Chapter 190: Seeking Assistance from Governor Xu

The train made a temporary stop at Gan Zhou Station.

Chen Jingwen changed out of his official robes, put on plain civilian clothes, and, under the guard of a few trusted attendants, discreetly boarded an ordinary carriage.

"To the Governor's Office," he instructed the driver.

The carriage slowly traveled along the streets of Gan Zhou City. Compared with the desolation of Yanjing, this place was bustling with prosperity. Pedestrians filled the streets like a woven tapestry, shops stood in rows, and patrol soldiers could be seen everywhere, maintaining orderly conduct.

"The power of a regional Governor truly cannot be underestimated," Chen Jingwen thought to himself.

The carriage stopped before the Governor's Office. A towering red‑lacquered gate stood majestically, and soldiers posted at the entrance, rifles loaded, scrutinized each visitor with caution. The gleaming bayonets flashed cold light in the sun, sending a shiver down one's spine.

"This is true power..." Chen Jingwen said, looking at the well‑equipped soldiers, his heart a mixture of emotions.

In Yanjing he had enjoyed great prestige. As an Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Rites, countless people flocked to him. Yet in the provinces, such hollow titles were like floating clouds. Without command of troops, even a minor county magistrate would not regard you, let alone a hegemon like Lin Yu.

"Without military authority, my status as an imperial envoy is probably worth less than a scrap of paper before someone like Lin Yu," he said with a wry smile, shaking his head.

But the matter had come to this, so he could only steel himself and move forward. He tidied his attire, took a deep breath, pulled a name card from his pocket, and handed it to the guard at the door.

"Please report that the Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Rites wishes an audience."

The guard took the name card, gave him a quick once‑over, then turned to go inside and report.

Chen Jingwen stood at the foot of the steps, gazing at the imposing Governor's Office, and silently calculated: "In any case, a little extra preparation is always good. Governor Xu Shaoyuan of Gan Zhou is said to be a pragmatic man. If I can borrow some of his troops, it will at least give me more confidence in Shen City."

Soon, the guard emerged, respectfully inviting him inside. It seemed Xu Shaoyuan had granted him this courtesy.

Chen Jingwen straightened his collar and followed the guard into the Governor's Office.

Inside the Governor's Office was an elegant study.

Governor Xu Shaoyuan personally received Chen Jingwen. The Gan Zhou Governor appeared to be in his early fifties, robust in build, with sharp eyes; every movement exuded seasoned bureaucratic poise.

"Lord Chen, you have traveled a long way; your arrival brightens the hall!" Xu Shaoyuan said with a smile, inviting Chen Jingwen to sit.

After some polite chatter, Xu Shaoyuan stepped aside, leaving only the two of them to speak privately in the study.

"Commander Xu," Chen Jingwen set down his teacup, his expression solemn, "I have come with a request."

"Please speak, Lord Chen," he replied.

Chen Jingwen inhaled deeply: "Commander Xu must know that my journey to Shen City is fraught with uncertainty. Lin Yu commands troops and acts arrogantly, daring even to kill foreign consuls and detain imperial envoys. My mission is a matter of life and death."

His voice carried a hint of pleading: "I earnestly ask Commander Xu, in the spirit of our shared service to the court, to allocate a battalion of troops to guard me safely. If I return unharmed, I will speak highly of you at court!"

Xu Shaoyuan listened, his brows slightly furrowed, his fingers lightly tapping the table as he fell into thought.

He, of course, knew what had transpired in Shen City. The deeds of Commander Lin had already spread across the land. Killing foreign consuls and detaining imperial envoys—such audacity even made this Governor feel a hidden alarm.

Helping Chen Jingwen would offend Lin Yu and be unprofitable; not helping would risk a reputation of disregarding the court. Xu Shaoyuan quickly weighed the pros and cons in his mind.

"Lord Chen, you speak heavily," he finally said slowly, his tone smooth, "Although Lin Yu acts erratically, he is still an official appointed by the court, and likely would not dare to challenge an imperial envoy."

He paused: "However, since you have asked, this Governor cannot stand by. Here's the deal: my forces are stretched thin, so I will dispatch a reinforced company from the guard to escort you to Shen City. Though few in number, they are well‑equipped and can handle ordinary bandits."

Chen Jingwen felt a weight in his heart. He had hoped for a battalion, but Xu Shaoyuan offered only a company. Yet he dared not show displeasure, quickly rising and bowing: "Thank you, Commander Xu! With this elite guard, I feel much more at ease!"

The two exchanged a few more perfunctory words, after which Chen Jingwen took his leave.

Xu Shaoyuan escorted him to the doorway, watching Chen Jingwen's retreating back with a complex gaze. He murmured softly, "The waters of Shen City are getting murkier... Lin Yu... the court... let's see them fight each other to mutual ruin."

He turned back to the study, lifted his brush, and wrote a letter: "Commander Lin, esteemed: I have long heard of your great talent and the power that shakes the southeast, though we have never met, I deeply admire you. Now Imperial Envoy Chen Jingwen is heading south; this Governor has done his best to negotiate, allocating only a company for protection. I hope you will see clearly. Should opportunity arise, I would be glad to share wine and conversation with the General. Gan Zhou Governor Xu Shaoyuan bows."

As the setting sun slipped westward, the Governor's Office cast a long shadow. Chen Jingwen sat in the carriage, looking at the troop‑allocation document in his hand, his heart growing heavier. Two hundred men... before a hegemon like Lin Yu, they were probably not even enough to fill a tooth gap.

The special train restarted, and the clatter of wheels against rails rang out again.

Chen Jingwen sat in a private compartment, watching the scenery flash backward outside. Inside the carriage a distinct martial, iron‑blooded aura lingered—two hundred elite Gan Zhou troops, now scattered throughout the train, vigilantly carrying out guard duties.

Each soldier was spirited and well‑equipped, evidently hand‑picked by Xu Shaoyuan. Under normal circumstances, such a formidable escort would indeed put one at ease.

But now…

Chen Jingwen gave a wry smile and shook his head. Two hundred men before Lin Yu's tens of thousands of elite were merely a drop in the bucket. Moreover, it was said that Lin Yu's troops were superbly equipped and terrifyingly powerful, even foreigners were struck with dread at their mere mention.

"Never mind, better than nothing," he murmured, closing his eyes.

How could he contend with the legendary, demon‑king‑like Lin Yu? The question kept turning over in his mind.

Forceful? That would be like striking a stone with an egg. Lin Yu dares to kill foreign consuls; would he even care about an imperial envoy's life?

Showing weakness? He might be despised by that arrogant fellow, becoming even more reckless.

Chen Jingwen pulled the secret edict from his chest and read it again carefully. Ye Lühua's wording was stern, but in Lin Yu's eyes those imposing words were probably worth less than a scrap of paper.

"Perhaps..." his gaze fell on the final paragraph of the edict, which hinted that any necessary measures could be taken. Yet on second thought he gave a bitter smile. In the face of absolute force, any method was futile.

The train continued racing southward. Outside, the scenery gradually shifted from the northern wastelands to the watery towns of Jiangnan. Dusk deepened, and a dim yellow light illuminated the carriage.

Chen Jingwen stared at the increasingly blurred night outside, his heart growing heavier. The road ahead was long and fraught with danger. Was this southward journey leading to light or into an abyss?

He did not know. But he knew that in the place called Shen City, a heavily armed, overbearing hegemon awaited him. All he could do was, during this long journey, try to devise a solution that would satisfy both sides as much as possible.

If such a solution exists.