After spending some time with her mentally challenged elder brother, the sky was getting darker as she left the courtyard, but the festive atmosphere in the houses along the road grew stronger, with the aroma of sacrificial food wafting from every household.

As she sat in the carriage, heading towards the mansion where she now resided, Lou Shuwan composed herself after a brief moment of weakness. However, when they were only two streets away from the mansion, she saw another group of carriages and horses approaching. A middle-aged man with a dignified appearance dismounted and waved, signaling her carriage to stop.

The carriage slowly pulled over to the snowy roadside. Lou Shuwan opened the curtain and looked at the approaching middle-aged general, "What's the matter, General Yu, blocking my way like a fierce tiger?"

"I just came back from a gathering at the military camp. I went to look for you, but you weren't there. I thought you were celebrating the New Year in the palace. I didn't expect to run into you here."

The person who came from the front was Yu Yulin, Lou Shuwan's longtime partner in Jin. This general was not considered the most outstanding figure under Tian Hu, and he and Lou Shuwan weren't necessarily on good terms at first. However, after the Qingmu Fortress incident, he became closer to Lou Shuwan under Tian Hu. Later, the two formed an alliance, and during the rebellion that overthrew Tian Hu, he became Lou Shuwan's most steadfast ally.

Since then, for several years, he had commanded troops in Jin, fighting against the Jurchens. This general, who was not naturally gifted, had now become one of the most powerful figures in Jin. In the eyes of some with malicious intentions, after Tian Shi's death, only his power could rival Lou Shuwan's in Jin's political arena. Moreover, because of his male identity and his command of the military, most people believed that he would become the new ruler of Jin if he so desired.

However, during these years, Lou Shuwan and Yu Yulin, one civil and one military, had never had any major conflicts. Yu Yulin seemed to have no ambition for power and never truly challenged Lou Shuwan's substantive command of Jin. This was one of the most important reasons for the stability of Jin's regime. Many people lamented this, and unable to understand Yu Yulin's choice, rumors of a romantic relationship between Lou Shuwan and him occasionally spread.

But only a very few people knew that Yu Yulin's stability actually stemmed from the shadow cast during the Luliang Mountain incident. After witnessing the messy relationship between Lou Shuwan and that overbearing merchant at that time, the fiercer the Huaxia Army fought, the stronger his alliance with Lou Shuwan became. It was also because of this understanding that he, who had limited potential due to his lack of talent, finally navigated countless storms and even survived the ravages of the Jurchen invasion, becoming a hegemonic figure in everyone's eyes.

At this moment, the two most powerful leaders of Jin met on the street. Lou Shuwan got out of the carriage, "On such a big day, General Yu, shouldn't you be hurrying back to prepare? What do you want from me?"

Yu Yulin spread his hands forward, and the two walked slowly along the snowy road, "We are colleagues, partners in a job. I was just afraid you'd be too bored today, so I wanted to invite you home to celebrate."

According to the customs of the time, men did not worship the moon, and women did not worship the Kitchen God. The Kitchen God was a deity of the Yang attribute, while women belonged to the Yin attribute. Therefore, men did not worship Chang'e on the Qixi Festival, and women did not worship the Kitchen God on the Little New Year. At this time, as a single woman, Lou Shuwan, although holding a high position and great power, could still celebrate the New Year, but the Little New Year was somewhat lonely. His coming at this time was precisely in consideration of this.

Lou Shuwan smiled slightly, "Gathering for the Little New Year? General Yu invites me home at this time. Could it be that you've taken a fancy to this widow?"

"I wouldn't dare. Yu is not talented, but I still have a lovely wife and concubines at home, and a bunch of maids waiting to be ruined. If I brought you, the Female Chancellor, into my house, they wouldn't be able to survive. They would all die, harming my virtue."

"In your eyes, am I so unreasonable?"

"The Female Chancellor is naturally reasonable, but if they don't die, it's because they are unreasonable. So… today, let's just be siblings, gather at my house, and enjoy ourselves while we can, what do you say?"

They had been partners for a long time. Lou Shuwan could joke occasionally, and Yu Yulin could always parry with ease. Speaking of which, he paused slightly:

"The past few years have been difficult. This year, when talking about the affairs of Jin, every household has taken a breath. Look at this Little New Year, every household has some surplus grain. When I go to the military camp, they all say that there is finally some hope for these days. You've been managing the household these past two years. To put it bluntly, increasing revenue and reducing expenditure, attracting merchants from all over to rebuild Weisheng, and pulling in the Southwest to build the new East City – these are all your achievements. It's almost the New Year. Relax a little. Come to my house to worship the Kitchen God. I'll thank you on behalf of the people of Jin."

