At the beginning of the third month of the lunar calendar in the 11th year of Wu Jianshuo, the main force of the Eastern Route Army led by Wanyan Zongfu gathered the nearby Han army and launched a general attack on Jiangning. Some of the Han army were recalled, and a large number of Han troops crossed the river one after another. As for mid-to-late March, the total attack force gathered reached 500,000 at one time.

Including the Wulie Camp, which was already stationed in Jiangning, Han Shizhong's Zhenhai Army, and the nearby Jianghuai Army have also concentrated in Jiangning one after another during this period. Over the period of time, the scale of the entire war has continued to expand, and in the spring of the new year, it has attracted everyone's attention.

At the beginning of the war, there was a small episode that broke out the moment before the sword and gun became popular. This episode probably began in January of this year.

With the issuance of the Chinese Army's anti-traitorial manifesto, the struggle for choosing and taking sides became fierce, and the calls for killing traitors in society have gradually increased, and some people who are shaking their hearts no longer think about it. However, with the fierce situation of taking sides, the Jurchen lobbyists have also increased their activities in private, and even took the initiative to arrange some "tragedies" and urged those who had been in the army to make a decision as soon as possible.

An official named Hou who was responsible for the Secretariat in Jiangning City was instigated in this way. During the war, the Secretariat was responsible for monitoring the movements underground and preventing the enemy from digging tunnels into the city. This official named Hou Yuntong was not a vicious person himself, but his father and brother had contact with the Jurchen side earlier. With the assistance of the Jurchen forces, he gathered a lot of money and farmed for slavery. He had been in the glory for several years. In this way, the Jurchens abducted a pair of children, and then used evidence of affair with the Jurchens to coerce the lives of their children, so that they could cooperate with the Jurchens' digging tunnels.

In February, Han Shizhong and his side confirmed the matter twice. The first news came from the rumor of a mysterious person. Of course, it was confirmed several years later that the person who warned the Wu Dynasty was Pu Yang Yi, the person in charge of Jiangning. His deputy was named Liu Jing, who had been serving as a magistrate in Jiangning Mansion for several years. The second news came from Hou Yuntong's surrender in mid-February.

In such a situation, surrendering yourself to the top is almost certain that the children will die, and they may not have too good consequences. But in several years of war, such a thing is not an isolated case.

From February to April of that year, the Wu Dynasty and the Chinese Army tried several rescues to Hou Yuntong's children, but eventually ended in failure. His children died on the third day of the April 19th. His family was killed before this. On the seventh day of the April 19th, after finding the chopped children's bodies outside Jiangning City, Hou Yuntong hanged himself in a field. In this turbulent tide of millions of people, his experience was later recorded only because of the key location, which was probably meaningless to him.

In response to the Jurchens' attempt to enter the city from the underground, Han Shizhong's side adopted a strategy of using tricks. In mid-February, the nearby troops had already begun to concentrate in Jiangning. Twenty-eight, the Jurchens' side launched an attack on the city with the tunnel. Han Shizhong also chose the troops and the navy. On this day, the only crossing crossing crossings of the Eastern Route Army was stationed at this time. Almost at all costs, the Jurchens' naval forces on the Yangtze River were replaced.

Back then, the Jurchens searched mountains and seas, but in the end, because northerners did not understand the navy, Wu Shu was trapped in Huang Tiandang for more than 40 days, and was embarrassed to this day. Later, the Jurchens urged the Southern Han Army near the canal to develop a navy. During this period, the Jin army supervised the guards and a large number of technicians and invested money. Last year, the Wu Dynasty had the upper hand, but it did not win a decisive victory. At the end of the year, the Jurchens took advantage of the Yangtze River withering the Yangtze River and formed ships to cross the Yangtze River as a floating bridge, and finally opened a road near Jiangning.

Now the Jurchen navy lives near the Ma Wenyuan west of Jiangning, maintaining the north and south paths, but it is also the biggest flaw of the Jurchen side. Therefore, Han Shizhong took advantage of the situation and launched a surprise attack on him while the Jurchens thought they had the plan.

