Chapter 9

A simple linen robe wrapped around her delicate figure, her long, slender legs astride a warhorse, a crimson cloak fluttering in the wind, and atop her swan-like neck was a face of exquisite beauty. Her eyebrows were finely arched, her eyes like autumn waters, her hair like a cloud, her black tresses like a waterfall, her skin as white as snow, and her delicate hands exuded fragrance. Each word was a catalyst for surging hormones. Yun Xiao almost used all the praise he knew to describe the female bandit before him. It was a blissful experience to be robbed by such a bandit.

Yun Xiao rubbed his eyes hard, fearing it was an illusion brought on by a fever. He pinched Wei Qing beside him hard, and from his "Ouch!" Yun Xiao knew this wasn't a dream. Such a beauty could only exist in dreams, and now she was vividly before him, a miracle.

The entire convoy was stunned, even Xiao Bai looked curiously at the beauty. The Yulin Army from Chang'an drooled profusely, each one looking like a lecher, and not a single one wanted to step forward to defeat the bandits. If anyone did, they would likely be scolded by their comrades first.

Only one person was an exception. The moment the beauty appeared, Cang Lan drew the Kaifeng knife Yun Xiao had given him. This Kaifeng knife was brought back by Yun Xiao's friend from abroad, standard equipment for the Delta Force, capable of cutting through a thick vine with a single stroke. Yun Xiao gave the military dagger to Wei Qing, and seeing Cang Lan's envious face, he gave the Kaifeng knife to Cang Lan.

While everyone was admiring the beauty, Cang Lan had already charged forward. His tall, powerful warhorse charged with great momentum, and Cang Lan raised his knife to strike the beauty. The horse was too fast, like a gust of wind, and the beauty quickly raised her long sword to block.

A cheap long sword from over two thousand years ago couldn't compare to the Delta Force's standard Kaifeng knife. With a sharp sound, the long sword broke in half, the cut as smooth as if it were tofu.

The beauty barely dodged Cang Lan's powerful strike. Everyone around Yun Xiao seemed to let out a sigh of relief, even Xiao Bai licked his tongue.

The beauty turned her horse and fled into the mountains. Cang Lan was about to pursue, but Cang Jingkong loudly called him back.

"Why don't you let me pursue?"

"Do not chase a defeated enemy."

Perhaps in the entire convoy, only this eunuch and his autistic son could ignore the beauty of the female bandit.

Chang'an, with its three strategic passes, was situated by the Wei River, guarding the vital pass to Central China. After Emperor Gaozu Liu Bang unified the empire, he moved the wealthy households from Shandong and Xianyang to Chang'an. After decades of non-interference, Chang'an had become the largest city in the empire, the first in every aspect.

Yun Xiao's carriage entered through the Chucheng Gate, and proceeded along the imperial road to the Weiyang Palace.

"Yun Xiao, this old servant has lived in Chang'an for nearly forty years, and this is the first time I've ridden in a carriage on the imperial road. This is all thanks to you, Yun Xiao. Seeing the emperor's favor, I believe you will be ennobled without a doubt."

Cang Jingkong, holding the imperial banner, led the way, and Yun Xiao followed behind, limping. He had to wear the Han clothing made by Aunt Wei on the journey. Although the stitching was incredibly fine, the wide sleeves and loose robes were very uncomfortable, and he had to be careful not to step on the front hem, or he might fall flat on his face.

This Han clothing was like a bundle of cloth wrapped around his body, making him extremely uncomfortable. What annoyed Yun Xiao the most was that there were no pants, not even undergarments. Despite being well-covered, the coolness between his legs made him feel uneasy. However, his little brother seemed to enjoy the freedom, swaying and swinging inside.

Entering the grand Xuan Room, he didn't see the golden bricks of the Taihe Hall, but rather a more comfortable maple wood floor. Maple wood usually grows in cold regions like Liaodong, with a hardness like iron, making it an excellent material for flooring. It was clear that the floor of this hall was very valuable.

Who says history always progresses? In terms of foot comfort, it seems history has regressed.

The emperor's seat was in the center, far away and not very clear. Even if he were closer, he probably wouldn't see clearly. The imperial headdress obscured much of Liu Qi's face, making his appearance mysterious.

The ministers knelt on both sides, each holding a court tablet and not looking around. When Yun Xiao entered, they glanced behind him, as if expecting someone else to come in.

Liu Qi seemed to be sizing him up, but Yun Xiao didn't dare to look up. Cang Jingkong had told him that if the emperor didn't allow it, he absolutely couldn't look up, or it would be a capital offense. Looking up meant death, so Yun Xiao decided to bow to reality.

