The shouts of fighting were getting closer and closer. Li Yu was sitting in the Qingliang Hall, feeling really cool inside and outside his body.
The winter in the south is already damp and cold. Because Jinling has been trapped for a long time, there is insufficient charcoal storage in the palace and the brazier can no longer be lit for heating. The empty hall is filled with coldness. Looking at the palace maids and chambermaids coming and going in a hurry, they are like a group of people.
Ghost, Li Yu looks lonely, sitting blankly like a clay wood sculpture.
The situation was over, the Song Army was here, and this day was not delayed after all...
Prior to this, Yang Hao had visited Jinling several times to negotiate peace and discuss surrender matters with him.
When he came for the first time, Yang Hao persuaded him: "Jinling is the ancient capital of the Six Dynasties. Its palaces, pavilions, and cultural figures are all the work of our ancestors. Whether these surviving treasures will be destroyed by the war depends on your majesty. Now that the army is besieging the city, the matter is over.
If you can't do anything, why bother struggling? The hundreds of thousands of people in Jinling have worked hard for many years and supported the emperor with their people. Now that the emperor is unable to protect the country, he should think about the people who have supported the royal family for so many years."
Yang Hao's words were serious, but not as arrogant as the last time he declared Jiangnan. Li Yu was touched after hearing this, but Xu Xuan had not come back at that time. He hoped that Zhao Kuangyin could agree to his condition of abdication and protect his ancestors. He still
With a glimmer of hope, I declined politely.
When Yang Hao came for the second time, the Song Army's external operations were fruitful. The Song Army on the northern front successively occupied Yuanzhou, Bailuzhou, Jiangyin and other prefectures. Qian Chu, the Wuyue King of the East Route Army, also eliminated the Tang Army who came to aid and conquered
arrived at Changzhou. On the southern front, Wang Ming's troops defeated more than 10,000 Southern Tang troops in Jiangzhou, Wuchang, and captured 500 warships.
Under this situation, if Li Yu knew the current situation, surrendered his troops as soon as possible, surrendered out of the city, and was defeated beautifully, or he could simply gather the three armies and fight to the death with Song Dynasty, then the king of subjugation would be considered a great success. But Li Yu neither
It is still a commonplace to say that there is no peace even after fighting. To delay the time, secret orders were issued secretly to urge the Hukou garrison to go to Jinling to rescue the siege. They took advantage of the precious opportunity Xu Xuan fought for to make the final struggle.
However, the 100,000-strong army at Hukou was wiped out in an instant.
Zhu Lingyun, the garrison at Hukou, commanded an army of 100,000 troops, known as 150,000. He used huge ships and rafts to carry the army north, intending to break through the quarry pontoon bridge and attack Jinling City.
Met.
A battle between the two sides immediately began. Because the Yangtze River was shallow in winter and the water surface was not wide, Zhu Lingyun's army could only line up in a long queue that stretched for more than ten miles. Although they had a numerical advantage, it was difficult to use it. The southeast wind was blowing at that time, and Zhu Lingyun
Making a decisive decision, he immediately raised money and retreated his troops, poured countless amounts of kerosene into the river, lit a fire, and the flames burned the sky. In an instant, more than 8,000 Song army pioneers and hundreds of warships were engulfed.
Unexpectedly, even God played a trick on the Tang Dynasty. As soon as the fire started, the wind direction suddenly changed. The southeast wind turned into the northwest wind. The fire came back to him. Zhu Lingyun's warships and giant rafts blocked the entire river. He wanted to
There was no room for movement, and the fires burned together, one boat after another, and the water surface of the Yangtze River, which was more than ten miles long, suddenly turned into a Great Wall of Fire.
The Song general Liu Yu on the opposite side was stunned. At this moment, the Song general Wang Ming came over after hearing the news and guarded both sides of the Yangtze River. However, if he jumped ashore, he would chop him back into the Yangtze River with a knife. Zhu Lingyun had no way to go to heaven.
With no way to go to the ground, he was heartbroken, pointed at heaven and earth and scolded the injustice of heaven and earth, then pushed away his generals and threw himself into the fire.
Jinling's only strong support collapsed. When Li Yu heard the news, he was really heartbroken. At this time, Xu Xuan came back, bringing not hope, but despair. Xu Xuan brought Zhao Kuangyin's phrase "invasion"
The author’s famous saying: “How can I allow others to sleep soundly next to my bed?”
Yang Hao also followed Xu Xuan into the city for the third time to persuade him to surrender. This time, Yang Hao brought the latest battle report of the Song army. Song general Ding Deyu and Wu Yue army commander Qian Chu defeated the Tang army of 5,000 in Runzhou, and Runzhou defender Liu Cheng opened the city.
After the surrender, the last outer gate of Jinling was blocked, and Jinling became an isolated city.
Li Yu was miserable and desperate, so he had no choice but to agree to surrender. He was willing to make the prince surrender to Bianliang first, negotiate the details of the surrender, and then offer his land and surrender. But that night, he summoned 5,000 men who dared to die to attack the Song camp at night, dreaming of using an army to surrender.
A surprise attack turned the tide of the battle.
Unfortunately, with the collective efforts of the generals, he chose the right place to attack. It was the Song Camp in Beicheng that was geographically the most suitable for a night attack. However, his generals could see that this place was the most suitable for a night attack.
How could Zhao Kuangyin not see it? The Zhao Guan family had already personally issued an order, ordering Zhao Guangyi to be on strict guard in Beicheng, and the Song camp troops in Beicheng were already waiting for him.
