As night fell, lights gradually illuminated Chengdu, starting as scattered specks and then blossoming into a lake of light.

More than a decade after Ning Yi's arrival, the blossoming of his work in Gewu (Studies of Things) has made Chengdu one of the most unique places of the era.

The industrial zone on the city's outskirts sprawled into the distance. The scattered lights indicated that many factories were still operating even at night. Centered around the Huaxia Army's military industry, a massive influx of outsiders ignited domestic demand for cement, bricks, sand, firewood, and various other industries related to construction and people's livelihoods, all flourishing. With the Huaxia Army's widespread sharing of technology, countless foreign merchants began to settle here, learning and promoting various industrial and handicraft techniques.

Since ancient times, Sichuan has been known as the "Land of Abundance." But during times of peace, the prosperity of the Central Plains meant it was, at best, a pleasant place for retirement. However, after the fall of the Central Plains and Jiangnan, and the outbreak of war, the Huaxia Army's victory over the Jurchen Western Route Army finally attracted a large number of wealthy gentry and merchants.

The Wu Dynasty already had a well-developed commercial sector. Now, most merchants with ambition and capital want to see the Southwest. Once they see the technology made public by the Huaxia Army, they will invest and take root. Any discerning merchant knows that even if they don't make money in the Southwest, the accumulation of technology and the exploration of efficiency will determine the future of their trade.

Two years of rapid development meant the industrial areas on the city's outer fringes still looked chaotic, with some areas crowded with shacks. But the gathering of a large population created a strangely lively atmosphere, visible as spots of light in the night.

Even at night, many pedestrians traveled between the industrial zones. Forming a peculiar sight on the city's northern and southern edges were two gleaming pathways: the horse-drawn railway tracks completed in the middle of the year. Built with wooden rails and gravel foundations, they carried large modified carriages pulled by draft horses, transporting heavy goods. The lanterns on these large freight wagons formed a continuous, orderly path of light in the night, pleasing to the eye.

These wooden-railed carts were initially dismissed by city critics as beautiful but useless "eccentricities," with some even calling them Ning Yi's "whims." However, after several months of operation, the efficiency of these large carts in terms of cargo transport shocked everyone.

Using the same number of draft horses, the rail carts could easily pull twice the amount of goods at twice the speed. Even with recent glitches and breakdowns, the rail carts' cargo efficiency was still more than three times that of ordinary freight wagons. These numbers turned efficiency into a hot topic in the city for months and greatly alleviated the cargo throughput problems that arose after the rapid development of various industries outside the city.

While the lights on the outer factory areas mainly came from overtime work, once one passed through the ancient city walls into the inner city, the lanterns on some of the bustling streets became even denser. Various kinds of food, theater, restaurants, and teahouses created a vibrant nightlife. Old and new Confucian scholars in long robes held forth in buildings. New intellectuals exchanged news and discussed current affairs in teahouses. It was a city of change, with much to discuss every day.

Between the bustling streets, illuminated pleasure boats glided along the waterways, and public carriages traveled through important districts, like vital arteries carrying the city's lifeblood. Some pedestrians carried lanterns, conversing and leisurely strolling among the ancient trees, while others were hurried merchants or newcomers, either dressed in rags and alone or in groups, marveling at the city's nighttime prosperity or the strange sights on the streets, struck by awe.

The clash of cultures was happening fiercely here.

One end of this cultural clash was naturally the group represented by Confucian scholars in the city. These were the elite nurtured by the old and, in essence, mainstream culture. Their basic characteristics were usually long, elegant robes. Those who were old, virtuous, and adhered to classical language, with minds difficult to change, were usually called "old Confucians."

Corresponding to the old Confucians were the relatively young "new Confucians." Many of these young people were disciples of great Confucian scholars. They studied the sages and hoped to one day serve the emperor and bring peace to the world. But in debates with the Huaxia Army, they gradually accepted some of the efficiency and Gewu thinking. In terms of external characteristics, "new Confucians" often wore Huaxia Army boots or shoes while wearing long robes. Some also carried relatively convenient graphite pencils and notebooks for easy writing, along with specially sewn pockets inside their robes.

