Generals of the Great Song Dynasty.

Summary

. Ou Yang Xiu, frustrated after a visit to a tavern, reflects on his situation while staying incognito at an inn in Cangzhou. His son, Ou Yang Fa, attempts to comfort him, fearing his father's anger over recent events that made him feel overshadowed. Despite his initial distress, Ou Yang Xiu contemplates the implications of the *Romance of the Three Kingdoms*, worrying about its influence on potential enemies like the Liao people. Meanwhile, Wang Ning An, a local leader, is distressed over Ou Yang Xiu's arrival, fearing it complicates his plans for stability and power. In an attempt to appease Ou Yang Xiu, Wang Ning An brings him fine wine. When they meet, Ou Yang Xiu, despite discussing serious topics, becomes distracted by the wine, leading to a lighthearted exchange. Their conversation shifts to the challenges of military strategies and the failure of the Qingli reforms, where Wang Ning An cleverly critiques the complexity of reform efforts, posing questions about the realities of everyday life that highlight the difficulties in implementing change. .

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