Chapter 12
a month later.
Shaanxi Anpac Division, Yange Pavilion.
Iron clothes have been stationed far away and worked hard for a long time, and jade chopsticks should cry after parting.The young woman wanted to break her heart in the south of the city, so the recruiter Ji Beikong looked back.The edge of the courtyard can be fluttering, but how can it be boundless?The murderous aura is clouded at three o'clock, and the cold voice spreads Diao Dou all night.Looking at the white blades and blood pouring out, Gu Xun has never been dead.Don't you see the bitterness of fighting on the battlefield, and I still remember General Li to this day!
A white-robed man stood in the pavilion, reciting the song "Yan Ge Xing" by the people of Tang in a low voice.His face was thin and pale, as if he had just recovered from a serious illness, and between his brows, there seemed to be endless vicissitudes.
Don't you see the bitterness of fighting on the battlefield, and I still remember General Li to this day!Gao Shi's "Yan Ge Xing" really wrote about the conquest!A hearty voice came from outside the pavilion, the white-robed man hurriedly turned to look, but it was Shi Yue who led Pan Zhaolin and Sima Mengqiu to this side.The person who spoke was none other than Shi Yue, the appeasement envoy of Shaanxi Road and a scholar of Duanming Palace.He hastened forward a few steps and said: "Xiaguan Xuanjie Deputy Wei Wenhuan, meet Shi Shuai and Master Sima."
Yihui doesn't need to be too polite.Shi Yue took two quick steps and helped Wen Huan up with his own hands.
Yihui?Wen Huan looked at Shi Yue in astonishment.
Sima Mengqiu said with a smile on the side: Just as I was about to congratulate Jun Wen, the Ministry of War has removed Jun Yihui as the school lieutenant.
When Wen Huan heard the words, he prostrated himself on the ground again with a thump, with tears in his eyes. The kindness of Shi Shuai's rebirth is unforgettable for the next official.He narrowly escaped death, saved one life, and recovered with great difficulty. During this time, he checked the newspapers, and he already knew clearly what happened in the past.As for the position of life and death, he has long been bearish. He was promoted from Deputy Lieutenant Xuanjie to Lieutenant Yihui, and he didn't pay much attention to notices. Compared with his status in Xixia, it was simply worthless.But this promotion represented the Song Dynasty's recognition of him.At this moment, even if he died, Wen Huan felt that he could rest in peace.
Shi Yue helped Wen Huan up again, and said in a warm voice: those who live up to the country, the country will live up to it.Yi Hui has made great contributions to the country, which is what he deserves.However, now that Xixia is still undecided, it is not appropriate to announce this matter for the time being, and Yihui will have to endure it for a while.
The imperial court knows that the next official is not a traitor, and the wish has been fulfilled, so how dare it hope for other things?Wen Huan was not naive. He naturally knew that once his identity was made public, it would be a great gift to the Liang family, which would put Bingchang in a difficult situation and affect the legitimacy of the Song Dynasty's attack on Xia.In any case, the Song Dynasty would not announce his identity at this time.
Sooner or later, Yihui will be given a fair evaluation.Shi Yue said lightly, but made a solemn promise.
Sima Mengqiu said again: Mr. Wen Xianggong personally appointed you as the head of the staff house and the governor of Guangzhou Fang. After the work here, Wen Jun can go to Guangzhou and work with Xue Yi in the future.After three or four years, you can return to Bianjing.
Wen Huan was silent for a while, and thanked Sima Mengqiu again.The staff office is by no means the organization he is willing to work for, but Wen Huan also knows that this kind of treatment has already taken great pains.He is not without complaints, but his experience has taught him that he should not ask for too many things.
Together with Xue Yi, Yihui will definitely be able to see another world.Shi Yue said something that Wen Huan couldn't understand at this time.The arrangement for Wen Huan was actually the result of Shi Yue's initiative to discuss with Wen Yanbo. The Guangzhou Fang was actually an overseas intelligence agency of the Song Dynasty. He believed that Wen Huan could find a new life there.
Pan Zhaolin watched all this with cold eyes.He noticed that from beginning to end, Wen Huan was only grateful to Shi Yue, but he never mentioned the emperor once.The corner of his mouth couldn't help showing a smile that was not a smile.
After Shi Yue finished speaking, he called everyone to sit in the pavilion.Seeing it from a distance, Shi Jian hurriedly brought the refreshments up himself, then retreated and stood guard at the gate of the garden.
This time I invite Yihui to come, and there is one more thing I want to ask Yihui for advice.After Shi Yue sat down, he cut to the chase.With his status, naturally there is no need to be tactful with Wen Huan.
