The evening wind blew gently, and Wang Juyun looked up. "So, Chancellor Lou's idea is..."

"Someone definitely has to go," Lou Shuwan said. "Years ago, several of us had dealings with Ning Yi. I remember before he assassinated the Emperor, he was setting up the Qingmu Stronghold, always talking about doing business fairly, yet he took advantage of Tiger Wang quite a bit. Over the past decade, the Black Flag's development has been astonishing."

"...The Black Flag is named after Huaxia, but the name Huaxia is just a lure. His business acumen is beyond question. Besides business, the study of things (gewu) is one of his magic weapons. In the past, it was said that cannons could shoot ten steps further, and we could fill the gap with lives if we were desperate, but after the Battle of Wangyuan Bridge, no one dares to ignore this point anymore."

"...His methods of training soldiers, strict discipline and obedience, as Brother Yu said, he can enforce military law even while starving. Why? The Black Flag always uses Huaxia as a lure, promoting equality, sharing joys and hardships with soldiers, and even Ning Yi himself once fought with the Jurchens on the Xiaocang River front line with a sword...it's a miracle he survived..."

"...As for why the generals in the army are so self-disciplined, one reason is obviously related to the training and lectures in the Huaxia army. Ning Yi not only lectures senior generals but also frequently holds various lectures for the middle and lower ranks of the army. He raises soldiers like scholars. This is related to the developed study of things and the flourishing of papermaking in the Black Flag..."

"...In addition, business emphasizes contracts, and the people are told about the 'four classes'. All these things seem to be related. Ning Yi uses various innovations to form a cycle, hence the atmosphere of today. Although a bunch of softies in Jiangnan always say it's too radical and not as stable as Confucianism, if we don't learn and see now, and adopt the good things, we won't even have the qualifications to survive in a few years!"

She had obviously thought about these things a lot in the past. Speaking with her back to them, she then turned her face to the side.

"...This conference in the Southwest is very ambitious. After achieving victory in one battle, they even have the idea of establishing a country. Moreover, Ning Yi...has a grand vision. He even said in his heart that everything, including the fundamental concepts of the study of things, will be shown to the world one by one...I know what he wants to do. In the early years, the Southwest did business with the outside world and didn't hesitate to sell the *Principles of Gewu*. The little Crown Prince of Jiangnan also tried his best to improve the status of craftsmen a few years ago, but unfortunately, the resistance was too great."

Lou Shuwan paused. "Ning Yi even thinks that promoting the study of things and cultivating craftsmen only in his Southwest is too slow. He wants to force everyone in the world to think the same thing, promote the study of things and cultivate craftsmen in the same way...When he sweeps over in the future, he will catch them all in one go, saving him more than a decade of effort. This person is just that domineering."

Yu Yulin thought for a while and said, "I remember more than ten years ago when he broke with Li Pin, he said that if you want to defeat me, you must at least become like me. Now it seems that this sentence is correct."

Lou Shuwan turned around, and after a moment of silence, smiled gracefully. "So, while Ning Yi is generous, we should learn everything we can this time. Not only the study of things but everything. We can learn it all. We can even be a little thicker-skinned. Since he needs me, I can ask him to send craftsmen and teachers to teach us hand in hand... Isn't he amazing? When he defeats us in the future, everything will be his. Only in terms of the Huaxia ideology should we be careful. Those teachers are also human. If we provide them with luxurious food and clothing, some of them will want to stay."

At this point, Wang Juyun also nodded. "If that's really the case, it's indeed the best choice at the moment. Judging from Mr. Ning's past actions, he might really agree to this."

"With that Ning Yi's viciousness, he might turn around and throw the Shandong people to us at the beginning of the negotiations, saying that Zhu Biao and Liu Chengzong are the teachers and ask us to accept them." Lou Shuwan smiled, then said calmly, "There will probably be no shortage of these tricks, but we can deal with each situation as it arises."

