The playboy county magistrate

"A serious crime? What crime! Before long, the northern deserts will be ravaged by frost and snow, and the people will suffer from hunger and cold. Your Great Yao has closed its borders and locked down its markets, seizing grain and salt, cutting off our means of survival! We came here only to seek a way to live, what crime have we committed?"

This rhetoric is exactly the same as Princess Ning'an's rhetoric in the capital.

They always use the plight of the common people as an excuse to disguise their deliberate provocations as acts of survival.

A cold smile appeared on Li Xuanzhi's lips.

"Dayong has already allocated disaster relief funds and provided free assistance to the nomadic herders from northern Mongolia who have relocated to Dayong. Grain carts travel back and forth across the border daily without interruption. How can there be any talk of withholding grain and salt, or cutting off their livelihood?"

"What we want to ban are contraband ironware and strategic materials sold in the private market, and what we want to control are unscrupulous merchants and peddlers who inflate prices and engage in corruption for profit. What? Does the Great Yong Dynasty need your approval to govern its people?"

"Your princess sought special trade privileges and military equipment in the capital, but was denied. So she secretly ordered the border to have you station troops to provoke conflict, spread rumors, and sow discord among the people. She attempted to force me to back down with military force and to seek personal gain through chaos."

"Using the lives of ordinary people as political bargaining chips, exchanging border peace for ambitions in the northern deserts—is this what you call seeking survival?"

Batu's face suddenly darkened, the contempt in his eyes faded, replaced by surprise and apprehension.

He had initially thought the other party was merely a court official ignorant of border affairs, someone who could be easily fooled and suppressed with a few words of morality. Little did he know, this man was insightful and incredibly shrewd.

"Sophistry and deceit!" Batu shouted sternly, forcibly regaining his composure. "Today our army is arrayed here, and we ask only one question!"

"Is the Great Yong Dynasty willing to reopen the entire region's trade markets, lift the ban on iron trade, and reduce border taxes? If so, our army will withdraw immediately. If they insist on maintaining the blockade, don't blame our Northern Iron Cavalry for trampling down the border and taking what we need!"

The blatant use of force to coerce others is straightforward, domineering, and completely undisguised.

The sandstorm intensified, causing the banners on both sides to flutter wildly.

The tense atmosphere between the two armies had reached its peak; a single spark could ignite a war across the entire wasteland.

The soldiers of Dayong gripped their weapons tightly, their fighting spirit surging. They awaited only the order to charge into battle.

Li Xuanzhi found it all quite amusing.

Even Princess Ning'an only dared to request three trade markets, but this Batu really has no brains, daring to demand the entire region to be open.

Li Xuanzhi raised his eyes, his gaze suddenly sharp as a blade, facing the fierce enemy general before him. His voice, though not loud, carried immense weight, resounding across the battlefield.

Whether or not trade takes place should be based on equality and mutual benefit, not on coercion. Rules and regulations should be based on the bottom line of the nation and its people, not on pressure from foreign enemies.

"Today, relying on your superior speed and strength, you think you can force us to make concessions and break the rules of our Great Yong? It's utterly delusional!"

He raised his hand and suddenly swung it down!

"All troops, listen to my command—nock your bows and crossbows, form ranks and defend against the enemy!"

hum-

In an instant, nearly a thousand powerful bows were drawn to their full strength, arrows gleaming coldly, all aimed at the northern cavalry formation. The sheer number of arrows was overwhelming, their power deafening.

Batu's pupils contracted sharply, and his heart skipped a beat.

He originally thought that the young imperial envoy was just bluffing and would never dare to actually confront the Northern cavalry head-on.

Unexpectedly, the other side was full of confidence and formed ranks to prepare for battle without any hesitation.

The arrogance of the northern cavalry behind him vanished instantly. Many knights instinctively tightened their reins, a hint of fear appearing in their eyes.

Despite being brave warriors, they've only been able to eat half-full each day for so long, and they probably haven't sent anything home.

