The mountain peaks gathered, and the waves raged.
Victory.
Looking out from the city walls of the Celestial Palace, there were mountains in the distance, yellow roads extended, and beacon towers were built along the mountain peaks. Pedestrians and carriages came from the other side of the mountain. It was afternoon, and Lou Shuwan was so tired that she almost fainted. She leaned on the parapet wall of the palace and walked slowly while looking at the scenery.
In the past few days, Lou Shuwan was very busy. She went to all sides to sort out the situation and strengthen the defense. She visited and lobbied every important participant in Prince Jin's force. She talked about how powerful they were and threatened them with knives and guns. Especially in the past few days, she came back from other places and kept contacting them in private. She hardly slept day and night. Today, she finally finalized the most critical matter in the court.
This matter would decide the fate of everyone. She didn't know whether this decision was right or wrong. At this moment, the palace was still in constant discussion about the urgent follow-up situation. But the matters of women: private plots, threats, and intrigue … had come to an end.
Looking back, the Celestial Palace was majestic, dignified, and extremely extravagant. This was the result of Tiger King's large-scale construction when he was insufferably arrogant. Now, Tiger King had already died in an insignificant dark room. It seemed to be telling her that every single person who could shake the heavens and earth was, in reality, just an ordinary person. When the heavens and earth were together, the heroes would not be free. At this moment, the people who controlled the Celestial Pole Palace and were in control of victory could also be toppled in the next instant.
The Jurchen Zhenren came, and the dagger was revealed. It was hard to turn back. The first battle started in the Daimyo Residence in the east. Li Xizhi was the first to be eliminated. Then, the main force of the Jurchen Eastern Army of 300,000 arrived at the Daimyo Residence. The Daimyo Residence had resisted in the mountains of corpses and seas of blood for more than half a month. At the same time, Zhu Biao led the Black Flag to attack the Jurchen Zhenren's south crossing of the Yellow River. To the north of the Yanmen Pass, the Zong Han Army, which was even more difficult to deal with, was slowly pressing in.
Wang Juyun was ready to fight. No one could guess what this Minister of Yongle Dynasty was thinking. However, it was Prince Jin's turn to make the next decision.
Therefore, he had two choices. First, although he cooperated with the Huaxia army to kill Tian Hu and later cleaned up a large number of Han officials who were inclined to the Jurchen Kingdom according to the exposed list, Lord Jin and the Jin Kingdom had not fallen out with each other in name. If Zong Han wanted to kill his way over, he could let him do it. If he wanted to cross the Yellow River, he could let him cross. Once the army crossed the Yellow River, Prince Jin's forces would rise up and cut off their retreat. It was a relatively easy decision.
Second, he should not underestimate the wisdom of the founders of the Jurchen nation, such as Wanyan Zonghan and Wanyan Xiyin. While he still had the initiative to choose, he should say what he needed to say, cooperate with the allies that still existed on the north bank of the Yellow River, clean up the internal thinking, and rely on the rugged terrain of the area under his jurisdiction to fight the most difficult battle. At the very least, he would create the greatest trouble for the Female Zhenren. Then, if he could not resist, he would go deeper into the mountains or even turn northwest. In this way, Prince Jin might even become the core and leader of the resistance north of the Yellow River because of his current power. If, one day, the Wu dynasty and Black Flag really could defeat the Jurchens, Prince Jin's faction would create a legacy that would be passed down through the ages.
She chose the second path. Perhaps it was because she was used to cruelty and no longer had illusions. She didn't think that the first path was real. First, people like Zong Han and Xiyin would not let Prince Jin live behind them. Second, even if they were really let off for a while, when the Guangwu Army, Huaxia Army, Wang Juyun, and other forces were wiped out on the north bank of the Yellow River, Prince Jin's spirit would also be swept away. The so-called uprising in the future would never appear again.
Showing a clear opposition before the Female Zhenren expressed her position was too bold and crazy for many people in Prince Jin's system. Therefore, it was too difficult to convince them one by one. But she still did it.
The afternoon sun was warm. Suddenly, she felt that she had become a moth. When she could hide, she would hide. This time, the light was too bright. She flew towards the sun …
Too many people were going to die …
As she thought of this, she slowly walked down from the top of the palace walls. A figure was approaching from afar. It was Yu Yulin, who was supposed to be discussing the situation inside. Lou Shuwan stopped. Seeing that he was approaching, a trace of questioning seriousness seeped out of her eyes.
