After nightfall, distant and near points of light stretched like ribbons of rivers through the city. The water shimmered brightly where the lights were brighter, while beside the darker streets, the water's surface remained silent in the darkness, only occasionally disturbed by boats with lights slowly gliding across the view.

Inside and outside the Four Seasons Abode, lights shone brightly, and the three buildings with eaves and corridors adorned the street splendidly. Passersby on nearby streets couldn't help but glance over, pointing and admiring. Inside, a lively atmosphere of clinking glasses and animated conversations prevailed. Today, the Four Seasons Abode hosted both a literary gathering and performances. The banquet was still in full swing, and several renowned courtesans from the city's brothels had already taken the stage to sing songs and perform.

After the fall of Hangzhou, although Fang La had decided to establish his base here and showed some restraint towards his subordinates, the initial chaos still brought unspeakable suffering to the women who remained in the city. The once-thriving courtesan industry suffered a heavy blow. While captured men faced various forms of torture and killing at the hands of the invading soldiers, the fate of women was generally confined to one type of abuse.

In the initial days, countless women who had been violated either committed suicide or were killed during the abuse. Even within the brothels, many virtuous women chose to die rather than be dishonored. However, in general, those in this environment were more resilient to such blows. After the most chaotic period, some had avoided the turmoil, some had found protectors, and some continued to use their charm and skills to survive. After all, people had to eat, and they had to find a way out.

The top courtesans in Hangzhou at this time were different from those of a few months ago. They seemed to lack the initial vibrancy and possessed more reverence and restraint. But as long as one didn't delve too deeply, the replacements were generally skilled in their arts. And the unease hidden within could sometimes be seen as a kind of pitiful charm, adding a unique flavor. After several performances, the atmosphere in the hall became increasingly heated, and some people began to compose poems and exchange them for appreciation.

Although today's gathering had the atmosphere of a literary meeting, it was different from a typical one. Zhu Yanlin was an official. In Fang La's court, he couldn't only associate with literati. Some of his close military friends also participated. Therefore, there couldn't be too many restrictive rules at the gathering. The host or those who wanted to show off could only try their best to stir up interest in writing poems and songs. Since there were many factions within Fang La's system, people were moving around toasting and chatting at the beginning of the banquet. This was when the atmosphere was at its most lively.

Crowded and bustling, near a banquet table on the second floor, an incident was about to occur. A scholar holding a wine cup waved to someone, turned around to walk forward, and inadvertently bumped into the man beside him.

"Careful."

"Oh..."

Bang, splash...

The incident wasn't significant. The scholar didn't knock over the table. He simply accidentally knocked a sauce dish onto his clothes. He steadied himself after a stumble, but the sauce stain remained on his clothes and couldn't be wiped off quickly. The scholar spread out his hands in frustration. People around him asked if he was alright. Then, someone from the Four Seasons Abode came to check and, under the manager's instructions, arranged a room and clothes for him to change.

After greeting the white-clad scholar who had come with him, he went up to the third floor, guided by a servant.

The first and second floors of the Four Seasons Abode were now used as banquet halls. The third floor was lit, but there were few people. The scholar entered the room where an oil lamp had just been lit, changed his clothes, and looked out the window. The night wind blew, causing the lamp to flicker, bringing a slight chill.

"...According to Young Master Ning's instructions, the news of your safety has been sent back. Your wife and family are all safe and sound... Your wife's unborn child is also well..."

If someone else were in the room at this time, they might hear the faint conversation taking place.

"Didn't alarm the government or the army, did it?"

"Young Master Ning specifically instructed us not to create any unnecessary trouble. Apart from your wife, this information is only transmitted in a single line to the highest level. However... I think Young Master Ning is being too cautious..."

"When you can't afford to lose even once, you have to be careful. Liu Dabiao has people arranged around my wife. If those who want to make a name for themselves find out, only my wife and I will die... Did your superior have any other instructions to bring?"

