Since early in the morning, the weather had been stuffy. The lazy cat in the courtyard next door kept meowing as if something was about to happen.
In the afternoon, it was raining cats and dogs, as if the whole world was locked in a cage. Wu Qiuhe went out and Xia Fang was not around. Chen Wenjun was embroidering in the room and her two sons came over to greet her. After that, her finger was pricked twice and she put it in her mouth to suck. There was some blood.
It was inevitable to be pricked by needles when embroidering. However, Chen Wenjun had been practicing this skill for decades and it had been a long time since something like this happened.
When it was close to dinner, Qiuhe, Fang and the two maids did not return, so Chen Wenjun knew that something had happened.
When Xi Yin entered the room, the needle and thread had passed through the ball of cloth and was drawing half of a mandarin duck. The rain outside was heavy and thunder rumbled. Chen Wenjun went over and helped her husband change his cloak. She placed the blood-stained sword on the table at the side.
"The weather is strange today." Xi Yin was also drenched by a few drops of rain and wiped his forehead. Chen Wenjun hung up the cloak and looked at him from head to toe, "Master, are you wet?"
"I'm fine." Xi Yin sat down and looked at the rain outside. After a while, he said, "I killed Qiuhe." Then he took the teacup from Chen Wenjun.
Chen Wenjun was startled and looked at the sword. Xi Yin put the teacup to his mouth, then sighed and put it down again, "You … did not do it wisely." He paused and said, "You have done it too much."
"Master …"
There was a moment of silence in the room. Xi Yin's gaze was solemn, "All these years, based on the relationship of the residence, the number of Han slaves that you sent to the south and west is more than three thousand and five hundred people …"
"Master knows …"
Chen Wenjun held onto the table and knelt down. Before her knees touched the ground, Xi Yin stood up and lifted her hand to help her up.
"This is a good thing for all. If they can really return to the south, they will set up a longevity tablet for you. You are my wife and also a Han. You are educated and kind. It is not strange for you to do these things and I do not blame you. With me here, no one can punish you. "
Xi Yin spoke calmly and casually. As she spoke, she held her wife's hand and walked out of the door.
This was the corridor on the second floor of the attic. The lanterns under the eaves were already lit. Following the heavy rain, one could see the long, brightly lit courtyard. Xi Yin's reputation in the West Capital was second only to Zong Han's, and everything in front of her was also brought about by this power.
"Ever since the battle with Black Flag, I've adapted Black Flag's intelligence methods for my own use. How can anything that happens within Datong's borders be hidden from me? The fact that you spent money to buy Han people and rescue them to the south, not only me, I'm afraid even the Marshal won't be able to hide it from him. The number of Han people we captured from the south is more than a million. You are my wife, you can do whatever you want. It's not like you won't pay. I can even tell the Marshal about this matter. However, this time … the assassin who tried to assassinate the Grand Marshal was involved. Something big was going to happen. Idiot! "
At the end of his speech, he finally spat out some harsh words. He glanced at Chen Wenjun and sighed. "Madam, you are a smart person. It is just that … Qiu He is just a woman. You saved her from the clutches of the officials' children out of hot-bloodedness. Do you think that she can withstand torture? She was targeted and I only killed her. Fangyu could not be kept any longer. I asked the butler to give her some money and sent her back to the south … All these years, you are a Han and I am a Jurchen. The two countries are at war. I know your heart is in pain. But this is how the world is. The destiny of the Han people has come to an end. If the Jurchen wants to rise, this is the only way. You and I can't stop the tide of the world. But you and I, husband and wife … are together after all. You and I are at this age. Our hair is already white. Let's not consider separating. "
Chen Wenjun's tears flowed down.
Both of them had known each other for a long time. When they were together, the Jin Kingdom had not yet existed. Now, Xi Yin was already over 50 years old. Chen Wenjun was also almost 50 years old. Her hair was gradually turning white. Even though there were many things between the two of them, their relationship as husband and wife was indeed deep and meaningful.
"Did Dezhong and Youyi come today?" Xi Yin asked as she looked at the curtain of rain.
Wanyan Dezhong and Wanyan Youyi were their two sons.
Chen Wenjun nodded her head.
