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Sheng Yong's 5,000 elite cavalry pursued all the way, and the Yan army retreated all the way. Master Daoyan of Beiping www.biquge.info immediately arranged for Zhu Gaosui to lead 10,000 reinforcements south to respond. Sheng Yong chased him to Cangzhou, and killed Chen Heng, an important general of King Yan and a great contributor in the Battle of Daning. Sheng Yong saw that Zhu Gaosui's reinforcements were coming, and his 5,000 defenders should not attack too far, so he turned around and returned to Jinan.

Not long after, Xu Huizu, the Duke of Wei, led 100,000 troops into Dezhou. And Chen Xu, the Yan general guarding Texas, had already fled, but before leaving, he reversed the general Li Jinglong's behavior of cherishing the people's food and wealth, and burned the grain and grass equipment hoarded in Texas, without frowning.

The lonely city of Jinan was besieged by 200,000 Yan troops by all means for three months, and finally held the city; The imperial army thus achieved the first victory since the Yan King Jingnan raised his army. Although Li Jinglong had won the first battle of Baigou River before, the defeat in the resumption of the battle and the subsequent defeat of thousands of miles caused huge losses, making the fruits of the victory in the first battle instantly come to naught. Jinan and the capital city should celebrate at the same time, the people of the capital rejoiced in the first victory of the imperial court, and the rumors of the invincibility of the Yan army were also self-defeating. For the people of Jinan, in addition to the celebration, there is more ridicule of King Yan. The 200,000 army besieged the lonely city for three months, and tens of thousands of troops were defeated and returned.

Shen Ruoyu couldn't imagine how embarrassed King Yan was, and what the atmosphere in Beiping was. In the battle of Jinan, the imperial court basically did nothing, and the lonely city of Jinan relied entirely on the power of Tie Xuan's keystone, the 10,000 Jinan defenders, and Sheng Yong's 20,000 horses. In addition, it is the concerted help of the people of Jinan. The invincible 200,000 Yan army was defeated under a 30,000 horses led by a civil official from Sanpin and a small commander, and I don't know what King Yan thought in his heart.

If he knew the poem written by the senior monk Daoyan on the day of the Double Ninth Festival, it would not be difficult to take a general look at the mood of Beiping:

"I don't play with the moon in the Mid-Autumn Festival in August, and I don't climb the mountain on September 9. In the poor season, who has a smile on Huang Hua? ”

The Dao Yan masters, who have always been as calm as water, are so melancholy, and the state of King Yan can also be imagined.

However, when Shen Ruoyu read this poem, it was already a year and a half later. On the day of the Double Ninth Festival, the Son of Heaven sent an envoy to Jinan, rewarded the soldiers who defended the city in Jinan, and crowned Sheng Yong as the Marquis of Licheng, and promoted Tiexuan as the political envoy of Shandong and the counselor of military affairs.

For half a month, Tie Liu has been following Tie Xuan's instructions and taking Shen Ruoyu to wander around Jinan City, but he really has no place to go, so he sits in Minghu Curie and listens to the piano book. With the advent of Chongyang, Shen Ruoxiao's mood gradually cleared.

Early in the morning of the Double Ninth Festival, Mrs. Tie brought cakes and chrysanthemum wine, led her three children, and climbed thousands of Buddha Mountain. Tie Liu insisted on calling Shen Ruoliao, and also invited his husband Gao Xianning to go with him.

Shen Ruoyu climbed the Thousand Buddha Mountain, watched Tie Liu and his younger brothers and sisters running around on the top of the mountain, and was asked by Gao Xianning to recite Tang poems after a while. The autumn breeze on the top of the mountain is cool. He sat quietly and thought about his thoughts.

In the last Chongyang, he was in Texas, and in order to escape the heavy sense of guilt caused by Yang Suqing's suicide, he fled to Li Jinglong's camp. The army marched to Beiping, besieged for two months, lost 100,000 soldiers, and then fled back to Texas in a hurry.

On the last Chongyang, he was in Wudang Mountain, after three months of depression and loss, he was finally awakened by the words of Huandan Zhenren, and made up his mind to return to Beiping and ask King Yan for an understanding.

What about another Chongyang?

His life is so slow, so fast.

He lost the swing. He killed Qing'er. For him, Xiang'er was arrested and put in the palace prison by King Yan, and he was unmoved. Qiu'er left her only relative for him, but he left her at home in the cold.

He also said that he was different from his father - what was the difference?

Now it seems that he still thinks that his sins are not deep enough, and he has to let Tie Xuan's good daughter get involved.

