In the spring of the fourteenth year of Jinghan, mid-March, gloomy spring rain descended upon Longcheng Taiyuan.

Lightning occasionally flashed, revealing the collapsed and rugged body of this ruined city in the darkness. Even in the rain, its entirety appeared scorched black. Before this, the Jurchen people's arson and massacre within the city had left indelible marks. To ensure that everyone inside was found, the Jurchens, after extensive ransacking and looting, burned down street after street. The ruins were littered with corpses, a gruesome sight everywhere: the moat, the plaza, the marketplace, every well, and every house, all displaying scenes of horrific death. Corpses accumulated, turning the water near Taiyuan black.

The overwhelming stench of death permeated the air around Taiyuan.

If a sentimental poet or singer were present, they might say that the spring rain was Heaven itself, unable to bear the sight, washing away the sins of humanity.

But in reality, it wasn't.

At Yanmen Pass, a large number of ragged slaves, driven like pigs and dogs, were passing through the gate. Occasionally, someone would fall, only to be whipped and cursed by nearby Jurchen soldiers, or simply killed with a knife.

After ten days of unrestricted looting in Taiyuan, the number of captives that could be seized from the ruined city was less than expected. But it didn't matter. From the moment the order for ten days of unrestricted looting was issued, Taiyuan was merely a tool for Zong Han and Zong Wang to appease their troops. The strength of the Wu Dynasty had been assessed, Taiyuan had been destroyed, and they had no worries about a lack of slaves when they returned.

After ten days of slaughter, no more than one in ten of the original surviving residents of Taiyuan remained within the city. However, tens of thousands still survived, and after experiencing inhumane torment and abuse, were driven north. Most of these people were women. The young and beautiful had already suffered extensive humiliation within the city, and those in poor health had already died. Those who survived were either driven by soldiers or bound to ox and sheep carts heading north. Along the way, they endured the Jurchen soldiers' wanton torment, and every day, corpses ravaged by sexual abuse were thrown along the road.

Even those who were lucky enough to survive Yanmen Pass only faced endless torment and humiliation. Most of them died within the following year. Almost no one who left Yanmen Pass ever set foot on the land of the Wu Dynasty again.

The rain continued to fall.

To the south, about a hundred miles from Taiyuan, was a small town called Tongfu. The sky was gloomy in the light rain.

The arrival of the Jurchens had plundered many towns near Taiyuan, but the intensity was slightly reduced by the time they reached Tongfu Town. When the heavy snow sealed the mountains, the residents of the town huddled inside, shivering through the winter. Now the weather had warmed, but there were still no merchants traveling north or south. Because the residents of the town had to go out to farm and gather firewood, and collect some spring mountain fruits to fill their stomachs, the town cautiously opened only half of its gates, with soldiers nervously guarding the small number of people entering and exiting.

The Jurchens were massacring in Taiyuan, and they feared that after slaughtering Taiyuan, they would be unsatisfied and make a surprise return, which would truly lead to utter devastation.

In the light rain, the soldiers guarding the city saw several townspeople hurrying towards them from outside the city, covering their mouths and noses as if avoiding something. The soldiers were startled and almost closed the gates. But as the townspeople got closer, they heard them say, "Over there... there's a strange person..."

"We don't know who it is, maybe a bandit..."

"It stinks... carrying a corpse..."

Carrying a corpse in the rain? That's crazy. The soldier's heart trembled, but because it was only one person coming, he felt a little relieved. He picked up his spear and waited there. After a while, a figure did indeed appear from the rain.

The figure was on horseback, moving slowly. The man on the horse was wearing a black cloak and ragged clothes, obviously injured. He carried a stick in his hand, and on his back was a large black package, the contents unknown. Upon closer inspection, even in the light rain, a faint stench emanated from the air. He couldn't see the man's face clearly, but he vaguely felt that he looked like a ghost. Summoning his courage, he spoke.

"Who are you? Where do you come from?"

"A bandit, from Taiyuan." The figure swayed slightly on the horse before cupping his fist in salute and saying those words.

"T-Taiyuan?" The soldier was shocked. "Taiyuan has already fallen. You... you can't be a Jurchen spy--what... what's on your back?"

"I am not a spy... Taiyuan City, the Jurchen army has retreated. I... I'm escorting something here..."

"What... wait, don't come any closer!"

