漫漫的风雪也已经在山东降下。

The long and heavy snow had already fallen in Shandong.

自大名府战役结束之后，过去一年的时间里，山东各地饿殍满地，民不聊生。

Since the end of the Daming Prefecture battle, Shandong had been plagued by starvation and destitution for the past year.

被完颜昌派过来围剿梁山的二十余万汉军彻底破坏了当地本就已经崩溃的秩序，普通的百姓早已活不下去了，饥饿的乱军、流民、马贼、山匪已经没有了太大的区别，种下的粮食还未成熟便被各个势力争抢收割，一丘田带着一丘田的鲜血，一车粮往往伴随着不止一车的尸体，一些幸存者甚至已经开始习惯人肉的味道。

The 200,000-plus Han troops sent by Wanyan Chang to encircle and suppress Liangshan completely destroyed the already collapsed order in the area. Ordinary people could no longer survive. There was little difference between the hungry mutineers, refugees, bandits, and mountain brigands. The planted grain was snatched and harvested by various forces before it even ripened. Each field was soaked with blood, and each cart of grain was often accompanied by more than one cart of corpses. Some survivors had even begun to get used to the taste of human flesh.

黄河自夏以来，数次决堤，每一次都带走大量生命，梁山附近，依水而居的各个军队倒是依靠着鱼获延长了生命。双方偶有交锋，也不过是为了一口两口的吃食。

Since the Xia Dynasty, the Yellow River had breached its banks several times, each time taking countless lives. Near Liangshan, the various armies living by the water extended their lives by fishing. Occasional clashes between the two sides were merely for a mouthful or two of food.

聊胜于无的秋收过后，双方的厮杀最为激烈，祝彪与王山月率领山中精锐出来狠狠地打了一次秋风。梁山南面两支数量超过三万人的汉军被彻底打散了，他们搜刮的粮食，被运回了梁山之上。

After the meager autumn harvest, the fighting between the two sides was the most intense. Zhu Biao and Wang Shanyue led the mountain's elite out to plunder. Two Han armies south of Liangshan, numbering more than 30,000, were completely dispersed, and the grain they had plundered was transported back to Liangshan.

军队被打散之后，士兵只能变成流民，连能否熬过这个冬天都成了问题。部分汉军闻风色变，原本因为附近粮食给养不足而暂时分开的数支部队又靠拢了一些，领军的将领碰头后，不少人私下里与梁山接触，希望他们不要再“自己人打自己人”。

After the army was dispersed, the soldiers could only become refugees, and even surviving the winter became a problem. Some Han soldiers were terrified and the several units that had been temporarily separated due to insufficient food supplies in the vicinity regrouped. After the leading generals met, many of them secretly contacted Liangshan, hoping that they would stop "fighting among themselves."

“……咱们也是活不下去了，被完颜昌赶着来的，你们凶你们厉害，你们去打完颜昌啊。周围真的没粮了，何苦非来打我们……这样，只要抬抬手，我们愿意交出一些粮来……”

"...We can't survive either. We were driven here by Wanyan Chang. You're fierce and powerful, go fight Wanyan Chang. There's really no grain around here. Why bother fighting us? ...Like this, as long as you lift a hand, we're willing to hand over some grain..."

活在夹缝间的人们总是会做出一些令人哭笑不得的事情来，原本是被赶着来围剿梁山的军队私下里却向梁山交起了“保护费”。祝、王等人也不客气，收取了粮食之后，暗地里开始派人对这些队伍中尚有血性的将领进行拉拢和策反。

People living in the cracks always do things that make people laugh and cry. The army that was originally driven to encircle and suppress Liangshan secretly began to pay "protection money" to Liangshan. Zhu, Wang, and others were not polite, and after collecting the grain, they secretly began to send people to win over and instigate the bloody generals in these teams.

也就是在秋收过后不久，刘承宗的部队抵达梁山，大规模的攻击再度展开，击溃了水泊附近的包围网。几支在先前交“保护费”行为中表现得不情不愿的军队被打散了，其余的队伍溃败逃离，退避三舍观望着事情的发展。

Shortly after the autumn harvest, Liu Chengzong's troops arrived at Liangshan, and a large-scale attack was launched again, defeating the encirclement near the marsh. Several troops who were reluctant to pay "protection money" were dispersed, and the rest of the troops collapsed and fled, retreating and watching the development of the situation.