Dealing with Ning Yi as an enemy was several years ago. Since the other party overthrew Tiger Wang's regime and helped Lou Shuwan and Yu Yulin to power, the relationship between the Southwest and Jin has been a honeymoon period of mutual assistance. Lou Shuwan's mention of the other party's difficulty now made Yu Yulin and Wang Juyun a little wary and their scalps tingle.

Lou Shuwan paused before saying, "The general direction is simple, but the details must be considered clearly. Therefore, if we want to go to the Southwest this time, we must have a clear-headed and trustworthy person to take charge. In fact, the equality that the Huaxia army has been talking about in recent years is in line with what Saint Gong said earlier, 'all laws are equal'. Wang Gong and Ning Yi had several meetings in Hangzhou back then. If you are willing to go this time, you might be the best candidate to negotiate with Ning Yi."

The setting sun over Yunshan was at its most glorious, dyeing Wang Juyun's white hair a golden color. He recalled the events of that year. "I did meet Ning Liheng several times in Hangzhou more than ten years ago. I misjudged him at the time. I saw him again later on the way to escort Fang Qi Buddha, after Saint Gong died. I thought he was not simple at that time, but I did not deal with him afterward. Until the Battle of Linzhou two years ago, I will never forget the brave fighting of General Zhu and General Guan. If the situation is a little easier..." He paused. "I really want to go to the Southwest and take a look... Also, that girl Qianqian and Chen Fan. Some things from back then should be told to them..."

Back then, Saint Gong Fang La's uprising shook Tiannan. After the failure of the uprising, countless clans in the Central Plains and Jiangnan intervened, using the aftermath of the uprising to obtain their own benefits. Fang La had already withdrawn from the stage, but what was apparent on the surface was countless actions from Jiangnan to the north to hunt down the remnants of the Yongle Dynasty, such as Lin Echan and Sikong Nan being brought out to reorganize the Maitreya Sect, and various clans using account books and other clues to implicate and squeeze each other.

Many chivalrous and righteous Jianghu figures in the Yongle Dynasty sacrificed themselves in action after action to rescue their companions after the failure of the uprising. However, there were also figures like Wang Yin. After the complete failure of the uprising, he saved some of the less prominent targets in the infighting of various forces. Seeing that Fang Qi Buddha had become crippled and was a bait to attract the remnants of the Yongle Dynasty to rush forward, he simply hardened his heart to kill Fang Qi Buddha.

His purpose and methods naturally could not convince most people in the Yongle Dynasty at the time. Even if it were said today, I am afraid that many people would still find it difficult to express understanding to him, but Wang Yin never expected understanding in this regard. He later changed his name to Wang Juyun in disguise. Only the propaganda of "all laws are equal, without high or low" was retained, but it has become more cautious - in fact, the more than ten years of wandering after the failure of that first uprising, for him, may also be a more profound experience of maturity.

The Battle of Linzhou in February two years ago was a huge shock to him. Under the situation where Tian Shi died and the Jin anti-Jin alliance in Jin was just formed and tended to collapse, the Huaxia army led by Zhu Biao and Guan Sheng faced Sulietsu's nearly 70,000 troops, defended the city and fought, and then directly went out of the city to launch a desperate counterattack, and forcibly defeated Sulietsu's army. What he saw at that time was already an army that was different from everyone else in the world.

Before this, because of the existence of Xigua, Chen Fan and others, he had a somewhat avoidant attitude towards the Huaxia army. Even if Ning Yi assassinated the Emperor and rebelled, he regarded it more as a force similar to Saint Gong. On the day he witnessed the Battle of Linzhou, he really wanted to go to the Southwest to see those ideas of equality that he had never understood.

If Ning Yi's idea of equality really inherited Saint Gong's ideas, then what has it become in the Southwest today?

The old man's eyes looked towards the southwest, and then he sighed slightly.

