The warm room was lit with candles and filled with the smell of medicine.
A small wooden table was placed on the big bed piled with thick quilts. There were already several pieces of paper with written words on the wooden table. The old man's hands were trembling, and he was still writing. After writing for a while, he waved his hand to the side. He was also very old.
The old maid brought the water and said, "Master, you can't..." There was a hint of anxiety and choking in her words.
"fine."
The water was ginseng water. After drinking it, the old man's spirit became better again, and he continued to write: "... There is not much time left. These few letters can ensure that the children of my family will live longer in the Kingdom of Jin."
Have a happy life in a few years. It’ll be fine.”
The old man is more than eighty years old. At this time, he is one of the highest-status people in the entire Yunzhong Mansion and one of the most respected Han people in the Jin Kingdom. Shi Liai. His body is close to its limit, and it is not an injury that can be cured.
But the body is old and destiny is approaching. This is a disaster that no one can escape, and he has already noticed it.
His first wife had passed away long ago. Although he had concubines at home, the old man had always regarded them as entertainment. At this moment, he did not call in any female family members to serve him, but only let the old maid who had followed him all his life and never married to guard him. This
One day, he received an urgent letter from the south, so he started writing letters since nightfall - but it was not the will arrangement for his family. The will had been written long ago and could not be left at this time.
After several letters were written, they were stamped, handwritten on the envelope, and sealed with fire paint. After that, he summoned several children of the Shi family who were waiting outside the house, handed the letters to them, and gave them instructions.
At the same moment, many people in Xiyin's house were preparing to leave for a long journey. Chen Wenjun received several batches of guests in the reception hall, especially brothers Wanyan Dezhong and Wanyan Youyi.
The armor and weapons for the expedition have been selected inside, many of the house guards have also put on their outfits for a long journey, and the kitchen is working hard to prepare food for the trip.
In the three months since the news of the disastrous defeat of Zonghan's army in the southwest came, most of the nobles in Yunzhong Mansion showed a gloomy and decadent atmosphere. This gloom and decadence sometimes turned into violence and hysterical madness.
But no one could avoid the gloomy truth. It was not until the news came that day that a few people in the city who received the news seemed to have regained their vitality.
In the past, the Jurchen West Route Army, which was defeated and returned home, had a brief confrontation with the forces of Lou Shuwan and Yu Yulin in Jin Dynasty. However, not long after, the two sides reached a preliminary compromise, and the remaining West Route Army was able to pass through the Central Plains safely.
, at this time the army arrived at Yanmen Pass, but it would still take some time to return to Yunzhong.
The ordinary night became darker and darker. Around midnight, a burst of gongs and drums came from the north of the city. Many people woke up from the night and then went back to sleep. In the early morning around Yinshi, Shifu,
Only in Xiyin Mansion and some places in the city did teams go out on horseback.
Wanyan Dezhong and Wanyan Youyi said goodbye to Chen Wenjun, who had been warned by thousands of people, and went to the school ground near the south gate of Yunzhong to report and assemble. Shi's family members had also arrived at this time. They went over to say hello and asked about Mr. Shi's physical condition.
.In the north wind in the early morning, many people arrived one after another. Among them were many nobles with respected family backgrounds, such as Wanyan Dezhong and Wanyan Youyi, who were protected by the family guards. After meeting, they also
Came over and said hello.
The chief arrester Mandu Daru, who had made a meritorious deed for arresting and killing the top intelligence officer of the Chinese army here more than two months ago, was standing in the corner. His identity was completely ignored at the moment.
The entire team numbered nearly two hundred people, with even more horses. Soon after, they assembled and left Yunzhong Mansion under the leadership of a veteran.
It was dark when the team left the city. After running on the relatively easy road outside the city for more than an hour, the sky in the east dimly lit up, and then the speed increased.
At this time, horseback riding is a must for Jin people, especially those with status. The team galloped all the way, changing horses and resting only once, and did not stop and set up camp until nightfall and darkness. The next day, they rode all the way again.
Under the premise of trying not to leave anyone behind, in the afternoon, we finally caught up with another team heading northeast.
This team was also a cavalry team, flying the flag of the commander-in-chief Wanyan Zonghan. At this time, the two teams merged into one team. In front of the team, everyone saw Wanyan Zonghan with white hair and thin body. There were also other people who were also tired of work.
Xi Yin.
This southern expedition lasted two years, and the army suffered a disastrous defeat in the southwest. Zong Han's two sons, Xiebao and Sheyema, died in battle. The main force of the West Route Army returning home has just arrived at Yanmen Pass. Not many people know that.
Zong Han, Xi Yin and others were already running towards the northeast without stopping.
