"…And also Song Maoshu, I wonder how he is, is he doing well?"

The sky was already darkening, and bonfires were burning by the distant river bend, with the occasional sounds of children's laughter and women's voices drifting over. Under Ning Yi's guidance, Song Yongping walked slowly forward. Hearing him inquire about his father's condition, Song Yongping glanced at him.

"My father's health is still quite robust. Since retiring from officialdom, he has fewer mundane affairs to worry about, and he has become rather portly these past two years."

"Song Maoshu retired from his post after I killed Zhou Zhe, right?"

"…Yes."

The two were discussing matters that would be earth-shattering to others, yet their words were calm. Ning Yi said, "Back then, things happened in a hurry, and I couldn't take care of the Song family. It wouldn't have been good to invite you along. Later, when Zhou Yong claimed the throne, with Zhou Pei and her younger sibling above, they wouldn't have made things too difficult for you, so I was relieved. In these past few years, Tan'er and Wenfang occasionally talk about you. Among the in-laws, your scholarship is the best. I'm afraid your career has been delayed, but I think it's good to take detours when you're young. The more you experience before thirty, the better the road ahead will be."

He smiled as he said this, "Of course, it was me who caused you and Song Maoshu to lose your positions, so my words sound a bit hypocritical. If you say I'm being smug, I can't argue with that."

Hearing Ning Yi bring up this topic, Song Yongping also smiled, his expression calm. "Actually, there's some truth to that. When things went smoothly in my youth, I always thought I was a great talent. Later, I realized the limitations of my own abilities. During those days after losing my position, my family members came and went, and I realized the world is full of mixed flavors. My perspective back then was really too small…"

He shook his head with a smile. "When I was young, I followed my elders in studying Huang-Lao and Confucianism, reciting ancient books and classics fluently. I could write lengthy essays on morality and literature. Looking back on it in the past two years, the most profound thing I feel is the opening lines of the Book of Changes… ‘Heaven's movement is ever vigorous. Thus the superior man makes himself strong and untiring.’ Thirty years have passed, and I've gradually understood some things."

When they first met more than ten years ago, the twenty-year-old Song Xiao Si had a face full of spiritedness, but now he was already thirty years old. He had held office, grown a beard, and experienced ups and downs. If the previous calm conversations were maintained by his self-restraint, this passage was from the bottom of his heart.

Ning Yi nodded. Song Yongping paused for a moment, "To say that there are no complaints about my cousin and brother-in-law would be a lie, but even if there are complaints, I don't think it would mean much. Would Mr. Ning, who shakes the world, stop doing things because of someone's complaints?"

Ning Yi laughed heartily. He patted Song Yongping on the shoulder, signaling him to walk with him. "There are many reasons in the world, but I only have one. When the Jurchens came south, watching hundreds of thousands of people being slaughtered, Prime Minister Qin and others tried to turn the tide, but in the end, their families were ruined. If the emperor isn't killed, these people die without value. Of course, I thought about the consequences after killing him, but in this world, you can't have the best of both worlds, you can only weigh the lesser of two evils. Before killing the emperor, I certainly knew your situation, but I had already weighed it and had to do it. It's the same as being a county magistrate. Some people you sympathize with in your heart, but you can only give them thirty lashes. Why? Because it's a little better that way."

"But, brother-in-law, have you really… not been confused these years?"

"I have doubts all the time, and many of them, but… compared to the alternatives, this path is still a little better." Ning Yi said, "I know what you're thinking when you came here, to find a flaw and perhaps persuade me to withdraw my troops or soften my stance, to give the Wu Dynasty a graceful way out. That's okay. Actually, the situation in the world is very clear. You're a smart person. If you look closely, you'll understand, and I won't hide it from you. But, first, let me introduce you to the children."

As they spoke, they were already close to the bonfire. Ning Yi led Song Yongping over and introduced this distant uncle to Ning Xi and the others. Before long, Tan'er also came over to meet Song Yongping. They talked about Song Mao and Su Yu, who had already passed away, creating a scene of a very ordinary family reunion.

