Жизнь сельских жителей в городе во времена династии Сун

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"Feng—" The name he had repeated countless times in his heart burst out as He Lu embraced the unconscious woman and anxiously called her name.

"Khan—" Zhang Shi rushed forward quickly.

In an instant, Wei Zijun regained her senses and realized that she was lying in He Lu's arms, with a large part of her clothes slipping down. Feeling embarrassed, she quickly straightened her clothes and got up as if nothing had happened. "Maybe I didn't sleep well? Why did I faint?"

"Are you alright?" He Lu asked with a worried expression.

Wei Zijun shook her head.

"Khan, please have the imperial physician examine him," Zhang Shi said worriedly.

"It's alright, perhaps I've been worrying too much these past few days. I'll be fine after a rest." Wei Zijun rubbed his temples. "Please stay, sir."

Zhang Shi nodded helplessly.

—————————————————

Dayu, Daxing Palace, inside the Taiji Hall.

"Your Majesty, our army of 200,000 elite troops has been completely wiped out, and Cai Liangao's fate and whereabouts are unknown."

Wearing a dazzling yellow robe, exuding nobility and elegance, with dragons soaring through the clouds, his wealth was beyond words. He slightly raised the sleeve embroidered with a coiled dragon, threw a memorial onto the table, and after a long silence, said in a deep voice, "I will personally lead the expedition."

The ministers were immediately stunned and rushed out to stop him, saying, "Your Majesty, this is not right! The court cannot be without a ruler for even a day. Your Majesty can put the Western Turks aside for now and deal with them when the time is right."

"Your Majesty, this is unacceptable. Military campaigns are a matter of great importance to the nation and must be approached with utmost caution," said the veteran minister Xue Shouyi, stepping forward to dissuade him.

“This is the perfect opportunity for Your Majesty to pacify the world and uphold the righteous way. The Western Turks are a major threat to our country. Our million-strong army is ready for battle at any moment. How can we allow these barbarians and bandits to continue to run rampant? Your Majesty, I am willing to lead the army to conquer them again,” said Zhang Xiangru, General of the Right Thousand Bull Guard.

"Your Majesty, you must be extremely cautious about personally leading an expedition. The emperor is the lifeblood of the nation, and should not be risked lightly unless absolutely necessary. Moreover, once the emperor personally leads an expedition, victory is assured. Your Majesty, please reconsider," said Zou Wenguang, the Grand Secretary.

Li Tianqi's handsome eyes were solemn and steady. He did not answer, but nodded. After all the ministers had finished speaking, he said, "The Western Turks are a major threat to our Great Yu. Under normal circumstances, it would be difficult for our army to defeat them after a long march. But now we have an excellent opportunity. That is the rebellion of Ashina Buzhen and Jiebi Dadushe. I think that if we can win them over to divide the Western Turks, and then send troops to cooperate with them from within, we may be able to wipe out the Western Turks."

"Your Majesty is wise," the ministers exclaimed in unison.

"I will immediately dispatch a secret envoy to Suyab in the Western Turkic Khaganate. General Zhang, you will lead another 200,000 troops to attack the Western Turks. Remember, the Khan of the Western Turks must not be harmed in the slightest. He must be captured alive by me."

"yes."

"Your Majesty, it is not advisable for our army to launch an attack at this time. If we launch an attack at this time of year, we will inevitably encounter the Turkic snowstorm. Our army is located in the Central Plains and is not cold, but the Turkic land is icy and cold. If we enter there, many soldiers will suffer frostbite and will not be able to adapt. If we launch an attack and fail to achieve victory, it will be disadvantageous. This is a major taboo in military strategy. I urge Your Majesty to consider the importance of the matter and postpone the attack."

The person in the high position remained silent for a long time. After a while, he slowly said, "What you say makes sense. Our army will postpone its expedition until the snow melts next year. I will personally lead the expedition."

Li Tianqi, dressed in a white casual robe embroidered with a golden dragon, leaned back on the couch, exuding a lazy yet noble air. Beneath that languid demeanor lay an undeniable imperial bearing, a dragon-phoenix countenance, and a heroic and sharp presence that commanded respect.

"Your Majesty, Wei Feng has recruited nearly twenty talented individuals in just one year, assigning them to various positions, which has been of great help to him." The man in blue stood respectfully to the side with his head bowed.

