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Yu Shuinan and Wei Su, returning from the north, were men who understood righteousness.
Among them, Yu Shuinan was originally a chivalrous figure in the Hebei area who enjoyed killing, while Wei Su had passed the imperial martial examination during the Jinghan era, making him a man of both literary and martial talents. Both grew up during the prosperous period of the Wu Dynasty. Later, the Jurchens moved south, and countless people's fates were swept into the chaotic tide. They went to Yunzhong and were then taken in by Chen Wenjun. Naturally, they had experienced some thrilling events.
In the eyes of the Jurchens in the north, Chen Wenjun might just be a vassal of Gu Shen (God of Grain) Wanyan Xiyin, but for the Han people trapped here, the name "Han Lady" had its own special and profound meaning. Some privately regarded her as a shameless woman who betrayed her race, while others saw her as the only hope in hell.
For more than ten years, the Jurchens had plundered millions of Han slaves from the south. In Yunzhong alone, Chen Wenjun had secretly sent thousands of Han people back to the south. At the same time, she had bought thousands of Han people and taken them into her farms, providing them with protection. Although these actions seemed more like small amusements under the wings of Gu Shen to the Jurchen upper class, Chen Wenjun tried her best to act in accordance with the principle of not arousing excessive vigilance from others. However, at the lower levels of society, the energy of this pitiful force was still not to be underestimated.
Of course, under the attention of all parties, the "Han Lady" group focused more on redeeming, rescuing, and transporting Han slaves. Their ability to act in terms of intelligence, or to carry out sabotage and assassination against the Jurchen high-level officials, was relatively insufficient.
Especially after Wu Qiuhe's rescue of Shi Jin was exposed, Xiyin conducted a seemingly silent but actually drastic purge of the forces under Chen Wenjun. Many radical Han backbones died in this purge. From then on, Chen Wenjun could only focus her actions on simpler rescue efforts. This was also a tacit understanding that she had maintained with Xiyin, and Xiyin with the Jurchen high-level officials.
Until Tang Minjie's sudden action.
After reacting from the initial pain, Chen Wenjun quickly arranged escape plans for some important people around her: she could no longer continue to protect the thousands of Han slaves in the farm, but she could only try her best to send away a small number of Han people with abilities and knowledge who had helped her with her work.
These people were divided into different teams and chose different routes to leave. Some would return to the Central Plains, some would go to the Wu Dynasty, and some would be arranged to go to the southwest. In the process of making these arrangements, Chen Wenjun even repeatedly reminded them that this departure might be very difficult.
"This time is different from before. After leaving Yunzhong, you may be intercepted and killed," Chen Wenjun instructed them. "The people will be sent by Gu Shen. At that time, you will have to adapt to the situation and fight your way out."
Yu Shuinan and Wei Su participated in this evacuation. They were trusted executors of Chen Wenjun and knew more inside information than others. Therefore, after letting Tang Minjie go, Chen Wenjun asked them to hide in the dark and escort Tang Minjie back to the southwest in private.
By the time Tang Minjie was released, this hasty evacuation had been going on for several days. After learning the details, Gu Shen's mansion sent out guards to pursue and kill the Han slaves arranged by Chen Wenjun to go south. During this period, there had probably been several厮杀(sisi, bloody fights). Some escaped, some died.
In order to avoid escalating the matter and causing further attacks from the Eastern Mansion, Wanyan Xiyin did not launch a large-scale search on the surface. However, at the last moment before losing power, this great figure, who had allowed the Han Lady countless times in the past, for the first time intercepted and killed these Han elites sent away by his wife.
This was perhaps the most peculiar couple in the north, or even in the entire world. On the one hand, they loved each other. On the other hand, they finally made a clear statement at the last moment of their downfall, and launched an equal廝杀(sisi, bloody fight) for their respective nations. Mixed with this厮杀(sisi, bloody fight) was the sinking of the behemoth of Gu Shen's mansion and even the entire Jurchen Western Mansion.
In the chaotic situation in the north, escorting Tang Minjie south was the safest and most agonizing path in the entire situation. This was the last gift from the Han Lady to them, but during the journey south, both of them had more than once considered killing Tang Minjie and putting an end to it once and for all. Wei Su, who had a relatively strong personality, even tried to put it into practice, but was stopped by Yu Shuinan in time.
