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After Guo Wei's army completely controlled Kaifeng, it did not immediately carry out a large-scale purge or bestow rewards. Instead, it stabilized order with astonishing efficiency, took over key government offices, and appeased the remaining court officials.

The orders issued from the makeshift headquarters showed that this veteran general not only knew how to fight, but also how to govern.

In fact, the success of the Northern Song Dynasty was built on the foundation of the Northern Zhou Dynasty's political system. Zhao Kuangyin essentially seized and plundered the fruits of the Northern Zhou Dynasty's rule.

Unfortunately, neither Guo Wei nor Chai Rong were ruthless enough; while they guarded against those military generals, they failed to strip them of their military power.

Meanwhile, the situation for the refugees who were being held in centralized custody eased after the initial few days of strict control.

They were no longer required to kneel for long periods of time, and were allowed limited movement within designated areas. They received a small amount of thin porridge each day to barely keep them alive.

The soldiers' guard remained tight, but there were far fewer instances of beatings, verbal abuse, and indiscriminate killings.

Su Ning and the old cripple mingled in the crowd, silently observing everything.

At this moment, Suning's brain was working at lightning speed.

He knew he absolutely could not act rashly now.

Although Guo Wei was his father in this life, he was also a powerful and ambitious figure who was about to seize power over the world.

The trusted generals, advisors, and civil officials around Guo Wei were of diverse backgrounds and their intentions were difficult to fathom.

Based on the original owner Guo Xin's vague memories, as well as the bits and pieces of information he had heard from soldiers and refugees in recent days, combined with his own scattered understanding of the history of the Five Dynasties, he began to silently sort out and analyze in his mind.

Wang Jun: Guo Wei's top confidant and general, the main supporter and vanguard of this uprising.

This man was brave in battle and loyal to Guo Wei, but he was said to be stubborn, domineering, and power-hungry.

Would Wang Jun be willing to see the "dead" third young master of the Guo family suddenly resurrected?

Which is more in Wang Jun's interest: an adult adopted son, Chai Rong, who has his own power, or a biological young son who requires a lot of effort and resources to raise?
It's hard to say! Suning doesn't dare to gamble on the thoughts of these arrogant and fierce generals.

Wei Renpu: Guo Wei's important strategist, meticulous and skilled in politics.

This person is relatively low-key, but he was able to maintain his position as the chief strategist in chaotic times, which shows he is not someone to be trifled with.

However, what will Wei Renpu's attitude be toward Guo Wei's family affairs?

Is it purely a matter of political advantage or disadvantage, or is there a shred of loyalty to one's former master?
Wang Yin: Another general who commands a large army, and seems to be in competition with Wang Jun.

Would he be willing to support a "legitimate" biological son in order to counterbalance Wang Jun or Chai Rong?

The risk is too high; it cannot be relied upon.

Li Chongjin: Guo Wei's nephew, a young and brave general, so they are considered relatives.

But Li Chongjin and the deceased Guo Tong were of similar age, so their relationship was probably closer.

What would Li Chongjin think if his third brother, whom he barely remembered, suddenly appeared?
And then there were those civil and military officials who had originally served in the court but had switched sides and surrendered...

These people are even less reliable; they'll do anything to curry favor with their new masters.

Finally, there is the most crucial figure—Chai Rong.

Guo Wei's adopted son is also the current de facto heir.

Historical records indicate that Guo Wei later passed the throne to Chai Rong (Emperor Shizong of Later Zhou) because all his biological sons had been killed.

Now, if Guo Xin returns alive, Chai Rong's position as heir will immediately become awkward or even insecure.

Chai Rong himself was a man of great talent and ambition, but how would he choose when faced with such a fundamental conflict of interest?

Su Ning felt a chill in his heart.

At this point, he was almost certain that Chai Rong would never want him to appear alive.

Even, if Chai Rong knew he might still be alive, would he secretly do something to make that "possibility" disappear completely?
This is a chaotic world, this is the arena of power.

Family ties are often incredibly fragile in the face of enormous interests and life-or-death situations.

Guo Wei may be overjoyed by his son's "resurrection," but what about the people around him?
What about those wolves and tigers who surround power?
……

While Su Ning was secretly analyzing and walking on thin ice, something closely related to Guo Wei was indeed happening in Guo Wei's camp.

After entering the city, the situation stabilized somewhat.

Guo Wei finally found the time, suppressing his grief, and personally led his men back to the dilapidated old mansion, where the bloodstains, though roughly washed away, were still shocking.

He wanted to collect the remains of his family members.

The process was brutal and oppressive.

The bodies, hastily buried or even left exposed for days, were identified: Zhang, the legal wife; Guo, the second son; the youngest son; and two young daughters…

There were also other concubines and servants, totaling more than two hundred people.

