My wife, Wei Gui, was 1.9 meters tall and fought against the Tang dynasty for the throne.

The Council Hall of the Water Conservancy Bureau.

Li Ju sat in the main seat, with a map of the Grand Canal spread out in front of him.

"The river freezes in winter, and although the canal transport has stopped, banditry is rampant." He raised his eyes and said, "Starting today, the canal protection army will be expanded by two thousand men, and the river embankment camp will recruit an additional one thousand men. The soldiers will be selected from the best and strongest soldiers who were defeated in the Liaodong campaign, with priority given to those who have fought in many battles and have no bad records."

Wang Yu clasped his hands in a fist and said in a gruff voice, "This subordinate obeys! However, there are still people planted by the imperial court among my former subordinates. What should we do with them?"

Li Ju glanced at him, his gaze calm yet sharp: "No need for forceful removal. The old and weak will be transferred to remote sections of the Yongji Canal downstream to guard the dikes and protect the granaries. Those who are loyal and capable will be incorporated into the core team. If there are any unusual movements—" He paused, looking at Du Chen and Changsun Wuji, "Du Chen will record it, and Changsun Wuji will draft the document, dismissing them on the grounds of 'dereliction of duty,' leaving no trace."

Du Chen nodded and wrote a few lines in the blank space of the ledger.

Changsun Wuji cupped his hands, his voice steady: "Wuji understands. We must ensure this matter is handled flawlessly, expanding the army without arousing suspicion from the court."

Li Ju nodded slightly, stood up, walked to the map, and traced the map from Luoyang all the way to Zhuojun with his fingertips.

"Remember, expanding the army is not for show, but to safeguard the canal transport and protect our foundation. Every single person must be able to withstand scrutiny and be of useful use."

Zhang Yi scratched his head and said loudly, "Rest assured, Your Excellency! I will personally select men for the river embankment camp. I guarantee that every single one of them will be strong and fit, with absolutely no slackers!"

The main hall of the Zheng family mansion in Luoyang.

Dou Kang sat upright in the guest seat, his expression slightly somber.

He was the brother-in-law of Li Yuan, the Duke of Tang, and was sent to Luoyang on behalf of Li Yuan's eldest son, Li Jiancheng, to ask for a marriage between Li Yuan's eldest son and the legitimate daughter of the Zheng family.

Unexpectedly, Zheng Jibo's words, "Guanyin has a prior agreement," blocked his intentions.

"Lord Zheng," Dou Kang said, bowing respectfully, his tone neither humble nor arrogant, "Since Lady Guanyin has made a prior agreement, I dare not force the issue. However, the Duke of Tang is very sincere in his desire to establish friendly relations with the Zheng family. I wonder if Lord Zheng has any other eligible daughters?"

Zheng Jibo stroked his beard and smiled, his tone humble yet sharp: "Lord Dou, you flatter me. How could the Zheng family dare to disappoint the Duke of Tang's kindness? Guanyin does have an old promise, and we dare not break our word. However, my daughter has a younger sister named Lingwei, who is fourteen years old, dignified and virtuous. I wish to betroth her to Jiancheng to maintain the friendship between our two families."

Dou Kang's eyes lit up, and he immediately cupped his hands and said, "Lord Zheng is truly wise and righteous! I will certainly report back to Duke Tang and live up to the Zheng family's kindness!"

After exchanging a few more words, Dou Kang rose to take his leave. Zheng Jibo saw him to the door, watching his carriage disappear into the alley before turning back to the hall.

Zheng Guanyin emerged from behind the screen.

Today she wore an elegant autumn-colored dress, her black hair was styled into a simple cloud-like bun, and she only wore a jade hairpin.

Her features held a calmness beyond that of an ordinary young lady, like a bottomless pool of deep water.

She walked up to Zheng Jibo, curtsied, and said in a soft but firm voice, "Father, I thank you for your kindness."

Zheng Jibo looked at his daughter with a complicated expression.

He was silent for a moment, then sighed, his tone gentle yet tinged with seriousness: "You insist on marrying Li Ju, and your father will not force you. However, in these chaotic times, the family needs to have a way out. Lingwei marrying into the Duke of Tang's mansion is the best course of action for both you and the Zheng family."

He paused, his gaze deepening. "Li Ju currently enjoys immense imperial favor. He's already a fourth-rank official before even reaching adulthood, a position of unparalleled power and influence. If he flaunts his abilities too much, he'll surely arouse the Emperor's suspicion. You need to think this through; this path won't be easy."

