Okay, here is the English translation of the provided Chinese text, adhering to all the given rules and guidelines:

Little Cang River, bathed in bright sunlight, proved to be a difficult day for the incoming Green Forest heroes. For nearly a year since Ning Yi's regicide, Green Forest individuals had been attempting assassinations at Little Cang River on a monthly basis. These people arrived in small groups, some were killed, others were discovered around Little Cang River's perimeter and fled wounded. They had caused minor casualties within Little Cang River, inconsequential to the overall situation. However, within the entire Wu Dynasty society and among the Green Forest, the name "Heart Demon" had plummeted to a negative rating.

For over six months after being assigned the task, Head Constable Fan Zhong had been working tirelessly, gathering Green Forest heroes to prepare for the assassination of Ning Yi. Prior to this, Zhu Ji had already glorified Zhou Tong's assassination of Nianhan with tragic fanfare. When Fan Zhong went to recruit people, many indignant Green Forest individuals were instead stirred up by Zhu Ji. This often struck Fan Zhong and Tie Tianying as ironically amusing.

This time, a total of three hundred and sixty-two Green Forest individuals had gathered outside Little Cang River, a diverse mix of people. Some who had surrendered after being captured by Ning Yi, or who had previous grudges, were also summoned.

For instance, Guan Sheng and Qin Ming had been defeated by Ning Yi at Liangshan. Later, they joined the army, but when Ning Yi rebelled, he ignored them. Subsequently, they faced consequences during the purges and were now dispatched here to redeem themselves.

Figures like Lei Heng and Li Jun, after the fall of Liangshan, were relentlessly pursued by the Right Chancellor's forces, living in constant fear. When Fan Zhong found them, he offered substantial rewards, coupled with threats, leading them to join the cause.

However, those who had previously interacted with Ning Yi exchanged complex glances upon meeting each other.

Aside from the easily defended main gate, Little Cang River was surrounded by rugged mountain paths that could be used to circumvent it. The attack was timed for daylight because the cover of darkness also obscured the surrounding traps and mechanisms. The Heart Demon Ning Yi was renowned for his proficiency in firearms, contraptions, and ingenious tricks. Since this was an attack by several hundred people, choosing nighttime might result in an unexpected and instant disruption.

Regardless, everyone had resolved to face death. Grandmaster Zhou sacrificed himself with dozens of others, nearly killing Nianhan. With hundreds of them acting together, even if unsuccessful, they would surely instill fear in the Heart Demon.

--This was the common sentiment when formulating the plan.

However, when facing life and death, they encountered an awkward situation.

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

To constrain the defensive forces within Little Cang River valley, the Green Forest chose three locations for this attack.

First, a small group would stealthily ascend the western slope. If discovered – or even if not discovered – a group of roughly eighty skilled Green Forest individuals would attempt to breach the Little Cang River's main gate at the river mouth. This area was narrow, seemingly easy to defend, yet many Green Forest individuals excelled at scaling walls and climbing. These experts would attack, and the defenders couldn't possibly breach the dam. Once atop the embankment, the narrow space would limit the number of combatants. Moreover, the presence of water meant many Green Forest individuals, led by Li Jun, would use their strong swimming skills to catch the Little Cang River defenders off guard.

The true attack would be launched on the eastern side of the mountain, initiated last, ascending via a small path previously scouted, climbing over to directly strike at the Heart Demon's lair. According to the Ministry of Justice's intelligence, Little Cang River's garrison had fully mobilized to seize grain, leaving behind few defenders, if any. While the Green Forest might lack in organized battle formations, as long as they charged in and killed the Heart Demon, everyone's efforts would be rewarded.

Xu Qiang was among the two hundred-plus main force on the eastern side. He was unaware of the specific situations on the other two routes, but this route had just begun when they encountered a problem.

"White Fang Spear" Yu Lie triggered a fire mine, the explosion sending blood splattering all over Xu Qiang. This wasn't an unexpected issue, as everyone had anticipated traps upon departure. However, the trap's immense power would surely alert the mountain's guards. "Chivalrous Thief" He Longqian, leading the way, shouted: "Everyone, be wary of newly disturbed ground!"

"Severing Gate Blade" Li Yanni, on the other hand, said: "Since we've already alerted the mountain, we shouldn't linger. Let's immediately charge upwards!"

An outcry arose, but the real problem occurred a few steps later when a voice shouted from behind: "Guan Sheng! I knew there was something wrong with you!"

