December 24th, Jin territory was also covered in a vast expanse of white.

Weisheng, the snow had temporarily stopped.

The city gates were wide open, and dense crowds gathered within the white city. It was almost the Little New Year, and the newly repaired city was festooned with lanterns and decorations. In some places, people had cleared the snow from the roads to create bustling markets. After years of war, this was the first time Jin had displayed such a lively scene.

On one side of the city, where the Tiger King's Celestial Palace used to stand, was now a scene of collapsed ruins.

Three years prior, the Jurchen army marched south in two routes. The western route, led by Nianhan and Xiyin, forcefully attacked Jin, killing the then-Young Tiger King Tian Shi and instigating Jin clans like Liao Yiren to divide the Tiger King's forces. Zhu Biao, Wang Shanyue, and others were defeated at Daming Prefecture. Lou Shuwan, Wang Juyun, Yu Yulin, and others struggled to hold on. In May of the tenth year of the Wujian Shuo era, after stubbornly defending against Nianhan's army for over two months, the Tiger King's army abandoned the city. The resolute Lou Shuwan set fire to most of the city's buildings, unmovable military equipment, and even antiques and cultural relics.

Lou Shuwan's determination prevented the invading Jurchens from plundering anything of value. Unable to vent their frustration, the soldiers rampaged and slaughtered in the surrounding areas, even causing trouble for Liao Yiren's then-governed territory.

After Liao Yiren's death, the Tiger King's army recovered Jin. It continued to base its rear in the mountainous areas for ease of combat. In the plains, Lou Shuwan, combining the experiences and advice of the Huaxia Army, used public works projects to provide relief, build roads, and attract merchants. The image of the Lady Chancellor resolutely refusing to retreat in the face of the Jurchens, even preferring complete destruction, gave many people confidence. Even at this moment of overall decline in the Central Plains, numerous interest groups converged on Jin, this well-connected central point, like rivers flowing into the sea, rapidly rebuilding Weisheng and constructing the special industrial and technological zone of Dongcheng near Weisheng.

During the reconstruction of Weisheng, Lou Shuwan did not restore the Celestial Palace that was originally built for Tian Hu. Instead, she found a new site among the nearby ruins to build a smaller and more modest palace, naming it Qing Palace to correspond to the meaning of "wildfires cannot destroy them, spring breezes will bring them back to life." Of course, recently, some people have said that this foreshadows the Lady Chancellor's ambition: "If I become the Green Emperor in the future, I will repay the peach blossoms by letting them bloom everywhere."

As a woman wielding great power, such speculation about her had its good side, but it also contained negative undertones.

After Tian Hu's death, the Tiger King's power passed to Tian Shi. When Tian Shi was suddenly assassinated, the entire force essentially fell apart. Clans like Liao Yiren defected to the Jurchens, splitting away. On this side, Lou Shuwan, Yu Yulin, and others could not easily raise their own banners, so they pushed out a child named Tian Shan from Tian Shi's family as a puppet to continue resisting the Jin. After Liao Yiren and his clan died out, Jin was unified. Although the Lady Chancellor had great power, she could not gain the support of everyone. The occasional strange remarks that surfaced were actually a manifestation of the power struggles that any force inevitably faces.

Of course, these small, fluctuating thoughts were insignificant in Jin at this moment. Starting as the Minister of Revenue under Tian Hu, Lou Shuwan had experienced countless slights and challenges. Yet, she had firmly grasped the entire line of economy and people's livelihood within the Tiger King's forces. Then, with the incident of being imprisoned by Tian Hu but turning around and killing Tian Hu, and the countless assassinations she faced when resisting the Jurchens, and the resolute fire-burning of Weisheng in the face of such contemporary heroes as Nianhan and Xiyin, it can be said that the Lady Chancellor's prestige at this moment was earned through hard work in the face of fierce waves.

On the other hand, Yu Yulin's support in military power, the opening of Weisheng and Dongcheng, attracted the support of various large and small forces. Most importantly, the expert group from the Southwest and Ning Yi's attitude represented the will of the most unignorable force of the time. Even with some disturbances, Lou Shuwan's authority in Jin was almost unbreakable. Regarding rumors such as "If I become the Green Emperor in the future, I will repay the peach blossoms by letting them bloom everywhere," even if Lou Shuwan occasionally heard them, she would just give a dismissive smile.

Of course, what was more subtle was that, in the eyes of some people, the biggest factor in Lou Shuwan's power in Jin may not lie in her achievements from her hard work all along, but in certain rumors that had spread at some point, about Lou Shuwan and Mr. Ning of the Southwest, their intertwined love and hate, and their complex relationship.

