The 11th year of Wu Jianshuo, the first day of the first month.
The sound of firecrackers set off the joyous atmosphere on the Chengdu plains. Zhang Village, a place mainly populated by soldiers and their families, welcomed the arrival of the New Year in a lively and orderly atmosphere. After the New Year's Eve, there was a lively banquet. On the first day of the New Year, people visited each other to congratulate each other. Every household had a red "Fu" character pasted on their door. Children went around asking for lucky money, and the sound of firecrackers and laughter continued.
Carrying bags of all sizes, Zhuo Yongqing brought He Ying and He Xiu and started visiting in the morning. At night, Qu Qing, Mao Yishan, Hou Wu and the rest all brought their families over. This was the first meal of the New Year, and they had arranged to have it at Zhuo Yongqing's house. In October last year, he had married not only his younger sister, but also his older sister, He Ying and younger sister, He Xiu. Ning Yi presided over their marriage, and everyone laughed at him for enjoying the happiness of having two wives.
In the past year, there was no need to talk about the sad and happy stories between Zhuo Yongqing and his shrewish sister, He Ying. War would disrupt many things. Even in the area where the Hua Xia army gathered, the soldiers all had different styles. Some were like Xue Changgong, who felt that he was in danger during the war and was unwilling to take a wife. There were also those who took care of the women around them, and unknowingly walked together into families.
Zhuo Yongqing's days were smooth and happy. The cripple, He Xiu, was not in good health and had a weak personality. She could not support half of the family during complicated times. The elder sister, He Ying, was strong-willed, but could be considered an excellent mistress. She used to have a bad attitude towards Zhuo Yongqing, bossing him around. After they got married, she naturally did not behave like that anymore. Zhuo Yongqing did not have a family. After he got married, he lived with He Ying and He Xiu's weak mother, taking care of them nearby. When the New Year came, he did not have to run around. On this day, he called his brothers and family over to celebrate.
It was very lively. After the lively banquet ended, the women cleared the dishes, the men moved the tables and chairs. Mao Yishan's children ran out to play with other playmates. Zhuo Yongqing, Qu Qing, Hou Wu, Mao Yishan, Hou Yuanyong and the rest sat in the courtyard, drinking and chatting. They only dispersed when it was late at night.
Qu Qing was the last to leave. Before he left, he looked at Zhuo Yongqing meaningfully. Zhuo Yongqing smiled at him and nodded.
After sending them off, Zhuo Yongqing returned to the courtyard and moved the tables and chairs into the room. He Ying and He Xiu also came to help. After these things were done, Zhuo Yongqing sat down on a stool in the room. His body was ramrod straight, his hands clasped together, as though he was thinking about something. The naive He Xiu walked in and was still talking. When she saw his expression, she was a little confused. After that, He Ying came in. She looked at Zhuo Yongqing and wiped the water droplets off her hands. She pulled her sister and sat beside him.
"Wh-what's wrong?"
"I have something to tell you." Zhuo Yongqing looked at them. "I'm going to war."
The woman was suddenly stunned, He Ying swallowed a mouthful of saliva, his throat was suddenly so dry that he could not speak.
Recently, the situation in the outside world had been tense. The mission of the Hua Xia Army in Zhang Village had been increased, and the atmosphere had changed. Most of the family members living there had sensed it. At the end of the year, the family members, the army, and even the central departments of the Hua Xia Army had all treated Zhou Yong's matter as a joke. However, the development of the situation had become more and more tense, and more and more urgent.
But no one had thought that they would be going to war now …
*****
For the central departments of the Hua Xia Army, the sudden tension of the situation and the high-speed operations of the various departments began on the 28th of December.
The high-level meeting hosted by Ning Yi had confirmed a few important policies. After that, it was time for the various departments to hold meetings and discuss. On the night of the 28th, the entire Zhang Village seemed to be operating throughout the night. Even those who had not entered the decision-making circle could more or less understand that something was about to happen.
Over the past two years, the Hua Xia Army had stirred up trouble in the southwest. They had done all sorts of things with great vigor. They had gotten rid of the predicament of the previous years, and the atmosphere of the entire army was one of optimism. The feeling of an arrow on a bowstring was tense and exciting. Some people could even vaguely guess some clues. Due to strict confidentiality rules, no one was allowed to discuss this, but even when they looked at each other and smiled while walking on the street, it seemed to contain some kind of aura that a storm was about to come.
It was very clear that the top management of the Hua Xia Army, led by Ning Yi, had already decided to do something.
Time returned to the morning of New Year's Eve. Zhuo Yongqing sat down outside the courtyard that could be considered familiar. His posture was ramrod straight, and his hands were clenched into fists. Someone was already waiting on a stool beside him. This person was thin but looked resolute. He was the Hua Xia Army's deputy minister in charge of trade with the Wu dynasty, Qian Zhiqiang. Both sides had already greeted each other and did not speak at the moment.
