In the second month of the lunar calendar, the ice and snow in Jin had not yet completely melted, but basic production activities near several major towns had already gradually begun.

Industrial production had started in the first few days after the New Year, with commercial support operations following suit. Some convoys braved the ice and snow to travel to the countryside, delivering supplies to the people during the festive season while also proclaiming the virtuous governance of the Female Prime Minister. Among them were also military doctors who saved the lives of many villagers during the harsh winter.

Political activities had not ceased either. Weicheng and Dongcheng seized the opportunity, organizing several New Year celebrations whenever the weather permitted. After the fifteenth day, Yu Yulin led the army in a grand military parade outside Weicheng.

Organizing collective activities during idle times was both a test of organizational skills and a way to improve the collective's organizational degree through practical experience. This was the method Ning Yi used in the Southwest, and Lou Shuwan was gradually learning it. Now that she had a slight surplus of food, she enthusiastically started to implement it as well.

Overall, the effect was excellent.

Many aristocratic families or merchants in the Central Plains who still possessed some wealth had sensed the impending rise of Jin. By the second month, many figures from various places had gathered near Weicheng. Some directly submitted requests to the Jin Dynasty court for meetings and cooperation, while more sent greeting cards through various channels to influential figures in Jin, hoping to cooperate and share a piece of the pie after the upcoming development. Even some large merchants who were originally active in the Jin area had secretly dispatched envoys towards this side.

The situation in the Central Plains was currently at a wonderful moment most favorable to Jin.

Looking south across the Yellow River, the situation in Bianliang gradually stabilized. This territory, originally controlled by the shortsighted local landlords such as Yin Zong and Chen Shiquan, who had close ties with the Jurchens, had now been taken over by the ambitious Zou Xu. After defeating Liu Guangshi, the current sage, Dai Mengwei, filled the moral gap for Zou Xu. In terms of their ability as rulers, they were becoming the most anticipated duo in the chaotic world. Given time, everyone knew that the two would accomplish great things—after all, they were targeting the behemoth that lay dormant in the Southwest.

However, aligning themselves with the Southwest was both a reflection of their expectations and their greatest disadvantage. No one knew when the Southwest's Huaxia Army would emerge, and they would inevitably inflict thunderous blows on Zou Xu and Dai Mengwei. Even the unparalleled heroes like Nianhan and Xiyin could not defeat the Southwest's Huaxia Army. How much of a chance did Zou Xu and Dai Mengwei have of surviving the wrath of that Mr. Ning?

On the other hand, Mr. Ning of the Southwest was also known as the "Heart Demon." Even if the army did not move, a few hints of his will, or the dispatch of some troublemaking teams to Bianliang, would be enough to give them a real headache. Therefore, even though there was some expectation for the short-term stability near Bianliang, most people were still worried about its long-term fate.

Looking north past Jin, news had already spread from the Jin territory, which was originally the greatest threat, that Xiyin's entire family had been imprisoned and Gao Qingyi was under investigation. With a deputy and an important minister having successive problems, Nianhan's Western Command, which had originally supported half of the Jin state, was in danger. The fact that some large merchants who originally operated in the north were now focusing their attention here also indicated that the pressure on Jin from the north had been greatly reduced.

As for the east, the Huaxia Army and Guangwu Army troops, who had struggled greatly in the past due to material shortages, were now getting some respite in Liangshan. Supported by past victories, the Jurchen Eastern Route still dared not act rashly. Moreover, the Female Prime Minister had provided a great deal of support to the Liangshan area in the past two years, which was a fact known to all discerning people.

To the west, the Northwest was almost a blank slate. After the destruction of the Zhe Keqiu family, who had surrendered to the Jurchens, this already barren land was left with only a few insignificant bandits and some vagrants who lived by the blade, making it basically impossible to pose much of a threat to the major powers of the world.

With stability in all four directions, a strategically located territory, and the ability to maintain peaceful relations with the major powers of the world, Jin was unparalleled. Furthermore, after Ning Yi's guidance, the Female Prime Minister's attitude towards the outside world was amiable and open. Dongcheng had also taken over various technologies from the Huaxia Army. Many businesses that were originally operated in the Southwest were now being put into production in Jin. Even though the output was not yet very large, if one wanted to get rich, where in the world could one find as many opportunities as in Jin?

With a slight expression of a desire to expand outwards, the interests of all parties had already converged. For a time, the excitement in Jin almost replicated the grand meeting held in the Southwest two years ago.

In the second month, after the situation in Bianliang had stabilized somewhat, Zou Xu even personally led a delegation north across the Yellow River to Weicheng. On the one hand, he thanked the Female Prime Minister for her support of Bianliang in the previous war situation. On the other hand, he also began to discuss more opportunities for cooperation with Lou Shuwan. The so-called Chinese Martial Arts Association that Dai Mengwei would be establishing this summer was also offered to Lou Shuwan.

The aunt and niece discussed matters in the Qing Palace in a harmonious atmosphere.

