"The one and the group of people opposite you, they killed the emperor of the Wu Dynasty under the most inopportune circumstances! They cut off all escape routes! They are enemies of the whole world! They faced an army of millions and did not follow suit. Anyone begging for mercy! In more than ten years, they have come out and survived! You haven't seen it yet! They are who we were—"
The rising flames reflected the lion-like figure of the veteran, and his voice echoed in the wind and snow in front of the tent.
The rest of the people were solemn, but seeing the bonfire burning and the snow falling, the camp was silent for a long time.
Zong Han and all the generals were standing there, and when night saw that it had completely fallen, and the fire in the snow-covered barracks was a little more, then he spoke.
"In the past 30 years, there have been countless victories in the battlefield, but who among you dares to say that he has never lost a single time? I can't, neither can Lou Shi, and I don't dare to say anything about the battle. The defeat, the defeat of the Rain Creek, the loss is there, but it is only a defeat - some people are scared to blame others, but I think it is a good thing!"
"What's the good? First, the battle in Yuyuxi, let you see carefully, what is the quality of the black flag army on the opposite side. It is invincible? Millions of troops surrounded Xiaocanghe for three years. , they can do it too! It's his fault, not his fault, for greed and greed! Rainwater Creek has been hit for two months, and he took the opportunity to bring his guards up. I do things like this. Yes, you did too!"
"I have been with you all for more than 30 years. He was a rare warrior. He died in the rain stream, but he was still a warrior. He died of greed for merit? No."
Zonghan shook his head: "His death stemmed from the fact that he did not regard the black flag as an evenly matched opponent. He regarded the black flag as a Liao and Wu Dynasty people, and he was defeated in the end. You still take the black flag today. Heiqi regarded them as such enemies, thought they had used tricks, thought their own people were holding back you, and you will all die under the swords and spears of Heiqi in the future. Zhenzhu, Baoshan, I am talking about you! Kneel down for me—"
His eyes suddenly became fierce and majestic, and with this roar, Wanyan Sheye Ma and Wanyan Xiebao brothers who were over the bonfire were stunned for a moment, and then knelt down to the ground.
"Don't think I don't know what you guys have said in the past few days! As generals, you dare to slander your colleagues who have fought together for a hundred battles! If you don't know your fault, this king will kill you with his own hands!"
"—Arrogant tigers are easy to die! The longest living in Lin Haili is the pack of wolves."
Among Zonghan's sons, Sheyema and Xiebao were the generals of the leading side when they attacked Bianliang. At this time, Xiebao was over thirty and Sheyema was nearly forty. Regarding the brothers, Zong Han used to beat and scold them, but in recent years, such things have rarely happened. After finishing his words word by word, he slowly turned around and walked to the pyre, and picked up a piece of wood.
The thickness of the wooden sea bowl was supposed to be split in half, but this one was not split, and there was only a crack on the top. Zong Han slammed his hands out, the log split in half with a bang, and the white frost burst open. Zonghan threw the wood into the fire.
"Keep your eyes open. That's one of the benefits of the Battle of Rain Creek. Two, it tests your measure!"
"It tests the measure of winning the world and sitting in the world!"
"To conquer the world with 2,000 people, there are 2,000 people's ways of playing, and 20,000 people, there are 20,000 people's ways of playing! But today, there are no 20,000 people behind your one? Hundreds of millions! Only by co-governing with the people of the world can we live forever."
Zong Han paused: "Zong Fu and Zong Bi are short-sighted, the land in the south of the Yangtze River drove the Han army to besiege Jiangning by a million, the young prince of the Wu Dynasty risked his life, and millions of people were defeated like a flood, but instead let Zong Fu and Zong Bi At the beginning of the battle of the Southwest, Gu Shen taught you that you must stay with the Han army for a long time and have one heart on the battlefield. This battle can only be finished. Why? Become your brother! Without such a bearing, you will continue to fight in the next twenty or thirty years? If you can't sit on a country like this, neither will your descendants!"
"The snow in the south is fine." He looked up at the blizzard blowing, "The Han people who grew up in the Central Plains and the South of the Yangtze River have been in peace for a long time, and their fighting power is not good, but is this really the case? You are driving people to think When they die, there will also be the Black Banner Army, and there will be the little prince who killed Jiangning. If there are people who love my Jurchen, they will gradually become like our Jurchen."
