The Great Song Dynasty's Soul-Forging in Progress

The Chenzhou Prefectural Government Office, the inner residence.

As Chen Shimei listened to the report from his advisor Qiu Banxian, he crushed the celadon teacup in his hand with a "crack," splashing scalding tea all over himself without even noticing.

"Useless! All of you are useless!" His handsome face was contorted with rage. "Qin Tiehua is alive and well, while Qiu Laohu is dead! All the money and connections I've invested in Longsheng Ferry over the years have vanished just like that!"

Longsheng Ferry Crossing is located at a crucial point between the north and south. It was not only his main route for accumulating wealth, but also a key node for building his influence and transmitting information! Now that it has been taken down, it is like cutting off one of his arms.

"My lord, please calm down. Wang Zhonghua and Lü Sanjun acted too quickly and ruthlessly..." The clerk, Qiu Banxian, was sweating profusely.

"Get out!" Chen Shimei kicked him away, his chest heaving violently.

He paced alone in his study, like a trapped beast. The losses were devastating, his reputation utterly humiliated! Even more frightening was Wang Zhonghua's rapid rise! Brewing wine, training troops, eliminating dissidents… if left unchecked, he would surely become a major threat!

"Wang! Zhong! Hua!" he gritted his teeth.

Three maids carefully carried in some snacks, but when they saw his ferocious expression, they were so frightened that their hands trembled, the tray fell to the ground, and the cups and plates were scattered everywhere.

This sound was like a spark igniting a barrel of dynamite.

Chen Shimei suddenly turned his head, his scarlet eyes fixed on the three trembling maids. He approached step by step, a strange yet gentle smile appearing on his face.

"Even you... dare to laugh at me?"

He reached out and gently stroked the most beautiful maid's cheek. The next moment, his fingers tightened and he gripped her slender neck tightly!

"Uh..." The maid's eyes bulged out as she struggled in vain.

The other two were so frightened that they collapsed to the ground, their yellow and white bodies covered in a foul stench.

Chen Shimei didn't even look, continuing to tighten his grip until the maid stopped struggling. He shook his hand and walked towards the other two...

A moment later, the study was filled with a strong smell of blood. Chen Shimei stood between the three corpses, slowly wiping away the bloodstains with a handkerchief. The violence on his face subsided, and he regained his gentle and refined demeanor, only his eyes became even more deep and cold.

"Someone come here."

The trusted guards and Qiu Banxian entered in response, ignoring the corpse on the ground.

"Clean it up." Chen Shimei walked to the desk, spread out Xuan paper, and said calmly while grinding ink, "Send a letter to the Prince in the capital. Say that there are merchants like Lü Sanjun and villagers like Wang Zhonghua in Chenzhou who collude with border generals, privately amass military power, monopolize the wine profits, and run rampant in the countryside. They are suspected of... having ties with the remnants of the 'Prince of Runan'."

Qiu Banxian stroked his goatee and stepped forward to offer a suggestion: "It would be difficult to convince the public if a mere child said that he had ties with the remnants of the Prince of Runan. It would be better to report directly to the imperial court that he had ties with the heretical cult 'Zoroastrianism'."

Qiu Banxian's lips curled into a sinister smile. "Furthermore, we need to send people to investigate who holds the core of Wang Zhonghua's brewing secret recipe. And whether Qin Tiehua, who's by his side, is dead or alive..."

If open tactics don't work, try covert ones; if force fails, try softer methods. Wang Zhonghua, this game has only just begun. Chen Shimei sneered inwardly, this score will be settled with interest! Not only will he obtain the brewing secret recipe, but he will also make Wang Zhonghua lose everything he cares about, making him wish he were dead!

As Wang Zhonghua and his group carried Qin Tiehua into the entrance of Wangjiagang Village, the sun was already setting. The evening glow on the horizon was like fire, dyeing the entire village in a warm golden-red hue.

Under the old elm tree at the village entrance, Wang Zhuacai was hunched over repairing farm tools, while Yao squatted beside him picking vegetables. Although they were already wealthy landowners with maids and servants to serve them and a steward, Shen Fu and his wife, toiled away, the old couple still didn't forget their duties as farmers, always saying, "My hands are idle and my bones ache."

Hearing footsteps, the two of them looked up at the same time—

"Zhonghua!" Yao's vegetable basket clattered to the ground. She staggered over, tears instantly streaming down her face. "My son! You're finally back! My eyelids have been twitching these past few days, and my heart has been in turmoil! What happened to Tiehua?"

Wang Zhuacai threw down his tools and strode forward, his lips trembling. He wanted to say something but choked up in his throat. He just patted his son's shoulder hard, his calloused hands trembling.

