Heavy snow has closed the door, covering the green mountains and the land, and everything is white as far as the eye can see. It is the middle of winter again.
In the increasingly large Wangjiazhuang, smoke is floating in the air, and the children who can't stop poking at the cats and playing with the dogs are wrapped in thick warm cotton clothes and chasing and playing. Their faces are red from the cold, and their hands are playing with the snow. They are even redder from the cold, and the tips of their noses are full of mucus. It was extended a little bit, and just when I thought it was about to fall off, I took it back with a long suck. Some children don't care and just wipe it with their sleeves. They will inevitably get scolded when they get home.
Cotton is brought from the Western Regions. Although there was some planting in some coastal areas in the southeast at this time, it was not as good as in Western Xinjiang, and not as much as there.
The caravan has a cotton rough processing factory there, and after returning it, it makes clothes and quilts. However, due to the distance and traveling through other countries, the cost of getting it back was also much higher. So now it's just the residents of Wangjiazhuang and the troops on the Liaodong side who keep warm. Fighting, or fighting logistics, is a multi-faceted comprehensive indicator of advanced level, quantity, and transportation capacity. In this regard, no one in this world can beat him.
The weather is really cold. Except for the children who have enough food and clothing to run around outside, most of the adults are going to work. The old people are squinting comfortably, sitting on the warm kang, looking out the window through the double-glazed glass. It's white, remembering the bitterness and thinking of the sweetness.
In such weather, the group dismounted outside Wangjiazhuang, wearing bamboo hats and leather robes, regardless of the severe cold. Seeing Zhuangzi, who had no walls and refused to block free entry and exit, and the rows of houses with red bricks and blue tiles and glass windows, they stood stunned on the spot.
They have robbed homes and homes over the years and killed many wealthy people. Of course they were familiar with red bricks and glass windows, they had seen them all before. Even on their Liangshan Mountain, the original Juyi Hall and the current Zhongyi Hall were all made of large windows. They robbed the floor-to-ceiling windows of wealthy families and carefully brought them back to their cottage to install them.
They knew that Yanggu County was wealthy and safe, and they had seen many houses like this during their trip. But they didn't expect that their eyes would be opened when they arrived at Wangjiazhuang, the most prosperous village in the world. They also saw the little dolls chasing and fighting, and they looked like they were keeping warm.
Many people in Liangshan had deep resentment against Wang Yan. When they mentioned him, they said he was a traitor to the court, was unkind for the sake of wealth, killed innocent people indiscriminately, and harmed the country and the people. There was no good word. Affected by this, Li Kui, a brainless man, clamored all day long that he would kill Benyanggu County, chop off the head of General Bird, get money, and go back to the mountains to be happy. This is normal. There are many brainless people in Liangshan Mountain. The wealth of Wangjiazhuang in Yanggu County is famous all over the world. The grass bandits are fearless. With power in their hands and brothers around them, how can they seek wealth?
But people who understand know that, let alone whether they can lead the troops into Yanggu County and whether they can kill Wang Yan, just say that they can do it. If Wang Yan is killed on the front foot, the furious Song Dynasty monarchs and ministers will kill Liangshan. Everyone on. There is a supply of millions of dollars a year, and there is still a constant supply of new things. The most critical hand controls the three forces of Liao, Jin and Lu Zhishen, holding the balance and taking foreign wealth for their own use.
If something goes wrong for such an important person, even the irrelevant courtiers can't do it, let alone Yuan Zixiu, who is happy with Zhao Ji.
The group of people looked around and led their horses into the village. The Wang family mansion is certainly not difficult to find. After all, it is built on a hillside and can be seen at a glance. Not to mention that the expansion of Wangjiazhuang did not go up the hillside. The mansion became more conspicuous in such a wealthy and densely populated village.
With a clear goal in mind, they headed straight to the Wang family mansion with its open door on the hillside. There are no rules like those of a wealthy family. The door is always open and anyone can walk in.
The concierge sat comfortably in the warm little room, drinking tea by the small stove, with a book in his hand and frowning in thought. This is a place specially prepared for them to shelter from rain in summer and keep warm in winter. It was also because it was so busy and there were so many people coming every day that I had to have this one at the door specially for greetings and drop offs.
Looking at the group of people leading the horses through the glass window with dripping water, he flipped the book on the table beside him, stood up and opened the door and walked out. He stood three steps outside the door and waited for the people to lead the horses. , bowed his hands and said, "Xiao Ke has never seen any of them before. I don't know why you are here?"