In the current world, when it comes to political struggles, many people might dare to kill an ally of the Huaxia Army of the Southwest, but no matter what, people would fear killing a family member of Ning Yi, or, to put it crudely, a "lover." The relationship between Lou Shuwan and Ning Yi started as a ridiculous rumor. Later, as the Huaxia Army and Jin became more closely connected and their relationship became more complex, such rumors became even more fantastic.

Even those supporters who came to Jin from the Southwest, although they would not mention these things verbally, their feelings towards Jin, especially towards the Lady Chancellor, were generally more cordial than towards other forces, vaguely preparing themselves to call her the "Madam Boss".

Lou Shuwan never publicly revealed how she would feel if such rumors reached her ears. But in any case, with the support of these factors, perhaps some power-grabbers might be playing the idea of supporting the young Tian Shan to drive out the Lady Chancellor Lou Shuwan, spreading this and that rumor, but their distance from success looked like it was ten or eight years away. The Lady Chancellor might seize power, and might even become emperor as a woman in the future.

But in the current power structure, none of this was an urgent or intense option.

Based on some suggestions from the Huaxia Army, the atmosphere of this Little New Year in Weisheng was quite lively. Preparations were made several days in advance to decorate the city with lanterns and decorations and to hold a grand celebration. When the time approached, the weather cooperated, and residents from nearby villages and towns all put on cotton clothes and traveled a long way to enter the city to celebrate. The thick clothes on the people's bodies reflected the rare smoothness of Jin in recent years. The lively celebration increased cohesion. Many people spoke of the Lady Chancellor with admiration and gratitude.

In the morning, the celebration and market in the city had just begun to show their liveliness. In front of the Qing Palace, You Hongzhuo and the tall Liang Si'yi came hand in hand.

The two had participated in the chaos of the Fairness Party in Jiangning in late September. You Hongzhuo avenged Kuang Wenbo. Then, together with Liang Si'yi, they seriously injured "Raven" Chen Juefang in the chaotic battle. Although they failed to completely avenge him, and failed to fight "Heavenly Saber" Tan Zheng again, after witnessing the Huaxia Army participate in a series of battles, many small things seemed to become less important.

On the other hand, witnessing He Wen's decisiveness in taking power, and understanding the path chosen by the Fairness Party afterwards, An Xifu also had a conclusion about this trip south. Carrying He Wen's intention to establish trade relations with Jin, he embarked on the road back north.

You Hongzhuo and Liang Si'yi had an even deeper connection.

Years ago, when You Hongzhuo first entered the martial world, he met several brothers and sisters. The eldest brother, Luan Fei, and the third sister, Qin Xiang, were actually adopted sons and daughters of Wang Juyun, who came from the rebel army. The rebel army helped refugees in the north, lacking food and clothing. Those with some skills were sent out to raise food for the army. Later, Kuang Wenbo betrayed them, and lies were revealed between the brothers. You Hongzhuo then realized that the so-called martial world was not just about heroic brotherhood.

The third sister, Qin Xiang, died at that time. The eldest brother, Luan Fei, returned to the rebel army, lost both legs, and became a cripple. Life in the rebel army was already difficult, and life for the disabled was even more unspeakable. Luan Fei eked out a living for several years. Later, Wang Juyun and Lou Shuwan gradually cooperated. He occasionally heard rumors about You Hongzhuo's emergence in the martial world and often said to Liang Si'yi and other relatively familiar adopted brothers and sisters: "This is the younger brother that I and your sister Qin Xiang met in the martial world back then."

"...He has become promising."

Although his occasional words seemed cordial, and he was also gratified by You Hongzhuo's righteous deeds in protecting the Lady Chancellor in Jin in the north, he, whose legs were already disabled, never thought of meeting and recognizing You Hongzhuo again.

During the most intense period when the Jurchens marched south, he crawled into a well to avoid burdening those around him and drowned himself.

The flow of years was vast and silent. No one had expected that a connection would be linked to someone else in another place. After Luan Fei broke his legs, he did not want to burden others and never thought of recognizing You Hongzhuo. After his death, Liang Si'yi and others did not intend to have anything to do with You Hongzhuo because of this. However, the two entrusted each other with their lives in Jiangning. On the verge of death after the failed assassination of Chen Juefang that day, Liang Si'yi whispered about Luan Fei and Qin Xiang. You Hongzhuo then realized that, after the seven brothers and sisters separated, the eldest brother Luan Fei had experienced so many things.

