"The official family..."
This was a deep sleep. It was almost the most peaceful sleep Liu Bang had in the days after he returned to Lin'an. He slept from noon to evening. If he hadn't been so thirsty, he didn't know how long he would have slept.
The first person he saw when he opened his eyes was Zhong Yu, who was sitting on the edge of the bed holding his big belly. After this girl became a mother, her features were indeed a little more gentle.
"Why are you here, where are the others?"
"Others..." Concubine Zhong hesitated, "The golden soldiers have retreated, please rest a little longer."
"I've rested enough."
He sat up straight away. He was embarrassed to deal with the pregnant woman, so he held the teapot on the table and drank.
After pouring most of the pot of tea into his mouth, Liu Bang burped happily.
"Since you are pregnant, you should rest more. Even if you want to accompany you, you should let someone else come."
Zhong Yu smiled and said: "It's the same, it's not like I can't move."
"What time is it now?"
"It's probably Youshi, would you like some food?"
Liu Bang didn't pay attention to the second half of her sentence, and just murmured to himself:
"It's time for you..."
He threw his robe haphazardly around his body and was about to go out immediately, getting dressed as he walked, as if he had something important to do.
Zhong Yu was so worried that she just wanted to persuade him, but the emperor, who had already stepped out of the room with one foot, turned back and stamped her forehead without asking.
"Have a good rest. I'll be back soon."
She nodded, looking very well-behaved. Seeing that the emperor wanted to leave, she subconsciously held his hand.
"Officials...no matter what happens, you should cherish your body."
Liu Bang looked into her eyes and nodded gently.
According to the time of day, it was evening at this time, but according to God's expression, it was already dark at this time and it was completely dark.
There was still a sea of people in front of Jiahui Gate. The city gate was wide open, just like it was when Captain Zhang led his army to attack... The Jin people dispersed faster than they came. As soon as Captain Zhang's people left the city, they all retreated. go.
If we say this is a siege, it will not even last a day; but if we say it is not, the people of Lin'an will really feel the feeling of soldiers approaching the city.
The common people said they wanted to go out and use their strength, but they had already been stopped by the people from the Imperial City Division. There were Song imperial guards everywhere a mile outside the city gate. Although they could get out of the city, they couldn't walk very far. You can only see clearly the situation on the other side from a distance.
When the golden men dispersed, Captain Zhang returned victorious, but everyone didn't feel much victory. On the contrary, everyone felt a burst of anger in their hearts but couldn't let it out, so they had to swallow it in their stomachs, alone. Frustrated.
The people in the city behind did not know the situation. They only heard that the Jin people were repelled, and they were all very happy. For a moment, the people inside the city gate and the people outside the city gate looked completely opposite.
Some people were puzzled, so when they met someone they knew well, they asked:
"Brother, why are you looking so sad? Isn't this great victory a great joy?"
The man who came back from outside the city kept sighing. Seeing this appearance without knowing the situation, he had to be regarded as a spy of the Jin Kingdom.
"My dear brother, you don't know. Although we have won, but, but... alas!"
His appearance made the people in the city even more confused:
"Brother, please speak out and don't try to sell me off with so many lies."
Both of them had read books. The man who came back from outside the city shook his head for a long time, and finally found an open space and started talking to him.
It turned out that the officials suddenly opened the city gate, not only to allow Zhang Taiwei to lead the army to retreat from the enemy, but also to give everyone an opportunity to witness the power of the Song Dynasty army. They rushed out and occupied a good viewing position.
It's just that the Taiwei army hasn't arrived yet, but Jin Camp has made some moves...
Seeing that there were many people around him, the man didn't care about that many at this time and just asked:
"Why do you think they are cutting down trees?"
The people in the city didn't even think about it: "Aren't you building siege equipment?"
The man shook his head: "No, they are making excuses!"
"shelf?"
The Jin people used the trees they cut down in the morning to build a three-foot-high shelf. When Zhang Taiwei led the troops out, the shelf had just been erected.
"Then, what is this used for?"
Just as the people outside the city were about to speak, they felt as if their throats were blocked by something. It was exactly what Li Yian said, "the tears flow first when you want to speak".