Not long after, someone came out from inside. It was a fat monk with a round figure and a smile on his face. He glanced at the two of them and walked out with a smile. This monk did not appear much in Zhang Village. Many people might not know him, but Zhuo Yongqing knew his identity. This monk should be considered Qian Zhiqiang's subordinate. He had been traveling in the outside world for a long time and had been a middleman for the Hua Xia Army's trade activities in the Wu dynasty. Feng Zhen, a gangster with the nickname "Honest Monk," was regarded by the outside world as a free broker who walked on both sides but did not belong to either side. Since he had not died after so many years, it could be seen that his martial arts skills were quite good.
After the monk left, Qian Zhiqiang went in. Not long after, he came out and smiled at Zhuo Yongqing. Only then did Zhuo Yongqing enter the courtyard. It was still morning. Ning Yi was busy in the study. When Zhuo Yongqing came in, he put down the work in his hands and poured a cup of tea for him. Then, with a serious look, he went straight to the point.
"We can't sit back and do nothing about the recent events in the Wu dynasty. We have made some decisions in the past two days, and we have to take action. Of course, we haven't announced it yet," he said. "Some of them are related to you. I think we should talk to you in advance. You can refuse."
Zhuo Yongqing stood up. "I am willing to follow all the arrangements of the organization."
"Sit down." Ning Yi waved his hand. "The entire mission will be announced in succession on the first and second days of the Lunar New Year. Since it is a mission, it cannot be easily evaded. However, if there is a reason or difficulty, others can also submit an application. If you can be brought forward, it means that the situation you are facing is different."
Zhuo Yongqing sat down, and Ning Yi continued.
"After the battle of Little Canghe, we moved to the southwest and occupied the Chengdu plains last year. You know the whole situation, so there is no need to explain it in detail. When the Jurchen invade the south, there will definitely be a big battle. Now, it seems that the Wu dynasty will have a hard time holding up. The Jurchen are more determined and have more tricks up their sleeves. If we sit back and watch the Wu dynasty collapse ahead of time, we will be in a very passive position. Therefore, we must do our best to help.
"First of all, the most direct method of sending troops is not a feasible choice. We have just occupied the Chengdu plains. From last year to this year, we have expanded our army by nearly twenty thousand, but we can't send out many troops. The troops in Miaojiang and Dayang are even fewer. If we force an expedition, we will have to face the danger of the collapse of the rear, and the families of the soldiers will die here. On the other hand, we have previously issued a declaration to give up on the confrontation with the Wu dynasty and push our troops east and north. The first thing we will have to face is the counterattack of the Wu dynasty. At this time, there is no meaning in fighting. Even if they are willing to let us pass and push our mere tens of thousands of people a thousand li into their millions of troops, I reckon that the Jurchen and Wu dynasty will choose to eat us up at the first moment.
"If we don't send out a large army, then there is only one other choice. We have decided to send out a certain number of people, supplemented by special operations and decapitation operations. We will first enter the territory of the Wu dynasty and fight against those traitors who are preparing to collude with, associate with, or betray the Jurchen. Anyone who defected to the Jurchen's side will be killed."
Ning Yi's words were simple and calm, but Zhuo Yongqing's heart was shaken. This was the message that Mister Ning had sent out from the southwest. One could imagine how shocked the people of the world would be.
"Zhou Yong has made several bad moves. We can't accept his words. We can't let the people of the Wu dynasty really think that Zhou Yong has reconciled with us. Otherwise, I'm afraid that the Wu dynasty will collapse even faster. We can only choose to make our voices heard in the most efficient way. Even if our Huaxia army will forgive our enemies, we will never let go of the traitors at this time. I hope that this way, we can stabilize the situation for the Crown Prince and his faction of the Wu dynasty who are still resisting and seize a chance of survival. "
"This matter is very dangerous. It may make some of those who are wavering to change their minds, and it will also make those who have already switched sides to be even more ruthless. Some of the people that the Jin Kingdom has planted in the Wu Dynasty before will also be mobilized to stop you. " Ning Yi waved his hand and said, "Of course, this is for the best. Then let's fight and clean them up."
"… Currently, the troops that are planning to go out to battle are some in the open and some in the dark. The reason why we're considering you is because your identity is special. You killed Wanyan Loushi and are a hero against the Jurchens. We … plan to put your troops in the open and say what we want to say openly. But at the same time, they will keep their eyes on you like flies. So, you are also the most dangerous … Considering that you just got married two months ago and that the mission you have to undertake is so dangerous, I allow you to refuse. "
Zhuo Yongqing subconsciously stood up. Ning Yi waved his hand and didn't look at him. "Don't be impulsive. Don't answer for now. Go back and think about it carefully. Go. "
"… Yes." Zhuo Yongqing saluted and left. When he left the room, he looked back. Mister Ning was sitting on a stool and didn't send him off. He raised his hand to drink tea and didn't look in his direction. This was different from the Ning Yi he usually saw. Zhuo Yongqing understood that Mister Ning probably thought that sending him to the most dangerous position was a bad thing. He didn't feel good about it either.