"What prosperity and power? These are all fake. But these children are not fake. Saving people is one thing. Think about Dezhong and Youyi. It is difficult to have suspicions between me and the Grand Marshal. But I am also afraid that it will happen. Just like us and the East. When we were conquering the world, there were not so many twists and turns. There were not so many suspicions and tests. At that time, we were dealing with outsiders. Now that we are ruling the world, we are dealing with our own people. It is hard to say that we are not afraid of many things. This time, His Majesty is bedridden. It is not a good thing. We have to be careful. "
"Old Master is usually … not afraid of these things."
"The succession of power and the risk of fighting for the throne has always been the most dangerous thing since ancient times. When the late Emperor passed the throne to His Majesty, the Jin Kingdom had it. We came from the mountains and are friends of life and death. There is nothing more to say. When we spread our branches and leaves, the second and third generation, there are too many people who can lead the family. The sages said that a gentleman's kindness must be severed for five generations. If it is not severed, it will be difficult to maintain it. Now, the relationship between the two sides is no longer the same … After His Majesty was bedridden, Zong Fu and Zong Bi, on one hand, reduced the power in the West. On the other hand … they intend to move south. In the future, they will use the general situation to force the Grand Marshal to retreat. The Grand Marshal is a proud person.
Xi Yin stretched out her hand and drew a line in front of her, "These are all unfounded. But if there is a day when these are gone, you and I, being virtuous and courteous, will not be spared. Power is like a ferocious tiger. If you ride on the tiger's back, it will not be easy to get off. Madam is well-read, so you should understand these matters. "
The heavy rain continued to fall. After looking at the corridor for a while, Xi Yin sighed, "When the Jin Kingdom was first established, they divided the people under their rule into several classes. I originally did not agree with it. However, we have few Lady Zhenrens. If we do not divide the people in this way, the world will be in chaos again. This is an expedient measure. But these days, I have been worried. In the future, when the world is really settled, the people will still be divided into five, six, seven, eight classes. I have been studying since young. Such a country will not last long. If the first generation of subjects are not satisfied, we can only suppress them. As for the new generation of people, we can educate them. This is a policy that the Jin Kingdom has no choice but to implement. If the world is really settled in the future, I will do my best to make it happen. This is the knot in Madam's heart. But as your husband, I can only do this much. This is something that I have always felt guilty about. "
"Do not harm the foundation of the Jin Kingdom. Do not think about this assassin. Even if he is a Han hero, you are after all married to me. You can only suffer such grievances and plan slowly. But other than that … "Xi Yin waved her hand lightly." Whatever Xi Yin's wife wants to do, just do it. I can still help you block some gossip in the Jin Dynasty. "
"All these years, it has been Qiu He who has been serving tea for me. I am very sad to kill her today. In a few days, I will build a grave for her. But since she was involved in this matter, I have not done anything wrong to her. " He patted his wife's hand, "I will go deal with the government affairs first. I will sleep later. You … should rest early."
He said goodbye to Wenjun and turned to leave. Chen Wenjun returned to the room with tears in her eyes. She picked up the blood-stained sword. This was Xi Yin's usual sword, 'King Yuan'. The sword was wide and long, dark gold in color. It had accompanied him for many years. There were many small scratches and nicks on it. Chen Wenjun took it to the railing and let the rain wash away the bloodstains. Soon, the bloodstains disappeared in the rain. The woman held the sword and stood by the railing for a long time.
After two days, the news that Zong Fu and Zong Bi would invade the South was spread through a secret channel.
*****
"Zong Fu and Zong Bi want to attack Jiangnan, but Zong Han did not move. You lied to me." In a small shack in the dark, Tang Minjie laughed softly, then looked at Lu Mingfang, his gaze slightly more serious, "Is this the news that Chen Wenjun sent out? This time, the main purpose of the succession is to fight outside? "
"The possibility of a South invasion is high. Last year's incident with Tian Hu, the Jurchen people actually suppressed their anger. It shows that they want to settle the score. The problem lies in the details, where to fight and how to fight. " Lu Mingfang said in a low voice, "Chen Wenjun leaked the news to the spy of the Wu dynasty. She wanted the Wu dynasty to prepare early. At the same time, I think this news was deliberately leaked by Xi Yin. "
"'Hey, Zhou Yong, Zong Fu and Zong Bi are going to take your head. We are not friends, but I still want to remind you that you must stop them.' That's what she meant, right?" Tang Minjie smiled brightly, "It's just a matter of convenience … I think with Xi Yin's character, this may be the limit of what he can do. However, flies don't bite seamless eggs. Since he can do it, we can also do the same. We can also leak some news to Zong Bi and say that the Goddess of Grains secretly leaked military intelligence? "
Lu Mingfang shook his head, "Let's not talk about whether it will be useful or not. If the Goddess of Grains is in the eye of the storm, Chen Wenjun will be the first to bear the brunt. She is too obvious. When we went north, Teacher had instructed us to protect Chen Wenjun first if there is anything important. "
"Mm." Tang Minjie nodded and did not make this suggestion. After a moment of silence, he said, "Before the three armies move, the rations and fodder should be carried out. Although the Jurchen people have long planned to conquer the South, Wu Qimai's attack came too suddenly. After all, there is still some time for them to attack Jiangnan. No matter what, we should first send the news back … The matter with the Great Building Yard will be over soon."
