Misfortune depends on blessing.
Although a planned fire caught Sun Tu and his soldiers by surprise, destroyed half of the city of Hangzhou, and lost more than half of the wealth and food they had successfully obtained, it also brought an opportunity to the Song army. An opportunity to win over people's hearts and win the trust of the people in Jiangnan.
After Sun Tu's order, the Song Army, especially the Shandong Army soldiers, who had just ended a major battle, immediately devoted themselves to a new battle to put out the fire and save the people. In the next few days, they rushed around the city, doing their best to put out the fire and rescue the disaster. At the same time, they also welcomed the people in the city into the military camps. Even the people who had been tricked into fleeing Hangzhou could only turn back. He was also treated kindly by them and placed properly. There was no such thing as being severely punished or even being punished as was said in the legend.
Not only that, the officers and soldiers also took out the food and clothes that should have belonged to them to feed and clothe the people in need. They would rather venture into the city to find a place to rest themselves than sell the military tents to the people to accommodate them. After all this fell into the eyes of the people and allowed them to personally experience the difference of this Song Dynasty official army, everyone was greatly moved and truly understood what it means to be one with the army and the people, and to have a deep relationship between fish and water.
The original misunderstanding has long since disappeared, and now the people only have deep respect and gratitude for this official army, especially Sun Tu, who regards the general who arranged everything as their reborn parent and protector. Today, under the suggestions of some old people and gentry, the common people finally plucked up the courage and asked the soldiers left behind in the camp to thank Sun Tu, and then the matter was quickly reported.
This is why Sun Tu did so much, in order to win the hearts and minds of the people in Jiangnan. Given this opportunity, of course he would not refuse. So he came out of the secret passage and came to the military camp as promised. At this time, hundreds of people's representatives were already waiting in front of the military camp. When they saw Sun Tu coming on horseback, they all knelt down in unison: "The common people would like to thank General Sun for taking care of him..." He said , and some people kept kowtowing.
At a glance, Sun Tu saw the row of white-haired old people at the front of the crowd. He quickly got off his horse, stepped forward and helped the old man at the front, and lifted him up with force: "Old man, please get up quickly. , I can't afford such a great gift from you!" After helping him up, he reached out to help the other two old people beside him, and continued: "Fellow folks, just say what you have to say. , It doesn’t have to be like this. I’m just doing what a court official should do..."
The old man who was helped up by him was full of excitement and said in a trembling voice: "What are you talking about, General Sun? How many things you and the soldiers have done for me, Hangzhou and us, everyone has seen it, we are really Ashamed... If we had known that the army was so benevolent and righteous, how could we have colluded with the rebels? We would have brought our brothers and nephews to help the army fight off the rebels."
"Yes, General, it was only lard and I who were deceived and deceived by those thieves that led to those series of things. I really feel guilty." Another old man continued, with a look on his face. Shame and blame.
Others also followed suit, saying how ashamed they were that they had been deceived by others to become enemies of the government and the army. They also stated that they would fully cooperate with the government and the army in the future.
, rebuild and manage Hangzhou well...
Those who can come to see Sun Tu as representatives of the city today are all well-established figures in Hangzhou. Among them are old officials who have been working at home, as well as gentry and landowners with substantial wealth and high popularity. Others are young. He is a scholar who has achieved fame but has not yet become an official. It can be said that almost all the prominent figures in Hangzhou City are present at this time. And getting their guarantee means that Hangzhou will return to the imperial court from now on, and it will no longer be possible to join forces with Fang La and other rebels.
This judgment made Sun Tu very happy. A large part of what he did was for this reason. At that moment, he clasped his fists and said: "It is my Hangzhou, my Jiangnan, and the blessing of the Song Dynasty that all the fellow villagers and elders can realize that they have lost their way and turned to the dark side at this time. In fact, I also know that the reason why you have come to this step is because of the trend." We are forced to do so because of the treacherous ministers in the government and the corrupt officials in the local area who are acting perversely, so we are forced to join forces with the rebels in order to protect ourselves. Other officials cannot give much guarantee, but I can say bluntly that in the future, Hangzhou It will be very different. As long as my soldiers are still there, the imperial court will not make things difficult for you."
These responsible words naturally won a burst of cheers and praise from everyone. Seeing this, Sun Tu struck again while the iron was hot and said: "You all know that rebuilding our homeland is not something that can happen overnight, and it is not something that my soldiers can do alone, so next..."
