-on, unwavering in his strategy, waiting for the northwest wind to arise.
This careful planning before acting was typical of Yang Zhenshan’s nature.
In other words, deeply cunning.
Since Yang Zhenshan was heading for the Capital, would he not consider the troubles he could encounter once there?
"Haha, it seems you admire him quite a bit?" Wang Zhongzhi chuckled.
He was quite familiar with Lv Hua’s temperament, the inherent pride and disdain for anyone or anything.
Few people could earn Lv Hua’s respect, if any at all—Wang Zhongzhi certainly didn’t think Lv Hua would admire him.
"Hardly," Lv Hua shook his head slightly.
Wang Zhongzhi laughed, as expected.
He then sighed softly, "At this point, we can only take things slowly!"
"You start by contacting the Capital first, keep an eye on the Imperial Guard Department and garrison commander! If Marquis Jing’an needs anything, tell them to be ready to act!"
They were now tied to Yang Zhenshan, and at least until Nansheng was dealt with, Yang Zhenshan was their most important ally.
In the second year of Emperor Yanping’s reign, on the eighteenth day of the second month.
The clear sky was devoid of a single cloud, and Chongshan Pass gleamed in the bright sunlight, resplendent in its majesty.
On the southern official road outside the city, the lengthy procession made its way southward, while Zhou Lan, Pang Tang, and others watched the caravan disappear into the distance.
"It is hard to tell what will happen after Marquis enters Capital City," Pang Tang remarked with a somewhat grave expression.
Zhou Lan appeared calm, "Do not worry, Governor. The Capital City will not fall into chaos!"