The carriage returned to the Qin family's mansion, and the mansion was also holding the Qixi Festival banquet. It was run by Mrs. Qin and Yunniang together. Although the current eroded family has just recovered and many relatives have not yet arrived, in the capital, the right minister wants to invite a banquet, and there will naturally be many people rushing to come. Old disciples, close relatives and distant relatives, had already received invitations a few days ago and were preparing to come over. Even if they were not invited, if they had some connections, they would have hollowed out their minds to come in and meet some big people.
A large courtyard will have a large operating system, and those who are in it or outside may not be able to see the whole picture, coming and going, going in and out, what words to write, what gifts to give, what posts to send, and what to say. If so, what kind of road to take, what kind of people to talk to, every piece of every piece have their own rules. At this time, the Right Prime Minister's Mansion was running in a warm atmosphere, layer by layer, complex and methodical. Guests were banqueting and laughing in the hall.
Everywhere in Fuchu is busy doing his own thing. Of course, after the rules are formed, there are always some people who don't need to care about them.
Qin Siyuan got off the carriage, entered from the main entrance, greeted everyone in the hall, said a few words and then walked towards the backyard. The steward and servants followed him, reporting things and obeying them. Those rules were entangled, like countless complicated and invisible silk threads, as he walked towards the back of the mansion, but when he entered the study, he reached out and waved the people around him. The light was already on in the study, the door was closed, and the surroundings became quiet. He opened a dark compartment in the bookshelf and took out two thin paper packets.
In this room, there are a few more hidden compartments for filing, but he remembers each one clearly. Putting the paper bag on the table, the old man opened it and looked at it under the oil lamp for a while. It was all documents, and he didn't know what kind of things were recorded. After reading it roughly, the old man polished the ink by himself, took out the paper, sat down, and began to write a letter.
There was a faint sound of the banquet in the hall from outside the window. The old man's hands are steady and his thoughts are clear. A total of two letters were written, and there was almost no pause during the period. After writing, they were put into the envelope. He was about to get up, but after thinking about it, he sat down and wrote one, put the three letters in his sleeve, picked up two packs of files, he walked out the door, and the steward and the servants rushed over again.
"Did he come with Yubai first?"
"The two sons are already waiting in the side hall."
"Don't let idle people wait near you."
"Yes, sir."
The group went to the side of the Prime Minister's Mansion and turned around a corridor. Two young people stood up, one of them was wearing a scholar's robe and the other was wearing a general's uniform. The military uniform means that this person is from the same place. The commander of the capital, who usually holds the power of an army, is the highest commander of the local army such as Wu Lie and Wu Dejun. Presumably because of re-posting or some other reasons, he happened to return to the capital at this time.
"Master Qin."
"Master Qin"
"Sit down, don't be too polite." The two men stood up and saluted, Qin Siyuan waved, "Qi Xian, Yu Bai, you already know what happened today, right?"
The young scribe named Yubai nodded first: "Hangzhou has fallen, students have heard about the debate in the court today, these people are shortsighted...
"
Before he could finish his words, the commander-in-chief named Chen Qixian over there also frowned and said, "I heard that with Wang Qi and Yang Keshi as generals heading north and Tong Shumi heading south, they will regret it sooner or later...
"
"I'll talk about what I regret later. What's important is how to deal with it. I have recommended you two to join the army, and the official letter will come down tomorrow. In addition, there are Tang Sixian, Yu Rui, Shen Qipeng, Ji Haifang and the others. You know each other. Commander, Yang Keshi supervises the army, Si Xian is the deputy general, and then you are the first, and Yu Bai can assist you. The role you guys can play should not be underestimated. Although it will definitely be very troublesome."
Qin Siyuan said, frowning: "I don't need to investigate for the teacher, but Tong Guan has already recruited his confidants to enter the mansion, and started beating Wang Qi and Yang Keshi. With his temperament, it must be said that he wanted to There is a lot of hope for the Northern Expedition. This matter is an unworldly achievement for the country and the people. The most important thing is for the country and the people. Although he cannot go north for the time being, everyone still needs to work hard to fight for the country, recover Youyan, and wait for success. On that day, he should drink with the princes and ask for merit for the soldiers.”
At the same moment, in General Tong's mansion, the generals gathered as expected, Tong Guan frowned and was talking.
Although he is a well-known eunuch, Tong Guan is completely different from the general eunuch. Full of air. Being able to climb the status of eunuch to the status of commanding the army and horses of the world today, he has a domineering presence in his every move. This is the time to teach everyone about today's affairs.