"...However, as Chancellor Lou said, the Jin are about to return. Under such circumstances, although we are not necessarily defeated, we should still try our best to maintain our combat power. The old man can still exert some effort on the battlefield. If I go to the Southwest, I can only take a look. But since Chancellor Lou mentioned it, she naturally knows that I have a few suitable people here who can make a trip to the south... For example, An Xifu. He had some friendships with Chen Fan, Ning Yi, and Qianqian back then. He came from the military judge in the Yongle Dynasty. He has always been my deputy here. He understands decision-making, and his mind is also useful. He can understand new things. I suggest that he lead the team to go south and take a look. Of course, Chancellor Lou, you must also send some suitable people."

Lou Shuwan smiled. "I also thought of this person... In fact, I heard that there are some gimmicks in the Southwest this time, and there will be some games and martial arts competitions. I originally wanted to let Shi Xiong go south to promote the prestige of my Jin, but Shi Xiong doesn't care about these false names, so I have to let those people in the Southwest take advantage of it."

"There are many masters in the Southwest." Wang Juyun nodded and smiled. "In fact, Qianqian's martial arts skills were not low back then. Chen Fan was born with supernatural power and got the true story of Fang Qi Buddha. His potential is even more powerful. I also heard that one of Ning Rentu's wives was on par with Lin Echan back then, plus Du Sha and others have been fighting in the military formation for more than ten years. It is not easy to win the martial arts competition in the Southwest. Of course, with the current cultivation of the Shi Jin brothers, there is always a 50-50 chance of winning against anyone fairly. Even if they fight Lin Echan again, the results of the battle in Zezhou that year may be different."

Wang Yin was a great master of both civil and military affairs. His Peacock Mingwang Sword was not inferior to Fang Qi Buddha's "Nine Manifestations of Yunlong". Back then, when Fang Qi Buddha was escorted to the capital, Deng Yuanjue, the "Baoguang Tathagata" who tried to save him, fought with him with all his strength, and could not defeat him head-on. It's just that he has rarely taken action in recent years, and even when he kills people, he mostly does it on the battlefield, so it is difficult for others to judge his martial arts skills.

At this time, his comments on the people in the Southwest are naturally quite convincing. Lou Shuwan curled her lips and shook her head. "It is worth discussing whether his wife is on par with Lin Zongwu. Back then, Ning Liheng was domineering and fierce. Seeing that the Lu family from Lyuliang was about to lose, he ordered people to fire cannons at Lin Zongwu. If Lin Zongwu didn't stop, with his appearance, he might have blown up the surroundings with gunpowder and killed all the attendees. Lin's martial arts skills are great, but in this regard, he is not as evil as Ning Rentu. I was at the scene of that martial arts competition, and I don't believe the propaganda from the Southwest."

Wang Juyun frowned and asked with a smile, "Oh, is there such a thing?"

The three walked slowly forward, and Lou Shuwan tilted her head to speak. "That Lin, back then, had some aspirations. He thought about finding trouble with Ning Yi several times. When Qin Si Yuan fell, he also thought about taking people to the capital to make trouble for Ning Yi's party. He killed Qin Si Yuan, and when he encountered Ning Yi mobilizing his cavalry, he killed most of his party. Lin Zongwu turned his head and ran away. He was still thinking about revenge, but who knew that Ning Yi would turn around and chop off Zhou Zhe on the Golden Luan Hall... This Ning Yi is crazy, what are you doing provoking him?"

Lou Shuwan smiled. "So you see, since then, when has Lin Zongwu ever looked for trouble with Ning Yi? Originally, when Ning Yi assassinated the Emperor and rebelled, the green forest people of the world rushed forward one after another, and even ran to Xiaocang River to assassinate for a while. With Lin's reputation as the number one in the world back then, it would have been most appropriate for him to kill Ning Yi. But have you seen him ever get close to the Huaxia army? No matter whether Ning Yi was in the Northwest or the Southwest, he always went around it. That knife on the Golden Luan Hall scared him. I'm afraid he never dreamed that Ning Yi would do such a thing."

