Yuan Chonghuan smiled bitterly: "It's not that the disciple doesn't follow the order, which makes the teacher embarrassed. If the disciple is still a superintendent, Zu Dashou will naturally listen to my moderation and do not need to write any letters. But now that the disciple is a criminal in prison, how can he mobilize a large army with a few inches of paper? How does this disciple write? Taking a step back, the disciple wrote a letter, and Zu Dashou might not listen to it. ”

Han? Knowing that the resentment in his heart was difficult to dispel for a while, he reached out and picked up the piece of paper on the table, and saw that it was full of verses, and the first title of the opening chapter was "Prison":

"On the day of the king of the north and the crown of the south.

Sure enough, I respected the prison officials, and regretted not going to the corpse early.

Law enforcement is unforgivable, and I know it.

But if you leave your innocence, you can't say anything. ”

The following is still a five-rule poem, titled "Prison to the Moon":

"The sky and the moon are distinct, and it looks like the old feelings.

At that time, he galloped thousands of horses and went out of the Great Wall in the middle of the night.

Feng Di once begged for death, and dared to hope for life in prison.

There are infinite things in my heart, and I am shocked. ”

After looking at it silently for a long time, he said slowly: "The old man knows that you have a lot of grievances in your heart, but what good is it to complain about the heavens and others?" The sages said: In the dead of night, people sit alone and observe the mind; I know that I am poor and really alone. Every time there is a lot of fun in this; I feel that it is really present and it is impossible to escape, and I am ashamed of it. The emperor swept away the rebellious eunuchs, thought about doing something, determined to become the master of a generation of Zhongxing, clarified the world, the first side affairs, and paid the Liaodong Daren to you, for a year, all you asked for nothing to be allowed, the Ministry of War, the Ministry of Households, and the Ministry of Industry were intimidated by the authority of the emperor, and the ordnance money and food did not dare to delay a little. The old practice in the palace, after the unitary time, all the folds are not allowed to be handed in, but the excerpts of the Liaodong war are reported by the emperor. The emperor values Liaodong so much, and he also values you! For the early recovery of Liaodong, he did not hesitate to strictly punish the important ministers of the court, and the courtiers did not complain? But what happened to Liaodong? Although the emperor's soldiers are coming to the city, showing off their might, although they should not be blamed on you, most of the soldiers, horses, money and food of the imperial court are concentrated in Liaodong, and the enemy is outside the gate, which is your business, if you shirk it, I am afraid that it will not be justified. He paused, looked outside the door, and saw that the prison historian had ordered some chairs and stools to be moved, invited everyone to sit outside, and said in a low voice: "Do you think about the emperor's face, are you still wronged in your heart?" There are also the civil and military officials of the Beijing Division, Li Min, and the people, you are afraid that you will be offended all over the place. ”

"The emperor's face?" Yuan Chonghuan seemed to have come to his senses and looked at Han in shock. Han? nodded and said: "The emperor cleared the eunuchs, ruled the world, looked at all directions, and was determined to be an unprecedented holy lord, and never put those Ming monarchs of the previous dynasty in his eyes, once a courtier compared him to Emperor Wen of Han, who wanted to be happy, who expected the emperor to think so, saying that Emperor Wen of Han was only a middle-class emperor, and compared with him, he couldn't help but belittle. Another courtier hurriedly changed his words and praised it, saying that the emperor's cadres were revitalized, which was comparable to Tang Taizong's sweep of the heroes, and the emperor's complexion eased down, and said lightly that Tang Taizong was worthy of a generation of male lords, but if it was said that the boudoir was disorderly and the family law was corrupt, I was ashamed to be on a par with him. The emperor is so high that the heart of the earth is higher than the sky, and he wants to be a perfect person among the emperors, but he doesn't want to be forced by the Pope Taiji to the door of the house, and he comes and goes to the city at will, as if he is in a no-man's land, can he not be annoyed and ashamed? ”