Zong Han suffered a serious illness on his way back to the country, but he has recovered now. Although his body has become thinner due to the illness, his eyes and spirit have completely returned to the former commander-in-chief who controlled half of the Kingdom of Jin with a single hand.
.Considering the deaths of Shi Yema and Xie Bao, everyone was in awe. When the teams merged, Zong Han did not let the army stop. Instead, he rode forward while letting the children of the Shi family and the rest of the people come forward one after another.
Come and talk.
Wanyan Xiyin's hair was half white when he went out, but now it was completely white. He and Zong Han met with some of the main people who came this time - not including officials like Mandu Daru - during the day and night they arrived,
After the army set up camp, he asked his two sons about the situation at home in the barracks.
Dezhong and Youyi told them one by one about the situation in Yunzhong Mansion and the situation at home these days. After all, they had experienced too little, and they were worried about many things that would happen after the defeat of the West Route Army.
"... Previously the East Route Army triumphed, but our west side was defeated. Many people felt that something was going to happen. The merchants who came and went in the city these days also said that something was going to happen in Yunzhong. Even after Zongfu came back, he deliberately sent several
Thousands of troops stayed in Zhangjiakou. Others said that it was to intimidate Yun Zhong and started to show his sword... Dad, this time the commander-in-chief came to Beijing, why did he only bring such a few people with him? If there is a fight, Zongfu Zongbi will
Use force..."
In the past ten years or so, everyone has spoken with certainty on the topic of the dispute between the Jurchen and Eastern Mansion. With the defeat of the West Route Army, in the eyes of most people, the winner has been decided. The Yunzhong Mansion is facing Zong Han.
Most of the nobles were uneasy. Wanyan Dezhong and Wanyan Youyi usually set an example for the clan and showed strong self-confidence to the outside world, but when they met their father, they naturally raised questions.
Xiyin looked at his two sons, smiled and shook his head: "The dispute between the east and west houses has nothing to do with the people below. If the army will be used to solve the problem in the end, why bother sending troops southward? Things outside
, you don’t need to worry, the chance of victory or defeat still lies in the temple. The fate of the Jurchen clan depends on it this time, so I call you here. You must watch and learn carefully about going to the capital."
The two young people's eyes lit up: "Have things changed yet?"
"Wrong question." Xiyin still smiled, maybe because he was tired from the day's journey, his smile was a little tired, and there was a fire burning in the fatigue, "Whether things can change is not important. What is important is that we, the
As long as the old guy is not dead, he will not give up easily. I am like this, and so is the commander-in-chief."
He did not answer his son's question directly, but after saying these words, both Wanyan Dezhong and Wanyan Youyi straightened their spines and felt the fire burning in their hearts. Also, how many things did the Marshal and his father go through to reach this point?
Today, even if there is a slight setback, how can they stop moving forward? They can still do this at their age. What do young people like me have to fear?
"My son understands."
Wanyan Dezhong saluted with a solemn expression, and Wanyan Youyi was silently being taught. Xiyin patted their shoulders and stood by the door and looked at the sky outside: "However, there are indeed important things.
What I want to tell you about is what I saw during this southwest journey. I have to tell you what the so-called Chinese army is like, and why this defeat came..."
As night fell, the north wind began to cry. There were fires burning in the camp, swaying in the wind. In many tents, people endured the fatigue of the day, still dealing with things that needed to be dealt with, and meeting people one by one.
Say what needs to be communicated.
The distance from Yunzhong to Huining Mansion in Shangjing is nearly three thousand miles. Even if the team goes at full speed, it will take more than twenty days to arrive. They have already experienced a disastrous defeat and lost the opportunity, but as Xiyin said
It is said that the fate of the Jurchen clan is tied together, and no one will give up lightly.
****************
"...The situation in Shangjing is currently like this..."
In order to wait for Tang Minjie's arrangements, Xu Xiaolin stayed in Yunzhong Mansion for two more days. On August 11, in the small courtyard where he hid, Tang Minjie roughly summarized the information on the Jurchens and told Xu Xiaolin in detail
Once - concise and important information can be compiled into a secret report, but the general situation can only be relied on memory.
"...The Jurchens used to be a clan system, and the selection of emperors was not as particular as in the south. The clan's emphasis was on the capable. Now, although the brothers Aguda and Wu Qimai have been in office successively, in fact, the current high-ranking officials of the Jin Kingdom are related to each other.
Because of this, their relationship has to go back two generations, and Wanyan Wugun, basically Aguda's grandfather, has branched out."
"Wanyan Wugunai has many sons, and three of them are more promising today. The most famous is Wanyan Qilibo. He is the father of Aguda and Wu Qimai. Today's world belongs to their family, but Qilibo
Bo's brother, Wanyan Caizhe, Duke of Korea, gave birth to a son named Sa Gai, and Sa Gai's son was named Zong Han. As long as everyone is willing, Zong Han can also become emperor, but it seems unlikely at the moment."