"Heads." The man replied weakly. Hearing the soldier shout, he stopped the thin horse he was riding, and then dismounted. He stood there with the black package on his back, his figure actually a head taller than the soldier, quite burly, but his clothes were ragged, torn by sharp weapons. His body was also wrapped in soiled bandages.

At this time, many people in the city and on the walls craned their necks to look at him. Hearing him say the word "heads," they were all shocked. They were located in a border area where the Jurchens could come at any time, and they had long been worried and afraid. Then, they saw the man slowly put down the package.

"When the Jurchens slaughtered Taiyuan, these heads were hung on the city gates. The Jurchen army

retreated north, and I went to retrieve them, traveling south all the way. Although there are few Jurchens remaining near Taiyuan, I was still discovered by a few, and I fought my way here..."

He was weak, only explaining his injuries. However, as soon as he said this, everyone exclaimed. All the people were looking into the distance, and the soldier gripped his spear even tighter, forcing the black-clad man back a step. He paused slightly, and gently put down the package.

"The Jurchen scouts have already been killed by me. If you are afraid, I won't enter the city, but these people..."

He put down his stick, knelt on the ground, opened the package in front of him, and reached out to hold up a lump of something that seemed not only covered in mucus but also difficult to distinguish. He placed it slowly in front of the city gate, and then picked up another one, gently placing it down.

These people had been killed long ago, and their heads had been hanging on the city gates of Taiyuan, exposed to the wind and sun, and had already begun to rot. His black package had been slightly insulated. Now, when it was opened, the stench was unbearable, but the hideous heads placed there seemed to have a terrifying magic. The soldier took a step back, watching the scene helplessly.

"...These people are all loyal and righteous people who died defending Taiyuan. My injuries are serious, and I can't send them any further. I beg you all for this. The blood of the loyal, I only ask that you do not let them become... wild ghosts and lonely souls."

The man slowly finished speaking, finally stood up, cupped his fists in salute, and then took a few steps, got on his horse, and left.

In front of Tongfu Town, a flash of spring thunder lit up. There were a total of seven heads placed there. Prolonged decay had caused the skin and flesh on their faces to rot, and most of their eyes had disappeared. No one could recognize who they were, leaving only empty and terrifying eye sockets facing the city gate, all facing south.

After a long time, someone took the order from his superior and went out of the city to find the righteous man who had delivered the heads.

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

Military camp outside Bianliang City, cloudy day.

In one area of the camp, hundreds of soldiers were practicing martial arts, their sabers flashing, uniform and consistent. Accompanying the vigorous movements of the sabers was a rather unique song.

"...Beacon fires rise, the land north is in sight! Dragon banners wave, horses neigh, the sword's edge is like frost! My heart is like the vast Yellow River! For twenty years I have roamed, who can resist me..."

"...Hate is raging, where my saber points..."

Amidst this unique singing, Ning Yi stood in front of a wooden platform, calmly watching the training. Around the training ground, many soldiers had gathered, and everyone was echoing the song. Ning Yi hadn't been here in a long time, and everyone was quite excited.

He hadn't expected that such a song would spread in the military camp. And listening to it at this moment, his mood was quite complex.

Back in Xia Village, they had considered finding some inspiring military songs, a suggestion made by Ning Yi. Later, they had chosen this one. But naturally, this kind of casual lyrics was a bit niche at the moment. He had only sung it to some people around him, and later it spread to high-ranking officers. He hadn't expected that this relatively popular song would spread throughout the military camp.

Everyone sang and danced with their sabers. When the song was finished, each team stopped uniformly and looked at Ning Yi. Ning Yi also quietly looked at them. After a moment, a junior officer in the surrounding ranks couldn't help but raise his hand and say, "Report! Mr. Ning, I have a question!"

Ning Yi glanced at him, thought for a moment, and said, "Ask."

"Sir, has General Qin been framed by treacherous officials and cannot return!?"

As soon as he asked this question, the soldiers buzzed with voices. Seeing that Ning Yi didn't answer, someone else plucked up his courage and said, "Mr. Ning, we couldn't go to Taiyuan. Is someone in the capital hindering us!"

Then someone said, "It must be that Cai Jing bastard..."

No one dared to echo this, and everyone just looked at that person, then said, "Mr. Ning, if you have any difficulties, just say it!"

