It was already late at night. In the Public House, Shi Liai's hand was on the name list and he was silent for a long time. It looked like he had fallen asleep due to his old age. The silence lasted for a while before Chen Wenjun could not help but say, "Old Sir …"
Shi Liai raised his head and opened his eyes, "I … was just thinking about how to explain this matter in a gentler manner. However … I'm really getting old and I can't find a suitable excuse to explain it to you. It's because Madam should be very clear about the reason behind this matter. I really can't find a suitable excuse to explain such a clear matter to you again. "
Shi Liai's gaze looked towards Chen Wenjun. His seemingly old eyes were filled with scorching interrogation. Chen Wenjun took a deep breath, "… I only know that Old Sir had promised me personally."
"I went back on my words and let these two hundred people die here. It's much better than sending them to the Residence of the Goddess of Grains and then being handed over to be killed … Madam Wanyan, times have changed. Didn't you see the fire at the South Square tonight? There are no less than two hundred people who have been burned alive over there. They were all burned alive … "
As Shi Liai spoke to this point, Chen Wenjun's lips tightened, and his gaze became resolute. "The heavens have the virtue of cherishing life. Old Sir, no matter what, the fighting and killing in the south will not change my background. As for the matter of the South Workshop, I will investigate it and announce it! After losing the battle at the front, they killed the defenseless slaves at the back. They were all cowards! I will say the same thing in front of them. Let them come and kill me! "
"Madam, a woman is not inferior to a man. Well said. This matter is indeed done by cowards. I will investigate it thoroughly and when I find out, I will announce it in front of everyone and reprimand them. I hope that there will be fewer killings of Han slaves in the future. These matters cannot be brought to the surface. Thus, exposing them is a righteous response. You are doing the right thing. If someone dares to disrespect you, this old man can personally kill him. "
The old man said slowly and paused, "However … Madam, you also know that in the entire West, from the Marshal's Residence, there are many fathers and brothers who died in this expedition to the South. It's one thing for you to criticize them for killing people to vent your anger. Under such circumstances, it's another thing for you to save the two hundred people from the South. If the expedition to the South is successful, you can take the two hundred people and release them easily. If Madam, you are unreasonable and gather the family warriors to kidnap the five hundred people, no one would dare to reason with the Goddess of Grains. But at this moment, the situation in the West … "
The night wind blew through the clouds and whimpered under the eaves of the courtyard. Shi Liai's lips moved. After a long time, he propped himself up with his walking stick and shakily stood up. "… The bitter defeat in the southwest, the fierceness of the Black Flag's firearms, and the sharpness of the army's morale have never been seen before. The outcome of the struggle between the Eastern and Western Prefectures will soon be revealed. The calamity of overturning is at hand. Madam, do you really want to use the two hundred captives to kill the Goddess of Grains and her family? If you don't think for yourself, don't think for your virtue and dignity. Those are your children! "
Chen Wenjun's eyes were slightly stunned. After a while, she said, "… Is there really no other way?"
Shi Liai looked at her and then shifted his gaze away, "The Goddess of Grains is a hero. In the letter that he wrote to Madam, did he only report the good news and not the bad …"
"In the letter, he said that if there is any problem, I can come and ask the Old Sir for advice."
Shi Liai raised his head and laughed sarcastically, "The Goddess of Grains is broad-minded. Ordinary people can't compare to him. He seems to have forgotten that when I became an official, I was under the command of Marshal Zong Wang. Now that we are talking about the East and West Residences, I am thinking of the two princes, Zong Fu and Zong Bi. Now that the Marshal's expedition to the South has failed, isn't he afraid that I will betray the entire West Residence? "
The old man's words sounded like he was mumbling to himself. Chen Wenjun picked up the name list on the tea table again. In fact, there were many things that she did not understand. It was just that at this point, she hoped that the Old Sir would have some tricks up his sleeves to fulfill his promise. But at this point, she already understood that the Old Sir was seriously rejecting this matter.
