"...Five years ago, I was transferred to the post of magistrate of Tanzhou. When I arrived in the capital, I was summoned by Duke Mei after the poetry meeting. The boss told me at that time that the Miao border area was in great trouble and had many problems. He told me
Be cautious. At that time, the Xiaocanghe War had just ended, and Black Flag's vitality was severely damaged. However, after three years of fighting with the Jurchens, they really showed a tenacity that shocked the world."
"...This area of Miao territory belongs to the Black Banner Ba Dao family. They launched the Yongle Rebellion with Fang La earlier, and have been lying dormant since then. It was not until the Xiaocang River War that they made any big moves. In the fifth year of Jian Shuo,
, the main force of Ba Dao moved westward to prepare for Xiaocanghe Black Banner's southward escape. Except for family members, those who stayed in Miao territory had no more than ten thousand soldiers to fight. But even so, I never had the slightest contempt...
It's a pity that the subsequent development did not go as I expected. Ji and Sun's worries are not in Zhuan Yu, but within Xiao Qiang..."
Juling County. Autumn is approaching, and the gardens are golden. In the most luxurious restaurant in the county, a woman who is cheering is playing an elegant ditty. A middle-aged official in his forties is holding a wine glass and is facing the burly figure opposite.
The rough-looking general spoke, and there was occasional self-mockery in his words, but his tone could be considered very sincere.
"...After the brothers were transferred to Tanzhou, they reorganized military affairs, made friends with all parties, and inquired about information about the Miao territory. They made a plan to blockade first and then annihilate. However, in the eighth, ninth, and tenth years of Jianshuo, troops were sent out five times.
At least 80,000 people were mobilized, and at most 200,000 troops were mobilized to march into the mountains. But in the end, the ones holding us back...were the people around us."
The middle-aged official waved his hand slowly: "Three years! Five times! Every time, there was no success. Here they said they were going to fight, and in the southwest, all parties started to discuss business. After the business negotiations were over, they started to make trouble in private.
, they all thought they had taken advantage of Mr. Nan Ning. My brother felt bitter, because he was not lazy... That time in the summer of the ninth year of Jianshuo, Brother Zhu, you are sorry for me."
The rough-looking general opposite raised his glass: "Drink."
"...Stop talking, let's drink."
The two clinked glasses. The middle-aged official's face turned red and he poured the wine again: "I know that I, Yin Changxia, came to persuade Brother Zhu today. Brother Zhu will look down on me because of his character. But, speaking more seriously, you
I am an official of the Wu Dynasty. I am the magistrate of Tanzhou. You should be under my control. Unfortunately, the Wu Dynasty is in its decline. Everyone has their own ideas. It doesn't matter. Yin came here today only as a friend and said
Brother Zhu can listen if he can, or if he can't."
The words of the official named Yin Changxia were full of alcohol. Tanzhou in the Wu Dynasty was later Changsha City, and was also the location of the Luzhi of Jinghu South Road. As the magistrate of Tanzhou, he was originally one of the highest officials in the provincial capital, and lived in the mausoleum.
However, the small counties near Tanzhou are nominally under the control of Yin Changxia. When Yin Changxia said these words under the influence of alcohol, the military attaché surnamed Zhu raised a glass to apologize: "Master Yin is serious. I will punish myself with three glasses of wine."
Three cups of fine."
"Let's drink together." Yin Changxia drank three glasses of wine with the other party, and clapped her hands on the table, "I just said...Brother Zhu looks down on me, it doesn't matter, then the Black Flag Army said that Yin is a traitor. What is a traitor? Tell them
Being an opponent is a traitor? Brother Zhu, I am also a Han. I am an official of the Wu Dynasty. I am the parent official who is in charge of Tanzhou. I...I am one move short of chess, I admit it! I have been in charge of Tanzhou for five years, and I have more than 50,000 men.
People, but I have never entered Miao territory once. What is the reason? No one listens, I admit it!"
He waved his hand: "After dealing with them for so many years, I underestimated their combat power! They came out in June, and they attacked Changsha if they wanted to break Changsha, and they attacked Linxiang if they said they wanted to attack Linxiang. The city defense was in a mess, and some people even opened the door for them. I
I agree. The world has changed, the Chinese army is powerful, the Jurchens are also powerful, we have been left behind, we can’t accept it, but what’s next? Brother Zhu?”
Yin Changxia stretched out her hand and lit the table: "In June, Chen Fan and the others came out and said they wanted to kill me to sacrifice the flag. I had no choice but to hide. Everyone nearby said that they would join forces with the black flag to fight against the Jin Dynasty. They were very powerful.