After a night of hard fighting, none of the five thousand men who dared to die in the Tang Dynasty were willing to retreat. They were all wiped out in the Song army camp. When cleaning the battlefield in the early morning, many general-level talismans were found on many corpses. This death squad was part of the Tang Dynasty defenders.
Elite soldiers, many of whom were generals who personally acted as death squads, were all buried here. The basic backbone of the Tang army was completely lost in one battle.
This also angered Zhao Guangyi, who ordered Yang Haosi to enter Jinling City. This time, what he brought was not the conditions for persuading Li Yu to surrender and negotiate peace, but a letter of challenge from Zhao Guangyi! The time is tonight, and the place is Jinling.
Fight to the death with no room for maneuver.
That night, the Song army attacked the city, using bullets like rain, arrows like clouds, countless ladders, flying hooks, throwing carts, rushing carts, Xuan chariots and curan chariots... They used the broad Jinling city wall as a battlefield.
Most of the experienced mid-level and lower-level officers were killed in the sneak attack last night. Now many officers who have just been promoted are running in panic at the gate of Jinling City with the white-armored troops who have been hastily recruited and do not know how to use bows and arrows.
Although the city is dangerous, it still needs strong troops to defend it. How can such an army make full use of the danger of Jinling City?
At this moment, with the shouts so close, the Song army is about to attack the palace wall, right?
Li Yu stood up foolishly and walked out slowly. It was too cold in the palace. He wore thicker clothes, which made his already slightly fat figure look even more bloated. The bright yellow dragon robe covering the outside could not give him any relief.
Add some spirit.
Your Highness, there were many dancers, maids, and chamberlains gathered together. All of them looked pale. Some of them could not help but be afraid and were crying. Li Yu stopped and was silent for a long time. He said to them: "The city can't be saved."
As soon as these words came out, all the people in the palace cried and worshiped on the ground, and their howls shook the sky. Li Yuqiang braced himself and said with tears: "You don't have to stay in the palace to die with me. There are dozens of musicians and dancers from the south of the Yangtze River."
It is not easy to gather young and talented people. You should leave the palace immediately and find a secluded place to hide for a while. No matter whether Jinling’s surname is Li or Zhao in the future, you will always be indispensable in the rich and powerful family. Alas..., pass the order and open all the palace doors.
, the property in the palace is free to be used as it pleases, go, go, you all go, so that you can take care of yourself..."
The dancers, musicians, and palace servants kowtowed to Li Yu in tears and thanked him, and fled in panic.
After a while, another group of people rushed over in a panic. There were dozens of people. Li Yu thought that those musicians and dancers were gone and coming back, and they were willing to live and die with him. He was moved in his heart and fixed his eyes.
At first glance, he saw that they were some civil and military officials. It seemed that their official positions were not very high, and he was not familiar with many of them. However, when the country was facing a national crisis, these loyal and good people came to escort him. Compared with his own confidants, Run surrendered to the Song Army in Kaicheng.
How valuable is this to Liu Cheng, the governor of the state? Li Yu's eyes couldn't help but moisten.
"Dear ladies..."
Li Yu called out tremblingly, and two lines of hot tears rolled down his cheeks.
"Your Majesty, the situation is over. I have risked my life to come here. I am willing to ask your majesty to change into civilian clothes and carry all the treasures. I am willing to cover your majesty and escape among the people. The nineteen states in the south of the Yangtze River have not yet fallen into the hands of the Song Dynasty.
, if given the opportunity, Your Majesty may not be able to make a comeback."
Li Yu took a closer look and found that this official looked familiar. He seemed to be an official from Honglu Temple. He was from the same family as himself and also had the surname Li.
Li Yu asked: "Who is Aiqing?"
Li Tingfeng said hurriedly: "I am Li Tingfeng, the official of Honglu Temple."
Li Yu took his hand and cried sadly: "Li Aiqing, the Song army has surrounded Jinling. I am not used to walking, where can I go? Come, you follow me."
When Li Tingfeng mentioned the treasure, Li Yu suddenly remembered what he cherished most, so he rushed them to Chengxintang. Next to Chengxintang was Qinghui Hall. Both of these places were where priceless treasures were stored in the Tang Dynasty.
At this place, the eunuch who was guarding here at the moment had already fled long ago when he heard that Li Yu had opened the palace gate and allowed him to take his own life.
The treasures of Meng Chang of the Shu Kingdom were gold, silver, jade, and various precious stones. The treasures in Li Yu's eyes were not gold, silver, pearls, and jade, but the only copies handed down from generation to generation, literary treasures. Since the Qin and Han Dynasties, every time there has been war in the Central Plains, the scholar families have moved south one after another.
The classics and historical records were also scattered to the south of the Yangtze River. The ancestors and grandsons of the Li family devoted their whole country to collecting and storing them. The results can be imagined. In the past few decades, they have collected all the treasures and unique copies of the world's literary classics.
The "Three Wonders of Wei's Compilation" of the Yi Jing that Confucius read, and the cowhide ropes used to thread the wooden slips were all worn by Confucius himself. The manuscripts of Lu Buwei, Li Si, and Sima Xiangru, the imperial pen of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, and the final version of "Historical Records" by Sima Qian,
The memorial of the champion Hou Huo Qubing, the Lanting Preface personally copied by Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty, the handwritings of Wang Wei, Li Bai, and Bai Juyi...
