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The meeting on propaganda lasted all morning in the rain. For the first half, Yong Jinnian, Chen Xiaoxia, Shishi, and a few other key personnel gave speeches. For the second half, Ning Yi spoke.

The meeting was actually very important. Some important matters had been rumored and hinted at before, and the direction of this meeting was even clearer. The attendees below kept their heads down, taking notes.

For a long time, the outline of the Chinese Army has been composed of several huge systems.

The cause and effect of these systems, if traced back, must be pushed back to the beginning of the assassination of the emperor.

After Ning Yi assassinated the emperor and rebelled, he combined the training of the Qingmu Village and the defection of the Wu Rui Camp to form the initial framework of the Chinese Army. The military and political system initially took shape in Xiaocang River. Outside of this system, there were two already established systems that assisted and cooperated with it:

One was the commercial system "Zhu Ji" that Ning Yi gradually matured with the power of the Secret Investigation Department and the Right Prime Minister's Office. This system included intelligence, propaganda, diplomacy, entertainment, and other aspects of power from the beginning of the rebellion. Although it looked like just a combination of restaurants, teahouses, and carts, the internal operating rules were already polished during the disaster relief incident that year.

The second was the Su family, which had always been managed by Su Tan'er and was built on the basis of the cloth business. Although the Su family initially only had a small position in Jiangning, this system underwent a development after Ning Yi entered Beijing. Ning Yi's various arrangements related to industry were initially carried out within the framework of the Su family. This included papermaking in cooperation with the Wang family, the manufacturing of telescopes and hot air balloons, and a series of military industry prototypes such as the improvement of the fire lances and cannons.

The third system was the Badao system that had been stationed in Miaojiang. Although the two sides exchanged and learned from each other, and the Chinese Army's southward advance after the Xiaocang River War was initially spearheaded by the Badao army in Liangshan, this army had never undergone a relatively thorough reform of the Chinese Army's military system. It remained in the hands of Xigua, Chen Fan, and others. It wasn't that they were unwilling to change, but that they really couldn't spare the time to make a more long-term modernization and reform.

Among these three systems, the Chinese Army's intelligence, propaganda, diplomacy, entertainment, military industry, and other systems, although they also had a basic framework, their systems often largely overlapped with Zhu Ji and the Su family.

For the past ten years, the Chinese Army has been in a relatively tense environment. After the transfer from Xiaocang River, Ning Yi also conducted a "de-Ning Yi-zation" risk resistance exercise in the army. In these processes, there has been no room to completely integrate the entire system. Of course, because the Chinese Army has never had more than a million soldiers and civilians under its jurisdiction in the past, the cooperation and operation between Zhu Ji, the Su family, and the Chinese Army's directly affiliated system has always been good.

However, after swallowing the Chengdu Plain and defeating the Jurchen West Route Army, the number of people under its rule suddenly expanded. In the future, it may also have to meet greater challenges. It has become necessary to incorporate all these things into a highly unified system called "China".

The most urgent task after the war was to handle the aftermath. In the process of handling the aftermath, rumors of a major internal adjustment began to spread. Of course, the Chinese Army's territory has suddenly expanded, and there is a shortage of people in various positions. Even if there is a major adjustment, for those who are used to working in the Chinese Army, it will only be a matter of rewarding merits. Everyone is only spiritually invigorated, and very few people are afraid or frightened.

"...For the future, the future is bright for the time being. Our place has expanded, and there are more people to manage and serve. You may all be assigned to important positions in the future... But don't forget that in ten years, we have only defeated the Jurchens once—just the first time. Mencius said that we are born in sorrow and die in happiness. Next, our job is to deal with the enemies outside, those with ulterior motives, while summarizing our previous experiences, those hard-working, disciplined, and excellent experiences, and do better. I will severely crack down on this complacency."

In the rain, Ning Yi's speech was serious until the end, with a dark face and very unfriendly eyes. Although some people had heard that it was the norm for several days, it was still a bit frightening on the spot.

