Кровавое убийство - Глава 51
"Yes, Mother." Zhang Bing obediently replied, took a bundle from the small table by the bedside, and chased after Xiuyu, handing it to her.
"Binglang! Can't you even accept my good intentions towards Aunt Zhang?" Xiuyu cried out in grief and indignation—I understood, it must be the money Xiuyu brought from home, intending to use it to treat Aunt Zhang's illness!
"Fine, so high-minded!" I laughed in exasperation, then went back into the house and knocked over a bowl of steaming medicine on the broken table. "So much backbone! You can survive on that arrogance alone, why would you need this condescending medicine?!"
"You, you..." Aunt Zhang pointed at me, stammering incoherently—I finally understood what the saying "There is always something hateful about a pitiful person" meant!
Zhang Bing's face flushed red, then turned pale, then white. He looked at his mother, who was coughing violently on the bed, and then at Xiuyu, whom I had forcibly taken away. Finally, he buried his face in his hands, squatted on the ground, and burst into tears.
Guan Dingshan peered out of the inn and, seeing me suddenly return with Xiuyu, greeted me in surprise, "Little girl, what are you up to now?!"
I ignored him and led Xiuyu straight to my room. "Xiuyu, who else lives in your family?"
"I only have my father and I to depend on for survival. But my father..." Xiuyu lowered her head and replied softly, her voice choked with sobs and her expression desolate.
"Alright, I'm alone too. I'm going to Bianjing to visit relatives. Would you like to come with me?" I took her hand and, without wasting any words, directly stated my intentions.
"Wait a minute, what do you mean by 'a person'? Am I not even considered a person?" Guan Dingshan yelled. "Also, do you have any relatives in Bianjing? Why didn't you tell me?"
I rolled my eyes at him, too lazy to answer—when did we become so close? I only considered him a companion, not a friend!
Zhu Xiuyu nodded slightly, her eyes filled with confusion. "I... I don't know what to do next!"
"Then it's decided. Tomorrow, we'll have someone take care of your father's funeral. The day after tomorrow, we'll set off for Bianjing." I made the decision for her decisively—this delicate young lady is too indecisive; by the time she makes up her mind, it'll be too late!
The magnificent ancient city of Kaifeng finally came into view in the distance. I lifted the carriage curtain and silently examined the tall and majestic city walls. Above the wide gate were three powerful characters: "Da Nan Men" (Great South Gate). The gate tower was three stories high, with a drum tower on each side. The city walls were over four zhang high and more than six zhang wide. On the city walls, crenellations were densely planted, and battlements stretched for hundreds of paces. Willows lined both banks of the moat, and a dozen or so soldiers holding long halberds stood guard on both sides, imposing and preventing people from passing through. (Note 1) However, the checks on people entering and leaving the city were not as strict as I had imagined.
We entered Bianjing City with the bustling crowds coming and going from all directions. The streets were lined with taverns and shops, brothels and painted pavilions, embroidered curtains and beaded curtains, and fine horses and carriages vying for space. What a prosperous and flourishing scene, what a grand and important ancient capital city!
In August of the seventh year of the Xuanhe reign (1125 AD), Emperor Taizong of Jin, citing the Song court's acceptance of the Jin rebel general Zhang Jue, issued an edict to attack the Northern Song. After a month of preparation, in October of that year, he divided his forces into two armies, one east and one west, led by Marshal Wulibu of the eastern route and Marshal Nianhan of the western route, to invade the Central Plains, thus beginning the Jingkang Incident. At this time, the northern soldiers were fighting bloody battles against the Jin army in Taiyuan and Yanshan Prefecture, while the entire capital, Bianjing (Kaifeng), was enjoying such a peaceful and prosperous scene, which was truly unexpected! (Note 2)
Guan Dingshan drove through Lijing Gate straight into the inner city, making several turns before finally settling into an inn with the strange name "Living at the Wang Family Residence" (Note 3). I helped Xiuyu out of the car—she was already dizzy from the bumpy ride, and besides, with her bound feet, she had never experienced such hardship before. Oh! She was truly pitiful to see! Fortunately, although the inn had an odd name, it was clean and elegant inside.
