On a summer afternoon, the leaves on the street were curled up by the sun, and horses passed by, causing dust to fly. The dog stuck out its tongue and panted desperately. There were only a few pedestrians on the street, and the entire Yanjing city was enveloped in a heat wave.
The weather was humid and hot, and I was sweating profusely all day long. My whole body was sticky, which made me feel helpless and helpless.
Of course, life without love is only for ordinary people. For those who are powerful and powerful, there are ice-cold drinks outside, a cold room inside, and the four seasons are like spring.
Yanjing City, the old Jinzhongdu Imperial Palace, is now the government office of the Mongolian Central Plains. In the cool and even air-conditioned yamen lobby, the chief official of the Central Plains, Yelu Chucai, is holding a copy of "China Daily" in his hand and is watching carefully.
"Since ancient times, emperors have ruled the world, and they have always lived in China to control the barbarians, and the barbarians have lived outside to serve China. It has never been heard of the barbarians living in China to control the world... Set up the outline and discipline to help the people. The people will be more peaceful and have enough food. , the soldiers are a little better, we want to send troops to the north to drive away the barbarians, save the people from ruin, and restore the majesty of the Han officials... The orders are solemn, and there will be no offense. Those who return to me will live in peace in China forever, and those who carry me will flee beyond the Great Wall... …”
Those who return to me will be safe in China forever, and those who carry me will flee beyond the Great Wall!
Yelu Chucai looked at the newspaper with blurred eyes.
It was obviously a message to attack the Jin people and the Mongols, but he couldn't hate it. He worked under the rule of Mongolia and was outside the Central Plains culture, but in his heart, he still belonged to this civilization.
Two years ago, the Mongolian army took advantage of the Song Dynasty, but suffered a heavy blow in Hanzhong, the Song Dynasty. Tens of thousands of troops were wiped out. The Mongolian army coach Torre was killed in the battle, and the Song army captured the entire Shaanxi.
The Song army was so powerful that it was at the height of its power. The Mongolian army provoked the Song army again and again, and finally provoked the Song army's brutal counterattack and revenge.
I don’t know if this is what people in the Song Dynasty call “if you don’t commit suicide, you will die.”
Or maybe good will be rewarded with good, and evil will be rewarded with evil.
"...Drive the barbarians from the north, save the people from ruin, and restore the dignity of Han officials..."
Is the Song Dynasty court going to use troops against the Jin Kingdom, or is it going to restore the two rivers?
In other words, we want to recover the three capitals and all the lost territory in the Central Plains at the same time?
Chen Shike, the tax envoy from Yanjing, came in in a hurry and saluted Yelu Chucai.
"The lower official has met Mr. Yelu."
Wokuotai came to the throne and agreed to Yelu Chucai's suggestion to set up ten tax envoys on the two rivers. Two Confucian scholars from Hebei, Chen Shike and Zhao Fang, were the chief and deputy tax envoys on Yanjing Road.
"Ms. Chen, you're here. Is there something wrong?"
Yelu Chucai motioned for Chen Shike to sit down and placed the newspaper in his hand on the table beside him.
"Mr. Yelu, after the assassination of Zhang Rou, a member of the Han army in Baozhou, the baggage warehouse in Taiyuan was blown up again, and military and political officials in Hebei were constantly assassinated, so that now all officials are cautious when going out. If this continues, what will happen? Come on?"
Chen Shike was worried and had a sad look on his face.
"Ms. Chen, I know everything you said. The gentle general is also stepping up his efforts to arrest the gangsters. I believe it won't be long before the two rivers will be at peace."
Yelu Chucai said helplessly to comfort his partner.
The Song Army's Northern Expedition was rumored in the newspapers, and the Mongolian soldiers were rampant in the two rivers. Bandits and thieves in the two rivers were rising one after another. This is an indisputable fact.
"Mr. Yelu, these are not ordinary bandits. Zhang Hongyan's troops in Baozhou sent troops to wipe out several groups of Taihang mountain bandits. It was found that the bandits who assassinated Zhang Rou were the work of the Song people. They had been lurking in Lianghe for five or six years. .Tell me, is this scary?"
Zhang Hongyan is Zhang Rou's son. His father was assassinated, so of course his son will avenge him.
Chen Shike's words made Yelu Chucai's scalp numb and he blurted out subconsciously.
"Ms. Chen, what else have you found?"
The detailed work of the Song people had been sent to Lianghe for five or six years. In other words, the Emperor of Song Dynasty had laid out his plans in Lianghe at least five or six years ago. It is terrifying to think about it carefully.
"They don't know much about it. However, the interrogation asked about one thing, which is related to Xianggong Yelu. It's... it's..."
Chen Shike looked a little embarrassed.
"Is it related to me? Do you want to assassinate me? Mr. Chen, just say so!"
Yelu Chucai couldn't help but be stunned.
"They said that all the Mongolian military and political officials in the two rivers were within the scope of the assassination, except for Yelu Xianggong."
Chen Shike bit the bullet and said it all.
"What?"
Yelu Chucai was stunned for a long time, confused.
