Chapter 265: The battle clouds are gathering and the matter is predicted

Winter is coming.

According to the geographical division of the Great Song Dynasty, the residence of the monk Wanyan Chen is Hebei West Road, he has been stationed here for two years, and he is used to seeing the surrounding scenery, and he does not need to go out, he knows what kind of general scenery will be outside.

Ten thousand trees withered and not to mention, even human beings, should be weak now. In the past two years, Monk Wanyan Chen has seen with his own eyes that in the repeated tug-of-war between himself and Yan, villages and towns on the border have been reduced to ashes. As for the people, those who have the strength either flee or anoint the wilderness, and the rest are all struggling to survive, and Monk Wanyan Chen estimates that they will not survive this winter.

Monk Wanyan Chen pulled out his waist knife sullenly, and then inserted the knife back into the scabbard, and the monotonous and boring grinding sound kept lingering in his ears. The generals and guards all knew that he was in a bad mood, and since the envoy came three months ago, he seemed to be in a bad mood, so they all hid from him, for fear of anger.

Looking at his subordinates who were hiding far away, Wanyan Chen Monk was even more depressed in his heart, he sighed and pulled out his waist knife again.

This waist knife was given to him by Lu Xin of the Song Dynasty after the Battle of Taizhuang, using the best steel produced by Liuqiu, Lu Xin called it "high-carbon steel", it is said that the output of this steel was also very limited at that time, and then it was made by the swordsmiths of the Wa Kingdom according to the secret method of the Tang Dynasty. Monk Wanyan Chen has also collected a lot of good knives, but there are few that can be compared with them. In the past few years, he has used this knife to defend the frontier for the Jin Kingdom, and has cut off the heads of many enemies, but the knife is still intact and the blade is as sharp as ever.

Although he is not a simple martial artist, he does not think about problems as much as the ministers of the court, and every time he touches this knife, the first thing he feels is the kindness of the calm and calm Lu Xin to him.

It's a pity......

He was thinking about it when someone outside: "Marshal Wanyan!" ”

Because of his repeated military exploits, Monk Wanyan Chen has now been promoted to marshal, with 50,000 soldiers under his command, and it is also a strong force in today's Jin country. He heard the voice of a soldier, and asked, "What's the matter?" ”

"Someone sent a letter." The soldier was outside.

"Bring it!" Wanyan Chen Monk roared a little anxiously.

The soldiers presented the letter, and Monk Wanyan Chen looked at the seven words "Brother Wanyan Liangzuo" on the envelope, and his heart was slightly stunned. He is very familiar with this handwriting, it is the Lu Xin who wrote it, in recent years, Lu Xin, as the Yellow River water conservancy envoy of the Great Song Dynasty, has been running back and forth between Jin and Xuzhou all the year round, because of the friendship between the two, the two sides have exchanged letters. But at this time, what was the purpose of the trustee to bring the letter?

"What about the messenger?" Wanyan Chen asked.

"Gone, postman."

Imitating the military reform of the Song State, it was also to save military spending, eliminate the old and weak in the army, and improve the combat effectiveness of the troops.

The only thing that was implemented was the postman system, because with the development of commerce, this system could bring nearly 100,000 yuan of income to the Jin court every year.

Wanyan Chen monk opened the letter, the letter was written very short, only less than 200 words, in addition to greetings, Lu Xin said in the letter that because the Yellow River is about to freeze, he will leave the Jin country, go to the lower reaches of the Yellow River, if there is no accident, he will go to the Central Plains when the spring thaws next year to help solve the Central Plains Lingxin.

Hurriedly swept through these words, Monk Wanyan Chen's gaze stopped at the last paragraph, in which Lu Xin wrote: "My brother rejects Menghu in the north, and when you know that the nature of Menghu jackals is untamed and habitual treachery, I hope my brother will be cautious in dealing with them." Wouldn't it be nice to drink wine with my brother after the big event is over? ”

Monk Wanyan Chen glanced at this passage of text again and again, muttered for a while, and then shouted: "Come on, prepare horses, I want to go back to Beijing......"

