Chapter 606: Is this background something you or I can afford to provoke? (Please subscribe

The train continued northward, passing through vast lands that were once barren and reliant solely on nomadic herding.

Today, the steel tracks are like the veins of the empire, injecting new vitality into the North.

The increase in productivity has brought prosperity, with goods, technology, and tourists from the South pouring in continuously.

What was once a land of bitter cold has, by relying on its unique scenery of snowfields, frozen lakes, and forests, been transformed into a series of famous tourist attractions, drawing countless curious sightseers.

The scene outside the window is vastly different from the hometown in Tuoba Anyu's memories.

Several days later, the train arrived at its destination, the vital northern stronghold of "Cold Iron Pass."

Li Chen did not alert anyone; he took Tuoba Anyu and disembarked low-key, checking into an ordinary inn.

Afterward, he changed into a standard officer's uniform he had prepared in advance, took out an unremarkable "letter of introduction" issued by the Ministry of War, and headed to the garrison of the Cold Iron Pass defense force to report for duty.

To hide his identity to the greatest extent and experience true military life, Li Chen specifically chose a unit he had never directly contacted before—an ordinary garrison battalion under the Northern Fourth Army, stationed at Cold Iron Pass.

Here, he would no longer be the all-powerful Emperor Tian Ce, but merely an ordinary Captain officer named "Cheng Li" who had just been transferred.

And Tuoba Anyu played the role of Li Chen's wife, named "Anyu."

No one knew that this graceful and stunningly beautiful woman was actually the former noble Empress Dowager of the Northern Royal Court.

Being able to accompany Li Chen on an incognito inspection and enjoy this time alone indeed made many women in the inner palace envious, especially Xuan Ji, who could hardly bear to leave Li Chen's side, and felt completely uneasy.

Today was the first day that Captain "Cheng Li," the alias of Li Chen, reported to the Cold Iron Pass garrison.

This majestic pass stood tall at the edge of the extreme northern cold; the wind was biting, but the pass city had been newly built in recent years, and its facilities were quite complete.

The people within the pass were a mix: there were naturalized northern tribespeople, as well as merchants, adventurers, and tourists from the heartland of Tian Ce who had come to experience the northern customs.

The composition of the Cold Iron Pass garrison also reflected this integration: one part came from central Tian Ce, while the other was selected from the children of the surrendered northern tribes.

Through the cultural unification and education promoted by Li Chen, although these soldiers of northern descent retained some traditional tribal totems or decorations on their armor, their military system, commands, and main attire were no different from the Tian Ce army.

Li Chen brought Tuoba Anyu to the military affairs office within the pass to report.

They were received by a clerical cadre of northern tribal descent named Batuer, who was in his thirties, with an honest face but a sharp and efficient way of handling business.

He was clearly seeing an officer bring such a beautiful female companion to report to the barracks for the first time; he paused for a moment before taking Li Chen's transfer orders and identity tag for verification.

"Captain Cheng Li, from the Imperial Capital?" Batuer asked as a matter of routine while registering, "Assigned to the Third Garrison Battalion, serving as Deputy Captain."

He looked up at Tuoba Anyu, who stood quietly behind Li Chen with lowered eyes yet could not hide her charm, and his tone softened, "According to regulations, officers can live in the barracks dorms or find their own lodging. Since you have family with you, I assume you'll be living outside?"

Li Chen nodded: "Yes, it is more convenient to live outside."

Batuer expressed his understanding, quickly taking a key from a ring and handing it to Li Chen along with a slip of paper with the address: "This is the residence arranged for you, at No. 7 Jia, Anning Lane, in the South District of the pass. It is a small courtyard with a private entrance, and the conditions are quite decent. Go take a look first; if you are not satisfied, come back and find me to switch." ===== CHAPTER 607 =====