From the rare awakening from slumber, it was as if he had a distant dream. Search: \(、Complete、Book、God、Station、) Free to read quality literature.

The morning of April 23rd. When Zhou Pei woke up, the sky was gradually brightening. The early summer morning was free from the stuffy humidity of spring, and a light breeze swept through the courtyard. The heavens and earth were as clear as if they had been washed, like Jiangning in her childhood.

She sat for a while in the pavilion in the middle of the empty courtyard. Beside her were thriving flowers and vines. The courtyard as the sky gradually brightened seemed to be submerged in a quiet gray. There were guards stationed far away, but they were all silent. Zhou Pei clasped her hands. Only at this moment could she feel her own frailty.

With the body of a mortal, and single-handedly, she had stepped into this complex world, promoting many things, clarifying thousands of relationships, sometimes deciding life and death with a single word, and at other times unable to sleep peacefully for days on end. Over time, she felt as if she was no longer herself, as if she was covered in a huge shell. But of course, these were all illusions.

She was thirty years old this year. In the eyes of the world, she was just an eccentric and vicious old woman who had imprisoned her husband and become a formidable force after seizing power. When the officials came, they were mostly trembling with fear, even more afraid than when facing Jun Wu. The reason was simple: Jun Wu was the crown prince, and even if he was too iron-blooded and courageous, he would eventually take over the country. Even if there were opposing ideas, they could eventually be communicated.

She was different. She stood behind Jun Wu, supporting her younger brother with the body of a woman, with no one to accompany her, and her husband had been imprisoned. Even if her words were gentle on the surface, she was capable of doing anything behind her back – that was how most people viewed her.

In fact, what else could they think?

She thought of Zhou Xuan and Kang Xian, who had already died.

When she was destined to take over the Cheng Country Princess's estate, she was just a teenager. As she got married, the burden also fell on her shoulders. At first, she didn't notice it, but by the time she realized it, she was being pushed along by events. The teacher had also rebelled, the country was destroyed, and there were countless things to do every day – of course, she could have ignored them and pretended not to see them, but she ultimately didn't.

By the time she stood up again, the age of thirty was pressing down on her. Her husband had become an incorrigible villain, and her marriage was over. A happy life as defined by the world was so distant from her that she couldn't even see it.

When she calmed down and thought about it, the departure of Zhou Xuan and Kang Xian still seemed to be right in front of her. Life vanished in an imperceptible instant.

She picked up a branch from the tree beside the pavilion and held it in her hand like a sword. More than ten years ago, after she returned from Bianliang, Zhou Xuan had taught her sword dance. The imperial grand-aunt was gentle in temperament in front of her family, but she also had a majestic and decisive side as she held the enormous power and property of the Cheng Country Princess's estate. At the beginning of her contact with the affairs of the Princess's estate, the old woman had taught her sword dance in private.

"A sword has two edges, one hurts others and the other hurts oneself. Most things in the world are like this... The fun of a sword and all things in the world lies in the measure between hurting and not hurting..."

Zhou Pei's athletic ability was not strong, and she never really learned Zhou Xuan's grand sword dance, but she quickly understood the principles taught in that sword dance. The measure between hurting and not hurting was the key, hurting others and hurting oneself... what was needed was decisiveness. Having understood the principle, she never touched the sword again. Now, thinking of it, she couldn't help but feel sorrow rising from within.

She recalled the scene back then, holding the wooden stick and standing up, slowly striding forward and thrusting the wooden stick out, following the movements of the old woman who had died eight years ago, slashing the sword and moving her steps in the morning breeze... A sword has two edges, hurting others and hurting oneself. The girl more than ten years ago could no longer keep up, so she was replaced by the current Eldest Princess.

Cheng Zhouhai came in from the outside, then silently took two steps back at the gate of the courtyard. Zhou Pei danced a few swords, stopped, and looked towards the gate of the courtyard. Only then did Cheng Zhouhai come over: "Your Highness is in good spirits."

"Mr. is early."

"Waiting for news. I didn't go back last night." Cheng Zhouhai smiled. "Your Highness is in good spirits."

Zhou Pei put the branch aside: "I don't know why, but I suddenly had a good sleep last night. When dawn came, I had a dream. But I forgot what I dreamed about."

