After Yan Qing and Ruan Xiaoer had some fun, they got down to business.
Yan Qing said: "Xiao Qi, the current situation is turbulent and dangerous. You should make preparations early to be safe."
"What are you talking about, Xiao Yi?" Hearing this, Ruan Xiaoqi glanced at Yan Qing and said, "Since Fangla was pacified and the country was peaceful, the people lived and worked in peace and contentment, the economy was prosperous, and commerce and trade were extremely developed. The Song Dynasty was rich and prosperous. The world is the most prosperous in the world, and Emperor Huizong is intelligent, benevolent and modest by nature. It is the most prosperous time since the Song Dynasty. How can it be said that the current situation is turbulent and full of crises?"
Yan Qing was silent after hearing this.
"Brother Xiao Yi, if you have something to say, it's okay to say it. Why are you so hesitant in front of me?"
Yan Qing then said: "Xiao Qi, you don't know something. There is a saying that when the moon is full, it wanes, and when the water is full, it overflows. How can this not be the case in this world? You must know that when the moon is exhausted, it will be exhausted, and when it is full, it will decline. reason."
Ruan Xiaoqi looked at Yan Qing and said, "I would like to hear the details, and I hope brother Xiao Yi will be willing to teach me."
"Brother Xiaoqi, we are sworn brothers in Liangshan and causing chaos in the society, which consumes a lot of energy of the court; especially the Fangla bandit rebellion directly shakes the foundation of the court."
"Didn't we recruit troops? Didn't Fang La ask us to destroy him?"
"Yes, yes, we have recruited peace and Fang La has been wiped out; however, this chaos has caused huge damage to the imperial court."
"What's going on?"
"What can we do?!" Yan Qing said: "Nowadays, the Jurchen tribe has risen in the northeast, established the Jin Kingdom, and is fighting fiercely with the Liao Kingdom. The Jin Kingdom is a country of tigers and wolves. If the Jin Kingdom defeats the Liao Kingdom, it will definitely take advantage of the situation to go south and invade. My dynasty."
"Hit him!" Ruan Xiaoqi said angrily.
"Xiao Qi, please listen to me."
"Okay, okay, you tell me."
"Not only that!" Yan Qing continued: "To the northwest, Tubo and Dangxiang have always refused to obey the power of the Song Dynasty and often invade the borders. In addition, in the current imperial court, Cai Jing, Tong Guan, Wang Fu, Gao Qiu and others are in power and are corrupt and bending the law. How can the country recover? It is easy to say that it is easy to fight, but it is not easy to fight. I estimate that there will be a catastrophe in the court in the near future. It is best for us brothers to make plans early."
Ruan Xiaoqi heard this and said: "If that's the case, then what's the point?! Anyway, I'm good at stealing. At worst, I'll carry my mother on a boat, return to Liangshan, rebuild the Liangshan stronghold, and segregate the country according to danger. If you miss it, you will have a good life."
"Look." Yan Qing said: "What Wang Zhen said is right. Brother Xiao Qi is really a thief and he wants to seize the mountain to be the king and the grass to become the bandit. Brother Xiao Qi , Our previous rebellion has caused huge losses to the court and brought great pain to the people. Why do you still want to go back to Liangshan? Haven't you done enough evil?! Think about my brother Li Kui, holding two axes. He kills innocent people indiscriminately, even a four-year-old child, do you think he is still a human being?!"
When Ruan Xiaoqi heard this, he glared at Yan Qing and said bluntly: "Then what should we do? Is it possible that we have to wait to die?"
"No!" Yan Qing said: "We can also organize ourselves to resist the invading enemy."
Ruan Xiaoqi heard this and asked: "How to resist?"
"It's like this." Yan Qing said: "I am looking for a place in Dayu Mountain in Daming Prefecture. The mountain is steep and dangerous, and there are several like-minded people who are already in the mountain. Xiao Qi, I want to hibernate There, we prepare secretly, accumulate strength, and let go if nothing happens. If something happens to the country in the future, we can take advantage of the situation, contribute to the country, and make new achievements."
After hearing this, Ruan Xiaoqi said happily: "Okay, although it sounds like it is still a Liangshan, the things don't seem to be the same thing. The previous time was to cause chaos, this time it is to calm down, this is a good thing! Brother Xiaoyi, it's really To tell you the truth, I am still in good health and my martial arts skills are still there. If something happens to the country in the future, Xiao Qi is willing to go to war with Brother Xiao Yi and be loyal to the country; but..."
"Just what?"
"It's just that right now, I have an 80-year-old mother at home, and I might find it difficult to leave."
Yan Qing laughed and said: "Quecai, you said you took your aunt to Dazhai in Liangshan! If you can go to Liangshan, why can't you go to Dayu Mountain?! Brother Xiaoqi, just take your aunt and go to Dazhai. When Yushan is gone, we will live together in the mountains. We are usually enjoying the mountains and rivers, and are free and happy. At critical moments, it is better to come when called, and be able to fight and win. As for the aunt, she is your mother as well as me. Mother, be kind and filial, raise her well and bury her well, what else can you say!"