"Father, Mother, your son is unfilial and has worried you." Wang Zhonghua's voice was a little hoarse. Looking at his parents' obviously haggard faces, he felt a pang of sorrow. "Tiehua encountered a tiger and leopard, and was even shot by an arrow for me, almost..."

Madam Yao gasped, reaching out to touch Qin Tiehua's pale face but then hesitating: "Good heavens... how much blood must have been lost! Has the doctor seen him?"

"Don't worry, Mother. Thanks to Doctor Liu and Miss Liu, your life has been saved. You just need to rest," Wang Zhonghua quickly reassured her.

At this moment, Liu Jueming and Liu Xinyi also stepped forward. Liu Xinyi, supporting her grandfather, gave a slight bow: "Greetings, Uncle and Aunt Wang."

Only then did Wang Zhuacai and Yao notice the grandfather and granddaughter. Seeing that Liu Jueming was white-haired yet vigorous and had the air of an immortal, and Liu Xinyi was elegant and refined like a secluded orchid in a valley, with dignified manners, they hurriedly returned the greeting.

"Thank you so much, old immortal, for saving my life! Thank you so much, Miss Liu!" Yao was in tears and even wanted to kneel down to pay her respects.

Liu Jueming quickly helped him up: "No, no! It's just a doctor's duty. It's your son who is brave and resourceful, giving us both guidance. We should be the ones thanking him."

"Father, Mother, let's go home first. Tiehua needs to rest," Wang Zhonghua said softly.

"Yes, yes, yes! Hurry home!" Yao wiped away her tears and turned to run home. "I'll go boil water and cook! You must be starving!"

"Mom, no rush," Wang Zhonghua called out to her. "Where are Uncle Zhao and Aunt Zhou? Let them make the arrangements."

As they were talking, Shen Fu and Wu Shi hurriedly came out of the courtyard to greet them. Shen Fu was in his forties, lean and capable, with his eyes always slightly narrowed, revealing his shrewdness; Wu Shi followed behind him, dressed neatly and with a brisk demeanor.

"Master is back!" Shen Fu strode forward, glancing at everyone before his gaze lingered on Qin Tiehua for a moment before turning to the Liu family grandfather and grandson. He already knew what was going on. "Master and Madam, please don't trouble yourselves. Hot water and food have been prepared. The east wing has been cleaned up, and the bedding has been aired out. It's clean and warm, perfect for Miss Qin to recuperate. The west wing has also been cleaned. Doctor Liu and Miss Liu may stay here temporarily."

Madam Wu had already walked to Madam Yao's side and said softly, "Madam, you please keep the master company and the master company company. Leave the kitchen to me. I've made chicken soup and prepared some light side dishes, so Miss Qin can eat them as soon as she wakes up."

Wang Zhuacai nodded with satisfaction: "Old Zhao, Aunt Zhou, thank you for your hard work."

"Of course, of course," Shen Fu said, bowing slightly. However, his eyes subtly swept over Qin Tiehua, whom Wang Zhonghua was holding, and then glanced at Liu Xinyi, secretly calculating in his mind.

The group walked into the courtyard, and just as they entered the gate, they heard a series of hurried footsteps—

"elder brother!"

A young girl in a floral dress flew out of the main room like a swallow; it was Wang Xiangjun. She had been eating well, sleeping soundly, and reading lately, and had grown into a graceful young woman. Her features combined the gentleness of Yao Shi with a touch of Wang Zhonghua's heroic spirit.

"Brother, you're finally back!" Wang Xiangjun's eyes were red as she rushed to Wang Zhonghua's side. Seeing Qin Tiehua in his arms, her voice changed, "What happened to Sister Tiehua? Why is she so pale?"

"Xiangjun, don't panic. Tiehua was injured, but he's been saved." Wang Zhonghua affectionately patted his younger sister's head. "This is Doctor Liu, and this is Sister Liu Xinyi. They are our family's great benefactors."

Wang Xiangjun hurriedly bowed to the Liu family grandfather and granddaughter. Although her movements were somewhat childish, they were very sincere: "Thank you, Grandpa Liu! Thank you, Sister Xinyi, for saving my sister Tiehua!"

Liu Xinyi smiled slightly and took her hand: "What a clever little sister. Your sister Tiehua will get better, don't worry."

At that moment, another commotion broke out outside the courtyard—

"Little sister! Little Hua'er!"

Qin Tiedan burst into the courtyard like a cannonball, followed by his panting old Qin. Qin Tiedan's face was streaked with tears. Seeing his sister wrapped weakly in her cloak, he burst into tears, crying, "Little Hua'er! What happened to you! Please don't die!"

Old Qin's eyes were red, and his lips trembled as he swayed closer. Looking at his daughter's pale face, this usually taciturn man burst into tears.