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The night breeze was cool, and from the heights of Fan Lou, one could see the lights of almost half of Bianliang City, courtyards, streets, and the boat lights on the waterways sending a warm yellow glow into the night sky. Search: \(?Complete?This?God?Station) to read high-quality literature for free. Music drifted intermittently, the Fan Lou's singers performing soft tunes like, "Still remember the red boat path, a myriad of fireworks."

Inside the room, the lights were bright, and the gauze curtains swayed gently. Song Yongping raised his glass in a toast to Ning Yi. Two women were also present in the room. Beside Ning Yi was Shishi, while next to Song Yongping was a woman named Jin Ruyan, much younger than Shishi. She was Fan Lou's popular talented woman. Song Yongping had met her last year when he was in the capital, and had invited her to accompany them.

Originally from an official's family, Song Yongping achieved distinction at a young age, passing the imperial examination and then being appointed as a magistrate. He could be described as a young man who had quickly achieved success and full of vigor. This time, the local prefect had prepared a batch of tribute and instructed Song Yongping to present it in the capital. Secretly, he was relying on Song Yongping's connections in the capital to handle some matters, making it an easy and prestigious task. With such a smooth life, the young man's words were filled with ambition. After thanking Ning Yi for his help in the capital and briefly discussing poetry and literature, he shared some of his views on Zhuji.

"...Having studied history, I believe that purely engaging in business is difficult to sustain in the long run. My family also has some business ventures, but they are kept to a minimum, just enough to get by. Of course, my brother-in-law in Bianliang must understand this and will certainly consider Zhuji more thoroughly than Yongping. For example, I strongly agree with Zhuji's recent storytelling efforts, promoting chivalry and martial valor to the troops. However, I wonder about the public's reaction to promoting these stories, as I've heard some discussion outside... In all things, one must proceed gradually..."

Song Yongping ultimately had no malice towards Ning Yi. In a sense, his words were sincere. Zhuji's rapid development would arouse the suspicion of scholars and merchants alike. Song Yongping, inheriting his family's philosophy of officialdom, was advising Ning Yi to solidify his foundation in the capital before expanding further.

Of course, there were things he couldn't say. In Song Yongping's eyes, Ning Yi, as a tutor in the Prime Minister's residence, hadn't pursued officialdom despite his fame, because he was still Son-in-Law of the Su family. As Su Tan'er was his cousin, he couldn't say anything that would encourage Ning Yi to shed that identity in accordance with the way of the gentlemen. His advice started with storytelling, then moved to the reactions of scholars, and finally to merchants and officials, the logic was clear, something the young man took pride in. Ning Yi listened carefully, nodding occasionally, and praising Song Yongping's family learning.

Of course, everything takes time. Song Yongping didn't expect his brother-in-law to immediately take action. However, he hoped that this conversation, which he considered to be "enlightening" for Ning Yi, could repay some of the help he had received earlier. The two then discussed many other things. Song Yongping was somewhat dissatisfied that even after such a conversation, Ning Yi still casually asked him about the changes in merchant activities over the past year, clearly due to his ingrained habit of focusing on business.

Of course, having the identity of an adopted Son-in-Law, he had no choice but to engage in business. Even with connections to many high-ranking officials through the Prime Minister's residence, his status was difficult to raise. Song Yongping could understand Ning Yi's behavior. That evening, while drunk, he said to Jin Ruyan, "My brother-in-law is indeed a capable man, but unfortunately... his identity binds him..."

Song Yongping was somewhat pleased with his words to Ning Yi that evening, so much so that on his return journey, he mentioned it to his father, Song Mao, during a visit to Henan Prefecture, only to be scolded.

"...That your sister and brother-in-law can set up such a large operation in the capital and have dealings with the Prime Minister's residence is not something for you, a callow youth, to comment on with your superficial words! These simple principles, others may not understand, but do you think the Prime Minister's residence is a simple place, and that your brother-in-law wouldn't understand! What he is doing now, I find somewhat strange, but your words are truly laughable... Very well, tell me all the words you said, over and over again!"

After being scolded, Song Yongping had no choice but to recall the events of the day and recount everything from beginning to end, followed by the casual chat afterward. Song Mao frowned as Song Yongping spoke, then also frowned: "If... as Father says, things are not so simple, then... is the Prime Minister's residence preparing for war?"

