ps: Thanks to Brother Eagle Zhou for the reward, and thanks to Brother Wang Xiaodao and Brother Airfish for the monthly ticket encouragement.
After the decisive battle at Raoleshan, Shanneng and Huiyuan were left behind by Aping, who had no time to take care of them, and became prisoners of the Yingzhou Army. Of course, their "prisoners" hats were quickly taken off their heads.
When Li Chengzhong summoned Shanneng and Huiyuan, the two "masters" begged him in panic. The crime they admitted was of course helping the Khitan people to "move wind and rain". In this matter, most of the Khitan leaders and
The generals all know that more than half of them are currently imprisoned in the newly built prisoner of war camp at the foot of Raole Mountain, so they cannot hide it. But while begging for guilt, they are also trying their best to defend their grievances and doubts.
But Li Chengzhong did not blame them. He asked the two of them very funny, did they really think that they prayed for this autumn rain?
In response to Li Chengzhong's doubts, the two "gurus" were naturally grateful. They cried hard that they had nothing to do with the rain. Even they themselves didn't know how this damn autumn rain could fall so inexplicably. In order to confirm
The evidence they cited to prove their innocence was that they did not even decorate the altar during the entire process.
After being comforted by Li Chengzhong's kind words, the two "gurus" were ordered to return to Western Liaoze again. Regarding how they escaped from the rebel army, they both said that the Yingzhou Army, from Governor Li down, admired them.
I am a man of great virtue, so I dare not offend. If such a statement were placed in later generations, the Khitan people would most likely clean it up immediately, but in this era, it is very convincing.
After experiencing the incident of praying for rain, the two "gurus" had already successfully created the image of eminent monks and virtuous men in the hearts of the Khitan soldiers and civilians. Not only Khan Hendejin went out to greet him personally, but even Abaoji and Aping both
He respectfully bowed before the Dharma Master, and sincerely requested the masters to show their great power again and save the people from the fire and water.
The two masters, who felt that they were strong-willed, were unwilling to use their power this time. They declared that a new sun had risen over the grassland, and the light was shining brightly on Mount Raole, and people of all ethnic groups must submit to the leadership of the new leader and rush forward together.
A happy and wonderful time. In short, it is destiny that cannot be violated, the general trend is the trend, and no human effort can save it.
In fact, when the war reached this point, no matter whether it was Khan Hende Jin, the leaders and nobles of various ministries, and even the two generals Abaoji and Aping who led the army knew that their family had no hope. In addition to these two
The master's propaganda about the destiny of heaven caused panic among the people throughout Western Liaoze, and morale was extremely low.
If they had followed the rules on the grassland, these Khitan leaders would have surrendered to Li Chengzhong long ago, because in everyone's hearts, no matter which Han came to rule the grassland, the grassland would still be theirs, just like it had been for hundreds of years. The most they could do was conscript.
Ding Zhuang fought for the conquerors, and the tribes and people were exploited more cruelly. Or they could just drag out a few more people to take the blame.
But it's hard to say now, because there is Buyeo City lying in between.
Fuyu City, as the Khitan people who fully supported Yingzhou, is also counted as one of the victors this time. In fact, strictly speaking, they should be counted as the victor's servant army. With Fuyu City, Yingzhou Governor has
Different choices, he may not need the allegiance of the defeated, or even reward the defeated to his servants as trophies. If Governor Li really makes such a choice, then the problem will be very serious, and at present, Governor Li
No matter from which perspective, the possibility of making such a choice is very high.
Compared with the battles with the Han people, the internal fighting on the grassland was no less cruel, or even worse. "Beheading anyone who crosses the chariot shaft" and "making one into a slave" are no joke.
, that is a real thing. As the party that loses in the internal fight, the entire tribe may die at any time. Whether it survives or not depends entirely on the victor.
Such terrible consequences made the Khitan people in Western Liaoze almost desperate. Almost all adult men were mobilized. If they didn't have enough weapons, they carried short sticks, horn knives and other things that could bring harm to the enemy.
Carrying them, everything is waiting for the day when the Yingzhou army breaks through the defense line. Women, children, the elderly and the weak have to say goodbye to each other every morning when they wake up. They are always prepared, and they may be killed by the rebel army at any time.
in the family, or become someone else's slave, and say goodbye to your loved ones forever.
The siege, which lasted more than a month, was spent in fighting and talking. The duty of traveling between the inside and outside of the city to spread messages between the two sides was shouldered by the eminent monks Shanneng and Huiyuan. They had already traveled five or six times in a row.
, and they never reached an agreement. However, due to the constant revelations from the two masters, all the thoughts of the Khitan people in Western Liao Ze were leaked to the senior officials of Yingzhou.
The Khitans in Western Liaoze were willing to submit to the governor of Yingzhou, but they hoped to be independent and separated from the Khitans in Fuyu City. Naturally, the pro-Tang faction of the Khitans in Fuyu City would not agree. They wanted to eat all the other tribes.
There wasn't even a bite left, Brother Hua even wanted to swallow the Khan of the B Chamber.
But the Khitans in Western Liaoze and the pro-Tang faction in Fuyu City probably didn’t understand Li Chengzhong’s true thoughts. As a time traveler, Li Chengzhong’s head was shrouded in a thick fog of time travellers.
