Yan Commandery was also known in ancient times as Ji. Dating back to the Warring States period, it had once been the capital of the Yan state. Decades ago, the last Jin emperor, intimidated by Wei’s military pressure and considering the possibility of future defeat, fled to this place, relying on the Beidi to continue opposing Wei. Though his plan failed and he didn’t wait for national destruction before ceding vast territories of Yan and You, the construction of the northern capital was very real. Not only were city walls reinforced, but grand construction projects began, building a new palace within the city modeled after Luoyang’s imperial palace of that time.

The former palace chambers became the Southern Prince’s residence. Moreover, over these years, since the Beidi planned to use this place as a base for future southern campaigns, they strictly controlled the population to prevent loss and gradually adopted more lenient policies toward locals to reduce resistance. Especially after Chi Shu became Southern Prince, he had used the method of “Jin people governing the people” with great skill in recent years, with obvious effects. By now, the city had thoroughfares and bustling markets, with residents numbering four to five hundred thousand. If not for the recent tense atmosphere and armed patrol soldiers in Beidi military uniforms walking the streets everywhere, it would look little different from Great Wei cities in the south.

On this day, at a busy street corner in the city, crowds of passersby gathered around a storyteller with thunder-god cheeks holding bamboo clappers, telling stories. Drawing closer, his voice gradually became audible—he was speaking about the famous female commander Changning, who was currently leading troops to attack.

He was saying: “…That woman stands eight chi tall, with eyebrows standing straight up, a gaping maw, and inside grows a set of gleaming white fangs and sharp teeth! Do you know why she can be so fierce? She’s a wolf-woman incarnate! Every moonlit night, she devours children’s hearts and livers, requiring fresh blood in her mouth to suppress her wolf nature. Not only that, her soldiers are like wolves and tigers. Wherever the great army goes, they engage in massive slaughter and plunder, creating rivers of blood, leaving nothing alive in their wake! Men are dragged away for beheading, children have their hearts cut out to be eaten, women are taken as military prostitutes—those who flee too slowly, none escape!”

The storyteller bared his teeth and glared with a ferocious expression, causing many nearby women and timid people to show terror on their faces.

The storyteller then changed direction: “But there’s no need to fear! We are all Jin people, and heaven has eyes—the Northern Emperor has helped us find our little prince from years past! He’s a reincarnation of gods and Buddhas, destined by heaven! As long as we unite this time, contributing money and effort to drive away the wolf-woman, we can become Jin people again in the future—good days are just ahead!”

He spoke with flying spittle while someone in the crowd whispered to those beside them: “How is it that when my relative in Guangning, Yanzhou, previously sent word through someone, it differed from what he’s saying? They said that when the Wei army entered the city that day, not only did they commit no offenses, but the female general even pardoned those who had transported grain for Prince Zuoguang. My relative was among them and watched the female general ride past on horseback—she wasn’t some demon at all, but in full armor, even more heroic than men…”

The person beside him remained silent, not daring to respond.

This person was merely speaking from the heart. After finishing casually, he shook his head, sighed, and was about to leave when he heard a shout from behind: “Seize the spy!”

The man was completely unaware, thinking they were after someone else. He turned to look and discovered several men dressed as household servants charging toward him viciously, punching and kicking him before restraining him. Only then did he realize they meant him, struggling and protesting his innocence. A young man who looked like a Beidi military officer emerged from the crowd, pointing at him and scolding: “What did you just say? Still trying to deny it! This general heard every word! If you’re not a spy, who is?” Without caring how hard the man protested his innocence, he ordered his servants to take him away.

People around recognized who this was. This person was the son of Li Renyu, the new minister who had been very prominent recently. Since he came to the streets to arrest people, no one dared speak up, all avoiding him.

The young man looked pleased and surveyed the crowd, loudly saying: “Thanks to the Northern Emperor’s favor, my father will serve as Great Jin’s Right Minister! Times are troubled times—we must guard strictly against Wei spies. Anyone who discovers suspicious persons but dares not report them will be held equally guilty!” He then pointed at the fawning storyteller: “What he just said was right. If we can’t hold this place and let that Wei woman lead troops in, you’ve all kowtowed to the Northern Emperor and paid grain taxes—will she spare you? You won’t even know how you died! Fortunately, His Majesty the Northern Emperor has mighty forces with countless capable people. If the Wei dare come, we’ll make sure they never return! Moreover, our Great Jin’s restoration is imminent—this is your chance for promotion and wealth! They’re recruiting at the south gate. Go now and you’ll get money immediately! After defeating the Wei, His Majesty will reward based on merit—whatever you want will be yours. Why aren’t you all going quickly!”

His combination of intimidation and enticement moved some people, who turned and headed for the south gate.

Jiang Hanyuan, along with Yang Hu, Zhang Jun, and Cui Jiu, had disguised themselves as ordinary Beidi people and infiltrated the area three days ago. Since she could speak fluent Beidi, they moved without obstruction. At this moment, the four had scattered and were hiding nearby.

Jiang Hanyuan stared at Li Renyu’s son ahead and followed him.

As evening approached, Li Renyu emerged from the Southern Prince’s residence and returned to his mansion, pacing alone in his study.

Last year when Chi Shu summoned him and Lu Kang, asking about the young prince Huang Furong and saying if they found him, he would certainly be treated as an honored guest. Initially he didn’t dare believe it, but soon guessed Chi Shu’s intention. With great war imminent and many Jin people in Yan-You territory, it was merely using their sense of belonging to their former country to rally hearts and gain assistance and buffer for the war effort.