Thinking of this, he saluted again outside the door. After leaving the courtyard and walking to the corner of the street, Qu Qing came from the side and greeted him. They walked together for a while. At this time, Qu Qing, who held a high position in the General Staff Department, also had a strange expression. Zhuo Yongqing waited for him to speak.
"Adding you to the team that's heading out was one of my suggestions," Qu Qing said.
Zhuo Yongqing nodded. "With bait, we can fish. Brother Qu's suggestion is very good."
"You've only been married for two months …"
"On the day of marriage, we have to go to war. We are soldiers. Isn't that what we have to do?" Zhuo Yongqing smiled at Qu Qing.
"However, this matter is different from going to war. When going to war, everyone is facing the same danger. In this matter, if you go out, you will become the biggest target. Although we have many contingency plans, it is still hard to guarantee that no accidents will happen."
The two walked forward. Zhuo Yongqing only smiled and didn't speak. When they reached the crossroads of the General Staff Department, Qu Qing stopped and said, "I have already proposed to Mister Ning that I will be in charge of one of the troops going out this time. If you decide to accept the mission, I will go with you."
He smiled and turned in the direction of his work. After a few steps, Zhuo Yongqing said behind him, "Brother Qu."
"Yes?"
Zhuo Yongqing walked over and walked with him to the side of the road. "You know, all these years, I have always been worried about something."
"… What?"
"When I killed Wanyan Loushi, you and I both know that it was just a fluke. At that time, I was just a new recruit. When I went to the battlefield, I couldn't even swing my sword properly. I killed Loushi because I fell and my sword fell out of my hand … In that great battle, there were so many brothers. In the end, only you, me, Brother Hou Wu, Brother Mao Jia, and Brother Luo Ye Luo were left. To be honest, you are all much stronger than me, but the credit for killing Loushi fell on my head. "
He looked at Qu Qing. "These years, because of this inexplicable credit, the army promoted me. Mister Ning knows me, and many people also know me. They say that Zhuo Yongqing is very powerful. What's so powerful? On the battlefield, I can't even rush to the front — of course, I don't want to die, but many times, I feel that I'm not a soldier worthy of the title of Hua Xia Army. I just happened to be pushed out to be a signboard. "
He smiled. "If it was in the Wu dynasty, being a signboard and receiving benefits was one thing, but because in the Hua Xia Army, I saw so many heroic figures. I saw Brother Mao, I saw Brother Luo Ye Luo, I saw you and Brother Hou Jia, and then I saw Mister Ning, I also wanted to become someone like that … When Mister Ning told me, I was a bit afraid, but now I understand. This is what I've always been waiting for."
Zhuo Yongqing paused, and then laughed mischievously but brightly. "Look at you guys, other than that madman Brother Luo, you all look ugly. Representing the Hua Xia Army to kill our way out and speak to the whole world, of course, this is a mission that only a handsome and beautiful person like me can take on.
"… So, I plan to go."
…
"… So, I'm going to go to war."
The same words to different people had different feelings. For some people, Zhuo Yongqing felt that even if he repeated the same words countless times, he might not be able to find the right tone to match them.
That night, after confessing to his wife, the family hugged each other and talked a lot. Who cried, and of course, there were smiles. In the next day or two, the same scene would probably be repeated many times in the homes of the Hua Xia Army. Before going to war, each of them left behind what they wanted to say the most in the form of a will, which was kept by the army.
Ning Yi, Qin Shaoqian and the others took turns to meet the leaders and members of different teams. They all went to different places and had different missions.
"Du Sha, Fang Shuchang … Go to Xiangfan and persuade He Jiayou. Anyway, clean up the Jurchen spies …"
"Ren Suli … Go to Changsha and cooperate with Chen Fan's spies. Wait for an opportunity to assassinate the thirteen people on this list. If confirmed, we can deal with the latter part of the list according to the circumstances …"
"Ji Yuanjing … Go to Jiange with two hundred people to discuss with General Si Zhongxian about borrowing the road. In addition, talk to the local Chen family in detail, in my name …"
"Feng Zhen, Luo Xiguang, lead a team to coordinate with Zhuo Yongqing's team. Hide yourselves and pay close attention to all the clues in the outside world. At the same time, among the three races on the list, there are a hundred and eighteen marked men who can be killed …"
"Order Zhi Guang to lead a team to Lin 'an …"
"Xiao Hei, Yuwen Feidu, you need to contact an old man who you shouldn't have …"
"Ying Hou …"
"Luo Zifu …"
"… Let those who have fallen into the war know that there are people in the world who are on their side …"
"… Mobilize the Green Forest, mobilize the grassland, mobilize all the people who can't avoid this war, mobilize all the forces that can be mobilized …"
"… Block the retreat of those who are wavering, analyze the situation with them, talk to them …"
"… Let those who have already embarked on the path of cooperation with the Jurchens know! Even if one day the Wu dynasty is destroyed, and someone remembers him, we won't forgive him! In ten or twenty years, we'll make it difficult for him to choose between life and death! "
From a great distance away, the behemoths of the southwest began to move. The Spring Festival had just passed, and one troop after another was leaving the Chengdu plains from different directions. They were about to set off a violent storm of blood. This time, before the people had even arrived, the signal of danger had already spread out in all directions.
