Traveling back to the Northern Song Dynasty: Picking up a princess as my wife

After two days of travel, Li Zhen and his party finally entered Daxingfu, the capital of the Jin Dynasty. This historically significant city slowly revealed its ancient and solemn face in the morning light.

At that time, Daxing Prefecture had not yet been tainted by the bustling atmosphere of later generations. It lay quietly in the long river of time, as a territory of the Zhennan King of the Jin Dynasty, exuding a unique tranquility and majesty.

Beneath the city gates, carriages and horses passed by in an endless stream, yet there was none of the hustle and bustle of later generations. The procedures for entering the city were simple and direct; one only needed to pay a symbolic fee to easily pass through the city gate that had witnessed countless rises and falls. There was no need for cumbersome documents, much less the "entry permit" mentioned in later generations. Everything seemed natural and ancient.

Sunlight filters through the clouds, casting dappled patterns on the bluestone pavement, adding warmth and vitality to this ancient city.

Li Zhen and his group walked slowly through the city's streets and alleys, their feet treading on the ancient road that bore the marks of time yet remained remarkably sturdy. The gentle morning light bathed the ancient city in a soft golden glow. Their gazes were involuntarily drawn to the well-arranged shops lining the streets; every wooden door and every bluestone slab seemed to whisper tales of the past.

It was early morning, and the air was filled with enticing aromas—the unique fragrances of various breakfast foods, weaving together a symphony to awaken the taste buds.

Steaming hot bun shops, fragrant soy milk and fried dough stick stalls, and pastry shops exuding an enticing sweet aroma—all come into view, making one's mouth water. The streets are bustling with people; some hurry along, others stroll leisurely, their faces radiating love and anticipation for life, collectively painting a vibrant and lively picture of everyday life.

Li Zhen led everyone to a stall selling mutton buns and bought them all.

"Boss, hurry up and bring up all the steamed buns you've made. I'm starving after working all this way."

Yue Peng, bold and unrestrained, casually tossed a bag of copper coins onto the steaming wooden table where buns were being made, producing a crisp and pleasant sound.

This action, like a ripple unintentionally created, instantly attracted the attention of those around who were engrossed in their meals. They looked up, some in surprise, others out of curiosity.

Seeing more than 30 people stopping in front of his stall, the stall owner knew that a big sale had come, so he served them tea and water attentively.

His unsavage gaze, sharp as a hawk's, darted through every inch of light and shadow. He lowered his voice, just loud enough for Li Zhen beside him to hear: "My lord, the defenses of Zhongdu are impregnable. Even in this short time, the Jurchen patrols have already passed through several times. We should eat quickly and hasten our journey to avoid any unforeseen complications."

After he finished speaking, a hint of worry flashed in his eyes, a stark contrast to the bustling yet perilous capital.

Li Zhen remained calm and composed, as if the surrounding noise had nothing to do with him. He leisurely reached out and gently picked up a steaming bun with his fingertips, his posture exuding a casual and carefree air.

The steamed buns glistened enticingly, and without hesitation, he brought the warm, delicious treat to his lips, took a small bite, and a satisfied smile immediately spread across his face.

"Sir, why not savor this bun? Its delicious flavor is truly exceptional. Every bite is crafted with ingenuity, and you're sure to find it unforgettable."

In the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, more than thirty people had devoured all the steamed buns from the stall owner, and packed up the rest to eat on the way.

Li Zhen and his group had a difficult journey, and after more than ten days of travel, they finally arrived at Huining Prefecture, the capital of the Jin Dynasty.

Wuguo City was located next to Huining Prefecture, in what is now the northwest of Yilan County, Harbin City, Heilongjiang Province. Bordering the Mudanjiang River to the west and the Woken River to the east, it was the site of the ancient alliance of five Jurchen tribes.

Wuguo City, located on the south bank of the Songhua River north of Yilan County, was the ancient capital of the Liao Dynasty. Historically, the Jin Dynasty imprisoned Emperor Huizong and Emperor Qinzong of the Northern Song Dynasty here, hence the site is also known as the "Well-Viewing-the-Sky" site. Yilan County earned the nickname "Land of Hidden Dragons" because of the imprisonment of these two emperors.

Li Zhen and his group, weary from their journey, found a secluded inn to take temporary shelter. The afterglow of the setting sun shone on the inn's green tiles, adding a touch of warm comfort to their travel fatigue. After a short rest, they set off into the bustling market, carrying their mission with them.

The market was bustling with activity and filled with lively chatter. Li Zhen and his companions, carrying Tangyin's specialties—rich Erguotou liquor and delicate silk—were weaving through the throngs of people.

The Erguotou liquor, once opened, exuded a rich aroma, attracting the attention of passersby who eagerly sampled its unique flavor; while the silk, with its smooth texture and exquisite patterns, became a beautiful sight in the market, captivating women who eagerly inquired about prices.

However, their journey was not merely a business affair; they carried a significant mission. Amidst the busy trading, Li Zhen and his companions subtly moved between teahouses and taverns, using their identities as merchants as cover to discreetly inquire about the secret location of Emperor Huizong's imprisonment.

Unexpectedly, upon arriving in this place, Li Zhen and his group were quietly drawn into the intricate web of two powerful forces—the Jin Kingdom's elite Golden Feather Guard and the Song Kingdom's Imperial City Guard, both of whom simultaneously cast sharp glances their way. In no time, the inn where they were staying was like the center of a whirlpool beneath a tranquil lake, quietly surrounded by spies and informants.

The night was as dark as ink. Outside the inn, the streetlights cast a dim yellow glow, yet they could not conceal the tense atmosphere that quietly permeated the air. The shadow guards of the Golden Feather Guard, dressed in black, were like ghosts in the night, silently blending into the surrounding shadows; while the secret agents of the Imperial City Guard, with their unique cunning and shrewdness, were quietly weaving a network of surveillance amidst the hustle and bustle of the city.

Li Zhen and his companions were completely unaware of this. They were probably immersed in the fatigue of the journey and their first impressions of the new place. Little did they know that an undercurrent was quietly brewing around them, about to push everything into an unknown abyss.

The atmosphere at the inn's dining table was warm and peaceful, but it was suddenly broken by a low, hushed voice: "My lord, there seems to be a keen eye watching us from the shadows. We may have fallen into someone's sights."

Upon hearing this, Li Zhen's lips curled into a nonchalant smile. He gently swirled the Erguotou in his hand, then downed it in one gulp. Amidst the fragrant aroma, his words carried a touch of boldness and profundity: "This place is where the emperor is imprisoned. Being targeted is just another ordinary scene. Remember, we are merchants who have come from afar in the south. We carry goods on our shoulders and think only of transactions. Other changes in the world are not our concern."

His words, like a gentle spring breeze, soothed people's hearts and revealed an extraordinary calmness and wisdom, silencing all the surrounding noise. In the presence of Li Zhen, even the lurking dangers seemed less frightening.

What gave Li Zhen confidence was the several boxes of automatic rifles and several heavy trucks in his mysterious space. Even if the situation were leaked, Li Zhen was confident that he could break out of even the most dangerous places.