Walking through history, not many people will care about the mentality of the losers.
Thirty-six years ago, Si Zhongxian was born in Xiuzhou, Zhejiang. This is where Jiaxing was located in later generations. Since ancient times, it has been regarded as a prosperous and romantic place in the south of the Yangtze River. There have been many literati and scholars from the family. For several generations, some people have been officials in the court. His father, Si Wenzhong, lived in the Ministry of Rites, although his position was not high. , but he is still a respected member in the local area, and his family background can be described as deep.
When Si Zhongxian was born, it was a period of great prosperity for the wealthy and prosperous of the Wu Dynasty. Except for the later alliance of Black Water, which highlighted the fatigue of the military affairs of the Wu Dynasty, everything in front of him showed the prosperity of the world.
The prosperous age has come, and people have many choices. Si Zhongxian was smart since he was a child, but he didn't like to abide by the rules at home. He had a lot of questions since he was a child, and he did not accept everything in the book. Many of the questions he asked made even the teachers in the school feel tricky.
Although his father is the most outdated official of the Ministry of Rites, he is also a true and practical person. Not only is he not angry at the little "deviant" of the child, but he often praises him in front of others: This son will be the unicorn of our company in the future.
Although the Si family has a scholarly family, after the Black Water Alliance, Si Zhong showed his intention to practice martial arts, and Si Wenzhong also supported him. Later, when the Black Flag rebellion, the Bianliang military disaster, and the shame of Jingping came one after another, when the court wanted to revitalize the military, Si Zhongxian, a Confucian general who knew the art of war and did not break the rules, became both the royal family and the civil servants. favorite object.
After the black flag crossed the mountains and took root in Liangshan, the land of Shu became critical. At this time, Si Zhongxian was sent to the southwest and guarded the sword pavilion, which was the most trust in him.
During his several years in Jiange, Si Zhongxian did not live up to such trust and expectations. All kinds of commodities and materials flowed out from the black flag forces, he firmly grasped a level in his hand. As long as it can enhance the strength of the Wu Dynasty, Si Zhongxian gives a lot of convenience.
Si Zhongxian did not blindly suppress all kinds of luxury goods that could bring great benefits to the Huaxia Army, he only restricted them in a targeted manner. For some well-known, loyal and patriotic firms, Si Zhongxian tried to persuade them several times to explore and learn the methods of making items for the Black Flag Army. In this regard, he even took the initiative to threaten the Black Flag Army twice. Hand over some key technologies.
In front of Si Zhongxian, the Huaxia Army has also made a lot of concessions. Over time, Si Zhongxian's reputation has grown.
During the period of guarding the Jiange, he did not only pursue the reputation in such a general direction. The Jiange was under the jurisdiction of Lizhou, but Si Zhongxian was nominally a Beijing official and did not belong to local control. In Lizhou, he is basically a grass-headed king with independent authority. Using this power, Si Zhongxian not only defended the local security, but also took advantage of the convenience of trade. He also mobilized the local residents to do some supporting services. In addition, during the free period of soldiers' training, Si Zhongxian learned from the Huaxia Army. In this way, soldiers were mobilized to cultivate wasteland for the common people and develop water conservancy. Soon after, they also made many achievements that everyone praised.
These things are actually the reason for the expansion of the army during the Jianshuo years. Si Zhongxian cultivated both civil and military, has great power, and is friendly with many civil servants. Other places where the military is involved may be included in several books every year. Lizhou is barren here, and except for Jianmenguan, there is not much strategic significance. Almost no one points to his actions. Even if he mentions it, most of them give thumbs up and praise. This is a model of military reform.
As an official, for the world, for the court and for the common people, Si Zhongxian has actually done it before this, and this is also the core of the culture he has learned since he was a child. It was not until the autumn of the eleventh year that the most difficult choice was placed in front of him.
The Jurchen came, Emperor Jianshuo died, his family was arrested, his father was sent over, the Wu Dynasty existed in name only, and the black flag was not the righteous return. From the world's point of view, some things are good choices: to take refuge in the Huaxia army, the Jurchen invasion of the southwest will be the biggest obstacle. However, he was an official of the Wu Dynasty, and in the end, he sacrificed his whole family's life for the Huaxia Army, so why did he come? Of course, this does not mean that you can choose.
