The thunderstorm poured down. Due to the army's attack, the valley that had suddenly lost tens of thousands of people seemed a little desolate in the heavy rain. However, in the inhabited area below, there were still many traces of activity. They were running around in the rain, packing their things, or digging ditches to guide the water into the drainage system. There were still people standing guard on the watchtower. At the dam at the entrance of the valley, a group of people in straw raincoats were watching over the surroundings and monitoring the condition of the dam. Even though a large number of people had left, the residents of Cang River were still operating at a normal pace.
The wheat on the other side of the valley was already half harvested. Because of the rain, it stopped. Some idle farmers formed a patrol team, wearing straw raincoats and rain gear as they patrolled the numerous watchtowers around the valley. At this moment, they were braving the rain as they walked on the mountain, wary of the next wave of enemies taking advantage of the chaos. Min Chu's father, Min San, was among them. He had been a man of few words since he could remember. Even though he was strong, he couldn't be forceful in front of anyone. This time, he volunteered to join the patrol team. When he carried his fork out, his wife repeatedly reminded him, "When you meet those bad people, you have to fork them to death. With your personality, don't retreat."
Most of the soldiers in Cang River were foot soldiers. During training, they were told not to retreat when they were in formation. When there were comrades beside you, no matter what happened, only advance and never retreat. The more they talked about it, the more farmers and their families heard about it. If you took half a step back, you would be harming the people around you.
The silent farmer held his fork and nodded. "I thought they were wild boars."
As he walked and patrolled the mountain with difficulty, his wife was sewing and patching at home. Min Chu squatted by the door and looked through the rain towards the courtyard halfway up the mountain. Her school and the Ning family's courtyard were there. Ever since the day Ning Xi was injured, her mother had slapped her in tears. She was crying and had forgotten about it now.
But these few days, Ning Xi had been recuperating at home and hadn't gone to school. The young lady was worried. During these few days, she had hesitated to ask Teacher Yuan about Ning Xi's injuries. But when she saw Teacher Yuan's beautiful and stern face, the little courage that had just sprouted in her heart was scared away.
Thus, at this moment, he could only squat on the ground and silently write the words that Teacher Yuan had taught him while sullenly fuming at himself.
In the courtyard halfway up the mountain, Ning Xi's injuries had healed but her head was still bandaged. She and Ning Ji moved a stool and sat under the roof, holding their chins as they looked at the water, "Such heavy rain." By the door, Yunzhu hugged her daughter and looked at the rain. The little girl was born in the summer. At first, her body was weak. Whenever she heard thunder, rain, or any other sound, she would be scared to the point of crying. This time, when she heard thunder and rain, she actually stopped crying. She even looked a little curious. Her little body was wrapped in swaddling clothes. Every time lightning flashed outside, she would squint her eyes and wrinkle her little face like a bun. Then, she would relax again.
In the room next door, voices could be heard from time to time. But in the heavy rain, many of the words were indistinct. Among the people outside, other than Yunzhu, probably no one could understand the meaning of the words.
"… Rejecting Confucianism and opposing Confucianism does not mean that Confucianism is useless. On the contrary, in these thousand years, Confucianism has been very useful. As long as external enemies are ignored, it is almost perfect. And it is becoming more perfect. But this perfect direction has gone astray. You said that scholars have to be reasonable and read. What should they read? Why can't they read the Analects? Of course they have to read the Analects and the Four Books and Five Classics. "
"… But, it is better to have no books than to read. Left Duke, touch your heart and say, is the Sage's words from a thousand years ago, the Four Books and Five Classics from a thousand years ago the way to explain it now? "
"… The simplest, Confucius said, how to repay kindness, to repay hatred with kindness, to repay kindness with kindness. Left Duke, how can you explain this sentence side by side with the Sage's so-called 'benevolence'? When people pay tribute to redeem people, Confucius said, 'If you give it away, why?' When Zilu saved a drowned person, people worshipped him with oxen. When Zilu received it, Confucius said, 'The people of Lu will save many drowned people.' Why? Confucius said, 'The wish of the village is the thief of virtue.' But now, the village is governed by the wish of the village. Why? "
Amidst the thunderstorm, Ning Yi's voice came out of the room, smooth and calm. The old man's words were impatient at first, but when he said this, he calmed down and his words were steady and powerful.
