Xu Di was preoccupied with considering the backup plan of the advisor surnamed Su. After dinner, he hid alone in Xu Rao's study, recalling the events from when he captured the scholar and the guard until now, and then working backward from the present. He sat there thinking for a long time, then went to the low couch in the study to continue pondering. He didn't even know when he fell asleep.

Xu Di hadn't had a proper rest in a long time, and he slept until noon. He turned over and looked at the bright sunlight outside the window, feeling a little disoriented. He sat on the couch and shook his head vigorously, feeling much clearer-headed. Then he stood up and went out of the study.

Xu Rao happened to come back from outside and saw that Xu Di was awake. He said, "We're about to have lunch. Hurry up and wash your face. After lunch, I'll take you somewhere."

Xu Di agreed, but he was also a little curious about where his father was taking him.

On a summer night, a gentle breeze swept by, making everyone feel refreshed. Xu Di ate a large bowl of hand-pulled noodles with a big spoonful of chili sauce for dinner. He was sweating profusely as he ate, but the breeze made the sweat on his body disappear. He touched the back of his neck and found that the stickiness from before was gone.

As Xu Di walked beside Xu Rao, he realized he was already half a head taller than her. Looking at Xu Rao's slightly hunched figure, he felt a pang of sadness. He had grown up, but his father had grown old.

Along the way, he encountered many people who knew Xu Rao. They greeted him and he greeted them with a smile, continuing until they reached the north gate of the city.

Xu Di was a little puzzled and asked, "Father, why did you bring me here? I was already here this afternoon."

Xu Rao led Xu Di onto the city wall. When the guards on the wall saw Xu Rao coming, they quickly saluted. Xu Rao told them to continue with their work and led Xu Di to the front of the battlements.

Looking down through the gaps between the battlements, one could see scattered sparks in the distance. Xu Di knew those were the tents of the Jurchens. They only learned of what had happened here after Xu Di led the prisoners into the city. It was because Xu Di had already sent people to guard that road, just in case someone went there to report the news.

Looking at the distant lights outside the city gate, Xu Rao sighed, thinking about all the things that had been on her mind all day, and said to Xu Di, "Xu Di, have you ever thought that sometimes, many of your ideas are not applicable in this era?"

Upon hearing Xu Rao's words, Xu Di was taken aback for a moment, and then he understood the meaning behind Xu Rao's worried words.

Xu Di smiled, leaned against the battlement, and said, "Father, I know what you're going to say. Life is really hard. We are a noble family, and we are still like this. What about ordinary people? I don't want to be a savior. I know I don't have that kind of ability. I just want to do something based on my conscience that I won't regret."

Xu Rao sighed and said, "I understand what you're thinking, but the current situation isn't something you can just decide. Who started this war and how they started it can't be explained away as easily as last time."

Last time in Hexi, Emperor Liang Cheng personally went there incognito and had a long talk with Xu Rao behind closed doors. It was because of that meeting that Emperor Liang Cheng decided to secretly send the seventh prince, who was hidden in the cold palace, to Hexi and asked Xu Rao, or even the Xu family, to help look after him.

Seeing that Xu Di remained silent, Xu Rao thought of what he had said to Emperor Liang Cheng, shook his head, and said, "The Great Liang Dynasty has been established for more than a hundred years, and the successive emperors have all been very responsible people. The current emperor originally had no intention of ascending the throne, but unfortunately, the late emperor became somewhat senile in his later years. Several capable princes around him fought each other, and in the end, some died or were crippled. After the emperor ascended the throne, the court was unstable. In order to stabilize the court, he could only balance the power among the important ministers and generals. Over the years, the emperor has done an extremely difficult job."

Xu Di listened attentively. Seeing his focused attention, Xu Rao said, "When His Majesty went to Hexi, he told me a lot about his sons. At that time, I felt that His Majesty still had some mercy for his children. It's just a pity that as his sons grew up, not only did their own ambitions grow, but the people and things around them also forced them to work hard for that one and only position."

Xu Di said somewhat indignantly, "It's understandable for everyone to fight for what they can, but it's going too far to use so many innocent people's lives to do so. Father, I know that everyone has their own reasons for not being able to do something, but those reasons cannot be used as an excuse for them to stir up trouble and harm the innocent."

Xu Rao looked at Xu Di, whose cheeks were slightly red from the atmosphere, and put his hand on Xu Di's shoulder. He didn't know when his son had grown taller than his father.

Xu Rao said, "Yes, that can't be used as an excuse for them, but many things are bound to happen after a certain number of objective conditions have accumulated. Xu Di, listen to your father. Tomorrow you will take a boat back to Penglai. I can't let you become a target for those people."

Xu Di was stunned when he heard this. Somewhat unwilling, he said, "Father, I have made all the arrangements. I guarantee that we can wipe out the Jurchens in Liaodong this time."

Xu Rao nodded and said, "I know you have the ability and you can do it well, but have you thought about what kind of reward you will receive when you do everything well and are rewarded for your contributions?"

Xu Di was somewhat unconvinced, but more so discouraged, and said, "Father, did I come here for the rewards?"

Xu Rao shook his head and said, "Xu Di, this is not a society where you can be richly rewarded by dedicating yourself wholeheartedly. Many things you do will make you a thorn in the side of some people, and they may even try to frame you. Xu Di, think about it carefully. I don't want you to be harmed because of these things, and I don't want to see you go down a dark path. Behind you is the entire Marquis's Mansion, and even many people who are closely related to us."

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