The world of film and television starts from the flow of money

“Su Dingfang…”

Xu Shiji silently recited the name, finding it quite dignified, and praised, "A fine name. Judging from Steward Su's words and actions, he is no ordinary person. How did he come to hold the position of steward within the alliance?"

Su Dingfang smiled slightly, a smile that carried a maturity beyond his years, and explained:

"General, you flatter me. When I was young, the world was in chaos and bandits were rampant. My father once led the local militia to protect the people and the land. When I was fifteen, I followed my father on the campaign and learned a little about military affairs. Later, my father unfortunately passed away. The prefect ordered me to take command of the troops. I was fortunate enough to defeat the bandit leader Zhang Jincheng in the south of the prefecture. Later, I defeated Yang Gongqing's troops in the west of the prefecture and temporarily protected the peace of my neighbors."

He spoke calmly, as if discussing a trivial matter, but Xu, Wang, and Cheng were all seasoned veterans who knew the dangers involved. To lead a force at such a young age and defeat a powerful enemy was no mere fluke.

Cheng Yaojin's eyes widened as he listened, and Wang Bodang also showed an expression of appreciation.

Su Dingfang continued, “However, the Sui dynasty lost its rule, and the world was in turmoil, with heroes rising up everywhere. The old local militia could not turn the tide. Later, I heard that the Alliance Leader had raised the banner of righteousness, and that the Heavenly Alliance was supporting the country and helping the people. The government and military discipline were completely renewed. I admired it and came to serve. The Alliance Leader did not reject me and accepted me into his service. The Alliance Leader said that young people should have more experience and be familiar with the people's conditions and the fundamentals of military and political affairs. Therefore, I was temporarily assigned here to learn and serve the Alliance.”

Upon hearing this, Xu Shiji understood immediately, thinking to himself that the Alliance Leader was indeed adept at cultivating talent. This Su Dingfang was clearly a promising young talent being groomed for special attention. Judging from his experience, he already possessed solid grassroots military command and combat experience. Now, with his familiarity with various government affairs and people's livelihoods within the city, he was destined for greatness.

"I see."

Xu Shiji returned the greeting solemnly: "Brother Su is a promising young man. He is brave in battle and can also concentrate on his duties. His future is limitless. It is a great honor to meet you today."

Wang Bodang nodded in agreement: "Steward Su is indeed an outstanding person."

Cheng Yaojin laughed heartily, slapped the table, and said, "I, Old Cheng, just like you! You're efficient and speak clearly! Come on, when the wine comes later, I'll have to toast you with a bowl!"

Su Dingfang quickly declined, saying, "I dare not accept such praise. The three generals are truly pillars of the nation. I, a junior, still have much to learn. I dare not drink too much wine, for I must escort the three generals safely back to camp."

Just then, the waiter brought in the wine and dishes. Cheng Yaojin's attention was immediately drawn to the wine jar, and he temporarily put aside his toasting duties.

The "Xiangyang Shao" was stored in a rough earthenware jar. Once the mud seal was broken, an extremely strong and mellow aroma of liquor burst out instantly, filling the entire private room and even overpowering the aroma of the dishes! This aroma was domineering and intense, unlike the mildness of ordinary rice wine.

Wang Bodang's "Hanshui Chun" was served in a white porcelain wine pot. The aroma was refreshing, but the alcohol content was noticeably high. Xu Shiji's "Taoxi Chun" was pink, and when poured into a glass, it was full of fruity aromas, but the taste was very light.

Cheng Yaojin couldn't wait to pour himself a large bowl of the clear yet fragrant "Xiangyang Shao" (a type of rice wine). He picked it up, took a deep sniff, his face full of intoxication, and then suddenly tilted his head back and gulped down a big mouthful!

"Cough cough cough!!"

The next moment, his face turned bright red, the veins in his neck bulged, and he coughed violently, tears welling up in his eyes!
"Wow!! This liquor is really strong! It's like swallowing a fiery knife! It's potent! So satisfying!!"

