Chapter 525: Chen Yan Welcomed Ten Li Outside the City, the Triumphant Great Zhou Hero

Chang'an.

Early February.

The chill has not faded; the north wind whirls the remaining snow fragments, spiraling across the Wilderness.

A solitary pavilion ten li north of the city stands beside the official road; its mottled vermilion pillars cannot block the draft, which moans and whines like a low whisper.

Chen Yan is cloaked in a dark‑colored fox‑fur Brothel, the fox hair fluffy and fine, with a ring of dark‑gold embroidery around the collar.

He rests his hands on the pavilion rail, his gaze sweeping over the vast fields, fixed straight toward the northeast.

Beside him, Yuwen Ze wears a silver‑white Brothel, over a sable fur coat, his posture upright as a pine, also looking toward the northeast.

Outside the pavilion, the cold wind rattles everyone's sleeves.

Zhu Yi, Hongye, and Lu Cangfeng stand side by side.

The remaining embroidered‑clad envoys line up in two rows, in black robes and black hats, silver‑threaded dark patterns embroidered at the waist, standing solemn as pines.

In a corner of the pavilion sit four coarse earthen Wine Jars, their mouths sealed with Red Silk, exuding a faint scent of wine.

Li Tan sits on a stone stool near the corner; his fox fur is heavier than Chen Yan's, yet still drawn tightly.

He keeps his hands in his sleeves, but cannot help pulling them out, exhaling repeatedly into his palms.

"This February weather, it's truly cold at dawn!" Li mutters, rubbing his reddened hands, his voice tinged with complaint, "Had we known the pavilion leaked on all sides, we should've brought some charcoal and a stove..."

Chen Yan turns his head, his gaze passing Li Tan's slightly reddened nose tip, a teasing smile curling his lips: "Look at you, all feeble!"

"You still need to exercise more restraint in daily life!"

Li Tan pouts, rolls his eyes, his tone helpless and a bit aggrieved: "Brother, you speak without feeling the strain!"

"How am I feeble?"

"Clearly it's your wife at home pressing you hard!"

He sighs, lowering his voice, "She is eager to conceive, muttering about offspring day after day, essentially demanding it every day; even my iron body can't bear it!"

Having said so, he thumps his thigh heavily, then lets out a long sigh: "Alas!"

Li Tan feels his body hollowed out.....

Yuwen Ze's gaze toward the northeast suddenly withdraws; he turns to his elder brother, brows slightly furrowed, breaking the pavilion's silence: "A Xiong, I still haven't figured out one matter..."

"What matter?" Chen Yan replies, smiling calmly, his gaze withdrawing from the distant hills, his tone composed: "Let me, your elder brother, clear your doubts!"

Yuwen Ze's fingertips trace the jade pendant at his waist, his brows furrowing tighter, his tone tinged with confusion: "You speak of Qi State infiltrators in Chang'an, whose real scheme is to use counterfeit Buquan coins to disrupt Chang'an, even Great Zhou's livelihood..."

"But what is the purpose of those they previously fabricated, the string of minor cases around the New Year, and the unsubstantiated accusations?"

"These cases are chaotic and aimless; they neither loot valuables nor harm the Court's pillars, seeming rather a deliberately staged farce..."

Chen Yan listens, a half‑smile on his face, and asks back: "A Ze, do you recall a sentence Ah Jiong said during the earlier tomb‑raiding investigation?"

Yuwen Ze's face shows puzzlement, his eyes lowered as he ponders, his fingertips ceasing their tracing; after a while he shakes his head: "What sentence? Ah Jiong did say many things, but I can't recall which one ties to these cases..."

Chen Yan's mouth lifts slightly, his gaze sweeping the solemn crowd outside the pavilion before returning to Yuwen Ze, his tone a bit teasing: "These people do all this just to disgust us..."

He pauses, then continues with meaning: "In fact, it's exactly that—using the endless cases to drain our energy!"

"To draw our attention!"

Yuwen Ze hears this, the confusion in his eyes vanishing instantly; he suddenly grasps it and blurts out: "The goal is to leave us no time to notice the counterfeit copper coins flowing into the market!"

"Those cases aren't the target; they're merely a pretext to restrain us!"

At that moment, Yuwen Ze feels as if a revelation drenches him.....

The circulation of counterfeit money cannot be achieved in a day; it must seep subtly into the streets.

Using one seemingly unrelated case after another to sap energy and attract attention.

With so few hands in the Court, the embroidered envoys are busy verifying accusations, the officials busy investigating murders and soothing the populace, leaving no spare mind to notice the silent flow of counterfeit coins in the streets.

By the time they react, the counterfeit Buquan coins will likely have spread throughout Chang'an and neighboring prefectures; prices will soar, public sentiment will shift, and the goal will be achieved!

Though slow and intricate, it is exceedingly steady...

Chen Yan hears this, the collar of his dark‑colored fox fur swaying lightly with his movement: "Indeed!"

His words fall, his gaze toward the northeast deepening, then he sighs lightly, "Alas, their scheming is clever, yet they didn't count on Staff Officer Zhang already seeing through it, nor Mr. Gongyang's insight..."

