Autumn's end in Bianliang, the city gates were tightly shut, and a tense, anxious, and noisy atmosphere still prevailed. Search: \(?Complete?Book?God?Station) to read high-quality literature for free.

The Jurchens hadn't attacked the city yet, and the large army gathered outside the city was said to be holding back, causing chaos in the court and anxiety among the people. News about negotiations had once been released to the public, but as more and more armies came to the rescue, the news was gradually blocked. People were hoping for a swift end to the war, and some were also hoping that the Wu Dynasty army would teach the Jurchens a severe lesson, but everything was stuck at this stage, poised to erupt but not yet doing so.

Some people in the court knew the situation. In mid-September, Qin Siyuan's dismissal as prime minister caught many off guard. Among the pro-war faction, if Li Gang was a banner at the front, then Qin Siyuan behind the lines was the one who ensured that the banner wouldn't fall. However, in a tense situation when Li Gang's reputation was soaring, Qin Siyuan's removal made it difficult to have good feelings.

However, this change of the Right Prime Minister came too suddenly, and for a time, everyone didn't rush to push him down like a crumbling wall. The imperial decree in the Golden Hall was also somewhat restrained, only ordering Qin Siyuan to temporarily hand over his duties, with words of comfort. After the matter was settled, many senior officials went to the Qin residence to visit and comfort him. Even some officials with conflicting political views in the past were not happy about his resignation.

The Wu Dynasty, with a hundred years of peace and prosperity, had just gotten rid of the hidden danger of the Liao Kingdom and was now under siege.

The whole situation was indeed impossible to be optimistic about.

At this time, gathered in the inner hall of the Prime Minister's residence were several ministers who had originally been pro-peace, such as Tang Ke and Wu Min, who were quite knowledgeable and had a deep friendship with Qin Siyuan. There was also Qin Hui, the Censor-in-Chief, who could be considered Qin Siyuan's clansman. After the decree of dismissal was issued, many people stood up to try to block Zhou Zhe's decree, and Qin Hui was one of them. Of course, although the obstruction had no effect, the intention was there.

"...His Majesty's meaning is not really to dismiss Lord Qin, but because the situation in Taiyuan is sensitive. A few days ago in the hall, the Prime Minister avoided suspicion and didn't say a word. His Majesty knows that the Prime Minister is in a difficult position and understands clearly in his heart..."

"His Majesty's intention, Lord Wu, is right. I understand in my heart too," Qin Siyuan said with a smile, cupping his hands in response.

Qin Hui snorted from the side: "In that case, are you going to cede Taiyuan?"

"We cannot cede it, but it would be too risky to put all our hopes on a battle outside the city. This is the capital. To put it bluntly, if the city really falls, we don't need to think about a way out?"

"If the war is really unfavorable, we should naturally think about a way out, but since ancient times, warfare has been about burning the boats. If we calculate our defeat before the war even starts, then there's really no need to fight."

"Censor Qin is very knowledgeable about warfare. Then, let Lord Qin fight this battle. I will definitely support you. But Lord Qin also needs to understand that things on the battlefield and things in the court are not necessarily the same!"

"If the top and bottom cannot be of one mind, how can the soldiers fight to the death!"

Wu Min and Qin Hui were almost about to quarrel. Tang Ke took a sip of tea and turned his head to look at Qin Siyuan: "Lord Ming, I said long ago that we cannot fight. Not that we shouldn't fight, but today's events are the reason why we cannot fight. In recent years, the voices for war have been rising, all thinking that we have a good opportunity. I said we shouldn't fight, and everyone blamed me, saying that Tang is cowardly. Now, Lord Ming has seen this, right?"

Qin Siyuan cupped his hands: "Heh, Minister Tang, you are cowardly... I would never think that. You and I have talked about this matter many times. I know why today's events are happening. But my thoughts and ideas will never change because of this. For the sake of a country, when opportunity is before us, we must not be hesitant, do our best, and then listen to fate. Besides, fate is unknown at this time. There are many variables on the battlefield. After all, Zong Wang's army is advancing alone. Zong Han is not leaving Taiyuan, so we still have a chance."

"What chance? Just relying on those old master soldiers outside the city?" Tang Ke shook his head. "The soldiers don't know the generals, and the generals don't know the soldiers. What's the use of tens of thousands or hundreds of thousands of soldiers? Shaoqian was defeated by Zong Wang's army in Shou Zhang in just one day. Does anyone in this room really believe what those impeachment memorials say, that he is an incompetent general who launched an attack recklessly? Fighting is never a matter of one person. Since the Jurchens started their uprising, they have often won with fewer troops. In Hubudagang, their 20,000 troops defeated 700,000 Liao soldiers. Now, outside Bianliang, in addition to the Ever-Victorious Army, there are still 60,000 main forces, hunting with our Wu Dynasty's 200,000 troops outside Bianliang. Does Lord Ming really believe that our Wu Dynasty will have a chance?"

