Spring and autumn passed, flowers withered, and flowers bloomed. Young men grew old in Jianghu. Since the reign of Jinghan, there were more than ten complicated years. In the Central Plains, there were not many people who had a good life.
Yue Fei, who was in his early thirties, gradually became the commander-in-chief of an army. In the eyes of outsiders, he had the support of the Crown Prince and the morale of the army. He could be regarded as a model of a hero in troubled times. But in fact, there were so many obstacles along the way that it was not worth mentioning to outsiders.
The first time the Jurchens swept down south, his master Zhou Dong's assassination attempt on Guhan, the defense battle of Bianliang … all sorts of things happened that overturned the history of the Wu Dynasty. When he thought back on it, it had already been ten years. He was a lowly general who participated in the battle of Xia Village. Later on, he was involved in the case of regicide. Later on, he was saved by the Crown Prince and was revived. He trained the army with fear and trepidation, scheming against various officials. In order to ensure that the military funds under his command were sufficient, he also cooperated with various aristocratic families. He held the fort for others and stood up for them. Only after going through so many setbacks did the Beiwei Army gradually build up their morale and sharpen their edge.
Sometimes, when he dreamt about it at night, he was probably no longer the righteous and upright little captain he used to be.
Of course, being righteous and outspoken was more like the trace left by his master in this world …
Many people probably did not know that the so-called Lulin was actually very small. His master used to be the Sky Instructor of the Imperial Boxing School and was famous in the martial arts world. But in the world, there were not many people who really knew his name. And for the imperial court, the Sky Instructor of the Imperial Boxing School was just a martial artist. The name Zhou Dong was well-known in the Lulin, but in the world, it did not cause much of a stir.
What really shocked the world was actually Takeshi's storyteller.
Over the years, many martial artists of the Lulin came to the Beiwei army and asked to join the army to fight against the enemy. Their master's reputation of being the best in the world. Many people felt that they, who had inherited their master's legacy, had also inherited their master's temperament. In fact, they were very similar. However, what others did not know was that their master, who had taught them martial arts, had not taught them much about being upright and unyielding. They had been influenced by their mother and had developed a relatively upright temperament. Their master had seen their temperament and accepted them as his disciple. However, perhaps because their master's thoughts had changed, when they taught them martial arts, they had taught them more complex and flexible principles.
The world did not understand their master, nor did they understand themselves.
Being upright and outspoken, doing purely good deeds, not dealing with any corrupt colleagues, not having to diligently seek personal gain, not having to scheme against the hearts of others, and not having to fight against those of the same faction, yet being able to support a clean and honest general, being able to support a battle-ready army … That was really the daydream of a person who was living too well …
Over the years, even though ten years had passed, the battle in Xia Village and his experiences in Bianliang City were probably the strangest memories in his heart. Mister Ning, this person was the one that Yue Fei couldn't understand the most. In Yue Fei's opinion, he was the most treacherous, the most vicious, and also the most hot-blooded. In that period of time, when he was in charge, the people beneath him had been much easier to deal with. He understood the human heart the best, and he also understood all sorts of hidden rules. But, it was also this sort of person who had flipped over the table in the most violent manner possible.
In Yue Fei's imagination, if he hadn't made such a strange decision back then, then this Mister Ning would have supported Prime Minister Qin and engaged in a fierce battle of wits and courage with the many people in court.
If that had been the case, the Wu dynasty might not have fallen to its current plight.
If that was the case, many people, including His Highness the Crown Prince and himself, wouldn't have had such a hard time maintaining the situation.
Was he dead … or was he still alive …
The night wind whistled. He stood there, closed his eyes, and waited. After a long time, a voice from many years ago rang out in his memory.
"Yue … Fei. You've become a general. That's great. Xiangyang is at war, and you've come here. How dare you! "
Yue Fei opened his eyes.
*****
There were several figures coming from the forest at night. Yue Fei recognized some of them, and some he didn't. The woman beside him had a calm and stern air about her. She was the rumored master of the Tyrannical Saber Villa. When she looked over, Yue Fei also looked at her, but then he looked at the man who had spoken. Ning Yi, who was dressed in a blue robe, was rumored to have died a long time ago. But Yue Fei had other guesses. Now that he had confirmed it, he felt relieved. However, he didn't know whether to be happy or to sigh.