As a concierge, the most important thing is to have a good memory and be polite and considerate. Given Wang's status as a high-ranking official, there are too many people seeking to see and flatter him every day, especially during the recent New Year. If it were not blocked by the heavy snow today, there would be many people indispensable. What's more, there are also some business people who want to see some managers in the factory, or the old housekeeper Wang Fusheng, and the gate will not be idle all day.
The leader, a dark and thin man, held up his hand and said: "I am in Songjiang, Liangshan, Xia. I have something important to come here to see the general, please let me know."
"Liangshan?" The porter frowned, then turned sideways and said, "A few of you have come all the way despite the heavy snow and cold. I thought there would be too many people and horses to work here, so come with me to have some tea to warm your body, and feed the horses some grass."
"Thank you."
Song Jiang arched his hands, and led his brothers through the gate with the concierge, and walked into a big house behind the guard house to rest. The porter served tea and cakes, said a few polite words, and left to inform his employer.
Too many words will lead to loss, and the walls may not be without ears. So Song Jiang and others sat there silently drinking tea and eating delicious cakes, waiting patiently for a reply.
After a while, the young concierge opened the door and came closer, followed by an old man with his hands in his sleeves. Seeing this, Song Jiang and others quickly stood up and bowed their hands in greeting.
Wang Fusheng responded with a smile: "I am the housekeeper of the mansion. My boss knows your purpose of coming. My boss asked me to give Mr. Song a few words."
This means that no one can be seen. Although he is disappointed in his heart, Song Jiang's appearance remains humble and he smiles: "Song Jiang is all ears."
"My boss said that although he has rank, he is just a merchant and is incapable of participating in military and state affairs. The matter of recruiting peace in Liangshan has been decided by the emperor and the court officials, so he can't help. Otherwise, others will make irresponsible remarks, so he won't come. I hope you will forgive me for my poor hospitality when I met with the leader of Song Dynasty."
"That being the case, Brother Song Jiang and others will not bother you any more and leave." Song Jiang also simply left with his brothers without resting.
Wang Fusheng, the great butler, personally sent them to the door and watched them leave the village, which was considered a great honor.
After leaving Wangjiazhuang, several people rode horses slowly. Hua Rong said: "Brother, if Wang Yan doesn't help us or even sees him, what should we do?"
Seeing that Song Jiang didn't say anything, Chai Jin, who was riding on the other side, said, "Brother Hua Rong, we didn't intend to count on Wang Yan for help. He despises us as grass bandits and doesn't interact with us, so it doesn't matter. We can't tell him his situation." I also know that even those who make money for me never interact with the courtiers. This is to protect themselves. If he speaks for us, wouldn't it give Cai Jing, Tong Guan, Gao Qiu and others an excuse to have a fit?"
"Master Chai is right. I had expected this before coming. I was just lucky and came along the way." Song Jiang sighed: "Let's go and meet Li Kui and the others. It's hard to walk in the heavy snow now." , we have to hide our identities along the way, so we’d better leave as soon as possible.”
After that, he whipped up his whip and spurred his horse on, and galloped away with the snowflakes rolled in his head...
Wang Yan held the child in his arms and bounced in front of the window. The little one touched the cold window with one chubby hand and put one hand in his mouth to chew on it. He blinked his big eyes and looked at the snow outside the window. The crystal clear innocence His eyes are full of curiosity about the world.
He has not been idle in the past few years, and the two women Jinlian and Sanniang have not been idle either, especially since Sanniang's first child was a girl, so how could they live idle. So not surprisingly, in the past few years, Jin Lian gave birth to two more children, a boy and a girl. Sanniang also gave birth to two children, a boy and a girl. Jin Lian was even more happy. She gave birth to four children, three of whom were boys. Sanniang gave birth to three and only one boy. She was very proud. Sanniang refused to accept it. She was pregnant and wanted to give birth to another child. Jin Lian didn't want to give birth to a baby anymore. Of course, she wouldn't give in to Wang Yan. That was enough for now.
Counting Sanniang's belly, he already has eight children, almost...
Seeing the old housekeeper come in, Wang Yan strolled to the study room in the west room with the child in his arms.
"Boss, they have left."
Seeing that he was about to speak but stopped, Wang said: "Uncle Fu, if you have something to say, it doesn't hurt to say it."
Wang Fusheng took two steps closer and said in a low voice: "As far as the old servant knows, there are now 70,000 to 80,000 soldiers and horses in Liangshan. They have been fighting with the officers and soldiers for a long time, and they have some fighting strength. They can be used for reconnaissance. Since Liangshan wants to recruit troops, our boss Why don't you help me intercede with you now? In the future, I can get Liangshan soldiers and horses, which will be a help."
