Biganchun

In the second year of the Qingli calendar, the [-]nd day of the leap September.

Besieging the city at night with beacon fire, no sound of clear stream is heard.

Lu Li hurriedly stepped into the tent in Qingjian City.When the curtain was rolled up, the sound of fighting and shouting from outside the city entered through the gap, and was immediately cut off again.

The furnishings in the tent are no longer what they used to be.The main and guest seats have been removed, and a wooden couch has been replaced, placed beside the sand table.The person on the couch was wrapped in a thin quilt, his whole body was weak and emaciated, like a candle in the wind, dying in a blink of an eye.

Zhong Shiheng, this well-known Northwest general, has suffered from lung disease for many years, and he has struggled to this day, and he is at the end of his life.

Deng Ruinian sat on the head of the bed, raised his hand to wrap around Zhong Shiheng's right wrist, and was still taking his pulse carefully.His fingertips trembled slightly, his shoulders heaved, he suddenly choked up, and silently shed tears.

Zhong Shiheng sighed, and said intermittently: "Rui Nian, you go... You have worked hard all these years... Once this matter is over, you can go to Qingzhou to serve Master Fan..."

Deng Ruinian shook his head with tears in his eyes, the feeling of being with him for more than ten years suddenly flooded his heart, and he was speechless for a while.

Zhong Shiheng smiled faintly: "I still have something to say... I want to talk to Lu Li, you just go down..."

Deng Ruinian stood up and whispered to Lu Li, "Call me if you need something."

Lu Li silently nodded, and sent Deng Ruinian away.

There was no sound in the tent, Zhong Shiheng slowly closed his eyes and breathed quietly.

After a while, he suddenly opened his eyes and said slowly, "How's the situation?"

Lu Li replied: "The Mingzhu Department has come from four directions this time, and they have actually mobilized two thousand Qiang soldiers, and are now attacking various sects. The four generals of Gu'er Jianyi have all left the city to fight. Depending on the situation, it will be difficult to see the result."

Zhong Shiheng shook his head and said, "I'm not asking about the situation outside the city, but Dingchuan Village. What's going on there?"

Lu Li sighed, and said in a low voice, "I just received the flying letter. This morning, Ge Huaimin ignored the advice and led all his generals out of Dingchuan village to break through. He joined the party Xiang Fuzhong, and the sixteen generals under Ge Huaimin all died in battle. , wiped out the entire battalion of [-] soldiers..."

Zhong Shiheng let out a low cry, his eyes suddenly widened: "What did you say?"

Lu Li bowed his head and said, "Wang Zhaoming, Zhao Zheng and others retreated to Dingchuan Village. Although the nearly [-] Jingyuan troops in the village were short of food and water, they could still survive for a few days. Dang Xiang had already left Dingchuan Village under the great victory. Went to Weizhou."

Zhong Shiheng trembled all over, and said in a hateful voice: "Ge Huaimin, Fan Zhongyan said that you are cowardly and don't know how to fight, and that's true! ... Your death is not a pity, but you have ruined Jingyuan Road Jinwan Haoerlang, and ruined all the soldiers on the Northwest Front." The situation of luck!... Even if I am under the Nine Springs, I will scold you, you cowardly person!"

At the beginning of intercalary September, Yuan Hao took advantage of Zhang Yuan's plan to gather [-] troops in Tiandu Mountain and march south along Jingyuan Road in two routes.All the way out of Guyang City, all the way out of Liu Xunbao, pincer attack Zhenrong army.The commander-in-chief of Jingyuan Road was appeased and recruited envoy Wang Yanming's deputy envoy Ge Huaimin led the army from Weizhou to stop the attack.

This Ge Huaimin was originally the son of Taiwei Ge Ba during the Taizong period, and he belonged to the general family.When he was in Bianjing, he was well appreciated by the officials for answering the border military policy before the officials.The officials rewarded Cao Wei, the envoy of the Zhangwu Army, with the armor left by him as a token of appreciation.When Ge Huaimin first arrived in the northwest, he served as the deputy chief of Fuyan Road under Fan Zhongyan's command.Fan Zhongyan didn't like his talking on paper and boasting, so he asked him to be transferred to Jingyuan Road.