The thinking corresponding to Confucianism was, of course, the Gewu and "Four Classes of People" (scholars, farmers, artisans, merchants) advocated by the Huaxia Army, as well as the dialectical materialism that few could clearly grasp. Gewu emphasized efficiency and empiricism, egalitarianism diluted the concept of hierarchy, and dialectical materialism required a matching purpose and methodology. In short, Confucius's statements were his vision for how to achieve a harmonious society in the Spring and Autumn period, with limitations specific to that time. Anyone who did not see the purpose and thought that everything the Sage said was absolute truth, or that a single methodology was universally applicable, was a complete idiot...

The clash of cultural views was complex, and the external presentation of the Huaxia Army's thinking was mostly reflected in their short, pocket-filled attire.

In the past, elegant robes were a symbol of nobility, while short outfits were mostly worn by lowly manual laborers. This was partly because intellectuals could afford to slow down and dress well, and partly because the development of the weaving industry meant that flimsy fabrics were usually better suited for long robes.

After Ning Yi rebelled, he first made many new demands on military uniforms, which the Su family's weaving industry met. After more than a decade of innovation and improvement, the Huaxia Army's uniforms were now sharp and handsome. This development gradually entered the civilian clothing industry, leading to the creation of many clean, efficient, and work-friendly "short" outfits that wouldn't get caught in machinery, becoming another symbol of cultural opposition.

Now, in Chengdu, the young people who supported Ning Yi's thinking on the Four Classes of People and efficiency mainly came from a series of officers who had participated in the Huaxia Army's training classes. They were either members of the army or government officials and were not necessarily fixated on the symbolism of clothing. But beyond these, a large number of literate and numerate workers and managers rapidly became the main force in the Huaxia Army's intellectual opposition.

Some of these people were once impoverished scholars, but most were ordinary people from poor families, with a small number of low-status merchants and accountants. In the years after the Huaxia Army emerged from the Liangshan Mountains, they held various training classes, absorbing people from the lower classes into factories, enabling them to read, write, and perform simple arithmetic. In this process, many smart people were discovered in their work or studies, and then they actively learned and began to understand the reality of the world.

The Huaxia Army's training classes emphasized practical results, and those who stood out were highly intelligent. As the Huaxia Army's industrial base rapidly developed, these people gradually became capable figures in their respective fields. Some had a deep understanding of assembly lines and efficient coordination, some made rapid breakthroughs in mathematics, and others figured out the principles of management on their own. These people began to spontaneously contribute to the Huaxia Army's "theoretical legitimacy."

Their knowledge was relatively specialized, and their attitudes were relatively radical, but in repeated discussions and arguments, these "fast-tracked" intellectuals also rapidly strengthened their worldviews and logical frameworks. Their unified symbol was the pocket-filled, work-appropriate Huaxia Army short uniform, and most of them would cut off their "received from parents" long hair for work and convenience, opting for buzz cuts or even bald heads. These were some of the issues for which they were often criticized in the city's public opinion disputes.

During intense written debates, Ning Yi deliberately injected his own private goods into several anonymous articles, defining these people as "new intellectuals." Today, this term has gradually been accepted by the public, but we still cannot know whether, in this era, this term will ultimately become a derogatory or complimentary concept.

Based on the disputes between these two extremes, even more strange costumes appeared in the city.

The cultural clash was intense and chaotic. It was knocked off the Confucian track but did not enter the direction Ning Yi was familiar with. New thinking and old culture tore at each other, and some of them gradually merged, with all sorts of strange ideas emerging.

But in any case, in this intense cultural debate and rapidly changing construction and development, Chengdu now presented a "center of the world" image. Even the most conservative old Confucians who opposed Ning Yi could not deny that it had become the political and cultural center of the world.

On an October night, a storm of politics and culture was brewing over the city, causing countless people to whisper and feel uneasy.

