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Chapter 86
Wu Jie stood at the bow of the boat, looking at the surging river.
Back then, it was in such a cold season that she and Lu Pingting took a big boat and went all the way north to the Capital City of Great Wei, where they became birds in a golden cage. Now it is such a cold season again, I am going south by boat, and I am about to return to my hometown.
Originally, she thought that she could walk freely, but she didn't expect to be so entangled and unbearable.
The news she heard from the palace population these days made her miserable.
Since Hangu Pass was breached, the barbarians in the north have gathered more than 200,000 troops and invaded the Central Plains. Not only the tiger and wolf divisions of the Di tribe, but also many other tribes are scrambling to devour this fat land. land.
More than a dozen cities in the north were captured by barbarians in a row, and several of them were bloody washed. Even if the cities were not massacred, they were not much better. All the women, children, and artisans were taken captive to the north and used as slaves. The fighting methods of the northern barbarians have always been so cruel.
A group of hungry wolves surrounded a fierce tiger, biting pieces of flesh and blood off the tiger's body. The tiger was exhausted, but there was a lion below, biting its tail.
At the same time as the northern front fell, the newly succeeded emperor of South Chen marched northward, apparently intending to take back the territory lost to the Northern Wei Dynasty a few years ago in one fell swoop. and even go a step further...
The frontiers that are constantly being defeated at the border, as well as the civilians who were slaughtered innocently,
Wu Jie is not a hard-hearted person, so it is impossible not to be touched. In particular, all this happened because of Gao Zimo. It was he who ordered the remnants of the Northwest General's Mansion to open the pass so that these barbarians could take advantage of it.
Did I do something wrong? Helped the teenager leave that day.
Wu Jie fell into deep hesitation and self-blame. Compared with it, her previous worries about Dongyue Guozuo and her regret about taking refuge in the enemy of the Northern Wei Dynasty were nothing to mention.
She dreaded the constant bad news from the north. I am even more afraid that if Yuan Jing can't resist these barbarians going south, what a cruel hell the north will become? In the annals of history, the tragedy of the chaos and the tragedy of people competing to eat a hundred years ago. Even the barbarians continued to go south, sweeping up the entire Central Plains...
It's all because of Gao Zimo, because he let the boy go.
Wu Jie held onto the wooden planks on the side of the boat with her hands. These days she could barely sleep, she was worried every day, and her big bright eyes were surrounded by thick bruises.
Coming out of the cabin, Yuan Jing looked at her back, "It's cold on the river, let's go back to the cabin."
Wu Jie remained silent, but she didn't intend to obey him.
Yuan Jing stood beside her helplessly, and the two of them looked at the sparkling river side by side.
Yuan Jing said suddenly: "In this season, the river water is relatively gentle. If it gets colder, it may freeze. At that time, the river will be closed and impassable. But in spring, the ice and snow melt, and many tributaries pour into the main river, and the water is strong. Rising. In that season, the peach blossom forests on both sides of the river are in full bloom, and many petals fall into the river and drift with the current. Even the fish in the river like to chase the petals, so it is also called the peach blossom flood, and it is a famous scene in Jinwu City."
"Ahead is Jinwu City. If I send you a little further, we will part ways."
Wu Jie turned her head to look at him, and said with difficulty: "Your Majesty, I heard that the border crossing is full of smoke."
Yuan Jing gave a low laugh: "Unexpectedly, you found out. Are you worried about Zhen, or about Dongyue's future?"
"Don't worry, with me here, I can still support it for a while."
"This chaos has nothing to do with you. After returning to East Vietnam, you will live in peace."
Wu Jie's body trembled: "I heard that the barbarians are powerful and ambitious. If the world is in chaos, where can we find a paradise?"
"Barbarians are not good at water warfare. With the Yangtze River as a moat, the land south of the Yangtze River should be able to hold on for a while longer. Moreover, the new successor, judging by his administration for the past six months, also looks like a wise king. I hope he can hold on."
Yuan Jing raised her hand and stroked the top of her head, with a smile still on her face, but slightly bitter.
