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April 28th, Lin'an.
The carriage galloped on the roads within the city. As it rounded a sharp bend, a carriage approached from the opposite direction. Unable to avoid it, they crashed together with a loud bang. The panicked horses struggled to get up, and the wooden wheel detached from the axle, rolling away towards a food stall by the roadside. In the small square, people cursed in the chaos, and some gathered around to help restrain the struggling steeds.
Cheng Zhouhai crawled out of the carriage, touching his forehead, where a piece of wood had scratched him, causing blood to flow. He simply wiped it away. He didn't know which family the carriage belonged to. Lin'an had been under lockdown for four months, and the pace of life had slowed down. Such haste probably meant they had heard some news. He patted his attendant's shoulder, instructing him to handle the situation, then untied one of the horses and mounted it.
He rode towards a villa belonging to Li Pin in the north of Lin'an. Someone opened the gate to welcome him. Li Pin was already there in the courtyard, as was Tie Tianying. A solitary weeping willow stood at the edge of the empty courtyard, swaying in the morning sunlight. The three of them went inside, pushed open a door, and found the room filled with martial artists sharpening their swords and spears. In one corner, someone was skillfully and fiercely grinding a blade, creating a chilling blue gleam on the stone.
The three continued inside.
"Is the news confirmed?"
"At most, half an hour from now, the Jin envoy will enter through Anding Gate. The identity is temporarily unconfirmed."
Lifting the curtain of the doorway, the second room was also filled with martial artists preparing weapons. There were men and women, dressed in various attire, looking like ordinary pedestrians. The third room was the same.
"The court is in chaos, making it difficult to see the situation clearly. His Highness entered the palace this morning and we have not heard any news."
"Should we wait for His Highness to come out before making a decision?"
"His Highness has instructed me to act according to circumstances. Wanyan Xiyin's year-long strategy of winning hearts has been in effect; none of us knows how many people in the capital are ready to take sides. Ning Yi's purge order has made us more united, but when we can't hold on any longer, things could spiral out of control."
"Understood."
Tie Tianying nodded, a determined look in his eyes. Li Pin also nodded. Cheng Zhouhai stood there, the doorway to another empty courtyard ahead, sunlight streaming in.
"The escort for the Jurchen envoy will likely be troops from the city guard. No matter the outcome, you all may..."
Tie Tianying waved his hand, cutting him off, and looked back. "These are all people who lick blood from their blades. They value righteousness, not your laws."
At this, Cheng Zhouhai nodded slightly and smiled. Tie Tianying hesitated, then added, "We all expected this, but...it's just a bit early."
The martial artists in the room concealed their weapons. Cheng Zhouhai said nothing more. Li Pin saw him out. "I've contacted who I could, but the time is short, and the replies are unknown. Niu Xingguo of the Imperial Guard has a past with me; I'll go see him later to check the situation. As for His Highness, you'll have to worry about that… Brother Cheng, great oaks from little acorns grow. Some things are too late by the time you see them clearly. Do what needs to be done. After all, since Ning Yi's regicide, nothing is too outrageous."
Cheng Zhouhai nodded. "I'll contact His Highness first. We need to make all the necessary preparations."
****************
Inside the imperial palace of Lin'an, in a side room of the Funing Palace, Zhou Pei sat there, reading a book and listening to the birdsong from the garden outside the window.
She had been waiting all morning. In the Jinluan Hall outside, the officials of the third rank and above who had been summoned were still arguing and fighting in chaos. She knew that her father, the Emperor, had initiated the whole thing. With Jun Wu injured and Zhenjiang fallen, her father's entire strategy had fallen apart.
In fact, her father had already lost his way when the Jurchens started the war. When he played the terrible move of seeking peace with the Black Flag, breaking with the officials, fear had probably enveloped his mind and body. Zhou Pei often came to try to reason with her father, but although Zhou Yong nodded agreeably on the surface, he found it difficult to heed her words.
In any case, her father lacked the courage to face the difficulties head-on, and all of Zhou Pei's reasoning was ultimately based on courage. Jun Wu faced the Jurchen army with courage, but her father in the rear did not even have the courage to believe in him.