Yuwen Ze narrows his eyes, a cold glint flashing, his aura suddenly sharp: "This is destiny in Great Zhou!"

"They plotted this scheme, yet at the crucial point they reveal a flaw, giving us the initiative..."

"And we can counterattack the Qi State's wolf‑hearted ambitions!"

Chen Yan slowly shakes his head, a trace of regret on his face, his voice deeper: "It's just a pity for Staff Officer Zhang, such an adept official!"

Yuwen Ze's expression also darkens, nodding: "Father, in the Court's name, sent heavy relief funds to Zhang Staff Officer's parents, wife, and children, enough for them to live without worry..."

"He also placed Zhang Staff Officer's eldest legitimate son into Jin Wang Fu as a personal guard, securing the Zhang family's future, which also comforts Zhang Staff Officer's spirit in heaven!"

With this arrangement, the Zhang clan will not fall into decline because their pillar, Staff Officer Zhang, sacrificed his life for the nation.

His eldest son becoming a personal guard in the Wang Fu is also a commendation of Staff Officer Zhang's merit.

Such a privilege is one many can never obtain...

Chen Yan's eyes flash with a cold, fierce hue; the hands beneath his dark‑colored fox fur clench slowly as he says gravely: "That is far from enough!"

"To kill my Great Zhou official in Chang'an, this vengeance must be repaid with blood!"

The cold wind pours into the pavilion, stirring hair at the temples; the ruthlessness emanating from his bones seems to drop the pavilion's temperature a few more degrees.

Li Tan's hand‑rubbing halts, his lazy expression instantly gone, replaced by fierce eyes; clenching his teeth he says, "Provoking our Mingjing Department will demand a terrible price!"

Having spoken, he and Chen Yan exchange a glance; both eyes blaze with fury and resolve, and they silently nod.

No further words are needed; each understands that behind the words 'blood debt, blood repayment' lies relentless ruthlessness.

Yuwen Ze, about to agree, glances unintentionally toward the official road in the northeast; his pupils suddenly contract, he raises his hand and points far away, shouting, "A Xiong, Brother Li, look over there!"

"They're arriving!"

The crowd looks toward the sound, seeing swirling dust in the distance as a band of knights gallops toward them.

Hooves crush the frozen ground, the sound echoing across the wilderness, drawing ever nearer.

Before long, dozens of riders charge to the pavilion's exterior, all in civilian dress, yet their air of competence cannot be concealed.

"Hoo—hoo—hoo!"

The leading Shen Junli pulls the horse rein; the fine steed's rider rises, lets out a long neigh, and then comes to a steady stop.

Close behind, Yuanzhou, Li Kailan, Zhan Yun Cheng and the others also gather their reins, moving in unison.

The group swiftly dismounts, hands the horses to the waiting embroidered envoy outside the pavilion, and strides quickly toward the interior.

Stepping into the pavilion, the cold wind is blocked behind them; Shen Junli and his companions scan the three inside, immediately bow together with clasped hands, respectfully saluting: "May we have audience with the Pillar of the State, the Chief, and the Prince!"

Chen Yan lifts his hand in a feigned support: "No need for formalities! You've traveled hard all the way, please rise and speak."

Everyone, as instructed, stands upright; Shen Junli's face bears a hint of guilt and surprised honor, and he clasps his fists again: "We, the subordinates, what merit or ability have we, to labor in greeting the three of you personally outside the city?"

As soon as the words finish, Yuanzhou immediately echoes, nodding repeatedly: "Indeed! This is too overwhelming for us!"

The others also nod in turn, their faces all showing the same surprised honor.

As embroidered envoys of the Mingjing Office, who does not know the status of Chen Yan, Li Tan, and Yuwen Ze?

Now, for his greatly esteemed former leader, the Grand Preceptor's sole son, and his current direct superior—three great figures—they braved the cold, personally riding ten miles out of the city to welcome…

This courtesy far exceeds their expectations; their hearts hold both apprehension and a measure of excitement.

Chen Yan steps forward, lifts his hand to pat the nearest Shen Junli on the shoulder, his tone sincere and solemn: "You all are Great Zhou meritorious officials!"

"Returning in triumph, how could one not meet outside the city?"

The cold wind still howls outside the pavilion, yet it cannot disperse the warmth within.

Shen Junli feels that pat on his shoulder as a heavy endorsement and respect; the fatigue of recent days, the dangers while lurking in Jinyang, the grievances instantly melt away.

His eyes grow hot, the scorching tears nearly spilling over.

Behind him, Yuanzhou, Li Kailan and the others feel the same, each with tears welling, their gazes at Chen Yan full of emotion.

The former leader's words "Great Zhou meritorious official" and the personal welcome make them feel all their efforts were worthwhile.

Shen Junli draws a deep breath, suppresses the surging emotions, bows first and clasps his fists; the dozens behind him follow in unison, their movements synchronized, voices resonant and powerful, echoing through the pavilion: "Pillar of the State, Chief, Prince, we subordinates are honored not to disgrace our duty!"