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

The carriage rolled forward through the city of Beijing in the dead of night, clattering along behind, followed closely by the crisp sound of twenty riders' hooves.

The group sped along the main road for a while.

Turn left, turn right.

We turned into an alley and slowly stopped in front of an inconspicuous house.

The three people from Ningnan put on black veils inside the car.

Chen San, who was acting as the coachman, jumped off the carriage and placed a low stool on the ground.

The curtain was lifted, and Ning Nan stepped out of the car, pausing briefly.

He squatted on the carriage for a while, thought about it, and after a moment of silence, stepped off the carriage using a low stool.

Before me stood an open black lacquered gate, with a plaque above bearing the words "Chen Residence." I wondered if this was where Chen San lived in Beijing.

Chen San whispered:

"Young master, the 'owner of Leshan Hall' is inside; he is all alone."

Ning Nan hummed in agreement, a sigh escaping his lips.

He lifted his leg and stepped over the threshold, which was just over an inch high.

Chen San and Qian and Xu followed behind him.

The Chen residence is not large; it is a standard courtyard house.

Entering through the main gate in the southeast corner, you will be greeted by a screen wall.

Chen San led the way with a lantern. Before they could even see what was on the screen wall, they turned left and soon arrived at the dark second gate.

The second door creaked open.

Entering the second courtyard.

The moonlight shone brightly on the courtyard, and lanterns hung under the eaves of the east and west wing rooms, swaying in the wind. Ning Nan looked in the moonlight and saw that only the main room at the front was lit with a dim yellow light.

Then they knew that the so-called "owner of Leshan Hall" must be inside.

"Young master, please!" Chen San led the way, carrying a lantern.

The shadows of several people crossed the courtyard.

Knock, knock, knock, Chen San gently knocked on the door.

"cough."

Suddenly, a cough, a whoosh of someone standing up, the sound of a chair being dragged behind, hurried footsteps, and a bang came from inside... The vermilion door opened.

She revealed a delicate and pretty face.

The young man who opened the door was wearing a thick blue striped mandarin jacket and a melon-shaped hat, and his eyes were bright and piercing.

"Ning Jiexiao?"

He looked away from everyone else, staring directly at Ning Nan in the middle.

Master Ning blinked and met the other person's gaze. The young man in front of him looked to be in his early twenties.

Is this the "owner of Leshantang"?

Ning Nan was suspicious.

However, since the other party had spoken, he nodded and said, "That's right... it's me, Ning!"

"Haha..." The young man laughed, tilting his head to the left and right as if to take a look at Ning Nan's hood.

"I was right." The young man looked away and confidently raised his head.

Ning Nan and the others were taken aback.

The young man's eyes cleared, and he laughed, "You really didn't shave your head!"

Ning Nan was taken aback: "Huh?"

"Mr. Ning, is this why you've been refusing to come out and meet people?" the young man said with a smile.

My heart yearns for the former dynasty.

Unwilling to shave his head, he was unwilling to serve in government despite his extraordinary talent, preferring only to spend his remaining years in the countryside... The young man sighed, feeling that only by destroying the Southern Dynasty could the Qing Dynasty truly subdue the world.

His expression softened, and he earnestly advised:

"Sir, there's really no need for that. If you have the time, you could read His Majesty's 'Record of Awakening from Delusion,' which might clear your doubts. It would allow you to truly understand that our Great Qing Dynasty is the mandate of heaven, and to know the great talent and wisdom of our Emperor, and his benevolent treatment of others..."

Shaving his head... The Record of Awakening from Delusion... Ning Nan's eyes narrowed slightly.

He has figured out what happened today, the thing he saw in the newspaper. It's roughly this:

In Yongxing County, Hunan Province, there was a scholar named Zeng Jing, and he had a student named Zhang Xi.

After reading the commentary on contemporary articles by a great scholar named Lü Liuliang from the late Liang dynasty and some of his posthumous works, Zeng Jing deeply agreed with the concept of "the great distinction between Chinese and barbarians".

He wrote a letter stating that "the fate of the Qing Dynasty is sealed" and gave it to Zhang Xi, instructing Zhang Xi to deliver it to Yue Zhongqi, the Governor-General of Shaanxi, to persuade this descendant of Yue Fei to rebel against the Qing Dynasty.

Zhang Xi, true to his Hunanese heritage, had a fiery temper. He actually shaved his head, disguised himself as a merchant, and went to Shaanxi. He not only presented the letter to Yue Zhongqi in person but also spoke with great conviction and righteousness, urging Yue Zhongqi to rise up in rebellion on the spot, which terrified the Governor-General of Shaanxi.

Governor Yue immediately detained Zhang Xi and escorted him to Beijing. The Northern Dynasty court was also stunned, not quite understanding this man, and sentenced him to be executed in the autumn.

Upon hearing of this, Zeng Jing, who lived in Hunan, packed his bags and went alone to Beijing to rescue his disciple, saying, "Either we die together or we perish together," and was then arrested as well.

Several months ago, Emperor Yongzheng summoned the stubborn Zeng Jing to the palace and debated with him on the "Chinese vs. Barbarians" issue.

This so-called "Record of Awakening from Delusion" is a record of the question and answer between the two in the Golden Hall.

Emperor Yongzheng did not kill Zeng Jing and Zhang Xi, but ordered them to go around preaching the "Record of Awakening from Delusion with Great Righteousness".

It's basically about the Qing Dynasty following the Mandate of Heaven, and Lü Liuliang spouting nonsense.

Whether Zeng Jing truly accepted it or not is unknown, but the "Great Righteousness Awakens from Delusion" states that he eventually "suddenly realized the truth."