Regarding the matter of Xixia, if you know anything about the lower officials, you should know everything.Wen Huan quickly got up and replied respectfully.Of course, he knew in his heart that if he just announced his promotion and appointment, it would be impossible for him to be a dignified third-rank official.And looking at this posture, what Shi Yue asked must be an extremely confidential matter, and what he can know, undoubtedly, can only be about Xi Xia's affairs.
Shi Yue nodded and said: "Does Yi Hui know Ye Yin?"
But the second son of Ye Tongma?Wen Huan is no stranger to Ye Yin.
Exactly.
Wen Huan said with a smile: This gentleman has great ambitions and few talents, but he is always loyal and loyal to Lord Xia.
oh?Shi Yue, Pan Zhaolin, and Sima Mengqiu looked at each other with a smile, and asked again: Does Yihui think he will descend to the Song Dynasty?
Ye Yinzhi cannot get rid of the Song Dynasty, just as the lower officials cannot go down to the Xia Dynasty.
I see.Shi Yue smiled slightly, and said: If he assists Lord Xia, is Xixia enough to be a trouble for the Song Dynasty?
Wen Huan was not surprised, he didn't know why Shi Yue would ask such a question, but he still thought about it for a while, and replied solemnly: If Ye Yin Xiang Xia, even if he is not close to Song Dynasty, he will not be a trouble to China.When Xiaguan was in Xixia, I heard that he admired Huaxia, looked down on Fan people, even hated Xixia script, and almost wished he could not be born in Huaxia.Besides, his talents are limited, even if he has the heart, he is afraid that he will be powerless.
Shi Yue pondered for a while, then suddenly he stopped asking about Ye Yin, and asked instead: How does Lord Xia treat Yu Zanghuama?
Although he is favored, he still feels that he is a foreigner, so he can't rely on him as his confidant.
Shi Yue asked Wen Huan dozens of questions one after another, all of which were about the relationship between Bingchang and his courtiers, and often went to the bottom, even some trivial details between Bingchang and his courtiers.It wasn't until Wen Huan was clearly exhausted that he ordered soup to see off the guests.
After sending Wen Huan away, Shi Yue looked at Pan Zhaolin and Sima Mengqiu, and asked with a smile: How about it?
Although Ye Yin returned as promised, his rewards were incomplete and untrue, and there were many taboos.As Wen Huan said, he was planning for Bingchang after all.Sima Mengqiu smiled and said: But he is quite courageous.
Pan Zhaolin twitched his lips, disapproving, but he was just jumping over the wall in a hurry.
Shi Yue laughed and said: Now he is clearly Bingchang's envoy, and he wants to lobby me.
Did the bachelor really decide to let Bingchang pass Helan Mountain?Students are always worried that they will be left behind.Sima Mengqiu looked at Shi Yue with a hint of hesitation in his expression.What he worried about didn't stop there.As the governor of the staff office, he naturally understood that Song Ting would never allow it if he really wanted to indulge He Lan deliberately.Although he believed that Shi Yue would definitely do a good job in this matter, so that there would be no excuses, but if it happened, it would be a big deal.And there is no impenetrable wall in the world, if you are not careful, rumors will spread everywhere.
Shi Yue kept silent, Pan Zhaolin glanced at Sima Mengqiu quietly, and said: In the affairs of the world, you can't just enjoy the benefits and not suffer from the disadvantages.It's not difficult to die in summer, you just need to do the trick.But what good does it do me?If Xixia dies, the Qing and Tang Dynasties will dominate.Although Dong Zhan surrendered now, the barbarians were never trustworthy. If you obey today, you will turn against him tomorrow, so you cannot rely on it.Moreover, the Qing and Tang Dynasties occupied a favorable location, and the imperial court was unable to destroy it.Even if the country can be subjugated, the country is wasted, the soldiers are sacrificed, and the world is disturbed, what is gained is nothing but useless land, and it cannot be guarded, so it is a pity to discard it.Once the troops are withdrawn, in less than ten years, another Qingtang will occupy it, harassing the border, and the country will never have a peaceful day.The strategy of controlling Qingtang is not to make it big, it will be difficult to control; not to rely on force to bully it, bullying is easy to reverse
Pan Zhaolin analyzed deeply, what he said was also what Shi Yue considered.Qingtang Tubo's base areas were Lhasa and Qinghai. With the current strength of the Song army, it is impossible to say that it is impossible to fight in such areas.Even if Song Ting spared no expense to launch a war, what's the use?Subject to the conditions at the time, it was not at all an area where the Song Dynasty could garrison troops for a long time.If it cannot be effectively controlled, it will only destroy a Qingtang and give birth to another Qingtang.It is better to maintain a stable situation as much as possible.After all, the current Qingtang is a Qingtang who is pro-Song.Shi Yue and Pan Zhaolin had discussed many times, and both believed that the best policy for the Song Dynasty was to maintain a state of reserve and not to fire, and to use a strong military force to let Qingtang know that it was definitely not a good idea to confront the Song army with force; , then carefully appease and win over Qingtang, maintain the Song-Tibetan alliance, cultivate and support pro-Song forces within it, and influence them through bilateral trade and exchanges.