Old friends had passed away. As forthright heroes and heroines of the martial world, the two had already developed feelings for each other in their interactions. Not long after, the two promised each other for life on the way back north. After returning to

Jin, Liang Si'yi led You Hongzhuo to meet Wang Juyun. Wang Juyun was greatly gratified and personally selected a wedding date for the two after the beginning of spring. He even kept You Hongzhuo for several days and personally taught him the superb skill "Peacock King's Seven Feather Displays".

You Hongzhuo had been guided by masters from all walks of life over the years. This time, after receiving guidance from Wang Juyun, he realized that this white-haired leader of the rebel army was not only full of knowledge but also had martial arts skills that were no less than anyone else's. "Peacock King's Seven Feather Displays" was originally a sword technique, but after Wang Juyun's guidance, he integrated the essence of it into saber techniques, which also benefited him greatly. After experiencing these years of wandering, for the first time, he felt that he had some confidence in killing "Heavenly Saber" Tan Zheng.

What made him feel even more cordial was that Wang Juyun's literary and military skills, and his guidance on his life's actions during the wholehearted teaching, vaguely reminded him of Mr. Zhao of the "Black Wind Double Fiends" back then.

Although he and the Zhao couple did not travel together for long back then, Mr. Zhao's guidance on his life basically laid the foundation for his subsequent progress. It was the other party's teachings that made him begin to learn to think, so that he would not be too extreme when facing various things. If he had not been walking and thinking all along, even if he had obtained the peerless saber technique, he would not have been able to get to where he was today.

Remembering this incident, and knowing that Wang Juyun was originally Wang Yin, the Minister of Works during the rebellion of the Sacred Duke Fang La, with rich experience in the martial world, You Hongzhuo indirectly mentioned the situation of the "Black Wind Double Fiends," these martial arts seniors. Unfortunately, Wang Juyun frowned and pondered for a long time, saying that he had never heard of such a couple of heroes in the martial world.

The two returned to Weisheng in December. You Hongzhuo had no mission and did not have to explain anything to anyone. After meeting Wang Juyun, he had been practicing saber at home with Liang Si'yi. However, after Wang Juyun mentioned the marriage of his adopted daughter to Lou Shuwan, Lou Shuwan sent an invitation—back then, the Lady Chancellor had been assassinated many times, and You Hongzhuo was a righteous man who voluntarily protected the Lady Chancellor. His saber technique had improved by leaps and bounds in that environment. Later, he had met Lou Shuwan several times and was even familiar with Shi Jin. This time, he had not gone to see her after returning from his travels, according to Wang

Juyun's words: "The Lady Chancellor is very angry."

The morning of the 24th was a lively gathering.

As soon as he was led into the Qing Palace, You Hongzhuo saw many people he had known in the past: the hero Shi Jin, who had always served as the Lady Chancellor's guard; Yuan Xiaoqiu, the maid who followed the Lady Chancellor; Zhan Wu, the representative of the Huaxia Army; and many heroes who had proven their loyalty when they protected the Lady Chancellor back then—many of these people had now become the Lady Chancellor's personal guards.

Lou Shuwan met the two alone in the side hall of the Qing Palace. Compared to the seriousness and haggardness during the tense situation in Jin, the current Lou Shuwan in private seemed relaxed and cordial. She asked You Hongzhuo about his experiences along the way—especially in the Southwest—and then congratulated him and Liang Si'yi on their marriage, and gave them a piece of jade.

Although it was a private meeting, showing her importance, they were certainly not friends with each other. To avoid an awkward atmosphere, the meeting did not last too long. After a while, You Hongzhuo was led into the tea hall in front. After an introduction, he roughly knew what the theme of today's gathering was.

Because it was the Little New Year, the city was celebrating greatly, and the industrial zone in Dongcheng was also giving the technical team from the Southwest a vacation one after another. Lou Shuwan invited these people to Weisheng to celebrate the festival. Some people who did not want to participate in the gathering had already gone out shopping. Others came to the Qing Palace as representatives to drink tea and chat. You Hongzhuo, as a traveler who had recently been to the Southwest, was also called by Lou Shuwan to accompany them.

Not long after You Hongzhuo came out, Lou Shuwan led a six or seven-year-old child out of the inner room and greeted everyone—this child was Tian Shan, the nominal successor of the Tiger King's forces. After a simple greeting, Lou Shuwan introduced everyone to each other, and also specially mentioned You Hongzhuo, telling the story of his learning skills in the Southwest.

