The fierce fighting on and off the city wall continued for a day and only stopped on the second day, which was the noon of the 15th of September.
When Xue Changgong retreated from the city wall, he was injured again. He had been shot by an arrow, and the rest were just grazes from the arrows. For some reason, he felt that the Jurchen's attack this time was not as fierce as last time, but it still put a lot of pressure on the soldiers in the city.
When his subordinates began to count the wounded soldiers, a flag appeared in the distance from the northwest of Bianliang.
There was a loud noise coming from the top and bottom of the city wall. Everyone ran towards their defensive positions with all their might. Xue Changgong squinted his eyes and looked in that direction. Not far from the city gate, his superior was holding a long cylindrical object and looking at it from afar.
*****
On the afternoon of the 14th of September, Li Gui left Bianliang through the west gate where the battle had not yet begun. Two groups of soldiers arrived at the Jurchen camp. After reporting, the battle on the city wall was still going on. Wanyan Zongwang and a group of Jurchen generals received him. There was a somber atmosphere in the tent.
Unlike his generosity and fearlessness in the Golden Palace, Li Gui almost did not negotiate with Zong Wang in the camp and agreed to all his conditions. The Jurchen generals who seemed to want to scare him with a dark face were rather bored. The two sides signed the agreement and listed all the conditions that Zong Wang had proposed.
That night, Li Gui was left in the Jurchen camp, but the Jurchen did not give up on attacking the city. On one hand, they sent the agreement back to Bianliang City, and on the other hand, they continued to attack the city wall.
In the early morning of the same day, Zhou Zhe stamped the agreement and sent it out of the city. When it was close to noon the next day, Zong Wang picked an hour and had Li Gui formally present the contract.
They were not worried that the people of the Wu dynasty would go back on their word. However, when they released Li Gui, something unexpected happened …
*****
"Commander Zhong is here! The Western Army is here! The million soldiers of the Western Army … "
"General Zhong! Vice Protector Zhong is leading the army to rescue the Emperor and has reached Bianliang City! The Jurchen army has retreated upon hearing the news … "
A large amount of news filled the entire capital in half a day. Bianliang was in an uproar. Shishi also walked out of Fan Lou to join in the fun and watch the Zhong Family Army enter the city.
Zhou Zhe was also shocked by the sudden good news. At this time, Li Zhi had already returned with the treaty. He hesitated for a while, then rode the dragon carriage out of the Imperial Palace and went to the city gates to welcome him. Seeing the excitement in the city, Cai Jing came to see him.
"Regarding the peace talks, I did not think it through thoroughly and was regretting it. Now, it seems that I was wrong about this matter. With such a humiliating agreement, how would I have the face to see my ancestors after I die? Grand Preceptor, look at this agreement. I want to go back on my word. Do we still have time? "
Cai Jing lowered his head and thought for a moment, "Your Majesty is able to think clearly and rein in the horse at the brink of the precipice, it is really gratifying, but … uh." Halfway through his words, he suddenly reacted and knelt down. "This old minister was too excited and said such treasonous words. Your Majesty, please punish me!"
Zhou Zhe waved his hand magnanimously, "It's alright, it's alright. I was just thinking about the wrong things. For the Grand Preceptor to say this, it means that you did not agree with me from the beginning. You sat by and watched as I made mistakes. This is the real crime! Grand Preceptor, is there such a gap between you and me? In the Grand Preceptor's heart, have I become someone who can no longer listen to honest advice?! "
His harsh words made Cai Jing even more fearful. Zhou Zhe then sighed, "It's alright, it's alright. Both the Grand Preceptor and I are at fault in this matter. Now that I've thought it through, it's not too late. For the sake of the world, even if there is the infamy of breaking the agreement, I have no choice but to bear it. Sigh … Grand Preceptor, please get up. Come, let me help you up. You are a veteran of three dynasties. Although you are an official, you are also my elder. In the future, if I am wrong, you should speak frankly … "
The Emperor's carriage went all the way to the city gates and received the renowned Western Commander, Zhong Shidao.
All these years, the Western Army had been resisting the Western Xia invasion in the northwest. As a military general, he was, in fact, quite feared by the imperial court because of his strength. Among the several families in the Western Army, the Zhong family was actually the most powerful. Although Old Commander Zhong Shidao's influence did not reach the capital, in Shaanxi, he was the authentic king of the northwest.
In the years when the Wu dynasty allied with the Jin to resist the Liao dynasty, Zhong Shidao had been submitting memorials to the capital, raising objections, but it did not have much impact. However, because of this issue of position, Zhong Shidao had deeply offended Tong Guan, Wang Ling, and the others. Two years ago, when the Liao dynasty was destroyed, Tong Guan took back the six provinces of Yan and Yun, and his reputation was unparalleled. Zhong Shidao retired in the northwest and had been living in seclusion since then.