"Fang La's bandit troubles, the disaster of Hangzhou is imminent. To pacify external troubles, we can only eliminate the internal strife. The Holy Master sent me south, which is exactly what I paid attention to! But now that my Wu Dynasty has lost the northland barrier, we, as ministers, Soldiers, there is a sense of urgency every day! I have been running this matter for more than a few years with the Jurchens attacking Khitan. Now, this is the perfect time. It is the time when a man makes a great contribution to his achievements and his name goes down in history. I will do my best to assist Wang and Yang Ershuai to recover the northern land. I should quell the rebellion and go north as soon as possible. Although I cannot walk with you at this time, my heart is with you to make achievements and kill the enemy.”
"Wang Wei and Yang Keshi are not here, but if he said this, the two of them will know what to do. This Northern Expedition will definitely be delayed and waste food and salaries. Because they know that if they take advantage of Tong Shumi's merit this time, there will be many delays. , even if it is temporary, it will inevitably be retaliated by Tong Guan in the future, which is tragic and unspeakable."
Qin Mansion, Qin Siyuan said, took out two files and three letters.
"But this time going north, the saint also has high hopes. They are flies and dogs, and they have no results. Maybe Tong Guan will compensate the two later, but when the emperor is angry, they must follow at that time."
When the things were put on the table, Qin Siyuan's face turned cold: "Tong Guan will help them to say something, if there is only the sage, they can be safe for a while. But if it is the sage, plus I and Li Xiang, can we accept it? Well, they have to think about it...
I have some evidence about them here. They are arrogant and domineering, and their family is bullying men and women. I don't care. These crimes alone can't cure their sins. Punishment, but if you add the Northern Expedition"
"After you go north, this letter can be handed over to Si Xian and others to read and tell me what I think. Although the south is turbulent now, most places are already harvested in autumn. I will guarantee all food, grass and military resources in the rear. Supply, everything the army wants, you can have it, and you must make sure that this battle is fought well. I will arrange people to go to the border to stir up trouble everywhere, and you can also wait for the opportunity to take action. The battle must be fought. , don't miss the opportunity."
The old man paused: "After the fight, or before Wang Qi and Yang Keshi had any problems, show them these two things and two letters, and then tell them, I want to win the battle and I want to be big in front of Jurchen. Victory can cost anything. It doesn’t matter if a narrow victory or a tragic victory is needed. You want the kind of victory that can decide the situation. If they win, I, Li Xiang, and even the current sage will try to keep them ignoring and keep their names forever in history. I, Qin Siyuan, do not Tell a lie, but if they don’t fight, and if they dare to lose, you should also tell those two people that Xiang Li and I will do everything to make it difficult for them to stay within the nine clans. In order to warn the next person who takes over their position.”
The voice of the words was not loud, but decisive. The two students talked to the old man for a while and then took orders. The old man sat in the side hall for a while, and someone came over with a lamp, but it was Mrs. Qin in full clothes with a small bowl in her hand. The two have been married for decades. Seeing Qin Siyuan's expression, the old woman also understood the seriousness of the matter, but she just put the small bowl down on the table.
"I saw your expression in the front hall just now, I'm afraid I haven't eaten again. I just took time out and asked, I heard that Qixian and Yubai had already left, so I came to have a look. It's all you like to eat. These quail eggs are made of quail eggs. It's good, let's eat some first."
The old man nodded and picked up the chopsticks: "It's the Madam's worry."
The side hall became quiet, the old man ate a few bites of the dishes, remembered something, turned his head and said, "Hangzhou is in trouble"
The old woman blinked: "Ah!!! That Qian Xiwen, and the child of Liheng, are all here now!!!!!"
"Yeah, I originally thought that Hangzhou Wude Camp was also an elite soldier. Even if there was an earthquake before, a bunch of rioters should be able to defend it. Who knows...
Before the reinforcements on both sides arrived, it fell first. Alas, every time Fang La broke down, the officials, gentry, and wealthy households were almost wiped out. Now the city of Hangzhou has been destroyed, and the surrounding area is full of chaotic troops. I just hope they can escape and be safe!!!!!!!!!!”
He sighed and looked outside the side hall, outside the courtyard wall, the starry sky thousands of miles away also exposed in the sky of Bianjing, a firework rose in the field of vision and exploded.
On the same Qixi Festival, the city of Jiangning, thousands of miles away, is also full of lively and festive atmosphere. On the Qinhuai River, buildings and boats are on display, and floats are parading in the streets and alleys. On a small building by the slightly remote river bay, the cool wind is blowing over the terrace with several lanterns hanging, and there are all kinds of fruit and food on the terrace. The two women were holding a small begging banquet. Nie Yunzhu was wearing a white dress and a white dress. Nie Yunzhu was wearing a goose-yellow dress. At this time, Yuan Jin'er was laughing and dancing upwards with his hands folded like a snake.
Not far away, there are the bustling lights of the city. Occasionally people and cars pass by on the riverside road here. The silver light flows from the sky. Yuan Jiner's dance merges with the surrounding orange lights, forming an extremely pleasing scene. . Nie Yunzhu just watched with a smile, plucked the guqin beside him at will, and chatted for fun. It's just that her smile always seemed a bit reluctantly alienated, this woman's heart is no longer here.
