The weather has cooled down, and Jin Guo Datong ushered in a brightly lit night.
Nearly half of the leaves have fallen, and the grass has fallen prematurely. The winter in the north is about to come. But the coldness in the temperature has not lowered the bustling temperature of Datong. Even these days, the chilling atmosphere of the city's prevention and control has not reduced the number of lights. The carriages with flags and lanterns drove on the streets of the city, occasionally passing by the soldiers lining up, and when the curtains were lifted, there were faces of extravagance and arrogance. The battle-hardened veteran sat in front of the carriage, waving his whip high. In the shops that are still lit up, meat eaters gather here to chat and laugh.
The important affairs of the country are in the sacrifice and the Rong. A new round of southern expedition has begun. After the 300,000-strong army from the east set off, Xijing Datong has become the focus of attention of the nobles of the Jin Kingdom. Lines of interest are intertwined and converged here. After gaining the world on horseback, some nobles of the Jin Kingdom sent their children to a new battlefield, wanting to gain more fame, and some Jin Kingdom dignitaries and their children were eyeing the cause. Ways of profit from war: countless slaves in the future, rich fiefs in the south, all kinds of treasures that soldiers hope to bring back from the Wu Dynasty, or because of the transfer of the army, the huge logistics operation can be drilled out of the gaps.
Compared with the corrosion experienced by the Wu Dynasty in two hundred years, the emerging Dajin Empire showed a different atmosphere in the face of huge interests: Zongfu and Zongbi chose to conquer the entire Nanwu to gain the strength to deter Wanyan Zonghan. . But beyond that, more than ten years of prosperity and enjoyment still showed its due power. After the poor became rich, they used the dividends of war to enjoy all the good things in the world, but this kind of enjoyment may not last forever. After a cycle of more than ten years, when the benefits that the nobles can enjoy begins to decline, those who have experienced the peak may not be willing to go back to poverty again.
Not to mention poverty, it is a little retrogression, which most people are unwilling to accept.
If the old aristocrats who used to take the world on horseback want to gain benefits, the means must be simple and crude: providing military resources at high prices, charging them with inferior quality, taking away military rations based on relationships, and then selling them into the market again... Desire can always stimulate people's imagination to the greatest extent.
The nobles are constantly coming to Datong, and the blow to these things has become fierce in the Datong area at this time. In the past few days, even the sons of the two princes have been arrested and severely injured by Zong Han with a whip himself, which seems to mean that the hard-line older generation has corrupted the Jurchen younger generation. Clear the peaks that arrive. Under the leadership of Wanyan Zonghan and Wanyan Xiyin in person, the yamen of Datong Mansion was very active. These days, many powerful children have been dealt with. After these powerful children were arrested and tortured, they were thrown into the army of the Southern Expedition. , to serve instead of punishment.
However, such strictness did not prevent the nobles from continuing their activities in Datong Mansion. Even because young people were thrown into the army, some old nobles and even noble ladies came to the city to seek relationships and plead for mercy, which also caused the situation inside and outside the city. , more confusing.
But this chaos is coming to an end.
"... A big tree, so it dies, often because it grows worms, the world is in turmoil, and state affairs are often the same." In this bustling night, in the attic of Chen Wangfu, Wanyan Xiyin was overlooking the night outside, and he was with him. The two young men who were already tall were talking. These were his two sons with Chen Wenjun, the eldest son Wanyan Dezhong and the second son Wanyan Youyi. As the most bookish family in the Jurchen aristocracy, Xi Yin's two children have not lived up to his expectations. Wanyan Dezhong is tall and has both civil and military skills. If you have experience, even if you can't compare to his father's amazing performance, he can be regarded as an outstanding leader among the younger generation.
He was about to set off for the expedition, and when he was talking to his two sons, Chen Wenjun brought tea from the room and gave it to the three people who were the closest to her in the world. Although Xi Yin's family style is strict, he usually gets along with his children, but he is not necessarily the kind of father who puts on airs, so even if the instructions before leaving, he seems extremely easy-going.
"Over the years, my father has often felt that the world has changed too fast. Since the first emperor rose, he has swept the world like nothing, and laid this foundation. However, in the past 20 years, my big gold is still strong, but it is no longer invincible in the world. Look carefully. , I am losing my vigor, and my opponents are becoming vicious. A few years ago, the black flag was rampant, which is a precedent. The theory of scrutiny has caused the rise of firearms, and it has to be taken care of. Zuoqiu has a saying, be prepared for danger and think in peace Be prepared. This southern expedition may be able to decide the world before the firearms change, but it should be the last time for my father to accompany the army."
