Dark clouds, desert snow, castles.

Bianliang.

The city, where millions of people gathered, is no longer the hustle and bustle of the past in this winter. Separated by a wall, under the city wall in the north, thick ice was quietly formed in the moat, half of the blood, corpses, and objects thrown down from the city wall sank to the bottom of the river, and half protruded from the ice surface.

In the thick and towering city walls, the gray and white colors are rendered, and the occasional flame of red is not bright. The city has not yet been able to recover from the grief of death, and the bodies of the vast majority of the dead have been burned at one end of the city, and the families of the victims have taken back a handful of ashes, put them in coffins, and set up spiritual shrines. Because the city gates were closed, more small doors and small households could not even prepare coffins. The sound of suona and suona stopped, and every household was mostly crying, and the sadness was deep, and it was impossible to even cry. Some elderly people and women, after the news of the death of their children and husbands at home, were either frozen, hungry, or too sad, and died quietly.

Such grief and desolation are unprecedented in the entire city. Although the battle of attack and defense has stopped, the tension that envelops the city and outside the city has not subsided, and since the annihilation of the entire army against Zongwang in the Western Army, the peace talks outside the city are still going on day by day. The peace talks have not ended, and no one knows whether the Jurchens will come to attack the city.

The strength of the people who died with the city has passed, and after a little relief, the pain has come up, and there are not many people who have that sharpness anymore. The people in the city were worried in their hearts, paying attention to the news in the north of the city, and sometimes they couldn't help but slow down the footsteps, for fear of alarming the Jurchen beasts over there. In this long besieged winter, the whole city. It's gradually becoming a huge ice.

Undercurrents are quietly surging.

The plum blossoms bloomed, lining a delicate red in the corner of the courtyard, and the servant walked as carefully as possible through the porch, and in the main hall of the courtyard, the old men were talking. The leader is Tang Ke and Tang Qinsuo, who is a guest next to him. It is Yan Zheng Yan Daozhang.

The charcoal fire burned in the beast-patterned copper furnace, and the two of them spoke in a low voice, but there were not too many waves.

“…… The battle of Bianliang has been so far, and countless people have been killed and wounded. These dead cannot be worthless...... Although Tang was a strong advocate of peace before, many of his thoughts were the same as those of Li Xiang and Qin Xiang. Jin is as fierce as a tiger and wolf, and has already started a war. If peace can be forced, peace talks should not be retreated. Otherwise, the golden people will make a comeback...... Brother Heedore and I have been talking a lot these days......"

“…… Lord Tang Geng thought this, and Yan naturally understood that peace talks should not be hasty, but ...... Master Li Li is too cautious, and he is afraid that he only wants to run errands. Dealing with misconduct. And this should not be too slow, if it is delayed. The Jurchens ran out of food and grass, so they had to gallop hundreds of miles away to plunder, and when the time came, the peace talks would surely fail...... It's not easy to handle......"

“…… Master Cai is a wise man, but according to Tang's thoughts...... Outside the city, there is Wu Rui's army. The Jurchens may not dare to act rashly, and now that we are gathering the Western Army, I believe that Wanyan Zongwang does not want to stay here for a long time. At the core of the peace talks, the other is still secondary, and the other is the elite soldiers. The second is Taiyuan...... I have elite soldiers, in order to deal with the Jurchens next time they come south, there is Taiyuan, this war, so as not to have a loss of bones, as for the money and coins, on the contrary, you might as well follow the precedent of Wuliao......"

"It's a pity that this matter is not up to us......

“…… Oh, yes. In this war, those who contributed very heavily were the left and right ministers, the Western Army, and the Xianggong...... We wait for the Lord and the line, and there is indeed nothing to do. However, when the time comes, the court will have to exert its strength together. Tang had discussed with Qin Xiang yesterday, in this war, the right minister's mansion contributed the most, and the two sons in his family, Shao and Yu Taiyuan according to Zonghan, Shao Qian retreated from the army in Xia Village, which was an immortal achievement. But in order to avoid suspicion, the right minister seems to have the idea of retreating......"

“…… Qin Xiang is a hero, if he can retreat at this time, it will be a good story......"

