It has fallen into the night, and the wind and snow are gathering in the Xia Cun area, blending with the light of the bonfire.

After the resentful army withdrew from here, the surrounding area was once again completely under Xia Cun's control. The war had just stopped in the morning, but all kinds of things showed no signs of ending at this time.

, the initial carnival and excitement, and the joy of surviving a life-threatening situation have temporarily faded away. At this time, both inside and outside the camp are surrounded by all kinds of things.

"... At the beginning of the battle, I know that everyone is tired, and I am also tired. However, when we just held the meeting, General Qin and Mr. Ning have decided to break camp tomorrow and reinforce the capital. You must convey this matter to the people...

"

In a small shed with lights on, the middle-level generals of the Xia Cun Army were having a meeting. The news delivered by the commander Pang Liuan was not easy, but even after a busy day, these officers, each with hundreds of people under their command, were still

Cheered up.

"...We fought for ten days and defeated Guo Yaoshi. Everyone knows the situation. But the capital is in danger. The news that came this afternoon has become clear. Mr. Xiao Zhong made a desperate move and went straight to Zongwang's formation! He is

Knowing that Zong Wang's siege battle has come to an end. If Zong Wang's army suffers casualties, it will be difficult to continue to attack the capital. Mr. Xiao Zhong attracted Zong Wang's attention, but now, the capital's army cannot go out of the city to rescue!

In a radius of dozens of miles, we are the only troops that can fight!"

"At today's meeting, Mr. Ning has emphasized that the Battle of the Capital will be basically over and over when Medical Master Guo retreats! This is the victory we have been waiting for!"

In the light of the fire, Pang Liu'an waved his hand: "But the end only means that the overall situation remains unchanged, and the capital has probably been able to defend itself. But have we really won this battle? Tens of thousands of Jurchens were killed, and they marched all the way, killing

When we came to the capital, we defeated the city several times! Outside Bianliang City, we defeated hundreds of thousands of our troops in a row! We forced them to retreat. Now we can barely do it, but even if we force them to retreat, what will happen? He will come back in the future.

, can I stop it?"

"Brothers, General Qin and Mr. Ning, I have spoken today. Regardless of the outcome of today's battle, there will be another decisive battle between the two countries in the future. This will be a life-or-death battle to destroy the country. In this battle, the most important thing is

What is he... a person who can fight!"

Pang Liu'an paused for a moment and looked at the generals: "Like us in Xia Village, General Long and others who came for the rescue, and Mr. Xiaozhong who dared to fight the Jurchens. We can rely on those who

, not those smart people who shrink back after understanding the overall situation, but these brothers who advance despite the difficulties! Everyone, if the Jurchens want to go back safely, they only have the strength to fight. Our army has fought against Guo Yaoshi.

Temper it into a sword, and tomorrow you will break out of camp to join the Jurchen army, whether fighting or not. It is all an act of fighting in the face of bloodshed. When the Jurchens come back in the future, you will all be the mainstay of this country. How wonderful it would be if you could not hunt the world...

…You must bring these matters to your brothers under your command.”

The order from above was issued not long ago and is still fermenting, but for many soldiers and generals in Xia Cun, they are somewhat aware of it. A great victory, for the soldiers of Xia Cun at this time, has an unbearable weight. Only

Because there are so few such victories, such hardship and tenacity, they have rarely experienced it.

Although there are celebrations and carnivals at noon and night, not many people are simply immersed in joy after eating and drinking with an open stomach. Before this, everyone here has experienced too many defeats and has seen too much.

The death of multiple companions. When death becomes the norm, people will not be surprised by it. However, when the choice of immortality appears in front of everyone, questions about why they died and failed in the past will begin to arise.

For the army in the world at this time, I am afraid that this is the only one who will feel this way after the war. In a sense, this is also because of Ning Yi’s guidance over the past few months. Therefore, after the victory, I feel sad

There are those who cry, but of course, among these complex emotions, joy and heartfelt personal admiration still account for a lot.

Ning Yi and Qin Shaoqian's images of one literary and one military, literary planning, military decisiveness, plus the black cavalry from Luliang Mountain, a large number of green forest people under Zhuji's command, all kinds of unique skills, these things have a clear

The symbolic nature of this army, which is made up of a mixed army, can easily leave its mark on everyone's hearts.

After a big meal, Mao Yishan went to visit some of the brothers he knew in the wounded barracks. When he came out, he saw Qu Qing greeting him. For the past few days, this veteran brother who had been in the war for many years always gave him

He felt calm and a little depressed, but at this moment, he became a little different. In the wind and snow, there was a happy and relaxed smile on his face.