He usually doesn't have many guards around him, at least much fewer than Zhang Rou. If the Song people had assassinated him, he would probably have died long ago.
Song people, why should they be lenient to him?
"Mr. Yelu, you are also reading this newspaper."
Chen Shike changed the subject and held a newspaper in his arms. It was also the "China Daily" published in the Song Dynasty, the same as the one on Yelu Chucai's table.
"Ms. Chen, it's a matter of state affairs. It's complicated and troubled, and it's hard to feel at ease!"
Yelu Chucai came back to his senses and pointed at the newspaper in Chen Shike's hand. It was obviously talking about the Song Army's Northern Expedition.
"Ms. Chen, you have also read the newspapers. What do you think of those articles about the Song Army's Northern Expedition?"
"Mr. Yelu, what good advice can I have? I'm just a useless tax collector."
With this in his mouth, Chen Shike couldn't help but vomit.
"Mr. Yelu, if the Song army sends troops to the Northern Expedition, can we, the people of Lianghe, withstand the Song people's thunderous blow?"
"I don't know either. If we defend the city, we should be able to defend it as Yanjing City is impregnable."
Yelu Chucai said hesitantly.
Song Jing and his party witnessed the prosperity of the Song Dynasty and its military strength, which made his confidence in the Mongolian cavalry drop a lot.
Two years ago, the Mongolian army went south. The losses in the Battle of Hanzhong were particularly heavy, and the Central Plains also suffered a lot. The Mongolian cavalry was so exhausted that reinforcements to the two rivers were scarce. In addition, because the Song Army's Northern Expedition goal was in doubt, there were divergent opinions in Mongolia, so there was not enough enthusiasm to send more troops to Lianghe.
Now it seems that only the hundreds of thousands of Han troops in Lianghe can be relied on.
"According to your opinion, will the Great Khan Ogedai send more troops to Lianghe?"
The Mongolian cavalry, which dominates the world, actually has to defend the city against the Song army. It makes people feel sad to think about it.
"Ms. Chen, I really can't guess what Ogedai Khan is thinking. However, there are so many pieces of news about the Song Army's Northern Expedition that it's hard not to know. Ogedai Khan should make a decision soon."
News of the Song Army's Northern Expedition have been reported frequently, and he has also written to Wo Kuotai to report the news that the Song Army's Northern Expedition may use troops against the two rivers. Recently, Mongol armies have continued to enter the two rivers from outside the Great Wall, but the number is limited and does not reassure him.
Perhaps, a large number of Mongolian troops will soon enter the two rivers, he will wait and see.
"Ms. Chen, is there any movement in the Song Army in the south recently?"
Feeling worried, Yelu Chucai continued to ask.
With the Song Dynasty's national strength, strong soldiers and horses, and the Song Dynasty's overseas colonization and countless food supplies, it is not difficult to use troops against the two rivers.
"My lord, something is not right! According to reports from the spies below, the Song Army has deployed tens of thousands of troops along the coast of Mizhou, Haizhou, Shandong, to store supplies and food. Ships from the south are constantly coming and going, and Shaanxi is also mobilizing troops. It seems that If you are not good, the rain will come and the wind will fill the building."
Chen Shike's face was full of sadness and worry.
According to his intuition, the Song people's such a large posture and disturbing the two rivers must be to use troops against the two rivers, not just the Jin Dynasty trapped in Henan.
"Chen Xianggong, it seems that the Song people have prepared for a rainy day and have a big plan. They will definitely send their troops northward to take the two rivers directly. By the time autumn comes, I am afraid there will be fierce battles that will even determine the fate of Song and Mongolia. !”
Yelu Chucai's heart sank unconsciously.
The Song Dynasty was large enough, with 70 million people. Once they sent their troops to the Northern Expedition, the hundreds of thousands of people would definitely be shocked.
"Mr. Yelu, what you said is absolutely true! The Song army will send troops to the two rivers. If Wokuotai Khan does not increase his troops, I am afraid it will be too late."
Chen Shike made an innuendo and reminded his superior.
"Ms. Chen, I think so too. However, Wo Kuotai and the princes on the grassland seem to disapprove of the Northern Expedition of the Song Army. I have written to Wo Kuotai Khan, hoping that he can send troops to prepare for a rainy day."
Wokuotai is currently in Guanshan to escape the summer heat. At this time, he sent Badar here. He shouldn't just be inspecting the two rivers, right?
"I heard that Badar is coming. Isn't it because he wants to see if he really turns the two rivers into pasture?"
Chen Shike's heart tightened again.
Badar, the son of Mongolian Zongwang Ogedai, the nephew of Mongolian Khan Ogedai, is also a die-hard in Mongolia. Badar once wanted to turn Hebei and Hedong into pastures to herd sheep and horses. Because of Yelu Chucai's advice, Wokuotai did not order the two rivers to be turned into grasslands. Instead, he adopted traditional farming methods to allow the two rivers to escape. Tribulation.
"The Great Khan Ogedai is wise. He has seen something for nothing, and he should not think like this anymore. Baidaer and Zhenhai should have come here to inspect the defenses of the two rivers in order to increase troops to the two rivers."
