Chapter 173: How Could Those Two External Officials Sent on Assignment Be These Two?!

"Two petty external officials, dare to block our way?"

"Xue Mou, go have a look!"

Xue Ji heard this, lifted his head, full of disdain, and snorted lightly.

Having said that, he spurred his Horse forward.

He looked as if he couldn't wait.

The so‑called leaving the city for an appointment, if put nicely, is called external assignment...

Put bluntly, it's called demotion!

For such officials, Xue Ji has never given them a second glance...

"This kid really can't hold back at all..."

"Now he'll seize the chance to assert his authority!"

Chen Yan watched Xue Ji's departing back, smiled calmly, and guessed his intention in his heart.

The proud Xue clan's youth, not even having left Chang'an's city gate, seized the chance to stick out his tail and show off...

"Xue Ji this fellow wants to preempt others, snatch the speaking rights of this expedition..."

Wang Xiong's attention was not on Xue Ji, but focused on Chen Yan, thinking to himself, "How will he respond?"

The current Chen Yan is unlike before, his temperament has greatly changed; he's no longer of good temper...

Especially since escaping from Tianlao Siyu, his methods have become even harsher!

One can see a glimpse from that series of cases...

Wang Xiong was curious, this Vermilion Bird Mirror‑hand, holding his position, was preparing what kind of response?

"Interesting!"

"Xue Ji this fool really can't keep his composure at all..."

Liu Yuanjing, witnessing the scene, lightly shook the folding fan in his hand, a faint smile tugging at his mouth, murmured softly.

He hadn't expected that even before leaving the city gate, there would already be a good show to watch.

Thinking of this, his peripheral glance fell on the completely opposite Chen Yan.

Liu Yuanjing also looked forward to his tactics and response, wondering whether they were worth the Liu clan's bet...

"Sir, this...?" You Xian raised his hand, pointed lightly, and inquired.

"No problem!"

Chen Yan was unperturbed, waved his hand casually, and laughed, "If he wants to go, let him go!"

"Understood," You Xian replied.

At the city gate.

Xue Ji quickly spurred his Horse, whipped forward, halted his Horse amid the congested standoff, his face showing arrogance, brandishing his whip toward the two carriages about to leave the city, and shouted, "We are the force sent to Jingzhou to suppress bandits; you should know your place, step aside and clear the road!"

"Delaying the schedule, you cannot afford that!"

He stood with an arrogant, lofty posture.

The lofty command tone was unmistakably clear.

"What a grand display of official authority!"

A middle‑aged man's voice came from the left carriage, laced with an indescribable mockery.

"Who says it isn't?"

Immediately, a voice from the right carriage echoed in agreement.

"Brother Qin, his very mouth wants us both to roll aside!" the left carriage voice said again.

Why does that voice sound so familiar... Xue Ji was startled, feeling a sense of déjà vu; moments later, the owners of the two carriages lifted their curtains and stepped out, and he was dumbfounded, "Uncle Qin?"

"Uncle Lu?"

Xue Ji instantly recognized their identities, snapped back to his senses, swiftly dismounted, and respectfully bowed, "Pleased to meet the two Uncles!"

No wonder the voice seemed familiar; it turned out to be Qin Zhao and Lu Mo, who have notable ties with his own family.

"How could those two external officials sent on assignment be these two?!"

Liu Yuanjing, who had arrived from behind, was also shocked after seeing the faces of the people stepping out of the carriages.

One was the former Junior Minister of Justice, now a Physician; the other former was the Minister of Markets, also a Physician!

Even though the previous Imperial Censor's impeachment forced them into demotion and external assignment, they still retain considerable influence, albeit only temporarily...

Once the uproar passes, their resurgence is inevitable!

"Xue Ji is lifting a stone to smash his own foot; he'll end up with a throbbing headache!"

Dou Luling watched Xue Ji's terrified expression, feeling a bit of schadenfreude, and chuckled inwardly.

Trying to flaunt his saintliness before others, stepping on Chen Yan's head, only to hit a brick wall...

Those two are not soft persimmons to be easily manipulated!

"Who am I, then?"

Qin Zhao, hands clasped behind his back, lowered his eyes to size up Xue Ji, and said in a mocking tone, "So you're the Xue clan's Gongzi!"

"Calling you 'Master Xue' is too familiar; the two of us cannot bear such a title of 'Uncle' from you!"