She could only do her best and leave the rest to fate. During this time, Zhou Pei had met with Qin Hui several times. He was obsequious, but airtight. Zhou Pei did not know what he was ultimately planning. Until this morning, Zhou Pei understood his desire for peace.
She was waiting to persuade her father. She was not suitable to go to the court in front, but she had already notified all the high officials she could, doing her best to explain the dangers of seeking peace to her father and the pro-peace faction. Even if reason failed, she hoped that the pro-war officials could unite and make her father see that the situation was stronger than any one person.
She took a sip of the cold tea in her cup. At some point, footsteps came from outside, and Zhou Yong's figure appeared in the
doorway. He was wearing the golden dragon robe of the supreme ruler, but his body under the yellow robe was thin and worn, and his expression was tired. However, when he saw Zhou Pei, a touch of warmth and softness appeared on his gaunt face.
"Daughter has been waiting long, right?" He walked over quickly. "No need for ceremony, no need for ceremony. Jun Wu's news… do you know?" As he said this, a look of sorrow appeared on his face.
"Jun Wu is only injured, nothing serious. I came here today hoping… to explain the dangers to Father, hoping that Father can withdraw his order. Although Zhenjiang has fallen, things can still be done. As long as Lin'an…"
As she said this, Zhou Yong waved his hand. "Daughter, leave these matters to the officials in the court. I… alas…"
"But why did Father order the Qiantang navy to move the ships…"
"Daughter! These things… let Minister Qin tell you, alright? Minister Qin, come in—"
Zhou Yong looked troubled and spoke towards the door. The old minister who was waiting outside the palace door came in. Qin Hui's hair was half white, and because of the morning's commotion, his hair and clothes had been messed up and then tidied up. He lowered his head slightly, his figure humble, but his face and eyes were filled with the magnanimity of "though a thousand, I shall go." Qin Hui paid his respects to Zhou Pei, and then began to explain the benefits and dangers of the whole matter to Zhou Pei.
The morning sun shone diagonally into the palace. Zhou Pei stood straight in a long dress. Listening to Qin Hui's explanation, she pursed her lips, but the expression on her face gradually became angry. Before long, she pointed at Qin Hui and cursed loudly. Qin Hui immediately knelt down, his words not stopping, Zhou Pei cursed or argued, and finally turned to her father beside her and began to speak.
Her expression was sad. First, she said that Jun Wu's efforts in the front would be worthless, and then she discussed the sacrifice of millions of people, and then she began to rebuke Qin Hui's ambitions. The Wu Dynasty was afraid that it would repeat the mistakes of the Jingping years. In the end, Zhou Yong could not bear it any longer.
"Fighting, fighting, what fighting, who can fight... in the battle of Zhenjiang, the soldiers on the front line were broken, and Jun Wu's status as a prince was in the front line. If Xiyin attacks again, who can protect him! Daughter, I am a mediocre king, I don't know how to fight, but I know what a bad person is! In your eyes, those who are thinking of surrendering in the capital are bad people! I am a bad person! I have been a bad person before so I know what these bad people can do! I don't trust them!"
His voice shook the palace, saliva stuck to his mouth: "I trust you, I trust Jun Wu, but the situation is like this, it can't be saved! Now the only way out is the Black Flag. The Jurchens want to fight the Black Flag, they don't have time to plunder the Wu Dynasty, let them fight. I have already sent someone to the front line to call Jun Wu back, and you too, daughter, let's go to the sea. As long as the Jurchens can't kill us, we will always have a chance to rise again. I bear the infamy of running away, and then give the throne to Jun Wu, isn't that okay? That's all that can be done—"
Zhou Pei shed tears and roared, "If I had known this, I would rather have ceded that half of the country to the Huaxia Army!"
"I want to cede it too!" Zhou Yong waved his hand and roared, "I have released my intention! I want to negotiate with the Black Flag! I can rule the world with them! Even my daughter... you can... but what did the Black Flag do! Daughter, I have told you these things two or three times, I... I don't blame you. I, I blame all the fame-seeking people in the court, I blame the Black Flag! Things have come to this, can you blame me? I have done everything I can! This matter is their fault—"
"I will not go to sea, and Jun Wu will definitely not go!"
"Then only if I live, Jun Wu may be able to save his life! After thinking about it, I have decided—"
"Father, you are greedy for life and afraid of death, a fatal mistake..."
