Chapter 1 Peach Blossom Island

Peach Blossom Island existed for certain in the Jinzhou area during this time. Later, it gradually connected to the land and disappeared. It echoed Chrysanthemum Island to the south, and may even have been named after the larger and more famous Chrysanthemum Island.

As for Chrysanthemum Island, it actually had two names. It was also called Juehua Island, possibly because the Buddhist buildings on the island were increasing, and it was changed at some point. Of course, it might have been the other way around; perhaps it was because the Buddhist buildings increased that it was changed from Juehua Island to Chrysanthemum Island.

But none of this had anything to do with Guo Jin and Yang Zaixing. Having received their military orders, the two each led a hundred cavalrymen to break away from the main force and waited on the coast of the Bohai Sea. When Yue Fei led the main force to break through Jinzhou, they indeed waited for a fleet led by Cui Bangbi, the Imperial Navy Commander.

The fleet was not large... According to Cui Bangbi, because the Imperial Navy had not performed well in the previous Northern Expedition, so-called only hard work without merit, Deputy Commander Li Bao had just reorganized the remnants of the Jin navy and eagerly asked the Emperor for a mission to cross the sea to the hinterland of Liaodong to contact and monitor the Goryeo people... Not many good ships were left behind.

Of course, this wasn't to say that the arriving fleet couldn't even transport two hundred cavalrymen. Rather, Cui Bangbi felt that this task had come too suddenly, affecting his last chance to earn military merit—it was both a complaint and an urging.

Guo, the Great Ladle, and Yang, the Great Iron Spear, didn't say anything about this, because they had similar thoughts... They also wanted to pacify the Liao region, advance into Huanglong Prefecture, and sweep away the remaining Jurchen tribes, rather than helping the Zhao Emperor, Chancellor Lü, and Prince Liu find some 'old acquaintances' from twelve years ago.

Only twelve years had passed, and the young and vigorous faction in the Song army had already forgotten, and were too lazy to care about who Guo Yaoshi was.

But they couldn't ignore it.

The search process was unremarkable.

It must be known that Yue Fei's vanguard army had just marched mightily out of the Shanhai Pass into the Liao region. The temples and local powerful families on the island were trembling with fear and had no time to cause trouble.

Therefore, the three first landed on Chrysanthemum Island. After searching without finding the person, the abbot of the Imperial-built Great Dragon Palace Temple on the island took the initiative to offer advice, pointing out that the island had limited resources and harsh conditions, and many refugee dignitaries suffered from acclimatization. They should seek doctors and physicians to inquire about the details.

Sure enough, after collecting the island's doctors, they soon learned from a gynecological expert named Ximen Qing that an elderly man surnamed Guo, who claimed to be the former Prefect of Pingzhou, had repeatedly called him for treatment, and that this person should have been in the military for a long time and should be Guo Yaoshi... However, although this fellow initially resided on Chrysanthemum Island with slightly better conditions, after the Zhao Emperor won a great victory at Huolu and Goryeo sent troops to the Liao region, this fellow became frightened and took the initiative to flee to the smaller Peach Blossom Island.

Having obtained this information, the three hurriedly took Ximen Qing to the narrow Peach Blossom Island. There were not many people on the island. After asking again, they learned that after Marshal Yue, the commander of the vanguard army, left Yuguan, this Guo Yaoshi seemed to know that his sins were deep and could not be tolerated by the Great Song. In a panic, he turned back and fled back to Chrysanthemum Island, which was farther from the coastline... But this person was cautious and did not dare to go to the main island of Chrysanthemum Island, but instead went to a very small island north of Chrysanthemum Island called Millstone Mountain Island.

There were only seven or eight fishing families on that island, and a bitter water well, barely able to survive, basically attached to Juehua Island for a living.

So, the three returned with Ximen Qing again. Although it was full of twists and turns, they finally found Guo Yaoshi and his son, who were covered in fishy stench, in a rocky cave on Millstone Mountain Island.

After Ximen Qing and many others on the island identified them, confirming that it was indeed Guo Yaoshi, they immediately sent a non-stop boat and horse to report to Yuguan.

Three days later, the news reached Lulong in Pingzhou, which was the latest lodging place of the Zhao Emperor.

"Pingfu."

In Lulong City, Zhao Jiu finished reading the secret letter and handed it to a person beside him. "Guo Yaoshi and his son Guo Anguo have been captured. Do you want to take a look?"