"Yes, although we are of low status, we also want to know--"

"We swear not to be associated with traitors--"

The military camp was filled with surging emotions. Although the Wu Rui Battalion had been ordered to train in the camp every day and not go out, high-ranking, mid-level, and even low-ranking officers had been secretly meeting and colluding, discussing the news from the capital. At this time, the high-ranking officers felt it was inappropriate, but they all stood proudly and didn't interfere. Ning Yi stood there in silence for a long time, and everyone stopped asking, and the atmosphere became suppressed. Only then did Ning Yi wave his hand and call someone over, handing him a piece of paper.

"This is... news from Taiyuan City. Go and read it, read it to everyone."

The news of the fall and subsequent massacre of Taiyuan City was already known by the people in the capital, and of course, it was also known in the military camp. The person was slightly stunned, and then stood there, lowering his head and reading aloud.

"On February 25th, Taiyuan City fell. Zong Han ordered that the city of Taiyuan be left to unrestrained looting for ten days. After that, an inhumane massacre began. The Jurchens tightly closed the four city gates, from all sides..."

The news from the Secret Intelligence Division was more detailed than ordinary reports. It recorded, to the extent possible, the order of the massacre in Taiyuan City, various killing events, how the people who died, how the raped women, how the slaves were driven north like pigs, dogs, cattle, and sheep, and the situation after the massacre, all recorded as calmly and indifferently as possible.

The crowd stood there, listening with their scalps tingling, some with their teeth clenched.

"How does the song go?" Ning Yi suddenly interjected. "Beacon fires rise, the land north is in sight! Dragon banners wave, horses neigh, the sword's edge is like frost! My heart is like the vast Yellow River! Hey, for twenty years I have roamed, who can resist me--sing it!"

Everyone was stunned. Ning Yi suddenly shouted, "Sing--" Everyone here was well-trained soldiers, and then they opened their mouths and sang, "Beacon fires rise--" But the tune was obviously much lower. By the time they sang "for twenty years I have roamed," the voice was even lower. Ning Yi pressed down his hand. "Stop it."

He took a breath, turned and walked onto the wooden platform where the generals were waiting to inspect, and reached out to wipe his nose and mouth. "This song is not standard. I actually didn't like it when we first talked about using it, but I didn't expect you to like it, so that's a good thing. But military songs must have a military soul, and they must also be reasonable. For twenty years I have roamed, who can resist me... Hey, now only hate is raging, worthy of you. But I hope you remember this feeling. I hope that in twenty years, you can all sing this song with dignity."

Ning Yi paused. "As for General Qin, he will not be returning for the time being. Others will come to take over you. I will also be going back. I have been unhappy lately after seeing the news from Taiyuan, but I am very pleased to see you today."

His gaze swept over the people in front of him, and then he stepped away. The crowd immediately erupted. An officer next to Ning Yi shouted, "Attention--" The soldiers stood up in awe. But as Ning Yi walked forward, more people gathered, seemingly trying to block his path.

Someone shouted, "Have traitors emerged in the court!" Someone shouted, "With traitors in power, the Emperor cannot be unaware!" "Mr. Ning, you can't abandon us!" "Call General Qin back--" "Kill whoever is hindering us--" The voices came in waves, and Ning Yi stopped and suddenly shouted, "Enough--"

The voice spread out with inner force, and the surroundings gradually calmed down.

"I have my things to do, and you have your things to do. Now I will do my things, and you do yours." He said, "That is the right thing to do. Don't act like little girls here, and all of you, get out of the way!"

In the military camp, the crowd slowly parted. When he reached the edge of the camp and saw the still orderly team and the woman on the side not far away, he nodded slightly to her.

Hong Ti also nodded.

The sky was gloomy and threatening rain.

As the news of the Jurchen withdrawal from Taiyuan and their return north was finally confirmed, a large number of changes finally began in Bianliang City.

The next day, the martial arts champion Luo Shengzhou, under Tan Zhen, officially replaced Qin Shaoqian and was transferred to the Wusheng Army. This was just a small matter that no one knew about. On the same day, Emperor Zhou Zhe issued an edict of self-reproach to the world, and at the same time ordered a strict investigation and purge of the current official system. The capital was filled with excitement.

To admit one's mistakes and be able to correct them is the beginning of revitalization...