The playboy county magistrate

The day before we were to arrive at the border.

As dusk fell, the troops set up camp on the spot as ordered.

On the desolate wilderness, military tents were quickly erected, and campfires were lit one after another. Armored soldiers took turns patrolling the camp, maintaining a high level of vigilance as always.

As usual, Li Xuanzhi first personally inspected the camp's sentry posts and checked the defensive arrangements. He then instructed the night scouts to explore the area. Only after everything was in place did he turn and head towards the main tent in the center.

As I lifted the curtain, a wave of warmth washed over me.

The fire inside the tent was burning brightly, dispelling the chill of the wilderness at night.

On the table were warm coarse tea, simple dry rations, and a small dish of dried fruit, all carefully prepared by Pei Qingyuan during the break between setting up camp.

She was sitting under the lamp, looking down at a map of the route, her fingertips lightly touching the paper. She was silently memorizing the locations of the passes, prefectures, counties, and border fortresses along the way, studying them with exceptional focus.

Hearing footsteps, Pei Qingyuan looked up, a gentle smile instantly spreading across her eyes, and stood up to greet them.

"Are you done with your work?"

"Yes, it's all taken care of."

He raised a hand to brush his shoulder, his gaze falling on the map on the table, and asked softly:

"Are you surveying the terrain at the border?"

Pei Qingyuan nodded, spread out the map, and placed her fingertips on Zhenxi Pass, the northernmost point of the northwest, speaking softly.

"We will arrive at Zhenxi Pass tomorrow. It is the first pass in the Northwest and a vital passage for entering and leaving the northern desert."

"I had only seen border passes in books and maps before, but now that I've personally gone there, I realize how vast the land is and how difficult it is to defend it."

She was intelligent and insightful, and familiarized herself with the border terrain and the lives of people on the frontier in advance, just so that she could understand more about the heavy burden on her husband's shoulders and share some of the burden with him.

A warm feeling welled up in Li Xuanzhi's heart. He reached out and gently grasped her wrist, pulling her into his arms.

"Zhenxi Pass is strategically located, easy to defend and difficult to attack, making it an excellent defensive barrier. However, precisely because of this, it has been directly exposed to the iron cavalry from the northern desert for many years. Friction is constant, and the situation is extremely complex."

The people of northern deserts are known for their fierce and unyielding nature, which is largely due to their living environment.

Summers are scorching hot, winters are bitterly cold, the land is unsuitable for crop growth, and even various resources are extremely limited.

While there are intelligent people, few possess the ability and perseverance to conduct research.

This led to the situation in the northern deserts where, in order to survive, people would plunder and fight everywhere, and thus become capable of fighting against ten or even more enemies, causing headaches for countless soldiers.

"Princess Ning'an has stayed in the capital for so long and seemingly gained nothing, but in reality, she has already secretly sent orders to the border, deliberately creating trouble. Our journey here seems peaceful, but in fact, the border is already turbulent."

Pei Qingyuan frowned slightly. "Was this done on purpose, deliberately stirring up trouble on the border before you took office?"

"Yes." Li Xuanzhi responded calmly, a cold glint flashing in his eyes. "What she wants is not immediate war, but chaos."

"Let the border skirmishes continue, and the people's morale will inevitably waver. Then intervene to create instability in grain prices. People depend on food for survival, and if grain prices fluctuate, the only existing border market will inevitably fall into chaos. When I arrive at the border, I will be taking over a state of utter disarray."

"No matter how I handle it, it will be easy for others to criticize me. If I am too slow to stabilize the situation, it will be seen as incompetence. If I take a hard line, it will be seen as exacerbating the conflict and disregarding people's livelihoods."

This was Princess Ning'an's backup plan, far more troublesome than any overt framing.

Pei Qingyuan frowned. "She wants you to be exhausted and caught in a dilemma at the border. Then she'll take the opportunity to spread rumors in the capital to undermine your favor with the emperor and your reputation."

"That's right." Li Xuanzhi raised his hand and ruffled her hair. "But she miscalculated one thing."