“…… For the country and the people, although tens of millions of people go to me, the national disaster is at the head, how can they be allowed to retreat for a slander. What the right minister thought in his heart, Tang understood that I had many disputes with him for the idea of war and peace, but the dispute was only for the sake of the family and the country, and it was definitely not a personal grudge. Qin Siyuan avoided suspicion this time, but it was not a blessing for his family and country. Brother Daozhang, Wurui Camp can't change generals lightly, Taiyuan can't be lost, these things all fall on the right minister......"

“…… Since Brother Tang said so, Yan and Brother Tang have advanced and retreated together......"

In the charcoal fire, the whispered speech gradually came to an end, Yan Zheng got up to say goodbye, Tang Ke sent him out, in the courtyard outside, Lamei was lined with snow, and the scenery was beautiful and pleasant. After saying goodbye to each other again, Yan Zheng smiled and said: "This year's snow is big, and there are many things, I hope that the next year will be peaceful, and it will be a good year for Ruixue." ”

"Ruixue mega year, I hope so." Tang Ke also smiled.

He sent Yan Zheng out, and then turned back, under the eaves outside the hall, there was already another old man watching the snow with a teacup, this was his staff in the house, the great Confucian Xu Xiangxuan.

"Advancing and retreating together, generous, Yan Daozhang is a boneless person."

"May he bring these words to Master Cai......"

In the court, Yan Zhengfeng has a very good reputation, on the one hand, he has an upright personality, and on the other hand, he has always been associated with Tang Ke and other people who have both talent and morality, but in fact he is Cai Jing's pawn. On weekdays, he tends to be the main and faction, and at critical moments, he is nothing more than a messenger.

"Fang Cai, Lord Geng, they sent someone to pass the word over, and Grandpa Guo's side is also a little hesitant, this time, it seems that he doesn't want to come forward......"

"Recovering Yanyun and retiring after success, the Duke of Chu has a name before and after, and it is only right that he does not come forward."

The two chatted for a few words, and there was silence for a while, and the charcoal fire in the room exploded, and the snow outside the house was so cold that it was seeping. Tang Ke looked at the snow scene for a moment and sighed.

"Winter isn't over yet......" he closed his eyes and exhaled a white breath.

"The sting is here......"

****************

Xue Changgong was wrapped in bandages, sat on a chair, and the two superiors who came to visit him in the army, one Hu Tang and the other Shen Dao, were all middle and high-ranking Japanese soldiers. I've been talking for a while.

“…… Now. The Jurchen front has retreated, and the defense of the city can take a break. Although Brother Xue's location is critical, he can rest assured that he will not make a mistake at this time. ”

“…… As long as the peace talks are over, everyone can finally breathe a sigh of relief. Brother Xue will be the first to take the lead this time, but he is rich and noble. At that time, Brother Xue's family will have to change all of them. ”

"The Han family is a small family, and they all rely on the love of your superiors and brothers, and the things they sent have not been counted clearly at this time. A big battle, the brothers are not cold, and I think of it. Xue didn't want to go. Xue Changgong smiled a little weakly.

Hu Tang waved his hand: "Hey, that's not the case, my generation of martial artists, fame is taken from the sword, and the head is tied to the waistband of my trousers." The brothers in the underground have no blessings, and those who are lucky enough to live should eat, drink, and enjoy the fun. It's all about to be enjoyed. Those scholars scolded me when they heard this, but that's how it was in the army. Brother Xue thinks about his brothers, it's a good thing, but you should enjoy it, don't lose a penny. In this way, the brothers can follow you for their lives. ”

Shen Dao smiled and said: "If you can live this time, you will be promoted and make a fortune." No problem, when the time comes, Brother Xue, you have to invite Alum Tower, and my brother will definitely arrive. Haha......"

What they said was right, Xue Changgong smiled and nodded yes: "...... It's just that what is the situation outside the city now? I was bedridden for a few days, and I heard bits and pieces...... After all, peace talks cannot be fully trusted, if we wait for the morale to be weak, the Jurchens come again, but it will be a terrible disaster...... In addition, I heard that something happened to the minister-in-law, and I don't know exactly how to ......."