What is more dramatic is that Han Shizhong's actions were also noticed by the Jurchens. Facing the already prepared Jurchen army, they had to withdraw their troops and leave. The two sides stabbed each other at the end of February, and by March, they still fought on the battlefield on a large-scale battle.

The battle on the battlefield covered up many things like smoke, and no one knew how many undercurrents were surging in private. By March, Lin'an's situation became even more chaotic. Outside Lin'an, Wushu's troops were running wildly, burning everything near Lin'an, and even several county towns were broken and burned. In the area within fifty miles north of Qiantang River, except for the army that came to serve the king, everything turned into ruins. Sometimes Wushu deliberately sent cavalry to harass the city defense. When the huge smoke pillars rose outside the city, half of Lin'an City could be seen clearly.

Rumors were leaving in private, and Lin'an City, which seemed calm, was like a burnt iron pot. Of course, this hotness could only be felt by people who belong to the middle and upper class in Lin'an Mansion.

In mid-March, in the ornamental mountains and rivers, the ornamental mountains and rivers had already become green in spring. The weeping willows have sprouts and ducks swim in the water. It was afternoon, and the sun fell from one side of the house. Qin Hui and a graceful old man walked in the garden.

"The water surface is flat in the west of Jiating in Gushan Temple, and the clouds are low. Several early orioles compete for warm trees, and whose new swallows peck at the spring mud... Lin'an's spring scenery is the worst this year. Last month, the spring cold, I thought that all the flowers and trees would be frozen to death... But even so, they still grew up. All living beings are so tenacious that they are so sad and gratifying..."

When he walked to a tree, the old man patted the trunk and said this, Qin Hui carried his hands on his back and smiled and said, "My husband's words are very philosophical."

The old man known as Mei Gong smiled: "My brother from Huizhi has been very busy recently."

"I am really busy fighting on the front line. I run around on weekdays, but I am just a mundane business." Qin Hui smiled and spread his hands, "Well, Mr. Mei invites me, I will come immediately."

"The important ministers in the court of Huizhi, and when this critical moment, I was idle and stupid, who was at home, shouldn't have invited me rashly. But at this moment, I was a little confused and wanted to ask the virtuous brother of Huizhi, so I took the initiative to speak..."

"Oh, let's not talk about the decades of friendship between Mr. Mei and me. With Mr. Mei's talent, it's so simple. The court has been hoping that Mr. Mei has been out of the mountain for a long time. Mr. Mei mentioned that at this time, I want..."

"This matter is spared." The other party smiled and waved his hand, and then a complicated look flashed across his face. "The court has been controlled by the unconscious for many years. I am old and cannot compete with them. However, the brothers of Huizhi have been ups and downs in recent years, which is amazing. After His Majesty was unhappy with all the officials, the one who can still summon the most questions in the palace is Huizhi."

"Oh." Qin Hui sighed, "Your Majesty... is also due to anxiety in his heart."

"What do you think about the current situation, what is the Virtue of Huizhi?"

"If I can hold on, my Wu Dynasty will be able to live a few years of peace."

"What if I can't hold on?" The old man turned his gaze on his face.

Qin Hui looked back: "What does Mei Gong mean?"

The old man spread his hands, and then the two walked forward: "The situation in Beijing is so chaotic. Those who talk privately will inevitably mention these things. People's hearts are already confused. This is a sign. Ask me, you and I have been together for many years, so I will not avoid you. In this battle in Jiangnan, I am afraid there will be no chance of winning. At most, 37, I am three, and Jurchen seven. What will happen to the Wu Dynasty at that time? Your Majesty often asks about the church, and it is impossible for you to talk about it."

The old man went straight in, Qin Hui walked behind his back, and was silent for a moment: "The hearts of the people in the capital are chaotic, and it is also the spy of the Jurchens who are confusing people's hearts. On the other side... Mei Gong, since mid-February, there have been rumors that have caused a lot of controversy in Lin'an. It is said that news came from the north that the Jin Dynasty Emperor Wu Qimai's condition has worsened and there is not much time left. Maybe I, Wu Chao, can finally get through it."

