In the palace hall of the imperial palace, the voices continued to come out.
"… Hetian, a pair of flawless sheep-fat white jade cups, a pair of flawless sheep-fat white jade bowls, a flawless sheep-fat brush washer and inkstone, a green jade screen carved with a dragon … one Ten Saints Illustration by Wu Daozi of the Tang Dynasty … one Golden Jade Guanyin Statue, one Golden Jade Buddha Niche, one Golden Jade Buddha Niche, one Golden Leaf Jade Cover Scripture, one Diamond Sutra …"
Along with the voices, a large number of treasures were carried into the palace hall. While the deputy was reading out the list of gifts, Xu Zerun secretly looked around and the Jin Emperor above.
As a new power that suddenly rose and replaced Liao, the Jin Kingdom was not a noble with a deep foundation, but a nouveau riche who suddenly got a great treasure. However, as the imperial palace of Huining, it did not even show the shadow of a nouveau riche. It occupied a large area, but the palace walls were made of wood, mostly made of willow and elm trees. The front yard was for offices, and the back yard was for people to live in. Only the palace hall looked a little majestic, but compared to the imperial palace of the Wu dynasty, this "palace" here was just a thatched cottage.
However, Xu Zerun also knew in his heart that the true determinant of this place was not its shape, but the people who were here. Whether it was in a thatched cottage or a yurt, the people who gathered around the man in front of him were already existences that the whole world dared not to despise.
Sitting on the throne, Wu Qimai was looking at the treasures that were carried in with great interest.
As the second emperor of the Jin Kingdom, Wanyan Wu Qimai seemed to lack the temperament of his elder brother, Aguda. In fact, he was much bigger than Aguda. It was said that he was born with great strength and could fight against bears and tigers with his bare hands. Before Aguda rose in revolt, Emperor Tianzuo had summoned the Chieftains of the Jurchen tribe for a meeting. During the meeting, he requested the Chieftains to dance to amuse the emperor. Aguda firmly refused, and Emperor Tianzuo wanted to kill him. It was Wu Qimai who came out as a follower and performed his specialty, capturing a bear and tying a tiger with his bare hands. This amused Emperor Tianzuo, and Aguda was spared from death.
However, this was also the reason why the loyal and devoted big guy who followed Aguda seemed somewhat honest and foolish. According to the evaluation of other people, he had indeed inherited some of Aguda's abilities after he had inherited the throne. But, his administration had been relatively peaceful and steady. Xu Zerun couldn't help but recall a certain rumor he had heard before.
When Aguda was still in power, he had always been very thrifty. He had once made an agreement with his ministers that the property in the national treasury could only be used in times of war. If anyone violated this agreement, no matter who it was, they would be punished with twenty strokes of the stick. After Wu Qimai ascended to the throne, he was also relatively short on money. He had to spend money on all aspects. This emperor was someone who had lived a hard life. He could tolerate most things, but he had a preference for wine and meat. One day in March of this year, he could not help but steal money from the national treasury to spend it. When Zong Han found out about it, he exposed it in front of the court officials. Then, he dragged Wu Qimai off the throne and gave him twenty strokes of the rod. After that, all the officials in the court knelt down and asked for forgiveness.
Xu Zerun had seen Wanyan Zong Han before. He was one of the most terrifying ministers in the court. Maybe he really would do such a thing. Of course, if it was true, he really didn't know whether it would be a blessing or a curse for the Wu dynasty.
As an envoy of the Wu dynasty, Xu Zerun was a man of money and power. He was also good at reading faces and people. In the process of dealing with these martial artists and boorish men, he also knew that these people more or less had one advantage. That was, they were paid, which basically meant that they could do things. In the past three months, he had contacted many ministers of the Jin Kingdom. He also knew that the Jin Kingdom's imperial court had been arguing about this matter. Today, although some of the ministers he knew were not here, he felt that this matter should have a good ending when he saw the satisfied smile of the Jin Kingdom's emperor.