"… If I want to make a move on the West Residence, the first thing I'll do is to send those two hundred people to you. By then, the news of our defeat in the southwest will have spread. Countless people will have their eyes on those two hundred people. They'll want you to hand them over and kill them personally. Otherwise, they'll force the Goddess of Grains to kill you … Lady Wanyan, you've been in a high position in the north for so long. Haven't you learned to be cautious?"
Chen Wenjun folded the name list and smiled bitterly, "Back then, the Shi family was famous. When the Liao Dynasty was destroyed, Zhang Jue was the first to rise. Then, the Wu dynasty repeatedly made promises and invited you. Not only did you reject them, you also strictly forbade your descendants from becoming officials. Later on, you followed Marshal Zong Wang to the imperial court. As an official, your actions were impartial. Everything you did was for the Jin Kingdom. You did not think about the ups and downs of your family's power … You are someone who wants to be remembered in history. Why should I be wary of you, Old Sir? "
Shi Liai supported himself with his walking stick and shook his head. He sighed, "When I became an official, my heart was with the Jin Kingdom. It was because the Jin Kingdom was full of heroes and the general trend was admirable. Whether it was the late Emperor, His Majesty, Marshal Zong Wang, Marshal Wu Han, or the Goddess of Grains, they were all heroes of their generation. Madam Wanyan, I do not want to harm you. I want to keep these two hundred people in my hands for the sake of the reputation of the Goddess of Grains. When the Marshal and the Goddess of Grains return, the West Residence will still have some bargaining chips to deal with Zong Fu and Zong Bi. "
He paused with his walking stick, "In the letter that the Goddess of Grains sent back, she had told me in detail about the Black Flag. In this southern expedition, the West Army was indeed defeated. I have never seen or heard of the Black Flag's development and military management philosophy. I have been living in Yunzhong for a long time. Therefore, I know about the Marshal and the Goddess of Grains' military management and the development of the Great Construction Institute. The power that could defeat the Marshal and the West Army will be a threat to the Jin Kingdom in the future. The Marshal and the Goddess of Grains have made a decision to let go of many things. They only hope that in the future, they will be able to fight against the Black Flag. Therefore, for the sake of the Jin Kingdom, I have to ensure a smooth transition … Zong Fu and Zong Bi have the future, but the Marshal and the Goddess of Grains left behind their experiences … "
As he spoke, Chen Wenjun sat back on the chair, "… Even so, I will have to talk about the killing of Han slaves in the future."
"If the Jin Kingdom wants to prosper, we need people everywhere. The fathers and brothers of these nobles died on the battlefield. Although it is understandable for them to vent their anger on others, it does not help the situation. You want to reveal the truth, which is beneficial to the Jin Kingdom. I support you. As for the 200 captives, I have no way of handing them over to Lady Wanyan. This is the Chi poison. If they were to be swallowed, it would be difficult for the Goddess of Grains' residence to escape. I hope that Lady Wanyan can forgive me for going back on my words. "
The old man laid the groundwork. At this point, he still symbolically apologized to Chen Wenjun. Chen Wenjun did not say anything more. She had been living in the north for a long time and naturally understood the style of the Jin Kingdom's higher-ups. Once a decision was made, it would be difficult to move the higher-ups no matter who interfered. Although Shi Liai was a Han and was born in a scholarly family, his style of doing things was swift and decisive. It was similar to the first generation of heroes in the Jin Kingdom.
After sitting for a while, she finally said, "Your Excellency has experienced the ups and downs of two dynasties and three parties in his life. However, he has never made a wrong decision. However, have you ever thought that there would be such a group of Han people waving the Black Flag in the southwest? "
Shi Liai shook his head. "Madam Wanyan has spoken too much. We are not gods, how can we be infallible? The southerners are cowardly. I looked down on them in the past, and I still think the same today. The appearance of the Black Flag may be due to the extreme, but it is hard to say how far such a resolute army can go … However, since things have come to this, this is not something for me to worry about. It should be a problem for Dezhong and Youyi to solve in the future. I hope … it will be a good ending. "
He slowly walked to the side of the chair and sat back down. "Living in this world is like facing a raging river. In this life of mine … "
The old man looked at the night in front of him. His lips trembled. After a long time, he finally said, "… I have tried my best."