Regarding this matter, Zhan Wu and Xue Guangcheng of the Huaxia Army protested several times and were said to be extremely angry, but they were powerless. Lou Shuwan felt that she had gained the upper hand and was quite happy.

On the day of the talks, Zou Xu led his people out of the palace. As soon as they reached the street, someone lifted their cloak and fired several shots at Zou Xu: *boom, boom, boom, boom!*

Zou Xu was prepared and immediately darted behind the carriage, using the iron plate inside the carriage and the shields of his entourage to dodge the attack.

In such situations, the Jin side placed great importance on the security of their guests. However, perhaps they had underestimated the will of the Huaxia Army due to their long-term harmonious interactions, or because the assassination organized by Xue Guangcheng was indeed of the highest caliber, the hiding place of the Huaxia Army members had not been detected in advance. If Zou Xu himself had not been vigilant enough, the initial shots would have turned him into mincemeat.

But further assassination attempts could not continue. The experts among the Female Prime Minister's personal guards had already moved. Arrows, gunfire, and Zou Xu's own bodyguard team had all moved to surround the assassins, but the assassins were holding grenades. Xue Guangcheng took the lead and stood there, looking down on everyone. Zhan Wu, as the other person in charge, stood on a street further away, also with a group of people, watching the development of events.

After a moment, Lou Shuwan, who had not yet returned after seeing the guests off, appeared from the other side, her face ashen as she slowly walked into the middle of the group. Even when Shi Jin tried to stop her, she forcefully waved him away.

The situation was extremely awkward and complex.

Lou Shuwan's side believed that Xue Guangcheng and the others would not use such methods against Zou Xu, after all, the profit sharing from the last business deal had not yet been completed—in fact, Jin was too far away from the Southwest, and even if the money was given, it could not be transported back in a short time—but Xue Guangcheng had done it anyway. The assassination plan might not have been perfect, but as long as Zou Xu's reaction was slightly slower, he would actually have become a sieve.

Now that the assassination had failed, the assassins were surrounded, holding grenades, and acting like they had nothing to lose. The problem was immediately thrown back to Lou Shuwan and the people of Jin. Lou Shuwan certainly believed that the working group sent by the Southwest to support Jin would not leave easily. Xue Guangcheng and Zhan Wu were always smiling and seemed amiable and even quite sensible, but at this moment, Lou Shuwan realized that while Zou Xu could not die, how could Xue Guangcheng and the others be allowed to die either?

Lou Shuwan did not want to bear the wrath of Ning Yi of the Southwest if Xue Guangcheng, who had once saved the city of Bianliang, died just like that.

Having surrounded the assassins, no one dared to step forward. Lou Shuwan even waved her hand and gave an order in the heat of the moment: "Protect... General Zou and his people!"

The Jin soldiers quickly split off a team to surround Zou Xu and his party. Both sides were desperadoes from the Huaxia Army. When the nature of these desperadoes was unleashed without reservation, even if Xue Guangcheng did not pull the grenade, he could not guarantee that Zou Xu, who had been calling her "Auntie" just moments ago, would not suddenly come out and open fire, killing several members of the Huaxia Army on the spot.

Perhaps Lou Shuwan's instantaneous decisiveness pleased Zou Xu. That man, who had been hiding behind the carriage, and whose attitude had been amiable and humble, suddenly burst into laughter, his attitude unrestrained and wild.

Lou Shuwan turned to Xue Guangcheng and the others with an ashen face. She opened her arms, without any extra words, as if she wanted to embrace them. She, who had been in charge of Jin for many years, was now wearing a dark black dress, which seemed to have a casual domestic feel, but after opening her hands, her aura was extremely strong, and her pace was fast. This action caused Xue Guangcheng, who was also determined, to instinctively take a step back.

"Prime Minister Lou, you..."

"Come on, blow me up—"

Xue Guangcheng reached out and touched his lips.

"This is a feud of the Huaxia Army."

"Did Ning Yi tell you to do this!?"

"This is our business."

"You are committing violence in Jin!"

"The Huaxia Army has protested long ago!"

"—Either you blow me up, or you surrender!"

On the long street where the snow had not yet melted, sharp words collided and exploded in the street. Shi Jin stretched out one hand, also approaching Xue Guangcheng and the others, shaking his head and saying words of persuasion. The army belonging to Jin lined up in formation, shouting "Ah—" in a threatening manner. Around the long street, countless eyes were watching this iron-blooded scene.

Zou Xu first laughed wantonly behind the carriage, then quieted down. At this moment, he suddenly shouted, "Xue Guangcheng, Zhan Wu, since you can't kill me today—let's talk!" The three had not had much interaction in the past. Zou Xu came out of the first phase of Ning Yi's training class, and was even considered to be a senior in the many students, with a very bright future. Xue Guangcheng faced the Jurchen's swords and axes on the front line without fear, and was of an extremely iron-blooded character. At this time, Zhan Wu stood in the distance, and Xue Guangcheng faced the carriage over there and said loudly: "Do you know what you have done!"

"I know—"

Zou Xu's answer came immediately.