"Don't lie to me anymore. The news was spread by the Black Flag people. The princess's mansion may just be happy to see it happen. Whether it is credible is hard to say... But the news released by the Jurchen side may not be fake."

"Mr. Mei, this is true and true. What's the harm in being true or false? If you think it's true, it's true, it's false, it's just a devil in the heart. It's still the best thing for the southwest... If everyone can be deceived and hold on for a few months, maybe the Jurchens will be defeated without fighting, that's a good thing."

There were birds flying over the yard, ducks crossed the pond, and left quackly. Both of them were laughing quietly in the sun. The old man sighed: "...I am just about to talk about the inner demon. My brother from the Society has an old age with the Southwest. Could it be that he really let go of this matter? Just by your suggestion to attack the Southwest before the Juzhen, the Southwest will not let you go."

"The major affairs of the court are major affairs of the court, and personal grievances are personal grievances." Qin Hui turned his head, "Is Mr. Mei talking about the Jurchens?"

"It's not a question." The old man looked as usual. "I am old and can throw this bone to burn it. But there are still unsuccessful children and grandchildren in the family. I want to ask about some things first. This is a little selfish intention. I hope the elder brother of the society understands."

As he said this, he bowed gently: "If you don't talk about the surrender of Jin, if the overall situation is really not supported, what is the way to retreat? I always want to have a number. The Jurchens said that if they want to have a peace talk, the court would cut a thousand miles west of Xiangfan to facilitate the attack on the southwest of Nianhan. This proposal may not be false. If things cannot be done, it will be a way to retreat. But your Majesty's heart now depends on the advice of your brother. I will not hide it from the battle of Xiao Canghe that year. My two sons died at the hands of the black flag bandits. If there is such a thing, I would be happy to see it."

When the old man said this, his face was full of heart-wrenching expressions. Qin Hui hesitated for a long time and finally said, "... The Jurchen wolf ambitions, how can you believe it, Mei Gong."

Qin Hui did not express any more intentions or ideas until he left the other person's mansion. He had always been a very strict person. Many things had been decided, but naturally he did not say them. In fact, since Zhou Yong asked him for advice, many people wanted to visit him every day, so he quietly watched the changes in the hearts of the people in the capital.

Since the Wu Dynasty moved south, Qin Hui has gradually reached the top of the Wu Dynasty's officialdom, but he has experienced several ups and downs, especially the last year's expedition to the southwest, which made him almost lose his holy family. In the officialdom, Zhao Ding and others took advantage of the situation to attack him, and even clowns like Long Qifei wanted to step on him. That was his most dangerous period. But fortunately, now, the extreme-minded His Majesty has trusted him in deeper and he has gradually found the place.

But Qin Hui was not happy about such a proud and proud attitude. At this point, the situation of the family and country was so high that a minister only felt that there was a pan of oil frying under his body.

When it comes to being an official, Qin Hui naturally wanted to be a capable minister who was in a hand. He once admired Qin Siyuan, but Qin Hui also warned him about Qin Siyuan's style of not knowing how to advance and retreat and rush forward. He once warned him that many things had to be touched by him when Qin Siyuan was in power, and he had to slowly draw on it, but Qin Siyuan had never heard of it. Later, when he died, Qin Hui lamented in his heart, but it finally proved that he could understand the world's affairs.

If it weren't for the rules of the world, why would I have killed an outstanding disciple like Luo Jinyan?

But when Qin Siyuan fell, his presence was still unfavorable. After King Kang ascended the throne, his children were quite successful. With the support of his father, Zhou Pei and Zhou Junwu did many major events. They were supported by the Jiangning Group and were deeply influenced by Qin Siyuan. After taking on the heavy burden, although they did not rehabilitate Qin Siyuan, the officials who valued them were mostly Qin disciples of the year. Although Qin Hui had a good relationship with Qin Siyuan back then, due to his later presence, Zhou Pei and Junwu did not deliberately lean over. However, even if Qin Hui wanted to take the initiative to lean over, the other party did not show too close.

