As fireworks ascended into the night sky, the melodies of the Jinse zither and the soft sounds of string and bamboo instruments echoed gently in the night. Search: \(Complete Novel God Station\) for free, high-quality literature.

It was the Lantern Festival at Fan Lou, a place that never slept. Flowing light and music accompanied the snow piled high on the eaves and in the courtyard, painting a picture of nighttime revelry. The singing of poems punctuated the scene, blending the elegance of literature with the splendor of fragrant skirts.

Someone was singing a Lantern Festival poem from years ago.

“The east wind releases a thousand blooms at night, and scatters stars like rain… precious horses and carved carriages fill the roads with fragrance…”

It was Ning Liheng's “Green Jade Table.”

The singing floated over from the neighboring courtyard. Shi Shi was kneeling at the table, holding a teapot and gracefully pouring out hot tea.

“It’s fortunate that you’ve come today, Gongzi. This is the last of the pre-Qingming tea, personally made by Master Song Xi Bian…”

Across from her sat a handsome man in fine clothes, exuding an air of composure.

“Master Song’s tea is indeed rare, but with Shi Shi brewing it herself, it becomes truly priceless… hmm.” He took a small sip of the tea, frowned slightly, and looked at Li Shi Shi. “…The bitterness you've felt recently, Shi Shi, is all in this tea.”

“Is the tea too bitter?” Shi Shi smiled with knitted brows and took a sip herself.

“The tea’s flavor is pure and clear, and because of that, the complex feelings within are also clear.” The man in fine clothes smiled. “Ever since I first met Shi Shi five years ago, the taste of this tea has been different each year. Elder Chanyun says that Shi Shi has a deep Buddha-nature, and I believe it is because Shi Shi can observe the world and transform her daily experiences into herself, then imbue them into music, tea, and other things. This tea isn’t bitter, it's just filled with a deep and complex weight, a heart full of compassion for the world.”

Shi Shi looked at him, her eyes sparkling with shimmering light, before she smiled and said, “Are you trying to fool me?”

“From the bottom of my heart, there is no falsehood in my words.”

“People often say that Sword Cloud Xiong can taste people’s hearts through tea, but today you only praise me. Though Shi Shi is pleased, deep down, I can't help but discount your evaluation.” As she spoke, she smiled again, her delicate nose wrinkling slightly, making her quite adorable.

Chen Jianyun laughed heartily. “The world just babbles nonsense. I'm just a tea lover, so Shi Shi should discount it even more. However, what I feel in this tea today is absolutely genuine. I'm willing to bet five qian of silver on it.”

The two had known each other for a long time, and they exchanged a few jokes, creating a harmonious atmosphere. Chen Jianyun was a well-known scion in the capital, with several high-ranking officials in his family. His second uncle, Chen Fangzhong, had once served as Minister of War and Vice Minister of State. Although he hadn't pursued an official career, he was one of the most famous leisurely young masters in the capital, known for his mastery of tea, poetry, calligraphy, and painting.

That was why he could secure a place in Li Shi Shi's room on the Lantern Festival. After all, there were many powerful and influential people in the capital, and banquets were countless during festivals. The top courtesans were all busy. Chen Jianyun was not much older than Shi Shi, and middle-aged and elderly officials of high status were reluctant to compete with him, while other纨绔gongzi (playboy sons of rich families) often could not beat him.

As the night deepened, this was the last portion of time for Chen Jianyun’s meeting. After they chatted for a while, Chen Jianyun sipped his tea and said, “This is an old refrain, but Shi Shi is not young. If you don’t marry and continue brewing tea like this, before long, I'm afraid you'll really have to seek the path of monasticism from Elder Chanyun.”

Shi Shi hesitated for a moment. “If it truly comes to fruition, then it is the will of Heaven.”

“Being alive, men and women, although not everything, have profound meaning. Shi Shi is here, so you don’t need to deliberately seek it, and why try to avoid it? If you are in that state, perhaps next year Shi Shi’s tea will have a different kind of splendor?”

