At the end of autumn, Bianliang, with the gates closed, was still in a tense, anxious and noisy atmosphere.
The Jurchen has not yet attacked the city, and the large army that has gathered outside the city is said to be holding back. There was news about the negotiation once, but because of the increasing number of King Qin's army, the news was gradually closed. People are looking forward to the quick passing of this war, and some people are also looking forward to the military of the Wu Dynasty to teach the Jurchen a hard lesson, but things have always been suppressed at this stage and have not been triggered.
The chaos in the courtroom, some people are aware of the situation. In mid-September, Qin Siyuan's resignation caught many people by surprise. In the main battle faction, if Li Gang was a flag that was beaten in front, then Qin Siyuan at the back was actually the standard bearer who could ensure that the flag would not fall. However, when the situation was tense and Li Gang had no power, Qin Siyuan was withdrawn, which made it hard to have a good premonition.
However, this time the right phase change came too suddenly, and for a while, everyone swarmed up and the wall fell and everyone pushed. There were also some decrees announced by the Golden Palace, but Qin Siyuan was temporarily handed over to his post, and the words used were meant to be comforted. After the matter was settled, many high-ranking officials from the imperial court went to the Qin Mansion to visit and comfort him. Even some senior officials with inconsistent political views in the past were actually not happy about his retirement this time.
The Wu Dynasty, which has been singing and dancing for a hundred years, has just eliminated the serious trouble of the Liao Kingdom, and in a blink of an eye, the army has already been invaded by the city.
The whole situation, it is impossible to make people feel optimistic.
At this time, there were several ministers from the original master and the faction gathered in the inner hall of the prime minister's residence. For example, Tang Ke, Wu Min and others, they were quite learned and had a deep friendship with Qin Siyuan, and for example, they said that they could be regarded as the chief imperial censor of Qin Siyuan's family, and after the decree of quitting the prime minister was issued. Many people stood up and tried to block Zhou Zhe's will. Qin Hui was one of them. Of course, although the block was ineffective, the meaning was always there.
"... Your Majesty's meaning is not to dismiss Lord Qin. It is because the situation in Taiyuan is sensitive. When I was in the palace a few days ago, the Prime Minister avoided suspicion and said nothing. On His Majesty's side, I knew that it was difficult for the Prime Minister. Can see clearly…”
"Your Majesty's intention, what Master Wu said, the old man also understands it." Qin Siyuan smiled and cupped his hands.
Qin Hui, who was on the side, snorted: "So, the adults are going to cut Taiyuan?"
"It's impossible to cut, but it's a bit risky to simply pin your hopes on a battle outside the city. This is the capital, and it's not good to say it. If the city is really broken, you don't need to think about the way back?"
"If the war is really unfavorable, you should naturally think of a way back. But since ancient times, military affairs are about breaking the boat. Before the war starts, you should first calculate that you will lose, then you really don't need to fight."
"Qin Zhongcheng is very knowledgeable about military affairs, so this battle might as well be fought by Lord Qin. I will definitely support it next time. It's just that Lord Qin must also understand that what happens on the battlefield is not necessarily the same thing as what happens in the court!"
"You can't be single-minded. How can soldiers use their lives!"
Wu Min and Qin Hui were about to quarrel. Tang Ke, who was beside him, took a sip of tea and turned his head to look at Qin Siyuan: "Ming Gong, idiot brother said earlier that we can't fight. It's not that we shouldn't fight. Today's matter is that This is the reason why I can't fight. In the past few years, the voice of the main battle has been rising, and I thought it was a good time. The foolish brother said that he should not fight, and everyone blamed me, saying that Tang was cowardly. Now, Ming Gong has seen this too. ?"
Qin Siyuan cupped his hands and said, "Oh, wise brother Qin is cowardly... Brother Yu would never have this idea. You and I have said this many times before, and I know what happened today. It will never change because of this. As a country, when the opportunity is ahead, you cannot look forward to the future, do your best, and then listen to the destiny. Moreover, the destiny is unknown at this time, and there are many variables on the battlefield. Without leaving Taiyuan, we still have a chance.”
"Is there any chance? Just rely on the old soldiers outside the city?" Tang Ke shook his head, "The soldiers don't know the generals and the soldiers, so what about hundreds of thousands of people and 200,000 people. Shao Qian Yu Shouzhang blocked Zongwang's army, but He was defeated in a mere day. Could the people in this room really believe what the impeachment books said, that he was an incompetent general and attacked rashly? Fighting is by no means a one-person affair. Shengduo, guarding Dagang, its 20,000 people will defeat 700,000 Liao people. At this time outside the city of Bianliang, in addition to the Changsheng Army, there are still 60,000 main forces, and our Wu Dynasty 200,000 people Will hunt outside the city of Bianliang, Duke Ming really believes that my Wu Dynasty will have a chance?"
