Map of the Kingdom's Warfare.

Summary

Zhongdu remained peaceful despite the ongoing Turkic invasions, with stable prices and daily routines continuing for its residents. However, the war's presence was felt through increased conversations about military victories and tightened public security, led by General Luo Shi Xin. The imperial examination's postponement due to the war affected local inns, including Pingyuan Inn, which struggled with low occupancy. A guest named Zhao Shuang arrived, seeking three Taoist companions who had been staying at the inn. After confirming his identity and paying a deposit of five hundred taels of gold, Zhao Shuang met with the Taoists, who were actually skilled assassins. They discussed an assassination mission targeting the family of the Northern Sui regent, with the total payment set at three thousand taels. The Taoists revealed that the target's wife and daughter were residing in the imperial palace, and although they had a plan, they hesitated to act without the remaining payment.

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