Chapter 987: Early Autumn, Prelude to the Song of the Wind (Part 2)
The early autumn rain falls, knocking the yellow leaves.
On July 16th, in his house in Xicheng County, Dai Mengwei, who had returned to worship his ancestors the day earlier, was playing chess with his students. He looked at the sky in the south, slightly absent-minded.
"...Teacher." Disciple Uraraka called in a low voice.
After a while, Dai Mengwei came back to his senses: "...ah?"
"Teacher, it's your turn."
"Oh." Dai Mengwei dropped the chess piece, and Uraraka responded immediately.
"You've got half a day to spare, but the teacher still has a lot of things on his mind."
"I was too lazy in my early years, but when I got older, I realized I couldn't be more lazy... Huiliang thinks, what's on my mind?"
"Is it about Chengdu?"
"……oh?"
Dai Mengwei picked up the chess pieces and squinted his eyes. Uraraka smiled.
"News came yesterday that the Chinese army will enter Chengdu at the end of the month. Yesterday was Zhongyuan. Something should happen. It will happen soon."
The two have been masters and disciples for many years, and Uraraka's answer was informal. Of course, he also knew that his teacher appreciated people with quick thinking, so he wanted to show off deliberately. Sure enough, Dai Meng squinted his eyes slightly and nodded.
"These days, you are concerned about the autumn harvest arrangements, and you have not mentioned the southwest. It seems that you have not put down your homework. Tell me, what will happen?"
Uraraka made a move and said with a smile: "The Southwest has defeated Nianhan. The situation is about to be completed. What will happen in the future? This gathering of Southwest is the key. Everyone is watching the situation over there. While preparing to deal with it, of course there is also a possibility.
, there is no way to ignore it... If Ning Yi suddenly dies now, the Chinese Army will become a fragrant bun that can be won over by all parties in the world. Although the possibility of this thing is small, it cannot be ignored. "
Dai Mengwei also dropped the chess pieces: "What does this have to do with being a teacher?"
"Two months ago, my teacher's name was resounding all over the world, and there was an endless stream of people who came to my door to see me, and offered advice. Today we are at odds with the Chinese army, but these people are different. There are people among them who have great righteousness, but they are also
Maybe there are spies from the Chinese Army... The students originally thought that how to use these people would require a lot of screening, but now they think about it and they are not sure. There are more effective methods for many people. The teacher... persuaded them,
Went to the southwest?”
Dai Meng slightly stroked his beard. His brows were troubled and he usually looked serious. At this time, he just looked towards the southwest with a calm expression.
"Dozens or hundreds of people all say that they have great righteousness. If one or two of them can accomplish something, it can be considered a good thing. As for who can be used and who can't, it doesn't have to be so absolute. The Chinese Army is open to talking.
Recruiting people from outside is Ning Yi's confidence in his own ideas. As for us, the people's livelihood will be improved and their lives will be comfortable, and more and more people will agree with it. Many problems are self-evident. This is Huiliang you.
The purpose of putting it there is that the people are the top priority."
"Teacher's painstaking efforts are saved by Huiliang." Pu Huiliang nodded, "It's just that after the Jurchen era, people's livelihood was in decline and the land was barren, but now there are many suffering people in the world. The autumn harvest... I'm afraid it will be difficult to plug all the holes."
"Today there are two major enemies in the world, one is the Jurchens and the other is the Southwest. After the Jurchens passed away, everyone has seen the desolate countryside. As long as the words are explained clearly, everyone can understand the difficult times. But you brothers, outsiders
Officials, big and small, must also be willing to work together to help each other. Don't cheat. On the surface, they are officials and for the people, but if they move to their homes privately, something will happen. If you encounter someone like this now, you must kill him."
Dai Mengwei said the word "kill" calmly, without any fuss, but Uraraka knew that this teacher was ruthless. It could even be said that in the past six months, he had realized that this teacher who had been following him for many years was really moving.
How decisive and ruthless he is in his hands. In the past few decades, he lived in Xicheng County to study and did not have to show his skills. It was only in the past two years that the old man came forward to make plans and brought together the entire Jurchens and the Huaxia Army.