Qin Siyuan was silent for a moment: "It's just a war, how can we calculate it like this, if we really want to calculate like this, if more than 100,000 Jurchens go south, my dynasty can't stop the whole country's power. If they go south, my dynasty will simply surrender. Woolen cloth?"
"I shouldn't have started the war lightly." Tang Ke said, paused again, and cupped his hands, "I didn't come here today to say such superficial remarks, the war cannot be estimated in this way, and I also understand in my heart. It's just that Jurchen is strong. When A Guda was alive, he could still win a battle of 20,000 against 700,000. At this time, A Guda died only a year later, Wu Qi bought a new follower, and Zongwang was the soul of the Jurchen army, the son of A Guda. A tragic result is about to come. Tang knows that everyone in the court is hoping that after the battle outside the city, Zongwang will retreat, but unless Zongwang is defeated, it will never be possible. You have to click on both sides to stop, but it's just a fool's dream... "
His face was serious, and he paused for a moment: "At this time, his tens of thousands of troops are heading south, and although they have been destroyed all the way, but for the war expectations, it is only the indemnity of our Wu Dynasty. If there is a fight outside the city, it will not be easy for Zongwang to attack the city, but He never wants to take it lightly, once it is exhausted, the strength of our Wu Dynasty will only gradually bottom out, and then he will see clearly that our Wu Dynasty will be a disaster for the country!"
Qin Hui said: "Master Tang is too alarmist."
Yao Zunian, who was also accompanied by a great Confucianism, raised his eyes and said, "The disaster of the country's subjugation has passed, and it is a sign of rejuvenation of the country. Live only by ceding land and paying indemnity?"
"The Jurchen rises suddenly, and there is no background. Everything comes from plundering. One bang. The second will decline, the third will be exhausted, and as time goes by, corruption will inevitably occur. When the time comes. My Wu Dynasty may have a chance..."
Qin Hui sneered: "It's not better than anyone, it's just worse than anyone."
Tang Ke glanced at him: "There are some things in front of you and me that can't be solved by admitting or not admitting it, and it's definitely not a matter of being a scholar, or a matter of life. Hundreds of millions of people in the world are in my hands. The state affairs are at this point, I can only watch the action in front of me. Brother Qin, you quit the prime minister today, but it's not me waiting to tell right and wrong in front of the Holy Master!"
There are many intriguing things in his words. Qin Hui laughed a few times and stopped talking. Qin Siyuan's eyes were complicated, and it took a long time before he spoke.
"Qin Shou, I have always admired your knowledge and foresight. But this matter is not a balance, but a belief. You believe in the responsibility of the people and don't want them to suffer too much. I believe in the responsibility of a country and a family. , I don't want people in this country to live like this. I always believe that things will turn around when things don't go to despair. If everything is only calculated and weighed, in this court, you or I, you don't have to. Go and do something. It's all about living things out."
"You and I have quarreled about this, not once or twice..." Tang Ke sighed. Shaking his head, "I know that I can't convince you. The stubborn stone is quenched to see the steel, and your idea is not wrong. It's just that the problem of my dynasty has been a two-hundred-year-old malpractice. To make progress, you must first seek innovation. If the reform fails, then make progress. It's useless. Now this situation has suffered the people all over the world, and the soldiers inside and outside the city... I and other officials are all guilty people."
"If there is no pain to the skin, how can there be a reason for innovation?"
"How about the Blackwater Alliance? Where is the innovation..."
In the study, there were the voices of several senior officials sitting and discussing the word. In this heavy city, it also had a heavy weight. At this time, outside the city of Bianliang, in the Jurchen camp in Mutuogang, the wind of late autumn was blowing in, and the large tent of the military camp, Zongwang and a group of generals were having a meeting.
"... Commander Nianhan said in his letter that Taiyuan is still in the hands of the Wu Dynasty, and it is difficult to get it. The Western Army of the Wu Dynasty has already moved, and it is eyeing it. Tong, although the Wu Dynasty is weak, there are still a few soldiers that can be fought. If our army is all trapped in the hinterland of the Wu Dynasty, it is really unwise..."
In the middle of the tent, Wanyan Zongwang, the second son of Aguda, was sitting in the commanding position. He had an aura that was not angry and mighty. The surrounding seats were Wanyan Jammu, Wanyan Chang, Liu Yanzong, the commander of the Han army, and Sai. Generals such as Li, Shu Lai Su, Huoli Gai, etc., and Guo Yaoshi, who surrendered, were also at the bottom.