This is a heirloom treasure that has been painstakingly accumulated by three generations of his ancestors. Looking at each volume and each page of this priceless treasure, Li Yu's heart surged with blood. He couldn't help but raise his voice and said loudly: "I once said
I made a bold statement that if the Song people attack me, I will personally wear armor and lead an army of tigers and wolves to resist the Song army in the north. If things go wrong, I will commit suicide rather than surrender. Now that the city has been destroyed and the rebel army has entered the city, it is difficult for me to achieve the first goal.
I made a promise, but I must fulfill the second one!"
He straightened up, clenched his fists, and said loudly: "The ones I am reluctant to part with now are, firstly, the empress, and the secondly, these countless collections. Dear ministers, I... now have a final decree to deliver to you.
"
Li Tingfeng quickly led the officials to lie down and listen to the order. Li Yu said loudly and loudly: "State affairs can no longer be done. The king must guard the country. If the country cannot be defended, it is necessary to die. I immediately entered the harem and committed suicide with the queen.
In order to be loyal to the country, you take down the four silk curtains that are used to ignite the fire, burn the treasures in the Chengxin Hall and the Qinghui Hall, and bury them with me, and then go your separate ways."
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, you must not do it!" All the officials were shocked when they heard this, and they all knelt down to dissuade them. Li Yu flicked his sleeves and shouted solemnly: "My last decree, do all your beloved ministers also want to disobey it?"
After stopping the officials, Li Yu said: "I have made up my mind, no need to say more!" After that, he hurried to the harem.
Li Tingfeng lay on the ground and listened to the sound of Li Yu's footsteps gradually disappearing. He slowly raised his head, with a strange look in his eyes: "Everyone, whether your wealth and life can be saved is all treasured in this palace. There is a person in the Song camp.
Your Excellency, I don’t like gold, silver, pearls and jade, but only cultural regulations. When I was on a mission to the Song Dynasty, I got his personal promise that if I can protect these treasures, he will protect you and me. Moreover, these regulations are all the blood of our ancestors.
, priceless treasures, do you really have the heart to burn them to the ground? What I want is to save these treasures and save your life and mine. What do you think?"
The dozens of officials looked at each other in shock and were greatly moved, but one of them suddenly stepped forward and said angrily: "Master Li, what do you mean by this? Are you going to disobey the Holy Father? Even though I am a small minister, I know how to be loyal to the country.
Now Your Majesty is willing to die for the country. Why should I cherish this life? I can only follow Your Majesty. If you are afraid of death and just run away, how can you resist the imperial edict?"
Li Tingfeng smiled faintly, looked around, and said: "Everyone, ministers in the court, each have their own support. If we can save our lives and wealth, if you and I, the junior officials, have no merit, who will protect you and me in the chaos of war?"
?These unique collections are the life-saving things for you and me. Do you want to die for the country, or do you want to save yourself, your parents, your wives, and your children?"
Everyone was silent, breathing gradually became heavier. The official, his face flushed with anger, shouted: "Okay, okay, hello, I also want to say that you entered the palace in danger, really to protect me. It turned out that you only had your own plans. Mo."
Seeing that the city is in danger, the Song army has entered the city, and this palace is still your Majesty's world at this moment, I will immediately go to report to the Ming Emperor and punish you and other treacherous ministers!"
The man walked away with a flick of his sleeves. An official next to him suddenly screamed, jumped up and strangled him tightly by the neck. The officials next to him also reacted immediately and looked around in panic. Someone rushed to take the case from him.
The inkstone was brought, someone went to get the incense burner, and someone else picked up the bronze crane. They gnashed their teeth and screamed strangely, and smashed their former colleagues as if they were enemies of life and death. The lights flickered, reflecting their actions on the wall.
, their screams were even more horrifying than that of the official on the ground. Several officials beat the man until his flesh and blood became bloody. When they saw the man's tragic death, they couldn't help but feel weak in their hands and feet, and their faces were whiter than the dead.
"Everyone, you are all smart people and should keep your mouth shut about today's matter. Otherwise, let alone the Song Dynasty master, he will never spare you. If we resist the decree and kill our colleagues, we will not be punished by the world! I have already
Bribery the purchaser in the imperial dining room and the guard at Ximen, you all immediately load the treasures into the cart, and we will follow the cart out of the palace and flee to Jiangnan Academy!"
Dozens of petty officials were confused, nodding their heads like chickens pecking at rice, and agreed repeatedly...
"emperor……"
Upon seeing Li Yu, Xiao Zhou came up to him with tears in his eyes.
"Nvying, my country... is no longer guaranteed."
Li Yu cried and said: "I want to die for the country. Is your love willing to go to hell with me?"
Empress Xiao Zhou cried and said: "Your Majesty, where can I go if I am a weakling? Since I am the Emperor's concubine, and the city is ruined and the palace is in ruins, how can I accept the humiliation of others? If the Emperor wants to go, I will live or die.
Whatever happens!"
"well!"
Li Yu laughed with tears in his eyes. He removed the lampshade, raised the candle, lit the curtains and hanging curtains one by one, and the fire spread quickly. The maids and chamberlains in the palace could not dissuade them, so they fled out with their heads in their hands.
"Nvying..."
In the raging fire, Li Yu hugged his beloved wife's delicate body...
"Boom!" The huge city gate was climbed up the city wall, and the Song soldiers who defeated the gate defenders opened it. The army from outside the city swarmed in. Zhao Guangyi was full of enthusiasm, waved his hand, and laughed loudly: "Send the army into the city!
"
The queen's palace has turned into a huge torch in the night sky, burning the sky with fierce flames.
"Boom!"
