Angry Banana
Chapter 922 No Return (II)
In the past six months, conquest and slaughter had ravaged this place time and again. From Wuxi to Suzhou to Jiaxing, one prosperous and magnificent city after another had been breached multiple times. The Jurchens ravaged the area, the Wu Dynasty army recovered it, and then it changed hands again. Massacre after massacre, looting after looting, from the end of Jian Shuo to the beginning of Zhenxing, it seemed that it had never stopped.
More than a million Han Chinese died in the winter of the previous year, and an equal number of Jiangnan craftsmen, strong laborers, and beautiful women were captured by the Jin army and taken north as spoils of war.
Large-scale wars and looting only stopped in February of this year, but even after the Jurchens had eaten their fill and decided to return to their dynasty, the situation in Jiangnan did not ease. A large number of refugees formed mountain bandits, powerful families raised armies, and people demarcated territories, plundering everything that remained as much as possible for their own livelihoods. Frequent and fragmented killings and conflicts still occurred in every part of this once-prosperous paradise.
Forgive our perspective for not lingering too long in one place. During the long night of war, the suffering many people endured each day surpassed an entire lifetime in times of peace.
Following the fleeing people for more than two months, He Wen felt this seemingly endless long night. Unbearable hunger, relentless pain, people eating their own or others' children in despair, many people driven mad, and enemies still chasing from behind.
In the constant escape and wandering, the organizational ability of the new emperor, who claimed to be protecting the people, was also not ideal. He saw no hope of solving the problem, and often the price of cutting off one's wrist was the death of ant-like civilians. He was in it, helpless.
After leaving the prison, one of his hands was crippled, unable to exert any strength, and his body had collapsed. His original martial arts skills were only one-tenth of what they had been. Years ago, he was a Confucian knight skilled in both literature and martial arts. Although he couldn't boast of being knowledgeable, he considered himself steadfast. The corrupt officials of the Wu Dynasty caused his family to be ruined, but he didn't actually have much hatred in his heart. He went to kill Ning Yi, but failed. When he returned home, who could prove him right? The sense of being upright in his heart turned into separation of his wife and children in reality. This was his fault and failure.
But on this road of escape, the torment of hunger and helplessness often made him utter unspeakable wails. This pain was not momentary, nor was it intense, but rather a continuous tearing of powerlessness and anger, anger yet powerlessness. If he were to stand at an objective angle and calmly analyze everything, he would admit that the new emperor had indeed made great efforts, and the army he led had at least tried to stand in front. The situation was stronger than anyone, and no one could resist it.
But he was swept up in the fleeing crowd, seeing blood and wailing at every moment, the emptiness of people eating human flesh as if their souls had been erased, the torment in despair. Watching a husband whose wife could no longer run emit animal-like cries, witnessing a mother moving like a walking corpse after her child died of illness, collapsing into a ball on the ground after being touched by others, the sound she made would echo in people's dreams, grabbing at the heart of anyone with a remaining conscience, making it impossible to sink into any place of peace.
Was that enough?
Had they really tried their best?
He would think of everything he had seen in the Southwest.
Life there was also difficult, people would economize, would tighten their belts and practice thrift, but afterward, there would be a different look on people's faces. The army named after Huaxia, when faced with war, they would meet it head-on, they would face sacrifice, accept sacrifice, and then the survivors would enjoy the joy of peace.
He remembered the righteously worded statements he had heard countless times in the Southwest—including his own. They questioned Ning Yi, "What crime have the people committed! How can you expect everyone to understand reason, everyone to make the right choices!" He would remember Ning Yi's cold-blooded answer that was criticized by others: "Then they have to die!" He Wen once thought he had asked the right question.
He Wen couldn't come up with a correct way to refute many of Ning Yi's answers. But this question alone reflected Ning Yi's cold-bloodedness. He Wen didn't admire such a Ning Yi. All along, he believed that in this respect, people could despise Ning Yi—at least, not stand on his side.
But at this moment, when many people were being hunted down and dying weightlessly for various tragic reasons, he would think of this question.
They have to die.
Jiangnan has always been wealthy. Even though it had suffered from war and been ravaged repeatedly in the past six months, not many of the people fleeing at this moment were skin and bones. Some were even from wealthy families who had lived comfortable lives in the past and even had beautiful hearts. They fled, cried, and died, and no one gave them any preferential treatment because of their beauty.
Even the Wu Dynasty army, this one in front of him, had fought quite hard. However, was it enough?
If the enemy slashed over, and you couldn't block it,
you died. Discussing hardships and reasons was meaningless.
——If Ning Yi were next to him, he might say something so cold and ruthless. But because of the fear of death, the Southwest had always been strengthening itself, using every person's every bit of strength, hoping to survive in the war. And the people born in the Wu Dynasty, no matter how justified their weakness, no matter how helpless they were, it aroused pity.
They died.
Ning Yi looked at him: "They have to die."
One day in January, when the Jurchens attacked, people fled aimlessly in all directions. He Wen, who was weak all over, saw the right direction and shouted hoarsely to the surroundings, but no one listened to him until he shouted: "I am a soldier of the Huaxia Army! I am a soldier of the Black Flag Army! Follow me!"