"If I go to your house at this time, Jin will spread rumors tomorrow that I am your mistress. If you want to thank me, why don't you come to my house to worship the Kitchen God?"

"If you dare say that, I'll bring my whole family over later?"

"...I really should nod and see you embarrass yourself."

Lou Shuwan rolled her eyes at him, and then they both laughed.

After a moment, Yu Yulin said, "...Actually, I originally thought you would be in the palace with Shan'er for the Little New Year."

The two walked forward, Lou Shuwan was silent for a moment, and sighed, "My face is stern, and I have too much killing intent. I don't get along well with children. Tian Shan is afraid of me. It's almost the New Year, let them be."

"...This isn't the time to be indecisive. You've become soft-hearted."

"Tian Shi was a good person. If he were alive, there would be a lot fewer problems in Jin."

"He's dead after all. Although there aren't many, there are people who want to take advantage of the child. If you let things take their course, you'll end up hurting him in the future."

"I hate children." After Lou Shuwan said this, she was silent for a long time before looking at Yu Yulin and sighing, "Brother Yu, I look at Tian Shan... I can't bring myself to like him..."

At this moment, she was not talking about politics, but about personal feelings. Yu Yulin opened his mouth, and his eyes became complicated. Lou Shuwan shook her head and continued to walk forward, "And maybe it's because I'm too busy, I don't have the time to humor a child and get closer to him... Sometimes I see how afraid he is of me, how they have to please me while being afraid of me, and I feel... disgusted."

"Never mind, it's not a big deal..." Yu Yulin also sighed, "He's only six years old. If someone wants to use him as a figurehead, they'll have to wait a few years... When the situation stabilizes in a couple of years, think about how to arrange things. Send them away. Preserve Tian Shi's lineage."

"Yes, that's what I was thinking too."

"Really not going to my house?"

"I've already made plans. I have a place to go."

"...Huh?"

"I was originally planning to go tonight, but since we've met, and it's still early, let's go together." Lou Shuwan looked at Yu Yulin and smiled, "I guarantee you'll be home for dinner."

"...Where?"

Lou Shuwan raised her head.

"Tianji Palace."

"..."

Yu Yulin was slightly silent, then nodded, "Let's go."

His words were crisp. He had come on horseback, but now he got into Lou Shuwan's carriage, driving the other's coachman aside, whipping the horse forward. The convoy passed through the icy city, heading towards the highest point of the city.

Tianji Palace was originally located at the highest point in Weisheng, and it was now a ruin. But in front of the ruins, in a place where you could see the cityscape, a small forest of steles had been built with the palace's waste. This was a cemetery for martyrs, built according to a southwestern design. Tian Shi's tombstone was the largest in front of the cemetery, and there were also many cenotaphs of other victims standing here.

The Little New Year was not a day for commemorating the dead, but Lou Shuwan had nowhere else to go, so she had made plans in advance. Among the accompanying carriages, some sacrificial offerings had already been prepared. At this time, a group of people came here through the snow. They lit torches around the area while talking.

"A few days ago, someone told me that you mentioned in the Ministry of Revenue that after the New Year, you're considering moving people to Liaozhou and Fenzhou, and even considering moving the capital there. Is that true?"

"Yes, that's true."

"What were you thinking?"

"It's just putting out a rumor to let outsiders guess... Brother Yu, Weisheng isn't a good place. It was just that the Tiger King rebelled and happened to choose it. Then there was war everywhere, and there was no time to move the capital. In fact, Liaozhou, Fenzhou, and Taiyuan Prefecture are much more convenient than here. If I wasn't unsure, I would really want to rebuild Taiyuan City."

"Taiyuan is a strong city. After it was destroyed by the Jurchens, it should be rebuilt, but it's too close to the Jurchens, on the main road. If the Jin dogs invade again, firstly, we may not be able to defend it, and secondly... even if we defend it, Jin's assets will probably be used up..."

"That's the idea... But that person from the Southwest is right: we should take a long-term view. Brother Yu, whether we want to or not, we now have the qualifications to compete for the world. If we want to compete for the world, sooner or later we will have to be able to defeat the Jurchens on our own. Expanding our strength to the north and first controlling the area south of Yanmen Pass is something we will have to do sooner or later. If we can't fight, we can train. If Taiyuan City can't be defended, we can retreat, as long as we stabilize the rear, we can still retreat into the mountains in the future. But if we don't dare to go out, we will never have hope."

