"I have been thinking about the matter of grain in the valley for several days, and I have a solution. I want to talk to Mr. Ning privately..."
It was close to noon, and there was already the aroma of cooking in the small courtyard halfway up the mountain. When he came to the study, Luo Ye, who was wearing military uniform, stood up after Ning Yi's inquiry and said these words. Ning Yi
He tilted his head slightly and thought for a moment, then waved his hand: "Sit." Then he sat down again.
As the saying goes, birds of a feather flock together, and people form groups. Since Ning Yi and others gradually settled down in Xiaocanghe, in addition to the young people of the Yongle Youth League and the Zhengqi Society, small associations gradually appeared in the army, and Huayan Society was the most important among them.
An upright group, the name of the group appeared after Ning Yi proposed the word Huaxia.
The participants of this group are mostly young generals from the lower ranks of Wurui Camp. As the initiator, Luo Ye himself is also an excellent soldier. Although he originally only commanded a small school of more than ten people, he was born into a wealthy family and had read some books.
His conversation and knowledge are all extraordinary, and Ning Yi has already paid attention to him.
"If I remember correctly, Brother Luo was in Beijing and came from a good family background." He paused slightly, raised his head and said.
Luo Ye sat upright across from him and said without hesitation: "The Luo family had a lot of business in the capital, and both black and white were involved. Now... the Jurchen siege of the city has probably become Jurchen's."
"But when the Wurui camp raised troops, you were among the first to follow."
"As my subordinates said, the Luo family is in the capital and has a background in both the black and white circles. Among the brothers in the family, I am the least effective. I have not been able to study since I was a child, but I am brave and fierce, love to fight injustice, and often get into trouble. After I grow up,
My father thought of sending me to the army through connections. After a few years of promotion, I could work hard for the family business in the army. At the beginning, he placed me in the Wu Sheng Army, where I would be taken care of by my connected superiors, and I was promoted.
Level two, we will just meet the Jurchens heading south."
The young man named Luo Ye spoke loudly and without hesitation: "Later, I followed Wu Sheng's army all the way to the outside of Bianliang City, and made a sneak attack that night. When I encountered the Jurchen cavalry, the army was completely defeated, so I took my brothers and fled to Xia Village.
Incorporated into Wurui Camp... I have had a rebellious temperament since I was a child. Many things at home have made me feel depressed. It's just that where I am born is determined by my life, and I have no choice. However, during the time in Xia Village, I realized that the world is corrupt.
Why, what is the reason why we have been defeated along the way in this battle?"
"...The battle was like that. Later, the Qin family lost power, and the Right Prime Minister and General Qin suffered unjust injustice. Others may be ignorant, but I understand the reason. I also know that if the Jurchens go south again, Bianliang City will be unlucky.
I can't persuade my family to do anything, but with the way the world is, I already know what I should do."
He said this in one breath, then paused: "Moreover, to my father at that time, if Bianliang City really fell and the Jurchens massacred the city, I would have left a bloodline for the Luo family. In the long run,
If my choice proves to be right in the future, maybe... I can also save the Luo family. But right now it seems..."
He may have thought about these words over and over in his mind before. When he said the last few sentences, the words became a little difficult. Blood has been thicker than water since ancient times, and he couldn't stand the actions of his family. He also rebelled against Wu Ruiying without hesitation.
But in my heart, I may not hope that something will happen to my family.
However, Bianliang fell half a year ago. Since then, the Jurchens have looted and plundered, killing many people. They also plundered a large number of women, and craftsmen went north. Luo Ye's family may not be among them. As long as this is taken into account, no one's
You will feel better.
He didn't finish the last sentence. Ning Yi nodded and pushed the tea towards him: "If your family can survive the incident in Bianliang, there may not be no improvement in the future, so please relax."
Luo Ye sat there and shook his head: "The Wu Dynasty has declined to this extent. As Mr. Ning said, everyone is responsible. The Luo family also has to bear this cause and effect. Since I have come out, I will put my life on the line.
, I just want to struggle to find a way out, and I no longer worry about things at home."
Ning Yi looked at him with a smile. After a moment, he nodded slowly and said no more: "I understand. Brother Luo said before that the way to deal with food is..."
