The cloud ladder was pushed up against the wall, bows and arrows fluttered like locusts, the shouts shook the sky, and there was a faint thunder in the dark clouds in the sky. ←,
More than a month ago, the scene that happened in Bianliang City reappeared at the head of Taiyuan City.
After besieging the city for several months, the Jurchen soldiers, recharged and recharged, began to launch a general attack on Taiyuan City.
At this time, the grain reserves in Taiyuan City were already stretched. At the end of the year, the food supply of the soldiers and generals in the city was halved, and the residents were even more halved. In the cold season, there was not enough wood and coal for heating, and the elderly and the weak starved to death. , It was the early spring of Jinghan's fourteenth year. Although some food was saved, no one expected that at this time, reinforcements would still not arrive.
Zong Wang killed him.
The information channel of the city was blocked, and no one knew about the information in the capital. Zong Wang said that the Wu Dynasty surrendered and cut Taiyuan, so everyone naturally did not believe it. On the day Zongwang's army arrived, Li Pin and others, who were in charge of logistics, restored the food supply for the defending soldiers. In the past two days, they had a few full meals, and then the tragic battle of defending the city began again. .
After several months of siege, with the passing of the long winter, the will to defend the city in Taiyuan City has not dried up. During this period of time, the members of Zhuji and Cheng Zhouhai and others spared no effort in propaganda. No matter the soldiers, they knew that if Taiyuan was broken, what awaited them would be an inhuman massacre.
On the other hand, since Zongwang has withdrawn his troops from the south, it also means that the war in the south has come to an end. Soon, the reinforcements from the imperial court will finally come.
On the sixth day of the second lunar month, within the scope of Taiyuan City, spring rain fell, and the chill that penetrated into the marrow enveloped this place. The fighting on the top of the city has not stopped, but for Qin Shaohe, Li Pin, Cheng Zhouhai and others who participated in the defense of the city at this time, there is also a warm feeling of hope in their hearts.
This afternoon, as the rain intensified, they dispatched their elite bodyguards to choose places where the Jurchen defenses were weak. Call for help.
At the same time, the news of the Jurchen attacking Taiyuan was spreading to the south through different channels at the fastest speed.
The first to receive the news, in addition to the remaining forces in the prefectures, was the Wu Sheng Army, who came all the way north under the command of Chen Yanshu. At this time, the snow in the south was gradually melting, and the army rushed north with tens of thousands of patchwork troops. Under the cold weather and inefficient organization, the speed of the army was not half as fast as the Jurchen heading north. It's only a third of the way there.
Chen Yanshu's mood was almost collapsed when he received the news that Jurchen launched an attack on Taiyuan.
He led the army for several years. He was originally a civil servant, and later he was awarded the title of civil and military. He knew how to change and balance. Speaking of blood, it is not without, but Zongwang's army has made a record of going south all the way. It has made him realize the reality clearly.
Originally, the Jurchen was so powerful that no one could beat her. He was just one of these generals, but Bianliang's tenacious resistance, coupled with Wu Ruiying's record in Xia Village, made them almost all of them indistinctly. As he led the troops northward, there was an idea on his head to make up for his faults. Chen Yanshu also had hope in his heart. If Jurchen left without attacking Taiyuan, he might be able to regain some fame and face.
That night, he ordered his soldiers to speed up the march. It is said that Chen Yanshu, who was riding on a horse, drew his sword several times. Seemed to kill himself, but didn't do it in the end.
Wu Shengjun's reaction after receiving the news also turned into a letter asking for help and quickly headed to the south.
"... The Jurchen is ruthless and powerful, and our troops will work together to fight against it... I hope the court will send reinforcements quickly..."
Couriers belonging to various forces rushed to the rescue, and the news spread. From Taiyuan to Bianliang, the straight-line distance is nearly 1,000 miles. In addition to the spread of war, the post station was not fully operational, and only half of the snow melted. On the night of the seventh day of February, the first round of news that the Jurchen seemed to have the intention to attack the city did not spread. to Bianliang City.
On the eighth day of February, all kinds of news came together in Bianliang.
There is no chance of luck anymore, the Jurchen storming Taiyuan has become a fact.
On the upper floor of the court hall, various senior officials hurriedly entered the palace, the tense atmosphere was almost frozen, and the folk atmosphere was still normal. Ning Yi waited for the feedback from the court in the bamboo diary. He naturally knew that once the news of the Jurchen attacking Taiyuan came, Qin Siyuan would gather officials who could persuade them to give advice again.
Time does not wait for me, the army must be dispatched.