十一月，完颜昌命将领高宗保率领四万军队南下处置梁山黑旗之事。这四万人并非仓促收集的汉军，而是由完颜昌坐镇中原后又从金国境内调集的正式军队，高宗保乃渤海人中名将，当初灭辽国时，也曾立下不少战功。

In November, Wanyan Chang ordered General Gao Zongbao to lead an army of 40,000 south to deal with the Black Flag matter in Liangshan. These 40,000 were not hastily gathered Han troops, but formal troops transferred from within the Jin state after Wanyan Chang took charge of the Central Plains. Gao Zongbao was a famous general among the Bohai people and had made many military achievements when he destroyed the Liao state.

在完颜昌看来，当初大名府之战，山东一地的黑旗与武朝军队已折损大半，名存实亡。他这一年来将山东困成死地，里头的人都已饿成柴禾干，战力必然也难复当初了。唯一可虑者，是刘承宗的这支部队，但他们之前在徐州附近搞事，来来回回打了不少仗，如今人数不过五千，给养也早已用尽。已女真正式军队压上去，就算对方躲进水寨难以进攻，但亏总该是吃不了的。

In Wanyan Chang's view, in the Battle of Daming Prefecture, the Black Flag and the Wu Dynasty army in Shandong had lost more than half of their strength and existed in name only. He had trapped Shandong into a dead end for the past year, and the people inside were starving. The only concern was Liu Chengzong's troops, but they had been causing trouble near Xuzhou before, fighting back and forth, and now their numbers were only 5,000, and their supplies had long been exhausted. With the formal Jurchen army pressing up, even if the other side hid in the water village and it was difficult to attack, they would not be able to suffer losses.

这只是他的想法。

This was just his idea.

实际用兵之中，十一月中旬，高宗保与黑旗第一战便获得了胜利，刘承宗等人且战且退，似乎想要退入水泊后路。高宗保意气风发，挥师突进，祝彪、王山月等人便在等待着他冒进的这一刻，飞速进军夺取高宗保后路粮草辎重，高宗保欲回师救援，前方一度被他们“击溃”的刘承宗部队陡然展露锋芒，强攻而来。

In actual combat, in mid-November, Gao Zongbao won the first battle against the Black Flag. Liu Chengzong and others fought and retreated, seemingly wanting to retreat into the rear of the marsh. Gao Zongbao was in high spirits and advanced swiftly. Zhu Biao, Wang Shanyue, and others were waiting for him to advance rashly. They advanced rapidly to seize Gao Zongbao's rear food and supplies. Gao Zongbao wanted to return to rescue, but the Liu Chengzong's troops, who had once been "defeated" by them, suddenly showed their edge and launched a strong attack.

由金国调来的这四万大军，确实有一部分老兵作为骨架，但论及战力，自然还是比不上真正的女真精锐部队的。高宗保这一刻才意识到不对，当他整顿部队全面应战时，才发现无论前方还是后方，遭遇到的都已是没有半点花俏和水分的百炼精钢了。

The 40,000 troops transferred from the Jin state did have some veterans as the backbone, but in terms of combat effectiveness, they were naturally not comparable to the real Jurchen elite troops. Gao Zongbao realized that something was wrong at this moment. When he reorganized his troops to fully respond to the battle, he realized that whether in the front or the rear, what he encountered was refined steel without any fancy or moisture.

高宗保还想放火烧毁辎重，然而四万大军轰然崩溃，高宗保被一路追杀，十一月底逃回完颜昌帐前，力陈我方“不是对手”。并且对方军队实乃黑旗当中精锐中的精锐，譬如那跟在他屁股后头追杀了一路的罗业率领的一个突击团，据说就曾在黑旗军内部比武上屡获第一殊荣，是攻防皆强，最是难缠的“疯子”队伍。

Gao Zongbao also wanted to set fire to destroy the supplies, but the 40,000 troops collapsed. Gao Zongbao was chased all the way and fled back to Wanyan Chang's camp at the end of November, strongly stating that "we are not opponents." Moreover, the opposing army was the elite among the Black Flag elite. For example, the assault regiment led by Luo Ye, who had been chasing him all the way, was said to have repeatedly won first place in the Black Flag army's internal martial arts competition. It was a "madman" team with strong offense and defense that was most difficult to deal with.

