February 21, 14th year of Jinghan, south of Taiyuan, Qi County, spring rain.

The sky was so dark that it looked like it was about to fall.

The rain hit the body, and it was cold to the bone.

The horse was galloping, panicking, Chen Yanshu's vision swayed, and then with a bang, he fell off the horse, he rolled a few times, stood up, staggered, and was already covered in mud.

Several pro-soldiers hurriedly came over, and someone dismounted to support him, talking in his mouth, but what caught his eye was Chen Yanshu's wooden eyes and slightly open and closed lips.

“…… Lord Chen, Lord Chen, what's wrong with you, are you alright......?"

The sound of shouting seemed to come from a long way away and then go far away.

Two hours ago, the Wu Sheng army launched an attack on the army of Shuliesu.

Since the defeat outside the city of Bianliang, and later hundreds of thousands of troops were dispersed, and they were called up again, the Wusheng army under Chen Yanshu gathered more than 50,000 people together, which is the largest number of many armies.

Along the way north, Chen Yanshu was not only asking for help from the rear, but also summoning the surrounding Xiang army and the righteous army in the name of the imperial court. When Zong Han was stationed in Taiyuan, there was a certain amount of sweeping and looting on the southern line of Taiyuan, and later Zong Wang's army crossed the border, which also disrupted the layout of the defense line in these places, but the arrival of the Wusheng army and the order were issued, which still brought a lot of responses and calls. As a result of this call, in the south of Taiyuan City, when Chen Yanshu finally decided to launch an attack on Shuliesu, the size of the entire army had reached 70,000 people.

And the problem is also quite strict.

Among the 50,000 troops brought by Bianliang, there were incidents of deserting from the camp every day, and he had to use high-pressure methods to rectify military discipline. The equipment is mixed. On the bright side, there are people coming over every day, responding to the call to relieve the siege of Taiyuan, but the interior of the Wusheng army has become mixed.

But he didn't have much to do. As the orders from the rear became more and more resolute, on the morning of the 21st, he still forced the army to attack.

In the spring rain that followed, the army disintegrated like mud and sand in the rain.

The Jurchens swept in, and he could only flee by the way, and when he arrived, he was really exhausted.

The guards shook his arms and shouted. They saw that half of the face of the court official at the head of the army was covered with mud, his eyes were empty in the air, and his lips opened and closed, as if he was saying something.

“…… Finished...... Finished...... Not ...... at the beginning"

"What did you say, my lord!? Wake up, my lord...... The Jurchens are still behind—"

“…… Repentance...... It's over......" he waved his hand violently, and a loud cry of "ah-" startled everyone. Then they saw Chen Yanshu draw his sword and rush forward, and one of the guards was about to come and grab his sword. Almost being slashed, Chen Yanshu rushed forward with a shaky twist, he turned the long sword upside down, the blade rested on his neck, as if to pull, and staggered a few steps. And he took hold of the hilt of the sword with both hands, and pierced his heart with the edge of the sword. Siye was gloomy, the rain fell, and in the end, Chen Yanshu didn't dare to stab it, he shouted hysterically. Kneeling on the ground, he shouted at the sky.

"Ahh

The cry was accompanied by a heart-pounding cry.

"It's over...... The Wu Dynasty is coming to an end—"

He finally stabbed the long sword through his heart, blood foam gushed out, Chen Yanshu stared, and finally let out two cooing sounds, and the cry echoed in the air like an ominous proverb.

No one knew what Chen Yanshu had said here at the end, and soon after, several of his guards cut off his head and surrendered to the Jurchens who were chasing him.

The war outside Taiyuan City, in the spring rain, was tragic and uneventful. In Bianliang City, which is hundreds of miles away, no one knows the result of the Wusheng army that went north to rescue, and in these days, the situation in the capital has been twists and turns, like a fire, and is changing drastically.

The court has not yet made a decision to increase troops in Taiyuan, although it has sent the Wusheng army to the north, but the results outside Bianliang City are obvious to all. Ordinary people may not have a concept, but among many scholars and even officials, there is a lot of discussion every day. Taiyuan has not yet fallen, so such discussions have become more and more intense.

In the midst of such discussions, the petitions of the scholars continued every day, either asking for troops, or asking the country to cheer up, change the military system, and get rid of traitorous ministers. Behind these remarks, I don't know how many forces are manipulating, and some fierce demands are also brewing and fermenting in them, such as one of the leaders of folk speech who has always dared to speak, Chen Dong, a student of Tai, petitioned outside the imperial city to beg for the punishment of the "Seven Tigers" in the court.