Including Tang Ke, Wu Min and other host peace factions, in this remonstrance, they also stood on the side that advocated sending troops. In addition to them, a large number of high-ranking officials in the DPRK, or the original idle small officials, under the operation of the Right Prime Minister's Mansion, handed over to them. In the past month or so, Ning Yi didn't know how many silver taels he sent out, and he almost emptied out the family of the Right Prime Minister's Mansion, including Zhuji.
It is estimated that in the few days after the Jurchen arrived in Taiyuan, the crowds inside and outside Zhuji have never stopped. A lobbyist played by a well-known shopkeeper and a deacon went outside to exercise, sending money, treasures, and promising all kinds of things. The benefits are also accompanied by Yao Zunian and others to give gifts to more noble places.
At the same time, all kinds of propaganda in the city have not stopped. At this time, it has reached the pinnacle of warm and nourishing. Once the court decides to send troops, the news about the Jurchen attacking Taiyuan will be distributed in line with the pace of sending troops, inciting the will to fight. And if the court still hesitates, Ning Yi and the others are already considering the possibility of using the people's will to oppose the government.
In the blink of an eye, it was already afternoon. Ning Yi stood at the window on the second floor and looked into the courtyard, holding a cup of tea in his hand. He only used a large cup of tea to quench his thirst. After standing for a long time, the tea became cold. Juaner came over to give him another cup. Ning Yi waved his hand.
"Is Uncle worried about Taiyuan?" Juan'er asked in a low voice.
"A little bit." Ning Yi finished speaking, but shook his head slightly, "But mainly not."
"Um?"
"Things in Taiyuan are very clear, they are already fighting, and worrying is useless." Ning Yi glanced slightly to the north, "The situation in Beijing is the problem, it seems to be clear, but I always feel in my heart. something."
"I heard from a few gentlemen that even if he really failed to send troops to Taiyuan, his Majesty refused to resign several times, which shows that his holy family is long. Even if the worst happens. , there is not necessarily no hope of resurrection. And... This time, most of the princes in the court are inclined to send troops, and the possibility of His Majesty's acceptance is still very high." After saying this, Juan'er pursed her lips again, "Well. They said that. ."
Ning Yi glanced at her and laughed. After a while, he nodded: "I said that there might be something behind the scenes, it's just some random thoughts of mine, and I didn't even see it clearly. Rationally, we should follow the steps and do what we should do. Everything has been done, and the feedback is not bad... Let's wait for the news. Preparations are also made outside the city. If it goes well, the dispatch of troops will be in two or three days. Of course, before dispatching troops, Your Majesty may have a review. "
He paused: "The matter in Taiyuan is the end of this battle. After the past, it will be a bigger cause. At that time, the Xiangfu and Zhuji. I am afraid that the scale and nature will be different. By the way, Juan Son, tell me frankly, did you find someone you like in Xia Village this time?"
After he said that, the topic changed abruptly. Juan'er was stunned, her face blushed for a while, and turned white again. After hesitating for a while, Ning Yi laughed: "Come here. Look downstairs."
He pointed to the courtyard downstairs, where there were figures passing by from time to time, and in the afternoon of spring, the voices of people seemed noisy and lively.
"The people in Xia Village, or they, if there is no accident, will become a pivotal role in the future. Because the next few years and more than ten years may be spent in wars, if this country can live up to its expectations, they will They can ride the wind, and if they can't live up to their expectations in the end, they...maybe able to live an amazing life."
"Fight, fight?" Juan'er glared.
"Yeah." Ning Yi looked at it for a while, then turned around and walked back to the desk, putting down the teacup, "Jurchen's southward journey is only the beginning, not the end. If your ears are sharp enough, you can already hear the impassioned melody. "
He smiled and looked at the confused Juaner: "Of course, just say, Juaner, you don't need to listen to this, but at this time, it may not be easy for people to live a good life. the person I like… "
The room fell silent, and he finally did not continue.
After Juaner left the room, Ning Yi sat back at the desk, looked at some tables on the wall, and the information gathered at hand, and continued to calculate the next thing. Occasionally, someone came up to pass on information, but they were all insignificant. The decision in the court was undecided, and they might still be arguing. Until about Shen Shi, there was a little confusion below, someone ran in quickly, knocked down the staff below, and then ran up again. Ning Yi heard these voices clearly in the room. When the man ran to the door to knock, Ning Yi reached out and opened the door.
It was a steward in charge of news in the palace.
"What's wrong?"
"Receive, receive a message..."
Ning Yi frowned, the steward took a step closer and whispered a few words in his ear. Ning Yi's expression changed slightly.
"Really? Nothing was said over there?"
