Go and capture those thirty-six fierce villains.

Huang Mu rolled his eyes twice, recalling Qin Ning's various experiences, and formed his own understanding of what she had said.

Yes, although this young Master Qin is young, he was issued a wanted poster throughout the state and was eventually found.

Not only did nothing wrong, but he also joined the Sichen Guard and became a fifth-rank cicada.

This is already incredibly incredible.

For most people, being transferred to a post is considered a punishment.

After all, there are no better opportunities for advancement here; it's just a place to coast along and wait to die.

But in a sense, isn't this also a form of protection for people?

Could he be a descendant of a high-ranking official who was separated from his family and lived abroad... or perhaps the illegitimate son of a general in the army? Or even a relative of a powerful figure in the Sichen Guard!

Several possibilities flashed through Huang Mu's mind, and Qin Ning, who was smiling lightly and had a calm expression, became increasingly unfathomable in his heart.

Seeing the subtle changes in the other person's gaze and expression, Qin Ning knew she needed to press the matter further.

He stood up and helped Huang Mu, who was still kneeling on one knee, to his feet. He lightly touched the three wisps of cool wind embroidered on Huang Mu's clothes with his index finger: "Today we are like cool winds and cicadas in the cold; in the future, we must not be like withered trees and frost!"

With just one sentence, Huang Mu's ultimate goal in life was elevated to a whole new level.

After making his promise, Qin Ning sat down again, took a sip of tea, and thought to himself that the tea at this camp was a bit stale.

"Tell me how the Autumn Bureau operates in Beian City. Knowing yourself and your enemy is the key to victory. I need intelligence and clues to find a way to gain merit and get us transferred away from this place."

After some mental preparation and a bite to eat, Huang Mu no longer hesitated. He walked to the entrance of the hall, closed the door, and returned, saying, "Knowing yourself and your enemy is the key to victory in every battle. Lord Qin, your words are truly those of a high-ranking military strategist!"

"There will be plenty of opportunities to flatter later, let's get down to business first."

Huang Mu chuckled: "Yes! As far as I know, the Qiu Department's personnel in Beian City are divided into three categories. One part is to monitor Prince Su in order to prevent him from becoming too powerful. Our Emperor is determined to weaken the power of the princes. In the eight years since he ascended the throne, he has taken away the military power of several princes. Some of those princes have died, and some have moved their families to the capital."

It's estimated that it won't be long before they take action against this prince who has been entrenched in Suzhou for twenty years.

"My previous unit was responsible for Prince Su's side, with dozens of colleagues named Liang Feng, all subordinate to a first-class Han Chan. However, there should be some other skilled individuals hidden in the shadows that I am unaware of."

Qin Ning nodded: "What about the other two categories?"

"One type of spy is responsible for monitoring the movements of the Great Spirit and infiltrating our country. Beian City is adjacent to the Chengchuan River and faces the border. The Great Spirit spies are active here, and it is also their outpost for infiltrating our Great Xia Dynasty."

Huang Mu continued thoughtfully, "The last category is supposedly monitoring high-ranking figures in the martial arts world, but in Bei'an City, it's mostly aimed at the Mo family. Their ingenious techniques and ink cores have always been the Emperor's favorites. However, the Mo family's Heavenly Craftsmanship is extremely difficult to cultivate, and the ink core production technique is the core of the core. Therefore, my Qiu Department has never been able to achieve anything in this regard."

Qin Ning pressed further: "Is there no one monitoring the northern grasslands?"

"The northern desert and Beian City have been at peace for many years, and those barbarians from the grasslands are not very good at intelligence gathering, so the Autumn Bureau did not assign any personnel specifically to them," Huang Mu explained softly.

So, the matter of the soldiers and bandits was actually orchestrated by the Sichen Guard to sow discord between the border of Bei'an and the northern grasslands.