While Su Tan'er was talking to Song Yongping, Ning Yi led a group of children to roast fish by the fire. Ning Ji and the children of Du Sha, Fang Shuchang, and others had eaten dinner and rested for a while before setting up small arenas to compete in turn. They were all descendants of famous families, and the martial arts competitions were quite intense. Wenwen, Ning Ke, and other little girls either cheered for their brothers by the arena or ran over to pester Ning Yi. After a while, Ning Yi, feeling embarrassed for burning the fish, walked over to the arena and wrote a couplet as a reward for the winners. The first line was "Punch Guangzhou eggs," and the second line was "Kick pineapple buns." After writing it, he asked Song Yongping to comment and revise it, and then asked Song Yongping to write a piece of calligraphy as an addition.

The playful scene by the small river caused Song Yongping some emotion, but after all, he was here as a persuader – the story of a certain strategist in legendary novels persuading a feudal lord to change his mind with a few words, in these years, it is not an exaggeration. The feudal world, the degree of knowledge is not high, even a feudal lord, may not have a broad vision, the Spring and Autumn and Warring States period, the strategists an exaggerated laugh, thrown out a point of view, the feudal lords to pay tribute is not surprising. Li Xiannong can be moved to the Liangshan mountain to speak to the king, go or also such a routine. But here is the brother-in-law, whether alarmist, or die, the generous speech, are not likely to reverse the other party's decision, if there is no most meticulous analysis, the rest is only chat and joke.

After meeting Ning Yi, he understood this even more clearly. Recalling Cheng Zhouhai's attitude at the time of departure - the other party was probably very clear about this matter. After thinking about it for a long time, when Ning Yi went to rest aside, Song Yongping also followed, deciding to throw the question back first.

"Brother-in-law, is there no way to properly resolve the matter in the Southwest?"

"It should be difficult for the Wu Dynasty."

Ning Yi was holding a branch, sitting on a rock by the riverbank, and replied casually.

"The Jurchens are coming soon, the world will be destroyed, what's the benefit?"

"The Wu Dynasty is the world, the Jurchens are the world, the Xia Army is also the world, whose world is being destroyed?" He glanced at Song Yongping, tapping the stone next to him with the branch, "Sit."

"The humidity is heavy, not good for health." Song Yongping said, and sat down.

"How many children do you have?"

"Three, two daughters, one son."

"As a very knowledgeable uncle, what do you think of Ning Xi and the others?"

"Good. Xi'er is taught very well." Song Yongping said, "Ning Ji's martial arts seem to be too strong compared to ordinary people."

"After they were born, they have been watched closely. Next, they will go to Chengdu, walk around and see, but it is difficult for them to be like ordinary children, squeeze into the crowd, and join in all kinds of fun. I don't know when they will encounter accidents, fighting for the world - we call it saving the world - this is one of the costs, if they encounter accidents and die, that's fine, being worse than dead is also possible."

In front was a flowing stream, Ning Yi's expression was hidden in the darkness, his words were calm, but the meaning was not calm at all. Song Yongping did not quite understand why he was saying this.

"The Yellow River to the north has already started fighting. Near Taiyuan, millions of people are blocking Wanyan Zonghan's hundreds of thousands of troops. Now it's a heavy snow there, people are dying on the battlefield, and even more are freezing to death on the snowy ground. Wang Shanyue of Daming Prefecture is leading less than 50,000 people to defend the city. They have been fighting for almost two months now. Wanyan Zongfu and Wanyan Zongbi led the main force for nearly a month, and then crossed the Yellow River. The defenders in the city don't know how many are left…"

Ning Yi said in the darkness: "…Now Wanyan Chang is leading 30,000 Jurchen elites surrounded by more than 200,000 Han troops. The Han troops in front are still the people being driven forward. They throw the corpses into the city every day with catapults. Fortunately, it's winter, and the plague can't start for the time being… Zhu Biao led more than 10,000 Xia Army troops, wanting to open up Wanyan Chang's defense line, but they can't open it."

