The night breeze was cool. Looking out from the top of Fanlou, one could see the lights of almost half of Bianliang City, the courtyards, the streets, and the boat lights on the waterways, sending warm yellow light into the night sky. Music could be heard from time to time. It was Fanlou's female singers singing soft sentences like "Still remember the red boat path, carrying fireworks" during their performance.
The room was brightly lit, and the gauze curtain swayed gently. Song Yongping was raising his wine cup and drinking with Ning Yi. There were two other women in the room. The one next to Ning Yi was Shishi, and the one next to Song Yongping was Jin Ruyan. She was much younger than Shishi and was the most popular girl in Fanlou. Song Yongping and Jin Ruyan knew each other when he was in the capital last year, so he asked her to accompany him.
Song Yongping was born into an official's family and passed the provincial examination in his early twenties. Next, he filled the vacancy of a county magistrate. Song Yongping could be said to be successful and high-spirited at this time. This time, the local magistrate prepared a batch of tributes for Song Yongping to go to the capital to present. Secretly, he knew that Song Yongping had some connections in the capital, so he entrusted him to go to the capital to do some things, which could be considered easy and honorable. Life was so smooth, and the words of the young man were full of heroism. After thanking Ning Yi for his help in the capital and casually talking about some poems, he also talked about some of his views on Takeshi.
"… I have read history. Since ancient times, it is difficult to run a business for a long time. My family also has some businesses, but they are limited to a certain extent. Of course, my brother-in-law is in Bianliang, so he must know about this. His consideration for Takeshi must be more comprehensive than Yongping's. For example, in the past year, Takeshi has been telling stories and promoting chivalry in the army. I agree with him very much. However, I heard that among the common people, it is a little difficult to publicize this matter. I have heard that there are some discussions outside … One should always plan carefully when doing things … "
In the end, Song Yongping had no ill intentions towards Ning Yi. From a certain point of view, his words were heartfelt. Takeshi's rapid development would arouse the vigilance of the literati and the merchants. Song Yongping had inherited his family's philosophy of being an official. He was also trying to persuade Ning Yi to first solidify his foundation in the capital before expanding elsewhere.
Of course, there were also things he could not say. For example, on Song Yongping's side, Ning Yi was the teacher of the Prime Minister's residence. No matter how famous he was, he was not an official. In his view, the fundamental reason was that Ning Yi was still a son-in-law of the Su family. Moreover, Su Tan'er was his cousin. As a gentleman, he could not say anything that would make Ning Yi get rid of this identity. The persuasion started from the storytelling, then the response of the literati, and then the merchants and officials. The logic was still clear, which was also something that young people were proud of. Ning Yi listened carefully and nodded from time to time. He also discussed a few words with Song Yongping and praised his family's knowledge.
No matter what was done, of course, it needed time. Song Yongping said that he did not expect his brother-in-law to do anything immediately. But of course, he also hoped that this conversation could be "beneficial" to Ning Yi, so that he could do something in return for his previous help. After that, the two of them talked about many things. What made Song Yongping somewhat dissatisfied was that even after this conversation, Ning Yi still casually asked him about the changes in the merchants' dealings in the past year. Clearly, it was a habit of concentrating on business.
Of course, since he had the status of marrying into the Prime Minister's residence, he could only choose to do business. Even if he could interact with many high officials and nobles because of his relationship with the Prime Minister's residence, it would be difficult for his own status to rise. Song Yongping could understand Ning Yi's behavior. As a result, when he was drunk that night, he even said to Jin Ruyan, "That brother-in-law of mine, is indeed a very powerful person. It's a pity that … his identity binds him …"
That night, Song Yongping was more or less pleased with Ning Yi's words. So much so that not long after, on the way back, when he turned to visit his father in the Henan prefecture, he still spoke with some joy. As a result, he was scolded by his father, Song Mao.
"… Your sister and brother-in-law can set up such a large business in the capital, and also have dealings with the Prime Minister's residence. How can you, a child, have a place to speak of such superficial words! Such a simple truth, others may not understand, but what do you think the Right Minister's residence is? How can your brother-in-law not understand! What he is doing today is also a bit strange, but these words of yours, are really laughable … forget it, tell me what you said, over and over again! "
After being scolded, Song Yongping could only recall the events of that day, retelling the sequence of events in full detail, and then chatting afterwards. Song Mao frowned. As Song Yongping spoke, he also frowned. "If … as father said, things are not so simple, then … could it be that the Prime Minister's residence is preparing for war?"
