Chapter 282: Breakthrough

Perhaps the greatest advantage of autocracy over democracy is its ability to contain and resolve numerous issues within a very small scope. With the rebel army's entry into Hangzhou, autocratic power was at its zenith. Consequently, despite the many people who witnessed the events at Wenlie Academy that afternoon, the crowd gradually dispersed as Chen Fan appeared and the standoff concluded at sunset. Ultimately, the incident went largely unnoticed. Even those who happened to pass by and witness the confrontation simply assumed it was a common conflict, frequently occurring in the city recently, and quietly walked around it, with few ever mentioning it again.

The academy currently holds only half-day classes, and by the afternoon, all the teachers have departed. The surrounding area is primarily inhabited by the main force of Liu Shi's Blade Camp. This particular incident, on one hand, involved several mid-level generals such as Zhang Daoyuan, Li Tianyou, Xu Bai, and Yuan Xing. While some might have been interested due to potential gains, such conflicts are, in fact, common occurrences in Hangzhou these days.

However, when Liu Shi's Blade Camp and 'Madman' Chen Fan became involved, people lost even more interest in probing the matter. Getting entangled with this group yielded no benefits and was utterly pointless—it was essentially like kicking a steel plate. While Li Tianyou and the others were indeed powerful, muscular, and even intimidating, watching them for half a day under the setting sun revealed nothing more than men kicking a steel plate. After a while, it simply evoked the thought: "Look, that person's kicking a steel plate."

These individuals were not considered the hegemonic class within the army, nor were they vindictive 'princelings' who would retaliate to the death if provoked. Compared to truly vengeful figures like Bao Daoyi or Si Xingfang, they were not particularly fearsome; most people didn't even know what their usual intentions were. In the past, provocations against them were common. The worst outcome was typically a knife fight in front of the Holy Lord—some died, others didn't. Ultimately, one would discover that contending with this group was utterly pointless; nothing was gained, whether winning or losing.

In short, for more than half of the mid-level generals, this was the impression left by Liu Xigua, Chen Fan, and their associates. The other half largely had no idea who these two individuals were. The rebel army was undergoing a significant generational transition at this time. Most new generals joining the ranks knew names like Fang La and Fang Qifo. Chen Fan was considered an 'in-between' type, and Liu Xigua's Blade Camp, apart from occasionally serving as an assault team in major battles, hadn't accumulated particularly brilliant military achievements and generally maintained a low profile.

As darkness fell, the academy's surroundings returned to their usual appearance. Light outlined the quiet contours of the courtyard, and insects chirped in the trees. Occasionally, pedestrians and carriages passed by outside. When Ning Yi returned with salt from the only nearby grocery store, Xiao Chan had already cooked dinner and was waiting for him, chin in hand, on the steps at the courtyard entrance.

"Master, let's find a chance to escape," the young girl whispered mysteriously as Ning Yi approached.

"Uh, why..." Ning Yi was slightly startled, unsure why Xiao Chan would say such a thing.

Previously, the surveillance by Ah Chang, Ah Ming, and others didn't seem strict, but Ning Yi knew better. After that afternoon, he understood the situation more clearly. Now, in these streets and alleys, though the warm yellow lights and sparse figures made it appear to be an ordinary residential area, the actual arrangements were probably no less stringent than those of a military camp. It was likely that the Blade Camp had occupied this vicinity after entering Hangzhou, and most of the residents here were elite veteran soldiers.

Just like the stern old man across the street, who was drinking rice wine and chatting with neighbors in the grocery store, Ning Yi had seen him that afternoon on the rooftop, casually picking up an iron door bolt and standing guard at his doorway. He cut the figure of a formidable, towering mercenary leader.

"Because they haven't locked us up."

"Is being locked up good?" Ning Yi asked with a chuckle as he entered, and Xiao Chan rose, trotting behind him.

"But Master is so amazing. Even though things are better this way for now, when I think about it, I always feel like they're looking down on you. It just makes me think these people are truly ignorant, hmph. Once Master and I escape, they'll surely regret it."

At this point, Ning Yi naturally understood she was joking. Since the night of the heavy rain, the young girl's demeanor had become much calmer. It wasn't that she wasn't usually composed, but after that night, she gradually adopted the thoughtful air of a young wife.

In the past, when Ning Yi sat by the bed reading, Xiao Chan would sit on a stool watching him, her eyes often revealing she was deep in thought and eager to speak with him. Now, Xiao Chan would often just watch and ponder, no longer always expressing herself with girlish exuberance, as if a smile on her face signified certainty in her heart. Her joking at this moment was likely to mask other emotions.

Once they finished cooking and began carrying the dishes outside, Xiao Chan finally lowered her head and asked, "Master, this afternoon... did something happen here?"

"Hm? No."

"But... but this afternoon I saw you, Master, talking to someone on the rooftop. At that time, Grandpa Liu asked me to boil something, and I didn't know what it was. But later, after I'd finished, I saw a wounded general telling someone that something had just happened here. He looked like he had murderous intent, so I came out to look, but I didn't see anything." She put down the dishes, squatted, and looked up at Ning Yi, pressing her lips together. "I quickly ran back and saw you here, then I secretly went back. But when I returned, Grandpa Liu... looked at me in a certain way. I think something might have happened, Master..."

The young girl, mimicking the old man's thoughtful, questioning gaze, wrinkled her brow, looking quite adorable. However, more than cuteness, it conveyed her unspoken concern. Xiao Chan was smart and sharp-witted, far more perceptive than most. Although she hadn't witnessed the full extent of the incident, from snippets of conversation, she realized something significant had likely occurred here. Her earlier suggestion to escape, while seemingly a joke, likely stemmed from underlying anxiety. Being at someone else's mercy, any sudden disturbance made the girl worry about her beloved's safety. At this moment, she was merely asking cautiously.

