The Great Song Dynasty's Soul-Forging in Progress

The doors and windows were tightly shut, and the flames in the charcoal brazier burned quietly, illuminating Wang Zhonghua's calm yet sharp face. Du Ziteng, Duan Gong, and Lü Maoyi stood solemnly before him, their faces devoid of the relaxed New Year's atmosphere, replaced by a grave solemnity before battle.

"Is everything arranged?" Wang Zhonghua's voice was not loud, but it carried an undeniable determination.

"Don't worry, Young Master Wang," Du Ziteng said in a low voice, speaking very quickly, "The Brotherhood has been able to mobilize a total of twenty-eight skilled men, who have been divided into three teams, led by Duan Gong, Lü Maoyi, and myself, to secretly protect the manor and ensure the safety of the Master, Madam, and Miss. The manpower at all the sentry posts in the stronghold has also been doubled, and patrols are being conducted day and night."

Duan Gong added, "In Chenzhou City, Ma Nao and Zhang Simao have already set up spies inside and outside the Xiange Tower as planned. I have also personally scouted the routes to the banquet and selected three, so we can be prepared for any eventuality."

Lu Maoyi calmly said, "The defenses within the manor were also secretly reinforced at several key points during the holiday repairs. Special personnel were assigned to guard the granary and well."

Wang Zhonghua nodded, tapping his fingers lightly on the table as his gaze swept over the three men: "General Di has sent men to garrison Sanyi Village, so we are certainly safe, but 'it's easy to dodge a spear in the open, but hard to guard against an arrow in the dark.' We must not let our guard down. Remember, tomorrow's banquet is a trap, but it's also our chance to make our debut. Chen Shimei will definitely launch an attack, but he will never imagine how delayed his information will be after His Majesty's departure. What we need to do is remain calm and wait for the right moment to act, responding to each move as it comes. Du Ziteng, you are in charge of external support and communication within the city. Duan Gong, your men are responsible for monitoring key sections of the road. Lü Maoyi, guard our home; this is our foundation, and we must not allow any chaos!"

"Yes!" the three answered in unison, their eyes resolute.

Wang Zhonghua stood up, walked to the window, gently pushed it open a crack, and looked out at the courtyard. His mother was holding Liu Xinyi's hand and talking, Liu Jueming and his father seemed to be exchanging ideas, and his younger sister Wang Xiangjun was running and jumping happily with a sachet in her hand... This warm and peaceful scene was what he desperately wanted to protect.

However, beneath the warm smoke from the chimneys lay turbulent undercurrents; within the anticipation of the New Year lay the cold glint of a blade. Wang Zhonghua took a deep breath, burying his longing for his family deep in his heart, his eyes once again hardening like iron.

He had to attend this "victory celebration banquet," and he had to go looking his best!

On the 23rd day of the twelfth lunar month, just past 11 PM, the most bustling area around Xiange Lake in Chenzhou City was already teeming with people and carriages.

The warm winter sun slanted across the lake, scattering countless golden glitters that made the entire "Xiange Renjia" (a place for singing and dancing) shine like a celestial palace. The brand-new plaque, personally inscribed by Ouyang Gong, a master of officialdom and a leader in the literary world, had each character coated in gold powder, almost dazzling in the sunlight, as if proclaiming to all of Chenzhou—this is now the commercial center of Chenzhou, the heart of the restaurant.

In front of the restaurant, a red carpet stretched from the steps all the way to the center of the street, a hundred paces long. Every ten paces along either side stood a pair of large, vermilion lanterns; though the candles inside were not yet lit, the heavy festive atmosphere was already overwhelming. Even more impressive was the ceremonial guard of the government office arranged on both sides of the red carpet. Swordsmen and flag bearers stood solemnly, the gleaming armor contrasting with the warmth of the red lanterns, creating an eerie solemnity—this was hardly the pomp and circumstance of a newly opened restaurant; it was clearly the protocol for an imperial envoy inspecting the border!

Xiange Lake, once a favorite haunt of scholars, merchants, and magnates, was now completely deserted. Along the lakeside, beneath the weeping willows, guards stood every five steps and sentries every ten, a crisscrossing network of elite constables from Chenzhou Prefecture, servants from the Lü family, and members of the "Brotherhood." Those young masters who usually swaggered about in their finery dared not even approach in their carriages today, instead stopping three streets away and walking, their boots muddy, yet daring not to utter a trace of resentment.

"Have you heard? Today isn't just a victory celebration banquet; the Prefect himself will be presenting a plaque to Young Master Wang!"

"More than that! I personally saw Magistrate Tong's sedan chair, followed by eight horse-drawn carts fully loaded with goods. Those boxes were so heavy; could they be for the betrothal gifts for Young Master Wang?"

