"Your Highness is here, who dares to startle the royal carriage--"

With this sound, guards were already bursting out from the building over there.

The long street was in chaos.

The number of green forest heroes who would run to the capital to assassinate Ning Yi and make a name for themselves was not high to begin with. From ordinary experts to grandmasters, the correlation between martial prowess and face-saving was often directly proportional, and inversely proportional to ignorance. Someone like Lin Zongwu would definitely not be killing Ning Yi for the sake of justice in the martial world. Experts one level below Lin Zongwu, those with grudges against Ning Yi, such as the Swallowing Cloud Monk, the Iron Eagle Chief Constable of the Ministry of Justice, and others, would often think twice before attempting anything.

Further down the line, there would naturally be experts who wanted to kill lackeys and uphold justice, leading a group of people in a stealthy assassination. Whether they wanted to become famous or uphold the righteous path of the green forests, they would not lack courage and strength. Therefore, as the furious shout rang out, the scene of brave charges and clashes was incredibly intense. It was just a pity that this time they encountered two tough nuts to crack.

As the two sides clashed, the group of experts around Ning Yi, including Hunchback Chen, ferociously charged out, not to mention Yue Fei, Yue Pengju, and others who were following Ning Yi to broaden their horizons. Their martial arts were already extraordinary, and although they used to be under Ning Yi's command, they may have retained some green forest habits. However, after being tempered on the battlefield, their fighting styles had all evolved towards mutual cooperation and lethal moves. Furthermore, the momentum of tens of thousands of people clashing in the battle of Xia Village alone was enough to elevate one's realm by several levels. Now, encountering the ferocious with even greater ferocity, those who made the first move were suppressed head-on at the peak of their momentum. Blades and spears flashed, blood splattered, terrifyingly.

The guards who charged out from the other side also clearly bore the marks of the army. Encountering two tough groups in succession, the fighting spread across the long street, but quickly formed an encirclement. The assassins were cut down one by one. Some tried to escape, but they were quickly targeted, and even if a few broke through the encirclement, Hunchback Chen and the others would quickly pursue them.

The royal guards on the other side controlled two heavily injured assassins, warily eyeing Ning Yi's side. Ning Yi was also somewhat wary, but with so many nobles and aristocrats in the capital, encountering one or two princes was not a big deal. He had someone go over to report their identity. After a moment, a steward from the prince's mansion came over, sized him up a few times, and was about to speak when Gao Munen staggered over from the side: "Hmph, enemies, you have many enemies, this is what you get for your wickedness..."

Earlier, Gao Munen had been so frightened by the sudden attack of the assassins that he had crawled away in terror, bumping into a tree trunk and causing his nose to bleed. Now, with a bloody nose, he spoke with a slight stutter, but dared not get too close to Ning Yi. He was mainly there to greet the prince's steward: "You are... from Prince Chen's mansion? Or Prince Qi's? Do you recognize me? I'm familiar with the young masters of your mansion..."

"Guangyang Prince's Mansion," the steward replied, his gaze still fixed on Ning Yi. "His Highness is drinking tea inside with Lord Tan Zhen. Are you Ning Yi, Ning Liheng? His Highness and Lord Tan invite you in. Oh, and you are Young Master Gao of Grand Commandant Gao. Would you like to come in together?"

Hearing this name, Ning Yi frowned. On the other side, Gao Munen's expression changed, his mouth twitched, and then he said: "No, no, no... no need, no need to disturb His Highness's peace, hahaha, I was just looking for my little... little golden monkey, hahaha, I'm going to look for it now, haha... going to look for it..."

He finished speaking with a stutter and turned to leave.

Among all the princes in the capital, he might not have been afraid of any others. After all, most of the imperial relatives and nobles were good-for-nothings, and those who genuinely wanted to be virtuous princes were instead regarded with suspicion by the higher-ups. He usually associated with some good-for-nothing young masters, two of whom were precisely the sons of princes. But the one inside was the only one Gao Munen did not dare to even meet.