, Yu Daya from Pingjiang can’t wait to go to the southwest immediately and kneel down to see Mr. Ning. In Pingjiang County, Mr. Ning is said to be a saint, and Xiangxiang and other places also say that they will throw a black flag. It’s a pity that in August, things are different.”
"Brother Zhu, in June I lost Changsha, Linxiang and other places and went into hiding. In August, I started to come out. Various places responded and started to fight against the black flag. Do you think Yin has such charisma?"
Yin Changxia shook her head, "Yin is insignificant. Brother Zhu, to be honest, Hunan people have strong personalities and dare to be the first in the world. Yin is an outsider who can't stop you. What really makes you move are those people outside...
…”
When he finished speaking, he sighed slightly and looked out the window of the restaurant.
Across the small courtyard, outside is the gray and black county town and market of Juling. Juling is the location of Liuyang in later generations. It is not a big city now. At first glance, it does not appear to be prosperous, but even so, pedestrians come and go.
, there is also a quiet atmosphere. The sun shines through the gaps between the trees, the fallen leaves are yellowing, insects are chirping, beggars are resting on the roadside, and children are running by...
Yin Changxia said: "In August, the Jurchen Wanyan Xiyin had given the order to attack Jinghu. Guo Baohuai, Yu Gusheng, Li Touhe... the three troops together totaled almost 200,000 people. They
They were the first to arrive, followed by hundreds of thousands of troops pressing down on the border. Behind them was the Jurchen general Yin Shuke. They attacked Lin'an and made corrections, and are now on their way over. Zhu
Brother, what’s here?”
He smiled sarcastically: "This batch of black flags in Miao territory is slightly less powerful than the batch in Xiaocanghe. More than 10,000 people came out to occupy Changsha and Linxiang. They made a big splash."
Then, hundreds of thousands of troops came and couldn't defeat them. They went back to the mountains. Even if they had the guts to fight to the death, no one on their side would survive. The northwest back then was still a white land now.
Woolen cloth."
The general named Zhu on the opposite side nodded: "Yes, it's not easy to handle."
"Moreover, the Jurchen Valley God Wanyan Xiyin is different from the two princes in the east." Yin Changxia drank a glass of wine, "The founding veterans are the most troublesome. They are not like Zongfu and Zongbi who drive people away.
Instead of going to fight, the rules of reward and punishment have been set in advance. Those who can fight well and have made meritorious deeds will have land, people, weapons and cannons. What are they implying? One day they will go north.
When the time comes...Brother Zhu, to be honest, everyone in the south, the Jurchens are happy to see everyone break up the earth and seal the king. This is the best for them. Everyone is reluctant to fight for the Jurchens, but they fight for themselves, or
Fighting for the Wu Dynasty...to be honest, everyone can still fight."
The general opposite took a sip of wine: "Is this considered serving the Wu Dynasty?"
The cup in Yin Changxia's hand was stunned for a moment. After a while, he took the jug and drank several cups in a row. He said in a low voice: "Brother Zhu, this doesn't count, but in this situation...what do you want everyone to say...
...The late emperor abandoned the city and left. Jiangnan was completely defeated and everyone surrendered. The new emperor is determined to cheer up. It's great. News came a few days ago that Wanyan Zongfu was defeated in Jiangning. But what will happen next, how to escape... Zhu
Brother, let everyone in the world rise up and go to Jiangning to kill the Jurchens. Do you think... it's possible?"
He shook his head: "People in the south of the Yangtze River knelt down, and more than a million people surrounded their prince. On the west side of the Yangtze River, hundreds of thousands of people surrendered. The most prosperous place in the Wu Dynasty, the autumn harvest was all cheap.
Who doesn’t want to fight the Jurchens at all costs? I have been in Tanzhou for several years, and I also want to fight at all costs against the Miao border... This is how the world is. A few days ago, I went to Pingjiang to meet Yu Daya. Do you think I was the one who persuaded you?
He? He has seen it a long time ago. Since the Jurchens, tens of thousands of people in Pingjiang and hundreds of thousands of them will all die. Brother Zhu, those are the people outside."
"Without these Black Flags, everyone would not have died. The Jurchens would not have treated this place as a thorn in their flesh. Ten thousand Black Flag troops, Brother Zhu, and millions of people would have to be buried with them. How could the people deserve it?