"Shut up, shut up!"
Zhou Yong shouted hysterically.
"I am the monarch of a country!"
"I am the Son of Heaven!"
"I am the Emperor—"
The voice echoed, the majestic golden robe sleeve representing the supreme authority waved in the air, the birds on the tree were startled and flew away, the emperor's and princess's majesty confronted each other in the palace...
*****************
Figures of various pedestrians left the courtyard from different directions, merging into the crowd of Lin'an. Tie Tianying and Li Pin walked together for a while.
"Yu Zihua of the Imperial Guard is a confidant of His Majesty, but his talent is limited and he is only loyal. I can't persuade him. I will visit Niu Xingguo and then discuss with Niu Yuanqiu and others. I only hope that everyone is of one mind, and things will eventually turn around."
"I am just a martial artist and can't say anything about the affairs of the court. I can only try my best. As for Mr. Li, you should take care of yourself for the sake of the world. If things can't be done, you have to act according to the circumstances and don't force yourself."
"Sometimes things in the world can't be forced, and sometimes they have to be forced. Who can say for sure."
"That's true... Mr. Li, we haven't seen each other for a long time, I forgot to ask you, how is your Neo-Confucianism going?"
"We value investigation of things, promote education, and hope to integrate Qin Lao's learning in the end and promote it. We have started, but unfortunately the world is uncertain and time waits for no one."
"Does Mr. Li still believe in it?"
"My learning is dull. Perhaps because I learned it in a peaceful era, I am clumsy in troubled times. But perhaps people who grow up in troubled times can have more and newer insights. Our hope may still be in the next generation. But I firmly believe in the millennial tradition of Confucianism."
"That's fine then."
"Does Head Constable Tie no longer believe in this?"
"I have been a commoner in the Jianghu all my life, and I have also been through the muddy waters of the government. The rights and wrongs of many things cannot be asked or distinguished. In fact, it's not that particular."
The old constable smiled. The two figures were gradually approaching the planned location near Anding Gate. In the past few months, Wushu's cavalry was still wandering outside the city. There were not many pedestrians on the streets near the city gate. A few shops and teahouses were open weakly. The soft pancakes on the pancake stall were emitting aroma. A few passers-by walked slowly. In this peaceful scene, they were about to say goodbye.
"Mr. Li, do you think that one day, someone will talk about the various things that happened in Lin'an City today?"
"Perhaps one day, when Ning Yi wins the world, the storytellers under him will record these things."
"... That's not bad either."
They laughed, said goodbye to each other, and took care of themselves. The old constable carried a long knife and wore a thin cloak, stepping onto the second floor of the teahouse on the street. Many people who had just separated were already waiting here. On the road below, there were gradually more people.
Tie Tianying ordered a pot of tea and drank it slowly by the window. At one moment, his brow furrowed slightly. More people came up from below the teahouse, gradually filling the seats in the building. Someone walked over and sat down in front of his table.
"This seat is taken." Tie Tianying looked out the window and took a sip of tea.
The man sitting opposite him was about forty years old. Compared to Tie Tianying, he looked young. His face had obviously been carefully washed and groomed. He had no beard under his chin, but he still looked dignified and imposing. This was the aura of someone who had been in a high position for a long time: "Chief Tie, don't reject people thousands of miles away. I'm here with sincerity, not to cause trouble."
"Nie Jincheng, people outside say that you are the top dog of the Jiangnan martial arts world, and you really think you are? You are just a dog under the hands of a few adults in the court." Tie Tianying looked at him, "What's wrong? Does your master want to be a dog?"
"Chief Tie is highly respected, and whatever you say is guidance for me." Nie Jincheng raised his teacup, "Today's matter is unavoidable. I have respect for you, senior, but the superiors have spoken. Nothing can happen here at Anding Gate. I'm just here to say what's on my mind. Chief Tie, it's useless..."
As he spoke, a large army was already coming from the other end of the street. They drove the pedestrians on the street away, or drove them into the nearby houses, telling them not to come out. The voices on the street were suspicious, and they didn't understand what was happening.
"Since you have respect, how about you join us in this matter? Let's do it together." Tie Tianying raised his teacup.
