【End of Book Divine Station】Mobile website: Share if you like

Early autumn rain descends, pattering against leaves turning yellow.

July 16th, in the residence in Xicheng County, Dai Mengwei, who had returned a day early to pay respects to his ancestors, was playing chess with a student. He gazed at the southern sky, slightly lost in thought.

"...Teacher," his disciple Pu Huiliang whispered.

After a moment, Dai Mengwei came back to his senses: "...Ah?"

"Teacher, it's your turn."

"Oh." Dai Mengwei placed a chess piece, and Pu Huiliang responded immediately.

"Stealing half a day of leisure, Teacher still has various matters on his mind."

"Too lazy in my younger years, only to realize in old age that one cannot be lazy... Huiliang, what do you think is on my mind?"

"The matter in Chengdu, perhaps?"

"...Oh?"

Dai Mengwei picked up a chess piece and narrowed his eyes. Pu Huiliang smiled.

"News arrived yesterday saying that the Huaxia Army will enter Chengdu by the end of the month. Yesterday was the Zhongyuan Festival, something is bound to happen, it should be soon."

The two had a long-standing teacher-student relationship, and Pu Huiliang's response was not restrained. Of course, he also knew that his teacher appreciated quick-witted individuals, so he had a deliberate intention to show off. As expected, Dai Mengwei narrowed his eyes and nodded.

"These days I've had you concerned with autumn harvest arrangements, not mentioning the Southwest. It seems you haven't neglected your studies. Tell me, what will happen?"

Pu Huiliang placed a piece and smiled, "The Southwest has repelled Nianhan, and its momentum will be established. How things proceed afterward hinges on this Southwest gathering. Everyone is watching the situation there, preparing to respond, while of course, there's also a possibility that cannot be ignored... If Ning Yi were to suddenly die, the Huaxia Army would become a sweet treat for all parties to court. This possibility is small, but not negligible."

Dai Mengwei also placed a chess piece, "What does that have to do with this teacher?"

"Two months ago, Teacher's name resounded throughout the land. Those seeking an audience, offering advice and strategies, were endless. Today we are at odds with the Huaxia Army, but these people are different. Among them are those with great righteousness, but it's also possible that there are Huaxia Army spies... Initially, I thought about how to use these people, requiring extensive vetting. But now I think—it's not certain—there are even better ways to use many of them. Teacher... persuade them to go to the Southwest?"

Dai Mengwei stroked his beard. His expression was bitter, and he usually appeared serious. At this moment, he simply gazed calmly in the direction of the Southwest.

"If dozens or hundreds of people all claim to be righteous, it would be a good thing if one or two of them succeeded in something. As for who is usable and who is not, there's no need to be so absolute. The Huaxia Army opening its doors to recruit outsiders is Ning Yi's confidence in his own ideas. As for our side, as long as the people's livelihoods are secured and they can live decently, more and more people will agree. Many problems will become self-evident. This is why I placed you there, Huiliang. The people are of utmost importance."

"Teacher's painstaking efforts are understood by Huiliang," Pu Huiliang cupped his fist and nodded. "But after the Jurchens, the people's livelihoods are devastated and the land is barren. There are already many suffering people in the world, and the autumn harvest... I'm afraid it will be difficult to plug all the holes."

"Today, there are two great enemies in the world, the Jurchens and the Southwest. After the Jurchens, the people have all seen the devastation of the fields. As long as the situation is explained clearly, and everyone shares the burden, they will understand. It's just that you, my disciples, and the officials outside, big and small, must also have a mindset of riding the same boat. Don't engage in falsehoods, pretending to serve the people while secretly moving things home. That will lead to trouble. If we encounter such a thing now, it must be killed."

Dai Mengwei calmly spoke the words "must be killed," without the slightest hint of emotion, but Pu Huiliang knew his teacher's ruthlessness. He could even say that it was only in the past six months that he had truly understood how decisive and merciless this teacher, whom he had followed for many years, could be when he took action. For decades, he had resided in Xicheng County, pursuing scholarship, and had no need to display his abilities. It was only in the past two years that the old man had come forward to create a scheme, calculating the entire world, including the Jurchens and the Huaxia Army.