After presenting various gifts, Wu Qimai formally handed over the letter containing various trade treaties. Wu Qimai accepted it. He just glanced at it, put it aside, and walked down from his seat.
As soon as he stood up, Xu Zerun felt a sense of oppression in front of his huge figure. The Jurchen Emperor, dressed in mink brocade and fur like a giant bear, came over and reached out to touch the porcelain and jade tributes. Then he picked them up and played with them for a moment. "Good stuff." He whispered. When he saw some preserved meat for tribute and good wine sealed in porcelain bottles, he couldn't help playing with them and bending down to smell them. "Really good stuff …"
"When we fought into the Khitan Imperial Palace." He turned back and said to Xu Zerun, "The emperor ran away and took a lot of things with him. Along the way, he broke some things and didn't leave some good things. Of course, those guys who went in first didn't know anything. After the fight, they set fire everywhere … "
The emperor, who was more than 50 years old, looked terrible but honest. His face seemed to say, "My heart hurts so much." After saying this, he looked around the pile of gifts and then waved to the group of court officials. "The court is dismissed. You can go back."
The court officials began to leave. Xu Zerun frowned. "Your Majesty, that … that agreement …"
"It's settled." Wu Qimai stood up from the treasures and walked to Xu Zerun. Then he reached out and put his arm around Xu Zerun's shoulder. In his deep voice, he said, "Envoy Xu, don't think too much. Come, follow me. I'll show you something. "
Wu Qimai was a head and a half taller than him. He reached out and patted Xu Zerun's back. Wu Qimai couldn't help but take a step forward. At this time, Wu Qimai had already started to walk out of the hall. Xu Zerun and the others followed. A few white clouds floated in the autumn sky. The sun had already risen, bringing a slight warmth. The emperor got into his carriage and then asked someone to bring him over. "Envoy Xu, sit with me."
Xu Zerun declined, but in the end, he still got in. He leaned against the curtain of the carriage and only sat half his buttocks on the carriage seat. However, Wu Qimai pulled him to sit more firmly. "The road is bumpy. If you don't sit properly, you'll fall."
The emperor sat on the other side of the carriage with his hands on his legs. He had a smile on his face, looking like a giant bear sitting there.
For some reason, Xu Zerun felt a little flustered. After a while, as the carriage moved forward, Wu Qimai spoke.
"Envoy Xu, my brother and I have admired Han studies since many years ago. We know that there is a Wu dynasty in the south. It is prosperous and rich. Everyone … can learn and be educated. It is a great country. Envoy Xu, do you understand? "
Xu Zerun cupped his hands respectfully. "Zerun … understands. Your Majesty, as long as the two countries can open a border trade, there will be more exchanges. Soon, the Jin Kingdom … "
"Just like the things you brought today. They are all good things." Wu Qimai waved his hand and interrupted his long speech. "Of course, you also have your problems. You always like to do … things that we don't understand. What's the use of that? If we can't understand, it's useless … "
"Of course, we also have our problems." Wu Qimai did not want to be entangled and continued. "I have just succeeded the throne. There are enemies in the imperial court and I need to stabilize the people below. I really don't want to fight anymore. Now that Liao is finished. Youyan and what not, you have taken back what you should have taken. It's best if you can rest for a while. But! "
He stretched out his hand and pointed. His voice became heavier. "But … I don't want anyone to think that we, the Lady Zhenren, are afraid of war. After conquering the world, we don't dare to fight again! If anyone has such a thought, he will die! Envoy Xu, do you understand? "
Xu Zerun was stunned for a moment. He cupped his hands and said, "I understand." But he was happy in his heart. Because when someone said this, the actual threat would no longer appear. As expected, Wu Qimai also smiled. "It's good that you understand. If you people in the imperial court also understand, then the world will be at peace."