Ruan Xiaoqi was overjoyed and shouted loudly: "This is great! Brother Xiaoyi, you know that I am a lively person. When I get there, I stay with my brother every day, eating big chunks of meat and drinking from big bowls." , how happy it is!”
Yan Qing said: "Exactly! Brother Xiao Qi, I will go to Cangzhou Mansion tomorrow to find my brother, a senior official. My senior official brother's place is close to the Liao State and is very dangerous. I should go and visit. , by the way, I invite the official brother to stay in Dayu Mountain."
Ruan Xiaoqi said: "That's very good, but when will I go to Dayu Mountain in Daming Prefecture?"
Yan Qing said: "After I leave, you pack up your belongings at home and take whatever you can with you. As for the property, entrust others to take care of it. When I go to the official's place, it can take as long as half a month or as little as ten days. Then we will return to Dayu Mountain, and you can just wait and go there."
Ruan Xiaoqi said: "This is the best."
That night, Yan Qing and Ruan Xiaoqi talked about what happened in Liangshan and rested.
The next morning, Yan Qing got up, washed up, said goodbye to Ruan Xiaoqi, and then looked east to find Chai Daguan in Cangzhou.
After walking for about three to five days, Yan Qing arrived outside Cangzhou City, entered a village shop, ordered yellow beef and shochu, and sat alone, eating beef and drinking shochu.
After eating for a while, Yan Qing wiped his mouth, called the waiter, and asked: "Waiter, let me ask you, do you know the official Chai Jinchai in Cangzhou?"
"What do you mean by an acquaintance?" The waiter looked at Yan Qing and said exaggeratedly: "We know each other very well! Sir, to be honest with you, the official Chai you asked about is the grandson of the prince of the Later Zhou Dynasty. He first sought refuge in Liangshan. , was later ordered to peace by the imperial court, and was ordered to conquer Fangla. After successfully defeating the enemy, he was awarded the title of Commander-in-Chief of the Henghai Navy in Cangzhou. Because I, a senior official from Chai, did not like being an official very much, I accepted the official title and returned to the countryside. Become one of his members."
Yan Qing said: "Exactly, I know this myself. I just want to ask you, where is Chai Daguan's village courtyard?"
The waiter said: "Look, Mr. Guest, how can I say that I know too much? The Chai Daguan Renzhuang Courtyard is in my village! If you walk from here, you will walk about three or two miles and there will be a stone bridge. After arriving at Shiqiao, for a week, the village and courtyard were full of officials from Chai Dynasty."
It takes no effort to get there even if you wear iron shoes.
Yan Qing was overjoyed when he heard this. He hurriedly finished the remaining beef, drank another bowl of wine, paid for the meal, got up and left.
Yan Qing left the village store and walked about three or two miles, when he saw a stone bridge and a flat avenue behind the bridge.
Yan Qing walked quickly, crossed the stone bridge, and saw the manor house in the shade of green willows. It was surrounded by a broad river, with big weeping poplar trees on both sides. There was a rural road in the middle, and there was another stone building across the river. The bridge leads directly to the gate of the village. The gate of the farmhouse was painted vermilion, with rows of fist-sized copper ingots on it, glowing yellow.
Yan Qing was so relieved that he walked along the country road to the village courtyard.
When I crossed the stone bridge, I saw several villagers sitting under the shade of the trees on the wide plank bridge enjoying the cool air.
Yan Qing came to several villagers, stopped and asked: "You guys, the officials are spending money to support you, not just to run the village, but to laugh and play under the trees to cool down." ? Get up quickly, report inside, and tell the high officials that his brother-in-law is here!"
Those men were blamed by Yan Qing at first, but suddenly they became angry in their hearts, thinking who are you? ! You are not our master, why do you still care about us? ! We just ignore you so that you know what you are! When they heard that the person who came was the brother-in-law of a high-ranking official, they didn't dare to play tricks. They all stood up and saluted Yan Qing: "It turns out that it's the brother-in-law of a high-ranking official. Sorry! Sorry!"
Yan Qing said impatiently: "Don't be polite! Just go in and report."
The banker said all at once: "Didn't you make an appointment with the senior official before you came here? It's no coincidence that the senior official went hunting in the morning and has not returned yet."
Hearing this, Yan Qing said: "Look at this high-ranking official, what can he do with such a hunter?! He was so dodgeable that I had no time to run away."
A banker said: "Since you are the brother-in-law of a high official, how come we have never seen you? How come we have never heard of a high official talking about you?"
When Yan Qing saw the question, he glared at the banker and said, "What are you asking for?! Is it possible that a high-ranking official farts and needs to inform you first?"
The banker was choked and speechless for a long time.