*****
The raging river water finally rushed to the side of the Han people in the Yunzhong Residence.
The next day was the thirteenth of May. Lu Mingfang and Tang Minjie finally learned of the outcome of the war in the southwest from different sources. Following Ning Yi's defeat of the Yan Mountain Guards and Xing Xiebao at Xiao Qiao, the Hua Xia Seventh Army defeated Ni Han and Xi Yin's 100,000 strong army west of Hanzhong City with only 20,000 men, beheading Wanyan Sheya at the frontlines. By this time, the Western Army's high-ranking military officers and soldiers who followed Ni Han and Xi Yin to the south have suffered innumerable casualties. The Jurchen army, which had followed Aguda to rise to power and had dominated the world for forty years, finally suffered the most bitter defeat in history in the face of that Black Flag.
The related news had already spread among the upper echelons of the Jurchen Residence. For a time, the Yunzhong Residence was filled with violence and grief. After the two met, they naturally could not celebrate. They could only drink tea in a relatively safe hiding place and discuss what to do next. In truth, this kind of hiding place was no longer very peaceful. The atmosphere in the city had already begun to become tense. The bailiffs were going from house to house in search of happy Han slaves. They had already caught wind of the news and were gearing up to capture a group of Han spies and publicly execute them.
"… I still say the same thing. If you want to go south, you should leave early. After some time, the news will spread. Any caravan that looks like a Han won't have a good time. Right now, while those people of the steppe are still here, we might be able to pass through safely."
The war in the southwest had come to an end, and the entire strategy for future espionage might change. Someone had to go south. After talking for a while, Tang Minjie once again emphasized this matter. Lu Mingfang smiled. "There are still some things that need to be arranged. In truth, after this matter, the situation in the north will probably become even more tense and complicated. I'm actually considering not going back this time."
"Besides you, who else knows the overall situation here? These things can't be written in a letter. If you don't go back, just the idea of forming an alliance with the steppe people is not something that anyone is qualified to convey to Teacher and the others."
"Why don't you go back this time?" Lu Mingfang poured a cup of tea. "You've been here for four years, but you haven't gone back even once."
"Old Lu, I'm not bragging, but when it comes to survival and mobility, I seem to be a little better than you."
Hearing Tang Minjie talk about this matter without any reservations, Lu Mingfang laughed. After a while, he asked, "You don't want to go back and take a look?"
"I can play a greater role here."
Lu Mingfang said, "With your ability, you can play a greater role anywhere."
Tang Minjie shook his head. "… Teacher has a reason for arranging for me to come here."
"He said that you were too ruthless when dealing with the Ni tribesmen in Liang Mountain. However, I feel that in a life and death battle, being ruthless is nothing. After all, you are not facing your own people. Moreover, I can tell that you are a person who would rather die than attack your own people. "
Tang Minjie smiled. "You are praising me by saying that … however, I know that my methods are too ruthless. It is fine to plan for a moment, but to plan for a decade or a hundred years, I cannot ignore my reputation. You don't know this, but in Liang Mountain, I killed an entire family and used their wives and children to threaten them. If this matter were to spread, there would be hidden dangers for a decade or a hundred years. "
"… You really did it?"
"A few … brothers of the Chinese army were ambushed in the mountains. The situation was urgent. A few diehard Ni tribe members refused to talk, so I kicked their wives and children off the cliff … The place wasn't high, and they broke their legs. You know, the most troublesome thing was that the place was their own. They knew that the place was not high and they would not fall to their deaths. Thus, I had to drag them up and chop off his son's hand in front of him. He knew that I was serious, so he told me. "
"If he didn't … would you chop it?"
"I would start from the hand."
Lu Mingfang was silent for a moment. Then, he raised his teacup and the two of them clinked.
"Did you manage to save them?"
"It was a bit late. Three died …" Tang Minjie raised his head and said, "If possible, I can also chop off my own hand."