Yuan Chonghuan's heart throbbed, he felt that he had fallen into a bottomless abyss, his own teachers all looked at it like this, others can imagine, it is bound to be more than that, the more he thought about it, the more he felt the coldness of the bone, and he muttered in his mouth: "A few months ago, the disciple had reported that the soldiers and horses in Jizhou were weak, and the Gejia was corrupted. Now the blame is blamed on the disciples, and it is really difficult to be reconciled. ”

Han? said: "Do you think the court doesn't want to!" But where does the money come from? Can you raise it in a moment? Alas! But those who are at peace know that many hearts are evil. There is no need to be angry with the past, but think about the present! The soldiers and horses of Liaodong have left, if you let them out of the customs so much, how can you wash away the grievances of the enemy? Chonghuan, you have to think about it. ”

"It's better for them to get out of the customs than to be affected by the disciples here."

"Alas! The old man understands that you are uneasy for a while, but these are all heart-wrenching words, if the emperor knows, will you be able to defend Liaodong for another ten years? Since you have the heart to serve the country, you can't stand this grievance, the emperor will hand over the important task of recovering Liao to you, needless to say that you failed to resist the enemy outside the gate, just your thoughts, the old man seems to be entrusted to non-people. You can't get aggrieved to achieve great things, you won't not understand this truth, how many sages have been like this throughout the ages, no need for the old man to say more! ”

Yuan Chonghuan bowed his head and was silent, Han? Seeing that the persuasion was difficult to work for a long time, he was quite disappointed in his heart, brushed his sleeves up, and sighed: "Chonghuan, the old man is a teacher, and he can't have a word to help, it seems that my relationship with your teacher and student has been exhausted. Now the old man will return you again, and the two are even. If you don't write a letter, the old man will not persuade him anymore, and he can't afford to delay it, as long as you tell the truth, the old man can go back to reply to the letter when he gets the truth, so as not to burden everyone. As he spoke, he was about to bow down, but Yuan Chonghuan hurriedly supported him with both hands. The two argued, and someone outside the door said sharply: "Yuan Chonghuan, I am convinced of your reputation, and I don't want you to be such a deception and stealing your name, and there is no one at all!" Before the words fell, a tall middle-aged man entered proudly.

"Yu Dacheng?" Yuan Chonghuan knew someone who came, and the man was from Jiangning, and he was known as a Qing Zhi in the Ministry of War. When Yuan Chonghuan was the head of the Ministry of War, he worked with him for several months, discussing the major military affairs in the world, sympathizing with each other, and being cited as a confidant and fellow believer. Yu Dacheng bowed his head slightly, stretched out his hand and pointed: "Mencius said: Heaven will descend on people, and they must first suffer their minds, strain their muscles and bones, starve their bodies and skin, empty their bodies, and act chaotically, so they are tempted to endure and gain what they cannot." When you were in the military department, you crossed your arms to talk about side affairs, and promised to give you money and food for military horses, and it was enough for one person to guard Liaodong. The emperor's soldiers are coming to the city, the emperor is working hard, and the people are suffering from captivity, how can you shirk it cleanly? If you have grievances, you should also take advantage of the defeat of the captives at the feet of the Son of Heaven at this time, relieve the siege of the Beijing Division in one fell swoop, and naturally wash it away. Since ancient times, those who have been courtiers have benefited the country, and they have not hesitated to spend their lives, do their best, and die. When you arrived in Liaodong, you entrusted your life to Liaodong, and you did not hesitate to die in Liaodong, and the horse leather shroud, in fact, if it is beneficial to Liaodong and the imperial court, what is the difference between dying on the battlefield and dying in the law of the country? Those who are ministers must put the country first! ”

"Hearing the police and rushing to help, I am worthy of the emperor." Yuan Chonghuan suddenly felt a sour feeling in his heart, and almost burst into tears, so he couldn't help himself, and said angrily for a moment: "If you want to know the same life and death, why do you need to ask for safety!" Since I arrived in Liaodong, I have the heart to always deal with this matter, Liaodong will not return for a day, and I will not enter the customs for a day. Heaven can see this situation, how can you not know how to force me like this? He finally couldn't help sobbing for a long time, laughed a few times, slapped his chest again and again, and said: "Could it be that I, Yuan Chonghuan, have worked hard for several years and fought on the battlefield, but I don't have the heart to serve the king and the country?" Good! Bring pen and paper, I'll write! ”