In the north of the city, the most precious dining garden was called "Yingzhou." Lanterns had already been cleverly lit among the ancient pines and cypresses and the courtyards and rockeries. At a quarter past Xu hour (around 8:15 PM), a carriage entered from the garden's hidden side door. Lin Qiu, reeking of alcohol, ran down from the carriage, found a corner, and vomited against the wall.

Several people in Langyuan were preparing to greet him. Seeing this scene, the leader quickly came over, while a middle-aged fat man who followed Lin Qiu off the carriage waved his hand, "Director Lin had too much to drink. This is the second round. I dragged him from the dinner with Hu Haiwen and his bunch. He's giving you guys face, so take it easy."

"If it's the second round, we can always reschedule," the leader patted Lin Qiu's shoulder gently, with feigned concern. "Old Tan, why don't you take better care of Director Lin?"

The welcoming crowd echoed, "That's right, reschedule, reschedule!"

"I'm sorry, isn't it because you're all eager to see Director Lin?" the middle-aged fat man said while apologizing.

"His health is getting worse…"

Holding the wall, Lin Qiu felt the changes in his body, experiencing a moment of absentmindedness. He waved his hand, turned around, and said, "Chen Ge, you're the one who cares about me." He had a slight smile on his face. "But don't blame Old Tan. First of all, Chen Ge summoned me. As a director, how could I dare not come? Secondly, I'm tired of the place the Hus invited me to. I wanted to sit here."

His smile was somewhat forced, and his words weren't particularly kind. The other party immediately clasped his fist, "No, no, Director Lin's status is not on the same level as ours. We all rely on Director Lin. There's been a big move recently, so we especially wanted to see you. That's why we asked Old Tan…"

"Can't you see me in the office?" Lin Qiu looked at him. After a moment, he smiled and patted the other party's shoulder. "Alright, alright, let's eat, let's eat. Actually… Chen Ge, I've been really busy lately, but it's all good for you guys. I don't know what you're all so nervous about. Let's go, let me have a good meal…"

His expression softened, and the others were relieved. They then escorted him inside and up to a large private room on the second floor, where they sat down at a grand round table. Dishes were served in rapid succession. The Chen-named leader among them picked up a golden piece of tofu and placed it in Lin Qiu's bowl.

"Knowing that Director Lin likes tofu, this is a new dish here, Eight Treasure Tofu. It uses eight delicacies from the mountains and the sea, highlighting its simplicity! By the way, shall we serve the wine?"

"Pour it up, can't put on airs in front of the brothers."

"Director Lin's presence is the greatest honor. Then we'll just have a little."

With a smile, they poured the wine. Lin Qiu touched the tofu with his chopsticks, and the other party said, "Director Lin, it's not that we're impatient, but we've been so excited for the past two months. Seeing that the Huaxia Army is really going to take action, to start a grand undertaking unseen in a thousand years, we want to help in any way we can. We're waiting for Director Lin and the higher-ups to give the order—"

Delicacies pleased the eye, the lanterns intoxicated the soul, and in the luxuriously decorated room, the crowd echoed. Lin Qiu raised his glass and smiled…

…

"A gathering of forces. A storm is brewing."

While Lin Qiu was squeezing in time to attend one dinner after another, in a relatively quiet courtyard in the southwestern part of the city, Yu Hezhong pulled back the curtain by the window, looking at the city's interwoven lights.

Not far behind him, Li Shishi was sitting at her desk, completing an essay. The Huaxia Army had been extremely busy lately, with land reform imminent, and the propaganda work was a major part of it. Most of her staff had been transferred to various working groups to help. In addition to her past diplomatic work, this time the Huaxia Army said it wanted to confiscate land, and many of the gentry and landlords she had previously recruited were taking turns coming to her, leaving her stretched thin. One half was used for work, and the other half for complaining to Ning Yi.

Yu Hezhong's visit was one of the things she didn't need to spend too much energy on. Often, she could hear gossip from him that others wouldn't dare say to her.

Of course, compared to his restraint and lack of confidence when they first reunited, Yu Hezhong was now at the peak of his life, having been a prominent figure in Chengdu for more than a year. His demeanor and speech were now even more steady than they had been more than a decade ago. He often used classical language but also incorporated many fashionable new words. He had several regular female companions in Chengdu, and it was said that his conversation and demeanor even captivated many foreign socialites.