"The Western Army is a gentleman, different from those outside our city." Hu Tang shook his head, "In the last battle of Wuzhangling, the little Xianggong was seriously injured, and he personally led the soldiers to attack Zongwang, and finally the head of the owl was killed, and many of his cavalry guards, he could have fled, but in order to save the body of the small Xianggong, he rushed into battle five times in a row, and the last time, there were only more than 30 people left, all of whom were seriously injured, and all the people and horses were red, and finally the whole army was wiped out...... The old breed is also hard, it is reported in the army, the small breed of the prince waved the army, once sent someone to ask the capital to send troops to attack and disturb, and then the big defeat, also let the pro-soldiers ask for help, the pro-soldiers entered the city, the old kind of minister detained them...... Now on the side of the Jurchen camp, the heads of the ministers of the small races and hundreds of people who rushed into the battle are hanging outside the tent, and peace talks outside the city are one of the ......"

"I heard someone say that the little race will fight until he dies in battle, and he still believes that the old race will lead the troops to rescue, and on top of the battle array, he has used this word several times to boost morale. But until the end, the five armies in Beijing did not move. Shen Dao said in a low voice, "It is also said that the little Xianggong had no time to escape after fighting Zong Wang, and he already knew the result of this matter, but he just told some lies and deceived everyone......

Shen Dao paused: "After the death of the little Xianggong, the Wurui battalion waved the army, and after that, Wusheng Wuwei and several other armies have come over, and more than 100,000 people under the command of Chen Yanshu, Fang Lian, Lin Hetang and others have advanced...... In fact, if there is no attack from the Western Army, I am afraid that this peace talk will not be so ...... so quickly."

After defending the city for nearly a month, I have already seen many tragic things, but when it comes to this matter, there is still some silence in the room. After a while, Xue Changgong coughed a few times because of his injury. Hu Tang smiled.

"Speaking of military merits, the gang in Xia Village repelled Guo Yaoshi, and now they are confronting the Jurchens outside the city, if they are rewarded for their merits, maybe they have the greatest credit."

Shen Dao lowered his voice: "The army of the national dynasty has always been headed by Wenchen, and we have been in the army, and there are countless constraints, and in the end, everyone can't beat it, saying that the soldiers are incompetent, and we are waiting for the generals, and we have no words." Qin Shaoqian...... He is the son of the right minister, and his actions are naturally unfettered, so he can defeat the resentful army. That's a good thing, but ...... Alas, in short, it is always good to win......"

"They're not having a good time outside the city, either." Hu Tang said with a smile, "The Xia Village army is said to be headed by the Wurui Battalion, but in fact, the army outside the city has long been dispersed, and now it is confronting the Jurchens on the one hand, and they are arguing on the other. Those commanders, Chen Yanshu, Fang Lian, and Lin Hetang, which one is a fuel-efficient lamp. I heard that they went to the Wurui camp every day to ask for people, both above and below, and sent their brothers out to lobby. These people in Xia Village have more or less beaten some bones, and with them as bones, the fight will not be ugly, and everyone has no one in their hands, and they all want to borrow chickens to lay eggs......"

"We haven't had contact with the outside of the city yet, and when the Jurchens leave, I'm afraid there will be some friction. The people brought by Brother Xue are the top of our Japanese army, we are facing the Jurchens, they are maneuvering outside the city, fighting Guo Yaoshi, who is more difficult, it is really difficult to say. When the time comes. Our team in the capital will not bully others, and its military merits will be repaid, but it will not be able to fall into prestige......"

"Don't worry too much, their troubles outside the city are not over. Sometimes. It's not a good thing for Mu Xiu to be in the forest, but he is a person who makes a lot of money in a muffled voice......"

A few people talked about things outside the city, but it was not much schadenfreude, but in order to compete for merit in the army, friction was a common thing, and each other was prepared in their hearts.

