"The original intention of establishing the National Protection Army was out of distrust of the fighting capabilities of the government army... You two are not outsiders, so today I will tell you the truth. From the day I wiped out Yang Tianwang, I began to plan the Taihang Mountains."

Han Shizhong chuckled, "Back then, you secretly let Li Moulue go and let him take away a lot of weapons and food. The brothers knew about it a long time ago, but they just chose to keep silent."

Zhang Shixun nodded. "The reason I didn't tell you is because I didn't want you to bear the responsibility. If the court investigates this matter, it will have nothing to do with you."

Yue Fei said: "At first I had some thoughts about this matter. I thought the commander-in-chief did not trust us. Later I realized that you did this to protect us."

"It's best if you know it in your heart."

Zhang Shixun was very pleased that these two people could understand.

"What is the court's current attitude towards the National Protection Army?" Han Shizhong was still a little worried.

"I'm not sure, but I heard today that someone considered me a nuisance and repeatedly suggested that the government take action against me. Later, because they were afraid of my abilities, they kept quiet."

Han Shizhong advised: "For your own safety, I advise you to leave the capital as soon as possible and escape to the Taihang Mountains."

Zhang Shixun laughed heartily, "Uncle, do you have so little confidence in me?"

"Literati are the most ruthless. If they are targeting you, it is better to be on guard early."

"Don't worry about me. These guys are so overwhelmed by Shi Qian that they are organizing forces to capture him. They can't take care of me for the time being."

When talking about Shi Qian, the two of them immediately became interested.

Han Shizhong asked excitedly, "Shixun, there are no outsiders here. Can you tell us where this Shi Qian came from?"

"He calls himself a hero of Liangshan, and it seems he has two accomplices, one is the Flower Monk Lu Zhishen, and the other is the Black Whirlwind Li Kui. During this riot in the capital, those two didn't show up, leaving Shi Qian alone."

Yue Fei said, "The story of the Liangshan hero Fanlou's assassination of the emperor has been made into a joke and, through the mouths of storytellers, has quietly spread among the people. I heard from my soldiers that the Imperial City Bureau is tracking down the compiler, and the people of Kaifeng Prefecture have also sent patrols to warn storytellers not to tell stories about Liangshan in the future."

Zhang Shixun smiled and said, "This Shi Qian is indeed quite capable. The palace is heavily guarded, but he can come and go freely as if it were his own backyard. If I get the chance, I'd like to meet him."

Han Shizhong also said, "I want to meet him, too."

"Li Gang came to me and wanted me to help capture Shi Qian, but I refused."

Han Shizhong said, "You were right to refuse. Shi Qian and his men are good men in the martial arts world, renowned heroes. They act with integrity and have a good sense of propriety. They held the retired emperor hostage twice without harming him in the slightest, and even took him to Chunfeng Tower. Tsk tsk! This Shi Qian is incredibly interesting. I really want to get to know him."

Yue Fei nodded and said, "He doesn't harm the government, which shows that he knows his limits. He's just like some rebels who only fight against corrupt officials, not the emperor."

Zhang Shixun smiled, picked up the wine bowl and urged everyone to drink. Then he said, "The court is still searching the whole city, which means Shi Qian hasn't left the capital yet. Let's wait and see, maybe he will jump out and cause trouble again."

Han Shizhong rubbed his hands and said, "Let's make a fuss! Better make it quickly, Old Han is waiting to see the fun."

Zhang Shixun pointed at him and said, "Uncle, you are just here to watch the fun. You can only say this here. When you return to the barracks, don't spread it around."

"Hey! I'm not that stupid."

After finishing talking about Shi Qian, Zhang Shixun looked at the two of them and said seriously, "Let's not talk about this anymore. I want to discuss some serious matters with you."

Seeing his serious expression, the two men sat up straight.

"According to reliable information, the Jurchens will launch another large-scale attack on the Song Dynasty, probably in the second half of the year."

Han Shizhong was shocked, "Why are you here again?"

"The Jurchens are ambitious and ruthless. They gained a great advantage in their first attack on the Song Dynasty. They have tasted the sweetness of success and this has only emboldened them. Another attack on the Song Dynasty is inevitable."

Yue Fei frowned and said worriedly, "It seems that the court has no preparations at all."

"This is exactly what I'm most worried about," Zhang Shixun sighed. "The court today is no different than it was when the retired emperor was on the throne. There's been no improvement in government at all. The ministers are scheming against each other, vying for power and profit, and ignoring the threat posed by the Jurchens. If this continues, the Song Dynasty will be in danger!"

Yue Fei asked: "What should we do?"

Zhang Shixun shrugged. "What can't we change?"

Han Shizhong was anxious. "You are Zhang Tianshi, you must have a way, right?"

Zhang Shixun shook his head, "I can't do anything about it."

Han Shizhong raised his eyebrows and said angrily, "Are you just going to watch and do nothing?"

Seeing him angry, Zhang Shixun was amused. "Uncle, I have no position or power now. Can you tell me what to do?"

"This..." Han Shizhong scratched his head anxiously.

Yue Fei observed his expression and said with a smile: "The commander must have an idea in mind, but it is not convenient to say it out loud, right?"

Zhang Shixun smiled bitterly and said, "Pengju thinks too highly of me. To be honest, I don't have any ideas. But then again, the end of a dynasty, in a sense, may not be a bad thing."

This is a very straightforward statement, meaning that the end of the Song Dynasty may be a good thing.

Yue Fei and the other man were not fools, so they naturally heard the hidden meaning.

Han Shizhong played with the wine pot and said nothing.

Yue Fei picked up the wine glass, brought it to his lips and put it back on the table.

Seeing that neither of them said anything, Zhang Shixun said, "I have a question for you."

The two asked in unison, "What's the problem?"

"Which is more important, the state or the people... There's no need to rush to answer. Think about it carefully when you return."

Zhang Shixun finished speaking and stood up. "You two continue drinking. I'm going to the Lotus Pavilion to find Madam Ding."

Looking at his back, Yue Fei and Han Shizhong looked at each other in surprise.

We were talking about business, why did you just leave like that?

Something happened at Ding Dusai's place.

Zhang Shixun just received the video sent by Caibao.

In the video, Ding Dusai appears to be in a sedan chair with a feather arrow stuck next to her face.

Perhaps she was frightened, her face looked a little pale.

Zhang Shixun hurriedly asked Xiaomei to call Ding Dusai's intercom, "Saisai, are you okay?"

"I...I'm fine...How did you know something happened to me?"

"Don't worry about that for now, answer me first, are you okay?"

"It's okay. I just got a scrape on my forehead. This time, thanks to Caibao. If it hadn't stretched out its claws and flicked it, the arrow would have definitely hit my head."

"Where are you now?"

"I'm back in the team, backstage."

"I'm nearby, I'll be right there."

Zhang Shixun hurried to the backstage of the Ding family troupe.

Ding Dusai sat on a stool with the vegetable bun in his arms.

Ding's father stood aside, slapping his buttocks and hips and cursing the assassin.