This time the Tiandu army went deep all the way, Ge Huaimin gathered troops from various castles along the way, and gathered nearly [-] soldiers.On September [-], the soldiers entered Dingchuan village in four groups.Unexpectedly, Yuan Hao suddenly launched an attack and cut off the water source and grain road of Dingchuan Village.Ge Huaimin sent [-] Fan cavalrymen to rob the water source, but unexpectedly, these Fan cavalry soldiers surrendered to the enemy and left.Dingchuan Walled City lacked water and food, and morale was low for a while.Yuan Hao stormed the northeast of Dingchuan Village, a strong wind suddenly blew up, and the Song army's camp was in chaos. Ge Huaimin was trampled by the soldiers, almost fatally injured.

At this moment, if they break through the encirclement and detour to Longgan City, they may have a chance of life.But the people in Dingchuan Village were fluctuating, and a mutiny was about to start, Ge Huaimin was worried, and finally discussed with the generals, and decided to break out of the siege and attack the Zhenrong army.This made a big mistake and ended in a complete defeat.

Zhong Shiheng mixed with grief and anger, sighed angrily, coughed and panted suddenly, spewed out a mouthful of blood, and sprayed it on his chest.

Lu Li was startled, and knelt down in front of his couch, "My lord!"

Zhong Shiheng gasped for a moment, and said to Lu Li, "What's the news from Qingzhou?"

Lu Li replied: "I heard that Master Fan has already mobilized troops from Huanqing Road to help the front line of Weizhou. The news is not confirmed, I think he will probably order Diqing Shenji Battalion to be the vanguard."

Zhong Shiheng shook his head and said, "Yuan Hao's [-]-strong teacher, even if Di Hanchen goes in person, it will be difficult to reverse... Alas, there is no danger in the five hundred miles of Weizhou, and once the party's iron hooves arrive, it is time to defend the wall and keep it clean." In all difficulties, the houses of the people outside the city will surely suffer catastrophe... The tragic scene of defeat in this battle is probably worse than the good water and rivers of that day..."

Lu Li frowned, and said in a deep voice, "My lord, Dingchuan village is hundreds of miles away. The defeat is already settled, no matter how hard it is to undo it, but the moment outside our Qingjian city is life and death. My lord The most urgent thing is to make up your mind quickly and ask Lord Pang Ji of Yanzhou for help."

Zhong Shiheng shook his head and said: "At this moment, if Pang Ji is asking for help from Yanzhou, if Pang Ji divides his troops to rescue him, Yeli will surely come in when he encounters beggars... In the battle at Sanchuankou, they always felt regretful that they did not take Yanzhou. If there is a gap, it will drive straight in...for the sake of our mere Qingjian City, how can we put the entire line of Yanyan Road in danger?"

He was already extremely weak, but at this moment, Xu Xu couldn't breathe anymore.

Lu Li's breath fluctuated, "Could it be that my lord really wants to entrust the life and death of this Qingjian City on Na Sunu? General Yi sent someone to pass the letter in the afternoon, but until now, there is still no news. I'm afraid they won't agree to it." For us, confront Mingzhu head-on."

Zhong Shiheng said slowly: "Su Nu is a human being with the utmost affection and nature. I trust him."

Lu Li let out a long sigh, but before he could answer, there was a thunderous wind outside the curtain, and the tent was rolled up amidst the howling.These dry thunderstorms are common in autumn and winter nights in the northwest. Wherever they pass, thunderbolts suddenly rise, and the wind and sand are all over the wild, but no rain or snow falls.

Zhong Shiheng stood up slightly: "Is there a thunderstorm?"

Lu Li calmly discerned the wind: "Yes. We have prepared precautions during the day, so you don't have to worry about it."

Zhong Shiheng nodded lightly: "Su Chi Nang, is the arrangement ready?"

Lu Li nodded and said: "It's all done. His father is the head of the Miao and Qiang clan, and he has a close relationship with Yeli Yuqi. Whenever there is a gap, Su Chinang will find a way to get Yeli Yuqi's swords and utensils. At that time Acting according to the plan of the adults, spreading rumors on the border that Yeli Yuqi has surrendered to our army, when the witnesses of this thing are all available, the day when Yuan Hao ordered to kill Yeli Yuqi will not be far away."

Zhong Shiheng said indifferently: "It's a pity that the old man has to go one step ahead, and his obituary will not be seen... Anyway, his brothers can be uprooted, and I, Zhong Shiheng, have done my best for Da Song." No more regrets... It's just the defeat of Dingchuan Village, which makes me anxious..."