Especially in the past six months, the unveiling of the plot even involved sacrificing his own flesh and blood, killing Han Chinese troops without hesitation, and employing ruthless means to deal with corrupt officials after taking over the territory, exemplifying the Confucian ideals of inner sage and outer king to the extreme. However, because of such methods, he received cheers from many people in various places that were being rebuilt.

"Your senior brother Jinwen is in Zhuxi, eating, living, and sleeping with the people. This performance is very good. Although the autumn harvest this year cannot plug all the holes, it can at least plug a portion. I have also reached an agreement with Liu Pingshu to purchase a batch of grain from him first. If we can get through this winter and next spring, the situation should stabilize. He wants to plot the Central Plains, so let's first seek stability..."

The teacher and disciple spoke while placing chess pieces. When Liu Guangshi was mentioned, Pu Huiliang smiled slightly, "Liu Pingshu is widely connected and accustomed to double-dealing. This time in the Southwest, I heard that he was the first to stand up and trade with the Huaxia Army, gaining many benefits in the early stages. If someone wants to move against the Huaxia Army this time, I wonder what his attitude will be?"

"Liu Pingshu has complex thoughts, but he is not without foresight. If the Huaxia Army stands firm, he can certainly take advantage of it."

"But at the same time, he wouldn't mind if the Huaxia Army lost its most troublesome Ning Liheng. When the various factions divide the Southwest, he will still be the biggest player, it won't change." Dai Mengwei said, looking at the rain outside the window, he paused slightly, "Actually, after the Jurchens left, the land was barren and refugees were everywhere. Where was it that was truly unaffected? In the end, it's still the Southwest..."

The old man sighed, "The Shu region is naturally blessed, it has been the land of abundance since ancient times. This time in the Southwest War, the Jurchens' battle lines didn't even reach Zizhou. The Huaxia Army certainly suffered some losses, but the grain on the great plains was not damaged in the slightest. Today's Southwest, it is indeed difficult for Ning Yi to have an accident, but... if it could really happen, then the accumulation of the Southwest would flow to all parties. Not only would our Han Chinese military and scientific studies flourish greatly, but this winter, many fewer starving people would die."

The autumn rain pattered outside the window, and the room fell silent. Pu Huiliang reached out and placed a chess piece, "In the past, it was always disjointed rabble from the green forests acting against him with a surge of enthusiasm. This time, I believe things will be different."

He paused, "Judging by the time, it should be soon..."

...

The afternoon sun shone on the Chengdu Plain.

On the official road south of Chengdu, crowds of people and carts came and went.

Coming down from a Taoist temple, You Hongzhu carried his sword and bundle, strolling along the flowing river.

The vast plain stretched endlessly ahead. Rivers and official roads intersected, and the occasional villages and farmlands looked like a painting in the golden sunlight. Even the pedestrians on the road seemed to have more smiles than the people in the Central Plains.

The official road was also much sturdier, clearly having been built with much thought and effort - traveling south from Jin, the roads he walked were mostly potholed. This was the first time in his life he had seen such a smooth road. Even in his childhood memories, the past prosperous Wu Dynasty probably wouldn't have spent so much effort repairing roads. Of course, he wasn't sure about this, that's all.

Now, for things he didn't quite understand or think clearly about, he would habitually look more and think more.

In the past, during his time in Jin, he had done many chivalrous deeds. Of course, the most important thing was to protect the safety of the Female Chancellor as a folk hero in the face of various threats. During this time, he even had dealings with the great hero Shi Jin and even received a personal audience with the Female Chancellor.

The Female Chancellor had originally wanted to persuade some trusted knights to join her bodyguard, and many had agreed. But due to past events, You Hongzhu still had doubts about these "court" and "officialdom" matters and was unwilling to lose his free status, so he refused. They didn't force him either, even rewarding him with a lot of money for his past help.

