"Let’s go!" Li Chang nodded slightly and walked slowly towards the city gate.
Many soldiers were stationed at the city gate, and everyone entering or leaving had to undergo strict inspection. However, no matter how rigorous the inspection, it was difficult to prevent spies from entering the city; it could only stop a large number of enemies from infiltrating.
Although Li Chang’s group came from elsewhere, they had the identity of the Yangtian Sect. The Yangtian Sect’s reputation might not be very prominent in Baoning Prefecture, but the Taiping Army had no reason to stop them from entering the city.
This speaks to the relationship between worldly forces and the rebels. On the surface, these sects have a myriad of connections with the court, and many sects have even been granted titles by the court, with many sect leaders receiving stipends. Still, the rebels cannot view these sect forces as enemies; instead, they must ally with them.
The reason is simple: no one regards sect forces as part of the court’s power. In everyone’s eyes, sect forces are independent of the court, even if the court issues the Martial Order to title first, second, and third-rank sects; they are still not considered part of the court.
The Yangtian Sect is a first-ranked sect appointed by the court; Du Qiandao holds the position of a third-rank official, and many disciples of the Yangtian Sect even work in the Martial Arts Department. Yet, neither the court nor the Yangtian Sect considers themselves a part of the court.
Simply put, the relationship between rebels and worldly sects is that as long as there’s no conflict, they don’t interfere with each other.
Thus, when Li Chang and his group entered the city, they managed to get in smoothly after a brief inspection.
However, just as they entered the city gate, someone happened to bump into him.
"Oh my god, why is he here?"
Li Dagui’s eyes widened, with a look of panic.
He had just gone to the government office to discuss training matters with Ming Zhao and was about to leave the city to inspect the barracks. Unexpectedly, as he approached the gate, he saw a familiar figure.
Initially, he thought he was seeing things and rubbed his eyes vigorously, only to confirm he was not mistaken.
He was Yang Zhenshan’s personal follower, and Li Chang, along with Wang Lei, had always been the head of the personal followers. Yang Zhenshan had a total of twenty personal followers who had been with him for thirty years. Anyone familiar with Yang Zhenshan almost certainly knew Li Chang and Wang Lei.
He was now a guard of the Yang family, having followed them all the way from Chongshan Town to the Capital City and later migrating to Star Moon Island. Previously, they were Yang Zhenshan’s personal soldiers.
How could Li Dagui not recognize Li Chang?
More than just knowing him!
These guards had suffered under Li Chang and others many times.
Yang Zhenshan’s previous personal soldiers were trained by Li Chang and Wang Lei.
Suddenly seeing Li Chang, Li Dagui’s heart started pounding like a drum, akin to a mouse seeing a cat. Without saying a word, he turned and ran.
At this moment, he was riding a horse, accompanied by over a dozen personal soldiers.
Indeed, Li Dagui was now a general with personal soldiers!
However, his behavior confused his soldiers, who only reacted after a while, turning their horses to chase after him.
Li Chang, having just entered the city, immediately spotted the fleeing Li Dagui.
Li Dagui could see Li Chang, and naturally, Li Chang could see Li Dagui.
Li Dagui was even more conspicuous than Li Chang’s group, as they were on horseback, clad in armor, clearly identifiable as soldiers of the Taiping Army.
"It’s Li Dagui!" Li Chang’s companion also recognized Li Dagui.
Li Chang nodded, "It seems there’s no doubt, Mr. Si is in the city!"
With that, they headed down the street, deeper into the city. Orıginal content can be found at novel⸺fire.net
Li Dagui, in a fluster, ran back to the government office, rushing towards Yang Mingzhao’s study while muttering, "It’s over, it’s over!"
"Young Master, save me!"
In the study, Ming Zhao was discussing matters with Li Wenchun when Li Dagui burst in, yelling.
His shout startled Ming Zhao.
"What are you doing, you scared me!" Ming Zhao snapped irritably.
Li Dagui was on the verge of tears, "Young Master, Li Chang is here!"
"Who?" Ming Zhao couldn’t quite catch it.
"Li Chang, Boss Li is here!" Li Dagui repeated.
Ming Zhao froze for a moment, then shivered abruptly, "Run!"
His first thought was to escape!
Darn it, Li Chang’s arrival was no different from Yang Zhenshan’s.
Thinking of Yang Zhenshan finding out about his actions, he felt as if the sky was falling.
Over the past six months, he hadn’t dared return to Star Moon Island, fearing that Yang Zhenshan and Yu Qingyi might have returned, so he dared not go back.
He could manage to deceive others, but he was not confident he could deceive Yang Zhenshan and Yu Qingyi, nor would he dare to attempt it.
Ming Zhao was also in a panic!
Almost ready to jump out the window to escape.
"Young Master!" Li Wenchun called out, unable to contain himself.
"This, this, Senior!" Ming Zhao looked at Li Wenchun, his eyes revealing a plea for help.
Although Li Wenchun didn’t know who Li Chang was, he could guess that something had happened.
For it to shock Ming Zhao this much, it was clearly not an enemy.
Even if Emperor Jianxing personally arrived, Ming Zhao wouldn’t be so flustered and disoriented.
So there was only one answer.
Someone from the Yang family had come, and the old Marquis probably knew Ming Zhao was here.
"Young Master, what needs to be faced must be faced sooner or later!" Li Wenchun said softly.
He knew Ming Zhao’s identity, and naturally understood the issues Ming Zhao had to confront, and had even anticipated Yang Zhenshan’s attitude before.