He revealed a smile that was a little complicated, but also a little simple. This was a smile that was rarely seen even in front of his comrades. Lu Mingfang knew that those words were true. He silently drank his tea. Tang Minjie smiled again and said, "Don't worry, the boss here is you. I will listen to your commands and won't mess around."
"I am not worried about this." Lu Mingfang said. "I am just surprised that you did not kill all those people."
"Eh? Why? "
"According to your previous style, if you killed all of them, wouldn't the news not be able to spread?"
Lu Mingfang said and laughed. Tang Minjie was slightly stunned and also laughed in a low voice. He laughed until he held his forehead. After a while, he raised his head and said in a low voice, "… If I remember correctly, Lu Yannian, Shopkeeper Lu, sacrificed himself in Yunzhong."
Hearing him mention this, Lu Mingfang nodded. "Father … sacrificed himself in order to cover our escape …"
Tang Minjie looked at him. "You've been here for so long, and you've seen so many … tragedies in the human world, and the murder of your father. How do you know your limits?" His gaze was burning, but then he smiled. "I mean, you know your limits better than I do."
Lu Mingfang's eyes moved. He sat there and thought for a while. "Perhaps it is because … I am not as powerful as you."
"… Huh?"
"My father is Lu Yannian. He sacrificed himself in order to open up the business here." Lu Mingfang said, "Do you think … the reason why I am here is related to my father?"
"Is that what you think?"
"It is more or less related." Lu Mingfang held the teacup and said sincerely, "That's why I've always remembered that my ability isn't strong. My judgment and decisiveness can't compare to the others here. So I must guard my own line and try to be as stable as possible. I can't make too many decisions that are out of line. If I can't suppress the anger in my heart because of my father's death and want to do this and that kind of revenge, what about the others who entrusted their lives to me? What if I implicate them? I have been … thinking about these things. "
"…" Tang Minjie was silent for a moment. He raised his teacup and clinked it with Lu Mingfang's. "Just based on this, you are better than me."
"After I go south, I can rest assured that I will leave this place to you."
"The situation is tense. In two days, I also have a group of people to send away … Remember I mentioned to you last time, Luo Ye's sister?"
"Found her?"
"It took some time to confirm it. She suffered a lot and pretended to be crazy in order to survive. But after so many years, she is basically half crazy. With the victory in the southwest this time, many of the Han in Yunzhong will die. Those who live on the streets might be killed at any time. I've thought about it and decided to send Luo Ye's sister away in two days. "
"Do you want me to bring her along?"
"I have arranged for people. You don't have to go together. It's not safe," Tang Minjie said. "But after you leave the Jin Kingdom, you can look after her."
Lu Mingfang nodded. "Is there anything else you want to entrust to me? For example, a sister who is not married yet. Do you want me to go back and visit her for you? "
"You are not suitable." Tang Minjie laughed. "I am afraid that a person who runs around with her head in her hands will become a widow."
"You really have a sister?" Lu Mingfang's eyes lit up and he asked curiously.
Tang Minjie said, "She is dead."
Lu Mingfang did not say anything. At this moment, they were both middle-aged men in their thirties. Lu Mingfang was bigger and had a messy beard. There were scars on his face from being whipped by the Jin. Tang Minjie was thin and had a goatee. There were traces of yesterday's fire on his face and body.
Almost ten years ago, Lu Yannian was killed in Yunzhong. Lu Mingfang was on the run and met Chen Wenjun for the first time. Not long after, Fan Hongji, the envoy of the Jin, brought Lu Yannian's head to Little Canghe as a demonstration. Tang Minjie saw Lu Yannian's head in class at that time, and he was thinking about how to come up with a plan to kill Fan Hongji. At that time, Zou Xu volunteered to help Ning Yi receive Fan Hongji. At that moment, he had already become the leader of the rebel army in Crouching Bull Mountain.
Time passed, and there was no return.
This was the last time Tang Minjie and Lu Mingfang met.
Both of them laughed happily.
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