The warm room was lit with candles and filled with the smell of medicine.
A small wooden table was placed on a large bed covered with thick bedding. There were already several pieces of paper written on it. The old man's hands trembled as he continued to write. After writing for a while, he waved his hand to the side, and an old maidservant came in with a cup of water. "Old Master. "Master, you can't …" His voice was filled with anxiety and choked with sobs.
"It's okay."
The water was ginseng water. After drinking it, the old man's spirit improved a little. He continued to write, "… There's not much time left. These letters can ensure that the Shi family's descendants can live in peace in the Jin Kingdom for a few more years. It's okay. "
The old man was over eighty years old. At this time, he was one of the highest-ranking people in the entire Yun Zhong Mansion. He was also one of the most respected Han people in the Jin Kingdom. Shi Liai. His body was close to its limit. It was not an illness that could be cured, but his body was aging. His destiny was approaching. This was a calamity that no one could escape. He had long been aware of it.
His first wife had passed away long ago. Although he had concubines at home, the old man had always treated them as entertainment. At such a time, he did not summon them to serve him. He only had the old maid who had followed him all her life and had never married, watch over him. On this day, he had received an urgent message from the south. Thus, he had begun writing letters since nightfall. However, it was not to arrange his family's will. That had been written long ago and could not be kept until now.
After finishing the letters, he stamped them with a seal and sealed them with wax. After that, he summoned a few of the Shi family's descendants who were waiting outside the house and gave them the letters.
At the same time, there were also many people in Chen Wenjun's residence who were preparing to set off for a long journey. Chen Wenjun received several batches of guests in the reception hall. The brothers Wanyan Dezhong and Wanyan Youyi had even picked out the armors and weapons for the expedition. Many of the family guards had also changed into outfits for a long journey. The kitchen was doing its best to prepare the food for the journey.
In the three months since the news of Zong Han's army's crushing defeat in the southwest had arrived, the nobles of the Cloud Manor had mostly displayed a gloomy and dispirited aura. This gloomy and dispirited aura would sometimes turn into ruthlessness, into hysterical madness, but no one could avoid the gloomy truth. Only on this day did the few people in the city who had received the news seem to have recovered their vitality.
Previously, the defeated Western Army of the Jurchen people had a brief confrontation with Lou Shuwan and Yu Yulin's forces in Jin. But not long after, both sides reached a preliminary compromise and the remaining Western Army was able to pass through the Central Plains safely. At this time, the army had arrived at Yanmen Pass, but it would still take some time for them to return to Yunzhong.
The usual night became darker and darker. Around midnight, the sound of gongs and drums could be heard from the north of the city. Many people woke up from the night and went back to sleep. It was not until the wee hours of the morning that the Shi Mansion, Xi Yin Mansion, and some other places in the city had troops riding out one after another.
Wanyan Dezhong and Wanyan Youyi bade farewell to Chen Wenjun, whom they had repeatedly warned about, and went to the drill ground near the South Gate of Yunzhong to report for duty. The Shi family had also arrived at this time. They went over to greet them and ask about Old Master Shi's health. In the early morning north wind, many people arrived one after another. Among them were nobles of respectable backgrounds. Like Wanyan Dezhong and Wanyan Youyi, they were protected by their family guards. When they saw them, they also came over to greet them.
Two months ago, Chief Constable Mandualu, who had rendered meritorious service by killing the highest intelligence officer of the Huaxia army, stood in a corner. His identity was now completely ignored.
The entire troop numbered close to two hundred people and even more horses. Not long after, they finished gathering and left Yunzhong Mansion under the leadership of an old general.
It was nighttime when the troop left the city. They galloped on the relatively easy roads outside the city for more than two hours before the sky in the east began to brighten. They then sped up.
At this time, riding a horse was a must for the Jin people, especially those of high status. The troop galloped all the way, only changing horses to rest once. They only stopped to set up camp when the sky was completely dark. On the second day, they hurried all the way, trying their best not to fall behind. By the afternoon of the next day, they finally caught up with another group that was heading northeast.
This troop was also a horse troop, flying the flag of Marshal Wanyan Zonghan. At this time, the two troops had merged into one. At the front of the troop was the white-haired and emaciated Wanyan Zonghan. Beside him was the equally travel-worn Xi Yin.
This southern expedition had taken two years. The army had suffered a crushing defeat in the southwest. Zonghan's two sons, Xie Bao and Shema, had died in battle. The main force of the Western Army had just arrived at Yanmen Pass. Not many people knew that Zonghan, Xi Yin, and the others had already rushed northeast without stopping.
