As the sun sets, the sunset turns the flowing clouds and the river water into blood red. The gunships on both sides bombard each other before stopping. The iron cables still sway under the water. On the wide river, there are countless broken wooden boards, debris and corpses floating. The river water seems much turbidder than usual, and the river wind is filled with a strong smell of gunpowder and blood.

The sky gradually darkened, and the artillery battle on the river continued until the other party was completely invisible. Even after dark, some small boats tried to attack in the dark. Whether it was the Liao army, Han army or Song army's gunships, they would fire fired fire and bombard them whenever they found any movement. Deng Su had to stay in Hanyang City for the night. A few years ago, the entire city of Hanyang was destroyed by floods. Although the Ezhou government rebuilt the city wall in Fenghuang Mountain, there were still very few houses in the city, and the only inn was destroyed by artillery fire. Zhao Xingde could only let Deng Suzhou get to the military camp behind the city wall.

The sound of cannons sounded from inside and outside from time to time. Deng Su closed his eyes, and it seemed that the scene of flesh and blood flying on the river in the daytime appeared in front of him. Fear and excitement were constantly suffering. Deng Su had not been sleeping all night. After tossing and turning, in the second half of the night, he simply put on his clothes and walked to relieve his sorrow. He came to announce the order twice, and he had been with Zhao Xingde during the day. Most of the soldiers on duty recognized him. Occasionally, someone asked him. Deng Suliang knew the identity of the Minister of Rites, but no one stopped him. He walked slowly all the way and walked up to the city wall.

When the river breeze blew, Deng Su shivered. Although it was summer, the river breeze was still very cool. His dizzy mind was a little clearer. He stood at the top of the city wearing a light robe and looked at the river. There were lights on the boat in the distance. There were thousands or tens of thousands of boats, but when they arrived nearby, they were pitch black. Within the range of the artillery, the ships on both sides dared not hold the lights to avoid indicating the direction of the other gunner.

"It's better to see it at first sight than hearing it. I thought the Liao thieves were only strong horses and archers," Deng Su shook his head and sighed, "I didn't expect that water wars and artillery were so powerful. Even if the river was natural danger, it might not be reliable." He sighed and was about to leave, when someone suddenly asked, "Who is it?"

Deng Su came to his senses and saw that in the city tower not far away, Zhao Xingde was walking over with two or three personal soldiers, carrying lanterns on the top of the city. Zhao Xingde and others stood under the lanterns, unable to see the situation in the dark here. "It's me," Deng Su replied, "Brother Zhao is patrolling the city?" It is not as serious as when he announced the imperial edict during the day, Deng Su's tone was more intimate.

Zhao Xingde heard Deng Su's voice, but frowned and did not answer. He turned to look at the general guarding the city wall. The general hurriedly said, "The guards at the city are not strict, and all the emperors are deployed to forgive me." Zhao Xingde nodded and said, "There is no loss in every place in Hanyang City. The city wall is heavy, and no one can get close to you. There is no military order, even if your Majesty comes in close contact, he is surprised." Seeing that there were people who were not wearing military robe standing in the dark of the city's head, he asked. He went out to take charge of the southeast camp, and he really couldn't stand the military discipline in the camp. Tonight, Deng Su actually climbed to the city wall unobstructed, which further confirmed some of Zhao Xingde's concerns, so he ignored the old friends' feelings and scolded the generals on the city tower first.

Seeing this scene clearly, Deng Su didn't care and said with a smile: "Deng can't fall asleep. He walked up to the city rashly, and it was indeed abrupt." He glanced at the guard general and said to Zhao Xingdedao, "This matter has arisen because of me, please forgive me for your crime." He explained his words, but the guard general was still staring at him.

"I think of the first offense, so I will send you this matter for the time being. If there is any reoffending, I will work together with military law."

Deng Su bowed and said, "Thank you, Brother Zhao." He said to himself, "I haven't seen you for many years. Yuan Zhi has experienced military service and has become more majestic. However, he is different from Cao Di, Liu Yanqing and others." He and Zhao Xingde were still classmates at the Imperial College. After years of separation, although he heard about each other's news, the meeting was still the last few days. After Zhao Xingde was sent to his subordinates, the guards did not dare to neglect them and personally instructed their subordinates not to let go of idle people to go up the city. Deng Su was the emperor's imperial envoy. Since he had arrived here, Zhao Xingde could not speak out and could only stand next to Deng Su. His personal soldiers were guarding seven or eight steps away.

Deng Su sighed: "It's a pity for General Zhang."

"Seeking benevolence and gaining benevolence." Zhao Xingde shook his head and said, "As a warrior, from the moment he went to the battlefield, he had to learn to face death. He sacrificed his life to the country and treat death as if he was home. It was easy to say, but difficult to do. Those who were generous to the righteousness like General Zhang can be called a true general."

