Wang Xiaolie sent several instructors from Wang Yan's army to the camp gate, cupped his hands and said: "Today is the first day of July. I have been ordered to go to Xijing and will set off in the next two days. You are from Wang Taiwei's army, so you have to temporarily No. These days, I have to rely on you all!"
Several people crossed their hands together: "You are welcome, Xiaoshe! We are treated very favorably in your army, and everyone sees it. If we are destined, see you someday!"
After saying a few polite words, the four of them said goodbye and left. Only one Lin Sicong remained in Wang Xiao's hunting army. Wang Xiaolie asked Wang Yan to come here, and he was willing to stay. It was easy for him to live in Wang Xiaolie's army these days, and it suited him, so it was hard for Wang Yan to return to Wang Xiaolie.
After seeing off a few people, Wang Xiaolie turned around and was about to return to the camp to get busy. I saw a few left-behind soldiers and quickly arrived outside the camp. Turning over and dismounting, one of the leaders stepped forward and crossed his hands and said: "Xiaosheren, Liubei is not in good health, please come to Liubei's mansion as soon as possible!"
Wang Xiaolie was startled and turned around to look at a few people. After a while, he said: "The body left behind——"
The soldier said: "Xiaoshe people, don't ask any more questions, just go ahead quickly. All the generals in the city are waiting there."
Wang Xiaolie nodded and said nothing more. Several soldiers were invited to rest in the camp, but a few refused and turned around and left.
Back at the military camp, Wang Xiaolie sat in the tent for a while. I knew in my heart that Zongze was probably going to leave this world in the next couple of days. Entering June, Zongze's health was very bad. According to the doctor, it was gangrene on his back, and Wang Xiaolie didn't know what the specific disease was. Anyway, since then, Zongze's health has been very poor and he cannot see things normally.
Last month, Wang Xiaolie also went to Liushou Mansion many times. Sometimes he could see Zongze, sometimes not. Even if they saw him, they would simply say hello and not say a few words. Wang Xiaolie didn't know much about this old man. However, when he came to Kaifeng, he actually came to see Zongze. When I came to this world, I always felt that I had to meet him once, otherwise I would miss something.
What's the difference? Wang Xiaolie couldn't tell. He slowly stood up, held on to the tent door and was stunned for a while, then ordered the soldiers to prepare their horses.
The stay-at-home residence was already full of people. Not only were there the left-behind generals such as Lu Qing and Yue Fei, but also regular generals from the imperial court such as Kong Yanwei, and even Wang Shan, Zhang Yong, Ding Jin and others were standing here.
Wang Xiaolie arrived, greeted a few people he knew, and then chose a corner to stop. Waiting there quietly. I don’t know what to wait for, I don’t know why to wait.
The sun climbed across the sky and slowly set in the west. The yard was quiet. Although there were many people, no one spoke or moved.
When it was getting close to evening, Wang Xiaolie moved slightly. After standing for a long time, I felt a little tired.
Suddenly, a long shout came from the hall. Wang Xiaolie stood far away and couldn't hear clearly. But he knew that those were the last two lines of Du Fu's poem "The Prime Minister of Shu": He died before leaving the army, and the hero's towel was stained with tears. Then, there are the three dying cries that later generations will say when introducing Zongze: Cross the river, cross the river, cross the river!
The sound died suddenly. The world suddenly became silent, as if everything no longer existed.
Wang Xiaolie didn't know how long it had passed before he suddenly heard crying. Some soldiers outside the door rushed into the hall, carried out the coffin, fell to the ground and cried.
Standing there, Wang Xiaolie did not move, and the corners of his eyes became moist. This scene will be recorded in the annals of history and will be mentioned by countless people in future generations.
At the turn of the Song Dynasty, two scenes remained in the hearts of the Chinese people. One is an old man who crossed the river three days before his death. The other is an unparalleled military general who wrote in Fengbo Pavilion, "The sky is clear, the sky is clear." One shows the unyielding fighting spirit of the Chinese people, and the other is Position is a shameless helplessness towards the ruler. These two scenes will forever be imprinted in the annals of Chinese history.
Although he was immersed in the scene, Wang Xiaolie was still a little stunned, and even felt that the scene was so unreal. At this time, everyone burst into tears. The generals were crying, the soldiers were crying, and Zongze's family was crying too. People like Wang Xiaolie who were not good at words were also silently wiping away tears.