But to make the strategy feasible, the Song Dynasty must first prevent Qingtang from overextending.If Qingtang Tubo's strength grows unchecked, then their ambitions will also grow. For the Song Dynasty, it will be a more terrifying enemy than Xixia.Whether fighting on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau or fighting in Shaanxi, Gansu and Ningxia, if one has to choose one of the two, any reasonable person will choose the latter without hesitation.
Moreover, there is an eternal truth: the most effective way to maintain the alliance between the two sides for a long time is to let the two sides have a common enemy, whether explicit or hidden.
A Xixia who was frightened by the Song Dynasty, a Xixia whose strength was weakened, and a Xixia who was confined to the Hexi Corridor would not pose too much threat to the Song Dynasty, and would inevitably have a fierce conflict of interest with Qingtang and Tubo. Obviously an ideal choice.
When the Hexi Corridor was in the Song Dynasty, the Qingtang Dynasty was the enemy of the Song Dynasty; in the Xia Dynasty, the Qingtang Dynasty was the vassal alliance of the Song Dynasty.It is easy to take the Hexi Corridor as much as possible, but it is difficult to keep it.A small number of soldiers cannot be defended, and a large number of soldiers will be trapped in transshipment
The national power of the Song Dynasty has not yet reached a level where it can do whatever it wants.
If you eat a fat man in one go, you will sometimes choke yourself to death.
Of course, the most important thing is that the Xixia who was driven to the Hexi Corridor must be a Xixia who would not blindly hate the Song Dynasty.A certain degree of hatred is inevitable, and the Da Yuezhi also hated the Huns back then.But as long as this hatred does not develop to the point of blindness, then historical hatred is definitely not as good as real interests.
Another equally important thing is that the leaders of Xixia who were driven to the Hexi Corridor cannot be unborn talents.
No one can guarantee that Xixia will not turn around after moving westward. In fact, Shi Yue faintly feels that this possibility is very high.In history, the losers in the ethnic competition in the eastern part of the Eurasian continent are everywhere after moving westward.Shi Yue was too impressed by this.In the history of another time and space, after being wiped out by the Jin Dynasty and moving to the west, it once ruled the Central Asian region and was rampant for a while.In terms of time, it is less than a century away from this time.
Shi Yue didn't mind this possibility, on the contrary, he looked forward to it.How profoundly will the reshuffling of the Western Regions change the orbit of the world?The area called the traffic island of Central Asia by historians has always been the most sensitive area in the Eurasian continent!
Shi Yue couldn't even be sure to what extent the decision was influenced by the expectation in his heart!
Whoever wants to directly and profoundly change the world, please push down a domino on the traffic island in Central Asia.
Xixia is the first card!
This feeling is very good.
Of course, Shi Yue is not a person who will give all his reason to the control of this romantic emotion.Through the question and answer with Wen Huan, as well as the information collected by the staff office before, he thinks that the possibility of raising a tiger into trouble is not high.
It is very likely that Xixia will become a tiger again.
But the possibility of this tiger becoming a threat to the Great Song Dynasty is not high.
What's more, today's Great Song Dynasty is no longer afraid of any tigers.
Just make sure that the Xixia people don't become mad dogs after they move westward.
In addition, Shi Yue also has practical considerations: he needs to end the war in Xixia as soon as possible and return to Bianjing as soon as possible.There, there is also Lu Xianggong's reform of the land and returning to the exile.
This is also an opportunity.
Over there, Pan Zhaolin has gradually persuaded Sima Mengqiu.
The only people in the world who know this matter are the son, the pure father and me.Pan Zhaolin smiled and said, there will be no secret agreement!The young master would not agree to allow Bingchang to move westward.Ye Yin wanted our army to set up a suspicious formation in Lingzhou, set up a formation to forcibly cross the Yellow River, and disperse the troops of the Liang family; he wanted our army to pretend to attack Qingtongxia, and then Yuzang Huama retreated into Xingqing Mansion in the name of defeat, taking advantage of the chaos and mutiny .Our army will also cross the Yellow River and attack Qingtong Gorge, but these are not feigned attacks, but large-scale advances!
