Кровавое убийство - Глава 56
"Earth-penetrating?" Zong Ze and Brother Yue asked in unison, looking at me with suspicion.
“Yes, burrow underground!” I calmly pulled a piece of paper from the table, rolled it into a tube, and casually inserted it into the heart of Gushan Mountain, directly reaching the Fuyang position. I looked up at Zong Ze and smiled slightly, “In that case, I wonder if General Zong thinks it is feasible?!”
“How deep can we dig? This isn’t a cellar for ordinary people to store cabbages, it has to be deep and wide enough for the whole brigade to pass through. We’ll find a water source after digging down two or three zhang at most!” Zong Ze scoffed at my suggestion.
"No, Third Brother's plan is feasible!" Yue Fei was overjoyed. "General Zong is from the south and doesn't know the local conditions. The local people do indeed dig cellars that sometimes go eight or nine zhang deep!"—Yue Fei was from Tangyin, Xiangzhou, and knew the local conditions in central Hebei very well. His reply affirmed my proposal.
"If what Nephew Yue says is true, then this method of escaping underground is worth a try?" Zong Ze pondered for a moment, then made a decision: "Then let Nephew Yue arrange the manpower and implement it as soon as possible!"
Hehe, under Zong Ze's scrutinizing gaze, I couldn't help but feel smug—truly worthy of being a new woman from the 21st century! Exceptional courage and superior wisdom! Wahahaha!!!
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[Volume 3: War and Chaos, Chapter 19: The Sound of Flute and Drum at Yuyang]
I had just returned to the inn from the Zong Mansion when someone knocked on my door. I opened it and there was Ah-Dai again. Thinking of that dream, a wave of guilt washed over me, and then I suddenly flared up for no reason. I couldn't help but yell at him, "Why is it you again?! Can't you give me some privacy?! Don't you have any friends? Why are you always following me?! Please, stop following me! OK?!"—I yelled, not caring whether he understood or was angry, and slammed the door shut with a bang.
From that day on, Ah-Dai indeed stopped following me around. I breathed a sigh of relief, but couldn't help feeling guilty—poor Ah-Dai, he probably still doesn't understand what's going on. However, it really wasn't a solution for him to just follow me around all the time. He needs his own social circle, right? He can't possibly follow me forever, can he?!
After two relaxing and pleasant days, I finally stopped having those strange and wonderful dreams. Cizhou was said to be a military stronghold, but it was still just a small border town. Of course, it couldn't compare to the prosperity of Jiangning and Bianjing. There were only a few streets to walk around, and I got tired of it after two days. So I had to go back to the drill ground.
When he saw me arrive, Tang Huai rushed over from afar—had he missed me that much after two days? I didn't believe it! Sure enough, Tang Huai kept looking behind me.
"What are you looking for? Let me make it clear, I didn't bring any food." I shrugged and teased him.
"Where's Boss Adai?" Tang Huai asked, puzzled. "Where have you hidden Boss Adai these past two days? Why can't I see him?!"
"It's probably because you've been pestering him to teach you kung fu all the time, so he's scared of you and is hiding away!" I didn't take it seriously—what could happen to such a big guy with such great kung fu skills?!
"No, none of us have seen him these past two days. We can't find him anywhere." Zhou Jun squeezed in too. "We thought he'd come with you." —Really? Has he been locked in his room ever since I yelled at him that day?!
"That idiot!" I cursed under my breath, then turned and ran back to the inn.
"Hey, you idiot, open the door! Open the door now!" I pounded on his door. "I know you're in there, let me in! I have something to tell you!"
After a while, the door did indeed open a crack. I shoved Ah-Dai aside and slipped inside—good heavens, it's only been two days, how come Ah-Dai looks so haggard? All because I scolded him a few times?!
Ah-Dai turned his back to me sullenly, unlike his usual smiling face, which made me feel uncomfortable. "Ah-Dai, are you angry with me? I'm sorry, I shouldn't have taken it out on you." I sighed and apologized to him. "I was in a bad mood that day, and I shouldn't have taken it out on you. I'm sorry! I won't lose my temper like that again!"