The other party shook his head: "Returned everything..."
"Has the news reached the Xiangfu?"
"It's passed on, but the prime minister is still discussing matters in the palace. The prime minister's mansion should also pass the news to the palace."
"... I knew there was a problem, but I didn't guess it was at this level."
Ning Yi murmured and said something, but the steward didn't hear it clearly: "... what?"
"It's nothing, continue to look for people to visit, until they are picked up by him, check what else has something to do with him around, ask them to be lobbyists... No, don't invite people casually, lest things escalate and startle the snake... Look for reliable people... "
He hurriedly made a few responses, and the steward nodded and left in a hurry.
Ning Yi stood in the room for a moment.
Before Tong Guan met him, he felt a little uneasy in his heart, but Qin Siyuan's rejection of his resignation made him suppress the uneasiness in his heart. At this time, the uneasiness finally emerged.
He predicted what kind of melody would be in the future, but he did not expect that it would become the current development.
In any case, it made him feel a little ridiculous.
…
In the palace, the discussion came to an end temporarily, and the ministers took a rest in the side hall on the side of the vertical arch hall. During this period, everyone was still clamoring and debating.
Qin Siyuan stood on the side talking to someone, and then an official came hurriedly and whispered a few words in his ear.
The old man froze slightly, stood there, and blinked.
It's been a long time. Only then did he digest the situation, restrain his mind, and return his attention to the affairs in front of him.
…
In the evening, Ning Yi's carriage entered the Right Prime Minister's Mansion, crossed the courtyard gate of the side courtyard, and went straight in. When he got to the study, he met Yao Zunian and Jue Ming.
"How did things turn out like this?"
“It can be big or small…”
"After hearing about this, the monk came back immediately..."
"Someone has been sent in to inform the Prime Minister."
"At such a critical time..." Ning Yi frowned, "It's not a good sign."
Not long after, Qin Siyuan also returned.
The decision to send troops has not yet been decided.
In the past month, the Prime Minister's Mansion has used all its wealth and strength to try to push for troops. Ning Yi has always been in charge of the property of the prime minister's mansion, and he has been involved in various matters such as gift giving. Speaking of bribes. The knowledge is very deep, and naturally some people accept it, and some people reject it, but what happened today has a different meaning.
In the palace, the great eunuch Du Chengxi refused and returned the gift from the Right Prime Minister's Mansion.
For hundreds of years, the Wu Dynasty has always been governed by civil servants, and eunuchs have little power. After Zhou Zhe succeeded to the throne, he was concerned about the eunuch's manipulation of power. It is a suppression strategy, but in any case, people who can be by the emperor's side, whether it is a few small words or a piece of information, are of great value.
This great eunuch Du Chengxi. He has always been cautious and self-sufficient. Although he did not dare to talk nonsense in front of Zhou Zhe, he was relatively righteous, and he leaned on the side of Li Gang and Qin Siyuan. On weekdays he receives some benefits. Also cautious. That's why, in the current situation, he suddenly returned the gift, and the meaning and warning in it is quite intriguing.
Before that, everyone thought about the military's problem, Cai Jing's problem, Tong Guan's problem, and all kinds of resistance. Degree.
Thinking about it carefully, it is like a huge and dark metaphor, which is gradually emerging from the hearts of everyone at this time.
…
In the palace, Zhou Zhe overturned a pile of books on the table.
"Wolf's ambition!" he shouted, "I knew that Jurchen couldn't believe it, I knew... they were going to attack Taiyuan!"
The pile of papers pushed down on the table were almost all submissions requesting troops. He stood there, looking at the text on the memorials scattered on the ground.
"Wolf ambition, Jurchen..." After a long time, he repeated with red eyes.
When Zhou Zhe walked back to the desk, Du Chengxi motioned to the little eunuch and asked him to pick up all the memorials. Zhou Zhe didn't care, he sat on the chair and leaned for a while before he spoke in a low voice.
"I was lucky..." he said, "Du Chengxi, you see, I was lucky, and I suffered in the end..."
Du Chengxi hesitated for a moment: "Then... Your Majesty... why don't you go to the army?"
Zhou Zhe looked at him, and after a while: "You eunuch, what do you know?"
After a short pause, Zhou Zhe raised his head, and his words were not high: "I don't want to break Taiyuan, and I don't want to break up all my belongings in Taiyuan. And... Guo Yaoshi's lesson from the past. Du Chengxi, the lesson from the past... The back of the car... Du Chengxi , you know the lesson from the past, right?"
He murmured these words, and Du Chengxi lowered his head: "Slaves, slaves should not discuss political affairs with His Majesty..."
