"Greetings, Director Fan," said Lin Wen, the Qing Kingdom's co-envoy to the Northern Qi, interrupting Fan Xian's thoughts.

Fan Xian turned his gaze from the mottled city walls and said, "In this country, it's better to address me as Envoy Fan."

Lin Wen was slightly taken aback. He had been stationed abroad for so long that he wasn't entirely familiar with the details of the events in the capital. However, he knew that Director Fan was a rising star in the court. He hadn't expected to be corrected on his very first greeting. Looking at the other man's expression, he couldn't help but wonder if this young official was a pompous fellow, relying on his father's influence and imperial favor. He couldn't help but feel a little worried.

The deputy envoy, Lin Jing, smiled and explained, "Lord Fan means that since we are here to declare peace, it's best not to use the identity of the Overwatch Council, lest the other side be displeased."

Lin Wen then understood and smiled. "I will defer to Lord Fan's arrangements."

Fan Xian looked back at this Northern Qi-based official. His features were upright, but he looked somewhat familiar, which made him wonder. Lin Jing explained with a smile, "Lord Lin Wen is my cousin."

Fan Xian realized and laughed, "So that's it. As they say, like father, like son on the battlefield, and brothers who hunt tigers together. With the two of you by my side, I'm sure this mission will be successful."

...

...

A Northern Qi official walked over, and the three men stopped talking at the right time, turning their attention to studying the marks on the Shangjing city walls and the routes of the ants. It wasn't until this official walked behind them that Lin Wen seemed to suddenly notice him, saying with surprise, "Brother Wei Hua, you've come today too?"

Fan Xian turned around, looked at the Northern Qi official named Wei Hua, and smiled slightly, finding it inconvenient to say anything.

Wei Hua bowed in greeting. He seemed to be quite familiar with Lin Wen, saying with a smile and a playful scolding, "If it weren't for receiving your delegation, I'd probably still be enjoying myself at Lixiang Courtyard."

Fan Xian chuckled inwardly. It seemed that this one, like Li Hongcheng, had a fondness for that kind of thing.

Lin Wen quickly introduced him to Fan Xian, "This is Lord Wei Hua, Vice Minister of the Court of State Ceremonies of Northern Qi." He then introduced Fan Xian to Wei Hua, "This is..."

Unexpectedly, Wei Hua waved his hand with a knowing smile and said, "Lord Fan's name is known throughout the land. Why would Brother Lin need to introduce him?"

Fan Xian was slightly taken aback and bowed, saying, "I am unworthy of such praise."

"Lord Fan is too modest." Wei Hua's features were quite handsome, but his eyes always carried a scattered look, making him look more like a free-spirited scholar than an official. "A renowned poet, yet he became a Director in the Overwatch Council. Next year, he might even be in charge of the Southern Qing's treasury. Before this mission, he even uncovered the imperial examination fraud, with seventeen officials losing their heads, rolling and rolling... and yet Lord Fan has come to Northern Qi."

He laughed twice and said, "I wonder what your Emperor thinks? A key figure like Lord Fan should be kept in the capital and well cared for. How could he be sent to our Great Qi to suffer? What if... he catches a cold on the way? What would we do then?"

Fan Xian heard the subtle threat in the other man's words but didn't care at all. He smiled and said, "I'm not that fragile."

Wei Hua noticed that this talented young official seemed very interested in the Shangjing city walls. He couldn't help but say with pride, "This city has been built for three hundred years and has never been breached by a foreign enemy. Does Lord Fan also find it extremely magnificent? I wonder how it compares to the Southern Qing capital?"

Fan Xian smiled and said, "Magnificent it is, but it seems a bit old. It seems your country needs to find a time to renovate it."

In their words, they subtly insulted each other. Everyone was silent. After a while, Wei Hua said softly, "Lord Fan has come from afar, so I naturally have to be a good host. After official business is concluded, please do me the honor of joining me."

Fan Xian looked at him, wondering why this man's words always revealed a faint hostility, but this hostility didn't reach the level of hatred. He couldn't help but be curious. He had never met this man before, so how had he offended him?

Lin Wen laughed beside them and said, "Let me tell Envoy Fan that this Lord Wei Hua is the eldest son of the Marquis of Changning, who was an envoy to our court last year. Envoy Fan had a drinking contest in the palace, and the Marquis couldn't handle his liquor and fell drunk. After returning to his country, he kept talking about how a powerful young man had emerged in the Southern Qing, who not only wrote good poetry but also had amazing drinking capacity. Lord Wei Hua often heard this, so naturally, he wants to compete with you, Lord Fan."

"I see," Fan Xian said with a wry smile. Looking at Lord Wei again, he could indeed see some similarities to the Marquis of Changning on his face. Last year, he served as a deputy envoy and received the Northern Qi delegation, dealing with the Marquis of Changning quite a bit. Later, during the palace banquet, he had a good drinking contest with him, so he could be considered half a drinking buddy. He couldn't help but bow awkwardly and say, "Brother Wei, if you want to avenge your father, you'll have to wait a few days, otherwise, it doesn't matter if I get drunk, but if I mess up the affairs between the two countries, it won't be good to explain to His Majesty."

Everyone laughed and decided to leave the matter for another day.