Deng Su turned to look at Zhao Xingde. The night was as bright as water. Seeing that his expression was generous and seemed to have determination. Deng Su thought to himself, "Is it possible that Yuanzhi saw that the enemy was powerful and wanted to die with the city?" He was shocked and whispered: "Whether you can defend this Hanyang City or not. Yuan Zhi, you have a great future in your honor. For the court, the world, and the Majesty, you must keep a useful body and never make a plan to burn both jade and stone. Zhang Liang fought with a blow. If he had died at that time, he would not have the merits of planning and leaving a name in history. Otherwise, who would know who Zhang Liang was?"

In the evening, he learned that Zhang Qing, the famous navy general who died in battle during the day. The Song Dynasty has always been in power, and the court itself does not pay much attention to the navy. Apart from the last tragic scene, Zhang Qing did not leave much impression on Deng Su. When the city of Bianliang was besieged, Deng Su was in the city, but he did not get close to the battlefield so close, and he is still in fear. Deng Su didn't expect that the real battlefield would fly so hard and Zhao Xingde personally came to the front.

The two of them did not expect that even if they were the governor and the commander on the battlefield, they would die so easily. They were brave like Zhang Qing, surrounded by Liao thieves, and were shot at the same time. They died as if they were dead. Deng Su, remembering the news of the death of generals everywhere in the palace newspaper, Deng Su felt a little sad and scared. There were countless people in the court, but before that, they just skipped the obituaries like words.

"What does it mean to burn all the jades and stones?" After a moment of silence, Zhao Xingde sighed, "Zhang Liang's storm was walking straight. I regret not being able to hit you." He pointed to a group of patrol soldiers passing by the city and said, "The world is not the world of one person, but the world of the world. Zhao is only one of the people of the world. Even if I don't have me, there are so many soldiers."

"But there are differences between people after all." Deng Su said, "Some people have less responsibility in the rise and fall of the world, while others have more responsibility. A brave general like General Zhang, who is the best in the three armies, could have assumed greater responsibilities, but he performed his courage for a while and died in front of the formation. Is it beneficial to the world?" He knew that Zhao Xingde was the person His Majesty had high hopes for. If he used it well, he could balance the noble generals such as Cao Di, Yang Yanqing and others in the army, and could also restrain Yue Fei and Han Shizhong and others. He thought that if Hanyang was not defended, Zhao Xingde could abandon the city and leave, and he would make great efforts to make a move in front of His Majesty, but when Zhao Xingde heard that Zhao Xingde had no intention of escaping. In an impatient manner, he spoke without saying anything, and Zhao Xingde's face darkened.

"In yesterday's battle, the navy in the southeast camp was scattered and could not be arranged. The land camp was crowded on the river bank. If the Liao bandits were allowed to break through the iron chain, thousands of soldiers would be killed in battle, and even tens of thousands of troops might be defeated by the Liao bandits. General Zhang is not usually famous for his strategy, and it is said that he is not the bravest general in the Xiangyang army. However, the thieves are aggressive and everyone is protecting themselves. Maybe it is 'to keep a useful body and wait for the future'," Zhao Xingde's lips sneered, "Only General Zhang stood up and turned the tide."

"I have no intention of belittle General Zhang, it's just a pity. It's so-called "A thousand troops are easy to get, but one general is hard to find." Deng Su was a little embarrassed, "Brother Zhao is different from ordinary generals. You can ignore your safety." He thought in his heart, and he couldn't say so clearly. He stopped talking for a moment and pondered for a moment, and then said, "Brother Zhao's general has great achievements, not on the battlefield. Even if he expels the Beilu, Xu Tu still needs to restore the revival and revitalize the court, moral articles, and the world and people's hearts. How can you let go of these things?"

Speaking of this, Deng Su took a deep breath. He finally understood why he was so nervous about Zhao Xingde's life and death. Because of assisting Zhao Qi, there was an invisible crack among Deng Su and the gentlemen of the Li Society. Even the scholars who were good friends with Deng Su in the past, in Ezhou, "respecting the emperor and not obeying orders" and "either being a party or an enemy", he could only draw a clear line with Deng Su. Although Ezhou has temporarily regarded Zhao Qi as the emperor, Chen Dong

The others still ordered themselves to be appointed, but the Prime Minister's Office did not withdraw, Yue Fei's position as a Privy Councilor was still present, and the prefectures and counties were still elected by the school's students. Baoyi, Zhenguo, Henghai army and the imperial guards guarding Zhao Qi were still clearly divided. This was the case in the court, and the people below were even more chaotic. I don't know how this situation would continue to evolve. Zhao Xingde, whether he wanted or not, was an important weight to balance this delicate situation.

"Different?" Zhao Xingde shook his head, he sighed and looked into the distance. After a long time, he said, "Everyone is different." He paused and suddenly said, "The birds flying in the morning glow are probably different. At this time, the fish belly is gradually white in the sky in the east, and the breeze clouds are like light rouge on it. Occasionally, some birds are flying up and down in the glow to find food.
Chapter completed!