As they spoke, the bumpy carriage gradually stopped. Wu Qimai said, "We have arrived. Let's get off." He was the first to get up. Xu Zerun followed behind and got off the carriage. In front of them was a row of low houses, walls and a square courtyard. A few trees were swaying in the autumn wind. Other than Xu Zerun and the group of envoys, as well as Wu Qimai's group of guards, there were not many people. The Emperor stood in the courtyard and looked at the slightly bleak scene. He took a deep breath and raised a finger to the people beside him.
"Envoy Xu, close your eyes. Listen, listen to this sound."
At this time, Xu Zerun's heart was in a mess and full of doubts. He closed his eyes and listened. There was only the rustling sound of the autumn wind blowing through the treetops. He couldn't clearly hear the sounds further away. When he opened his eyes, Wu Qimai's low voice rang out again.
"When I was young, I hunted in the Changbai Mountains. To be a good hunter, ears are very important. I can hear the sounds of bears and tigers from far away. Their claws stepping into the snow. The leaves of the trees swaying gently. Where the wind blows … A pair of good ears will save your life. Listen now. This sound is really … huhuhuhu …"
He waved his hand and lightly imitated the sound of the wind as he smiled at Xu Zerun. Xu Zerun, on the other hand, had a look of confusion on his face. He knew that many Emperors liked this feeling of not being able to see through them. Thus, half of his confusion was a deliberate act. After Wu Qimai finished smiling, he stepped forward and walked towards a courtyard gate. As he walked forward, he said to Xu Zerun, "Oh yes, Envoy Xu, do you remember what I said in the carriage?"
Xu Zerun replied, "Your Majesty, I remember."
Wu Qimai stepped through the small door.
Xu Zerun followed suit. The scenery unfolded in front of him, and then he saw something densely packed, like millions of ants walking, spreading up his back. His scalp went numb, and his entire body tensed up in that instant …
*****
Shangjing, Linhuang Residence.
When Wanyan Xiyin walked into the exquisite courtyard, the sound of a guzheng could be heard. He walked up to the small building and pushed open the door to an exquisite room. A woman was playing the guzheng in front of the window. She smiled gently at him.
He sat down on a chair and closed his eyes to listen to the woman's performance.
"Goddess of Grains" Wanyan Xiyin was the head of the civil officials among the Jurchen. Of course, the main reason was that he was the most knowledgeable among them. He did not lose to many of the great scholars of the Southern Wu dynasty in terms of Han knowledge and Confucianism. A few years ago, he had even independently created the language of the Jurchen.
Not only did he have achievements in knowledge, but he was also a genius among the Jurchen officials. He was skilled in both the pen and the sword. Jin Wu Shu, who had once left behind a devilish name in later generations, was also the fourth son of Aguda, Wanyan Zongbi. At this moment, he was both respectful and fearful of him.
The one who lived in this small building was one of his concubines. Wanyan Xiyin admired Han studies. This concubine was also a daughter of the Wu dynasty in the north. Her name was Chen Wenjun. The two had been married for many years. They loved each other very much. Chen Wenjun gave birth to two children for Wanyan Xiyin. After the death of Wanyan Xiyin's wife, the position of wife was left vacant. Thus, she became Wanyan Xiyin's actual wife. At this time, the Jurchen had no prejudice against the Han people. In private, the people in the residence called her "Han Madam".
Every time he returned home, Wanyan Xiyin would habitually listen to her play the guzheng. This time was no exception. When the gentle melody stopped, Wanyan Xiyin opened his eyes and gazed at his beloved woman for a long time. Chen Wenjun played the strings of the guzheng and tilted her head. She smiled and said, "Husband, what's the matter?"
Wanyan Xiyin was silent for a moment. Then, he said, "I'm going south."
*****
His field of vision unfolded in front of him.
There was a huge drill ground and countless banners. In front of the drill ground was a high platform. The figure in front of him walked towards the platform. Below the platform, a large number of officials dressed in the Jin dynasty's court robes were tied tightly with ropes. They were all officials whom Xu Zerun had visited and received gifts from. There were all kinds of gifts piled up on the platform, including precious porcelain and silver wares. Below the platform was a huge charcoal brazier. Heat waves rolled and twisted the air.