Regarding this matter, even if he asked his usually righteous and awe-inspiring father, his father was completely unable to make a decision. Si Wenzhong is already old, and he entertains his grandson at home: "...If it was for my Wu Dynasty, the Si family would be destroyed, you and I... would recognize it. But now, the black flag kills the monarch, it's a big treason, and it pays for them. Going to the whole family, I… feel unwilling."
Si Wenzhong said this in front of his son. The old man also mentioned the idea of protecting the southwest for the Wu Dynasty and then waiting for an opportunity to return: "Although I have had a grudge against the Jinren and Heiqi since the Wu Dynasty came to this point, it is still at this point. The small court in Beijing is now Under the control of the Jurchen, there are still a large number of officials in the court who are attached to the Wu Dynasty, but they dare not speak out... Although the new king is under siege, I think this majesty is like a tiger. ."
In the sword pavilion, Si Wenzhong lowered his voice and talked to his son about Junwu: "As long as the new prince can get out of trouble, the Jurchen will not be able to stay here for a long time, and those who still care about the Wu Dynasty will inevitably rise. Echoing, the only chance for Tiannan to return to the Wu Dynasty may be here... Of course, I am old, and my thoughts may be faint. All decisions must be decided by Zhongxian. Our family may die or survive... It doesn't matter, you don't need to pay attention."
However, although the old man is open-minded, he is not without inclinations in private. He also cared about his family in Jiangnan, and who could not care about the few talented and smart children in the caring family
In fact, until the switch decision was made, Si Zhongxian had been considering the idea of conspiring with the Huaxia Army to lead the Jurchen to encircle and destroy it.
By the end of September, the lobbying of all parties had intensified. Outside Jianmen Pass, hundreds of thousands of people were dying like that every day, and the Jurchens farther away were preparing for a storm every day. The time for a decision to be made is approaching.
On the third day of the tenth lunar month, his father came to talk to him about making a decision. The old man verbally expressed his support for all his actions. Si Zhongxian said, "In this case, I would like to hand over the sword gate to Heiqi."
The old man did not persuade him, but after half a day, he told the Jurchen messenger about the matter in private, and told some of the people who were inclined to drop the gold. All were pressed by him. Seeing his father again after that, Si Zhongxian cried: "Since my father insists on doing this, then let's pay the gold. It's just that the child is sorry for the father. From now on, although the crime of paying the gold will be carried by the son, the sin of paying the gold will be borne by the son. But it's going to fall on my father's head..."
On the fifth day of the first month, Jianmenguan officially surrendered to the Jin Kingdom. It was raining and raining, Wanyan Zonghan walked by his side and just patted his shoulder casually. For the next few days, it was just all kinds of banquets and touts, and no one cared about Si Zhongxian's thoughts in this choice.
fair enough.
In the sunny or rainy sky, the sword gate was closed and the flag was changed quickly, and the Jurchen chariots and horses came over like a torrent. In the numbness, he waited for the stream of history to pass quietly by his side, hoping that when he opened his eyes, the world already had another shape.
However, everything was not as he wished.
On the fifteenth day of October, Wanyan Xiebao came to look for him. As the son of Wanyan Zonghan, Wanyan Xiebao, who was named King of Baoshan, is a man with a rough face and no scruples. During the banquet in the past few days, he and Si Zhongxian had drunk several cups while talking about themselves. After seeing the salute in the military camp this time, he pulled him out for a horse ride.
The horse team ran up the nearby hills, and the front was Cangxi County.
The county town is not big. Due to its remote location, before Si Zhongxian came to Jiange, there were occasional bandits in the nearby mountains. In recent years, Si Zhongxian destroyed the bandit villages and took care of the Quartet. Life in the county town is stable and the population has grown. But it doesn't add up to more than 20,000.
Wanyan Xiebao also heard about Si Zhongxian's actions of benefiting his neighbors. He looked at the peaceful scene in the county and praised him a lot, then patted Si Zhongxian on the shoulder and said, "There is something that has been decided. Come down, you need the cooperation of Sir Si."
"What's the matter?" Si Zhongxian frowned.