After the initial settlement of the Southwest War, the Huaxia Army widely invited guests from all over the world to Chengdu. You Hongzhu was quite tempted, but with the threat of Zong Wang and Xiyin returning north imminent, he didn't know whether he should go. During this time, he had a conversation with the great hero Shi Jin, privately sparring and exchanging moves. Shi Jin believed that the danger in Jin was not great, and that You Hongzhu's skills were already quite good, and he needed more tests and insights to make a breakthrough. He advised him to take a trip to the Southwest.

Read ten thousand books, travel ten thousand miles, the skill under one's hands is the same. You Hongzhu initially came to the Southwest for martial arts, but from the moment he entered Jianmen Pass, all kinds of new things and scenes amazed him. After staying in Chengdu for several days, he also felt various signs of conflict: there was the passionate speech of great Confucians, the criticism and scolding of the Huaxia Army, the bewilderment caused by its various unconventional behaviors. In the green forests, there were even many knights who seemed to have come here prepared to sacrifice themselves for righteousness, ready to assassinate that devil Ning Yi...

You Hongzhu first came into contact with the Black Flag Army in Ze Prefecture. At that time, the Black Flag Army led that huge political change against Tian Hu, and the Female Chancellor rose to power as a result. You Hongzhu saw the power of the Black Flag Army to turn clouds over and turn rain over, and he also saw the various tragedies in that chaotic situation. His impression of the Black Flag Army at that time wasn't bad, but it wasn't good either. Just like a giant beast rolling over at will, it would always crush the lives of many ordinary people.

Later, after hearing about the various deeds of the Black Flag in the Southwest, and after it successfully defeated the Jurchens for the first time, he developed a feeling of admiration and awe. This time he came with such thoughts. Who knew that after arriving here, there would be so many people talking about their dissatisfaction with the Huaxia Army, talking about terrible predictions. Many of these people were even learned scholars who had read countless books.

In Jin, due to Lou Shuwan's status as a woman, there were also many people who fabricated her various evil deeds, but there You Hongzhu could clearly distinguish the greatness and importance of the Female Chancellor. When he arrived in the Southwest, it was difficult for him to judge the good and evil of that devil in the various rumors. Some said he was warmongering, some said he was swift and decisive, some said he was breaking the old and establishing the new, and some said he was arrogant and unruly...

Fortunately, he wasn't in a hurry to take sides. He was quietly watching the various situations in the Southwest. After staying in Chengdu for several days, he applied for a pass and left the city to the south - the Huaxia Army was really strange, when they asked him what he was going out of the city for, You Hongzhu frankly said that he was looking around. The other party looked him up and down, and then casually stamped the document, only reminding him twice not to commit illegal acts, otherwise he would be severely punished.

Tch, if I want to mess around, what can you do to me!

He had fought with people countless times in the past few years, and his improvement between life and death had been rapid. He also had a more accurate understanding of his martial arts. Of course, because Mr. Zhao had taught him to respect the rules, he wouldn't easily disrupt public order and good customs with a surge of enthusiasm. Just thinking wildly in his heart, he took the document and set off.

He traveled slowly along the way. On this afternoon, he walked to a small grove, casually went in to relieve his three emergencies, and when he came out towards the other side, he saw some movement ahead after passing a small path.

There were six martial artists carrying weapons, standing by the road, looking at the distant field scenery, and some were relieving themselves by the side of the road. You Hongzhu didn't want to get too close to such green forest people - if he were an ordinary person, that would be fine, but he was carrying a sword, which would probably make the other party suspicious - just as he was about to leave quietly, the other party's words blew into his ears with the autumn wind.

"...When I left home, there were only five days of food left. Although I got... the adult's help, this winter, I'm afraid it won't be easy..."

"...It's all the Jurchens' fault, we couldn't plant anything in the spring..."

"...Look how well the rice is growing here, if we could drag some back..."

"...The Huaxia Army are all merchants, how many pounds can you buy..."

"...Besides, now that the two sides have broken face..."

"...A few days ago, that scholar surnamed Ren said that the Huaxia Army is like this, only talking about business and not about morality, not about etiquette, righteousness, and shame... even if they win the world, the people will suffer..."

