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

"Qiu Guang, a commander of a thousand men under General Fan Shiwei of Daliang Yunhu, is here to carry out orders!" A cold voice pierced the darkness and came from this direction.

Ning Nan frowned... Sigh... I'm too late... He sighed inwardly.

The fire dragon that came off the boat circled the area, enveloping the small, shallow beach and illuminating the once dark and gloomy space!

Ning Nan glanced around. The soldiers were all dressed in brown leather armor, holding torches in one hand and spears in the other. They were stern and tall, and it was clear at a glance that they were elite soldiers of the Yunhu Camp.

Ning Nan glanced at Da Hei's direction; Da Hei had already disappeared into the darkness, and the two horses it was leading were nowhere to be seen either... Ning Nan secretly felt relieved; if things didn't go well, he could just run that way.

Qin Yuanyao frowned.

With a gesture, more than thirty Imperial Guards immediately moved closer to her. The seriously injured Xu Tong sat in the carriage and personally guarded the old man in black robes with his knife.

Qian Sijin, who was holding a large spear, sat on the carriage frame and acted as a coachman with another captain.

Captain Xu Can has just been confirmed to have succumbed to his injuries. His body has been wrapped up, placed on a horse, and is being prepared to be taken back to the capital.

A centurion led the way, bringing along the dozen or so bound guards, who followed behind the carriage.

Seeing that the carriage had arrived, Qin Yuanyao felt slightly relieved. She then turned her gaze to the figure that was getting closer and closer to her... Qiu Guang, the commander of Yunhu Camp.

Qiu Guang was dressed in black armor, with a breastplate hanging on his chest and his left hand on the sword at his waist.

Qin Yuanyao was dressed in a red flying fish robe, while the thirty-odd Imperial Guards around her were mostly dressed in black flying fish robes.

Logically speaking, if such a flying fish-patterned troupe were in the former Liang dynasty, military officers would be terrified to death upon seeing them, and civil officials, though they might verbally protest with phrases like "the imperial guards," would likely be scared half to death inside.

But times have changed, and the East and West Factories have been gone for many years.

The influence of the Embroidered Uniform Guard has also diminished considerably.

Ironically, the most prominent figures were the military generals who had previously been suppressed by civil officials.

For example, this Commander Qiu in front of him was quite arrogant, staring at Qin Yuanyao with a condescending attitude.

Qin Yuanyao suppressed her anger, but did not lash out.

Not understanding why the other party suddenly appeared and made such a big fuss, surrounding her without saying a word... The female commander narrowed her eyes, forcing herself to calm down, and gave her name and rank, saying that she had come to capture the remaining bandits of Black Tiger Stronghold.

Qin Yuanyao glanced around and questioned the other party, "What does Commander Qiu mean by this?"

"Black Tiger Stronghold has fallen?" Qiu Guang asked with some doubt.

"It's broken, of course."

Qin Yuanyao slightly raised her chin and gestured for someone to bring over Meng Hao's head, which was hanging from the side of the horse.

The head had been treated with lime, and Meng Hao's eyes were still wide open.

Qiu Guang's eyes narrowed for a moment, then he said expressionlessly, "I don't know any Meng Hao... Since Commander Qin says the stronghold has been breached, then it is breached."

Qin Yuanyao gave an "Oh," and said in a flat tone, "I heard that Commander Qiu used to be a bandit on Yunhu Lake, and he made a great name for himself there... After being recruited by General Fan, he repeatedly performed outstanding feats, and His Majesty bestowed upon him the title of Commander Qiu of the Yunhu Camp... I thought Commander Qiu and Meng Hao were old acquaintances!"

Qiu Guang sneered, "Commander Qin, my background is none of your concern... This commander position was personally bestowed upon me by His Majesty. If Commander Qin is dissatisfied, he can try to persuade His Majesty to rescind the order... if Commander Qin has the ability!"

Qin Yuanyao said calmly, "As long as Commander Qiu is loyal to the country, no matter what I say, his position will be as secure as a mountain. He might even be promoted and become valued by His Majesty and the court. But if he commits crimes and invites trouble, then I don't need to say anything... His Majesty, Governor Gu, and General Fan will not tolerate such a person usurping the position of Commander Qiu in our Great Liang!"

Qiu Guang curled his lip and gave a cold laugh, clearly disdainful of the female commander's words.

Qin Yuanyao didn't care. She said that no matter what official business Qiu Qianhu came here for, her business was done. She asked him to make way for her so she could return to Dingjiang County to report to the Grand Tutor... that is, to Governor Gu of Yunhu.