After he cried for a while, the people around him heard clearly what was happening outside.
"They hung one man up, wrapped his head in linen cloth, and... they burned him!"
"Who is that person?"
"It is His Majesty the Holy Emperor Xiaociyuan!"
Hearing him tell this person's name, the person who kept asking was stunned for a moment, and then he started crying too.
The other common people have not read as many books as the two of them, and their emotions are not as rich as theirs, but for a moment, the feeling of humiliation can't help but feel distressed... The joy brought by the victory was instantly washed away, and from then on. The circle began to spread, and more and more people heard about it.
After Huang You, a general in the planting division, was captured by Wanyan Zonghan, he was smeared with wax oil by the Jin people because he refused to surrender. He was hung head and feet from a tree and burned with fire. died.
Such a way of death is torture, and the person who was lit with sky lanterns this time was none other than the famous emperor of the Song Dynasty...
It seemed as if someone had spat on the ancestral grave, or as if one's elders had been insulted by outsiders. Anyway, no matter how unbearable the Holy Emperor Xiaociyuan was in everyone's hearts, he was still serious. They recognized him back then. The emperor and the king of a country were tortured to death like this... If it were the people of the Song Dynasty, how could they see a way out!
Maybe it's the sadness of dying lips and cold teeth, or maybe it's the fright of this terrible tragedy, but no matter what, the word 'humiliation' that has been accumulated for more than ten years is brought up again, and together with what happened in Kaifeng Mansion, it comes back even more violently. !
Liu Bang climbed to the top of the Jiahui Gate and looked at the tall shelf in the distance... It was dark, so he could only see its general shape. As for whether anyone was hanging on it, he could no longer see clearly.
Zhang Jun, Wang Qi, Zhao Ding and Hu Quan, the civil and military ministers stood on either side, but none of them dared to say a word. Maybe someone had already thought of something, but at this time, no one dared to continue thinking about it.
Because this Zhao Guan family really knows how to kill people.
And that His Majesty Xiaociyuan... To be honest, the people here were either Jinshi during the time of Emperor Huizong, or officials under His Majesty's current time. After all, that one has only been the emperor for more than a year, and the person he used is dead. He is so old that he is old and he invests money in money. Not many people have any feelings for him at all.
The humiliation of his death is humiliation, but if you think about it on the bright side, aren't today's officials living a vigorous and prosperous life?
However, if the Song Dynasty betrayed its alliance and the Jin people did not want to start a war, then there would be no way out from now on.
In fact, it has long been gone, but many people did not fully believe what the emperor said at that time. After all, His Majesty was used to it over and over again. Now that the Jin people have cut off their own retreat, they will always fight to the death.
Being silent all the time is not a problem. As the prime minister, Zhao Ding is naturally the first to come forward on such matters. He nodded and said:
"People can't be resurrected after death, so the officials would like to express their condolences."
All the officials began to persuade him: "Officials, please express your condolences."
Even if Zhao Guan's family didn't have much affection for his brother, his mother was dead after all... No matter who this matter fell on, it would be uncomfortable after all.
Liu Bang took a long breath: "Is there anyone left alive?"
Prime Minister Zhao and Lieutenant Zhang stood up at the same time, and immediately began to show humility to each other.
But this matter was Zhang Jun's enemy after all. He also went to the camp in person. After all, it was better for him.
Zhao Ding stepped back. Zhang Jun understood and replied:
"Reporting to the official's house, when I waited there, apart from the corpses of Emperor Xiaociyuan, the Empress Dowager and those officials, there was only one person left."
"Huh?" Liu Bang turned sideways slightly, "Who is it?"
Lieutenant Zhang lowered his body further: "It's Lin Yifei... He's standing in a circle made of ropes. He's already crazy."
"crazy?"
"He was indeed crazy. He couldn't speak clearly and just kept giggling. But if anyone came closer to him, he would immediately punch and kick them to drive them away."
Although he didn't react for a while, Liu Bang still thought of it.
The two former officials of the Qin Mansion must be thinking of their old friendship with Qin Hui, so they kept a hand here.
only……
If you want to repay the favor, you have to repay the favor. This is not your own business.