"If one day you hear the news of the fall of Great Wei's Capital City, you should persuade your uncle to join South Chen. The new South Chen king is not of the same rank as the previous ruling Zhou's party, and he should accept you of."
Looking at the surging river in the distance, he said with emotion: "Since I came to the throne, I have tried my best to be a good emperor, but I never thought that the situation would change three times a day, and instead, the situation of the country would go from bad to worse. It’s my own death. Ha, maybe I don’t have the literary and martial arts that I think I have, everything is because I think too much of myself.”
Wu Jie couldn't restrain herself, and said in a low voice, "I'm sorry."
Knowing why she apologized, Yuan Jing shook her head and said, "You are not wrong. I set up a scheme to kill him in the first place. I am sorry for him. It is reasonable for him to choose so."
"In Dongyue's assassination against Gao Zimo, although Yuan Zhe acted without authorization and did not report it to me, if I were in his position and put myself in his place, it would be the same choice."
Wu Jie raised her head and stared at him.
"The emperor has always been very tolerant towards Gao Zimo." Wu Jie could tell that Yuan Jing really admired this young man, not because of hypocrisy and obedience due to Gao's military power.
Yuan Jing said frankly: "It is naturally a cost-effective business to exchange the death of one person for the resolution of the greatest crisis in the future."
Wu Jie was in a trance. What he said was the truth. In her previous life, Gao Zimo's death completely removed the shadow of Lingbei Gao's rebellion and stimulated Gao Tanyu's injury to relapse in a short time. The achievements of the Gao family's century-old management of the Northwest fell into the hands of the imperial court intact, and became the cornerstone of Yuan Jing's struggle for world hegemony.
In his previous life, it was because of the huge sum of money he got from Prince Fu's Mansion, and the elite soldiers and strong generals he got from the Gao family that he was able to conquer the north and south so quickly and made outstanding achievements.
Wu Jie gritted her teeth and felt a little resentful, "In the hearts of you people, human life and morality are nothing to worry about, they are all measurable businesses."
Although she disapproved of Gao Zimo's act of breaking the barrier and introducing foreign enemies, the origin of the matter was the Yuan clan's own eagerness for quick success and quick gains, and the act of drawing their salary from the bottom of the pot.
In daily contact, she is very clear that Gao Zimo also respects Yuan Jing, his brother-in-law, but he has fallen into the current situation of desperate killing each other. Thinking of that night, Gao Zimo's generous words in front of her were full of the pain of being let down.
"Gao Shi has been going through life and death for so many years..."
Yuan Jing smiled self-deprecatingly: "Many things in this world cannot be simply measured by justice."
"Gao's contribution is naturally outstanding, but the court has also rewarded this hard work."
"Besides, are these sacrifices only the sacrifices of the Gao clan? It is not bad for the three sons of the Gao clan to die on the battlefield. How many families in the north have not only lost their three sons, but even father and son died in battle, and the family is extinct. Unnamed."
"When I was young, I was so fussy about going to the battlefield, my father was so disturbed that I had no choice but to agree. The first time I entered the military camp for training, I went to the northwest."
"At that time, I was only dreaming of going to battle to kill the enemy, imagining the glorious glory of raising thousands of troops, fighting on the battlefield, and defeating the enemy. Unfortunately, the noble prince is naturally not allowed to take such risks. I was assigned a logistics manager work."
"In the eyes of those veterans, as long as I, the prince, obediently stay in the axis camp, eat and drink well, and don't cause them any trouble."
"Of course I was full of annoyance, but I couldn't hold back those veterans, so I could only accept it. I felt that my good martial arts and enthusiasm were wasted."
Looking at the lowering sky, Yuan Jing spoke in a calm tone about his past experience,
The thirteen-year-old young man was not so well-behaved. He made up his mind that he would make a career out of it even in the Axis Heavy Battalion.
Then he personally followed the troops to collect grain and grass.
It was that time that he really saw clearly what life the people on the frontier of the Wei Dynasty were living.
Before Yuan Jing was in Capital City, he often took his attendants to the market halls, confidently seeing and experiencing the lives of ordinary people, but that day, he realized how superficial he was.
Dilapidated and crumbling shacks, dry and emaciated villagers who look like walking corpses, and dusty rice vats that even mice don't care about.