What if it's really as Li Xuanzhi from Dayong said, that if we could bring our families to Dayong, we could really eat our fill, dress warmly, and live a good life?

They were just ordinary people trying to survive. If they had a better option, who would want to wield a sword and shout for war every day?

In particular, those in power do not love their people at all. They never think about how to lead them to a better life, but only know how to lead them to burn, kill, and plunder.

He had also bought things at the border market and had naturally heard a lot of news about how the people of Dayong were getting better and better, which was said to be related to this man named Li Xuanzhi.

Now that Li Xuanzhi himself is standing in front of me, what he says must be true, right?

Wasn't it said that the officials of the Great Yong Dynasty valued their reputation and face the most, and that even their spit was a nail?

Only by keeping one's word can one establish authority. Li Xuanzhi is certainly not the kind of person who says one thing and does another.

Li Xuanzhi stepped forward, standing alone at the very front of the great formation.

"I have been appointed by imperial decree to oversee the border and guard this land!"

"Those who dare to cross the borders of my Great Yong, shall we fight! Those who dare to disturb the people on my borders, shall we fight! Those who dare to violate the dignity of my nation, shall we fight!"

"You may try!"

A sharp shout, its force soaring high.

The enemy cavalry formation opposite them showed signs of panic and loosening.

Batu gripped the knife hilt tightly, his expression shifting between anger and uncertainty, feeling caught in a dilemma.

Advance! The Dayong army is well-organized and equipped with bows and crossbows; a direct confrontation will inevitably result in casualties.

He was merely a vanguard general and could not bear the responsibility of provoking a war between the two countries.

If they retreat hastily, they will lose face and will be unable to report back to the royal court and the princess.

Batu sat upright on his horse, his knuckles gripping the hilt of his sword tightly, veins bulging, his arrogant face turning sinister.

He had traversed the borders for over a decade, his only knowledge being how to break through enemy lines with iron cavalry and seize territory with swift horses. He had never been forced into such a predicament by a mere few words from a civil official.

After a brief stalemate, Batu had already come up with an idea.

He knew that the Dayong army was strictly disciplined and that the garrison adhered to the bottom line, never taking the initiative to cross the border to pursue.

Following the rules and maintaining proper boundaries creates loopholes that can be exploited.

Batu suddenly loosened his grip on the knife hilt and raised his hand in feigned anger.

"Excellent! What a sharp-tongued and eloquent Da Yongdu Bian!"

"Since the Great Yong is determined to close its borders and disregard the lives of its people, we will retreat for now. But remember this: if our people in the northern deserts are ever displaced, this blood debt will be entirely yours, Li Xuanzhi!"

He deliberately raised his voice, every word filled with grievance and indignation.

Even if their scheme is exposed, they will still insist on nailing the new border governor with the stigma of being cold-blooded, ungrateful, and indifferent to the people's livelihood.

As soon as he finished speaking, Batu turned his horse around and shouted, "The entire army must retreat three miles!"

Da da da—

More than a thousand cavalrymen from the northern desert responded to the call, turned their horses in unison, and slowly retreated.

Zhou Lin stood to the side and behind, his eyes sharp as an eagle's. He saw through the situation at a glance and immediately lowered his voice to urgently remind him:

"My lord! Something's not right! The enemy's retreat formation is perfectly intact; they're not retreating out of fear. It might be a trap!"

If ordinary soldiers are forced to retreat out of fear, their morale will inevitably drop and their formation will become loose.

However, the northern cavalry remained on high alert, poised to strike. Clearly, they had a backup plan, waiting for an opportunity to attack.

Li Xuanzhi's gaze was deep and unwavering as he silently observed the enemy's retreat. His eyes showed no sign of relaxation; instead, they grew even colder and sharper.

"I know."

His tone was calm, indicating that he had already seen through the other party's tricks.

"This is not a retreat, it's a trap to lure the enemy."