Yuan Jin'er naturally understood this. For several days, the news of the Hangzhou earthquake and Fang La's bandit attack has more or less spread to Jiangning. As long as you have the heart, you can always inquire. Sister Yunzhu has been concerned about these things all day long. Although she appeared calm on the surface at first, she was still frightened in her heart. At this time, she couldn't hold back her fear, and it was completely hung on her face. If it weren't for the fact that she also knew that worrying was useless, I'm afraid she would have packed up and left home and headed straight to Hangzhou.
That's why Yuan Jin'er tried to laugh as much as possible every day, trying to make her sister happier, but the effect was naturally limited, but at the moment it was unimaginable. On the other hand, in her heart, she also resented the new scholar who had no news in Hangzhou. If it wasn't for him and Sister Yunzhu hadn't met him, wouldn't everything be over, and everyone would have nothing to worry about...
In this small banquet, the two are the protagonists, and Yuan Jin'er's maid Kou'er is responsible for bringing various things. In the middle of the banquet, Yunzhu's married maid, Hu Tao, also came over. Hu Tao seemed to be in a mood. He talked to Kou'er when he was busy outside, and then just attended the party as usual. However, Yuan Jin'er could see that Hu Tao was wrong, and when she was going to the toilet, she grabbed the button outside and asked.
Kou'er also frowned: "Hu Tao said, Hu Tao said...
Her family Erniu just heard the news, it was brought by a business traveler in the southeast area. They said that the southeast side was in chaos. I heard that Hangzhou was breached, and there were bandits everywhere.
No one can escape there...
"
"what…
Yuan Jin'er's eyes widened, and she didn't know what kind of mood she was in for a while. Before she could sum up, Yunzhu's voice came from behind: "You said...
What? "
Looking back, Yunzhu was standing at the door looking at the master and servant. Her face was as white as paper, and her thin body swayed slightly. She seems to be a little transparent, and it seems that she may evaporate and float away in this world at any time.
It was naturally an illusion. The moment Yuan Jin'er had such an impression in her heart, Yun Zhu rushed out with her skirt in hand. Jin'er screamed "Ah-", and slammed into the other's waist and headed. Desperately pressing her body, he shouted, "Kou'er! Prepare the car! Prepare the car! Prepare the car—Sister Yunzhu, I will accompany you, I will accompany you—ah, ah—"
Not long after, the carriage drove through the city streets and stopped in front of the Chengguo Princess Mansion. The two women got out of the car and rushed to the door. They were then stopped by the guards. The woman in white was shaking slightly and crying. As I put my hands together, I asked the women in the back to follow. After waiting for a while, someone walked out of the house and welcomed the two women in. They saw Kang Xian in the side hall. As soon as they saw the old man, Yun Zhu ran over and knelt down crying, and Jin Er who followed closely followed him and knelt down. Kang Xian hurried over and helped the two up...
At the same time, in the vicinity of Hangzhou, there is no festive light.
The Milky Way stretches across the sky, and among the long mountain roads, only a few torches are illuminating the surrounding roads. From a distance, they look like fireflies. Only when the distance is close can you hear the voices of people, footsteps, carriages and horses, and many more. The people who were there, crowded in groups on the winding mountain road where there were not many people at ordinary times, stretching into the distance in the dark.
When the sound of a horse's hoof ran through the darkness not far away, Ning Yi was holding a child in his hand, greedy for Su Tan'er's hand, and was walking forward in the middle of the fleeing crowd, almost all of the Su family belonged to the surrounding area. people. He suffered some minor wounds in the battle at Taiping Lane, all of which have been bandaged, and there is no serious problem. At this time, apart from the seemingly endless walking, there is only a wound on his right arm, and there is a faint trace of the pulse stirring. feeling of pain.
At this time, there were refugees everywhere near Hangzhou. They had been driven out by Fang La since the city of Hangzhou was destroyed. Things like order have disappeared, and there are slaughter and fighting everywhere. Only this group of people is the largest group of fugitives. Among them are the army, and there are the guards of the wealthy businessmen and gentry gathered by Ning Yi. , etc., etc., most of the people with constant property have joined this team. They are also the focus of Fang La's army. There should be several troops in the rear. They are chasing here with the power of breaking the city. They have been found once, a small battle, some old and weak, women and children, left on the run, perhaps dead now.
The starry night gradually sank, and the dark clouds gradually obscured the night sky of the Qixi Festival. After a while, a knight riding a horse and holding a torch came over and was ordered to invite Ning Yi to a place in front of the team to discuss matters. Ning Yi nodded and pulled Wife, go over there. When the night wind blows, he also feels a little cold, maybe he has a cold after working hard for days...