Although Cheng Yaojin was coughing badly, he shouted excitedly, his eyes shining as if he had discovered a priceless treasure.

Wang Bodang watched with alarm, carefully poured himself a cup of "Hanshui Chun" and took a small sip. As soon as the wine entered his mouth, he felt a distinct heat flow from his throat straight down to his stomach, strong and powerful, yet quite mellow in taste, with a hint of grain aroma, far superior to the cloudy and sour rice wines he had drunk before.

"Indeed excellent wine!" Wang Bodang couldn't help but exclaim.

Xu Shiji also tasted his own fruit wine. It was sweet and sour, with almost no alcohol taste, more like a beverage, which was refreshing and helped to cut through the greasiness.

After recovering, Cheng Yaojin resumed his hearty eating and drinking, his mouth greasy and sweating profusely as he exclaimed how delicious it was. He actually drank more than half of the two jin of strong liquor while chatting and laughing, but his face grew increasingly red and his words became more and more rapid, clearly indicating that he was already seven or eight parts drunk.

As Wang Bodang and Xu Shiji sipped their wine and ate their food, they listened to the commotion downstairs and watched the fishing lights on the river and the city lights gradually illuminate the view outside the window, their hearts filled with a myriad of emotions.

By day, Xiangyang presents an image of order, production, innovation, and universal benefit. But at night, within its restaurants, another side emerges: prosperity, consumption, and enjoyment, along with the meticulous and sophisticated management and control behind it. The leader doesn't simply emphasize austerity and discipline, but rather, while ensuring the basic needs of the people are met, allows and even encourages a certain degree of commercial prosperity and material enjoyment, thereby increasing tax revenue and regulating resources.

This approach to governance, which combines leniency with strictness and flexibility, is far more sophisticated than they imagined.

When it came time to pay the bill, the price was indeed exorbitant, especially Cheng Yaojin's two catties of strong liquor, which accounted for almost half of the cost. Cheng Yaojin, still a little tipsy, insisted on paying, but Xu Shiji stopped him. In the end, Su Dingfang used the salary money issued by the alliance to settle the bill (the salaries of officials and military pay in the alliance were all issued in newly minted silver and copper coins, which had considerable purchasing power).

Stepping down from the restaurant, night had completely fallen. The city of Xiangyang was just beginning to light up, with colorful lanterns illuminating the streets as bright as day. The night market was already open, and the crowds showed no signs of decreasing; on the contrary, they were even more lively.

But the four of them had no time to stroll around anymore. They walked towards the military camp in the west of the city, amidst the lights and shadows of the streets.

Cheng Yaojin's steps were unsteady, and he was being supported by Wang Bodang. He was still muttering to himself, "Good wine... really good wine... hiccup... I'm afraid all of my salary from now on... will have to be thrown into the wine jar..."

Xu Shiji and Wang Bodang exchanged a smile and shook their heads helplessly.

Looking back, Xiangyang City was brightly lit and bustling with people, like an incredible paradise of prosperity in a chaotic world.

What they saw and heard that day—from the iron discipline of the military camp to the fragrance of ink in the bookstore, from the general merchandise in the market to the delicious food and spirits in the restaurant—was not just the revival of a city, but a brand new, powerful, and vibrant order taking root and sprouting on this ancient land.

This order possesses a cold, steely structure, a warm, fleshy spirit of people's lives, and an intoxicatingly prosperous appearance.

It was created by that unfathomable leader.

And they are already part of this new order.

………………

As dawn broke, a thin mist, like gauze, gently enveloped the fields outside Xiangyang City.

On the banks of the Han River, the tender green branches of weeping willows sway in the morning breeze carrying moisture, and the grass blades are covered with glistening dewdrops, reflecting the faint and pure light of dawn.