"...Don't break the rules, don't inflate, don't indulge in pleasure. We said before that we should do this anytime, anywhere, but today, behind closed doors, I have to remind you that my heart will be particularly hard next, and you, who are the leaders and may become leaders, will be dealt with severely if you make a mistake! This may not be very reasonable, but you are usually the best at reasoning with people. You should all know that this breath after a great victory is the most critical. The newly established Discipline Inspection Commission will be watching you closely, and I am mentally prepared to deal with a few people... I hope that no comrade will run into it..."

The meeting ended close to lunchtime. Because of the heavy rain outside, the dining hall was arranged in the next courtyard. Ning Yi kept his dark face and did not participate in the meal, but summoned Yong Jinnian, Shishi, and others to a room next to him for a luncheon, also to discuss the subsequent adjustments. This time, he had a bit of a smile: "I won't go out and eat with them. I'll scare them."

After the luncheon, Ning Yi left here. After a while, someone came to call Li Shishi. She walked from Mingde Hall this way to the side door. In the pattering rain, there was a row of long houses. In front, there was a small forest and an open space, with a pavilion on the open space, facing the Maha Pool, which was like an ocean in the rain. The forest shielded the prying eyes, and two small boats were floating on the lake, presumably for security personnel. She walked along the eaves, and the long houses next to her displayed various books, antiques, and other objects. The middle room was cleaned up into a study room, and the lights were on. Ning Yi was working at his desk.

Shishi went in and sat on the chair for guests on the side. Tea and a plate of biscuits had already been poured on the coffee table. Shishi sat down and looked around. Behind the room were also several bookshelves, and the books on the shelves looked precious. After the Chinese Army entered Chengdu, although they did not disturb the people, they still received many such places for various reasons.

After sitting for a while, Ning Yi, who had approved a document over there, said, "Mingde Hall is suitable for meetings, so I asked people to temporarily collect this place. Some meetings are suitable to be held here, so I don't have to run back and forth." He looked at Shishi and smiled, "The tea is poured for you, don't be polite."

Shishi turned her head and looked around, and smiled, "There's no one around."

"Before going to Wangyuan Bridge, what I said..." Ning Yi smiled and paused, "...I don't dare to leave anyone."

Shishi put her legs together and pressed her hands on her legs, quietly watching Ning Yi without speaking. Ning Yi also looked at her for a moment, and put down the pen in his hand.

"Miss Shishi... how many years have we known each other?"

"We've known each other since we were young."

"That doesn't count, I've forgotten the things before." Ning Yi looked up and recalled, "However, starting from the reunion in Jiangning later, it's been almost twenty years..."

"Spring of Jinghan Nine Years." Shishi said, "To this year, it's been nineteen years."

"Yes, it's been nineteen years, a lot of things have happened..." Ning Yi said, "The conversation before going to Wangyuan Bridge, I thought about it carefully later, mainly on the way to Hanzhong, after the victory, I unconsciously thought a lot... all kinds of things in Bianliang more than ten years ago, you helped with disaster relief, and also helped with a lot of things, Shishi you... many things are very serious, which makes people can't help but... admire..."

"Has Liheng ever had it?"

"Me..." Ning Yi smiled, considering his words, "...Of course I have had it sometimes."

Shishi looked at him, her eyes clear: "When a man... is lustful, or when his vanity rises, and he wants to take me into his room?"

Ning Yi laughed, and also looked at her: "Of course there are such things."

Shishi folded her hands, did not speak, Ning Yi restrained his smile: "Later I killed Zhou Zhe and kidnapped you, during the Xiaocang River, we always argued, you went to Dali. Twenty years have passed, times have changed, we are now in a very complicated position, Shishi... there is indeed a good feeling between us, but, many things, can't be handled like in the story..."

He carefully considered, saying these words, the emotions and atmosphere were more or less depressing. As the two of them, who have reached a certain age and are in high positions, the matter of love will no longer be as simple as ordinary people. Ning Yi naturally considered many things. Even for Shishi, who could muster the courage to say those words before Wangyuan Bridge, there were countless things to worry about in the face of reality.