Liu Yan hesitated for a moment before taking the secret letter, and after scanning it briefly, he became somewhat at a loss:

"I don't know."

"What do you mean?"

Zhao Jiu clearly didn't care.

"In the past twelve years, my attitude towards Guo Yaoshi has actually been different. In the first two years, I was brooding over it, but after Jingkang, I was completely defeated and didn't think about it anymore." Liu Yan put the secret letter back and sighed for a moment. "Later, I met the Emperor, and I saw the country rise day by day, and I gradually had the heart to do it one day. However, after following the Emperor for a long time, I gradually had a big picture, but I felt that Guo Yaoshi was insignificant. Therefore, compared with this old thief, I still want to go back to Yanzhou as soon as possible and find a lost family for the Red Heart Cavalry."

Zhao Jiu flashed the shape of Zhang Yongzhen before his death, his face remained unchanged, but he nodded slightly: "Yes, that's right. In that case, send someone to escort Guo Yaoshi to Yanjing City."

Liu Yan nodded quickly.

Zhao Jiu paused for a moment before continuing: "Let's go to Chrysanthemum Island together... Firstly, it will be convenient to wait for the Jurchen and Goryeo envoys, and secondly, when the Liao region is stable, it will be convenient for you to return home."

Liu Yan hesitated again: "Does the Emperor want to go to the Great Dragon Palace Temple on the island?"

"Does Pingfu still think that I want to seek immortals and worship Buddha?" Zhao Jiu, of course, knew what the other party was thinking, and immediately shook his head with a smile. "The main reason is that Chrysanthemum Island is in a good location, not far north of Yuguan. When I leave the pass and go there, I can more or less deter the tribes outside the pass... Of course, there is also some selfishness. I have always wanted to see Mount Jie, but now that Mount Jie is about to arrive, why not take a trip to the island?"

Liu Yan nodded, but still tried to remind him: "It's okay to visit Mount Jie and climb Peach Blossom Island, but if the Emperor intends to pass through Mount Yiwulü, please be sure to notify Yanjing."

"That's natural." Zhao Jiu responded frankly. "But Pingfu, don't worry, I really don't have the intention to pass through Mount Yiwulü... I just want to see Mount Jie and then wait for the Jurchens to come to a conclusion."

In this way, the plan was decided. The Zhao Emperor, who had been wandering along the Yellow River to Cangzhou, and then along the Bohai coastline to Lulong, as expected, continued to choose to go east and north.

In fact, it was only a hundred miles from Lulong to Yuguan, but the Yanshan Mountains naturally divided the ridges. For a long time, this inside and outside the pass undoubtedly represented an internal and external distinction... This had existed since the Han Dynasty, because the geographical division led to political and military divisions.

Therefore, when the Zhao Emperor decided to streamline his entourage and set off out of Yuguan with a mere three thousand troops, as the decree spread, it still caused an uproar.

Yanjing was the first to react. Lü Yihao and Han Shizhong, although they had received the decree explaining the situation, still jointly wrote a letter, requesting the Zhao Emperor to maintain smooth communication, and requesting that Tian Shizhong, who was left in Lulong, deploy along the Shanhai Pass, and that Ma Kuo be sent to station in Yuguan, and that Qu Duan slightly exit Gubeikou to provide flank cover.

Immediately afterwards, the prefectures and counties along the Shanhai Pass corridor outside the pass also began to boil... Although this place had already experienced several 'boiling' incidents due to the Huolu battle, the Goryeo troops entering Liaodong, the Jurchens fleeing from Yanjing, and Yue Fei's dispatch of troops, it did not prevent this time from continuing to boil because of the Zhao Emperor's personal arrival.

In mid-April, the Zhao Emperor arrived at Yuguan, but was surprised to hear that there was a Mount Jie within the Changli County, from which one could climb and see the sea. Legend had it that this was the place where Cao Mengde had chanted in the past.

Zhao Jiu followed the name and went to it. Climbing the mountain and looking out, he saw the blue sky on all sides, and the blue sea in front of him. It was indeed a magnificent sight. Although he could not see the starry sky, it also had the appearance of trees growing luxuriantly and hundreds of plants flourishing.

But for some reason, this Emperor climbed the mountain and looked out for half a day, but in the end he did not say a word. After descending the mountain, he continued to turn north and traveled out of Yuguan.