完颜昌被这场大败、以及高宗保为粉饰失败而吹的牛气得险些砸烂了桌子。在过去的数月时间里，不光是梁山的情况开始变得紧张，晋地原本占尽优势的廖义仁方面也在楼舒婉、于玉麟等人组织的进攻下节节败退，不断地向女真方面请求支援。

Wanyan Chang was so angry at this defeat and Gao Zongbao's bragging to whitewash the failure that he almost smashed the table. In the past few months, not only had the situation in Liangshan begun to become tense, but the Liao Yiren faction, which had originally had the upper hand in Jin, had also been retreating steadily under the attacks organized by Lou Shuwan, Yu Yulin, and others, and had been constantly requesting support from the Jurchens.

虽然为了支持南面的战争、以及为了将来的统治考虑，完颜昌搜刮中原是以竭泽而渔、耗光中原所有潜力为方针的。但到得这一刻，这些被扶植起来的苟且势力的无能，也确实令人感到震惊。

Although, in order to support the war in the south and for future rule, Wanyan Chang's plundering of the Central Plains was based on the policy of draining the pond to catch fish and exhausting all the potential of the Central Plains. But at this moment, the incompetence of these fostered forces was indeed shocking.

他们甚至连最后的、为自己争取生存空间的力量都无法鼓起来。

They couldn't even muster the last bit of strength to fight for their own survival space.

高宗保失利的这场大战后，祝彪、刘承宗等人已实质上掌握了山东，虽然在这样大雪纷飞的冬天里也看不出多少的变化。完颜昌派出部分军队南下收拢溃兵，随后命令各部汉军加强了防守。他坐镇保定，麾下的两万余精锐则依旧按兵不动。

After Gao Zongbao's defeat in this great battle, Zhu Biao, Liu Chengzong, and others had essentially taken control of Shandong, although little change could be seen in this snowy winter. Wanyan Chang sent some troops south to gather the defeated soldiers and then ordered the Han armies to strengthen their defenses. He was stationed in Baoding, and his 20,000-plus elite troops remained stationed there.

十二月初三，保定府白皑皑的一片，风雪呼号，一名身披大髦的男子冒着风雪进了完颜昌的王府，正处理公事的完颜昌笑着迎了出来。

On the third day of December, Baoding Prefecture was a vast expanse of white. Amid the howling wind and snow, a man in a cloak braved the storm to enter Wanyan Chang's mansion. Wanyan Chang, who was handling official business, greeted him with a smile.

过来拜访的是在年初的大战之中几乎重伤濒死的女真大将术列速。此时这位女真的将领脸上划过一道深深的疤痕，渺了一目，但高大的身躯当中仍旧难掩兵戈的戾气。

The visitor was the Jurchen general Shuliesu, who had been almost mortally wounded in the great battle at the beginning of the year. At this time, a deep scar ran across the Jurchen general's face, and he had lost one eye, but his tall body still could not hide the ferocity of war.

“末将听说了高宗保之败，忍不住想来询问王爷，对梁山之敌，接下来有何打算。”

"I heard about Gao Zongbao's defeat and couldn't help but come to ask Your Highness, what are your plans for the enemy in Liangshan next?"

完颜昌与术列速也算得上是一辈子的战友了，术列速是纯粹的将军，而作为阿骨打堂弟的完颜昌先后辅佐宗望、宗辅，更像是个可靠的老叔父。两人见面，术列速进入客厅之后，便直接说出了心中的疑问。

Wanyan Chang and Shuliesu could be regarded as comrades-in-arms for life. Shuliesu was a pure general, while Wanyan Chang, as Aguda's cousin, had successively assisted Zongwang and Zongfu, and was more like a reliable old uncle. When the two met, Shuliesu entered the living room and directly stated his doubts.