"He's getting more and more addicted to being Khan; the repeated wars haven't broken him. We should have... taken him to the capital long ago." Yes, we should have taken him to the capital long ago, but I was too soft-hearted and wanted to stay in Lucheng to protect him. "You, go and find a way to participate in politics!"

"Yes, Your Majesty, I have tried my best, but the Khan is meticulous in his actions. Whenever it comes to specific deployments, he always asks everyone to withdraw, leaving only a few people he trusts. Therefore, it is difficult for me to obtain specific details of the operation." The man in blue said helplessly.

"How can we defeat him? Is he really invincible?"

"Your Majesty, the Khan has been feeling unwell lately, perhaps due to excessive worry caused by the continuous warfare. He has been fainting occasionally during this period."

The magnificent robes rustled as the person sat up from the couch. "Hasn't the imperial physician examined him?"

"Sigh." He sighed, still the same old man, refusing to let anyone take his pulse even if he died of illness.

Will this large-scale military campaign cause him to worry excessively again? Sigh, what should I do? What should I do?

——————————————

The training ground, covered in black armor, was eerily quiet. Tens of thousands of soldiers had their eyes fixed on the man surrounded by his generals.

With her hair tied up and wearing a light robe, she moved with elegance, composure, and grace. Her slender and graceful figure was like a lotus leaf in full bloom, exuding beauty from all sides. The light emanating from her body was so dazzling that no one dared to look directly at her. Her aura of domineering power was uniquely that of a king.

"Long live the Khan!" someone shouted from the soldiers, and the sound of "Long live the Khan" filled the air and resounded through the sky.

Gazing at the imposing armor and the loyal faces, Wei Zijun felt a surge of emotion. These men obeyed her orders without regard for their own lives, and how could she protect them? The war would continue; peaceful days seemed a distant dream. These passionate men were fulfilling their inescapable duty on the battlefield, protecting the country, but how could she protect them? Could she even protect them?

The answer is no! To protect this country, for their responsibility, for the people of this country, they can only sacrifice themselves—this is a cruel reality. Unless, there is no war, but is that possible? I fear that these peaceful days will not last long.

"Wei Feng—" A slightly childish voice came from the right, and all the generals turned to look. "I will defeat you—"

Wei Zijun turned around in surprise. A boy stood outside the training ground, holding a wooden whip, with sheep grazing quietly behind him. He was just a child; she ignored the shout. There were plenty of people who wanted to defeat her.

Wei Zijun did not leave until the military parade was over, followed by her generals and their entourage.

As she passed the boy, Wei Zijun stopped. "You want to defeat me?" A calm and elegant smile played on her lips. That smile seemed to open the heavens and earth, and revive all things. Her clear, azure eyes gazed at the boy with a hint of amusement.

The boy stared in disbelief at the face. This was Wei Feng, the Wei Feng who could subdue enemies without bloodshed. He was even more handsome than the legends said, his refined features carrying a touch of allure. This was clearly a woman.

"Are you a woman?" the boy asked.

"Huh?" Wei Zijun almost broke out in a cold sweat. A group of grown men couldn't figure it out, so how could a child see it?

"Of course not! Is there any woman as manly as me?" Wei Zijun tossed her head nonchalantly, instantly ruining her elegant image, while her subordinates behind her blushed.

"What kind of man looks like you?" Was it really just childish talk? The subordinates behind him began to murmur. The Khan really did look like a woman, but why didn't they dare to think that?

Wei Zijun's lips twitched slightly. "This is exactly what this man looks like. He's the real deal. Alright, let's go."

"Don't go, I want to fight you!" The young man stopped Wei Zijun.

"Khan," a subordinate who knew the situation stepped forward and said, "these are captured Yu soldiers, who have already been made Khan's slaves."

"Yu Jun? He joined the army at such a young age?" Wei Zijun was somewhat surprised.

"What's this? You joined the army at sixteen, and I'm sixteen this year too." The young man had a handsome face that belonged to the Central Plains, and a pair of eyes that should have been untouched by the world, yet bore the marks of years beyond his years.

"Yes. I joined the army at sixteen too." With a sigh, she realized that she was not yet of legal age, yet she had to bear responsibilities that she should not have to bear.