"... Gu Shen did not force the Han army to advance, he clearly established rewards and punishments, and set rules, but just wanted to repeat the mistakes of the Jiangning battle? No, he wanted to let the Han army, who had a clear general trend, advance to our country first. In Jin's army, there are always people in front and others behind. This is a preparation for pacifying the world. It's a pity that most of you don't understand Gushen's intentions. You fight side by side but treat them as foreigners! In the war, is it really only the surrendered Han army?"
"The battle at Yuyuxi." Zong Han said word by word, "Among the remaining 7,000 people, nearly 2,000 Han troops have never surrendered. Han general Qu Fangyan has been fighting under the command. Some people don't believe it. He, he restrained his subordinates to stick to one side. After this battle, I heard that in Yuyuxi, some people said that the Han army was unreliable, and called to transfer Qu Fangyan's troops to the rear, or let them go into battle Death. Those who say that are stupid!"
His scolding came out, and among the generals, Dalai frowned, his face was not angry, Yu Yu and others also frowned somewhat. Zong Han took a breath and waved to the back: "Qu Fangyan, come out."
A moment after the voice fell, a general in armor came out from the tent. He walked up to Zong Han, his eyes were slightly red, and he bowed his head. Zong Han accepted his kowtow, lowered his head and said, "Qu Fangyan, why didn't you react or surrender to the defeat of Yuyuxi?"
"Little minister... the father of the last general, died at the hands of the black flag... the commander..."
Zong Han nodded, raised his hands, and helped him up: "Understood." He said, "In the battle of the Southwest, if this king gives you a word, I will make you avenge your father, but you must also avenge this king. A word."
"Please, please command the commander..."
"You will avenge this revenge yourself. From today onwards, you are no longer a side general with only 3,000 people under your command. This king will give you a good job - not only in the southwest. After all, this world belongs to Dajin, but in the future, the place where the Han people are will also be ruled by you Han people, this is what this king expects from you, you remember."
Qu Fangyan said thankful words in his mouth, Natou wanted to worship again, Zonghan grabbed his arm: "Jujiu man, don't behave like a woman, you can go in." He waved his arm towards the bonfire, "From now on, you will be with them!"
Qu Fangyan clasped her fists in a salute and walked over there. He was originally a minor general in the Han army, but at this time, who is not a hero of the golden army in the world, taking two steps, hesitating slightly about where to go, there Gao Qingyi waved his arm: "Come on." Summoned him to stand beside him.
When passing by Han Qixian, Han Qixian also reached out and patted his shoulder.
Zonghan nodded.
"Saba has done an excellent job with the Han people. I'm very pleased. Han Qixian and Gao Qingyi are also good examples. You, put away your arrogance, look at them, and learn from them!"
"As for Yuyuxi, losing to an underestimated enemy is not a big deal! In the past 30 years or so, if all the opponents are like turkeys and dogs, this king will feel a little boring! Such an opponent is very good.”
"I think everyone will feel good too."
The snow fell.
Regarding the battle of Yuyuxi, Zong Han said a lot, but they were more lofty things outside the battlefield. As for the fact that they were defeated, they were only two very good. At this time, after calmly speaking, many people had their own pride in their hearts.
That's right, in the face of a mere defeat, in the face of an evenly matched opponent, and looking down on the Jin Kingdom army for more than 30 years, what kind of emotions should one have other than a "very good"
The snow was still rolling down, and in front of the roaring bonfire, Zong Han and Han Qixian announced the details of rewards and punishments for many generals.
After the rewards, punishments and transfers were announced, Zong Han waved his hand and told everyone to go back. He turned around and entered the big tent. Only Wanyan She also squatted with Wanyan, always kneeling in the wind and snow, in front of the bonfire.
After the meeting was over, some more generals came one after another and went to the camp to face Zong Han alone. At the end of the night, Wanyan Sheye Ma and Wanyan Xiebao were covered with a layer of snow. Zong Han came out of the tent, and he moved a wooden stake in front of his two sons and sat for a while. Then he got up and sighed, "Come in."