However, at this moment, another personal soldier ran over, and he panted and said, "Marshal, the Great Envoy has arrived!" ”

Monk Wanyan Chen clenched his fists, his whole body tensed tightly, but he immediately let go. He glanced at the letter again, then tore it to shreds, throwing the shredded paper into the air, and countless fragments fell like snowflakes. Meng Yuan's envoy arrived, and it was too late for him to return to the army to seek Heda Pingzhang.

Heda Pingzhang, and the Son of Heaven, why are they so reckless, do they really think that they can hide it from the Song people? Do they really think they can win? Do they really think that Menghu is reliable?

"I hope I'm wrong...... I hope ......" When he walked past the soldier, the soldier heard him muttering to himself, and although he was puzzled, the soldier did not dare to ask.

When the cold wind crossed the West Hebei Road, Xuzhou, which is in Huaibei, also entered a harsh winter. However, unlike the dead silence of Hebei West Road, Huaibei is very lively. Some time ago, all the factories and troops went out to harvest cotton, and it is said that it was because Zhao Ziyue, the envoy of Tuntian, and Qin Dashi, the governor of Xuzhou, dreamed of Lu Zu warning at the same time, saying that there would be a heavy rain and hail disaster, so they should rush to collect the cotton before the heavy rain and hail disaster, so as not to cause any damage.

After three years of recuperation, there were no less than 1.5 million households and more than 4 million mouths in the Huaibei Song Kingdom, and in addition to the old and weak who could not work in the fields, nearly 2 million people were mobilized to collect cotton and transport autumn grain. At the beginning, the Jin State only said that the Song State had made some changes, and it was found that it was only engaged in a large-scale production campaign, and the secret spy report only said that the Song people collected grain and cotton from all over the country and sent it to Xuzhou.

Zhi Xuyang chewed the big duck egg with a red heart, and felt that the strength he had lost after a day of tiredness on his body had been regained.

Under such busyness, of course, a half-grown kid like him was also used, but it didn't take long, and all they could do was help pick cotton on a few farms near Xuzhou. The duck eggs they eat on weekdays are dragged from these farms, and they are said to be the descendants of ducks who have made meritorious contributions to the eradication of locusts.

Although it has never been fishy in Xuzhou Primary School, for Zhixuyang, this red duck egg is still the most fragrant and delicious one. After eating his share quickly, Zhixu Yang wiped his mouth and ran, only to run to the door, and was pushed back by a hand holding down his head.

"Where are you going?"

It was Zhao Zi who stopped him, Zhao Zi said that in addition to being the envoy of Huaibei Tuntian, he also had an inconspicuous position, that is, the teaching of Xuzhou Primary School, although his teaching was only nominal, but he still had a lot of dealings with children like Zhixuyang.

"Uncle Zhao!" When Zhi Xuyang saw Zhao Ziyue, his eyes lit up: "You're back." ”

"Hmm...... Hugh wants to interrupt, where are you going? ”

"I ...... I...... I ......" Hearing Zhao Ziyue's question, Zhi Xuyang stammered a little, his eyes rolled wildly, and Zhao Ziyue's face immediately sank.

"Stinky boy, what the hell are you going to fight." Zhao Ziyue pulled over a bench, sat in front of Zhi Xuyang, and stared at him coldly.

A teenager like Zhi Xuyang who jumped out of the way is easy to admire and worship a person who has left a deep impression on him. The scene when Zhao Ziyue rescued them that day, Zhi Xuyang will never forget it in his life, maybe others will think that Zhao Ziyue ordered to break the legs of those golden soldiers and gouge out their eyes It was very cruel, but Zhi Xuyang felt that Zhao Ziyue was really dazzling at that time.

It is precisely because of this that Zhi Xuyang did not dare to lie in front of Zhao Ziyue, he looked at the children behind him, those children all turned their heads to look at the excitement, and many people had a smile on their faces.