Everyone in the world is plotted.
Especially in the past six months, Tu Qiongdajian even sacrificed his own flesh and blood and killed fellow Han troops at will. After taking over the local area, his methods of dealing with corrupt officials in various places were also extremely ruthless.
Confucian laws have been embodied to the extreme. But because of this method, it has won a lot of cheers from the people in various places where everything is in ruins.
"Senior Brother Jinwen lived in Zhuxi and lived, lived and slept with the people. This is a very good performance. Although we cannot block all the holes this autumn, we can at least block some of them. I also talked to Uncle Liu Ping.
We made an agreement to purchase a batch of grain from him first. After this winter and next spring, the situation should be stable. He wants to plot the Central Plains, so let's seek stability first..."
The master and apprentice were talking and making moves. When talking about Liu Guangshi, Pu Huiliang smiled slightly: "Uncle Liu Ping has a wide circle of friends and is used to being two-faced. This time in the southwest, I heard that he was the first to stand up and trade with the Chinese army, so he got it in advance.
There are many benefits. If someone wants to attack the Chinese army this time, who knows what his attitude will be?"
"Uncle Liu Ping has complicated thoughts, but he is not without foresight. The Chinese army will still stand, and he can certainly take advantage of it, but at the same time, he will not mind if one of the most difficult Ning Liheng in the Chinese army is missing.
He is still the leader in carving up the southwest and will not change." After Dai Mengwei said this, he looked at the rain curtain outside and paused slightly: "Actually, after the Jurchens left, various places were deserted and refugees were everywhere. What was really unaffected?
?After all, it’s still Southwest..."
The old man sighed: "Shu is blessed with natural resources and has been a land of abundance since ancient times. In this Southwest War, the Jurchens' military line could not even reach Zizhou. Although the Chinese army suffered some losses, the food on the Great Plains was not damaged at all.
In today's southwest, it is really difficult to prevent Ning Yi from having an accident, but... if it can really happen, then the accumulation of southwest will flow to all parties, not only our Han family's military equipment, but also the study of objects will be greatly prosperous, this winter, there will be less
Many hungry people died."
The autumn rain fell freely outside the window, and the room fell silent. Uraraka stretched out his hand and dropped the chess piece: "In the past, it was all the mobs in the green forest who opposed him with their passion. This time, the disciple believes that it will be possible."
It’s different.”
He paused: "Judging from the time, it should be soon..."
…
The afternoon sun shines on the Chengdu Plain.
On the official road from Chengdu to the south, people, cars and horses are constantly coming and going.
Coming down from a Taoist temple, You Hongzhuo walked along the flowing river with his knife and baggage on his back.
The vast plains seem to extend endlessly towards the front, with rivers and official roads intersecting forward, and villages and farmland appearing here and there. They look like a picture under the golden sunlight. Even the pedestrians on the road appear to be more beautiful than those in the Central Plains.
The people smiled a little more.
The official road was also much stronger. It was obvious that he had put a lot of thought and effort into going south from Jin. Most of the roads he walked on were bumpy and bumpy. This was the first time in his life that he had seen such a smooth road, even in his childhood memories.
Among them, the Wu Dynasty, which was prosperous in the past, probably would not have spent so much effort repairing roads. Of course, he was not sure about this, that's all.
Nowadays, he will habitually look more and think more about things that he doesn't understand or think clearly about.
During the time he was in Jindi, he did a lot of chivalrous and righteous things. Of course, the most important thing was to serve as a folk chivalrous man to protect the safety of the female prime minister amidst various threats. During this period, he even had several encounters with heroes.
Shi Jin had previous contacts and even received a personal interview from the female prime minister.
The female prime minister originally wanted to persuade some trustworthy knights to join her bodyguard, and many people agreed. However, due to past events, You Hongzhuo still had doubts about the various aspects of these "officialdoms" and was unwilling to lose his freedom.
Because of his identity, he refused. The other party did not force him, and even rewarded him for his past help and gave him a lot of money.