If possible, Qin Hui wanted to get close to Prince Junwu. His unyielding character reminded Qin Hui of Luo Jinyan back then. If he could teach Luo Jinyan better back then and had better communication between the two sides, there might be a different result later. But Junwu did not like him and regarded his earnestness as a corrupt scholar's words like others. In many cases, the young prince stayed in Jiangning. Qin Hui wanted to have more contact, but there was no such opportunity, so he could only sigh.

The little prince is different from Luo Jinyan. His status gives him the capital to move forward, but at some point, he will fall.

He understood this matter, just as from the beginning, he understood the ending of Qin Siyuan. The problems of the Wu Dynasty were mixed and the accumulated problems were deeply rooted, just like a terminally ill patient. The little prince was so passionate that he just let him work hard to stimulate potential. If a normal person could do this, the patient would die. If it weren't for this reason, why would he have to kill Luo Jinyan back then?

It’s time to fate. After all, I missed the opportunity back then. Even though I could become the prince of a wise king, I would rather be better than the more self-aware Your Majesty.

As for Mr. Mei, as for the princess's mansion, as for the black flag who desperately released all kinds of news in the city... Although the battle was fierce, the people who fought for their lives could only see the small part in front of them. If the Ning Ren Tu in the southwest was slaughtered, they might be able to understand what they were thinking. At least not far from the north, the Jurchen Valley God who was secretly manipulating everything could clearly understand all this.

He could only close his eyes and wait quietly for what should come. At that time, he would hold his authority in his hands and perhaps seek a glimmer of hope for the Wu Dynasty.

Even if things cannot be done...

For many days, this most common private statement flashed through his mind. Even if things cannot be done, at least he is invincible... Such an answer flashed through his mind, but then he waved the inappropriate answer from his mind.

With a gentle sigh, Qin Hui lifted the curtain and watched the carriage pass through the city where everything grows. The spring scenery in Lin'an is as picturesque as it is. It's just dusk.

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

It rained in April, and the knights on the horse team were wearing black straw raincoats and galloping through the rolling low mountains. From a distance, you could see uncultivated fields and deserted villages. The bodies of humans were lying on the side of the road, and the crows with messy feathers raised their heads from the corpse and looked at people ominously.

If it were in previous years, the land of Jiangnan would have been green.

The horse team drove past this ridge and headed forward. Gradually, the outline of the military camp came into view. Another patrol team came over. Both sides claimed their names with the Jurchens. The patrol team stopped and watched the cavalry of more than 300 people headed into the military camp.

The cavalry team consisted of various strange people and strange things, with fierce faces, and many injured people. Wanyan Qingjue, the leader, looked pale, and his injured left hand was wrapped in a bandage and hung around his neck.

The military camps were layer by layer, battalion one by one, and they were in order. In the middle, there were also lively camps, where supplies were distributed and female slaves were raised, and some Jurchen soldiers exchanged for treasures they had plundered from the south. It was a place of happiness for soldiers. Wanyan Qingjue waved his hand and asked the horse team to stop, and then smiled and instructed everyone not to follow. The injured went to the clinic to heal the wounds first, and the rest took his token and each had fun.

This time, the Jurchens killed the Yangtze River and did not come to capture slaves. Therefore, most of them killed people, and few people arrested and raised people. However, women in Jiangnan and those with good quality will still be captured and soldiered. The soldiers in the military camps enjoyed lust and enjoyed sex in their spare time. Most of these places were patronized by officers and in short supply. However, Wanyan Qingjue's subordinates had a high status. With the little prince's sign, all kinds of things could be enjoyed first. At present, everyone praised the little prince's kindness and righteousness and dispersed with laughter.

Wanyan Qingjue went inside, and the summer rain gradually stopped. He entered the central tent and bowed to his house first. Wanyan Xiyin, who was holding a few pieces of information to compare the map on the table, raised his head and looked at him, saying nothing about the injury to his arm.