The speaker was Hao Siwen, a former Liangshan hero. He, Lei Heng, and Guan Sheng were standing close to each other, not yet having moved. Hearing this, everyone subconsciously turned back, seeing Guan Sheng holding his broadsword, his expression wavering. Some people were still nearby, someone asked: "Guan Sheng, why aren't you moving!"

Someone approached: "Brother Guan, let's talk this over."

Although the mountain assault had begun, this was the most critical moment. The explosion had just occurred, and no one knew what enemies might appear from the mountain. Some people instinctively surrounded him, Guan Sheng stepped back, breaking free from their encirclement. Seeing him resist, those nearby instinctively pressed forward. Guan Sheng swung his broadsword horizontally, his blade meeting the weapons of three nearby individuals, causing them to retreat.

"After Liangshan, I had no dealings with that Ning. But do you think you can get up this mountain today?"

Hao Siwen gritted his teeth: "You had your courage broken by that Heart Demon!"

"A pointless endeavor, nothing but a death wish." Guan Sheng swept his gaze across the mountain of heroes. "Hmph, Hao Siwen, you misunderstood me, but you were right about one thing. With that Heart Demon's calculations, how could there not be his people among us? Perhaps not just one or two. Fighting this kind of battle, I think Fan Zhong is the Heart Demon's man!"

"Lies! Guan Sheng, make yourself clear! Do you dare to do it but not admit it!"

Someone lunged forward, Guan Sheng turned around, the blade flashing, forcing the person back, his figure already stepping back the way he came: "At this point, what's the use of me saying more…"

Before he finished speaking, a figure on the hillside raised a steel whip, smashing the heads of two nearby individuals like watermelons with a clang. The man laughed wildly, it was "Fiery Thunderbolt" Qin Ming: "Brother Guan is right, a mob of rabble willingly coming here, how could there not be spies! He isn't, but I am!"

Those nearby who reacted quickly drew their blades and charged: "Kill him!"

Qin Ming swung his steel whip, retreating several yards swiftly. The blade-wielders charged again, only to hear a loud bang as the ground exploded, sending one flying, scattering blood everywhere.

Qin Ming stood there, but no one dared to approach. He shook the steel whip in his hand: "A bunch of stupid dogs! Good for nothing, capable of ruining everything! You dare to call yourselves chivalrous, but you're just foolish. You're coming to kill while Little Cang River is empty, but does anyone know why Little Cang River is empty?"

"Don't listen to his nonsense!" A flying stone whizzed past, easily deflected by Qin Ming.

"Do you know that Little Cang River's entire army has gone west to fight the two hundred thousand strong Western Xia army that is ravaging the Northwest? This Little Cang River army is fighting the Western Xia people! You cowardly rats! When China is falling and lives are being lost, you don't dare to fight the foreigners, but you sneak over here to show off, wanting to become famous. Die here!"

His words echoed through the mountains. After speaking, his figure soared backward, disappearing into the distant rocks. Everyone on the hillside looked at each other. Xu Qiang's face was still covered in blood, and he felt a sour and powerless sensation in his teeth.

A group of people staking their lives to eliminate a demon, but it had only just begun, and there were already spies and infighting. With this impenetrable defense, unable to go up or down, how could they fight?

After a moment, someone shouted: "This is nothing but demoniacal incitement, the Heart Demon is most skilled in such deceitful schemes. We knew the dangers when we came, everyone must not waver, come, follow me and charge up –"

Immediately, someone echoed: "That's right! Charge, eliminate this demon –"

Everyone shouted and charged towards the mountain, and soon another explosion rang out, sending someone flying. Figures gradually appeared on the mountain, and arrows began to rain down…

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

In the valley, the sounds of fighting and explosions could be faintly heard outside. In the courtyard on the hillside, Ning Yi came out with tea and pastries, humming a cheerful tune.

"A wide river with rolling waves… the scent of rice flowers wafts along the banks, my home is in… on the… I'm used to the boatmen's calls, used to seeing the white sails on the boats… the girl is like… a flower…"

At the edge of the courtyard gate, an old man stood with his hands behind his back, looking up at the balloons floating in the sky. In the baskets hanging from the balloons, someone was waving red and white flags.

"This thing is about to fly away, how can we steer it?"

"Friends are coming… with good wine, if the jackals come… Well, it can't be steered, this thing relies on the wind, wherever it blows, it blows. Minister Zuo, come have some tea."

Zuo Duanyou walked over, picked up a pastry, ate it, then clapped his hands and continued listening to the fighting outside: "A few hundred Green Forest people, they're almost all dead after charging up here. It seems Liheng really isn't afraid of offending the whole world. A commoner's anger spills blood for ten steps, you won't have peaceful days ahead."

