After saving the Empress, I became the top scholar in the imperial examination.

Ning Nan glanced up at her, sighed helplessly, and gripped the pen handle with his right hand.

"Let me tell you the list," he said.

"Mmm." Zhen Susu covered her mouth with her small hand and looked at him with a pair of aggrieved eyes.

They expressed that they didn't know what the cult leader was talking about regarding the "list," and also pointed out that the cult leader had just told them to "shut up."

Ning Nan took the lead and said:

"Tell me the list of those who died during your assassination attempt on Li Wei in Huai'an."

The fox opposite, who was covering its mouth, was momentarily stunned.

"You've done a great job this time."

Ning Nan paused for a moment, then calmly said:

"Or rather, I owe you a favor. I am merely your acting leader, not the leader. This promise is not made in my capacity as the leader, but rather by me, Ning."

His voice was unhurried, yet carried a weighty, grounded quality:

"Tell me the names, hometowns, birth dates, and general appearances of these people... while you still remember them. Hmm... if the Great Liang Dynasty is fortunate enough to recover its lost territories in the future, I, Ning, will establish shrines for them in their hometowns. And in their names, I will grant their hometowns... um... at the county level, I'll reduce their taxes for three years, and have their names recorded in the local county annals..."

Clang, clang, the howling wind from the north outside made a whistling sound, banging against the windows of the room.

Xu Xiyin, who was standing to the side, looked surprised for a moment and turned to look at Ning Nan.

Zhen Susu, who had been covering her mouth, was also startled. Her icy-skinned hand slowly lowered, and her two pink lips parted slightly.

Ning Nan glanced at her, raised the ink-stained wolf-hair brush, and said:

"Hurry up and tell me. If you don't remember the specifics, just say the name first, and then mention the people who might know about them. We'll check later. For example, their fellow townsmen or relatives in Beijing. Aren't you coming south from Beijing? We're almost there..."

inside the room.

Zhen Susu was stunned for a long time.

Her eyes gradually warmed, and it seemed as if faces flashed before her eyes, while the sounds of strings, zithers, drums, and laughter rang in her ears.

Swish.

The woman stood up.

The frivolity, teasing, and mockery on his face all faded away, leaving only a cool, solemn, and stunningly beautiful face.

"By the Lord!"

The Heavenly Principle Sect's head priest in Beijing, with tears in his eyes, bowed gracefully and said...

"Your subordinate, Zhen Susu," her voice sharp as a delicate knife piercing a wooden table, declared sternly, "I swear to follow the leader to the death! To the ends of the earth, I will die without regret! To march north to Jianye and unify the land!"

…………

The vows and the fragrance of ink slowly permeated the room.

Shashasha, shashasha.

The soft, fluffy brush tip carefully and attentively recorded line after line of information.

The oil lamp gradually dimmed from its brightest point.

The wolf-hair brush was placed back on the brush holder.

This little three-person meeting ended with a certain vixen, who couldn't even be serious for one night, saying pitifully, "Master, do you really not want your subordinate to warm your bed? I'm being sincere this time." Master Ning retorted, "Get lost!" and the meeting officially ended.

…………

February 25th.

A cool drizzle fell in Beijing this morning.

According to the Shixian Calendar issued by the Imperial Astronomical Bureau this year, we are currently in the spring equinox. The days are gradually getting longer, and there will be occasional light rain. In some years, there will even be light snow.

The light rain dampened the outer street outside Yongdingmen.

This main street, paved with granite slabs, stretches from the South Garden, which served as the royal hunting ground, in the south, to the towering Yongding Gate, which stands a full eight zhang tall. Under the pale sky, the street appears dark and damp.

The cavalry of the two dynasties' delegations stepped onto this outer street at midday when the sun was high in the sky.

The rain has stopped.

The granite street surface is dotted with puddles that reflect the clear sky.

The horses of the delegation trod through the puddles with their horseshoes, splashing water in a burst that arced through the air before landing on the Eight Banner soldiers lined up on both sides, causing the cavalrymen in their red studded armor to frown.

Today, Yongding Gate is only used to welcome delegations from the Southern Dynasty; no ordinary people are passing through the gate.

Ning Nan rode a large white horse, wearing a southern-style black gauze hat, a blue official robe, a moon-colored fur-trimmed cloak, and thick black shoes on his feet, standing on the stirrups.

Head held high.

Amidst the solemn ranks of the Eight Banners soldiers on both sides, the delegation slowly made its way towards the towering Yongding Gate.

Along the three-mile-long Yongdingmen Outer Street, the weary delegation stretched out, filling the entire street. He was at the very end of the delegation.

The sunlight pierced through the clouds, casting dazzling golden rays onto Yongding Gate.

The city gates are tall, wide, and imposing, showcasing the magnificent power of this most powerful city in the world.

The weather in the north is a bit dry, and his skin is a little dry. His lips were also a bit chapped before, but now he has completely adapted.

The white horse walked at a leisurely pace.

The rider on horseback looked up at the imposing, unassailable city. Raindrops churned in the sky. He silently tightened the reins and softly called out:

"drive……"

Let the horse gallop forward.

Officials who came out of Yongding Gate to greet the delegation lined up in front of the tall city gate.

They were all dressed in the same Northern Dynasty official robes, with official hats and plumes.

They were slightly hunched over.

Ning Nan was unwilling to socialize with them, so he left all the matters to Prince Jing and Jia Shi'an.

Prince Jing, dressed in a white python robe, stepped off the carriage along with a group of officials in scarlet robes.

A burst of laughter and the sound of people bowing to each other came from afar.

The horse's hooves stopped.

He waited quietly, reins in his horse.

Time passed by, bit by bit.

A quarter of an hour.

Two quarters of an hour.

The sun gradually began to set in the west.

About half an hour later, the formalities between the two dynasties were finally completed. The officials of both dynasties were neither impolite nor at all on the verge of conflict.

Those in white python robes and scarlet official uniforms boarded the carriage one after another.

Clang, clang, clang—the sounds of horses' hooves, wheels, and whips rang out in succession as the caravan continued its journey.

Ning Nan squeezed the horse's belly with his legs, and the big white horse snorted a few times before continuing on its way with the mules and horses escorted by the porters.

The towering Yongding Gate is getting closer and closer.

After tilting his head back for a moment, he brought his gaze back and looked straight ahead.

Not long after.

Suddenly everything went black, and he even heard a ringing in his ears... He and the white horse entered the city gate.

The sound of white horses' hooves echoed through the city gate, while a growing cacophony of noise drifted from afar.

Not long after.

As he exited the city gate, the Yongdingmen Inner Street, illuminated by the daylight, came into view, and a flash of white light appeared before his eyes.

Also paved with granite slabs, this inner street is straight and wide.

At the end of the road, there was a towering wall and city gate... that was the inner city of Beijing and Zhengyangmen.

The light was blinding, so Ning Nan squinted for a moment to catch his breath.

On both sides of the main street, various shops are lined up one after another.

Two rows of imposing Manchu soldiers stood guard on both sides of the street, waiting for the delegation to pass by.

Between the shops and the Eight Banner soldiers was a sea of ​​Beijing residents, who were whispering among themselves and peering at the delegation.

"People from Daliang..."

"Southern barbarian..."

"They came to the capital to discuss an alliance."

"This official is quite handsome..."

"You really aren't shaving your head?"

"Oh, of course! Look... that style of clothing... my grandpa likes to wear clothes like that... secretly at home..."