After a long time, Liu Qi curiously asked Cang Jingkong.

"This is the brave Yun Xiao who killed the Xiongnu Left Great General. I see he is no more than fifteen years old. How could he achieve such a great feat?"

"This old servant has carefully questioned General Li Guang, and it is confirmed that the golden head brought by Yun Xiao is genuine. General Li Guang also had the Left Great General's people carefully identify the head, and it is genuine. He also had the Xiongnu herders who had surrendered identify the golden head, and it is genuine."

Cang Jingkong answered in a standard manner, a seasoned official. If there were any mistakes, they would be Li Guang's, not his. This guy was definitely a sly old fox.

Yun Xiao didn't expect Li Guang to do so much investigation. It seemed he left the banquet to do this.

"Oh, how did Yun Xiao kill this fierce enemy? Speak quickly."

This was a bit difficult. Should he tell the emperor that he came from 2014 and killed the Left Great General with a double-barreled shotgun?

Yun Xiao decided to bluff the Han officials.

"Your humble servant learned various skills from a young age. I heard that a few years ago, the Xiongnu Left Great General led troops to raid Mayi, killing tens of thousands of our Han people. I infiltrated the grasslands, pretending to be captured by the Xiongnu.

I took advantage of the Left Great General passing by and, with the help of a Han slave surnamed Wei, killed him. The old man surnamed Wei unfortunately died in battle, and I fled to Wei Family Village. I was seriously ill at the time, but was saved by the women and children of Wei Family Village. Unexpectedly, the Xiongnu pursuit caught up, and over ten people from Wei Family Village were killed to protect me.

I then brought the remaining three elderly and young people from Wei Family Village to General Li Guang."

This was purely taking advantage of the fact that there were no computers in the Han Dynasty, and household registration couldn't be linked. If it were now, Yun Xiao would be exposed.

"Yun Xiao, your concern for the state is a model for our Han people. I will reward you greatly."

Yun Xiao's story, inspired by Mr. Shan Tianfang's narrative style, was thrilling and moving. Thus, the image of a young hero with extraordinary talent appeared before the Han officials.

"I will... ."

"Your Majesty, I have something to say."

A fat old man walked out from among the officials. His fat face was full of horizontal wrinkles. If he wore a white T-shirt and jeans, he would look like the butcher from the market downstairs.

"Your Majesty, what do you have to say?"

"Yun Xiao has achieved great merit, but he is still young. I believe he should be ennobled as a Ting Hou."

Damn, who is this old man? A Ting Hou? Don't think I don't know what a Ting Hou is. It's like a police station chief. I almost risked my life, and I get a police station chief? But it seems even Guan Yu did this job when he first joined the Han Dynasty, so it might not be so bad.

"The old minister disagrees. Yun Xiao, though young, has deeply infiltrated the grasslands and killed a fierce enemy, achieving a great feat. I believe he should be ennobled as a Guan Nei Hou."

A Guan Nei Hou is an honorary title, like Huo Qubing being ennobled as the Champion Hou, but there was no place called Champion in the Han Dynasty.

"The Minister of the Imperial Clan is right. The Imperial Censor, Yun Xiao has achieved a great feat, and the court's reward should not be too meager. Since Yun Xiao's surname is Yun, let's ennobled him as Yun Hou. His fief will be two hundred households, and his official position..."

Finally, he remembered. This fat-faced old man was Chao Cuo, who was beheaded in the market. Yun Xiao didn't want to argue with a man who was about to die a miserable death.

The Minister of the Imperial Clan? Isn't that Liu Cheng's father? It seems the royal family is more honest, and they keep their word.

"Your Majesty, the supervisor of the Ganquan Palace's imperial stables is vacant. Since Yun Hou has experience raising horses among the Xiongnu, I believe he should manage the imperial stables."

Chao Cuo was Liu Qi's teacher, who had taught him to read and write since childhood. Liu Qi couldn't refuse Chao Cuo, so he replied, "Ennobled Yun Hou as the supervisor of the imperial stables, and his fief will be near the Ganquan Palace."

What? The imperial stables? So I'm a horse keeper? Chao Cuo, I won't let this go. If it weren't for the court, Yun Xiao would have kicked this old man.

Looking at Chao Cuo's fat body and his own thin frame, considering the difference in strength, Yun Xiao decided to give up the idea of a real fight. Old man, I'll watch you get beheaded, and I'll enjoy it.

But the angry Yun Xiao suddenly noticed a small figure standing in the corner of the hall, curiously watching him.

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