On the 21st of February in the fourteenth year of Jinghan, south of Taiyuan, Qi County, spring rain.
The sky was so dark it seemed like it would fall.
The rain fell on him, chilling him to the bone.
Chen Yanshu's vision swayed, and then with a bang, he fell off the horse. He rolled a few times and stood up, swaying. He was already covered in mud.
A few bodyguards hurried over. Some of them dismounted from their horses and helped him up. They were talking to him, but what they saw was Chen Yanshu's stupefied eyes and slightly opened lips.
"... Official Chen, Official Chen, what's wrong, are you okay..."
The cry seemed to come from a great distance, and then to a great distance.
Four hours ago, the Wu Sheng Army had launched an attack on Shu Liesu's army.
After the defeat outside the city of Bianliang, the army of hundreds of thousands scattered and then gathered again. The Wusheng Army under Chen Yanshu's command gathered more than fifty thousand people, which was the largest among all the other armies.
Along the way north, Chen Yanshu had not only asked for help from the rear, but also summoned the surrounding prefectural armies and volunteer armies in the name of the court. When Zong Han had stationed his troops in Taiyuan, he had looted the southern lines of Taiyuan. Later, when Zong Wang's army passed through, it also disrupted the defensive arrangements in these areas. But the arrival of the Wu Sheng Army and the order had brought many responses and calls. The result of this call was that when Chen Yanshu finally decided to attack Shu Liesu in the south of Taiyuan City, the size of the entire army had already reached seventy thousand.
And the problem was quite serious.
Among the fifty thousand troops he brought from Bianliang, there were desertions every day. He had no choice but to enforce military discipline in a high-pressure way. Although the volunteer troops gathered from all directions were passionate, they were in a mess, with a mixed organization and equipment of varying quality. On the surface, there were people coming every day to answer the call to relieve the siege of Taiyuan. But the Wu Sheng Army was a mess.
But he did not have many solutions. As the orders from the rear became more and more resolute, on the morning of the 21st, he still ordered the army to attack.
In the spring rain that followed, the army, which was as immovable as a mountain, collapsed like sand in the rain.
When the Enlightened Lady came, he could only run. By the time he got here, he was mentally and physically exhausted.
The guards shook his arms and shouted. They saw that half of the face of this great official, who was the head of the army, was stained with mud. His eyes were empty, and his lips opened and closed as if he was saying something.
"... It's over... it's over... it's not like before..."
"Lord, what did you say?! Lord, wake up... the Enlightened Lady is still at the rear... "
"… I regret it … It's over …" He suddenly waved his hand. "Ah —" A loud scream startled everyone. Then, they saw Chen Yanshu pull out his sword and rush forward. A guard tried to snatch his sword and was almost injured. Chen Yanshu swayed and rushed forward. He turned the sword around and placed the blade on his neck. He staggered a few steps and held the hilt with both hands, wanting to stab himself in the heart with the blade. In the end, Chen Yanshu didn't dare to stab down. He screamed hysterically, knelt on the ground, and screamed at the sky.
"Ah... I regret it... it's over..."
The screams were accompanied by heart-palpitating sobs.
"It's over... the Wu Dynasty is finished..."
He finally stabbed the sword through his heart. Blood gushed out. Chen Yanshu's eyes were wide open and he finally let out two gurgling sounds. The cries were like an ominous prophecy, echoing in the air.
No one knew what Chen Yanshu said in the end. Not long after, several guards chopped off his head and surrendered to the pursuing Enlightened Lady.
The battle outside Taiyuan City was bitter under the spring rain, but it was also calm and uneventful. In Bianliang, hundreds of li away, no one knew the result of the Victorious Martial Army that had gone north. In the past few days, the situation in the capital had been full of twists and turns. It was like a fire and was changing violently.
The court had not made a decision to send more troops to Taiyuan. Although they had sent the Victorious Martial Army north, everyone had seen the results of the battle outside Bianliang. The common people might not know, but there was a lot of discussion among the scholars and officials every day. Taiyuan had not fallen yet, so the discussion became more and more intense.
In the midst of this discussion, the daily petitions of the scholars continued. They either asked for troops or for the country to pull itself together, change the military system, and get rid of the treacherous officials. Behind these discussions, there were countless forces manipulating them. Some fierce demands were brewing and fermenting. For example, one of the leaders of the popular opinion, the Imperial College student Chen Dong, was petitioning outside the Imperial City to kill the "Seven Tigers" in the court.