"Let's talk, talk, we've been talking, it's been a day!" Zhou Zhe stood up, his eyes suddenly became fierce, and he pointed at Du Chengxi, "Look at Pharmacist Guo! Zhili raises soldiers for him, and even wants to make him a king! As for him, he turned his head and took refuge in Jurchen! Xia Village, not to mention that they only have more than 10,000 people, among the more than 10,000 people, the most powerful one is said to be in the north. The rebel army here! Du Chengxi, I have not yet held this army in my hands, I have not conquered his heart, and I want to let him go, you say, should I let him go?"
He spread his hands: "I have a vast land and resources, but I have no soldiers to fight. I finally got some people who can fight. I let them out, there are so many variables. I want to use them as seeds, but I have lost Taiyuan, but I still have them. I am afraid that this country has lost its seeds. In a few days, I will go to inspect this army. I will accept it and stay in the capital. What they want, I will give it. I buy bones with a thousand dollars, and I can no longer be like buying Guo Guo. The pharmacist is the same."
"What's more, Taiyuan may not be lost." He closed his eyes and muttered to himself, "Jurchen is tired, and Taiyuan has persisted for several months, who said that I can't persist any longer. I have sent Chen Yanshu to the north to rescue, and also The order has been issued to let him march quickly, Chen Yanshu is guilty of making meritorious deeds, he has always known the benefits, and if he loses this time, I will not let him go, and I will kill his whole family. He dare not not fight..."
He was chattering and talking, Du Chengxi listened respectfully, and took Zhou Zhe out of the door, and he quickly followed.
…
That night, Ning Yi returned to Zhuji, summoned a few stewards, and ordered a few things. Most of the gifts were sent in private in series to get through the arrangements for joints. Later, he also gave an order to let the propaganda side of Zhuji stop making big moves, and there is no need to consider excessive propaganda about Taiyuan.
He sat in the yard and thought about everything carefully, everything, everything, and everything. In the early hours of the morning, Yue Fei came out of the room and heard a bang in the yard. Ning Yi stood there, waving and breaking the trunk of a tree. It seemed that he was practicing martial arts before.
Yue Fei was a direct disciple of Zhou Dong, so he could naturally see some complicated implications of this. He hesitated and said, "Mr. Ning... is there something in your heart?"
Ning Yi glanced at him: "The matter in Taiyuan must be at war right now."
"Is there a change in the dispatch of troops?" Yue Fei asked tentatively, "Fei heard some rumors tonight..."
"...It's hard to say." Ning Yi said, "Something did happen, and it doesn't seem like a good thing. But it's unclear to what extent."
"Young Master Ning... can't you solve it?" he asked.
"Hahaha." After hearing this, Ning Yi was stunned for a moment, then laughed loudly, "You believe me."
Yue Fei bowed his hands: "Before the war in Xia Village, Fei didn't know your son's skills, but after the war, Young Master has become someone Yue Fei admires. If you can't get over it, you can't do it. If Taiyuan is trapped, the Central Plains will be wiped out, and the Jurchen will come back and drive straight ahead. When this danger occurs, the young master must not be discouraged. If there is something that Yue Fei needs to do, Fei will die!"
His words were impassioned and eloquent. Ning Yi looked at him for a moment and smiled slightly: "You are right, I will do my best to do what I do..."
After saying this, he walked over, reached out and patted his shoulder, then walked past him and went upstairs.
The next day, although Zhuji did not deliberately strengthen publicity, something happened. The news of the Jurchen attacking Taiyuan spread, and Chen Dong, a student of Taiyuan, led a group of people to the imperial city to petition, asking to send troops.
At the same time, the discussion on whether to send troops also did not impress Zhou Zhe. He just listened to the quarrel between the civil and military affairs of the Manchu Dynasty, and then decided on some things that he had intended before: three days later, he will review it outside the city. Successful troops in this war.
Qin Siyuan asked to see Zhou Zhe privately, and made another request for resignation, which was also dismissed by Zhou Zhe graciously.
He also showed his irritability and anger when it came to Jurchen, but only when faced with Qin Siyuan's resignation, the emperor comforted the old man kindly every time.
The war in Taiyuan continued. Due to the delay in the dissemination of information, no one knew whether the city to the north had been broken by the Jurchen when they received the news that Taiyuan City was still safe.
Compared with the quietness of the previous month, waiting for the development of the situation, now, time seems to have entered the quagmire, but a hint of malice has appeared. The further forward, the more difficult it becomes.
Three days later, Zhou Zhe inspected Wu Rui Camp outside the city... (… )