"Escorting Young Master Ning out of the city is the top priority, but everything should be based on Young Master Ning's arrangements... They also said that you must take care of yourself."

The one secretly talking here was naturally Wenren Buyi, the secret agent arranged by Ning Yi and Qin Siyeuan in Fang La's territory. The reason for choosing the Four Seasons Abode for this rendezvous was now known to Ning Yi. Wenren Buyi's identity here was the manager of the Four Seasons Abode, which was a branch of the Hundred Year Hall. Ning Yi no longer trusted the official forces much, but Wenren Buyi was clearly different. When it came to handing over command, Ning Yi shook his head.

"I don't understand these things. You're the expert. How you act is up to you, but I need to know who's responsible for your next contact line. If something happens to you, how should I contact him..."

"That's natural..."

Wenren Buyi's small system didn't belong to the official direct organization of the Six Doors. It was originally a secret investigation department set up to deal with the Liao people. There weren't many people deployed, and it was only used to fill gaps in major events. Even so, as the top person in charge on Fang La's side, Wenren Buyi still had many things to handle. Qin Siyeuan directly using him to be solely responsible to Ning Yi in this matter was enough to show the old man's importance to it.

After exchanging some necessary information, Wenren Buyi said, "Now the most important thing is to escort Young Master Ning away from here. According to estimates, the situation in Hangzhou may become increasingly tense in the next month. If you want to leave, it's best to arrange it within half a month. Now we have a certain understanding of the situation of the Badao (Tyrant Saber) Camp. If Young Master Ning knows anything..."

"I may not be able to leave for the time being." Ning Yi shook his head, then paused. "There are many green forest people in Fang La's army. I heard that there are ways to get a special scent on someone's body, which can be tracked by trained Gu insects. When they talked about it, I initially thought it was a myth, but later I saw that they didn't seem to be faking it... Does Brother Wenren know anything about this?"

Wenren Buyi's expression changed slightly. "In the Xiangxi area, there are indeed such methods in the art of raising Gu, but that kind of Gu insect is extremely difficult to raise. It can only be used on one person, and it doesn't live long... This kind of method is only used on extremely important people..." He glanced at Ning Yi, then frowned in thought.

"It's not like there's no solution. As long as you know who's raising the insects, kill his insects, or know when the insects will die, and then seize the opportunity to escape. There are also many ways to dilute this kind of tracking technique... I will investigate these things. Young Master Ning, rest assured."

"So there really are such things..." Ning Yi nodded with a smile. Actually, this kind of thing wasn't too strange. Pigeons could reach their destination thousands of miles away. It was naturally impossible to be as precise as radar, but among these martial arts masters who were proficient in wilderness survival, even if they could only determine a general direction, it would probably be difficult for me to escape. He had been mentally prepared beforehand, so he didn't mind at this time.

"These things are a bother to Brother Wenren, but if things can't be done, I plan to send my maid away first. This matter should still be feasible."

There was a moment of silence on the other side. Wenren Buyi clearly didn't quite agree with this matter: "Young Master Ning, this matter..."

Ning Yi waved his hand: "After sending her away, I will have the mind to stay here and do something... It's not a big problem. I have calculated it before. Next to the courtyard where I currently live, there is an old doctor who has no children. He has a good reputation in the Badao Camp. Xiaochun has been helping in the clinic during this period, and the old doctor treats her like a daughter. If it's just a general situation, the old man won't help, but I have offended people, whether it's Li Tianrun or Shi Bao, it's enough to go against Liu Dabiao. If I'm in danger, it will easily affect the people around me. When the pressure comes down, I will ask that old doctor to at least send Xiaochun away. During this period... Wenren brother's assistance is needed."

Wenren Buyi was stunned for a long time. He had naturally investigated the situation around Ning Yi: "Young Master Ning... you've been arranging this matter since a month ago...?"

"It can't be called an arrangement. It's just preparing for a rainy day. That old man has a rigid character, but he understands the cruelty of the world even more. When I ask him, he will help. This is currently the most mature path. If he doesn't help, I'll think of other ways."