The "Seven Tigers" included Cai Jing, Liang Shicheng, Li Yan, Zhu Ao, Wang Ci, Tong Guan, and Qin Siyuan.
"Today's matter had Cai Jing causing chaos first and Liang Shicheng conspiring behind him. Li Yan hated the northwest, Zhu Ao hated the southeast, Wang Ci, Tong Guan, and Qin Siyuan hated the Liao and Jin, creating a gap between them. Kill the Seven Tigers and spread the news everywhere to thank the world! "
This was the general meaning of the "Seven Tigers".
Qin Siyuan was a new addition to these treacherous officials. Ever since he assisted Li Gang, Qin Siyuan had implemented harsh policies and had offended many people. During the battle of defending Bianliang, the imperial court called for the defense of the city. Every household sent people and vendors. It was all the work of the Right Minister's residence. During this period, there were many cases of people using their power to bully people. For example, some low-ranking officials used their power to capture people to go to the battlefield and raped people's wives and daughters. After the people defending the city were sacrificed, Qin Siyuan ordered all the corpses to be burned. This was also a big problem. Later, during the negotiation with the Female Zhenren, the handing over of food and herbs was all led by the Right Minister's residence.
In the past, Qin Siyuan was at most a cruel official in the people's opinion. Recently, under the deliberate brewing, even if Takeshi exonerated him, the negative comments about Qin Siyuan were still rampant. The main reason for this was that compared to saying good words, ordinary people preferred to scold, not to mention that Qin Siyuan had indeed done many things that went against the wishes of his hometown.
Among the three heroes of the battle of defending Bianliang, Li Gang, Zhong Shidao, and Qin Siyuan, if people had to find a villain, there was no doubt that Qin Siyuan was the most qualified one.
Following the vines to the melon, there were all kinds of forces manipulating these opinions behind the scenes, and it was related to the changes in the situation of the imperial court. A few days ago, Qin Siyuan had already begged to leave due to illness, but what came with it was gradually more and more memorials attacking and impeaching Qin Siyuan. At first, they were groundless. For example, Qin Siyuan transported food and fodder for the Female Zhenren, which caused the people to be angry. This was purely asking for trouble. Qin Siyuan was responsible for it, but didn't it have to be ordered by the higher-ups? After the first few people were sent to prison, the subsequent memorials became more and more authentic.
For example, some of the expedient measures that Qin Siyuan used when he was the Right Prime Minister, some of the backdoor he used to open for the Wu Rui Battalion, and some of the shady tricks that he used against others. Zhou Zhe tried his best to protect Qin Siyuan and threw these people into prison one by one. It was not until the number of people increased that he stopped and changed to reprimand. At the same time, he regarded Qin Siyuan's claim of illness as an expedient measure to avoid suspicion. He said, "I absolutely believe in the Right Prime Minister. You don't have to worry, I will prove your innocence!" He also rejected Qin Siyuan's resignation.
Then Qin Hui took the lead to submit a memorial, saying that although the Right Prime Minister was innocent and selfless, according to the usual practice, with so many people accusing him, he should be tried together to prove the Right Prime Minister's innocence. Zhou Zhe retorted again, "The Lady Zhenren has just left. The Right Prime Minister is a meritorious minister who defended the city. I have not yet rewarded him for his meritorious service. If I were to do this, wouldn't it make people think that I am a person who has served my purpose? Of course, I trust the Right Prime Minister. Don't mention this again!"
These superficial formalities could not conceal the thunder brewing in the dark. On Ning Yi's side, some merchants who had connections with Takeshi also began to visit him to inquire or sound him out. All kinds of rumors were spreading in the dark. Ever since he handed over the things he had on hand to Qin Siyuan, Ning Yi's attention had returned to Takeshi and he had made many internal adjustments. Just as he had said to Hongti, if the Right Prime Minister lost power, Takeshi and the Office of Secret Investigations would immediately split up and cut off their tails in order to survive. Otherwise, once the government took over, the little things he had on hand would inevitably become the wedding clothes of others.
He had been managing Takeshi's core for a long time, so he naturally still wanted it.
Of course, it was not time for this kind of division. The people in court had already displayed an aggressive stance, but Qin Siyuan's retreat and silence might not be a bad strategy. Perhaps after fighting for a while, the Emperor would discover that this side really did not fight back and would think that he truly had no selfish motives. On the other hand, the old man also locked Qin Shaoqian in the manor, not allowing him to control the Wu Rui Camp. He could only wait for the Emperor to find someone to take over — there was no other way.
