The room was silent for a moment, then Li Kuang's angry voice sounded: "Who let you in?"
He Yan raised her head and glared at him, trying to suppress her trembling voice: "You killed her."
"This is my family's business, what does it have to do with you?" Li Kuang seemed to not want to see her, "Get out!"
Some of the soldiers around couldn't bear to look at He Yan, some avoided her gaze, and some bowed their heads in silence. No one said a word.
"Why should I get out?" He Yan said coldly: "Even if Yi Luo is your family's business, these women were saved by me from Uto. This shouldn't be your family's business, Lord Li. "She suddenly raised her voice," Are you going to kill them all? "
When the women on the ground heard this, some of them started to sob quietly.
Zhao Shiming, who rushed over after hearing the news, finally rushed in with Wang Ba and the others. When he saw the corpse in the room, he was shocked. Zhao Shiming asked with trembling hands: "This … what's going on? What happened? Who is this person? "
He Yan took a step forward, and Li Kuang said angrily: "Don't touch her!" The next moment, the white cloth was removed.
The girl on the ground was bleeding from her chest, and her clothes were dyed red. She was lying on the ground with a calm expression, like a beautiful flower. A few hours ago, she was still smiling and showing He Yan the garland she made, and telling others about her future. Now, she didn't cry or smile, and was just a cold corpse.
"Yi Luo?" Zhao Shiming was shocked, "How can Yi Luo be here? Did Uto sneak in? Lord Li? What's going on? "
If Uto really sneaked in, how could Li Kuang be so calm, and the Rundu would be in chaos. But … how could he explain the scene before him?
Li Kuang stared at He Yan, but He Yan remained unmoved. He looked at him and said word by word, "You'll have to ask the Lord Li about this. I think the Lord Li is trying to imitate Zhang Xun of the previous dynasty!"
As soon as he said this, Zhao Shiming gasped.
Among Wang Ba and Shi Tou's group, only Jiang Jiao had studied before. The others did not understand what He Yan meant. Only Jiang Jiao's expression changed slightly.
"In the previous dynasty, Zhang Xun guarded Suiyang City. When the city ran out of grain, he killed his concubines to feed the soldiers. What is the Lord Li doing? You want to be Da Wei's Zhang Xun, but there are other ways to make a living in Rundu. Why do you have to do this? "
"What do you know!" Li Kuang couldn't help but scold her, "You're just a woman! If I can save the people of the city, I won't regret even if I die. She's just a woman. Dying for Rundu is not a pity at all! "
He Yan looked at him. Li Kuang had fought the enemy side by side with her, and they had gone through life and death together. Although she and Li Kuang were not close friends, they could be considered old friends. He Yan had never doubted Li Kuang's character. As a military leader, he was upright, brave, and loyal. However, in the eyes of the world, he was a hero. In his eyes, "women" were just like cats and dogs. They were animals. They were nothing more than sacrificial lambs. His favorite concubine could be killed in the blink of an eye for the sake of "righteousness" and become food to fill his stomach.
This was even more terrifying than swapping children for food.
She had thought that this might happen, but that was the matter of the previous dynasty. Now it had not reached such a desperate situation, and Li Kuang was not Zhang Xun. He Yan still had hope. She thought that perhaps she had thought too much of human nature. But … nothing could stop it.
Li Kuang still made the same choice.
When he was reading the "Biography of Zhong Yi" in the Xianchang Guan, Zhang Xun lost Suiyang. The enemy could not break the city, so they camped outside the city and waited for the soldiers and horses in the city to starve to death. There was no food in the city. Zhang Xun killed his beloved concubine and forced the soldiers to eat her. Then someone killed the servants to make food for the army.
"The women in the city died, and the men took over. The number of people eaten was twenty to thirty thousand."
None of the young people in the hall made a sound. The atmosphere was quiet. The teacher was still reading, "Before the war, there were forty thousand people in Suiyang. When the city was broken, only four hundred people survived."
They were all young people in their teens, and they all came from rich and high-ranking officials. They had never heard of such a tragic thing. Cannibalism was already shocking enough. If a war was added, it would be even more shocking.
