The revitalization of the Tang Dynasty began with the Ganlu Incident.

Chapter 21: Zheng Zhu

While Li Xun was causing trouble again in Yanying Hall, another Shence Army lieutenant, Liu Hongyi, had already secretly led two thousand Shence soldiers out of the city and arrived at the Lantian County post station near Chang'an.

Accompanying him was Chen Junyi, the Left General of the Divine Strategy Army, who remained in his post.

At this time, the post station was already heavily surrounded by the Shence Army.

The two sat together on the small building of the post station, looking towards the northwest.

On the distant path, behind the sparse crowd of people coming and going, wisps of dust rose faintly, making the air seem a bit murky.

"Lieutenant, since we've come here to capture Zheng Zhu, why don't we have our men lie in ambush? What if Zheng Zhu sees things are going badly and turns back?"

As cousins, Chen Junyi and Chen Junshang look very alike, with broad shoulders, square faces, and slightly dark skin, giving them a very honest and simple appearance.

If someone didn't know him, it would be hard to imagine that he was a Shence General who commanded tens of thousands of troops.

Clearly, the atmosphere in the post station was somewhat awkward. Therefore, the general, who had once received favors from Qiu Shiliang, was trying his best to strike up a conversation with his new superior.

Having spent many years in the palace, Liu Hongyi naturally understood the ways of the world.

Just as Li Ang needed to control the Imperial Guards through eunuchs, he, as the Lieutenant of the Shence Army, still needed to rely on military generals like Chen Junyi to mobilize the Shence Army.

Regardless of whether he intends to replace his confidants with his own after securing his position, at least for now, not only does Chen Junyi want to cultivate a good relationship with Liu Hongyi, but the latter shares the same sentiment.

Liu Hongyi picked up the teapot on the table and personally brewed a cup of tea for Chen Junyi. He then spoke with a smile.

"General Chen, rest assured, although this operation must be kept secret for the time being, we are acting under the Emperor's decree."

"Zheng Zhu, as the military governor of Fengxiang, has already committed a serious offense by leading troops into the capital without authorization. Now that we have an imperial edict in hand, if he dares to disobey, it would be blatant defiance of the imperial decree and an act of rebellion."

"General Chen, go ahead and do it. As long as Zheng Zhu is spared, it doesn't matter if he's injured or maimed. I guarantee that His Majesty will not blame you for this."

Chen Junyi repeatedly said he dared not, but there was a hint of awe in his eyes when he looked at Liu Hongyi.

It is obvious that Liu Hongyi dared to say these words not because of his status as a lieutenant in the Shence Army, but because his actions had been authorized by a higher level.

In other words, he must have some mission personally assigned to him by the emperor.

Chen Junyi didn't care what the mission was.

What he was concerned about was that the fact that the emperor was able to entrust Liu Hongyi with the task of capturing Zheng Zhu, a military governor of a town and also a favorite of the emperor, at least indicated one thing.

That is to say, the new Shence Lieutenant is someone who is relied upon and trusted in a way that is far from ordinary.

At least, he wasn't a short-lived bastard like Qiu Shiliang...

"They're here!"

The heavy sound of horses' hooves rang out, and a large banner symbolizing the governor of Fengxiang came from afar, fluttering in the wind.

Hundreds of officials rode up and soon stopped in front of the post station.

Then, a short general in military uniform dismounted from his horse, his small, beady eyes straining to see the figure on the small building.

"Who are you people, and what are you doing?"

"Everyone says Zheng Zhu has an eye ailment, and it seems to be true. Lieutenant, I'll be there right away."

Chen Junyi chuckled, then quickly clasped his hands in a fist salute and left.

A moment later, he arrived at the post station and said.

"By imperial decree, Zheng Zhu, the military governor of Fengxiang, kneel and receive the decree."

In the Tang Dynasty, appearance was an important factor in selecting officials, but Zheng Zhu was an exception. He was not only ugly, but also unable to see far.

That's why he became even more concerned about how others treated him.

Seeing the burly general in front of him, who was two heads taller than him and looked arrogant, Zheng Zhu's face darkened and he shouted coldly.

Who are you?

"I am Chen Junyi, the Left General of the Divine Strategy Army."