———————————————————————

Shangjing, the capital of Northern Qi, was indeed prosperous. The streets were not wide, but they were lined with restaurants and taverns, with green tiles, light walls, and tall trees providing shade. The people on the streets had gentle smiles on their faces, full of confidence and self-respect, not like a defeated country at all.

Under the reception of Wei Hua, the delegation headed west, and they were arranged to reside in the royal courtyard behind the Court of State Ceremonies. This arrangement showed that the Northern Qi Emperor had given the Qing Kingdom delegation quite a bit of face.

Along the way, Fan Xian chatted with Wei Hua and found that this man was very knowledgeable about the Qing Kingdom's officialdom. Not only could he name some powerful figures, but judging from his tone, he even seemed to know Li Hongcheng, the son of Prince Jing. This surprised Fan Xian because the two capitals were quite far apart, and he didn't know how they had met.

During the conversation, Fan Xian gained a vague understanding of the current political situation in Northern Qi. Of course, before heading north, he had read countless files in the Overwatch Council and knew that the Northern Qi court was not as harmonious and glorious as Wei Hua had described.

The Northern Qi Empress Dowager was only in her thirties and still young. The Emperor had only recently begun to rule in his own right and could not completely control the court. The Emperor's faction and the Empress's faction each had their own forces in the court, engaging in a silent struggle. If it hadn't been for Northern Qi's complete defeat in the war between the two countries last year, which temporarily suppressed the contradictions, Shangjing would probably have been in chaos by now.

And Shang Shanhu was originally a general in the north, and he was transferred back to Shangjing for this reason.

Fan Xian asked casually, "I heard that General Shang Shanhu is a peerless hero. When will Brother Wei have time to take me to visit him?"

Wei Hua asked in surprise, "Lord Fan is interested in General Shang Shanhu?"

"Although I am not a weak scholar, I always admire heroes who resist the barbarians," Fan Xian said with a gentle smile.

Wei Hua's expression was strange, and he didn't seem to want to talk about Shang Shanhu. Fan Xian saw his expression and didn't say much, giving a slight smile.

The delegation arrived at the courtyard, and relevant personnel were responsible for arranging accommodation. After a long time, everything was finally arranged. As Vice Minister of the Court of State Ceremonies, Wei Hua naturally had to arrange a dinner. During the dinner, he tentatively tested Fan Xian's drinking capacity and found that this young official was actually drinking wine like water, perfectly practicing the true meaning of the word "wine". He was shocked and immediately gave up the idea of avenging his father through a drinking contest.

After the banquet, only the delegation members were left in the entire courtyard. The Northern Qi guards were very polite and only guarded the outer gate, leaving all the affairs of the inner courtyard to the delegation to handle themselves.

There were only five people in the room: Fan Xian, the Lin Wen and Lin Jing brothers, Gao Da, and Wang Qinian.

Fan Xian closed his eyes for a long time, confirming that no one was eavesdropping around the room before speaking softly, "We are in the heart of an enemy country, so be careful with our actions and words."

The Lin Wen and Lin Jing brothers were indeed somewhat quiet, nodding slightly in agreement. However, seeing that Wang Qinian and Gao Da seemed to be Director Fan's confidants and might not be very familiar with the current situation in Northern Qi, Lin Wen hesitated slightly before slowly opening his mouth and reporting the recent situation in Shangjing to Fan Xian.

"Shang Shanhu holds an honorary position?" Fan Xian frowned. This was completely different from his prior judgment. The Overwatch Council had originally thought that the most capable general in Northern Qi, since he had been transferred south from the wild and icy lands, must have been to cope with the Southern Qing's aggressive offensive. How had he become an honorary position?

"General Huaiyuan, the name sounds nice, but he is in the capital with only a hundred private soldiers by his side. There is the Shangjing Garrison in this capital, three Major Generals, and General Piaoji... Although General Huaiyuan has an extra 'Major' in his title and has a respected position, he has no soldiers in his hands. Even if Shang Shanhu has unparalleled bravery, he can only obediently attend court, dismiss court, and sigh while embracing his concubine," Lin Wen said with a hint of mockery. "A tiger kept in a cage, no matter how powerful, can only scare people."

Fan Xian tapped the table lightly and shook his head, very puzzled. "What's the point? Bringing such a guy back to the capital, not letting him go out to fight, just keeping him like this? Does Northern Qi have too much money to spend?"

Lin Wen sighed and said, "The Northern Qi Emperor and Empress are fighting, and everyone wants to win Shang Shanhu's support, but everyone is afraid that Shang Shanhu will completely lean towards the other side, so for now, they can only put him aside. However, Shang Shanhu's reputation is still there, and his appeal in the military is too strong, so even if he only has a hundred personal guards in the capital, no one dares to underestimate him."

Fan Xian shook his head and sighed, "No wonder only some private soldiers came to the Mist Ferry this time. I was wondering, for something as big as helping Xiao En escape, Shang Shanhu wouldn't be so negligent."

Lin Wen was stunned. He didn't know what had happened to the delegation along the way. Lin Jing quickly whispered an explanation to him. Lin Wen was shocked and saw that Fan Xian didn't seem to be injured, which relieved him. He said worriedly, "What is the relationship between General Shang Shanhu and Xiao En?"

Fan Xian fell into silence. After a long time, he said softly, "If the Council's judgment is correct, Shang Shanhu should be the orphan Xiao En adopted many years ago."