The "Seven Tigers" include: Cai Jing, Liang Shicheng, Li Yan, Zhu Mian, Wang Hao, Tong Guan, and Qin Siyuan.

"Today's events, Cai Jing is in trouble, and Liang Shicheng is conspiracy in the back. Li Yan complained about the northwest, Zhu Mian complained about the southeast, and Wang Hao, Tong Guan, and Qin Siyuan complained about Liao and Jin, creating a gap. It is advisable to punish these seven tigers and pass on the first Quartet to thank the world! ”

This is probably what the Seven Tigers mean.

Qin Siyuan is considered to be a new addition to these traitorous ministers, since assisting Li Gang, Qin Siyuan has implemented most of the harsh policies and offended many people. Shou Bianliang battle, the imperial court called for the defense of the city, every household out of people, paving, are the operation of the right prime minister's house, during this period, there have been a lot of power bullying things, similar to some small officials because of the power to arrest people on the battlefield, adulterous wives and daughters, later revealed a lot. After the people defending the city died, Qin Siyuan ordered all the corpses to be burned, which was also a big problem, and later during the negotiations with the Jurchens, the delivery of grain and herbs was also led by the Right Prime Minister's Mansion.

In the past, Qin Siyuan was at most a cool official in the folk comments, and in the recent period of time, even if there is a bamboo record to excuse him, the negative comments about Qin Siyuan are also very noisy, and the reason for this is more: Compared with saying good things, ordinary people prefer to scold, not to mention that Qin Siyuan has indeed done a lot of things that violate the wishes of the hometown.

Among the three heroes of the Bianliang City Defense, Li Gang, Seed Master Dao, and Qin Siyuan, if people have to find a villain, there is no doubt that Qin Siyuan is the most qualified.

There are various forces that manipulate these statements behind the scenes, and they have something to do with the daily changes in the situation in the court: a few days ago. Qin Siyuan had already called himself sick and begged to go, but what came with it was a gradual increase in the number of excerpts attacking and impeaching Qin Siyuan, which was originally the type of chasing after the wind and shadows, for example, Qin Siyuan delivered grain and grass to the Jurchens, causing the people's resentment to boil - this is purely looking for a draw. Qin Siyuan is in charge, don't you have to give orders from above. After the first few people were imprisoned, the later excerpts became more and more real.

For example, Qin Siyuan's expedient measures in the right minister's office, as if he once opened the back door for the military salary of the Wurui battalion, and then like a black hand against anyone. Zhou Zhe tried his best to protect Qin Siyuan and threw these people into the prison one by one, and it was not until the number of people became more and more that he stopped. changed to reprimand, but at the same time, he regarded Qin Siyuan's illness as an expedient measure to avoid suspicion, and said: "I absolutely believe in the right minister, the right minister doesn't have to worry, I will return your innocence!" He rejected Qin Siyuan's resignation again.

Later, Qin Hui took the lead in writing a book, believing that although the right minister was innocent and selfless, it was in accordance with convention. With so many people participating in the impeachment, it should still be tried by the three divisions at the same time. In order to return the innocence of the right phase. Zhou Zhe refuted again: "The Jurchens have just left, the right minister is the hero who defends the city, and I have not yet been rewarded for my merits, so I have to do this, doesn't it make people think that I am a bird who hides the bow and the rabbit dies and the dog cooks, and I naturally trust the right minister." This matter will never be mentioned again! ”

These scenes on the surface can't hide the thunder brewing in secret, and on Ning Yi's side, some merchants related to Zhuji also began to come to inquire or tempt, and all kinds of rumors are secretly leaving. Ever since handing over the things at hand to Qin Siyuan, Ning Yi's attention. has returned to the bamboo record, and has made a lot of adjustments internally. As he said to Hongti, if the right phase loses power, Zhu Ji and the secret investigation department must be separated immediately and cut off their tails to survive, otherwise as soon as the official forces take over, the little thing they have in hand will inevitably become someone else's wedding clothes.

The core of Zhuji, he has been in business for a long time, so he naturally still wants it.

