Lintong County Government has been in a state of commotion since early in the morning. Today is the 70th birthday of Shen Chaofeng, the county magistrate's father, and the Shen family decided to make a big event. Not only is there food and wine for everyone to eat and drink, but there are also opera and juggling performances in the evening, and I heard there is also social fire.
It's just that in extraordinary times, the Shen family invited not many important people in the city, mainly the leaders of the Jin Army. A banquet is held in the courtyard, and good wine and meat are served. As the New Year approaches, the Jin people crave for excitement and crowd nearly 300 people in the courtyard.
In the official hall, Jin General Hu Ji said: "There is an army of the Southern Dynasty outside the city. Many people are here tonight. I am afraid there will be an accident."
Shen Zun said with a smile: "The general is worried. Although Lintong is a small county, the city is strong and has been the gateway to Jingzhao Mansion since ancient times. The southern army only consisted of three thousand people from Dengzhou who were sent to guard the city. They formed an array outside the city. They are no match for the generals. Why worry about them!"
Hu Ci nodded: "That's right. Although I only have 700 people, I am not afraid of him against 3,000 Song troops! Tonight, you make careful arrangements and set up police everywhere on the city wall. If there is an accident, inform me immediately! "
Shen Zun respectfully said yes.
Hu Ci added: "I heard that you took a concubine a few days ago. She is a singer from the Central Plains. She is born with a good voice. The soldiers were tired of guarding the city these days, so they asked her to come out to sing a song, and also let her son. They benefit from it.”
Shen Zun looked troubled. Seeing that Hu Ci's face was not good-looking, he hurriedly said: "The general speaks, and the subordinates just obey."
Hu Ci nodded with satisfaction. He looked at the sky and said to Shen Zun, "I'll go back and take a rest. You go and get ready."
Shen Zun nodded. Watching Hu Ci go out, he took a deep breath and his eyes became sharp.
After arranging today's affairs, Shen Zun slowly walked to the back office. After standing in the yard for a while, we arrived in the yard of the side house. When I entered the yard, I saw an old man holding a wintersweet tree in the yard and looking at it.
Shen Zundao: "Dad Jin, is Yu Niang in the room?"
Dad Jin looked back and saw Shen Zun, pointed at the house next to him and said, "Here, here -"
Shen Zun waved his hand hurriedly: "I understand. I have something to do with Yu Niang. Dad, please help yourself."
After saying that, he entered the house next to him.
Yu Niang was sitting in front of the window embroidering a handkerchief. When she saw Shen Zun coming in, she hurriedly put the handkerchief away. He stood up and saluted and said, "I've seen the official."
Shen Zun waved his hand: "No need to be polite. I am here to discuss something with you."
After saying that, he sat down next to Yu Niang. He gently grabbed Yu Niang's hand and held it in his hand, caressing it gently, and said nothing for a while.
Yu Niang was not in a hurry, so she sat there quietly, turning her head and looking out the window.
After a long time, Shen Zuncai said: "Today is my father's seventieth birthday. I want to hold a big banquet and invite the leaders of the Jin Army to the banquet."
Yu Niang said calmly: "I don't understand the affairs of officials."
Shen Zundao said: "Hu Ci, the leader of the Jin Army, heard that you used to be a singer and asked you to sing a few songs tonight to entertain everyone."
Yu Niang suddenly turned her head and looked at Shen Zun. He said angrily: "Official, you are the county magistrate under the Jin people. It can be said that you are doing it for your parents. I don't need to blame you! I am your concubine. No matter what, I am still your woman! You let me show up as a The golden thief sings?!”
Shen Zun sighed: "That Hu Ci has a bad tone. I really can't refuse."
Yu Niang couldn't help but sneer: "Can't refuse? You are still a man! If I had known this, I would rather starve to death than come to your house! Why do you keep saying that being a magistrate for the Jin people is a last resort to save your family. I am just afraid of death!"
Shen Zundao: "I'm afraid of death. But it's not as unbearable as you said."
Yu Niang suddenly pulled her hand out and turned her head away in disdain.
Shen Zun sat there and was silent for a long time. Then he said: "Are you embarrassed to sing a song? Lady Yu, tonight I risked my fortune and my life! Oh, I didn't want to tell you at first, but I feel so uncomfortable holding it in!"
Seeing that Yu Niang still didn't look at him, her expression was indifferent. Shen Zundao: "The imperial army has arrived outside Lintong City, do you think I am ignorant? Let me tell you, I have already met Cao Tongzhi of the army outside the city. We have discussed with them that the army will attack the city tonight!" "
"What?" Yu Niang suddenly turned her head and looked at Shen Zun.
Shen Zun nodded: "Yes, I have decided to dedicate the city tonight! Hosting a banquet for the leader of the Jin Army is to facilitate the Song Army's entry into the city. At this time, you say that the Jin Army wants you to sing some songs, how can I refuse? ?”
Yu Niang looked into Shen Zun's eyes. After a while, she said, "Is everything you said true?"
Shen Zun nodded: "If there is a false statement, five thunders will strike from the sky, and I will die badly!"
Yu Niang nodded silently and gently held Shen Zun's hand. The hand was soft and slippery, carrying Yu Niang's body temperature. After a while, Shen Zun felt his hands were warm and his mood gradually calmed down.
Yu Niang said: "I am a miserable person. When I was two or three years old, I was thrown on the roadside of Kaifeng City and almost froze to death. Fortunately, Father Jin saw that I was pitiful and took me in. He will never learn anything in his life. For other things, he can only play strings for others and be a helper for the rich kids. However, my father was born with a stutter, and few people in his life could hear him finish a sentence. How to be a helper? Eat when you are hungry, and eat when you are full. He pulled me into adulthood. Finally, when I was thirteen years old, I was gifted with a good voice, so I went to a restaurant in Kaifeng to sing and sing with my father. Alas, I had just become famous, and we, father and daughter, had no worries about food and clothing, and we were in the golden years. During the Jingkang period, the people of Kaifeng were miserable! How can I explain it clearly in a few words? The city of Kaifeng was destroyed by the Jin people, and how many people died! Our father and daughter followed a member of the Communist Party of China and wandered to Lintong County in confusion—— "
At this point, tears flowed down Yu Niang's face.
"I understand, I understand." Shen Zun patted Yu Niang's hand. "Now that the imperial army has arrived, they will surely be able to restore Lintong and reoccupy Jingzhao Mansion. The tragedies of the past will not happen again. As long as the leaders of the Jin people are at the county office tonight and I help the Song army open the city gate, everything will be fine. "
Yuniang nodded and gently wiped away her tears. Suddenly, he raised his head and said, "The officer really didn't lie to me?"
Shen Zun said hurriedly: "How could I lie to you? Of course not. My wealth and life will also be staked in it!"
Yu Niang nodded: "In that case, I know it well. If you have anything to do, just go and discuss it with Dad. What you have done is a great deed for the country and the people. I will not let you down. Just do it." rest assured!"
Shen Zun patted Yu Niang. He stood up and said, "Please take care of me tonight, madam!"
After saying that, he stood up and took a breath. If he succeeds tonight, he will be freed from the humiliation of having to pay money. What if the Song army gave up after seizing the city? They can't ignore themselves. Just follow south.
