Chapter 417

Duan Yu was the grandfather of Jia Xu and had once served as the Inspector of Yanzhou, but by the time of Jia Xu's father, the family fortune had declined and the official positions were no more.

However, they still possessed some connections.

As a prominent family of Liangzhou, Liang Hu naturally knew of the Jia clan of Wuwei.

Of course, before arriving to meet Jia Xu, Liang Hu had already investigated these matters clearly.

Speaking of it now, in front of so many people, was merely to curry favor.

"I dare not."

Jia Xu responded in his usual indifferent manner.

Liang Hu continued with a smile, "You are too modest, too modest."

"I have heard that in the Battle of Shehu Valley, Wenhe cleverly utilized the terrain, burning Shehu Valley and forcing the Qiang tribes to retreat in defeat."

"Alas..."

"Speaking of this matter, I was indeed negligent at the time."

Liang Hu feigned guilt, shaking his head as he said, "When Yuangu mentioned this matter to me, it was already very late."

"I did not expect that these Qiang tribes would be so bold as to dare to raid the family entourage of an imperial official."

"Fortunately, Wenhe was alert."

"Otherwise, because those below reported the situation too late, a great disaster would have nearly occurred."

As he spoke, Liang Hu's gaze shifted to the carriage beside Jia Xu.

"The family of the Marquis of Guo is sitting inside, right?" Liang Hu asked.

Jia Xu nodded and said, "Exactly."

"The two Ladies Duan have been frightened; it is all my fault for not governing my subordinates strictly." Liang Hu's attitude was very humble.

However, the group of generals standing behind the carriage did not seem to buy Liang Hu's act, their expressions remaining cold.

Anyone can apologize.

But if they hadn't had reinforcements that day, the consequences would have been unthinkable.

Perhaps they would all be dead men now.

What use is an apology now?

This is mostly because their General, Duan Yu, is arriving soon.

Inside the carriage, Dong Yi and Diao Chan looked at each other.

Just as Dong Yi was about to speak to handle Liang Hu,

the sound of hoofbeats suddenly rang out in the distance.

A cavalryman quickly arrived before the crowd.

"The Prefect is here."

Boom—

Boom—

Dozens of warhorses came galloping from the distance toward Jixian.

Behind them were herds of cattle and sheep driven by servants.

At first, everyone thought it was a large cavalry force.

But upon closer inspection, they realized that Duan Yu only had a few dozen riders with him.

The rest behind were mostly cattle, sheep, and horses.

For a moment, not only were the generals puzzled.

Even Liang Hu was very confused.

With a suspicious look in his eyes, Liang Hu gazed in the direction from which Duan Yu had come.

Wasn't it said that Duan Yu had many proud and fierce generals under his command? Why didn't he see them?

Could it be...

A sharp glint flashed in Liang Hu's eyes.

Duan Yu had led troops to serve as an envoy to the Xiongnu, and then traveled all the way to Hanyang Commandery in Liangzhou.

It would be no exaggeration to call this journey perilous.

Could it be...

That Duan Yu's troops were lost to the Xiongnu, or that they encountered a Qiang raid on the way?

If that were the case...

Liang Hu's eyes rolled, and a smile appeared at the corners of his mouth.

The carriage door beside Jia Xu opened, and the pregnant Dong Yi and Diao Chan could no longer care about avoiding being seen in public.

Having survived a brush with death and being reunited, the two women missed Duan Yu immensely.

When they saw Duan Yu, looking even more formidable as he rode his Red Dragon Cloud-Treading Beast, tears welled up in their eyes.

Duan Yu, riding swiftly, was accompanied by Su He; the two arrived first at the front of the welcoming party.

With a sudden pull on the reins, the Red Dragon Cloud-Treading Beast reared up its front hooves and let out a neigh.

Immediately, Duan Yu dismounted with a clean, agile flip and went straight to Dong Yi and Diao Chan, pulling them into his arms.

At the rear of the formation.

Gai Xun and Yang Fu, who was seeing Duan Yu for the first time, both fixed their gazes on him.

"Hiss," Gai Xun gasped, "Truly a tiger general of the age; this young Prefect is indeed imposing!"

Yang Fu nodded along from the side, "Indeed, it is rumored that this young Prefect's archery is divine; back in Jinyang, he hunted tigers and leopards."

"There is a rumor in Luoyang that Duan Yu and the Tiger-Brave Colonel had a pitch-pot gambling match that spread through every street and alley of Luoyang overnight."

It wasn't just Gai Xun and Yang Fu who were amazed.

Zhang Xiu, standing beside his uncle Zhang Ji, was equally astonished.

"Uncle, is that Duan Yu?" Zhang Xiu asked.

Zhang Ji frowned and said, "What Duan Yu? Call him Prefect, or Marquis of Guo, or General will do."

"How can you address the Marquis of Guo by his given name?"

Realizing his mistake, Zhang Xiu nodded immediately.

Then, Li Jue, standing to the side, smiled and said, "Brother Boji, Xiu is young and ignorant; there is no need to lecture him like this."

"The Marquis of Guo is not a man of excessive formality, and he treats his subordinates extremely well."

As Li Jue spoke, he looked at Zhang Xiu and said, "Your nephew has great talent; Wenhe has already recommended him to the Marquis of Guo in his letters."

"With the Marquis of Guo's future prospects, staying by his side will surely be the right choice for Xiu."

Hearing this, Zhang Ji nodded and looked at Zhang Xiu.

"Xiu, are you willing to stay by the Marquis of Guo's side and serve him?" Zhang Ji asked.

Zhang Xiu nodded immediately, "Uncle, I am willing!"

At the front of the formation.

After embracing Dong Yi and Diao Chan, Duan Yu looked at the two women, then shifted his gaze down to their bellies.

"Your bellies have grown larger; it seems the time until I meet my children is much closer," Duan Yu said with a smile.

The two women smiled knowingly, gently stroking their bellies.

As he spoke, Duan Yu beckoned to those behind him.

Su He, dressed in red leather armor, dismounted and came behind Duan Yu.

"Let me introduce you."

"This is Su He, the daughter of Chanyu Qiangqu; she is now one of your sisters, and she is younger than you."

"Su He, these are my wives, Dong Yi and Diao Chan; from now on, we are all one family."

Upon seeing Su He following Duan Yu, Dong Yi and Diao Chan had already guessed something.

Therefore, Duan Yu's words did not surprise the two women.

Instead, after getting to know each other, they integrated quite naturally.

"Haha, Prefect Duan," Liang Hu laughed, stepping forward and saying, "I am Liang Hu; I have long admired your name, Prefect Duan. Seeing you today, you are indeed extraordinary."

Duan Yu's gaze turned to Liang Hu.

Then he turned back to Dong Yi and Diao Chan.

"Yi'er, Chan'er, this journey has frightened you."

Duan Yu gently patted the women's hands, then his gaze turned cold as he said, "Rest assured, your husband will never let you be frightened in vain."