It was already night, and the wind and snow gathered in Xia Village, gathering with the light of the bonfire.︾

After the resentful army evacuated from here, the surrounding area was completely under Xia Village's control. The battle stopped this morning, but there was no sign of ending in all kinds of things at this time. The initial carnival and excitement, the glory of the rest of the life of Hukou had temporarily faded, and inside and outside the camp was surrounded by various things.

"... The battle was first won, and I knew that everyone was tired, and I was tired too. But when the meeting was just held, General Qin and Mr. Ning had decided to set up camp tomorrow and reinforce the capital. You must convey this matter well..."

In the small hut with lights on, the middle-level general of Xiacun Army was holding a meeting. The news conveyed by the commander Pang Lu'an was not easy, but even after this busy day, the officers with hundreds of people under their command were still cheered up.

"...I have defeated Guo Yaoshi for ten days in a row. Everyone knows the situation. However, the capital is in danger, and the news that came this afternoon is clear. Xiaozhong's husband is willing to take a gamble and take Zong Wang's own formation! He knows that Zong Wang's siege has also been laid. If Zong Wang's army suffers casualties, it will be difficult for him to continue to attack the capital. Xiaozhong's husband attracted Zong Wang's attention, but now, the army in the capital cannot go out to rescue! Within a radius of dozens of miles, the only one of us can fight!"

"At today's meeting, Mr. Ning has emphasized that the battle between the capital and the pharmacist Guo retreated, it has basically been completed and it is over! This is the victory we are waiting for!"

In the light of fire, Pang Luan waved his hand: "But the end only means that the overall situation remains unchanged, and the capital is most likely to be able to defend it. But have we really won this battle? Tens of thousands of Jurchens killed him, and drove straight into our capital. He broke the city several times! Outside the city of Bianliang, he defeated our army hundreds of thousands of troops in a row! He forced them to retreat, but now we just barely do it, but even if we force them to retreat, what can we do? He makes a comeback in the future, can our court stop it?"

"Brothers, General Qin and Mr. Ning, today I said that no matter what the outcome of the battle today, there will be another decisive battle between the two countries in the future. This is a life-and-death battle to destroy the country. What is the most important thing in this battle...the one who can be fought!"

Pang Liu settled down and looked at the generals and officials: "Like us in Xia Village, like General Long and others who came to rescue him. Like Xiaozhong's husband who dared to fight against the Jurchens. All we can rely on are not those smart people who flinched after understanding the overall situation, but these brothers who came forward with difficulties! Everyone, if the Jurchens want to go back safely, they can only have the power of this battle. When our army fought with Guo Yaoshi, they have been tempered into swords. Tomorrow, the Jurchen army will be drawn to the camp and fight or not. They are all acts of starting a battle when they see blood. When the Jurchens come back in the future, you are all the mainstays of this country. How happy it is to hunt the world... You will bring these things to your brothers."

The order from above was still fermenting, but for the many soldiers and generals in Xia Village, they were somewhat aware of it. A big victory. For the soldiers of Xia Village at this time, they had an unbearable weight, because there were too few such victories, and they experienced less difficulties and tenacity.

Although there are celebrations and carnivals at noon and at night, but after eating and drinking, not most people are simply immersed in joy. Before this, everyone here has experienced too many defeats and seen too many deaths of their companions. When death becomes the norm, people will not be surprised by it. However, when the choice of immortality appears in front of everyone, the question of why they die and defeat will begin to rise.

For the army in the world at this time, this feeling will be felt after the war. In a sense, this is also because of Ning Yi's guidance for several months. Therefore, after the victory, there were sad people and crying people, but of course, in these complex emotions, joy and heartfelt personality cults still account for a lot.

Ning Yi and Qin Shaoqian had the image of literature and martial arts, the planning of literature, the decisiveness of martial arts, and the black cavalry from Luliang Mountain and the large number of green forest people under Zhuji, all kinds of unique abilities. These things have clear symbolic characteristics. In this army pieced together by miscellaneous troops, it is very easy to leave a mark in everyone's hearts.