"The people of the Black Flag must give an explanation to Madam Chen—"
"It was Madam Chen who let him live!" Wei Su said.
"Even so, they must give an explanation!"
In this way, Tang Minjie took Luo Ye's sister all the way south, while Yu and Wei followed privately, secretly blocking several dangers for them. When they arrived in Jin, they showed up in a bandit attack. After arriving in Hanzhong, they were interrogated once, and then divided into two groups to enter Chengdu, where they were interrogated again. The Huaxia Army treated them with courtesy, but temporarily placed them under house arrest.
On the thirteenth day of July, they met the famous Mr. Ning.
This was a legendary figure among the Han people. Even in the north, people often talked about him. The "Han Lady" occasionally mentioned him, and it was said that in Gu Shen's mansion, Wanyan Xiyin would also talk to his wife about this king-slaying man from time to time, especially after the Jurchen army was defeated. He often looked at a calligraphy work by Ning Yi in the mansion and lamented that he had never met him in the southwest. The calligraphy work contained heroic verses, written before the Jurchens jointly attacked Xiaocang River for the first time.
——"His awe-inspiring presence remains, who says Han is gone!"
In the Central Plains, in Jiangnan and other places, perhaps some people of the Wu Dynasty would talk about this Mr. Ning and be ashamed of his regicidal act, but in the north, after suffering so much hardship, there were few Han people who did not feel respect when they mentioned this name. Yu Shuinan and Wei Su were the same in the past. If it weren't for the Han Lady's betrayal this time, their mood when they met this Mr. Ning would definitely be very different.
Mr. Ning, who was in his forties, had a calm appearance and spoke gently but forcefully. Because of their origins, his attitude was extremely kind. The three of them sat down in a small courtyard by the Mohe Pond that was used to entertain distinguished guests. Ning Yi asked about the situation in the north, and Yu Shuinan and Wei Su explained it one by one. Then, they also recounted the affairs of Chen Wenjun and Wanyan Xiyin.
"Mr. Ning, I respect you, so please forgive me if there is anything offensive next." After talking for a while, Wei Su finally couldn't help but get up and speak first.
Ning Yi nodded: "Please speak."
"Madam Chen has been saving people in the north for more than ten years. She has been a great benefactor to the Han people of the world. In addition to saving people, we all know that she has passed on important intelligence to the Wu Dynasty and the Huaxia Army many times at critical moments. Countless people have benefited from her. But this time, she was betrayed by your people. The principles of the world should not be like this—"
Wei Su looked at Ning Yi, and Ning Yi also looked at him calmly. After a moment, Wei Su pointed to an empty space next to him: "That Tang Minjie, he must give an explanation to your Huaxia Army, and he must give an explanation to Mr. Ning. If not, the hearts of the people of the world will not be convinced!"
The sunlight fell on the lake, and a gentle breeze blew through the treetops. The courtyard in the autumn afternoon was quiet. Yu Shuinan sat upright, Ning Yi's eyes looked into the void, his brows furrowed in silence for a long time.
Perhaps because this silence lasted too long, Yu Shuinan opened his mouth and said: "Mr. Ning, I know that Tang Minjie is your disciple, but—"
"We will make some arrangements," Ning Yi slowly opened his mouth. "But as far as I know, Madam Chen's idea is to let him live—"
Yu Shuinan and Wei Su looked at him.
"On the other hand, Tang Minjie himself doesn't want to live. You must know this as well," Ning Yi looked at them. "You two are distinguished guests sent by Madam Chen, and this request is indeed reasonable. So I will temporarily tell you this possibility. First of all, we may not be able to kill him, and secondly, we can't use torture on him because of this matter. So I was thinking just now, perhaps it is difficult for me to make arrangements that will satisfy you very much. I don't know if you have any specific ideas about this matter."
Yu and Wei originally thought that Ning Yi wanted to play tricks, but his words were slow and sincere, and he was really considering and discussing the matter, so they couldn't help but be slightly stunned. They had been full of anger all the way, but they were really tangled about how to specifically deal with Tang Minjie. At this time, they looked at each other. Wei Su said, "We want him to regret—" His words faltered, and after saying them, his emotions became more complicated and hesitant.
Ning Yi nodded.