A corner of the hall collapsed, and sparks flew like billions of fireflies. Li Yu supported Xiao Zhou and took a few steps back in panic. A corner of his dragon robe had been burned off, his hair was curled up on fire, and his face was covered with black ash.
He looks quite like a Kunlun slave now.
He was really determined to die for his country, but he never imagined that when the fire burned, it would be so terrible. The flames burned over him, and his skin seemed to burst. He could not imagine what would happen when the fire really burned.
When the fever hit him,
What kind of unbearable pain it must have been. The billowing flames made him unable to breathe, so... when a corner of his dragon robe was burned, Li Yu suddenly changed his mind and lay in his arms with his eyes closed, waiting to die.
Xiao Zhou later escaped again.
"boom……"
Another palace beam collapsed, Li Yu's body trembled slightly, and he whispered: "I... let's... surrender..."
Li Tingfeng evacuated Qinghui Hall and Chengxin Hall, taking the officials, the master of the imperial kitchen and a group of servants who drove the car. Before leaving, he set a fire and destroyed the corpses.
Li Yu returned to Qingliang Hall in panic. On the way, he saw a raging fire in the direction of Chengxin Hall, and he couldn't help crying sadly.
Since the Spring and Autumn and Warring States, Qin, Han, Jin and Tang Dynasties, thousands of years of wisdom and cultural traditions of the Chinese nation were burned to the ground with his order, and countless treasures were turned into ashes. He originally wanted this treasure to be buried with him, but now
The treasure has gone, but the living treasure has returned.
"His Majesty!"
As soon as he entered the Qingliang Hall, he saw Chen Qiao grabbing a sword. After the death of Huangfu Jixun, this Privy Councilor personally served as the commander of the Divine Guard Army and presided over the defense of Jinling. When he saw Li Yu, Chen Qiao burst into tears.
Said: "Your Majesty,
Generals such as Ma Yan, Ma Chengcheng, and Ma Chengjun were leading their troops to block the Song army on the imperial street. Why did Your Majesty open the palace gate to let people in and out? The palace people fled with their belongings, and many palace guards took off their armor.
They dispersed."
Li Yu smiled miserably and said: "Chen Aiqing, the matter has come to this, even if the palace gate is closed, can I hold the palace? Let them go, I... have decided to surrender."
"What?"
Chen Qiao was shocked and angry: "Your Majesty originally swore not to surrender, but all the soldiers in the city were willing to live and die with your Majesty in the national disaster. Now that the palace gate is about to be broken down, and he wants to surrender, wouldn't it make the world laugh? Your Majesty, everything has been destroyed since ancient times.
There is no way for the country to be surrendered, and it is only humiliating. Please seal the palace gates and fight to the death. If a man dies, his ears will die, so it should be vigorous."
Li Yu died once but failed, and now he no longer had the courage to die. He shook his head and sighed, but said nothing.
Seeing this situation, Chen Qiao stamped his feet and said: "In that case, please kill me. I am in charge of important matters, but I have betrayed your majesty. I have no shame in surviving. I hope your majesty can kill me before the Song army arrives. I will be questioned by Zhao Guan in the future."
When His Majesty commits a crime, Your Majesty can blame all the blame on the ministers."
After hearing this, Li Yu couldn't help but burst into tears. He held him back and said, "The end is near. What's the use of your death? How can I do it?"
Despite Chen Qiao's various requests, Li Yu still refused to add guilt. Chen Qiao said sadly and angrily: "Even if I don't die, how can I see the Jiangnan scholars? Your Majesty wants to be a surrender minister, but I can't bear to see your Majesty become a surrender king!"
After that, he walked out of the palace and saw fires everywhere in the city. He couldn't help but look up to the sky and let out a long sigh, then raised his sword and killed himself!
"The cherries have fallen and spring has returned, the butterflies are fluttering and flying together, and Zigui is singing to the moon in the west of the small building. Painting curtains with beads and foil, melancholy curling up in gold mud. After the lonely people in the door and alley have left, I look at the remaining tobacco in the doldrums, and the incense of the furnace is leisurely curling up like a phoenix, in the sky
Hold the Luo belt, look back and hate Yiyi..."
Li Yu wrote a sentence and shed a line of tears. Before he could finish a word, all the old and loyal servants rushed into the palace and shouted loudly: "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, the Song Army has arrived outside the palace gate..."
"
Li Yu's pen trembled, he raised his head with a pale face, and asked in a trembling voice: "Who led the army and came to the palace?"
The servants all reported: "The Song army stopped at the palace gate and stood guard outside the palace gate and did not come in. I don't know who will lead the army."
After hearing this, Li Yu felt relieved and said after a long silence: "Go and tell the Song army outside the palace gate...just say that I...surrendered..."
As soon as they entered the city, the generals from all walks of life divided up and attacked everywhere. Cao Bin led his troops and rushed directly to the palace gate. The fearful army entered the palace, burned, killed and looted. If they were allowed to taint the queen and force the emperor to death, what would happen to Zhao Guan's family?
It's hard to explain in front of me
, when he rushed to the palace gate, he saw that the palace gate was wide open, and many palace servants and servants escaped in large and small bundles. The guards at the palace gate were also in disarray. He couldn't help but be shocked, thinking that Li Yu had committed suicide.
, so the palace lost control.
Cao Bin stopped the two palace men and asked about the situation, and then he felt relieved and urgently ordered his troops to guard all the palace gates. No entry or exit was allowed. At the same time, he sent someone to report the news to Zhao Kuangyin.