Song Mao glanced at him, but did not speak. Song Yongping continued his own analysis. "Father, do you still remember, when I was young, I once said that the Khitans and Jurchen are all tigers and wolves, and that it is better to show the enemy that we are strong than to show the enemy that we are weak. At that time, I said that the north and the south will inevitably fight, but in reality, I was just playing to the gallery. Later on, as my knowledge deepened, seeing that the dust of the Liao and Jin Dynasties had settled, and that our court also had many measures such as enlistment, every time I thought about war, my desire for war faded … "
Song Mao said, "If what you said is true, then it can explain why your brother-in-law is so eager to expand Takeshi. It seems that this is the Prime Minister's residence's intention."
"But why is the Prime Minister's residence so certain that the Jins will definitely come south? If he puts his entire fortune on the line and disregards his path of retreat, what good will it do …"
No matter what people in the officialdom did, they would always consider their path of retreat, just like Tan Zhen's enlistment edict. If it was done well, it would be an achievement, and it would also prevent the possibility of the Jins moving south. If it was done poorly, it would not offend anyone. But Takeshi's development was different. It was an extremely selfish behavior, practically like someone who had predicted that a critical juncture was right before their eyes. Thus, the two preparations for war had completely different meanings. But Song Yongping still could not figure out the deeper meaning behind all of this.
Song Mao said, "Regardless of what they think, the Xiangzhou you live in is the way north. Your brother-in-law is asking you about the changes in the local merchants. If it isn't for Takeshi's business, then it is to compare the intelligence he has with you. If my information here is correct, after the enlistment edict, your business has recovered extremely quickly. Compared to before the disaster, it has even improved … "
Song Yongping nodded. "It has improved … by about thirty to forty percent."
Song Mao also nodded. "If the Jins really do move south and break through Yanmen Pass, the northern side will certainly become a battlefield. When that time comes, there will still be internal strife in the army. Everyone will do anything for the sake of profit and survival. Do you remember the methods that the Prime Minister's residence used in the disaster relief? This time, it was your brother-in-law's doing. This time, he lured a large number of merchants north. There are merchants, money, and profit, and even more people will feel the pain of it. If your brother-in-law and the Prime Minister's residence were to push this, then I'm afraid that wouldn't be surprising. "
Song Yongping fell silent. Song Mao patted his shoulder in satisfaction. "To be able to use business to this extent, whether it's your brother-in-law or the Prime Minister's people, they are shrewd and ruthless, and their plans are extensive. It is not something an ignorant child like you can imagine. Be humble and learn well. "
"Then … if there really is a fight, father, what should I do …"
Song Mao waved his hand. "The possibility of the Jins really attacking is not high. This matter concerns the whole world, and everyone will think about it. You don't have to worry too much. Just be a good county magistrate. If you get entangled because of this matter, the future of the Jins will be ruined, and you will lose more than you gain. If possible, you should forget about it! "
Although his father said so, after returning home, Song Yongping still paid attention to this matter. He read a few military books, surveyed the terrain in detail, and calculated the operation of the food reserves, the transportation of soldiers, and so on. Not long after, it actually played a significant role.
But this is a story for another time, so let's not talk about it for now.
Time returned to the night of Fan Lou. Jin Ruyan was not an absolutely pure person. She did not reject a young and promising official like Song Yongping, who had some ties with him in the past. That night, after Song Yongping got drunk and left with Jin Ruyan. Ning Yi and Shishi stood on the balcony upstairs for a while. The wind blew over, stirring up some of the drunkenness. Ning Yi looked at the lights in the city and laughed softly. "My brother-in-law is quite knowledgeable."
Shishi stood to the side and looked at him. Under the lights downstairs, the man standing next to her held the railing with both hands, tapping his fingers lightly. He seemed to have a disdainful aura. But also because of the effect of the wine, many complicated emotions seemed to be churning in his eyes. His thoughts, the many things that his subordinates were planning … But they were still vague, making it impossible for people to get close.
In the eyes of some high-ranking officials and nobles, Shishi had seen similar expressions. And naturally, she would not say anything bad about Song Yongping. She smiled slightly. "But what he said, Liheng has already thought about it …"
"It's not really clear." Ning Yi shook his head. "There are some things that I also hope that I am wrong. Sometimes I think that I might be wrong. If that is the case, I might have to leave the capital in two years."
"Leave the capital?"
"Yes, leave here with your wife and child. If that is really the case …" Ning Yi was silent for a long time. Then he thought of something and laughed. "Shishi …"
Shishi was still digesting the meaning of his words. She looked up at him. "Yes?"