Zhi Xuyang lowered his head and lowered his voice and said, "I want to fight." ”

Zhao Ziyue frowned slightly: "Nonsense, the world is peaceful, what kind of battle are you fighting?" ”

Zhi Xuyang glanced back at his classmates again, and his appearance was obvious, he got some news, and it was not easy to say it in front of everyone, so he looked like this.

"Hugh spread some gossip." Zhao Ziyue stood up, he put his hands behind his back, looked at the children in the school, and then said, "I'm going to Lin'an today, you give me some peace, otherwise...... No wonder I'm not hesitant! ”

"Uncle Zhao!" When Zhi Xuyang saw him turn around and leave, he was in a hurry, so he caught up from behind, but he knew the seriousness of the matter, so he didn't dare to speak loudly, but just whispered: "I...... I feel like I'm going to fight, I want to stay in Xuzhou, I can't run away! ”

The two had already left the cafeteria at this time, and Zhao Ziyue turned his head to look at Zhi Xuyang with a somewhat strange expression. After nearly two years of nourishment, Zhi Xuyang is no longer the black and thin boy, he is sixteen years old, and he is also very strong, although his eyes are still as cunning as when he first met, but he is a little more determined than then.

"Do you think if you want to go to war, you have to go to war?" Zhao Ziyue was not angry, and said with a smile: "Even I, the envoy of Tuntian, don't know that I am going to fight, why do you think that you want to fight?" ”

"That's what I guessed...... Uncle Zhao, I can't study, I can't compare to Liuniang's sister, and I can't compare with other brothers. Zhi Xuyang said that when he talked about his studies, he rarely blushed: "The best thing I learned was the lesson that Uncle Zhao taught me, those eight words, loyal to the monarch and patriotism for the people, I still remember!" ”

"Oh?" Zhao Ziyue was slightly moved.

"I want to protect Xuzhou." Speaking of this, Zhi Xuyang raised his head, his eyes were no longer the kind of wandering with a little cunning, but resolute and upright: "In the past, I was a naughty boy with no foundation, and there was nothing to guard, but now it is different, I want to guard Xuzhou!" ”

"Volunteers are being recruited outside, and I'm going to sign up so that if the war starts, I can help." Zhi Xuyang raised an arm: "Uncle Zhao, let me stay, okay?" ”

Zhao Ziyue stared at him in amazement, and scratched his head for a while.

Zhi Xuyang guessed that Xuzhou was about to fight, which originally surprised him, whether it was the Son of Heaven or the high-level Xuzhou executives who knew the inside story, they kept it as secret as possible. Just as Jin Guo and Menghu hoped to give the Great Song a "surprise", the Song Kingdom also prepared a "surprise" for them, but Zhi Xuyang, a child, realized that the war was imminent, and he couldn't help but be surprised.

It's no wonder that after thinking about it, in order to avoid accidents, Zhao Zi said that he used his power for personal gain here, and was ready to send the essence of Xuzhou students to Lin'an for a trip, but in fact, he avoided it. Jin Guo's meticulous work will not pay attention to this school, let alone doubt such a trivial matter, but Zhi Xuyang is in it, so he can naturally feel strange.

"Just because you also want to guard Xuzhou?" Zhao Ziyue glanced at Zhi Xuyang again, thought about it, and swallowed back the words that came to his mouth. He took two steps behind his back: "Zhixu Yang!" ”

"Yes!"

"I remember that when I told you to be patriotic and loyal to the king and devote myself to the people, I also said that if a person's power is limited, if you want to be patriotic and loyal to the king, a young man like you who lives with the grace of the Holy Lord must know the law and abide by discipline. What is the second line in His Majesty's song of youth self-improvement discipline? ”

"Conduct with dignity and manners, and be disciplined in all affairs." Zhi Xuyang blurted out.

"Okay, then whether I am the head of the sect or the envoy of Tuntian, I have the right to govern you, I have a very important task entrusted to you, are you willing to do it?"