The teacher asked, "Do you think what Zhang Xun did was right or wrong?"
The young people spoke enthusiastically and each made their own statements. In the end, they still thought that Zhang Xun's actions at that time were understandable.
The teacher said, "Killing people is against human nature. But it was not Zhang Xun's original intention. There is a saying, 'The crime of Cang Huang is light, but the merit of revival is heavy.' The cannibalism is too small, but the merit of defending the city is too great. "
The young people nodded in agreement. They all thought that although it was tragic, it was precisely this incident that reflected Zhang Xun's loyalty. After all, the concubine was a "family matter", but defending the city was a "national matter". Zhang Xun was a loyal minister who sacrificed his concubine to defend the country.
He Yan did not think so at that time. She sat in the hall and did not speak. She also did not agree with the young people's opinions. She only frowned and looked solemn.
The teacher saw that she did not agree and called her up with a smile. He asked, "He Rufei, do you have a different opinion?"
At that time, she was still an idiot who was at the bottom of the exam in Xian Chang Dojo. When her name was called, she felt a little uneasy. However, the anger in her heart could not be appeased. She finally gathered her courage and said, "Everyone says that Zhang Xun is a loyal minister and a righteous man. It is indeed true. But aren't those people who were eaten innocent? I can understand his choice, but if it were me … … I would definitely not do that. "
"Oh? What do you think? "The teacher asked with a smile.
"I will lead the remaining soldiers and fight to the death with the rebel army outside the city." The young girl stood in the hall. The sunlight shone through the window and fell on her face. Her delicate and slightly childish face was covered with a layer of determination. "The person who holds the sword in his hand should know where the tip of the sword is pointed. Whether it is the enemy in front of him or the weak behind him."
"I will never draw my sword against the weak."
The hall was silent for a moment. Then, the laughter of the young people rang out.
"Weak? What weak? He himself is a weak person! "
"Also, Brother He's swordsmanship is so bad. How can he hold a sword? I'm afraid you're not dreaming. "
"What you said is so powerful. How is that possible? If such a bad knife and horse can be sent to defend the city, I think there is no need to defend the city. Hahahaha. "
He Yan was surrounded by laughter and her face flushed red. She pursed her lips and thought, thirty years in the east, thirty years in the west, maybe one day, she would be a general galloping on the battlefield. At that time, she would definitely protect the people she wanted to protect. She would never let the unarmed common people become food for the army. If she wanted to do something, she would be the bravest general.
The teacher calmed down the young people who were laughing at her. He looked at He Yan with gratification in his eyes. "You can think from the perspective of the common people. It shows that you have a heart of compassion for the weak. This is very good."
He Yan sighed in her heart. It was not that she had a heart of compassion for the weak. It was because the young people who were laughing in the hall were all men. Naturally, they thought of her as "Zhang Xun". And she was a woman. Naturally, she stood in the position of "Beloved Concubine".
From the standpoint of "Zhang Xun", this action was very righteous. From the standpoint of "Beloved Concubine", this was just an undeserved disaster.
The joys and sorrows of people in the world could not be interconnected at all times. It was nothing more than a choice made based on one's position.
Just like this moment.
He Yan said: "You are a loyal subject. What crime have you committed?"
"You don't need to say so much to me," Li Kuang said coldly: "Yi Luo is my concubine. She is my person. How I deal with my people is my business. As for these women … … ask them if they were willing. I did not force them. "
He Yan looked at the women sitting on the floor. One of the women's eyes were red. She kowtowed to He Yan and said softly: "Thank you, Daren, for planning for us. It's just that … … we have already been defiled by the Uto. Our bodies are no longer clean. Since we cannot go home, we also do not have the face to live in this world. Now that we can use our bodies to fight for a chance to live for the Rundu, it is our good fortune. Perhaps this merit can help us wash away the mud on our bodies and accumulate good fortune in the future. "
"What merit!" Before she could say anything, He Yan interrupted her.