Ning Nan smiled, her face hidden behind the veil: "Thank you, sir..."

He didn't know who the person opposite him was, or how to address him, and hesitated for a moment.

The young man's eyes flickered for a moment, then, without any hesitation, he clasped his hands in a fist and smiled, saying:

"Please let me know, sir, that my name is Hongli, and I am the fourth son of the current emperor. If you do not mind, there is no need for formalities; you may simply address me as Fourth Prince..."

talking.

The young man named Hongli turned to the side, and the heat from inside the room rushed towards the group outside.

Hongli's eyes were kind, and he smiled and spread his hands:

"Enough with the pleasantries, sir. Please come inside for a chat!"

He assumed the correct posture, bowed slightly, and after a few breaths, his expression froze.

He suddenly realized that the other person... hadn't moved?

Hongli slightly raised his lowered eyelids and glanced outside, only to see that this Mr. Ning seemed to be... frozen in place?

Ning Nan stared at the young man in front of him, his pupils trembling slightly, and his right hand subconsciously reached for the leather bag with three muskets at his waist.

Five fingers were placed on the leather bag...

After standing there for a long time...

He finally let out a soft breath, lowered his eyelids, and removed his right hand from the leather bag.

Raise your hand.

He tore off the black veil, revealing a clean and handsome face.

Ning Nan, revealing his true face, smiled and looked at the somewhat astonished young man in front of him, extending his hand and saying:

"My name is Ning Jiexiao. It's a pleasure to meet you."

There were many Western missionaries in Beijing. For example, Giuseppe Castiglione, who painted Western paintings; Dai Jinxian, a Westerner who served as the Director of the Imperial Observatory; and D.L. G., who was knowledgeable in music theory.

Emperor Hongli was no stranger to the Western handshake. However, he was extremely surprised and unfamiliar with the mysterious Mr. Ning who suddenly revealed his true appearance to him and extended his hand to shake hands.

After a moment of stunned silence, his eyes lit up with excitement, and he reached out to shake hands with the other person:

"Mr. Ning, it's a pleasure to meet you."

…………

"This poem was written by Emperor Hongli for the Empress Dowager. I am grateful for your help in wielding your brush."

"The Fourth Prince's poems are indeed renowned."

"Oh? You know my poems, sir? Are my poems famous?"

"His fame resounded throughout the capital."

"Haha, you flatter me, sir."

In a room lit by several oil lamps, Ning Nan picked up a brush and used his Wei stele style to write the other party's mediocre poem on rice paper.

The brushstrokes flowed like dragons and snakes, creating a magnificent spectacle.

Hongli glanced at it and clicked his tongue twice in admiration: "Mr. Ning's writing skills are even better than before!"

Ning Nan put down his pen and said sincerely, "Fourth Prince, you flatter me."

After finishing writing, Ning Nan took the seal that belonged exclusively to "Ning Jiexiao" from Chen San, dipped it in ink, and solemnly stamped it on the Xuan paper.

After completing this task.

Hongli looked somewhat uneasy and tentatively asked:

"Mr. Ning, may I ask you a question?"

"Fourth Prince, please ask." Ning Nan smiled and nodded, but inwardly he sighed... Hongli... the owner of Leshan Hall... Emperor Qianlong? ...He never imagined he would encounter Emperor Qianlong here!

For a brief moment, he felt that he truly had the intention to kill.

But then it suddenly occurred to me that he was only a prince now, while Emperor Yongzheng was still alive.

If Yongzheng doesn't die, killing the other party won't make much difference; Yongzheng will simply seal off the capital.

Instead, it ruined everything.

Moreover, even if this Qianlong is killed, as long as the Northern Dynasty remains powerful, there will always be another "Qianlong," and who knows, the next Qianlong might be even more powerful.

The right path is to build an overwhelming force that can overwhelm the Northern Dynasty and completely destroy it.

After thinking for a while, he decided to temporarily suppress his murderous intent.

Hongli smiled frankly and said, "I have a literary gathering at Dulou tomorrow. I wonder if you, sir, would have the time... to lend me a hand?"

Ning Nan was taken aback. After listening carefully to what the other person said, he frowned and asked in confusion, "Du Lou?"

…………

At the hour of Chou (1-3 AM), the night was deep.

A bright moon hung in the sky.

Beijing

Wangfu Street

The residence of the Third Prince.

The Third Prince, whose Han name was Han Chang, sat at the head of the main hall, holding a cup of tea in his hand.

Chen San, disguised as an old servant, came in to report.

"Reporting to the Left Protector, I have already sent the leader back. The Fourth Prince has also returned."

Chen San stepped into the center of the main hall.

Han Chang asked, "Did Hongli pay?"

Chen San said, "I gave it to you, fifty thousand taels, not a penny less. But..." Chen San lowered his head and said, "The sect leader took thirty thousand taels."

Han Chang smiled and said, "He deserves it."

After taking a small sip of tea and pausing for a moment, the Third Prince asked again:

"Has Hongli agreed to our request?"

Chen San nodded: "I agree. The Fourth Prince's mother is from the Niohuru clan. His uncle, General Niohuru Yinsong'a, is currently the commander of the Shenwu Gate Guard. After we help him get promoted, he will recommend one of our people to take over."

Han Chang nodded, placed the teacup on the table, and looked at Chen San:

"That's good. Tell Han Donghu to prepare himself; he will take over as the commander of the Shenwu Gate Guard in three days!"

"Yes!" Chen San solemnly clasped his hands in a fist salute.