Zhixu Yang was in high spirits when he heard this, and replied loudly: "Naturally willing!" ”

"Don't you want to protect Xuzhou, there is a treasure in Xuzhou, you can protect it for me, that is my family's six mothers...... Haosheng escorted her to Lin'an, and didn't let Lin'an's bastard bully deceive her. ”

"Huh?" Zhixu Yang was stunned.

Ignoring this kid anymore, Zhao Ziyue left the primary school with his hands behind his back, prepared his own carriage, and sent him to the Tuntian Embassy Office, and after a while, Qin Dashi also rushed over.

Unlike Liu Quan at this time, the equivalent Zhao Zi said, Qin Dashi is half respectful and half awe, as one of the original housekeepers of Yuzhang Villa, Zhao Ziyue said that whether it is self-motivation or loyalty, it makes the righteous teenagers awe-inspired. Therefore, after seeing Zhao Ziyue, Qin Dashi immediately saluted, although the two of them are now slightly equivalent in status and official positions, they dare not slack off in the slightest.

"Chongde, the matter of going to fight was actually seen through by a child."

Zhao Zi said that he was not too noisy, and said something with a wry smile that surprised Qin Dashi. Qin Dashi was stunned for a moment, and then said solemnly: "Who leaked the news?" ”

"It's not necessarily that someone leaked the news, some of our measures can be hidden, but we can't hide our own people." Zhao Zi straightened his head, and then pouted: "In fact, we made such a big move, and the people of the Jin Kingdom were not suspicious or suspicious, it didn't matter, anyway, they were ready to send it." ”

Qin Dashi nodded silently.

He and Zhao Zi were both taught by Zhao and Ju, and their strategic outlook was different from that of ordinary officials, and both of them understood that Zhao and Ju had many strategies in the past three years, and they had forced the Jin State to this point step by step. If the Jin Kingdom does not take a risky blow again, in another two or three years, the lord of the Jin Kingdom is afraid that he will not even be able to control Bianliang City. At present, more than half of the people of the Jin Kingdom are devoted to the Song State, and the remaining half are also closely related to the Song State, a simplest example, if the Great Song Dynasty stops buying the coal of the Jin Kingdom, then at least 100,000 miners of the Jin Kingdom will lose their livelihoods.

Taking grain as an example, in recent years, the Central Plains has been turbulent, and there has been famine for many years, half because of natural disasters and half because of man-made disasters. If the Song State raised the price of grain, the people of the Jin Kingdom would not even be able to afford this meal, and I don't know how many people would be forced to take risks.

In fact, the current territory of the Jin Kingdom is only equivalent to the land of the Five Roads of the Great Song Dynasty, and it can maintain such a huge army and officials by desperately scraping the people. And the people can survive, relying on trade with the Song people, and some of them fled to the Song realm, and after making money in the Song State, they wanted to entrust someone to bring it back, which also became a financial source for the Jin State.

In this kind of situation where sticking out his head is also a knife or a knife, with the temperament of the gold master, of course, he will not sit still, no matter from which point of view, he has to make the last fight.

"This half a year has not come easily." Qin Dashi said a little cryptically.

The matter of the "Red Thunder" lurking in Dayuan, the central Zaisuke may not know, but these two people know very clearly, because they are also the handlers. Therefore, in April and May of the first half of the year, the gold lord Wanyan Shouxu sent an envoy to negotiate secretly with Dayuan, and they also knew about it. They even knew that the negotiations between Jin Guo and Meng Yuan had to start last year, but it was this year that they really had intentions. If it weren't for all kinds of opportunities and efforts, Menghu and Jin would have joined forces to attack in May and June, which not only gave Xuzhou and Huaibei sufficient time to prepare, but also minimized the economic damage that might be caused by the war.

This credit should be remembered by those who are in the know.

"Are you ready?" Zhao Ziyue asked again.

"Naturally, it's ready." Speaking of this, Qin Dashi raised his eyebrows.