It was already dark, and at the Duke's Mansion, Shi Liai pressed the list with her hand, and was silent for a long time, as if she had fallen asleep because of her old age. The silence lasted for a while before Chen Wenjun finally couldn't help but say, "Boss..."
Shi Liai raised her head and opened her eyes: "Old man... I was just thinking about how to make this matter more gentle, but... I'm really old, and I couldn't find a suitable rhetoric for a while. Therefore, the reason for this matter should be clear in Madam's heart, and the old man can't find a suitable explanation, so I will explain it to you again."
Shi Liai looked at Chen Wenjun, and it seemed that there was a burning torture in his old eyes. Chen Wenjun took a deep breath: "...I only know that the old man promised me in person."
"The old man broke his promise and let these two hundred people die here, it is far better than sending them to the Gushen Mansion and then being handed over to be killed... Madam Wanyan, this time, that time, today, at night, the fire in Nanfang Fang , Madam, didn't you see it on the way here? The people who were burned alive over there are no less than two hundred, and they were burned alive..."
When Shi Liai said this, Chen Wenjun's lips pursed tightly, and his eyes became firm: "God has the virtue of good life, sir, the fighting and killing in the south can't change my background no matter what, the matter of rewarding Nanfang. , I will find it out and make it public! It was a coward who lost the battle in the front and killed those unarmed slaves in the back! I will say the same in front of them, let them kill me!"
"Madam doesn't allow men, well said, this matter is indeed the act of a coward, the old man will also investigate it strictly, and when it is found out, he will announce them and reprimand them in front of everyone, hoping to kill them next. The behavior of Han slaves will be less. These things are not on the table, so exposing them is a reasonable response. You are right to do this. If someone is disrespectful to you at that time, the old man can beat you with your own hands. kill him."
After the old man said this slowly, he paused: "However... Madam also knows very well that throughout the west, down to the Marshal's Mansion, I don't know how many people's fathers and brothers died during this southern expedition. It is one thing for you to expose their murderous anger and accuse them face-to-face, but it is another thing for you to rescue two hundred Nanmen prisoners under such circumstances. It's easy to put it back, if Madam, you are not reasonable, the convening family will rob all five hundred people, and no one will dare to tell the truth to Gu Shen, but at this moment, the situation in the west..."
The night wind blew through the night sky in the clouds, whimpering under the eaves of the courtyard, Shi Liai's lips moved, and after a long time, he picked up his cane and stood up tremblingly: "… The brutality, the ferocity of the black flag's weapons, and the determination of the military's heart have never been seen before. The battle between the east and the west is about to be resolved, and the disaster of overthrow is imminent. Madam, you really want to take those two hundred prisoners and put them on the ground. Is the Gushen He's house dead? If you don't think about yourself, don't think about virtue and grace, that's your child!"
Chen Wenjun's eyes stagnated slightly, and after a while: "...Is there really no way?"
Shi Liai looked at her with eyes, and then turned away: "Gushen Hero I, in the letter I wrote back to my wife, could it be that he just reported good news and not bad news..."
"He said in the letter that if something is not resolved, he can come over and ask the boss for advice."
Shi Liai raised his head, hehe smiled, with a slight sarcasm: "Master Gu Shen has a big heart, which is unmatched by ordinary people, he seems to have forgotten that the old man went to office in the past and was under the command of Marshal Zongwang, and now he is talking about the East and West. , The old man thought about it, but Zongfu Zongbi, the two princes. Now that the commander Nanzheng has lost, he is not afraid that the old man will sell the West Mansion with his backhand."
The old man's words were like muttering to himself, and Chen Wenjun picked up the list on the coffee table over there. In fact, she didn't understand many things in her heart, but at this moment, when she came back with a fluke, Li Ai said the last sentence, she just hoped that the old man could still have some means to realize the original promise. But at this point, she already understood that the other party seriously and rejected this matter.