Those who heard him clearly followed him, and then one told ten and ten told a hundred. That day, he led many people to escape into the nearby mountains. By the time the sky was about to darken, people were once again enveloped in hunger. He Wen cheered up and, on the one hand, arranged for people to search the mountains in early spring for food that was better than nothing. On the other hand, he collected a dozen weapons to rob a small team of Han troops who had surrendered to the Jurchens and followed them to get food.
After escaping all the way, even those who were strong in the team were now exhausted. Moreover, after this rout, daring to step forward had become a habit, but there was no other way. He Wen told everyone about the Black Flag Army's achievements and then promised: "Just believe in me!"
He led more than a dozen apprehensive people and approached a team of nearly a hundred Han troops who had surrendered, claiming to report the transfer information of Han Shizhong's brigade.
At that moment, He Wen was ragged, weak, thin, and one of his broken hands seemed even more powerless. The leader did not suspect anything. He Wen's weak voice made him lower his guard.
Soon after, He Wen took out a small knife and, in front of these Han troops who had surrendered, slit the general's throat with one stroke. Blood spurted out in the light of the bonfire. He took out the black flag he had prepared in advance and raised it high. In the darkness of the surrounding mountains, torches lit up one after another, and shouts rose and fell.
More than a hundred people laid down their weapons.
This was the beginning of him raising the flag. If one were to examine his pure thoughts, He Wen actually did not want to raise this black flag. He did not inherit the mantle of the Black Flag Army. It was just a desperate cry in his despair. But after everyone gathered together, this name could never be changed.
The flames of war spread everywhere. As long as someone was willing to put up an umbrella, a large number of refugees would come to join them soon after. Some righteous armies even actively attacked those surrendered Jin Han troops who had relatively abundant supplies, and they were the fiercest group among the righteous armies. He Wen pulled together such an army. He recalled the training content and organization methods of the Southwest army, allocated the gathered refugees, and required those who could wield a knife to do so. After forming a formation, they were not allowed to retreat, cultivate mutual trust among comrades, and hold meetings from time to time, recalling the bitterness of the past and denouncing the Jurchens. Even for women and children, he would definitely arrange collective work for them.
The hastily organized team was extremely rigid, but it was enough to deal with the nearby surrendered Jin Han troops. It was precisely this style that made people believe even more that He Wen was really a member of that legendary army. In just over a month, the number of people gathered continued to expand. People were still hungry, but as everything sprouted in the spring and with He Wen's principle of leading by example in the fair distribution of resources in this motley crew, people in hunger did not need to resort to cannibalism.
Cheng Zhouhai, an important official under the new emperor, once approached He Wen, explaining to him the inevitability of Zhou Junwu's departure and the determination of the Wu Dynasty to revive, and also talked with He Wen about many things related to the Southwest. He Wen was not appreciative. In fact, Cheng Zhouhai did not understand that He Wen did not hate the new emperor of the Wu Dynasty in his heart. He had also tried his best in many cases. The posture outside Jiangning City was so magnificent, and finally, he beat the besieging army of Zong Fu into a state of disarray. However, trying one's best was not enough.
On the other hand, he was actually unwilling to mention too much about the Southwest, especially in front of another person who understood the situation in the Southwest. He knew in his heart that he was not a real soldier of the Huaxia Army.
By March, this refugee army bearing the black flag was famous throughout Jiangnan, and even people from many mountain strongholds had contacted him. Wenren Bu'er came to send things once, showing goodwill and also chatting with He Wen about Ning Yi—like Cheng Zhouhai, he did not understand He Wen's knot in his heart, and the final result was naturally fruitless.
On the eighth and ninth days of March, the results of the Southwest's battles had essentially spread throughout Jiangnan. The declaration of this righteous army bearing the name of the Black Flag was greatly enhanced. Then, Wu Qimei's articles in the Lin'an court were sent to the hands of large families everywhere, with statements about tyranny and equality, which were then passed on to the ears of many people.
He Wen received the news from Lin'an on his way north. He traveled day and night, and with several companions passed through the roads near Taihu Lake and rushed towards Zhenjiang. He obtained the information from the refugees near Suzhou. Among his companions, a swordsman named Huangfu Qing, who had also read poetry and books, became excited after reading Wu Qimei's article: "Mr. He, the Southwest... is it really such an equal place?"
"...He did say the principle of equality for all."
After reading Wu Qimei's article, He Wen understood the old dog's sinister intentions. The description of the situation in the Southwest in the article was entirely based on speculation and was not worth mentioning, but when it came to the word equality, He Wen hesitated slightly and did not make too many comments.
His identity as He Deng was exposed after Ning Yi returned to the Southwest. Regarding the "hungry ghosts" of the Central Plains, he had heard some discussions in the staff department at his level. Ning Yi gave Wang Shitong advice, but Wang Shitong did not listen, and eventually the group of hungry ghosts living by plundering continued to expand, affecting millions of people.