This time, the Jin's invasion to the south was fierce, so the imperial court decided to use the Western Army. After receiving the order, Zhong Shidao immediately set off and met up with Yao Pingzhong of the Yao family. After arriving at Luoyang, he led the Yao family's seven thousand infantry and cavalry to replenish the troops to more than fifteen thousand before marching south with great fanfare. This time, his arrival in the capital was indeed due to his fame, which caused the city to be in an uproar …
*****
An unusual atmosphere enveloped the capital, and at the same time, it also enveloped the garrisons of Wu Rui, Wu Wei, Wu Sheng, and the other armies. News of the peace talks between the imperial court and the Jin had already spread, but at the same time, there were many other pieces of news. Among them, Zhong Shidao was appointed as the Inspector-General, the Tongzhi Privy Council, and the Prefect of the Two Rivers in the capital region. All the troops were under his command, and Yao Pingzhong was the Commander-In-Chief. On the day of Zhong Shidao's promotion, Qin Siyuan was reinstated as the Right Premier.
The situation in the capital was changing rapidly, and the Lady Zhenren was once again biding her time. She only sent messengers into the city, asking the Wu dynasty to quickly fulfill the peace treaty, while the Wu dynasty began to delay. In the various military camps outside the city, the atmosphere also began to become increasingly somber.
During this time, Zhou Zhe became somewhat embarrassed. He was the one who had agreed to the peace talks, and the treaty had already been signed. On the surface, he did not care about breaking the treaty, but the Lady Zhenren's messengers' words in court were becoming more and more unpleasant. He could not clearly say that he would break the treaty, nor could he say that he would accept it. At this moment, he felt that many people below were already cursing him, and he could not even defend himself.
It was also because of this that he had a strong desire to win a beautiful battle.
When Zhong Shidao and Yao Pingzhong first entered the capital, he had warmly received them. Zhong Shidao was, after all, old. When he entered the capital, he was already slightly ill, but his thoughts were extremely clear. After talking with him, Zhou Zhe knew that this person was indeed capable. As one of the younger and stronger members of the Western Army, Yao Pingzhong did not disappoint him. His valiance and drive made Zhou Zhe feel that he was completely different from the generals in the court.
Although he was usually wary, he could now clearly see the situation. In the entire court, only the Western Army could fight.
However, after handing over the command of the hundreds of thousands of troops outside the city to Zhong Shidao, this old man seemed to be overly cautious. At this time, the various divisions of the Western Army were gathering. When Zhong Shidao first came south, he had asked Zhong Shidao to gather the Zhong family army, and they were currently on their way. The sick old commander believed that after all the troops were gathered, it was the right way to go to complete the battle. Yao Pingzhong had a different view on this. He felt that the Wu Dynasty's repeated delays were already suspicious. If they continued to delay, the Female Zhenren would probably be prepared. Zhou Zhe also agreed with this.
He talked with Yao Pingzhong and Zhong Shidao several times. Not long after, Yao Pingzhong's father, Yao Gu, came with thirty thousand troops. This made Zhou Zhe even more excited, and he kept pressing for the war. During this process, he also saw through some other things.
For several consecutive nights, when he played chess with the empress in his bedroom, he also talked about this matter.
"Empress, I also see clearly that everyone has their own selfish desires. No matter how old you are or what position you hold, it is difficult to avoid the customs."
"Why does Your Majesty say this?"
"When Old Zhong's Husband entered the capital, the entire city cheered. It was not an exaggeration to call him the Northwest King. For this battle, I have already given him the command of the hundreds of thousands of troops outside the city. Prime Minister Li will also cooperate with him, and there are also the elite troops of the Yao family. He still hasn't moved. Empress, do you know why? "
The empress hesitated for a moment. "This battle concerns the fate of the Wu Dynasty. I think it is inevitable that Junior Protector Zhong is more cautious."
"This is indeed a consideration." Zhou Zhe smiled, but in his heart, he had already seen through everything. He paused for a moment. "But he also has other considerations. He doesn't want the Yao Family army to snatch away the merit points. Even if the Zhong Shizhong led the army here, it would only be thirty to forty thousand men. At this time, the army outside the city and inside the city has almost four hundred thousand men. Even if many of them are useless, they can still fight. It is said that the soldiers are one, but the generals are a whole nest. Zhong Shidao, Yao Gu, and Yao Pingzhong are all famous generals of the present age. They … may not be afraid of fighting. In reality … alas, they are all fighting for merit. "
The Emperor sighed and put down a chess piece. The empress was silent for a moment. "Then … what does Your Majesty plan to do?"