"...If the one surnamed Ning dies, many things can be negotiated. Now that the Black Flag in the Southwest is at odds with the outside world, it's because of the debt of regicide in those years. Once that debt is cleared, everyone is Han Chinese, everyone is Chinese, and we can sit down and talk about anything..."

"...The one surnamed Ning is not easy to kill..."

"...The one surnamed Ren said that the one surnamed Ning is not easy to kill because the previous folks were disorganized and did not form a unified force..."

"...Can't form it, the one surnamed Ning is called a devil. If we really unite, we don't know how many people will be spies. With one spy, everyone will have to die..."

"...Then there's no need to gather for righteousness, just the six of us brothers, just do our own thing... The one surnamed Ren said that there are countless people who want the life of that devil when they come to the Southwest this time. The plan for now is that even if we don't contact each other privately, as long as one person shouts, they can get a hundred responses. But in this situation, we can't all go to kill that devil..."

"...Then how to do it?"

"...The one surnamed Ren gave a suggestion. He said that the devil has many soldiers and generals, but after the war, his strength has always been stretched thin. Now that many righteous people have come to the Southwest, only three or five experts need to assassinate the devil. As for the others, we can think about how to make the devil divide his troops and be distracted. The one surnamed Ren said that the devil cares most about his family, and his family is all in Zhang Village... We don't know how others will do it, but as long as we take action, or lead away a team of soldiers, so they can't catch people and are nervous, someone will always find a chance..."

"...If the devil dies, will the Huaxia Army really negotiate peace with the outside world?"

"...Isn't it this devil who caused all these things for so many years. In the past, green forest people came to kill him, gathering for righteousness here and gathering for righteousness there, and then they were wiped out in one go. This time, it's not just us martial arts practitioners, so many famous scholars and great Confucians in the city, which one doesn't want him to die... When the army enters the city at the end of the month, Chengdu will be like an iron bucket, and there will be no chance for assassination. We can only try before the end of the month..."

"...Brothers, we have a life-and-death relationship for many years, and I only trust you. Our document this time is to Jiading, but as long as we turn to Zhang Village in the middle, no one can stop us... It would be good to capture the devil's family as a threat, but even if it doesn't work, we can make trouble, and others will naturally do this thing..."

...

On a street in the east of Chengdu, the streets could hear a group of scholars scolding each other, the scene was noisy and somewhat chaotic.

On the second floor of a teahouse by the street, a gray-robed scholar named Ren Jingzhu was drinking tea while talking to a killer named Chen Wei, who had an ordinary appearance and an ordinary name, about the conception and layout of the whole event.

"If you do this, the Huaxia Army will definitely receive wind of it." Chen Wei said, raising his teacup and looking at the scolding scene downstairs.

"It doesn't matter if they receive wind of it. Now I don't know which people will go where, or even whether they will go. It's hard to say. But if the Huaxia Army receives wind, they have to be prepared, some people go here, some people go there, and there will be fewer people who can really be used in Chengdu. What's more, it's not just you and me who have come to Chengdu to lay out the plan. We only know that when the chaos starts, someone will definitely respond."

Ren Jingzhu stuffed a broad bean into his mouth, "When the time comes, it will be a mess. Maybe these people downstairs will also take the opportunity to come out and make trouble. You, Qin Gang, Xiao Long... just need to seize an opportunity. Although I don't know where this opportunity is..."

"Probably these two days?"

"After all, once it's over, there will be no chance." Ren Jingzhu also tilted his head to look at the scholars' scolding, "If it really doesn't work, I can start the game."

Chen Wei nodded and was silent for a moment, "Do you know who I saw in the city."

"Hmm?"

"Wang Xiangfo, I don't know who invited him out of the mountain... Not many people in Chengdu know him."

"It's not strange, the one who invited Wang Xiangfo is probably Tie Yan." Ren Jingzhu thought, "There will probably be other experts we know and don't know coming here. Those who can restrain themselves from participating in the martial arts tournament have many plans."