Zheng Guanyin raised her head, her eyes showing no hesitation, only an almost stubborn certainty.

"I understand," she said softly, her voice low but each word clear. "I believe him."

Zheng Jibo looked at her, remaining silent for a long time. Then he waved his hand, a hint of relief mixed with weariness: "Never mind. Go."

Zheng Guanyin bowed again, then turned and went back to the backyard.

She took the poem out of her sleeve, unfolded it, and looked at the two lines of text.

"A fortified city may be impregnable, but ants can easily burrow inside."

She looked at it for a moment, then folded the manuscript and put it into her sleeve.

She believed him.

I believed it the day I read this poem.

A cold wind howled through the streets of Luoyang.

Li Ju left the Water Conservancy Bureau with only his personal bodyguard Chen Wu by his side, and walked home along the streets and alleys.

Chen Wu was Zhang Yi's cousin, selected from the river embankment camp. He was tall, broad-shouldered, and walked with a powerful stride.

He rubbed his hands together and said in a gruff voice, "My lord, my sword has been used to cut down bandits several times, and the blade is dull. I'd like to get a better one."

Li Ju nodded: "Go ahead, choose carefully."

The two turned into an alley, and not far away was an arms shop with several knives and spears hanging at the door, clanging in the cold wind.

Before I even reached the door, I could hear arguing coming from inside.

"Hey, what kind of weapon are you using? It's so heavy it could crush a bull! Who would buy it? It's pure scrap metal! Get lost, don't delay my business!"

A booming voice rang out, shaking the shop door: "What do you know! This knife is for tough guys on the battlefield. If it's too light, it won't cut through armor and won't kill the enemy! You only know how to sell those fancy but useless gadgets for rich kids, and you dare to criticize my craftsmanship?"

"I don't understand? You're out today!"

Li Ju stopped and stood at the shop entrance, looking inside.

A towering man, carrying a bundle on his back, with a face as black as iron, a leopard-like head, and bulging eyes, was being pushed out by the boss.

The man was at least 2.1 meters tall, with broad shoulders and a muscular build. He stood there like half a wall. The boss pushed him twice but couldn't budge him, and instead stumbled a step.

The man snorted coldly and turned to leave.

Chen Wu strode forward, grabbed a long knife from beside the door, weighed it in his hand, and his eyes lit up.

He swung his sword, the wind whistling as it drew a sharp arc in the air.

"A fine knife!" Chen Wu exclaimed gruffly, examining it from all angles. "The weight is just right, the blade is sharp—this is the real deal!"

The dark-faced man suddenly stopped in his tracks, turned to look at Chen Wu, and a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes.

He spent several months forging iron in Luoyang, but those who came to buy weapons were all just for show, complaining that his swords were too heavy and his whips too cumbersome; not a single person recognized their worth.

Chen Wu picked up another iron whip, gripped it in his hand, feeling its weight, and grinned, "This whip is authentic too! Boss, I'll take both the knife and the whip!"

The dark-faced man laughed loudly, his voice booming so loudly it made dust fall from the shop: "See? Someone who knows their stuff has arrived! Hurry up and settle the bill, don't waste my time!"

Li Ju stood at the door, his gaze fixed on the dark-faced man.

This man was half a head taller than Chen Wu, with broad shoulders and a thick back; he stood there like an iron tower.

His hands were as big as palm fans, with thick knuckles, clearly the result of years of hammering and forging.

But there was something in his eyes—something in those leopard eyes—that was not something an ordinary blacksmith should have.

It's murderous intent.

It's a murderous aura that only those who have seen blood possess.

Chen Wu paid the money, then stepped aside with the knife and whip in his arms.

Li Ju stepped forward, cupped his hands in greeting, and said, "Brother, your craftsmanship is superb. May I ask where you are from and what your name is?"

Only then did the dark-faced man notice Li Ju.

Seeing that he was young, dressed in a scarlet official robe, and had a deep look in his eyes that was beyond his years, and seeing that Chen Wu treated him with utmost respect, he secretly thought that this man was not simple.

He remained composed, neither servile nor arrogant, clasped his hands in a fist salute, and said in a deep voice, "I am from Shanwu County, Mayi County. My surname is Yuchi, my given name is Gong, and my courtesy name is Jingde! Because I offended the local gentry, I had no choice but to come to Luoyang to make a living as a blacksmith!"