On the second floor of Mingyuan Inn, Yang Zhong stood before Huo Chong.
"The young master is recovering well. We plan to set out for Panzhou in five days."
Huo Chong’s expression was slightly troubled. "I’ve already been delayed too long on this trip. I must leave tomorrow."
Yang Zhong nodded. "With Zeng Boyan guarding the young master, his safety is not a concern. You may return to Ningzhou without worry."
"The young master instructed you to lie low. Only when Panzhou attacks Ningzhou will it be time to employ General Huo."
Huo Chong deliberately put on a delighted expression, clenching his fists to convey his impatience for revenge.
"I hope that day comes soon. Once the southwest is unified, we can send troops against the imperial court."
Yang Zhong smiled in response. "The young master thinks the same."
In the adjoining room, a shadow guard pressed a ceramic listening cone against the wall, eavesdropping on their conversation. With his other hand, he swiftly transcribed their words onto paper, ensuring no important detail was missed.
A moment later, Yang Zhong left. Huo Chong stood by the window, gazing down at the street below.
Only when the man’s figure had completely disappeared did the coldness in Huo Chong’s gaze slowly fade.
Just as he turned away, a convoy of granary workers passed by. Two familiar figures caught his attention.
His eyes locked onto them. As they drew nearer, their faces became clearer.
The eye patch covering the right eye. The missing three fingers on the right hand. Without a doubt, it was Guan Nianshan and Qu Ya.
Weren’t they supposed to be at the estate in the capital? What were they doing in Suining City?
Huo Chong blinked in confusion.
Had the County Princess Linghui brought them here?
As their silhouettes shrank into the distance, they vanished around a corner.
He closed the window and sat on a stool, deep in thought for a long time. Eventually, he resolved to get to the bottom of it.
Early the next morning, Huo Chong waited on the second floor. When he spotted the granary workers returning from the outskirts with harvested rice, he rushed downstairs at once.
The wooden planks on the second floor boomed with each footstep.
The shadow guard stationed in the next room immediately raised a telescope, tracking his movements. When he realized Huo Chong was heading toward Qu Ya and Guan Nianshan, his drowsy eyes flew wide open in alert.
After so many days, they were finally making contact.
Qu Ya, walking in the middle of the group, soon spotted Huo Chong. Seeing the man motioning with his eyes, his heart began to race.
He reached out and tapped Guan Nianshan’s arm, tilting his chin slightly in Huo Chong’s direction.
Guan Nianshan followed his gaze and saw Huo Chong as well.
The three exchanged glances. Huo Chong pointed toward Mingyuan Inn.
Qu Ya understood at once and nodded firmly in agreement.
In the back courtyard of the government office:
"What was the reaction of Qu Ya and Guan Nianshan?" Song Jinzhao set down his brush slowly.
The shadow guard replied, "They didn’t speak, but it seemed they arranged a meeting—at Mingyuan Inn."
Song Jinzhao ordered, "Keep watching. Find out what they say."
"Yes." The shadow guard nodded and withdrew.
On the two-meter-long desk lay a detailed map of Suining City, including the outer city.
It was marked with buildings, main roads, and a web of interconnected alleyways.
The newly cleared wasteland had limited nutrients. After the autumn harvest, the land needed to rest and could not be planted again.
Over the coming idle months, Song Jinzhao planned to build roads—especially the main thoroughfares.
"To prosper, build roads first." This principle held true in any era.
The existing dirt paths were potholed and difficult to walk on, becoming utterly impassable in the rain.
If Suining City’s living conditions were to improve and more people were to relocate here, infrastructure development was essential—preferably, paved roads made of cement.
Limestone was abundant. To produce quicklime, it would need to be fired. It seemed a lime kiln would have to be built.
