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

In the afternoon, the rain finally stopped for a moment, and a few stingy rays of sunlight peeked through the gaps in the clouds.

In a slightly dry clearing in the center of the settlement, several teenagers were chasing a thin frog in the muddy water, their laughter unusually innocent. But the laughter was quickly interrupted by the adults' low scolding: "Silence! Don't make noise!"

The children immediately fell silent, shrinking their necks and running away. Here, even children's laughter is a luxury, even a "risk".

Li Shimin stood before his equally humble dwelling, gazing at the desolate, numb, yet desperately struggling scene before him, his heart filled with mixed emotions. In the distance, the turbid waters of the Zuojiang River flowed silently, heading towards the unknown future, much like their inescapable fate.

He knew that the family was not a monolithic entity. Resources were scarce, the pressure to survive was immense, and the former hierarchical order had long been distorted by the harsh realities of life. To get a bigger share of food, to do less work, to suffer less humiliation from the officials, discord, complaints, and even covert infighting never ceased. Only under immense external pressure were these conflicts temporarily suppressed, like smoldering embers beneath the surface.

He also knew that the younger generation's minds were wavering. Some had begun secretly contacting passing merchants of unknown identity, inquiring about the outside world, and some even... were considering leaving. Although Lingnan was remote, it was not completely isolated. To the south, there was Jiaozhou (present-day northern Vietnam), to the west, Nanzhao, and even at sea, there were areas where the Hua Dynasty's control was relatively weak. Escape, like a dangerous temptation, quietly took root in the hearts of a few of the most desperate and daring young people. But Li Shimin strictly forbade any such thoughts. He knew that if anyone failed to escape, it would bring devastating damage to the entire family.

"Father."

Li Chengqian walked over, still smelling of dust from the market. His expression was somewhat solemn. He said in a low voice, "Today at the market, I heard some rumors... that the Turks in the northern grasslands are making strange moves again, and Emperor Hua seems to intend to launch another large-scale military campaign. Also... it seems that things are not peaceful beyond the East China Sea."

Li Shimin's eyes narrowed. The northern frontier, the eastern sea… these words stirred within him a long-dormant sense of a commander's keenness and anxiety, but quickly transformed into a deeper sense of powerlessness. No matter how the external world changed, these "remnants of the previous dynasty," forgotten in the pestilential lands of Lingnan, could only passively await their fate's judgment, not even qualified to be pawns.

"understood."

Li Shimin waved his hand wearily, "Keep your clansmen in check, and be extra careful with your words and actions these days. In these extraordinary times, do not give anyone any reason to criticize you."

They looked up to the north, towards Luoyang, the source of both their fear and hope.

Twenty-one years have passed. How long will that emperor keep them imprisoned? Will he let them fend for themselves in this desolate land, utterly fading into the dust of history, or... is there another plan?
No one knows the answer.

Only the Zuojiang River continued its turbid flow, day and night. After the rain, the mountains, under the brief sunlight, emitted even thicker miasma, carrying the stench of decaying vegetation, shrouding this place of exile in an even more hazy and despairing atmosphere.

...............

The drizzle had temporarily stopped, the clouds hung low, and the heavy, humid air seemed to stagnate, tightly enveloping this dilapidated settlement on the banks of the Zuojiang River in a gray veil.

"Rumble--"

The afternoon's dullness was abruptly broken by a series of exceptionally clear and orderly sounds of horses' hooves and footsteps approaching from afar.

That was not the sound of ordinary servants or caravans. The sound of horseshoes striking the muddy road was dull and rhythmic, interspersed with the clanging of armor plates rubbing together, and a chilling, silent aura of a well-trained army marching. To Li Shimin, who had experienced battle, and even some of the older members of the Li clan, this sound was both unfamiliar and carried a bone-chilling coldness.

Everyone working or seeking shelter from the rain froze, staring in disbelief at the muddy path leading outside. Children were held tightly by their mothers, their mouths covered. The sounds of beating clothes, whispering, and chopping wood vanished instantly, leaving only the increasingly close, unsettling sounds and the pounding of their own hearts.

Li Shimin and Li Chengqian were discussing in hushed tones how to reinforce a warehouse on the verge of collapse when they heard the noise. Li Shimin looked up sharply, his eyes suddenly sharp as a hawk's, but then filled with deeper worry. He put down the timber he was holding and whispered quickly to Li Chengqian, "Go and tell everyone to be quiet, not to move, not to look, and to return to their rooms!"

He straightened his mud-caked tunic, took a deep breath of the damp, cold air, and slowly walked toward the open space at the entrance to the settlement. As the one in charge, he had to be at the forefront.

Hearing the commotion inside, Li Yuan coughed violently again. His cloudy eyes were filled with extreme fear, and his withered hands gripped the edge of the bed tightly, his knuckles turning white, as if the grim reaper had already arrived at his door.