After the deaths of Kang Xian and Zhou Xuan, Zhou Pei relied on Cheng Zhouhai the most. The two were like teachers and friends, and were familiar with each other's situation. As the pressure around her gradually increased, Zhou Pei often suffered from insomnia and couldn't sleep. Many doctors had seen her, but it wasn't very helpful. When the Jurchens came, Zhou Pei was worried and staying up late became a daily routine. She was not yet thirty years old, and could still hold on on the surface, but the people around her were often worried about her. Hearing that Zhou Pei had slept well, Cheng Zhouhai was stunned.

"Your Highness is calm and composed, with the demeanor of Xie An." He cupped his hands and flattered her, then said, "... Perhaps it's a good omen."

He said earlier that he was "waiting for news." In fact, many people in Lin'an City had been waiting for news these days. On April 18th, the Xiyin army, which was originally aiming at Changzhou, turned around and rushed to Zhenjiang at high speed. On the same day, the Alubao army also cooperated, posing as if they were going to attack Zhenjiang at all costs. For the time being, not many people could be sure whether this move was genuine or not.

In the current Jiangnan, Jiangning in the west and Zhenjiang in the east were the two fulcrums for blocking the Yangtze River. As long as these two fulcrums still existed, they could firmly hold back the Zongfu army, preventing them from going south with peace of mind.

Now, the Jiangning side had become the core war zone. Zhenjiang was defended by Jun Wu, who was responsible for dealing with the army led by Xiyin and Yinshuke. For several months, the two sides had fought desperately, without yielding to each other. Jun Wu hoped to defeat Xiyin as soon as possible – even by exhausting Xiyin with human wave tactics.

On the Xiyin side, in terms of overall strategy, there were two directions: first, to ignore the logistical supply and continuously go south along the rich areas of the Taihu Lake region, capturing cities and plundering food from the people. In the middle of this, the 400-mile distance from Zhenjiang to Lin'an was full of rich cities. The people in Lin'an City were also agitated and the situation was complicated. As long as Xiyin could lead this most elite Jurchen force through 400 miles and reach Lin'an City, and cooperate with the strength of the Wushu army, the people of the Wu Dynasty might collapse at any time.

Second, to cooperate with Zongfu to destroy the Yangtze River defense line. This naturally included the option of attacking Zhenjiang. Even from February to April, Xiyin's troops had posed in this way several times, saying that they would capture Zhenjiang City and kill Zhou Junwu, causing the Wu Dynasty army to be highly nervous. Then, due to the Wu Dynasty people's strict defense, Xiyin chose to give up again.

But that's how war is, full of deceit and back-and-forth maneuvers, and every time it could become real. As of April 18th, Xiyin turned to Zhenjiang again. In the middle of this, the Wu Dynasty military had to face several possibilities – if they immediately tightened the front line and focused on defending Zhenjiang, Xiyin and others might go directly south and capture Changzhou. And if Xiyin really chose to attack Zhenjiang by force, then the information revealed in the middle would be really intriguing and terrifying.

Faced with Xiyin's return, the Zhenjiang direction had been on high alert. Lin'an was also waiting for new news to arrive – perhaps at some point in the future, news would come that Xiyin had turned to attack Changzhou, Danyang, or was diverting everyone's attention for the Jiangning battle.

This news was running on the road south, and soon after, it alarmed the entire Lin'an City.

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

Zhenjiang. Soldiers were running up the city wall in teams. The morning wind was bleak, and the banners fluttered. Outside the city wall, in the open fields, countless corpses were lying in the craters after the explosions – the Jurchen army was driving the captured Han Chinese prisoners, and on the night of their arrival yesterday, they used the most efficient method to clear the landmines outside Zhenjiang City.

One catapult after another was being erected. Since Ning Yi's rebellion, the assembly line, standardized production, and separate assembly technologies that he had promoted were even more fully mastered by the Jurchen side in certain directions.

Hot air balloons were rising slowly in the morning breeze. On the walls of Zhenjiang, one hot air balloon after another also rose, with soldiers carrying crossbows entering the baskets of the hot air balloons.

Jun Wu was eating breakfast meticulously in his tent. Accompanying him was the fourth wife of the Crown Prince's Palace, Shen Ruxin.

Shen Ruxin was originally from Zhenjiang. Before the war with the Jurchens last year, her younger brother, Shen Ruhua, was imprisoned and beheaded. Shen Ruxin vomited blood and fell ill in Jiangning, but she finally pulled through. At the beginning of this year, Jiangning was in urgent need of help. Jun Wu moved his wives, concubines, and children to a safe place, and only brought Shen Ruxin to Zhenjiang.

Back then, when searching the mountains and seas, Jun Wu fled everywhere, and the two came together because they depended on each other for survival. Now, it was a similar situation of depending on each other for survival.