After Yang Hao entered the city, he led his bodyguards carrying a banner with Song characters to attack Jiangnan Academy along the Qinhuai River. He had been assassinated here and was very familiar with the nearby geography. When he arrived in front of Jiangnan Academy, he happened to see several scholars.
They hurried to the academy gate, beat it, and asked to go in for shelter. At this time, a red-eyed Song army saw them and rushed over.
Those Jiangnan scholars were very thin, and each of them had a figure like a willow branch. As soon as a few thick military men rushed towards them, they screamed, and their voices were high-pitched and thin. They were clearly women. Those few
The soldier was startled at first, and then laughed loudly: "It's a woman, they are all women." After saying that, he rushed forward, and the leader hugged a 'scholar', pushed him to the ground, and started kissing and nibbling him.
"Stop! Your Majesty's strict decree, General Cao's strict order, is not allowed to rob or plunder. Do you dare to violate the military order?"
Yang Hao was galloping on his horse and yelling loudly. Mu Yu raised his hand and threw a flying knife, grazing the soldier's cheek and slamming it into the dirt with a "swish", shocking the soldier.
Looking up by the light of the fire, he saw Yang Hao dressed in military uniform, riding a tall horse, with several tiger guards behind him. One of them was holding a big flag. He was obviously a general. He did not dare to resist the order at the moment, so he jumped up in a hurry and told Wei Wei.
After a few words of sin, before Yang Hao could see his appearance clearly, he led his people and fled elsewhere in despair.
Yang Hao rushed forward, reined in his horse and took a look. He saw that the scholars were all women. They were all beautiful, even though they were dressed in men's clothes.
If you go out and wander around, quickly return to your home and close the door tightly. Once the defenders in the city give up resistance, the pacifying decree will arrive. In the meantime, you will be safe."
The woman who was thrown to the ground by the soldier, with her hat thrown aside and her hair disheveled, got up, looked at Yang Hao, and suddenly exclaimed: "The general on the horse is Yang Zuoshi."
"Huh?" Yang Hao took a closer look and saw the woman in front of the horse with disheveled hair, a pair of starry eyes, a very charming face, and she looked vaguely familiar. However, it was dark at the moment, and she was dressed in men's clothing, so he couldn't remember who she was.
Yang Hao involuntarily pressed the hilt of the sword: "Well, who are you?"
"Mr. Yang, this is your mother-in-law. I have met you once... twice... uh... I have met you several times..."
"Yao Niang?"
Yang Hao was shocked. He looked again and saw that it was her. Yang Hao couldn't help but said in surprise: "Mother Yao, why are you here?"
Yao Niang lamented: "When the city gate was breached, the emperor released the slaves and other servants from the palace. Yao Niang grew up in the palace and had no place to go, so she packed up some soft things with a few close sisters and pretended to be men. She wanted to
They fled to the Jingxin Zen Monastery. Unexpectedly, those military masters were so fierce that they set fire to the Zen Monastery and smashed the bronze Buddha to pieces and moved it away. The slave family was very scared. They thought that the academy should be a place that the military masters did not like, so they
I want to escape here, but I don’t want to be almost killed by them..."
"I'm so lucky to see you, sir. Sir, please help me..." Yao Niang said as she knelt down on the ground.
Yang Hao hesitated after hearing this. He didn't have the ability to help the world, and he couldn't take care of the injustices in the world. But if he didn't take care of the things under his nose, he really couldn't bear his conscience. If he drove them away now
Well, they had nowhere to escape and would be beaten by the insurrectionary soldiers. Those soldiers would fight here today and fight elsewhere tomorrow. It was impossible for them to take the women with them. They were afraid that they would kill them with a knife after letting out their lust. How could I feel at ease?
But if you want to take care of it, how to take care of it? Hidden in this academy are all Li Tingfeng’s close relatives. Li Tingfeng’s foundation in Jiangnan has been wiped out, and he needs to find a place to go. He intends to win over Li Tingfeng for himself.
So he came desperately to protect his family. Originally, many generals in the camp had promised to protect some officials. Everyone knows this unspoken rule, and no one will expose it. But I don’t want Jiangnan cultural relics to be destroyed.
Due to the war, he became greedy and wanted to take it for himself. If Li Tingfeng succeeded in this matter, those priceless treasures should be hidden in the academy now. If Yao Niang and the others were allowed to see...
It was not easy for Yao Niang to meet a general of the Song Army who could speak to her. She hesitated when she saw Yang Hao sitting on her horse. Yao Niang was afraid that he would walk away and abandon her sisters, so she immediately kowtowed and begged: "Master Yang,
The life and death of our servants all depend on your thoughts, please have mercy and save us."
As soon as Yao Niang knelt down, the women all knelt down one after another and began to cry and beg in front of Yang Hao's horse. Yang Hao halted his horse and turned around, pondered for a moment, and said: "Yao Niang, I will send someone to escort you away. Find
Find a secluded place to settle down for now, and when the fighting stops tomorrow, you can find your own way out."
Yao Niang was so willing that she finally picked up a life-saving straw. Even if she was beaten to death, she wouldn't leave. The warriors behind Yang Hao seemed to be even bigger and more powerful than the bandit-like soldiers just now. God knows.
If a beautiful girl like a flower follows them, will they guard her and steal her, and then kill people and silence her?
Furthermore, looking at the current situation in the city, I am afraid that none of the officials, tycoons, and gentry will be able to escape. All the rich families are ruined, and the city is full of refugees. They will find their own way out tomorrow... But where is the way out? The soldiers have gone to bandits, and the people have bandits.
Come on, when the time comes, there will still be no way to go to heaven and no way to enter the earth. If you can save your life by being reduced to dust, it will be considered a good ending.