"… Teaching disciples, of course, uses the direct explanation. Because the disciples can read, not long after, one out of ten can understand the truth, and then they can be taught. However, people are ignorant. Even if I use the direct explanation, nine out of ten still can't understand it, let alone the villagers. At this time, we can use the direct explanation, the wish of the village. But if we use the direct explanation, there will be a lot of contradictions, and it will lead to disaster. Therefore, we use the wish of the village as the explanation. Humph, these are all the words of beginners. What does Liheng have to say? You don't have to beat around the bush! "
"Well, aren't my words in it? Confucius wrote the Analects of Confucius, which was recorded in his life. Later generations praised Confucianism because it was beneficial to rule, but they misinterpreted it. I want to understand the truth, and not misinterpret it. Isn't it fine to just do the direct explanation? "
"Haha, do the direct explanation. You don't know how much effort it takes to teach a person! The Spring and Autumn Warring States, Qin, and Han emphasized gratitude and grudges, and emphasized revenge. Is this the golden age that Liheng spoke of? The Spring and Autumn Warring States were chaotic, and the second Qin died. Although the Han was strong, the feudal lords rose up and the people rose up. Every time there was such a dispute, the people had no way to live, and countless people died. Later generations of sages took pity on the people and interpreted Confucianism in this way. Just like what Liheng said, hundreds of years ago, the people lost their courage. However, after two hundred years of peace, it was not easy for the current generation to live in this world. Liheng, if you use your method to arouse the courage of one or two generations, you might be able to drive away the Jurchens. But if there is no Confucianism to control it, the next hundred years will be endless, and there will be frequent wars and disputes. Liheng, can you see all this? Do you agree with this? The people have no way to live for a hundred years, just because of your courage, is it worth it? "
"… To be honest, I can see it, and I agree with it. It is naturally good that you can think of all this. This means that you already have the intention to improve Confucianism. Isn't this what I said before? Over the past thousand years, how Confucianism has become like this, you can see it, and I can also see it. The difference between us is not here, but whether we should continue to do this in the future, whether we can only use the wishes of the people, we have different views. "
"You! Also! Can! Be! Like! Go! Do! "
"… Everything in the world is changing. Since ancient times, people used slash-and-burn farming, and gradually became proficient in using all kinds of tools. In the beginning, people needed many days to walk out of a mountain. Later, there were more carriages and roads, connecting two places, and the cost gradually decreased. All kinds of materials appeared, and all kinds of new tools appeared, including the development of the Grand Canal and shipping. On the other hand, they are constantly changing the method of ruling and administration of the imperial court. "
"… New changes are now appearing. The ruling Confucianism, because of the rules found in the beginning, has chosen not to change. This is because I have drawn a line in a circle. Either you break it, or you make the entire circle bigger than that line. Left Duke, imagine the development of these workshops. One person can match the strength of fifty people, and one person can produce the goods of fifty people. The world will then be rich in materials. Imagine everyone can study, and literacy will no longer be the privilege of scholars. Then, how will the world change, how will the method of ruling change? Can you imagine? "
"This old man can't think of it, but you want to act recklessly for something that doesn't even have a starting point!?"
"I also don't want to. If the Female Dao Master is in the future, I don't care if it develops for a thousand years! But now, Left Duke, why did you come to talk to me about this? I know a thing or two. My soldiers are very good at fighting, and if one day they can conquer the world, I can naturally solve the Analects, and a large group of people will come to help. I can develop commerce, industry, and at that time, the structure of society will naturally collapse. At the very least, it's not like I can't find something to fill it with. As for Left Duke, I've already said that the current Confucian Way is fundamentally wrong. I don't expect you to follow. But the world of great change is in front of us, and the future that is in line with the Confucian Way is also in front of us. You said that the Confucian Way, I also want to ask you a question. "
The voice in the room continued to come out, "— Shrink back, even if there are millions of people, I will go forward. How do you understand this sentence, Left Duke!?"
It was quiet inside for a moment. In the sound of the rain, Yun Zhu, who was sitting outside, smiled slightly, but there was a hint of bitterness in her smile. She also studied Confucianism, but she couldn't understand the sentence that Ning Yi said at this time.