"What do you know! My third maternal uncle's cousin works in the government office, and he said a secret imperial edict has arrived from the capital..."

At the street corner, a few idlers whispered among themselves, but before they could finish speaking, a patrolling constable glared at them and made them shrink back. Today in Chenzhou, even the wind blew with unusual caution.

When Wang Zhonghua and his entourage arrived, this was the scene that greeted them. He had changed into an indigo brocade robe, which, while not overly luxurious, accentuated his tall and composed figure. Qin Tiehua was still dressed in a sharp, tailored outfit, with a fox fur cloak for warmth. The heroic spirit between his brows contrasted sharply with the surrounding feminine air, yet he possessed a unique charm. Liu Xinyi wore a moon-white dress embroidered with pale purple magnolia flowers, with a snow fox cloak over it. She was elegant and refined, carrying a medicine chest, her expression serene, as if the surrounding clamor was irrelevant to her.

Ma Nao had been anxiously waiting at the door. Upon seeing them arrive, he hurried forward and whispered, "Master, you've finally arrived! The place is almost full; all sorts of deities have arrived."

Wang Zhonghua nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping over the endless stream of guests, many of whom were familiar faces—representatives of merchants who had been able to operate steadily at Longsheng Ferry, gentry who had been protected by "Sanyi Village," and many literati who had come upon hearing the news, hoping to catch a glimpse of "Wang Zhonghua." Inside the restaurant, the sounds of people chatting and drinking could be faintly heard, and waiters carrying exquisite dishes moved swiftly among the diners.

"Have all the people been arranged?" Wang Zhonghua asked in a low voice as he walked inside.

"Everything has been arranged according to your instructions." Ma Nao followed closely beside him, leading them through a side passage to a relatively quiet area in the backyard. "The ten newly recruited servants are all waiting in the backyard for your inspection, Master. They are all from respectable families, clever, and hardworking, as you have set the rules for them."

Upon arriving at a secluded room in the backyard, ten boys, around fifteen or sixteen years old, stood in a neat row. Each of them was clean and tidy, their eyes filled with the nervousness of a newcomer and anticipation for the future.

Ma Nao stepped forward and began to introduce them one by one: "Boss, Miss Qin, Miss Liu, these are the ten newly recruited people. This is Li Gou'er, this is Zhao Xiaoshuan..."

Wang Zhonghua's gaze slowly swept over Ma Nao's introduction, a gentle smile on his face, occasionally nodding. When Ma Nao introduced the boy ranked seventh, Wang Zhonghua's gaze paused almost imperceptibly.

"This is Lü Wang'er, she's sixteen years old and comes from Sidugang in Xihua County," Ma Nao introduced.

Upon hearing the voice, the young man quickly stepped forward, bowed, and said with a slightly restrained but not flustered manner, "This humble one is Lü Wang'er, greetings to the master and the two young ladies."

Wang Zhonghua scrutinized him closely. The boy was slightly thin, but his frame was well-proportioned, and there was still a hint of childishness between his brows. His skin was a healthy tan, his nose was straight, and the contours of his lips... Wang Zhonghua's heart stirred inexplicably.

Wang Zhonghua's gaze was fixed on the boy's face, scrutinizing it inch by inch, like a blacksmith examining a piece of unforged iron.

The boy was about sixteen or seventeen years old, his body as thin as paper, yet possessing a resilient strength, as if a gust of wind could topple him, yet his heels were firmly welded to the ground. His wheat-colored skin was tanned from the sun in the fields, healthy and even, unlike the superficial paleness of city playboys. His nose was straight and delicate, giving him the appearance of a scholar. But those lips—Wang Zhonghua's heart tightened for no reason—the shape of his lips was clearly the style inherited from the Lü family, with slightly protruding cupid's bow and naturally upturned corners, giving him a gentle and mild demeanor even when not smiling. But once he pursed his lips, the downward curve was exactly like Lü Sanjun's when he was calculating money and people's hearts, like a soft knife, its sharpness hidden in the shadows.

Looking further down, those eyes were the key. The pupils were a light amber-chestnut color, always carrying a mixture of caution and scrutiny when they looked at people. When they rolled their eyes upwards, revealing a large expanse of white, Wang Zhonghua recognized that expression all too well—

When Lü Sanjun was calculating money in the accounting room and weighing the pros and cons at the banquet, he had this kind of look in his eyes. Although this young man did not have Lü Sanjun's wealthy and shrewd appearance, he was as clean-cut as the old master Lü, and did not look like he had been corrupted by wine, women and money.

Just how many secrets is this person hiding?