However, his thinking then was that even if being used, if Jin’s royal bloodline could truly be enfeoffed again, when the time came, they could act according to circumstances—anything was better than seeing no hope.

This was a tremendously good thing. They had never given up searching for years, wasn’t this exactly their goal? After years of investigation, they had confirmed that the young monk named Wu Sheng, who had risen to fame in Luoyang’s Jialan Temple in earlier years, should be the young prince. But when they traced him, they were a step too late—he had already left, reportedly going west to seek dharma. Thus, the search was forced to stop.

Then came that incident at the beginning of the year. After Chi Shu gave instructions, they mobilized all their old connections and finally got news from Jialan Temple that Wu Sheng should have returned from the west several years ago. Originally, he should have first returned to Jialan Temple, but for unknown reasons, he had never been seen returning.

The western route was fraught with dangers. If someone should have returned but didn’t, disappearing for several years without news, very likely he had died outside.

Last month, he and Lu Kang reported the results to Chi Shu. Thinking of years of searching ending in futility felt tragic. Unexpectedly, the next day, Chi Shu claimed he had found the person for them.

He and Lu Kang, having reached their current positions, were naturally intelligent people. At that time, how could they dare ask even half a question? They followed Chi Shu’s commands in everything.

Thus, Northern Emperor Chi Shu personally came to Yan Commandery with the welcomed former Jin “prince,” and the Southern Prince’s residence became the Jin palace. Lu Kang became Left Minister, and Li Renyu was also promoted from his previous idle position to Right Minister of the Jin palace. Former officials who had fled north during the country’s destruction all emerged to seek positions, each receiving an appointments. Proclamations about restoration and military recruitment were posted throughout the city.

Everything seemed proper, and he appeared glorious in public.

But at this moment, behind closed doors, he frowned with worry and sighed deeply.

His heart was filled with vague unease, making him restless.

Originally he had thought that with Great Wei and Beidi, two strong powers contending, they would damage each other badly. He hadn’t expected that after the Xiguan incident, though the Wei army lost its commander, not only did morale not decline, but under the new female commander’s leadership, it became even more unstoppable than before.

The situation had completely reversed, with Great Wei’s military might pressing directly toward Yan Commandery.

The current situation was like the eerie calm before a storm’s arrival, reminding him of the death-like oppressive feeling when the Jin capital was broken years ago.

When Beidi nobles hunted fierce beasts, they often first sent out hunting dogs to attack the beasts. After the dogs were dead or wounded, the beasts were usually exhausted, and then they would personally enter, greatly increasing their chances of successful hunting.

He was very clear in his heart that under such circumstances, he and all these people driven to frenzy by “restoration” were merely hunting dogs under Chi Shu’s control.

If Northern Emperor Chi Shu could defeat that Wei army that had already reached the Youyan border, naturally, all would be well. But if he couldn’t withstand them, the fate awaiting him…

He thought of Huang Xiu, who had originally garrisoned Anlong Pass. That was an old friend who had fled here together in those days.

Huang Xiu had died at the hands of that Great Wei female general during last year’s Eight Tribes campaign. Reportedly, he was nailed to the pass gate with a long spear, nailed alive there.

Unlike Lu Kang, who had resolved to die for the country if necessary, even if restoration was hopeless, he didn’t want to die.

He couldn’t help shivering and suddenly thought of his son.

He had only this one son. Because he truly lacked confidence, he didn’t want him involved in recent events. But his son was reckless, obtaining a military position and dreaming daily of achievements after restoration. He didn’t dare openly restrict his actions, only secretly warning him to cause less trouble.

Today, with evening approaching and still no sign of his return, Li Renyu grew more worried. Just as he was about to send people to search, household members came to report that the young master had gotten into conflict with some drinking Beidi in a city tavern, was being held, and they demanded that he come to settle the matter.

Li Renyu was startled, immediately lamenting in his heart.

Though he was now titled Right Minister, that was merely an office within the Jin palace. While it might intimidate local civilians, when encountering Beidi, not to mention nobles, even mid-level military officers probably wouldn’t give him face.

After asking a few questions and learning that the other party appeared to be a low-ranking Beidi military officer, he understood.

Beidi people were universally greedy for wealth, especially fond of gold. They had probably recognized his son and wanted to use the opportunity to extort money from him.

Under current circumstances, it was better to avoid trouble. He hurriedly brought some gold, called several guards, and rushed to the tavern. Going up to a private room, a thin-as-monkey Beidi soldier came up speaking in the Beidi language with a fierce expression, ordering his men to leave.

Li Renyu, having served in the Beidi court for years, naturally understood. Knowing this was for convenient extortion, he had no choice but to order his subordinates to comply and enter alone.

Concerned about his son, he looked around inside but saw no one, only noticing someone sitting by the window, holding a wine cup and drinking alone. The person wore a Beidi military cap, face turned sideways as if gazing at the street scene outside, posture relaxed. Guessing this was the leader, he asked: “Where is my son? As long as he’s safe, everything can be discussed!”

As his words fell, the person put down the wine cup, turned toward him, then raised an arm to remove the cap, casually placing it on the table.

Only then did Li Renyu see the face clearly—surprisingly young, with handsome eyebrows and bright eyes.

He was stunned.

“Minister Li, congratulations on your promotion.”

The other person smiled at him and greeted him.

Li Renyu no longer doubted—this was a woman!

Initially extremely surprised, not understanding how such a female soldier could be here, he stared blankly for a moment. Suddenly, his eyes widened as he stared at the other person, showing incredible disbelief. He raised his hand, pointing: “The Wei female commander? General Changning?”

Jiang Hanyuan smiled again and pointed to the seat across from her, indicating he should sit.