The situation in Jiangnan, his own situation, was so similar to the hungry ghosts.
After the Jurchens pulled out their camps, the supplies in Jiangnan were almost exhausted, and people could only turn to swords and swords, devouring each other. Refugees, bandits, righteous armies, and surrendered Jin Han troops were all fighting for each other. He waved the black flag, and the number of his subordinates continued to expand. After the expansion, he attacked the Han army, and after the attack, he continued to expand.
——This would eventually devour itself to death.
He did not make too many comments on Wu Qimei's article. He thought silently on the way. By the afternoon of the eleventh day, he had entered about a hundred miles south of Zhenjiang.
The Jin army's camps were stationed on both sides of the Yangtze River, including the million Han slaves they had driven up. The crossing team stretched into a long line. Around the periphery of the team, there were also Han troops stationed and patrolling after surrendering to the Jin Dynasty. He Wen and his companions quietly approached this most dangerous area.
In the evening, they rested briefly in the mountains. The small team did not dare to live and cook, and silently ate the few dry rations. He Wen sat on the grass watching the sunset. His clothes were old and worn, his body was still weak, but there was a force in his silence that others did not dare to disturb him.
Until the moment when the sunset turned red, he called Huangfu Qing and others over.
"...When Mr. Ning was in the Southwest, he did say many times that the concept of equality for all. He said that this is undoubtedly the ultimate and highest pursuit of human society. That is to say, the world is changing, and in the end, it must change in that direction."
Some of the people sitting around did not understand, and some understood a part of it. At this time, they all looked solemn. He Wen recalled and said: "When I was in the Southwest, I once... saw such a thing. Now that I think about it, I remember it very clearly. It was like this... From the basic principles of Gewu study and the observation of the world and society in which human beings live, it can be known that this is the basic rule: in the society in which human beings live, all conscious and influential changes are generated by the behavior of each human being that makes up this society. Under the guidance of this basic rule, in order to seek the fair and just that human society can practically achieve and jointly seek, we believe that human beings are born with the following reasonable and legal rights: 1. The right to survival..." (The memory should not be so clear, but this paragraph will not be modified or disturbed).
He Wen sat in the sunset and said these words. Everyone felt confused to varying degrees, but they saw He Wen pause:
"Do you know why Wu Qimei of Lin'an wrote such an article? It's all because the foundation of his court is entirely on the gentry and large families. What these gentry and large families fear most is the equality mentioned here... If everyone is really equal, why do they live in luxury and eat fine food while everyone else is starving? Why do landlords have thousands of acres of fertile land, while you can only be a tenant farmer for the rest of your life? Wu Qimei, this old dog, thinks that by talking about the Huaxia Army to these gentry and large families in this way, these large families will be afraid of the Huaxia Army and want to overthrow the Huaxia Army."
With a wave of his hand, he threw out Wu Qimei's articles and some other people's articles. Pieces of paper danced in the sunset. He Wen's words became sonorous and firm: "...What they fear, we should do! They fear equality, and we will have equality! After this matter is successful, we will stand up and tell everyone the idea of equality!"
"Everyone, this world is already dead!" He Wen said, "How many families have been destroyed, wives and children scattered! And those large families, when the Wu Dynasty was there, they relied on the Wu Dynasty to live, and they lived better than anyone else. They did not do their jobs properly, occupied positions without doing any work! They took a little here and took a little there, and after collapsing the Wu Dynasty, they relied on selling the Wu Dynasty, selling us, and continued to live their good lives! This is because they occupy and take more things than us. The lives of ordinary people are worthless. In times of peace, they are like cattle and horses, and in times of war, they are like ants! This cannot continue. From now on, we will no longer allow these people to be superior to others!"
He Wen raised his fist. His brain was originally easy to use. He had been in the Southwest for several years, and he had actually come into contact with a lot of the Huaxia Army's internal style and information, and even many "isms". Regardless of whether they were mature or not, the Huaxia Army encouraged discussion and debate. At this time, he recalled and told, and finally made a decision.
"...How many gentry and large families are there in this world? Now most people are destroyed and their families are ruined! Everyone is exploited by the gentry and large families and driven like pigs and sheep by the Jurchens, because most of the people in the world are rabble. But from now on, it will not be like this. We must tell them the truth, why! Why are we not worthy of being human? We must awaken them and unite them! From today onwards, we will be called—"
He paused, and finally calmly and firmly pointed to the ground: "—Fairness Party!"
Everyone's expressions were excited. Someone wanted to stand up and shout, but was stopped by the people around him. He Wen looked at these people. In the sunset, he saw himself and Ning Yi in the Southwest a few years ago. He thought of the things Ning Yi said, and he thought of his "study first, then take the exam". He also remembered the premise of equality that Ning Yi had said. He also remembered the complex expression he had when he repeatedly talked about "fighting the local tyrants and dividing the land". In fact, many ways had already been placed there.
The world is always urged by wind and rain.
We don't have that much leeway, do we?
Since they are so afraid.
Since there is no way forward.
Then fight the local tyrants and divide the land.
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