Qin Siyuan was silent for a moment: "But how can we calculate the war like this? If we really calculate it like this, the Jurchens will move south with more than 100,000 troops, and our dynasty's entire strength cannot stop them. Should our dynasty simply surrender when they move south?"

"We shouldn't have lightly started the war," Tang Ke said, then paused and cupped his hands. "I am not here today to say these superficial words. I also understand in my heart that we cannot calculate the war like this. It's just that the Jurchens are strong. When Aguda was alive, they could still win against 700,000 with 20,000 troops. Now, Aguda has only been dead for a year, and Wuqimai has just succeeded him. Zong Wang is the soul of the Jurchen army, and the son of Aguda. If this battle doesn't have a satisfactory result, then it will have a tragic result. I know that everyone in the court is hoping that Zong Wang will retreat after the battle outside the city. However, unless Zong Wang suffers a crushing defeat, that is absolutely impossible. Once the war starts, wanting both sides to stop at the point is just wishful thinking..."

He looked serious and paused for a moment: "At this time, he has tens of thousands of troops moving south. Although they are destroying everything in their path, their expectations for the war are just that our Wu Dynasty will pay compensation and cede land. It won't be easy for Zong Wang to attack the city if the war really breaks out outside the city, but he will never want to leave lightly. Once we drag on, our Wu Dynasty's strength will gradually bottom out. When he sees it clearly, it will be the doom of our Wu Dynasty!"

Qin Hui said: "Minister Tang is being alarmist."

Yao Zunian, who was accompanying him because he was also a great scholar, raised his eyes: "The doom of national destruction, once passed, will be a sign of national revival. If we can't grit our teeth and hold on at this time, and let the Jin people get a taste of the marrow, are we just going to live by ceding land and paying compensation?"

"The Jurchens rose suddenly and have no foundation. Everything relies on plunder. One strike exhausts their energy, a second strike weakens them, and a third strike depletes them. As time goes on, they will inevitably become corrupt. At that time, our Wu Dynasty may have a chance..."

Qin Hui sneered: "It's not about who is better, but just about who is worse."

Tang Ke glanced at him: "Some things are in front of you and me, and cannot be solved by acknowledging or denying them, and they are definitely not a matter of bookishness, or one or two lives. The hundreds of millions of people in the world are in our hands. With the country in this state, we can only look at the present and act. Brother Qin, your dismissal today is not because we are stirring up trouble in front of the Emperor, is it!"

There were many intriguing things in his words. Qin Hui laughed a few times and stopped talking. Qin Siyuan's gaze was complicated. After a long time, he spoke.

"Chin Sou, I have always admired your knowledge and foresight. But this matter is not a matter of weighing the pros and cons, but a matter of belief. You believe in the responsibility for the common people, and don't want them to suffer too much. I believe in the responsibility of a country and a race, and I don't want the people of this country to live like this. I always believe that there will be a turn for the better if things don't reach despair. If everything relies only on calculation and weighing the pros and cons, then you and I, in this court, don't need to do anything at all. We can all just live our lives with abacuses."

"You and I have argued about this more than once or twice..." Tang Ke sighed and shook his head. "I know I can't persuade you. Only after stubborn stone is quenched can it show steel. Your ideas are not wrong either. It's just that our dynasty's problems are two hundred years of abuses. Advancement must first seek reform. If reform is unsuccessful, then advancement is useless. In this situation, the people of the world are suffering, and the soldiers inside and outside the city are suffering... We officials are all guilty people."

"If there is no firsthand experience of suffering, how can there be a reason for reform?"

"What about the Black Water Alliance? Where is the reform..."

In the study, the voices of several senior officials sitting and discussing Taoism were continuous, carrying a heavy weight in this heavy city. At this time, outside Bianliang City, in the Mutuogang Jurchen camp, the late autumn wind was howling, and Zong Wang and a group of generals were holding a meeting in the army tent.

"...Marshal Nianhan said in his letter that Taiyuan is still in the hands of the Wu Dynasty and is difficult to take for the time being. The Wu Dynasty's Western Army has moved and is eyeing it. If the Western Route Army rashly goes south, the Wu Dynasty's army may suddenly launch an attack, which is very likely to cut off the north-south passage. Although the Wu Dynasty is weak, it still has several troops that can fight. If our army is completely trapped in the hinterland of the Wu Dynasty, it would be unwise..."

In the center of the tent, Wanyan Zongwang, the second son of Aguda, sat on the commander's seat, with an imposing manner of dignity without anger. Around the seats were Wanyan Zhamu, Wanyan Chang, Han army commander Liu Yanzong, Saila, Shuliesu, Huoligaai, and other generals. Guo Yaoshi and others who had surrendered also sat at the bottom.

