Food Delivery in Bianjing

In the Northern Song capital of Bianjing stood the world's largest food-delivery network of its time. The protagonist, Nanmen Xiaoer, is an ordinary delivery boy in this thousand-year-old city. Day after day, he carries food boxes through Hongqiao's bustling streets, past theaters and pleasure quarters, and even into the palace and the mansions of the powerful.

The story begins with what seems like an ordinary delivery job. Nanmen Xiaoer brings a serving of “lamb boiled in a cauldron” to a mysterious merchant and unexpectedly receives a tip scented with exotic spices. The coin is like a stone dropped into a tranquil lake, sending ripples ever outward: Emperor Renzong of Song, who likes to go incognito in search of good food, turns out to be a loyal customer of the delivery service and unexpectedly grants his favor. Meanwhile, at a tea banquet in Fan Tower, the tea master conveys a coded message through his tea-making skills, hinting that the tribute tea “Dragon Ball Triumphs over Snow” is in danger.

Nanmen Xiaoer gradually discovers that the delivery network he depends on for a living has long been watched by spies from the Liao and Western Xia. Using delicacies as bait and silver as their weapon, they turn delivery routes into secret channels for passing intelligence and use food boxes to bribe officials. Their target is the Song Dynasty's canal transport economy and military defenses…

Looking at Bao Zheng's distinctive dark face, he couldn't help asking curiously, “Is this your first time in Bianjing, Lord Bao? Have you come to sit this year's provincial examination?”

Bao Zheng nodded. “Indeed. I have long admired Bianjing's splendor. Now that I have seen it for myself, it truly lives up to its reputation.” His gaze swept over the bustling wharf, the forest of masts, and the towering city walls in the distance. A flicker of barely perceptible solemnity and anticipation crossed his eyes…