Listening to Yang Hao's tone now, it is clear that he is a kind-hearted and compassionate master, and he is also a high-ranking official. If he is let go, I am afraid that he will be out of this house, and there will no longer be this shop, and he will find another one.
It is so difficult to be a good master.
Yao Niang immediately kowtowed and begged: "I have no place to stay. Even if the Lord is so kind to protect the slaves for the time being, the slaves have no way out. I beg the Lord to have mercy and take in the slaves. I'm so kind to you."
Great compassion, please be merciful, sir, please..."
"Stop, stop, stop!"
Yang Hao frowned and looked around. No soldiers were coming yet, and then he said in a deep voice: "Mother Yao, if you follow me today, you will no longer have a body, and... you will definitely do it."
Leaving my hometown in Jiangnan, do you...understand?"
Yang Hao really couldn't bear to push them away, but if he wanted them to stay, in order to protect himself from possessing the secrets of rare and unique books handed down from the Spring and Autumn Period, Qin and Han Dynasties to the present, he had to let them move to Luzhou with Li Tingfeng.
Before he returned to Luzhou and had a showdown with the Song Dynasty, he must not let them go, so he asked.
Of course Yao Niang "understood", her pretty face couldn't help but heat up. Since the adult was interested in her, she would have someone to rely on for life. Although she was shy and frightened, her heart was settled. Those dancers who were all known as the masters of dancing also
They all "understood very well", and several women immediately agreed: "But as long as you protect your life, you are the reborn parents of the slaves. The slaves are grateful and are willing to serve you..."
Yang Hao sighed, turned around and said: "Xiaoyu, take them to the academy. You guys, protect the two of them and don't let the insurgents cause trouble!"
At dawn, Zhao Guangyi, wearing the python dragon king's robe, drove his horse to the palace gate.
After the war last night, Zhao Guangyi felt relieved when he learned that Cao Bin had guarded the palace gate and prevented Li Yu from escaping. He did not come immediately to accept surrender. It was such a glorious and grand event to be surrendered by the king of a country.
This moment recorded in history must of course be seen in broad daylight and admired by all people.
After a night of chaos, the Tang troops fighting in Jinling City surrendered and died, with no resistance at all. Zhao Guangyi also restrained the rebels and restored order as much as possible. Under the guard of the generals, he stepped on the imperial street where the blood was not yet dry.
Slowly walking towards the splendid Tang Dynasty palace with golden walls, there were many soldiers lined up along the road, all the way to the entrance of the palace. Behind the soldiers were the people of Tang Dynasty who were driven to watch the ceremony. At this moment, Zhao Guangyi's blood boiled.
"Your Majesty..." The chamberlain stood in front of the palace and called to Li Yu tremblingly.
"In the past forty years, our country has spanned three thousand miles of mountains and rivers; the phoenix pavilions and dragon towers have been in the Han Dynasty all night long, and the jade trees and qiongtwigs have been used as cigarettes and radish. How many times have we ever seen war? Once we become a subject, we will sink our waist and wear our temples; the last thing is to resign from the temple in a hurry
On that day, the church still sang farewell songs, weeping to the palace maid..."
Li Yu, dressed in white, shed tears and finished writing. He looked at the palace servants who were scattered in front of the palace and had not yet escaped, and said sadly: "Let's go!"
The palace gate creaked open, and the Song army lined up in front of the Meridian Gate. Zhao Guangyi stood on horseback. Cao Bin, Yang Hao, Cao Han and other civil and military officials stood behind the half-horse, watching quietly from the palace gate.
The exiting team.
Dozens of officials from the Tang Dynasty, wearing white clothes and baring their left arms, Li Yu was in the middle, showing his somewhat fat and pale skin, leading a white sheep with unkempt hair and unkempt face, staggering forward, offering gifts and accepting surrender in strict accordance with the ancient system. Behind him
, two chamberlains, one holding the watch high, the other holding the national seal. In the center of the team, they also carried a coffin, which meant that crimes deserved death.
Zhao Guangyi was in a very good mood at this time. He managed to pacify the Tang state in three months. The king of the Tang state was even more likely to die than die before he begged him for his punishment. He was able to do it. What else was he dissatisfied with?
When Li Yu knelt down to plead guilty, Zhao Guangyi jumped off the horse with a happy face, helped him up with a cheerful face, and after the surrender gift, he took off his robe and put it on Li Yu, comforted him with words, and then invited Li Yu to come with him.
Return to the commander's tent in his camp.
Since then, Li Yu has been under house arrest in the camp. When Li Yu was taken out, Zhao Guangyi's smile faded and he solemnly said: "Now that Li Yu has surrendered, we will immediately inform the world of the news of Li Yu's surrender.
Those who defend themselves must submit to the city within a time limit, and those who disobey orders will be massacred once the city is defeated!"
Yang Hao's heart froze. Zhao Guangyi did not order the massacre of the city of Jinling, but even the lives of the people were massacred. Now that he has given the order, what will happen? As soon as Yang Hao moved, Zhao Guangyi said in a deep voice: "The Lord of Jiangnan has surrendered, but the city is still occupied."
Those who surrender are all die-hard loyalists of the Tang Dynasty. If they are not exterminated, once the ashes of death are revived, there will be more wars. I have no choice but to do it. This is a military order, no need to say more!"
Yang Hao sighed and stopped.
After leaving the commander's tent, Cao Bin glanced at Yang Hao and said, "Master Yang, you don't agree with what King Jin said?"