"Wei Feng, I challenge you to a duel. I joined the army to defeat you. I know martial arts." The boy's still-childish face was full of confidence.

Wei Zijun curved her lips into a smile and said, "Why do you want to defeat me?"

“Because they all worship you. You surrendered to the enemy, so you are a traitor, but no one in Dayu curses you. You defeated the Tubo, and the people of Dayu speak of you like a god. Why should a surrendered general be revered? I am not convinced. I will defeat you.”

"I never knew I had such a good reputation," Wei Zijun said with a mischievous smile to the boy. "But now, you're a traitor too, aren't you?"

The boy stammered, his face turning red.

Wei Zijun stretched out her long fingers and lifted the boy's chin. "Do you want to go home?" Her eyes shone with a light like a magnificent rainbow in the sky.

Looking into those eyes, the boy seemed bewitched, "I want to!"

"If you want to go home, I'll take you back. I really want to go home too." But where is her home?

Volume Two, Turkic Chapter Eighty-Five: Standoff

Time flies like an arrow; in the blink of an eye, winter has passed and the snow has melted.

Time flies! Riding slowly through the forest, the leaves have sprouted. Meltwater from the white mountains flows into a mountain spring that runs through the woods, and the banks of the spring are covered with unnamed wildflowers.

Looking out over the distant mountains, the snow-capped peaks still gleamed white, while below, spring was in full bloom—truly a beautiful scene of northern landscape.

The land had softened, and the work of diverting water and building canals had begun. The captured Khan slaves were summoned. Digging canals required a large workforce, and Wei Zijun promised them that after the work was completed, they would be sent back to Dayu.

Watching the Han people's backs as they walked away, Wei Zijun felt as if her heart was being torn apart. She couldn't bear it, she couldn't bear it, but she was the ruler of a country, and she had no choice. Looking at those weary figures, her eyes welled up with tears again and again.

If the river water could be diverted, it could irrigate farmland, store water, and prevent droughts. The Western Turks would no longer have to worry about natural disasters, and no one would starve to death. She also felt sorry for the people of the Western Turks, those simple and honest herders.

She felt sorry for the people of Dayu, she felt sorry for both sides, she felt sorry for the world, she felt sorry for all the people in the world, but she never felt sorry for herself.

To avoid harming the people, she even tolerated Ashina Buzhen and Jiebi Dadu's rebellion in Suyab for a time. As long as they didn't send troops or harm the people, she could endure them to minimize casualties. She wouldn't do anything she didn't want to do unless absolutely necessary.

However, no matter how much she tolerates it, others may not appreciate her kindness, and what is meant to happen will eventually come.

In the spring of the second year of the Jiande era of the Dayu Kingdom, Emperor Li Tianqi of Dayu finally raised an army, leading 300,000 troops on a personal expedition to attack the Western Turks.

The Dayu army did not attack Gaochang or Yanqi, but instead advanced between Gaochang and Yanqi, heading straight for the Western Turkic Khanate.

To prevent Ashina Buzhen and Jiebi Dadushe from launching a pincer attack on the Khan's court simultaneously with the Yu army, Wei Zijun decisively ordered that internal strife be quelled first, and external enemies be defended later.

Therefore, Chumu Kunwulichuo was dispatched to Suyab River to wipe out the Zhenzhu Yabghu regime. After several days of fierce fighting, Ashina Buzhen and Jiebi Dadushe were no match for him. Jiebi Dadushe was captured on the spot, and Ashina Buzhen led his remaining followers to escape. On the way, he surrendered to Dayu and was appointed as the Left Guard General by the Emperor of Dayu.

As the Dayu army approached, in order to prevent them from attacking the Khan's court, Wei Zijun gathered 200,000 troops to intercept them midway. The two armies set up camps facing each other near Kucha, ten miles apart.

The standoff lasted for more than ten days, with neither side making a move or sending troops.

For several days in a row, the main tent of the Western Turkic Khanate was filled with discussions about strategies to deal with the enemy.

"Khan, this battle is a stalemate between the two armies. There is no terrain to take advantage of, and we have to fight head-on. Our army only has 200,000 cavalrymen. It seems a bit difficult to fight against those 300,000 elite troops. Should we send more troops?" Wulichuo said with some concern.