With each corpse he recognized, Guo Wei, a commander who had seen countless deaths on the battlefield and whose will was as strong as iron, could not help but tremble and burst into tears.

Especially when he saw his wife Zhang's horribly mutilated remains, he almost couldn't stand and needed his personal guards to support him.

"Lord Guo, the body of Third Brother Guo Xin was not found."

"What? Investigate! Investigate thoroughly! Don't miss a single corner! We need to find them alive or dead!" Guo Wei ordered, his eyes red and his voice hoarse.

In fact, he still held a sliver of hope that a miracle might happen.

The soldiers searched the Guo residence thoroughly, inside and out, leaving no stone unturned, even the wells, cellars, and hidden walls unchecked.

Finally, the soldiers discovered something unusual in the dry well in the backyard...

There were signs of recent climbing on the well wall, and in a hidden hole, several stones that were obviously placed by people were found. There were also some residual fabric fibers in the hole that were different from the surrounding environment.

"Lord Guo! It seems someone hid here! Not long ago!" the personal guard commander reported excitedly.

Guo Wei rushed to the well, staring at the dark well opening and the marks pointed out by the soldiers. His breathing quickened. "Someone hid there? Then...where is that person? Did they come out? Are they dead or alive?"

"The traces indicate that he climbed out of the well, and there are recent signs of friction around the well opening. But we've searched the entire mansion, inside and out, and haven't found a matching... living person or a fresh corpse." The commander of the personal guards lowered his voice.

Guo Wei stood there stunned for a long time, then suddenly grabbed the arm of the personal guard commander with a frighteningly strong grip. "You mean...you mean someone might have escaped? Maybe...maybe Xin'er? My Sanlang?"

He remembered that his third son, Guo Xin, was the youngest and was somewhat introverted but not stupid.

If it was the wife, Zhang, who managed to hide a child at the last moment, the most likely candidate would be this young third son!
"It's possible... but Lord Guo, this is just a guess. It could also be... other servants who managed to hide and escape." The commander of the personal guards dared not speak definitively.

"Find them! Go find them immediately!" Guo Wei practically roared. "Draw sketches! No... don't make a big fuss! Investigate secretly! Search every place in Kaifeng that shelters refugees, every clinic, even... even every mass grave! The focus is on boys around fourteen years old! Describe their physical characteristics... describe them as Sanlang used to look like! But be clear, they might be dressed in rags, they might have changed their appearance!"

Then he realized that if Guo Xin had really escaped, in the chaotic city of Kaifeng, a boy of a young age would most likely be mixed among refugees or beggars.

A large-scale search might actually harm him...

Countless people don't want to see Guo Wei and his biological son alive! "Remember, do it in secret! Except for a few absolutely trustworthy people, don't let the news leak out! Especially..." Guo Wei's eyes became sharp and deep, "especially avoid Wang Jun, Wang Yin and their people, and... don't alarm Chai Rong's side for now."

The commander of the personal guards felt a chill run down his spine, instantly understanding Guo Wei's concerns. He solemnly clasped his hands in a fist and bowed, "This subordinate understands! We will definitely handle it discreetly!"

A secret search order was issued from the headquarters.

Several of Guo Wei's most trusted henchmen began to secretly search for Guo Xin in the refugee areas and beggar dens of Kaifeng, using the general description of Guo Xin's appearance from the past.

All of this is currently unknown to Suning, who is hiding among the refugees.

All he knew was that he was walking on a tightrope over a precipice; one wrong step and he might not be in his father's arms, but rather facing countless hidden blades.

He had to wait, wait for a sure-fire opportunity, or wait... for his father's men to find him first.

But the prerequisite is that the person who finds him must be someone who is truly loyal to his father and has no ill intentions towards him.

In the chaos of war, the struggle to survive and the attempt to reunite with one's father and return home turned into a perilous situation fraught with danger.

……

After carefully considering all the key figures under Guo Wei, Suning finally set its sights on Feng Dao.

Feng Dao was a legendary figure and an anomaly during the Five Dynasties period.

He served through four dynasties (Later Tang, Later Jin, Later Han, and now a new dynasty is about to begin), and served no fewer than ten emperors, always holding high positions such as prime minister and one of the Three Dukes, earning him the nickname "the tumbler."

Now that Guo Wei has taken control of Kaifeng, the situation remains unclear, but Feng Dao's residence has already become bustling with activity again. Those coming and going include former officials of the previous dynasty as well as newly promoted figures in Guo Wei's army. Everyone wants to get information from him or ask him to make an introduction.

Suning's choice of Feng Dao was a well-considered one.

First and foremost, Feng Dao and Guo Wei's military group had no fundamental conflict of interest.