Yang Hao shook his head: "If Jiangnan is like the people of Shu, raising flags and rebelling, and gathering the army again, I don't know how many casualties will be caused. The king of Jin stopped the killing with killing. Yang Hao understands the painstaking efforts of a thousand years old. As the saying goes, long-term pain is not as good as short-term pain. It's just that
...To massacre the city after it was broken would be too heavy a blow. Many people were trapped in the city as a last resort and had no intention of swearing allegiance to the Tang Dynasty. It would be a pity if all the jade and stone were destroyed."
Cao Bin said: "Exactly, Cao also has this concern, so he has ordered a horse to report to the capital, begging your majesty to appease you and avoid killing people. I hope... the imperial edict will be issued as soon as possible."
He looked at the north and sighed sadly, and then said: "Envoy Yang Zuo, let's go see Li Yu. Cao Bin has something to ask of your Excellency."
Yang Hao didn't know why Cao Bin came, so he had to go with him. When he arrived at the place where Li Yu was under house arrest, Li Yu hurriedly came out to greet them. When he saw the two of them, they bowed to each other. Cao Bin said: "Your Majesty has missed the king for a long time, and now the king has come to surrender with all his heart."
, Your Majesty will definitely be delighted. Ming
The king of the Jin Dynasty will arrange for the king to go to Bianliang to see his majesty when he is a thousand years old. The king can now make preparations for his family members to collect gold and silver, and take as much as they can. Otherwise, after the property is confiscated, it will be registered and recorded.
I can’t take it out anymore.”
Li Yu lamented: "I am afraid that Your Majesty will be angry. If I go to Bianliang, my life will be hard to save. What's the use of bringing my property with me?"
Cao Bin smiled and said: "Your Majesty is merciful and will never harm the king. But..., now that I have been granted an official position and my salary is fixed, my life may not be as good as before. The king has been living in a dignified and comfortable way for a long time, so he may not be able to bear the pain of poverty and coldness.
If the king is interested, I will send a team of troops to ask Mr. Yang to take care of you and carry your belongings into the palace."
Li Yu was surprised and happy when he heard this. He quickly went to bed and immediately sent his personal servant to accompany Yang Hao back to the city.
The soldiers guarding the palace gate were all Cao Bin's subordinates. After receiving the general's order, they let Yang Hao into the palace. The palace was leaderless and was in panic all day long. When she heard that Yang Hao was coming, Xiao Zhouhou ignored the etiquette and hurriedly welcomed him out and cried:
"Master Yang, what is happening to the leader of our country now? Has he ever suffered any sins?"
Yang Hao had seen her, but she didn't remember that she had seen Yang Hao. The little Queen Zhou was sleeping like a begonia in the spring. She was as beautiful as a begonia. Now she was mentally and physically exhausted, but her face was pale. Yang Hao gave her a slight salute and said with a pleasant expression: "Don't worry, Your Majesty. The King is fine now. Tomorrow, we will escort the King and His Majesty to Bianliang to meet His Majesty. Yang came today because the King asked the Queen to make preparations and pick up the gold and silver that are easy to carry. All soft and valuable items must be escorted to the camp first to avoid having to prepare them in a hurry when setting off tomorrow."
After Xiao Zhou heard that Li Yu was fine, she felt a little relieved. She thanked Yang Hao and thought about it carefully, but she didn't know what to bring. She grew up in a wealthy family, and when she grew up, she became the queen of the Tang Dynasty. She played chess, calligraphy and painting. She was extremely skilled, but had no expertise in financial management. After thinking hard for a long time, she went out and ordered the servants to pick up some belongings at random, especially the "Chengxintang Paper", "Longwei Inkstone" and "Longwei Inkstone" that Li Yu cherished. "Li Tinggui's ink" and other "Four Treasures of the Study", as well as books, paintings, albums and other pictures were all carefully wrapped, packed into seventy or eighty large boxes at once, and handed over to Yang Hao with great gratitude.
Yang Hao couldn't bear it when he saw this beauty's pale face and ownerless state. Besides, he had stolen many priceless treasures, and he felt a little guilty when he met the owner today, so he didn't stay for a while. Seeing that she had packed up, he He said goodbye and came out.
Yang Hao escorted the seventy or eighty boxes out of the gate of Jinling City. Cao Bin's personal soldiers escorted them further, and there was no serious problem. Then he left and went straight to Jiangnan Academy.
His people were still guarding the academy. When Yang Hao entered Jiangnan Academy, Li Tingfeng immediately greeted him.
Yang Hao asked: "Has the matter been done?"
Li Tingfeng cupped his hands and smiled: "Fortunately, I did not disgrace my life!"
Yang Hao breathed a sigh of relief, smiled and said: "Gold, silver, pearls and jade can be destroyed and recovered, but these classics and articles are the essence of our Chinese history for thousands of years. Once lost, they can never be recovered. Brother Li can maintain it. Even if a thousand years go by, future generations will still be grateful for my brother's supreme merits."
Li Tingfeng waved his hand and said with a smile: "I don't dare to take it. I don't dare to take it. It's just because of Brother Yang's request that Li did his best. Haha, I didn't expect that Brother Yang is really a book lover. He put all his efforts into it without thinking. It is really admirable that such a beautiful lady is thinking about these albums and regulations."
As soon as he mentioned beauties, Yang Hao thought of Yao Niang and the Kabuki dancers in the palace who were rescued yesterday. He quickly suppressed his smile and asked, "By the way, those women that Xiao Yu sent in yesterday? How are you settling in?"