Their legs were numb, they followed in step by step, and knelt down again in the big tent. Zong Han pointed to the chair beside him: "Look for a chair and sit down, don't kneel. Drink hot tea, don't hurt your knees. ."
The two brothers stood up again, sat aside, took a few sips of hot water from the small table, and then resumed sitting upright. Zong Han sat at the back of the table, and after a while, he finally said, "Do you know why the father beat you?"
Wanyan She also bowed her head and bowed her hands: "It's really inappropriate to slander the general who just died in battle. Moreover, when he suffers this defeat, the commander's father beats his son in order to shock the rest of the people."
"Superficial!" Zong Han's eyes were cold, "The battle of Rainwater Creek shows that the Huaxia Army's combat power is no longer lost to us. If you are smart again, you will carelessly underestimate the enemy in the future. In the Southwest battle, you really want a white-haired man to give it to your father. Brunette!"
"...Yes." Wanyanshe also turned his eyes, hesitated for a moment, and finally lowered his head again.
At this moment, Wanyan Xiebao stood up and cupped his hands, "Father, my son has something to say. I don't know whether to ask or not."
"Say."
"The battle of Yuyuxi, the information before and after, the generals in the army, many people know that with the cleverness of Gao Qingyi, Han Qixian and others, it is possible that they know the crux of this battle. Although they did not say it, they still let the army go. People in China are talking about the problem of the Han army, because the Han army is really unable to fight. Now that my father has boosted the morale of the Han army, could it really make them… participate in this war?"
Wanyan Xiebao asked a little hesitantly, but what was in his heart was obviously well thought out. Zong Han looked at him for a while, and smiled approvingly:
"You seem reckless, and there are subtleties in the rough, but it's not a bad thing. These days, you have been leading the discussion in the army, and you have already made up your plan?"
The oblique guard said: "Reporting to my father, I have nearly a thousand personal guards against the eight hundred black flags of Yingzuiyan and won't win. Although the guard of Yingzuiyan is also one of the most powerful teams in the black flags, it still shows that the black flags This matter, only if the father said it today, can it have an exciting effect on everyone. The son thinks... Someone has to carry the pot, whether it's a lie or the Han army, it's better than letting everyone I think Black Flag is stronger than us."
"Then why, you chose to slander Lili, but you didn't scold the Han army for being incompetent?"
Xie Bao smiled bitterly: "Father Commander knew what to ask, but after the rainy stream, the Han army in front was indeed only less than 2,000 people. But with the addition of Huangming County and the ones that have been pushed in on this road, the Han army has nearly ten thousand people. Ten thousand people, it took us two months to put people in. If we say that they can't fight, and then withdraw, there is no need to fight the battle of the southwest."
He paused: "But even so, my son doesn't understand the reason why he should rely so heavily on the Han people - of course, for the future, it is right to reward Qu Fangyan. But if you want to drag on the battlefield, son Still feel like... the Southwest is not the place for them."
Zonghan laughed. Wanyan Xiebao's face was rough, and the previous words seemed cautious. Only in the last sentence, there was a vague aura of contempt for the world. Zong Han noticed this, and he was very relieved. After a long laugh, he gradually stopped.
He sat in the chair and was silent for a while, until it was so quiet in the tent that one almost had hallucinations, and it was only then that Shiyama and Xiabao heard his words.
"The matter of the Han army is the strategy of Gushen, and it has its own intentions. Since you are still a little smart, you should have a good relationship with the Han generals in the future. In addition, keep an eye on Qu Fangyan for me!"
Hearing the name of Gushen, the two of them both calmed down a little, got up to take orders together, and Shi Ye said: "Could my father think that Qu Fangyan is deceitful?"
"All the Han troops have descended, and he is the only one who has not descended. With the means of that demon, who can know? The heart to guard against others is indispensable." Zong Han said and waved his hand.
"Go down."
****************
The moonlight was hidden in the thick clouds, and the wind and snow blew across the vast mountains.
From the Jin Kingdom, to the Central Plains, to Jiangnan, the heavy snow covered everything in sight. This was the most severe year of suffering for the Han people in the world. The burnt city has not yet been rebuilt. The refugees with their families and their families fell down in the whistling snow, and the hungry people exchanged children for each other and shared them. Many people who lost their families, soon afterward, also embarked on the road of returning with their families.
