On the afternoon of the first day of March, in front of the Shiling where Ning Yi and Wanyan Zonghan met, the wind was moving at a steady pace.
In the small wooden shed in front of the camp, people from both sides would occasionally go over to pass on their wills and carry out preliminary negotiations. On one side, Gao Qingyi was in charge of the negotiations, and on the other side, Lin Qiu was on the other side. There was about an hour before Ning Yi threatened to kill Xie Bao. On the other side, the Jurchen people were trying their best to put forward conditions, make threats, scare, and even put on a show of desperation in an attempt to save Xie Bao.
Even when there were only the two of them, Gao Qingyi still tried to talk to Lin Qiu. First, he probed out the other party's family situation, then he tentatively promised a lot of benefits in an attempt to get the other party to reveal some bottom line information. However, Lin Qiu was not moved.
"Most of my family died in the turmoil after the Central Plains fell. It is not unjust to put this on the heads of you Jurchen people. Right now, I still have an elder sister who is blind in one eye. If General Gao is interested, you can send someone to kill her. "
Lin Qiu, who was negotiating on behalf of Ning Yi, sat there and faced Gao Qingyi. His tone was calm and cold. Gao Qingyi knew that all threats and inducements to this person were not very meaningful.
For more than ten years after the Central Plains fell, most of the people of the Central Plains had an unforgettable blood feud with the Jurchen people. This kind of hatred could not be overcome by words and sophistry. For more than ten years, the Jurchen people were used to seeing the cowardice of their enemies in front of them, but when it came to Black Flag, this method did not work at all.
If they were facing other forces of the Wu dynasty, Gao Qingyi could still take advantage of the other party's guilt or lack of determination to exchange for a hostage that fell into their hands with irresistible huge benefits. However, in front of Black Flag, the benefits that the Jurchen people could provide were meaningless.
When the whole world was surrounded by enemies, this group of people could throw out a sentence that was filled with the flavor of a masterpiece, "Lingling is still alive, who knows that the Yunhan has perished". Ten years ago, Ning Yi was able to kill Lou Shi in the northwest, and he was able to kill Ci Buxie in the almost hopeless Yanzhou city wall. Now, if he said he would smash Wanyan Xiebao's head, he could smash Xiebao's head.
"… After the fall of the Central Plains, you and I have been enemies for more than ten years. I, the Great Jin Dynasty, have not only captured these captives in front of us. There are also members of your Black Flag, heroes of the Wu dynasty, and their families within the borders of the Great Jin Dynasty. As long as you can name them, we can exchange them. Or, in the future, we will propose a list of names to exchange for protection."
The Jurchen main camp deliberated for a while, and finally Gao Qingyi put forward this proposal, "I know that if we proceed with this matter, it will inevitably take a long time, but as long as we leave Xie alive, based on his relationship with Grand Marshal, there is nothing we cannot discuss. There is no need to kill him today … You cannot decide on this matter. Please convey this to Ning Yi and let him make the decision. "
The messengers at the front of the camp came and went, and all kinds of proposals and responses came and went. The people in the Jurchen main camp did not waste these two hours of oppressive atmosphere. On one hand, they proposed all kinds of conditions that might interest Gao Qingyi — they even quickly recalled the list of Huaxia captives that might be of value and sent it to the front of the camp to be used as bargaining chips. On the other hand, all kinds of information from within the camp was constantly being sent to the surroundings.
Zong Han stood in front of the tent and looked at the figure on the high platform in the distance. Under the hazy sky, his uneven white hair danced in the air.
Time was drawing closer and closer to the hour of one o 'clock.
In the Huaxia camp, teams of messengers came out from the rear and ran toward the tired Huaxia troops.
"… Tell Gao Qingyi that there is no discussion."
After listening to the sixth proposal for negotiation, Ning Yi gave this answer. Then, he ordered the people of the General Staff Division, "Respond to all the proposals from the other side in the same way."
"Should we tell them not to send any more proposals back?"
"Of course there is a need to send them back." Ning Yi got up from his seat and put on his coat. "The communication itself is a kind of test. In order to save Xie Bao, aren't there still a lot of things that we don't know about the bargaining chips that the Jurchen side has proposed? In addition, we should also give them a little hope. "
As he spoke, he left the room.
Following the road between the battlefields, passing through the hills and the Huaxia army's camp, Ning Yi followed the stairs and stepped onto a simple wooden platform. Xie Bao was being held on the platform. His face was covered in blood, he was missing a few teeth, and the corners of his eyes were broken. He was tied to the platform and kneeling. Xie Bao was a big man from the north. Even though he was beaten to a sorry state, he still had a strong and tragic aura as he looked forward.
On the other side of the camp, one could vaguely see the figures in front of the Jurchen tent. Wanyan Zonghan was there looking at his son, and Xie Bao was here looking at his father.
Ning Yi stood to the side and also watched from a distance for a moment. Then, he sighed.
"Yes, things like war are really cruel … Who said it wasn't."