During the breakfast, a soldier came in to report on the completion of the rotation of various departments. Jun Wu nodded to indicate that he understood. Soon after, he finished eating, and Shen Ruxin came over to tidy up his clothes. The couple then went out together. The sky was covered with clouds like絮, floating over this big city by the Yangtze River.

The preparations and mobilization for the war had already been completed yesterday, and the military camp was shrouded in a strange atmosphere. Xiyin's forced attack on Zhenjiang was the most insane move in the entire campaign, and also the one most likely to determine the outcome of the battle. After eight years of management, 100,000 troops were stationed in Zhenjiang, and they were not a weak force. At this time when Jun Wu was determined to exhaust Xiyin's troops, the opponent turned around and attacked Zhenjiang by force, which was a desperate choice strategically.

If Zhenjiang was defended, Xiyin's troops might be heavily surrounded by Wu Dynasty troops pouring in from all sides. Jun Wu would complete the goal of defeating the Tushan Guard, and the fourth southern invasion of the Jurchens would also collapse.

But considering Xiyin's operational capabilities and illustrious reputation, his making such a choice likely meant that in the previous months of gaming, some flaws had been seized by the opponent.

"If I defeat Wanyan Xiyin, I may be able to exchange it for peace in the world..." The night before, Jun Wu held his wife's hand and said, "But if I can't win, it's very likely... that you and I will die here together."

In my heart, I am actually very afraid...

On the morning when the temperature and sunshine were gentle, Jun Wu walked with his wife through the roads between the military camps. Soldiers would salute them. He closed his eyes and imagined his opponent outside the city. The opponent had been fighting in battles for decades, and they had killed their way out of the weakest times without giving in. Wanyan Xiyin, Yinshuke... He imagined that magnificent spirit that had swept across the world. Now, he was standing in front of such a person.

He also remembered his teacher in Jiangning, and remembered his choices when making those big things. People in this world will encounter tigers... I put my life on the line, and we are all the same... The people of Hua

Xia do not surrender to foreign countries... Don't think about going back alive...

His awe-inspiring presence is as if he were still here, who would say that the Han Dynasty has perished... He joked with Wenren Bu'er that he really hoped his teacher would give him this painting...

I put my life on the line.

He thought.

I will not retreat...

……

Outside Zhenjiang City, huge hot air balloons flew towards the city walls, and soon after, large swaths of leaflets were dropped. At the same time, envoys bearing the mission of persuasion and declaration of war walked towards the gates of Zhenjiang.

At the second quarter of Si time (around 10 AM), the envoys arrived at the Zhenjiang camp and proposed surrender to Jun Wu and the many generals of Zhenjiang: "... In the previous months, the envoys under the command of Lord Gushen have successively planned and persuaded several of you to surrender. We have also instigated the support of many officials and prestigious people in Lin'an and throughout the Wu Dynasty. Lord Gushen will definitely take Zhenjiang at the fastest speed. Zhenjiang is definitely indefensible. In order to explain the situation to you and avoid unnecessary casualties, Lord Gushen ordered me to bring a list and evidence of some major officials who have expressed their support. In addition, he also ordered me to tell you that once this war begins, regardless of victory or defeat, all of you who participate in the war will be people that my Jin Country will kill! Your nine generations will not be pardoned..."

While speaking, the envoy presented a large stack of lists and evidence of "those who surrendered to Jin" to Jun Wu. In the camp, some generals were already eager to move and kill the envoy who was bewitching people's hearts. Jun Wu looked at the stack of things on the table, waved his hand to call people in, cut off the envoy's tongue, and then threw the things into the brazier.

"This is a remake of Ning Yi's plan to wipe out Liangshan that year. Picking up other people's teeth, Gushen is nothing more than this... I originally wanted to spare your life, but since you came up with this plan, you understand that you can't go back alive."

The envoy, his mouth full of blood, laughed ferociously on the ground...

At noon, the envoy's head was hung on the city gate. Wanyan Xiyin watched all this expressionlessly outside the city.

On the afternoon of April 22nd, the Battle of Zhenjiang began.

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

The carriage passed through the streets of the city, heading towards the palace. Qin Hui sat in the carriage, holding the transmitted message in his hand, trembling slightly. His mind was highly focused, and all sorts of things were swirling in his mind. This was the tension during major events, so much so that it wasn't until the driver outside the carriage called him several times that he realized he had arrived.

