Chapter 68

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"Swish!" Dozens of cold, gleaming halberds were aimed at Liang Xiao's chest. "Stop! No loitering in front of the Chancellor's residence."

The farmer pushing the cart trembled, almost tipping Liang Xiao off. Liang Miao hurriedly supported Liang Xiao, her palms cold with fear.

Liang Xiao, in pain, was drenched in cold sweat, his face pale, but he could not cry out. He glanced at the approaching captain and said in as calm a voice as possible, "I am the descendant of an old friend, please inform the general."

"Descendant of an old friend?" The captain glanced at Liang Xiao with disdain. "Whose descendant? By your accent, you seem to be from around here. Do you have a name card?"

Liang Xiao took out a name card and handed it to the captain. It was a bamboo slip he had prepared, inscribed with the five seal script characters "Zheng Huan Zhongli Ji." He used seal script because he did not want the person in charge of reporting to recognize the characters. In the Han dynasty, clerical script was the common writing, and fewer people recognized seal script.

The captain glanced at it and sneered, "What kind of name card is this? Only a few characters, who knows who you are?"

Liang Xiao suddenly turned serious and said sternly, "Zheng Huan's conduct, traveling a thousand miles without provisions, relies on treating people with righteousness, regardless of their status. When did it become so arrogant that the descendant of an old friend is refused at the door and questioned by a few soldiers? Take this card to him. If Zheng Huan does not see me, I will turn around and leave without a moment's delay."

Seeing Liang Xiao suddenly become angry and stern, the captain's expression changed, and his confidence waned. He looked at Liang Xiao, not daring to ask further, and turned to go inside.

Liang Miao was very surprised, looking at Liang Xiao with a delighted expression. The farmer, seeing this, wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and involuntarily straightened his back, as if sharing in the glory.

From a distance, in the corner between two walls, Huan Yuan and Zhongli stood side by side. He could not see Liang Xiao's expression, but he could hear what Liang Xiao said, and he was also greatly surprised. "Liang Xiao actually knows 'Zheng Huan's conduct, traveling a thousand miles without provisions'? I've never heard him mention it before."

Zhongli Qi was even more puzzled, but he was already very surprised to see the captain return inside. He had thought Liang Xiao would be driven away. Hearing Huan Yuan's words, he laughed, "Liang Xiao usually keeps a low profile, but he has a sharp mind. General, do you remember the question about a thousand years ago?"

"It's just a bit of cleverness, not worth mentioning."

Zhongli Qi laughed but said no more. He could tell that Huan Yuan was both proud and regretful of his disciple, with a complex mix of emotions.

Liang Xiao, sitting in the deer cart, secretly breathed a sigh of relief. These Han people were indeed simple, easily intimidated. In a later era, a gatekeeper would not have reported for just a few words. In this dynasty, the Chinese were like a young man just grown, physically mature but psychologically naive, unlike the later generations who were worldly and considered small cleverness as great wisdom.

Perhaps, he could use this opportunity to achieve something.

Just as Liang Xiao was envisioning the future, a series of hurried footsteps came from inside the Chancellor's residence. A middle-aged man in casual clothes strode out, followed by the nervous captain. He walked up to Liang Xiao, looked him up and down, a hint of surprise in his eyes, and then smiled.

"Where did you come from, boy, to dare pretend to be the descendant of my old friend? Do you think I, Zheng Dangshi, am so easily deceived? I'm not old and blind, nor have I forgotten my old friends. If you are trying to elevate yourself by name-dropping, don't blame me for not giving you face, and I will have to teach you a lesson. Oh, you're injured?"

Seeing that Zheng Dangshi, the Chancellor of the state, was so straightforward and had no airs of an official, Liang Xiao felt more at ease.

Historical records state that Zheng Dangshi's father, Zheng Jun, was a general under the Chu Overlord Xiang Yu. After surrendering to the Han, he refused to call Xiang Yu by his given name, Xiang Ji, like other surrendered generals, and was demoted by Liu Bang, but he did not change his principles, showing a strong sense of chivalry. Zheng Dangshi himself, though in a high position, also had a strong sense of chivalry, much like his father. He should be very familiar with the stories of Xiang Yu's former subordinates.