Ning Yi took a sip of tea: "Didn't I already offend them?"

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

On the eastern side of the mountain at the foot of the mountain, on the rugged cliff face further back, two ropes were silently hanging there. Amidst the lively fighting outside, dozens of people were struggling to climb this most unlikely rock face.

Li Pin was one of them. His face was flushed red, and his hands had been cut open by the rope, but with the help of his companions, he, despite his weakness, was still relentlessly climbing to the halfway point.

So far, they hadn't alerted any of Little Cang River's guards, because this cliff face was indeed difficult to ascend or descend. However, finding an expert who could climb mountains and rocks was Li Pin's greatest reliance for this trip.

Ning Yi had been managing Little Cang River for a year. Even if most of the army in the mountains had gone out, secretly sneaking in to assassinate him was still impossible. For this day's attack, Fan Zhong had gathered a large group of Green Forest individuals, but Li Pin didn't trust this group from the start – perhaps influenced by Ning Yi's earlier views, an unorganized group was useless.

They were just bait.

On this cliff face, the people were hanging on the ropes, climbing onward again. The wind blew past from the west, Li Pin was standing on the last foothold, about to go up again after resting, when he suddenly paused, and many others paused as well.

A huge hot air balloon floated out from the mountain with the wind. Li Pin raised a telescope to look over there. In the basket in the sky, someone was also holding a telescope and looking over, his expression seemed to have changed slightly.

The person in the basket put down the telescope and vigorously waved the flag in his hand!

"Up –"

Li Pin shouted –

In the valley, a cavalry team was galloping towards this cliff.

Before the cavalry arrived, Li Pin's men climbed onto this steep cliff face. The first people to come up began to defend and fight. On the other side, explosions were still ringing out on the hillside, braving the defenders' bows and arrows, Li Yanni and others charged into the valley covered in blood. They wanted to find someone to fight, but the defenders who had been above were already retreating at a faster speed. Those who charged down fell into the traps and bow and arrow attacks again.

On the outer hillside, there were scattered bloodstains and corpses. Some had already died, some were lying on the hillside's earth and rocks, not daring to move because they didn't know where an explosion might suddenly occur. There were also wounded people, painfully howling on this increasingly quiet hillside.

The people who had charged into the valley continued to charge forward for a while before someone finally came out to fight them. Those teams of three to five people charged towards the lone Green Forest individuals, and after a series of slash-and-run attacks, they ran away. "Burning City Spear" Zhu Biao, Yuwen Feidu, Xiao Hei and others were reaping the lives of the isolated individuals. This battle, which was already unfair, was like falling into a quagmire for the attackers. They continued to attack towards the courtyard on that hillside – after all, this valley was not big, and they could see Ning Yi and others near the courtyard from afar as they entered.

On the other side, Li Pin and others were also struggling to fight their way through the cavalry's "kite" tactics. After a fierce battle on the cliff, there were still more than forty of his men left. These people were relatively tight-knit and organized, so they were tough nuts to crack.

Of course, Ning Yi hadn't planned to fight them head-on.

Chen Fan, Ji Qian'er and other elites among the defenders were near the courtyard, waiting for the arrival of Li Pin and others.

Zuo Duanyou frowned slightly as he looked at the team that was attacking on the northeast hillside: "You're not planning to kill them immediately?"

"After all, a frontal assault will still cause some casualties. After fighting their way here, their morale will be about the same." Ning Yi held his teacup and glanced over there. "There's also a friend in there, whom I haven't seen for a long time. I should see him. You should meet him too, Minister Zuo."

"Oh?"

"His name is Li Pin, he once defended Taiyuan with Big Brother Qin, risking his life. He has been tempered and is a good scholar." Ning Yi tilted his head towards Zuo Duanyou. "He can… inherit Confucianism."

"Inherit?" The old man frowned.

Ning Yi nodded, without explaining.

Not long after, the two groups met in front of an open space about dozens of meters from the side of the small courtyard, preparing to charge over. On the courtyard side, more than a dozen large shields were dragged out and arranged in a formation, standing like walls. The people responsible for guarding Little Cang River rushed out from all directions, pointing their bows, arrows, swords and spears at the other side.

Those who could charge to this point were only a hundred or so, but at this time, there were as many as three to five hundred people rushing out from the vicinity, surrounding this hillside. In fact, from the moment Li Pin and others were discovered, these people no longer had any chance. Now, one charge will determine the outcome.