The three of them walked and turned the topic to these gossips, which was quite interesting to say. In fact, in the early years, Ning Yi talked about Jianghu in the form of Zhuji storytelling. In recent years, the concepts of Jianghu and Green Forest have been deeply rooted in people's hearts. Many people know that Lin Zongwu's martial arts skills are the best in the world, but he ran to Jin to preach in the early years, united with Lou Shuwan and was later kicked away by Lou Shuwan. At this time, when talking about this "number one in the world", the female minister's words naturally also have a sense of contempt, as if "although he is the number one in the world, he is nothing in front of me".

Yu Yulin, who was next to him, was also one of the witnesses to the problem of the Lu village owner's martial arts competition with Lin Zongwu back then. His vision was of course much higher than Lou Shuwan, who did not understand martial arts, but at this time, listening to Lou Shuwan's evaluation, he naturally just nodded repeatedly and had no opinion.

The three of them proceeded like this, and after some discussion, the setting sun on the foothills gradually turned from golden to red, and the three entered the dinner. There are still more to talk about in the next day or two about the selection of reform, war preparation, and the selection of people to go to Chengdu. After dinner, Wang Juyun first said goodbye and left. Lou Shuwan and Yu Yulin walked along the palace wall for a while, and Yu Yulin said, "Although Ning Yi seems generous, the name of the heart demon should not be underestimated. After the selection of personnel, they must be carefully instructed to look at the actual situation after arriving in the Southwest, and not be deceived by Ning Yi's words and the illusions he throws out..."

Lou Shuwan nodded and smiled. "Ning Yi's words, the scenery of Chengdu, I don't think are necessarily credible, and you and I have to carefully identify the news that comes back. Moreover, so-called listening to both sides makes you clear, and listening to one side makes you dark. For the situation of the Huaxia army, listening to both sides is also very important, I will ask more people..."

There was quite a bit of unfinished meaning in her smile. Yu Yulin had been with her for many years, and at this time his eyes were suspicious, and he lowered his voice, "What is this..."

Lou Shuwan took out a letter and handed it to him. "Keep it secret as much as possible now. This is the news from Funiu Mountain. I mentioned it privately before, Ning Yi's disciple surnamed Zou, after incorporating the Xuzhou army, wanted to do more for himself. Now the one who is colluding with him is Yin Zong of Luoyang. The two sides rely on each other and guard against each other, and both want to eat each other. He is looking for a new home everywhere."

"If he can send you a letter, I am afraid he will also send it to others..." Yu Yulin just took out the letter, and after hearing this, he probably understood what had happened. "This matter should be taken seriously. I heard that this surnamed Zou got Ning Yi's true biography. Don't hurt yourself by contacting him."

"Today's Jin is very big. He can't swallow it even if he wants to. However, he naturally wants to have the idea of playing both sides and taking a bite of meat. These things depend on everyone's means. Don't you always think that he is so powerful that you stop in front of him. In fact, I also want to take advantage of him to weigh Ning Yi's weight and see what kind of tricks he has."

Night had already fallen, and the two were walking along the road hung with lanterns towards the outside of the palace. Lou Shuwan said here, and usually looked like strangers should not enter. At this time, her face winked playfully, and behind that smile, there was also the coldness and swords of a superior.

After Yu Yulin read the letter, he was a little worried that the end of the letter was really a Ning Liheng who was better than blue, and Jin was going to suffer a big loss. Then he felt that this young man was looking for Lou Shuwan this time, I'm afraid he would be eaten dry and wiped clean like Lin Zongwu, and he would regret it. After thinking about it for a moment, he shook his head with a smile when he put away the letter.

"The Central Plains, it's going to be lively..."

"Brother Yu is candid."

Lou Shuwan smiled.

Soon after, the two passed through the palace gate and bid farewell to each other. In Weisheng in May, the night was lit with dots of lights. It was waking up from the ravages of past wars. Although it may soon fall into another war, the people here have gradually adapted to the method of struggling in troubled times.

Lou Shuwan pressed her forehead and thought about many things.

Under the dark sky, between the mountains of Jin. The carriage passed through the streets and alleys of the city, and moved forward all the way by the lights.

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