“Jianyun Xiong…”

“Shi Shi, let me finish.” Chen Jianyun looked straight at her, his tone calm. “In the capital, there are not many who are worthy enough to marry you, and even fewer who will treat you well after marrying you. I do not enter officialdom, and I have little contact with the mundane world, but with my family background, no one will bother you after I marry you. Although I have a concubine, she is just a woman from a small family, and after you marry into my family, she will never dare to bully you. Most importantly, our hearts are compatible, and we can play the zither and brew tea together, living harmoniously for the rest of our lives.”

Shi Shi lowered her eyes. After a moment, Chen Jianyun added, “I have already said how much I love Shi Shi, and I don’t need to say it again. I know Shi Shi is noble and has her own ideas, but what I say comes from the bottom of my heart. Most importantly, I truly love Shi Shi. Whether you agree or need to consider it, this feeling will not change.”

“I know that Jianyun Xiong is a sincere gentleman,” Shi Shi said softly. “However, Jianyun Xiong treats me with sincerity, and Shi Shi has not concealed anything. Over the years, whenever I travel and see the things around me, my thoughts become more and more complex and difficult to calm. Two years ago, when Chen Xiong brought this up, Shi Shi called herself noble, but now, this feeling has become even more difficult to shake off. Many things in the past two years have made Shi Shi feel uneasy. Whenever I think about marrying and starting a family with a man, confining myself to a narrow world, and no longer seeing these complex affairs of the world, I don’t feel any sense of relief from simply not seeing it. Buddha says all living beings suffer, but… I’ve studied Buddhist scriptures thoroughly, but I just can't find liberation.”

“That is what Buddha-nature is.” Chen Jianyun sighed, picked up the teapot, and poured her a cup of tea. “But in the end, even if you see these things in the world, you can’t change them. I know that I can’t change them, so I entrust my feelings to painting, calligraphy, poetry, and tea. No matter how unbearable the world is, there is always a way to take care of oneself.”

“I know that Jianyun Xiong is not someone who only cares about himself,” Shi Shi smiled. “When the Jurchens came this time, Jianyun Xiong also led the guards from his home to the city walls. I was very happy to hear that Jianyun Xiong was still safe.”

“When things are right in front of you, you can’t always avoid them. It was fortunate that I didn't die, thanks to the merits of the guards in my family, not because of anything I did.”

“Actually, I’ve thought about what Jianyun Xiong has said.” She smiled, paused for a moment. “Someone like Shi Shi, in the early years was the daughter of a criminal official, a person bearing a sentence. After entering Fan Lou, everything went smoothly, but in the end, it was just others who were promoting her. Sometimes I feel like I can do many things, but it's just borrowing the skin of a tiger. When I get old and my beauty fades, even if I want to say something, no one will listen anymore. As a woman, doing something is not within my power. But the problem is, Shi Shi is a woman…”

She looked up, opened her mouth, and finally sighed. “As a woman, it's difficult to have the opportunities that men have. That's why Shi Shi always thinks, if I were a man, could I really do something? In the past few years, I’ve been running around for unjust cases, for disaster relief, for defending the city. In the eyes of others, perhaps I'm just a woman raised in a brothel who has been spoiled and doesn't know the immensity of the sky and the thickness of the earth, but… I ultimately want to find something in this, something that won't be smoothed over just because I get married and locked up in that courtyard. Jianyun Xiong has opportunities, so he can see things clearly, but Shi Shi has never had opportunities, so… I'm trapped.”

Her words were gentle, but she spoke with sincerity. In the capital city, there were纨绔(wan ku) sons, zealous sons, rash sons, naive sons. Chen Jianyun came from a great family, originally a passionate and energetic youth. He was the apple of the eye of his father and elders, protected too well in his youth. Later, after seeing many things in his family, he gradually became disheartened with the affairs of officialdom, rebelling. When his family wanted him to be exposed to those dark affairs of officialdom, he had several big arguments with his family. Later, the elders in his family said, let him go, originally they didn’t need him to inherit the family property, there were brothers in the family, he could ultimately live a life of wealth.