Ah-Dai still ignored me, so I had no choice but to resort to a combination of pleading and coaxing—I pulled his hand and shook it while saying in a voice so soft it was almost dripping with tenderness, "Honestly, I've really missed you these past few days! Ah-Dai, let's make up, okay?! Please?!"—If he still didn't respond after that, he wouldn't be Ah-Dai!
Sure enough, Ah-Dai stared at me silently, his eyes filled with helplessness. After a long while, he finally gave me a faint smile—Yay! Success!
I immediately pulled out a roast chicken that I had prepared beforehand from behind me, and presented it with both hands, saying, "Boss Ah-Dai! Thank you for your magnanimity in forgiving this humble woman. Please accept this roast chicken!"
Ah Dai lightly tapped my forehead with his finger, shook his head, and his smile was full of doting affection—why did I have the illusion that he was Huaiyuan again?
"Don't smile at me like that!" I blurted out without thinking—and immediately regretted it. I looked at Ah-Dai with annoyance—he raised an eyebrow and looked back at me with a puzzled expression, waiting for me to explain.
"The way you smile really reminds me of him!" I stammered, avoiding his gaze, my eyes drifting to the window, my voice as soft as a dream, "Ah-Dai, do you know? You and Huaiyuan look nothing alike, you could even say you're worlds apart. But I often find myself confusing you two. I always have this illusion that Huaiyuan is right beside me. And that's not fair to you!"
Ah-Dai paused for a moment, then suddenly came over and hugged me. I buried my face in his chest, and tears inexplicably streamed down my face. "Ah-Dai, do you know? This chest is as warm as his, it can calm my heart!" I looked up at Ah-Dai—his eyes flickered, and he opened his mouth as if he had something to say, but he couldn't bring himself to speak.
I paused, then gritted my teeth in resentment. "But I hate deception more than anything in my life! No matter the reason, I will never forgive someone who deceives me! Why do I keep thinking about him even though I've decided to forget him? Am I stupid?!"
Ah-Dai remained silent, but silently tightened his grip on my hand...
Time slipped by unnoticed. Emperor Qinzong Zhao Huan had changed the dynasty name to Jingkang, and Brother Yue was busy all day enforcing military discipline and training troops—although he was only a minor commander with only five hundred men under his command, he was meticulous in every way. His military genius quickly made him stand out among the soldiers—among all the garrison troops in Cizhou, only his battalion had the best discipline, the most diligent training, and the most advanced military skills.
Brother Yue spent almost every day, working tirelessly in the camp to formulate more comprehensive strategic plans. Whenever he had a spare moment, he would travel to various prefectures and counties to survey and familiarize himself with the terrain—the saying goes, "Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated." Seeing Brother Yue's efforts, I finally understood why his outstanding military achievements were not without reason! No one else had ever devoted so much energy and effort as he had!
Under Yue Erge's meticulous planning, the excavation of the tunnel proceeded in an orderly manner. Zong Ze selected five thousand able-bodied soldiers from various camps, divided them into ten groups, and worked in shifts day and night, digging towards Gushan from Cizhou and Fuyang.
Ah-Dai followed me back and forth between the construction site and the inn every day. He was almost inseparable from me. I think there's no one in Cizhou who doesn't know Ah-Dai now! After seeing so many tunnels, one day I suddenly had a brilliant idea. Since there are so many ready-made cellars under the villages and towns around Cizhou, why not connect them to form a huge underground transportation network? Just like a modern subway?! In wartime, we could also use the tunnels to sneak deep behind enemy lines undetected for a flanking maneuver or a surprise attack.
When I told Brother Yue about this idea, he immediately gave it his approval. I then submitted it to Zong Ze for approval, and he agreed. However, since this matter wasn't as urgent as opening up the connection between Cizhou and Fuyang, Zong Ze actually assigned this task to me?! This made me both excited and worried.