As he spoke, he took out a handkerchief and very perfunctorily wiped the blood from the corners of Xie Bao's eyes. Then, he threw the handkerchief away. There was a big commotion coming from the Jurchen camp. Ning Yi took a wooden stand and sat down on one side.
"Your side has put forward a lot of conditions in exchange for you. Your elder brother is mobilizing troops and wants to kill his way over to save you. Your father also hopes that this kind of deterrence will be effective, but they also know that killing their way over … is just throwing their lives away."
Below the wooden platform, the soldiers were murderous. The Huaxia army had already made preparations for battle and did not let their guard down just because the other party might be bluffing.
Xie Bao turned his head to look at Ning Yi. Ning Yi tore off the cloth gagging his mouth. Xie Bao then said in his unpracticed Chinese, "Da Jin will avenge me."
Ning Yi shook his head. "The biggest problem in front of you is how to run back from this mountain. If you continue forward, you won't be able to go back. Today, I will kill you in front of your father and brother, but your father and brother can only choose to retreat. Next, the morale of the Jurchen will plummet. If you are not careful, it will be very difficult for you to return to Huangming District and Yu Shui River. "
Xie Bao's gaze was slightly stunned. He had been escorted to this high platform. Perhaps he had some ideas about what would happen next. However, when Ning Yi casually told him that he was going to die, it still somewhat impacted him. After a moment, he laughed out loud.
Ning Yi's gaze was indifferent. He picked up the binoculars and looked forward, ignoring Xie Bao's laughter. Xie Bao laughed for a while and said, "Good, you want to kill me. Good! Xie Bao underestimated the enemy and advanced rashly. He has made a big mistake and should die to atone for his sins. Ning Yi, don't forget! The foundation of my Jin Kingdom was built under such a weak situation! Just use my blood to raise the morale of my Jin Kingdom. Soldiers with indignation will win. I will wait for you in the underworld! "
"Don't talk about soldiers with indignation." Ning Yi put down the binoculars. "The so-called soldiers with indignation will win is to let all the soldiers understand that they are at a disadvantage and that if they don't risk their lives, they will only be worse off. Yesterday, you thought that I was the best in the world, robbing money, food, and women to go back and enjoy. You brought 30,000 troops to kill me. Today, you suddenly say that you are not the best in the world, and that you will become soldiers with indignation. If you say this out loud, it will be strange if everyone doesn't run away. "
"In the battle of Yan Bridge, 30,000 people were killed in one battle. You have no chance to face them head-on. However, only your father, brother, and a few of the higher-ups know about this. Your father has the courage to recognize reality. He needs to consider how many people will die. Of course, I hope that your father and brother can really be inspired by the morale of soldiers with indignation and stay here to bring up the rear for the army. If I can kill your family of three, I will feel much better. "
As he said this, he held the binoculars and smiled again. "Your military style is rough but meticulous, and your brain is quite good. You must understand what I am saying."
Xie Bao was silent for a moment, and then revealed a bloody smile. "I believe in my father and brother. They are unparalleled heroes. No matter what difficulties they encounter, they will definitely be able to overcome them. On the other hand, Ning Rentu, if you want to kill, just kill. You coming to me to talk about this is like a villain intoxicated by success. It is really laughable. "
Ning Yi did not feel insulted and nodded. "The order from the General Staff Department has already been sent out. The conditions for negotiations at the frontlines are like this. Either you can be used to exchange for the captured Hua Xia soldiers …" He simply repeated to Xie Bao the difficult problem that the frontlines had given to Zong Han.
"As I said, war is cruel. Look at your father. He has endured all kinds of hardships to get here, and in the end, he has to bear the pain of sending off his son. You have also fought your whole life, and in the end, you are kneeling here, watching your Jurchen people walk into a dead end … The war in the southwest has been fruitless. Zong Han and Xi Yin have returned to the Jin Kingdom. You will also become meat in the mouths of Zong Fu and Zong Bi. But there are even more people who, in these ten years, have experienced far more pain than you. "
"The father watched his son die, the son collected his father's remains, the husband and wife were separated, the whole family died … After so many things have happened, letting you feel the pain is my personal respect and remembrance for the victims. From a humanitarian standpoint, this pain will not last long, but you can die in despair. I will send Zong Han and your other family members to see you as soon as possible. "
"Hahahaha …" Xie Bao understood and opened his mouth to laugh. "That's right, Ning Yi, it is me who has killed many of your people. Countless Han people have died by my hands! Their wives and daughters have been raped by me, and some of them have done it together! I don't even know if I've done it to your relatives! Hahahaha, Ning Yi, for you to say it so painfully, there must be someone who has been killed by me, right? Say it for me to be happy, I'll tell you — "
At this point, he was about to put on an excited expression and continue speaking when Ning Yi reached out and pinched his chin, breaking it with a crack.
Xie Bao's face was twisted and hideous, and he was trembling with pain. Ning Yi took out his hand and wiped off the blood and saliva on his hand. "Yes, war is like this. Those who lose lose everything, and those who win only win the opportunity to sit here and reminisce about their comrades. What you said … makes sense."
He looked into the distance and stayed there quietly with Xie Bao, not saying anything else. After a while, someone began to loudly declare Xie Bao's crimes of "murder", "rape", "arson", "torture", and so on.
