Through Yan Bingyun's narration, Fan Xian learned about what had happened back then; it was like this:

After the three Northern Expeditions of Qing, the Zhan family seized the opportunity and established the Qi kingdom. However, that founding emperor unfortunately passed away twelve years ago, leaving behind only the Empress Dowager and the emperor, who was only a few years old at the time, in the empty palace.

Although Qing had stopped its northward advance, the ruthless Chen Pingping was naturally unwilling to let this opportunity pass. He secretly funded and instigated some former dynasty princes and nobles from the Zhan family's side branches in the Northern Qi capital. Finally, they formed a coup d'état. Seeing that the Empress Dowager and the emperor, this orphaned mother and son, were about to be dragged out of the palace by the rebels, Ku He entered the palace as a friend of General Zhan Qingfeng.

At that time, three thousand soldiers surrounded the palace. Ku He sat in front of the main hall, behind him were the pitiful mother and son, and a large group of trembling eunuchs and palace maids holding candlesticks and brooms.

Facing countless guns and arrows, Ku He sat alone in front of the hall, and no one dared to act.

Then the Empress Dowager Wei's own brother, now the Marquis of Changning, crawled out of a sewer in a corner of the palace city and secretly contacted Shen Zhong of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, gathering a group of forces loyal to the royal family and killing their way back into the palace city. Only in this extremely dangerous situation did they stabilize the situation in the Northern Qi capital.

Afterwards, Ku He did not pursue the matter, and the Empress Dowager remained silent. Those princes and nobles who had attempted to force the palace may have been unharmed at the time, but they naturally did not meet a good end in the future.

Therefore, no matter from which perspective, the fact that the Empress Dowager can still sit securely in the palace today relies on Ku He's prestige and unfathomable strength at that time.

…

…

"Ku He is awesome," Fan Xian exclaimed, slapping his thigh. "Single-handedly blocking thousands of troops and horses, 'I shall go even if it be ten thousand people,' how magnificent."

Yan Bingyun glanced at him, feeling that his speech was too vulgar and showed little respect for the world's revered Grandmasters: "Ku He is one of the Four Grandmasters, detached from the world, but if he makes a statement, no matter who it is, they must be wary."

Fan Xian shook his head: "I don't believe those stupid rebels wouldn't dare to fire a volley of arrows; what could Ku He do?"

"Ku He took a blood oath at the time, vowing that whoever dared to sit on the dragon throne, he would kill." Yan Bingyun suddenly felt that this Commissioner was somewhat naive. "With Ku He's terrifying strength, in this northern land, he can naturally kill whoever he wants. If one cannot even protect one's life, and one's head is separated from one's body the moment one's butt touches the dragon throne, who would want to be such an emperor?"

"Grandmaster?" Fan Xian frowned, feeling for the first time that this kind of existence that had surpassed the realm of mortals was indeed a troublesome thing.

"What? Commissioner Fan, young and promising, doesn't even put the Grandmasters in his eyes?" Yan Bingyun looked at him coldly.

Fan Xian smiled and said nothing. He had only met Ye Liuyun, one of the Four Grandmasters, and at that time he only thought the other party's Sanqu ballads were quite pleasant. As for the unknown, but actually on par with these Four Grandmasters, Uncle Wu Zhu… Fan Xian had grown up with him since childhood, so naturally, he couldn't muster any excitement.

"Let's continue talking about the affairs of the capital." Fan Xian raised his hand to signal. "If the Empress Dowager listens to Ku He, and Ku He wants Xiao En to die…"

Yan Bingyun interrupted: "Why is Your Excellency so sure that Ku He wants Xiao En to die?"

"I have my sources of information." Fan Xian smiled, not mentioning Haitang or the secrets of the temple, and continued: "Then Shang Shanhu will inevitably side with the Emperor, gathering all the Emperor's party's forces, only then can they save Xiao En's old life… Commissioner Yan, do you see if we can gain some benefits from this matter?"

Yan Bingyun shook his head, suddenly thinking of something, and said with a smile: "In fact, in terms of strength, the Northern Qi side has never been weak. In these four years, I don't know how much I have seen… but I believe that compared to our Qing, Northern Qi can never gain the upper hand."

Fan Xian didn't understand why he would suddenly come to this conclusion, and was somewhat puzzled. Yan Bingyun laughed extremely happily: "Just looking at the court sending Xiao En back to Northern Qi, in this year or so, the balance and peace that the Northern Qi Empress Dowager and the Emperor have struggled to maintain will be forced to break. I really admire… admire the figures in the court who planned this matter."

The person who planned Xiao En's return was Princess Li Yunrui. Fan Xian's eyes were calm, but he sneered inwardly, and said: "There is nothing to admire; you must know that this deal was made at your expense."

"What do you mean?" Yan Bingyun frowned.

Fan Xian said: "It was Princess Li Yunrui who single-handedly sold you to the Northern Qi court, and then arranged with Shang Shanhu to exchange Xiao En back to Northern Qi… Even if the Northern Qi court has some turmoil because of Xiao En's matter, do you think it will really stir up much of a storm? You are just a chess piece being manipulated by the nobles; a chess piece should be aware of its place. I really can't understand someone like you who is still admiring the hand that is holding your head."