After that, Chen Jianyun entrusted his feelings to poetry, calligraphy, and tea. Even when he got married, he didn’t choose a political marriage. After getting to know Shi Shi, Shi Shi gradually understood these things. As she said, Chen Jianyun had opportunities, but she was ultimately a woman.

“I also know that these thoughts are a little inappropriate,” Shi Shi smiled, and added another sentence.

“So, it looks like Shi Shi wants to find someone who is already doing great things, before she’s willing to lay down the heavy makeup and wash her hands to make soup for him.” Chen Jianyun held his teacup and forced a smile.

Shi Shi shook her head. “I don’t know either.”

“But I’ve seen many people like that,” Chen Jianyun said. “Those who enter officialdom will use any means to get to a high position, and those who are in high positions are either old or have already become one of them. The world is muddy, and whoever gets involved will get mud on themselves. Or, perhaps after experiencing this event, Shi Shi wants to find a general leading troops to entrust herself to…”

He smiled bitterly. “But the army is not necessarily good either. In many places, it’s even more chaotic, with factions colluding from top to bottom, embezzling funds, and accepting bribes. They are even more blatant than civil officials. If that weren’t the case, how could this war have been fought like this… The brutes in the army treat their wives like animals, often beating and scolding them. They are not good matches.”

It was the Lantern Festival night, and another time to express love, but the result of turning the words into this couldn't help but make people feel complex. The room fell silent. After a moment, they both laughed softly again. Chen Jianyun looked at Shi Shi across from him and said with a smile, “If we really want to follow Shi Shi’s ideas, among the great officials in the court, Chancellor Li or Chancellor Qin might be good matches.”

He was originally smiling, but after saying this, he started laughing, and Shi Shi laughed for a while too. “Chancellor Li and Chancellor Qin work for the country and the people. If they also need someone to wash clothes and cook, Shi Shi would be delighted to do it.”

“It’s a pity they don’t need it.”

“Yeah…” Shi Shi sighed, looking very regretful.

“My father once said that among the gentlemen in the court, he most admires Chancellor Qin.” After a moment, Chen Jianyun changed the subject. “Although Chancellor Li is upright, without Chancellor Qin’s assistance, it would be difficult to accomplish great things. The Emperor is very wise in this regard. This time, defending Bianliang was also thanks to Chancellor Qin’s coordination from within. It's just a pity that the matter has proceeded nearly halfway, but it's still difficult to achieve complete success.”

Hearing him mention this, Shi Shi frowned slightly. “Hmm?”

“Shi Shi, you're not ignorant. In the past half-month, there have been many disputes in the court. Chancellor Qin has put in the most effort. The Prime Minister has been running around privately, visiting the gentlemen in the court, and also met with my second uncle. Shi Shi is in Fan Lou, so you must have heard about it.”

“I have indeed heard about the affairs of the Right Prime Minister’s mansion.” Shi Shi’s eyes shifted, thinking slightly. “There are also rumors that the Right Prime Minister wants to take advantage of this great merit to ascend to the sky in one step.”

“Those who say this must be evil people. Of course, Chancellor Qin is doing it for both public and private reasons, but mainly for Taiyuan,” Chen Jianyun said. “Some time ago, the Right Prime Minister wanted to resign from his position. He has great merit, so this move was to show his ambition, to retreat in order to advance, hoping to make the gentlemen in the court do their best to protect Taiyuan. The Emperor trusts him, but it has aroused suspicion from others. Grand Tutor Cai and Prince Guangyang are obstructing and seeking to maintain balance, so they are unwilling to push forward with all their strength to protect Taiyuan. In the end, the Emperor only ordered Chen Yanshu to atone for his sins.”

“Then… Jianyun Xiong thinks, can Taiyuan be defended?”

