Li Dao Xuan's field of vision currently centered on Gao Village, spanning a radius of about sixty-five kilometers, a distance that was neither too far nor too close, but just enough to bring the city of Puzhou clearly into focus.
This city was of paramount importance to the future of the Gao Village collective. It served as the perfect strategic entry point for their expansion into Shanxi Province.
Currently, Gao Village had effectively extended three "claws" into Shanxi.
The first was the ancient ferry terminal at Yongji, held by Xing Honglang's unit.
The second was the Longmen Ferry terminal, coupled with the Yellow River Bridge, guarded by Shi Jian's troops.
The third was Pingyang Prefecture, where Wang Xiaohua was stationed.
However, Pingyang Prefecture was simply too far away, and the city was crawling with high-ranking officials.
Wang Xiaohua was merely a minor Qianhu. His influence there was extremely limited, and he faced the constant risk of being reassigned at a moment's notice.
Consequently, Pingyang could not truly be considered Gao Village territory yet.
Longmen Ferry suffered from a similar issue.
Shi Jian was also just a Qianhu under the jurisdiction of the Shaanxi General Wang Chengen, meaning his presence there was subject to the whims of the provincial military command.
Compared to those two, Xing Honglang's position was much more stable.
Because she was a former "rebel leader," the imperial court would not dare move her around recklessly.
After her surrender, they would likely grant her a localized title, such as a Shoubei, to keep her settled in one place.
As long as she did not go on a rampage, the court would be thanking their lucky stars.
Even if she caused a bit of trouble locally, the central government would likely turn a blind eye, save for a few civil officials who might write a protest or two.
Therefore, if Xing Honglang could be officially stationed in Puzhou, it would mean the city was effectively annexed into the Gao Village map, a much more secure foothold than anything held by Wang Xiaohua or Shi Jian.
At this moment, Xing Honglang, Flat Rabbit, and a small squad of twelve cavalrymen were galloping toward Puzhou.
The Puppet Tianzun sat perched on Flat Rabbit's shoulder, leaning in to whisper to Xing Honglang.
"Do your best to secure a post in Puzhou. Becoming the Shoubei of Puzhou would be the optimal outcome."
Since she was on horseback and could not perform a proper formal greeting, Xing Honglang simply cupped her fists respectfully.
"Understood!"
The group spurred their horses, and the thirty-mile journey vanished in a blur of dust.
Ahead, the walls of Puzhou loomed.
Colorful banners fluttered from the battlements, where a large number of well-equipped regular soldiers stood guard.
A high-ranking general stood atop the wall, surveying their approach.
Surprisingly, the general was a familiar face: He Renlong, also known as "Madman He," the man who had once delivered three thousand surrendering rebels to Gao Village.
This time, he was leading a thousand elite troops tasked with protecting Yang He, the Zongdu of the Three Borders.
Seeing the "Madman," Flat Rabbit could not help but mutter under his breath.
"Back when Hong Chengchou hosted a surrender banquet, he slaughtered Miao Mei and Liu Liu right at the table. They say He Renlong was the one who swung the blade."
Xing Honglang whispered back, "That's true. The story has spread throughout the underworld."
"Wow, I'm feeling a lot of pressure here," Flat Rabbit said, his voice trembling slightly.
"When we're drinking that surrender wine, He Renlong is not going to suddenly jump out and chop us to pieces, is he?"
The Puppet Tianzun let out a series of wooden clicks that sounded suspiciously like a tawa.
"What happened to your 'Heavenly Rabbit Tyrant-Breaker Sword'? If he actually tries anything, just chop him down with one stroke!"
Flat Rabbit forced an awkward smile, trying to look tough while his knees were practically knocking.
"Well, obviously... this rabbit... my Heavenly Rabbit Tyrant-Breaker Sword is invincible. It does not deign to slay nameless nobodies, but a world-famous martial scholar like Madman He? He is exactly the kind of prey I was made for."
By the time he finished the sentence, his face was practically pale green.
He knew his own swordsmanship better than anyone. Beating a top-tier martial scholar was something he did not even dare to do in his dreams.
