The shouts of killing in Hangzhou City lasted for two nights and one day before gradually subsided.
The city was in ruins, with embers of war, corpses strewn everywhere, and blood flowing on the roads.
Fang Shishi was shot to death in the battle, and the bandit army lost seven to eight men. Fang Baihua fled out of the East City with the remaining more than 20,000 soldiers.
Du Bo led the cavalry to pursue them for nearly a hundred miles, and killed thousands more of the 20,000 people. The rest fled into the mountains and could not be traced, and then returned to the city.
After spending a few more days cleaning up the city, setting up lists to pacify the people, looking for Mingjiao signs to arrest believers hiding in the streets, rewarding them according to their merits, and writing a detailed memorial to report the good news to Tokyo, Zhao Tong breathed a sigh of relief.
The Forbidden Army also lost a lot of lives in this battle. There were originally more than 45,000 people, but now there are only more than 30,000 left. Ten thousand soldiers were killed, but it was still a great victory with less. Moreover, it is a battle to seize the city, which is of great significance.
Zhao Tong sat in Qianwang Palace, wondering how to deal with the concubines left by Fang La.
During the war, there was nothing wrong with killing by mistake. The trend was irreversible. Any resistance that stood in the way, even if it was unintentional or unjust, would be ruthlessly crushed by the wheels of war, but that was no longer the case at this moment.
Fang La's queen, Shao Yuxian, fled with Fang Baihua. The remaining concubines were all married by Fang La when he conquered Hangzhou. Most of them were common people's daughters. If these people were put into prison cars and taken to Tokyo, they would definitely die.
Zhao Tong secretly gave Yao Pingzhong an order to let them all go, and then warned these women not to tell anyone, forget about their experiences, and just pretend that they had escaped.
Zhao Tong just did it casually. Even if Emperor Daojun knew about it in the future, whether he admitted it or not, Emperor Daojun would not be able to do anything to him.
The next big thing is how to arrange the gold and silver jewelry collected after Fang La's uprising.
This is a huge fortune. With this money and the money he got from killing the nobles in Jiangning, plus the annihilation of Huaixi last year, even if Zhao Tong immediately falls out with the court and raises troops to support himself outside, he will have enough money to be independent for at least ten years. Worried.
Huang Jue from Fujian was ordered by him to take advantage of the chaos in the southeast to pretend to be a pirate and go to Guangzhou to kill the Pu family of Hu people. If everything goes well, the future will be more stable, and the two base areas of Southeast and Longyou will no longer be shackled by money.
Looting and possessing in war is the best means of development. Otherwise, since the Qin Dynasty, what would we eat and drink? Almost all of them rely on fighting to support fighting.
It is true that businessmen make money by inventing everyday things that have never appeared before, and they do attract attention. However, the money comes too slowly and requires accumulation and expansion, and it also requires intrigues and calculations with all aspects.
Zhao Tong did not come from the market. He was from the royal family. He started with the Dizhang card. He had an innate advantage. He did not have to climb up from the bottom bit by bit, accumulate slowly, and did not have to do some small family things. Waste of time and energy.
If you can use swords and horses to cut it to pieces, you don't have to work hard to think about circuitous ways and look forward and backward. If you can get it directly, you don't need to use slower methods to go through those twists and turns. Everything is fast, accurate, steady, and ruthless. That's enough.
With money, he no longer had any worries. Zhao Tong was in a happy mood at the moment. He sent Zhang Xian and the people from Luliu Village to quietly transport the money Fang La had plundered out of the city through the underground passage, and then transported it to Hongjue Temple in Niutoushan. The wealth of those noble families will be together, and then they will find a way to transport it to the Longyou Protectorate.
As for the Emperor Daojun, leave some aside, just like the last time when Huaixi was pacified, leaving... two hundred thousand taels is about the same.
After Zhao Tong finished handling the matters in Prince Qian's palace, he did not stay here. Instead, he stayed at the Hangzhou Magistrate's Yamen. The environment of this Magistrate's Yamen was better than that of the Comfort Division. There were rockeries, flowing water, bamboo forests and small lakes behind, and the scenery was beautiful and refreshing.
He rested after dinner in the evening. He had been overworked in the past few days, and now he felt relaxed. He actually slept until three o'clock in the morning before waking up.
I saw a ray of gentle sunlight shining through the screen window outside. The warmth made people feel comfortable. Zhao Tong climbed up quickly. The breeze blew on his face from the window. Looking ahead, he saw the small lake in the garden with rippling clear waves and the chirping of birds. The clear blue sky above immediately aroused his interest in playing.
After eating, Zhao Tong called out: "Come here, call Xiuniang. Let's go to the West Lake to enjoy the scenery today!"
