It seems a bit desolate outside the north gate of Bianliang City. Several dead willow trees have been hollowed out by insects, leaving only dry skins. Just like the dynasty they are in, they have already died in name only, leaving only an empty shell that deceives people with their own self.

The sunset was shaking in the sky to the west, and there were no hills in the Central Plains, and the horizon was clearly visible. The afterglow of the sunset fell on the outskirts of Bianliang City, immersing everything outside the city in this golden dream. The ten-mile long pavilion was filled with people. They were not bidding farewell here, but waiting for their unknown destiny.

In the battle of Taiyuan, Wang Jian, the Grand Marshal of the Palace, led 100,000 troops, but was defeated by a 70,000 Jin army. Wang Jian knew that he could not escape the death penalty and was punished. Wang Zichun wanted to return the body like his father, but was rescued by his father's general. After all, he was only nineteen years old and was young and the eldest son of the Wang family. If he apologized for his death, wouldn't the Wang family be completely defeated?

Wang Zichun's right arm was shot by a bow and arrow, and there were several minor wound marks on his back. His right arm, which was wrapped in thick bandages, was held in front of his chest, and his armor was also broken. After this battle, more than half of the Song army was killed or injured, and more than 10,000 surrendered. The rest ran away and scattered, and less than three thousand people could return to Bianliang City.

Wang Zichun looked up at the tall city gate. The officers on the city gate were staring at their every move. A row of archers had put arrows on the strings. As soon as the imperial edict arrived, these defeated soldiers would apologize for death. Wang Zichun's eyes were dull, and he looked at the closed city gate foolishly, waiting quietly for his destiny.

The ministers argued endlessly above the imperial palace.

"Master Wang's army was not good at going to the army, and he lost 100,000 imperial guards, which made our army and civilians panic. Everyone in the capital was in danger, and his crimes were unforgivable, Master Zhu finally found the most powerful opportunity, and wanted to get rid of these thorns in their eyes and thorns in their flesh in one fell swoop.

Emperor Qinzong lowered his head and said nothing, just wanting to see how much sewage they still had to pour out. Master Zhu's followers made a report, strongly advocating the severe punishment of these defeated generals. Those soldiers who had lost their battle should also be exiled to be hard laborers or to build imperial tombs.

Seeing that Qin Zong did not say a word and was reluctant to approve their memorials, Master Zhu said again: "Master, Wang Jian went to Taiyuan this time and returned from a great defeat. Not only did he not lift the siege of Taiyuan, but he also angered the Jin people even more. If the Jin people invaded the Central Plains because of this battle, then I would never have peace in the Song Dynasty! If such a crime is not severely punished, I am afraid that the ministers in the court will not accept it, and it will be difficult for the soldiers of the three armies to..."

"Okay, OK, stop talking!" Emperor Qinzong seemed impatient, "Taiwei Wang has already apologized for his death, so how can he punish him severely? Would you let me kill the whole family? If you lose a battle, you will have to be executed. Then who else dares to go to battle for me in the future? I know that my beloved and Taiwei Wang were in disagreement in the past, but now Taiwei Wang is dead, why should the Taishi be forced to force each other? Everything cannot be done too well!"

Emperor Qinzong's words left Grandmaster Zhu speechless, and the Minister of Personnel came forward and said: "This time he sent troops to Taiyuan was Liu's strong proposal. Liu Anguo could not refuse the blame for the defeat. I hope the emperor will clearly understand that Liu Anguo's position will be the prime minister to correct the court!"

Qin Zong said: "Although this expedition is the plan of Prime Minister Liu, it is also my will. If you want to give up Prime Minister Liu, you might as well just take my throne and choose another virtuous person!"

"I don't dare! I don't dare!" The Minister of Personnel was so scared that he knelt down and begged for mercy.

At this time, the Secretariat ordered Eunuch Zhang to walk into the hall, gently attached himself to Qin Zong's ear and whispered: "Emperor, Prime Minister Liu is looking for a meeting outside the hall."

"Why is he here? Didn't I call him into the palace?" Qin Zong asked in a low voice.

"I don't know, he came to the palace to ask for the saint!"

"Oh, then let him come in."

Eunuch Zhang nodded the commander's order and whispered to the palace gate: "Prime Minister Xuan Liu enters the palace!"