After a big meal, Mao Yishan went to the wounded barracks to see several brothers he knew. When he came out, he saw Qu Qing greeting him. For several days, this veteran who had been in battle for many years always gave him a calm and depressed feeling. Only at this moment did it become a little different. In the wind and snow, his face was filled with a pleasant and relaxed smile.

No soldier will take the wind and snow in front of him seriously.

After chatting for a few words, Qu Qing gave him a stone: "Stop walking around, go back and sharpen your knife."

"Uh?" Mao Yishan was stunned for a moment, and then he understood, "Will there be a fight tomorrow?"

"Maybe not tomorrow, or there may be no more battle, but there will be a confrontation with the Jurchens. It is best not to fight, and there is no fear of fighting. Just be prepared."

On the afternoon of that day, when paying homage to Long Hui, everyone was still very excited. Soon after, there was news that Zong Shizhong and Zong Wang were facing the front-line killing. After visiting the brothers who were injured but still excited for victory, Mao Yishan, like some other soldiers, was mentally prepared to go against the Jurchens, and even had a faint desire for bloodthirsty. But of course, longing is one thing, and it is another thing to do it. Mao Yishan also knew that in the past ten days, even the soldiers who had not entered the wounded barracks were all tired.

However, if you say something above, you will definitely be sure and there is nothing to think about.

The two were at the hillside, chatting for a few words while looking towards the bottom of the mountain. The Xiacun Camp gate actually seemed a little lively, because since not long ago, several groups of people had come, all from other troops near Bianliang, which made people feel a little upset. Mao Yishan thought of something in his mind and asked: "Brother Qu, you... actually became an official in which unit, right?"

Qu Qing has good martial arts skills and rich combat experience. He can see clearly the development and changes of many situations on the battlefield. Mao Yishan has seen it. He asked when he saw that he was in a good mood today. Qu Qing looked at the foot of the mountain. He was not angry about this question. After a moment, he smiled: "It is better to be a soldier than to be an official."

"Then... Brother Qu, if this battle is over, will you and I have to go back to their respective troops?"

Mao Yishan hesitated for a while before asking this sentence. After asking, Qu Qing was also silent. However, not long after, he looked at the fun of the camp gate, frowned, snorted coldly, and did not say anything.

Less than a day after the Xiacun War, but it was only in the evening that the envoys sent by the troops distributed in the near Bianliang came one after another. These people, or those with high-ranking middle positions in the other armies, were famous, martial arts, and military generals who once served in the Wurui Camp and were collected by Chen Yanshu and other officials after the defeat. These people came one after another, on the one hand, to congratulate Xiacun on the victory, praise Qin Shaoqian and others for their unparalleled contributions, and on the other hand, they took the attitude of only Qin Shaoqian's lead, hoping to advance with the Xiacun army. Taking advantage of this great victory, morale was high to break the siege of the capital.

The arrival of these people also asked a question indirectly: At first, due to the defeat of each army, the various sides gathered the defeated troops and were disrupted. However, it was a temporary measure. Since we had already gained a chance to breathe, would these soldiers with different ranks be able to restore to the original rank?

The chaotic organization of soldiers may be difficult to solve for a while, but the generals' placement is relatively clear. For example, in the Xiacun army at this time, He Zhicheng was originally under He Chengzhong, the Wuwei Army. The commander of Mao Yishan, Pang Lingming, was a general under Chen Yanshu, the Wusheng Army. At this time, this type of middle-level general is often responsible for the scattered soldiers under his command. The problem of the soldiers can be vague, and these generals could only be considered "seconded" at the beginning. So, when can they take their soldiers back?

Xiacun's side was sloppy about this kind of problem. However, compared with his usual dullness and clumsiness when facing the Jurchens, everyone's reactions at this time seemed keen and rapid.

Who can talk about things at this level will be real waste?

******************

Capital.

After leaving the imperial city, Qin Siyuan went to the Ministry of War and handled a lot of things at hand. When he left the lobby of the Ministry of War, the wind and snow were mixed, and the desolate city lights were hidden in the wind and snow.