After leaving the pass and entering Zongzhou, he arrived at a place after only one day. Perhaps the story of his mourning at Mount Jie had spread, or perhaps Liu Yan knew what the Zhao Emperor had said and paid special attention... In short, soon there was a local elder who took the initiative to introduce that there was an island near the sea to the east of this place, which was the place where Emperor Taizong of Tang had stationed when he conquered Goryeo, and was called Qin Wang Island (Prince Qin Island).

Zhao Jiu was very surprised and immediately set off to see it. Sure enough, he saw a very obvious island in a bay outside the pass, several thousand steps in circumference and seven or eight zhang high, which was very different from the surrounding alluvial terrain.

After asking in detail again, the surrounding people mostly called it Qin Wang Island, but some also called it Qin Huang Island (Emperor Qin Island), saying that it was the place where Emperor Qin Shi Huang had stationed on his eastern tour.

Zhao Jiu sighed in his heart, so he slightly boarded the island for half a day to mourn.

As for the fact that the sky was still clear on that day, and he finally retreated silently, there is no need to say more.

That's not all.

In late April, the Zhao Emperor continued to travel north for only two days. After passing the escort team of Guo Yaoshi and his son, he arrived in the Shijia Village area north of Zongzhou, but once again local scholars met with him, informing him that there was another Mount Jie in the sea somewhere in this place, and that there were also relics of Emperor Qin's search for immortals at sea, and that ancient coins and tiles often appeared.

Zhao Jiu, who had already become somewhat numb, went to see it for the third time in surprise, and sure enough, he saw two large stones standing in the sea, which were quite consistent with the words Mount Jie.

Half a day later, he retreated silently again.

In fact, from Mount Jie in Changli to Qin Wang Island outside Yuguan, and then to the Mount Jie in the sea in front of him, they were all close to the Shanhai Pass, and were only tens of miles apart from each other... It was normal for there to be some misrepresentations.

Moreover, even if there were no misrepresentations, the legends of Emperor Qin, Emperor Tang, and Emperor Wei were not contradictory, and were even quite in line with the ancient meaning. Combined with Zhao Emperor's intention to destroy everything and pacify the world at this time, there were also some contrasting statements.

To put it bluntly, with the current situation of the world, wouldn't it be permissible for Zhao Emperor to write a poem and take advantage of the popularity of those three?

If he didn't want to take advantage of it, why would he inquire about Mount Jie all the way?

It was just that for some reason, this Emperor seemed to have not found the Mount Jie that belonged to him.

In late April, the Zhao Song Emperor continued north and entered Jinzhou. Chrysanthemum Island was right in front of him... The abbot of the Great Dragon Palace Temple on the island had led the monks and laity of the island across the sea to wait on land long ago.

However, just when Zhao Jiu was preparing to board the island, he heard a not-so-unexpected news - because of Yue Fei's advance, the Jurchen's fleeing troops avoided Liaoyang and chose to detour from the Linhuang Prefecture Road, heading for Huanglong Prefecture and Huining Prefecture. When they decided to turn around in Dading Prefecture, they directly triggered an internal strife in which everyone was alarmed due to a close pursuit by Eastern Mongolian cavalry and Khitan cavalry.

After the internal strife, most of the Bohai people and some of the Han people in the Liao region broke away from the fleeing sequence, went to Liaodong on their own, and tried to contact Yue Fei to request surrender.

Of course, what Zhao Jiu didn't know at the moment was that at the same time as he learned of the first large-scale internal strife in the Jin fleeing army, a new trouble in the fleeing queue seemed to be just around the corner.

"What does Chancellor Qin think?"

In Changan City, Linhuang Road, in a slightly narrow courtyard, after a moment of silence, Wanyan Xiyin suddenly mentioned a person's name.

"I think that Chancellor Xiyin is right, something is bound to happen next."

Qin Hui sat opposite Xiyin with his hands tied, his expression unchanged. "Because going further down, we will have to go down the Huang River to Huanglong Prefecture, and the ancestral lands of the Khitans and Xi people are all in the upper reaches of the Huang River. The Song people have also promised the Khitans and Xi people autonomy in the old Linhuang Prefecture, and Yelu Yudu has already led the Khitan light cavalry out of the fortress... Inevitably, there will be another parting of ways."

"I'm asking what you should do, not for you to repeat my words." Wanyan Xiyin was always serious and conscientious, but at this time, being so serious inevitably made the atmosphere more tense.