He was not a direct descendant of Guo Wei who brought him from Yedu, and did not belong to any of Wang Jun, Wang Yin, or Li Chongjin's factions.

He represents the continuation and stability of the "old dynasty's civil service system".

Guo Wei wanted to continue using Feng Dao because he valued Feng Dao's ability to balance various parties, handle government affairs, and his influence among civil servants.

Moreover, Feng Dao had no military power and therefore no direct military influence over the succession struggle for Guo Wei, thus remaining relatively detached.

Secondly, Feng Daoneng's ability to remain in power through several dynasties was by no means due to his being a simple opportunist.

This person has exceptional insight, knows how to assess situations, and understands the principle of "leaving room for maneuver in all matters."

Feng Dao was well aware of the rules of the power game and understood that knowing some secrets might not be a blessing, but handling them well could lead to greater opportunities.

The sudden appearance of Guo Wei's supposedly "dead" son might be a hot potato for others, but for an old fox like Feng Dao, it could be a move worth careful consideration.

Third, Feng Dao was old, and what he pursued was posthumous fame and the continuation of his family, rather than a temporary peak of power.

A "fallen prince" who poses no direct threat to him and might even remember his help in the future is perhaps a better fit for his long-term investment vision than those aggressive military generals.

Moreover, Suning's close relationship with Feng Dao naturally gives it the approval of the civil service.

Even though the civil service group was still quite weak at this time, its strong control and promising future were undeniable.

Of course, risks still exist.

Feng Dao may have handed himself over in order to curry favor with Guo Wei or a powerful general.

However, compared to other options, Feng Dao's situation is relatively risk-controlled, and there is an opportunity for negotiation.

After making up its mind, Suning began to take action.

He didn't tell the old cripple his true intentions, only saying that he wanted to try his luck at other begging spots in the city.

Although the old cripple was somewhat worried, seeing that Su Ning had made up his mind, he could only tell him to be very careful.

Feng Dao's residence was located in a relatively quiet yet respectable area of ​​the inner city, not far from the imperial palace and major government offices.

The mansion wasn't the most luxurious, but its grand entrance exuded a sense of composure that had weathered many storms.

Suning dared not get too close and could only observe from the outside.

At this time, he disguised himself as a little beggar who picked up trash and occasionally begged in the neighborhood, wandering around the streets and alleys around the Feng residence for several days in a row.

He kept track of the daily activity at the Feng residence's gate: what time it opened, which officials or generals' vehicles came to visit, when Feng Dao himself would go out to court or on official business, and the usual routes for purchasing servants in the residence, etc.

Suning discovered that Feng Dao was indeed cautious.

The mansion wasn't particularly heavily guarded, but the rules were strict, making it difficult for unfamiliar faces to get close to the main gate.

However, the back gate and side alleys were occasionally used by laborers and vendors transporting vegetables and firewood, so management was relatively lax.

It was also noticed that Feng Dao seemed to have a habit of taking a walk in his backyard in the evening...

This was something Suning observed from a distance, hiding in an old tree and peering through the low wall of the Feng family's back garden.

Although the people were not clearly visible, one could see figures moving slowly among the garden pavilions and corridors, accompanied by one or two servants.

This might be an opportunity.

Outside the back garden wall is a relatively quiet alley.

But how to approach him safely and get Feng Dao to listen to him, instead of arresting him as a madman or a spy?

Climb over the wall directly? That's too risky; you might get shot by the guards before you even see anyone.

Blocking the road to protest their innocence? Stopping Feng Dao's carriage in the alley?
He would probably be driven away or even captured by his entourage before he could finish speaking.

A relatively private approach must be created that would make Feng Dao feel safe and provide an initial opportunity to gain his trust.

Suning noticed that every morning, an old servant would come out from the back door to buy fresh ingredients at a fixed morning market.

The old servant looked like he had been in the household for quite some time; he moved at a leisurely pace.

Perhaps... we can think of a solution through him?
For example, could you create an inconspicuous "accident" to convey a message?
Or perhaps Feng Dao's household has done some good deeds by distributing porridge and meals to the public.
Many adults use this to accumulate merit and do good deeds.

If so, perhaps you could find an opportunity by mingling among the beggars?

Like a patient spider, Su Ning silently wove his web around the Feng residence, observing every detail and waiting for that fleeting opportunity to safely approach the "tumbler."

At this moment, he knew that this might be the most crucial step for him to escape his precarious life as a beggar and truly embark on the path of revenge and survival, and he had to be extremely cautious.

Meanwhile, Guo Wei's trusted henchmen were meticulously searching every corner of Kaifeng for anyone who matched the characteristics of a boy around fourteen years old, like a comb.

Two invisible streams are quietly flowing in this capital city that has just experienced the ravages of war, and it is unknown when they will converge and what kind of waves they will create.

...(End of this chapter)