"It's for Cangxi County." Xie Bao smiled, "Sir Si also knows that the war is imminent, and the food and grass will go first. The battle with the black flag is the last step for my big gold to pacify the world, no matter how to prepare. It's not an exaggeration. And this autumn has just passed, the food and grass need to be levied, the people who work for the army need to be pulled, and Cangxi will also do their best. Sir Si, this matter is placed elsewhere, and we want to kill half of the people and pull half of them. But considering Sir Si's face, it has been decided in the tent today that Cangxi has been taking care of Cangxi for a long time. This matter will be handed over to Sir Si. There is also a figure in the middle. Please see Sir Si, more than 30,000. 600,000 shi of grain…”
Si Zhongxian listened, and gradually his eyes widened: "There are only more than 20,000 people in the whole city"
Xie Bao said: "There are more than the whole county."
"...and there are 600,000 stone grains. Most of them are mountain people. This may be the grain for more than 30,000 people a year! Your Majesty"
Si Zhongxian folded his hands and wanted to speak, but Xie Bao's hand had already been clapped, his eyes impatient: "Master Si, brother! I treat you as a brother, don't pretend to be confused, west of Jianmen Pass, I have close contact with the black flag. Who knows if these villagers will pick up swords and guns and become soldiers. I really let my uncles come here. There are no living people here. Moreover, this is a chance for you. It's a test, Big Brother Si."
Si Zhongxian's eyes trembled, and his emotions were already extremely intense: "Si... has taken care of this place for several years, and now, you let me... destroy this place!?"
"Vote, name, and status." Wanyan Xiebao leaned over and slapped the back of Si Zhongxian's hand in a very low voice, "If you do this, you will be your own."
"... I have given way to the sword gate."
"You let out the sword door, you know you're no match, but if you're with us in private, who knows?" Xie Bao shook his head, then laughed again, "Of course, brother, I believe in you, father. I also believe you, but what about the uncles in the army? This time, the expedition to the southwest has been confirmed, and you will do what you promised. We will not move your soldiers forward, but after the southwest is over, you will be Shu King, you are so honored and high-ranking, to convince the uncles in the army, you can do a little, a little thing..."
Wanyan made a rather "slight" gesture, waiting for Si Zhongxian's answer. Si Zhongxian held the soldier on the warhorse, his hands trembled, and after being silent for a long time, his voice was hoarse: "What if... I don't do it? You... didn't say this before, you said it well, and now you go back on your word. , you have to make an inch. You are not afraid that other people in this world will see it and will not compromise with your Jurchen again?"
It was obvious that he mustered great courage to say these words, Wanyan Xiebao's mouth gradually turned into a sneer, his eyes became fierce, and then he took a long breath: "Master Si, first of all, my Jurchen is everywhere in the world, It was never negotiated! You are the most special one. Then, Sir Si, you are my elder brother. You said to yourself, what would you do if you were us? After that, you will be a prince, and today I want to give you these things, but you said, if I trust you, it would be better to give you this place, or would it be better to give you this place if I was jealous of you?"
"Master Si, brother, brother, this is what you said from the bottom of your heart. After doing this, it won't be hot if you hold the land in your hand. Otherwise, of course, I will give it to you. Can you get it, Master Si yourself? I think, the uncles in the army gave you this mission, they really love you, and I hope that you will become the king of Shu in the future, and you will truly be one with me... Not to mention you, your 20,000 brothers are also waiting. You make a fortune for them."
Wanyan Xiebao said this, looked towards the county town, paused slightly, the cool wind was blowing from there, Si Zhongxian listened to him and said, "Also, even if you don't do it, what's the difference... "
His words were an understatement, and Si Zhongxian's body trembled and almost fell off his horse. After that, he said a few words indifferently, but Wanyan Xiebao handed over to bid farewell to Si Zhongxian, but there was no response, he didn't think he was embarrassed, he smiled and rode away.
At this time, he has already given up the most crucial sword pavilion. The 20,000 soldiers under his command are considered elites. In fact, whether it is compared with the Jurchen or the Black Flag, there is a considerable gap. Without the key bargaining chip, if the Jurchen does not intend to talk about it Trust, he can only let it be slaughtered.
After Wanyan Xiebao's horse team completely disappeared from view, Si Zhongxian stayed quietly on the hillside for a long time before returning to the barracks. He has a decent appearance and is not angry and powerful. It is difficult for others to see too many emotions on his face. In addition, the situation has changed recently and the situation is complicated. It is normal for him to look slightly haggard. After meeting with his father in the afternoon, Si Wenzhong still sighed and persuaded.