After a moment, the old man's voice sounded again, "Okay! Then this old man will explain the Confucian Way to you … "
Outside, it was raining cats and dogs. Occasionally, lightning flashed across the sky. The argument in the room lasted for a long time. At a certain moment, when the tea in the room was finished, Ning Yi opened the window and looked outside. He called for someone to bring water. Zuo Duanyou shouted, "I don't need it!" Ning Xi had already run to the kitchen. When she brought the water into the study, Zuo Duanyou was standing there, his face red from arguing, his hair standing on end. Ning Yi was tidying up the papers that were messed up when he opened the window. Ning Xi had a good impression of this stern old man. She walked over and tugged at his sleeve, "Grandfather, don't be angry."
Zuo Duanyou scoffed. He ignored Ning Xi and said to Ning Yi, "Humph, I know that your army defeated Jalasel's fifty thousand troops and took down Yanzhou. This isn't simple, but it's still the same, your army isn't really reasonable. They can't live like this for the rest of their lives. If such people put down their weapons, they will become a disaster. This isn't their fault, it's your fault that taught them! "
"Left Duke, you can say that the world is at fault. We rebelled and gave up our lives to have a right world, a right world. So, they don't have to worry about all this. "
"Nonsense. Let me ask you, what are you planning by taking down Yanzhou and not defending it?"
Ning Yi replied.
"What?"
Ning Yi repeated once more.
Not long later, Zuo Duanyou pushed open the door and walked out. His servant hurried over and held up an umbrella. The old man walked into the rain and scolded.
"Stupid …"
He held his walking stick, and with the help of the umbrella, he walked out of the courtyard. He walked further and further into the rain. When Ning Yi said those words about rebelling against the entire world, after Li Pin left, the old man stayed behind to watch the development of the situation. Who knew that in just two days, there would be news of Yanzhou being breached that afternoon.
The debate about Dao was a big matter, but it wouldn't affect reality in a short time. On the contrary, the Wu Dynasty didn't have a troop that could fight like this. With sorrow and anger, he finally decided to come over and debate with Ning Yi, trying to save this child who had gone down the wrong path. Who knew that in the end, when they talked about the movements of the Black Flag Army and heard Ning Yi's answer, he could confirm that everyone in the valley had gone crazy. The kid from the Qin family had also gone crazy.
The old man wasn't willing to deal with a real lunatic.
However, after he was done sulking that night, the next morning, Yunzhu was coaxing her daughter in the courtyard when she raised her head and saw the white-haired old man walking over. He came to the entrance of the courtyard and pushed the door open without greeting. The guards wanted to stop him, but Yunzhu waved her hand to tell them not to. Ning Xi, who was reading under the eaves, stood up and shouted, "Hello, Grandpa Zuo." Zuo Duanyou walked across the courtyard. He turned his head to look at the comic book in the child's hand and ignored him. He pushed open the door to Ning Yi's study and went in.
Ning Yi, who was writing at the table, turned his head to look at him with an innocent expression. Then he waved his hand. "Grandpa Zuo, please sit and have some tea."
Not long after, the argument in the room started again.
*****
At the same time in the valley of Little Cang River, the situation in Yuanzhou was changing rapidly.
Lou Shuwan and the people accompanying her stood on the hilltop and watched the Western Xia army break camp and head towards the northeast. The movement of tens of thousands of people filled the sky, flags fluttered in the wind, and the murderous aura stretched across the sky.
"Lord Lou, where are we going?"
There was only one female servant girl in the entourage. The rest were all men. However, they were all respectful towards Lou Shuwan and did not dare to slight her in the slightest.
"… to Qingzhou."
"Yes."
"I feel that …"
"Hmm? What do you feel, Lord? "
Lou Shuwan wanted to say something but stopped. An official under the Tiger King asked. But after a while, the woman shook her head. She couldn't say what was on her mind.
The Western Xia army was stationed to the north of Yuanzhou to destroy the remnants of the Western Army led by Zhong Lie. But with the sudden military report from Yanzhou, the Western Xia King was furious. The Iron Sparrow Hawk of Pingshan led the troops ahead and then broke camp. Only the tens of thousands of elites in Huanzhou were left to deal with Zhong Lie. They wanted to destroy the tens of thousands of arrogant bandits of the Wu dynasty with a thunderous force.
After capturing Yanzhou, the Black Flag Army didn't stop at all. It was said that they only took a few days' worth of food and went straight to the west.