Of course, such a split has not yet arrived, and the people in the court have already shown an aggressive posture, but Qin Siyuan's retreat and silence may not be a strategy, maybe the emperor fought for a while, and found that he really did not fight back, and he could think that he was indeed selfless. On the other hand, the old man also locked Qin Shaoqian in the mansion, preventing him from controlling the Wurui camp anymore, just waiting for the emperor to find someone to take over - this is also a matter of no choice.

However, Taiyuan was boiled in the real fire, and Qin Ershao, who was blind in one eye, was anxious in the courtyard every day, practicing boxing all day long, and beating his hands with blood. He is no longer a young man, and he understands what has happened, and it is precisely because he understands that the torment in his heart is even worse. One day Ning Yi went over and talked to Qin Shaoqian, Qin Shaoqian's hands were bloody, and he didn't bandage them, he spoke calmly, and chatted with Ning Yi for a while, and then Ning Yi saw him silent, his hands clenched into fists, and his teeth clicked.

"Liheng, Taiyuan is still fighting!" He saw Qin Shaoqian raise his head, his eyes were bloodshot and red, and the green tendons on his forehead were walking, "The eldest brother is still in the city, and Taiyuan is still fighting." I'm not reconciled......"

Ning Yi was silent for a moment, and then held back a sentence: "I have sent someone to save me." ”

Qin Shaoqian gritted his teeth, his whole body trembled, and he stopped for a long time.

Coming out of the Prime Minister's Mansion, he has nothing to do on the surface, except for the communication with some big businessmen, in the past few days, another relative has come over, that is Song Yongping.

This brother-in-law from an official eunuch family was promoted before, and later, with the help of Ning Yi, he was assigned a good county as a county commander. When the Jurchens came south, there had been a Jurchen cavalry team that had harassed his county, Song Yongping had carefully explored the nearby terrain before, and later the newborn calf was not afraid of tigers, so he took advantage of the terrain near the county town to beat the Jurchens back, killed dozens of people, and robbed some war horses. At the beginning of the war, when the credit was determined, the right minister held the real power and reported him a great merit, Ning Yi naturally didn't know about it, at this time, Song Yongping was promoted in Beijing, who knew that as soon as he entered the city, he found that the situation in Beijing was changing and the mountains and rains were coming.

At this time, Song Yongping was somewhat mature, although he heard some bad rumors, he still came to Zhuji, visited Ning Yi, and then lived in Zhuji.

After all, he didn't know much about the whole situation, and he chatted with Ning Yi in the past few days, and he talked more to Su Wenfang. Previously, Song Yongping was the phoenix of the Song family, and compared with children like Su Wenfang of the Su family, he didn't know how many times smarter, but when they met this time, he found that this cousin of the Su family had also become mature and stable, and even Cheng Dù, who was a little incomprehensible to him after sitting on the county order. He occasionally asked about the size of the problem and talked about the way officialdom broke the siege. Su Wenfang only smiled modestly.

"Things can be big or small...... Brother-in-law should have a way. ”

"It's useless for me to worry about it."

Every time Su Wenfang said this, Song Yongping was a little anxious in his heart, he was also a high-spirited scholar, and his final goal was to become a prime minister-like figure in the temple, and he felt that he was young. Maybe we can find a way to help people get out of trouble. These days have been brewing hard, and at noon at the end of February, when I met with Ning Yi and Su Wenfang for dinner, I began to inquire about it carefully.

"As the saying goes, one person counts short, two people count long, the younger brother was born in the family of the official eunuch since he was a child, and he is exposed to the affairs of the court every day. I also know a thing or two, this time, I came here, and I heard about the things in front of me, and I was really worried. I don't know how strict this situation is, and I hope that my brother-in-law will tell me that although my brother is not talented, my father still has some relationships in the court. Although he can't get involved in the prime minister's business, his brother-in-law wants to get out of these businesses. Or there is a way to ......"

He was enthusiastic, Ning Yi was not easy to refuse, nodded and thought about it, and then picked up some things that could be said and said roughly about it, during which Song Yongping asked a few words, and Ning Yi also answered. He had the intention to reassure Song Yongping. It is impossible to tell the other party all the situation, such as the game between the emperor and the prime minister, the participation of Cai Jing and Tong Guan, and so on. After only talking for a moment, there was a sudden commotion in front of Zhuji, and the three of them got up and walked out. Then someone came to report that there was a disturbance ahead.

"Who is it?"

"Some gangsters, it seems that the Taiwei Mansion is doing something behind it."