You Hongzhuo also talked about his experiences at that time. Although as a hero traveling the world, he hated political matters, he was actually very willing to get to know these people in the Southwest in private. As he mentioned the name of Madam Lu in Zhang Village, a group of technical talents from the Southwest were full of praise. Some asked him about the situation in Zhang Village, and some asked about the requirements of them these heroes for technology. One of them had already started chatting with him about the details of making several small hand grenades and smoke bombs for him…

The ice and snow outside had not melted, and the

rising sun brought a little warmth. The atmosphere in the tea hall gradually warmed up. Lou Shuwan led Tian Shan, got up and said goodbye with a smile: "I'm here, everyone is not so relaxed. You are all from the Southwest, so let's have a good gathering and chat. I still have some things to talk about with Master Zhan Wu and General Xue… I'll take the two leaders away for you, and you can do whatever you want… Hero Shi, please take care of them for me."

In the harmonious atmosphere, she took away Zhan Wu and Xue Guangcheng, leaving Shi Jin behind.

So the atmosphere became even more lively—perhaps due to the promotion of various martial arts by the Southwest, everyone who came from there was actually quite respectful and cordial to heroes like Shi Jin. There had been many dealings in the past, and they were already familiar with each other. Now that the leaders had left, everyone laughed and spent a good morning…

……

For people in the upper classes, such and such actions more or less involved some political factors, and they were no longer as free as they used to be.

Lou Shuwan organized such a gathering, more or less, of course, with the factor of externally expressing the signal that "the people in the Southwest only obey me". Even if she thoughtfully left in advance, the deliberate gathering might not be as pleasant and comfortable as a private meeting between two or three friends. But in any case, the vast Jin was stabilized because of such and such actions, and even had the leisure to celebrate in this winter.

Just as You Hongzhuo met Lou Shuwan, it was not because they were really close friends, but because Lou Shuwan had given this world a little breathing space, allowing people to show more smiles on their faces than usual. As for the worldly level, the friendship between these friends was of course essentially different.

Not long after leaving the tea hall, Lou Shuwan squatted on the ground and said a few words to the child Tian Shan with a smile. Tian Shan nodded sensibly, then respectfully saluted, and went to the inner side of the palace accompanied by the maid.

Zhan Wu and Xue Guangcheng looked at each other from behind, their expressions not happy.

Standing up straight, Lou Shuwan restrained her smile and walked forward. The three walked along the corridor in the palace towards the study in front.

It was already a familiar road, and the atmosphere was not unfamiliar at all. This was the atmosphere for discussing "serious matters". Of course, for the two heads of the Huaxia Army, this atmosphere was always unfriendly.

Most of the time, they had to quarrel.

Sure enough, Lou Shuwan's words made people angry.

"The battle of Bianliang is over. After a while, Zou Xu will be free to come over to celebrate… Don't cause trouble."

"What are you saying, Lady Chancellor?"

"Whatever the Lady Chancellor says is what it is. We are guests in Jin. What can we do?"

Lou Shuwan stopped and turned her head: "...Are you mocking me?"

"We..." Xue Guangcheng spread his hands. "Of course we are mocking you."

"Yeah." Zhan Wu nodded.

"

Okay." Lou Shuwan was not surprised and nodded. "Anyway, I haven't given you the dividends from last time… Let's talk about business. I sent a letter to the Southwest last month, which you know. After this winter, if we have spare energy, we will repair the Northwest defense line. You have to send some people for this matter. It is best if Master Fifth or General Xue personally lead the team. At that time, Xiaocang River will still be yours. You have already made arrangements, right?"

Zhan Wu frowned: "The letter was only sent last month, and the Southwest only received it not long ago, right? This is such a big thing. How many people do we have to send? How are we going to fight…"

"Jin and the Southwest are thousands of miles apart. If you don't get a reply from there, you won't do anything?" Lou Shuwan pushed open the door of the study and walked in. This was where she usually worked. The furnishings were relatively simple. Some papers full of words were placed on the table. Perhaps the work in the morning had not been completed. She went over to sort it out:

"In any case, General Wang and I have already discussed this matter. We all know the importance of the Northwest. We haven't taken it in these years because we couldn't breathe. Now a group of Mongolians have attacked Western Xia, and they have been recuperating for a while. Although these people are just barbarians who drink blood, we have to plan ahead and reinforce the Hengshan line. We are pulling you in because you have fought in the Northwest for several years and have indeed left some reputation. It is cheap for

you. Next, the Northwest War will be led by General Wang's rebel army. They have suffered for many years. Find a decent place for them to live. We will also send a group of people from our side. Not many are needed. Just eat a little. As for your Huaxia Army, send a group of people, create a name, and in the future, the Xiaocang River area will be, uh, how do you say that…"

She sat there, rubbing her forehead and thinking, then looked up and smiled: "...Oh, joint development."

