It had been about four years since the Wu dynasty had lasted for two hundred years of prosperity. In this short yet long period of time, people had gradually become accustomed to the flames of war, to being homeless, to death, and to falling from the clouds. At the beginning of spring in the third year of the Wu dynasty, Jiangnan melted into a gray and white gloom. The Zhenren's search of the mountains and the sea continued.
In Jiangning, the city was still covered in snow, but a huge chaos was brewing.
Many gentry and wealthy families were currently fleeing the city one after another. Princess Cheng's estate was in the process of moving. The Puyang Clan, originally known as Jiangning's number one merchant, had large amounts of gold and silver moved onto large carriages. The family members in each residence were already prepared to leave as well. Clan Master Puyang Yi wasn't willing to be the first to flee. He ran between the government and the army, expressing his willingness to donate large amounts of gold and silver, as well as property, for the purposes of resistance and resistance. However, even more people were already on their way out of the city.
If everyone still remembered, this was the first city that Ning Yi had come into contact with in this era. After hundreds of years of precipitation, it had long become quiet and graceful. The city walls were majestic and dignified, and the courtyards were mottled and ancient. The mansion of the Su Family was still there, but it had been sealed up by the government. Bushes and weeds had grown in the courtyards, and the valuable items in the rooms had long been moved away. The window frames had become dilapidated, and the old paint on the walls and pillars had faded, leaving them mottled.
In the courtyard where Ning Yi and Tan'er had once lived, cobwebs had formed in the room. Cats and stray dogs had made this place their home. They searched for food here and quietly walked past the snow-covered courtyard walls. Perhaps we still remember that nearly ten years ago, Ning Yi and a woman named Su Tan'er had talked and lived in this courtyard. They gradually became familiar in the spring rain and autumn frost, and gradually became a simple couple. There used to be two small buildings here. Later, Tan'er burned down one of them, and they lived together.
At that time, the old people and children were still here. The foppish youths did limited things like running chickens and fighting dogs every day, while the adults in the various branches schemed and schemed against each other for small benefits. Once upon a time, there was also a thunderstorm like this. Ferocious strongmen killed their way into this courtyard. Some people fell in pools of blood, and some people made hysterical resistance. Not long after, what happened here led to the destruction of the bandit stronghold called Liangshan Water Lake.
Outside the courtyard, the city road went straight ahead. The Qinhuai River, which was famous for its romance, passed through the city. Over the past two hundred years, brothels had opened on both sides of the river. Courtesans and talented women gradually gained fame here, but they were gradually blown away by the wind and rain. More than ten years ago, the Golden Wind Brothel, which was once one of the best in Jiangning City, had collapsed a few years ago. The head of the Golden Wind Brothel was named Yang Xiuhong. Her temperament was similar to that of Mama Lee of the Fan Brothel in Bianliang.
Unlike Mama Lee, when the Jin army conquered Bianliang, the imperial court searched for beautiful women in the city for the Jin soldiers to rape. Under the great pressure, Mama Lee and several courtesans of the Fan Brothel committed suicide to preserve their chastity. A few years ago, Yang Xiuhong had lost all her wealth under the coercion and extortion of various officials. Since then, her life had become peaceful. Now, this woman, who had gradually aged, had embarked on the road to leave the city. In this cold snowy day, she would occasionally think of the Golden Wind Brothel, the girl who had jumped into the Qinhuai River on a rainy day, and the chastity Nie Yunzhu, who had finally redeemed herself and left.
Along the Qinhuai River, in a remote place by the river, the former treacherous Prime Minister Qin Siyuan used to set up a chess stall under a tree by the road. Occasionally, people would come to see him and play a game with him. Now, the road was long and the tree was still there, but the people were gone.