Wang Ba and the others looked at He Yan in surprise. All along, He Yan's temperament was very gentle. Even when Wang Ba provoked her in the past, she did not say a single word of profanity. Now that she was cursing, it was obvious that she was very angry.
"What do you mean by 'our bodies are no longer clean'? What do you mean by 'no face to live in this world'?" He Yan said angrily. "Is this your fault?" She looked at Li Kuang and the soldiers in the room with their heads bowed. "Is this their fault?!"
"If you think that this is doing merit, then you are gravely mistaken! Lord Li, "She turned to look at Li Kuang." You are the city's chief soldier. Let me tell you, these women were captured by the Uto because the Uto are cruel and because you are not capable. What wrong did they do? I have never seen an injured person in the wrong, and the person who harmed them is relieved! You are doing exactly what the Uto want. In their eyes, the people of Da Wei are all fools. They only care about doing evil, so naturally, there will be innocent people to bear the blame for them! "
"How can there be such a ridiculous thing in this world? If being touched by the Uto means that they are not clean, then from the moment they stepped into Da Wei's land, there is no need to fight against them. Da Wei's land is also not clean. Just give it to them. What's the point of fighting! "
"You! Be careful with your words! "Li Kuang suppressed his anger.
"I won't!" He Yan stared at him. There seemed to be a ball of fire in her eyes that wanted to burn everything around her. "You are a man. You are their general. You pointed your knife at your women and your people! What is this? If you follow me today to kill a few Uto and eat Uto's meat and drink their blood, I will respect you as men. But there is no such thing in this world. Men can't win a battle, so they ask innocent and weak women to sacrifice themselves! This is called cowardice! "
"I said before, they are willing."
"Are they really willing?" He Yan's gaze was sharp. "Okay, let me ask you." She looked at the women. "Why do you think you can't live? Is it because of what others say? If others say something, you will refute them. If you are not good with words, you will use your fists. Is this your fault? If they still use this to humiliate you, then they are the most despicable and shameless people. There is no need to show them any mercy. I saved your lives. If you give them up so easily, where do you put me? "
Her expression was frightening. The women did not dare to speak. After a while, one of the young women burst into tears. She sobbed, "I don't want to die. I'm scared …"
Li Kuang's face was ashen.
"If you don't want to die, I am here. No one can force you to die."
"How dare you say this?" Li Kuang said. "This is not the Liangzhou Guard!"
He Yan's expression calmed. She stepped forward and shielded the women behind her. "Lord Li, Yi Luo is your concubine. She has been with you for many years. She is not an item that can be casually given away. She is yours, but before that, she is a person. "
"Today, you cannot touch these women. If you want to," He Yan slowly pulled out the long sword she had taken from the soldiers at the door, "you have to go through my sword first."
"You think I don't dare?" Li Kuang was furious. He pulled out the long sword at his waist. When the surrounding soldiers saw this, they all pulled out their swords and pointed them at He Yan.
The room was filled with a tense atmosphere.
Zhao Shiming said anxiously, "What's wrong with you? Why are our own people fighting with our own people? Our top priority is to defeat those Uto. Lord Li, I think Xiao He daren is right. You can't … … you can't eat people! If you do this, the people outside will follow suit. What will happen to Rundu City then? Even if we manage to defend the city, do you want the people of the world to point at our backs and curse us? "
He also had his own selfish motives. Yi Luo was Li Kuang's most beloved concubine. Zhao Shiming had to admit that Yi Luo was beautiful and intelligent. She was very lovable. If it was him, he definitely wouldn't be able to do it. However, Li Kuang could kill her without any hesitation. These martial artists … … sigh! In the end, as officials, wouldn't they all have to set an example? At his age, he hadn't even killed a chicken in his life. If he had to send his family to their deaths, Zhao Shiming would rather die himself. Thus, he immediately stood on He Yan's side.
Li Kuang didn't care about Zhao Shiming. He didn't care about a county magistrate who didn't even know how to wield a sword. What made him angry was He Yan.