"Now I am stationed at the border, holding military power and personally in charge of border defense. No one can stand above me and issue orders. If I say war, then it is the Great Yong that wants war. No matter how capable the soldiers of the Northern Desert are, their numbers are limited, and the food and supplies they can be provided are also limited. If a war really breaks out, it will be enough for them to fall into disarray after a period of attrition."

The next day, everyone sped up and traveled at full speed, and the team finally arrived at their destination.

Amidst the endless yellow sands, a magnificent pass stands majestically between two mountains.

The city walls were thick and imposing, and the towers soared into the clouds. The flags fluttered fiercely in the gale, and a chilling atmosphere pervaded the air.

On the official road, there were no merchants or travelers from the interior; instead, there were soldiers and supply convoys hurrying about.

Everyone looked tense, their steps hurried, and a palpable sense of anxiety and vigilance filled the air.

The city gate was heavily guarded, with heavily armored soldiers lined up with swords drawn. They carefully inspected all passersby and carriages, their eyes sharp and their vigilance unwavering.

Tang Zheng spurred his horse forward and loudly relayed the order—

"Imperial Envoy Li, the border inspector, has arrived! The garrison commander of Zhenxi Pass, come out immediately to greet him!"

A moment later, the city gates swung open, and a troop of soldiers in border armor rushed out.

The leading general, with a dark complexion and wearing heavy armor, was Zhou Lin, the commander of Zhenxi Pass.

Zhou Lin has been stationed at the border for many years. He is a battle-hardened and upright man.

Upon hearing that the Imperial Envoy from the capital, the newly appointed Minister in charge of border defense, Li Xuanzhi, had arrived, he immediately led a group of border generals to line up and kneel to greet him.

"This humble general, Zhou Lin, leading the soldiers of Zhenxiguan, respectfully welcomes Lord Li!"

The sound was clear, loud, and unified.

Li Xuanzhi's gaze swept over the soldiers in front of the pass, his voice clear and crisp, carrying the authority of a superior.

"Everyone, please rise. You have guarded this pass for generations, year after year. You have worked hard."

"We, your humble servants, dare not claim to have endured hardship!"

Zhou Lin stood up and looked up, his gaze falling on Li Xuanzhi, who was younger than he had imagined. Although he was somewhat surprised, he dared not be negligent in the slightest.

"My lords have come from afar, and barracks and supplies have already been prepared within the pass. We cordially invite you, my lords and ladies, to enter the city and rest."

Li Xuanzhi nodded slightly, his gaze passing over the city gate and looking towards the vast yellow sand beyond.

Beyond the pass, the view is vast, with sandstorms raging. In the distance, scattered northern cavalry can be vaguely seen wandering and pacing across the desolate plains, spying on the movements of the city gate.

That group of people seemed carefree, but they never strayed far, their every move revealing a probing and covetous intent.

Li Xuanzhi's gaze darkened slightly, and he spoke in a cold voice.

"No need to rest first."

"Immediately summon all civil and military officials, officers, and soldiers of the western gate of the town for a meeting. Report on the border frictions and chaotic trade over the past month, as well as the unrest in the northern desert and our grain reserves and the people's situation."

He traveled thousands of miles to the border not to find a harsh place to rest and enjoy life, but to stabilize the situation and restore order.

Seeing this, Zhou Lin suppressed the slightest bit of contempt he had been holding deep in his heart.

"Your subordinate obeys!"

Although the town of Zhenxiguan is different from the desolate wilderness outside the pass, with its orderly streets and alleys, it still exudes a sense of tension and solemnity.

Ordinary people were rarely seen strolling along the street; instead, those coming and going were mostly armored patrolmen and laborers carrying grain and fodder.

His steps were hurried, and his expression was solemn.

The wind swept through the streets and alleys, howling and slamming against the blue bricks of the city wall, making the atmosphere even more somber and oppressive.

Pei Qingyuan did not go with Li Xuanzhi. She only whispered a word of caution and then led her maids and servants to a pre-prepared place to settle in.