Descending the mountain, Tieliu asked him:

"Where else do you want to go?"

Shen Ruoyu thought about it. "Forget it, I'll go back to the study."

"Then I'll read a book with you."

"That's—then I'll go walk around the streets and see the people."

"Okay, let's go together. Where do you want to go? ”

"I ...... I don't know yet...... By the way, I have to go to your father and Marquis Sheng first, they are going to the capital to thank the Son of Heaven, and I also happen to go back together, and I have to return to the Son of Heaven. ”

"Oh, then let's go to the mansion together, I'll wait for you outside."

Shen Ruoyu had to say it bluntly.

"Miss Liu, I'...... I just want to be alone. ”

Tie Liu raised his head: "Why?" It's a big holiday, how lonely it is to be alone. ”

Shen Ruoyu has long understood the ability of girls to entangle people, especially the eldest lady of this iron man. He pondered for a long time.

"So be it; I won't go to the mansion anymore, and I won't go out on the streets, let's go boating on Daming Lake. ”

"Okay." Tieliu had no objections.

The two brought food and water, ran to the edge of Daming Lake, pulled a small boat, and jumped on it. Shen Ruoyu swung his sculls and gently shook them towards the center of the lake.

Lotus flowers on all sides and willows on three sides, a city with mountains and half a city lake. The autumn was high and refreshing, and Tie Liu was a little forgetful for a while, sitting on the bow of the boat and singing.

Qiu'er is often like this, sitting by the clear water of Xiaoyao Valley, sitting on his horse, sitting on the Qinhuai boat in the Mid-Autumn Festival, sitting in their small but warm little courtyard, she often sings. Qiu'er's song is like a mountain warbler, more like the spring water of Xiaoyao Valley, and the sound of his piano, even if he is out fighting, he is too tired to take off his blood-stained armor and plant himself on the bunk, he can sleep night and night.

Shen Ruoyu stopped the oar, looked at Tie Liu with a heavy heart, and said:

"Miss Liu, there are some things I want to tell you slowly."

Tieliu stopped singing and saw the sadness and solemnity in his eyes.

"You say, I'll listen." She said slowly.

Shen Ruoyu was silent for a moment. The blue waves ripple shallowly around them, layer by layer, faintly disappearing into the distance.

"Do you know about my sister?"

Tie Liu was stunned for a moment and thought about it.

"I ...... I've heard some boring rumors. ”

"What do you say about the rumors?"

Tie Liu prevaricated: "Forget it, you don't have to deal with those." Daddy said that it was all the shameless slander of King Yan, and it was a trick to get the court to drive you away. ”

"Tell me, what do the rumors say?" He was unusually calm.

Tieliu hesitated.

"You really want to know? I've heard...... What do I hear, what do I say...... Say you...... Coveting the benefits of King Yan, he married the county lord and abandoned his wife, saying......"

"Huh?"

"Forget it, you don't have to go to your heart—"

"Say it."

Tieliu glanced at him and lowered his head. "He also said that your wife has been looking for the capital and found you, but in order to cover up your mistakes, you forced her to commit suicide......"

"That's all?"

Iron willow does not squeak.

"Say, it's okay. I want to know. ”

Tieliu said hesitantly: "It's still ...... Others say, "Your wife is ...... It's all ......."

"Already, what?"

"Already...... Already pregnant with your baby......"

Tie Liu raised his head in a panic: "Alas, I said you shouldn't have listened." This kind of gossip is everywhere, and boring people chew their tongues indiscriminately, so why should you bother with them. ”

Shen Ruoyu shook his head slightly, and said with a wry smile:

"I wonder if these words came out of nowhere, or if they came out in the first place, and that's it? I have heard many outrageous rumors, and they are not new for a long time. But this is the first time I've heard rumors that are consistent with the facts. ”

Tie Liu looked at him in confusion: "What do you mean?" ”

Shen Ruoyu said calmly: "Miss Liu, I mean, the story you hear is basically the truth. Except for the saying that the greed for wealth is not true - but whether it is true or not, it doesn't really make much difference to you. ”

"I don't believe it," Tie Liuhu looked at him suspiciously, "you want to trick me again?" ”