As soon as he gave the order, Ding Daxie immediately went to make arrangements. The servants and maids in the mansion immediately became busy. After a while, there was the sound of "thumping" footsteps in the courtyard, and a sedan with a red top embroidered with colorful satin came from Lift the back to the door.
Zhu Xiuniang came with the army. After entering Hangzhou, Zhao Tong ordered two women to be picked from the Jiaofang Division to serve them. If they were well served, they would be exempted from guilt and moved to a good family.
One of these two girls is named He Xiang and the other is Qing Xing. They are both natives of Hangzhou. They are proficient in playing, playing and singing, and can also speak poems, songs and poems.
Zhu Xiuniang sat in the sedan, and the two girls followed on both sides of the sedan. Zhao Tong got on the red horse with a big belly. Outside, Shen Fei led the troops. In front, there were a full set of weapons such as pumpkins, axes, and sky mirrors. Behind them, there were a thousand soldiers following, a mighty force. , and went straight to Hangzhou West Lake.
At this time, Hangzhou gradually returned to its previous bustling scene. Only the city gates were subject to strict inspections. Those who did not have suburban household registration were not allowed to enter and were arrested for questioning. However, all other businesses were open and people could not help but check.
Along the way, I saw three streets and nine alleys, high-rise buildings, and merchants' shops.
As the saying goes, there is heaven above and Suzhou and Hangzhou below. Passing by the Qian Palace, you can see countless pavilions and pavilions, hundreds of gardens, towering Qiong Towers and Purple Mansion, with strange flowers and green trees gathering like clouds. Everyone was full of praise: "What a Hangzhou, it really deserves its reputation."
Even Zhu Xiuniang opened the curtain of the sedan chair and looked outside, her expression was slightly happy, and there was a hint of joy in her eyes.
Leaving the city from Qingbo Gate, we didn't stop until we heard the orioles in the willow waves. There were colorful boats parked by the lake, with carved railings and painted buildings, dragon heads and phoenix tails, colorful awnings on top, and small rooms underneath.
Zhao Tong dismounted and was surrounded by a crowd of people on the colorful boat. He sat down in the middle of the colorful pavilion. He saw that there were many women on the boat at this moment. They were all musicians and dancers from the Jiaofang. The four on the left were wearing red and the four on the right were wearing red. Green, each holding an oar, stretched out, curling up, cutting through the blue glass of the lake, laughing, bit by bit, the lake water splashed and wet Luo Xiang's skirt.
At this time, looking at Santai Mountain and Wulao Peak from a distance, they are deeply locked in purple haze and mist. The Jiuting and Six Bridges on Sugong Embankment are directly at the foot of Nanping Mountain.
Su Shi once wrote a poem: Six bridges span the Han Dynasty, and the Beishan Mountain begins to connect with the Nanshan Mountain.
Zhao Tao looked at the beautiful scenery with a smile on his face. Looking at the eight dancers with paddles, their faces were dripping with sweat and panting, he couldn't help but laugh out loud and said to Zhu Xiuniang: "Xiuniang, are you enjoying yourself?"
Zhu Xiuniang raised her delicate eyebrows, a slight sneer on her lips, and remained silent.
The boat docked at Zhongta Xiaozhou, and the singers and singers from the pro-army group got off the boat, took out the food boxes, and placed delicacies from the mountains and seas, delicacies and jade delicacies, fresh fruits, and jade liquor on the pavilion in the center of the lake.
Zhao Tong sat in the middle, Zhu Xiuniang sat beside him, He Xiang and Qing Xing accompanied him on the left and right, and the red and green concubines stood on both sides.
In an instant, the sandalwood board was tapped lightly, the purple flute was swallowed quietly, the silk strings were melodious, and the blowing sound was heard. The red and green female dancers danced gracefully, first singing "Beauty Walking", and then singing "Drunken Help Return", the melodious sound was soul-stirring, colorful The sleeves are fluttering and frivolous.
After three glasses of wine, Zhao Tong's cheeks were flushed and his eyes were blurry as he said, "You beauties, you are dancing very well. Come and have a rest. I will give each of you a glass of wine!"
All the dancers said a long blessing together, and then rushed forward like a swarm to grab the wine and food. Zhu Xiuniang saw this and was annoyed in her heart. She turned her face to look up the pavilion. When she accidentally saw Su Dongpo's inscription, she faintly Authentic: "Isn't that the words of Master Su?"
When Zhao Tong heard this, he looked over and saw that there was indeed a poem written on the wall of the pavilion. The ink was clear and legible, but it was the original inscription written by Su Dongpo when he was the governor of Hangzhou. It was the first Bodhisattva Man.