"how's it going?"

"Report to the teacher, there are some results."

Wanyan Qingjue said, taking out two close-fitting letters from his arms and handing them over to Xiyin. Xiyin took them apart and read them quietly, then put them away. He looked at the map on the table, his lips moved slightly, and he was calculating what needed to be calculated in his mind. The camp was so quiet for nearly a quarter of an hour, Wanyan Qingjue stood aside and dared not make a sound.

"What's wrong with the hand?" After a long time, Xi Yin spoke.

"I met a black flag near Changning. Someone sneaked into an attack and fell down immediately. It was fine." Wanyan Qingjue replied simply. He naturally understood the teacher's character. Although he was famous for his literary reputation, Xi Yin in the military formation had a strong personality and was not interested in hearing about a minor injury to his broken hand.

The conflict near Changning was not a big deal. The group of people he encountered, who was suspected to be black flags, was actually not highly trained. The two sides had a conflict and then left. Wanyan Qingjue wanted to pursue him, but he was caught in the melee. A musket bullet came from somewhere, and brushed his thigh and knocked his war horse to the ground. Wanyan Qingjue broke his hand.

Xiyin nodded with her hands behind her back to show that she knew.

"It's really time for you to come back. The rain has stopped. Please go out for a walk."

Wanyan Qingjue bowed and followed and walked out of the big tent. The early summer sky was about to stop, with a bright light coming. The old man walked forward: "Zongfu attacked Jiangning and had already caught the attention of the people of Wu Dynasty. The young prince of Wu Dynasty wanted to stare at me, but he was defeated twice. He had little left, but what he should eat around him had almost the same amount of food. He is now wary of us going south from Changzhou and eating for the people... In the direction of Lin'an, people were panic and many people were shaken, but if they wanted to lose their courage, they still lacked the most important link..."

Xi Yin seemed to be talking to herself, saying in a indifferent tone, but she was not confused. Wanyan Qingjue listened step by step, and only then said, "Teacher has a certain plan?"

Xi Yin shook his head and did not look at him: "Recent things remind me of the world twenty or thirty years ago. We followed the former emperor and the general, and fought with hundreds of thousands of elite soldiers of the Liao Kingdom. At that time, we were just moving forward. The name of Jurchens was invincible at that time. In the next ten or twenty years, we have only talked with people about people's hearts, persuading surrender, rumors, private teachings, and confusing others..."

A team of soldiers came over from the side and saluted the leader. Xi Yin waved his hand, his eyes complex and solemn: "Qingjue, I have told you about the Wu Dynasty."

Wanyan Qingjue said: "The teacher said a lot."

"That was…" Xi Yin recalled what happened back then, "At that time, we had just started the cause. We often heard that there was a great country in the south, with everyone rich and rich land. The Chinese people followed the education and were humble and polite, with profound Confucianism, which benefited the world. I learned Sinology since I was a child and was in awe with everyone around me. When I got the envoy sent by the Wu Dynasty was willing to form an alliance with us and fight against the Liao people, I was very happy with the late emperor and others. Who knew... Later I saw many problems in the Wu Dynasty, I

I only had doubts in my heart... from doubts to sneer, and then gradually became disdainful. When I captured the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun, they were powerless, but they were scheming many times. The court was intrigue, but they all thought that they had unparalleled plans. Later, Zhang Jue, who had defected to them, also killed us. Guo Yaoshi was a master of men, but when he entered the Wu Dynasty, he finally became disheartened. When the late emperor was dying, he said that the attack on Liao had been completed, and it was a matter of taking the Wu Dynasty... "

"Qingjue." Xi Yin followed the barracks to the small hillside, "Now, it's our turn to be conspiring and scheming. Do you think this is smart? Or is it too weak..."

"...It should be weak." Wanyan Qingjue replied, "However, as the teacher said before, if the Jin Dynasty wants to grow, it cannot suppress everything with force. If I have been governing the country with force from the past 20 years, if I have been governing the country with force from that year to now, I am afraid that one day in the future, it will only collapse faster."