Luo Ye straightened his body: "As I said before, the Luo family had some connections in the black and white circles before. When I was young, my father visited some wealthy families. Now that I think about it, even though the Jurchens fought all the way to Bianliang
City, but north of the Yellow River, after all, there are still many places that have not been affected by the war, and the large families in these places will still have food reserves for several years. Looking back now, there is a large family near Huoyi in Pingyang Prefecture, and the owner is named Huo Tinghuo
In addition to the officials, this person is entrenched in the local area, with thousands of hectares of fertile land, and has hands and eyes in both black and white. Although the Jurchens have not really come to kill him at this time, the situation north of the Yellow River is changing, so he must be looking for a way out."
"I once met Huo Ting with my father. Huo Ting went to Beijing several times and stayed in the Luo family for a while. We have some friendship. I thought that if I went to lobby this Huo Yuanwai, I might be able to persuade him to seek asylum.
Yu Xiaocang River. If he agrees, the shortage of food in the valley will be solved."
Xiaocanghe's food problem has not been concealed internally. Everyone in the valley is worried. As long as they can think of something, they have probably thought about it several times. There are probably many people who have found Ning Yi and want to make suggestions. Luo Ye said
After saying this, the room became quiet for a while. Ning Yi looked solemnly, intertwined his hands and fingers, thought for a while, and then took a pen and paper: "Pingyang Mansion, Huoyi, Huo Tinghuo..."
He wrote the handwriting on the paper, then stood up, turned to the bookshelf and wooden box at the back of the study, rummaged for a while, pulled out a thin file and came back: "Executive member Huo Tinghuo, indeed, Jing Han is eleven
In the grain shortage in the north, his name was known. He was indeed very wealthy near Huoyi and was one of the top grain merchants. With his support, it would not be a big problem to support ten or twenty thousand people."
Luo Ye said: "Although this person has behaved badly, given the current situation, he may not be unable to cooperate. What's more, if Mr. Ning has an idea, I can be an internal response to find out what the Huo family is and what is real. We Xiaocanghe will send troops to defeat the Huo family."
The matter of home and food can be easily solved."
His family is from a gangster background. Although he acted openly and bravely due to the cause of the uprising in Wurui Camp, he did not shy away from using cruel methods. But after he finished speaking, he added: "My subordinates also know that this is not good, but I
Now that we have broken with the Wu Dynasty, there are some things that my subordinates feel that they do not need to worry too much about. When encountering obstacles, they have to pass. Of course, whether these things should be done in the end is decided by Mr. Ning and the generals in charge of the overall situation. His subordinates just
I feel it is necessary to speak out. Let Mr. Ning know so that it can be used as a reference."
"You are doing it for everyone's good." Ning Yi smiled and nodded, and said, "This matter is very valuable. I will hand it over to the staff for discussion. If the matter really comes to pass, I am not a kind person, Luo
Brother, you can rest assured."
Only then did Luo Ye's serious face smile slightly. He put his hands on his legs and raised his head slightly: "I've finished what I want to report. I won't disturb you sir. I'll leave now." After saying that, he was about to leave.
Standing up, Ning Yi waved his hand: "Hey, wait."
Luo Yefu sat down again, and Ning Yi said: "I have something to say and want to talk to Brother Luo."
Looking at Luo Ye's body sitting upright again, Ning Yi smiled. He approached the coffee table and was silent for a moment: "Brother Luo, do you have confidence in the previous Zhu Ji... let's just say comrades?"
Luo Ye frowned: "This subordinate is definitely not because of..."
"No, that's not what I'm talking about." Ning Yi waved his hand and said seriously, "I absolutely believe in Brother Luo's sincerity and heartfelt love for things in the military. Brother Luo, please believe that I asked about this matter just out of thought.
For the purpose of understanding some common ideas in the military, I hope you can talk to me about this matter as objectively as possible. It is also very important for our future actions."
Luo Ye hesitated for a moment and nodded: "For...the seniors of Zhuji, my subordinates naturally have confidence."
"However, I still have some reservations about their ability to solve the food problem."