He couldn't even comprehend how these people were still alive.
There was a family who seemed to be from a scholarly background. Even though the old lady was sick and poor, she still had a decent conversation.
She begged bitterly, saying that her husband and eldest son had both gone to the battlefield, but her husband had already died in battle, and her son did not know where he was sent. The youngest son was sick and weak again, and begged them not to take away the little food left, otherwise they would starve to death.
The petty official who requisitioned food and grass couldn't bear it, but with the current military law, there was no room for relaxation. If she couldn't hand over the military food, she could only be taken away. After the official sold her, she would be used as military funds.
Wu Jie said in a low voice: "Is there no special care for such a military family?"
"According to the law, if a son joins the army, the family can be exempted from taxes for five years. This wife's family has been exempted for ten years. Unfortunately, the frontier is bitter and cold. Even if there is no tax burden, the people's life is very difficult."
"Seeing that the tax officer refused to show mercy, the lady was helpless, and finally said, take me away, even though I am old, I can still join the army to wash clothes for you, if the food is gone, the youngest son can only wait at home to die. Seeing this miserable mother and child, I can't bear it, but military laws and regulations cannot be violated."
"In the end, I took out the silver money myself, which can be considered as a substitute for this lady's taxes."
"I have no joy in returning this mother to her child, only a heavy heart."
"I can save this person, I can save that person, but even if I try my best, how many people can I save? When the war broke out, how many people were separated from their flesh and blood, and their families were destroyed."
Wu Jie didn't speak. She understood that this kind of military ration collection would cause either the people in the frontier to starve, or the soldiers and horses in the Northwest to starve. Let those soldiers fight hungry, die, lose the battle, and everyone will die in the future. The lesser of two evils, therefore, can only make the people hungry.
Yuan Jing's voice was low and heavy, and the story she told was very simple and straightforward, but Wu Jie didn't know what to say.
Although the country of East Vietnam is small, its people live relatively well-off because of its convenient geographical location. But even so, there are still some poor families. Once natural and man-made disasters happen, the situation will be even more tragic, and they will even be displaced.
The border of the Northern Wei Dynasty was even worse. In the early years, the barbarians in the Northland often went south to invade and invade. The border wars in the Northern Wei Dynasty were frequent, and the people suffered unspeakably.
Yuan Jing leaned on the railing, unable to see his expression clearly in the dark twilight.
"Thinking about it over the years, I'm very glad that I went to the front line and went to the Axle Weight Battalion that time, so I saw so much with my own eyes."
"Gao Tanyu is a man of great talent and great strategy. He has been in charge of the Northwest for thirty years, and his power is deeply rooted. When his father was alive, he treated these important ministers with kindness, and he has favored the Northwest many times. He even allocated the taxes of several counties to him. Presumably Gao Tanyu is also afraid of this kind of kindness, so it is not easy to seek rebellion immediately."
"However, over the years, he has continued to act in private. Do you know that among the thirty-six countries in the western territory, several countries have actually been destroyed by Gao's soldiers and replaced by their puppets. It's just that the court is at a loss. Even Even Yelan Country is under its control."
Wu Jie was shocked. Yelan Country is different from ordinary western territory countries. This country was established as a horse thief, and after the founding of the country, it did not give up this opportunity to make a fortune. It made good friends with other countries on the surface, but still engaged in robbery and murder in private. . If there is collusion with the Gao family...
"At least half of the large amount of money looted by Yelan Kingdom over the years has been paid to the Northwest General's Mansion." Yuan Jing's lips were taunting.
"In his later years, Emperor Father felt that the imperial court was struggling with money. He listened to the advice of Wang Gongxiao, a doctor in the Ministry of Officials, and opened up business contacts with the Northwest. Sure enough, the embarrassment of the Ministry of Households was greatly alleviated. The western territory was rich in financial resources, so Gao Tanyu followed. "
"I attacked Yelan Country. Although I didn't openly break the face with the Gao family, it has already made them fearful."
Wu Jie didn't say anything. In Gao Zimo's words, Gao's meritorious deeds were indeed wronged, and he was full of grief and indignation.