"After arguing for a day, the discussion is temporarily suspended. Prince Jin asked everyone to eat something, and we will continue later. "
"Then, what are you doing here?"
"Prince Jin asked me to see you. You haven't slept for two days. Why don't you go to the palace and take a rest first?"
"You don't need to worry about me. I have finished my work. How to send troops and how to fight, it's up to you men. You go, don't let things change. "
"… Okay." Yu Yulin wanted to say something but hesitated. But in the end, he nodded and cupped his hands. Lou Shuwan looked at him and said: "I can't sleep … I can't sleep in the palace. I will go outside to rest."
"Mmm." Yu Yulin nodded his head: "Take care of yourself." Lou Shuwan then walked towards the main hall. She sat on the steps at the foot of the palace wall for a while. Then, she asked the attendants to bring a carriage and left Heaven's Pole Palace.
Yu Yulin's residence was very close to Heaven's Pole Palace. In the past, when Lou Shuwan wanted to enter the palace, she would often come here to rest for a while. In Tiger King's era, although Lou Shuwan was in charge of various things, as a woman, her identity was not official. There were rumors that she was Tiger King's mistress. But other than official matters, Lou Shuwan lived quite far from the palace. After killing Tian Hu, Lou Shuwan became one of the leaders of Prince Jin's forces. Even if she wanted to live in Heaven's Pole Palace, Tian Shi wouldn't have any objections. But Lou Shuwan lived with the half-crazy Lou Shuheng. She didn't want Lou Shuheng to get close to the core of Wei Sheng, so she simply moved to the suburbs.
Even though it was easy for Lou Shuwan to stay anywhere she wanted in Wei Sheng City, she had almost no interest in these things as she was burdened with mundane affairs. When she entered the city, she would only occasionally stop by Yu Lin's place. She was a woman. In the early years, it was rumored that she was Tian Hu's mistress. Even if she could cover the truth with one hand, Lou Shuwan didn't mind being misunderstood as Yu Yulin's mistress. If someone really misunderstood her, it would only save her a lot of trouble.
The carriage entered through the back door of the residence. When they got off the carriage, they found that it was quite lively in front. Yu Yulin's cousin, Yu Bin, had probably called a group of prominent scholars to gather here. Lou Shuwan had also participated in these gatherings, so she didn't care. She waved her hand to tell the steward not to make any noise, and then went to the small courtyard in the back to rest.
She didn't sleep for long. Although the direction of the important matters had been decided, what she was going to face next was more like a road to the underworld. Death might be right in front of her. Her mind was buzzing, and she could see many scenes from the past. These scenes came from Ning Yi — Yongle Dynasty killing their way into Hangzhou City, and overturning all of her previous lives. Ning Yi was deeply involved, and he opened a path from a captive. That scholar refused to endure silently. No matter how small the hope was, he would only make the right choice. She always saw him … He walked through the door of the Lou family, stretched out his hand, and pulled the string of the crossbow. Then, he strode across the hall, and single-handedly flipped the table …
Now she was also walking this narrow path. For many years, sometimes she felt that her heart had died a long time ago. But at this moment, she thought of that figure, the culprit, and the original intention of many decisions she had made, in her mind. This time, she might die. When all of this came crashing down, she suddenly realized that she regretted … that she wouldn't be able to see him again …
Her mind was buzzing, and the tiredness in her body only recovered a little. She couldn't sleep anymore. She asked someone to wash her face with water, walked in the courtyard, and then walked out to the next courtyard. The maid followed behind her. Everything around was very quiet. There weren't many people in the backyard of the General's villa. She walked and stopped in a courtyard. In the middle of the courtyard, there was a huge Luan tree. Its leaves turned yellow in late autumn, and the lantern-like fruits fell to the ground.
"Miss Lou." Someone called her at the courtyard gate, waking her up from her daze under the tree. Lou Shuwan turned her head and looked. It was a man in a green robe in his early forties. He had a dignified and elegant face, but he looked somewhat serious. Lou Shuwan subconsciously cupped her hands, "Teacher Zeng, I didn't expect to meet you here."