"
Yin Changxia said this with tears in her eyes. Zhu Jing, the rough-looking commander of the Xiang Army opposite, stood up, looked at the scene outside from the window, and murmured to herself: "Yes, ten thousand people versus one million people...
"
"It's not just the life and death of those ten thousand people." Yin Changxia sat at the table eating vegetables and wiped her face with her hand, "it's also the life and death of millions of innocent people, from Pingjiang Yu Daya to Miluo Louxian to Liu Tiisheng, everyone.
They all decided to avoid it. Brother Zhu, only Juling is left in the east. You have more than 10,000 people, plus Juling’s population of 40,000 to 50,000. Guo Baohuai and the others will not be able to stop them... Of course, I am just
Chen said it was awesome, Brother Zhu, look at the people outside and let them die for the Black Flag bandits? I am unwilling to do so."
The rough-looking Zhu Jing pressed her hands on the window sill, frowned and looked into the distance, and did not speak for a long time. Yin Changxia knew that her words had reached the other person's heart, so he pretended to eat the dishes on the table casually, suppressing the tension in his heart.
When Chen Fan attacked Changsha, Linxiang and other places in June, Yin Changxia's first reaction was naturally to fight back. Unexpectedly, the Chinese army passed the pass in a few days, and he could not even figure out who betrayed him. Changsha,
The city gates of Linxiang were opened one after another. It was night when Linxiang was captured. It is said that the bandit leader Chen Fan led his men to kill him and wanted to take his head. Yin Changxia fled in a disheveled manner and hid outside for two months.
Dare to take the lead.
In August, Wu Qimei, who was now in a high position in Lin'an's small court, wrote to him, and he dared to come forward to lobby all parties. At this time, the Jurchens' momentum was overwhelming Tanzhou, and because the Chinese army was here
The force was too small to fully integrate the surrounding forces. Many people were afraid of the million-strong army that could come at any time. When Yin Changxia came forward to lobby, the two sides hit it off and decided to stay out of the conflict between the Jurchens and the Chinese army as much as possible.
.
Even if you can't completely stay out of the situation, you must at least find a way out for the tens of thousands of innocent people under your control.
Now, as long as Zhu Jing is persuaded to give up Juling, the road east of Tanzhou will be completely opened.
I have indeed fulfilled my responsibilities as the parent official of Tanzhou.
That's what he thought.
In the sunshine outside the window, the fallen leaves are almost gone.
The general named Zhu Jing looked out the window and was silent for a long time.
"Master Yin, you grew up in Jiangnan, right?"
"Brother's ancestral home is Suzhou." Yin Changxia said.
"When the Central Plains fell, I was killing pigs in Bianliang." The general with a rough appearance and a slightly fat body looked at the autumn scenery outside and said quietly, "Later, I followed everyone to escape and returned to my hometown, and then I started to serve as a soldier.
, I have seen the scene when the Central Plains fell, how millions of people died, I have seen it all. Mr. Yin is lucky enough to have been living in Jiangnan."
"... When I searched the mountains and seas, I also saw how people died... Therefore, we must not let them die without value."
"Yes, you must die a worthy death." Zhu Jing punched her fist on the palm of her hand, "I kill pigs in Bianliang. When killing pigs, I always have to be a black and white person. Sometimes I have to fight people with a knife. There is a saying in the Taoist saying.
The words make people unable to stand firm, and they make sense... It has been ten years since the fall of the Central Plains. Master Yin's words today really made me understand that even if I hide in a small place like Juling, those millions and millions of people back then have
The man died miserably, but he finally caught up with him."
The corners of Yin Changxia's eyes twitched: "...Brother Zhu, this...can still be avoided..."
"Master Yin, why do you try every means to avoid the Han people?"
"You... are cutting corners. You can't do this alone..."
"Two years ago, Zhu broke Shuangqiao Village. The village is located in the mountains and is easy to defend and difficult to attack. In the past two months, I took it out. If Juling couldn't defend it, I took people into the mountain.
, just like what you said about Miao Jiang, they will survive until they die."
Zhu Jing turned around. The man with a quiet but rough appearance had such crazy eyes that scared him. Yin Changxia stood up: "You, what are you..."
"Yesterday, Chen Fan led the troops to ask me for help. What he said made sense. The army will never be able to defeat the Jurchens as it was before. The Black Flag Army will not force the Yu Daya gang to join the army, because it is in vain if they join.
Only those who can stand in front when the world is at a dead end can be brothers."