Before long, a group of people appeared at the end of the path and stepped into this desolate place of exile.

Leading the group was a military general, clad in fine black armor with mountain-pattern design, over which was a dark red battle robe. Though he wore no helmet, his military attire stood out strikingly against the desolate landscape. He appeared to be around fifty years old, with a resolute face and a weathered bronze complexion. His eyes were bright and piercing, exuding an air of authority. His back was as straight as a pine tree, and he sat as steady as a mountain on a magnificent black warhorse.

Many of the elders in the Li clan, including Li Shimin, had their pupils constrict sharply and their breath catch in their throats the moment they saw the newcomer's face.

Qin Shubao!
He was once the Grand General of the Left Guard of the Tang Dynasty, and one of Li Shimin's most trusted and relied-upon generals! Now, he is the Grand General of the Southern Garrison of the Hua Empire, stationed in Lingnan, and deterring the various barbarian tribes.

Qin Qiong looked much younger and more energetic than his actual age, especially compared to the prematurely aged Li men in the settlement. He exuded a distinct and vibrant energy befitting someone in power.

Complex emotions churned like boiling water in the hearts of the surviving elders. Resentment? After all, he was a surrendered general, and the Li family's predicament over the years had undoubtedly been partly due to his presence in Lingnan, keeping a close watch on them. Fear? He now commanded a large army and wielded immense power, representing Emperor Hua in this region. And a sliver of hope, one they themselves refused to acknowledge? After all, he was once a loyal subject of their former master…

But all these emotions were suppressed under the absolute disparity in power and status, and no one dared to show the slightest hint of them. They simply lowered their heads even further or cast terrified glances at Li Shimin.

Behind Qin Qiong stood about a hundred elite cavalrymen, all clad in light armor, with swords at their waists and powerful crossbows on their backs. Their eyes were cold and their discipline strict. They silently enclosed the open space, exuding an invisible pressure. Even more eye-catching was the rider slightly behind Qin Qiong on the side.

She was a woman, dressed in a well-tailored, dark black outfit, over which she wore a simple, dark blue cloak. The belt around her waist accentuated her slender figure, yet she exuded no trace of femininity. She wore no hairpins or ornaments; her black hair was simply tied up with an ebony hairpin. Her face was beautiful but unusually pale, almost bloodless. Her eyes were calm as water, yet like deep pools; wherever her gaze swept, it seemed to see right through one's soul, instilling a chill involuntarily in those who looked upon her.

Li Shimin recognized her, or rather, had heard of her name—Bai Qing'er, the Commander of the Imperial City Guard. A woman from the Yin Gui Sect, now in charge of the most feared surveillance agency in the Hua Empire. Her presence often signified the emperor's most direct will, or… his most secret mission.

Qin Qiong reined in his horse, his gaze sweeping over the chaotic settlement before him, where everyone looked emaciated and their eyes were filled with fear. His gaze finally settled on Li Shimin, who stood alone at the forefront, trying to straighten his back. A fleeting, incredibly complex glint flashed in his eyes, too quick to catch, before he regained his composed, businesslike demeanor.

"By order of His Majesty the Holy Emperor, the Commander of the Imperial City Guard has personally delivered this decree. The members of the Li clan kneel in welcome."

Many members of the Li clan trembled, the last trace of color draining from their faces. Li Yuan, hearing this from inside the house, trembled even more violently. But they dared not hesitate in the slightest. After Li Shimin took the lead in kneeling in the mud, men, women, and children, a dark mass of them, knelt down, their heads bowed low, not daring to look up.

Bai Qing'er rode forward half a step, her voice clear and cold like a jade chime: "Your Majesty has decreed: I have heard that Lingnan is hot and humid with many miasmas. The Li family in Siguo Village lives there and their livelihood is difficult, and they are also worried about epidemics. I cherish the distant people and think that it is not easy for their lineage to continue. Therefore, I have specially bestowed these items to ensure their survival."

With a slight raise of his hand, soldiers immediately carried up several heavy sandalwood boxes behind him and opened them in front of everyone.

The first box contained dozens of brand-new or semi-new thread-bound books. The sharp-eyed Li Chengqian and others could vaguely see the words on the covers. They were not classics, histories, philosophical works, or collections of literature, but rather "The Barefoot Doctor's Manual (Lingnan Malay Diseases Chapter)," "Basic Epidemic Prevention Outline," "Common External Injury Treatment," "A Preliminary Exploration of Crop Improvement in the South," "Basic Mathematics," "Making Simple Instruments," and even "A Concise Version of the Laws of the Chinese Empire."