"They will not end well. They have offended too many people. You know how many wealthy people we have got rid of with the help of Liangshan over the years who are involved with officials in the DPRK. In the past, we used troops against Xixia, so Tian Hu , Wang Qing, Fang La and Liangshan and other grassroots bandits were left to their own devices. Now it is different. There is a strong call for the annihilation of Liangshan in the imperial court. From my point of view, if Liangshan is not annihilated, it is really difficult. An, just let them attack the other three families. When they destroy those three families, that will be the end of Liangshan."
Compared with before, Liangshan offended many people now. And to be honest, it is not a good start to recruit thieves and bandits. What if we gathered a group of people, launched a vigorous rebellion, and then were recruited to serve as officials and have a good death? So no matter what, in terms of emotions and reasons, there is no reason for them to live, and they will die sooner or later.
And many of those people have a right to death. According to his standards, everyone has to work hard until death. It is useless to form any good relationship with them. Liangshan's mission of existing in Shandong has been completed. What else is there to do if he doesn't die?
Wang Fusheng nodded, said it was a pity, and then said: "My boss, today is the second day of the Lunar New Year, and there is such a heavy snow. If we wait a few days, the snow will melt and freeze, and the road along the way will be even worse." It’s hard to leave. My old servant thinks it’s better to leave early for Beijing this year, so as not to miss the time and cause Yogyakarta unhappiness today.”
"You're right, I think so too. Let the people accompanying you get ready and leave for Beijing early tomorrow morning."
"Yes, the old servant will give the order right now."
…
The scenery along the way is not much to say, and there are many poor people with sallow faces and thin muscles. Although he has been here for eight years, he has not directly taken power. No matter how many resources are mobilized, it is still a drop in the bucket compared to countless people. His property spread throughout the Song Dynasty, and its scope of influence was limited. It would take some time to save the people of the Song Dynasty.
The prosperity of Bianjing remains the same, unchanged. In fact, according to the conduct of the current monarchs and ministers of the Song Dynasty, it is good for Bianjing to maintain the current situation. It is also the most benevolent in the capital, and it has obtained the most resources. How about other places, Bianjing still does not have much influence.
They rested for the night at the house outside Xihua Gate. The next day, Wang Yan entered the palace from Xihua Gate and was led by the young eunuch to meet Zhao Ji.
"I was still thinking of you yesterday, but I didn't expect you to be here today." Zhao Ji laughed and greeted his money bag warmly.
Wang Yan cupped his hands and said, "It snowed heavily over there in Shandong. I was afraid that the road would be difficult to travel due to the melting snow and ice, so I left two days early. Unexpectedly, the only place where it snowed was in that area. Once I got there, the wind was gentle and smooth. There is no harsh winter, so we arrived early.”
"It's good to arrive early. You can stay with me for two more days."
"Thank you for your love."
"You..." Zhao Ji smiled and pointed at Wang Yan. After chatting for a while, he inevitably talked about military affairs: "Although we won the battle with Xixia this time, we also made Xixia retreat to surrender and pay tribute, but it has not yet been It would be a pity to be able to destroy Xixia and the Li clan. The plan you mentioned before has failed to destroy Xixia, but it has lost two years. Does this have any impact? "
To be honest, the results of this battle were not bad. Except for the racecourse, the border areas between the Song Dynasty and Xixia were pushed forward as a whole, driving Xixia outside the Great Wall. If they fight again, the Song Dynasty soldiers will directly attack Xingqing Mansion, the capital of Xixia, and the result will be brilliant.
However, the established strategic goal is to destroy Xixia. He previously said it would take six years to destroy Xixia, but now he has only fought for four years. If he continues to fight hard for two more years, given the current situation of Xixia, he can really destroy the country.
But the result was not as expected. He had tried his best to overestimate the monarchs and ministers of the Song Dynasty, but who would have thought that he would still underestimate it. Although Tong Guan was under a lot of pressure, he was incompetent. He was not good at commanding and fighting, and even though he was able to do it, he couldn't speak well. Therefore, throughout the whole war, Tong Guan's strategy was to proceed steadily, advancing slowly, removing passes one by one, and occupying strategic locations.
If the Song Dynasty was really that strong, this strategy would certainly be fine. Relying on strong logistics and overwhelming others with momentum is really the best strategy.
But the Song Dynasty did not. The Western Army was indeed elite, but its logistics did not keep up. The actual situation is that people are killed in the war at the front, while the latter is destroying the country's potential and making a lot of money at the same time. After the war, the people in the country suffered a lot, and the frontline soldiers were not able to enjoy the resources that the people had been exploited. It just enriched some people's pockets, added a lot of land, and married a few concubines.
We can't fight anymore, if we fight Da Song again, we will collapse...
－－－－－－Digression－－－－－
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