The Choice Queen's

TCQ 36: Service Travel

Mo Wei and the Minister of Social Affairs waited at Xuanwu Gate, the eastern gate of the royal palace with the aid delivery troupe. Wooden crates containing food and cages were transported in carts and chariots and pulled by horses already lined up behind, like strands of ants walking down a narrow path on the ground.

They welcomed the arrival of the King and the Sword Bearer with a usual salute of honor. Nangong Zirui invited him to get back up, while his eyes stared at the ranks of the carriage that had been filled with food.

“Your Majesty, everything is ready,” said the Minister of Social Affairs.

“Em.”

Nangong Zirui then looked at Li Fengran. He took out something from his robe, moving it into Li Fengran's hands. It was a jade shaped engraving of a light blue dragon, radiant and extremely delicate.

“Wear. This will not complicate your journey.”

“This jade, is it expensive?” asked Li Fengran.

“Anything weak, never think to sell or pawn it, understand?”

“Oh. Alright.”

“Be careful. Make sure this help gets into the hands of disaster victims directly.”

“Yes. Your Majesty, while I am on duty, you must not recklessly punish people,” Li Fengran said as if knowing the thoughts of Nangong Zirui who wants to punish the servants at Linghua Palace.

“No,” sergeant Nangong Zirui quickly. “This king is not easy to punish people.”

Li Fengran pretended to believe. After joining Mo Wei, he then climbed into the horse carriage. The Social Minister rode the other carriage, while Mo Wei sat on the back of his own horse. With one command, the relief group left Xuanwu Gate for the direction of the capital's gate, left the palace and set out for Jinchuan.

By midday, the group was already far away from the capital. Li Fengran no longer saw the majestic spire of the city tower, he no longer saw many people wandering around.

From the window of his carriage, he only saw small, sparse buildings, shaped like pavilions where to relax and chat. The rest, just weeds and cobbled roads stretching for tens of miles.

This was his first foreign service trip since coming to this world. It felt like all the dirt in his eyes had become clean instantly upon seeing the scene outside the city walls. The world, in fact, is so vast and natural. The distinctive smell of the grass made him unceasingly imagine how clean the air in this place was.

“Are we going to rest?” li Fengran asked Mo Wei. Mo Wei outside the carriage was silent for a moment, then said, “Are you tired?”

The king told him before leaving, that Mo Wei should look after Li Fengran for him. The king appreciated the woman very much, no matter how thick she was, Mo Wei did not seem to be winning from her. Moreover, Li Fengran was both subordinate to the King, they had the same superiors. Mo Wei had already been caught looking for trouble with him that day.

“No, it's just that my stomach is a little nauseous,” Li Fengran said. Riding a horse carriage turned out to make his stomach like being shaken. If this continued, before he reached Jinchuan, Li Fengran could get sick.

“Half a mile ahead is an inn. Can you hold it for a minute?” mo Wei asked. He was a hardworking type and did not like to put off business, but due to being obeyed by the King, he was forced to loosen his rules.

“Will I try.”

But not yet a hundred meters away, Li Fengran again shouted until the entourage had to stop. Mo Wei held her emotions in her stomach, trying to be patient with this woman. “My Sword, this time what else?”

Instead of replying, Li Fengran suddenly got out of the carriage and jumped down. He approached one of the guards on a horse, told him to come down and he himself went up. The journey inside the carriage was too boring and although his riding ability was not as good as the equestrian athletes, Li Fengran could still control it.

“This way, there is only one, right?” asked Li Fengran.

“Main road there is only one. But in addition to the official road, there are still other roads but must circle the mountain and further.”

Li Fengran nodded. He looked at Mo Wei. “Did the King give you an order?”

Mo Wei was a little surprised. How could this woman know that the King had given her a secret order?

“Did he tell you to take precautions?”

“How do you know?”

“This road is flanked by mountains and away from urban areas. Although this was the official road, but it did not guarantee that everyone would be safe to pass through,” Li Fengran hung his words, then turned his head to the crates of food and clothing carriers.

“More, for people who carry this much stuff.”

“You are right. The king asked me to be vigilant, as some bandits would often show up and loot things. The reason he asked you to come along this time too, is because the King expects you to think of an idea to secure those items without having to face them.”

From the order, Li Fengran was at least able to grasp a conclusion which meant that Nangong Zirui wanted himself to secure the item without having to fight. This was strange, the relief materials escort troops were the chosen troops that were not easily defeated even by the fierce mountain bandits. It seemed, Nangong Zirui had another choice.

“Did they kill people?” asked Li Fengran again.

“No. They just loot and steal.”

“This is weird. Even if they were bandits, they could kill if the person he looted fought back.”

Suddenly the wind rippled. From the top of a small mountain flanking the road, a group of armed men attacked the group of aid carriers. The Social Minister, who was on the second train was immediately huddled inside the car. As it turned out, there really was a bandit attack!

The bandits were mostly men around twenty-five to forty years old. The weapons used by them were diverse, including swords, daggers, knives, and small bows. As the bandits charged towards the group, they raised their weapons.

“Leave the goods here!” one-eyed bandit.

Mo Wei was already about to raise his hand as a command to fight the bandits before Li Fengran suddenly prevented him. The troops remained on standby, while the bandits put up a fierce advance. Li Fengran scanned the appearance at a glance, using the little bit of psychology he learned to know what they looked like at a glance.

“These items are foodstuffs and clothing for disaster victims. If you take it, then someone else will die,” Li Fengran said.

The one-eyed bandit laughed loudly and his blackened face from the thump and the bushes slightly hardened. The bandit gritted his teeth, looking down at Li Fengran.

“Hahahaha! Brother, look! He said someone else was going to die! But if we don't take it, then we'll die!”

His voice echoed in the middle of the forest, blending in with the sounds of birds and wild animals that rang. Li Fengran frowned, he was aware that these bandits were looting people for some reason. Moreover, they seemed to really have no intention of killing.

“That stupid king is no longer functioning his brain? He now even told a woman to go escorting! Hahahaha!” one-eyed bandits are back on sound.

“Supply! How dare you insult the King?” Mo Wei ignited emotions, his eyes flushed red and the sword in his hand almost lost control if Li Fengran did not immediately intercept him.

“Service Mo, shut up. This is your King's fault.”

“Ah?”

“You want our goods, but we can not give you fully. After all, the people outside this mountain also needed to eat. I can split it in half with you guys,” Li Fengran said without hesitation.

“Half? Ahahaha! Are you, little girl, trying to negotiate with me?”

“Yes or not? If you agree, I'll come with you as a replacement for the other half.”

Li Fengran's sudden and unexpected words greatly shocked everyone. Not only did he want to give up half the food, the Sword Stakeholder also wanted to give himself up as a substitute? How can! If the King finds out, their heads will be instead!

“Master, you can't do it. The king has asked me to protect you, and you must not go anywhere!” sergeant Mo Wei.

Again Li Fengran raised his hand, telling Mo Wei to be quiet.

“Follow my words.”