"But once this happens, it will be even more difficult for you to leave, and there may even be a risk to your life..."

"Take a gamble." Ning Yi said, "It would be good to leave together, but if we can't, if she stays, I will have even less chance to leave in the future. You say the situation will worsen within a month... How is the fighting in the north going?"

"Jiaxing has been relieved, but Fang Qifo has gathered his forces, firmly pinning down General Tong's forces on the Xiuzhou line. The rear is constantly being harvested and burned. After this battle, the imperial court has gained nothing between Hangzhou, Jiaxing, and Huzhou..."

"As expected..." Ning Yi nodded. "In your opinion, how long can Hangzhou hold out?"

"I don't know, but half a year to a year, I'm afraid..."

These things were no longer related to ordinary intelligence personnel, but Wenren Buyi clearly frowned when he talked about them. Ning Yi was also a little silent. He didn't know much about Fang La's history, only that Fang La was ultimately defeated, but he also dragged down Tong Guan's army of more than 100,000 in the south. Now it seemed that Fang La's capture of Hangzhou coincided with the grain harvest season. After he plundered the grain near Hangzhou, the contrast in strength between the two sides was bound to increase, and the burden on the Wu Dynasty court would be even heavier. If they dragged on for a year or two, the consequences would be unimaginable.

"Let's make a decision like this for now. I'm doing pretty well in the Badao Camp right now. Li Tianrun will come back and put pressure on me. I'll have no choice but to send Xiaochun away. As long as I don't leave, they won't kill me. Of course, it would be ideal if both sides were arguing over my value. If not, tell the higher-ups that I'm teaching a group of honest students here, which can be considered a small contribution."

Ning Yi said, shaking his head and smiling. Wenren Buyi thought for a while: "Teach... honest students?"

"Yes." Ning Yi nodded and sighed. "In this world, being honest is being at odds with the world. Let them have a little internal friction. Anyway, I can't do more."

After talking to Wenren Buyi, Ning Yi went out and downstairs. The hall was still lively. He happened to hear a song called "Viewing the Sea Tide" being sung on stage. The singer was singing, "The lakes are layered with beautiful scenery, with sweet osmanthus in autumn, and lotus flowers for ten miles. The Qiang flute plays in the sunny sky, the water chestnut song floats in the night, and the cheerful old fishermen and lotus children..." Lou Shuwan was listening there. Seeing Ning Yi come down, she said with a smile, "She's singing your lyrics." There were also people in the hall who recognized him, like Liu Xiyang. At this time, they all looked over, and some people were already coming over from the crowd, seemingly wanting to greet him.

Just then, a commotion faintly came from the east.

It started with gongs, horns, and shouts, mixed together like a battle, gradually rising. At this time, Hangzhou had just experienced the war, and many of the people at the gathering had personally experienced the battlefield. They all began to go to the windows to look outside. Some even went to the top of the third floor. Later, some people who looked like servants and assistants rushed over to find their respective masters and deliver messages.

In the distant street scene, the chaos quickly formed an outline. Pillars of smoke and red light rose into the sky, and soldiers on horseback with sabers surged towards the streets over there. The news brought by the various servants and assistants quickly spread by word of mouth among the people.

In the late autumn of yellow leaves, on the seventh day of the ninth month, the newly established Yongle Dynasty ushered in its first rebellion.

The Councilor of Political Affairs, Qi Yuankang, had rebelled.

Ning Yi only had a certain impression of this name. Like Lou Minzhong and Bao Daoyi, he was one of the top officials in Fang La's army. And thinking about it at this time, Ning Yi had heard people say that Qi Yuankang was once one of the pro-amnesty faction in Fang La's army.

Standing with Lou Shuwan in front of the window of the Four Seasons Abode, Ning Yi understood what Liu Dabiao meant by the big event that was going to happen tonight. Li Tianrun had not yet returned. The first purge in Fang La's military system had begun like this...(To be continued. Please vote for recommendation and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)

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