"I didn't expect Miss Lou to be here at this moment." Teacher Zeng's name was Zeng Yuhuai. He was a famous scholar under Prince Jin's influence. Lou Shuwan had some contact with him, but they weren't familiar. Zeng Yuhuai was a very serious scholar. At this time, he cupped his hands to greet her, but there was no cordiality in his eyes. Lou Shuwan had a high position of power. Usually, when she came in contact with these scholars, her methods were relatively gentle. However, at this time, she couldn't get out of her slow thinking. What was he doing here, what was he doing … She couldn't figure it out.
"Miss Lou's always appearing in the mansion of the General is hurting your reputation. I think you should be more careful."
Zeng Yuhuai cupped his hands and said this seriously. Lou Shuwan didn't expect him to start with criticism. She hesitated for a moment, then smiled, "Teacher is right. I will be careful. However, the sage said that a gentleman should be magnanimous. The matter between me and General Yu, actually … has nothing to do with others. "
She was sharp-tongued, and it was easy to mock and refute him. However, Zeng Yuhuai still cupped his hands, "Rumors are hurtful. It's better to be careful when it comes to your reputation."
This person was too annoying. Lou Shuwan still had a smile on her face. Just as she was about to speak, she heard him continue, "Miss Lou has done her best for the country and the people all these years. You really shouldn't be hurt by rumors."
"Uh …" Lou Shuwan was stunned, "Zeng …"
Zeng Yuhuai's expression was still serious, but his eyes were clear. He wasn't faking it, "Although those who do great things don't bother with trifles, there are some things in the world that aren't fair. In the early years, I misunderstood Miss Lou. After seeing what Miss Lou has done these few years, I realized how shallow my relationship with the people of the world is. All these years, Prince Jin's territory has been able to develop until now thanks to Miss Lou's support. Now, Wei Sheng's goods are spread everywhere. These days, people from the east and north are coming to the mountains. This also proves that what Miss Lou has done all these years is rare. "
Lou Shuwan thought for a moment, "Actually … a thousand sails pass by a sinking boat, and ten thousand trees grow in spring before a sickly tree. What Teacher Zeng saw, isn't it a good thing?"
"I already know that Prince Jin is willing to send troops. This is also something that I want to thank Miss Lou." Zeng Yuhuai cupped his hands and bowed deeply, "As a woman, it is already a great merit to protect the country and the people. Now that the world is about to be overturned, Miss Lou is able to choose the path of righteousness between the major issues of right and wrong. No matter what happens next, the millions of Han people under Prince Jin's jurisdiction owe Miss Lou a gift of gratitude. "
"Uh …" Since the other party spoke so seriously, Lou Shuwan didn't know what to say.
That strange scholar continued, "… Actually, a few years ago, I gradually noticed Miss Lou's extraordinariness. We met a few times, but we didn't have a deep conversation. However, I noticed that Miss Lou seemed to be hurt, so she didn't care about trifles. Even though she did many things, she didn't want others to know. I fell deeply into it and gradually developed admiration for Miss Lou … "
"…"
"Miss Lou definitely doesn't know about these things. I also know that it's a bit presumptuous to speak at this time, but since this afternoon, I learned about what Miss Lou has been doing these days. My heart surged and I actually couldn't suppress it … Miss Lou, I know … I was rash, but Lady Zhen is coming. Miss Lou … I don't know if Miss Lou is willing …"
That Zeng Yuhuai's face was solemn. In the past, he was indeed a cultured great scholar. At this moment, he seemed to be calmly stating his feelings. Lou Shuwan had never encountered such a thing. In her early years, she was fickle and had dealings with many scholars in Hangzhou. No matter how calm and composed a scholar usually was, he would appear impatient and frivolous in private, losing his steadiness. When she came to Tian Hu, Lou Shuwan's status wasn't low. If she wanted a gigolo, she would naturally have plenty. However, she had already lost interest in these things. She was like a black widow usually, so naturally, she didn't have many suitors.
However, the middle-aged Confucian scholar in front of her was different. He praised her in a serious manner, confessed his feelings for her, and said that he had a good impression of her. All of this was extremely strange, but he was not excited at all. He only appeared solemn. The Female Zhenren was about to kill her, so the expression of his feelings became solemn. At this moment, the thirty-six-year-old Lou Shuwan stood under the yellow-leafed tree. The ground was covered in lantern flowers. She crossed her hands and bowed slightly — this was the etiquette of a lady that she hadn't used for a long time.