“将军有以教我?”

"General, do you have anything to teach me?"

“末将愿领兵前往，平梁山之变！”

"I am willing to lead troops to quell the chaos in Liangshan!"

“将军是想报仇吧？”

"General, you want revenge, right?"

“王爷想以不变应万变？”

"Does Your Highness want to respond to all changes with constancy?"

“当然要是要剿的，我已命人，在三月内，调集大军十五万，再攻梁山。”

"Of course, we must suppress them. I have ordered people to mobilize an army of 150,000 within three months to attack Liangshan again."

“王爷请恕末将直言，小苍河之战车鉴在前，面对黑旗这等军队，汉军去得再多，不过土鸡瓦狗尔。中原局势至此，于我大金声誉不利，故末将斗胆请王爷授我精兵。末将……愿抬棺而战！”

"Your Highness, please forgive me for speaking frankly. The Battle of Xiaocang River is a lesson. Facing the Black Flag army, no matter how many Han troops go, they are just worthless. The situation in the Central Plains is not conducive to the reputation of our Great Jin. Therefore, I boldly ask Your Highness to grant me elite soldiers. I...am willing to fight with my coffin!"

年初的一场大战，面对着黑旗，术列速原本便有不胜则死的决意，谁知后来他与卢俊义互换一刀，战马冲来将两人都留下一条性命，术列速醒来之后，每念及此，深以为耻。此时这女真宿将再说起抬棺而战，脸上自有一股决然凶戾的死气在。

In the great battle at the beginning of the year, facing the Black Flag, Shuliesu originally had the determination to die if he did not win. Who knew that later he exchanged a knife with Lu Junyi, and the warhorse rushed to leave both of them alive. After Shuliesu woke up, he felt deeply ashamed every time he thought of this. At this time, when this old Jurchen general talked about fighting with his coffin, there was a resolute and fierce aura of death on his face.

完颜昌知道这些同伴的豪迈与义气，此时沉默了片刻。

Wanyan Chang knew the heroism and loyalty of these companions, and was silent for a moment.

“……大名府之战后，梁山上头元气已伤，此刻就算加上新到的刘承宗所部，可战之兵也不过万余，于中原损害有限。再者，东西两路大军南下，占了秋收之利，而今江南粮草皆归我手，宗辅也好，粘罕也罢，半年内并无粮草之忧。我眼下确实还有精兵两万余，但思来想去，无须冒险，一旦大军回返，梁山也好，晋地也罢，自然一扫而平，这也是……大伙儿的想法。”

"...After the Battle of Daming Prefecture, Liangshan's vitality has been injured. Even if Liu Chengzong's newly arrived troops are added, there are only more than 10,000 soldiers who can fight, and the damage to the Central Plains is limited. Moreover, the east and west armies went south and took advantage of the autumn harvest. Now all the food in Jiangnan is in my hands. Whether it is Zongfu or Nianhan, there is no worry about food in half a year. I do have more than 20,000 elite soldiers at the moment, but after thinking about it, there is no need to take risks. Once the army returns, whether it is Liangshan or Jin, it will naturally be swept away. This is also...everyone's idea."

他口中的“大伙儿”，自然还有众多利益牵系之人。这是他可以跟术列速说的，至于其它不能明说却彼此都了解的理由，或许还有术列速乃西朝廷宗翰麾下将领，完颜昌则支持东朝廷宗辅、宗弼的理由。

The "everyone" he mentioned naturally included many people with vested interests. This was what he could tell Shuliesu. As for the other reasons that could not be stated explicitly but were understood by each other, perhaps there was also the reason that Shuliesu was a general under Zonghan of the Western Court, while Wanyan Chang supported Zongfu and Zongbi of the Eastern Court.

术列速沉默了片刻。

Shuliesu was silent for a moment.