Guangyang Prince, the leading military commander for more than a decade, a powerful minister and a prince of a different surname who was enough to compete with Cai Jing.

Ning Yi's brow furrowed for this reason.

-- Tong Guan, Tong Daofu!

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

In a sense, Gao Munen was also a pragmatic and self-aware person. Even though he was making a name for himself as a villain in the capital by relying on his adoptive father's influence, there were some people he dared not touch - not even meet.

Cai Jing, Tong Guan, Qin Siyuan, Wang Fu, Liang Shicheng, Li Bangyan - this did not include ministers such as Li Gang or Tang Ke - the reason for his fear was that Gao Munen knew that if he truly angered these people, they would devour him without leaving a bone. On the other hand, he knew that he was somewhat sleazy, and if he met these important figures, they would not like him. He did not seek any great future. Because of this self-awareness, he always ran away when he encountered these people.

After Gao Munen fled, Ning Yi met Tong Guan and Tan Zhen in the room of the wooden building across the street. In a sense, this was a truly unprepared meeting.

Before this, Ning Yi had seen Tong Guan twice from afar. This powerful minister, who was enfeoffed as a prince despite being a eunuch, was tall and had a dignified and upright appearance, with a beard under his jaw. Having held a high position for a long time and being a commander, he possessed a great air of authority. Although Ning Yi worked in Qin's residence, he did not have any formal official status, and there was no need for them to interact. Led by the steward of the prince's mansion,

he entered the building. Some of the things that had been knocked over by the assassins were being cleaned up and restored. When he pushed open the door to an inner courtyard, although it was daytime, it was also lit with lights, and the surroundings were tightly guarded.

Ning Yi went in to pay his respects. The old man at the head of the table was wearing a black robe and casual clothes and had put down his teacup. That was Tong Guan, and the guest was former Privy Councilor Tan Zhen. Both were sizing him up and then told him to rise.

Tong Guan stood up, walked to the side, and reached out to push open the window. Outside was a garden with beautiful scenery, plum trees were blooming, and they looked bright in the snow. Tan Zhen stood up to stop him: "Your Highness, no, the assassins have not been completely cleared..." Tong Guan waved his hand: "This old man has also been a soldier all his life, how can he be afraid of a few assassins? Besides, a guest has arrived, and there is nothing to admire, that is not the way to treat a guest." He walked back, "Liheng, sit."

"I dare not be impolite," Ning Yi replied respectfully.

Tong Guan smiled. He did not force the issue. After all, the difference in status between the two sides was too great. He was courteous to the virtuous, and the other party could not be presumptuous. This was normal: "Just now, Lord Tan and I were drinking tea and admiring the plum blossoms, and we mentioned you. The battle of Xia Village was beautifully fought. This old man has been fighting for many years, and it has been a long time since I have seen such a vibrant battle. It just so happened that I heard about your matter... These green forest ruffians are stupid and deserve to die. This prince has also captured a few, and I will send them back to you later to give you justice. You don't need to say anything. The army has its own way of doing things. You are contributing to the country, and these people dare to come to your door to cause trouble, that is their way of seeking death. This prince will also support you."

Ning Yi wanted to refuse, but Tong Guan adopted an attitude of "you killed them, so be it", interrupting his words, and then returned to his seat: "The battles outside the city, the battles of Xia Village, this prince and Lord Tan want to hear you tell us about them in person. Do you have any free time now?"

"How dare I disobey Your Highness's orders."

Tong Guan laughed: "Someone, bring him a chair!" He also said, "If you are going to talk about things, it will take a while, so don't stand there, sit down."

Soon, he poured him a cup of tea.

Being able to be enfeoffed as a prince despite being a eunuch meant that he had reached the pinnacle of dealing with people in some ways. Ning Yi's past achievements were not as good as his, but as a modern person, he had an advantage in terms of vision and knowledge. Of course, in this sudden situation, what was needed was not to show how powerful he was. Ning Yi acted like a typical scholar and recounted the battles outside the city according to the Bamboo Records' publicity strategy. Tong Guan and Tan Zhen nodded from time to time and occasionally asked questions.