No soldier would take the snowstorm in front of him seriously.

After chatting for a while, Qu Qing gave him a stone: "Stop wandering around, go back and sharpen your knife."

"Huh?" Mao Yishan was stunned for a moment, then he understood, "Will we still fight tomorrow?"

"It may not be tomorrow, and there may not be another battle, but there will definitely be a confrontation with the Jurchens. It is best not to fight, but don't be afraid of fighting. Let's just be prepared."

That afternoon, when paying homage to Long Hui, everyone was excited even though they were tired. Soon after, news came that Zong Wang was facing a fight with Zong Wang. After visiting the people who were injured, they were still rejoicing for victory.

After becoming brothers, Mao Yishan, like some other soldiers, was somewhat mentally prepared to confront the Jurchens, and even had a faint bloodthirsty desire. But of course, desire is one thing, and actually doing it is another.

On the other hand, people in Mao Yishan also know that after ten days of fighting, even the soldiers who have not entered the wounded barracks are all exhausted.

However, if someone from above is speaking, then he must be confident, and there is nothing to think about.

The two of them were on the mountainside, chatting for a few words and looking down the mountain. The area over the summer village camp gate actually seemed a bit lively. That was because several groups of people had come over not long ago, all of them.

The people from other troops near Bianliang looked a little upset. Mao Yishan thought of something in his mind and asked: "Brother Qu, in which army did you... actually serve as an officer?"

Qu Qing has good martial arts skills and rich combat experience. He can clearly see the development and changes of many situations on the battlefield. Mao Yishan has already seen it. Seeing that he was in a good mood today, he asked. Qu Qing looked down the mountain. He was not annoyed by this question. After a moment, he smiled and said, "Being an official... is worse than being a soldier."

"Then...Brother Qu, if this battle is over, will you and I have to go back to our respective troops?"

This sentence was asked by Mao Yishan after hesitating for a moment. After asking, Qu Qing also fell silent, but not long after, looking at the excitement on the other side of the camp gate, he frowned and snorted coldly.

, said no more.

It was less than a day after the Battle of Xiacun, and it only started in the evening. From then on, envoys sent from various armies near Bianliang began to come over one after another. These people, or the high-ranking ones in the other armies, were famous.

, there were martial artists, and there were also generals who had held official positions in the Wurui camp and were recruited by Chen Yanshu and other officials after the defeat. These people came one after another, on the one hand, to congratulate the victory of Xia Cun, and to praise Qin Shaoqian and others for their unparalleled achievements.

On the other hand, Gong, on the other hand, assumed the attitude of only Qin Shaoqian and hoped to break camp and advance with Xia Cun's army. Taking advantage of this great victory, morale was high, and they could jointly relieve the siege of the capital.

And the arrival of these people also asked a question on the side: due to the initial defeat of all armies, all parties gathered up the defeated troops, and everyone's placement was disrupted. It was just an expedient. Now that they have had a chance to breathe,

Is it possible for these soldiers with different establishments to return to their original establishments?

The problem of confusion in the organization of soldiers may not be solved for a while. However, the placement of generals is relatively clear. For example, in the Xiacun Army at this time, He Zhicheng was originally subordinate to He Chengzhong of the Wuwei Army, and Pang Lingming, the commander of Mao Yishan,

.are the generals under Wu Shengjun and Chen Yanshu. At this time, such middle-level generals are often responsible for the stragglers under their command. The question of small soldiers can be vague. These generals can only be regarded as "seconded" at the beginning. So, when can they take their subordinates with them?

Where are the soldiers going back?

Xia Cun's side was careless about such issues. But compared to their usual slowness and clumsiness when facing the Jurchens, the reactions of everyone at this time seemed sharp and quick.

Who can be the real loser who can talk about things at this level?

****************

Beijing.

After coming out of the imperial city, Qin Siyuan went to the Ministry of War and dealt with a lot of things at hand. When he left the lobby of the Ministry of War, there was a strong wind and snow, and the desolate city lights were covered in the snow.

On this day, the Jurchens suspended their siege. According to the news from various sources, in the previous long suffering, a glimmer of optimism has appeared. Even if the Jurchens won a great victory outside the city, they would turn around and attack the city again.

, their morale has also been weakened and exhausted. All the princes in the court have already felt the possibility of peace talks. Although the defense of the capital cannot be relaxed yet, due to the cessation of the Jurchen offensive, they finally got a moment of respite.