Listening to Ning Yi's words, her eyes were slightly red, she lowered her head, closed her eyes, and arched her body, as if she was silent in pain. The room was quiet for a long time, Ning Yi clasped his hands, feeling a little guilty and about to speak, intending to say something to make the matter pass, but he heard Shishi laugh.

"...You really don't know how to talk... at this time, there's no one else, just a man and a woman... can't you just do something..."

She said this, her smile slightly tearful, and looked at Ning Yi. Ning Yi spread his hands and looked around: "I can't say that, look here... there's only a table."

Both of them laughed. After a while, Shishi tilted her head, straightened her body, took a deep breath: "Liheng, I'll just ask you two things: don't you like me, don't you think that I'm already old..."

"Nothing like that..." Ning Yi said.

"Then, don't you think that I just want to marry into your Ning family and be a princess or something..."

Ning Yi shook his head: "Then you wouldn't have had to argue with me back then..."

Shishi looked at him, Ning Yi spread his hands. After a moment, Shishi slowly opened her mouth and said: "More than ten years ago, I wanted to leave Fanlou. At first, I thought about marrying you, I don't know if it's because you are a good husband, or because you are capable and do things well. I have misunderstood you several times... You presided over the Secret Investigation Department in Beijing, killed many people, and some extremely vicious people wanted to kill you, and I don't know if you are a hero or a villain; during the disaster relief, I misunderstood you, and later I felt that you are really a rare great hero..."

"...Later you killed the emperor, and I couldn't figure it out. You changed from a good person to a bad person... I ran to Dali, became a nun, and after a few years, I heard that you were dead, and I felt so uncomfortable that I couldn't sit still anymore, so I had to come out to find out the truth. At that time, I saw a lot of things, and I slowly agreed with you again. You changed from a bad person to a good person..."

"But good people and bad people are ultimately not about feelings." Ning Yi interjected.

Shishi ignored him: "Indeed, it's been more than ten years. Looking back, in these ten years, I have been just looking at whether you are a good person or a bad person... I may have been thinking at first, I will determine whether you are a good person or a bad person, and then consider whether to marry you. It sounds ridiculous. At first, I just wanted to find a husband, like an ordinary, lucky courtesan, who can eventually find a home. If it's not you, it should be someone else, but in the end, it's been almost twenty years, and my eyes have only been on you..."

She smiled coldly at the corner of her mouth, somewhat sarcastically.

"...Almost twenty years... Slowly, slowly, I saw more and more things. I don't know why, the matter of marrying always seems very small, and I always can't take care of it. Slowly, you seem to have... passed the age to say these things... I sometimes think, indeed, let's just let it pass. In February, I suddenly mustered up the courage to tell you. If you want to say whether it was a momentary impulse, of course there was... I have been hesitating for so many years, and finally said it. In these few months, I have also been very grateful for that momentary impulse..."

Shishi was silent for a moment, picked up a biscuit, bit off a small corner, and then just held the remaining biscuit in her hand. She looked at her fingers: "Liheng, I feel like I'm getting old, and I... I won't look good for two or three years. The fate between us has been so many years, and we have missed what we should have missed. I can't tell who's fault it is. If it was back then, I don't seem to be able to find a reason why we must be together. Would you marry me back then? I don't know..."

Her tears fell: "But now... Liheng, I have seen countless people die, both inside and outside the Chinese Army. Many people die young, with regrets. One day you and I may also die. I have been watching you for almost twenty years, and it may be like this in the future. We have reached this position now, and I don't want to worry about anything anymore... I don't want to have regrets when I die, when I'm really old..."

She was silent for a while, shook her head: "I don't want to say anything else..."

Outside the room was still a rain, Shishi looked at the rain, of course she had more to say, but in these nearly twenty years of emotions, those realities seemed unimportant. Ning Yi picked up the teacup and wanted to drink tea, but it seemed that the tea in the cup was gone, so he put it down: "It's the first time I've seen you speak so fiercely in so many years..."

Shishi stood up and filled his tea with the kettle.