Chen Jianyun smiled. “Those who went to the city walls some time ago all know the evil of the Jurchens. Qin Shaohe has done his best to hold on for so long under Nianhan. After the Zongwang and Nianhan armies join forces, if they really want to attack Taiyuan, what use is Chen Yanshu? Of course, some of the ministers in the court have their own reasons for thinking what they do. Chen Yanshu is certainly useless, but if the entire army is sent out this time, can it really stop the Jurchens from attacking with all their strength? If that happens, not only will they not be able to save Taiyuan, but the entire army will be annihilated, and there will be no chance of turning the tables in the future. Also, who will lead the army if the entire army is sent out is a big problem.”

He paused. “If Prince Guangyang and others were to lead the troops, they have already been defeated by the Jurchens, so they cannot be trusted. If it is handed over to the faction of the two Chancellors, then Chancellor Qin's power will surpass Grand Tutor Cai and Prince Tong. If the old Prime Minister of the Zhong family were to lead the troops, frankly speaking, the Western Army is unruly and difficult to tame, and the old Prime Minister is not treated with full respect in the capital, so who can guarantee that he doesn't hold a grudge in his heart… Therefore, such a big matter cannot be agreed upon in the court. Although the Right Prime Minister has done his best, he can't push this matter forward.” My second uncle supports sending troops to Taiyuan, but he also sighs at the complexity and difficulty of the matter at home.”

Shi Shi said, “Then… can we only watch…”

Chen Jianyun sneered. “The siege of Bianliang has been lifted, and Taiyuan is far away. Who can still empathize with being under siege? We can only hope for the Jurchens' kindness. After all, the negotiations have been completed and the annual tribute has not been paid. Perhaps the Jurchens are also waiting to go home to rest, and will let go of Taiyuan. It is also possible…”

He no longer mentioned the marriage proposal, talking about the trivial matters in the capital and the court, because he knew that Shi Shi cared about practical matters and liked to hear these things. There were many high-ranking officials and dignitaries coming and going in Fan Lou, and each person had his own ideas and opinions, complex and varied. After chatting like this for a while longer, it became late at night, and Shi Shi sent him out. As he left, Chen Jianyun turned around and reached out to hold Shi Shi’s hand, Shi Shi pulled her hand back, and smiled apologetically.

Chen Jianyun also smiled. “I'll come to see you again in a few days. I hope that by then, everything will be settled, Taiyuan will be safe, and you can breathe a sigh of relief. It will already be spring by then, and the Chen family is holding a poetry meeting. I’ll invite you to come.”

Shi Shi nodded. “Be careful, have a safe journey.”

“Yeah. You too… think things through.”

After he finished saying this, he finally got into the carriage and left. As the carriage drove to the corner of the road, Chen Jianyun lifted the curtain and looked out. Shi Shi was still standing at the door, waving gently. So he lowered the curtain, feeling regretful and lingering as he went home.

Shi Shi turned around and went back into Fan Lou.

Throughout the day, she had seen many people, not just Chen Jianyun. Besides some officials, wealthy merchants, and men of letters, there were also childhood friends like Yu Hezhong and Chen Sifeng. Everyone ate a few yuanxiao (sweet rice balls) together and chatted about the ordinary affairs of the family. She had different ways of interacting with each person. To say it was all false, that wouldn't be true, but of course, the genuine feelings weren't that great either.

When each of them left, most of them felt that they were special, that Miss Shi Shi must have treated them specially. This wasn't a fake impression. After spending a little time with each person, Shi Shi would naturally be able to find topics that they were interested in and that she was also interested in, rather than simply catering to them. But standing in her position, having seen so many people in one day, if she really wanted to entrust her feelings to someone, to make him her world, and have the whole world revolve around him, it wasn't that she didn't yearn for it, but… even she found it difficult to trust herself.

Having seen a lot, heard a lot, her heart became inappropriate, and her feelings became false too…

If she were to get married one day, she hoped that she could wholeheartedly love that person. If she didn't even have confidence in that, then… wait a little longer.

Fan Lou was still very lively, with pleasant music. She returned to the courtyard, had the maid light the stove, simply cooked a few yuanxiao, put them in a food box, wrapped it in cloth, and then had the maid notify the coachman that she was going out.