"That's right."

Hesheli Taiyu, whose momentum was getting stronger and stronger as he went north, also spoke with a smile. "Chancellor Qin is very resourceful and must have a good way."

"In the current situation, strategies cannot be said to be non-existent, but they are only strategies." Qin Hui seemed not to have heard Hesheli Taiyu's ridicule, but answered seriously. "If you really want to operate, no one knows what the result will be."

"Just say it."

The Great Prince Wanyan Wuben interrupted in a muffled voice from above, but couldn't help pressing one hand on his constantly tearing left eye... That was caused by being splashed by sparks in a hurry at night during the internal strife in Dading Prefecture. It was not a serious injury, but it seemed very serious on this escape route.

"In the current situation, it is absolutely impossible to strike first." Qin Hui still spoke calmly. "There are only two ways... Either treat each other sincerely and part ways openly; or, try to provoke the Xi people and the Khitans, and then part ways... The former takes sincerity, and the latter takes a proper way out."

The atmosphere in the courtyard became more and more difficult.

After a while, someone in the corner of the courtyard whispered, "General Yelu Mawu is a loyal minister and a good general, can't we rely on him?"

"That's right, please ask General Mawu to cover our retreat, or restrain the Khitans and Xi people in the queue..."

"There is no need to say more about General Mawu's loyalty and bravery."

Wanyan Xiyin still unceremoniously pointed out the awkwardness of the situation. "But as things stand, General Mawu can't stop his subordinates... However, it's not that we can't rely on General Mawu. In my opinion, it's better to actively persuade General Mawu to stay in the Huang River with his team and seek wealth with Yelu Yudu. This way, we can have no worries about our retreat."

"This is also a way, but it also has disadvantages." Qin Hui tried to interject. "Since the start of the war last winter, until now, with less than 5,000 soldiers, many people in the army, regardless of ethnicity, have surrendered one after another. Only General Mawu has always been the same, and can be called a model for the country... If we let him stay with the Khitans now, it would of course be good in practice, but I'm afraid it will let the last breath in the court dissipate... If it spreads, the people of the world will think that the Great Jin Kingdom can't even tolerate a foreign loyal minister."

These words were very clear, and to be honest, they were even a little too clear.

Not to mention Wanyan Xiyin, Wulinda Zanmu and other wise people, even the Great Prince Wanyan Wuben, Hesheli Taiyu, and other ministers and generals such as Talan, Yinshuke, and Pujianu understood clearly.

Even the little Emperor and his wife in the back room, and even some marginal people, could roughly understand what Chancellor Qin meant.

First of all, Qin Hui was of course reminding everyone about the issue of morale, and telling these Jin dignitaries not to regard Yelu Mawu's loyalty as something to be used.

Secondly, he was also using Yelu Mawu to imply himself, telling these people not to easily abandon him, Qin Hui.

Otherwise, morale would be completely lost.

Of course, there was also an implicit level in this, a logic that could only be directed at a few people, which was that the current fleeing court was being maintained by the breath of the Fourth Prince's initiative to die for the country, and by the force of everyone's desire to survive and flee north. The balance was actually very fragile. And this fragile balance was determined by Xiyin-Emperor-Wulinda Zanmu, plus part of Yelu Mawu's troops and the Emperor's control over several remaining Hezhameng'an.

Once the veteran general Yelu Mawu was abandoned, then the Great Jin Kingdom would not have to wait for the Khitans and Xi people to start an internal strife with the Jurchens; the Jurchens would start an internal strife on their own first.

"Although that's the case," Xiyin was still the only one seriously discussing the situation. "But some things are simply not controllable by human power now. We can only do our best and have a clear conscience... Chancellor Qin, I'll ask you a question... Do you really want to go to Huining Prefecture with us?"

Qin Hui nodded without hesitation. "As things stand, this is the only way... The Zhao Emperor won't tolerate me... Please don't doubt me."

"Alright." Xiyin nodded. "Since the situation is so bad, we don't have to pretend to be so wise... Please call General Mawu over and let him decide for himself."

The Great Prince covered his eyes, and Hesheli Taiyu looked down at his feet, all without saying a word.