At this time, the members of Zhuji who stayed in Beijing had also been tested for a long time, and when they came to report, they had already figured out the situation, Ning Yi and Su Wenfang glanced at each other, went out from the side door, and when they arrived on the road, they saw that the restaurant in front of Zhuji had begun to smash.

Song Yongping frowned: "The Taiwei Mansion dares to make trouble on the table, this is not afraid of tearing his face, the matter has been so strict." ”

Ning Yi looked around, but saw Gao Muen's figure in the upstairs room across the street.

"Owner, what should I do?" The member of Nazhu Ji asked.

"Don't touch it." Song Yongping said on the side, and then lowered his voice, "Captain Gao has the position of commander in front of the palace, and if you touch it hard in Bianliang, you will only hit it, since the other party has called the gangsters, I might as well report to the official." ”

The Zhuji guy was waiting for Ning Yi's statement, and Ning Yi nodded: "Let them smash it, but there is no need to report to the official, let them go." ”

Song Yongping was stunned, and then nodded and said: "Indeed, if it is reported to the official, the other party may not say that there is no reason, and it is also troublesome......"

He is a smart person, he understands as soon as he says it, and Ning Yi also nodded slightly approvingly. looked at the Zhuji Restaurant, and whispered to the guy: "You go and let everyone come out, avoid a little, so as not to be injured." ”

has been bullied to this point in Beijing, Song Yongping and Su Wenfang couldn't help but feel depressed, looking at the restaurant not far away, in Song Yongping's opinion, Ning Yi's mood must be similar. At this time, a team of officials came over at the other end of the road and quickly rushed towards the Zhuji Building.

Song Yongping only thought that this was the other party's back hand, his brows frowned even tighter, and he only heard someone shouting over there: "Arrest the troublemaker!" The troublemakers seemed to have to defend themselves, and then they were beaten up cracklingly, and when someone was dragged out, Song Yongping found out that these officials were really attacking the troublemakers, and he immediately saw other people rushing across the street and going upstairs to get people. A voice came from the building: "What are you doing! My father is Gao Yu—who are you—" It was Gao Muen who was taken down.

Song Yongping looked confused, and on the other side of the road, a middle-aged man in a black robe walked over to this side, first arching his hand towards Ning Yi, and then arching his hand to Song Yongping and Su Wenfang. Ning Yi bowed his hand, and the other party took another step closer and whispered a word.

"Cai Qi, the steward of the contemptible Taishi Mansion, Taishi Cai invited Mr. Cai to come over to the mansion."

His words were not high, Song Yongping didn't hear it very clearly, Ning Yi said, "Now?" ”

The other party nodded, stretched out his hand, and from the other side of the road, a carriage came. Ning Yi nodded, looked at Song Yongping and Su Wenfang, and said, "You eat first." I'm going out for a trip. With that, he walked over there.

Su Wenfang frowned, but Song Yongping was a little excited, and pulled the corner of Su Wenfang's clothes: "Master Cai, it seems that Master Cai also values his brother-in-law's talent, but now there is a turnaround, even if there is something, you can also meet the source left and right......"

Su Wenfang didn't speak, and at this moment, a galloping horse rushed over from his side, and the knight's clothes seemed to be Zhuji's clothes.

The galloping horse was strangled by the knight beside Ning Yi, startling everyone, and then they saw the knight turn over and give Ning Yi a small paper tube. Ning Yi pulled out the letter inside, opened it and took a look.

The long street was chaotic, and the gangsters who were escorted out were still struggling and moving forward, and Gao Muen was shouting over there, watching the lively people pointing and pointing, buzzing, buzzing, buzzing......

Buzz

The long light of the day was put away.

Ning Yi stood by the carriage and looked at the message in his hand, and it took a long time before he raised his head.

“…… Mr. Ning, Mr. Ning? ”

The black-robed middle-aged man was talking beside him, Ning Yi slowly turned his face, his eyes looked at him, it was as deep as the abyssal sea, and he wanted to swallow people into it, and the next moment, he said as if unconsciously: "Huh? ”

Then he said, "...... Well. ”

He picked up the letter and stepped into the carriage.

When I lifted the curtain, a wind blew through.

An era has passed......

On February 25, Taiyuan fell. (To be continued.) If you like this work, you are welcome to come to the Biquge www.biquge.info () to vote for recommendation, monthly pass, your support, is my biggest motivation. For mobile phone users, please go to M. to read. (To be continued......)