Zhan Wu and Xue Guangcheng sat down on the chairs next to them and listened to Lou Shuwan's words, and they were both speechless. Zhan Wu said: "This matter has to have instructions from the Southwest. Lady Lou, we will send people, how many? How many people do we have in Jin? Do you want us to just pull the people from the technical team over? Are we not going to do anything with Dongcheng?"

Lou Shuwan lowered her head and wrote a few words, approved a letter, and then looked up: "The team of soldiers that General Xue brought can go, right? They look like they can fight very well."

Xue Guangcheng laughed: "Lady Lou just wants to transfer my people away, right?"

"Yes." Lou Shuwan smiled frankly. "In this way, when Zou Xu comes to congratulate us, I don't have to keep an eye on you. You can go and grab Xiaocang River back. Everyone will be comfortable. It's three birds with one stone. How good."

"Without special circumstances, the guard company will not leave the technical team."

"Now is a special situation. That is Xiaocang River. The Huaxia Army resisted the Jin in Xiaocang River for so many years. That's how the world recognized the name Huaxia. Now that we can grab it back, don't you want it?"

Xue Guangcheng frowned, and Zhan Wu was silent for a moment: "...What's the use of getting it back? Besides a symbolic meaning, everything in Xiaocang River was destroyed back then, and the dam was also blown up. If we take it back today, how much benefit can we get? Moreover, the Huaxia Army was based in Lvliang back then because it had foundations in Qingmu Village and other places. If we talk about location, that place is not fertile land in the first place. Lady Lou, you and General Wang take the Northwest, and we take back Xiaocang River. Aren't all the benefits taken by you?"

Lou Shuwan looked at him, and after a while, she spread her hands and smiled.

"So you don't want it."

"We didn't say we don't want it…"

"So you want it."

"We don't have that many people, and Lady Lou, if you just want to make things difficult for us…"

"Who is making things difficult for whom! Who is making things difficult for whom! Oh, I asked you if you don't want it, and you said you didn't say you don't want it. I asked you if you want it, and you didn't say you want it. Oh, are you a hermaphrodite? Are you playing riddles? And you're saying I'm making things difficult for you…"

"Lady Lou, you're being sarcastic…"

"Who is being sarcastic—" Lou Shuwan said here, but she laughed. She then lowered her head and pulled over a memorial, opened it and placed it there, and stretched out her hand, "Okay, I'm just notifying you of this matter. Oh, I forgot to tell you, I also wrote a letter to Liangshan. The Huaxia Army has no one in Jin, but Liangshan does. Anyway, they are not doing well, and I still owe them a favor, so I invited them to recover the Northwest together. Then everyone will cooperate together. Look, the Huaxia Army will send troops, and one-third of the Northwest can be divided among you. I don't want to jointly develop Xiaocang River with you… a barren place. You can develop it yourself…"

The two people in front were silent for a moment. Xue Guangcheng drank a sip of tea to suppress his anger, and Zhan Wu nodded: "...Understood."

"It's good that you understand." Lou Shuwan buried her head in writing, not looking at them, "Everyone is on our side. I know you. Such a big thing requires a meeting. Look how good I am. I told you about such a big thing more than a month ago, and I'm here to remind you again today. Go to the meeting, go to the meeting, draw some manpower out. The Northwest is now just a bunch of bandits who are like chickens and dogs. I'm still looking forward to the soldiers led by Commander Xue."

There was another silence. Zhan Wu and Xue Guangcheng both drank tea before standing up. Zhan Wu said to Xue Guangcheng: "Someone is cheating…"

Xue Guangcheng: "Why don't we transfer the technical team away?"

Lou Shuwan, who was over at the desk, raised her head, her eyes

cold as frost: "Try transferring them if you have the guts."

"Look, she's cheating…"

"Only women and petty people are difficult to deal with…"

"Bah! Get out—" Lou Shuwan pretended to spit.

"You're just making trouble…"

"Sarcastic, and you call her Lady Chancellor…"

The two put their hands on their hips and scolded for a while. Lou Shuwan also scolded a few words. When she picked up the inkstone to swing it, the two middle-aged men who had been frustrated sighed and left the study.