You can't use your own business to show favors. Neither Liu Da nor Qin San did this in an honest way.
He frowned. Now that so many people were watching, he couldn't say anything directly. He could only find trouble with those two people in private.
"Lin Yifei should have died early, but I was merciful for a moment."
"Now that he is crazy, let him go. If he does something too outrageous, it will not be good in the end."
Everyone praised him for his kindness, and Captain Zhang continued:
"The Empress Dowager...her body has been transported back. This is a funeral for the official family..."
"The Queen Mother is devoted to the country and will protect the people of Lin'an until her death, so just bury her by the Qiantang River."
"The Saint of Xiaociyuan..."
Liu Bang looked at Zhang Jun expressionlessly:
"Can you confirm that the person who lit the sky lantern is Zhao Huan?"
Lieutenant Zhang was shocked and didn't know what the emperor meant, so he hurriedly replied:
"I have never seen it with my own eyes, but many people have seen it from a distance. His dress is indeed the same as that of Emperor Xiaoci Yuansheng."
"Then there's too much to do."
He quickly made a decision: "If you can't see him in person, you can't directly judge that someone is dead. After all, he is an emperor, so he can't be so careless. If there is an emergency... it will be unlucky."
"Guan family, then..."
"I don't know whether he is alive or dead. When I attack Shangjing in the future, I will know in person by asking the Jin people."
There is some truth in what the emperor said. The situation is indeed such a situation. It does seem a little anxious to decide Zhao Huan's life and death in such a crude way.
Seeing that the official didn't even ask about the whereabouts of the golden man, several people who were closer to him finally had some doubts in their hearts.
However, these suspicions were quickly suppressed by other things, because the recent military information had been reported when the Jin soldiers retreated, and now Zhao Ding must tell the emperor.
Prime Minister Zhao first dismissed some other officials, leaving only a few from the Zhongshu Province and the Privy Council. The city gate instantly became quite empty.
I also heard that the people below seemed to have received the news that the one who was burned to death was not necessarily Emperor Xiaoci Yuansheng. Everyone began to feel a little alive. Although the Empress Dowager also died, the atmosphere was warmer than before. A lot.
When Liu Bang saw Zhao Ding's appearance, he knew that it was probably not a good thing, but he didn't expect that it was already so bad.
"Wu Lin of the Zuo Han Army reported that they sent troops from Qinzhou on December 18th and attacked Gongzhou, Taozhou and Hezhou within one month. They should have continued to go to Yuanzhou first and then captured Fengxiang, but they were defeated by Xia Brother Richard was attacked by national thieves!"
I know it!
Liu Bang kicked the city wall: "Where is Wu Lin? How much was lost?"
Zhao Ding sighed: "More than 3,000 Zuo Han troops were beheaded and over 10,000 were injured. All the counties Wu Lin captured fell into the hands of the Xia Kingdom. Now they are just holding on to Qinzhou and unable to move forward."
I don't know what Li Qianhui does for food, but he has already warned Wu Lin before, telling him to be careful and march slowly. He must beware of Xixia.
But something went wrong! Something went wrong!
"Has the Xia envoy left?"
"I left during the Chinese New Year. I guess I received the news in advance."
According to time calculation, more than twenty days have passed since Wu Lin was attacked. Liu Bang thought for a while and said:
"Let Wu Lin stay in Qinzhou first and don't send out any more troops for now... When Yue Fei comes in more, there will naturally be fewer Jin people there."
"As for Xia Guo, just say that I have sent people to ask and see what they say."
As he was talking, someone next to him took note of it. When it was completed, Huang Yanjie read it again. After confirming that it was correct, he handed it over directly to the people in the Privy Council.
Tonight, someone took the news directly to Hanzhong.
Seeing that the emperor took several deep breaths before he calmed down, Prime Minister Zhao was a little reluctant to continue talking. After all, his mother was dead.
But seeing the emperor staring at him, he felt helpless and continued:
"Bozhou is still at a stalemate. After Wang De, the former army commander under Zhang Taiwei's command, left, the three generals led the troops to attack the city seven times in three days, but all returned without success. Even Wang De himself suffered losses. One eye."