"How is the Eight-Arm Dragon King?"
"He is recovering. He is really lucky. However, he is not someone who listens to advice. This time I am taking a risk."
"Everyone has their own fate. With the world in such a state, it is inevitable that he will be disheartened. However, since Teacher thinks highly of him and Fang Chengye also mentioned him, let's just treat it as a small favor. " Lu Mingfang said, "With his temperament and martial arts skills, it would be a pity to die in an assassination. He should have more achievements when he returns to the Central Plains."
"Mm, I will try … to continue to persuade him." Tang Minjie's lips twitched and he smiled.
In the South and Deng County, the classroom was noisy. Ning Yi stood outside the window and listened to the discussion of dozens of young squad leaders, platoon leaders, and staff officers. This was a small interest class. All the low-level officers who liked to use their brains could participate. They were led by the "military advisors" of the General Staff Headquarters to deduce various strategies and tactics. The experience gained from the deduction could be taught to the soldiers under their command. If the strategy deduction was methodical and accurate, it would be recorded and given the opportunity to enter the staff officer system of the Hua Xia army.
Because the Black Flag Army was well-informed, the news of Jin Emperor Wu Qimai's stroke had already spread in April. There were speculations and deductions about the situation of the Jin Kingdom after Wu Qimai's stroke, the opportunities for the Hua Xia army and the strategies to deal with it, etc. These had been discussed countless times in the three counties.
Without a doubt, since the enemy was unlucky, the next opportunity was theirs. In the current world, the Hua Xia army was the only army that had the honor of fighting against the Jurchen. After being cooped up in the mountains for a few years, Ning Yi's return was met with such news. The speculation of the upper echelons of the army that the Jurchen were likely to invade the south had already spread to everyone's ears. Everyone rubbed their palms together and the morale of the army was high.
Of course, this was only the discussion stage. There was still a period of time before they would actually engage in close combat with the Jurchen. Only then could everyone be excited to their heart's content. If the war really came, there would still be a sense of pressure and nervousness.
Ning Yi and the people accompanying him were just passing by. After listening for a while, they hurried to the office of the Intelligence Department. Similar deductions had been carried out in the General Staff Department and the Intelligence Department recently — the countermeasures and backup plans for the Jurchen's southern expedition had been repeatedly speculated and calculated over the years.
The atmosphere in the three counties of Hedeng was peaceful and high-spirited. The core of the General Intelligence Department had long been in a state of tension. After some meetings and discussions, several teams had already begun their journey north, either openly or secretly. On the surface, they were naturally some merchant caravans that had already been booked. Secretly, some of the backup plans would be activated under certain special circumstances.
After several meetings and discussions, the Datong Party strengthened its internal operations in the political circles of the Jin Kingdom. Externally, there was not much movement. As for the envoy sent by the Great Qi Kingdom to the north at the beginning of the year to request for the Jin Kingdom to send troops, he returned in vain due to the chaotic and subtle atmosphere caused by Wu Qimai's illness.
In order to protect him on his journey south, Xi Yin specially arranged a team of guards for him when he passed by the Datong Party.
This team of guards shouldered a secret and serious mission.
"… If this matter spreads out, the Black Flag will definitely obstruct us … When we arrive in Bianliang, we must first seek an audience with Lord Alisuo who is stationed in Bianliang. His nine thousand elite soldiers are enough to seal the city, and then … escort His Majesty Liu Yu to the north. We must not lose him …"
In fact, the confrontation had already begun in an invisible place.
At the same time, at the end of April, the news that Zong Fu and Zong Bi had unfortunately invaded Jiangnan and destroyed the Wu Dynasty reached Lin 'an. Some people began to panic.
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