Having received Liu Hongyi's hint, Chen Junyi was not in a hurry at this moment, and slowly engaged in a tug-of-war with Zheng Zhu.

General Shence?

Zheng Zhu had a vague sense of unease, especially when he caught a glimpse of the Imperial Guards surrounding the post station, fully armored and glaring menacingly without any attempt at concealment. His eyelids twitched.

Holding the sword at his waist, Zheng Zhu became wary and continued.

"I am the military governor of Fengxiang, appointed by His Majesty himself. If there is an imperial edict, it should be the eunuchs who come here. How can there be any reason to send a military commander to deliver the order?"

"Besides, this place is only a few dozen miles away from the capital. Whatever the imperial edict, I should be the one to go to the palace first to receive it."

"General Chen, you have brought your troops here without the supervision of any court officials or the pronouncement of any eunuch. How can I, the commander-in-chief, receive any imperial decree?"

It should be said that Zheng Zhu's questioning is reasonable.

The imperial court's issuance of imperial edicts has its own set of rituals and procedures.

It might be simplified in certain special circumstances, but it's impossible to have a high-ranking military officer come directly.

Chen Junyi frowned, but did not answer immediately. Instead, he glanced at Liu Hongyi on the small building out of the corner of his eye.

He vaguely guessed that the newly appointed Shence Lieutenant seemed to be intentionally provoking Zheng Zhu.

However, from Chen Junyi's perspective, he did not want to do that.

Although the Fengxiang soldiers before him were no match for the Shence Army he had brought in terms of both numbers and combat strength, they were still government troops.

If a real fight breaks out, even with an imperial edict in hand, the Secretariat and Chancellery will inevitably hold him accountable.

Seeing this, Zheng Zhu seemed to have guessed something and said.

"General Chen, you must have come more than once today. Since you're already here, why not come out and greet me?"

He spoke the last sentence towards the post station.

As soon as he finished speaking, a slightly sinister laugh rang out from the courtyard. Then, Liu Hongyi, with his hands clasped in his hands, slowly walked out.

"General Zheng is indeed worthy of Wang Junrong's appreciation. He is quick-witted and admirable."

Wang Junrong is Wang Shoucheng.

Before he was secretly poisoned, he was appointed as the Military Observer.

Although he was posthumously awarded the title of Grand General of Yangzhou, the palace eunuchs still habitually referred to him as Wang Junrong.

"Liu Hongyi?"

Upon seeing the person's appearance, Zheng Zhu's heart sank to the bottom.

At this moment, he fully realized that the scene before him was a trap that had been laid long ago.

But why?

What exactly happened?

For a moment, Zheng Zhu was in a state of utter confusion.

At this moment, Liu Hongyi spoke up.

"What's wrong? General Zheng has only been away from the capital for a year, and he doesn't recognize an old acquaintance anymore?"

"Or is it that even our family is not qualified to issue an imperial edict to you, the military governor of Fengxiang?"

These words were spoken with a smile, yet they inexplicably gave off a chilling feeling.

Zheng Zhu naturally knew Liu Hongyi. In his early years, when he was working as a staff member in Wang Shoucheng's household, he had even dined with the former at the same table.

That is why he was even more terrified at this moment.

Liu Hongyi's appearance indicates that today's events are indeed of divine will.

The other side brought a full two thousand Shence Army soldiers with them; by any measure, they didn't seem like a friendly foe.

"Lieutenant Liu is joking. Since you have come in person, I, Zheng, would naturally not dare to doubt you. Please proclaim the imperial edict."

Upon hearing Zheng Zhu's address, Liu Hongyi raised an eyebrow slightly and said something meaningful.

"General Zheng is well-informed. In that case, accept the imperial decree."

As he spoke, the smile on his face vanished completely, and he stood solemnly.

At the same time, Zheng Zhu knelt on one knee and bowed his head to receive the imperial edict.

A cold glint flashed in Liu Hongyi's eyes before he spoke.

"By imperial decree, Zheng Zhu, the military governor of Fengxiang, has returned to the capital without authorization, which violates the regulations of the court. He is hereby suspended from his post and imprisoned in the inner prison pending investigation."

"His troops from Fengxiang were temporarily placed under the command of General Chen Junyi of the Divine Strategy Army."

"General Zheng, obediently remove your armor and come with me!"