“No need. We have no terrain issues, and we have a strategy. We can win with fewer troops.” His firm and confident tone left no room for doubt, and his clear eyes swept across everyone’s faces. “Our army is one-third smaller, so our burden is also one-third lighter. It’s not necessarily a bad thing.”

The generals looked at their Khan with immense peace of mind, knowing that if their Khan said he would win, he would surely win.

"Khan, the heavy cavalry of Dayu are incredibly brave. They are fully armored, and neither swords nor arrows can harm them. Once their heavy cavalry charge, we will have almost no chance to fight back," Huluju Quechuo said with great concern.

"Heavy cavalry? Do you think they're invincible? I, the Khan, think they're a bunch of useless trash." He elegantly stroked his earlobe and continued, "Heavy cavalrymen wear armor weighing dozens of pounds, move clumsily, and need squires to serve them. Killing their squires would be a fatal blow to the heavy cavalry. If our cavalry uses the 'flying attack' tactic, their formation will break down, and they'll be utterly defeated."

All the generals stared intently at Wei Zijun's hand as she twirled her earlobe, wondering why their Khan's every little movement was so elegant and charming.

Wei Zijun put down her hand and said, "The Yu army's battle tactics are to shoot arrows first, then heavy cavalry, then infantry, and then cavalry again. As long as our army dodges the arrow volley first, we can launch a surprise attack on the heavy cavalry. The heavy cavalry will definitely charge forward. Then we can flank them from both sides and kill their entourage. Their cavalry will definitely come to relieve the siege. Then we can retreat. Our horses are faster than theirs. The cavalry will return to their ranks, and the archers will step forward and shoot down their cavalry. Their cavalry will suffer heavy losses. After doing this a few times, they will be defeated."

"Khan's strategy is excellent," Zhang Shi praised.

"He Lu, the battlefield is yours to handle. I will not fight." She would not fight; she did not want to taint her hands with the blood of the Dayu people, nor did she want to confront that person head-on.

After everyone had left, He Lu glanced at Zhang Shi's retreating figure and couldn't help but ask, "Aren't you worried about bringing Zhang Shi here? He's one of Da Yu's men."

Wei Zijun raised her eyebrows and looked at He Lu, "I am also from Dayu."

Seeing He Lu's somewhat displeased face, he explained again: "He Lu, I trust people I employ. I believe he is not that kind of person. He is familiar with the habits and military tactics of the Dayu people. I only want to know these things. I will not ask him to make any plans. This is also a way of respecting him. Why would I put him in a difficult position? Besides, if there are any spies, it is more beneficial for us to discover them as soon as possible."

"So, you deliberately revealed your strategy in front of everyone to find out if there were any spies?"

"How could I possibly experiment with the lives of my soldiers? The strategies I'm discussing today are merely a smokescreen. This battle will be brutal, and I must ensure that nothing goes wrong."

Two days later, the war drums of the Dayu army thundered. The Dayu army surged out like a tide, arrayed in formation, and stood ready for battle. The formation remained the same as always, divided into three armies: left, right, and center. Judging from this arrangement, the attacking force must be the archer unit of the first army.

The war drums of both armies sounded simultaneously. The Western Turkic cavalry, led by Chumu Kunwulichuo, raised their shields and charged toward the central army of Dayu. Before they arrived, they suddenly turned around and attacked the left flank of the Dayu army's cavalry.

The archers of the Dayu army, who were supposed to attack first from the center, did not advance as usual. Instead, the cavalry units on both sides, which were supposed to retreat and wait for orders, suddenly mounted their horses and quickly surrounded the Western Turkic army from both sides. They swung their long swords and slashed at the Western Turkic army. The Dayu army, which was more than half the size of the Turkic army, surrounded the Western Turkic army and mercilessly annihilated them.

Yu Jun's unusually sudden change in tactics led to a crushing defeat for the Western Turks, who lost nearly 10,000 men in the battle. Chu Mukun Wulichuo was also stabbed in the neck by the enemy's Mo Dao and fell into a coma due to his serious injuries.

As night fell, in the main tent of the Western Turks, candlelight flickered, and a group of generals stood trembling to one side. Wei Zijun walked past them with her hands behind her back, carefully looking them over one by one.