The north wind was howling in the cemetery on the high ground. The two walked leisurely, lighting torches, their words calm, but the content had its own shocking power.

Yu Yulin smiled, "Although you are a woman, the Female Chancellor really has the ambition to swallow the world. I am not as good as you."

"I'm just talking big, but when it comes to implementation, it still requires Brother Yu's responsibility. This is what I'm thinking for next year: on the one hand, I will work with General Wang to conquer the Northwest to train troops, and on the other hand, Liaozhou, Fenzhou, or Taiyuan must be chosen as the focus of development..."

"...I learned something from Ning Yi: as long as we are willing to give up some benefits, there will be speculators who will take the lead in helping us. I am releasing the news to see what the outside world says. But Brother Yu, your concerns are also the concerns of many people. If the Jurchens invade again and we can't defend the area, everything will be lost. But even if we defend it at all costs, it will be Jin exhausting its assets to ward off disaster for the world..."

"So at the beginning, people's livelihood and farming are secondary. We must let the people of the world see that Jin has the determination to resist the Jin dogs. On the other hand, I have always wanted to bring the Huaxia Army of Liangshan into the fold. As long as we tell others that when the Jurchens attack, Zhu Biao and Liu Chengzong's troops from Liangshan, along with a unit of the Guangwu Army, will coordinate with Taiyuan, our pressure will be much less. I think many people will want to get a share of the pie in Taiyuan, a place accessible from all directions."

Yu Yulin nodded, "I understand. Even if we just do military settlements, just running a business would be good."

"Yes, the early investment is to prepare for war. No matter how long we can actually defend it, the place must be ours. One day, our soldiers will be tempered there. Even if we can't beat them, retreating is better than hiding here and trying to preserve ourselves..."

She paused slightly, "And I have a feeling that the Jin dogs' western army won't be able to fight anymore."

"How..."

"According to recently received intelligence, more than ten days ago, Jin Wushu led troops into Yunzhong and, in front of Nianhan, ransacked the home of Gu Shen Wanyan Xiyin. The whole family was imprisoned."

"I heard earlier this year that Xiyin had committed a crime. Has the result finally come out?"

"Most importantly, Nianhan tried to protect Xiyin, but failed. He could no longer control the power of the Yunzhong Western Prefecture, which had been competing with the Eastern Prefecture. In addition, Gao Qingyi, an important minister of the Western Prefecture, is also under investigation in connection with the case. After Wanyan Dan came to power, it seems that he has joined forces with the Zongpan and Zonggan factions and is prepared to deal with Nianhan first. Once the old general is gone, the troubles caused by the Western Prefecture will be much less..."

"This family of Jin dogs, who were originally said to be very united, are also engaging in this kind of power struggle..."

"It's inevitable. In the Jin dog family, Zongpan is Wugumai's son, Zonggan is Aguda's son. Who is Zonghan? He's just a powerful minister. When Aguda and Wugumai were still alive, old comrades-in-arms could establish the Eastern and Western Prefectures, but when juniors like Wanyan Dan came to power, the master's family naturally had to eliminate the meritorious slaves who overshadowed their master..."

The north wind was biting, and the lit torches howled in the wind. Lou Shuwan and Yu Yulin walked slowly, stopping in front of the tombstones, their words calm.

"And there are some very interesting rumors that the reason Xiyin was imprisoned was because a Huaxia Army spy used a poisonous trick to frame Xiyin's wife. This rumor has been circulating since the second half of the year. I heard that Xiyin even spread it himself, saying that the Huaxia Army is unscrupulous and has no bottom line, and will betray their own people at any time... That's interesting too."

"I've heard this rumor... Do you think it's true or false?"

"What does it matter whether it's true or false? When the Huaxia Army people were arguing with me, I firmly believed it was true. When we close the door... When we close the door to deal with the Jurchens, I naturally treat it as false. Can you believe what the Jin dogs say? I'll curse them to death..."

The woman said playfully, smiling slightly. She stopped in front of a tombstone. The name on the tombstone was Zeng Yuhuai. The tombstone in front of her was covered with snow, but she still remembered that fiery autumn, the lanterns on the ground in the courtyard with fallen yellow leaves, and that pedantic Confucian scholar confessing his love to her.

"...I have dedicated my life to the country, and I can no longer dedicate myself to you."

