Chapter 773: Undelivered

What did you say? Say it again!

Qian Junhou passed the word: Governor, starting tomorrow you must provide this cavalry stationed in Luoyang with 6,000 liters of grain rations daily, and 18,000 liters of fodder for the warhorses daily— a total of 24,000 liters, with hay calculated separately.

Outrageous! Outrageous! On what grounds!?

Reporting, Governor, this cavalry is not the ordinary Xuanjia cavalry of the Northern Border; they are the Snow Cavalry wearing silver armor. Their commander is Chang Li, who is said to be exceptionally skilled at leading troops. They have seized many territories in the southwest for His Majesty, including Fengde, which was under King Jing's control. I inquired with acquaintances from Shanggu Pass, and they said the Snow Cavalry's status in the Northern Border army is second only to the Emperor's personal Xiao Cavalry. Their coming to Luoyang is quite out of the ordinary.

Chen Yan flew into a rage: "Never mind whether it's unusual or not—I am the Governor of Luoyang! What do military affairs have to do with me? This year's land tax hasn't even been collected; why should I be responsible for provisions for passing cavalry? Ridiculous! What about the court? The officials of Luoyang haven't even received their monthly rice stipend! The Luoyang garrison is supplied by the court, so why should passing Northern Border cavalry become my responsibility? Tell them there's none!" Chen Yan didn't believe these ruffians would dare move against him; surely some mix‑up had occurred, somehow pushing the blame onto him.

Who would have thought that after his stubborn refusal, within the span of two cups of tea he heard the thunderous sound of hooves while sitting in his study at home.

Outrageous! Who is galloping recklessly in Luoyang's Upper Ward?

Before he could send someone to investigate, a guard came running in, panic‑stricken, shouting, "Sir, it's terrible! The cavalry has surrounded our residence!"

"What cavalry? Speak clearly! Is it the Snow Cavalry that arrived in Luoyang today?"

"I don't know, but they're wearing silver armor, even their warhorses are barded, and several dozen of them have directly encircled our front gate!"

Chen Yan followed the guard out to look; after just a few steps he heard the hoofbeats growing nearer. The iron shoes of the Black Wind warhorses struck the smooth, even stone tiles of the Chen residence, ringing clear and bright.

They've already entered the courtyard!

Chen Yan hurriedly went around the archway and, from afar, saw three silver‑armored cavalrymen ride straight into his front courtyard!

Chen Yan's heart burned with fury; his mind was filled with only four words: "Bullying people too far!"

These coarse ruffians didn't even regard him, the Assistant Capital Governor, and clearly they didn't take the Yingchuan Chen clan seriously either!

"Impudence! Who is riding recklessly in my home?!" Chen Yan burst out of the archway, shouting with a flushed face.

Unlike his agitation, the three riders on horseback remained calm, as if it weren't them who were behaving recklessly in someone else's residence.

As they turned their heads toward him, Chen Yan realized they were fully armed from head to toe, weapons in hand, and two of them wore metal visors matching their armor, revealing only a pair of emotionless eyes. The rider in front, however, had no visor, exposing an unusually young face.

Chen Yan thought that, given their age, they probably held low rank, yet they dared to ride recklessly in his residence?

In the next instant the leader spoke: "I am the Snow Cavalry Commander, Chang Li. Are you the Governor of Luoyang, Chen Yan?" His voice was cold and stern, devoid of emotion, making Chen Yan's heart skip a beat. He shuddered and froze in place, his anger draining away. What was he doing, daring to challenge the Northern Border cavalry that slaughtered the Xiongnu without blinking?

At first sight he finally recalled that they were the lawless, god‑slaying Northern Border cavalry of folk legend.

To his surprise, the commander himself had come! The rank of this Snow Cavalry Grand Commander is not inferior to his own.

"Governor of Luoyang, Chen—Chen Yan."

As he clasped his hands, he instinctively glanced at the opponent's sidearm, breaking out in a cold sweat, wondering if this icy‑faced killer would draw his blade and slash him at the slightest disagreement.

"Governor Chen? Good, I haven't mistaken the person. By imperial decree, Chen Yan is to take care of all necessities for the Snow Cavalry during their stay in Luoyang."

"I have already imposed hardship on the troops by quartering the Snow Cavalry at the lowest standard—this is already looking out for you, Governor. How could I hear that you outright refused?"

"How come? I'd heard earlier that the Emperor's summons hadn't reached Luoyang, and I didn't believe it, but now it seems eight or nine out of ten? Is that the case, Governor?"

"Summons… not delivered?"

"What a big hat."

Chen Yan finally fell to his knees: "I'm innocent, sir! Commander Chang, why say such things? The officials of Luoyang are still owed last month's grain stipend; I simply lack the means to accommodate the cavalry!"

Chang Li rested one hand on his hilt, tapping it repeatedly.

"I came all the way on horseback, and the Chen residence stretches over half a street. Surely you have no fewer than a thousand retainers and servants—such power and standing, yet you claim lack of ability and defy the imperial order to lodge the three‑thousand‑strong vanguard that has fought bloody battles for the Great Jin? Are you joking with me, Governor?"

Chen Yan's chest pounded; he realized they were expecting him to pay out of his own pocket!

"What kind of reasoning is this!"

Yet Chang Li wasn't finished: "Governor Chen openly defies the imperial order—do you think our Snow Cavalry are merely the ceremonial guard of Chang'an?"

The charge of defying the edict was laid upon him, the threat ringing loud and clear.

Chen Yan was drenched in sweat before he could speak again, when one of the cavalrymen behind Chang Li barked, "Why waste words with him, Great Commander? This man openly defies the order—just confiscate his estate and be done with it! Later the Grand Marshal will sort out right from wrong and explain things to the Great Commander before His Majesty."

"Confiscate the property?!"

"Wait! I will take charge of the Snow Cavalry's provisions! I will have them ready and delivered by tomorrow at the latest!"

Chang Li nodded calmly, "Then as long as you understand, that's fine."

He reined his horse and turned, pausing beside Chen Yan as if to offer a friendly tip: "Even the Xiongnu horsemen serve His Majesty, as the saying goes, 'He who knows the times is a true talent.' Governor Chen, you've served many years and are clever—don't tell me you're less perceptive than those barbarians? You'd be better off not keeping company with those clueless literati."

"This Chen residence… a profusion of blossoms… don't look back… what a pity…" The words trailed off on the wind, and Chen Yan felt a chill run through his chest.

Those three riders never dismounted; they simply turned and galloped out of the Chen residence's front courtyard.

Once they left, Chen Yan collapsed completely on the ground, his attendants rushing to help him up, all indignant: "How could this happen? How could this happen?! They… how could they be so arrogant!"

Chen Yan let out a bitter sigh: "Ha… I really fell for that statement!"

"His Majesty knows that I did nothing about the gathering in Luoyang protesting the imperial examinations; this cavalry didn't come here for no reason—they were deliberately sent to warn me! …But how could this be? How could this be…… how could they arrive so quickly……"

Great King: I have eyes and hands that reach heaven! *arms akimbo*·JPG