Zhu Jing's mouth revealed sinister white teeth: "General Chen is a real hero, so crazy. Zhu admires him very much. I, Zhu Jing, not only want to join the gang, but I will guard more than 13,000 people. I don't care about any of them, and I will not do anything in the future."
All returned to the Chinese Army for training and reorganization. Mr. Yin, you came here today and talked a lot. You are so stingy that Zhu will let you die in peace."
"Chen Fan, you..." Yin Changxia's mind was confused for a moment. He was able to come here in person, so he had trustworthy information and guarantees. Unexpectedly, in such a situation, he took a deep breath to calm down his chaotic thoughts: "Chen Fan, you..."
Anyone who borrows a path from you...what path does he borrow and where does he go..."
"As you said, Yu Gusheng and Guo Baohuai are about to arrive. General Chen should go and greet them."
"He has more than 10,000 people, and he has occupied Changsha. Linxiang is not even strong enough to defend it. How can he send troops-"
"Haha, Master Yin is right. He has more than 10,000 people. Why are he guarding two cities, waiting for a million troops to attack the border... Master Yin, must you have seen it? The Chinese army is all crazy. If it weren't for Chen Fan and me
By the way, I really can’t make up my mind to catch you, Mr. Yin, to sacrifice the flag..."
The sun shines through the window, and the dust in the air seems to be filled with an ominous atmosphere. The music in the room has stopped long ago. Yin Changxia looks out the window. There are passers-by walking in the distance. He calms down and tries to calm his mind.
His eyes were upright and serious, and he knocked his hand on the table:
"You are crazy and don't take your own lives seriously. It doesn't matter. There are tens of thousands of people living in Ling! There are millions and tens of millions of people in Tanzhou and Jinghu South Road! How dare you take your life with you?
Die to them! What qualifications do you have to do such a thing!"
His voice was deafening. Zhu Jing looked at him and licked her tongue.
"So, if they don't want to, they have to pick up the knife themselves and try their best to kill me - there is always no second way in this world."
***************
In the distance of the mountain stream, smoke was rising from a small village, and red leaves were falling from the top of the mountain. The monk, who was broad and had a kind face, wore a cloak and walked up the path along the mountain, saying hello to a few people at the mountain camp.
Waiting for the arrival of the fat monk at the camp were Zhuo Yongqing and the injured Qu Qing. When he saw each other, Zhuo Yongqing looked a little unkind: "Well, your surname is Feng, how dare you come here! I
Only then did I realize that it was you who betrayed us, Yu Daya, without discussing such a big matter in advance!?"
"Zhuo Yingxiong calms down. I heard that his boss was injured, so I brought the best medicine." The fat monk looked kindly and took out a pack of medicine from under his cloak and presented it to Zhuo Yongqing as a tribute.
, Zhuo Yongqing took it subconsciously. After taking it, he felt something was wrong, so it would be hard to get angry.
Since the beginning of the year, dozens of special agent teams have rushed out of the southwest. Zhuo Yongqing has received the most attention and is also the most special. A team led by Qu Qing and Zhuo Yongqing is on the bright side, and there will be one or two teams at the same time.
Feng Zhen, who is secretly coordinating and nicknamed "Honest Monk", is a well-known intelligence dealer in Jinghunan and Jiangnanxi. In the past nine months, he has been secretly coordinating Qu and Zhuo and has helped swindle many people. The relationship between the two parties has been going well.
But of course emergencies occasionally occur.
Feng Zhen said with a smile on his face: "The situation is urgent and there is no time to discuss it in detail. Yin Changxia's people have contacted Yu Daya secretly many times. Yu Daya's heart is moved. There is no other way. I can only follow the trend and simply arrange for the two of them to meet. Yu.
Didn’t I immediately call someone to inform you about the fact that Daya sent troops to chase you? If there was any danger, I knew that with his eldest brother, Brother Zhuo, everything would be fine."
"It's not going to happen yet. The reaction is a little slower. I'll hit you with three thousand, no... four thousand versus two hundred! Even if we reacted, we'd still hit over a thousand..."
"It's only over a thousand. There's no problem. It's a small scene. It's not the first time for you, Brother Zhuo... Listen to my explanation. Listen to my explanation. There's nothing I can do about it. Yin Changxia is quite wary and timid.
If I don't give him any sweetness, he won't take the bait. I have arranged for him to follow Yu Daya, and it will be much easier to organize his trip. Arrange for him to meet Zhu Jing a few days earlier. If the calculation is correct, this guy will surrender.
Snare, now he has been arrested."
"...Zhu Jing is reliable?"