“……此次南征，大帅、谷神等所言最多者，其实并非征战的艰难，而是我大金近年来的稳妥……王爷可还记得，当年虽太祖起事时，那是何等的心情豪迈，护步达岗以两万击七十万大军而胜，打出了我女真满万不可敌的声势……往日里手上有两万兵，可荡平天下，而今……王爷啊，我们竟守在这里，不敢出去么？”

"...During this southern expedition, what the commander, Gushen, and others talked about the most was not the difficulty of the expedition, but the stability of our Great Jin in recent years...Your Highness, do you still remember the heroic mood when Emperor Taizu started the rebellion, when Hubudagang defeated an army of 700,000 with 20,000 troops, creating the prestige that our Jurchens were invincible with 10,000 troops...In the past, with 20,000 troops, we could pacify the world, but now...Your Highness, we are actually guarding here, not daring to go out?"

术列速的言语其实有些激烈，但完颜昌的性情温和，倒也没有生气，他站在那儿与术列速一道看着堂外风雪，过得一阵也叹了口气。

Shuliesu's words were actually a bit激烈, but Wanyan Chang's temperament was mild, and he was not angry. He stood there with Shuliesu and looked at the wind and snow outside the hall, and sighed after a while.

“……将军所言，我何尝不知啊……那，我再想想吧。”

"...I know what you said...Well, I'll think about it again."

这话或许是敷衍，但术列速也没再坚持了。此时风雪呼号着正从门外鼓舞进来，两人的年纪虽已渐老，但此时却也没有坐下。

These words may have been perfunctory, but Shuliesu did not insist any longer. At this time, the wind and snow were roaring and encouraging from outside the door. Although the two were getting old, they did not sit down at this time.

“当年豪迈，末将心中还记得……若王爷做下决定，末将愿为女真死！”

"I still remember the heroism of those years...If Your Highness makes a decision, I am willing to die for the Jurchens!"

然而，直到第二年春天，完颜昌也终究没能定下出击的决心。

However, until the spring of the following year, Wanyan Chang was still unable to make up his mind to attack.

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

中原的局面令完颜昌感到苦涩，那么自然而然的，处于另一边的楼舒婉等人，便或多或少地尝到了些许甜头。

The situation in the Central Plains made Wanyan Chang feel bitter, so naturally, Lou Shuwan and others on the other side tasted a little sweetness more or less.

于玉麟攻城略地，廖义仁节节败退，当封山的大雪降下来，虽然账面上一合计，能够感受到的还是无数张嘴嗷嗷待哺的紧张，但总的来说，希望的曙光，终于展露在眼前了。

Yu Yulin conquered cities and territories, and Liao Yiren retreated steadily. When the heavy snow that closed the mountains fell, although after adding up the accounts, what they could feel was still the tension of countless mouths waiting to be fed, in general, the dawn of hope was finally revealed before their eyes.

九月里，山东方面的黑旗军偷偷地跑来晋地，为了刘承宗的北上向楼舒婉暂借了些许的补给。楼舒婉将从牙缝里省出的些许粮食给对方运了过去，这期间也将过来低声下气求援助的华夏军使节膈应得不要不要的，当着华夏军官员臭骂半个月宁毅对方也不敢还嘴，令她感受到了精神上的满足。

In September, the Black Flag army from Shandong secretly ran to Jin to temporarily borrow some supplies from Lou Shuwan for Liu Chengzong's northward journey. Lou Shuwan transported the little grain she saved from her teeth to the other party. During this period, she also disgusted the Chinese army envoys who came to ask for help in a low voice. She scolded Ning Yi in front of the Chinese army officials for half a month, and the other party did not dare to answer back, which made her feel spiritually satisfied.

到得十月十一月，刘承宗等人在梁山附近击溃了高宗保的军队，这消息不仅助长了晋地抗金武装的士气，缴获高宗保粮草辎重后，华夏军的人还回赠了晋地诸多的辎重作为礼物。楼舒婉在这场投资里大赚特赚，整个人都像是吃胖了三分。

In October and November, Liu Chengzong and others defeated Gao Zongbao's army near Liangshan. This news not only boosted the morale of the anti-Jin armed forces in Jin, but after capturing Gao Zongbao's grain and supplies, the Chinese army also returned many supplies to Jin as a gift. Lou Shuwan made a lot of money in this investment, and she seemed to have gained a lot of weight.