Yuan Chonghuan pondered for a while, and immersed himself in writing. He was full of anger, his elbows and wrists, and his gestures were like spears and halberds, and he wrote the letter in a moment, threw his pen and laughed a few times, and said: "Zu Dashou has a filial temperament, and his mother is in the army. ”

Yu Dacheng nodded, took the letter and asked Han? He glanced at it and said: "Lord Shou, without further ado, I should go to chase the birthday of my ancestors overnight." ”

"Good! The emperor has been gracious to the invitation of the elder of the Cheng Pavilion and sent the capital Si Jia Dengke to appease him. At this time, he was already leading the good horse of the imperial horse supervisor, waiting for the letter in the Guangqu Gate! "Han? took Yu Dacheng's hand, handed him the letter, and patted it a few times in succession to show his appreciation.

Jia Dengke knew that this matter was extremely important and related to the safety of the Jingshi, so he waited outside the prison gate for a long time, hurriedly hid the letter carefully, and rode out of the city overnight, chasing it to the northeast. When I went to Shanhaiguan, I didn't see any trace of Zu Dashou's army, and I asked Zhu Mei, the guard of Shanhaiguan, to know that they had gone north yesterday. Jia Dengke couldn't take a break, didn't dare to stay for a moment, passed through the pass, fortunately, the horse he was riding was abnormal, and in less than three hours, he saw the rolling sand in front of him, raised his hand and shouted: "General Soldier, I am ordered by Inspector Yuan, I have a letter to you——"

As soon as Zu Dashou heard that Inspector Yuan had a letter to send it, he turned his horse's head to meet him, and received the letter in his hand, seeing that it was written by Inspector Yuan himself, he read the letter urgently, and read the words "Fuyu Foot" four words, he couldn't help but tears flowed down, dismounted and cried with the letter, and the soldiers cried together when they saw it. He Kegang was opening the road in front, and when he heard a commotion behind him, he came back to his horse and said fiercely: "What are you crying about?" Since we can't save Inspector Yuan, it's useless to cry to death! It's better to save some effort to kill a few more Tatars, so as to comfort the spirit of the overseer in the sky. Doesn't the superintendent often say: After death, there is no brave general, and the loyal soul still protects Liaodong, let's return to Liaodong, build an ancestral hall for the superintendent, and plant a tablet, isn't the superintendent with us again! Kill the Tatars with the brethren and defend the city...... "He clenched his teeth and fell from his horse with his head up. Zu Dashou hurriedly held him in his arms, grabbed a handful of snow on the ground, and rubbed it back and forth on his face a few times, and after a long time, He Kegang screamed and woke up.

Zu Dashou was relieved: "Brother Kegang, the superintendent is not dead, this is a letter written by his old man, teach us to go back and guard the Jingshi." ”

"The Overseer is not dead?" When He Kegang heard this, he was so happy that he danced with his hands, "Just now when you cried, I thought the superintendent was ......" was moved for a while, and he choked up.

"Great birthday! I think it's better to go back. "A white-haired old lady was supported by a plump young woman and a little maid, trembling over, she is Zu Dashou's old lady, her husband Zu Chengxun has been dead for many years, in order not to distract her son, she has been following Zu Dashou in the army, daily life is taken care of by the young woman next to her - Zu Dashou's daughter-in-law Zuo. When Jadenko saw them coming uninvited, he was overjoyed.