She reached out and swept the snow off his tombstone.

Walking not far away, Yu Yulin was murmuring something to Tian Shi's tombstone. At this moment, in the howling north wind, the Tianji Palace cemetery overlooked the city. People were banging gongs and drums in the streets, and many homes lit up with lights as the sky darkened.

She heard Yu Yulin murmur to Tian Shi about the achievements of the year, and then say, "Look at the lights of ten thousand homes today. If you have a spirit in heaven, bless this fierce woman."

Lou Shuwan almost kicked him.

She set up the small sacrificial offerings, which were like those of ordinary families, and murmured some words, then lit a few incense sticks on the blazing torches, the incense sticks swaying, held over her head.

"...Enjoy the offerings."

She said softly and calmly.

Yu Yulin looked at this side, and also at the warm city below.

The most difficult times have passed, and everything will get better.

At this moment, they believed so.

Thus, the wisps of green smoke rode the heavenly wind straight into the blue sky...

……

Chengdu.

Nie Xinyuan, "Mr. That Makes Sense" from Xigu Village, was staying at an inn, not yet returning home. He was still waiting for his first article to be published in the newspaper.

Since first witnessing the power of "electricity," he had seen in his heart the future that the sages had never seen in thousands of years. After coming to Chengdu, he was filled with excitement and wrote generously, but was criticized for his poor writing, stilted language, pretentious diction, and general unpleasantness.

So he stayed in the inn, buried in revising his article many times.

During this time, Xu Shiyao and a group of new cultural figures came over. They gathered together, discussing their views on the future and helping Nie Xinyuan revise his immature writing.

Yesterday, a small newspaper finally accepted his first article, promising to publish it on the deputy page on the twenty-sixth day of the twelfth lunar month. He wanted to wait here, and on the twenty-sixth day, take the first newspaper before returning to Xigu Village for the New Year.

In the afternoon, Xu Shiyao came over to invite him out for a gathering. He stammered, "I... I still have writing to do..." But Xu Shiyao dragged him out without explanation. In fact, since his article was accepted, he was so excited that he had no mood to write another one.

The participants in the gathering were all "new cultural figures" in Chengdu today. They had different identities, some were young masters, some were merchants, some were accountants, some were workers, some were down-and-out Confucian scholars who had drifted from other places. They all had their own unique insights into the new prospects of this world. When they spoke, they either considered each other comrades, or had fierce arguments, forming small groups. But at this moment, even people with different views were friendly to each other.

The socially awkward Nie Xinyuan also stammered with many people about the issue of electricity. That night, he drank a lot of wine, forgot his stutter, and sang generously in front of everyone...

……

Near the ancient capital of Bianliang, a heavy snow.

A young monk, holding a copper bowl and carrying a staff, was living in a dilapidated temple, using the herbs he carried to save a dying general.

Although it was a chance encounter, the general, who had deserted from some battlefield, drew his long sword as soon as he recovered slightly, intending to kill the young monk and steal his bag, which seemed to contain a lot of food.

The staff lashed out, sending the hundred-plus-pound body hurtling off the ground. The general's body, along with his half-suit of armor, crashed through the back wall of the dilapidated temple, scattering snow everywhere.

The young monk looked at him with compassionate eyes.

Since leaving Jiangning, the young monk named Ping'an was already thirteen, almost fourteen years old. After leaving his master and saying goodbye to his elder brother, his martial arts were in a stage of rapid development as his body grew. In the two months of travel, it seemed that every strike increased in strength.

The increase in martial arts didn't mean much to him. What he saw along the way was still the same war and misery as he had seen in Jin in the past. The Fairness Party was fighting in Jiangnan, and Zou Xu and Liu Guangshi were fighting in Bianliang. After you finished fighting, someone else would fight. People were displaced, and everything seemed to have no end.

The only change was that after spending some time with that Brother Long, his skills in using herbs to save people had improved somewhat.

He wanted to return to Jin to fulfill his only wish at the moment, to find his origins, but he had no idea how to do it. Only the scenes of the Asura hell rose and fell, waxed and waned, around the monk.

He remembered his master saying, "All conditioned phenomena are like dreams, illusions, bubbles, and shadows." Perhaps the world was like this. Before the arrival of the heavenly mandate, human struggles were meaningless.

But occasionally, he would also think of his elder brother Long Aotian, who always had the intention to advance. When he was in Jiangning, he never seemed to be moved by the groans of the world, only when he spoke of the Southwest, he would reveal firm confidence, as if to say that saving people in small ways in hell was meaningless. Only by doing what the Southwest did would there be a future.