In essence, he was now one of the most important relationship brokers in the city. This was because he had Dai Mengwei behind him, could order Yan Daolun around, and was also acquainted with Ning Yi and Li Shishi. In practice, he could contact and speak with both the old and new Confucians and the new cultural elite of the Huaxia Army. Due to his role as a tool, neither side was overly wary of him, giving him a transcendent position in the environment and earning him countless benefits.

"…The market is panicking." Looking at the lights, Yu Hezhong said, "The old Confucians outside are saying that Ning Yi has lost his mind, that if he wants to achieve a great and lasting legacy, he shouldn't do it this way."

"When has he *not* lost his mind?" Hearing Yu Hezhong's words, Shishi laughed. "From assassinating the emperor back then to fighting the Western Xia, then fighting the Jurchens and killing Lou Shi, and then those years in Xiaocanghe, and the last Southwest War, he loses his mind every few years. You get used to it."

"It's not that simple. This time, everyone feels it's a pity." Yu Hezhong said, "Look at the lights outside, Shishi, don't you think they're even more beautiful than those in Bianliang back then? Look… 'The east wind releases a thousand trees of blossoms, blown down like falling stars. Carved chariots fragrant the roads. Phoenix flutes resound, jade pots revolve, a night of fish and dragon dances'… Bianliang, two centuries gone, and everyone feels it's a pity."

"In terms of numbers…" Shishi paused, "…it's already surpassed it."

"That's the point. Two years of Chengdu have surpassed two centuries of Bianliang… Recently, the old and new Confucians outside have had very complicated feelings. Shishi, do you know that the great Confucian He Rongchao said a few days ago that he would write to Ning Yi with his disciples and friends, asking Mr. Ning to withdraw his decree. The state is taking people's land, saying it's to fight the landlords, which sounds good for fairness. But when the state reaches the second or third generation, who will stop its corruption? He Rongchao has always opposed the new culture, with a bit of the meaning of refusing to eat Zhou grain. But Ning Yi is going to do this, and he's panicking, afraid that the good days are over, and he's actually going to submit a memorial."

"That's true." Shishi pursed her lips and smiled. "There have been many people submitting memorials recently. Many who didn't want to talk to us in the past can't help but come to advise us this time. That's a good thing. Mr. Ning said that it's an affirmation of our work over the past two years."

"Affirmation is certainly affirmation. The situation in Chengdu for the past two years, especially the theory of efficiency in Gewu, has led the Confucian scholars to say in private that Mr. Ning has foresight. Even if they are unwilling to admit Ning Yi's contributions, aren't the Confucians now heavily promoting Mozi, saying that Mozi should be ranked alongside Confucius and Mencius, becoming a sage for all ages… But their worries are real. This time, they're not even stubbornly saying harsh words. They're actually starting to soften with Ning Yi. You can do whatever you want, but don't ruin Chengdu…"

Yu Hezhong laughed, stopping after a while. "Shishi, is there really no fear on Ning Yi's side? Those old and new Confucians have been involved in education for their entire lives. I've seen the recent propaganda, saying that the enlightened people should restrain the government, but… that's just pretty talk. 'The gentleman's virtue is like the wind, the common man's virtue is like the grass.' What do those rural farmers know? They need to be taught to understand reason, and on a large scale. But look at those great Confucians. They can't even teach most of their own children to understand reason. Only a few become talented. They are the most knowledgeable about education, which is why they are afraid…"

Shishi stopped writing and remained silent for a moment. Yu Hezhong also paused. "And… to be honest, what does everyone need? Isn't it just this peaceful and prosperous age? Shishi, I am naturally dull, but after listening to all this, I understand. Those Confucians oppose Ning Yi because Ning Yi said he wants to destroy Confucianism. He wants to destroy Confucianism because he wants to develop Gewu, but Gewu has already been developed. He is now militarily strong, and rockets and the like can still be developed in the future. One day, he will defeat the Jurchens, conquer the world, and spread the prosperity of Chengdu. I think even if he shouts about destroying Confucianism, those Confucians will really be able to tolerate it. Ning Yi has opinions about them, and if he has opinions, he has opinions, which can be compromised. But why is it necessary to take this step of land reform? Look at what has happened to all those who have divided the land…"