I looked at him suspiciously—what was his purpose in bringing us here? He hadn't hesitated at all, coming straight over, which made me wonder if he had some kind of scheme.
"You guys stay here and don't wander off. The capital is not like a small town; it'll be hard to find someone if you get separated. I'm going to find a friend." Guan Dingshan settled his luggage and then rushed out.
"Your friend, it wouldn't happen to have the surname Jiang, would it?" I squinted at him coldly.
"Of course not." Guan Dingshan swore to the heavens—I'd be a fool to believe him! However, I had my own plans, so I didn't expose him.
The moment his figure disappeared, I jumped up, pulled a piece of men's clothing from my bag, and changed into it. Then, dragging a dumbfounded Xiuyu, I walked onto the streets of Bianjing...
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Note 2: Zhang Jue, a former Liao general who surrendered to the Jin dynasty, surrendered to the Song dynasty in the summer of 1123 (the fifth year of the Xuanhe era). At that time, he served as the Chancellor of the Jin dynasty in Nanjing. Later, Wanyan Zongwang, the second prince of Jin, led troops to capture the Song prefectures of Ping and Ying, and demanded Zhang Jue's return. Song general Wang Anzhong killed Zhang Jue and presented his head to Zongwang. Later, in 1127 (the seventh year of the Xuanhe era), Jin used this incident as a pretext to launch an attack on the Song dynasty. This was the trigger for the Jingkang Incident. It is historically known as the "Zhang Jue Incident".
Note 3: This inn is mentioned in the painting "Along the River During the Qingming Festival," which I found interesting and decided to use. I have no idea which street it's on.
This book was first published on Xiaoxiang Novel Original Website. Please retain this information when reprinting!
[Volume 3, Chapter 13: A Multitude of Cavalry]
It seems Xuanhua Street is quite famous; any passerby we asked pointed us in the right direction. Unfortunately, this renowned ancient capital, besides the moat, has four artificial canals—the Wuzhang River, the Jin River, the Cai River, and the Bian River. These four rivers crisscross the city, forming a vast network of waterways. (Note 1) This intimidated me—so I spent some time and money to find a small boat and prepared to travel there by boat.
"Young master, you'll get off here. Turn left and the third shop on the left is the Zhao's Antique Shop you're looking for!" the boatman enthusiastically pointed out the location to me.
I looked in the direction the boatman was pointing, and my mind went blank for a moment, my heart pounding wildly—that tall, handsome man in a sky-blue robe, hands clasped behind his back, looking so tired, so full of loneliness and desolation, wasn't that Huaiyuan?! Alas! I thought I could face him calmly upon seeing him again. But I was wrong, so terribly wrong! I stared blankly at his retreating figure—I never knew I cared for him so deeply! He had lost weight! Huaiyuan looked so haggard and worried; I had never seen him like this before! I almost began to doubt the meaning of my departure, of my persistence!
As if sensing my gaze, Huaiyuan suddenly turned and glanced in our direction—I quickly lowered my head, lowered my eyes, turned to the side, and pulled Xiuyu's hand back onto the boat—in the distance, a girl in red walked towards him with a happy smile—his current emotions should be Lu Rumei's responsibility, right?!—They have nothing to do with me anymore, do they?! My heart ached inexplicably. I gritted my teeth and, under Xiuyu's surprised gaze, told the boatman to row back a bit and then disembark at another dock. I asked a vendor selling calligraphy and paintings by the roadside for a pen, drew the image of the jade-studded finger on a silver note, then whispered a few words to her, and had Xiuyu take the silver and pretend to go to the shop to buy something.
I was convinced that once Manager Zhao saw this picture, he would definitely come out to see me. I was anxiously standing on the street looking towards Zhao's Antique Shop when suddenly someone lightly tapped my shoulder from behind. "Isn't this Young Master Ye?! What are you doing here?!"
I turned my head and saw a man in fine clothes and a fur coat, handsome and elegant. It was none other than Zhao Jiu Gongzi, Prince Kang, Zhao Gou, whom I had glimpsed briefly that day. However, I had only exchanged a glance with him on my elder brother's boat that day and hadn't spoken to him. I wondered how he knew me?