"It's a mess, but everyone's goals are the same. The Jianghu hasn't had such a thing for many years." Chen Wei smiled, "You are full of bad ideas, and you couldn't see the light in the past. This time, we can finally have a result as to whose methods are more powerful than the heart demon."

"I'm just doing my best to add some trouble to him. Now he is wearing shoes and I am barefoot. Even if I win, it's an unfair victory." Ren Jingzhu analyzed, but in the depths of his eyes, there was also an unspeakable arrogance lurking. He is thirty-two years old this year and has been taking orders to plan killings in the Jiangnan area for many years. Although Ren is young, he has already gained the reputation of a ghost strategist on the road, but compared to the world-renowned heart demon, the pattern always seems smaller. This time he came to Chengdu at the invitation of Wu Qimei, and he is naturally humble on the surface, but he has a certain confidence in his heart.

In such a chaotic big game, and he can't openly unite everyone, other people have to be wary of each other when they contact each other. Only he chose to make the whole situation even more chaotic, believing that even if the heart demon is sitting in Chengdu, he will be headache to this situation.

He raised his teacup, "I've done what I can, I wish you success."

Chen Wei raised his cup and tapped it with him: "This time, for the world."

...

As the sun set, Mao Yishan led a team into the camp in the Huaxia Army camp south of Chengdu, signing the document for entering the camp.

The clerk who saw him signing had known him for a long time. Seeing the team he was leading, he exclaimed, "Commander Mao, this time you're here to show off at the martial arts tournament, right? The people you brought are all..."

"Elites!" Mao Yishan gave a thumbs up to the back, "However, it's for a mission. You know my skills, I'm not good at one-on-one, I'm not suitable for fighting in the arena. If I really want to go to the arena, Wang Dai is first-rate, and there's also Niu Chengshu and his gang from the Seventh Army, that Liu Muxia who said he never wanted to be a squad leader in his life and just wanted to charge to the front... tsk tsk, I still remember, he's really a ruthless guy. And those around Mr. Ning, Boss Du and them, with them around, what arena do I go to."

He signed his name and tapped the table.

"Your skills are indeed... you can't fight when you smile, you kill people when you get angry, you're only suitable for the battlefield." The clerk smiled, then leaned over and whispered: "...They've all arrived."

"Ah?"

"Wang Dai arrived yesterday, he's in the camp. Niu Chengshu and his people, I heard they entered the city from the north the day before yesterday. If you enter the city earlier, you should be able to see them if you look around near the guesthouse."

"Hey, then I'll take them out for dinner tonight! Niu Chengshu beat me up at the last martial arts competition, he's paying this time, are you coming tonight..."

"I can't today, I have to work here."

"Then I'll go find that beast Wang Dai first..."

People laughed and laughed. In Chengdu, the scholars' squabbles continued. Mao Yishan and a group of companions entered the city in the light of the setting sun, wearing plain clothes.

Chen Wei and Ren Jingzhu walked down from upstairs and left separately; not far away, a strong man who looked like an ox was squatting on the side of the road eating candied haws, his face twisted in pain from the sourness. A child saw this scene and smiled, revealing half a mouthful of white teeth. Not many people could know the expression of that strong man when he said "killing people should be festive" on the battlefield.

Wang Xiangfo was looking at people's introductions and stories on the signs outside the martial arts venue again. In the best noodle shop in the city, Liu Muxia finished eating egg noodles and paid the pretty girl in the store with a smile.

An old Confucian scholar named Guan Shanhai was puckering up his lips and kissing a girl. In a market two streets away, Wen Shoubin was welcoming new friends to make and preparing to start a new debate. Qu Longjun was sitting in the pavilion watching the sunset, and Ning Ji was clumsily mending his accidentally torn pants in the yard.

Six knights set off on the road to Zhang Village, out of a sense of recollection and remembrance, You Hongzhu followed from behind...

And there were more and more ordinary people. Ordinary people have ordinary desires, various different purposes, and such and such lives. They intersect in the surging crowd. Even if they brushed past each other, they had not yet intersected at this moment that still seemed warm...

【End of Book Divine Station】Mobile website: Share if you like