"…Further south, I don't know how many millions of hungry ghosts have died. I sent 8,000 people to Xuzhou to block Wanyan Zongfu's southward path. These hungry ghosts' main force is also surrounding Xuzhou now. I don't know what it will be like when Zongfu's army meets the hungry ghosts. Further south is the direction laid out by the Crown Prince, with millions of troops, the outcome of the war is in this battle. And then there's here… tens of thousands of people have already died. Yongping, you came for the Wu Dynasty, which isn't a bad thing, but if you were me, would you be willing to leave them a way out, or not?"

"Perhaps there is a better way…" Song Yongping said.

"Perhaps there is, perhaps… there are always people in the world who can let the Wu Dynasty off, let the people of the Wu Dynasty live well, and strengthen themselves and save the whole world. Yongping, I'm not joking, if you have this idea, it's worth working hard for."

"…"

"But I can't do it. It's been more than ten years since the first Jurchen invasion. The Wu Dynasty has made a little progress, about… this much." He raised his hand, gesturing a distance about the size of a grain of rice, "We know that the Wu Dynasty has many troubles, and the problems are complex. It's not easy to make a little progress. Seeing that it's not easy for them, we want to give them better rewards, such as living a little longer. We can even write an article, praising this progress as a rare glimmer of humanity. But, is that enough? You like the Wu Dynasty, so it should survive. If it can't survive, you hope… I can show leniency?"

Ning Yi shook his head.

"…If we can't stop them, then nothing will be left. In that proclamation, I want to force the Wu Dynasty to negotiate with me. After the negotiations, my Xia Army and the Wu Dynasty will be equal forces. If the Wu Dynasty wants to join forces with me to resist the Jurchens, that's also possible. The Wu Dynasty can have more time to breathe. If they want to play tricks in the middle, not contributing their full effort, that's also possible. Everyone is playing chess, that's how it is… But, passionate speeches are for yourself, victory or defeat is determined by heaven and earth. In such a world, everyone is strengthening their claws and teeth, and no one has any luck on the battlefield. The problems of the Wu Dynasty, the problems of Confucianism, can't be solved by one or two reforms, one or two heroes. If the Jurchens corrupt quickly, that's a possibility, but because of the existence of the Xia Army, their speed of corruption isn't that fast, they can still fight…"

Ning Yi tapped the branch on the ground three times, "Jurchens, Xia, Wu, not to mention the present, eventually, two of them will be eliminated. Yongping, even if I say something today that makes the Wu Dynasty 'better off', that's also paving the way for eliminating the Wu Dynasty. If you want the Xia Army to stop, the method is very simple, as long as the people of the Wu Dynasty are united, the court officials, the forces of various major families, all display the spirit of 'better to be a broken jade than a complete tile' to attack my Xia Army, I will immediately stop and apologize… But the Wu Dynasty can't do it. Now the Wu Dynasty feels very difficult, but even if they lose the Southwest, they probably won't negotiate with me. Everyone eats a silent loss, and no one dares to take the blame for negotiating, then let me eat the Southwest. Without strength, the Wu Dynasty thinks it's humiliating to lose face? Actually, it's more than that. Next, they will have to kneel. Without strength, there will definitely be a day when they are forced to eat shit."

"After the Southwest is finished, they sent you here - of course, it's not a stupid move. In that kind of big picture, what methods can't be used? Qin Si Yuan back then was also like this, patching and pasting, forming factions and engaging in bribery, and when he should kneel, the old man was also very willing to kneel - perhaps some people will be moved by family ties, and loosen their grip a little, but Yongping, I dare not loosen this grip, if the war is won, then the strength increases, the more the better, there is no leniency because of personal desires, even if I show leniency, that is because I have to. Because I dare not have a shred of luck…"

The calm voice, mixed with the sound of flowing water in the darkness, Ning Yi raised the branch and pointed to the firelight on the riverbank, where the children were playing.