Shen Ruoyu smiled lightly: "Miss Liu, when have I ever played with you?" I know it's not good for me to admit it. But in any case, I don't want to lie to you. Your father said that about this matter, he believed that I had my helplessness, and he didn't ask much. It's true, but it's true that I abandoned my wife, and she was pregnant with my child. As I said, since I have betrayed the King of Yan, I may also betray the court in the future; Since he betrayed my sister, he may also betray his current wife in the future. Loyalty, if a person does not have it in the first place, then he will not have it in this life. So I'm a very dangerous person. I say this to you because I appreciate your kindness. Your dad is generous, but I can't abuse his generosity. Even if the world is a flower thief, there is a way to steal. You are the daughter of Tie Gong, Tie Gong has done his best for the people of the world, I just lack virtue, I can't do anything to be sorry for you. Therefore, things like boating with you to pick lotus flowers, and sitting in Minghu to listen to piano books must be the last time today; From now on, I must keep my distance from you and treat each other with courtesy, just like you and your husband Gao Xianning. What do you think? ”

Tieliu thought for a moment. "And who the hell do you think I am?"

"You are the daughter of the iron lord whom I respect; If Tie Gong deigns to be my friend, you are also my friend's beloved daughter. That's all. ”

Tie Liu curled his mouth a little aggrieved. "It's so cold, people don't care what you want. Isn't it okay to be a brother and sister? ”

"No, no, but not right now. I know that you never asked for anything, because you also know very well that even if I really mean to, I am a person with a wife, Miss Tiegong, and it is impossible to take someone as a concubine casually. But what I hope is that not only your desires, but also your feelings, should be completely absent. Brother and sister who are separated from blood are actually the most dangerous relationship. So until you are completely dead, we can't be brothers and sisters. ”

Tieliu lowered his head depressedly. "Why am I so unlucky that I just fell in love with you? It's okay if I don't marry you, but I don't look down on others, how can I get married? ”

"You're going to meet the one you really belong to. Just you have to be patient and wait. Remember my lesson: if you are impatient, you will regret it in the future, either choose to betray, hurt the other person and hurt yourself, or choose to give up, and there will be only regrets in your life, and endure the bitter fruit of lovelessness. ”

Tie Liu was silent for a long time, and said softly, "I understand. ”

Shen Ruoyu breathed a sigh of relief: "That's the best." ”

Tie Liu said: "I understand your heart. Whether the rumors are true or not, you are still the same you I know, and you are a loyal person. You don't hide, you don't cheat, you don't force it, you don't live by it. Either betray your ex-wife or betray your love; Either betray your Yan King, or betray your ideals. In short, it is all betrayal, and vice versa. ”

Shen Ruoyu sighed: "Thank you for your kindness; But my intention in telling you this is not to make you understand this. ”

"I know what you mean, I just won't pester you in the future." Tetsuliu said, "Let's go back." ”

She seemed to be a little angry, or sad, and her face was clouded. Shen Ruoliao had no other way. He regained his grip on the oars and slowly rocked back toward the shore.

Neither of them noticed that in the distance, in the pavilion under the island in the middle of the lake, a man had been standing motionless, staring at their boat.

Tie Hyun watched the two row back to the shore from afar, went ashore and left, and sighed silently. Behind him, the old Xiucai Gao Wei continued to shake his head and groan:

“…… Burn the building of the thieves and capture the traitors of the giants. It is the sun, the heaven and the earth are dark, the sound of the sword and halberd is cold, the lake is red, and the field is dan. He is poor and exhausted, and I am as immovable as a hill. Flee by night, abandon the armor and run back. Hearing the rumors, he has broken his courage and pushed the treacherous. Prepare for the victory to report the country of lips and teeth in all directions, before Gu Jieyin played the ninefold benevolence. ”[1]

The sound stopped. The audience looked at Tie Xuan expectantly, wanting to hear the comments of the political envoy.

Tie Xuan nodded, turned around, and sighed: "Okay, good, what a good article "Retreating from the Enemy and Riding the Joy of the Water Heart Pavilion". It must be done in a moment, Mr. Gao really has the talent of Zijian and Song Yu. Does the old gentleman know which sentence Tie likes the most? ”

Gao Wei said: "Gao really doesn't know. ”

Tie Xuan said: "'The heart period of the ovary, Zhi Mu Zhonglian, repair the book only a ruler, want to bend Qiangyan. 'The old gentleman is old and his ambition is getting stranger, and Tie should ask for this to be written in the recital, and his face is holy. ”

Gao Wei hurriedly got up and left the table, and said, "Don't dare to be, don't dare to be; Lord Tie does not give up, and the old man is already flattered. ”

Tie Xuan smiled: "However, Tie has a small opinion on the article, dare to say it with the old gentleman?" ”

Gao Wei bowed and said: "I am grateful for the teaching, and I am willing to hear about it." ”

