Mid-August. The autumn harvest on the Chengdu Plain was complete. Massive amounts of grain were gathered, weighed, taxed, transported, and stored. The Hua Xia Army's law enforcement teams were present in every inch of the plain, overseeing the entire process. Search: \(¨Complete¨Book¨God¨Station¨) to read high-quality literature for free.

In Zhang Village, the heart of the Hua Xia Army, the lights remained warm after nightfall. Moonlight cascaded like water over the small town, and patrolling soldiers walked the streets, brushing past the adults and children who lived there.

Inside the study of a small courtyard, Ning Yi was buried in a mountain of documents, writing furiously. Occasionally, he sat up, reached out to massage the right side of his neck, and pursed his lips. Hong Ti entered from outside, carrying a bowl of dark medicinal tea, and placed it beside him.

"The cooling tea has been sitting for a while. Drink it first."

As Hong Ti spoke, Ning Yi's eyes remained fixed on the documents on his desk. He casually picked up the bowl and gulped it down, then set it down and muttered, "Awful."

His voice was slightly hoarse, and his throat was sore. Hong Ti took the bowl and came over to gently massage his neck. "You've been too busy lately, overthinking things. Just rest, and you'll be fine..."

Ning Yi pursed his lips and was about to speak, but Hong Ti continued, "Alright, don't talk, just get back to work."

Ning Yi leaned forward, continuing to organize the information on the documents. After a moment, he said in a subdued voice, "The General Staff hasn't finalized the operation plan yet."

Hong Ti massaged his neck. "Mm."

"But yesterday, when I was there, they brought up the operation codename. I said we need to strategically despise the enemy, but tactically respect them. Those guys sleeping on the floor thought about it for a while, and in the afternoon they told me... cough, cough, they said let's call it 'Fatherly Love'..."

The night was peaceful. Ning Yi was dealing with the information on the desk, and his tone was relatively calm. Hong Ti paused slightly. "Uh..." A moment later, she realized what he meant and couldn't help but laugh. Ning Yi laughed too, and the couple shook with laughter. Ning Yi let out a hoarse sound, then cried out softly, "Oh, it hurts..."

Due to the accumulation of numerous matters, Ning Yi had been working himself ragged for the past few months. But a moment later, when Su Tan'er returned from outside, he retold the joke again. Tan'er frowned, suppressing her laughter, and criticized her husband for his lack of seriousness...

...

East of Chengdu, outside Yu Pu County, in a small village.

"Feather Saber" Qian Luoning was led through the dark paths and into a room. Xi Gua was sitting at the table, frowning and calculating something, writing and drawing with a charcoal pencil.

Muffled voices drifted from a room on the other side of the courtyard.

"...In Xiao Cang River, when we were killing Jurchens, I performed meritorious service! I performed meritorious service! My团长(tuanzhang, regiment commander) at that time was Feng Min. During the Gong Shan retreat, we held the rear. The Jurchens led tens of thousands of those traitorous dogs and charged over, killing until the blood flowed like a river, but I didn't retreat! I took thirteen cuts, my hand is gone, and my foot still hurts every year. I am a combat hero, Mr. Ning said so... you, you..."

"So, since arriving here, you've started compensating yourself, partnering with Lin Guanghe to be a local tyrant. Did you find him first, or did he find you?"

"...I, I want to see师长(shizhang, division commander) Feng."

"We met Feng Min before we came. He asked us to investigate the facts. If it's true, he only regrets not being able to personally send you on your way back then. Tell me, Lin Guanghe says it was your idea. You initially took a liking to the women in his family..."

"He's slandering me—"

The noisy voices grew louder for a moment, then subsided again. Qian Luoning and Xi Gua were skilled in martial arts, so they couldn't avoid these sounds. Xi Gua frowned and sighed.

"Another one who's a pity. Qian 师兄(shixiong, martial brother), how is it on your side?"

"In the past few months, Lao Niu Tou (Old Bullock's Head) has been very restrained internally, and they've reached a consensus on only reaching north and not touching the Hua Xia Army. Regarding the situation in the world, there's been internal discussion. They believe that although everyone has split from the Hua Xia Army, many are still Mr. Ning's disciples. Everyone recognizes the principle that no one can stand idly by when the fate of the world is at stake. So, they sent a letter to this side a month ago, saying that if the Hua Xia Army has any problems, just speak up. It's not a pretense. But Mr. Ning's refusal has made them feel a bit embarrassed. Of course, most of the middle ranks think this is Mr. Ning's benevolence and are grateful."

"They have a reckoning of which side you're on, right?"

"I'm willing to stand on their side, but Chen Shanjun, Li Ximing, and the others seem more willing to treat me as a liaison between you. Lao Niu Tou's reform is underway, and many people are actively responding. Actually, even I don't quite understand Mr. Ning's decision. Look at this side..."

Qian Luoning spread his hands and sighed. He was the youngest of Liu Dabiao's disciples, but his comprehension and talent were originally the highest. Now, nearing forty, he had already vaguely surpassed his eldest martial brother, Du Sha, in martial arts. Others were just echoing Xi Gua's equality concept, but his understanding was the deepest.