After the situation of the Southwest War was initially determined, the Chinese army invited guests from all over the world in Chengdu. You Hongzhuo was very moved. However, due to the imminent threat of Zong Hanxi and Yin Beigui, he did not know whether to leave. During this period, he had an encounter with the hero Shi Jin
After some conversations and private discussions, Shi Jin believed that the danger in Jin was not great, and that You Hongzhuo's skills were already quite good, and he needed more tests and insights to make a breakthrough, so he persuaded him to go there.
Take a trip southwest.
Reading thousands of books means traveling thousands of miles, and the same applies to the skills of your hands. When You Hongzhuo first arrived in the southwest, he naturally came for the martial arts competition, but from the moment he entered Jianmen Pass, he was amazed by all kinds of new things and scenes.
After staying in Chengdu for a few days, I felt various signs of conflict: there were the impassioned Confucian scholars, the criticism and abuse of the Chinese army, the confusion caused by its various deviants, and even many chivalrous people in the green forest privately.
Shi Shi seems to be prepared to sacrifice his life and come here, ready to assassinate the inner demon Ning Yi...
You Hongzhuo first came into contact with the Black Flag Army in Zezhou. At that time, the Black Flag Army led the huge coup against Tian Hu, and the female prime minister came to power. You Hongzhuo saw the power of the Black Flag Army to turn its hands into clouds and rain.
, and also saw all the tragedies in that chaos. His impression of the Black Flag Army at that time was not bad, but it was not good either. Just like a giant beast rolling at will, it would always crush the lives of many living beings.
Later, after hearing about Black Flag's various deeds in the southwest and successfully defeating the Jurchens for the first time, he felt good and awe in his heart. This time, he came with the same thoughts. Who knew that he would arrive here?
Behind the scenes, there were so many people talking about their dissatisfaction with the Chinese army and making terrible prophecies. Many of them were even erudite people who had read poetry and books.
When he was in Jin Dynasty, due to Lou Shuwan's female body, many people fabricated all kinds of evil deeds about her out of thin air. However, there, You Hongzhuo could clearly distinguish the greatness and importance of female appearance. To the southwest
, for that inner demon, it is difficult for him to judge the good and evil of the other party among all kinds of rumors. Some people say that he is militaristic, some say that he is vigorous and resolute, some say that he destroys the old and establishes the new, some say that he is wild and rebellious...
Fortunately, he was not in a hurry to stand in line, and quietly watched various situations in the southwest. After staying in Chengdu for a few days, he applied for a customs clearance document, and left the city to go further south. The Chinese Army was really
Weird, when asked what he was doing out of the city, You Hongzhuo confessed that he was looking around. The other party looked him over and stamped him casually, but told him twice not to do anything illegal or he would be severely punished.
deal with.
Hey, I want to cause chaos, what can you do to me!
He has fought countless times in the past few years, improved rapidly between life and death, and has a relatively accurate grasp of his martial arts. Of course, since Mr. Zhao taught him to respect the rules back then, he would not be able to rely on a single
Hot blood can easily destroy public order and good customs. I just thought in my heart, so I took the paperwork and went on the road.
We traveled slowly along the way. In the afternoon of this day, I walked to the edge of a small forest and went in casually to solve the three urgent problems. When I went out to the other side, I passed a small road and saw some small things ahead.
movement.
They were six warriors with weapons on their backs. They were standing by the road over there, looking at the field scenery in the distance. Some people were relieving themselves by the road. Encountering such a green forest man, You Hongzhuo was not willing to approach him casually. If he was
He was just an ordinary person, and he was carrying a knife on his back, which would probably arouse the other person's thoughts. Just as he was about to leave quietly, the other person's words blew into his ears with the autumn wind.
"...When I came out of home, I only had five days of food left. Although I got...the help from the adults, I'm afraid this winter won't be easy either..."
"...It's all the fault of the Jurchens, they couldn't plant anything in the spring..."
"...Look at how good the rice here is growing. If you can drag some back..."
"...the Chinese army is all businessmen, how many kilograms can you buy..."
"...Not to mention that the two sides are now at odds..."