Song Mao glanced at him but said nothing. Song Yongping continued his analysis: "Father, do you remember when I was young, I said that the Khitan and Jurchen are both wolves and tigers, and showing weakness is not as good as showing strength. At that time, I said that a war between the North and South was inevitable, but in reality, it was to attract attention. Later, as I gained more knowledge and saw the dust settling between Liao and Jin, and our court also had many measures such as the Pacification Edict, whenever I thought of war, my thoughts faded..."

Song Mao said, "If what you say is true, it can explain why your brother-in-law is expanding Zhuji so much. It seems that it is the Prime Minister's intention."

"But why is the Prime Minister so sure that the Jin people will go south? If he bets everything, regardless of the consequences, what benefit is there..."

Officials always consider the consequences of their actions. For example, Tan Zhen's Pacification Edict would be a good achievement and prevent the Jin from going south, and if it went poorly, it wouldn't offend anyone. But Zhuji's development is different, which is extremely bad for self-interest, and it is as if someone predicted that the crisis would come at any moment. Therefore, the meaning of the two preparations for war is completely different. And in this more meaning, Song Yongping also can not think clearly.

Song Mao said, "No matter what they think, Xiangzhou, where you are, is the route to the north. Your brother-in-law asked you about the changes in local merchants, if it is not for the Zhuji business, it is to compare with the information on his hand. If the news I have here is correct, after the Pacification Edict, the business there recovered very quickly, even better than before the disaster..."

Song Yongping nodded: "It has improved... about 30% to 40%."

Song Mao also nodded: "If the Jin people really go south, and break through Yanmen Pass, the north will become a battlefield. At that time, there will still be infighting in the army, and everyone will do anything for profit and to save their lives. Do you remember the commercial war tactics used by the Prime Minister's residence in the previous disaster relief? It came from your brother-in-law's hand. This time, introducing a large number of merchants to the north, there are merchants, money, and interests, and more people will have pain in the skin. If it is said that your brother-in-law and the Prime Minister's residence are promoting it, then I am afraid it is not surprising."

Song Yongping was silent, Song Mao patted him on the shoulder with satisfaction: "To be able to use the commercial field to this extent, your brother-in-law, or the people of the Prime Minister's residence, the old spicy, the broad layout, is beyond your Yellow-Mouthed Child can imagine. Learn with humility."

"Then... if there is really a fight, Father, what should I do..."

Song Mao waved his hand: "It is unlikely that the Jin people will really fight down. This matter is related to the world, and everyone will think about it. You don't have to worry too much. Just be your county magistrate. If you get entangled because of this matter, the Jin people will not come in the future, but you will miss the government affairs, and the gain will not be worth the loss. If possible, forget it!"

Although his father said so, Song Yongping still paid some attention to this matter after returning. He read a few military books, carefully surveyed the terrain under his jurisdiction, and calculated the grain reserves, operation, troop transportation and other things. Soon after, it played a not small role.

But this is another story, so I won't mention it for the time being.

Time to go back to the night of Fan Lou. Jin Ruyan is not an absolute prostitute. For Song Yongping, a young and promising official, who has some relationship in the past, she does not refuse. Song Yongping got drunk that night and left with Jin Ruyan. Ning Yi and Shishi stood for a while on the terrace upstairs. The wind blew, stimulating some wine. Ning Yi looked at the lights of the city and laughed softly: "My wife's younger brother still has some knowledge."

Shishi stood aside and looked at him. In the bright lights downstairs, the man standing next to him was holding the railing with both hands, tapping his fingers lightly, as if he had an aura of looking down on everything. But because of the effect of alcohol, many complex moods seemed to be tumbling in those eyes. What he thought in his heart, many things that he operated... but still vague, making people unable to approach.

In the eyes of some high-ranking officials, Shishi has also seen similar expressions. And she naturally would not say anything bad about Song Yongping, smiled slightly: "But the words he said, Li Heng has already thought clearly..."

"It can't be said clearly." Ning Yi shook his head, "Some things, I also hope that I have estimated wrongly, and sometimes I feel that it may be estimated wrongly. In that case, two years later, I may have to leave Beijing."

"Leave Beijing?"

"Well, take my wife and children away from here, if that's really the case..." Ning Yi was silent for a long time, then thought of something and laughed, "Shishi..."