Xu Qiang was mixed in among these people, with a sense of despairing and cold emotions in his heart. As a martial artist, he didn't think much. At first, he said he would put life and death aside, and then he just charged instinctively. When he reached this step, he realized that such a charge might only bring the opponent a shock. Death was truly and realistically coming.

Moreover, after fighting to this point, he hadn't even fought anyone, he was injured once by an explosion, and hit by two arrows. The rest of the time, he just waved his weapon and desperately dodged. It was unlikely that he would bring any shock to the other side.

In front, a voice rang out, delaying his time of death.

"Brother Li, long time no see, come over and catch up."

In the crowd, Li Pin pushed aside the crowd and walked out with difficulty. He looked at the hundred or so people around him, and then walked towards the opposite side.

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

Passing the shield wall, Ning Yi in the courtyard raised his teacup to him.

"Three hundred Green Forest people, dozens of constables and officers... Little Cang River, even if the entire army is dispatched, three to four hundred people must be left behind. Are you out of your mind? Come over and have some tea."

In the small courtyard, the voice speaking was plain and simple, Li Pin saw Ning Yi's figure, took a deep breath, and straightened his clothes. At this time, he knew he would die, but he didn't know how far this conversation would develop.

So he replied: "Am I out of my mind? Are you out of your mind? People say the Heart Demon calculates ten steps ahead, and never makes mistakes. But I never thought that you would kill the emperor in anger and become enemies with the world. You took this step, it's not just being out of your mind, you're crazy!"

"Killing Zhou Zhe is just a small matter, I'm determined to rebel. Oh, right, Zuo Duanyou, Minister Zuo."

Li Pin walked closer, paused slightly, and then cupped his hands: "This junior Li Dexin, greets Minister Zuo."

Zuo Duanyou stood there, nodded: "You helped Qin's son defend Taiyuan, risking your life, very good."

"This is my duty as a junior. Taiyuan was eventually destroyed, and the people suffered, so it's not very good." After saying this, he had already walked into the courtyard, picked up the teacup on the table and drank it all in one gulp, and then drank another cup.

"Determined to rebel?" Li Pin was silent for a moment before speaking again, "Rebellion has a path for rebellion, but you killed the emperor in the golden palace, offending heaven, earth, the emperor, parents, and teachers, you can't take any path! Ning Liheng, you are hopelessly stupid! Today I die here, and you will be in trouble tomorrow!"

"Rebellion…" Ning Yi smiled, "Then Brother Li, why don't you tell me, what is the path of rebellion?"

"You had many paths, you have the support of the Lvliang Mountain, the legacy of the Right Chancellor, in the south, you have Prince Kang as a friend, and you have a relationship with Prince Kang's mansion. Prince Kang is about to ascend the throne. In any case, as long as you plan slowly, all the paths will be better than the one you are taking now. But you chose the most reckless path... No, you chose a place where there is no path."

Li Pin shook his head, looking at Ning Yi, Ning Yi stood there, always smiling, he poured tea again: "Still drinking?"

"That's enough."

"Okay, then let's talk about the difference between rebelling and killing the emperor." Ning Yi clapped his hands, "Brother Li, what do you think is the reason I'm rebelling, why I killed the emperor?"

Li Pin was silent for a moment: "For the decline of the Wu Dynasty, for the injustice suffered by loyal ministers, for the lack of results from your efforts?"

"For the suffering of the people." Ning Yi added.

"Is there?"

"Yes, you always like to look at the big picture, Qin Lao is a loyal minister, he suffers, that's suffering, but others don't? I fought in Xia Village, I saw women being raped by the Jurchens, she was rescued, skinny and pitiful, after resting for a few days, she got up to cook for the soldiers who saved her, to bandage their wounds, someone said they wanted to marry her. On the last day of the Xia Village battle, she took a knife and rushed out, you see, she learned to take the knife, she became a real person... she died on the battlefield."

Ning Yi shook his head: "How many people died to defend Bianliang City, inside and outside the city, those people in Xia Village, they died to save the Wu Dynasty. After they died, there were no results. An emperor, with the lives of hundreds of millions of people on his shoulders, balances everything like a child joking, without any responsibility, who else should die if not him?"

"Is this for the people?"

"Seek common ground while reserving differences, we have very different views on the suffering of the people, but, I am rebelling for these good things, for the things that make me feel heavy, for the precious things, and for the people. Can you understand this?"

"Although you deserve to die, I can understand."

"Well, then Brother Li, what do you think is the most important thing in such a big thing as rebellion?"

Ning Yi asked, Li Pin looked at him, without answering, Ning Yi smiled.