Further up, there was a small building by the river where Ning Yi used to run past. It had collapsed due to the accumulation of snow and lack of maintenance two years ago. The girl named Nie Yunzhu used to guard this place every morning and give him a smile. After Yuan Jin 'er moved in, she made a lot of noise and made trouble. Sometimes, they would sit on the balcony by the river, chatting and singing, watching the sunset, watching the autumn leaves fall, and the winter snow fall. Now, the abandoned and decayed foundation of the building was covered with snow and stagnant weeds.
Wu Qilong had inherited the head of the Wu Family, which was once the head of the three major cloth merchant families in Jiangning. In the event of fighting for the imperial merchant, he was ruthlessly played by Ning Yi and the Su family. After that, Wu Qilong learned from the painful experience and became calmer and more mature in the past few years. His relationship with the government became closer, and he finally pushed the business of the Wu Family back to the scale it used to be, and even exceeded it. In the first few years, he wanted to get back at the Su family after he rose to power. But soon, he lost this opportunity.
Over the years, Xue Jin, who used to be the hedonistic son of the Xue family, had reached the age of 30, but he still did not make any great achievements. He only fooled around and had a lot of wives and children. At this time, perhaps he could still remember when he was young and frivolous, he had smacked a brick on the head. The man who had married into his family had later killed the emperor. Even now, he was still carrying out an earth-shattering rebellion somewhere. Occasionally, he wanted to talk about this matter with others, but in reality, this matter was suppressed in his heart and he did not speak of it even once.
The Zhenren was coming.
In the process of searching the mountains and picking up the sea, burning and killing along the way, the vanguard of the Lady Zhenren had already approached Jiangning. The Martyr of Wu Camp stationed here put up a resistance formation, but not many people were optimistic about the result of their resistance. In this burning and killing that had lasted for several months, other than a slight setback when they went out to sea to capture the enemy, the Zhenren's attacks on land were almost completely unstoppable. The people had already realized the fact that the imperial army had no fighting power, and because they had failed to capture Zhou Yong on the sea, the enemy's attacks on land had become increasingly fierce.
A few months ago, Crown Prince Zhou Junwu had returned to Jiangning and organized a resistance. Later, in order not to implicate Jiangning, he took a portion of the soldiers and craftsmen and fled southwest, but a portion of the Zhenren still followed this route and killed their way over.
In the midst of this chaos, the carriage of the Princess of Cheng's mansion also left the city. The elderly Princess of Cheng, Zhou Xuan, was unwilling to leave, and the Emperor's son-in-law, Kang Xian, was also unwilling to leave. How could he let a woman die for the country? In the end, the couple compromised for each other's sake. However, on the night after leaving the city, the Princess of Cheng, Zhou Xuan, fell ill in a guesthouse outside Jiangning.
They stayed in the guesthouse for two days, and Zhou Xuan's condition worsened. Kang Xian did not intend to leave. That night, a travel-worn person returned from outside. It was Crown Prince Jun Wu, accompanied by Lu Agui. He visited the critically ill Zhou Xuan in the guesthouse, and when he asked Kang Xian about her condition in the courtyard, Kang Xian shook his head.
The old man's hair was already white. After a few days of accompanying and worrying, his eyes were bloodshot, but there was a hint of understanding in his expression. He said, "She has spent her whole life in Jiangning. When we were discussing whether we should leave or not, I had already thought about it. It's just that … when things come to a head, I can't help but feel lucky."
Then he added, "You shouldn't have come back. Leave as soon as the sun rises."
Jun Wu had tears in his eyes. "I thought that if I left, the Zhenren would at least let Jiangning go …"
"How could the Zhenren let go of the place where your father has spent half his life? Also, don't say such discouraging words. There are tens of thousands of people in the Martyr of Wu Camp. They might be able to resist. "
After he said this, Jun Wu looked at him and shook his head, but he did not finish his words. Kang Xian smiled. "Fine, I was deceiving myself. The Martyr of Wu Camp … shouldn't be able to resist. So, you have to leave."