For ordinary people, after the battle is over, it will be over. For them, the fight is over, and many things after that are also predictable. They were curious about the team that defeated Pharmacist Guo, but after all, they had never seen it before, and they didn't know what it was like. Now that I think about it, they confronted the Jurchens, and after all, they still took advantage of the Western Army's life-threatening blow. If they do fight, they will inevitably be defeated. Just facing more than 100,000 people outside the city. Guo Yaoshi is gone again, even if the Jurchens can win, after seeing Bianliang's resistance, it is no longer of much significance, and when they talk about these things, their hearts will be more relaxed.

After all. The real ripped and insider story is still in the hands of those big people, and what they have to care about is only a few benefits in their hands.

After talking about it for a long time, Xue Changgong was injured after all. The two said goodbye and left, and also rejected Xue Changgong's send-off. Looking out of the courtyard outside the door, it was a cold winter shrouded in dark clouds, as if confirming the fact that the dust had not yet settled.

Back in the backyard, the maid told him that the teacher and the girl had come.

In the bedroom room, the master took some precious medicinal herbs, and came over to see He Lei'er, who was still lying on the bed and couldn't move, and the two talked in a low voice. This is the second time she has come over after a few days of truce.

The fighting stopped, and peace talks began. The help of the division in the wounded barracks has also come to an end, as the Oiran in the capital who has begun to be a little outdated, after being busy in the army for a while, her figure is getting thinner and thinner, but that period of experience has also accumulated more fame for her, these few days, presumably not leisurely, so that her face is still a little tired.

Even if she is out of breath, there is still a world between her teacher's status in the Alum Tower and He Lei'er, and Xue Changgong is not clear about the reason why she came to see He Lei'er. At present, this period is still the time for martial artists to be popular, but even so, he Xue Changgong is not worthy of such an oiran, so he doesn't think much about it. When the teacher came out, the two greeted each other and exchanged a few words.

Xue Changgong remembered the reputation of Alum Tower, and couldn't help but ask his master a few words about the peace talks-a few people at the level of partial generals and deputy generals discussed in private, and it was impossible to see through the current situation, but in Alum Tower, they would know more about receiving all kinds of big people.

“…… Listening to the tone of several adults in the court, there should be no major details in the matter of peace, and General Xue can rest assured. After a moment of silence, Shi Shi said, "I praise the Japanese army for the first place in this battle, and I hope that after the general soars, don't lose my sister." ”

Master Li didn't have much time, so after speaking, he also left from here. When the carriage drove through the long snowy street, the noise of the surrounding city came in from time to time, and the curtain was lifted, and most of these noises were crying, and the people who met on the left and right said a few words, and they couldn't help but sigh, and there was a faint wail, and a small piece of white cloth hung on the door of someone's deceased house, and the child ran through the street in a daze, and in the half-hidden door of the blacksmith shop, a child wielded a hammer, and the sound of a monotonous blow. I didn't show any anger.

For the past few days, time has been flowing like a sticky paste.

The news with Xue Changgong is monotonous and optimistic, but the truth is naturally not so simple. A battle, hundreds of thousands of people died, sometimes, simple victory or defeat is almost not important, what really makes people entangled is that in these victories and defeats, people can't figure out some simple tragedy or joy, all feelings, almost can not find sustenance simply.

Before the war was over, all kinds of messy things had already begun.

In the court, one by one the big people are operating in secret, and they are secretly tandem and scheming. Alum Lou naturally can't see these clearly, but the clues in private can be easily found. The will of Taishi Cai, the will of His Majesty, the will of the Duke of Chu, the will of the left and right phases, and the will of the lords and factions...... In the flowing dark river, these things have vaguely become the main body, and as for those who have died, their will is not important, and it seems that it has never mattered.

Shishi is also a person who knows all kinds of insiders, but only this time, she hopes that there can be a little bit of something simple in front of her, but when everything is deeply thought about, those things. None of the zài will be gone.

The impassioned spirit of the Western Army, the head of the seed master is still hanging in the Jurchen camp, and the peace talks between the DPRK and China are now unable to welcome him back. The negotiation between Li Li and Zong Wang is even more complicated, what kind of situation. can all appear, but behind the scenes, there is a mixture of various wills, and people can't see anything exciting. In the battle to defend the city, the Right Prime Minister's Mansion was responsible for logistics deployment and concentrated a large number of manpower to defend the city, but now it has begun to fall silent, because there are some ominous hints in the air.