"...The matter is still undecided. After all, it is hard to say. I also know that the senior Zhuji is very respectable, but... I also think that if there is one more message, the options available will be wider after all."
"...I don't have much confidence that they can solve this matter. In fact, I don't have much confidence that I can solve this matter." Ning Yi looked at him and laughed. For a moment, his eyes were solemn, and he stood up slowly,
Looking out the window, "The previous shopkeepers of Zhuji, including talents with potential in business, speaking, and logistics, totaled 225 people. After being grouped into groups, plus their accompanying guardians, they are now placed outside.
There are more than 1,200 people in total, each with their own responsibilities. However, I have no confidence in whether a trade route can be opened up to connect all parties and whether the complicated relationships in this area can be straightened out. At least, I still can’t see it until now.
to a clear outline.”
"But I believe that hard work will pay off." Ning Yi said slowly, almost word by word, "I have experienced many things before, and at first glance, they are all dead ends. Many times, I also saw at the beginning
There is no way, but retreating is not the answer. I can only slowly do what I can to promote changes in things. Often we have more and more chips. When we have more and more chips, an unexpected road will appear in front of us.
Appear... Of course, that is to say, I hope that a clear path will suddenly appear in front of me at some point, but at the same time... I can look forward to more than just them."
Luo Ye sat upright, his eyes a little confused, but he was obviously trying to understand Ning Yi's words. Ning Yi turned around and said: "There are more than ten thousand of us, including Qingmuzhai, there are tens of thousands, not twelve hundred
people."
"Brother Luo, I told you before that why the Wu Dynasty's army could not defeat others. What I boldly analyzed is that it is because they all know what the people around them are like, and they cannot trust the people around them at all. But now we in Xiaocanghe
More than 10,000 people, faced with such a huge crisis, why didn't they disperse immediately even when everyone knew there was such a crisis? Because you are more or less willing to believe in the 1,200 people who are working hard outside, and this
What about 1,200 people? They are also willing to believe that even if they can't solve the problem on their own, with so many trustworthy people working together, they can probably find a way. This is actually the biggest difference between us and the Wu Dynasty army, and it is also the biggest difference so far.
By far the most valuable thing among us."
Luo Ye's eyes flickered and he nodded slightly. Ning Yi paused and looked at him: "So, Brother Luo, what I want to say is that if one day our food reserves bottom out, we will have 1,200 people outside."
Brothers all failed. Will we go to a dead end?"
Luo Ye raised his head and his eyes became determined: "Of course not."
"Of course not!" Ning Yi waved his hand violently, "We still have nine thousand troops! That's you! Brother Luo, the twelve hundred people outside the mountain, they are working very hard to complete their
mission, and the reason why they are motivated is not just themselves, but also includes the fact that they have nine thousand brothers in the mountain. Because of your training, you are very strong."
"If one day, even if they fail, of course you will solve this matter!"
"Yes!" Luo Ye straightened his shoulders slightly.
"In a system, everyone has their own responsibilities, and the system is the most powerful only when everyone does their own thing well. Regarding food issues, many people have been worried recently. As a soldier,
Worry is a good thing and a bad thing, its pressure is a good thing, and despair about it is a bad thing. Brother Luo, come here today. I know that for a soldier like you, it is not because of despair, but because of pressure, but when you feel pressure
Under such circumstances, I believe many people still don’t have a bottom line.”
Luo Ye lowered his head and considered, and Ning Yi waited for a moment: "The soldier's worries have a premise. No matter what he faces, he knows that he can draw his sword and kill him! With this premise, we can find various methods.
Reduce your losses and solve the problem."
"Mr. Ning, I..." Luo Ye lowered his head and stood up. Ning Yi shook his head and patted his shoulder seriously: "Brother Luo, I am saying this very sincerely. Please
Believe me, what you came to say today is of great value. I will not refuse such information under any circumstances. I never hope that you will have such thoughts in the future and not say anything. The reason why I am analyzing this with you is
Because you are the leader of Huayan Society, I want to arrest you as a young man."
Ning Yi said: "Of course. If you are the leader, you will not get any benefits, and I will not give you any more power. But there are many people around you who are willing to communicate with you, and the core spirit of the army,
It must be "draw your sword to kill everything"! When you encounter anything, you must first be able to fight. What you can't solve with 1,200 people can be solved by 9,000 of you. But it will be difficult for you to solve it with these 1,200 people.