The carriage with lanterns lit came out of the backyard of Fan Lou and drove through the streets of Bianliang at night, arriving at a Bamboo Shop building. Only then did she get out and ask the doorman outside if Ning Yi had returned.

Before long, Su Wenfang came out of the building. When he saw her, he smiled knowingly. “Miss Li, you’re here to see my brother-in-law again.”

Shi Shi smiled frankly. “The day is special, I wanted to see him. Is he in?”

“He just got back from outside the city not long ago. Miss Shi Shi has come at just the right time. But, coming to visit late at night, Miss Shi Shi is not planning to go back, right? What, are you going to be my sister-in-law?”

“I only have a few old friends in the capital, and the Lantern Festival is the time for reunions. I cooked a few yuanxiao and brought them over. Gongzi Su, don’t talk nonsense and ruin your brother-in-law’s reputation.”

“Oh, reputation… He was assassinated a few days ago. I'm afraid that reputation is something he didn't have to begin with.” Su Wenfang muttered, smiling as he turned around and led her in.

The members of the Su family had not yet returned to the capital. Considering safety and the coordination of various matters in the capital, Ning Yi was still staying in this Bamboo Shop property. It was already late at night, and the revelry had mostly ended. Although most of the courtyards and houses were lit, they all seemed quiet at first glance. Ning Yi lived in a room on the second floor. When Shi Shi entered, she saw a table piled with various files and letters. Ning Yi was behind the table, putting down the brush in his hand.

It had been more than half a month since the two last met.

During the time when he had just returned from outside the city, Ning Yi was busy publicizing the war, and also visited Fan Lou a few times. For this communication, Mama Li Yun did not fully agree to follow the steps of the Bamboo Shop, but many things were discussed, such as which people and which aspects to help promote, and which ones not to participate in. Ning Yi did not force it. After the negotiations were settled, he had a lot of things to do, and then he disappeared into various itineraries.

After a lot of publicity, Qin Siyuan used retreat as advance to promote the dispatch of troops to Taiyuan. To put it more complicatedly, this contained a lot of political games. To put it simply, it was nothing more than you visiting me and me visiting you, secretly negotiating benefits, and then letting various people make suggestions in the Golden Luan Hall to exert pressure, all the way until the infuriated scholar Li Li touched the steps. Shi Shi clearly felt the complex situation behind this in Fan Lou. Although Ning Yi did not take the official route, he still had many connections with lower-level merchants and various landlords and gentry, and he was very busy running around and promoting it.

“Why did you come over at this time?”

“If I don’t come, it will be the sixteenth day of the first month. I talked about you with Yu Hezhong and Chen Sifeng during the day. I haven’t seen you in a long time, so I brought a few yuanxiao.” Shi Shi smiled. “I know you’ve probably already eaten, so I didn’t bring much. It’s okay to eat a few bites.”

“I’ll get some bowls.” Ning Yi smiled and didn't decline.

He went out and returned with two sets of bowls and chopsticks. Shi Shi had already opened the food box on the table. “Wenfang said you just got back from outside the city?”

“Various things, I'm as busy as you are. The army also has to celebrate the festival, so I went to deliver some food… Oh, you stingy little devil.”

There were only six yuanxiao in the food box. Ning Yi joked, dividing three to each person, and asked her to sit down. In fact, Ning Yi had naturally already eaten, but he still politely put the yuanxiao in his mouth.

Shi Shi smiled on the surface, looking at the mess at the end of the room, and after a moment said, “I’ve been hearing people talk about you recently.”

“Me?”

“Your Right Prime Minister’s mansion.”

“Oh. Are there more good words or bad words?”

“Half of each.” Shi Shi paused. “Recently, people have also been talking about Taiyuan. I know you’re all putting in effort behind the scenes. How is it? Is there a turning point in the matter?”