"Zhang Xian, Wang Gui, and the others are in charge of the situation in Xiangyang. The Dengzhou army is in chaos, and there's nothing to worry about. So, I'm here to confirm something more important. "
"More important? You have a stain on your record. It wasn't easy for Junwu and Zhou Pei to protect you. If you come to see me and others hear about it, you'll be in trouble. " They hadn't seen each other for 10 years. Ning Yi's eyes were cold. He smiled and said, "Or have you seen enough of the corruption of the Wu dynasty? Now your temperament has changed, and you want to renounce darkness for light and join the Huaxia army?"
"Sir, you must be joking. Although the Wu dynasty has many problems, it's still the legitimate dynasty. I'm not talented, but I don't dare to do anything rebellious."
Ning Yi smiled. "Then what do you want to say to the rebellious people?"
Yue Fei was silent for a moment. He looked around and then raised his hand. "Mr. Ning, may I have a word with you?"
Ning Yi furrowed his brows and looked at Yue Fei. Yue Fei exerted a little strength in his hand and stabbed the spear into the ground. Then he said solemnly, "I know this is a difficult matter, but what I have to say today is not suitable for too many people to hear. If Mister has any doubts, you can have someone tie my hands and feet, or if you have other methods, please do so. I only ask that Sir step aside and say a few words. "
After Yue Fei finished speaking, there was still silence. Watermelon stood up. "I want to follow. There's no need for anything else." Ning Yi looked at her and then at Yue Fei. "That's all."
Yue Fei thought for a moment and nodded.
Everyone, including Ning Yi, was puzzled by Yue Fei's purpose in coming today. They were worried that he would follow his master's example and try to assassinate Ning Yi without a care for his own safety. But Ning Yi's martial arts weren't weak. With Watermelon accompanying him, it wouldn't make sense for him to be afraid of Yue Fei who didn't carry a spear. After both sides nodded, Ning Yi raised his hand to stop the people around him. Watermelon walked to the side, and Ning Yi and Yue Fei followed. They walked for a long distance in the forest. Seeing that they were near a nearby stream, Ning Yi opened his mouth.
"What's the matter? It's about time to say it."
Watermelon was between them. Yue Fei tilted his head and cupped his hands. "When I was working for Mr. Ning, I benefited a lot. Later, when Mr. Ning did such a thing, although I didn't agree with it, I heard about Mr. Ning's deeds in the northwest. As a Han man, I still admire you. Mr. Ning, please accept my bow."
Yue Fei had always had such a serious temperament. Now that he was in his thirties, he had a dignified air about him. However, when he bowed, people could still clearly feel his sincerity. Ning Yi smiled. "According to the routine, after you bow to me, are you going to have a fight with me?"
Ning Yi's attitude was calm. Yue Fei also smiled. "I wouldn't dare."
"At least you know yourself. You are no match for me."
"Mr. Ning's act of regicide is treason. Yue Fei doesn't agree with it." Yue Fei said solemnly, "But other than that, I would never go so far as to take Mister's life or become irreconcilable enemies with Mister. This matter may be difficult for others to understand, but in my heart, Mister is indeed a respectable person. It's just that our paths are different. In the future, if we really have to fight, I won't be lenient. "
"That's understandable." Ning Yi nodded. "Then why did you come to find me? What's so important? Just to confirm that I'm not dead? It doesn't seem that important. "
"His Highness the Crown Prince misses Mr. Ning," Yue Fei said.
Ning Yi paused. "… What about it?"
"Sometimes I think that if Mr. Ning hadn't been so impulsive, after the Jingping Rebellion, the current Emperor would have succeeded the throne. His only heir would be the Crown Prince. Mr. Ning, with you assisting His Highness, the Wu Dynasty would learn from their painful mistakes and reform. This would be a blessing for the people of the world. "
Yue Fei's words were straightforward and didn't beat around the bush. Ning Yi raised his head to look at him. "And then?"
"Is there still a possibility that His Highness the Crown Prince will succeed the throne, Mr. Ning will return, and Hei Qi will return?"
Ning Yi's gaze was like lightning as he looked at Yue Fei. Yue Fei only looked over calmly. Both of them were people of high status. Some things sounded whimsical, but since they had spoken now, it wasn't some impulsive words. It was the result of careful consideration.