A lone, sleek blue horse trotted along, its rider, Yi Huawei, still dressed in a simple blue robe, exuding an air of refined elegance, more like a scholar on a spring outing than the leader of the Heavenly Alliance who ruled over half of the southern lands. Beside him, Shan Wanjing led a magnificent white horse, walking slowly side by side.

Today, Shan Wanjing wasn't wearing her usual bright pale yellow or light purple dresses, but instead opted for an outfit that allowed for easy movement. She wore a moon-white, narrow-sleeved, belted top made of top-quality Suzhou brocade, yet impeccably tailored, highlighting her slender and graceful figure. A light blue gauze cloak draped over it, fluttering gently in the wind, added to her ethereal and otherworldly air. She wore matching trousers, the cuffs tucked into soft deerskin boots.

Her long, black hair was loosely tied up with a simple white jade hairpin, the rest cascading down to her waist like a waterfall, swaying gently with her steps. A few stray strands of hair fluttered in the morning breeze, further highlighting her jade-like face and unparalleled beauty.

After months of meticulous training by Yi Huawei, and with the aid of the essence of the Evil Emperor's Relic, she not only reached the level of a top-tier expert in the world, but also naturally exuded a harmonious, clear, and heroic aura. Her eyes were clear as water, yet occasionally flashed with a sharp glint of sword-like clarity. A simple, ancient longsword hung at her waist, its scabbard adorned with cloud patterns—a famous sword from a previous dynasty, a gift from Yi Huawei.

The two traveled in silence, enjoying the tranquility of the early morning. About ten miles outside Xiangyang City, they arrived at a long pavilion. The surrounding area opened up, with fields and paths crisscrossing in the distance, where early-rising farmers were already working.

Shan Wanjing finally slowed down, raised her clear, autumn-water-like eyes, and looked at Yi Huawei: "Master, there is something I don't understand."

"Oh? But it doesn't matter."

Yi Huawei reined in his horse and looked at her with gentle eyes.

"The Wagang army has recently surrendered, and although their forces are exhausted, Li Mi, Xu Shiji, Wang Bodang, Cheng Yaojin, and others are all formidable figures, especially Li Mi, who was once a powerful warlord."

Shan Wanjing frowned slightly: "Why didn't Master take advantage of their unstable foothold to disperse their troops and integrate them into various armies, or use high-ranking titles and nominal positions to keep their key figures in Xiangyang? Instead, you allowed them to form their own army and remain stationed outside? Aren't you... afraid that they might harbor rebellious intentions and cause trouble over time?"

She raised many concerns that might exist within the Heavenly Alliance. After all, Li Mi's reputation wasn't good; the murder of Zhai Rang was common knowledge. Upon hearing this, Yi Huawei's lips curled into a faint smile. His gaze drifted to the distant fields bathed in the morning light, and he slowly said:

"Wanjing, do you know why Li Mi, who possessed the great foundation of Wagang, with countless fierce generals and strategists, ultimately suffered a crushing defeat and had no choice but to come and join my Heavenly Alliance?"

After a moment's thought, Shan Wanjing said, "Because although he is capable, he is arrogant and conceited, and... by killing Zhai Rang, he has lost the support of the people?"

"good."

Yi Huawei nodded and said, “The murder of Zhai Rang was the biggest mistake of his life. This matter is like a poisonous thorn, which has long been deeply rooted in the hearts of the former Wagang followers. Although Xu Shiji, Wang Bodang and others still follow him, whether because of old feelings or because of the times, that rift and suspicion have never truly disappeared.”

He turned his gaze back to Shan Wanjing: "Li Mi is a smart man; he understands this better than anyone else. He is now like a rootless duckweed. Apart from my Heavenly Alliance, though the world is vast, there is nowhere else for him to go. Li Yuan of Guanzhong will not truly tolerate him, Wang Shichong is his sworn enemy, and Dou Jiande is no benevolent ruler either. All he can rely on now are these remaining Wagang followers who still have some old feelings for him. If I forcibly disperse them now, it would be tantamount to completely stripping him of his last support, which would only provoke his desperate determination to fight to the death and would also discourage those who sincerely pledged allegiance to him, such as Xu Shiji."