"...The matter has come to this point, what else can those who do great things do except look forward? Zhongxian, you are the unicorn of the Si family, you have protected all the family members, the family members will remember you from generation to generation... "
"...Actually, I have been in the Ministry of Rites for many years for my father, reading some articles of sages and sages, and talking about the rules of etiquette, but after reading a lot of books, I will realize that these things are all in four words, winning the king or losing..."
"...In the future, when you return Chuanshu to the Wu Dynasty, the people of the world will thank you..."
Si Zhongxian also seemed to have figured it out. He nodded solemnly and saluted his father. On this day and night, he returned to his room and took a drink for himself. Someone outside was brought in. That was Ji Yuanjing, the messenger of the black flag who had previously represented Ning Yi to negotiate at Jianmenguan. The other party was also a serious person. It seems to be a bit more wild than Si Zhongxian. When Si Zhongxian decided to sacrifice Jianmenguan, he drove the black flag messengers away from the gate.
"The Huaxia army is very powerful."
Si Zhongxian was not surprised that Ji Yuanjing could sneak in. He put down a wine glass and poured wine for the other party. Ji Yuanjing sat down, picked up the wine glass in front of him, and put it aside: "Si General, pull back from the precipice, it's not too late, you are someone who knows the general situation, I'm here to persuade you."
Si Zhongxian smiled and said, "I thought Mr. Ji was just serious and always smiling... Is that what you look like?"
"The people of the Chen family have promised to dedicate the entire Qingchuan to the Jurchen, all the food will be swept away by the Jurchen, and everyone will be driven into the battlefield, and Cangxi must have the same fate. We must mobilize the people, and in the Jurchen resolute Go ahead and hide in the mountains. On the Cangxi side, if General Si is willing to go anyway, there are countless people who can be rescued. General Si, you have been guarding the people here for many years, do you have to watch their homes collapse?"
Si Zhongxian sat there, silent for a moment, his eyes moved: "Save them, my family, they are going to die."
"General Si really means anyway, so it's worth taking Ji's adventure today." Hearing Si Zhongxian's shaky words, Ji Yuanjing's eyes became clearer, it was a look of hope, "I'm concerned about General Si's family. It's our fault that we couldn't save him. The second batch of manpower has already been mobilized. This time, we will make sure nothing goes wrong. General Si, the Han people are about to fall, and the Jurchen is cruel and can't be friends. As long as you and I have this consensus, it is now It doesn't matter if you don't do it anyway. You and I can make a covenant. As long as Xiuzhou's action is successful, General Si will give the Jurchen a hard blow from the rear. It's not too late to make a decision at this time."
"...I understand the meaning of the Huaxia Army's boxing." Si Zhongxian showed a sarcastic smile on his face and drank a glass of wine, "It's just that at this time, how much can the matter be saved? Mr. Ji, I abandoned Jianmen. Guan, a big mistake has already been made, and it should be interrupted, but at this time, it will be anyway, and maybe I will be exhausted and my family will die... Why should I come here?"
"If General Si could bring Jianmenguan and my Huaxia Army to fight against Jurchen, of course, it would be an excellent thing. But since bad things have already happened, we should not blame others. If we can save a point, it is a point. General Si , For the sake of the people of the world, even if it is just for the tens of thousands of people in Cangxi, it is a good idea to turn back. As long as General Si can figure it out at the last minute, I, the Huaxia Army, will regard the general as my own."
Ji Yuanjing's words were sincere. In fact, in the past few years, he has dealt with the Huaxia Army a lot, and Si Zhongxian has long understood the other party's behavior, knowing that the other party's words are sincere. He just sat like that, and after a while, "haha" laughed, then changed to "hehe", and finally became a choked sound of "wheeze".
This emotional out-of-control did not last long, Ji Yuanjing sat quietly and waited for the other party's reply, Si Zhongxian lost his temper for a moment, and calmed down on the surface, the room was silent for a long time, Si Zhongxian said: "Mr. Ri Ming pondered hard, and figured it out. Do you know why I let out the sword gate?"
Ji Yuanjing considered it for a while: "General Si's family fell into the hands of the golden dog. It is a last resort, and it is human nature."