"And… to say something from the bottom of my heart, Shishi, I am also afraid… that the prosperity of Chengdu will suddenly disappear like Bianliang did. It's already good to be where we are now, really very good…"

The room fell silent. Shishi thought for a moment, wrote a few strokes on the paper, and then smiled, "Who are you really helping to gather information?"

"Yan Daolun, who else?" Yu Hezhong didn't avoid the question. "According to your propaganda, if this is really done, then of course it will be a great achievement unprecedented in history, just like universal harmony. If it is done, who wouldn't be a great emperor for all time? A sage for all ages? But if it is not done, people will die. Look at Ning Yi taking this gamble, scaring all those sour Confucians silly. Of course, others are also afraid… Yan Daolun and his group have been busy opening factories and making money recently. He also hopes that the development of Chengdu will last forever. I think he's almost forgotten the mission Liu Gong gave him. He's enjoying it here and doesn't think of the Central Plains anymore."

"…So what does Yan Daolun want to know?"

"He just wants to see how determined you guys are. And, if the land is really confiscated, how it will be used in the future, and whether everyone can get a share of the pie… What else could it be?"

Shishi thought for a moment.

"The use of the land is indeed the focus of this work, but Hezhong, you know that the regulations will definitely change according to the situation of the land confiscation, so the current framework is an idealized one. If the land confiscation goes smoothly, it will lead to a lot of new planning. Which land will be distributed to the villagers, which will be used for commercial development, and which will be used for roads? This all requires a comprehensive plan, so I can't think of anyone who can get benefits at the moment. Of course, if he is referring to what loopholes can be exploited in the land confiscation process, we would also like to know about this."

"What Yan Daolun mainly wants to find out is how determined this land confiscation will be, whether there will be any compromises, whether it can be negotiated, and even whether people will be killed, and how many. Let me put it this way… back in Bianliang, anyone in Ning Yi's position probably wouldn't have chosen to kill the emperor, but he killed him when he said he would…"

"…Later, in Xiaocanghe, when the Western Xia invaded, the Huaxia Army had only about 10,000 soldiers. As far as I know, Zuo Duanyou advised him, but he said he would fight, and he fought… Then came the third Jurchen invasion, led by Lou Shi. Xi Yin sent someone to Xiaocanghe to persuade Ning Yi to nominally surrender, but you know the result… Later, including the years of war in Xiaocanghe, including before the Southwest War, the whole world had fallen, but Xi Yin still sent people, saying that we could talk. Ning Yi only said, 'You came to the Southwest, and I will bury you…'"

"Hezhong, the Huaxia Army's attitude during each period of recovery and recuperation is very gentle. Ning Yi does business with a kind and benevolent attitude. Before these major decisions, the Huaxia Army, like Chengdu in the past two years, has been working hard to develop and do business… Including these two years in Chengdu, we have opened our doors to welcome everyone. Ning Yi even allows these great Confucians to speak freely in the newspapers. Many people opposed it, but it ultimately led to great development… Now those Confucians cherish the development of Chengdu, as if the development of Chengdu has something to do with them, as if Ning Yi's heart has been with them during these two years of development. But it's not true. Ning Yi's attitude has always been to do what he wants to do. These people sometimes understand him, sometimes they don't. When they don't understand him, it's not that Ning Yi's attitude has changed in any way…"

"Actually, sometimes I don't understand him either. We've had arguments in the past…" Shishi smiled. "But over the years, many things have proven that he is right. Hezhong, you can tell Yan Daolun to look at the political operation in this city. In August, the delegates officially passed the proposal to promote the implementation of the Four Classes of People. After mid-August, more than 600 delegates raised their hands to pass the basic idea of land reform. Then, seven departments successively held meetings to set up the basic framework, issue orders, study methods, and then begin to transfer working groups from the middle and lower levels. The propaganda department sorted out the propaganda materials and formulated propaganda strategies. After the working groups met, they were trained. Ning Yi participated in every actual training…"