Ning Yi sighed: "Such a big Chinese Army, it's a bit of a headache if the senior executives become a family in the future. There's a Zhu Ji, there's a Su family, and others are already laughing at me for governing the harem. You are scheduled to manage the cultural propaganda in the future..."

"You don't have to pity me, thinking that I can't find anyone today, and you don't want me to have regrets... I don't have that many regrets, I've come through it all. If you don't like me, you don't have to comfort me."

"Who can't like Li Shishi..."

"Is there a liking that wants to be together... a liking that is different from others?"

"Yes."

"Then that's enough."

Shishi pushed the teacup to him, then walked behind him, gently pinched his shoulders, and laughed: "I know what you're worried about. If you marry me today, there will be nothing but harm. There are many things I can do, and I can't let go of it today. I can't go to your house to embroider flowers, in fact, it's just causing trouble in front of Tan'er, Yunzhu, Jin'er, and Liu Shuai. It's you, who is about to become an emperor, but you are still thinking about these things..."

"I do hope you have a more ideal home..." Ning Yi raised his hand and held her right hand.

"Wasn't I choosing? Once I saw Liheng, I ruined my life."

Shishi laughed. She had written a lot of scripts recently, and had talked with Ning Yi a lot in the past. Ning Yi was very strange, and there were always strange ideas of "love" in his mind, and he often felt sorry for someone. Their relationship was also strange, and in Liheng's opinion, it was inevitably not perfect. If they wanted to be together more than ten years ago, there was always something missing between them. Today, all kinds of emotions and even regrets are mixed together. Time is fleeting, and the reasons for walking together seem to be gradually becoming sufficient today.

And for her, there are more things that seem perfect to her. She has been wandering all her life. Although she was treated well after entering Li Yun's hands, she lost all her family members since she was a child. Isn't she trying to grasp some "inherent" things and find a symbolic port by being close to He Zhong and Chen Sifeng? She also yearns for perfection, otherwise, why would she have repeatedly scrutinized Ning Yi for more than ten years? Fortunately, in the end, she was sure that she could only choose him. Although it was a little late, at least she was 100% sure.

The fear of rootless duckweed has actually accompanied her all year round, and it has only been slightly relieved after she truly integrated into the Chinese Army. Now she can finally be sure that one day in the future, she will be able to truly walk to her destination with peace of mind—as a family member of someone she truly agrees with. As for the other things, there is not much to be picky about...

She doesn't want to tell Ning Yi about these emotions for the time being. She plans to tell him about it one day in the future, when she wants to make him happy.

In order to temporarily alleviate Ning Yi's entangled emotions, she tried to hug him from behind. Because she had never done it before, her body trembled slightly, and she said playfully: "Actually... I've almost forgotten those things I learned in Fanlou more than ten years ago..."

"You might not believe it, but I'm very good at those things." Ning Yi laughed, touched his nose, and looked a little regretful, "But today, there's only a table..."

……

Because there was only a table, and in fact, the two needed to communicate a lot, so they just chatted afterwards.

The rain became smaller, but it was still falling. The two held an umbrella and went to the small pavilion in front. Shishi told Ning Yi the story of Qu Qing, and Ning Yi sighed that Xu Shaoyuan had missed love. Later, Shishi talked about meeting Yu Hezhong.

"...Hezhong's vision is mediocre, the same as it was more than ten years ago. He can't achieve great things, and he can't do great evil... The one who came with him is called Yan Daolun, a strategist under Liu Guangshi. This time, Liu Guangshi sent people to envoy, and he is secretly in charge. He came to see me without changing his name, and his intention is very obvious. Of course, I also said that the Chinese Army opens its doors to do business and welcomes cooperation. Afterwards, he should come again with a clear intention..."

They chatted in the pavilion in the rain for a long time. Ning Yi still had a schedule after all, so they had to part temporarily. The next day they met here again and chatted for a long time, and did something else in the middle. It wasn't until the third time they met that they found a place that had more than just a table. The interaction between adults is always boring and tedious, so I won't describe it too much for the time being...

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