But Ning Yi just looked at her. Something else floated in his mind. Ning Yi was not clear about the history of the Song Dynasty. But he certainly knew the name Li Shishi. As a woman who could be famous for thousands of years, one reason was because of her scandal with the Emperor. The other reason was because of her loyalty and compassion. It was said that when the Jins went south, this woman was captured into the Jins' camp and committed suicide by swallowing her hairpin. If he wanted to stop these things, he might also be able to save her.
The second rumor, Ning Yi could vaguely see it from this woman. But what about the first rumor, the scandal with the Emperor? Perhaps it was different after all? Or perhaps one of the guests that Shishi knew was the Emperor who visited incognito? He looked at Shishi and thought about it. In the end, he just shook his head and smiled. After all, this was the real world that he was in. He was really thinking too much …
Shishi waited for a moment. Seeing that he did not speak, she said softly, "At Liheng's home, Sister Xiaochan is about to give birth, right?"
"Yes, I have to go back later and talk to her and the child in her stomach."
"Talk?"
"There is a saying called prenatal education." Ning Yi smiled and explained to her. "It is said that when a woman is pregnant and is about to give birth, the child can already feel the surrounding environment and can also feel the joy of the mother. So recently, I have been going home to accompany her and teach Ning Xi. The child in her stomach is his brother or sister. The child is quite happy and should be a good brother. "
"… I have never heard of such a saying." Shishi smiled strangely. "Many people come here when their wives are pregnant …"
The wind blew over, ruffling the woman's hair and clothes. Shishi stood there, hugging her right arm with her left hand. Her body was thin and so were her clothes. At this moment, she looked like a fairy who was floating in the air, but she looked a little lonely. The two chatted for a while more. Ning Yi waved his hand and left, telling her not to send him off.
The city below was still full of lights. Shishi stood upstairs and watched as Ning Yi's carriage left from the side door. It drove onto the road, passed through the crowd, and finally disappeared into the bustling Bianliang. Waiting for the man's home was a gentle and loving wife and child. And not long after, in early autumn, he would also reap another joy.
Then, where will my joy be?
She looked at the lights and thought with a dazed gaze.
At the same time, Zhou Zhe stepped into the imperial city that had already closed the palace gates. He looked down at this huge, glorious city, his country. Everything was as magnificent and gorgeous as it was in the past, and every time he saw it, it would make his desire to become the monarch of the world grow even stronger.
He reached out his hand. The past was a mess, and the road ahead was blurred. But he knew that he would eventually cross all of this …
…
Outside Yanmen Pass, the sky was filled with stars.
Zhou Dong stood outside the tent and looked back at the towering mountains in the darkness. After coming out of seclusion, everything seemed desolate, even though these places were now the lands of the Wu dynasty.
This year, the old man was already 82 years old.
For many things, he had spent the last year in the north of the Wu dynasty. Originally, the Cult Leader of the Great Radiant Sect had challenged him to a duel. Unexpectedly, a junior had killed Sikong Nan, forcing Lin Zongwu to head south to fight the enemy. This saved him a lot of things. Talented people appeared in every generation. He had seen such changes many times. More importantly, there would always be new heroes.
Because of his various suspicions about the Jin, he wanted to go to the north to take a look. He wanted to leave Yanmen Pass and the Wu dynasty to see if the Jin would really attack the Wu dynasty. He was already at such an age. Leaving the Wu dynasty where he had spent his entire life to go to a land of tigers and wolves, even though he was a Grandmaster, he could still encounter all kinds of accidents. And the biggest accident might be fate.
Fu Lu and Zuo Wenying were still by his side.
"If I die in a foreign land, you must burn me and bring my ashes back so that I won't be buried in a foreign land." This was the old man's entrustment to the two with a smile.
At that moment, he was still prepared to go north for a long time …
*****
July, Huining, the capital of the Jin Kingdom.
In the cool morning, the envoy of the Wu dynasty, Xu Zerun, tidied up his clothes and walked into the newly built and simple Jin Kingdom Imperial City. He came with a mission. It had been three months since he went north. In order to promote permanent and normal trade between the Jin Kingdom and the Wu Kingdom, he had brought a lot of gold, silver, porcelain, and silk. He had visited almost all the official residences of the Jin Kingdom and bribed many people. Today, the Jin Kingdom Emperor, Wu Qimai, was finally going to see him in person to finalize everything.
This was the moment when the dust had settled.
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