Zonghan had fallen seriously ill on the way back, but now he had recovered. Although his body had become thin because of the illness, his gaze and spirit had completely returned to the appearance of the Marshal who controlled half of the Jin Kingdom with a flip of his hand. Considering the death of Shema and Xie Bao, everyone was in awe. When the troops converged, Zonghan did not let the troop stop. Instead, he rode forward while letting the Shi family members and the rest of the people come over to talk.
Wanyan Xiyin's hair was half white when he left the house, but now it was completely white. Together with Zong Han, he received some of the important people who came to visit, excluding Mandudaru and the other officials. That night, when the army set up camp, he asked his two sons about the situation at home.
Dezhong and Youyi told him about the situation at Yunzhong Mansion and the situation at home. After all, they had too little experience and were worried about many things after the defeat of the Western Army.
"… Previously, the Eastern Army returned triumphantly, but our Western Army was defeated. Many people felt that things were going to be bad. These days, the merchants who came and went in the city also said that something bad was going to happen in Yunzhong. Even after Zong Fu returned, he deliberately left tens of thousands of troops in Zhangjiakou. When others talked about it, they said that it was to intimidate Yunzhong and that they were starting to show their knives … Father, why did the Marshal only bring so few people to the capital this time? If a fight broke out, Zong Fu would use force to attack …"
In the past ten years, everyone had talked about the battle between the Jurchen Eastern and Western Prefectures with certainty. Now that the Western Army was defeated, in the eyes of most people, the outcome had been decided. Most of the nobles in Yunzhong Mansion who were on Zong Han's side felt uneasy. Wanyan Dezhong and Wanyan Youyi were usually the role models of the clan and showed great confidence to outsiders. But now that they met their father, they naturally couldn't help but raise their doubts.
Xi Yin looked at his two sons and shook his head with a smile. "The battle between the Eastern and Western Prefectures has nothing to do with the people below us. If it was going to be settled by the army in the end, why would they send troops to the South? You don't have to worry about the matters outside. The chance of victory is still in the imperial court. This time, the fate of our Jurchen race depends on it, so I summoned you here. You have to watch and learn from the situation in Shangjing. "
The two young men's eyes lit up. "There's still a chance to turn things around?"
"Wrong question." Xi Yin was still smiling. Perhaps he was tired from the journey during the day. His smile was a little tired, but there was a fire burning in his fatigue. "It's not important whether there's a chance to turn things around. What's important is that we old things are not dead yet, so we won't give up easily. I'm like this, and so is the Marshal. "
He didn't directly answer his son's question. But when he said this, Wanyan Dezhong and Wanyan Youyi straightened their backs and felt the fire burning in their hearts. Indeed, the Marshal and his father had experienced so many things to get to where they were today. Even if they were slightly frustrated now, how could they not move forward? If they could be like this at their age, what was there to be afraid of for young people like them?
"Your son understands."
Wanyan Dezhong bowed with a solemn expression, while Wanyan Youyi, who was beside him, also silently received her teachings. Xi Yin patted their shoulders and stood by the door, looking at the sky outside. "However, there is indeed something important that I want to tell you. It's about what I've seen and heard in the Southwest expedition. I have to tell you what the so-called Hua Xia army looks like, and the reason for the defeat this time …"
Night fell, and the north wind began to whimper. The campsite was burning with fire, swaying in the wind. In many tents, people endured the tiredness of the day and were still dealing with matters that needed to be dealt with. They met with one person after another and talked about things that needed to be communicated.
The distance between Yun Zhong and the Ning Residence in Shangjing was more than three thousand miles. Even if the troops advanced at full speed, it would still take more than twenty days to arrive. They had already experienced a crushing defeat and lost the initiative. But as Xi Yin said, the fate of the Jurchen race depended on them, and no one would easily give up.
*****
"… The current situation in Shangjing is like this …"
In order to wait for Tang Minjie's arrangements, Xu Xiaolin stayed in the Yun Zhong Residence for another two days. On the 11th of August, in the small courtyard where he was hiding, Tang Minjie summarized the information about the Jurchen race and told Xu Xiaolin in detail. The important information could be compiled into a secret report, but the general situation could only be understood by memory.
"… The Jurchen race used to be a clan system, and the selection of an emperor was not as particular as in the South. The most important thing in the clan was to choose the most capable. Although the current emperors are Aguda and Wu Qimai, in fact, the current senior officials of the Jin Kingdom are related by blood. Their relationship goes back two generations. Aguda's grandfather, Wanyan Wugu, was the son of Aguda. "
"Wanyan Wugu has many sons. Now there are three more promising families. The most famous one is Wanyan Impeach Libo. He is the father of Aguda and Wu Qimai. Today's country belongs to his family. But Libo's brother, Wanyan Impeach Libo, has a son called Sagai, and Sagai's son is called Zong Han. As long as everyone is willing, Zong Han can also be the emperor, but it seems unlikely."