"I have sent several orders to the Western Route Army to go south to support us, but judging from the situation, Nianhan is not willing to come for the time being." After conveying Nianhan's meaning, Zongwang opened his mouth. "Now some people say that our army is advancing alone, and the Wu Dynasty has hundreds of thousands of troops, claiming to have a million, blocking the way to the Yellow River, and want to force me to surrender..."

As he said this, the corners of his mouth lifted, and he smiled slightly. There was a burst of laughter around him.

"The Wu Dynasty people are just jumping clowns." Zongwang waited for a moment, his eyes flashed with fierceness, and his fist hit the table in front of him. "My Jurchen army has never fought a smooth battle! The Wu Dynasty people gathered only 200,000 people at the Yellow River, daring not to advance or retreat, and actually think my army is afraid. I have already given them the negotiation conditions. Of course they will not agree. Now that it is confirmed that Nianhan will not come, we don't need to wait any longer!"

He stopped speaking and raised his hand: "Brothers, let's imagine how to defeat this million-strong army of theirs outside Bianliang!"

As these words resounded in the camp, a piece of intelligence was coming from the north with a fast horse, entering the territory of the capital.

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

As Yue Fei entered that noisy courtyard, he saw Ning Yi's expressionless back leaving.

The sound of arguing was still coming from the courtyard.

"...He left when he couldn't win the argument! Murderer! Ignorant villain! Our great rivers and mountains of the Wu Dynasty were ruined by people like you..."

The voice of the person cursing inside was that of the county magistrate named Yu Wenfeng. After coming here for several days, Yue Fei had figured out what Ning Yi and others were responsible for, which was to evacuate all the civilians and food near Bianliang while the army was gathering. Although, on the surface, Zhuji was only coordinating the work, in fact, it had the support of the Prime Minister's residence behind it. This part was the main force driving the progress of the entire policy of clearing the fields.

Especially when the Jurchens were approaching the capital and everyone was busy with their own affairs, it seemed that only Ning Yi and others were constantly doing these things, relying on the army.

However, in the current environment, many people could not understand this kind of thing. Yu Wenfeng was an official who knew the background, and he came to stop the evacuation of all the residents of the county because he opposed it. However, Ning Yi only issued orders through official channels and was too lazy to negotiate with him. Two days earlier, Yu Wenfeng had resigned from his position as county magistrate and came to scold people all day long. Ning Yi directly promoted the other party's deputy to the position and resolutely promoted the implementation of the entire plan.

Honestly, these days staying here, Yue Fei quite admired Ning Yi's tough methods and the efficiency of the work inside and outside this courtyard, but he, like Yu Wenfeng, did not quite understand the current policy of clearing the fields.

The cursing inside continued: "...Only knowing how to do this ignorant thing, do you know the suffering of the people! Forcing them to leave their homes, winter is coming, where will they live! What will they eat! Do you know that if they stay in place, they will still have a chance to survive... What are you doing, Wenren Buyi, I know you, a gentleman uses his mouth, not his hands..."

Yu Wenfeng was originally the son of a large family in the capital. While he was speaking, Wenren Buyi grabbed his collar and dragged him out. He wanted to tear at Wenren Buyi, but how could he be his opponent: "You stayed in place, you've become stupid from reading! Does your small county town's wall even have a zhang in height! The Jurchens can take the city in less than an hour. At that time, they are wolves, and you are all meat!"

He threw Yu Wenfeng out, and Yu Wenfeng got up, waving his hands and feet: "The soldiers and people in my city are united in their determination and are willing to die with the city. If the Jurchens want to take it, they will have to pay a price. You can let those who are willing to leave go, but how can you disregard public opinion and force people to migrate..."

As he spoke, he still wanted to rush in, but Wenren Buyi pressed his face and pushed him out: "Die with your mother! You are willing to die, so let you die? If this war continues to be fought, those who stay here will be the Jurchens' granaries! You are all people who are helping the enemy!"

"Our Wu Dynasty has millions of troops, and they are all rushing here. How long can this war be fought! And there are hundreds of thousands of people near Bianliang. How can you evacuate them all? You are exhausting so many people on the road to be killed by the Jurchens for unnecessary things. Can you sleep at night? Are you not afraid of vengeful ghosts..."

"Millions of your mother! Can't move... If you don't move, how can you leave! You're still coming, if you come again, I'll really hit you..."

The two entangled for a while, and the expression on Wenren Buyi's face became fierce. He punched the wall of the courtyard, and some soil and stones flew out. Seeing that Wenren Buyi was really angry, Yu Wenfeng tidied up his clothes and left cursing. Wenren Buyi gritted his teeth, then rubbed his skinned fist and walked back. In this courtyard, he and Ning Yi were both considered to be in charge, but Ning Yi usually gave people a calm and indifferent feeling, and he was often serious when he was doing things, while Wenren Buyi mostly had a cynical smile on his face and liked to joke, but just now, Yue Fei could see that this person was really angry in his heart.