"Hey, human nature..." Si Zhongxian repeated, shaking his head, "You said human nature just to comfort me, my father said human nature in order to deceive me. Mr. Ji, I was a scholar from childhood. Mendi, Confucius said Chengren and Meng said take justice, and foreign aggression strikes. I still understand what to choose. I know too much and think too clearly. I know the pros and cons of surrendering to the Jurchen, and the pros and cons of joining the Huaxia Army. I know that too, but at the end of the day... I didn't realize until the end that I was a weak person and couldn't even show the courage to make a decision."
He poured himself a drink quietly: "If you take refuge in the Huaxia Army, your family will die. It is human nature to care about your family. If you take refuge in the Jurchen, everyone in the world will scold me in the future, and I will be placed in the history books, on the pillar of shame. It has been scolded for thousands of years, and this is something that has long been thought of. So, Mr. Ji, in the end, I didn't make this decision myself, because I...weak and incompetent!"
Ji Yuanjing frowned: "General Si didn't make the decision himself, who made the decision?"
"Let's not talk about him. The decision was not made by me, and now I have to resist the remorse. Mr. Ji, I betrayed you. Jurchen promised me to be the king of Shu in the future, and I will become stomped and shaken. The big man in the whole world, but I finally see it clearly. To reach this level, you must have the courage to see through the normal feelings of people. If you resist Jin people, your family will die. Even so, you can only choose to resist Jin. In the face of the world, You have to have such courage." He drank his drink, "I don't have the courage."
"... This statement is a bit extreme." Ji Yuanjing hesitated.
"I didn't choose to fight against gold when I was at Jianmen Pass. I lost it. Today, when I fought against gold, my family died. I am a joke again. In any case, I am a joke... Mr. Ji, after going back, You can give me a message for Mr. Ning, okay?"
"..." Ji Yuanjing was silent for a moment, then nodded solemnly.
Si Zhongxian laughed: "Tell him for me that he should kill the emperor. It's amazing that he dares to kill the emperor!"
"General Secretary..."
Cup after cup of wine, Si Zhongxian's expression was only a sneer occasionally, and occasionally blank, he looked out the window, in the dark night, tears rolled down his face: "I'm just a coward who dare not even make a decision at a critical time, but... But... Why? Mr. Ji, this world... It's so difficult, why is there such a world that people have to take things like the death of their entire family calmly, in order to be considered a good person... This world..."
His emotions were suppressed to the extreme, his fists slammed on the table, and the wine foamed from his mouth. After venting like this, Si Zhongxian was quiet for a while, then raised his head: "Mr. Ji, do what you should do, I... I'm just a coward."
"General Si, knowing shame is close to being brave. Many things can be changed as long as you know the problem. You care about your family. Even in the future history books, I can't give you one..."
"Who's here, send him out!" Si Zhongxian shouted loudly, and the personal guard came in. Ji Yuanjing wanted to say something, but Si Zhongxian waved his hand: "Safely! Send him out!"
Ji Yuanjing knew that the negotiation had failed.
He turned to leave, but there was still some hope in his heart. Si Zhongxian was obviously emotionally disturbed tonight, but he had regrets in his heart. If this war continued, sooner or later he would be turned against a team of more than 20,000 people. At a critical time, he could also play a big role.
Can only rely on the next meeting.
The moon and stars are faint, and the mountains are in the distance. After leaving the barracks, I looked at Cangxi County not far away. It was a peaceful and quiet night.
That night, Si Zhongxian sharpened his sharp edge. He slit his own throat in the room and killed himself.
At this point, he has no choice to go forward or backward. At this time, he surrendered to the Huaxia Army and caught up with his family. He was a joke. He cooperated with Jurchen and sent all the nearby residents to the battlefield. He also had no idea what to do. . He killed himself, and he no longer has to be responsible for Cangxi's affairs and endure the torment of his soul, and his family members will no longer be of any use value, and they will finally be able to survive.
When the news reached the Jurchen camp, Wanyan Zonghan nodded: "Well, it's a guy... Find someone to replace him."
"... That Si Zhongxian." The lieutenant hesitated.
Zong Han thought about it: "In my name, write a condolence text, saying that General Si is righteous anyway, he was assassinated and killed by the black flag bandits, and the Jurchen will destroy the black flag to avenge General Si. In addition..."
"Establish a good monument, General of the Thick Burial Secretary."
"Yes."
Walking through history, not many people will care about the mentality of the losers.
Soon after, Si Zhongxian was forgotten.