For a long time, he had longed for the legends of the Southwest. In the legends of the outside world, the descriptions of the Southwest were various. He thought that one day in the future, he would go and take a look, and he even made a vow with his elder brother to compete in the Southwest in the future.

At this moment, he had arrived in Bianliang, and there were no more restrictions on him between heaven and earth. His master had also let him go. He was free to do whatever he wanted. Should he return to Jin, or go to the Southwest to take a look? He was thinking about such questions in his heart.

……

Huainan, Hailing County.

Braving the wind and snow, Yan Yunzhi, wearing a cloak, entered a teahouse to take shelter. The Jianghu people in the teahouse occasionally talked about things here and there, and she listened carefully.

In the final chaos in Jiangning City, her second uncle, Yan Tiehe, who had witnessed the death of many clansmen, blamed her for the cause of the chaos. Although there was later fair words from Chen Fan and others of the Huaxia Army, and mediation, Yan Yunzhi was discouraged. After inquiring about Long Aotian's whereabouts and learning that he had not returned to the Southwest, she quietly left the group and embarked on a journey to find his traces.

She couldn't say whether the other party was an enemy. She also knew that even if she found the flamboyant young man, with her skills, she probably couldn't withstand three punches and two kicks from him. However, so many clansmen from Yanjiabao traveled east and suffered at the hands of Shi Baofeng. Although her second uncle's accusations were hurtful, even in her heart, she couldn't get past the idea that it had nothing to do with her.

Finding that Long-surnamed young man and killing Shi Baofeng and his son Shi Weiyang was now the clearest thought in her mind.

After witnessing the martial arts of many experts in the Huaxia Army, she understood that her skills were still lacking. So, on the one hand, she traveled in Jiangnan, inquiring about various news, and on the other hand, she tempered herself on the journey, painstakingly practicing the sword techniques of her family. Alone, the girl walked in Jiangnan today, and she had already prepared herself to die at any time.

Huainan is now the territory of Fairness King He Wen, and it is considered one of the most peaceful territories among the various forces of the Fairness Party. Many Jianghu figures walking outside the teahouse chattered, talking about the situation in Bianliang.

During the Jiangning Conference, the great Confucian Dai Mengwei sent an envoy team to pay visits to heroes from all walks of life at the conference, lobbying everywhere. Among all the forces that sent envoys, the things said by Dai Mengwei's people were the most peculiar. He promised that he would soon conquer Bianliang, and if this goal was achieved, he would establish the so-called "Chinese Martial Arts Conference" in Bianliang, hoping that heroes from all walks of life would come to support it.

Such a promise did not put too much pressure on people. It could even be casually agreed to, and a little fame could be accumulated in advance. Naturally, many martial arts figures made promises based on the principle of mutual flattery. At that time, most people thought that Dai Mengwei said such things to help Liu Guangshi accumulate popularity. Who knew that the other party would turn around and cooperate with Zou Xu, eliminating Liu Guangshi. Now he and Zou Xu, one civil and one military, were feasting on the corpse of Liu's forces, and the promise of the "Chinese Martial Arts Conference" was said to be put into practice soon.

By next year, Bianliang will be bustling with activity.

That Long Aotian seems to like to join in the fun and gain fame...

Yan Yunzhi remembered this matter in her heart.

Outside the window, the sky and earth were filled with fluttering snow...

……

At the same time, in another inn not far from Yan Yunzhi, three senior brothers and sisters who had escaped from Jiangning were listening to a storyteller in the inn, telling the story of "Measuring Ruler" Meng Zhetao.

Ling Chu and her two senior brothers widened their eyes.

During the chaos in Jiangning, Meng Zhetao killed their second senior brother Yu Bin and then sent the three of them out of the city.

After that, Jiangnan was in turmoil, with rampant soldiers, bandits, and refugees everywhere. The three wandered and drifted in the turmoil, and recently found an opportunity to cross the Yangtze River and leave the terrifying war zone.

After experiencing the edge of life and death, the three's martial arts had improved. In their hearts, they still remembered their hatred for Meng Zhetao.

However, after arriving here and listening to the storyteller's narrative, the three realized what Meng Zhetao had done that night.

It turned out that the senior brother had become a member of the Reading Society. After sending them away, he went to kill Xu Zhaonan, and then died in a fierce martial arts competition with the number one person in the world.