"On the contrary, I allow him to form his own army and retain his subordinates. It seems like I am giving him power, but in reality, I am putting the most exquisite shackles on him."

Yi Huawei smiled: "To maintain this last foothold, he will work harder than anyone else to train the army and prove his worth to me in order to preserve it. At the same time, he will be more afraid than anyone else of losing my trust and support. Because once lost, the internal contradictions that were temporarily masked by pressure will immediately erupt. Are Xu Shiji, Wang Bodang, and others loyal to him, Li Mi, or to the Tiandao Alliance, which can lead the old Wagang troops further and give them a future? After this great defeat, people's hearts yearn for stability, and the answer may already be different."

With a gentle tug on the reins, the green horse continued its slow, steady progress.

"Therefore, it's not that I'm not afraid of him causing trouble, but that Li Mi no longer has the resources or the courage to rebel. Keeping him around would make the reorganized 'Zhenwu Army' a good weapon. But dispersing them might force out countless desperate thorns. The choice is obvious."

A look of sudden realization sparkled in Shan Wanjing's beautiful eyes. Her master's gaze was always so profound, able to see the most subtle wrinkles in people's hearts and to utilize the most exquisite balance of the situation. This was not merely martial arts wisdom, but also the imperial mindset that could only be refined after experiencing vicissitudes and ruling the world.

She said in a low voice, completely convinced, "Wanjing understands. It was my oversight."

Yi Huawei smiled and said, "It's alright. The fact that you thought of this shows your thoughtfulness. Governing a large country is like cooking a small fish. The heat and the handling of the ingredients must be done in accordance with the circumstances and follow the trend."

The two walked for a while longer, and the pavilion was already far behind them. The road ahead gradually narrowed, and the trees on both sides became denser.

Yi Huawei suddenly said, "Wanjing, your internal strength has reached a state of perfection, and your swordsmanship has also been passed down from me. However, you lack practical combat experience. Spending all your time by my side is not the best path for your cultivation."

Shan Wanjing's heart tightened, and she suddenly looked up at her master.

Yi Huawei looked at her calmly: "Now that Xiangyang is secured, the Wagang affair is also temporarily over. I need to go north to handle some matters. Before I return, there is something I need to entrust to you."

"Master, please give me your instructions!"

Shan Wanjing immediately replied solemnly, without the slightest fear in her eyes.

"The Heavenly Alliance has expanded its power extremely rapidly, and now it has many prefectures and counties under its jurisdiction, inevitably resulting in a mix of all sorts of people."

Yi Huawei's voice turned slightly cold: "With the collapse of the old Sui Dynasty, there are quite a few forces composed of Jianghu gangs, local magnates, and even defeated soldiers who have occupied the local areas, bullying the market, oppressing the villagers, and even secretly defying the orders of our alliance. In the past, the focus was on major battles and integration, and we did not have time to deal with such scabies."

He looked at Shan Wanjing, his gaze sharp as a sword: "I want you to temporarily assume the position of Deputy Envoy of the 'Pacification Division,' and with my token, dispatch a team of elite 'Scout Battalion' to patrol the core areas of our alliance, including Xiangyang, Jingling, and Jiangling. Investigate all gang forces within the territory!"

"Investigate their actions in detail. First and foremost, eradicate evil completely! Those with blood on their hands, those who have committed rape and plunder, and those who stubbornly resist..."

Yi Huawei's tone was chilling: "Once verified, the ringleader and his core henchmen will be executed without trial! Their heads will be displayed on poles as a warning to others!"

Shan Wanjing felt a chilling killing intent wash over her, but she did not back down. Her eyes narrowed, and she nodded forcefully: "Yes!"