When Lao Niu Tou split, the people who left were still somewhat attached to Ning Yi – they were originally just preparing to offer advice, who knew it would turn into a coup, and then Ning Yi even gave them a way out, which made everyone a little puzzled.

Compared to Ning Yi, those who believed in the concept of equality perhaps had a deeper feeling for Xi Gua over the years. But in this matter, Xi Gua ultimately chose to believe in and accompany Ning Yi. Qian Luoning voluntarily joined the opposing side. First, he himself had such ideas. Second, as Ning Yi said, when things really became irreversible, perhaps only Xi Gua's faction would be able to save some of the survivors.

But as far as the current situation is concerned, the situation on the Chengdu Plain has become complicated due to internal and external turmoil. The situation on the Hua Xia Army's side, at first glance, may not be as encouraging as the unified thinking and poised-to-strike state of Lao Niu Tou's side.

Hearing Qian Luoning's sigh, Xi Gua got up from her seat and also sighed. She opened the window behind the earthen house, and the courtyard outside the window was exquisite and simple, obviously taking great pains. A warm spring entered from outside the courtyard and exited from the other side. A small path extended to the house in the back.

"The houses are thatched and earthen, but look at how particular it is. The man is a combat hero from Xiao Cang River, but after arriving here, he joined forces with Liu Guanghe to amass wealth. He hasn't read any books, but he's indeed clever. He and Liu Guanghe calculated the problems with the Hua Xia Army's surveillance and inspection, falsely reported fields, made false accounts, played with more than a dozen pretty girls from nearby villages and counties, and after playing with them, introduced their family's children into the Hua Xia Army, and their families even thanked him... This case was investigated too late."

Xi Gua shook her head, "Ever since the Lao Niu Tou incident, Li Heng has been anticipating the subsequent situation. The Wu Dynasty was defeated too quickly, and the situation in the world will inevitably take a sharp turn. We don't have much time, and before the autumn harvest, Li Heng said that the autumn harvest would become a big problem. In the past, imperial power didn't extend to the counties, and all kinds of things were handled by these landlords and clans who did the accounting. Now it's going to be controlled by us. In the first year or two, they were a little afraid because they saw us as fierce. Now, the first wave of resistance has already begun..."

Qian Luoning nodded, "So, the internal rectification in May, smoothly transitioning to the external crackdown in June, was to respond to the situation in advance...师妹(shimei, martial sister), your man is truly calculating, but that's why I find his actions even stranger. First, to change this situation, you and these clans will have to fight sooner or later. Wouldn't it be better for him to accept Chen Shanjun's advice? Second, if he doesn't accept Chen Shanjun's advice, everyone would definitely understand if he arrested them and locked them up in this critical situation. Now, being in this ambiguous state, how much effort will he have to put in to do the following things..."

Xi Gua was silent for a moment, "Li Heng has indeed been very tired lately. What you said, I can't explain clearly, but on Li Heng's side, he's very certain that you will encounter huge problems in the mid-to-late stages. And in my opinion, he believes that even if it fails, you will have great significance... So he's been sighing these past few days, saying that he has to bear the blame for the pot he made, even if he has to cry. These days, I heard that his throat is damaged and he can't speak much."

Saying this, Xi Gua tilted her head and smiled, seemingly feeling helpless for having such a husband. Qian Luoning frowned and pondered, then said, "Mr. Ning is really... so confident?"

"Scared?"

"According to the results of Mr. Ning's calculations over the years, who can afford not to take his ideas seriously?"

"This is also what's said internally in the Hua Xia Army, but Li Heng isn't happy either, saying that he finally got rid of a little of his influence so that everyone could think a little more independently, but now he has to pick up personal worship again. But there's no way, he's doing it all to preserve some of the achievements on Lao Niu Tou's side... You have to be careful when you're over there, it's easy to laugh and joke when things are going smoothly, but when something really happens, they might be the first to come looking for you."

"Mm." Qian Luoning nodded, "I came this time because they're not willing to be excluded from the operation against the Jurchens. After all, they're brothers, even if their bones are broken, they're still connected by tendons. Many of the people over there participated in the battle of Xiao Cang River and have a blood feud with the Jurchens. There's a strong call for joint operations. Chen Shanjun still hopes that I can privately walk your path and ask you to give an answer."

Xi Gua shook her head, "I have different ideas from Li Heng on ideological matters, but I still listen to him on matters of war. You only have three thousand people, and half of them are doing administration. What's the point of coming over? It's troublesome to unify command. Just cut it off. There might be two lines of attack when the war with the Jurchens breaks out. Changsha will be the first to start the war, and we still have some time here. You advise Chen Shanjun to focus on developing and taking advantage of the Wu Dynasty's turmoil to swallow up some territory and expand the number of people as the main issue."

Qian Luoning nodded. The two walked towards the door. In the courtyard, the monitoring team was carrying the gold and silver utensils from the cellar to the outside. The two figures were hidden in the shadows.

"As for this battle, you don't have to worry too much." Xi Gua's voice was light, and she tilted her head. "达央(Da Yang) has already started to move. In this great battle, we will leave Zong Han here."

The moonlight was like water, and Qian Luoning nodded slightly.

Support (Complete Book God Station) and share this site with those little partners who need it! Leave a message if you can't find the book!