"What a pity." A rare hint of regret flashed in Cheng Xuanfeng's eyes.

  Xu Haifeng's severe eyes also calmed down, and he smiled and asked, "What a pity?"

  Cheng Xuanfeng sighed and said, "My young friend, you should have said that ten years ago."

  "I've heard all about it." Xǔ Hǎifēng said calmly.

  "Your talent is truly one of a kind, I've only seen it once in my lifetime. If you wait another ten years, you'll have the qualifications to fight me. But if you insist on taking the lead today, I'm afraid you won't escape with your life." Cheng Xuanfeng looked at him and said with a hint of hope, "Among our great Han clan, the young generation, whether it's literary talent or martial arts, courage or demeanor, all take you as their leader. Your future achievements are boundless, so why must you sacrifice yourself for the Liu family? Why not just retreat now?"

  As a person of his stature, he would naturally disdain to deceive others, so these words come from the heart and have a strong infectious power.

  Compared to others, Xu Haifeng had an additional layer of understanding. He bowed respectfully to Cheng Xuanfeng and said: "Thank you for your kindness, but I have my own difficulties that cannot be avoided, which has disappointed you."

  Cheng Xuanfeng's eyes gradually deepened with a hint of regret, he raised his head to gaze at the sky, and after a long moment of contemplation, he said: "You don't want to leave because of loyalty and righteousness; I shouldn't blame you for that. However... there are some things that I originally didn't want to mention, but now I have no choice but to bring up old matters again."

  "Please go ahead and speak, senior."

  "Xu Xiaoyou, I ask you, how many top-notch aristocratic families are there in the Great Han Dynasty?" Cheng Xuanfeng suddenly asked.

  As soon as he said this, Fang Lingde and Liu Zhengzhong's faces changed slightly, but they were both deep in the city, and except for a few limited people, others couldn't see through them.

  For this question that is completely unrelated to the topic, Xi Hai Feng was surprised in his heart but still replied honestly: "The only thing I know is that there are four major families."

  "The Four Great Families?" Cheng Xuanfeng revealed a mocking smile, he turned his head and asked: "Fang Lingde, do you have the guts to tell Xu Xiaoyou that forty years ago, how many great families did our Great Han have?

  Fang Lingde's face turned pale in an instant, and this normally kind and gentle old man actually avoided Xu Haifeng's gaze, which was filled with inquiry. He tightly closed his mouth and didn't utter a word.

  Anyone who sees his expression knows that there must be something unspeakable hidden in it.

  "I dare not say. Humph, you think that by cutting the grass and eliminating the roots, you have done a perfect job, and no one will come to trouble you again? The ridicule on Cheng Xuanfeng's face grew thicker, he coldly smiled: "It is just the heavenly principle, cause and effect, not even half a point can be forced, the only difference is the time, early or late."

  "Senior, what do you mean by this? Our Fang family has been loyal and upright for generations, what have we ever done to harm heaven and reason? If there is indeed retribution, then the first ones who should suffer it are you traitors who seek glory at the expense of your country and have lost all sense of morality." Fang Xiangming stepped forward, pointing directly at Cheng Xuanyi, speaking loudly without showing any restraint due to his master's identity.

  "Hah" Cheng Xuanfeng laughed and said: "You're a young whippersnapper who speaks big words without shame, but back then you hadn't been born yet, so it's not surprising that you don't know about this matter."

  Xu Haifeng gazed into his eyes, a complex expression flashing across his face, and asked: "Please enlighten me, senior."

  Cheng Xuanfeng nodded slightly and said, "More than 40 years ago, the Great Han had five major families. Apart from my Cheng family living in the south, there were also four other major families in the capital: Dong, Fang, Tang, and Su. Among them, the Dong family was renowned for its talents and was known as the number one family under heaven."

  "Dong family?" Xǔ Hǎifēng muttered to himself, unable to deny that this was the first time he had heard of this family's name.

  "Not bad, back then the master of the Dong family, Dong Zirui, was very talented and managed the Dong family well, making it prosperous and thriving."

  Cheng Xuanfeng closed his eyes slightly, as if he had fallen into a distant memory: "That year, the Xiongnu invaded the border and offended the territory. The six northern counties fell one after another within a month, shocking the world. At that time, I was in my prime, and when I heard the news, I immediately went north to join the fierce battle in the northern border."

  Everyone fell silent, regarding the world-renowned war, everyone was familiar with it, but more than 40 years ago, Fang Lide was only a teenager and did not participate in that battle, let alone others.

  Now, listening to this old man who has personally experienced it, I couldn't help but feel a sense of nostalgia wash over me.

  "On the northern border battlefield, I and Dong Zhuo met like old times, became sworn brothers in life and death, we fought side by side, supported each other, after several months, finally endured until winter, forcing the Xiongnu people to return without success, preserving the dignity and territory of the Great Han."

  Cheng Xuanfeng's tone grew even more solemn: "For this war, the Dong family spared no effort, mobilizing all its able-bodied men to take up arms and rush to the battlefield. They fought valiantly, refusing to yield, otherwise the Liu family's prosperous empire would have perished forty years ago."

  "But... "Cheng Xuanfeng's tone suddenly changed, and a deep-seated hatred seeped out: "But do you know what awaits them when they return victorious?"

  Xu Haifeng shook his head in dismay, a sense of foreboding flashing through his mind.

  "A grand banquet was held to welcome the survivors of the Dong family, hosted by the former emperor and the heads of the three major families. However...the fine wine used for the welcoming toast was not the Tang family's Drunken Moon Wine, but a cup of sweet and alluring Crane Top Red."

  Apart from Fang Lingde and Liu Zhengzhong, everyone else was hearing this secret history for the first time, their hearts shaken, unable to calm themselves.