Yelu Chucai's heart moved. The news of the Song Army's Northern Expedition in the newspapers must have made Wo Kuotai unable to sit still.
Last year and the year before last, the two rivers received five or six hundred thousand taels of silver and grain each. Wo Kuotai has tasted the benefits of such a huge benefit, and of course he will not abolish it separately.
"Those Tatar princes are all short-sighted. They only know how to plunder and don't know anything about management. It's no surprise that the two rivers have been turned into horse farms! Look at the people of Song Dynasty, who have prospered in hundreds of industries and have colonized thousands of miles away. What about Africa and Southeast Asia?" In the Indian Ocean, black and white people are cannibalizing, and there are gold mines, silver mines, and iron mines. Look at us, a small two rivers, and we have made people's livelihood miserable, and we don't have any semblance of civility."
Chen Shike said sadly, shook his head and sighed.
The people of Song Dynasty were ambitious and expanded their territory, and their subordinates were all warriors of tiger and wolf. Under the rule of the Song Dynasty, people used all their resources to establish education, develop industry and commerce, and build water conservancy. All industries prospered and the people lived and worked in peace and contentment.
In Lianghe, there are only three to four million people at most. If you want to do something, you must be obedient and cautious, and it's hard to explain.
"Ms. Chen, what you said is true. Last year, Li Bangrui and I went to the Song Dynasty. What we saw and heard was astonishingly prosperous. I saw the Emperor of Song Dynasty in Lin'an City. I didn't expect that only six years later, he had already made the Song Dynasty more prosperous. Reborn, all industries prosper, the soldiers are brave, and the people live and work in peace and contentment. This is the true civilized and martial arts, which I will never forget to this day."
Yelu Chucai sighed with emotion, thinking of the scene when Song Emperor Zhao Hong received him that day, muttering to himself.
"Emperor Song is young, handsome, and approachable, but it is hard for people to guess. You can't help but want to get close to him and talk to him. It seems that he has the kind of power destined by destiny, which makes people worship him for no reason."
"The Emperor of Song Dynasty was so talented and strategic that no one in the history of the Song Dynasty could match him. But this is not a good thing for Mongolia."
Yelu Chucai's emotion and praise made Chen Shike look sad.
Just by looking at the long list of things Emperor Song accomplished, you can tell how great this person is.
"Ms. Chen, you can't worry about so much now. When Badar comes, let him see the production of the two rivers, give him more gold and silver, saying that this is tax income, and he will understand the benefits of farming in the Central Plains. Come to It’s time to mention the Song Army’s Northern Expedition and ask the Great Khan to send troops to reinforce the two rivers as soon as possible.”
He and Chen Shike were both civil servants, and in military matters, it was the grassland nobles who had the final say. The Wokuotai people were disapproving of the Song army's march north, and it was more convincing to convey it to Baitaer.
"Mr. Yelu, even if the Mongolian army reinforces Lianghe, the Han army will play a decisive role. The Mongolian cavalry can increase its troops by 50,000, which is probably more than enough. Compared with the Han army of more than 100,000 and 200,000 in Lianghe, it is still... ..”
Chen Shike's words made Yelu Chucai nod involuntarily.
If the Song Army starts the Northern Expedition, the Han Army will probably be the protagonist.
"Baedar and Zhenhai are coming, but Lianhe Zhongshan is not there. Did he go to pick them up?"
Chen Shike made a guess and continued:
"Mr. Yelu, it is not a trivial matter for Baida'er and Zhenhai to come, so don't be careless. Nowadays, there are frequent disturbances in the two rivers. Even Zhang Rou, a member of the Han army, was assassinated. Baida'er comes, so nothing can happen!"
"Of course I know this. Adhesion Mountain has also made arrangements, so it should be foolproof."
Yelu Chucai said, shaking his head secretly.
The Mongolian soldiers were tyrannical in the two rivers, and the people were extremely angry. If someone assassinated Badar, there would be trouble.
"Ms. Chen, please go find Kou Wen Buhua yourself and ask him to arrange the security in the city. Make sure there is no trouble."
Kou Wenbuhua was one of the Mongolian kings and guarded Yanjing. Kou Wen Buhua and Badar are also cousins. When Badar comes, Kou Wen Buhua will definitely come forward.
"Mr. Yelu, I'll go over right away."
Chen Shike nodded, hesitated, and continued:
"My lord, you and I are both surrendered ministers of the Kingdom of Jin. There are many people who want to assassinate you and me. You should also be careful, just in case."
"Ms. Chen, I understand. Thank you for reminding me! You too, be careful."
Yelu Chucai nodded and gave Chen Shike the same advice.
"Mr. Yelu, there is military information from the front. Baidaer and Zhenhai have passed Juyong Pass and will arrive in the evening. Mr. Chongshan wants you to be ready to welcome them!"
The sergeant came in to report. Yelu Chucai waved his hand and the sergeant withdrew.
"Baita'er and Zhenhai are finally here! I'll go and find Kou Wenbuhua myself. This time, we must not cause any trouble!"
I hope that this time, Badar will bring good news that Ogedai will increase its troops in Lianghe.