Ning Yi frowned slightly. “It hasn't gotten that bad yet. Theoretically speaking, of course, there is still a turning point…”

His tone was somewhat perfunctory. Shi Shi looked at him, waiting for him to continue. Ning Yi smiled as he was stared at. “How should I say it, the capital doesn’t want to send troops. If we send troops in advance, it would be alarmist and costly. After all, Taiyuan is not Bianliang. Zongwang had so much trouble attacking Bianliang. Since they gave up, turning to attack Taiyuan would be somewhat thankless. Besides, Taiyuan has been defended for so long, so it might be able to hold out for a few more days. If the Jurchens really want to attack forcefully, as long as Taiyuan holds out for a while longer, they will have to retreat. While the Jurchens and Taiyuan are in a stalemate, if we send out troops to harass them from behind, we might be able to get some results… blah blah blah blah, it’s not without reason.”

“There’s also… the problem of who will lead the troops…” Shi Shi added.

“The arguments are about the same.” Ning Yi smiled, finished eating the yuanxiao, drank a sip of sugar water, and put down his bowls and chopsticks. “You don’t need to worry too much. After all, the Jurchens have left, and Bianliang can be peaceful for a while. The matter of Taiyuan, those big shots are also very anxious, it's not like they don't care. Of course, maybe there’s still a certain amount of wishful thinking…”

Shi Shi sat there, glanced at him, her eyes a little resentful. “Liheng, you think I’m a woman and look down on me, so you want to perfunctorily deal with me.” After a moment of silence, she looked at the lamplight in the distance and said quietly, “Actually, many people think that everything is peaceful after the Jurchens retreated, that things are over, but as long as you’ve been to the city walls and are willing to think more, you’ll all understand in your heart that this war is not over yet. Although Bianliang was not breached, if Taiyuan is taken, what celebration and reassurance is there to speak of…”

Ning Yi looked at her across from him, his eyes gradually filled with admiration. He smiled and got up. “Actually, it's not that you’re a woman, but that you’re a petty person…”

“Hmm?” Shi Shi frowned and widened her eyes.

“A petty person! Petty people blindly worry about these things, and will only make their stomachs hurt. I am also a petty person. These days, I’ve been mobilizing the people of the Bamboo Shop to send gifts everywhere, pulling strings, and getting people to help speak, and I convinced a Minister, but… it’s useless. To be honest with you, this time, the promotion of sending troops to Taiyuan is estimated to be hopeless. The resistance is too great. Chancellor Qin is using his position as collateral, but the other side won't accept it, which shows that the interests involved in this are not generally complex.”

Regarding current affairs and the current situation, everyone who goes to Fan Lou can say a few words. Shi Shi often had doubts, but after Ning Yi said this, her eyes really lowered. “Really… is there no way…”

“I told you not to worry.” Ning Yi smiled and looked at her. “There are still many variables. Chen Yanshu’s army, Taiyuan, the Jurchens, the Western Army, the local righteous army, are all undecided factors now. If they really forcefully attack Taiyuan, what if Taiyuan becomes a war quagmire like Bianliang, dragging them down to total annihilation? That possibility is not non-existent. The Wu Rui Camp was not allowed to move, but preparations for sending troops are still being made. We estimate that the possibility of the Jurchens withdrawing from Taiyuan is not small. Rather than forcefully attacking a strong city and losing troops, it's better to take the annual tribute and recuperate. I’m not worried, so what are you worried about.”

“Hmm…” Shi Shi raised her head, looking at Ning Yi with a slightly furrowed brow, looking at his smile, her eyes relaxed a little. “I just realized that Liheng, you talk nonsense too… Are you really not worried?”

“Of course I’m a little worried, but there are still ways to deal with it. Trust me.”

Shi Shi thought for a while, and finally nodded.

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

It was after midnight when Shi Shi left the Bamboo Shop.

The encounter with Li Shi Shi, the usual feeling, was a little peculiar. The other party's attitude was to treat him as a childhood playmate worth being proud of. Although they also talked about the current situation for a while, inquired about Ning Yi's assassination, and safety issues, more than that, it was still about understanding and caring about the trivial matters around him. On a day like the Lantern Festival, she specially brought a few yuanxiao over to maintain that kind of relationship. She seemed like a peculiar friend and family member.