Zhao Tong stood up, raised his head and recited his words:
The autumn wind and the rain on the lake make you want to leave but you still want to stay. Today I will leave you alone, tomorrow I will worry about killing people.
The beauty sheds thousands of tears on the long river. There is no need to hold back Shuang'e, passers-by will cry more.
After he finished reciting, he turned to Zhu Xiuniang and said, "Xiuniang, why don't you sing this poem to relieve my boredom?"
Zhu Xiuniang's face changed slightly when she heard this, and she hated Zhao Tong with all her heart. How could she be allowed to sing for him in front of these kabuki actors from the Jiaofang Division? He said: "Your Majesty, this poem is too desolate and contains many unlucky parts. Let's sing something else!"
Zhao Tong didn't take it seriously: "Xiu Niang, how can I see you?"
Zhu Xiuniang said: "This poem is full of sorrow and farewell, which can make a beautiful woman heartbroken and a hero short of breath!"
Zhao Tong asked, "Does Xiu Niang know the origin of this word?"
Zhu Xiuniang said: "I only recognize the calligraphy of Su Xueshi, but I don't know what story it contains?"
Zhao Tong shook his head and said: "This word is also related to the fake Taoism... Neo-Confucianism."
Upon hearing this, Zhu Xiuniang said angrily: "What does Su Xueshi's Ci have to do with Neo-Confucianism!"
Zhao Tong smiled and said, "What this word says is about Chen Xiang, the former magistrate of Hangzhou. This man is also a master of Neo-Confucianism. Doesn't Xiu Niang know about this man?"
When Zhu Xiuniang heard this, she looked at Zhao Tao with a frown and said nothing.
Zhao Tao laughed and said, "Xiu Niang knew from this king's advice that the former magistrate of Hangzhou, Chen Xiang, had a good relationship with the famous prostitute Yingchun. Unexpectedly, Chen Xiang was transferred to another position by order. When they were leaving, Yingchun bid him farewell at the pavilion in the middle of the lake. The two of them were very affectionate. Lingering and reluctant to leave, Su Shi took over as the magistrate of Hangzhou and wrote this poem to remember the incident. I recite the poem and travel here, feeling emotional about the scenery. Xiu Niang, I feel that you and I are both the people in the poem!" After that! , let out a long sigh, and shook his head repeatedly.
Zhu Xiuniang bit her lip and said, "Why did Prince Zhao...why did you say this?"
Zhao Tong sighed again and said: "Xiu Niang has been studying and studying for many years, and she also hides in the boudoir of the embroidery building, drawing and painting, depicting dragons and phoenixes, how can she know the great events of the world!
"Huh?" Zhu Xiuniang sneered: "What is it that makes the prince frown? He actually talked about it to the whole world!"
Zhao Tong reached out and took Zhu Xiuniang into his arms. Zhu Xiuniang struggled to get away and couldn't help but glare at her.
Zhao Tong said: "The Liao Kingdom is watching eagerly, Xixia is frequently knocking on its borders, and bandits are causing trouble in various places. It is unbelievable that as soon as I return to Tokyo, I will be sent to another place by the officials, and I will be separated from Xiu Niang in the blink of an eye!"
Zhu Xiuniang said: "I heard that the Xixia Kingdom is currently engaged in internal fighting and consumes too much. How can it come to knock on the border? The Northern Liao Dynasty was attacked by Nuzhi and has lost part of its territory. The country is in chaos and has no time to take care of itself. How can it keep an eye on it? As for ordinary thieves? This kind of thing...I'm afraid it won't be His Highness the King of Qin's turn to suppress it himself!"
After she finished speaking, she struggled again, but this time she left Zhao Tong and ran to the opposite side to sit down, making it difficult for Zhao Tong to reach.
When Zhao Tong heard this, he was slightly startled. Then he relaxed his frown and clapped his hands and said, "I never thought that Xiu Niang has some knowledge. Who told you these things?"
Zhu Xiuniang was not willing to reply to his words. She just turned her head and looked at the West Lake in a daze. She saw a vast expanse of smoke and water, blue waves spraying snow, white sails dotted, green water touching the sky, and the Liuhe Pagoda standing on the riverside on the green bushes, connecting Between the mountains and rivers, the charm is natural and the scenery is beautiful.
But at this moment, her heart was full of pain and hatred, thinking that Zhao Tan would die in the battle. Before, she had thought that Zhao Tan would die in Hangzhou, but she didn't expect that Hangzhou would be captured easily.
She also thought about doing it at home, but there were no iron tools in the room, not even a pair of scissors, and there were people watching outside, and Zhao Tong never stayed over, so she had no chance.