Huan, Zhongli, and even the name "Ji" on Li Yunming's stele, which seemed to have been altered, made Liang Xiao believe that these people, like Zheng Jun, were likely related to Xiang Yu's former subordinates. He was not sure, but he believed that Zheng Dangshi would not be indifferent to these surnames.

However, whether Zheng Dangshi would see him and what attitude he would take, Liang Xiao had no confidence. If Zheng Dangshi did not want to get involved in trouble and refused to see him, he would have no other options.

Having studied history for many years, he knew very well the gap between historical records and reality.

Seeing Zheng Dangshi, he truly relaxed.

"Chancellor Zheng, if I were not the descendant of an old friend, would you have come out to meet me?" Liang Xiao put on the airs of a young scholar, playing a game of suspense. "Indeed, I am injured, and severely so. I came today to seek some money to save my life. If you don't let me in, I might need a coffin."

Zheng Dangshi's eyes twinkled, and he laughed heartily, "Ha ha ha, interesting, interesting. Though young, you have great bearing. I believe you, please come in!"

The captain, hearing this, hurriedly came forward, took Liang Xiao from Liang Miao, and smiled broadly, secretly relieved. Fortunately, he did not bully this young man, or he would have been in big trouble today.

Liang Miao let go of her son calmly, looking at his straight back with pride.

Liang Xiao got off the cart but did not move, turning to look at the farmer who had pushed him. "Sir, you've worked hard. The city gates are closed, and you probably can't leave the city. Why not ask for a meal at the Chancellor's residence and then have the Chancellor issue an order to let you out?"

The farmer was dumbfounded. Eating at the Chancellor's residence and being escorted out by the Chancellor's order? He had never thought of it. He had planned to find a corner to spend the night. Although it was tiring, the 500 coins the Liang family gave him was a significant income, and it was worth it to freeze for one night.

Zheng Dangshi, seeing this, called over a servant and had him arrange it. The servant, following orders, led the grateful farmer away.

Liang Xiao, enduring the pain, followed Zheng Dangshi inside, all the way to the hall. The wound on his leg burst open, and blood flowed down his pants, leaving bloody footprints on the ground. Zheng Dangshi watched silently as Liang Xiao slowly knelt down, then waved his hand, signaling the captain to leave.

"Your injuries are severe, indeed you are close to death." Zheng Dangshi took out the bamboo slip, his face no longer smiling. "Explain the meaning of these characters quickly. Perhaps I can still arrange for a doctor to treat you."

Liang Xiao, panting, laughed. "Chancellor Zheng, seventy years ago, the Western Chu Overlord had several famous generals, you haven't forgotten them, have you?"

Zheng Dangshi narrowed his eyes, staring at Liang Xiao. "What is your surname? Huan? Zhongli? Or Ji?"

"My master's surname is Huan, my friend's master's surname is Zhongli, and my concubine's surname is Ji." Liang Xiao pointed to his nose. "My surname is Liang, and my name is Liang Xiao. Chancellor Zheng must have heard of me."

"Surname Liang?" Zheng Dangshi was surprised. He thought for a moment and suddenly remembered something. "The Liang Xiao who refused the invitation of the Prince of Huainan?"

"Indeed, it is I." Liang Xiao nodded slightly. He did not believe that Liu Ling, who had been in Jiangdu for months, was unknown to Zheng Dangshi, the Chancellor. He was just being patient. After all, Liu Ling was just a messenger of the Prince of Huainan and had not revealed her identity as a princess. Zheng Dangshi could not openly intervene, as long as Liu Ling did not overstep, he would pretend not to know.

Zheng Dangshi looked at Liang Xiao, amazed. "So you are a young hero. I always thought you were a hermit. However, I have never heard of a Liang among the Overlord's subordinates."

"I admire the Overlord, but I am not the descendant of one of his subordinates. Chancellor Zheng is right, I am here under a false name. I am here to report a case..."

Zheng Dangshi breathed a sigh of relief, his expression becoming more lively. He called for a doctor to treat Liang Xiao's injuries while listening to his account. When he heard about a voice as sharp as gravel, his eyebrows raised, and a smile appeared at the corner of his mouth, as if he had a thought.

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