After more than half an hour, he finished telling the story. Tong Guan and Tan Zhen praised Ning Yi and others, and after chatting for a few more words, Tong Guan asked: "What does Liheng think about the peace talks?"

"Taiyuan is the key," Ning Yi said. "If we cannot advance into Taiyuan with elite troops, after Zong Wang and Zong Han join forces, I fear the northern lands will be difficult to protect."

Tong Guan nodded: "However, Liheng has also seen the results of the battle of Bianliang. Zong Wang alone is so powerful. If the two armies join forces and fight under the city of Taiyuan, and another tens of thousands of soldiers die, what should we do?"

"When narrow paths meet, the brave win. I'm afraid there won't be many ways out in the next few years."

"The problem is," Tan Zhen said from the side, "who does Liheng think can bear this responsibility?"

Ning Yi frowned, pretending to have just thought of this matter. But in his heart, he thought: It can't be me, right?

Tong Guan was quite satisfied with his expression and waved his hand at Tan Zhen: "I have known old Qin for more than twenty years, and I admire his behavior. If it weren't for him in this battle, it would have been difficult to turn the tide. Shaohe and Shaoqian have both made great contributions in Bianliang and Taiyuan. It would not be an exaggeration to say that old Qin took on this major event single-handedly. Liheng, you work in the Right Chancellor's office, and you have a bright future, so just go ahead and do it."

"However, there are many problems in the capital." Tong Guan looked at Liheng, who was still frowning, and got up with a smile, "There are many problems above. Some can be solved, some are not easy, and we old men, being in the middle of it, often hate our own powerlessness. Of course, it is appropriate and inappropriate to talk to you about these things..."

As he spoke, he walked over, sighed, and patted Ning Yi's shoulder: "You are still young. Seeing you, I think of when I was young. A storm rises from a duckweed tip, and a hero doesn't need to ask about his background. I know that Liheng, you come from a humble background, but this prince thinks that if we can give you twenty or thirty years, who knows if you will not be the tide-rider of the next era..."

"Your Highness," Ning Yi hesitated.

"This prince is old, and my reputation before and after death is probably set." Tong Guan said, "The only thing I can do is to give the young people some time. There are some things that we old men can't do, and you will be able to do in the future. Liheng, now that you have joined the war, you can be considered a member of the army. The Wu Rui Camp made the first contribution in this battle, and this prince will fight for you. If you are unhappy in the future, just come and talk to this prince. Of course, it is the same to talk to old Qin. This prince is not worried about what you are doing now. There are many outlaws in the green forests, but there is a saying that is very true for you young people, and this prince will give it to you."

He pointed at Ning Yi, and paused slightly.

"Life is short," he said. "Chase the wind and catch the moon without showing mercy."

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

With a slightly honored and somewhat apprehensive expression, Ning Yi walked out of the gate. After getting into the carriage, Ning Yi's expression instantly became solemn.

Being assassinated by green forest heroes on the street was not a big deal, but meeting Tong Guan at this juncture made everything intriguing.

Tong Guan made no secret of the purpose of the meeting, which was nothing more than to show goodwill and recruit people. Although Ning Yi's official status was not outstanding, he organized the scorched-earth policy and organized the resistance of Xia Village. Along the way, it was not strange that Tong Guan would know of his existence. As a prince, he was able to listen to a person talk about war for an hour, and from time to time he asked a few questions in a supporting role, which was itself a great favor. If it were a general, he would have been grateful. And the intention in his later words was even simpler.

"Chase the wind and catch the moon without showing mercy..." Ning Yi muttered, and the manager of the Bamboo Records in the carriage looked over and asked cautiously, "Master, what did the prince say?"

"Follow me and you'll eat meat." Ning Yi glanced at him.

The manager was also a staff member, and at this moment he thought deeply and suddenly changed his face: "The Prime Minister's side..."

"Now I don't know if it's a deliberate release of information to test, or if they have already formed an alliance behind the scenes." Ning Yi shook his head, and then became calm, "Don't think too much, let's take a look first, let's take a look first..."

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