"You, you, many people think it's about how to implement it, how to plan it step by step, to plan slowly. You treat this kind of thing as a cold analysis of examples, taking a simple thing apart to see how it can be done. But I don't agree: any major event, a major event as lofty as rebellion, the most important thing is the intention!"

Ning Yi raised a finger, his gaze became cold and stern: "Chen Sheng and Wu Guang suffered oppression and said that kings, marquises, generals, and ministers are not born that way; Fang La rebelled, because the law is equal without distinction. You read too much and became stupid, thinking that this kind of ambition is just a shout to play with, to coax those farmers." He reached out and knocked on the table with a bang, "——This is the most important thing!"

He smiled: "Then what am I rebelling for? The people who did good things died, the people who deserved good rewards died, the people who should have lived died, and the people who should have died lived. The first step I want to take to change these things, I want to plan slowly?"

Li Pin said coldly: "Then you want to commit regicide?"

"It depends on whether I have the ability to commit regicide." Ning Yi said, "If I don't have the ability, of course I will plan slowly, if I am Chen Sheng and Wu Guang, if I am Fang La, of course I will plan slowly, but I am not, this possibility is in front of me. I want to rebel, he has to pay the price, if I can kill him and don't kill him, then I don't need to rebel in the future."

The courtyard was silent for a moment, Ning Yi picked up his teacup and took a sip: "This is how people do things, in the end, your standards will retreat to a certain degree, because the world is harsh. You have a highest standard, a standard for life, a standard for doing things, if it doesn't work, you can retreat a little, you can compromise a little, but your final achievement lies in how much you have retreated. If you don't retreat to the death and get through it, you can accomplish great things. People who talk about planning slowly from the beginning, even if they think it through, can only accomplish nothing."

"Have you ever thought about... what will happen to the people of Bianliang? What will happen to the world?"

"Nonsense." Ning Yi drank all the tea in his hand, "They have to die."

Bang! Li Pin's palm slapped on the table: "They have to die!?"

Ning Yi's gaze was calm:

"If you choose the wrong side, of course you have to die. Do you know that when Lao Qin was imprisoned, they threw dung on Lao Qin."

Li Pin shouted out word by word: "Is that their fault?"

"It's not their fault?" Ning Yi spread his hands and then shrugged, "Oh, it's not their fault, they are innocent."

After Ning Yi finished speaking, his gaze had pity, but had already begun to become severe, slowly and firmly shaking his head: "No, it's their fault! They are not innocent! They are Wu Dynasty people! The Wu Dynasty can't beat the Jurchens, they deserve to die——"

His voice was sonorous, his inner strength stirred, and later, the voice had already vibrated all around, spreading far away: "You talk about reason, because you form the Wu Dynasty! Farmers cultivate and weave, scholars read and rule, workers repair houses, merchants trade in all directions! You live together! If the country is strong, the people benefit! If the country is weak, the people deserve to die! This is heavenly punishment! Because the country faces this world, the world does not talk about reason! Heaven's laws only have eight words..."

His voice spread out, word by word: "——Survival of the fittest, survival of the fittest!"

The voice was faintly like thunder, Li Pin frowned, he wanted to say something, Ning Yi, after acting like this on the opposite side, suddenly laughed: "Ha, I'm just kidding."

This time, even Zuo Duanyou next to him was frowning, not understanding what Ning Yi wanted to say. Ning Yi turned around, took out a few books from the box next to him, walking over while speaking.

"Indeed, the people of Bianliang are very innocent, why are they not innocent, they don't know anything in their lives, when the emperor does something wrong, when the Jurchens attack, they die disgracefully, when someone like me rebels, they die disgracefully. No matter whether they know the truth or not, their words are useless, whatever falls from the sky, they can only catch... Well, Li Pin, this is the book left by Prime Minister Qin, here's a set for you."

Ning Yi threw the books on the table: "So, in the middle of this, have you not noticed anything wrong? They are too innocent, and that itself is wrong, how can you be innocent if you have done something wrong? So I'm thinking, what about a country where giving them a say is somewhat useful? In this way, if something happens again, people deserve to die, and the reasons will be complete."

In this rambling, babbling voice, something vaguely wrong was brewing, Ning Yi sat down there, tapping his knee with his fingers, seemingly thinking. Li Pin knew his ways well, he wouldn't say something without a purpose, he was still thinking about the deep meaning of his words. On the other side, Zuo Duanyou frowned and spoke.

"The people can be made to follow, but not to understand. The principles in this are more than just talk."

Over there, the fingers tapping his knee stopped, Ning Yi raised his head, in his gaze, there was no longer any hint of jest.

Soon after, what he said was as terrifying as the abyss...

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