"... If the old man wants to move the West Mansion, the first thing is to deliver the two hundred people to his wife. By then, the news of the Southwest's fiasco has spread, and countless people will stare at these two hundred people and ask the wife to hand them over. Come out and ask Madam to kill her personally. If not, they will force Gu Shen to kill Madam. Madam Wanyan, you have been in the Northland and have been in a high position for so long, so you have not learned the slightest bit of vigilance. heart?"
Chen Wenjun folded the list and smiled bleakly on his face: "At that time, when the family was famous, and when the Liao Kingdom was destroyed, Zhang Jue first sat on the throne, and then the Wu Dynasty made repeated promises and came to invite each other. Boss, not only did you sternly reject it yourself, but you also strictly ordered your descendants not to go into office. Later, you entered the court with Marshal Zongwang, and you acted as an official without being biased. ... You are someone who wants to be famous, so why should I be wary of you, Boss?"
Shi Li Aizhu held a cane, shook his head, and sighed again: "When I was out of office, my heart was on Da Jin, because Jin Guoxiong came out in great numbers, and the general trend was going to make people feel heartbroken. No matter the former emperor, Jin Shang, or Zongwang The Commander, Commander Nianhan, and God of Gu are all heroes of the generation. Madam Wanyan, I will not harm you. I will hold these two hundred people in my hands for the sake of the reputation of Gushen Mansion, and for the sake of Commander and God of Gu. When the gods return, Xifu will still have some chips in hand to deal with the troubles of Zongfu Zongbi and several princes."
His crutches paused: "In the letter he sent back, Gu Shen has already told the old man about the Black Flag in detail. The Western Route Army was indeed defeated in this southern expedition. The concept of the army is unseen and unheard of, and the old people live in the clouds for a long time. Therefore, I have a good understanding of the army and the development of the Dazaoyuan. The strength that can defeat the commander and the West Route Army will be my big gold in the future. The confidant, the commander and the God of Gu have made a decision to let go of many things, and only hope to leave the greatest strength to fight against the black flag in the future. Therefore, for the sake of Jin Guo's plan, the old man must also ensure a smooth transition of this matter... Zongfu Zongbi and the two princes got the future, the commander and the god of grain, leaving experience..."
In his voice, Chen Wenjun sat back on the chair: "...even so, I will talk about the matter of killing Han slaves at will."
"If I want to prosper, I have to use people everywhere. The fathers and brothers of these noble children died on the battlefield, and they were excusable, but they didn't help. The lady wants to expose the matter, which will benefit Dajin. I support it. Only the matter of the two hundred prisoners, the old man has no way to hand it over to his wife. This is poison. If swallowed, it will be difficult for Gu Shenfu to escape. I also hope that Mrs. Wanyan can read it For such reasons, forgive the old man for breaking his word."
The old man made some preparations, and when he said this, he still apologized to Chen Wenjun symbolically. Chen Wenjun didn't say any more. She lived in the north for a long time, so she naturally understood the style of high-level people in the Jin Kingdom. Once a decision was made, no matter who interfered with what kind of relationship, it would be difficult to impress the other party. Although Shi Liai is a Han Chinese and comes from a scholarly family, his style of conduct is resolute and resolute, and he is roughly similar to the heroes of the first generation of the Jin Dynasty.
After sitting like this for a while, at the end, she opened her mouth and said, "The boss has experienced two ups and downs in his life, and he has been drawn in by three parties, but the decision he made has not been missed. It's just that I once thought that there would be such a fight in the southwest horizon. What about the Han Chinese with the black flag?"
Shi Liai shook his head: "Mrs Wanyan is right, she lives her whole life, and she is not a god, how can it be? Southerners are cowardly, and the old man looked down on him back then, and he still thinks the same way now. The emergence of the black flag, perhaps It's a matter of extremes, but it's hard to say how far such a decisive army can go... However, since things have come to this point, this is not a headache for the old man, it should be a problem that Dezhong, Youyi and others will solve in the future. It's a good ending."