But from Yuan Jing's point of view, it's another story.
There are more helplessness in the story, and more elegiac songs of the common people. Although each of them is not as heroic as Gao's, they are even more desolate.
That night, Wu Jie suffered from insomnia.
In the early morning of the second day, the big ship arrived at Jinwu City, and it was time for the two parties to part. Yuan Jing took the cloak from the maid, shook it off and put it on Wu Jie's shoulders.
Wu Jie was covered by his shadow, she raised her head and looked at Yuan Jing's familiar face.
He still looked as calm as deep water, but his yingying eyes fell on him, and he felt more nostalgic.
Wu Jie stared at him blankly, thinking that this person was about to change boats from Jinwu to the north, rush to the border, and face the army going south. My heart tightened for a while.
Buttoning the silver button of the cloak for her, Yuan Jing suddenly lowered her head.
Wu Jie felt a heat on her forehead, it was his lips touching there.
"Have a good journey, Your Royal Highness." The warm feeling was fleeting, he told with a smile.
"Your Majesty..." Wu Jie let out a low cry.
Yuan Jing smiled and said: "If there is a day when I hear the news of the defeat of the soldiers. When you are free, remember to offer me a stick of incense. I heard that the incense in the White Deer Temple in Xinshao City is very effective. Maybe I am in The underworld can also hear your voice."
Wu Jie's figure trembled slightly, did she say such words casually?
Under Wu Jie's trembling gaze, Yuan Jing turned around decisively and left.
Sailing southeast from Jinwu City, Wu Jie's boat arrived at the mouth of Lu rivier soon.
The big boat stopped, and Wu Jie looked at the vast river water through the window of the boat.
Two years ago, at this place, Zifen made her faint with a cup of poisoned wine, and then threw her into the river. Now revisiting the old place, seeing the surging water, Wu Jie was full of entanglements.
The wharf is still the same wharf, and the station is still the same station.
Not even the furnishings in the room have changed much. Sitting by the bed, Wu Jie wondered whether Yuan Jing's journey to the north would be smooth. Before falling asleep, suddenly hurried footsteps sounded outside the door, messy and hasty.
Wu Jie got up immediately, and heard a familiar clear voice from outside: "Your Majesty, there are changes in the city, please leave as soon as possible!"
Escorting Wu Jie to the south were two large ships. In addition to the servant crew, Yuan Jing also arranged for a hundred elite soldiers to accompany her. Standing outside the door at this time was the school captain Deng Che who commanded these soldiers.
"What happened?" Wu Jie couldn't help asking.
"There is a war in the city ahead. Please hurry up and get on the boat, let's leave here." Deng Che said succinctly,
"Zhan Luan?" Wu Jie opened her eyes wide, "Is it barbarians coming here?"
Deng Che shook his head, "It's not a barbarian, it should be a soldier from South Chen."
South Chen? By the way, South Chen is closer here... No! This place can barely be regarded as the hinterland of the Northern Wei Dynasty. South Chen has already fought here. Doesn’t that mean that the southern front has completely collapsed...
Wu Jie put on her clothes as quickly as possible, and the maid pushed open the door.
Deng Che outside the door was full of anxiety, and he was relieved when he saw Wu Jie come out.
He and two guards escorted Wu Jie out of the inn quickly, while explaining Wu Jie's doubts.
"It's South Chen's navy. They went north by sea and approached this place silently. Now the soldiers are approaching the city, and the city is in chaos. Please move away as soon as possible."
Wu Jie immediately asked: "But the South Chen Navy has occupied the river, how can we escape?"
"The sailors came from the mouth of the Jiajiang River. Let's go south by boat, from the mouth of the Ruijiang River, and we are not going the same way with them."
Wu Jie briefly thought about the map of the nearby waterways. She was heading south, while South Chen's troops were going from east to west. As long as she took the time to leave, the two sides would not run into each other.
The post station was not far from the pier, and Wu Jie and his party arrived at their destination very quickly.
After getting off the carriage, a gust of cold wind blew, and Wu Jie shivered.
The cold winter has arrived, and the wind blows through the water in the middle of the night, making it bitterly cold.