Hope is just like a faint spark.
The new emperor of the Wu Dynasty, the former prince, is heading south with his army and refugees. Further south on the coast, the eldest princess landed near Putian and contacted the nearby army to seek Fuzhou.
On New Year's Eve, Mao Yishan and his wife returned to their home with their children, cleaned up the stove, posted blessings, and made a hasty but warm and lively New Year's Eve dinner.
Liangshan, Zhu Biao, Liu Chengzong and others approved three times the usual share of food for everyone in the army for the New Year's meal. A stage was also set up in the army camp, and the performances began at night. Zhu Biao and the others were eating and drinking, discussing the war in the southwest, and arranging gossip about Ning Yi and the people in the southwest.
The Wang Shanyue couple, who had been ruined by Zhu Biao, came to sit for a while this day: "It's been two months since the Southwest War, and I don't know if that guy Ning Yi can hold out. "Talking about such things, Wang Shanyue said: "Maybe he died in the hands of Zong Han, and his head was kicked as a ball? To save the world, we have to come from the Wu Dynasty."
"Since the disfigurement, this face doesn't look like his own." Zhu Biao teased him with the people around him, "Damn sissy, gave up on himself, haha..."
Liangshan's Huaxia Army and Guangwu Army fought side by side, but nominally belonged to two camps, and now they are used to each other. Wang Shanyue occasionally spoke ill of Ning Yi, saying that he was a lunatic and neurotic; Zhu Biao occasionally talked about the exhaustion of Wu's vigor, saying that Zhou Zhe's yin and yang people were bad ass, and both parties had already adapted.
Who can have the same knowledge as a fool - both parties think so.
In Jindi, Lou Shuwan and others organized a simple yet solemn dinner.
Since Liao Yiren has been defeated and even surrendered his mighty victories, various horse bandits and rebels in Jin have come to vote. Dozens or hundreds of them have come to pay homage to this legendary female prime minister.
Under the suggestion of Huaxia Army, Shi Jin and others, Lou Shuwan cleaned up a group of horse bandits with major bad deeds. For those who intend to join and are relatively innocent, they are also required to be dispersed and unconditionally accept the leadership of the military superiors. Only for those with leadership skills, their positions will be reserved.
Even after such a strict elimination, the New Year's Eve banquet was still expected to be cast from all directions, and some people even regarded the female prime minister, Yu Yulin and others as the future emperor.
Of course, Lou Shuwan, who has gone through so many bumps over the years, will not be swayed by it. Even if Liao Yiren is really cleaned up completely, holding half of the Central Plains in his hand, the possibility of disaster will always be waiting for them ahead. Not to mention anything else, just say that the return journey of the West Road army led by Zong Han and Xi Yin, whether they win or lose in the southwest, will be a difficult test for Jin.
She did not hide, but frankly shared this prospect with everyone.
"...I used to be the daughter of a wealthy businessman in Hangzhou. Ever since Fang La broke Hangzhou when I was in my twenties, I often felt like I was living in a nightmare that I couldn't wake up from."
At the dinner party, holding a glass of wine, he talked to everyone like this.
"When I was a child, I read history, and I often saw that there have been turmoils for thousands of years, dozens or hundreds of years. In a flash... Now, I have seen these things, and I think about it many times, but I still can't figure it out, how can people survive here for decades."
She spoke solemnly, and everyone was somewhat silent. When she said this, Lou Shuwan stretched out her tongue and licked her lips, and laughed: "I am a woman, and I am sentimental, which makes you laugh. After more than ten years of fighting in this world, there will be another ten years. For the rest of the year, I don’t know if I can be a leader, but I can’t think of a way to go except to get through it—unless I get through it, you are heroes, you must understand this.”
"This year's New Year's Eve will be better, next year there will be a war, then... Whether it's for ourselves or our descendants, let's work together to get through it... Let's kill it!"
She had spoken calmly before, but only when she raised her glass at the end and added "kill it" did a bright smile appear on her face, she lowered her head, and the smile at this moment was like that of a young girl.
Yu Yulin, Wang Juyun, An Xifu, Shi Jin, Zhan Wu... and many other officials and generals at the venue also smiled and raised their glasses happily.