"The second one,"

Yi Huawei continued, "If the evil deeds are not minor, but the crime does not warrant death, or if there is some reason for it, capture the core members of the gang, strip them of their martial arts, and send them to the 'labor camp' to reclaim wasteland and build roads in the newly developed border areas, so that they can atone for their sins through labor!"

"Finally, for those gangs that are merely seeking self-preservation, have committed no major evil, or whose leaders still possess some chivalrous spirit,"

Yi Huawei's tone softened slightly: "We can try to win them over. Explain the pros and cons and get them to disband their gangs. The able-bodied and virtuous among them can be recruited into local patrol battalions or regular armies after passing the assessment, given a formal background, and made to serve the country instead of fighting amongst themselves."

He gazed at Shan Wanjing: "This matter seems simple, but it's actually incredibly complex. It requires careful consideration of the situation and a combination of kindness and severity. We need to be ruthless and intimidating to deter those who disobey; yet we also need to retain a shred of compassion and offer them a path to redemption. Finding the right balance will be the best test for you. Can you handle it?"

Dan Wanjing took a deep breath, her chest rising and falling slightly, and a resolute look appeared on her beautiful face. She clasped her hands and bowed, saying, "Wanjing will obey Master's orders! I will use the sword in my hand to cleanse the filth and restore peace to the people under my rule! I will never fail Master's trust!"

"it is good."

Yi Huawei's eyes showed a look of relief: "For specific details, you can consult with Xu Xingzhi and Dong Jingzhen. They will assist you. If you encounter any problems, think them over and you can also send me a message by carrier pigeon."

After saying that, he took out a black iron token from his bosom, on which were written the two ancient seal characters “Su Jing”, and handed it to Shan Wanjing.

Shan Wanjing took the token with both hands, and felt that it was heavy in her hands.

By this time, the sun had fully risen above the horizon, casting long, golden rays across the earth and elongating their shadows. More and more people began to appear on the official road.

Yi Huawei glanced at the sky and said, "Let's stop here. Go back."

Shan Wanjing stopped and stood still, gazing at her master sitting upright on his horse. His blue robe seemed to be edged with gold in the morning sun, so majestic, yet so distant. The thought of not knowing how long it would be before she could see her master again filled her with a strong sense of reluctance.

From childhood to adulthood, she had never been so attached to anyone. It was her master who brought her out of the somewhat closed-off environment of the Dongming Sect, allowing her to see a wider world, imparting to her unparalleled martial arts, and giving her unprecedented trust and responsibility. In her heart, Yi Huawei had long transcended the realm of a master, becoming more like a close relative, a father, a brother, a teacher, and a friend.

Just as Yi Huawei was about to shake the reins, Shan Wanjing suddenly mustered her courage, stepped forward, opened her arms, gently hugged Yi Huawei's waist on the horse, and pressed her cheek against the lapel of his blue robe.

The movement was light and quick, a single touch followed by separation.

Like a dragonfly skimming the water, yet it contains a thousand words.

Yi Huawei was slightly taken aback and looked down at her.

Shan Wanjing had already taken two steps back, a faint blush rising on her beautiful cheeks, which extended all the way to her ears. She lowered her eyelashes, not daring to look into Yi Huawei's eyes, her voice as soft as a mosquito's buzz, yet carrying a barely perceptible tremor: "Master... take care on your journey. Come back soon."

With that, she turned around abruptly, mounted her white horse, and gave the reins a sharp shake: "Giddy up!"

With a long neigh, the white horse galloped off towards Xiangyang City, its pale figure appearing like a streak of light in the golden morning sun before quickly becoming a tiny dot.

Yi Huawei gazed in the direction she had gone for a long time, then gently shook his head and chuckled. Immediately, his eyes regained their deep calm, and he pulled on the reins, turning his green horse northward at a leisurely pace.

A morning breeze stirred, causing his blue robe to flutter, and his figure gradually blended into the flow of people and the dawn light on the northward-bound official road. (End of Chapter)