Passing through the long roads between the heavy palaces, Qin Hui met Zhou Yong in the living room on the side of the imperial study. The emperor was wearing a large robe, his hair was disheveled, and his belt wasn't even fastened. He was sitting by the bed, holding a few pieces of paper in his hand. He looked haggard and lost his soul. After Qin Hui came in to pay his respects and salute, it took a long time for Zhou Yong to come back to his senses.

"You、you know the news?" Zhou Yong stared.

"... Returning to Your Majesty, I know."

"Xiyin rushed to Zhenjiang, Xiyin attacked Zhenjiang... Why did Xiyin attack Zhenjiang... Everyone says that Zhenjiang is a dead end, why attack Zhenjiang?" Zhou Yong waved the paper in his hand. "Qin Qing, you tell me, you tell me..."

"This humble subject、this humble subject is not sure either..." Qin Hui hesitated for a moment and knelt down on one knee. "This humble subject is guilty..."

Zhou Yong was stunned, and then waved the papers in his hand: "What are you guilty of! You speak to me! Why did Xiyin attack Zhenjiang, they、they all said Zhenjiang was a dead end! They said that Xiyin would be dragged there if he attacked Zhenjiang. Why did Xiyin attack, Qin Qing, you mentioned it to me before, don't pretend to be stupid, you say..."

"This humble subject、this humble subject dares not speak recklessly..."

Zhou Yong roared out: "You say--"

"That perhaps is..." Qin Hui knelt there, saying with difficulty, "Xiyin has a foolproof plan..."

The room fell silent. Zhou Yong was stunned again for a long time: "I knew it、I knew it, they were going to act... That bunch of beasts, that bunch of traitors... They... The Wu Dynasty has been raising them for more than two hundred years, they... they are going to sell my son, sell me... If I know who they are, I will exterminate their nine generations... exterminate their ten generations, exterminate... exterminate their eleven generations..."

He murmured like this for a while, then turned to Qin Hui: "Qin Qing, what can be done? How can my son be saved? Zhenjiang is surrounded by soldiers in Changzhou... How many people can be sent over there? Is it possible to send the navy from Jiangning? Can those people... be trusted? Qin Qing, you have to help me, nothing must happen to my son... You get up for me!"

Qin Hui knelt there and said, "Your Majesty, there is no need to worry. The situation on the battlefield changes rapidly. His Highness the Crown Prince is wise and will definitely have a countermeasure. Perhaps the soldiers from Changzhou and Jiangning are already on their way, or perhaps Xiyin, though he has a plan, has been seen through by His Highness the Crown Prince. In that case, Zhenjiang will be Xiyin's place of defeat. We are on opposite sides... separated by the land, it is really... not appropriate to intervene..."

"I know what those people are! I know those people's virtues! I know!" Zhou Yong roared out. "I know! How many senior officials are still waiting to sell me on this court! Look at the cowardly appearance of that bunch of people during the Jingping period! My son! Is at the forefront! And they still want to drag their feet! And that Black Flag! I have already extended goodwill! What is their reaction! They only know how to kill people! Exterminate traitors! Jun Wu is his disciple! Send troops, send troops! Just like you said, Qin Qing! The Black Flag is only for gaining fame! Waiting to kill me--who can help Jun Wu--"

Zhou

Yong was hysterical, and the entire palace was shaking. Later, a look of sadness appeared on his face, and his mouth was full of saliva. Qin Hui climbed up and bowed beside him. Zhou Yong walked around the hall with trembling arms, occasionally making murmurs to himself, and later speaking in a low voice: "What Qin Qing said is also right, there is always a way、there is always a way, perhaps the plan of Xiyin has already been seen through, there is a way... there is no use in being anxious, no use in being anxious..."

He comforted himself for a long time, and was quiet for a long time. Qin Hui straightened his body: "Now, we can only wait for the battle report from the front line."

His voice had lost its previous panic, and faintly contained a power that made people feel at ease. Zhou Yong nodded, and soon sat down on the edge of the bed.

"I want nothing to happen to Jun Wu..." He looked at Qin Hui, "Nothing must happen to my son. Jun Wu is a good crown prince, he will definitely be a good emperor in the future, Qin Qing, nothing must happen to him... That bunch of beasts..."

The light shone in slantingly from the windows and doorways, and the cool breeze caressed the thin gauze in the palace, soaking the emperor's weak and feeble murmurs in the afternoon wind.

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

Southwest, a corner of the Chengdu Plain, Niu Tou County, which is also known as Old Niu Tou to the outside world.