…
Gao Qingyi slammed his fist on the wooden table. "If Xie Bao dies, all the surviving Huaxia soldiers in Dajin that I mentioned just now will all die! When my army returns to the north, I will kill them all! "
Lin Qiu nodded. "We still have 20,000 people to exchange."
"Except for Xie Bao, I won't exchange anyone! Quickly go and tell Ning Yi that if I kill Xie Bao, I will make you regret it — "
"Okay." Lin Qiu summoned the messenger. "If you have anything else to add, I will ask him to pass it on."
"Xie Bao can't die —"
Gao Qingyi's shout almost reached the high platform on the opposite side.
…
In the camp of the Jurchen people, Wanyan Shema had already gathered his troops and begged Zong Han to fight.
"… If those verbal negotiations fail, Ning Yi might really kill people. Father, you can't put all your hopes on negotiations. I will personally lead the army to fight for the last time … If I can't save Xie Bao, I won't be able to sleep peacefully from now on, Father —"
Zong Han put his hands behind his back and looked at the high platform. His lips were tightly pressed together and he didn't say a word.
Han Qixian and the others were not outside the big tent. They were making other arrangements and deployments of the army under Zong Han's orders. Countless orders were sent out nervously. When it was close to the hour of the clock, some people walked out of the tent and looked at the high platform from afar.
Although the Huaxia army had all kinds of malicious intentions towards the Jurchen people in the past few years, killing Lou Shi and Ci Bufu on the battlefield was still different from the current situation.
Killing Zong Han's son Xie Bao in front of him was an insult and a provocation. It was something that had never happened in the world in the past few decades. Before Zong Han died, Zong Han's son was a bargaining chip that could involve countless interests. After all, in the past few decades, Zong Han was a true hero who crushed the entire world.
…
The days in the southwest were long. When it was close to the hour of the clock, the setting sun broke through the clouds and slanted its pale light in this direction. Yan Qiao, Shiling, Xiukou … The orders of Ning Yi and the command center were being passed on to the troops one after another.
"… After the battle of Yan Qiao, the Jurchen people's path forward is close. Next, they will definitely plan their retreat. However, our troops must not let down their guard. Under the most probable deduction, the Jurchen people will definitely organize a large-scale attack. The purpose of the attack is to move the Han army to the frontline and the Jurchen army to the best position to retreat …"
"… Therefore, all your troops must be prepared to withstand the attack. We can't rule out the possibility of encountering the Jurchen elites and cutting off all means of retreat. While preparing to repel the enemy's first wave of attack, organize the elites to make all plans to break through and annihilate the enemy. From Xiukou to Yu Yu River, and from Shiling to Huang Ming, these areas will become key areas in the battle of annihilation in the next few days. You must be resolute in fighting and planning … "
"… Adopt the strategy of summoning the Han army to surrender, driving them away, and instigating defection. Resolutely cut off all the important roads and passes, seize time with the enemy, and cut off their retreat …"
"… Intelligence and scout divisions, use all your strength to contact, contact, and instigate all possible Han generals. Even if you can't instigate them, you must clearly and forcefully transmit the situation of this battle to them …"
"… Second Brigade of the Second Division, in the following battle, is responsible for defeating Rulai's troops …"
"… Fifth Division, in charge of attacking Dalai's troops in the front. Coordinate with Qu Zhengyan and Chen Tian's troops and advance toward Yu Yu River. Do your best to put as much pressure on the enemy as possible so that they can't easily turn around …"
"… Every division at Yan Bridge …"
All kinds of orders were passed down from the headquarters to the divisions, from the divisions to the brigades, and from the brigades to the regiments. At this moment, after the end of the battle at Yan Bridge, all the troops had entered an even more somber and restless state. Swords and spears were sharpened, and guns and cannons were loaded. On the river near Yan Bridge, boats were patrolling to watch over the captives …
…
The setting sun shone from the other side of the mountain.
In the small shed, Gao Qingyi held his breath. On the high platform over there, Ning Yi had already gone down. At the camp gate on the other side of the battlefield, Wanyan Xi also put on his armor and rushed out of the camp. He ran with all his might and shouted loudly.
In front of the big tent, Zong Han's eyes did not blink. He did not move an inch, and his fists were clenched tightly. Many people looked in that direction from different directions.
In fact, many people were still hoping for a fluke. Perhaps this was Ning Yi's pretense.
Perhaps he would keep Xie Bao alive in exchange for more benefits.
Perhaps if he let Xie Bao live, both sides would have another way out.
After all, this was a war between nations. Any rational leader would leave a little more leeway.
The long barrel of the gun was aimed at the back of Xie Bao's head. The setting sun was pale, and the wind under the setting sun moved at a steady pace.
Bang —
—
—
Xie Bao's head exploded, and his body collapsed.
Angry roars and roars rang out in the battlefield. The voices of the people in the Jurchen camp exploded. Ning Yi listened to these angry roars. Over the years, there had been countless angry roars. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath of the day's air.
"Send his head … to his father …"
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