Qiu Guang pointed to the carriage and said that Commander Qin could leave whenever he wanted, but the old man in the carriage and the dozen or so guards of the old man had to stay.

Qin Yuanyao narrowed her eyes and asked the other party why... her voice instantly turned cold.

Qiu Guang said, "We have been watching this old man and these dozen or so people in Yunhu Camp for a long time. They are smuggling salt and they came from the Northern Dynasty... According to the laws of the Great Liang Dynasty, since they came from the Northern Dynasty and passed through our Yunhu Camp, they are naturally under our jurisdiction... We suspect that they are spies from the Northern Dynasty and we need to bring them back to Yunhu Camp for interrogation."

Qin Yuanyao's chest heaved as she slowly exhaled, her eyes darkening as she said, "Commander Qiu, I've made myself very clear. These men are remnants of the Black Tiger Stronghold. Whether they have any connection to the Northern Dynasty is for our Imperial Guard Command to investigate… Now, I'm taking them to Dingjiang. Commander Qiu… please don't make a mistake…"

"Otherwise—" Qin Yuanyao's eyes darkened, "Yuanyao might suspect that Commander Qiu intends to protect these bandit leaders..."

"Protecting them? ... Qiu Guang laughed, "So, Commander Qin is planning to protect these Northern Dynasty spies?"

"What did you say?" One of the Imperial Guards couldn't hold back any longer and stepped forward angrily.

"What?" Qiu Guang's three layers of armor clanged loudly. "It seems Commander Qin's men are indeed planning to protect these spies? Are they going to attack me?"

Qin Yuanyao's eyes sharpened: "According to the laws of the Great Liang Dynasty, whether these people are spies or not is not something your Yunhu Camp can decide with just your words. It requires the approval of the Embroidered Uniform Guard and the relevant authorities..."

"Yes, that's why I'm saying we need to take them back to camp to investigate." Qiu Guang scoffed, interrupting the female commander.

"According to the laws of the Great Liang Dynasty, Military Law, Volume 3, Article 12, the mobilization of troops of more than 150 men requires a hand order from the Ministry of War or a hand order from the governor dispatched by the court at that time. Otherwise, even if it is a personal order from General Fan, the troops cannot leave their posts without authorization."

At that moment, a somewhat young male voice rang out.

Qiu Guang frowned and looked at the young man who had made the sound.

The pretty boy standing next to Qin Yuanyao, judging from his clothes, was not a member of the Imperial Guard, and he was covered in blood.

"What rank do you hold?" he asked.

Hmm, that's direct... Ning Nan didn't seem embarrassed at all, and laughed frankly, "No rank, commoner."

Qiu Guang said expressionlessly, "Since that's the case... I now suspect you're in cahoots with these Northern Dynasty spies, and I need to take you back to Yunhu for interrogation!"

"You!—" Qin Yuanyao said angrily.

"Hey, didn't he say I can't leave my post without permission? If we take him back sooner, it won't be considered leaving my post without permission, right?"

After saying that, the general actually took a step closer to Ningnan.

"Uh... I am a staff member of Governor Gu." Ning Nan smiled calmly.

"Indeed!" Qin Yuanyao's originally pale face finally eased a bit, and she immediately testified, "Young Master Ning is indeed a staff member of Governor Gu. He is learned and talented, virtuous and capable, and highly valued by Governor Gu and Wang Daban."

Qiu Guang laughed, "Since that's the case..." He revealed a set of gleaming white teeth, "Then even better! A roughneck like me needs a learned and talented scholar like Young Master Ning to teach us the laws of Great Liang!"

Having said that, he took another step toward Ningnan.

Sigh... Ning Nan sighed inwardly... The old man in that carriage was indeed someone you couldn't even touch.

However, with Governor Gu's backing, even if he were taken away by the other party, at least his life wouldn't be in danger... He frowned and couldn't help but let out a deep breath.

Just then.

The shallow beach was bathed in moonlight.

A clear, cold voice that Ning Nan recognized very well suddenly came from behind: "Commander Shangguan... is there any problem with what this young doctor just said about Article 12 of Volume 3 of the Military Law of the Great Liang?"

"Young doctor..." Ning Nan frowned.

"Ah," a deep yet clear voice followed her words, "Miss Cui Cui, the law your young doctor mentioned... is really not wrong at all, well said... very well..."

Ning Nan froze, turned around, and his eyes widened in surprise... Silver light poured down, the water surface shimmered, and a woman dressed in a simple cloth dress and hairpin, yet whose beauty could not be concealed, stood quietly behind him with her chin slightly raised. Her temperament was extraordinary and her gaze was calm and powerful.