During the southern expedition and the northern war, the army and horses lived their whole life. At this time, Wanyan Xiyin was already getting old and half-haired. When he spoke like this, the sensible son naturally said that he was in the spirit of a dragon and a horse. Xi Yin waved his hand and smiled casually: "As a father, his health is not bad, but he can't be touted. Since you are going to the battlefield, you should have the heart to die. Since he is the son of the god of grains, he will start to take charge of himself again. I have some exhortations for my father, and I will leave it to you... I don't need to say anything, and I don't need to say anything auspicious or unlucky... My daughter is really happy in the land of white mountains and black water. Wusang, Ru Mao drank blood, and fought with Agu to fight the emperor's uprising. He fought for many years and defeated countless enemies! Destroy the Liao Kingdom! Swallow the Central Plains! Up to now, your father is noble as a prince, and you have been wearing brocade clothes and jade food since you were young... come."
"At this point, what can be remembered most as a father is not the pavilions and pavilions in front of you, the golden clothes and jade food. Today's Jurchen swept the world, wherever you go, you see those people who are domineering and arrogant. The Jurchen that my father remembers is not like this. Today, what my father remembers is more of dead people... A friend who grew up together since childhood, I don't know when he died, and a brother who was fighting, died beating and beating. , fell to the ground, the corpse was not cleaned up, and when I looked back, I couldn't find it... Dezhong, Youyi, the days you live today are made of corpses and blood. Not only the blood of the Jurchen, but also the blood You must remember the blood of the Liao people and the Han people."
When he talked about the Han people, he stretched out his hand and took Chen Wenjun's hand.
"Now the world is set, the last expedition, your fathers will wipe out the world and give you this rich world on the corpse. You don't necessarily need to fight again, what do you want to learn? You have to learn, Don't let it bleed anymore, don't let the blood of the Jurchens bleed, let the Jurchens not bleed, the Han and Liao people, it's better not to bleed, because ah, if you let them bleed, they will make it difficult for you too. This is... your homework."
In the attic, Wanyan Xiyin paused: "Also, it's the corruption of people's hearts. When life gets better, people get worse..."
His words continued in the attic, and for a long time, the lights of the city outside were in full swing. By the time these instructions were finished, it was already late. The two children left, and Xi Yin took his wife's hand and was silent for a while.
"In your heart... is it difficult?" After a while, Xi Yin still spoke.
Chen Wenjun lowered his head slightly and did not speak.
"I'm Jurchen." Xi Yin said, "I can't change this life. You are a Han Chinese, so there's nothing you can do about it. Jurchen wants to live well, huh... I don't want to live badly. I've thought about it all these years. , after fighting for so long, there must be a head, this head, either the Jurchen is defeated, the big gold is gone, I will take you to a place where there are no other people to live, or the world that should be fought is over, and it will be stable. Down. Now it looks like the latter is more likely."
"It's hard for you, but bear with it. After this battle is over, the only thing I have to do for my husband is to make the Han people live better. Let the Jurchen, Liao people, and Han people... get together as soon as possible. I may not see it in this life. Arrived, but my husband will definitely try to do it, the general trend of the world, there are ups and downs, the Han people are living too well, they are destined to fall for a while, there is no way..."
Chen Wenjun did not speak.
Tears fell.
…
In the same night, in the same city, Mandu Daru rode like a horse and ran anxiously on the streets of Datong.
"Quick! Quick"
While shouting like this, he was still waving his whip vigorously, and the cavalry team behind him were also chasing after him with all their strength.
After a while, the team rushed to the door of a mansion in the east of the city with the fastest speed, and broke in before and after the blockade.
There was a sound of panic in the mansion. A guard came up to stop it, and was slashed to the ground by Mandu Daru. He broke through the corridor and the frightened servants, drove straight in, and reached the courtyard inside. He saw a middle-aged man. When he was a man, he shouted loudly: "Mr. Jiang, you will be captured if you have anything to do with it..."
The official surnamed Jiang has a high status in the Jurchen court. He is a senior member of Shi Liai's subordinates. This time, he holds an important position in the logistics system of the mobilization of food and grass. Hearing this, when Mandu Daru came in, the other party was already He was sweating profusely, his face was pale, and he was holding a steel knife. Before he had time to rush to the person, the other party turned his hand and inserted the blade into his stomach.
"Damn it!" Mandu Daru rushed over, the other party was already in the state of a steel knife piercing his abdomen, he gritted his teeth, hugged the other party violently, and stabilized the wound, "Master Gu Shen ordered me to handle this matter with full authority, you thought you were dead Just do it! Tell me who's behind the scenes! Tell me a name or I'll put your whole family to death, and I'll do what I say."
Mandu Daru was originally recalled to Datong to find out the murderer who assassinated Zonghan. Later, he participated in the Hannu rebellion. When the army gathered and the logistics were operating, he intervened in these matters. Over the past few months, Mandu Daru has solved a lot of cases in Datong. After all, the biggest case has been uncovered among the clues uncovered this time. Some Jurchen Xungui, together with logistics officials, embezzled and transported air funds, and stole money from their own pockets. The official surnamed Jiang is one of the key figures.