Tie Xuan said: "The Yan army besieged Jinan for three months. The old gentleman said, "It's the day", which is to say that Jinan retreats from the enemy quickly. Tie had a slight disagreement on this. In my opinion, this battle was very difficult, the people and soldiers made great sacrifices, three months is so long and difficult, if the results of the battle are exaggerated to one day, although the Son of Heaven is happy to see it, but he cannot feel the heavy price paid by the army and the people, only the personal credit of the officials and generals who defend the city. We won, but the Yan army didn't lose much. We only held the city, and did not weaken the strength of the Yan army. There is still a long way to go, and the war will be even more difficult in the future. If such a reluctant victory is exaggerated and the results are exaggerated, and the difficulties and setbacks in it are not discussed, the imperial court will be paralyzed and complacent, which will be very detrimental to the future. Tie is foolish, and he hopes that the old gentleman will consider it. ”

Gao Wei listened, and bowed heavily: "Tie Dacai is really far-sighted and people-oriented." Gao is ashamed and will definitely revise it. ”

After the banquet was over, everyone left the island in the middle of the lake by boat one after another. Tie Xuan left the Lixia Pavilion and still stood on the island, pacing slowly with a heavy heart, while reaching out and gently stroking the inky and cold stone tablet erected by the pavilion.

The stele is inscribed with a couplet of poems by Du Fu:

The sea right this Tinggu, Jinan famous people.

Sheng Yong didn't leave, stood beside him, looked at the words on the tablet, read it softly, and sighed:

"Jinan is indeed a good place for Zhong Lingyuxiu. Lord Tie, how many years later, among the famous people in Jinan known by future generations, there will be one more Tiegong Keystone. ”

"Me?" Tie Xuan smiled slightly, "Just kidding, I'm not from Jinan." ”

"Zeng Gong is not from Jinan, and he is not in the Nanfeng Temple now, ah-" Sheng Yong said, and his hand pointed to the Nanfeng Temple on the north bank.

Tie Hyun smiled. "Marquis Sheng, do I dare to compare myself to Zeng Gong? If one day, the name of Tie is really fortunate enough to squeeze into the ranks of this 'Jinan Famous Person', your name of Marquis Sheng must be before me. ”

Sheng Yong laughed: "Impossible! Lord Tie, the last general will dare to bet with you. ”

Tie Hyun humorously responded, "It's not hard to bet; But in the end, who should collect this bet? Tie Mou can't wait for that time anyway. ”

Sheng Yong was not to be outdone: "Then make a clear document and hand it over to your children and grandchildren." ”

"Okay," Tie Xuan said happily, "I want your Marquis Sheng's helmet to defend the city in Jinan." ”

"I want the Shandong political edict written by Lord Tie personally to participate in the political affairs of Jinan and the military and civilian notice."

"What day?"

"It's going to be closed down and ready for war."

"No problem, I'll write down this bet in black and white when I go back, and we both have to draw a bet."

"And witnesses."

"It's simple, just find Shen Ruoxiao."

Tie Xuan said Shen Ruoyu casually, and was suddenly slightly stunned.

Sheng Yong didn't notice it, and said excitedly: "It's better to let Lord Shen also bet together." In the future, there will definitely be his name in the 'Jinan Famous Scholars'. ”

Tie Hyun shook his head. "Forget it, after all, he is a person by the side of the Son of Heaven after all, and he has never been a magistrate. If you pull him in, be careful and become a talking point, and put yourself in the name of forming a party for personal gain, it is not enough to make trouble for him. ”

Sheng Yong scratched his head: "yes; After all, I was born in the army, and I am far less comprehensive than Lord Tie. ”

"Let's go back and find him right away."

Sheng Yong smiled: "Adults are more anxious than me?" ”

Tie Xuan smiled, "Of course; Master Hou, don't forget to get down to business, we still have to discuss with him about entering Beijing. ”

Sheng Yong patted his head: "Right!" Look at me—"

Tie Xuan still had a lot of official work to entrust, so the date of his trip to Beijing was set for two days later. In the past two days, Tie Xuan has been very busy, although there is always the shadow of Shen Ruoliao and her daughter boating on the lake that day, but he has not been able to find time to talk to Shen Ruoliao.

On the night of leaving, Tie Xuan finally became idle, called Shen Ruoliao out alone, and the two of them sailed together and boarded the island in the middle of the lake.

Tie Xuan circled around the Lixia Pavilion, stopped at the edge of the stone tablet, and once again stretched out his hand, never getting tired of stroking the inscription on it.