"For two months, tens of thousands of people have been operating. Three days ago, the first list of 100 villages was announced, and the first batch of people have already been sent out. We actually already have contingency plans for what will happen next. The 6,000 people transferred from the Seventh Army have already completed their rotations at various nodes. The person in charge of leading the troops this time is Ning Yi's Lady Liu. Do you know what that means? She has always been the most supportive of the Four Classes of People. Why is she in charge?"

"The large landlords who have come to Chengdu recently have threatened to go up the mountains. We have collected information, but the army has not taken any action, has not taken any preventive measures. Next, you can see what happens. The arrangement of the contingency plan is very clear. If anyone dares to take action, the Huaxia Army will take action."

"The great Confucians outside have submitted memorials to Ning Yi, hoping that he will withdraw his decree. Ning Yi found it funny. Do you know what he said about this? This is just a… machine that has been started. Tens of thousands of people are parts of this machine. If someone is blocking in front of this machine, the machine will crush him. If someone is trying to create problems inside the machine, someone will come to repair it and clean it. The prosperity of Chengdu in the past two years has led outsiders to think that he is very gentle, that the Huaxia Army is a gentle… market…"

"But on the things they have decided to do, Hezhong, the Huaxia Army has been more resolute than anyone, any force, since more than a decade ago. If you want to use the enemy's words to describe them, the Huaxia Army can be more ruthless than the Fairness Party. He Wen listened to lessons in the Southwest for a few years and then went out and made a mess, but he still became a local tyrant. But don't forget that Ning Yi has been pondering this matter for more than a decade."

Sitting behind the desk, her words were gentle. Even the word "ruthless" was as light as telling a fairy tale to a child, with a strange tenderness. Yu Hezhong was stunned. After two years in this gentle town of Chengdu, he had vaguely thought that the Huaxia Army had become a benevolent group that was now rich and wanted to put on shoes and go ashore. But Shishi's words had really reminded him that this was an existence that had done so many unbelievable things in adversity.

He thought for a while and finally nodded.

"Looking back more than a decade ago, I actually had high-level discussions with Li Heng. It feels like another lifetime…"

Shishi thought for a moment and smiled. "As long as you want to see him, you can still see him, Yu brother. The Huaxia Army… has its own ideals, and has been working steadily all these years. Although the place has grown recently, there is an urgent shortage of manpower. If you…"

She said this, but Yu Hezhong waved his hand. "Alas, I know, but… I am foolish in this life, Shishi. You… this… let's not talk about this, okay? Actually, I don't want to talk nonsense in front of you. Tell me, if Liu Gong's Central Plains War goes smoothly and he captures Zou Xu, can I get a promotion or something? I'm just worried about this…"

Shishi rubbed her forehead. "I don't understand this."

She said she didn't understand, but she naturally understood Yu Hezhong's troubles. Recently, as the middleman between Liu Guangshi and the Huaxia Army, he had enjoyed all the blessings in Chengdu and had a status he had never had before. But this was also the result of Liu Guangshi wanting to befriend the Huaxia Army, and Shishi was the one who was supporting him. Once the Central Plains War had a result, the relationship between the two sides would probably change again. As someone who was not very capable, he would inevitably feel anxious.

But in fact, the plan Shishi had made for him already existed in the previous words. He had refused, and as a friend, Shishi would no longer say anything more. As a middle-aged man who was not confused at forty, he ultimately needed to bear the consequences of his many choices.

She lowered her head to write, and the two then chatted for a few more sentences. Yu Hezhong changed the subject. "What is Ning Yi… busy with now? He should be having endless meetings every day, right?"

Shishi raised her head and thought for a moment, smiling. "He has been quite busy recently, but at this time today, it's hard to say. He's probably both busy and not busy…"

"Huh? What riddle is this?"

