Chapter 20 Submission At this moment, blood surged within.

Chapter 20: Allegiance. At this moment, his blood surged within him.

Zhang Zheng noticed the lady's unusual expression and asked again in confusion, "Didn't the lady send me a letter about leaving Chang'an to return to Liangzhou?"

Jiang Congyan was momentarily taken aback, looking at Zhang Zheng, opening her mouth but unsure how he came to that conclusion.

After a long while, she found her voice again, "In my letter, I only mentioned that I had matters to discuss with you. When did I ever say we were returning to Liangzhou?"

Zhang Zheng scratched his head, his expression puzzled.

Because he had also heard that the lady had been decreed by the emperor to be given to the Prince of Mobei.

The lady, who had been cherished and meticulously raised in Liangzhou, surely the lord would not wish her to enter into a political marriage. And given the lady's delicate health, she certainly couldn't endure the harsh conditions of the frontier. So when the lady sent a message saying she had matters to discuss, Zhang Zheng naturally assumed that she wished to return to Liangzhou. Only Liangzhou could offer the lady protection!

He had even carefully considered that, despite their somewhat limited manpower, if they could swiftly escort the lady on horseback to the northwest before Chang'an could respond, and if they were lucky not to be stopped at the passes, they could indeed return. It would merely be taxing for the lady to travel by horseback.

However, the lady's words now made him realize he was mistaken, likely profoundly so.

Zhang Zheng felt somewhat embarrassed and could only manage a simple smile, "Whatever the lady requires, just issue the command!"

Jiang Congyan had always regarded Zhang Zheng as a loyal and competent subordinate, serious and cautious in his duties escorting the convoy. She hadn't anticipated this aspect of him and found it both amusing and exasperating.

A smile flickered across her lips, but Jiang Congyan quickly regained her composure, waving her hand, "Everyone, ease up, lower your weapons."

"I came today to inquire if you would be willing to accompany me north to the court of the Xianbei King."

"We are willing!" Zhang Zheng promptly replied.

Jiang Congyan raised her palm, signaling him to wait, "Listen to me first, and then respond after I have finished."

Zhang Zheng then closed his mouth.

Jiang Congyan stood on the steps, gazing at the soldiers who stood solemnly, facing them directly, she raised her head, straightened her back, her gaze steady and resolute.

She said, "Men of Liangzhou, I am aware that you were dispatched by the Lord to serve me, to ensure my safety along the journey, and I am fortunate to have your protection, allowing me to return safely to Chang'an. I hereby bow to express my gratitude to you!"

With that, Jiang Congyan clasped her hands in front of her, bent forward in a bow, performing a scholar's salute.

The soldiers below all changed expressions, not daring to accept such a grand gesture from the lady, yet not daring to step forward rashly. Zhang Zheng, standing closest, also wanted to stop her, reaching out his hand, but when he met her extremely solemn gaze, he inexplicably dared not act, only saying, "This is our duty, the lady need not thank us so heavily."

Jiang Congyan shook her head, not dwelling on it, and continued with her original purpose, "The emperor has decreed that I marry the Prince of Mobei, and soon I will head north. Although you were dispatched by the Lord to serve under me, such a situation was not anticipated. You also have families and friends in Liangzhou. Now, heading north to the grasslands, thousands of miles away, the situation is unknown, and it may be years before you can return to the Central Plains, possibly with difficult farewells. Therefore, I come to ask your wishes. You need not force yourselves; if any wish to return to Liangzhou, I will write to the Lord explaining the reasons, and you need not worry about the Lord's blame; if you follow me north, from this day on, I will be your lord, and no matter what happens in the future, as long as I am here, you will have a place to stand."

"So, follow your hearts!"

After Jiang Congyan finished speaking, the fifty-some soldiers silently watched her, the courtyard so quiet you could hear a pin drop, only the slight rustling of the wind against their armor, muffled and mournful, like their emotions suppressed to the extreme, ready to burst.

They held their breath, their chests heaving more and more, the atmosphere compressed to a critical point. Finally, Zhang Zheng took a big step forward, "Thud," kneeling on one knee before Jiang Congyan, clasping his fists, "Your subordinate is willing to serve the lord, through fire and water, without hesitation!"

As soon as he spoke, it was like a fuse igniting the crowd, the remaining fifty soldiers also knelt on one knee, their eyes bright, heads raised, declaring:

"Willing to serve the lord!"

"Willing to serve the lord!"

"Willing to serve the lord!"

The vows echoed, resonating endlessly!

Jiang Congyan stood quietly under the eaves on the steps, the slanting sunlight from the horizon casting over her upright figure, her snow-white face in the golden light so sacred it was almost blinding.

Zhang Zheng looked up at the lady, who, despite her youth, radiated an authoritative aura that compelled others to follow. He even saw a shadow of the Lord in her.

If he had previously obeyed her merely because of the Lord's command, after the battle at Tiger Head Mountain, he genuinely acknowledged her. Her bravery in danger was unmatched, even by many young lords from noble families.

In such turbulent times, to achieve great deeds, one needed to follow a leader with vision, strategy, and courage.

And the lady before him was precisely such a leader.

At this moment, his blood boiled with a newfound sense of ambition and fervor.

The remaining fifty men shared the same sentiment.

Before today, if the lady had asked them to follow her north to the grasslands, they would have obeyed out of duty. But from this day forward, they truly acknowledged her—not just the lady from Liangzhou, but their new leader.

"Very well! Since you place your trust in me, I will not fail you!"