The news was quickly verified. Under the banner of the surname 'Zhang' were Zhang Ji's troops, and they were escorting Liu Xie and the others back east.
The news had reached Tong Pass before Zhang Ji's army arrived. The matter had originated from the emissary sent by Zhang Ji. Strictly speaking, he was an emissary sent by the little Emperor Liu Xie.
"Greetings, Lord Blazing Sun. Your Excellency's appearance is truly extraordinary. Truly a pillar of the Great Han, a pillar of the nation …"
As an emissary, he immediately praised Yang Rui, but he did not mention his identity at all.
"Forgive me for being presumptuous, but may I ask who you are? What business do you have here? "
Although this person had already announced his identity before entering Tong Pass, Yang Rui still put on an act and asked.
"Oh, please forgive my clumsy mouth for forgetting to announce my name. I am the special emissary of the Great Han Emperor, Wang Zifu. Greetings, Lord Prefecture Overseer of Lieyang Province … "
The emissary spoke rather humbly. Even though he could clearly see that Yang Rui was putting on an act, he still introduced himself to Yang Rui.
"So it is Lord Wang Zifu. Forgive me for my lack of manners."
Yang Rui was not someone who was good at putting on an act. After the emissary had honestly announced his identity, Yang Rui could no longer keep up the act.
"Lord Wang is not an official in the court. Why have you come to Tong Pass?"
"Lord Blazing Sun, Lord Blazing Sun, the rudeness of Li Jue and Guo Si has caused unrest in the court. Fortunately, General Zhang Ji has come to escort His Majesty. His Majesty is not far from Tong Pass."
Under Yang Rui's questioning, Wang Zifu began to explain Liu Xie's current situation.
"… Chang 'an has fallen into chaos. His Majesty wishes to return the Forbidden City to Luoyang. At this moment, he is passing through Tong Pass. He hopes that Lord Blazing Sun … hopes that Your Excellency can escort His Majesty.
His Majesty has said that after meeting Blazing Sun, Prefecture Overseer of Blazing Sun, he only needs to mention the matter he entrusted to him in the past, and His Majesty will gladly escort him. After that, His Majesty will naturally be given a high position and generous salary, and it is inevitable that His Majesty will receive glory. "
Following that, Wang Zifu explained the purpose of this trip in detail. He promised a lot of benefits in Liu Xie's name, but the specifics were unknown.
"Oh? Since His Majesty is about to arrive at Tong Pass, we will definitely protect him with all our hearts! "
When Wang Zifu mentioned that Liu Xie was going to Tong Pass, Yang Rui came forward and said.
At this time, Yang Rui was also thinking about how to treat Liu Xie. After all, he still had Liu Bian and Empress Dowager He in his hands. Moreover, Liu Bian was the true Great Han Dynasty.
Back then, it was precisely because of Dong Zhuo's rebellion that Liu Bian was deposed, and Liu Xie was placed as a puppet emperor.
Although Liu Bian had disappeared for many years and Liu Xie had been the emperor for quite some time, he was still placed in the position by Dong Zhuo, the great traitor. If Yang Rui put Liu Bian in the light, Liu Xie's status might not be maintained.
If not for this, Liu Xie's arrival at Tong Pass would make it very convenient for him to take control of the emperor.
Yang Rui was also in a dilemma about how to treat Liu Xie. He couldn't decide whether to follow the game's progress or directly welcome Liu Xie into his territory.
"Wait!"
Just as Yang Rui had to show a respectful attitude, Guo Jia, who had been standing to the side, spoke up.
"Wait! May I ask Wang Zifu, Lord Wang, what token do you have to prove that you are His Majesty's emissary? Are you really here on the emperor's orders? Or are you here on someone else's orders?
In front of a strong enemy, if you don't have a token, my lord will not rashly open the door for you. "
Guo Jia's words were very sharp. He directly suspected that Wang Zifu was here for the enemy's emissary and sternly stated that he would not easily open the door to Tong Pass.
"Sir, you misunderstand. I am indeed the emissary of the emperor, Wang Zifu. I am definitely not someone else's emissary."
Wang Zifu immediately explained.
"My Lord, if you don't have proof, I suggest that you don't let any suspicious people enter Tong Pass. Otherwise, if the enemy is scheming, we will regret it …"
Guo Jia did not continue to pay attention to Wang Zifu. Instead, he "advised" Yang Rui.
"Fengxiao, are you … overthinking?"
Yang Rui said with a troubled expression. In fact, in his heart, Yang Rui had not completely made up his mind. He still wanted to hear Guo Jia's opinion on how to treat Liu Xie.
As he spoke, Yang Rui intentionally or unintentionally glanced at Wang Zifu, giving off the feeling that he was trying to determine the reliability of this person.
"My Lord, please reconsider. According to the information obtained by the scouts, a large number of soldiers and horses have been discovered a hundred li west of Tong Pass. The flag they are flying is not the current emperor's, but a large 'Zhang' character!
If the emperor is really here, who would dare to cross the line like this? This is an act of great disrespect, a crime punishable by execution of nine generations of the emperor's family! "
In the face of Yang Rui's doubts, Guo Jia had no intention of avoiding Wang Zifu. Instead, he laid out the information he had obtained and grasped the loopholes in it.
At this time of turmoil in the Chang 'an Imperial City, the young Emperor Liu Xie had just been' kidnapped 'by Li Jue. Now that Zhang Ji had come to escort him, how could he have the leisure to care about the Son of Heaven's ceremonial guard?
Zhang Ji had also been born as a warlord in Xiliang and did not pay much attention to pomp and circumstance. At present, he had no time to think about the Son of Heaven's ceremonial guard, so how could he have thought about changing the flags and formations?
"Does Lord Wang … have the Son of Heaven's token or decree with you? Although the words of filial piety are somewhat excessive, we must be careful in these troubled times. Just a few days ago, a large army attacked Tong Pass! "
Yang Rui knew that Guo Jia had other plans, so he played along.
"Your Excellency Blazing Sun, the army a hundred li away belongs to Zhang Ji's men. As for the matter of formations and flags, it was only because we were in a hurry that we did not pay attention to them. I ask that Your Excellency make an exception for this official …"
Wang Zifu should have been able to clearly see that Yang Rui and Guo Jia were putting on an act, but one had no choice but to lower one's head under the eaves. Even though he clearly knew that they were putting on an act, he could only pretend to believe them for the time being.
In truth, by the time he had been recognized as an emissary, Liu Xie had already been stripped of all his belongings, not even a brush or ink. This was the main reason why Wang Zifu had not brought a token with him.
"We can't make an exception. We can't risk the safety of a checkpoint and the soldiers in the checkpoint. Besides, it's not beneficial to us at all …" Guo Jia continued.
"What sort of token does Your Excellency require? This one will return to the official's residence and ask for it."
Wang Zifu said rather helplessly.
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