After a moment, Yelu Mawu arrived, and after listening to Xiyin's words, he was also straightforward: "I'm not anything loyal or righteous. I've just surrendered once before and know the embarrassment of surrendering and the difficulty of being a surrenderee. I really don't want to repeat it... And as things stand, I don't have any other thoughts. I just want to ask you nobles to allow me to follow along. When we get to Huining Prefecture, if we can settle down, then allow me to take a idle position and end my life... Of course, I'm willing to persuade my subordinates to stay put and not surrender again."

Mawu's words were calm, and even quite heroic, but for some reason, everyone listened with grief.

Some were lamenting the country's exile, some were lamenting the bleak future, some were thinking about the general trend of the future, and some were thinking about their personal difficulties at the moment... For a time, no one answered.

After a long time, Wanyan Xiyin calmed down and nodded slightly: "General Mawu's actions are loyal and righteous, even if they're not loyal and righteous... There's no need to be modest... Let's settle this matter like this. Please ask General Mawu to come forward and discuss with the Khitans and Xi people in the ranks! Let's not think too much and just set off... Even if there are any accidents, don't blame anyone. The soldiers will block the enemy, and the water will be blocked by earth. Let those who want to live live, and let those who want to die die!"

As he spoke, without waiting for the others to speak, Xiyin simply got up and left. Mawu saw this and also turned around directly.

As for the people below the Great Prince, although they all had their own thoughts, out of trust and respect for Wanyan Xiyin, at least on the surface, no one made trouble.

In this way, after only resting in Changan for half a day, the Jurchen escape army set off again.

Yelu Mawu also relied on his prestige among the Khitan and Xi soldiers to appease the remnants of his army and made an agreement with these people... It was the old method. Some property was left behind, and both sides parted ways peacefully... Only the present time was different from the past. These Khitan-Xi remnants also demanded that Yelu Mawu and the Sixth Prince Elu Guan stay behind as hostages, and they were also agreed to without hesitation.

However, this did not mean that the escape army was safe.

In fact, the entire escape process, even without large-scale open conflicts, was full of hardships and losses... Every day, people left the team, and every day, property was lost inexplicably. But more importantly, they were alarmed every day, so that everyone became more and more tense, and suspicion and defensiveness became increasingly obvious.

There was nothing that could be done about it.

From the beginning of the escape, people with insight had already realized it.

At first glance, this scene seemed to be no different from the escape of the Zhao Song Emperor ten years ago... Even the journey of that Zhao Emperor from Hebei to Huaishang and then to Nanyang was longer than the journey from Yanjing to Huining Prefecture... But in reality, it was really different.

Because when the Zhao Song court was in exile, it was surrounded by Han people, all of whom were from Song territory. Even if bandits rose up everywhere, they knew to raise the banner of a loyalist army.

But what about now?

Now, these Jin dignitaries only felt like they were clowns on a Song opera stage, and their clothes were being stripped off layer by layer... Or rather, their skin was being peeled off.

Leaving Yanyun and parting ways with the Han people in the pass, they lost the most prosperous land and the most extensive human resources; leaving the fortress, the news of the approaching army in Liaodong and Liaoxi triggered internal strife, and they lost their Bohai allies and Goryeo relations of many years, and lost the economic center and military technology highlands outside the fortress; now, they were about to separate from their old opponents, the Khitan-Xi people, on the Huang River, whom they had repeatedly emphasized were 'citizens of the country' after the destruction of Liao. This meant that they would soon only have Jurchens left.

And what about next?

When they got to Huanglong Prefecture and the Song army continued to press on, would the Wanyan clan and other Jurchen tribes also be separated?

To put it bluntly, there were 100 million Han people. It had been 1,400 years since Emperor Qin unified the universe. It had also been 1,300 years since Emperor Wu of Han further promoted unification in terms of system and culture.

At the same time, there were only one million Jurchens. It had only been a little over 20 years since the founding of the country, and the unification of the six Jurchen tribes was achieved during the anti-Liao process.

Under this strong contrast, it not only highlighted the unparalleled power of the Jurchen's rise, but also meant that at this moment, this nation really had no room for maneuver.

To be or not to be, that is the question.

It was a question that everyone had to face.

Perhaps it was because they were eager to get to the Huanglong Prefecture (around present-day Changchun) in the lower reaches of the Huang River, and also wanted to get out of the unstable Khitan-Xi settlement area as soon as possible. In the next period of time, in the Huang River's middle and lower reaches, where there were no cities, everyone marched along the river non-stop, desperately advancing. Every night, they were so exhausted that they fell asleep as soon as they lay down, and they had to leave at dawn. If they stopped for a while, they had to quickly light a fire and cook, so that even though they were rushing along the Huang River, they didn't even have time to bathe. The entire marching queue was full of the smell of urine and stink.