It turned out that the unrighteous senior brother had already become a master who could compete with the number one person in the world...

The things Meng Zhetao left behind were transferred to He Wen by Ling Xiao, who had been following him. Therefore, the publicity version circulating in He Wen's territory described his confusion and pursuit along the way in the most detail. Only at this moment did the three brothers and sisters vaguely see the judgment and suffering that the man who was still confident after killing his master had endured behind his back.

After the great river sings, heroes also have generous and tragic songs.

They moved forward with hatred, but the object of their hatred had already fallen in the darkest night.

When the story came to an end, the storyteller talked about the Reading Society...

……

He Wen promoted Meng Zhetao in his territory.

On the other side of the battlefield, in the territory of "King Wheel" Xu Zhaonan, Lin Zongwu was training the martial arts of a group of experts in the wind and snow.

According to the planned schedule, he was going to train the "special forces" that he had promised Xu Zhaonan.

Even though Wang Nanto, who planned this matter with him, was no longer there, and the disciples he had kept by his side for several years had already embarked on new paths.

He was already alone.

He had to hold on to the remnants and move forward...

……

In the mountains, Long Aotian and Little Bitch Dog performed a proper Kitchen God worship ceremony.

Qu Longjun knelt on the bed next to him, watching the young man say a few words to the Kitchen God in a serious manner.

The dinner they were going to eat was placed on the stove.

In folk customs, the Kitchen God is a deity who descends to earth on behalf of the Jade Emperor to look after the people's livelihood in every household. Through the cooking smoke from each household, he knows whether this family is prosperous and diligent. He goes to heaven during the Little New Year to report to the Jade Emperor, and the Jade Emperor will bestow blessings on those who work hard and live well.

This is the beautiful thought of people in times of peace.

In another direction, every stove with a Kitchen God represents a family in the world.

She no longer had a home.

And the other party promised yesterday that he would take her with him.

She sat there, thinking about these things, smiling so sweetly...

……

Fuzhou.

In the palace, decorated with lanterns and colored banners, the emperor Junwu, who was determined to govern well, warmly welcomed the many ministers who had worked hard for him in the past year.

Various actions such as mastering military power, re-using new talents, respecting the king and repelling barbarians, and seizing power from below were beginning to take effect. Some rashly acting big families were hit head-on and couldn't raise their heads, and after realizing the new emperor's determination, some old ministers with loyalty and skills also offered suggestions to the emperor, sharing various methods of wooing and dividing the lower nobles. The people who had been walking anxiously saw hope for the first time.

The number of patriotic people of insight without a foundation who recognized respecting the king and repelling the barbarians and wanted to work for the new emperor was still increasing.

The first batch of merchant fleets had also left here long ago, heading to the distant Nanyang.

Like all parties in the world, they also had the leisure to take a breather.

This was the winter of the second year of the Wu Dynasty's revival.

The auspicious snow foretold a bumper year.

……

The clouds in the sky,

Seemed to have melted into a grayish-white expanse.

Below, the wilderness was covered with a thin layer of snow.

A long road ran through the snowy wilderness, and in the distance were

The faint and peaceful villages. The cover of gray clouds made the time seem like evening. Some villages lit fires, and the orange color added to the festive warmth and popularity.

The carriage bumped slowly, traveling the long road.

Ning Yi and Shishi sat by the carriage, looking at the scenery, speaking slowly, while Juan'er was organizing the documents in the carriage a little further inside.

Ning Yi was wearing a dark-colored coat, while Shishi was wearing a white fur coat, with white fluff on her warm boots.

They had not talked about the arrangement of Li Rulai for too long. Since the land reform began, Ning Yi had left Chengdu and had not seen the people around him for more than a month. Even for the complex land reform, there was not much to say at this time. Instead, they talked a few words about the problem of Yu Hezhong, told some jokes about Dai Mengwei, and then there were only trivial matters.

The peaceful, snowy wilderness, the peaceful Little New Year, unpleasant problems, and worries in the heart did not need to be said too much. After experiencing a long period of war, this journey home suddenly reminded people of the spring outings in Jiangning and the poetry gatherings in Bianliang in those years. At that time, the world and nature also had troubling chaos, but more people's lives still had the peace and joy of peaceful times, and more people had not suffered hardships and lost their lives in more than ten years of turmoil.

This journey was like the surge of the river, like a magnificent song.

They would never return to the scene of those years.

Instead, they were driving towards a deep future that was completely different from the past.

Before groping for the correct path.

Perhaps they would still experience a long night...