He walked slowly to the chair and sat back: "Life is like facing a big river, surging. This old man's life..."
The old man looked at the night in front of him, his lips trembled, and after a long time, he said, "...just try your best."
****************
The turbulent river water finally rushed to the Han people in Yunzhongfu.
The second day was May 13. Lu Mingfang and Tang Minjie finally learned of the outcome of the Southwest War from different channels. After Ning Yi defeated Yanshanwei at Wangyuan Bridge and executed Xiebao, the Huaxia Seventh Army defeated Nianhan and Xiyin's 100,000 army with 20,000 people in the west of Hanzhong City, and beheaded Wanyan She was also in front of the battle. By this time, the generals and soldiers of the West Route Army who followed Nianhan and Xiyin southward were not counted. The Jurchen army, which has been around the world for 40 years since its rise with Aguda, finally suffered the most tragic defeat in history in front of that black flag.
Relevant news has spread among the middle and high-level Jurchens. For a while, the Yunzhong Mansion was full of violence and grief. After the two met, they naturally couldn't celebrate. They just used tea instead of wine in a relatively safe hiding place to discuss the next step. In fact, such a hiding place is not very peaceful. The atmosphere in the city has begun to become strict. The police are going from house to house to search for the happy-looking Han slaves. They have sensed the wind and are gearing up to search for them. A group of Han Chinese spies came out and were punished by the canon.
"... It's still the same sentence, if you want to go south, go early. After a while, the news spreads that anyone who looks like a Han in the caravan going south may not have a good time. Now, while those prairie people are still everywhere. If you hit the autumn wind, you might be able to pass the border safely."
After the war in the southwest has come to an end, the overall policy of future espionage may change. Someone must go south. After a while, Tang Minjie emphasized this matter again. Lu Mingfang smiled: "There are still some things to arrange. In fact, after this incident, the situation in the north may be more tense and complicated. I am thinking about it, and I will not go back this time."
"Who else knows the whole situation here besides you, and these things can't be written in a letter. If you don't go back, just the idea of forming an alliance with the grassland people, no one is qualified to convey it to the teacher and the others."
"Would you like to go back this time?" Lu Mingfang poured a cup of tea and said, "You have been here for four years, and you haven't gone back once to see it."
"Old Lu, I'm not bragging. When it comes to survival and mobility, I seem to be a little bit taller than you."
Hearing Tang Minjie talk about this matter without hesitation, Lu Mingfang laughed, and after a while, he said, "Don't want to go back and have a look?"
"I can play a bigger role here."
Lu Mingfang said: "With your ability, you can play a big role wherever you are."
Tang Minjie shook his head: "... The teacher arranged me here for a reason."
"Say that you are too cruel to deal with the Ni people in Liangshan. But I think it's okay to fight for life and death, and you are not against your own people, and I have seen it already, you are a person who would rather die than kill yourself. I won't do it to my own people."
Tang Minjie also smiled: "If you say that, you're complimenting me... But I actually know that I'm too tricky. It's okay to seek a temporary change, but if you want to seek ten years and a hundred years, you have to pay attention to your reputation. You don't know, I In Liangshan, killing the whole family and threatening people's wives and children to do things has spread, and there are hidden dangers for ten years and a hundred years."
"... Really?"
"There are a few... brothers from the Huaxia Army who were ambushed in the mountains and are in a hurry. A few diehard Ni tribesmen refused to say anything. I kicked their wives and children off the cliff... The place was not high and they broke. You know, the most troublesome thing is that the place is their own, and he knows that the place is not high and can't be killed, so I have to drag the man up and cut off his son's hand in front of his face, he If you know I'm serious, just say it."
"If you don't say it... do you cut it?"
"I'll cut from the hand."
Lu Mingfang was silent for a moment, then raised his teacup and the two touched.
"Has anyone been rescued?"
"It's too late, three dead..." Tang Minjie said here, raised his head and said, "If I can, I can also chop off my own hands."