The two could not be counted as familiar. After greeting each other, Yue Fei said: "Just now I saw Young Master Ning leaving, seemingly troubled. Did something happen?"

Wenren Buyi was silent for a moment, sighed slightly, and nodded: "Ah, indeed... Some bad news came."

He did not continue to speak. In fact, all kinds of bad news had been gathered these days. Yue Fei could not think of how much worse the news could be.

In the Wuirui camp, Qin Shaoqian flipped the table over with one hand, sat there, clenched his fists with both hands, and his face was gloomy. In his right hand, he still held a letter.

When Ning Yi came in, he saw such a scene.

He hesitated for a moment and walked forward. Qin Shaoqian had bandages wrapped around his head, and one eye looked over with a red color, gnashing his teeth.

"I'm blind in one eye... so I can see more clearly!"

"Old Master Qin's letter?" Ning Yi looked at the letter in his hand.

"Father said that he voluntarily resigned!" Qin Shaoqian handed the letter to Ning Yi, still gnashing his teeth when he spoke. "In order to avoid suspicion, even if the Emperor did not issue an imperial decree, he also wanted to resign, so... he told me not to be reckless!"

He smiled coldly: "How can I be reckless! It's nothing more than fighting, but now there's no need to fight!"

Ning Yi lowered his head to read the letter. Qin Shaoqian took a long breath and put a fist on his forehead: "I'm blind in one eye! My elder brother is still in Taiyuan, his life or death is unknown! They... actually want to seek peace!"

Ning Yi finished reading the short letter, returned it to Qin Shaoqian, and found a chair to sit on beside him.

"Old Master Qin may have had the idea of resigning, but Cai Jing is the one who is obstructing this time. He... deliberately mentioned the matter of Qin's elder brother in Taiyuan in front of the Emperor, and emphasized to the Emperor that this matter would not affect the Prime Minister, so that the Emperor did not need to worry. Also..."

Before he finished speaking, someone hurriedly said outside the camp: "Report! Urgent report from Taiyuan!"

Qin Shaoqian said: "Come in!"

The man opened the tent door and came in. He was Xu Xiaohu, the deputy general beside Qin Shaoqian. He glanced at Ning Yi, nodded slightly, and then said: "Taiyuan battle report, the Western Army has been defeated."

Qin Shaoqian was slightly stunned...

In the late autumn of the 13th year of Jinghan, near Tianmen Pass near Taiyuan, Zhe Keqiu and Liu Guangshi led 40,000 troops to engage in a fierce battle with Zong Han's troops for a day. Later, they transferred to the vicinity of Jiaocheng. Exhausted from fatigue, they were defeated by the Jin army's night attack, with tens of thousands of casualties, and retreated to the area of ​​Fenzhou.

The failure of Zhe Keqiu and Liu Guangshi meant that there would be no more troops to relieve the siege of Taiyuan in a short time.

On the evening of the day the news came, in the Jurchen army, just after making plans for the next stage of the battle, night fell. Zong Wang walked in the camp with his hands behind his back. Behind him were Guo Yaoshi and several other generals.

"Once this news arrives, the Wu Dynasty court should be anxious," Guo Yaoshi said, "Perhaps they are already discussing peace."

"It's just a victory or defeat thousands of miles away." Zong Wang smiled, "Are the Wu Dynasty people really that worried?"

"Marshal, you don't know, although the Wu Dynasty people look powerful, they are actually strong in appearance but weak in reality. If your subordinate is right, you only need to wait one or two days. Then someone should come to seek peace again."

"The previous conditions for peace were just waiting for Nianhan's army to come south and join forces. My Jurchen's strength is not built on the enemy's weakness." Zong Wang looked at the brightly lit camp and said slowly, "Regardless of whether they make peace or not, the previous agreement remains unchanged."

He said: "...We will continue to fight."

"Yes!"

The generals said together.

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

The sky was dimly lit.

Xue Changgong ran up the city wall, and the warning smoke had already been lit next to him.

In the distance, the Jurchens were pushing siege equipment and surrounding them...

On September 14th, after more than ten days of calm, the walls of Bianliang were finally subjected to fierce attacks again...

The Imperial Palace, Wende Hall. Zhou Zhe sat on the throne, looking seriously at Li Zhu below.

"When you go this time, you must negotiate a peace agreement, and you must also use your tongue to fight for the greatest benefit for my Wu Dynasty..."

"Your minister obeys the order!"

With a righteous face, Li Zhu accepted the order, his eyes full of the generosity of regarding death as home.

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