A great victory for the Xia Village army. When it first came, it was exciting, but by this time, all kinds of forces were reaching out to the team. More than 100,000 people outside the city are still confronting the Jurchen troops, and in the camp of the Xia Village army, a large number of fights have begun every day. According to the adults who came to the alum building, these things. It is obvious that someone with a heart provoked it behind his back, so as not to let the generals of the Wurui battalion be so happy.

And the people who have a heart are not only the high-level among the more than 100,000 people outside the city. The news network of Alum Tower can vaguely feel that the will of these people in the city, including Cai Taishi and Tong Guan, has already stretched out outside the city.

Compared with the tentacles and undercurrents behind these, the more than 10,000 troops who are confronting the Jurchens. There were no fierce counterattacks – and they couldn't be fierce. Separated by a high city wall, the alum tower couldn't get much news from it, and for the teacher, a complex undercurrent seemed to flow around him. For negotiations, for a truce. As for the value and significance of the deceased, she suddenly couldn't easily find a place to put her and belong.

She stared at the things carefully. When she dreamed back at midnight, she also had a small expectation, at this time in the Wurui camp, after all, there was still the person she knew, with his character, he would not sit still. After the reunion, he had repeatedly achieved many incredible achievements, and this time she also hoped that when all the news was connected, he might have launched a counterattack and given all these messy people a sharp slap in the face - even if that hope was slim, at least for now, she could still look forward to it.

After she returned to the alum tower in the carriage, she heard something special.

"Over there in Zhuji, Su Gongzi just came over and handed us some things."

Mother Li Yun called her over and gave her a small notebook, and the teacher looked through it a little, and found that what was recorded in it was the things of some people on the battlefield, in addition to the battle in Xia Village, there were also some people in other armies, including the Western Army, most of them were simple and heroic, and they were suitable for propaganda.

"Zhu Jili actually started arranging storytelling a few days ago, but my mother can tell you, the wind is not quite right, whether this treasure is pressed or not, I don't know. You can help them say, I don't care about you. ”

Li Yun poured her a cup of tea to warm her hands, and when she saw that the master raised her head to look at her, her eyes were calm and complicated, so she also sighed and turned her head to look at the window.

"It's hard for you and me to talk about these big shots." She sat down on the chair opposite, looked up and sighed, "This time the golden people go south, the sky is going to change, and no one can understand who has the final say in the future...... Over the years in Beijing, some people have risen and fallen, and some people have been in the limelight for decades, and they have never fallen, but every time there is a big event, there must be someone up and down, daughter, what you know, what I know, are all in this bureau. This time, I don't know who's up and who's down, Mom, but it's coming, that's for sure......"

The master took the book and was slightly silent.

"Don't talk about that." Li Yun waved his hand, and then lowered his voice, "I heard that Ning Gongzi secretly returned to Beijing, and he was secretly meeting people, these must be his handiwork." I know you can't sit still, so let's go find him for a day. What the hell does he want, what does Lord Qin want from the Right Prime Minister's Mansion, if he can give you an accurate word, I will be more down-to-earth......"

The teacher's eyes lit up, and after a while, he got up and bowed, thanked him, asked the place again, and went out.

The carriage drove through the streets of Bianliang, and the light snow gradually fell, and the coach instructed the coachman to take her to find a few places, including the branch of Zhuji and the Su family, and when she was helping, the carriage stopped when it turned around the small bridge on the side of Wenhui Building.

The master got out of the carriage in a white fashion, and above the second floor, by a window with a warm yellow light, Ning Yi was sitting there, quietly looking at something from a place outside the window. He had a beard and a quiet expression, as if sensing the gaze below, and he turned his head to see the woman who was lowering her hood by the carriage below. Snowflakes are slowly falling.

It seemed that someone had entered the room upstairs, Ning Yi looked over there and stood up, turned his head to look at the teacher, he closed the window, and the blurred silhouette in the window greeted the guests, and then there was only a faint light.

In the evening, the teacher crossed the road and walked into the restaurant...... (To be continued......)