Shishi was still digesting the meaning of his words just now, and looked up at this time: "Hmm?"

Ning Yi just looked at her, and what floated in his mind were other things. Ning Yi was not clear about the history of the Song Dynasty, but of course he knew the name of Li Shishi. As a woman who can be named for thousands of years, one is because of her scandal with the emperor, and the other is because of her loyalty and compassion. It is said that when the Jin people went south, the woman was captured into the Jin people's camp and swallowed her hairpin to kill herself. If I want to stop these things, I may be able to save her.

Ning Yi vaguely saw the second item in the rumors from this woman, but where should the first item, the scandal with the emperor, fall? Maybe it will be different after all? Or is a guest that Shishi knows, is the emperor in disguise? He looked at Shishi, thought about it in his mind, and finally just shook his head and smiled. This is the real world I am in after all, I really think too much...

Shishi waited for a moment, but didn't see him speak, and said softly: "At Li Heng's house, Little Chan is about to give birth, right?"

"Well, I have to go back later and talk to her and the child in her belly."

"Talk?"

"There is a saying called prenatal education." Ning Yi explained to her with a smile, "It is said that when a woman is pregnant, when she is about to give birth, the child can already feel the surrounding environment, and can also feel the joy of the mother. So I always go home to accompany her recently, and also teach Ning Xi, the one in her belly is his younger brother or younger sister. The child is quite happy, and should be a good brother."

"...I have never heard of such a statement." Shishi smiled strangely, "There are many people who come here when their wives are pregnant..."

The wind blew, stroking the woman's temples and clothes. Shishi stood there, holding her right arm with her left hand. Her body was thin and her clothes were thin, so it seemed like a fairy riding the wind, but it seemed a bit lonely. The two joked for a while, Ning Yi waved away, telling her not to send him off.

Below is still the city of lights. Shishi stood upstairs, watching Ning Yi's carriage go out from the side door downstairs, drive on the road, pass through the crowd, and finally disappear into the prosperity of Bianliang. Waiting for the man at home is a gentle, nostalgic wife and children, and in the early autumn not long after, he will harvest another joy.

So, where will my joy be?

She looked at the lights and thought in a daze.

At the same moment, Zhou Zhe stepped on the imperial city that had been closed, overlooking this huge, magnificent city, his country. Everything felt as magnificent and beautiful as ever, and every time he saw it, it could make his idea of becoming a king for all generations more determined.

He stretched out his hand, the past was chaotic, and the road ahead was blurred. But he knew that he would eventually cross all of this...

......

Outside Yanmen Pass, the stars are all over the sky.

Zhou Tong stood outside the tent, looking back at the towering mountains in the darkness. After leaving the customs, everything seemed desolate, although at present, these places are the land of Wu Dynasty.

This year, the old man was already eighty-two years old.

For many things, he traveled back and forth on the northern side of the Wu Dynasty last year. Originally, the Great Bright Religion leader was still looking for him to duel, but unexpectedly, a junior killed Sikong Nan, so that Lin Zongwu had to go south and fight with the enemy, which saved him a lot of things. There are talented people in Jiangshan, and he has seen such changes many times. What is important is that there can always be new heroes.

Because of all kinds of doubts about the Jin people, he wanted to go to the north to see if the Jin people would really attack the Wu Dynasty. He is already such an age, leaving the Wu Dynasty that he has wandered for a lifetime, and going to such a tiger and wolf land, even if he is a master, he may encounter all kinds of accidents, and the biggest accident is fate.

Fu Lu and Zuo Wenyin are still following him.

"If I die in a foreign land, you must burn me and then bring my ashes back, so that I will not be buried in a foreign land." This is the old man's smiling entrustment to the two.

At that moment, he was still preparing to go north for a long time...

************

July, Jin Kingdom, Huining.

In the cool morning, Xu Zerun, the envoy of the Wu Dynasty, tidied his clothes and walked into the newly built and simple Jin Kingdom imperial city. He came with a mission, and had been going north for three months. In order to promote permanent and normal trade between the Jin and Wu countries, he brought many gold, silver, porcelain, and silk. He had almost traveled all the Jin Kingdom ministers' residences that he could go to, and bribed many people. Today, Wu Qimai, the emperor of the Jin Kingdom, is finally going to meet him in person and finalize everything.

This is the moment of dust settling.

It is also the beginning of everything...