Lu Li said: "Your Excellency, don't worry too much. Dangxiang has been militaristic for these years and has fallen into internal difficulties. I heard that Dangxiang has a ballad circulating among the people these days, called 'Ten Worse'. The meaning of the song can be seen from the hardships of Xia people's livelihood and the war-weariness. concentrated."

Zhong Shiheng said in a low voice: "Really? Do you know what the ballad says?"

Lu Li raised his head and said in a low voice:

...It's not as good as fighting every year, and the countryside is barren and weeds grow...

...Secondly, the harvest is poor every year, and the gray strips and white Artemisia are used as food...

...Three inferiors, the market is desolate, and the prosperity of the past is nowhere to be seen...

... Four times worse, a foot of cloth is a hundred dollars, and the old clothes of the foreign people...

...Five are inferior, the young and strong are recruited, and the cattle and sheep are weak and no one to let them go...

... Six inferiors, grandparents will die, who will take care of them in front of the sick bed...

...Seven times worse, the husband and wife separated, and there were thousands of lines of tears on both sides of the world...

...Eight inferior, brothers parted, never met in life but never forgotten in death...

... Nine inferiors, sisters are lonely and widowed, staying alone in an empty room is useless...

... Ten times worse, the children and grandchildren go first, and the white hair sends the two together...

He recited slowly, his tone gradually turning sad, as if he was telling his own story.

Zhong Shiheng said quietly: "Military disasters and disasters, in the end it is the common people who suffer...We are the people who are under armor, and the battle is endless day and night. And we can tell who wins and who loses..."

Lu Li sighed, "My lord, why do you think so much. I'm afraid you're tired, why don't you take a break?"

Zhong Shiheng took a deep breath, shook his head and said, "Lu Li, I called you here because I wanted to ask you a question... I have wanted to ask you this question for a long time, but I have never had the chance... If you don't ask now, just ask I'm afraid that the old man will hate Quanxia..."

Lu Li was silent for a moment, then said quietly, "My lord, please speak."

Zhong Shiheng looked at Lu Li, seeming to gather the last ray of energy, and said slowly, "You have been by my side for two years, why didn't you kill me?"

Just at this moment, a flash of lightning entered through the curtain, and thunder suddenly struck, shaking the curtain.

Zhong Shiheng said in a low voice: "The first time I met you, I knew you were the child of Mu En and Anu... The black jade pendant on your body belongs to your mother, right?"

Lu Li's eyes were hazy, and he said quietly, "Does your lord still remember them?"

Zhong Shiheng sighed: "They are the people I am most ashamed of in this life...how can I forget?..."

There was a hint of sarcasm on Lu Li's face: "I always thought that to adults, they were just two abandoned children."

Zhong Shiheng said slowly: "Back then, Muen and I became brothers, not seeking to be born on the same day, but to die on the same day... He left me before me, leaving me to live in this world, tortured by my conscience..."

Lu Li shook his head and said, "On that rainy night ten years ago, when our three strongholds in Chongling were besieged, Your Excellency already forgot his conscience, why are you still suffering from it all these years?"

Zhong Shiheng said in a low voice: "When I received Mu En's letter asking for help, I was in Gyeongju, and I was about to catch up with the remnant of Li Jiqian... It was a good game that I only got after ten years of business, I... my Time is reluctant to let go... finally made a big mistake..."

Lu Li's face was calm, but his body trembled slightly: "You know, he waited for you all night, until the time when the village was destroyed and everyone died, he still believed that you would definitely rush to rescue them."

Zhong Shiheng's eyes were melancholy, looking outside the tent, the wind and thunder were faint, circling and reverberating.

Lu Li said quietly: "Up to now, I only have one thing to ask you: How important are they in your heart?...My father is just a pawn you used to restrain Li Jiqian and his son. My mother, It's nothing more than a gift that you can give someone at your fingertips. Isn't it?"

Zhong Shiheng said in a low voice: "When I and I rushed away, the three villages in Chongling had been destroyed by Jie Qiang... I heard that Mu En died in battle, and your mother and son were captured... Jie Qiang Tie Muli forced Anu to fight for you... She was a concubine, she resisted to death, was buried alive by Tiemuli, but you disappeared... Later, I finally defeated Tiemuli and divided him into five horses, but I failed to find the bones of Mu En and Anu... ..."