, can help. In this way, we will have two or three layers of insurance when facing any problem. Do you understand?"
"Subordinate...understood."
"So, I really like that everyone can have the ability to think independently like you, but I am afraid of its side effects." Ning Yi tilted his head and laughed.
Luo Ye stood up: "When my subordinates go back, they must train hard and do what they should do!"
The breeze outside the window ruffled the leaves, and the sunlight filtered through the gaps between the trees. At noon, the aroma of the food wafted over, and Ning Yi nodded in the room.
"Stay for dinner."
******************
At the same time, on a barren mountain more than ten miles away from the Xiaocang River, a team of more than ten people was braving the sun and passing through the mountain.
They walked very quickly, turning around the hills and walking towards the mountain stream. The place was thick with strange trees and piled with gravel, making it quite desolate and dangerous. Halfway through, the leader in front suddenly stopped and said something.
After giving the password, another person's voice came out from the darkness. After answering the password, someone emerged from behind the stone and looked at them warily.
Most of these people were mountain people, dressed as hunters, but their skills were extraordinary, and a few of them had an obvious aura of government officials. They walked a little further and descended into the dark mountain stream. The former chief arrester of the Criminal Department, Tie Tianying, led his subordinates
Came out of a cave and met the other party.
The leader here was wearing a cloak. After handing over a document for Tie Tianying to check, he slowly put down the hat of his cloak. Tie Tianying looked at him and frowned.
"What happened to the imperial court? They sent you here!?"
"You are now under my control and must not be rude."
The light shot down from the mountain gap illuminated the pale and thin face of the visitor. He looked at Tie Tianying, his eyes were quiet and somewhat melancholy: "The imperial court has decided to move south. Mr. Tan sent me here to talk with you."
Wait for us to continue to eliminate the rebellion. Of course, if Lord Tie is not convinced, he can go back to verify this matter."
Tie Tianying looked at him, and after a moment he snorted coldly: "Let you take charge of this matter, huh, you are all Qin Siyuan's disciples. If it weren't for a teacher like him, how could there be such a traitor today! In the capital
What are you thinking about, man?"
He was dissatisfied with his words, but after all, he never questioned the authenticity of the other party's warrant document. The thin man here recalled the past, his eyes showed a hint of pain, and he coughed twice: "Master Tie, you can be said to be prophetic about the traitor's thoughts.
I just thought about one thing wrong. Ning Yi is not a disciple of Prime Minister Qin, they are friends of the same generation. Although I was promoted by Prime Minister Qin, our relationship cannot be called a disciple."
Tie Tianying's expression froze, and the other person raised his hand to his mouth and coughed a few more times. He had suffered from illness in the war before, and in the following year or so, he experienced many things, and the root of the illness fell away.
He still failed to get better. After coughing, he said: "I also want to ask Mr. Tie something. It has been half a year since Mr. Tie went north. Why has he only been lingering around here without taking any action?"
Tie Tianying frowned slightly, and then his eyes became sinister: "Master Li has such great official authority. Could it be that he came here to raise an army to question the perpetrators?"
"It's not that I'm asking for help. It's just that although I've known him for a short time, I'm familiar with his style of doing things. And this time when I went north, a friend named Cheng Zhouhai also gave me some advice. Ning Yi, Ning Liheng, usually does a lot of things unexpectedly.
Planning is actually a lazy and helpless move. What this person is really good at is layout and planning. What he admires is that those who are good at fighting have no outstanding achievements. When his layout is not stable, you may still be able to play against him.
If you find a glimmer of opportunity, as time goes by, his foundation will only become more stable. If you give him enough time, wait until one day he comes with the general trend to counterattack, cough... I'm afraid... cough cough cough cough... this world
It is so broken that few people can bear it anymore..."
The sun shone down from his face, and Li Pin and Li Dexin coughed violently again. After a while, they straightened up slightly.
"So...Master Tie, you and I should stop being suspicious of each other. Please tell me what the situation is like in the mountains since you have been here for such a long time..." (To be continued.)