The leaves swirled and swept past his feet.
Xu Zerun was a smart man, a very smart man. The moment he saw the scene in front of him, something emerged from the bottom of his heart and gripped his mind. Goosebumps rose all over his body along with a chill. The words that Wu Qimai had said in the carriage rushed out, followed by things that were even further away. He had been on a boat and carriage all the way to the north. He had seen the beautiful mountains and rivers. When he left home, the eyes of his wife and children flashed across his mind …
The wind blew across the drill ground. The banners and leaves fluttered loudly. The clouds in the sky stretched and rolled.
"Close your eyes and listen to the sound …"
He was still walking forward. His body was cold and the back of his head was numb. This was an ordinary day. He had never thought he would see this scene in front of him. However, some serious feelings had already rushed in front of him, like the wind and the rain, pouncing on the rocks.
The soldiers walked over, their swords striking the backs of the ambassadors, but there was no sound. At this moment, surprisingly, he could not hear anything. He also felt his vision waver, and his knees buckled from the blows. In front of his vision, the Emperor walked up the high platform, the wind blowing his robes, his fur flying in the air. His huge body, his hands clenched into fists, faced with countless soldiers in his field of vision. Beside him, there was a small mountain of porcelain, gold, silver, and precious treasures. Then, his voice rang out like thunder.
"My dear brothers, do you know what these in front of you are …"
…
The wind and rain rolled. Zhou Dong and his servant walked on the road between cities in a foreign land. The rain was falling from the sky.
In Jiangning, the girl called Little Seven by her family pushed a white-haired old man out to bask in the sun. She looked at the pedestrians passing by. The old man occasionally spoke and smiled.
In Miaojiang, a one-armed swordsman called Du Sha waved his sword. The enemy's blood splattered on his face. Beside him, his brothers were engaged in a fierce battle with the enemy …
…
"These are the treasures of the Wu dynasty in the south. Here, in front of you, there is porcelain like this. It is worth tens or hundreds of strings of silver. This is the most expensive one here. If you take it, you will not have to worry about food and clothing for the rest of your life … There is Hetian mutton fat jade, such a big piece, it can drive many people crazy. If you place it in your home, it can be a family heirloom for ten lifetimes … There are paintings from the Tang Dynasty … There are Buddhist scriptures inlaid with gold and silver … There are tributes to the emperor of the Wu dynasty … There are fine wine that you can't buy even if you have money … Here, there are thousands of strings of silver. Good things that are worth hundreds of thousands or millions of strings of silver. It is placed here …"
The wind blew across the platform. The emperor spread his arms in the wind. "You! Do you want it?! "
…
In Hangzhou, the city that had gone through the chaos of war had been rebuilt. Boats with black awnings sailed through the serene waterway. In the prosperous market, peddlers shouted their wares loudly. Pedestrians and merchants came and went at the city gate. It was bustling and lively …
In a courtyard, two people from the Green Forest fought quickly. One of them was sent flying and spat out blood. The other raised his hand. "Assassinate the inner demon. I will take the lead. Who else is not convinced?"
Li Pin walked along the small path in the mountain village. When he fetched water from the stream, he picked up the sand in the water and sniffed it. He liked the fresh smell.
He raised his head. In the mountain village below, he could vaguely see the farmers coming and going. The sky was bright and the rice was golden. It was about to be ripe.