"...A few days ago, the scholar surnamed Ren said that the Chinese army only talks about business, not morality, etiquette, justice and shame... If you win the world, all the people will suffer..."
"... With the death of Ning, many things can be settled. Now the black flag in the southwest is at odds with the outside world. It is because of the debt of the regicide. This debt has been cleared. Everyone is Han and Chinese. There are
We can sit down and talk about anything..."
"...It's not easy to kill people named Ning..."
"...The person named Ren said that it was difficult to kill the person named Ning because the people who passed by were unorganized and did not form a unified force..."
"...It can't be formed. People named Ning are called inner demons. We really want to work together. I don't know how many people are moles. If there is one mole, everyone will die..."
"... Then there is no need to gather together. You and I, the six brothers, can just do your own thing... Ren said that when we came to the southwest this time, there were countless people who wanted the devil's life. Now,
Even if we don't contact each other privately, as long as one person shouts, hundreds of people will respond. But in this situation, we can't all kill the devil..."
"...How to do it?"
"...The man surnamed Ren gave some advice. He said that the demons have many soldiers, but after the war, their strength has been stretched thin. Now many martyrs have come to the southwest, and only three or five masters are needed to assassinate the demons. As for the rest,
People, you can think about how to make the devil divide his troops and distract him. Ren said that the devil cares about his family the most, and his family are all in Zhangcun... We don't know what other people are like, but as long as
Let’s take action or divert a group of soldiers so that they can’t catch anyone and become nervous, someone will always find an opportunity..."
"...Now that the devil is dead, will the Chinese Army really negotiate peace with the outside world?"
"...the things that happened over the years were caused by this devil. In the past, people from the Green Forest came to kill him, gathering righteousness here and there, and then they were all overthrown. This time, it is not just those of us who practice martial arts.
Well, there are so many famous scholars and scholars in the city, who are well-read in poetry and books, none of them want him to die... The army entered the city at the end of the month, and the city of Chengdu was like an iron barrel. There was no chance of assassination, so we could only fight before the end of the month.
Fighting..."
"...Brothers, we have been friends for many years, and you are the only one I can trust. Our paperwork this time is to Jiading, but as long as we go to Zhangcun on the way, no one can stop us...can catch us
It's good to use the devil's family as a threat, but even if that doesn't work, if we cause trouble, someone else will do it..."
…
On the streets east of Chengdu, a group of scholars could be heard scolding each other on the road. The scene was noisy and somewhat chaotic.
Near the window on the second floor of the teahouse on the street, a gray-robed scholar named Ren Jingzhu was drinking tea while talking to the killer, who looked ordinary in appearance and had an ordinary name, about the idea and layout of the entire plot.
"If you do this, the Chinese Army will definitely get wind of it." He raised his teacup and looked at the scolding scene downstairs and said this.
"It doesn't matter if you get the wind. Now I don't know who will go where, or even whether they will go. It's hard to say. But when the Chinese army gets the wind, they have to take precautions. Some people will go here and some people will go there.
, there are fewer that can really be used in Chengdu. What’s more, it’s not just you and me who came to Chengdu to lay out this time. I just know that when there is chaos, someone must respond.”
Ren Jingzhu stuffed a broad bean into his mouth: "The situation will be chaotic by then. Maybe those downstairs will also take the opportunity to cause trouble. You, Qin Gang, Xiaolong... just need to seize an opportunity. Although I don't know,
Where is this opportunity..."
"I guess it's just these two days?"
"After all, after all, there is no chance." Ren Jingzhu also tilted his head to watch the scholar's beating and scolding, "If it doesn't work, I can start the game."
Chen Wei nodded and was silent for a moment: "Do you know who I saw in the city?"
"Um?"
"Wang Xiangfo, I don't know who invited him out of the mountain... not many people in Chengdu know him."
"It's not surprising. The person who invited Wang Xiangfo was probably Tie Yan." Ren Jingzhu thought for a moment, "There will probably be other masters here that we know and don't know about. Those who can resist not participating in the martial arts competition must have a conspiracy."
"It's chaos, but everyone has the same purpose. There hasn't been anything like this in this world for many years." Chen Wei smiled, "You are full of bad intentions, and you have always been in trouble in the past. This time you have to fight against your inner demons.