"Besides Gai Libo and Gai Zhe, there is a brother, Wanyan Cai Sun, Feng Yi Guogong. You should have heard of Gai Sun's son Pu Jianu. He is currently the most powerful person in the Jin Kingdom. He can also be regarded as
Emperor, but his chances of winning are slim. In any case, the next emperor of the Jin Kingdom would have emerged from these three factions."
"Among them, Zong Han was the first person under Aguda and had the loudest voice." Tang Minjie said, "This is an old rule of the Jin Kingdom. The throne must take turns. When Aguda died, according to this rule, the throne should be returned to him.
To be the chief impeacher of this line is to serve Zong Han once. This was originally Aguda's idea, but I heard that the rules were broken later. Aguda's group of brothers and the eldest son Wanyan Zongwang were very popular.
He gave up the throne and gave it to Wu Qibi."
"Of course there is a secret deal for such a thing, or to appease Zong Han, I will definitely take responsibility for you next time. Everyone thinks so too, so the dispute between the East and the West comes from this, but such a promise cannot be taken seriously.
, after all, the throne is something, even if you are given a chance, you must have the strength to get it... During the Jurchen's fourth southern expedition, most people were optimistic about Zong Han, but unfortunately, he met us. "
Tang Minjie smiled.
"In the past, in order to fight against Zong Han, the sons of A Guda were very united. Zong Jun, the legitimate son of A Guda, had no ability. The most powerful one at that time was the military god Wanyan Zongwang. He was a man who could compete with Zong Han. It is a pity that he died early.
, the third son Zongfu and the fourth son Zongbi, the two bastards who led the Eastern Route Army south this time were not powerful enough. The one they pushed out to stand in the front was Wanyan Zongqian, the son of Aguda's concubine, Hulu of the Jin Kingdom.
Very strong."
"Now that we are talking about it, Zonghan was defeated and eliminated, and Pujianu's brothers and sisters are not enough. So the one with the most momentum now is Hulubo Jilie Wanyan Zongqian. If he succeeds, the throne will be returned to Aguda's family.
"Zongfu Zongbi will definitely have grievances and revenge, and Zonghan Xiyin will definitely die... Of course, there are also unforeseen circumstances."
"In the past, the overt and covert struggle for the throne of the Jin Kingdom was always a matter between Aguda and Zong Han. In recent years, Wu Qimai has fought for power for his son. His eldest son Wanyan Zongpan also fought for power a few years ago.
He was promoted to Bo Ji Lie. Of course, neither party took him seriously. Compared with people like Zong Han, Zong Qian, and Pu Jianu, Zong Pan had no hope. He was promoted to Bo Ji Lie, and everyone was at best
I just think it is Wu Qimai's selfish desire to take care of his son, but it seems that the situation has changed in the past two years."
"While the two armies were moving south, after Wu Qimai suffered a stroke, Wanyan Zongpan has been recruiting troops and running private operations to advocate that Wu Qimai's son can also become emperor. Many speculators have become his disciples in the past two years. Although.
Compared with Zong Han, Zong Qian and others, he still has no advantage, but who knows what will happen in the end... There can be a fuss in the middle... Of course, in the past, shopkeeper Lu has always been in charge in Huining.
I don’t know much about the more detailed situation.”
After all, Yunzhong and Huining are too far apart. In the past, Lu Mingfang would come to Yunzhong every once in a while to exchange news. However, the lag was still very large, and Tang Minjie was unable to fully grasp many of the details. At this time, the entire
He gave a rough outline of the possible direction of the civil strife in the Kingdom of Jin, and then said: "In addition, I heard that Zong Han, Xi Yin and others had abandoned the army and left for Huining in advance. This time Wu begged for the funeral and went to Beijing to gather.
It is very crucial. If we can kill them and bleed them into rivers, it will be the best news for us, and its significance is no less than a victory on the battlefield."
Tang Minjie said this and looked at Xu Xiaolin. Xu Xiaolin frowned and remembered these things in his heart, and then smiled bitterly: "I know what you are thinking, but in my opinion, shopkeeper Lu was the most familiar with Huining.
After his death, even if we had the intention to do anything, it would probably be very difficult, not to mention the current situation. When I set out, the staff had estimated that the massacre of the Han people by the Jurchens would last at least half a year to a year.
, so... we must think more about the lives of our comrades. I haven't been here much, so I can't make any comments, but this is also my private idea."
"What you said makes sense."
Tang Minjie nodded. In front of his own people, he was not a person who spoke forcefully. Under the current situation, it was greatly difficult for everyone to move in the clouds, let alone Huining, who was two thousand miles away.