However, Taiyuan was really boiling. Second Young Master Qin, who was blind in one eye, was anxious every day in the courtyard. He practiced boxing all day long until his hands were bloody. He was not a young man anymore. He understood everything that had happened. It was precisely because he understood that the torment in his heart was even greater. One day, Ning Yi went over and spoke to Qin Shaoqian. Qin Shaoqian's hands were bloody, but he did not bandage them. He spoke calmly and chatted with Ning Yi for a while. Then, Ning Yi saw him become silent, his hands clenched into fists, and his teeth chattered.
"Liheng, Taiyuan is still fighting!" He saw Qin Shaoqian raise his head. His eyes were bloodshot, and the veins on his forehead were moving. "Eldest brother is still in the city, and Taiyuan is still fighting. I am not willing … "
Ning Yi was silent for a moment and then choked out, "I have already sent people to rescue him."
Qin Shaoqian gritted his teeth, his entire body trembling. It was a long time before he stopped.
Coming out of the Prime Minister's manor, he had nothing to do on the surface except communicate with some merchants and large families. These days, a relative came over. It was Song Yongping.
This younger brother of his wife, who was born in a family of officials, had previously passed the provincial examination. Later, with the help of Ning Yi, he was given a good county to be the county magistrate. When the Female Zhenren came south, a group of Female Zhenren cavalry had once attacked the county town he was in. Song Yongping had previously carefully explored the nearby terrain. Later, newborn calves were not afraid of tigers. Using the terrain near the county town, he repelled the Female Zhenren, killed dozens of people, and stole some warhorses. When the war first stopped and the merits were being determined, the faction of the Right Minister held real power and conveniently gave him a great merit. Naturally, Ning Yi did not know of this matter. At this time, Song Yongping had entered the capital to be promoted. Who would have thought that as soon as he entered the city, he would discover that the situation in the capital had changed and that a storm was coming?
By now, Song Yongping had more or less matured. Although he had heard a few bad rumors, he still came to Takeshi and visited Ning Yi. Then, he stayed in Takeshi.
After all, he did not have a deep understanding of the overall situation. These few days, he chatted with Ning Yi, but he mostly talked with Su Wenfang. Previously, Song Yongping was the phoenix of the Song family. Compared to the Su family's Su Wenfang, who was a good-for-nothing child, he did not know how much smarter he was. But this time, he found that this cousin of the Su family had also become mature and steady. Even he, who had become the county magistrate, could not understand him. Occasionally, he would ask about the size of the problem and talk about ways to get out of trouble in the officialdom. However, Su Wenfang would only modestly smile.
"The matter can be big or small … Brother-in-law should have a way."
"It is useless for us to worry."
Every time Su Wenfang said this, Song Yongping felt a little anxious. He was also a high-spirited scholar. His final goal was to become a person like the Prime Minister in the court. He felt that even though he was young, he might be able to think of a way to help people get out of trouble. After days of hard work, at noon at the end of February, when he met up with Ning Yi and Su Wenfang for lunch, he began to carefully inquire about the key points.
"As the saying goes, one person's plan is short, but two people's plan is long. I was born in an official's family. Every day, I am influenced by what I see and hear. I know a thing or two about the affairs of the court. This time, I came here and heard about the current situation. I am really worried. I don't know how serious the situation is. I hope brother-in-law will not be stingy to tell me. Although I am not talented, my father still has some connections in the court. Although I cannot get involved in the affairs of the Prime Minister, if brother-in-law wants to get out of this business, I may have a way … "
Ning Yi could not refuse his enthusiasm. He nodded and thought for a while. Then, he roughly said what he could. During this time, Song Yongping asked a few questions, and Ning Yi answered them. He wanted to reassure Song Yongping, but he could not tell him everything, such as the game between the Emperor and the Prime Minister, the participation of Cai Jing and Tong Guan, and so on. After a while, there was a sudden disturbance in front of Takeshi. The three stood up and walked out. Then, someone came to report that there was a disturbance in front.
"Who is it?"
"Some hoodlums. It seems like the Grand Commandant's Manor is causing trouble behind the scenes."