Whose method is more powerful will finally have a result."
"I'm just trying my best to cause him some trouble. Now he wears shoes and I'm barefoot. Even if I win, I won't win with force." Ren Jingzhu analyzed this, but deep in his eyes, there was also an unspeakable arrogance lurking.
Among them, he is thirty-two years old this year. He has been receiving orders and planning murders in the Jiangnan area all year round. Although Ren is young, he has already gained a reputation as a conspirator on the road. However, compared to the world-famous Inner Demon, his pattern is always smaller.
, this time I came to Chengdu at the invitation of Wu Qimei. I am naturally humble on the face, but I have a certain degree of confidence in my heart.
In such a chaotic market, it is impossible to unite everyone openly and everyone has to guard against each other when communicating with others. Only he chose to make the whole situation even more chaotic. I believe that even if the inner demon is sitting in Chengdu, he will not deal with such a situation.
Have a headache.
He raised his teacup: "I've done everything I can, I wish you the best."
Chen Wei raised his glass and clinked it with him: "This time, for the world."
…
As the sun set in the Chinese Army camp south of Chengdu, Mao Yishan led the team into the camp and signed the documents for entering the camp.
The clerk who saw his signature had known him for a long time. When he saw the team he was leading, he shouted: "Captain Mao, are you coming here this time to show off at the martial arts competition? Are you bringing all the people here?"
…”
"Elite!" Mao Yishan raised his thumb behind his head, "But it's for the mission. It's not like you don't know my kung fu. I can't do it in a one-on-one fight, and I'm not suitable for a ring. If you really want to get into the ring, Wang Dai is a
Waiting for a while are the people from the Seventh Army, Niu Chengshu, and Liu Muxia, who said that he never wanted to be a squad leader but only wanted to rush to the front line... Tsk, tsk, I still remember, they were really cruel people. And those around Mr. Ning, Boss Du
They, with them here, why should I enter the arena?"
He signed his name and knocked on the table.
"Your kung fu is indeed... you can't fight if you smile, but if you are fierce and kill people with your hands, it is only suitable for the battlefield." The secretary over there smiled, then leaned over and whispered: "...We are all here."
"ah?"
"Wang Dai arrived yesterday and is in the camp. Niu Chengshu and the others heard that they entered the city from the north the day before yesterday. You should go into the city early and look around the guest house. You should be able to see him."
"Hey, then I'll have dinner with them tonight! Niu Chengshu beat me up in the last martial arts competition. This time he wants to treat me. Will you come tonight..."
"I won't be here today, I have to do something here."
"Then I'll go find Wang Dai's livestock first..."
People were laughing and joking. In the city of Chengdu, the clamor of scholars continued. Mao Yishan, who had changed into casual clothes, and a group of companions entered the city in the light of the setting sun.
Chen said that Ren Jingzhu walked down the stairs and left separately; not far away, a strong man with a body like an ox squatted on the roadside eating candied haws, his face was distorted with soreness and he bared his teeth. A child saw this scene and smiled half-heartedly.
With his white teeth, not many people can know the expression on that strong man's face when he said "Killing is a joy" on the battlefield.
Wang Xiangfo read the profiles and stories of people on the sign outside the competition venue again. At the noodle shop with the best reputation in the city, Liu Muxia finished eating the egg noodles and paid the pretty girl in the shop with a smile.
An old Confucian scholar named Guan Shanhai held the girl in his arms and was pouting. In a shop two streets away, Wen Shoubin welcomed the friends he would make in the new day and was ready to start a new chat. Qu Longjun sat in the pavilion.
Watching the sunset, Ning Ji was clumsily mending his accidentally torn trousers in the yard.
Six knights set out on the road to Zhangcun. Out of some kind of memory and nostalgia, You Hongzhuo followed behind...
There are more, more ordinary people. Ordinary people have ordinary desires, have various purposes, and have such and such lives. They intersect in the turbulent crowd. Even if they are with each other.
Rubbing shoulders, in this still warm moment, they have not yet crossed paths...