Liu Anguo walked quickly to the hall and bowed to the ground and bowed to his feet. "The sinner Liu Anguo met the Lord, long live my lord!"

"Your dear, please be calm! You call me a 'sin' minister', I don't know what it means?" Qin Zong said.

"It was the old minister who submitted a memorial the day before yesterday that he asked the emperor to send troops to Taiyuan, which would lead to today's defeat. If it weren't for the advice of his minister, he would not have harmed the Taiwei Wang, who would have the result of today. It was the old minister's fault!" As he said that, he kowtowed.

"Your dear, please get up and talk! This time I send troops is my will. If there is any mistake, it is my fault. The old prime minister doesn't have to blame himself. The death of the Taiwei Wang is just a blame for his lack of strategy. Even a hundred thousand troops could not save Taiyuan. He died because he had no shame to come to see me!" Qin Zong sighed again as he said.

Liu Anguo reported: "The Emperor Wang went to the expedition this time and was mainly loyal. His eldest son also went to the expedition with the army and was now waiting outside the north gate for the emperor to come to an end! I wonder how the emperor would deal with these defeated generals?"

"Oh! I'm worried about this matter too! I wonder what the Liu Qing family thinks should deal with them?" Qin Zong asked.

"I think that although these soldiers were defeated, they could still return to Bianliang to wait for the emperor to make a decision. This shows their loyalty. The emperor should spare them to die!" Liu Anguodao.

"No, Master!" Zhu Taishi immediately stopped him, "These defeated soldiers, as imperial guards of the Song Dynasty, did not die in the battlefield, but lived in vain. What kind of face do they have to meet the emperor and the people of the Song Dynasty? If they do not punish them severely, they will inevitably disintegrate the morale of the future imperial guards and everyone is greedy for life and fear of death. At that time, who else in our army in the Song Dynasty will be willing to fight bravely to kill the enemy without regard for life and death? According to the old ministers, the generals in the defeated army should be beheaded and displayed in public according to the military orders!"

Liu Anguo believed that Master Zhu would definitely advocate beheading them, so he said, "Military law is important, but how can the people ignore the hearts of the people? These soldiers and soldiers all have young and old families. They were lucky enough to save their lives, but did not die in the hands of the Jin people, but they would die in the hands of the emperor. How do you accept their wives and children? This is to trap the emperor in an unkind place!

If the Lord can forgive them without guilt, then the world will be grateful to the Lord for his compassion. If the soldiers of the three armies know that the Lord is a virtuous king who loves the people as much as their sons, they will also fight bravely to fight the enemy to repay the Lord’s kindness! Now external troubles are worrying, and it is the time to use people. I urge the Lord to give these soldiers a chance to make meritorious service when they are guilty!"

Emperor Qinzong has always loved the people. Although he had no talent and strategy, he only had the principle of "water can carry a boat, but also overturned the boat". He said: "The Liu Prime Minister's words are reasonable. Although I do not have the talent of Taizu, I also know the principle of "the world that wins the hearts of the people". Then I will give them a chance to make meritorious service when they are guilty!"

Liu Anguo shouted, "My Lord is wise!" He knelt down and thanked him, and finally saved the lives of these people.

After talking, Liu Yixuan quickly left the Prime Minister's Mansion and headed straight to the gate of the north of the city. The guards stopped him and said, "There is no order, so the door cannot be opened!"

Liu Yixuan said: "I have something urgent to do, I want to leave the city!"

"If you have urgent matters, you can take a detour. There are all remnants of defeated soldiers outside the door. Without military orders, the door cannot be opened!"

"What military order? Who are you listening to here? I am the young master of Liu Xiangguo. I want to leave the city. Call your boss over!" Liu Yixuan started a big quarrel.

At this moment, a young general walked down the city tower and asked, "Who is going out?"

Liu Yixuan looked at him, and was as handsome as himself, with a tiger's back and bear's waist, thick eyebrows and big eyes, round sky and earth, and looked majestic. Liu Yixuan felt that he had become a captain as if he was so young, and must not be an ordinary person, so he said, "It's me, I'm going to leave the city!"

The gatekeeper replied to the young general: "Tao Yue Du, this person insisted on yelling to leave the city, saying that he was the prince of the prime minister!"

Yue Du said, "What kind of princess of the country! Without the will of the Lord, no one can leave the city!"