"It's not a riddle." She smiled, "The First Madam is here, maybe he's accompanying her shopping."

With that, she lowered her head and began to write the essay.

Yu Hezhong took a long breath and turned to look out the window. The city lights were dazzling. He recalled the various stories about the Ning family's First Madam among the people, especially the more detailed descriptions of how terrible she was from the many merchants he had recently contacted: "That manager of the Su family is a formidable character. Ordinary people can't even see her…"

Turning back, countless worried words wanted to be said, but in the end, the desire to survive stopped him.

"Then… I'll take my leave first?"

"Go ahead."

Under the lamplight, Shishi shook the tip of her pen and said with a smile. As she smiled, her bangs moved in the lamplight, dyed yellow by the light, faintly resembling the yellow-haired girl in Fanlou back then. However, time had passed, and Yu Hezhong knew that they could never go back…

…

The flowing lights were reflected in the sky, as if interacting with the stars. Just as Yu Hezhong walked out of Shishi's residence and felt uneasy about the arrival of someone, a group of people was gazing at the distant city's night view on a section of the city wall in the northwest of the city.

Far away, the lanterns lit up by the rail carts on the city's periphery looked like long lines of ants marching in formation, a sight that was quite remarkable to the eye. Inside the city's inner ring, countless lights spread out. The illuminated pleasure boats on the waterways, the carriages on the roads, and the carved beams and painted rafters between courtyards were like exquisite models laid out before them.

Su Tan'er, now considered a terrifying existence in many rumors, was standing on the city wall in a simple white dress, watching all of this with wide eyes. She had the typical oval face and small frame of a woman from the Jiangnan water towns, slightly taller than the average Jiangnan woman, but more gentle than a northerner. Although she had experienced many things over the years, making her appear dignified and calm in front of most people, she still had a relatively lively and outgoing side when facing Ning Yi.

"It's already more beautiful than Jiangning…"

She stood by the city wall, gazing into the distance with emotion.

This was the second time she had come to Chengdu for sightseeing after the Huaxia Army took the Chengdu Plain. Compared to the last time, everything had undergone earth-shattering changes.

Ning Yi handed her a telescope from the side.

"It's already more beautiful than Bianliang! Look over there, the rail carts. I've told you about them, haven't you seen them? In the future, the rails and carriages will be replaced with iron. That will scare you bumpkins."

Tan'er smiled, "Xi'er tells me all about Chengdu every time he comes home, so there's nothing new. By the way, he told me last time that you stole his roast chicken…"

"Ah… that unfilial son."

"You stole his food and then accused him instead."

"Alright, let's not talk about that unfilial son and ruin the mood." Ning Yi patted her shoulder, naturally changing the subject. "I'll show you the exploits of another unfilial son."

"What?"

"Qian Laoba and his group sent back news from the Fairness Party in Jiangning. The main force is moving slowly, but they sent back a few reports first, with some newspapers mixed in. I read them twice, and I didn't understand much. I didn't start to understand until I was reading them late last night. These words are full of merciless ridicule for me."

As he spoke, Ning Yi took out a few folded newspapers from his pocket. Tan'er took them and asked someone to bring the lantern closer to read them in the light.

"This… what is this? Martial arts competition, evil sect experts… these are all bounties… this Five-Foot Y Demon… um, this nickname is interesting. At first glance, people might think it's 'shameless Y Demon,' but if you think about it, it's one, two, three, four, five, haha… Is there anything wrong with this?"

Tan'er held up the newspaper, looking at it in the light to see if there were any hidden layers.

"Alas…"

Ning Yi looked at her actions and sighed.

After a moment, he couldn't help but smile, and then sigh again.

"This is… retribution…"

Tan'er looked at his expression and frowned, thinking for a moment. Then she looked at the wanted poster, and her expression changed several times. Finally, she said, "The… another unfilial son… You… you don't mean that… Ji'er… he… he was given this Five-Foot Y Demon…"

"Huh?" Ning Yi was stunned, and then he gasped and smiled. "You… you… that's not a bad point of view… I'll help him promote it when I get back…"