Lou Shuwan sat down, propped her chin with her hand, and while approving memorials, she smiled slightly. These days, she enjoyed trying to disrupt the Huaxia Army's arrangements with various things. Making the two heads of the Huaxia Army frustrated always brought her temporary relaxation and joy. The smile on the corner of her mouth lasted for a short time. She immersed herself in her work, and her eyes gradually became only cold and desolate.

When she looked up, the maid Yuan Xiaoqiu came in from the outside and reported to her that the gathering outside had dispersed, and all the participants were happy. Shi Jin and You Hongzhuo had a martial arts competition, and now everyone had gone outside the palace to continue having fun.

"It's very lively outside today, Lady Lou, do you want to go out and take a look?"

Lou Shuwan looked at her and thought for a moment.

"That's right…"

She nodded and smiled.

"Then I'll give you a vacation…"

……

The winter sun shone on this land like a cotton-like cloud blanket, stretching for thousands of miles. Chengdu in the Southwest was also in the festive spirit of the Little New Year on this day.

Compared to the difficulty and preciousness of the Jin celebration, Chengdu, which had little snow and abundant supplies at this moment, was truly full of festive atmosphere throughout the city. Restaurants and tea houses were decorated with lanterns and decorations; streets and markets were adorned with green and red; old and new Confucians organized lively literary gatherings; like-minded new cultural figures also gathered in various places, talking about their ideals; the rich people's mansions in the city wafted the fragrance of delicacies; even the relatively poor ordinary people were wandering around the beautiful markets in the city, or finding a publicly accessible theater to watch a lively performance.

All living beings, at this moment, had their own joys.

On one side of the city, in an ancient courtyard, the same joy was also happening at this moment close to noon. A middle-aged man who looked upright and heroic was leading several special guests to his home. Today was the Little New Year, which was also the time to worship the Kitchen God. His home was already full of various sacrificial atmospheres. As the time approached noon, the leading man who was welcomed in hesitated a little, but the middle-aged man had already taken his hand and started telling him about their friendship: "We are from the same family. You are just coming home."

The two were indeed from the same family.

The owner of this mansion was named Li Rulai, and the person who was welcomed in was Li Dong, the artillery regiment commander of the Fifth Army of the Huaxia Army. The two had dealt with each other several times before, and several of Li Dong's subordinates had received good arrangements from Li Rulai in the past. The two had some favors, and even if the genealogies of the two families went back, they could really find their origins. This time he came to Chengdu to do business, and he was invited to the other party's home for a meal.

Li Rulai was reliable.

It was difficult to refuse the warm invitation.

Because they were from the same family, not long after entering, Li Rulai also asked his family members to come out and greet him and talk about their private friendship. This general, who had led troops in the past but was now idle, had a rich family background and no longer had great ambitions. He had no requests from the people in the army, so there was no need to worry about being implicated in some corrupt and illegal things. He had a military background in the past. After being defeated by the Huaxia Army, he admired the soldiers here, which was also very reasonable. He occasionally made friends, only for the yearning and admiration in his heart.

Soon after, a banquet was set up, and many rare foods were served. Seeing that Li Dong was a little hesitant, Li Rulai also told him about doing business, and confessed everything: "I don't have a single copper coin here that was earned illegally. They were all things that Mr. Ning encouraged to do…"

In the festive atmosphere of toasting and drinking throughout the city, this place was like a small water flower in the vast ocean, not showing any special features. Also in the surging crowd, near noon, several carriages came in from the north gate of the city. It was the time of the end of the year, and these were the vehicles that had originally promised to return to Zhang Village, but at this moment, it passed through the festive crowd and silently drove towards that specific mansion in the city.

The atmosphere was full of joy throughout the city, but the people in the car were not happy. He was

frowning and thinking about something. The fragrance outside the car occasionally drifted in, and his stomach was a little hungry. In recent years, he had actually become increasingly unhappy.

He stopped on the way and asked someone to buy a meat bun.

Soon, the carriage stopped outside Li Rulai's mansion.

People from the Secretariat came up and told him that the artillery regiment commander Li Dong was attending a banquet in the courtyard.

"Yeah."

He put down the meat bun in his hand, got out of the car, and stood for a moment.

"...Never mind, let's go in."

……

Ning Yi walked in and passed through the courtyard.

Soon, the people standing at the table in the main hall saw him. He nodded.

"Sit."

(End)