"In addition to Impeach Libo and Impeach Libo, there is another brother, Wanyan Impeach Sun, who was conferred the title of Duke of Yi, and Pu Jiannu, the son of Impeach Sun. You should have heard of him. Currently, the Jin Kingdom is at its peak. He can also be the emperor, but he has little chance of winning. Anyway, the next emperor of the Jin Kingdom will be from one of these three factions. "
"Among them, Zong Han is the most popular person after Aguda." Tang Minjie said, "This is the old rule of the Jin Kingdom. The throne must be rotated. When Aguda passed away, according to this rule, the throne should be returned to the impeach Libo, which means Zong Han should be the emperor once. This was originally Aguda's idea, but I heard that he broke the rule. Aguda's brothers and his eldest son, Wanyan Zongwang, were so powerful that they didn't give up the throne and gave it to Wu Qimai. "
"This kind of thing, of course, there must be a secret deal, or to appease Zong Han. Next time, I will definitely let you be the emperor. Everyone felt the same way, and that was the origin of the conflict between the Eastern and Western Prefectures. However, such a promise cannot be taken seriously. After all, even if you are given a chance to seize the throne, you must have the strength to do so … Most people were optimistic about Zong Han's chances in the fourth southern expedition of the Jurchen. Unfortunately, he met us. "
Tang Minjie smiled.
"In the past, in order to resist Zong Han, Aguda's sons were very united. Aguda's first son, Zong Jun, was not capable. The most powerful one was Wanyan Zongwang, who was able to wrestle with Zong Han. Unfortunately, he died early. His third son, Zong Fu, and his fourth son, Zong Bi, were the two bastards who led the Eastern Army to the south. They didn't have enough influence, so they pushed Aguda's son, Wanyan Zonggan, to stand in front of them. Now, Hulub Jilie of the Jin Kingdom."
"Now that Zong Han has been eliminated from the war, and the Pu Clan doesn't have enough slaves, the one with the greatest influence right now is this Hulub Blazing Wanyan Zonggan. If he succeeds the throne, the throne will once again return to the hands of Aguda's family. Zong Fu and Zong Bi will definitely take revenge, and Zong Han and Xiyin will be doomed … Of course, there will be unexpected complications."
"In the past, the struggle for the throne of the Jin Kingdom has always been between Aguda's faction and Zong Han's faction. But in recent years, Wu Qimai has fought for power for his son. His eldest son, Wanyan Zongpan, was promoted to the position of Boji Lie a few years ago. Of course, both sides did not think much of him. Compared to Zong Han, Zong Gan, and Pu Jiannu, Zong Pan had no one to look up to. His rise was so intense that at most, everyone thought that Wu Qimai was taking care of his son out of selfishness. But in these two years, the situation has changed. "
"Taking advantage of the fact that the two armies were marching south and Wu Qimai had a stroke, Wanyan Zongpan has been recruiting soldiers and buying horses. In private, he has been advocating that Wu Qimai's son can also become the Emperor. In the past two years, many people have come to worship him. Even though he doesn't have much of an advantage over Zong Han, Zong Gan, and the others, who knows what will happen in the end … We can make a fuss about it … Of course, Shopkeeper Lu has always been in charge of the Huining Temple, so I don't know much about the details. "
After all, Yunzhong and Huining were too far apart. In the past, Lu Mingfang would come to Yunzhong every once in a while to exchange information. But the situation was still lagging, and there were many details that Tang Minjie couldn't fully grasp. At this time, he roughly explained the direction of the civil strife in the Jin Kingdom, and then said, "In addition, I heard that Zong Han, Xi Yin, and the others have left the army behind and left for Huining in advance. This time, Wu Qimai's funeral and the gathering in Shangjing will be very important. If we can make them fight to the death, it will be the best news for us. The significance is no less than a great victory on the battlefield. "
As Tang Minjie said so, he looked at Xu Xiaolin. Xu Xiaolin frowned and remembered these things in his heart. Then he smiled slightly and said, "I know what you are thinking, but in my opinion, Shopkeeper Lu was the most familiar with Huining. After his death, even if we want to do something, I am afraid it will be very difficult, not to mention in this situation. When I set off, the General Staff Headquarters had estimated that the Jurchen's massacre of the Han people would last for at least half a year to a year, so … we must think more about the lives of our comrades. I haven't been here for long, so I can't give orders, but this is also my personal opinion. "
"What you said makes sense."
Tang Minjie nodded. In front of his own people, he was not a person who would twist words and force logic. In the current situation, it was very difficult for everyone to move in Yunzhong, let alone Huining in Shangjing which was two thousand miles away.
Lu Mingfang, you really died at a bad time …
He sighed in his heart.
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