Several villagers were thinking about how to deal with Yan Qing, but they saw a group of people in the distance rushing towards the village, and they said happily: "That's not a high official coming!"
Yan Qing turned around and saw a group of people riding horses. In the middle was an official riding a snow-white horse.
When the group of people came to the front, Yan Qing saw that the man in the middle was about thirty-seven or eighty-years-old. He had eyebrows and eyes, bright teeth and red lips. He had a delicate face and an elegant appearance. He was wearing a soap gauze corner-clustered flower scarf. Wearing a purple embroidered robe with a collar, an exquisite jade ring tied around the waist, and a pair of green soap court boots, he brought a bow and a pot of arrows and led his followers to the bridge. But it was Chai Jin who Chai Daguan is also a person.
Chai Jin, who was riding a horse, saw a few people talking on the stone bridge. He was wondering, so he rode his horse to the bridge. When he was waiting to take a closer look, he heard someone shouting: "This man riding on the horse, but... Ke Yinke's consort? Didn't you see Yunbi Yunfengwei here?!"
Chai Jin saw that the person speaking was Yan Qing. He was overjoyed and hurriedly dismounted from his saddle. He rushed forward, grabbed Yan Qing's hand and asked, "Xiao Yi, how did you get here?"
When the bankers saw it, they found that the man was really very close to the high official, so they hurried to open the courtyard door.
Chai Jin took Yan Qing's hand and entered the courtyard together.
The two came to the hall and sat down next to each other.
The banker came in, offered tea, and left.
After the banker exited the hall, Chai Jin and Yan Qing drank tea, first recounted their thoughts after farewell, and then talked about the current situation.
Yan Qing said: "Brother, a high official, your place is close to Liao State and there are many dangers. Xiao Yi is worried about it, so he came here to visit my brother and inquire about the situation in Liao State."
Chai Jin said: "Thank you for your concern, Brother Xiao Yi. Although our territory is close to the Liao Kingdom, the Khitan is forced by the Jurchens, so they can't care about my side. It is still stable for the time being. Brother Xiao Yi, currently, we are in the northeast of the Liao Kingdom. A newly-minted Jurchen nation, with a fierce temperament and strong fighting power, is competing with the Liao Kingdom for the territory of northern Liaoning. In my opinion, the Jurchens are an emerging force, and they are bound to become strong if they seek to develop; while the Liao Kingdom has not had a war for hundreds of years, and the upper class Greedy for ease and keen on luxury, the swords and guns are stored in the treasury, the horses are released in the Nanshan Mountains, and the people are at peace, and it is not a military revolution, which may lead to the disaster of destroying the country."
Yan Qing heard the words and said: "What Brother Daguanren said is absolutely true. Before I came to Brother Daguanren, I went to Tokyo and met with Master. I also heard a little from Master. According to Master's Tao Emperor Huizong sent Zhao Liangsi, who has signed a maritime alliance with the Jin people, to unite with the Jurchens to destroy the Liao Dynasty and plan to seize the sixteen states of Yan."
Chai Jin was shocked when he heard this and shouted: "If this is the case, the Song Dynasty will be in danger!"
Yan Qing knew it and asked: "How can you see it?"
Chai Jin said: "The Jurchen nation is the master of tigers and wolves. They are insatiable and greedy. Now that they have gained the land, how can they abandon the Song Dynasty? Moreover, the Song Dynasty is rich in resources and people, and the flowers are beautiful. They have long been remembered by foreign countries. How can we join forces to destroy them now? If it is weak, it will damage the shield and attract wolves into the house? Therefore, I think the Great Song Dynasty is in danger!"
Yan Qing asked: "If this is the case, what should we do?"
Chai Jin said: "I and other common people stay away from the temples and are determined to serve the country, but are unable to save the country. The current plan is to go down to the emperor and advise Emperor Huizong to stop cooperating with the Jurchens, and to form one body with the Liao Kingdom. Resist the Jurchens from going south, only in this way can the Song Dynasty be preserved for a long time. Xiao Yi, no one else can do this, only you can do it."
Yan Qing said: "Does the official mean to follow the path of the master?"
Chai Jin replied: "Exactly!"
Hearing this, Yan Qing let out a long sigh, and then said, "I heard from Master that she has already given advice to His Majesty the Emperor. His Majesty the Emperor has been confused by the Sixteen States of Youyan and may not be able to come back to his point of view."
When Chai Jin heard this, he also sighed and said: "If this is the case, the Song Dynasty will be over, and the people like me will lose their lives and die without a place to bury them."
At this point, the two of them shed tears at each other.
After weeping, Chai Jin said to Yan Qing: "It's not easy for Brother Xiao Yi to come here, and he will stay with brother for a long time. Brother Xiao Yi and brother Xiao Yi can have a good time catching up on old times."
Yan Qing also wanted to mobilize Chai Jin to leave the village courtyard and go to Dayu Mountain, so he agreed to Chai Jin and stayed in Chai Jin's village courtyard.