"He should be considered the most reliable in the Jinghu area. Deputy Commander Chen also asked about Zhu Jing's situation in detail. Speaking of which, he asked Zhu Jing for help yesterday and should be not far from us now..."
Feng Zhen whispered and pointed towards the back of the foothills. Zhuo Yongqing frowned: "Yu Gusheng, Guo Baohuai is not far from us. There are about 100,000 people in total. Deputy Marshal Chen is coming.
How many?"
"Seven or eight thousand," Feng Zhen said with a smile, "So I'm here to deliver the order. It's time to meet up as planned."
Several people bowed to each other, and Zhuo Yongqing turned around. The setting sun was shining in the mountain stream where the smoke was lingering. The people living and working in the village probably couldn't feel anything. He looked at Qu Qing and touched his body, which was still hurting.
In the past nine months, the two of them have been injured in turn, but this time the mission will finally change from a small-scale battle to a large-scale gathering.
"We're finally going to fight." He took a breath and said just that.
***************
A fight is about to begin... Such a thing is not something that is felt among the army that is coming all the way.
As the sky gradually darkened, more than 45,000 people from the Yuanwufeng Battalion led by Yu Gusheng set up camp early in the mountains. After entering the boundary of Jinghu South Road, the army began to slow down.
Moving forward, on the one hand, we are also waiting for the arrival of the army of Guo Baohuai and Li Touhe, whose pace is slightly slower.
After nightfall, Yu Gusheng took his son Yu Mingzhou to inspect the camp. As they walked, the father and son discussed the military strategy. As Yu Gusheng's eldest son, Yu Mingzhou has been determined to lead the army since he was a child. He is 20 this year.
At one year old, he has a tall and straight figure and a clear mind. He has been regarded as the Qilin son of the Yu family since he was a child. At this time, the young general was wearing a suit of armor and carrying a long sword at his waist, while talking to his father.
Compared to Yu Gusheng, who had struggled all his life in the corrupt military system of the Wu Dynasty, the young Yu Mingzhou encountered the worst of times and the best of times. Although the world fell, the status of a warrior gradually increased.
, Yu Mingzhou no longer has to look at the scholar's face and do things like his father all his life. At this time, Yu Mingzhou's every move and gesture seems to be high-spirited, showing that as a father, Yu Gusheng is most satisfied.
"...According to my son's idea, this attack on Tanzhou does not need to cross the Pingjiang River and the Juling line...Although we have a large number of people in Tanzhou, and the surrounding areas have gradually surrendered, but against the enemy
The Black Flag Army, with tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands of people, may still not be able to guarantee victory. For the current plan, those who arrive first must try their best not to be defeated by them one by one, and the best is to win over the surrounding forces, stabilize the front, and advance slowly...
"
"...In order to explain the Jurchens at the rear, the son will prepare a statement on this matter. It is best for the father to hand it into the hands of the God of Ceres. The Jurchens God of Ceres was a hero at that time and must be able to understand the necessity of this strategy.
Of course, on the surface, he must have urged me. At that time, our troops, Lord Guo, and Lord Li had already formed a line, and the troops from various places in the vicinity had been collected..."
"...Actually, there are some other considerations in this. Although the world has fallen, there are still many people who care about the Wu Dynasty. Although we have no choice but to go to war with Black Flag, according to my son's considerations, it is best not to become the number one
As an army that has seen blood, don’t look like we are in a hurry to sacrifice our lives for the Jurchens. In this way, many things in the future will be much easier to talk about..."
The autumn breeze was pleasant and the bonfire was burning. Yu Mingzhou's words made Yu Gusheng nod from time to time. After the general inspected the military camp, he praised his son's steady style of hosting the camp. Although it was still far away from Tanzhou at this time.
, but as a general, you should always be careful and considerate of everything. Youzi is like this. Even though the world is in decline, he still has some comfort in his heart.
…
While Yu Gusheng was inspecting the peaceful military camp, Chen Fan was taking his people to take a rest in the dark mountain. He was holding a fire folding book in the recess of the mountain wall and carefully looked at the piece of information he had just received.
Ji Qian'er came in from outside, holding a small bag filled with dry food: "How are you doing? Do you really plan to go there tonight? It's a bit rushed, right?"
"When I was a child, my master told me that if you know yourself and the enemy, you can fight a hundred battles without danger." Chen Fan handed the information and fire certificates to his wife in exchange for a bag of dry food. He was slightly absent-minded for a moment, with a strange expression.
"This is the first time I have encountered... such detailed enemy intelligence..."