On this day, the Jurchens suspended the siege. According to the news from all sides, a glimmer of optimism had already appeared in the long torture before. Even if the Jurchens won a great victory outside the city and turned around to attack the city, their morale had declined in two or three. The court had already felt the possibility of peace talks. Although the defense in the capital could not be relaxed, due to the suspension of the Jurchens' offensive, they finally gained a moment of breathing.

However, for Qin Siyuan, many things will not be reduced, and even the things to prepare for will suddenly be more due to the possibility of the next step.

Whether it is war or harmony, the subsequent things will only be more cumbersome.

“…get out of the Sour Jujube.”

He ordered his followers around him to get on the carriage, and after getting on the carriage, the old man also read some news from the notice. In recent days, countless casualties were killed and injured, and tens of thousands of people had died in the city of Bianliang, which had developed a huge feeling of war weariness. Prices soaring, and public security disorders were all happening. Women, children, and the old man who had lost their family members were crying day and night, and such movements could be vaguely heard from the Ministry of War to the city wall. The problems transformed by these things were eventually collected into the hands of the old man and turned into huge problems and pressures that ordinary people could not bear, pressing on his shoulders.

When he arrived near the devastated Xinshujue Gate, the old man put down his work, got out of the car, and walked slowly towards the city wall with a crutch.

There were bonfires for heating, tents, soldiers and wounded people around. Many people looked at this side. The old man was thin and swung his entourage who wanted to come and support him. While thinking about things, he walked towards the city wall with a cane. He did not look at these people, including the injured and the sad people who died in the city. These days, the old man ignored most of these indifferently. When he arrived at the high stairs, he did not ask someone to support him. Instead, he thought about things and slowly climbed up the steps.

The broken city wall was filled with blood. The wind and snow were swift. In the night, you could see the dim Jurchen military camp, and it was pitch black in the distance. The old man looked into the distance for a while. A crowd and torches came over. The old man in the lead bowed to Qin Siyuan in the wind and snow, and Qin Siyuan bowed there. The two old men bowed silently in the wind and snow.

After a while, the old man on the other end spoke, it was a master's way.

"I heard about what happened in the palace today, Prime Minister Qin asked for troops to send troops for his younger brother. The teacher was very grateful."

"..." Qin Siyuan bowed heavily speechlessly.

Zhong Shidao stood up there: "It's just that this gratitude is for private purposes. For the public, Shidao is like the public, and does not agree with the idea of ​​Qin Prime Minister. The capital is in danger, and the troops in the city have already reached the bottom. They rashly leave the city, but they are defeated by the Jurchens. If the Jurchens make a desperate bet and attack the city again, we will only become more and more difficult. The right Prime Minister is talking about this...ah..."

Both sides are extremely smart and skillful people, and there are many things. In fact, whether it is said or not, it is the same. In the Battle of Bianliang, Qin Siyuan was responsible for logistics and all civil affairs, and did not intervene in many wars. Although Zhong Shizhong came to rush forward, it was exciting, but when the Jurchens changed direction and siege and chased them all, it was impossible for the capital to send troops to rescue them. This is also something that everyone knows. In this case, the only voice was fierce. If you want to take out the final vitality and try to fight with the Jurchens, the person in Zhong Shizhong was actually Qin Siyuan who had always been safe, which was beyond everyone's expectations.

So today, in the Golden Palace, in addition to Qin Siyuan himself, even Li Gang, the left prime minister who had always been with him, raised an objection to this matter. The matter of the capital city is related to the survival of a country, so how can people make a desperate bet?

What's more, no matter whether the masters of the year are dead or alive, this battle seems to have hope of ending. Why not give up such a branch?

The ritual lasted for a long time. In the end, it was only because Qin Siyuan offended many people and made no achievements. After the discussion, the old man handled government affairs and rushed here. As the elder brother of Zhong Shidao, although Zhong Shidao expressed his gratitude to Qin Siyuan for his righteousness, he felt that he could not send troops to the current situation.

"But... Prime Minister Qin, Mr. Zhong doesn't understand. You know what the outcome of this congress will be, so why bother with this..."

In the wind and snow, Master Zhong and Qin Siyuan walked to the city wall together, looking at the darkness in the distance, the fate of Master Zhong who didn't know his destination, and sighed in a low voice.

...