Thinking carefully about it, in that kind of situation, she tried hard to maintain the relationship between several "childhood playmates" who were actually not familiar, treating them as forbidden ground in her heart, and that emotion was quite touching.

In a complex world, even surrounded by various complex matters, the light emitted by a person's devout emotions is actually no less inferior to the historical trends around them.

During this period of time, Ning Yi had a lot of things to do, naturally not just what he said to Shi Shi. After the Jurchens withdrew, a large number of troops, such as the Wu Rui Camp, were stationed outside Bianliang City. Previously, people had been secretly attacking the Wu Rui Camp, and now various soft knives cutting flesh had begun to escalate. At the same time, the things that were going on in the court were continuing to promote sending troops to Taiyuan, and there were post-war awards and merit evaluations, layer by layer of negotiations, determining merit and rewards. The Wu Rui Camp had to withstand the pressure of external division, continue to make preparations for transferring to Taiyuan, and at the same time, Hongti and others from Mount Lüliang had to maintain the independence of their troops. For this reason, they had two fights with other troops…

Various complex things were mixed together, conducting a large number of internal incitements, meetings, and brainwashing. Externally, he would react accordingly, with give-and-take陰人(yin ren - scheming people) and infighting. Ning Yi was used to these things, and he had an intelligence system, so he would not necessarily fall behind. His means of forming alliances and attacking and dividing were clever, but that didn't mean he liked this kind of thing, especially after the plan to send troops to Taiyuan was blocked. Every time he saw豬隊友(zhu dui you - pig teammates - useless teammates) jumping up and down, his heart was suppressing anger.

Going out to reward the Wu Rui Camp today, presiding over the celebration, and the meeting and tenderness with Hongti, made him feel a little relaxed, but what followed was more urgency. After returning, he was writing letters again. Shi Shi's arrival allowed his mind to be a little clear. This was probably because Shi Shi herself was not someone involved in the situation. Her concern for the current situation actually made Ning Yi feel gratified.

For that reason, his words were only to reassure the other person.

After sending Shi Shi away, Ning Yi returned to the Bamboo Shop building, walked up the stairs, thought about things for a while, and before returning to the room, Juan'er came over from there, running in a small trot.

“What’s wrong?”

Juan’er didn’t speak, handing him a letter sealed with chicken feathers. When Ning Yi saw it, he knew what it was.

He opened the letter, went downstairs, took a look, and before long, came to a room. This was a meeting hall, with figures and lights inside, but several staff members were still working at their desks. In front of the meeting hall was a large map. Ning Yi walked in, slightly raised the letter in his hand. Everyone stopped what they were writing or categorizing, watching Ning Yi stop in front, then pick up a small flag, and stick it in a place on the map.

There were already several flags on the map, starting from Bianliang, winding all the way up. In fact, according to the speed at which the flags were spreading, everyone had some idea of where the next flag should be placed, but after seeing Ning Yi stick it down, strange and complex emotions welled up in their hearts.

“Halfway there,” Ning Yi said in a low voice.

From Bianliang to the road to Taiyuan, Zongwang's army had traveled halfway.

Someone couldn't help but swallow involuntarily.

Ning Yi looked up at the map. After a long time, he finally sighed. “This is… boiling a frog in warm water…”

A staff member who was close enough to hear clearly tentatively asked, “Dongjia (owner), what does ‘boiling a frog in warm water’ mean?”

Ning Yi smiled, shook his head, and didn't answer. He looked at the few people. “Have you thought of any way?”

In front of the tables of the few people, there were various things. In front of the staff member closest to him were the materials collected over the years on the Jurchens’ internal affairs. On the other tables, there were also the handles and secrets of the ministers in the court collected by the Secret Detective Division. Ever since Qin Siyuan’s resignation was rejected and Ning Yi noticed that something was wrong, they had been seeking more solutions…

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