On the seventh day of the first month, under the hazy sky, an army headed east. Wanyan Xiyin was riding a horse. After reading the urgent report sent by the spy, he laughed heartily. He handed the report to Yin Shuke, who finished reading it and then passed it to someone else. Before long, Wanyan Qingjue came over. After reading the report, her face was cloudy and uncertain. "Teacher …"
"Qingjue, you've dealt with that Ning Rentu in the southwest. What do you think of this move of his?"
"Qingjue is slow-witted. Right now, I only think … this is a good thing." Wanyan Qingjue revealed a smile. "Ning Liheng's move is intended to respond to the situation in Jiangnan and share some of the pressure with the Crown Prince's disciple. However, once the Black Flag Army begins a massacre in Wu Dynasty, even though it can intimidate a group of hesitant thieves, those who previously had connections with us, those who have dealings with us, can only stand on our Great Jin's side without any hesitation … Among these people in Wu Dynasty, as long as teacher has something on them, we can persuade them one by one, there will be no more obstacles. "
Xiyin nodded. After Wanyan Qingjue finished, he frowned slightly. "But I don't think Ning Rentu has thought of such a thing. Since he has made such a move, I'm afraid he has many more tricks up his sleeves. I don't know, but I think we have to be on guard."
After he said this worriedly, Wanyan Xiyin laughed. "Qingjue, you underestimate that Ning Rentu too much. I've observed this person for many years. He has been good at scheming all his life and is even better at managing. If we give him another ten years, the Black Flag Army will have been formed. I'm afraid there will be no one in this world who can stop him. In these ten years, it is our Jurchen who has gained the upper hand. Therefore, he has no choice but to hastily meet the enemy. For the sake of the Wu dynasty, he has no choice but to send out his elites and sacrifice them on the battlefield … "
"Then … Why did I underestimate him …" Wanyan Qingjue frowned.
Xiyin seemed to be in an extremely good mood. "Because, other than being good at scheming and managing, this person has another characteristic that is the most terrifying … Meeting on a narrow path, he must be the brave among the brave. In this world, those who are famous for their intelligence, if they cannot succeed, they will definitely think of all kinds of detours in order to find a chance of winning. This Ning Rentu, in the most critical moment, did not hesitate to sacrifice his own life to find the real opportunity to win. "
"... Intelligence and courage, these are the qualities of a true hero. That is why he was able to kill the Emperor and rebel against the Wu Dynasty. Even when faced with my Great Jin Tianming's subordinates, he was still able to stand tall and not retreat. Even though the entire world was his enemy, he was still able to forcefully carve out a place for himself. Xiyin urged her horse forward with a smile on her face. "From what I see, it is precisely because he predicted that some people would go crazy that Ning Liheng sent people without hesitation. Haha … It's just the right time to catch them all in one go!"
The warhorse moved forward and Wanyan Qingjue hurriedly followed. Xi Yin said, "It's time. In two days, Qingjue, you will personally head south and be in charge of persuading all parties and mobilizing everyone to stop the black flag. The world is vast and mighty, and this is the most heartless thing in this world. Let those cowards with ulterior motives go to the King of Hell! They are still sleeping in their dreams and have not woken up. This world … "
Xiyin laughed and said, "It's at war …" Her laughter was heroic, as if it was burning the entire mountains and rivers in front of her.
This world was at war. There was no place for cowards to live. Linan City was in turmoil and burning. Jiangning was in turmoil and burning. Soon, the entire land of Nanwu was on the verge of burning. On the eighth day of the first month, Liu Chengzong's troops that were fleeing southeast of Bianliang suddenly changed direction and headed diagonally towards Xuzhou City that they had voluntarily given up last year. They wanted to take advantage of the moment when the Nu Zhenren focused on Jiangnan to once again cut off the Nu Zhenren's Eastern Army's return route.
At the same time, Wu Shu's vanguard arrived at the capital of the Wu dynasty, a bustling city with more than 1.5 million people: Linan.
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