"They're all fucking trash, three trash, they're all trash!"
Liu Bang cursed directly. Yang Yizhong and Zhao Mi, who usually behaved as if they were good generals in the world, immediately showed their true colors when they actually went to the battlefield.
The same goes for Wang De. Bragging Li Qiong started running when he heard his name. What was the result?
Even my eyes are blind!
Xiao Yaksha on the side is worried about his father, but he is more worried about the state of His Majesty the Emperor, because now it seems that the official family is very angry.
Unexpectedly, someone noticed his expression and patted his back gently. Wang Qi turned around and saw that it was Lin'an Prefecture Yin, the emperor's beloved minister Xin Ciying, or who he was.
"Children, don't worry, there is nothing wrong with the officials."
"Thank you, but..."
He looked at the emperor, who looked like nothing happened.
Xin Ciying said with a smile: "You still don't understand our Zhao Guan family. The harder he scolds us, the easier it will be to handle this matter and the easier it will be for him to get over it."
"When an official doesn't say anything, that's when he gets really angry. If you don't believe it, just watch."
The emperor scolded his mother for a long time, and then asked Zhao Ding:
"Any more? Yue Pengju is still in Ruzhou? Is there any news from Han Shizhong?"
Prime Minister Zhao nodded and said: "Yue Pengju has already invaded Songzhou and Xuzhou, and is now besieging Zhengzhou."
The distance from Zhengzhou to Bianjing is only over a hundred miles, if Zhengzhou can be achieved.
Liu Bang shook his head, he entered too fast.
The Han army in the west was completely contained by the Xixia people. Now that the Jin people are inserted from the west, Yue Fei's front and rear armies will be easily cut off.
Cut off contact with Liangdao.
"Let him take it easy first and tell him the situation at Wu Lin's side. He should know the severity."
This is what Zhao Ding thought. The old man paused:
"Han Liangchen also had some trouble."
Liu Bang started to show off completely. Except for Liu Qi who didn't move, everyone on the third front line of the Song Dynasty was in trouble, right?
He didn't say anything, and just stared at the old man to see what other tricks he had up his sleeve.
Zhao Ding only felt a little cold on his back. Maybe it was because he was old and was very sensitive to the weather at night.
"Han Liangchen gathered troops in Haizhou and captured Huairen County. However, these days, there have been a lot of harassment by the navy. These people are a little different from the Jin people. They are good at water and come from the sea. Intercept and kill our Donghai people, fishermen and some small groups of soldiers."
"Whenever Han Liangchen's army approaches, these people disappear... You also know that Han Liangchen is also a man who is good at using naval forces, but he has encountered them several times at sea, but he has not gained any upper hand. These ships Although it’s not much, the harassment is quite annoying.”
"And we don't know how many people are on the other side, so for a while, Han Liangchen's department became a little constrained."
Han Shizhong is indeed a man who is good at using boats. The Battle of Huang Tiandang greatly destroyed Wanyan Wushu's momentum. Even he couldn't deal with those navy troops, so...
Liu Bang said in a deep voice: "Get the map."
It was still the same map that had been traced with cinnabar, but someone had traced it again with black ink. Huang Yanjie and Zhong Lei were holding one side, while Wang Qi held a candle so that the emperor could take a closer look.
His hand rowed from left to right, and then from right to north. Every time he reached a key city, he stopped, thought for a while, and then continued rowing.
Just rowing like this, except for the occasional voices of the people coming from the city, the Jiahui Gate became extremely quiet. Apart from the sound of the emperor's fingers rubbing across the map, there was only the sound of everyone gasping.
"It's Goryeo, right?"
He seemed to be asking, but he didn't address any specific person, but he didn't wait for the answer and directly told his arrangement.
"Zhang Jun, order all your troops and horses..."
"Let's set off together tomorrow."
When Zhao Ding and other ministers heard this, they immediately wanted to persuade him. After all, this man had only gone out once, and all the monsters and monsters jumped out.
If he goes out again this time, something might happen.
But it was obvious that the emperor did not give them this chance.
Because after he said this, he went straight down the city gate and disappeared into the crowd along with a group of forbidden soldiers.
(End of chapter)