"Hahaha, you cowardly rabbit!"
The Puppet Tianzun's wooden joints clattered as he shook with laughter.
"What are you afraid of when I am right here with you?"
"But Tianzun, you have only possessed a wooden doll," Flat Rabbit pointed out, skeptical.
"This puppet's combat power feels... well, a bit unreliable."
Xing Honglang let out a short laugh.
"Look at the sky, you idiot."
Flat Rabbit looked up and saw a solitary, low-hanging cloud drifting directly over their heads, following their every move like a loyal dog.
His spirit surged instantly.
"Oh! So the real Tianzun is here too!"
As they spoke, the horses reached the gates of Puzhou.
He Renlong, looking down from the wall with a distinctly unfriendly glint in his eyes, gave a cold snort.
"Open the gates!"
The heavy gates creaked open, and Xing Honglang and Flat Rabbit dismounted, leading their horses into the city.
He Renlong descended the stairs from the wall, greeting them with a twisted, mocking expression.
"Xing Honglang of Yongji. Lord Yang, the Zongdu, has been waiting for you for a long time. Follow me."
Xing Honglang cupped her fists.
"We are honored that the Zongdu has seen fit to host a banquet for a mere woman like me. I am truly overwhelmed."
Flat Rabbit made a face, muttering quietly,
"Ugh, the second you start dealing with officials, it's all this fake, flowery nonsense. So annoying."
Though he spoke softly, He Renlong caught the dismissive look on the rabbit's face.
He snorted again.
"And who might this 'hero' be?"
"This is my top general, Flat Rabbit," Xing Honglang introduced.
"Quite a... spirited name. Very appropriate for your kind," He Renlong sneered, his gaze lingering on the sword hilt at Flat Rabbit's waist.
He looked like he was suppressing a laugh. In his mind, a sword was a useless toy on a real battlefield.
He figured a saber would at least be practical, but rebels always seemed to favor flashy, useless gear.
Flat Rabbit felt the disrespect radiating off the man and flared up.
"You just looked at my ancestral treasure and smirked. What's that supposed to mean? You think my rabbit-style swordsmanship is a joke?"
He Renlong burst into a loud, mocking tawa, then his expression suddenly turned stone-cold.
"The one recruiting you today is Lord Yang He. If it had been Lord Hong, I would have already drawn my blade and taken your rabbit head."
"You had better be sincere about this surrender. If you even think about rebelling again, I will make sure you find out exactly how 'useful' your sword skills are."
The exchange was sharp and hostile, but it actually served Flat Rabbit's purpose perfectly.
The "Rabbit" was the best person in Gao Village to project an aura of "I'm not a threat," "I'm just a stupid thief," and "There's no need to worry about me."
It was a unique talent that made enemies lower their guard, a skill no one else in the village could replicate.
He Renlong led the way, and Xing Honglang's group followed him through the city streets.
Soon, they arrived at the open square in front of the Prefecture Yamen.
A massive platform had been erected, resembling an altar for a grand sacrifice.
In the center sat a banquet table laden with offerings and fine wine.
The Zongdu, Yang He, and the Zhizhou of Puzhou, Qiu Qianfan, along with several other officials, were already waiting behind the platform.
Upon seeing Xing Honglang, Yang He felt a wave of relief.
The fact that the rebel leader was willing to enter the city with such a small escort showed a significant degree of sincerity. She was risking being cut down by a hidden squad of executioners at any moment.
What followed was a marathon of formal greetings, flowery compliments, and bureaucratic fluff, a billion words of "polite nonsense" that we shall mercifully skip.
This was followed by another billion words worth of ritualistic drinking and sky-gazing.
When the formalities finally concluded, it was time for the part everyone was actually interested in, the resettlement.
It was only then that a look of hesitation crossed Yang He's face.
"General Xing, now that you have surrendered, you are officially a commander of the imperial court."
"However... regarding your permanent station, I have not quite reached a final decision."
"You must understand, the national treasury is currently facing... well, a few minor difficulties."