Thinking of this, Zhu Xiuniang couldn't help but look back at Zhao Tong, only to see Zhao Tong looking at her. She hurriedly turned her face away, gritted her teeth, tried to calm down, and told her family that she must endure everything, and a gentleman's revenge is never too late in ten years. She couldn't let Zhao Tong see what she was thinking.
Zhao Tong smiled. He didn't know what Zhu Xiuniang was thinking. She must hate him to death and wish he died on the battlefield.
He picked up the wine glass and asked the maiko to continue singing and dancing, and then drank, reciting poems from time to time, full of emotions.
After another long while, Zhao Tong felt that he was exhausted, so he ordered his people to go back home. A group of people got on the boat again, played fine music, made waves, walked ashore from the willow waves and heard the orioles, mounted their horses and entered the Qingbo Gate.
A few days later, order in Hangzhou was restored, and the major temples began to become prosperous again. Pilgrims from far and near came from miles away to offer incense to the mountains.
Hangzhou's three Tianzhu temples (upper, middle and lower), the four jungles of West Lake, Shengyin Temple, Lingyin Temple, Jingci Temple and Zhaoqing Temple, are full of incense. Devoted men and women rub shoulders and come to burn early summer incense.
Zhu Xiuniang sent someone to find Zhao Tan, saying that she also wanted to go out of her house to offer incense and pray for her deceased relatives. Zhao Tan agreed without hesitation, then packed up the carriages, sedans and horses, and left in a grand way.
There are 18 Lingguan Halls along the road from the ancient bridge in Hangzhou to Xiaohe Mountain, all of which are places for women to burn incense. See the young ladies riding in embroidered sedan chairs and brocade curtains, accompanied by servants and maids, their heads and faces decorated with pearls and emeralds, and their bright-colored skirts competing for splendor. Dou Li, the ancient road is like pieces of colorful clouds falling to the ground.
Zhao Tong was happy after seeing her and said: "People say that Pingting is a girl who flies in the clouds and rides in the mist in Hangzhou. She is a graceful girl with jade leaves and golden branches. When I saw her today, it turned out to be true."
Zhu Xiuniang said in the sedan chair: "Your Majesty, after burning the incense, take me to see the tide of the Qiantang River. I heard that when the tide comes, it is so majestic that it swallows up the universe and is a wonder in the world."
Zhao Tong smiled and said, "There is nothing wrong with me."
Zhu Xiuniang added: "The tide is most spectacular when standing on the Liuhe Pagoda at Yuelun Peak."
Zhao Tong followed the instructions, and after burning incense in Lingyin Temple, the group went up to Yuelun Mountain.
Yuelun Mountain originally had Tianchi and temples on it, but they were now in ruins, leaving only the Liuhe Pagoda, which was built by the monk Wu Yue Zhijue.
The Six Harmonies Pagoda is nine levels high, more than ten or twenty feet tall. Each floor has corridors and rooms, alternating between light and dark, and can be climbed.
In this month, Lunshan encountered war in the third year of Xuanhe, and both the pagoda and the temple were damaged. The pagoda was rebuilt in the first year of Xuanhe, but the temple is still abandoned.
Zhao Tong took Zhu Xiuniang up the steps and saw Buddha statues carved on all four walls of the pagoda. The most famous one was the statue of Wu Daozi Guanyin protecting the saints. Brick Buddhist scriptures were carved from the bottom to the top.
The two of them climbed all the way to the top of the ninth level, overlooking the Qiantang River. They saw the vast smoke waves, and the sails of the ships were like white geese. Looking down, the Qiantang River was right under the threshold. People on the other side were shouting and wanting to fly, and a gust of water wind was "oh!" The cold air was biting, and there were waves of fishy and wet water vapor, and then a huge wave seemed to be heading straight for the tower.
Zhu Xiuniang was almost knocked down by the strong water wind, and she let out a soft cry of surprise. Zhao Tao reached out to support her. Zhu Xiuniang stabilized her body, without saying a word, turned around and slowly walked down the stairs.
The weather was good that day and everything was lively. The group went to a restaurant next to the West Lake to eat and drink. After taking a look around, Zhao Tong stood up and looked out the window with his hands behind his hands.
He closed his eyes slightly, opened them again for a moment, and then chanted:
Outside the mountains, there are buildings outside the Qingshan Tower,
What time does the West Lake singing and dancing close?
The warm breeze makes tourists drunk,
Just call Hangzhou Bianzhou.
Zhu Xiuniang next to her was stunned when she heard this, and couldn't help but look at him with her eyes...
(End of chapter)