"I've sent several orders to let the West Route Army go south, but looking at the situation, Nianhan refuses to come here for the time being." Some people say that our army is going deep alone, and the Wu Dynasty has hundreds of thousands of troops, known as one million, blocking the way of the Yellow River, and they want to force it to surrender to me..."
When he said this, the corners of his mouth twitched and he smiled slightly, surrounded by a group of laughter.
"People from the Wu Dynasty, the clown jumping beams." Zong Wang waited for a moment, his eyes flashed a trace of ferocity, and his fist hit the table in front of him, "My Jurchen master, the fight has never been a good fight! The people of the Wu Dynasty gathered by the Yellow River. 200,000 people did not dare to advance, dare not retreat, and thought our army would be afraid. I have given them the conditions for negotiation, and of course they will not agree. Now that we are sure that Nianhan will not come, we don’t have to wait any longer. It's gone!"
His words stopped, and he raised his hand: "Brothers, let's imagine how to defeat their million heroes outside the city of Bianliang!"
When these words sounded in the camp, a piece of information was coming from the north with the fast horses and entered the capital.
When entering the noisy courtyard, Yue Fei saw the back of Ning Yi leaving with an expressionless face.
The quarrel was still heard in the courtyard.
"...Let's go after saying it! Executioner! Ignorance villain! My Wu Dynasty is very good, and I was brought down by you guys..."
The voice who cursed inside was the county magistrate named Yu Wenfeng. A few days after coming here, Yue Fei had already figured out what Ning Yi and others were responsible for, which was to evacuate all the civilians and food near Bianliang while the army was gathering. It's just a matter of coordination. In fact, there is the support of the Prime Minister's office behind it. This part is the main force that promotes the progress of the entire fortified wall and clearing the field.
Especially when the Jurchen soldiers forced the capital and everyone was busy with their own affairs, it seemed that only Ning Yi and others were relying on the army. Constantly doing these things.
However, in the current environment, there are many people who do not understand such things. Yu Wenfeng was an official who knew the background, and came to stop him because he opposed the relocation of the county's residents. However, Ning Yi only issued orders through imperial channels. He was too lazy to negotiate with him at all. Two days earlier, Yu Wenfeng resigned from the post of county magistrate and came to curse people all day. On Ning Yi's side, he directly promoted the opponent's deputy to the top position, and pushed forward the realization of the entire plan without a hitch.
Honestly, stay here these days. Yue Fei admired the toughness of Ning Yi's methods and the efficiency of his work inside and outside the courtyard, but he was also a little puzzled, like Yu Wenfeng, about the current situation.
The insults inside continued: "...I only know how to do this stupid thing. Did you ever know that the people are suffering! Forcing them to leave their homes, winter is coming, where will they live! What to eat! Do you know, let them stay In the same place, there is still a chance of life... What are you doing, I know you, I know you, a gentleman speaks and does not—"
That Yu Wenfeng was originally a son of a big family in Beijing. While speaking, Wenren Buer dragged him out by his collar. He wanted to fight with Wenren Fuer, but where is the opponent's opponent: "Stay where you are. You are stupid in reading, is your small county city wall ten feet high! Jurchen can take the city in less than an hour. Come down, when they are wolves, you are all meat!"
He threw Yu Wenfeng out the door, Yu Wenfeng got up dancing and said, "The army and the people in my city are willing to die with the city. If the Jurchen wants to take it, he has to pay the price. You can let those who are willing to leave go. How can we disregard public opinion and force people to move—”
He said he was going to rush in. Wenren Fuer pressed his face and pushed him out: "Death with your mother! If you want to die, let you die? If this battle continues, the ones who stay here will be the granaries of the Jurchens! You are all The enemy of the enemy!"
"My army of the Wu Dynasty is one million, and they are all coming. How long can this battle be fought! And there are millions of people near Bianliang, how can you all move out? Jurchen killed, you can sleep well at night, aren't you afraid of ghosts killing you..."
"Million, your mother! If you can't move... How can you leave if you don't move! You still come, and I'll really hit you again—"
The two were entangled for a while, and Wen Ren Bu'er's expression became fierce. He threw a fist on the wall of the yard, knocking some earth and rocks flying. Then Yu Wenfeng saw Wen Ren Bu'er really got angry, and just tidied his clothes and scolded him and left. . Wenren clenched his teeth, and then rubbed his torn fist and walked back. In this courtyard, he and Ning Yi are both in charge, but Ning Yi usually feels calm and indifferent, but he is often serious when he does things. , I like to joke, but just now, Yue Fei could see that this person was really angry.
