The next day, Gu Qingping went to the Jingbei Prefecture office as usual. The people there had little patience for the former Senior Grand Secretary's eldest son and dismissed him after a few words.
As Gu Qingping walked further away, he shook his head. These past few days, I had truly experienced how quickly people turn cold once power is lost.
「Qing Royal Palace.」
A Secret Guard was reporting Gu Qingping's whereabouts to Qingchen.
After the report, Qingchen asked, "Is it still impossible to enter Beijing?"
The Secret Guard replied, "Yes, Master. The roads into Beijing are being fortified with new city walls."
Qingchen nodded. I figured as much. Knowing Xiao Yunjing's cunning, he wouldn't just wait for my men to enter Beijing again.
"Then, Yanshan Pass, Blue Clouds Mountain, and Black Tiger Mountain are the same?"
"Yes, Master. Our men are no match for theirs. Even with an imperial decree, they completely ignore us."