  "Poisoned wine?" Xu Haifeng's eyes were filled with growing anger, he took a deep breath and asked: "Why?"

  "Because of his outstanding achievements." Cheng Xuanfeng coldly rebuked, "Dong Dage is both civil and martial, originally the Grand Chancellor of the current dynasty, assisting the previous emperor in governing the world with great order. When war broke out, he put down his pen and took up arms, personally going to the front lines, and issued an order that all sons of the Dong family must be at the forefront of every battle, not allowed to retreat. If it weren't for the life-or-death performance of the Dong family's children stirring up the bloodlust of the entire army, the outcome of this war would really be hard to say."

  "After the great war, Dong Da Ge led his personal troops and recovered all six northern counties. His merits are so great that they cannot be compared."

  Xu Haifeng's face turned pale, and he asked slowly: "Then what does it have to do with the three major families?"

  "Dong Ge has achieved such great merit and prestige, his reputation is so high that no one in the world dares to think of surpassing him. In the future, won't he become the one who can cover the entire court with just one hand? How would you feel if you were in his shoes?" asked Cheng Xuanfeng.

  Xu Haifeng nodded slowly and sighed, saying: "And then?"

  Cheng Xuanfeng smiled bleakly and said, "As soon as Brother Dong died, the Dong family was thrown into chaos. They took advantage of this opportunity to set up a trap, catching all of the Dong family's power in court and out in one net, sparing not even the widows and orphans."

  Xu Haifeng closed his eyes, feeling a pang of sorrow in his heart.

  Cheng Xuanfeng sighed and laughed several times, his voice as mournful as a cicada's: "What fault is it of the Dong family, what ill fortune is this? How many heroes from Yan and Zhao have sung sorrowful songs, with passionate and stirring words! They were driven by righteousness, abandoning their families and children, fighting fiercely on the northern borders, dying nine times only to be reborn. Yet they did not die under the blades of foreign horses, but under the poisonous cup of sweet wine in the hands of their own kin."

  He suddenly lowered his head, with a cold light flashing in his eyes. He stared at Xu Haifeng and said word by word: "If the Liu family is not destroyed, where is the heavenly justice? If the Liu family does not perish, where is the public morality? If the Liu family does not become extinct, how can the thousand heroic souls of the Dong family rest in peace?"

  Inside the palace, Li Guanying carried Liu Jun's blood-stained body and ran all the way.

  "Who comes..."

  A loud shout made him stop in his tracks involuntarily.

  He looked up and showed a surprised expression, and saluted: "I am Li Guanying, Deputy Commander of the Wolf Army, at your service, Your Excellencies."

  The ones blocking his path were none other than the current heads of the three most prominent families in the imperial court.

  Fang Lingtian looked at him and said: "You are Guan Ying, where is your uncle?"

  Li Guanying's eyes flashed with tears as he said: "General Li led the 300-strong Wolf Troop to guard the North Victory Gate."

  Fang Ling Tian looked at him and nodded heavily, saying: "Good, good Li Bohu."

  His voice was getting hoarse and finally could no longer continue.

  Tang Zonghan took a look at Liu Jun's book on Li Guanying's back and asked, "You're carrying General Liu's book, what are you doing here?"

  Li Guanying carefully lifted Liu Jun's book off his back, held it to his chest and replied: "General Liu fought bravely against the enemy, was seriously injured, and has been unconscious. The commander ordered me to escort him to see Minister Fang. Now that we have seen you, we must trouble Minister Fang."

  Fang Ling Tian's eyebrows twitched, and he looked up to see Li Guan Ying's face calm and his eyes firm and unwavering. He vaguely guessed what he was thinking: "Hand him over to me, where are you going?"

  Li Guanying smiled proudly and said: "Nothing else, I only wish to follow General Shang's tail wing, then this life will have no regrets."

  The three officials exchanged a glance, and instantly understood each other's thoughts.

  Magistrate Fang's face turned stern as he said, "This official has important business to attend to, how can I possibly care for a dying man?"

  Li Guanying was taken aback, opened his mouth wide, but couldn't say a word.

  He took off the jade pendant from his waist and pointed westward, saying: "At this moment, the Crown Prince is rushing to the West Gate. You take my jade pendant and go ahead to escort the Crown Prince to the Northern Camp."

  Li Guanying shook his head and said: "Although I am not a talented general, I am not one who fears death. Please forgive me for not being able to follow your orders."

  Fang Ling Tian's face sank, and with a loud slap, he struck him squarely on the head.

  Li Guanying didn't dare dodge and let him hit her, but she found that his palm seemed fierce yet was actually weak and didn't use any strength.

  "The prince is going to the northern border, with a heavy responsibility on his shoulders. The road ahead is fraught with danger, and it's precisely at this time that we need loyal and dedicated officials like you to stand together in support. And yet, as a member of the Li family, you're actually hesitant to move forward. It's a waste that your uncle was just praising you in front of me as the most outstanding among the younger generation of the Li family... You've disgraced Li Bohu!" Fang Ling Tian suddenly flew into a rage and shouted.

  Li Guanying's eyes turned red, biting her lower lip, stubbornly standing still.

  Fang Ling Tian let out a long sigh, and forcibly stuffed the jade pendant into his chest pocket, saying: "The living have an even greater responsibility to bear, you... must not let your uncle's efforts be in vain."

  Li Guanying turned his head and looked at Beishengmen with a lingering attachment.

  He could no longer bear it, and suddenly raised his head and let out a loud, hoarse cry. He then swiftly disappeared into the west, embracing Liu Junshu.

  "They left."

  "Yes. They're gone."

  "As long as they're still alive, there's still hope."

  "Our Great Han's hope."