No one would have thought that He Yan would barge in so rashly and criticize him without any explanation. Yi Luo had been with him for many years. Didn't his heart ache? Didn't he hesitate when he killed her? However, the battle had already reached this point. If the Rundu couldn't be defended, everyone would die. Killing Yi Luo in front of these deputy generals also made them understand their determination to defend the Rundu.
Among these deputy generals, they had met Yi Luo many times. They couldn't bear to see a living girl killed in front of them. There were also people who pleaded for Yi Luo. However, Li Kuang thought that he would do what Zhang Xun did in the past. It didn't matter even if he had to bear the curse of the world. His merits and demerits would be judged by future generations.
However, this Mu An Lang, He Yan, barged in and stood in front of him to protect those women. His gaze was so bright that it made him feel ashamed.
He suddenly thought of He Rufei.
General Feihong, who was still a deputy general, would try his best to save the women who were captured by the enemy in every battle. In fact, when these women returned home, what awaited them was not good. However, He Rufei would always patiently comfort them and encourage them. Li Kuang had never seen a man who was so considerate. However, he thought that General Feihong was the only one in the world who was so naive.
However, another one appeared in front of him today.
Li Kuang's expression was cold. "Mu An Lang, are you going to fight with me?"
"I'm sorry, but I can't let them die here."
A woman on the side cried and looked at He Yan. "Sir, don't waste your energy on us. If our lives can be exchanged for the safety of the Rundu, we are willing …"
"The safety of the Rundu cannot be exchanged for by you." He Yan said coldly. "Sacrificing women for safety is no different from begging for mercy from the enemy."
"Lord Li, this is not the previous dynasty, and you are not Zhang Xun."
Li Kuang was almost angry. He knew that every word of the young man in front of him was correct, but he had no other choice.
"You want to fight with me?" he said coldly.
"What the hell is this?" Wang Ba spat on the ground. "You think it's reasonable to kill a woman? We bandits don't kill women, the elderly, or children. As the saying goes, even bandits have morals. You soldiers who live off the imperial grain are worse than animals? Don't waste time. We, the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh of the Liang Province Guards, accept your challenge! "
He spoke as if he was fighting in a martial arts arena. Li Kuang was so angry that his expression became even uglier.
At this time, another person walked in. It was Chu Zhao. He looked at Li Kuang and bowed. Then, he smiled and said, "Lord Li, this is not appropriate. His Majesty has always promoted 'benevolent governance'. If word of cannibalism reaches His Majesty's ears, I'm afraid His Majesty will not be happy."
He was going to stand on He Yan's side. Chu Zhao represented Prime Minister Xu. One was a Liang Province Guard, and the other was Prime Minister Xu. The pressure was unimaginable. Li Kuang was angry and annoyed. Who was this He Yan? Why were they following him like this?
However, the soldiers around him were all looking at him. He gritted his teeth and said, "You are not my opponent."
He Yan smiled and held his sword horizontally in front of him. "Lord Li, why don't you try?"
The tip of the sword was cold and the air was cold. The gunpowder in the room was about to explode. At this time, a soldier's voice suddenly came from outside. "Sir! Sir! "
Li Kuang was filled with anger. He couldn't go up or down. Hearing this, he said angrily, "What are you shouting for!"
In the next moment, the door to the room was opened again. Someone walked in with a calm voice.
"Lord Li, before you teach the Liang Province Guards a lesson, you should ask me first."
This voice … He Yan was startled. He quickly turned his head.
He saw a young man dressed in dark clothes with narrow sleeves and dark armor walk forward and stand in front of him. They hadn't seen each other for a month, but the last time they met felt like ten thousand years. His appearance was handsome, and his figure was like a spring willow. His expression was as cold as ever.
"Military Governor Xiao!" Li Kuang couldn't hide the shock in his eyes.
He didn't expect to see Xiao Jue, the Commander-in-Chief of the Right Army, here.
Xiao Jue didn't look at He Yan or Li Kuang. His gaze swept past the crying women. He said calmly, "The person holding the sword should know where the tip of the sword is pointed. Whether it is pointed at the enemy in front of him or the weak behind him."
"You shouldn't point your sword at the weak."
He Yan suddenly looked up.
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