"Then you …"
"The things in Princess Cheng's residence have been handed over to you and your sister. There's nothing we can't let go of. The country's decline is the result of two hundred years of hard work. You young people have to take it slow if you want to move forward. Jun Wu, you don't need to sacrifice yourself here. You have to hide and bear with it. Don't worry about the others. It's meaningless for anyone to risk their lives here. As long as you are alive, you might be able to win in the future. "
The old man had already understood, so he said these words calmly. Jun Wu was filled with grief and indignation, but he did not know where to start.
Late that night, Zhou Xuan regained consciousness. Kang Xian went into the room to talk to his wife while Jun Wu waited at the door. He thought that the old man would ask him to come in, but after waiting for a long time, there was no response. Dawn was breaking and the night was darkest. The candles in the room were naturally extinguished. Jun Wu carefully pushed the door open and lit the lamp. Kang Xian was sitting quietly by the bed, holding his wife's hand. The tears on his face had dried, but his eyes were clear. Jun Wu walked over. Zhou Xuan hugged one of Kang Xian's hands and closed her eyes. She had fallen asleep peacefully.
Jun Wu could not help but kneel on the ground and cry. When he stopped crying, Kang Xian said softly, "She didn't say much when she talked about you. You are the last heir of the Zhou Family. She hopes that you can protect the Zhou Family's bloodline. As long as you are alive, the Zhou Family will survive. " He gently stroked his dead wife's hand and turned to look at her familiar face. "That's why we have to run."
At this time, Zhou Pei was drifting on the sea with her father. Jun Wu knelt on the ground and kowtowed on behalf of his sister. After a long time, he wiped his tears and choked with sobs. "Grandpa Kang, please come with me …"
Kang Xian looked at his wife and shook his head. "I'm not leaving. She and I lived in Jiangning, and we will die in Jiangning. This is our home. Now that someone is invading our home, we shouldn't leave. I cherish my life as long as she's alive. Now that she's dead, I should do what I should do."
"But I can't live without you, Grandpa Kang …"
"Of course you can live without me. Only when the old are gone can a child see the cruelty of the world and grow up to be independent. Although sometimes it's a little fast, that's how the world is. There's nothing to be picky about. Jun Wu, the future is the path that you have to walk … "
In Jun Wu's life, his grandparents were the ones who had treated him the best. Now that Zhou Xuan had passed away, and Kang Xian was obviously very determined not to leave, Jun Wu couldn't help but feel sad. After a while, Kang Xian spoke again.
"Sigh, when I was young, I had my own path. I, your Grandpa Qin, Zuo Duanyou, Wang Qisong … all of us wanted to pave a good path for the world. Jun Wu, we failed. It seems that we have some experience, but it's just the experience of losers. We've taught you everything we should. Don't be blinded by it. The views of the old and the views of the losers are only for reference. "After a moment of silence, he continued," The only one who didn't want to admit defeat was the one who killed the Emperor … "
When he spoke of Ning Yi, he treated him as someone of the same generation.
In the room, Kang Xian didn't speak again. He held his wife's hand as if he was feeling the last bit of warmth from her hand. However, Zhou Xuan's body couldn't help but turn cold. A long time after dawn, he finally let go of her hand and calmly went out to call someone in to deal with the aftermath.