Shen Ruoyu stood on the side, not knowing why.

After a long time, Tie Xuan asked:

"Ruo Xiao, you say, can Zeng Gong be regarded as a Jinan person?"

Shen Ruoyu vaguely sensed what he meant.

He said: "Then you say, is Zhuge Liang a Langyu person, or a Nanyang person, or even a Chengdu person?" ”

Tie Hyun was stunned: "What do you mean-"

"As long as the people of Jinan are willing to treat him as a Jinan person, he is a Jinan person."

Tie Hyun pondered for a moment.

"Then do you think, according to your definition, are you a native of Beiping or a native of Yingtian?"

Shen Ruoyu was taken aback and thought about it for a long time.

"I'm just afraid—it's not anywhere."

"What about me?"

"You?" Shen Ruoyu didn't think twice, "The people of Jinan must be willing to treat you as Zeng Gong." ”

Tie Xuan said: "If King Yan breaks through Jinan this time and kills me, maybe thousands of years later, the world will associate my name with Jinan." It's always easy to take righteousness; But if you want to really become like Zeng Gong, it's difficult. ”

Shen Ruoyu smiled: "Of course it's difficult for ordinary people; But for you, it's not a problem at all. ”

"What do you mean, I'm not an ordinary person?" Tie Hyun's tone was a little dark. "I'm not like ordinary people, with one nose and two hands; I'm not like ordinary people, I want to eat meat and drink wine; I'm not like ordinary people, fame and fortune, gains and losses; Am I like ordinary people, I can't do without my wife and children, and I can't sleep well for my daughter's lifelong events? ”

Shen Ruoyu suddenly understood what he meant.

"Keystone Brother ......"

"Ruoxiao, what my daughter thinks, I, as a father, know best. She said it or not, even if she could hide it from her mother, she couldn't hide it from me. When she is older, she will eventually get married. It's better to follow you than to someone I don't know. I've been used to her since I was a child, and now it's suddenly trying to hold her back, even if it's possible, it's not a good thing. If she doesn't marry you, all I can do is prepare a dowry for her. I have nothing to do with her; I have only one request for you: if you let her be wronged, I will definitely find you desperately. ”

Shen Ruoyu said softly: "Brother Dingshi, I won't marry Liu'er." I have already taken a wife; Empress Nuying is an unrealistic ideal, and even if it can be realized, it can only be enjoyed by men, which is unfair to women. I will not drive away Qiu'er for Liu'er, nor will I wronged any woman for Qiu'er; So I can't marry again at all. If you really know me, you shouldn't have that thought. ”

Tie Xuan said, "That's right; You think I'm willing to have that thought. In that case, you tell me what I'm going to do as a father? You don't want to marry her, and I don't want her to marry you. But she can't do without you now, and she doesn't row and sing here with you every day; She had never sung in front of any man except me. ”

Shen Ruoyu was silent for a long time.

Finally, he spoke: "After returning to Beijing this time, I will not come back; Even if I go to the battlefield again, I won't come to Jinan. ”

Tie Hyun was a little surprised: "I don't want to hear you say that. ”

Shen Ruoyu said: "Brother Dingshi, as long as Jinan has you, it will always be solid." I don't really need me here. When I return to Beijing, I will make it clear to the Son of Heaven and the general. If there is any transfer, I will not go into Jinan again. ”

Tie Hyun realizes that he said the wrong thing and regrets it a little.

"I really didn't mean that. Ruo Yu, although I don't want Liu Er to be the second room, I am still willing to marry her to you. I didn't expect you to want to walk away, but it was like I couldn't stand you. Can I feel at ease if you do this? Are you simply not willing to make me a friend? ”

Shen Ruoyu was upset: "Brother Dingshi, I'm not because of you. I never dreamed that you would be willing to be friends with me, and I was afraid that my fantasies of climbing high would be a humiliation to you. Why wouldn't I? But Mr. Fang and you have been friends for so many years, and you have always been thousands of miles apart, so you can only exchange letters. Brother Keystone, you believe in me and believe in Liu'er; Actually, I have already made it clear to her today on the ship, and she will soon be fine, but a necessary condition for this to be well is that I must leave and disappear in front of her eyes for a while until she is completely calm. So I'm not bent on leaving because of what you say, I decided a long time ago. ”

Tie Hyun stood silent for a long time.

"Okay;" He said, "Let's go back, rest early, and leave early tomorrow morning." ”

********

[1] Song Duanyi, "Lizhai Idle Record"