"Mother, everyone in Beijing scolded us as thieves and stoned us to death many brothers. The patrol soldiers sent by his son were captured and killed as Houjin's spies. We are desperate to defend Jingshi with our lives, but why bother? ”

"These mothers have heard about it, but how can they say that they can't leave the overseer alone in Beijing to suffer? When my mother returned to Ningyuan like this, how could she see the superintendent's family again? ”

Zu Dashou saw that his mother's face was angry, and his mouth was unspeakable. Seeing that he, a fierce general who commanded tens of thousands of heroes, his expression was twisted in front of the old lady, and he was as docile as a lamb, and he was very amused. The old lady didn't blame her son anymore in front of all the soldiers, her color softened, and she persuaded softly: "My mother taught you to be loyal to the monarch and serve the country since you were a child, and not to insult the ancestral court." We came out of the customs again, originally thinking that the overseer was dead, but it was a moment of anger, and I couldn't complain about anyone. But the Inspector did not die, thank God, we don't repent, so it would be a big mistake to return to Liaodong, there is no benefit in the slightest, only to aggravate the Supervisor's crime. It's better to wave the division into the customs, win a few battles, and then ask the emperor to pardon the superintendent, the emperor is also close to people, and it must not be difficult to agree. Wouldn't everyone be happy? ”

"General, what my mother said is very true, even if you die in the capital, it is better to flee back to Liaodong like this. You led the troops out of Shanhaiguan, even I, a woman, have a dull face, let alone a dignified husband! When you go back, you must not make a mistake and regret it. Zuo chimed in.

Zu Dashou nodded, personally sent the old lady back to the car, and was about to give the order to return the same way, but saw that the dust was rising on the official road from Shanhaiguan, and a team of elite horsemen came like a whirlwind, and couldn't help but change color to Jia Dengke and said: "But do you want to coerce us to go back?" ”

He Kegang gritted his teeth and said: "Let's kill one by one, see who has such a big dog guts!" ”

Jia Dengke also felt suspicious, shook his head and said: "I only went out of the customs alone, and I didn't bring a single soldier, how can I say coercion?" ”

"You don't have the guts!" Zu Dashou couldn't help sneering, he was used to seeing battle formations, and he had been fighting on the battlefield for many years.

Seeing that he was so arrogant, Jia Dengke laughed and said: "Zu Dashuai has experienced a hundred battles and is as brave as a tiger, why is he so rash and doesn't look at who it is?" ”

Zu Dashou's face turned red, and he raised his hand to stop the arrow. In a moment, the team of elite cavalry had come to the front, and one of the leaders saw that the soldiers were waiting with their bows one by one, and they were not triggered, and shouted in shock: "General Soldier Zu, don't let go of the arrows, the last will be Sun Ge's veteran to attack Shizhu Country, and he will come to meet Sun Ge's order." ”

Sun Chengzong from the Xizong Dynasty both supervised Liaodong, Yuan Chonghuan, Zu Dashou had been under his command, when Yuan Chonghuan official Ning Qianbing prepared for affairs, Zu Dashou served as a guerrilla general, many of these Liaodong soldiers are Sun Chengzong's old department, has always admired him, immediately put down the bow and arrow. Shizhuguo presented a secret letter to Zu Dashou, it turned out that Sun Chengzong was worried about what was missing, wrote a letter to persuade Zu Dashou to defend himself, and promised to confess on his behalf, Yin Yin asked him to make meritorious service to atone for Yuan Chonghuan's crimes, Zu Dashou was very grateful, and then waved his master into the customs.

Huang Taiji no longer attacked the city, led a large army to plunder around Gyeonggi for several days, divided his troops to travel around Gu'an and Liangxiang, and learned the news of Yuan Chonghuan's imprisonment, so he immediately rushed back to Beijing and met the Ming army camp at Lugou Bridge. The deputy general Shen Fu is a traveling monk, who said that he is good at building chariots, and presents some wheelbarrows, animal carts, and wooden Western-style guns to the imperial review. In a hurry, most of the recruits were idle people in the market, and naturally they couldn't resist the Manchurian elite cavalry, and they collapsed at the first touch, and the whole army was wiped out in a moment. The Huang Taiji soldiers were bloodless, and they were approaching outside the gate of Yongding. Liang Tingdong and Man Gui led 40,000 horses to divide Tun Xizhi and Anding two gates, and after learning that the Jin soldiers arrived outside the Yongding Gate, Man Gui led 10,000 horses to change the Xuanwu Gate in the urn city. I didn't want Chongzhen to settle the hearts of the people in Beijing, and repeatedly issued orders to urge Man Gui to fight against the enemy. Man Gui has experienced a hundred battles, knowing that the enemy is strong and outnumbered, and should hold on to it, and not take the risk of seeking war, but the emperor is strictly urging, and there is really no choice but to leave 5,000 men and horses to defend the city, and the general soldiers Sun Zushou, Ma Dengyun, Heiyunlong, etc. led 5,000 men and horses, and came out with tears, and camped in the two miles outside the Yongding Gate, and placed cannons in the fence, and waited for the battle. A round of red sun in the west is about to set, Zu Dashou looks into the distance, some thatched huts and grass huts outside the city have become ruins, a few wisps of cooking smoke have risen in several places, and there is a howling cry from the ground, he heard it very sour, almost rolling out tears.