Ning Yi then smiled. "After killing the Emperor? Do you want me to die a horrible death? "
Yue Fei shook his head. "When His Highness the Crown Prince succeeds the throne, many things can be explained. It's naturally difficult, but it's not impossible. The Jurchens are powerful. Extraordinary times have extraordinary things. As long as the world can be pacified, Mr. Ning becoming a powerful minister and the Imperial Preceptor is a small matter … "
"If the world is pacified and they counterattack, my family will also be exterminated … Will I still be able to live?"
"We can change the name of the country."
The stream flowed and the night wind whistled. The voices of the two people on the shore weren't loud, but if they were heard by others, they would probably be frightened to death. When he said the last sentence, it was even more alarmist and deviant to the extreme. Ning Yi was somewhat frightened. He wasn't surprised by these words, but by the fact that the person who said these words was the general named Yue Fei beside him. But the other's eyes were calm, without the slightest confusion. It was clear that he was also serious about these things.
"… Has your situation deteriorated to this extent?"
"A man who is loyal to his country is nothing more than dying on the battlefield." Yue Fei's eyes were solemn. "But what's the use of thinking about death all day long? The Jurchens are powerful. I'm not afraid of death, but I'm also afraid of the unexpected. If we can't win the war, Jiangnan will be plunged into misery and suffering like the Central Plains. Although Mr. Ning … did those things, there is indeed a chance of survival. I don't know what Mr. Ning's decision will be and what to do after the decision. But I thought that as long as Mr. Ning is still alive, I've done my best to bring your words here today. "
Yue Fei cupped his hands and bowed. "As Mr. Ning said, this matter is extremely difficult. But who knows if there will be a turn for the better because of these words."
The sky had been overcast for a long time, perhaps it would rain soon. The conversation between the forest and the stream was not known to anyone except the three of them. Yue Fei's reason for rushing here was naturally clear. At such a critical juncture in the battle of Xiangyang, he risked being impeached and implicated in the future. He didn't rush all the way here for small benefits and relationships. Even if his children were saved by Ning Yi, it wasn't within his consideration.
At this moment, he was only keeping that one in ten thousand possibility alive for the sake of some slim hope.
There was still a long way to go. No one knew what kind of possibilities this conversation would bring. The two of them chatted for a while. Yue Fei then talked about Yin Ping and Yue Yun, as well as Jun Wu, Zhou Pei, Li Pin, and Wenren Bu 'Er's recent situation. Because he was worried about the situation in Xiangyang, Yue Fei then took his leave and rushed to the battlefield in Xiangyang that very night.
After Yue Fei left, Watermelon accompanied Ning Yi back. She was a staunch rebel, so naturally she wouldn't compromise with the Wu dynasty. She just didn't say anything earlier. Now that she said a few words to Ning Yi and asked him about it, Ning Yi shook his head.
"Past relationships may not be useless in the future. He was kind enough to see this one in ten thousand possibility and abandon Xiangyang to come here. It's not simple. But he said something very interesting. "Ning Yi shook his head.
Watermelon furrowed her brows and asked, "What did he say?"
"He talked about Jun Wu and said that His Royal Highness is a genius … But there is no such thing as a genius. That kid is smart in the royal family and knows how to think. He has seen many tragedies that ordinary people can't see. He has grown up. But compared to a true genius, he was still far too lacking. Yue Fei is a genius, you and Chen Fan are all geniuses. Jun Wu is not as talented in many aspects. "
"But among the royal family, he is not bad." Watermelon thought for a while.
"Yes, we thought he was born to be an emperor, but most emperors are mediocre. Even if they study hard, they are only above average. What will they do in the future?" Ning Yi shook his head. "Let a real genius be an emperor. That is the way out."
As he spoke, he walked through the forest. The wind whimpered above the camp. Soon, it started to rain. At this time, the Beiwei Army of Xiangyang and the Dengzhou Army were in a standoff.
At the same time, Yue Fei was riding a horse and galloping across the plains in the rain.
Not long after, the young Lord who caused the chaos was dragged by a bumpy carriage. Although Ning Yi was on the road back to the southwest, the Beiwei Army was still in Xiangyang.
The second war in Xiangyang began and the gates of hell opened. Half a month later, the Beiwei Army defeated the allied forces of Daqi and the Jin Kingdom in front of the city of Xiangyang, killing tens of thousands of enemies and establishing the reputation of the Beiwei Army.
At the same time, the news of the reappearance of the Black Flag had spread across the country. The heroes on this chaotic land were about to start another round of activity.
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