And this harsh environment caused more and more people and animals to fall ill and die, even though it was the best season in the fortress in April. The Great Prince's eye disease became more and more serious, and the Emperor and Empress could only ride the same horse. Even Qin Hui only had one cart of property left, and had to learn to drive it himself.

But no one dared to stop.

Finally, on the 28th day of April, the escape team, with less than 4,000 soldiers and a total of more than 30,000 people, arrived at a place with lush water and grass.

This place was an important transportation hub in the middle and lower reaches of the Huang River, with north-south crossings and east-west movements. To the northeast was the Huanglong Prefecture (around present-day Changchun), and following the southward bend of the Huang River down was Xianping Prefecture (around present-day Siping to the south). Upstream was naturally the Linhuang Prefecture, and southwest was the way everyone had come, naturally the Dading Prefecture (around present-day Chengde).

In fact, although there were no cities here, it was a recognized transportation center outside the fortress, and there were many post stations and markets built during the Liao Dynasty... In later generations, this place even had the name Tongliao.

That's right, on this afternoon, the Emperor, Ruling Prince, Chancellors, Ministers, and Generals of the Great Jin Kingdom arrived at their loyal Tongliao. And everyone knew that as long as they passed this place, it would be the traditional and core sphere of influence of the Jurchens, and they would also get rid of the hidden dangers brought by the Khitan and Xi settlement area.

This caused almost the entire escape team to fall into joy and excitement.

And perhaps also sensing the corresponding emotions, the Traveling Emperor's command changed the constant urging of marching in the past and set up camp here in advance for a short rest.

As soon as the news came out, the escape team cheered. After the camp was built and they had a meal, they couldn't help but start bathing.

The nobles who were qualified to occupy civilian houses maintained their restraint. They could wait for their servants to fetch water to wash, and a small number of Jurchen noblewomen could even wait for their maids to pour hot water into the tub.

But the soldiers didn't bother to care and went into the water after unloading their armor.

For a time, the entire Huang River was full of black heads and white bodies.

"Teacher."

Wanyan Xiyin stood in front of the pontoon bridge, his gaze sweeping from the lower reaches, and then looking calmly at the blue sky and green land on the other side, lost in thought. He didn't expect to hear a special shout from behind, and without turning his head, he knew who it was.

"Teacher."

Hesheli Liangbi shouted again and respectfully saluted the other party behind him before walking forward. "What are you thinking about, Teacher?"

"I'm not thinking about anything, just spacing out."

Wanyan Xiyin spoke straightforwardly, just like he had been acting these days - rational, frank, and decisive.

Or to put it more directly, Xiyin had made great contributions to the safe arrival of this escape team... His status, his familiarity with the army and the court, his fairness in dealing with matters, and his firm attitude made him the de facto organizer and decision-maker in this escape.

Relatively speaking, although the Great Prince Wanyan Wuben had prestige and the largest force of troops, he knew nothing about mundane matters and didn't even have the experience of leading troops independently on a long march.

And the Emperor was ultimately an eighteen-year-old half-grown child. It wasn't that everyone regarded him as a child, but his age was really awkward in the face of such a major event as the life and death of the country and the nation. There was no reason to give him all the power that he hadn't been given in the first place at this sensitive time.

As for Hesheli Taiyu, Wanyan Yinshuke, Wanyan Talan, and others, there was even less to say.

"What are you thinking about?" Xiyin turned around and noticed that the other party hadn't gone to bathe at all and was still wearing that dirty and smelly leather armor. "Why did you come to me?"

"Your student is worried about the future of the country and the tribe and is uneasy, so I came to seek enlightenment from you, Teacher." Hesheli Liangbi hesitated for a moment and finally chose a certain degree of frankness. "It stands to reason that now we have escaped... At least we have escaped the pursuit of the large army. But when I think of my father's estrangement from His Highness the Prince of Liao and Prince Wei's failure to return, when we get to Huanglong Prefecture, those grudges, oppositions, and factions that were suppressed in Yanjing will immediately reappear. And there, both sides have their own followers, and there's also the Song army pressing down. I'm afraid there will be another bloody storm..."

"And then?"

Wanyan Xiyin remained calm.