…
"You should want it!" Wu Qimai's voice echoed in the sky above Huining. "Everyone should want good things! I want it too! But, I don't want charity … "
"I am a Lady Zhenren! Since the late emperor rose up and fought his way out of White Mountain Black Water, in less than ten years, we have conquered the whole of Liao! Once the world of the Liao people, all their good things are ours! This world! Aren't there more treasures in this world than here?! These things, what are they … "
With a roar, he grabbed a huge porcelain shelf next to him and swung it violently. The shelf flew into the air and countless porcelain pieces flew up, smashing into the ground below the high platform like a small hill. Countless white porcelain pieces were smashed into pieces in front of the crowd. Several Jin Kingdom ministers who were kneeling in front of him were directly smashed into the ground, their heads bleeding …
…
In the Fan House, elegant scholars were waving their fans and reciting poems. Shishi smiled as she played the zither and looked at the people in front of her. Outside the window, the heat had faded and the leaves were turning yellow.
Forget it, it's autumn again. Sometimes when I think about it, the orioles grow longer. Another year has passed …
In the north, another caravan of goods entered Mount Luliang. Hong Ti stood on the newly built gate and looked at the passing caravan.
Zhou Bangyan was in the thatched cottage pouring tea and entertaining the guests. Song Yongping held a military book and surveyed the surroundings of a valley. A few county yamen soldiers followed him out of boredom.
In the Ning Mansion, Xiaochan held her stomach and screamed. Suddenly, the whole Ning Mansion was in chaos …
…
The sound of things being smashed was followed by the sound of chests filled with gold and silver. Those golden and precious objects flew into the sky and fell into the huge charcoal stove. Wind and fire rose.
"Porcelain! What are they … "
"Gold and silver! What are they … "
"Calligraphy and painting! What are they … "
"Haven't you seen these things? No! You have all seen them! When you crossed the entire Liao, when you rushed into the Liao people's cities and the Liao people's palaces, you have all seen them! Many of you have taken them back home. You have everything you want! The entire Liao is ours … "
"We are the snow bears in the ice field, the wolf kings in the forest! As long as we, the female Zhenren, gather together, we are invincible in the world. We have taken what we want in a dignified manner! We have taken down the entire Liao, including the people kneeling down here. They used to be your brothers. They have taken everything they want in a dignified manner! You know why they are kneeling here! Because when they see these things they want, they start to receive charity! They are like dogs, receiving charity from the people of the Wu dynasty, and then they have to lobby and work for the people of the Wu dynasty … "
"They are no longer Zhenren, they are dogs …"
The wind was roaring, and the flames were rising. Under the high platform, countless treasures the size of hills were smashed into pieces, melted into golden liquid, and burned to ashes. The gigantic Emperor dashed across the stage like a demon god, throwing the priceless item to the Destroyer with one hand …
…
Jiangnan, beside the official road in and out of the county, Wang Shanyue sat in a teahouse, looking at the peddlers coming and going, showing a bored smile.
In the dark small room, Cheng Zhou was always looking at the information at hand. Occasionally, he would record the useful information in the small notebook beside him, calculating the steps and success rate of the scheme.
Shi Jin threw the drunkard who was making trouble in the tavern out of the door, then turned around and drank his wine. The pedestrians on the street were shocked when they saw the man on the ground, then they walked past and did their own things. Shi Jin's subordinates rushed up and punched and kicked him.
In the Grand Preceptor's Residence, Cai Jing wrote a good piece of calligraphy and waited for it to dry in the autumn wind. Then he sat there and ordered the butler beside him, "This one is not bad. Hang it up later."
The sun shone in, and the autumn wind caressed the paper. On the ink marks in the corner that had not yet dried, there were these words: … Brother of the Gift Gathering.
In the fragrance of ink, there was a slight fragrance of tea and books. This was the style of a gentleman.