Heaven and earth cry together. Wang Xiaolie's eyes were a little blurry. He looked at the people in front of him and only said this sentence in his heart.
What does Zongze represent? It will be difficult for people in later generations to understand. For Wang Xiaolie at this time, he only had one thought. The Chinese cannot be defeated, and they should not be defeated. No matter how difficult it is, they finally stand up again and look proud of the world.
This scene is not quite the same as the record. The records of later generations gave Zongze too many praises. These kind words may easily arouse admiration, but in fact they cannot add to Zongze's glory, and may even cover up his brilliance to some extent.
Zongze had no ambition in his life, and when he was old he was just a minor official. But when the national crisis came, when others were retreating, Zongze stepped forward and took the initiative to go north. Facing the wolf-like golden soldiers, Zongze did not give in or run away. Instead, he faced the enemy and bravely killed him. Zongze, who had been unhappy with his career all his life, was able to defeat the Jin army at this time and became the mainstay of the Song Dynasty on the battlefield. Zongze was not only brave and refused to retreat in the face of the Jin army, but also actually defeated the Jin army.
When facing the destruction of the country and the destruction of the family, there will be such Chinese people who will stand up and fight unyieldingly. Their spirit shines through the ages. The Song Dynasty failed them, and these heroes were ultimately unable to save this era. But their spirit is forever engraved in the marrow of the Chinese nation.
Wiping his tears gently, Wang Xiaolie turned to look at the pale sun on the horizon. Perhaps I came to Kaifeng just to truly experience this era at this moment. Feel this era, in addition to the weakness of the imperial court, there is also the unyielding deep in the blood of the Chinese people.
It is difficult for people in later generations to feel this emotion. Even in the Republic of China period, which was somewhat similar to this era, Yue Fei was more often used to inspire people. Of course Yue Fei was great, but he and Zongze were not of the same kind of greatness.
Historical records of later generations, including the family history of Zongze's descendants, have too many complimentary words about Zongze, which makes the historical truth buried and difficult to find. This also applies to Wang Xiaolie. I have learned many stories about sects in my previous life, and now I see him face to face, but I still can’t understand this old man.
In fact, it’s not just Zongze? The same is true for Yue Fei. Due to political suppression after being unjustly killed, many historical materials were destroyed, and Yue Fei became obscured in the eyes of future generations. When his grandson Yue Ke compiled "Jin Tuo Cui Bian", it was inevitable that he would express his praises.
This is a common problem. Literary men like to embellish and cover up their faults, and some are even proud of it. History cannot be like this. History is essentially a real word, focusing on accuracy rather than showing the literary and other abilities of the historian. Otherwise, future generations will not know the face of history.
For people like Zongze and Yue Fei, their lives themselves, without any modification, are enough to shine through the ages. To put it harshly, are they worthy of revising their life stories, whether they are scholars or descendants? Regardless of ability or thinking, do you think you are comparable to these two people?
Zongze's death represents the end of an era. Not only the Song Dynasty, but also it will be difficult for China to produce such people again in the future.
For Wang Xiaolie, he couldn't really understand Zongze. Zongze's memorial remained. To be honest, Wang Xiaolie felt that Zongze had exaggerated Kaifeng's power and belittled the Jin people. He mobilized many troops to defend Kaifeng Mansion, and following his military orders, a good situation emerged for a time. But Zongze paid less attention to practical matters. There are many armies, but they have not truly trained elite soldiers. Of course, Zongze's status as a middle- and low-level official for most of his life was beyond Zongze's ability. Judging from later generations, Zongze had various problems at this time.
But Zongze, as a middle- and lower-level official, relied on his performance and reputation to become an important minister in the court. Although Zhao Gou actually hated him very much, he still wanted him to guard Kaifeng Mansion and become the de facto frontline coach of the Song Dynasty. Regarding Zongze's request, he just declined and did not dare to refuse directly.
Such people and such things will actually be very rare to see in the future. Wang Xiaolie couldn't understand what Zongze was thinking and the logic behind his actions. It is difficult for Wang Xiaolie to understand his concentration on state affairs and persistence in his ambitions. In Wang Xiaolie's eyes, this kind of person is like a fairy.
Wiping away his tears, Wang Xiaolie sighed slightly. There will be different people in different eras, so there is no need to force it. If you can't understand Zongze, then you don't understand him. It doesn't matter. But the deep feelings for the country, the nation, and the people are the same. As long as you cheer up and change this era according to your own understanding and methods, it is enough.