At noon, Kang Xian urged Jun Wu to leave. Jun Wu tried to persuade Kang Xian to go with him for the last time, but Kang Xian looked back at the courtyard and the house full of white flowers. He slowly but firmly shook his head and smiled. "I know what you're thinking, but your Grandpa Kang is old. If I leave with you, I'll definitely die on the road … Can you bear to see your grandmother stay in Jiangning while I die in a foreign land and never be able to reunite with her? Alright, hurry up and leave. "
Jun Wu and the others prepared their horses and left. When it was time to leave, Kang Xian looked in the direction of Jiangning and finally said, "All these years, only your teacher's battle in the northwest inspired me the most. I really hope that we can have a battle like that … I probably won't be able to see him again. If you see him in the future, please tell him for me …" He probably had a lot to say, but after a long silence and deliberation, he finally said, "… He fought well, and it wasn't easy. But he's too rigid. I'm afraid that he won't be my match in chess. "
When winter arrived last year, the Female Zhenren swept through the south like breaking dry weeds and no one could stop them. Only when the battle report from the northwest came that the Black Flag Army had directly defeated the Western Female Zhenren army and killed the Female War God Wanyan Loushi, for some of the higher ups in the know, was this truly shocking and the only exciting news. However, at this time when the world was in chaos, there were not many people who knew of this news. And Ning Yi, who had killed Zhou Zhe, could not be used as an example to raise morale in the Central Plains and Jiangnan. For Kang Xian, the only person he could express a few words of encouragement was this young man in front of him who also had a trace of kindness towards Ning Yi.
This was both a source of pride and a source of regret for him. The Zhou Zhe and the Wu Dynasty were too deeply corrupted. In the end, a hero like Ning Yi could not be used by the Zhou family. Now, he could only watch as the world fell into enemy hands. And the army in the northwest, after killing Wanyan Loushi, would eventually fall into a situation of isolation and helplessness …
Afterwards, Jun Wu and the others turned their heads every few steps and headed southwest. That evening, Kang Xian and Princess Cheng's coffin returned to Jiangning together. He was already old, so old that he had no more worries. Thus, he no longer feared the enemy who invaded his home.
Not long after, the Female Zhenren army forced Jiangning. The commander of the Fierce Martial Camp, Yin Tu, led his men to surrender and opened the city gates to welcome the Female Zhenren into the city. Because the defenders' performance was "relatively good", the Female Zhenren did not carry out a large scale massacre in Jiangning. They only plundered a large number of wealthy households and gathered gold and silver. Of course, there were also various small scale massacres during this time.
Kang Xian dismissed his family, leaving only twenty or so relatives and loyal servants to guard his home, making the last stand. Before the Female Zhenren arrived, a storyteller came to ask for an audience. Kang Xian received him with a pleasant surprise. He asked the storyteller in detail about the situation in the northwest face to face, and finally saw him off. This was the first and last indirect communication between Ning Yi and Kang Xian in the years after the regicide. Ning Yi advised him to leave, but Kang Xian refused.
Far away in the southwest, Jun Wu had no way of knowing this little episode. The next time he met Ning Yi was in a dangerous place several years later. Not long after, the old man named Kang Xian passed away forever in Jiangning.
*****
In the north, the cold weather continued. The prosperity of the human world and the tragedy of the human world happened at the same time without interruption.
The Emperor of Jingping, Zhou Ji, who loved to pray to the gods and seek divination all his life. Not long after he ascended to the throne, he employed the Celestial Master Guo Jing to fight against the Jin, and was later captured and brought to the north. Right now, he was living a miserable life here. After being captured and brought to the north, Zhou Ji, who was bought by Wu Qi and given the title of Muddleheaded Duke, was now a special slave used by the Jurchen nobles for entertainment. He was locked in a small courtyard near the imperial city, and every day, he would be provided with some food that was difficult to swallow. Every time the Jurchen gathered, he would be taken out and humiliated to show off the martial arts of the Jin Dynasty.
At first, Zhou Ji, who had been living like a prince, could not adapt to it. However, things were simple. As long as he was hungry for a few days, he would be able to swallow the food that was like pig feed. The Female Zhenren gave him the title of Duke, but in fact, she regarded him as a pig or a dog. The guards who guarded him could beat and scold him at will, and every time food was delivered to him, he would prostrate himself on the ground and kneel down to express his gratitude to the guards.
These were not the most difficult things to endure. Some of the women of the royal family who were taken to the north were his sisters-in-law and nieces — the wives and daughters of Emperor Jinghan, Zhou Zhe. Some were his own daughters, and some were even his wives and concubines. These women would be caught and brought to him for sex. Of course, even if he could not tolerate it, he could only endure it if he did not dare to die.
