Chapter 2173: Recruit

However, the Second Prince rewarded Shao Yunduan with two of them at once, demonstrating the Emperor’s high regard for him.

Even those from the Sun Family, who had intended to teach Shao Yunduan a lesson upon his arrival, couldn’t help but feel a bit envious.

After receiving the decree, Lord Yang and Prefect Liu spent two days preparing before arranging the honor guard. Including all the accompanying personnel and guards, a team of more than 300 people set off for the capital of Huaixi Province.

Hope rose in Prefect Liu’s heart again. He was secretly excited and couldn’t wait.

He was still thinking about his family’s wealth.

“Three years as Prefect, ten years in the snow.” One had to know that he had served as Prefect in Huaixi Province for a full eight years. He was originally slated for promotion, but unexpected misfortune struck. The previous emperor died, and chaos ensued, leaving local officials overlooked.

Only he knew how much wealth he had accumulated over those eight years!

Previously, he thought that Minor General Sun could break into Huaixi Province, allowing him to secure his assets. He did not expect the failure and nearly lost his life.

Now, he finally had another chance!

Eager to complete the task quickly, they did not delay along the way.

Lord Yang, eager to learn, asked Prefect Liu about Huaixi Province and Shao Yunduan.

Prefect Liu was knowledgeable about Huaixi Province, but when it came to Shao Yunduan… Shao Yunduan might be the Prefect under him, but Liu didn’t know much about the man, so he had to improvise.

In any case, he wasn’t a good person.

Lord Yang had left the capital with the Second Prince, but he didn’t know much about Shao Yunduan since they had never interacted in the capital.

Hearing what Prefect Liu said, Lord Yang’s impression of Shao Yunduan worsened.

Arrogant, sinister, cunning, greedy…

Lord Yang felt that to deal with such a person, one had to use both kindness and power.

He had to make Shao Yunduan understand that it was impossible to challenge the Emperor with his limited strength. He needed to make him recognize reality before he could subdue him.

The two lords did not expect to be stopped by a checkpoint before reaching Huaixi Province.

This checkpoint was like a long dragon stretching across the mountains. The majestic and sturdy fortress was well-arranged with city walls, arrow towers, and a watchtower, cutting off the original official road.

From afar, one could see the words “Huaixi Pass” written on the tall and majestic city wall. They were bold, powerful, and awe-inspiring.

“Well–” Lord Yang hurriedly asked Prefect Liu, “Why is there such a checkpoint here? Why didn’t you mention this earlier?”

Prefect Liu: “…”

Prefect Liu was as dumbfounded as Lord Yang.

Should he have mentioned it earlier? How could he, when he didn’t know himself?

“This checkpoint didn’t originally exist! They must have built it later. When General Sun and I led our troops to attack, it wasn’t here…”

Prefect Liu was so frustrated that he thought Shao Yunduan must be crazy to construct such a massive checkpoint in this location!

It had been almost two months since the battle. In that time, with sufficient manpower and materials, it was indeed possible to build a checkpoint.

Lord Yang frowned and sneered. “It seems that Shao Yunduan is very ambitious!”

Otherwise, they wouldn’t have constructed such fortifications.

It was obvious who they were guarding against.

“In that case, his claim that he was wronged by Minor General Sun and had no choice but to fight back in self-defense was indeed all a lie!”