But for Qin Siyuan, many things will not be reduced because of this, and even because of the next possibility, the things to prepare for have suddenly become more stressful.

Whether it's war or peace, everything that follows will only become more complicated.

"...Go to Suanzaomen."

After giving instructions to the attendants around him, after getting on the carriage, the old man read some of the news reported by the oil lamp in the carriage. In the past few days of the war, there were countless casualties, and there were already tens of thousands of people in Bianliang City.

The death of the deceased has created a huge feeling of war weariness, skyrocketing prices, and disorder of public security are already happening. The cries of women, children, and elderly people who have lost their family members continue day and night, and can be vaguely heard all the way from the Ministry of War to the city wall.

Such movements and the problems generated by these things will eventually be gathered in the hands of the old man, turning into huge problems and pressure that ordinary people cannot bear, pressing on his shoulders.

When he arrived near the devastated Xin Suanzao Gate, the old man put down what he was doing, got out of the car, propped up his crutches, and walked slowly towards the city wall.

There are bonfires, tents, and soldiers and wounded people gathering around. Many people will look this way. The old man is thin, and he drives away the followers who want to help him. He is thinking about something and holding a pillar.

Walking on crutches in the direction of the city wall, he did not look at these people, including the injured, and the mournful people who had lost family members in the city. These days, the old man was mostly indifferent to these people and ignored them. He reached the high stairs.

He didn't ask anyone to help him before walking up. Instead, he slowly climbed up the steps while thinking about something.

The dilapidated city wall was filled with the smell of blood, the wind and snow were raging, and in the night, the dimly lit Jurchen military camp could be seen, and it was already pitch black in the far direction. The old man looked into the distance for a while, and saw crowds and torches approaching.

The leading old man saluted Qin Siyuan in the wind and snow, and Qin Siyuan saluted over there. The two old men bowed to each other wordlessly in the wind and snow.

After a while, the old man on the other end spoke. It was a teacher's way.

"After hearing what happened in the palace today, Prime Minister Qin asked for troops to be sent to his younger brother. I am extremely grateful."

"..." Qin Siyuan said nothing and bowed his hands heavily.

The teacher on the other side had already straightened up: "It's just that this gratitude is for private purposes. To the public, the teacher is just like the public. I don't agree with Prime Minister Qin's idea. The capital is in danger, and the military strength in the city has been reduced. He hurriedly left the city, but was defeated.

The Jurchens defeated them one by one. If the Jurchens make a desperate move and attack the city again, we will only become more and more stretched. The right minister has this proposal...sigh..."

Both sides are extremely smart and well-versed in human affairs. Many things are the same whether they are said or not. In the Battle of Bianliang, Qin Siyuan was responsible for logistics and all mundane affairs, and did not interfere much in the war. He commanded the army in the division.

Coming here is certainly inspiring, but when the Jurchens change directions and attack and pursue them with all their strength, it is impossible for the capital to send troops to rescue. This is something everyone knows. Under such circumstances, the only ones who speak out fiercely want to use their last remaining strength to fight with the women.

The real person took a chance and saved the next seeder, but it was Qin Siyuan who had always been a reliable person. This was really beyond everyone's expectation.

So much so that in the Jinluan Hall today, in addition to Qin Siyuan himself, even Li Gang, the left prime minister who had always been his partner, raised objections to this matter. The matter in the capital is related to the survival of a country, how can one be allowed to put all his money into it?

What's more, no matter whether the cultivators are dead or alive, there seems to be hope for this war to end. Why bother growing such branches out of the blue?

The court ceremony lasted for a long time and ended with Qin Siyuan offending many people and achieving nothing. After the discussion, the old man handled the government affairs and came here again. As the elder brother among the planting masters, the planting ceremony

Although Shi Dao expressed his gratitude to Qin Siyuan for his righteousness, he also felt that he could not send troops due to the current situation.

"It's just... Prime Minister Qin, Zhong doesn't understand. You know the outcome of this council, so why bother doing this..."

In the wind and snow, Zhongshi Dao and Qin Siyuan walked to the city wall together, looking at the darkness in the distance, sighing in a low voice at the fate of Zhongshi who didn't know his destination.

…

"...Qin Siyuan, this old dog, behaved really strangely today."

In the imperial study room, after writing a few words, Zhou Zhe put down the brush, frowned and took a breath, then stood up and walked around.
To be continued...