After dinner, I stared at the Cizhou topographic map I'd casually received from Brother Yue, frowning and racking my brains, unable to decide where to begin. Sigh! After the initial excitement, I realized I'd been too hasty—I'm good at giving bad advice, but turning a pipe dream into reality is a real challenge! Okay, I correct myself, not just a little challenging, but extremely challenging. Sigh!
"Don't worry too much, there'll always be a way!" Ah-Dai handed me a note—he probably came to check on me because he saw the light was still on in my room so late.
"Hey, I made a big promise! If I don't do well, Tang Huai will laugh me to death!" I sighed, feeling a little disheartened.
"Tomorrow, go to town and find a few elderly people who are familiar with the local conditions. Wouldn't it be better to have them help you come up with ideas than to just guess here? First, finalize the construction plan, then make a budget to see how much money is needed, and then go to General Zong to request funds." Ah-Dai gave his advice with a smile—it really was the wisest decision I've ever made!
"How about this, Ah-Dai, you do the digging of the tunnel, okay?" I gave Ah-Dai a sly smile and leaned closer. "I see you seem quite good at assigning tasks, so I'll give you a chance to prove yourself. Maybe you can even gain some recognition and marry a good wife later!"—It's just digging a tunnel! But after hearing Ah-Dai's explanation, it turns out it's actually quite complicated. Of course, I'd rather throw away this hot potato!
Ah-Dai shook his head and smiled helplessly. "It's getting late, go to sleep! We'll talk about tomorrow tomorrow." — He didn't comment on my suggestion. Humph! I'm not afraid at all. I've already made up my mind to stick with him, haha!
The next morning, after breakfast, I dragged Ah Dai along and rushed out into the street—why was Brother Yue here? He didn't see me and hurried toward the General's Mansion—had something happened?
I hurriedly followed him, "Second Brother, what happened? Shouldn't you be training on the drill ground? Why are you out here?!"
"General Zong has summoned us to the General's Mansion for an urgent discussion on military affairs. Let's go together!" Brother Yue didn't stop walking, but just nodded slightly to me and Ah Dai.
"This morning, I received a royal order and reports from scouts at the front—the Jin army on the eastern route decisively defeated our forces at Baihe and Gubeikou on January 2nd. On the 4th, Guo Yaoshi, a former Liao general who had surrendered, opened the city gates and surrendered to the Jin. The defenses of Yanshan Prefecture have completely collapsed. On the 8th, they also defeated the more than 30,000 reinforcements sent by Zhongshan. On the 14th, they captured Zhending Prefecture, and now their troops have reached Xingtai Prefecture, only two days away from Cizhou by fast horses. The Jin army on the western route has successively captured Shuozhou and Daizhou, forced Zhongshan Prefecture to surrender, and on the 15th, they have heavily besieged Taiyuan. (Note)" Zong Ze's expression was solemn, and his tone was somber. He slowly scanned the officers in the hall. "The current situation is extremely unfavorable for our army. The Jin army is advancing fiercely. I wonder what good strategies you all have?!"
What's meant to happen will happen eventually. I sighed deeply, understanding in my heart that no matter what efforts they made, it would all end in failure, because no one can stop the wheels of history! But now that Yanshan has fallen, what will become of my sworn brother Yan Zongwang?!
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My thoughts have already flown to Bianjing. The only place I can find out about my elder brother now is probably Zhao's Antique Shop. But General Zong refused to bring me along, and I stubbornly insisted on coming, swearing I'd serve my country. Now, with the military situation in Cizhou critical and the enemy at the gates, I'm suggesting leaving—alas! I'm not afraid of being accused of desertion, but I won't be able to explain myself to Zong Ze!
I was frowning and sullen, locking myself in my room in a daze—I didn't know what to do to have the best of both worlds. And yesterday, Zong Ze entrusted me with an important task, and today I'm already thinking of running away! Sigh! I finally understand what it means that plans can never keep up with changes!
With a creak, the door was pushed open. A plate of steaming hot meat buns was placed in front of me, with a note underneath: "I knew it would be like this. Haven't eaten all day, have you?!"