This place is located at the border between the jurisdiction of the Chinese Army and the jurisdiction of the Wu Dynasty. The terrain is complicated and the population is also large, but since last year, due to the active efforts of the veteran cadres and Chinese Army members stationed here, this area has won the active recognition of several nearby villages and counties – the members of the Chinese Army have selflessly helped many people nearby, provided free medical care, and opened private schools for the surrounding children to attend school for free. By this spring, the reclamation and planting of new land and the enthusiasm of the people for the Chinese Army had greatly developed. If it were in later generations, it could be considered a place like a "Learn from Lei Feng advanced county."

Ning Yi therefore came here to commend the advanced personnel stationed here. In the afternoon, Ning Yi was lecturing to a group of young military officers and cadres gathered in Niu Tou County.

"... Sometimes, some things are very interesting to talk about... Our biggest opponent now, the Jurchens, their rise has been very rapid. The generation who were born in hardship had a very strong ability to learn from the outside world and accept it. I once told you that when attacking the Liao Dynasty, their siege techniques were still very weak. In the process of destroying the Liao Dynasty, they quickly improved, and later in the process of attacking the Wu Dynasty, they gathered a large number of craftsmen and continued to improve, which the people of the Wu Dynasty couldn't even catch up with..."

"... But at the same time, when the environment becomes comfortable, their second and third generations become corrupt very quickly. The people of the General Staff joked that if it weren't for our several years of great war in Xiaocang River, which gave the Jurchen high-level officials a warning, the current situation in the Jiangnan battle would probably be completely different... The Jurchens conquered the Liao Dynasty and almost swept the world before stopping. The uprising of Fang La was equal to all, but their speed of stopping was much faster. They only took Hangzhou, and the high-level officials began to enjoy themselves..."

"... Don't laugh, everyone, our Chinese Army is also facing the same problem... In this process, what determines their motivation to move forward? It is culture and spirit. The original Jurchens suffered all kinds of hardships, and they were very urgent. This sense of urgency runs through their entire spirit. Their learning is very fast, but they stop when they are at peace, until our rise gives them an uneasy feeling, but if the world is at peace, they will be destined to move towards a rapidly declining curve..."

"... We must pay attention to this matter, we will also slide into such a curve. The resistance of Xiaocang River and the difficulties of the Northwest have passed for several years, and we have also captured the Chengdu Plain. The Wu Dynasty is a mess... We are even beginning to be blindly optimistic..."

He was speaking in the classroom when Juan'er appeared outside the door and gestured to him while standing there. Ning Yi walked out and saw the urgent message that had been delivered.

"... Xiyin is attacking Zhenjiang, the situation may be very complicated. The General Staff's side sent a message, asking whether to go back immediately..."

Ning Yi folded the message and looked at the small county town outside: "It's beyond our reach, what's the use of rushing back... We have more important things here."

Juan'er nodded and was about to leave when Ning Yi reached out and touched her arm: "Release the news, we will set off tomorrow morning."

"Yes."

……

More than eighty miles away from Old Niu Tou, Xigua led people and galloped into Zhang Village.

The horse team was like a whirlwind, stopping in front of the courtyard where a family was now living. Xigua got off the horse, and Wenwen, who was playing in front of the courtyard gate, greeted her: "Auntie Gua, you're back?"

"Wenwen, Auntie Gua has something to do, I'll bring you something delicious next time..." Xigua's words remained in the air, and her figure had already rushed to the courtyard more than ten feet away, quickly rushing into the study. Only Su Tan'er was there organizing things: "Xigua?"

"Where's my husband? Where did he go?"

"He... went out for two days, for that... advanced individual..."

"He went to Old Niu Tou?"

"Yes." Su Tan'er nodded, and her expression also began to become serious. "What's wrong? Is there a problem?"

"When did my husband go?"

"The day before yesterday at noon. Speaking of which, he should have arrived last night. Old

Niu Tou is on the side. At this time, are the Wu Dynasty people going to act? There are garrison troops over there..."

"That's who I'm talking about..." Xigua said in a low voice, and Su Tan'er was slightly stunned: "What did you say?"

"I'm not sure either, I hope... I'm overthinking it." Xigua's expression was slightly hesitant. After a moment, she suddenly disappeared from the room like a gust of wind: "I'll rush over there immediately... Don't worry."

……

Old Niu Tou.

After finishing the lecture, going down the hillside was a river that passed through the county town. The sun was about to set, the shores were clear and the sand was white. Ning Yi stood by the river and watched for a moment.

Afterwards, the visitors came...

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