Li Tingfeng said: "Since it is arranged by the adults, anyone who dares to disturb them will be settled in the back house now."
Yang Hao nodded, smiled, and asked: "Brother Li's foundation is all in the Tang Dynasty. Now that the foundation is destroyed, do you plan to wait for Jiangnan to be stable and try to make a comeback, or... do you want to move to another place?"
Li Tingfeng's eyes flashed and he asked: "Now the territory of Jiangnan belongs to the Song Dynasty. It is expected that in the next few years, the Song Dynasty will rest and recuperate, rest its troops and civilians, clean up its internal affairs, and accumulate strength. I wonder when Brother Yang will return to the northwest and take charge of the overall situation?"
Yang Hao made some calculations and said: "It won't be later than July this year, when the grass is lush and the mountains are green, and the sheep are fat and the horses are strong."
Li Tingfeng smiled and said, "In that case, if Li goes to Luzhou, he will wait for you there. As for my Li family's business, I will also consider the situation and move to the Western Regions one after another."
Yang Hao thought to himself: "The people in the Success Hall are really cautious. It seems that Li Tingfeng has not yet planned to be tied to my warship. There is no most advanced or perfect system in this world, only the most suitable for local conditions."
local situation
Du, if I want to rise in the Western Regions, I must not copy the perfect system on paper like Emperor Wang Mang of the new dynasty. At least for now, I am afraid I have to continue the clan system since the Sui and Tang Dynasties in order to get the full support of these big family forces.
"
Thinking in his mind, Yang Hao said: "Okay, Yang will fix a letter later. Brother Li can give it to Yang's adoptive father when he arrives. He will definitely provide many conveniences. Yang will go to the back and take a look at the girls.
, I'm afraid... they have to entrust Brother Li to take them to Luzhou together."
"My lord is here, my lord is here." When the few girls who had survived the disaster saw Yang Hao, they shouted with joy as if they had met the backbone of Yang Hao. They were still dressed in men's clothes, and although they looked a little embarrassed, they did not conceal their beauty.
, the people who came out of the Tang Palace really had the charm of the south of the Yangtze River, and all of them were beauties in the world.
"Is the lord here?"
Yao Niang heard this in the room and quickly took a look at her face with the water in the basin. Although she was not applying makeup and there was no powder to use, she was still flawless with her bare face and noodles in clear soup. Despite this, she still stretched out her face.
He took out his slender jade fingers, dipped some water in them, straightened out a few stray locks of hair on the temples, and wetted two eyebrows that looked like distant mountains, then with a twinkling of spring water, he walked out the door.
She doesn't dare to be careless about her benefactor. She is just a weak woman who entertains people with her sounds and colors. In troubled times, having peace and tranquility is her greatest satisfaction. Now Yang Hao is her only support.
When she arrived at the academy and saw the carts of extremely precious palace items, she understood even more how hard it was for Yang Hao not to be ruthless enough to kill them and silence them, so she felt deeply moved.
They hurriedly came out and met Yang Hao. Yang Hao smiled at them and said, "You can stay here for a few days with peace of mind. Li Yu will enter Beijing tomorrow. Jinling City will not be so strict in a few days. Then I will
Arrange for you to go to a place to ensure your safety."
Yao Niang said in surprise: "Going to a place? The slave family...won't the slave family and a few sisters follow you back to Bianliang?"
Yang Hao chuckled and said, "No need to ask any more questions. You just need to live here peacefully. Since I promised to save you, I won't let you go halfway."
Yao Niang responded hurriedly and obediently: "Yes, how can I dare to question you? It's just... Thank you for your generous help and saving the lives of the little girls. We sisters are all very grateful. We thought we could serve you and serve tea."
Pouring water, making beds and folding quilts, grinding inkstones and grinding ink, poetry, singing and dancing, Sir Cheng Huan is here..."
Yang Hao laughed and said with a smile: "Mother Yao, if you are really smart, don't try to trick me. You are also dancers and singers in the palace. You are not ordinary palace maids. How could Yang waste all natural resources and make you a monster?"
Calling for a girl? Just feel free to go to the place I have arranged for you first. If there is a suitable lover in the future, I will make the decision so that you can both get a good match and live in peace from now on."
Yao Niang and the other girls couldn't believe it, so she said obediently: "Now that the master has taken care of you, the slaves will naturally serve you wholeheartedly. As long as the master does not dislike you, the slaves will serve you all their lives."
Yang Hao sighed: "Don't be obsessed with brother, your sister-in-law is definitely not a legend. I can only say this here. You must be careful what you say when you get to that place, otherwise... once you offend the two tigresses in my palace, I will
Even the officials can't protect you. I, the woman of the Yang family, are like those immortal lamps that pray for blessings in this life and salvation in the next life. They are fuel-efficient... not a single one..."
When several women heard what he said was funny, they couldn't help but cover their mouths and chuckle. Several pretty women in men's clothes covered their mouths and chuckled, their eyebrows arched and their eyes widened. They were really charming.
Yao Niang said sweetly: "You are the head of the family, why can't you discipline your own wife?"
Yang Hao said sternly: "To be honest, in my house, I am just steamed buns made from a hundred kilograms of flour, and a useless snack. You guys are going to Lu...ah, be careful, I can defeat thousands of troops."
I can save your lives, but if you don't know how to behave and fall into the tiger's mouth, there is nothing I can do."
Yao Niang looked at Yang Hao with a smile and said to herself: "This master is quite funny in private, not as hateful as he was in front of the king in the past. If you follow this master, you will definitely not be sad in the future...