At this time, the wheat in the fields had not been harvested. From Yanzhou to Qingzhou and Yuanzhou, not only were the defeated soldiers of Yanzhou fleeing, but there were also a lot of wheat in the fields waiting to be harvested. The other side was barefooted but not afraid of wearing shoes. They were coming this way. Whether their goal was the wheat or the defenseless Qingzhou, for the Western Xia King, this was the greatest degree of contempt and a naked slap in the face.
According to the analysis, the troops that jumped out of the mountains were taking a risk out of desperation. They wanted to cooperate with Zhong Lie's Western Army and disrupt the Western Xia's defense. But the Western Xia King was really afraid of this matter. Especially after capturing Qingzhou, a large number of provisions and military equipment were stored in the city of Qingzhou. Yanzhou was previously only the center of the Western Army, but Qingzhou was an outpost heading west. If it was really attacked and something went wrong, there would be no way to make up for it later.
Everything developed very quickly. The military intelligence came very quickly, the other side came very quickly, and the Western Xia Army also reacted very quickly. An army of nine thousand people was like a fool rushing towards an army of seventy thousand people. How would the seventy thousand people react? In fact, there was not much to say.
It was unlikely that they would turn around and run away.
Only Lou Shuwan faintly smelled a trace of uneasiness in this speed. Previously, when all the parties blockaded Small Cang River, she felt that it had no chance of survival. But deep in her heart, she still felt that that person was not that simple. When the Yanzhou military report came, she actually had a trace of "sure enough" in her heart. That man called Ning Yi was ruthless and decisive. He would not endure such a situation like this.
To be able to capture Yanzhou, it must have been a painstaking plan and a battle of life and death. The crisis of Small Cang River had been resolved, but a bigger crisis was about to come. How could the Western Xia King swallow such a humiliation? Even if the food crisis of Small Cang River was temporarily resolved, Small Cang River would not be able to resist the counterattack of the Western Xia Army. Attacking Yanzhou would be like drinking poison to quench thirst. However, when she heard that the Black Flag Army was heading straight for Qing Zhou, an ominous feeling rose in her heart.
That man had directly rushed over after capturing Yanzhou. Was it really just to help Zhong Lie out? To make trouble for the Western Xia Country? She vaguely felt that it would not be so simple.
She looked into the distance and remained silent. Her heart was thumping wildly. Because of that vague possibility, her heart was already burning …
It could not be like this. It was just a pipe dream … But for that person, if it was really like this …
As the third party in this war, the Western Xia Army, which was gathering food quickly in Huanzhou and struggling at death's door, only received the news the next day that the Jurchens had withdrawn their camp. After some investigation, he somewhat understood what was going on. Then, a discussion started within the Western Xia Army about whether they should act immediately and respond to this team that might be their ally. But in the end, no decision was made because more than ten thousand soldiers of the Western Xia Country had already started to press in.
A few days later, they received more news. At that time, the whole world had changed color.
From the Jurchens' second trip south to collude with the Western Xia Country to the Western Xia Country's formal invasion and annexation of the northwest, the whole process had lasted for half a year. However, at the end of this summer, the sudden battle that would decide the direction of the entire northwest, as it had begun, moved like thunder, swift like sparks, vicious and violent. In the next few days, it split apart everything like a sudden clap of thunder that left no time to cover one's ears!
"Go! Faster — "
"Go, go, go, go, go —"
Above the mountains and rivers, black flags stretched across the sky. Groups of soldiers were running between the mountains, heading towards the west. Qin Shaoqian rode his horse. His eyes were cold and blazing. He looked at the rushing torrent between the mountains. His mind was thinking about what Ning Yi had said in his previous deductions.
"… Whenever a new technology appears, the first wave of destruction is the most destructive. If we want to make full use of this destructive power, we should choose the most cost-effective army and do our best to cripple the Western Xia Country army! And in theory, the army we should choose is … "
The army passed through the mountains. Qin Shaoqian's horse passed through the high mountains. Suddenly, the field of vision in front of him opened up. The Muye Mountains and Rivers were pushed out in front of him. He looked up and found that the sky was a little gloomy.
"Don't let it rain …" He whispered. Behind him, more warhorses carrying long boxes were crossing the mountains.
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