Lu Mo, expressionless, took over the reply and snorted coldly.

His demeanor seemed to say, "We're not acquainted, keep your distance..."

"Dare not!"

"It's the younger nephew speaking out of turn..."

"Please, Uncle, forgive me!"

Xue Ji's forehead broke into cold sweat, he inhaled a breath of cool air, and apologized cautiously.

His posture was extremely low, no longer showing the previous arrogant look.

The Xue clan of He Dong is a prominent family in Guanzhong, but the two before him are figures of the same generation as his father…

Even if a tiger falls to the plains, it is only temporary.

"Hahaha!"

"My qi and blood are still fresh, I act rashly; as elder brothers, you should be very tolerant and forgiving!"

At that moment, a cheerful laugh from a young man sounded not far away.

His words were merely smoothing things over.

"Hm?"

Qin Zhao was startled, followed the voice, and saw the newcomer's thick face; the angry hue vanished without a trace, replaced by a smile, and he laughed, "Brother A Yan, why are you also here?"

"I've met both elder brothers!"

Chen Yan, who had arrived fashionably late, hurried forward and clasped his fists in a salute.

"Lord Qin and Lord Lu are being far too familiar with Chen Yan, aren't they?!"

"Or are they calling each other brothers?!"

Xue Ji, who had been ignored, froze in place, and upon hearing the way they addressed Chen Yan, an incredulous expression spread across his face.

That was a world‑shaking change from how they had treated him!

And they even called each other brothers…

"Since when has Chen Yan become so close to those two?!"

It wasn't only Xue Ji who was dumbfounded; Wang Xiong, Liu Yuanjing and the others watching the spectacle also wore shocked faces, their hearts roiling with turmoil.

Chen Yan is their peer!

An extremely unusual signal…

Wang Xiong, Dou Luling and the others exchanged a glance, silently committing this hairstyle to memory.

"We're all brothers, no need for formalities!" Qin and Lu stepped forward, reaching out to support Chen Yan.

"I, the junior, act on the Grand Overseer's orders, departing Chang'an for Jingzhou to suppress bandits…"

Chen Yan gave a calm smile and answered the earlier question.

He paused briefly, then continued, "Xue Ji is also in the ranks!"

"I, on his behalf, apologize to the two elder brothers!"

Having said that, he clasped his fists again.

In his words and actions lay an indescribable sincerity.

Only a hint of slyness flashed in his eyes.

"Enough, enough!"

Qin Zhao glanced at Xue Ji, waved his hand, and with a bright smile looked at Chen Yan, saying, "Out of respect for you, I'm too lazy to argue with him any further!"

Lu Miao also nodded in agreement.

Although the Xue clan's move annoyed them, they still couldn't deny their younger brother's face.

"Then thank both elder brothers!" Chen Yan bowed his hands.

"Thanks to Lord Qin and Lord Lu for their magnanimity!" Xue Ji hurriedly bowed in thanks, feeling a sigh of relief.

"Being stuck at the City Gate is absurd…"

"Let's go, we'll walk out of the city together!"

Qin Zhao pointed at the City Gate, then immediately grabbed Chen Yan's forearm and headed outward.

The crowded, blocked gate immediately yielded politely to the left and right.

Who is Qin Zhao?

At a glance he saw Xue Ji's intention to upstage the host…

This move not only gave the previously tense sides a suitable stepping stone, but also fully saved Chen Yan's face.

Outside Chang'an City.

By the banks of the Wei River.

"Elder brothers, where are you heading for your appointment?" Chen Yan asked.

"It's also thanks to you, brother, for mediating…"

Lu Miao heard this and said, "The Grand Overseer appointed my brother as Governor of Lingzhou, and you, Qin brother, as Governor of Xiazhou!"

"Lingzhou and Xiazhou are far from Chang'an, just right for us to keep a low profile!"

Chen Yan smiled calmly and reassured, "Being stationed at a strategic stronghold shows the Grand Overseer's trust and regard for you brothers!"

Lingzhou borders the Rouran, and Xiazhou lies north of Lingzhou and east of Qi State…

The strategic importance of the two regions is obvious!

It was clearly the Grand Overseer and the Tian Guan Fu team's carefully considered decision…

Qin Zhao and Lu Miao exchanged a glance, shook their heads, wore worried expressions, and sighed, "Even so, the posts are deep in the north; who knows when we can return to Chang'an… sigh!"