She looked around and couldn't help but be surprised that the pier, which was still deserted and deserted during the day, was bustling with people at this time.
Under the dark night, relying on the sporadic lights of the torches, Wu Jie could vaguely distinguish that they were ordinary people in ordinary clothes, supporting the old and the young, carrying big packages, clustered around the pier.
Everyone's face was full of panic. The cold wind blew through the crowded crowd, and many people in thin clothes were shivering.
"It's all the people in the city who have heard the news and want to escape. Once the city is besieged, they won't be able to escape." Deng Che explained, with a hint of sadness in his eyes.
Wu Jie couldn't help but asked, "Where can I escape?"
"After crossing the river, Lian'an City in the north of the river has a higher wall and more defenders. It's safer than staying here."
Wu Jie was silent, the army was in chaos, and human life was worthless. Once the city is broken, even if the city will not be massacred, most of them will be transferred to hard labor, and they will almost die, not to mention that if it becomes a protracted war, food and grass will be cut off, and the people in the city will be even worse.
Standing on the bow of the boat and watching from a distance, in this moment, more and more people gathered on the shore.
However, the boats on the pier were obviously not enough. In order to compete for the limited boats, the waterside was in chaos. Some were even pushed off the boat.
Wu Jie roughly estimated the number of people on the shore, and then looked at the limited number of ships. Calculated in this way, it will take at least three or four days to transport the people on the bank across the river. There are many old and weak women and children on the shore. If they stay in the wild for several days in such severe cold weather, they are afraid that they will freeze to death.
Some desperate people, seeing the two bright boats on Wu Jie's side, began to approach this side, trying to board the boat.
Deng Che reminded: "Your Majesty, to ensure a smooth journey, you should leave as soon as possible."
Seeing the people helping the old and the young, Wu Jie was getting closer, her palms were clenched and then loosened, and she finally gritted her teeth and said, "Don't go now, order the big boat to help transport the people."
Deng Che was startled: "But ma'am, if you don't leave now, I'm afraid you will meet the enemy army when you go south."
In all fairness, as an officer of the Great Wei, he also wanted to help these innocent people, but with the military order in hand, protecting Wu Jie was a more important task.
The people on the shore are gathering more and more, even if they put in two large ships, they cannot be transported in a short time.
"We won't go south until these people are sent away." Wu Jie bit her lip and said in a low voice, "At that time, we will go west and go north along the way we came, returning to Capital City."
She finally made up her mind.
She wanted to meet Gao Zimo. She was responsible for this catastrophe, and she couldn't just let it go.
Not even considering the common people in the north, to be more realistic, they really fled back to East Vietnam and persuaded my uncle to join South Chen. But once the Northern Wei Dynasty could not hold on, and the barbarians in the north were rampant, they would surely invade the south in the future. That would be a catastrophe that would last for decades or even hundreds of years.
As long as there is a glimmer of hope, she will do her best to restore this most tragic result.
Even if he died in a foreign country, it was better than lingering with guilt and guilt.
Deng Che was greatly surprised by Wu Jie's decision, "But ma'am, the emperor ordered before that no matter what happens, you must put your safety first, and try to send her back to Xinshao City safely."
"The emperor's will is because of my wish. Now that I have changed my mind, naturally I don't need to go south." Wu Jie said decisively, "If there is any violation, I will explain it in the future."
She spoke decisively and loudly. After a long time, Deng Che didn't respond.
Thinking that the young man was still hesitating, Wu Jie raised her head, but saw a faint light in Deng Che's eyes.
"You don't need to explain to me, my mother is a weak girl, but she has such determination, her subordinates are all soldiers, and it is their duty to receive the favor of the emperor. They should serve." Realizing Wu Jie's determination, Deng Che's expression Some excitement. As an officer of the Great Wei Imperial Army, in times of crisis, of course, he hopes to help the people who are suffering in front of him.
Wu Jie gave up the safe choice of going south to her hometown, and instead helped the people, which made him immediately respect the noble concubine in front of him from the bottom of his heart.
He saluted respectfully, and immediately turned around and ordered the soldiers under him to get busy separately.