At dawn, Huang Taiji secretly ordered his subordinates to wear Ming soldiers' uniforms, waving the Ming army flag, and suddenly attacked the Ming army camp when the sky was dark and hazy. The Ming army found that it was difficult to distinguish between friend and foe, and there was chaos when it came, and the two armies fought together. Man Gui took the lead and fought hard, hoping that Liang Tingdong would lead troops to reinforce, but Liang Tingdong couldn't shrink back in the urn city of Xizhimen. Man Gui is alone, from the time of Chen to the time of You, the killing is exhausted, and the Jin soldiers are still surging like a tide, Man Gui is anxious and tired, screaming, the arrow sores on his body burst out, and he fell off the horse. The deputy general Sun Zushou was about to dismount and rescue, when a team of Houjin cavalry swarmed and hacked him to death, and Man Gui was trampled into a pulp. Heiyunlong and Ma Dengyun were captured, and the entire army of 5,000 men and horses was wiped out.

Outside the Yongding Gate, the smoke of gunpowder gradually dissipated, the corpses of wolves were scattered scattered among the wilderness of Pingchuan, and the ownerless war horses wandered and screamed on the cold and slaughtering battlefield. Jingshi was terrified.

It has been close to the end of the year, but at the moment of the great enemy, there is no scene of the New Year in Beijing, and there is no excitement in the heart. Qian Longxi rushed to the cabinet room early in the morning, went straight into Shoufu's house, took the book from his sleeve and handed it to Han? Said: "Lord Shou, this is the chapter of my illness, and I am going back to my hometown in Huating." ”

"Why don't you wait for the end of the New Year?" Qian Yongxi's begging, Han? I expected it, but I didn't expect it to be so fast.

"What year is it going to be? Where is that mind! To tell you the truth, since Yuan Chonghuan killed Mao Wenlong, I have been worried that I will have today, but it will be difficult to escape in the end, I am afraid that it is fate. When Yuan Chonghuan recovered, I had great expectations, I wanted to revive the majesty of Donglin one day, and then you entered the cabinet as the first one, there are good generals outside, there are important ministers inside, Donglin gradually became vibrant, and it is not difficult to clarify the world, but unfortunately Yuan Chonghuan was too eager to do things, and he was careless...... Ay! Qian Longxi couldn't say any more, and his expression was extremely depressed.

Han? He smiled bitterly and said: "Zhiwen, you haven't experienced the bloody storm back then, but you just admired the Donglin Party back then, and were inspired by the righteousness of their loyalty regardless of life and death. Among today's cabinet ministers, you and me, Ru Li, Jingzhidu toilet body Donglin, Sun Zhixian also has a heart to Donglin, in Donglin's strengths have a deep experience, but rarely see its shortcomings, Donglin is more frank and gentlemen, the world does not doubt it, but Donglin is biased, you can understand? ”

"Overkill, too, should be."

