Golden Wings

Luo Qingqing did not need to rack her brains searching for a target, because the melodious music and the mingled sounds of men and women laughing and flirting in the hall had already revealed everything.

A feast was being held here.

She climbed onto a roof beam and peered through a high window. The hall was brilliantly lit, cups and goblets passed back and forth, forming a stark contrast to the desolate scene outside Qianren City.

Half the attendees wore the Bureau of Military Affairs' Fangshi robes, their ranks ranging from Shifeng to Shouxin. The other half, judging by their attire, were either wealthy or noble—most likely representatives of local great clans and officials who had pledged themselves to the Bureau of Military Affairs.

At the head of the long table sat a robust man in his forties. He wore a jade crown and a brocade robe embroidered with auspicious clouds and golden dragons. Without a doubt, he was Lu Qiheng himself.

"Lord Lu, you were right after all. General Sun never intended to submit to us. He believes he is the true highest authority of the Qianren Bureau of Military Affairs."

"I heard they have already occupied three small towns along the northwest border and are recruiting troops and buying horses on a massive scale. I'm afraid that is no good news for us either."

"Hmph, what recruiting troops and buying horses? They are merely taking the chance to press-gang able-bodied men. Lord Gao, surely you do not think they still have the nerve to attack Qianren City? I say purging rebels is a pretense; fattening themselves is the truth. Otherwise, why would so many fleeing refugees be pouring into Qianren City?"

"Hahaha... Old Ma is right. Lord Gao, the Bureau of Military Affairs is not some government office—we