, he had a deep sense of fear in his bones. In Li Chengzhong's heart, he had actually been thinking about one thing: how to swallow the Khitan people with their skin and bones, and completely save those who came after him from the big trouble of losing Yan Yun!
When he thought of the humiliation and blood and tears suffered by the Central Plains civilization in later generations under the iron heel of the north, he felt unable to sit still!
Shanneng was among the crowd behind Li Chengzhong at this moment. When he heard Li Chengzhong's greeting, he quickly rushed out and listened respectfully to Li Chengzhong's orders. Of course, on the surface, he still looked like a neutral guru.
Tonight, Li Chengzhong could not wait to return to the army, so he decided not to waver between left and right, and should immediately give a final surrender ultimatum, and for this ultimatum, he planned to temporarily rely on the opinions of the pro-Tang faction in Buyeo City.
In his heart, he was actually more afraid of the three words "Abaoji" and the Khitan people surrounding this name. Only by eliminating this hidden danger physically could he sleep peacefully.
Just when he was about to tell Shan Neng his decision, a distant sound of the harp suddenly came from the western Liaoze at the foot of the mountain. Accompanying the sound of the harp was the sound of a drum. The drum sound was dry, monotonous, and incoherent.
There is no rhythm, but the sound strikes deep in people's hearts.
Li Chengzhong took two steps forward and looked intently into the west Liao Ze. Under the Dongshan Mountain, on the white snow in the distance, among the gently rolling hills, a bonfire gradually lit up. Under the sound of pianos and drums,
At the summons, large groups of Khitan tribesmen slowly poured out of various camps. They gathered around the bonfire, not knowing what they were waiting for.
Without Li Chengzhong's reminder, Zhang Xingzhong had already issued an order, requiring the frontline troops to immediately increase their vigilance to prevent the Khitans from breaking out at night.
But Li Chengzhong did not think that the Khitans in Western Liaoze were planning to break out. Although they were far away and it was night, the bright light on the snow and the red bonfires could already make him vaguely visible. These Khitans were full of old people, women and
Children, they seemed very quiet when they gathered around the campfire.
"What are they planning to do?" Li Chengzhong asked Shanneng beside him.
Shanneng also watched carefully for a moment, and then suddenly seemed to have some realization, and whispered: "Captain, today is the Taolihua Day of the Khitan people. They seem to be holding a Taolihua Conference."
"What kind of flower is peach?" Li Chengzhong didn't understand.
"Tao Lihua, the Khitan word means lovesickness. This festival takes place once a year and is a day for young people in Khitan to get together. They sing and dance at the event, send invitations to their loved ones, and then go to the elderly to receive blessings. Last winter
At that time, a poor monk, uh, I even participated and prayed for many newlyweds."
"Does this matter belong to you? What kind of love is this? Can you, a monk, take care of it?" Li Chengzhong teased Shan Neng, who looked embarrassed and hesitated, not knowing how to answer.
Shan Neng's statement was confirmed by the pro-Tang Dynasty Khitan nobleman from Fuyu City behind him. Brother Hua said respectfully that there should be such a grand gathering in Fuyu City tonight, but Governor Li is on the front line of the war and may not be able to participate.
.But he immediately patted his chest and promised that he would make good preparations for next year's Taolihua Conference so that Governor Li could find beauties from all parts of the grassland at the conference.
Li Chengzhong watched with interest as the bonfire in Xiliaoze grew more and more prosperous and the crowd became more crowded. He couldn't help but sigh: "They have so much firewood..."
Shan Neng hurriedly said: "Captain, the Khitan people attach great importance to the Taolihua Conference. At the conference, they will slaughter the fattest lambs, enjoy the best wine, and even use firewood for the fire... I estimate that this night
After the conference, I'm afraid all the firewood in Western Liaoze will be exhausted."
When the people on the grassland came to winter, most of the fuel for making fires was livestock dung. Only the leaders and nobles could afford firewood, so Li Chengzhong was surprised. Shanneng's explanation suddenly touched him.
It touched the little thinking of the literary youth brought by the previous life. In such a difficult situation, the Khitan people actually held a traditional tribal festival event, and even consumed a large amount of tribal resources at the event. This kind of disregard for customs
The strict inheritance and unswerving maintenance of traditional culture made him, a latecomer, unable to help but feel moved.
The sound of the harp and the leather drum stopped for an instant, and the vague noise coming from the western Liaoze area also disappeared, and the whole world seemed to be quiet.
In the solemnity and tranquility, an old tune suddenly shouted out. It has no melody and no rhythm. It is like singing and chanting. When you think it is going to break, it continues for a long time. When you
Just when I thought he would continue to linger, it suddenly stopped...
Vicissitudes of life, simplicity, ancientness, and weight. This tune only has a few syllables, but it seems to have come from the distant antiquity and has gone through thousands of years!
Along with the ancient tune, the harmony gradually rose in the Western Liao Ze, and thousands of people whispered together. It sounded chaotic, but if you carefully distinguish it, it was clearly scattered and layered. Those murmurs clearly came from outside the city, but they were not.
And close to my ears.
Along with the singing, there was the same low sound of crying.
Li Chengzhong was instantly lost in this ancient tune and the whispers of thousands of people. (To be continued.)