Liu Yixuan advised with kind words: "There is one of the defeated soldiers outside the gate who is a friend who is here. He went to the army to fight and returned for a lifetime. I must go out of the city to greet him! Please let the general be more comfortable and give me some convenience."

"I can't tell that you are a person who values ​​loyalty, but you have orders from above and there is nothing you can do. Mr. Liu should invite him back!" Yue Dutou said.

Seeing that he was not enlightened, Liu Yixuan had no choice but to say, "Why are you stupid? The emperor did not allow the city gate to open to prevent these soldiers from entering the city, and I did not let them in. What's wrong? Besides, they are soldiers like you, but they are just defeated. Do you really want to see them die at the feet of their capital? Let me tell you the truth, my father has entered the palace to meet the saint, and is pleading with the emperor to pardon these soldiers. If nothing unexpected happens, an imperial edict will arrive later!"

"Is that so? The Prime Minister went to plead for them? I heard that many ministers in the court were going to punish them?" Yue Du looked a little suspicious.

"Is there any falsehood? I came to tell them the news, so that they should not worry and not cause trouble! I would like to ask the general to let me out of the city. I am very grateful!"

Yue Du glanced at Liu Yixuan and felt that he was not deceiving him. He was also a soldier. Naturally, he didn't want to see his comrades being punished by the court. He thought about it before and afterwards, and then said:

"Okay, today Yue disobeys the military order and asks you to leave the city, but you must wait until the imperial edict is delivered before entering the city. If the Lord really wants to cure their sins, then we have to act according to the order!"

"Okay, I'm thanking Yue Du on behalf of the soldiers outside the city! I will invite you to drink another day!" Liu Yixuan said happily.

"I'll be spared if I drink. If the emperor just said, the emperor can pardon these officers and soldiers, our soldiers should also thank Lord Lingzun. Okay, let's not talk about these things, it's more important for you to leave the city!"

Liu Yixuan successfully left the city gate, crossed the moat and came to the willow forest. He saw many soldiers surrounding him. These soldiers waited outside the city for a day before they saw someone coming out of the city. They were all very curious.

Liu Yixuan saw a dirt-faced veteran and asked, "May I ask, have you seen the prince of Taiwei Wang?"

The veteran pointed behind him and said, "The Major General is under the long pavilion over there, I'll take you there!" As he said that, he walked over there. A group of soldiers watched and followed closely, wanting to see what he was here for and also wanting to inquire about the news in the city.

Liu Yixuan saw Wang Zichun from afar. He was no longer as handsome as he met, but his face turned dark, his lips turned blue, and the scars on his forehead also showed some purple-black blood stasis.

"Brother Zichun! It's me, I'm here to pick you up!" Liu Yixuan called him from afar.

Wang Zichun stood up and saw that he was indeed his friend. He was extremely surprised. He thought he was a guilty person and no one would be willing to have any relationship with him, but he didn't want his classmates and friends to go out of the city to greet him in person.

"Brother Liu, why are you here? Brother..." He was already full of tears and could not speak. His father was gone, and the emperor who swears to be loyal to him was unwilling to accept them. In the more than half a month of his expedition, Wang Zichun experienced too many changes. He saw the tragic battlefield, and saw that life and death were only in a moment. He recognized the warmth and coldness of human feelings and felt the coldness of the world.

Liu Yixuan gave him a hug and said, "Stop talking, I have heard it all. Do you still remember what I said to you before leaving? I told you to come back alive. This victory and defeat are common in military affairs. You and I are young and young, so why worry about not being able to make achievements in the future? Life is precious, and we cannot lose our lives for the foolish emperor... that emperor!

Your father knew that he would not be able to live when he came back, so he found a short-sighted view. However, Lord Wang’s loyalty can be seen and the sun and moon will definitely be famous in history! Just beg for the sake of grief. The Northern Song Dynasty will be over soon. Let’s go to the Southern Song Dynasty at that time? We can still work with the Jin soldiers and avenge the Taiwei!”

Although Liu Yixuan was talking nonsense, his heart was full of sincerity. He really didn't want to see this buddy fall into a slump and lose his life's future.

Wang Zichun held Liu Yixuan's hand tightly and felt that this friendship was extremely precious. The so-called: Meeting is like a first meeting, and suffering will eventually lead to people's hearts! What will happen next? The following continues!
Chapter completed!