"So it's His Highness Prince Kang. Please forgive my rudeness." I forced a smile—we weren't familiar with each other, so I didn't know why he was greeting me.
Zhao Gou looked at me with a look of surprise and uncertainty, and forcibly pulled me into his magnificent carriage. He lowered his voice and asked me, "Young Master Ye, did the Second Young Master send you?! Could it be that even the Second Young Master came?!"
"No. How could he possibly be here?! Is there something wrong with Your Highness?" I sensed his tension and lowered my voice as well.
Zhao Gou let out a long sigh, then chuckled, "I was confused. Of course, the Second Young Master is in Yanshan Prefecture right now. I've made Young Master Ye laugh at me."
I calmly observed this handsome nineteen-year-old boy, whose innocent charm still lingered, a shy smile playing on his lips. At his age, he should be fully enjoying the prime of his youth. Yet, he was forced to shoulder the responsibilities of his family and the nation; the Song Dynasty's empire had fallen into his hands. Was this a misfortune for the country, or for Zhao Gou (Emperor Gaozong of Song)?
Wait a minute, he just said my eldest brother is in Yanshan Prefecture? Isn't that the eastern battlefield where the Jingkang Incident, the Song-Jin War, broke out? Could my eldest brother be from Yanshan? Wasn't that urgent letter home summoning him back to defend against foreign aggression?! Then, isn't my eldest brother in great danger?! Also, last time my second brother seemed to say he was going to Taiyuan, Shanxi, to report back? Taiyuan has now become a place ravaged by the Jin army! Doesn't that mean both of my brothers are now mired in the quagmire of war?!
The thought immediately turned my face pale. I looked up at Zhao Gou, disregarding his status as a prince, and hurriedly said, "Your Highness, you and my elder brother made a promise! You can't stand idly by now! You must help him!"
Zhao Gou's face changed, and he looked ashamed. "Alas! The court is in turmoil. The ministers are divided into factions, advocating war and peace, and they are locked in a stalemate. I... I don't know what to do!"
"I don't care what they say, His Highness Prince Kang will unconditionally stand by my elder brother's side! Please don't forget the agreement at the Qinhuai River!" I sneered at him—this cowardly wretch! He's already a prince, yet he's still worried about his future! Unfortunately, I don't know what their agreement is. There was nothing I could do but try to provoke him, to get Prince Kang to the main side so that troops could be sent to help my two brothers! —Whether the Northern Song Dynasty falls or not, I don't care, but my two brothers are in trouble, and I can't ignore it! I don't care about history!
"Yes, yes." Cold sweat beaded on Zhao Gou's forehead. "My father has been unable to eat or sleep because of this matter, and his health is already compromised. I am willing but unable to help!"
"With your power in court, Prince Kang, surely you can't be completely helpless? In fact, as long as you send a few prestigious figures to lead the charge and encourage them, Your Highness only needs to provide support from behind to achieve the desired effect of advocating war!" I smiled faintly—he couldn't have ascended the throne in the south two years later without his own faction, could he?!
"Advocating for war?!" Zhao Gou looked at me strangely. "Does the Second Prince want me to advocate for war?!"
"Nonsense! If you don't advocate for war, how will you send troops to rescue my two brothers?!" However, I can't let him know this personal motive. I rolled my eyes, feigning impatience, "As long as His Highness Prince Kang has military power, that will be the greatest benefit to my eldest brother!"
"In that case, please come to my residence, Young Master Ye, to discuss the specifics!" Zhao Gou nodded repeatedly in agreement, insisting on taking me to the Kang Prince's residence—and I was now in a predicament, with no choice but to bite the bullet and take it one step at a time! I glanced up at Zhao's Antique Shop; Xiuyu hadn't left yet. Never mind, saving my brother is the priority. If she can't wait for me, Xiuyu should be able to find the inn, right?
Upon arriving at the Prince Kang's residence, before even having a chance to serve tea, the Zhao family steward came to announce, "Your Highness, Li Gang, the Vice Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, requests an audience."
Zhao Gou smiled broadly, "It seems Heaven is truly helping me! This Li Gang is the most resolute advocate of war in the court! Young Master Ye, what do you think...?"