Ning Yi looked at her, and after a moment, recounted what had happened that afternoon. Of course, he largely glossed over the specifics of the standoff, simply stating that someone had come to speak with him, he had answered a few questions, and presumably passed the test. With this explanation, Xiao Chan finally felt relieved.

In the warm yellow glow of the fire, the two ate dinner together under the small eaves.

That same night, in another corner of the city, Qu Weiqing and others who had noticed Ning Yi earlier were not idle. Wenlie Academy, though appearing isolated from worldly affairs, always had its own vested interests. That morning, Qu Weiqing had heard about Ning Yi's status as a prisoner. In the afternoon, he went to find Wen Kerang, but Wen Kerang had left the city and only returned in the evening. Wen Kerang then hosted a family dinner for several strategists. During the banquet, Qu Weiqing mentioned that a captured scholar at the academy was gaining favor with students by telling secular stories and deliberately flattering the children. Someone remarked, "That's a good way to save one's life." Another said, "If it were me, I'd simply beat him to death on the spot."

Qu Weiqing recounted this matter jokingly, and Wen Kerang casually nodded with a smile. In the month since the army entered the city, many people had been arrested, and those killed or released were mostly dealt with decisively. However, there were always some whose fates remained undecided. It was common to place them in various locations and have them perform tasks. Wen Kerang had little fondness for ordinary scholars: "What is that person's name? Mr. Qu, tell Feng Yongli to find someone to give him a beating and expel him. If he causes too much trouble, what harm is there in killing him?"

"Commander Wen is right. That person's name is Ning Liheng. I heard he has some talent and skill, probably because he was worried after being captured, so he..."

As Qu Weiqing was speaking, he saw Wen Kerang frown, and after a good while, Wen Kerang asked, "Is this person at Wenlie Academy?"

Qu Weiqing paused, startled, thinking he had hit a snag: "Does Commander Wen know this person?"

"I've heard of him. If it's this person... then you don't need to concern yourself."

Hearing Wen Kerang say this, the other strategists became interested and asked, "Does this person have powerful connections?"

"Could he be a great Confucian scholar from Suzhou or Hangzhou, whom we haven't heard of?"

Wen Kerang shook his head, unconcerned. "I don't know much about him either, but he doesn't have any particular background; you don't need to worry about him. There are indeed some who protect him, but also many who wish to harm him. Just leave him be."

Wen Kerang's words were simple, but having been in these circles for some time, Qu Weiqing and others could naturally infer the underlying meaning. Clearly, Wen Kerang himself wasn't entirely clear about Ning Liheng's situation, but in short, it belonged to another circle of affairs. Furthermore, this matter was not within their purview to interfere with or decide upon. Considering this, and combining it with what the students said about Huzhou and the nickname 'Blood-Handed Butcher,' this person, though captured, was probably already on the same level as figures like Fang Qifo. Recalling the seemingly humble and silent expression of the young scholar in his twenties, one couldn't help but feel a certain dread.

Knowing this, Qu Weiqing abandoned the idea of expelling Ning Yi from the academy. The next day, he informed Guo Peiying, who seemed somewhat dismissive, but Qu Weiqing couldn't be bothered with him. When he next saw Ning Yi, Ning Yi nodded to him as usual, and he suppressed his feelings to return the nod, feeling as though he was interacting with an important figure, even though this 'important figure' had been captured. He secretly observed Ning Yi's demeanor and actions, and in his heart, he felt that Ning Yi's every move indeed exuded profound calm and gravitas, fitting the image of the 'Blood-Handed Butcher' who appeared peaceful but secretly dealt with people.

On the other hand, children couldn't keep secrets. After most people at the academy had seen Ning Yi's poetic works, the stories about Huzhou finally began to circulate little by little among them. For a time, the other Confucian scholars and literati looked at Ning Yi with complex, ineffable gazes. Ning Yi naturally understood this; he simply taught quietly, waiting for things to settle down.

However, the number of students in his class doubled within a few days. The questions they occasionally asked were strange and unusual, such as inquiries about the Battle of Huzhou or how he led troops, effectively transforming the history lessons into military strategy classes. But Ning Yi himself was strong-willed; during the first half of the class, he could still lecture on the texts. It was only during the latter, smaller portion, when he allowed free discussion, that the class devolved into this state.

By the third day, some students even brought knives, intending to attack him. The first one was swiftly subdued by Ning Yi, and the rest began fighting with several other students in the class. Tensions were high between the two sides. Some students sided with the three generals who had died in Huzhou. As for those who wanted to attend Ning Yi's classes, they largely regarded Ning Yi as a great military strategist who had originally served the imperial court. Their family elders were also military generals, and since Ning Yi was now teaching here, they sought to 'recruit' him and learn his skills.

Initially, several students suggested inviting their uncles or other family elders to the academy to meet Ning Yi and formally establish his identity with their side. However, after they returned and spoke about it, no one came. As mid-level generals, most maintained an attitude of complete disregard. Some even encouraged their children to learn from this 'Blood-Handed Butcher,' Ning Liheng. On the other hand, after the students who wanted to cause trouble for Ning Yi went back and incited their families, no one actually brought troops to attack him, but they likewise encouraged their children to act on their own.

And so, from that day on, conflicts of all sizes at Wenlie Academy began to escalate in various ways. These children, whose family elders' stances already led to some degree of factionalism, became increasingly fervent. For a time, the academy, originally intended for studying ancient texts, was transformed into a small military academy.

Ning Yi was initially somewhat surprised by this situation, but before long, he began to deliberately guide it...