到得十二月间，“女相”心情舒畅，常与人说着这次能过个好年了。

In December, the "Female Chancellor" was in a good mood and often told people that she could have a good new year this time.

事实上，从杭州离开的这许多年来，楼舒婉这还是第一次与人提起要“过年”的事情。

In fact, since leaving Hangzhou so many years ago, this was the first time Lou Shuwan had mentioned the "New Year" to anyone.

西南被战事笼罩，整个十一月里，突破性的变化并不多，偶尔消息传出，双方的攻防或是“惨烈”，或是“焦灼”。在外界的注视中，作为女真擎天之手的完颜宗翰摆开了他最强的战力、最坚定的决心，要凿开西南天地的一道口子。而华夏军挡住了这排山倒海的攻势，在西南的隘口岿然不动。整整一个月时间，外界能够隐约看到的，仅仅是女真一方的惨烈伤亡与不死不休的意志，在女真人这般坚定的意志力，没有人会怀疑，西南的黑旗能站稳在那，也必然付出了巨大的代价。

The southwest was shrouded in war. Throughout November, there were not many breakthrough changes. Occasionally, news came out that the offense and defense of both sides were either "惨烈 (cǎn liè - fierce)" or "焦灼 (jiāo zhuó - deadlocked)." Under the gaze of the outside world, Wanyan Zonghan, as the hand of the Jurchens holding up the sky, displayed his strongest combat power and firmest determination to open a gap in the southwest. The Chinese army blocked this overwhelming offensive, standing still at the southwestern pass. For a whole month, what the outside world could vaguely see was only the tragic casualties and the immortal will of the Jurchens. With such firm willpower of the Jurchens, no one would doubt that the Black Flag in the southwest must have paid a huge price to stand firm there.

如果说在之前的议论与幻想中，人们对于西南军队的战力还有着些许的怀疑或轻蔑，到得这一刻，越来越长的攻防时间足以抹掉所有人心中肤浅的怀疑。而今中原已陷，武朝沦亡，真正能被称为天下最强的，便是西南正在交锋的这两股力量了。

If there was still some doubt or contempt for the combat power of the southwestern army in the previous discussions and fantasies, at this moment, the increasingly long offensive and defensive time was enough to erase the superficial doubts in everyone's mind. Now that the Central Plains has fallen and the Wu Dynasty has perished, the two forces clashing in the southwest can truly be called the strongest in the world.

西南能够撑住第一波的攻击，也是让楼舒婉更为好过得原因之一，她心中不情不愿地期待着华夏军能够在这次大战中幸存下来——当然，最好是与女真人两败俱伤，天下人都会为之欢喜。

The fact that the southwest was able to withstand the first wave of attacks was also one of the reasons why Lou Shuwan felt better. She reluctantly hoped that the Chinese army could survive this war - of course, it would be best if both sides were injured, and the people of the world would be happy for it.

这样的心情里，也有小小的插曲在她所统治的土地上发生——一支从西北而来的似乎是新崛起的势力，派人与身在中原的他们进行接洽，想向楼舒婉购买铁炮、炸药等物，据说还带着不菲的财物贿赂官员。

In such a mood, there was also a small episode in the land she ruled - a seemingly newly emerging force from the northwest sent people to contact them in the Central Plains, wanting to buy iron cannons, explosives, and other items from Lou Shuwan, and it was said that they also brought considerable wealth to bribe officials.

楼舒婉做出了拒绝。

Lou Shuwan refused.

西北一向是天下人并不注意的小角落，小苍河大战后，到得如今更是始终没能回复元气。往日里是女真人支持的折家独大，其余的无非是些土包子组成的乱匪，偶尔想要到中原捞点好处，唯一的结果也只是被剁了爪子。

The northwest has always been a small corner that the people of the world do not pay attention to. After the Battle of Xiaocang River, it has still not been able to recover its vitality. In the past, the Zhejias, supported by the Jurchens, were dominant, and the rest were just bandits composed of bumpkins. Occasionally, they wanted to get some benefits in the Central Plains, but the only result was that their claws were chopped off.