Qin Ning recalled his previous encounters on the grasslands and in Blood Rain Fortress, and also thought of the respectful attitude of the garrison commander surnamed Gu towards Physician Yang and his party, and he roughly guessed what had happened.

However, mere instigation probably wouldn't require these three to personally intervene. Physician Yang and his group had previously stated their intention to venture deep into the grasslands, and the day before yesterday, Xu Meishan appeared alone...

There must be some bigger plan behind this.

Yes, we should report this to Prince Su as soon as we get back, so that he can make preparations early.

Qin Ning stroked the cat's soft fur, pondering many things in his mind, and then asked:

"You're in charge of Prince Su. The strange illness that the heir apparent has developed was caused by our Qiu Department. Are you aware of that?"

Huang Mu's face showed visibly surprise: "The strange illness that the Crown Prince is suffering from, was it caused by our Qiu Shu?! The Prince's mansion is heavily guarded, and the leader of the Mohist school is always by the side of Prince Su and the Crown Prince. Who has such great ability?!"

It seems that this matter is indeed a secret, just as Xu Meishan said.

Seeing that his surprised and suspicious expression seemed genuine, Qin Ning raised his hand to stroke his chin and asked, "It seems you don't have access to such classified information yet. Let's leave that aside for now. Tell me how you usually communicate, and how you report and receive missions?"

Seeing Qin Ning casually utter such shocking news, Huang Mu became even more convinced that Qin Ning had powerful connections.

"Reporting to Your Excellency, I don't know much about the other two categories. The brothers in charge of Prince Su's line usually report and receive information at the Eight Treasures Pavilion."

Qin Ning had heard of this name before. In his memory, it should be one of the restaurants that was as famous as Yu Shi Lou. He never expected that it was actually the secret base of the Si Chen Wei Qiu Shu.

Specific private rooms, specific seating arrangements, and specific dishes correspond to different situations and reporting methods.

As Qin Ning listened to Huang Mu speak, she made notes in her mind one by one.

Well, we can't just listen to this information; we need to find a way to verify it. Besides, if I want to earn merit and be transferred, I'll have to get the Prince Su's mansion to do me some favors.

The two chatted until noon when their shift ended, at which point Qin Ning patted the other on the shoulder and said, "Pick a room, buy some things to rest in, and don't meditate in this back hall anymore. The expenses will be reimbursed by the camp later."

"Thank you, sir!"

Huang Mu clasped his fists together and bowed in respect.

Strangely enough, although he was much older than this young Master Qin, he seemed to be the younger one in front of him.

Meanwhile, in the front hall of the residence.

Wang Bian carried the food box, walked to his younger brother who was dozing off again, and slapped him hard on the back of the head.

"Wake up, I told you last night to look at fewer picture books, come and eat."

Wang Yuan woke up with a start, clutching the back of her head: "Third Brother, you hit too hard!"

"Young Master Qin is young, unlike those timid cicadas of the past. And you're a newly appointed official. If you keep dozing off like this, you'll be caught red-handed!"

Wang Bian scolded his younger brother, went into the hall, opened the food box, and took out three dishes and white rice.

"It's not as serious as you make it out to be, brother. I think Lord Qin is very kind and approachable, without any airs at all," Wang Yuan muttered, rubbing the back of his head.

"You spoke with Lord Qin?" Wang Bian asked, holding his chopsticks, a look of curiosity on his face.

"certainly."

"What did you say?"

"He told me not to be so tense, and asked who the first few Han Chans in this camp were. Finally, he asked about the whereabouts of Lord Huang Mu, and then went to the back hall."

Wang Yuan picked up her rice bowl, told the truth, and then couldn't wait to start eating.

"Don't rush to eat, tell me what you think of this young Master Qin?" Wang Bian snatched the chopsticks from his younger brother's hand and continued to ask.

"Third Brother...wouldn't it be better for us brothers to live a peaceful life here in this garrison? Stop thinking about transferring. It's all about losing your head outside."