Lu Li said slowly: "Last year at Luoyan Terrace, when Princess Gan Ning was trapped in the quicksand, I seemed to have returned to the moment when I said goodbye to my aunt... Fortunately, this time I risked my life and finally got it Save her from danger, instead of watching her buried under the sand again..."

Zhong Shiheng sighed, "I knew you might still be alive, so I secretly sent scouts to look around until... until that day when you appeared in this handsome tent in Qingjian City... that moment, I knew you must have come for me..."

Lu Li said quietly, "That's right, you have failed my parents and clan. I came to Qingjian City to kill you!"

Zhong Shiheng said in a low voice: "Then why don't you do it?"

Lu Li was silent for a while, then lowered his eyebrows and said, "I've been here in Qingjian City for two years, day after day, I gradually understand that if you kill you, the Zhong family's army will have no hope, and the party will have no scruples. There will be more and more homeless and beggar children like me in this northwest land..."

He suddenly raised his head: "I won't kill you, but I will never forgive you..."

Zhong Shiheng sighed, and his breath gradually weakened: "You treat me like this, I deserve it, I have nothing to say... I might... look at that jade pendant again..."

Lu Li slowly took the jade pendant off his neck and handed it to Zhong Shiheng.

Mo Yu was gentle and silent, a ray of warmth went straight into his heart, just like the quiet and obedient woman back then.

Zhong Shiheng folded his palms together, held the jade pendant tightly in his palm, closed his eyes, and said in a low voice: "Anu, I ordered you to go with Muen that day... You didn't say anything, you just asked me for this Take the jade pendant with you...now we will meet in the spring...in your heart...do you still hate me?..."

A thunderbolt suddenly hit the flag pavilion outside the tent, with a click, sparks were lit from the starting point, and the brilliance flashed, penetrating straight into the tent.

Lu Li's whole body shook violently, and he lost his voice, "You...what did you say?..."

Quiet Ye is heartless, and there is no answer.

Zhong Shiheng's beard and hair were drooping, his breath was silent, and he passed away forever.

The remnant candle is silent, as if it knows that the star will fade away, and the cold flame will be extinguished in a flash.Grand plans and great wishes, laments and sorrows, all turned into cold ashes.

Lu Li knelt in front of the bed in a daze.

He was obsessed, like in a dream.

I don't know how long he knelt for, finally, he stood up and walked out of the handsome tent slowly.He heard the shouts of killing outside the northern city suddenly, he got on his horse and galloped towards the wall of the urn in the north of the city.

Ascending to the city, I saw that the Zhongyi Army and the Mingzhu Department were fighting in a melee under the city.

All of a sudden, there are hundreds of people riding finely all the way from the north.He was the first to ride a fast horse with a long whip, with silver drums and stars shining around his waist, and his hands were powerful enough to block thunder.

Sunu!

Seeing from a distance, Zhongyi was full of surprises.He urged his horse to raise his sword, and shouted loudly behind him: "Come on!"

Having received this strong support, the Zhong family's army was suddenly shaken, like a rising tide and a shocking wave, and instantly covered up in front of the battle.

Lu Li supported the city wall with his hands, his heart ached, he turned around, and walked towards the huge battle drum at the top of the city step by step.

Holding the drum hammer, he raised his arms and hit the drum with all his strength.

The majestic bass sounded impressively, passed through the rolling thunder, and went straight into the sky.

Military uniforms are fluttering, and the past is lingering in the wind, like a kite with a broken string, gone and cannot be traced.

...Son, with daddy here, I will definitely be able to guard the three villages in Chongling...You and your mother are waiting for me here...I will be back soon...

... Qingjian City is short of a commander-in-chief. Do you want to take this position and make a career for them to show them, so that they will be convinced from now on? ...

...Auntie is dying...this jade pendant...is your father's...you take it...don't throw it away...at any time...

The sound of drums reverberates far away to the battlefield.Lu Li looked up to the sky, letting the tears flow down his cheeks quietly.

The thunderbolt is like a whip, winding the sky, splitting the deep night sky, and lonely heart.

Infatuation and long-term hatred are all for a hundred years.

The author has something to say: This paragraph was originally a side story owed to Zhu Sha, but he really loves Mr. Zhong so much, so it was included in the main text.

In addition, the Xixia folk songs are not as good as they have long been lost, so I corrected them based on unofficial history, which is a little proud.