最近晋地太乱，楼舒婉无暇它顾，只听说折家镇不住场子出了内乱，接下来可想而知，必然是无数马匪横行争夺山头的情景了。

Recently, Jin was too chaotic, and Lou Shuwan had no time to take care of it. She only heard that the Zhejias could not control the situation and there was internal strife. It was conceivable that there would be countless bandits running rampant and fighting for the mountain tops.

这支势力欲向中原买炮，胆子和抱负都是不小的，但楼舒婉一方的物资紧张，自用尚嫌不足，哪里还有剩下的能够卖出去。这便没有了交易的前提。另一方面，日子过得紧巴巴的，楼舒婉费了大力气去维持下方官员的清廉与公正，维持她好不容易在百姓中得来的好名声，对方拿着金银古玩贿赂官员——又不是带来了粮草——这令得楼舒婉观感更是恶劣了几分。

This force wanted to buy cannons from the Central Plains, which was quite ambitious, but Lou Shuwan's side was short of supplies, and even self-use was not enough. Where could there be anything left to sell? This meant that there was no prerequisite for the transaction. On the other hand, life was tight, and Lou Shuwan had made great efforts to maintain the integrity and justice of the officials below and to maintain the good reputation she had worked so hard to gain among the people. The other party bribed officials with gold, silver, and antiques - they didn't bring grain - which made Lou Shuwan's perception even worse.

她拒绝了这批商人的提议。

She rejected the proposal of these merchants.

同样的时间里，怀着同样目的而来的一批人拜访了此时仍旧掌管着大片地盘的廖义仁。

At the same time, a group of people who came with the same purpose visited Liao Yiren, who still controlled a large area of territory.

中原眼看不支，自己麾下的地盘在楼舒婉与于玉麟这对狗男女咄咄逼人的攻势下眼看也要不保，廖义仁一方面不断向女真求援，一方面也在焦灼地考虑后路。西北商队带来的原本折家收藏的珍玩正是他心头所好——一旦他要到大金国去养老，自然只能带着金银珍玩去开路，对方莫非还能允许他将军队、刀枪带过去？

The Central Plains was on the verge of collapse, and his own territory was about to be lost under the aggressive offensive of Lou Shuwan and Yu Yulin. On the one hand, Liao Yiren continued to ask the Jurchens for help, and on the other hand, he was anxiously considering a way out. The treasures originally collected by the Zhejias brought by the northwest merchants were exactly what he liked - once he went to the Great Jin to retire, he could only bring gold, silver, and treasures to pave the way. Could the other party allow him to bring his troops, knives, and guns there?

另一方面，对方需要大量的铁炮、火药等物，说明对方手上有人，而且还都是西北过来的亡命之徒。这样的认知令廖义仁计上心来，互相试探过后，廖义仁向对方提出了一个新的想法。

On the other hand, the other party needed a large number of iron cannons, gunpowder, and other items, indicating that they had people in their hands, and they were all desperadoes from the northwest. This understanding gave Liao Yiren an idea, and after probing each other, Liao Yiren proposed a new idea to the other party.

武建朔十一年，十二月二十七，在漫天呜咽的风雪中，廖义仁与一众廖家子弟怀着新奇的目光，见到了那支从风雪中而来的马队，以及马队最前方那高大的身影。

On December 27th, the eleventh year of Wujian Shuo, in the howling wind and snow, Liao Yiren and a group of Liao family children looked with novelty at the cavalry that came from the wind and snow, and the tall figure at the forefront of the cavalry.

蒙古扎兰达部落首领扎木合，带着传说中草原汗王铁木真的意志，在这多灾多难的一年的最后时日里——正式踏足中原。

Jamukha, the leader of the Mongolian Zalandar tribe, with the will of the legendary grassland Khan Temujin, officially set foot in the Central Plains in the final days of this disastrous year.

廖义仁，开门揖客。

Liao Yiren, opened the door to welcome guests.

“——欢迎！”

"—Welcome!"

这一刻，风雪咆啸着过去。

At this moment, the wind and snow roared past.

他热情洋溢的声音，在后世的历史画卷上，留下了痕迹。

His enthusiastic voice left a mark on the historical scroll of later generations.