"We will make some arrangements," he repeated this sentence. "Some can be said, some cannot be said, please forgive me for this. But as for Tang Minjie himself, will his conscience be his greatest torment? This is not to say that we are trying to evade responsibility, but I have been considering this matter for the past two days. Some of the harshest punishments may not be what we can give. Perhaps Madam Chen letting him live and letting him come back is the greatest torture for him. Is there also this possibility?"
His words were slow and earnest: "Of course, if you have any specific ideas, you can always raise them with our people. Tang Minjie's position itself will be thoroughly investigated, but considering Madam Chen's instructions, we will carefully consider and make specific arrangements for the future, and we should tell you at that time."
From Ning Yi's current status, his words were already extremely detailed, and Yu Shuinan and Wei Su nodded respectively. After a moment, Yu Shuinan said, "Mr. Ning, I don't know when we can go out for a walk."
"You can today," Ning Yi said.
The three of them chatted for a while, and when Ning Yi left, the two of them were not in high spirits. Their hope that the Huaxia Army would give an "explanation" on the road was certainly a general emotion, but in their hearts they also knew that any punishment was powerless for a person who wanted to commit suicide. Ning Yi had just pointed this out. In order to avoid conflict, his words even had the meaning of comforting them. But of course, such comfort would not make people very happy.
That afternoon, a young man who claimed to be "the funniest joke teller in the Huaxia Army" named Hou Yuangong came to accompany the two of them on a tour inside and outside the city. This young man, nicknamed "Dasheng (Great Sage)," was flexible and had a friendly smile. First, he accompanied the two of them to visit various memorial sites about the previous southwestern battles, and described in detail the outline of that great war and the Huaxia Army. The next day, he accompanied the two of them to see various achievements in the study of things (格物学, Gewuxue, a kind of science study), and popularized various enlightenment ideas to them.
On the fifteenth day of July, they had a general understanding of various concepts such as newspapers and factories, and went to see two plays. After nightfall, they even followed Hou Yuangong to participate in a literary gathering through connections, listening to various great Confucians and important figures discussing various trendy ideas such as the "Battle of Bianliang," the "Fairness Party," and "internal problems of the Huaxia Army" in a restaurant. When the crowd spoke loudly about the "infighting between the two governments of the Jin Dynasty," Yu Shuinan and Wei Su showed their disgust.
"The disaster of the Wu Dynasty's demise originated from the complacency and neglect of military affairs in those years. The Huaxia Army finally defeated the Jurchens, so why should they create such a scene!"
Wei Su spoke in a low voice, and Hou Yuangong also looked serious and nodded repeatedly: "That's right, that's right, I also really dislike this kind of literary gathering. Most of the people in here are not our people."
"Then why don't you arrest them and drive them out? They just said bad things about the Huaxia Army."
"That's right, that's right, I think they should be arrested too—"
During the two or three days of the trip, Yu Shuinan and Wei Su were actually carefully observing the situation of the Huaxia Army—they came to the southwest entrusted by Chen Wenjun, and in fact already had a very important invitation card. In the future, as long as they wanted to stay in the Huaxia Army, they would definitely be given a good starting point here. This was actually Chen Wenjun's last kindness to them. However, while carefully observing and being shocked, there were also many things that conflicted with their three views and made them unable to understand, especially many beautiful and bright things in Chengdu, which made them feel the hardship of the north and the mistakes of the Wu Dynasty in those years more and more painfully.
In this way, after staying at the literary gathering for a while, they expressed their dissatisfaction to Hou Yuangong, and then left this literary gathering, which included "Liu Guangshi's spokesperson" Yu Hezhong and Huaxia Army Propaganda Department Deputy Minister Li Shishi and other big figures.
Late that night, Hou Yuangong took people into the small courtyard where they were temporarily staying and separated the two of them.
****************
More than ten years ago in Bianliang City, Shishi was often a key figure or organizer of various literary gatherings.
Nowadays, she rarely shows her face.
Recently, because Liu Guangshi, Dai Mengwei, and Zou Xu have already started the first round of conflict north of the Yangtze River, Yu Hezhong, who is in Chengdu, has risen another level in prominence. Because it is very obvious that the alliance between Liu Guangshi and Dai Mengwei has a huge advantage in the upcoming conflict, and once they capture Bianliang and restore the old capital, his prestige in the world will reach its peak. Even the scholars and great Confucians in Chengdu who do not like Liu Guangshi very much are now willing to make friends with him and inquire about some of Liu Guangshi's plans and arrangements for the future.