"I have already talked with them many times. There are hints in my words. I only hope that they can work together and not be separated. This way …" The Emperor, who had recently experienced all sorts of major events, paused and gazed at the moonlight. Only then did his voice become slightly lower. "This way … is the blessing of the Wu dynasty, the blessing of the country …"
The chaotic situation and the unpredictable hearts of men. Little by little changes inside and outside the city gathered in the sky. The weather began to turn cold. Near Qi County, September 23rd. Amidst the continuous changes in the situation, Ning Yi also felt the atmosphere change. The news that reached him was that the situation in the capital was beginning to tighten.
As one of the manipulators of the Office of Secret Investigations, he could indeed grasp first-hand information about the various changes in the situation. On the other hand, Qin Shaoqian had also received first-hand information from the military. That afternoon, the two of them gathered together and exchanged information.
"Tonight, Yao Pingzhong will go out of the city to discuss with us the matter of sending troops. I'm afraid it's not Zhong Husband's intention …" Qin Shaoqian was somewhat worried.
Ning Yi nodded. "Zhong Shidao's momentum is too great. When he entered the capital, the entire city was shaken. Tong Guan, Wang Ci, and the others forced him to retire. Now they are afraid of him. Also, His Majesty is somewhat wary of him. You know … His Majesty has always been wary of the Western Army. "
"My father doesn't have a good relationship with him. But if we really have to fight, I feel that he is more reliable than the Yao family …"
Previously, Qin Siyuan had joined forces with the Jin to resist Liao. He had been a staunch pro-war supporter and was the direct instigator behind the scenes. He didn't get along well with Zhong Shidao, who opposed this action. It was just that Zhong Shidao belonged to the military system, so he was directly in conflict with Tong Guan and the others. But now that he thought about it, Qin Shaoqian still trusted this world-renowned Old Zhong Husband a little more.
But for him, even though he was the highest general of the Wu Rui Battalion, he couldn't decide or choose these things.
That night, Yao Pingzhong came over and discussed with the leaders of several armies …
*****
On the 24th of September, the sun was setting.
The whole land was quietly moving.
The sunlight was not strong. Late autumn was also passing. Withered grass danced in the sky. Winter was coming.
"Brother Yue!"
When he walked near the courtyard, Ning Yi waved at him. Yue Fei walked over. Some big carriages were parked nearby, and many people were following them.
Ning Yi handed him a military order.
"Brother Yue, come with us tonight. We need to … protect the things in the carriages." Ning Yi looked at the sky. "But the weather tonight might be a little bad."
"Young Master Ning, is the war starting?"
"… It's possible." Ning Yi frowned and paused. "It's possible."
Night began to fall …
*****
In the Jurchen camp on Mou Tuo Hill, everything was as usual. After nightfall, the noise gradually turned into silence. Gradually, people fell asleep.
The scouts with strong martial arts skills avoided the patrolling Jurchen riders and returned in the direction they came from. In the Jurchen camp, everything was as usual. Most of the armored soldiers had walked out of the tents, lined up silently, and mounted their horses.
In the darkness, Zong Wang rode on his warhorse. Perhaps it sensed something unusual, the warhorse shook its head slightly. Zong Wang bent down and stroked its neck. "Neigh …" he said in a low voice.
"Why do you think the people of the Wu dynasty think that I'm afraid of that old man called Zhong Shidao?"
He whispered. Most of the generals around him didn't speak.
On the 15th of September, after Zhong Shidao arrived at the capital, the Jurchen who were attacking the city quickly withdrew. On the one hand, it was because the negotiation was over, and on the other hand, it was because they really didn't want to fight on both sides. But this kind of tactical thinking seemed to excite the people of the Wu dynasty. Later, there was a rumor that the Jurchen retreated because of Zhong Shidao's arrival. So, when the Jurchen emissaries entered Bianliang not long after, under Wanyan Zong Wang's instructions, they were arrogant to everyone else, but still very respectful to Zhong Shidao.
But for many people present, even Medicine Master Guo, they couldn't understand the reason for the people of the Wu dynasty's confidence. To put it bluntly, Zhong Shidao only resisted Western Xia in the west. Western Xia was powerful, but in front of Liao, it was just a dead dog. But the Jurchen's achievements were to destroy the whole of Liao in a few years.
But it didn't matter anymore.
After a while, Zong Wang whispered again, "Why are the people of the Wu dynasty so slow …"
…
The troops wrapped in horses' feet walked on the field in the dark.
Most of the infantrymen also wrapped their boots and carried their weapons, moving forward in silence.
The wind blew, and Yao Pingzhong raised his head.
From different directions, a total of two hundred and twenty thousand soldiers surrounded Camel Mou Mound in the night!
…
Zong Wang stroked the neck of his warhorse and looked at the spy who was half-kneeling in front of him to deliver the news. This Jurchen military god had a rough face and a tall figure. Her eyes looked especially bright and deep in the darkness. Inside them were the bones of millions of people.
"Pass the order to the whole army." He pulled the reins of his horse and said in a low voice, "Attack … Trample them to death!"
"Yes."
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