"...It's really strange that Qin Siyuan, this old dog, is acting today."

A few words were written in the imperial study room. Zhou Zhe put down the brush, frowned and took a breath, and then stood up and walked away.

"Du Chengxi, what do you think he is going to do..."

In the room, Du Chengxi, who had originally looked at his nose and his heart, was shocked: "The emperor said earlier that the right prime minister is a talented person, and he really can't guess what he thought in his heart."

"Hmph, a talented man." Zhou Zhe smiled with his hands on his back, and then curled his smile. "Qin Siyuan is a man with a deep plan and a good way of being a good way. He is indeed powerful. In the past, if he had a devilish idea in the court, he would have opened up his joints before the court talks. Only this time, Humph, put forward such an idea, which made Li Gang not stand on his side. If he had no deception, who would believe it?"

Du Chengxi hesitated for a moment: "Your Majesty is wise, but... I think, is it because the battlefield turn around today? The right prime minister wants to open the joints, but it is too late?"

"Hmm? You old dog, you have taken his money to speak for him?" Zhou Zhe glanced at Du Chengxi. Du Chengxi was so scared that he knelt down to apologize, and Zhou Zhe waved his hand again.

"Get up, I'm just a joke. Even if you collect money, it's okay. Could it be that I'll be bewitched by you?" He paused, "But you've thought it a little bit too. If you don't have enough time, even though you know it's useless, Qin Siyuan will naturally save you from speaking. He is verbally fighting against the ministers today. In my opinion, I must have noticed the embarrassment of the position, afraid that someone will settle the score later and want to make enemies and delegate power! This old dog is so scheming, knowing that sometimes someone is scolded by someone or scolded by me is a good thing. But how can I not see this kind of method...hey..."

He smiled, and the smile lasted strangely on his face for a long time, and then, he whispered a few words: "Hey... Xiacun is a great victory..."

As the murmuring sounds, someone came to inform him that Li Qi had arrived.

"Supreme him in."

Zhou Zhe said, walking back to the back of the desk.

Soon, Li Qi, the minister who was responsible for leaving the city to negotiate with the Jurchens last time, came in.

...

“…War is different from political affairs.”

The wind and snow pounced on the city wall, and the pale hair and beard were shaking in the wind and snow, and all of them had frost.

Qin Siyuan reached out and touched the frozen bloodstains on the girl's wall: "Over the years, I have talked with people. What is the most important thing in the war? In Xia Village, he partnered with a bad boy named Ning Yi. He used to love the most skillful skills, he liked to study things, and he liked to study firearms. When scholars outside the world argued, they always care about the tactics of war, what is ahead and what is behind, and how to deal with it if they encounter a specific place. However... they met the Liao people and the Jurchen people, but they were useless because our dynasty valued culture and over military forces, and hundreds of thousands of troops were beaten to pieces by tens of thousands of people..."

The old man paused and sighed: "Brother Zhong Shi, this is true for literati. If you fight with others, you must take one of the two opinions. In fact, all things in the world cannot be separated from the word "mean". Confucius said: If you open but do not scatter, you cannot be able to do civil and military affairs; if you scatter but do not scatter, you cannot do civil and military affairs. Only when you scatter and relax, you can be the way of civil and military affairs. But stupid people are often indistinguishable. I have been seeking peace throughout my life, but I can do it on major events. All of them are risky actions. Now, Brother Zhong Shi, do you think that even if we are lucky enough to survive this time, the Jurchens will not come next time?"

Mr. Zhong said: "If you have this lesson, you just need to learn from it from now on. Now you work hard to govern the government and the people in the court..."

"Brother Zhong Shi said it lightly." Qin Siyuan smiled, "Hundreds of thousands of people were defeated outside the city, and 100,000 people died in this city. If these hundreds of thousands of people are like this, there will be millions and millions of people, which is meaningless. Why is the truth of this world? What is the problem with the court and the army? Are there few people who can see clearly? In the world, what is lacking is never the one who can see clearly, but the one who dares to shed blood and die. This is the reason for the Battle of Xiacun. General Longhui before setting off.