Yu Hezhong enjoys this feeling very much—in the past in Bianliang City, he could only occasionally participate in some top-level literary gatherings by蹭(ceng, freeloading) on Li Shishi's name.
Nowadays, he is still蹭(ceng, freeloading) on Li Shishi's fame, but at least when participating in literary gatherings, he no longer needs to accompany her, and he will not be neglected in any way.
After staying in Chengdu for a year, while being surrounded by various auras, he has also understood the gap between him and Li Shishi's side. The complexity of reality has made him put away his past delusions—and other realities have made up for his regrets. Relying on his prominent status brought about by the transactions between Liu Guangshi and the Huaxia Army, he is now not short of women. And after putting down his delusions, he probably maintains a friendship with Shishi of meeting once a month.
He already understands in his heart: this friendship has brought him everything.
July 15th is the Zhongyuan Festival (Ghost Festival), and Chengdu is very lively inside and outside. His carriage met Shishi's carriage on the road. Because he had nothing to do for the time being, Shishi also went to the literary gathering and sat for a while. A Huaxia Army kid saw Shishi, ran over to say hello, and then brought two friends over.
Yu Hezhong was originally a little concerned about this and wanted to take some time to chat with these three people. Who knew that the three of them sat in the corner for a short time and then left. Not long after, Shishi also said goodbye and left.
The carriage passed through the city and went to the vicinity of the Mohe Pond. After entering the familiar courtyard, Shishi saw Ning Yi sitting in a chair, frowning and staring blankly.
She knew that Ning Yi was thinking about something, so she didn't say anything. She sat down gently on the long bench under the eaves on the side, and after sitting for a while, she prepared to leave.
"Let me tell you a story," Ning Yi looked ahead and slowly opened his mouth.
"Mm," Shishi responded, then walked over, poured him a cup of water, and sat down beside him.
"It's about the Han Lady in the north."
They sat in the courtyard, and Ning Yi talked about things from many years ago, about Qin Siyaun, about Chen Wenjun, about Lu Yannaian, Lu Mingfang, and then about Tang Minjie, and about the conflict between the east and west governments of the Jurchens this time—this was the most lively topic in Chengdu recently.
After saying all this, it took a lot of time. Shishi listened quietly, picked up her teacup and took a big sip, holding the teacup in her hand.
"I just came from the literary gathering in Sifang Street," she said softly.
"Mm?" Ning Yi turned his head. "How was the literary gathering?"
"I only realized now how shallow they were saying."
"Ha," Ning Yi smiled.
Shishi said, "These all have to be kept secret, right?"
"There will have to be an explanation for the Han Lady sooner or later. Even if it's not good to publicize it widely for the time being, there must be a record left about her."
Shishi nodded and was silent for a moment.
"Can't more be done for that Han Lady...that Tang Minjie?"
"More things will be done," Ning Yi said. "It needs to be kept secret for now."
When he said this, it meant "it's best if you don't know either." Shishi said, "Mm."
The two sat for a while, said some private words, and soon someone came in to report the news that someone who had been summoned earlier had arrived. Shishi got up and left, and when she walked out of the front door, she saw Hou Yuangong coming from a distance, probably also here to see Ning Yi. The two smiled and greeted each other.
At this time, Ning Yi was receiving an intelligence officer named Xu Xiaolin in the study inside. Soon after, he also met Hou Yuangong and listened to his preliminary views on Yu and Wei.
Later in the night, Hou Yuangong took people to another courtyard and separated Yu and Wei. Scribes prepared notebooks, and the attitude was that they were going to conduct another interrogation.
Wei Su slammed the table and stood up: "You don't believe me! What are you doing again—"
Hou Yuangong came in from the outside, sat down, and smiled as he pressed his hands down: "Mr. Wei, please be calm, let me explain."
"If you don't believe me, what's there to explain?"
"We have decided to send people north to rescue Madam Chen."
Wei Su was stunned.
Hou Yuangong said: "If we want to do this well, we must first prepare the information on the north. If possible, we need a guide."
"Then let me go," Wei Su roared.