At this moment, the members of Takeshi who stayed in the capital were experienced. When they came to report, they had already understood the situation. Ning Yi and Su Wenfang exchanged a glance and went out from the side door. When they were on the way, they saw that the restaurant in front of Takeshi had already started to be smashed up.
Song Yongping frowned. "The Grand Commandant's Manor dares to cause trouble in public? Are they not afraid of shedding all pretense of cordiality? Has the situation already become so serious?"
Ning Yi looked around and saw Gao Muen's silhouette in a room upstairs across the street.
"Boss, what should we do?" the member of Takeshi asked.
"We can't clash head-on," Song Yongping said. After that, he lowered his voice. "Grand Commandant Gao is the commander of the palace. If we clash head-on with Bianliang, we will only fall into their trap. Since they called hoodlums over, why don't we just report it to the authorities?"
The waiter of Takeshi was waiting for Ning Yi to express his stance. Ning Yi nodded. "Let them do it. But there's no need to report it to the authorities. Just let them be."
Song Yongping was stunned. After that, he nodded and said, "Indeed. If we report it to the authorities, the other party might say that there's no need for groundless rumors. It'll be troublesome …"
He was an intelligent person and understood immediately. Ning Yi also nodded slightly in approval. He gazed at Takeshi's restaurant and said to the waiter in a low voice, "Go and get everyone to come out. Make sure to stay away from them lest they get injured."
Song Yongping and Su Wenfang couldn't help but feel depressed after being bullied to such an extent in the capital. They gazed at the restaurant not far away. From Song Yongping's point of view, Ning Yi's feelings should be similar. It was also at this moment that a group of bailiffs came over from the other side of the road. They quickly rushed toward Takeshi's restaurant.
Song Yongping only thought that this was the other party's backup plan. His brows furrowed even tighter. Then, he heard someone shouting, "Arrest the troublemakers!" The troublemakers seemed to want to explain themselves. After that, they were beaten up. When someone was dragged out, Song Yongping discovered that these bailiffs were actually beating up the troublemakers. He then saw some other people rushing toward the other side of the street and going up to the restaurant to arrest the troublemakers. A voice rang out from the restaurant, "What are you guys doing? My father is Gao Qiu … Who are you guys … "Gao Muen was taken down.
Song Yongping and the others were puzzled. On the other side of the road, a middle-aged man dressed in black robes walked over. He first cupped his hands toward Ning Yi. After that, he also cupped his hands toward Song Yongping and Su Wenfang. Ning Yi cupped his hands in greeting. The middle-aged man took another step forward and spoke softly.
"I'm the steward of the Grand Preceptor Manor, Cai Qi. Grand Preceptor Cai invites Mister to my manor for a chat."
His voice wasn't loud, so Song Yongping couldn't hear him clearly. Ning Yi said, "Now?"
The middle-aged man nodded and gestured with his hand. From the other side of the road, a carriage came over. Ning Yi nodded. He looked at Song Yongping and Su Wenfang and said, "You guys eat first. I'm going out for a while. "After saying that, he walked over.
Su Wenfang frowned, but Song Yongping was a little excited. He tugged at the corner of Su Wenfang's robes. "Grand Preceptor Cai, it seems like Grand Preceptor Cai also values Brother-in-law's talent. There's a chance now. Even if something happens, we can still benefit from both sides …"
Su Wenfang didn't say anything. At this moment, a horse galloped past them. The rider on the horse seemed to be wearing Takeshi's clothes.
The horse was forcefully reined in by the rider beside Ning Yi, giving everyone a fright. After that, they saw the rider dismount and give Ning Yi a small paper tube. Ning Yi took out the letter from the paper tube and opened it to take a look.
The long street was in chaos. The gangsters who were escorted out were still struggling and walking forward. Gao Muen was making a ruckus over there, and the people who were watching the show were pointing at them. Buzz buzz buzz, buzz buzz buzz buzz …
Buzz buzz buzz buzz buzz —
The light from the sky was retracted.
Ning Yi stood beside the carriage and looked at the letter in his hand. After a long time, he raised his head.
"… Mister Ning, Mister Ning?"
The black-robed middle-aged man spoke at the side. Ning Yi slowly turned his head and sized him up. His gaze was deep like the sea, wanting to swallow people. At the next moment, he subconsciously said, "Hmm?"
Then he said, "… Hmm."
He rolled up the letter and walked into the carriage.
When he lifted the curtain, a gust of wind blew over.
An era had passed …
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