"And then... Teacher..." Liangbi responded seriously. "When we get to Huanglong Prefecture, can you continue to stabilize the situation? Or do you have other ways to deal with it? In fact, everyone above and below admires you, Teacher, and the Zhao Emperor has also named you as the Grand Chancellor... If you are willing to come out and control the situation, your student is willing to do my best."

Xiyin was silent for a moment, but remained calm: "The reason I can stabilize the situation at this time is because of Prince Wei's death and the shock it gave to all the generals, and the desire for survival of all those who are fleeing... When we get to Huanglong Prefecture... I don't even need to get to Huanglong Prefecture. I don't think I can grasp anyone anymore... You must know that the Great Jin Kingdom is like this. After going around in a circle, we still have to look at the assets of each tribe. I'm a distant branch of the Wanyan clan. Why should I control anyone? Even if I control them for a while, I can't control them for a lifetime."

"I thought it was possible." Liangbi's reaction was a little strange when he heard this. He was both relieved and sad.

"It could have been possible." Xiyin shook his head in response. "We could have used education and systems to win people's hearts, just like when that Zhao Song Emperor fled south, as long as he wanted to, he could always win people's hearts... But the Song people didn't give us that time and opportunity."

Hesheli Liangbi agreed.

"Liangbi." Xiyin looked at the other party's dirty leather armor again and suddenly opened his mouth.

"Your student is here." Hesheli Liangbi quickly cupped his hands.

"If there's a chance, you still have to lead the country and tribe to learn Han Chinese, write Han characters, and read Han books... Those things are really good, much better than ours." Xiyin earnestly explained.

"This is my long-cherished wish." Liangbi agreed without hesitation and cupped his hands. "And it's not just me. My generation, from the Emperor to several princes, all understand this principle."

Xiyin nodded and said no more.

After waiting for a while, a servant came to report that the Emperor and Empress had finished bathing and invited Chancellor Xiyin to meet them. The two then parted ways.

The events of today seemed to have come to an end.

However, in less than half an hour, the camp suddenly became chaotic.

The cause of the matter was very simple... The soldiers took a bath first, and not long after they finished, when it was evening and the sky was a little dark, the female dependents who had followed couldn't hold back either, and tried to go into the water to bathe, using the reed marshes and tents as cover.

As the saying goes, the sated think of sex. In the wilderness, the soldiers who had bathed and eaten their fill had nothing to do and began to have designs on the female dependents. Soon, sporadic rape incidents occurred.

Xiyin's attitude towards this was very firm and decisive. He sent the Hezhameng'an troops to quickly suppress and execute the perpetrators.

But soon, several pillars of the Great Jin Kingdom were horrified to discover that their speed in dealing with such incidents could not keep up with the speed at which similar incidents were occurring... Rape and looting began to appear in large numbers, like the grass on the prairie after the rain.

Immediately afterwards, there were incidents of people gathering to resist the Hezhameng'an in executing military law, and of organized forces storming the female dependents and supplies.

At this point, everyone understood what was happening.

The army's patience had reached its limit, and although they had suddenly relaxed, a mutiny was imminent.

Of course, there were countless veterans of military affairs in the team. Yinshuke, Talan, including Elubu, Jiagu Wulibu, and others immediately unanimously suggested that the Emperor issue a decree to give all the female servants carried by all the nobles and release some of the property, especially hard currency such as gold, silver, cloth, and fur, as rewards.

Without any extra thoughts, this suggestion was quickly approved and immediately implemented... Even someone as principled as Xiyin wisely remained silent... Then, finally before it got completely dark, the mutiny was suppressed with a combination of kindness and force.

The top echelons of the Jin Kingdom once again maintained unity with all their strength in times of crisis.

The Great Jin Kingdom seemed to still have enough cohesion.

But when it was the third watch, just when the Jin escape nobles, each with their own thoughts, barely put aside their concerns and fell asleep, the north bank of the Huang River suddenly lit up with fire and horses galloping.

Wanyan Wuben and others had just left their houses when they discovered in near despair that most of the troops hadn't even figured out the situation on the other side and had directly chosen to flee with women and property.

And soon, an even more desperate situation appeared.

As the rioting soldiers on the other side approached, they heard clearly that those people were actually shouting in Khitan to kill all the Wanyan clan and avenge Emperor Tianzuo.

Some people even shouted that they were acting on the orders of Yelu Mawu.

ps: Thanks to SlyShen for another 'Moe'.