The second box contained even more books, but of varying materials, some even with silk or leather covers. Some glimpsed "Hun Yuan Gong (Foundation Building Chapter)," "Detailed Explanation of Five Animal Frolics," "Breathing and Guiding Techniques," "Basic Swordplay Diagrams," and "Ten Forms of Military Combat"... clearly martial arts manuals! Although they all appeared to be basic or popular versions, for the Li clan members, who had been strictly deprived of their right to practice martial arts for over twenty years and whose physical constitutions were generally weak, it was nothing short of a thunderbolt from a clear sky.

The third and fourth boxes contained neatly stacked porcelain bottles, earthenware jars, and oil-paper packages, emitting varying degrees of herbal scents, labeled with: "Wound Relief Powder," "Miasma Removal Pills," "Wind Repellent Ointment," "Mosquito Repellent Oil," "Water Purifying Powder," and so on.

The last box was slightly smaller, but it contained dozens of high-quality machetes, axes, hoes, sickles, and even several powerful bows and bundles of arrows! Although they were farm tools and hunting implements, their quality far surpassed the dilapidated tools they had, especially the ironware, which was a strictly controlled resource in Lingnan.

This "reward" completely exceeded everyone's expectations. There was no reprimand, no punishment, but instead... books, medicine, tools, and even basic martial arts skills?

An uncontrollable commotion arose among the kneeling crowd. The younger generation, especially the boys who secretly yearned for knowledge and physical strength, their eyes lit up instantly, their breathing became heavy, and they almost couldn't help but look up. The women stared at the medicines, remembering the loved ones taken by the plague every year, tears welling in their eyes. Even the oldest and most vigilant, Li Jiancheng and his group, were stunned into forgetting their fear, their hearts filled with turmoil—what did this mean? Paralysis? Fattening them up before killing them? Or… had that Emperor Hua changed his ways?
Only Li Shimin lowered his head even further, his mind filled with alarm bells.

There must be a demon in the abnormal situation!
Emperor Hua is by no means a benevolent man; this reward must come with a higher price tag or hide a deeper scheme. Is bestowing books, medicine, and tools to help them survive better, or even… restore some of their strength? Martial arts manuals, even just the basics, would mean allowing them to regain some self-defense capabilities?

This... is so weird!
Bai Qing'er seemed indifferent to the reactions of the crowd and continued in her cold voice: "These gifts are distributed by the General of Zhennan's Mansion, which will also dispatch a physician and a craftsman to stay here for three months to teach epidemic prevention, medical principles, and the use of equipment. Elder Li, step forward to receive the imperial decree and express your gratitude."

Li Shimin took a deep breath, suppressed his turbulent thoughts, and with the utmost respect, raised his hands above his head, saying in a hoarse voice, "This sinful subject and his family kowtow to thank His Majesty the Holy Emperor for his divine grace! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"

The clansmen behind him also kowtowed, their voices disordered but trembling with genuine emotion.

Qin Qiong then dismounted with a steady and swift movement. He walked up to Li Shimin and offered a slight gesture of support, saying, "Please rise, Lord Li."

Li Shimin stood up naturally, with his hands at his sides, not daring to meet Qin Qiong's gaze.

Qin Qiong nodded slightly to Bai Qing'er, who then said nothing more, only coldly surveying the settlement. The soldiers began distributing the items from the boxes in an orderly fashion, and a physician and craftsmen stepped forward. As the tribespeople received the brand-new items, especially the medicines and tools, many couldn't help but choke up, and some elders even kowtowed towards Luoyang. The atmosphere, tinged with fear, was mixed with an unreal, cautious joy.

Qin Qiong whispered to Li Shimin, "Lord Li, may I speak to you in private?"

Li Shimin's heart tightened. He nodded and led Qin Qiong towards his bamboo hut. Bai Qing'er did not follow, but her standing figure was like an invisible shackle, making Li Shimin feel uneasy.

Upon entering the room, Li Shimin invited Qin Qiong to take a seat—the only relatively intact bamboo chair. Qin Qiong did not stand on ceremony, and after sitting down, he calmly looked at Li Shimin. Li Shimin stood to the side with his hands at his sides, as if facing a superior.

"Shubao..."

Li Shimin finally couldn't hold back and used an old title, his voice dry: "Your Majesty... Your Majesty the Holy Emperor, what is the meaning of this action? We are guilty and fearful, and we hope... we hope the General Who Guards the South will enlighten us."

The string that had been taut in his heart for twenty-one years not only did not loosen, but was stretched even tighter by this sudden "gift," almost to the point of breaking.

Looking at the once dashing and heroic Prince Qin, whom he had sworn to serve to the death, now aged, haggard, and humble like an old farmer, Qin Qiong couldn't help but sigh.

After a moment of silence, he slowly spoke, his tone carrying a hint of indescribable complexity compared to his previous official manner: "Lord Li, there's no need for excessive surprise. His Majesty's... intentions are unpredictable, but there is one thing I can tell you: if His Majesty truly wished to eliminate future troubles, he wouldn't have waited until today, much less resorted to such methods." (End of Chapter)