These words were somewhat hurtful; Fan Xian did it deliberately. He wanted to plant the seeds of hatred for Princess Li Yunrui in Yan Bingyun's heart. Unexpectedly, Yan Bingyun's face was calm, as if he hadn't heard anything, and instead continued to plan: "We cannot interfere in this matter. Since even Ku He is interested in Xiao En's life and death, the delegation is, after all, in a foreign country, and has no ability to interfere, nor is it necessary to interfere."

"I agree with your opinion." Fan Xian looked at him. "But I have one more thing that I need to hear your opinion on."

Fan Xian told Yan Bingyun about Cui Gongzi's matter a few days ago. Yan Bingyun's expression remained unchanged and asked: "What does Your Excellency want to do?"

Fan Xian was silent for a while, but since he had already started, he would naturally continue to speak: "According to the meaning of the Agency, we will gradually reduce the benefits that Xinyang's side is obtaining in the North."

"The meaning of the Agency?" Yan Bingyun looked into Fan Xian's eyes and said softly: "I heard that Commissioner Fan may be in charge of the Internal Treasury next year."

Fan Xian pretended not to hear this sentence and smiled slightly: "Commissioner Yan has been locked up for more than half a year, and his news is still very well-informed."

…

…

After a long silence, Yan Bingyun suddenly said: "Why are you telling me these things?"

"Because you are most familiar with the northern routes. If there is a day when we need to close the net… then from now on, I must start keeping a close eye on it, and without Commissioner Yan, I have no power in the North."

Yan Bingyun said calmly: "Commissioner Fan thinks highly of this subordinate."

"I have never thought that you are just a simple patient." Fan Xian said calmly: "I believe that if Commissioner Yan has the will, he can still be a figure who can make things happen in the North."

"Why should I help you?"

"Because I am your superior." Fan Xian's face gradually turned cold. "I am not requesting your help, but demanding your cooperation."

Yan Bingyun simply didn't buy this, and sneered: "It won't be too late to talk about this when Commissioner Fan truly takes over the Supervisory Council."

Fan Xian laughed and waved his hand: "I knew that playing this trick wouldn't work." He paused and said: "Actually, the principle is very simple. Princess Li Yunrui is our common enemy. It's not just that I need you; I imagine you also need me."

Yan Bingyun didn't think much, nodded very calmly, and then said very directly: "In that case, I must make it clear that your plan is completely wrong from the beginning."

"Why do you say that?"

"If you want to gradually compress the benefits that Princess Li Yunrui obtains from smuggling, you should not look for Shen Zhong."

"Shen Zhong is the Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard's Garrison Division. All the way north, who can I look for if not him?"

Yan Bingyun looked into his eyes and said: "Shen Zhong, the Marquis of Changning, these are all the Empress Dowager's confidants… They have been trading with Princess Li Yunrui for many years… If you want to start from scratch, why not go to that young Emperor?"

Fan Xian sighed and said: "Because I can't see through that Emperor's thoughts."

"The Northern Qi Emperor is a very pure person, a person who is easily excited." Yan Bingyun raised a finger. "Pure radicals need silver."

Fan Xian looked at him and said after a long while: "I trust you."

"Currently, I am worthy of your trust," Yan Bingyun said.

Fan Xian breathed a sigh of relief and patted him on the shoulder and said, "Don't worry, although the world today belongs to them, it will eventually belong to us." After saying these words, he left the room, leaving Yan Bingyun behind to savor this strange saying.

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For three consecutive days, the delegation was still dealing with diplomatic matters with Northern Qi. The chief envoy Fan Xian and Yan Bingyun were secretly plotting in the room. Gradually, Yan Bingyun no longer concealed anything, and used the information he had mastered to analyze it, clearly establishing guiding principles for Fan Xian's future actions.

It's better to be active than to be passive. Use delaying tactics for the Xinyang side, and also use delaying tactics for the Empress Dowager's side. Only the palace needs to find a way to make contact. Fan Xian had once had the idea of ​​visiting that General Shang Shanhu, but was coldly stopped by Yan Bingyun.

Yan Bingyun believed that these things were not necessary at all. If the other party needed it, they would naturally come to him. In Yan Bingyun's professional opinion, what Fan Xian had done after entering the capital was simply a mess.

Fan Xian silently accepted the lesson, knowing that he was indeed not as good as Yan Bingyun in these matters. During the chat, they also talked about reorganizing the northern intelligence network, but Yan Bingyun was obviously not at ease with his abilities, so he never let go.

One day after dinner, Fan Xian suddenly said: "That Miss Shen is very capable. She actually knew you were hidden in the delegation and came to your door again."

Yan Bingyun's face was as cold as ice, and he was as ruthless as flowing clouds. He said lightly: "Notify Shen Zhong, he will handle his daughter's affairs."

Fan Xian glanced at him, really not understanding how this young official had honed such a cold and ruthless mind.