The winter in the north was very cold. When winter came, the Female Zhenren did not give him enough charcoal and clothes to keep him warm. Zhou Ji could only hug the Empress beside him for warmth. Sometimes, when the guards were in a good mood, the Empress would give him some charcoal and clothes, or he would kowtow to them. As for the Jurchen banquets, when Zhou Ji was called out, he would always kneel on the ground and praise the Jin Dynasty. He would even compose a poem, praising the Jin Dynasty's political and martial arts achievements. He only had himself to blame. If the other party was happy, he might be able to get a normal meal, but if he did not show enough sincerity, he might be beaten or starved for a few days.
We are unable to judge whether this Emperor, who has just ascended to the throne, is willing to suffer such humiliation for the sake of the Wu Dynasty. We are also unable to judge whether Ning Yi will not kill Zhou Zhe and let him suffer all of this. Between countries, the loser could only endure misery, and there was no justice to speak of. In this northern country, the emperor was not the only one who suffered the most miserably. Nearly half of the nobles and ladies of the royal family who had been sent to the laundry workshops had died of cold and hunger in this winter. Most of the slaves who had been captured lived a life worse than death. In the first year, more than half of them had already died miserably.
The Female Zhenren did not care about the death of the slaves, because more would be captured from the south one after another.
The past winter was even more difficult for Zhou Ji. The Female Zhenren's search of the mountains and seas in the south did not succeed in capturing the new emperor of the Wu dynasty. News of the war in the northwest came back, and the Female Zhenren's attitude towards Zhou Ji became even worse. At the end of the year, they summoned Zhou Ji to a banquet and had him write a few poems to sing the Female Zhenren's praises. Then, they had him write a few imperial edicts.
In one of the edicts, he used his status as the emperor of the Wu dynasty to persuade the people of the south to submit to the great unification of the Jin Kingdom. He denounced the resisting troops as rebellious people who were worse than beasts and cursed them. At the same time, he earnestly instructed Zhou Yong to stop hiding and come to the north to enjoy the grace of the Jin Kingdom.
In the second edicts, he once again denounced the Wu Rui Camp of the northwest plains for their treason and regicide. He called on the people of the Wu dynasty to work together to suppress the public enemy of the world who had fled after regicide.
In the third edicts, he sent a message to the magistrate who had opened the gates of Jinan and surrendered. He ordered him to establish the political power of the Great Qi south of Yanmen Pass and treat the Jin Kingdom as his elder brother. He was to defend the borders, appease the people, and suppress the rebels.
Then, the Jin Kingdom ordered people to compile Zhou Ji's eulogies, poems, and imperial edicts into a book. Just like last year, they were distributed to the south for free …
*****
In the northwest, the short period of peace continued.
At the beginning of spring, Ning Yi came to Yanzhou City to visit Zhong Lie. At this time, the people in this area were in a state of high morale. Nearby, like the Zhe family, all the forces that were close to the Female Zhenren had mostly holed up and were having a hard time.
Many people chose to join the Hua Xia army or the Zhong family army. The two armies had already formed an alliance.
"The crowd is in high spirits." Ning Yi and Zhong Lie stood on the city wall and looked down at the scene of people signing up to join the army.
This was the last excitement.
The fall of the Central Plains had become a reality. The northwest had become a lonely land.
"There's no way out." Zhong Lie pressed his hands on the city wall. His tall body exuded the heroic spirit unique to the men of the northwest. "Then let's fight our way out!"
After the battle against the Female Zhenren Western Army, his entire life seemed to be on fire. Ning Yi watched from the side and did not say anything.
On the 29th of January, Jiangning fell.
He thought of that city.
Many things had been destroyed and gone far away. The shadow of darkness was crushing and crushing everything and was about to press down on this place. This was a darkness that was harder to resist than ever before. It was just that it was hard to say in what form it would descend.
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