Han? I felt that it was not the case, and shook my hand and said: "But in this way, Donglin is unique to the court, and it is very easy to become the target of the public, which is a disadvantage." The emperor was extremely dissatisfied with the courtiers' planting of the party, and he should not be careless. ”

"I also said that Lord Shou didn't have the sharpness of his prime, but he had such a mind. No wonder you are in the middle of the dispatch, impartial, because you are afraid that the emperor will catch the handle, like walking on the abyss, trembling, this song has not much taste. ”

Han? The general Shuben also said to Qian Longxi: "The outer circle and the inner square, do not fight for a momentary atmosphere, such as the layout of chess, the general trend is important, and there is no need to get entangled in the details." In short, the word "party" should not be mentioned again. ”

"The bird is dying, and its song is mourning. People are gone, and their words are good. I am an idler who goes home to recuperate, and there are naturally many taboos in words, and the words come out of the heart, and the mouth is unobstructed, and I don't turn any corners, but I am sad that the good situation of Donglin has turned into smoke and clouds in a blink of an eye, and I am unwilling to disperse with the wind. Alas, it's useless to say more, I heard that the emperor intends to summon Zhou Yanru into the cabinet, so I'd better hurry up and make room for him! Qian Longxi sighed and shook his head, full of thoughts and thoughts, his face showed a little confusion and desolation when the feast was about to end.

Han? There is a sense of sadness for the dead rabbit and fox, and he said gloomily: "Zhiwen, it's good for you to go back to your hometown, hide from the limelight, and stay away from the land of right and wrong." In fact, it's me who should go, the years are unforgiving, it's really unbearable. As soon as the words came out, he felt that he was suspected of pretending to appease, and laughed dryly.

"Don't go, who will support you when you go?"

Han? pondered for a moment and said: "Then it depends on the situation, Chonghuan's matter will not be over for a day, and the pimple in my heart will not go away for a day, once his life is not guaranteed, I will ...... Alas! It's bound to be involuntarily, and the heart is more than enough but not enough! ”

Qian Longxi said awe-inspiringly: "Then fight to the death." He uttered word by word, and his heart must have been extremely desperate.

"Fight with whom? Fight with the emperor? "Han? Shaking his head, "It's useless, why bother asking for this false name." ”

There was silence in the room, and the silence was eerily embarrassing. Qian Longxi saw that he couldn't be persuaded anymore, and was about to get up to say goodbye, but he saw Cao Huachun step in, bowed down and said, "The two pavilion elders are here!" Then he straightened up and said, "Long live the master." "Han? , Qian Longxi hurriedly got up and knelt down.

"Liang Tingdong, the secretary of the Ministry of War, leaned on his sacred heart, shared his worries for me, and asked Yuan Chonghuan to be interrogated, and the ministers drafted the decree."

Han? , Qian Longxi secretly wondered: This is the responsibility of the Criminal Department, how can it be handed over to the Military Department? When Liang Tingdong was in Liaodong, he had a gap with Yuan Chonghuan, and if he came to interrogate, he must have been more than lucky. Cao Huachun is so clever and intelligent, seeing that the two of them are looking at him intently, he grinned and said: "The military department has the solid evidence of Yuan Chonghuan's collaboration with the enemy, long live the lord will naturally allow it, who doesn't want to make meritorious contributions!" ”

"What? Liang Tingdong has solid evidence? The two were taken aback.

"It's a human witness, and the small one shouldn't have said it." Cao Huachun blinked, "However, this matter can't be hidden from the cabinet ministers, the two pavilion elders take care of the little ones very much, and the little ones always have to repay them, right?" As he spoke, he looked left and right, and said in a low voice: "That person is Yuan Chonghuan's fellow villager, and he has been playing with him since he was a child. I heard that it was for the position of a general soldier...... Alas! The heart of defense is indispensable! The little one has retired, and there are few people on the side of the Long Live Lord at this time. He arched his hand and turned away.

"Lord Shouhua, you want to save Chonghuan!" Qian Longxi was cold and couldn't help but tremble.

Han? He let out a long sigh and said in a muffled voice: "How to save it?" As his lord, I am not to blame, and it is not convenient for me to speak. Who is that man? How can you lose your conscience so much! ”

"It must be Xie Shangzheng. Among the generals, he was the only one who was friends with Chonghuan. ”

Han? He was suspicious and asked anxiously: "How did he get to the city and get together with Liang Tingdong?" Qian Long Xiran was speechless, only turned his head slowly a few times, and didn't seem to know the inside story.