When he found this clue, he was already noticed by the people behind him, and he rushed over to arrest him, but it seemed that someone had already come a step ahead. This Master Jiang knew that he was unlucky, hesitated for a long time, and finally stabbed himself. Mandu Daru made a loud threat and tried his best to wake the other party up. Then Mr. Jiang was in a trance. He had already started vomiting blood, but he finally raised his hand, stretched out his finger, and pointed to a place.
"What! What! Speak clearly! Speak!" Mandu Daru waved and slapped him again.
But the other party finally lost his breath.
"What... what!" Mandu Daru stood up and turned around, looking at the direction that Mr. Jiang pointed, after a while, he was stunned.
Among the piles of tables and chairs there was a black tablecloth.
"Black Flag..." Mandudaru understood, "Clown..."
In the past few months, all parties in Mandu Daru have solved the case and have dealt with this name earlier. Later, when the Han slaves rebelled, the black flag spy took the opportunity and stole a roster from the Gushen Mansion, causing a stir throughout Xijing. He fought, and with this list, some swaying southerners made their stand, but the other party also exposed more southerners who surrendered to Dajin in advance. In a sense, in this fight, Lord Gushen suffered a loss.
Mandu Daru wanted to catch the other party, but after a period of time, the other party disappeared, and he went to take charge of other things. In the clues this time, there is also a vague mention of a Chinese man threading needles. It seems that it is the clown, but Mandu Daru was not sure before. After breaking through the fog and understanding the situation today, from the hand of Lord Jiang, he The identity of the other party was determined.
The person surnamed Jiang is already dead, and many people will escape because of this, but even if it has surfaced now, it will involve a deficit of nearly 30,000 stone grains in the total number of zero and zero. If they are all pulled out, I am afraid there will be more.
"I must catch you..."
Mandu Daru stood up and slashed the table in front of him with a knife. This black flag member nicknamed The Clown, he just returned to Datong and wanted to catch him, but time and time again, either because he didn't pay enough attention, or because he had He was busy with other things, and the other party disappeared from his sight again and again, which made him feel difficult again and again. For now, though, he still has more to do.
The army of the West Road will take oath and set off tomorrow.
Tonight, many more are dying...
…
Ten miles to the south of Datong City, the West Route Army camp, the continuous flames and tents, filled the entire field of vision, extending far and wide.
The train of baggage is still busy all night, and the gathering has not stopped since a long time ago, and it seems that it will continue to operate forever.
The two figures climbed up the hill in the dark, looking at the suffocating everything from a distance, the huge war machine was already in operation, and it was about to roll towards the south.
"The one surnamed Jiang has been watched for a long time, and may have been exposed..."
"It doesn't matter, the benefits have been divided... You said... "
"Um?"
"You said, did we do these things, did we have any effect?"
"Everyone should do a little bit. The teacher said that if you do it, there may be no results, and if you don't do it, there will be no results."
Lu Mingfang and Tang Minjie stood in the darkness, watching the mighty everything. After a while, Lu Mingfang looked at Tang Minjie with deep eyes and patted him on the shoulder. Tang Minjie turned his head abruptly and heard Lu Ming Fang Dao: "You are too tight."
"Have it?"
"What's going on here... it's not something you and I can do." He smiled, "I heard the news that a fight has started in the east. Zhu Biao left Zengtou City, Wang Shanyue went to Daming Mansion, and later broke on the bank of the Yellow River. Li Xizhi's 200,000 troops... Wang Shanyue seems to be planning to stick to the Daming Mansion..."
Although they are thousands of miles apart, the military information from the south is not slow. Lu Mingfang has a channel to know the information sent by the Jurchen army. He whispered about the situation thousands of miles away, and Tang Minjie closed his eyes, quietly feeling the surging waves of the whole world, and quietly experiencing all the horrors that followed.
On the nineteenth day of the eighth month of the ninth year of Jianshuo, the Jurchen West Route Army swore an oath of unity, and under the leadership of the general Wanyan Zonghan, began the fourth journey of the Southern Expedition.
To the south of Yanmen Pass, the forces headed by Wang Juyun, Tian Shi, Yu Yulin, Lou Shuwan and others have already built up their defenses, and they are ready to wait. Datong, Xi Yin said goodbye to Chen Wenjun and two children: "We will bring this world back to Jurchen."
In the south, Yu Jinluan Palace cursed for a while, and after rejecting the ministers' plan to deploy heavy troops to attack Sichuan Fourth, Zhou Junwu rushed to the northern front, and he said to the ministers of the Manchu Dynasty: "If I can't fight back the Jurchen, I won't come back. ."
Wang Shanyue on the north bank of the Yellow River: "I will keep the Daming Palace as another Taiyuan."
That night, looking at the Jurchen army waiting to be dispatched, Tang Minjie wiped his nose and mouth, turned and walked in the direction of Datong: "I have to do something... I have to do something more..."
After that, the autumn rain continued, and the soldiers and the beacon were pushed down. The continuous autumn rain fell on every part of the earth. The river was rushing, and the turbid water was roaring and roaring, accompanied by the sound of thunder, the sound of killing, and the sound of resistance. on every boulder in the passage. burst open