"Teacher Zeng, I'm sorry … Shuwan …" She thought for a moment. "I've pledged myself to the country, so it's hard for me to pledge myself to you again …" She said in her heart, "I'm lying."
Zeng Yuhuai's words stopped. "Hmm, I've been rash … I've already decided to go to the army tomorrow. I hope that it's possible to follow the army north. The Female Zhenren is about to arrive. In the future … if I'm lucky enough to survive … Miss Lou, I hope to see you again."
Lou Shuwan stood there silently. She looked at the other party's eyes that had become clear, but there was nothing more to say. After Zeng Yuhuai finished speaking, he turned around and left. Lou Shuwan stood under the tree. The magnificent rays of the setting sun scattered across the entire sky. She didn't like Zeng Yuhuai, let alone love him. But at this moment, the buzzing sound in her mind stopped.
She got on the horse carriage and slowly passed through the market and the bustling city, all the way back to her home in the suburbs. It was already night. The night wind blew, passing through the fields outside and into the courtyard. Lou Shuwan walked through the courtyard. Her eyes took in everything around her — the green flagstones, the red walls and grey tiles, the carvings and paintings on the walls, and the weeds under the courtyard porch. She walked to the garden and stopped. Only a few flowers were still blooming in late autumn. All kinds of plants were lush and lush, and the garden was taken care of every day. She didn't need these things, and she wouldn't even look at them in the past. But these things always existed just like that.
Lou Shuwan sat by the flower bed and looked at these things quietly. The servants lit lanterns on the eaves of the surrounding Lang Garden. The moonlight shone down and reflected on the pond in the middle of the garden, sparkling in the night wind. After a while, Lou Shuheng, who seemed drunk from drinking, walked over from the other side. He walked to the pavilion above the pond and saw Lou Shuwan. He was so scared that he fell to the ground, somewhat cowering.
"There's going to be a war." Lou Shuwan kept looking at him, but she didn't have much of a reaction. Lou Shuheng said again, "The Female Zhenren is coming, and there's going to be a war … crazy …"
"There's going to be a war …"
"There's going to be a war …"
The courtyard was silent for a long time. Lou Shuheng fell and rolled around in the pavilion. Then, he sat up with his back against the pillar and muttered something. Ever since they came to the Tiger King's territory, the Central Plains hadn't been peaceful. But because Lou Shuwan climbed up very fast, the only war the siblings had experienced was actually the uprising of the Yongle Dynasty and the subsequent migration. Lou Shuheng still felt fear in his heart.
At some point, Lou Shuwan got up and walked over. She sat down on the seat in the pavilion, very close to Lou Shuheng, and just looked at him. The siblings were the only ones left in the Lou Family now. Lou Shuheng was a good-for-nothing. Lou Shuwan originally hoped that he would play with women and at least leave some bloodline for the Lou Family. However, it turned out that long-term indulgence had made him lose this ability. For a long time, this was the only time the two of them stayed together so peacefully.
"Brother, how many years has it been?"
"… Ah?"
"Do you miss Hangzhou? I've always wanted to, but I can't remember, until today … "Lou Shuwan said softly. Under the moonlight, the corners of her eyes seemed a little red, but it could also be an illusion under the moonlight.
"…"
"… Yes, the Female Zhenren is coming … Some things happened. Brother, we suddenly feel that …" Her voice paused. "… our lives are really too frivolous …"
"Ah?" Lou Shuheng's voice came out from his throat. He couldn't understand.
"… You, me, Brother, I think of the past … We've all been too frivolous … too frivolous …" She closed her eyes and cried softly. She thought of all the happy things in the past, all the things they faced carelessly. Whether it was happiness or happiness, she lingered in all kinds of desires and forgot to return. Until she was 36 years old, that Confucian scholar bowed to her seriously. He said, "I like you when you do things for the country and the people … I've made up my mind, I'm going to the north …" She didn't like him. However, those things that had been ringing in her head stopped …
If she and her brother had treated this world more seriously, would everything have had a different ending?
She sat in the pavilion, looking at the Lou Shuwan in the other world. The moonlight shone down, illuminating the mountains. Thousands of miles of rivers were filled with smoke.
Time carried an indescribable force, pushing a mountain of memories in front of her, crushing her past. However, when she opened her eyes, the road had come to an end.
She thought of Ning Yi.
I haven't taken revenge on you yet …
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