Chapter 870: The Twin Walls of the Empire, Feng Changqing! (1/2)

Translated by: Hypersheep325

Edited by: Michyrr

Dried and withered leaves were drifting through Suiye, carpeting the ground.

This city was more similar to those in the interior of the Great Tang. The ground was paved with gray bricks and the air was humid. In addition, there were more buildings built in the Tang style lining the roads than in other cities. Most importantly, there were finally people here. The city was not a near–ghost town, and there were even some Hu merchants in the crowd.

But the stench of war here was thicker than in any other place they had passed through.

Clangclang!

The clashing of iron could be heard in the distance, accompanied with shouts of fighting.

Wang Chong frowned and called Zhang Que over. ”Zhang Que, what's going on? Why do I hear sounds of battle here?”

With the Anxi Protectorate army away at the front lines and in fierce battle with the Arabs, there shouldn't have been any fighting in the city.

”Reporting to Lord Marquis: it's the bandits in Suiye. When we noticed them, they were setting fires and looting the city. We're currently fighting with them and will probably defeat them soon.”

Wang Chong's brow slightly furrowed as he sternly said, ”Bandits? Isn't this the territory of the Anxi Protectorate? Isn't Feng Changqing still here? How could bandits show up?”

Gao Xianzhi had left with nearly ninety percent of the Anxi Protectorate army, but ten percent had remained to hold the rear. With these Tang soldiers under the command of one of the Twin Walls of the Empire, Feng Changqing, this sort of situation should not have cropped up.

”It's not clear.” Zhang Que shook his head, confusion in his eyes. ”Based on what our eagle team can see from the skies, this isn't the only group of bandits in Suiye, and the situation has probably been like this for some time. General Kong Zi-an is currently leading a group of men to chase the bandits out of the city, so all of them should be cleared out quickly.”

Wang Chong nodded. ”I'll just ask Feng Changqing about this matter.”

As they were speaking, a messenger rode through his army.

”Reporting! Lord Marquis, Anxi Vice Protector-General Feng Changqing is requesting a meeting!”

”Oh?”

Wang Chong's eyes flashed in surprise. Speak of Cao Cao, and Cao Cao would arrive. Wang Chong immediately urged his horse forward.

……

On the side of the road, next to an elegant government office, several figures were silently standing. The leader was an extremely ugly and dark-skinned man, but he carried himself with an erect posture and refined manner that exuded confidence. Behind him were four burly warriors of the Anxi Protectorate army, sabers slung at their waists.

These four had been standing here for some time, and a hint of concern could be seen on their faces.

”He's here!”

The sight of Wang Chong's horse made Feng Changqing's eyes light up in joy, and he hurried up with the four Anxi elites like he was going to greet his savior. After nearly two months, Feng Changqing's eyes had almost worn themselves out from anxiety, and he had spent every day running around like an ant on a hot pan. Only he understood just how he had managed to endure it all.

Now that Wang Chong had finally arrived at Suiye with a surging army of more than one hundred thousand, Feng Changqing could finally relax.

In truth, Wang Chong's constant delays had made him question several times whether Wang Chong was making excuses on purpose, but all his doubts were cleared away now. Most heartening for Feng Changqing was that Wang Chong's reinforcements were far larger than he had imagined. He had only believed that Wang Chong would bring thirty thousand soldiers at most.

”Lord Marquis, I've been waiting for you!”

Feng Changqing quickly strode forward, bowing in front of Wang Chong's White-hoofed Shadow and clasping his hands. As the words left his mouth, Feng Changqing could no longer stop his eyes from going moist. Talas was in a most perilous state. It had been three days since he had gotten any letter, and though he was beside himself with concern, he could not show any of it, because everyone else was looking to him.