Nie Jincheng closed his eyes: "Full of enthusiasm, a common man is enraged. If this was twenty years earlier, I would have done it without hesitation, but now my family and parents are all in Lin'an, so I can't agree to this. Chief Tie, the people above haven't spoken yet, why bother betting everything? Maybe there is still room for negotiation with the Jurchens, or maybe the superiors really want to talk. If you kill the envoy, wouldn't the Jurchens have a good reason to attack?"
"The adults behind you really want to take it slowly again."
"Even if they don't want to, Chief Tie, you can't do this today. Once you act, all your brothers will die. My being here is proof of that." Nie Jincheng said, "Don't make it difficult for us brothers."
Tie Tianying sat there, no longer speaking. After a while, there were cavalry and convoys coming slowly from the other end of the street. Then someone came upstairs again. It was a team of officers and soldiers, led by Li Daoyi, the patrol inspector of Lin'an City. The patrol inspector was in charge of commanding troops to garrison, recruit and train the Imperial Guard, and patrol and defend against thieves. In other words, he was the immediate boss of the Jianghu people. Behind him were mostly constables and head constables from Lin'an City.
As soon as this team came up, Li Daoyi, the leader, waved his hand, and the chief constable walked to the nearby tea tables. Li Daoyi himself walked to Tie Tianying and pulled out another seat to sit down.
He poured himself a cup of tea and cupped his hands to Tie Tianying: "Chief Tie, I respect you as a senior of the Six Doors. I won't say much. Call your people and come back with me. If you get past noon today, it's as if nothing happened. Tonight, at Xingqing Tower, I will set up a banquet to apologize to you."
Tie Tianying looked at the scenes outside the window. In fact, he had long been aware of it, just like when Ning Yi committed regicide more than ten years ago. Tie Tianying had also long noticed the problem. This morning, Cheng Zhouhai and Li Pin still had some thoughts of luck, but the ghosts and snakes that could move in Lin'an City finally moved at this moment.
These people had previously taken a neutral stance. When the Princess's Mansion had the authority, they also acted properly. But in this morning, the forces behind these people finally made a choice. He looked at the approaching team and understood the difficulty of today's matter - acting may not do anything, not acting, following them back, then he wouldn't know what the situation would be.
In the teahouse and on the opposite building, there were various eyes cast here. Their eyes flashed with questions. Tie Tianying held up his teacup, his eyes were even more compassionate. He remembered his conversation with Li
Pin, if things can't be done, don't force it. Yes, the situation is stronger than any one person, so he doesn't have to force it.
"Do you think..." The old constable with gray hair finally opened his mouth, "One day, will someone remember these small things that happened in Lin'an City today?"
The early summer sun shone down. The huge Lin'an City was like a living object, turning calmly and as usual. The towering city walls were its outer shell and skin, the magnificent palaces, the majestic government offices, and various courtyards and houses were its internal organs, the streets and rivers became its blood vessels, the boats and vehicles helped it to metabolize, and the activities of people made it a great and orderly life. A more profound and great culture and spirit glued all this together.
The old constable's eyes finally flashed with deep-seated anger and grief.
The table between the three people flew up. Nie Jincheng and Li Daoyi stood up at the same time. Someone drew a knife from behind. Tie Tianying's two disciples approached, blocking Nie Jincheng's path. Nie Jincheng twisted like a giant python. With a move of his hand, the throat of one of the people who squeezed over from behind was cut open. But in the next moment, the long knife in Tie Tianying's hand slashed like thunder, and Nie Jincheng's arm flew out. The wooden table scattered, and another knife like a thunderous dance cut open Nie Jincheng's chest, skin and bone together. His body flew backwards for a distance of two zhang in the teahouse, and thick blood sprayed out.
Li Daoyi's legs trembled, and he saw the old constable, who suddenly turned his head, had eyes as bloodshot as a tiger. A palm fell, patting his crown. His seven orifices burst out with blood plasma at the same time.
Countless knives and guns were unsheathed, and lit fire thunder fell into the middle of the road. Hidden weapons and arrows flew, and people's figures rushed out of the windows and out of the rooftops, falling to the street in shouts. The peace and order of this city were torn apart, and time reflected this scene in its silhouette...
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