…
"These envoys of the Wu dynasty turned them into dogs! They brought so many things, but in the end, they are afraid of us! They are afraid that we will hit them, but do we want to hit them? We don't … "
"For a long time, we have treated the Wu dynasty as a country of brothers, and they are our brothers! But what did these brothers do?! They beat the Liao people, but they did not do their best! After the fight, they jumped here and there in the dark, like hateful mice! They incited Zhang Jue to rebel, and they took in the remnants of the Liao people! In our place, they sent money everywhere, bribed, and corrupted my subjects! They dug out my flesh, and they alienated your brothers! And these people below are the fellows who have been turned from humans into dogs by them! "
"They! Live in the warmest place! They have the best mountains and water, and countless good things! Unfortunately, they are not human! They are dogs! They only fight and scheme, and never have sharp teeth and claws! Have we, the Daoist Masters, ever been stingy with our brothers? Have we, the Daoist Masters, ever been stingy with our friends? When we, the Daoist Masters, fought against the Liao people, they did nothing. It was we who defeated them, and then we gave them the things! We let them be happy, we can boast, but when we turn around, they stab you with knives! Stabbing my subjects with a knife! They destroyed all of your brothers — "
"But it's also good …" Wu Qimai spread his hands and raised the sleeves of his robe in the wind and fire. "They came over and told us what they have. They have so many good things. And I can see that you want them. Haha, but we don't want the things on the platform to feed the dogs. But there are countless things, ten times, a hundred times, and a thousand times more good things in the south … "
…
In the south of the land, beyond the Yanmen Pass, there was the warmest land, the best water and soil, and the most suitable sunlight and weather. Year after year, they nourished the people of this land, giving them the best cradle for survival and reproduction.
For thousands of years, generation after generation, they built a great and splendid civilization here. They also experienced war, but soon, they would gather again and rebuild order. Now, the large-scale war had passed here for more than two hundred years. Between the mountains and clear water, the cities and villages were filled with a peaceful and harmonious atmosphere. When the sun rose, the farmers walked out of their houses in the village and went to work. The shops in the city opened. The craftsmen drank hot porridge and picked up the tools to solicit work. The soldiers stood guard at the city gate, chatting and inspecting the passing merchants. The bailiffs shouted mighty slogans in the court. The eunuchs set up oars by the river. By the seaside, the fishermen set up their sailboats and began their day's work. Their families waved their arms on the beach. The suona sounded, and the wedding procession crossed the bluestone bridge. The bride in the sedan chair was happy and anxious, waiting for the arrival of another life. Smoke rose in the Buddhist temple. The Daoist priests in the Taoist temple did exercises to nourish their bodies. On the verdant cliffs, the huge Buddha head carved by the stonemasons gradually revealed itself.
This was a world where millions of lives and countless treasures gathered …
In the mansion at the corner of Lang Yuan, a new life was being born. It opened its eyes and let out its first loud cry. Mothers felt joy in the midst of great pain. Some people put their palms together and shed tears …
…
Everything fell down like a hill.
"Since they're dogs, since they warned us, since you really want it, then why don't you do it? Then let us - go and get it openly! Today, let these officials from the Wu dynasty be our sacrifice … "
Xu Zerun's thoughts had already sunk, but they gradually floated up again. He could already guess what the other party wanted to do. In the blurry light and shadow, in the midst of his thoughts, his soul was torn apart on both sides of his body. Unbeknownst to him, he had already stood up and rushed out, shouting as he rushed towards the figure on the high platform. He did not know what he was cursing, but below the high platform, someone had already stopped him.
"Don't stop him, let him come up, let me … show you …"
"A fatuous ruler, the millions of subjects of my Wu dynasty will definitely …"
They watched as the figure rushed up the high platform and crashed straight into Wu Qimai. However, the bear-like emperor grabbed him with one hand, and then with a backhand, he smashed him into the small hill of ceramic ruins. After two punches, the figure's body was already twisted. The emperor pulled him up, stepped on him, and tore off his arm. Blood gushed out. Then, with three booms, the giant bear tore the person into pieces. Blood sprayed onto the huge flagpole of the imperial flag, and also onto the emperor's body.
"Long live the Jurchens!" The roar of the giant bear swept across the sky, and in the thunderous response of the earth, countless blade lights fell, and countless amounts of blood gushed out. Under the autumn sky, the emperor was soaked in blood, and opened his large hand. "We …"
His voice was deep and resounding like that of a demon. "Go to battle …"
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