"Mr. Ning said that you have done so much for the Han people in the north. Madam Chen sent you back to the south, which is her painstaking effort, and it is also the reward you deserve. The matter of going north is very complicated. First of all, Madam Chen herself is unwilling to leave. Out of a sense of morality, we have to go and save her. Perhaps after Wanyan Xiyin dies, she will change her mind. But this is, after all, a risk. You are entitled to live in a better place. This is a choice to give to the two of you."
"I choose to go over."
Hou Yuangong pulled over a few pieces of paper: "At the same time, please understand that before doing this, we must determine that you two are not spies sent by Wanyan Xiyin."
"You—" Wei Su opened his mouth to curse, but the next moment he realized something, and his entire face turned red.
"Through these two days of observation, we initially believe that your views on the Wu Dynasty and the Huaxia Army are not carrying very complicated purposes. But at the same time, we still have to ask some questions. For the detailed information about the north that you know, and all kinds of news that are beneficial to this operation, please be sure to tell us everything you know and say everything you can. Please forgive us for offending you today."
Wei Su sat down.
After a while, Hou Yuangong went to another room and repeated this statement to Yu Shuinan. Yu Shuinan thought for a moment and nodded.
"Very reasonable, ask away."
************
By the time he noticed Ning Yi's arrival, it was already late.
It was the Zhongyuan Festival, and it was very lively outside. Tang Minjie sat in the courtyard, sketching the scene outside in his mind. When Ning Yi came in, he got up to salute, and Ning Yi asked him to sit down. The master and apprentice sat in the courtyard and heard the sound of firecrackers outside.
"Want to go out and take a look?" Ning Yi said.
"If possible, I want to see what Chengdu is like—"
"There will be a chance. The arrangement for you is already in place."
""
"There's a farm on the edge of Liangshan—"
"Why isn't there a trial—"
With a bang, Ning Yi's palm slapped on the small table in the courtyard.
"Trial your mom! How to try! Should we make more records about how you betrayed Chen Wenjun!?"
"If the Huaxia Army doesn't try me, how can the rule of law be clear?"
"Chen Wenjun wants you to live! The person you betrayed wants you to live—"
"The Huaxia Army should shoot me. In this way, Xiyin's Jurchen side will have no explanation—"
"The Jurchen side has no explanation in the first place! The thing didn't even happen! What's the point of talking about the enemy's smearing!? I can print ten or eight versions of the story about how Aguda's mom was messing around with pigs at any time, and spread them all over the world. Are you out of your mind? Xiyin's explanation—"
Tang Minjie's small eyes stared in the dimly lit courtyard, and he shook his head subconsciously.
"There's a farm on the edge of Liangshan that has been doing fine seed selection and breeding. Fine seed selection and breeding, you know? It's related to the problem of eating. Learn more about the specific principles. They don't use new chemical fertilizers there, they use manure composting. Isn't your ability to act very strong? Chen Wenjun said she wanted you to live and do something useful for the Han people. You caused such a mess, so you must be dealt with. Therefore, your military rank and everything will be removed. Get your ass into the mountains to pick manure. Looking at your body, the mountains are beautiful and clear there, just treat it as a vacation."
Tang Minjie's lips trembled: "I...I don't need a vacation—"
Ning Yi grabbed the water cup next to him and splashed hot water on Tang Minjie's face, extremely angry: "The beautiful mountains and clear waters are adjectives! Vacation is an adjective! Vacation is an adjective!"
He waved the teacup and grabbed the edge of the table with the other hand, knocking the table over into the courtyard.
Tang Minjie didn't speak again. Ning Yi was angry for a while, sat there looking at him: "Go pick manure first, what to do in the future, we'll talk about it later, but before that, there's another thing—"
He paused: "Xu Xiaolin will come to you later. He went to Yunzhong to contact you before. Next, he will take another team to Yunzhong to clean up the mess you left behind, and at the same time, prepare to rescue Chen Wenjun. In these two days, you must hand over everything you can to him. This could have been an unnecessary risk, but you created this mess, so we must make amends in terms of morality. You give me a little走心(zouxin, put your heart in it)—"
Tang Minjie looked at his teacher, who was rarely angry on the opposite side, and at this time showed a hint of fatigue. He was silent for a long time, and in the end, he shook his head with difficulty and said in a hoarse voice:
"I can't live—"
"But Chen Wenjun wants you to live."
Ning Yi said.
"Just do as you see fit."
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