Several years after searching the mountains and checking the sea, the Jin Kingdom fell in a carefree and enjoyable atmosphere. When the Battle of Xiaocang River, Lou Shi, the fall of Ci Buxu woke up the upper Jurchens like a wake-up call. This was not the first time that Xiyin, Zong Han and others discussed these topics. Xiyin's feelings were not asked, and Wanyan Qingjue's answer seemed to have not entered his ears. The wind after rain was blowing on the low hillside, and the mountains in Jiangnan were not high. Looking from here, we could also bring the tents all over the mountains and valleys into our eyes. The military flags stained with rain spread among the mountains. Xiyin looked at all this seriously.

After a long time, he spoke: "Have you heard of the situation in the cloud?"

Wanyan Qingjue hesitated slightly: "...I heard that someone is spreading rumors in private, and the east and west sides... want to fight?"

"Last year, someone killed Shi Liai's grandson and blamed Zong Fu, which was unreasonable. By this year, some people spread rumors everywhere in private that the Wu Dynasty was about to finish, and there must be a battle between the people in the world. Remind the people in the lower house to prepare early. If they are not alert, the opponent is already sharpening their knives. At the end of last year, there were only a few small frictions in the lower house. Starting this year, some people in the upper house were dragged into the water one after another."

"There were several businesses under Dayuanxi who were intercepted. It was Shi Dong, who was under Wanyan Hongxin. He said that in the future, the population business would be bounded, and now he would be well-arranged, so he would not cause trouble in the future. This is to be sought and prepared to fight on both sides. The matter is still being discussed, and the Xi people and the Han people under the two had fought several times, and once they started to make trouble in the clouds. Shi Liai was really angry... But as long as someone really believed these things, he was just exhausted and could not suppress them."

The old man frowned and spoke quietly, but there was murderous aura spreading out. Wanyan Qingjue could understand the dangers: "Someone is provoking privately..."

Xi Yin's eyes turned to the west: "The Black Flag people have taken action. It is not easy for them to go to the person in charge of the North. These people took advantage of Zong Fu's rumors of beating Shi Liai, and started from the bottom of the bottom... For such things, the upper class dared not or would not move around. Even if Shi Liai died, he would never make a big fuss. However, the people below couldn't figure out the truth. Seeing that others were preparing, they wanted to take action first. When the lower ones started, the middle ones and the upper ones were pulled into the water. For example, Dayuan Xi, Shi Dong dared to fight, who would still want to retreat? If Shi Liai intervened, the things would become more and more trouble. Qingjue, you can figure out these methods..."

"……yes."

Xiyin walked forward, sucking the refreshing wind after the rain, then spitting it out again, thinking about things in his mind, and the seriousness in his eyes did not weaken at all.

"...The war in Jiangning has been transferred a lot of troops." He seemed to be talking to himself, "Zong Fu, in response to my request, has handed over all the remaining 'Heavenly Girls' and the remaining stone-towed equipment to Alubao. I have had several battles here, and the baggage consumption is severe. The people of the Wu Dynasty thought I wanted to attack Changzhou and break this city to replenish the food and supplies, and go south to Lin'an. This is naturally a good road, so the Wu Dynasty stationed in Changzhou with 130,000 troops, and the young prince guarded Zhenjiang with 100,000 troops..."

Xi Yin paused and looked at his old palm: "Our army has 50,000 people, and the other side has 100,000 people at the same time... If it were ten years ago, I would definitely not hesitate so much, let alone... Among these 50,000 people, there are 30,000 mountain guards."

Before he could finish his words, Wanyan Qingjue behind him had already understood what the other party was saying, and also understood where the old man's sigh came from. The cool breeze blew gently, and Xi Yin's words fell indifferently in the wind.

"Half a month later, I and Yin Shuke, General Alubao will conquer Zhenjiang at all costs."

The old man walked forward slowly and sighed in a low voice: "After this battle, Wu Chaotian...it's time to settle..."
Chapter completed!