"Tian Hu in the north raised a million troops to confront Zonghan, and if he loses, he will die. Wang Shanyue is defending Daming, and I hope Zhu Biao can save as many people as possible, but it is also possible that Zhu Biao himself will be trapped inside. Millions of hungry ghosts, in one winter, should die, then they will die. Yongping, Ning Xi, Ning Ji, Wenwen, Xiao Ke, are my children, if someone tells me that there will be luck in this world, I can pray to God and kowtow a thousand times a day, hoping that they will have a happier life than me… but there is no luck in this world, not even a shred, so I don't kowtow. If the power of the Xia Army can be increased by even a fraction, I will never let it be less."

The voice then fell silent for a long time.

…

"…I have also had some profound feelings from reading books in the past two years. There is a line in the Nineteen Old Poems that says: 'Life in this world is like a traveler passing by,' this world is not ours, we are only here by chance, spending a few decades, so I am always worried about the things of this world, and dare not be arrogant… The most useful principle in the middle, Yongping, you have already said it before, called 'Heaven's movement is ever vigorous. Thus the superior man makes himself strong and untiring,' only self-improvement is useful, there is really no need to intercede for the Wu Dynasty."

…

Laughter came from the small river bend. In the following days, Ning Yi's family went to Chengdu, to see the prosperous ancient city. A group of children - except for Ning Xi - saw such a prosperous city for the first time, completely different from the situation in the mountains. They were all extremely happy. Ning Yi, Tan'er, Yunzhu and others walked on the streets of this ancient city, occasionally talking about the scenery and stories of Jiangning and Bianliang in those years. Those stories had also passed for more than ten years.

Song Yongping followed among them, like Zuo Duanyou back then, understanding Ning Yi's thoughts, and then starting discussions every day. The two sides sometimes argued, sometimes broke up unhappy, and maintained it for a long time.

Soon after, Ning Ji followed the doctors in the military medical team on a tour of nearby counties and villages to treat illnesses. Some household registration officials also visited various places to penetrate every part of the newly occupied territories. Ning Xi followed Chen Tuozi, sitting in the central government, responsible for arranging security, coordination, and other matters, learning more skills.

Winter was already deep. South of the Yellow River, a fierce snowstorm suddenly came on this day. The Jurchen army that went south was already quite far away from the Yellow River crossing. The further south they went, the more miserable and desolate the roads became. Small towns had been captured and burned, like ghost realms, and corpses of people who had starved to death could be seen everywhere along the way. This time's "Clear the fields" was even more thorough than it had been more than a decade ago.

In the heavy snow, a small-scale Jurchen grain transport team was trapped on the road. The wind and snow raged for more than an hour, and the centurion leading the team ordered the team to stop to avoid the wind and snow. At a certain moment, something gradually approached from the front.

Rustling, swaying, the things passing through the heavy snow gradually came into view. It was actually a human figure. The figure swayed, thin and dry, like a skeleton, making people's scalps tingle at the sight. It seemed to be holding a still-born swaddling in its hands. This was a woman – a woman who had been starved to skin and bones – no one knew how she had survived to get here.

The "skeleton" stood there blankly, casting its gaze on the carts and goods here. Then she swayed, opened her mouth, and made unintelligible sounds, with water-like light falling from her eyes.

She ran towards this side.

The centurion dragged his long knife over and with a swish, chopped the woman to the ground. The swaddling also rolled out, there was nothing left to call an "infant" inside, so there was no need to add another knife.

"Kill anyone who sees these things without mercy."

The centurion also knew about the news that there were still hungry ghosts wandering in this area. After killing the woman and about to walk back, another figure came over from the wind and snow.

A hungry ghost, then another hungry ghost. Seeing this team transporting military supplies, those figures that were almost no longer human were stunned for a moment, and then after a slight hesitation, they shouted and ran over. They had no strength, and many people had already fallen in the wind and snow. At this time, the shouts were almost hoarse. The centurion cut down two people, tapped his armor with his long knife, and shouted to his subordinates to build a defense line.

Those figures ran over one after another…

Life in this world is like a traveler passing by.

Carrying the ice-coldness of their bodies, shedding dry tears, making hoarse sounds…

Those were the last running figures on this cold human world.

In the wind and snow, endless hungry ghosts poured over -