Before he could finish his words, the people responded loudly: "General Sun, we and the people of Hangzhou have long wanted to go back and rebuild our city of Hangzhou with the soldiers. I wonder if you are willing to agree. Don't worry, I will wait for you to go back?" "
"What's there to worry about? Everyone is doing good for Hangzhou, not just you, but also the local people in Hangzhou. No matter what mistakes you have made before, as long as you come back now, I guarantee that you can forget the past. You can also let others go. Spread the news and let more relatives and friends who don't know the truth go home as soon as possible." Sun Tu announced hurriedly and loudly, and naturally received another burst of cheers.
For a while, many people were so excited that they knelt down and kowtowed. Their last worries were finally relieved. At least now it seemed that General Sun really wanted to make decisions for them, and they also sincerely treated Sun Tu. I felt grateful.
Sun Tu didn't dare to neglect, so he quickly stepped forward and helped a few people who were kowtowing, and fortunately gave them a few words of relief. He believed that as long as the people here really recognized him, then the entire Jiangnan's prejudice against him would completely disappear. When they attack Wuzhou further west, the local people may stand on their side and help put down the turmoil that has lasted for two or three years.
While talking, Sun Tu strolled to a man who was still kneeling there and kowtowing. He bent down and said, "Brother, please get up and speak first. I understand your thoughts..." That's it. , he suddenly felt a warning sign in his heart, he made a mistake in his steps, and his body quickly retreated.
But the man who had been crying with gratitude and kowtowing just now suddenly raised his head, a sinister smile appeared on the corner of his mouth, and as soon as he turned his hand, a cold light with a sharp whistling went straight to Sun Tu's chest!
The suddenness of this change was beyond the expectations of many people, not to mention those around who were still feeling...
Dear people, even the guards who were following Sun Tu didn't expect that someone would assassinate Sun Tu at this time. When they found out, the cold light had already reached Sun Tu's chest. All they could do was shout Exclaimed, someone had already rushed forward, but it was obviously too late.
Jiang Shihu watched the arrows flying out of his sleeves like lightning with murderous intent, waiting for the moment when the sharp blade entered his body. He had been waiting for this moment for many years, and now that he was about to get revenge, he felt that the blood in his body was beginning to boil. He wanted to do it himself and watch Sun Tu being killed by him at close range, even if he would be cut into pieces with random knives later!
He had paid too much and planned too much for this day. Originally, he thought that he could help Fang La to fight for the Song Dynasty, and in the process eliminate Sun Tu, his big enemy. He was indeed almost able to kill Sun Tu... but in the end, he fell short!
Sun Tu not only saved his life in the battle of Changshu, but also won a series of great victories, and finally led his troops to Hangzhou. Until then, Jiang Shihu knew that everything was a done deal and it would no longer be possible to kill this terrifying opponent on the battlefield. Even though Pang Wanchun and Fang Fei still had some confidence, he had already given up.
So there was a layout in Hangzhou city. Although he had sent Fang La away from Hangzhou with the intention of retaining the last glimmer of hope, his real purpose was to do something in the palace. Because once the emperor leaves the city, the palace will be under his control and he can set traps in it.
Jiang Shihu guessed that once the city was defeated, Sun Tu would definitely lead his army to attack the palace. As long as he waited there, he could borrow the kerosene and hay to burn him alive with fire to avenge his brother's murder. ! To be sure, he even deployed backup forces outside the palace. It could be said that as long as Sun Tu led people into the palace, they would be able to kill him.
It’s an exhaustive strategy, and it certainly deserves its reputation. However, it was not God's fault. Because Pang Wanchun led his men to break through and Dong Ping and others outside the city were unable to resist, Sun Tu unexpectedly led troops to pursue them temporarily, but left the important task of capturing the palace to the people below. So the one who finally appeared in front of Jiang Shihu was another Song general!
This was indeed a big surprise to him, but fortunately, he still saved a trick and escaped early through the secret passage in the palace, so there was no tragedy of dying before his ambition was fulfilled. But at the same time, Jiang Shihu also knew one thing very well, that is, after this plan failed, it would become more and more difficult for him to kill Sun Tuke.
In the end, he finally decided to take a gamble and use his own life as a bet to stay among the people, waiting for the last chance to approach Sun Tu and assassinate him.
But this time, the opportunity really came. Not only did he blend in with the grateful people, but he also met Sun Tu at close range. What surprised him even more was that Sun Tu actually came to him, and unpreparedly stretched out his hand to help him, who was pretending to kowtow.
The opportunity was right in front of him. Without the slightest hesitation, Jiang Shihu raised his hand and activated the sleeve arrow that was quenched with poison and could be seen blood-sealed in the throat, and struck Sun Tu's chest directly. He even vaguely saw the arrow entering his body, and he felt tears filling his eyes: "Brother, I am finally going to avenge you!"