, invited everyone, but few responded. It is reported that Chen Yanshu had stopped people from joining them. Long Hui was defeated in the battle. Chen Yanshu was so smart! However, if Long Hui had not aroused everyone's blood, the battle in Xiacun would probably have been defeated but not won. What is the use of smart people? If there were all such "smart people" in the world, when things came to an end, they would all retreat silently, knowing that their power was dangerous, and they were discouraged, then Xiacun, Bianliang, would not have to fight, and millions of people would be pigs and dogs slaves!"

"They are just smart, but they are really smart, not like this." The old man shook his head, "What is my dynasty now? What is I missing when I want to stop the next time the Jin people from going south? It is not the millions of people in this capital, nor the hundreds of thousands of troops outside the city. It is the more than 10,000 people in Xia Village, the more than 10,000 people who died under the knife, and it is also the more than 20,000 people who dare to fight with the Jurchens. Brother Zhong Shi, without them, our millions of people in the capital cannot be considered human..."

There was no silence in Zhong Shidao. Qin Siyuan looked at the darkness in the distance, and his lips trembled: "I may not understand the war, but I only hope to use the power in the city to try my best to restrain the Jurchens so that they cannot attack Xiaozhong's husband with all their strength. When the Xiacun army arrives, they will confront the Jurchen army. If the capital comes to peace talks, they may be able to protect the life force. With these people, they will have the seeds of facing the Jurchens next time. If Xiaozhong's husband is allowed to be wiped out outside the city, who dares to rescue the capital with all his strength in the next battle? I also know that this is risky, but how can I know that there will be disasters in the future? If I can take risks today, I can leave a little capital for another day..."

"...Qin Prime Minister has good intentions, Master Dao... I thanked all the disciples of the Western Army on behalf of all the disciples of the Western Army." After a while, Master Dao bowed again and bowed. The old man looked sad. On the other side, Qin Siyuan also took a breath and returned the greeting: "Brother Zhong Shi, it is the old man who has thanked the Western Army on behalf of the world, and he is sorry for the Western Army..."

He sighed, and after a moment, Zhong Shidao laughed aside.

"Actually, Prime Minister Qin may have been over-concerned," he said in the wind. "My brother is always in a safe manner when he acts in military service and cannot fight. He is secondly. He has probably thought about the way back. He has done this in the battle with Xixia in the early years. Even if he is defeated and leads his subordinates to escape, there is no problem. Prime Minister Qin doesn't have to worry about him."

"Oh, is that?" Qin Siyuan replied, "Haha... I hope so."

On the city wall, the tired two men looked into the distance, and the many soldiers on the wall also looked into the distance. Snowflakes were flying in the darkness. Because the torches were not bright by the wind, they could not see each other's face. Tears flowed down in the darkness on the face of the old man Qin Siyuan. This kind of thing happened to this old man who had always been cold and determined. It was because the snow wind was too strong on the city wall...

In the Golden Palace, Zhou Zhe had already given the order to Li Qi.

"... The Zuo Prime Minister wanted to go there in person when discussing peace. After thinking about it, you have finally had a deal with Zong Wang and are more sleek than the Zuo Prime Minister. In this peace talk, you are allowed to go to see the opportunity. At this time, Zhong Shizhong led the Western Army and was being pursued by Zong Wang. I do not want the Western Army to suffer too much damage. You accept the order. Go out of the city quickly. Wanyan Zong Wang should know the principle of resigning when he sees it is better!"

******************

North of Bianliang City, Wuzhangling.

Late at night, the wind and snow frozen everything in the world.

On Wuzhang Ridge, there were bonfires burning, and thousands of people were gathering on the cold hills. Because there were not many firewood around and not many fires could rise, soldiers and war horses gathered together, snuggling in the wind and snow to keep warm.

Far below the mountain, fire lights patrol, due to the messenger who searched for souls in the dark.

Soon, there were shouts of killing sounds, following the snowy wind, storming the hills. The soldiers cheered up and were alert to the enemies coming in the dark, but soon after, they discovered that this was the enemy's scheming at night.

In a small tent in the center of the camp, the old man, who was wrapped in bandages and still bleeding, opened his eyes. Hearing the sound.
To be continued...