He showed a smile, a little complicated, but also a little simple. This was a rare smile even in front of his comrades. Lu Mingfang knew that what he said was true, he drank the tea silently, and Tang Minjie smiled again: "Don't worry, The boss here is you, I follow the command and won't mess around."
"I'm not worried about that." Lu Mingfang said, "I'm just surprised that you didn't kill all those people."
"Huh? Why?"
"According to your previous style, they were all killed, wouldn't the news not spread?"
Lu Mingfang laughed while talking, Tang Minjie was stunned for a moment, and then he laughed softly, until he held his forehead. After a while, he raised his head and said in a low voice, "... If I remember correctly, Lu Yannian, the shopkeeper Lu, sacrificed himself in the clouds."
Hearing him mention this matter, Lu Mingfang nodded: "Father... In order to cover us from running away and sacrificed... "
Tang Minjie looked at him: "You've been here for so long, and you've seen so many... tragedies in the world, as well as the revenge of killing your father, how did you manage to control yourself?" His eyes were burning, but then he smiled, "I mean, you're way more measured than I am."
Lu Mingfang rolled his eyes, sat there, and thought for a while: "Probably because... I'm not as good as you guys."
"… Uh?"
"My father is Lu Yannian, who sacrificed for the cause of opening up here." Lu Mingfang said, "Do you think... I can sit here, does it have anything to do with my father?"
"You think so?"
"It will be somewhat related." Lu Mingfang held the teacup and spoke sincerely, "So I always remember that my ability is not strong, and my judgment and decision-making ability may not be comparable to other people here, then I I must keep my own line, try to be as stable as possible, and not make too many outrageous decisions. If I can’t hold back the fire in my heart because of my father’s death, I will do such and such things as revenge. What to do with the other people whose fate is on me, what to do with them? I've been... thinking about these things."
"..." Tang Minjie was silent for a moment, then raised the teacup and touched it on Lu Mingfang's teacup, "On this point, you are better than me."
"After I go south, this side is handed over to you, I'm relieved."
"The situation is tense, and I have someone to send off in two days... Remember what I mentioned to you last time, Luo Ye's sister?"
"found it?"
"It took some time to confirm that I have suffered a lot of crimes and pretended to be crazy in order to survive, but after so many years, people are basically half crazy. This time the Southwest wins, the Han people in the clouds will die a lot, those who live on the streets will die. I don't know when I will be beaten to death, Luo Ye's sister, I have thought about it, this time, I will send it away in two days."
"Do you want me to take it with you?"
"I have arranged for you, you don't have to go together, it's not safe." Tang Minjie said, "But after leaving the Jin Kingdom, you can take care of it."
Lu Mingfang nodded: "What else do you want to entrust to me? For example, the younger sister in the boudoir, do you want me to go back and visit for you?"
"You're not suitable." Tang Minjie laughed, "I'm afraid she'll be a widow who runs around with her head up all day."
"Do you really have a sister?" Lu Mingfang's eyes lit up and he asked curiously.
Tang Minjie said: "Dead."
Lu Mingfang stopped talking. At this moment, they are all middle-aged people in their thirties. Lu Mingfang is bigger, with a messy beard, and there are marks pulled out by the golden man's whip on his face. Tang Minjie's face is thin. The goatee has traces of yesterday's fire on his face and body.
Nearly ten years ago, Lu Yannian was killed in the cloud. Lu Mingfang fled all the way and met Chen Wenjun for the first time. Soon after, Fan Hongji, the envoy of the Jinren, took Lu Yannian's head to Xiaocanghe to demonstrate. Tang Minjie was in the classroom at that time. When I saw Lu Yannian's head, he was thinking about how to kill Fan Hongji with a trick. At that time, Zou Xu in the classroom volunteered to help Ning Yi receive Fan Hongji. At this moment, he had become the leader of the rebel army in Funiu Mountain.
Time goes by, never going back.
This was the last time Tang Minjie and Lu Mingfang met.
Both were smiling happily.