The two of them didn't know each other well, so they greeted each other, Yue Fei said, "I just saw Ning Gongzi leave, it seems that I have something on my mind, what happened?"
Wen Ren Buer was silent for a moment, sighed slightly, and nodded: "Ah, indeed... bad news."
He didn't continue to talk. In fact, all kinds of bad news were gathered these days. Yue Fei couldn't think of it for a while. How much news could be worse.
In the large tent of Wu Rui Camp, Qin Shaoqian threw the table out with one hand and sat there, clenching fists with both hands, his face gloomy. In his right hand, he also held a letterhead.
When Ning Yi came in, what he saw was such a scene.
He hesitated for a moment and stepped forward. Qin Shaoqian had a bandage on his head, looked over with one red eye, and gritted his teeth.
"I'm blind in one eye - I can see better!"
"Elder Qin's letter?" Ning Yi looked at the letterhead in his hand.
"Father said that he resigned voluntarily!" Qin Shaoqian handed the letter to Ning Yi, and when he spoke, he still gritted his teeth, "In order to avoid suspicion, even if the sage does not issue an imperial decree, he wants to resign, so... I'm not allowed to be reckless!"
He sneered: "How can I be reckless! It's nothing more than fighting, but now there is no need to fight!"
Ning Yi looked down at the letter, Qin Shaoqian took a long breath and put a fist on his forehead: "I'm blind! My brother is still in Taiyuan, and his life and death are unknown! They... want to make peace!"
Ning Yi read the short letter, handed it back to Qin Shaoqian, and found a chair beside him to sit down.
"Elder Qin may have the idea of resigning, but this time it is Cai Jing who is in the middle of it. He ... deliberately mentioned the matter of the eldest brother of the Qin family in Taiyuan to the sage, and emphasized with the sage that this matter will not affect Mr. Xiang, let him The Holy One need not worry too much. Besides... "
Before he finished speaking, someone hurriedly said outside the tent: "Report! Taiyuan urgent report!"
Qin Shaoqian said, "Come in!"
The man opened the tent door and came in. It was Xu Xiaohu, the lieutenant next to Qin Shaoqian. He glanced at Ning Yi, nodded slightly, and then said, "The Taiyuan Battle Report, the Western Army has been defeated."
Qin Shaoqian was slightly stunned...
At the end of the autumn of the thirteenth year of Jinghan, at Tianmen Pass near Taiyuan, Zhe Keqiu and Liu Guangshi led a 40,000-strong army to fight Zonghan's troops for a day, and then moved to the vicinity of Jiaocheng. , with tens of thousands of casualties and retreated to Fenzhou.
The failure of Zhe Keqiu and Liu Guangshi means that in a short time, there will be no more troops to solve the siege of Taiyuan.
In the evening when the news came, the Jurchen army had just made plans for the next stage of the battle. As night fell, Zongwang walked in the camp with his hands on his back. Behind him, several generals such as Guo Yaoshi followed.
"As soon as this news arrives, it is time for the Wu Dynasty to be anxious." Guo Yaoshi said, "Maybe they are already discussing the matter of seeking peace."
"It's just a victory or defeat thousands of miles away." Zong Wang smiled, "Wu Dynasty people really like this?"
"The commander doesn't know. Although the people of the Wu Dynasty seem to be powerful, they are actually very stern. If the ministers expect it to be good, you only need to wait a day or two. Someone should come over and ask for peace."
"The conditions of the previous peace talks were only to wait for the Nianhan army to join in the south. The strength of my Jurchen is not based on the cowardice of the enemy." Zong Wang looked at the brightly lit camp and said slowly, "It doesn't matter whether they are in harmony or not. And, the previous proposal remains unchanged."
He said, "…We will fight."
"Yes!"
The generals said in unison.
The sky is bright.
Xue Changgong ran up the city wall, warning that the wolf smoke had been lit beside him.
In the distance, the Jurchen pushed the siege equipment and came around...
On September 14th, after more than ten days of calm, the Bianliang City Wall was finally attacked violently again...
Palace, Wende Hall. Zhou Zhe stood on the throne and looked at Li Hao below with a serious look.
"When you go this time, you must negotiate the peace talks, and you must do your best to strive for the best interests of our Wu Dynasty..."
"The minister obeys the order!"
With a righteous face, Li Hao took the order, and in his eyes, there was generosity that looked like death. ()
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