The general will be outside, and the king will not accept it.Even if Shi Yue agreed to cooperate with Ye Yin, how could Shi Yue be restrained in this kind of thing?As for the secret agreement, did the Song Dynasty really care about Bingchang's promises?
All we did was to return the Yeyin brothers and the three hundred captives and let them go to Xingqing Mansion to fight. In the future, Yeyin will also have some capital to play against Yuzang Huama.In addition, the remnant enemy of Xingqing Mansion is nothing more than a clown. It seems that there is no need to keep the date of the large-scale invasion.
It is indeed clean.Sima Mengqiu couldn't help but nodded in his heart, even if someone got wind and wanted to pursue this matter in the future, at most it would be that Shi Yue didn't know the person and was deceived by Ye Yin.And as long as the Xingqing Mansion launched a mutiny, then Shi Yue would have no fault of his own.Let Bingchang run away, that is the incompetence of the frontline generals.As for Ye Yin's decision to serve Lord Xia again, that's nothing more than capricious barbarians.
The extent to which Bingchang and Yeyin can do it all depends on their good fortune.Shi Yue said lightly: I will not restrict the frontline generals, if these Xixia people are not capable, the emperor is in Bianjing, and he has already built a mansion for Bingchang.
So what are students to do?Only then did Sima Mengqiu realize that Shi Yue and Pan Zhaolin had already planned everything properly.But Shi Yue spent so much time explaining to him that at this time, let him participate in the secret, besides absolute trust, there must be something he needs to do.
Among the captives who went back with Ye Yin, some people had to be placed in advance.If Bingchang can really get out of Helan Mountain alive, Chunfu must make preparations early, and he will inevitably arrange some loyal ministers and righteous men to join him;Shi Yue picked up the tea, took a sip, and said lightly: "In short, what happened on Helan Mountain, Song Dynasty should know everything; among those civil servants and generals, there must be some people who admire and love Song Dynasty; Try to make Bingchang look west instead of looking back at Mount Helan.
Does Song Dynasty really have no ambitions for the Western Regions?Sima Mengqiu listened carefully to Shi Yue's words, and suddenly came up with such an idea.Isn't this a plan to drive away tigers and devour wolves?
Pan Zhaolin squinted his eyes, and teased lazily: Didn't pure father ever make a fuss?I don't know if I left more foreshadowing earlier, is there any article to do later?
Sima Mengqiu couldn't help but smile, he suddenly remembered something, couldn't help asking Shi Yue: Since the bachelor has made a decision long ago, why didn't he use Wen Huan?Wen Huan's intelligence is ten times that of Ye Yin's. He not only won the trust of the Lord Xia, but also was loyal to the Great Song Dynasty.
Without waiting for him to finish speaking, Pan Zhaolin clapped his hands and said: I said the same thing.
Shi Yue shook his head, and said: Before Ye Yin reported back, I discussed it with Wen Xianggong, and I can't predict it, how can I predict it in advance?If the Xixia people refuse to move westward after death, I am still worrying about how to check and balance Qingtang.Both Sima Mengqiu and Pan Zhaolin couldn't help laughing, Shi Yue said with a smile: the world is indeed unpredictable.If after Xixia moved westward, instead of constantly disturbing the borders, it would be better to cut the weeds and get rid of the roots first.Not only are the generals leading the army, I also wanted to wipe out all the Xixia people, and I didn't want them to go west to Helan.Even now, I am willing to allow them to move westward, but who can be sure that the Xixia people will not rekindle the flames of war because of nostalgia for their homeland?However, the appearance of Ye Yin made me see that at least Xixia people are not all elm-headed, but also know how to look westward, and he also taught Bingchang to look westward, so I saw another way, and finally I can The lesser of two evils.If they are all famous and honorable people, even if they retreat to Helan Mountain, they are just waiting for a chance to come back.The eyes of this generation are destined to only look east in this life.How can I allow them to move westward calmly?However, even now, although I am willing to allow them to move westward, Li Xian, Zhong Er, and Zheke may not tolerate them.Whether Bingchang can escape depends on his fortune.
These words are all true, but none of them are true.Ye Yin is indeed an introduction, or an opportunity, but it is by no means a decisive factor.As for Wen Huan, Shi Yue didn't let him go to Xixia again, not because he had already discussed with Wen Yanbo in advance.
Non-vegetation, ruthless Practice makes perfect?
But Shi Yue didn't want to show off his foresight, nor did he want to show his weak side.
Xining fourteenth year New Year's Day.
In the eastern countries of the Eurasian continent, some are happy and some are sad.This day is the Dynasty of the Year, the Dynasty of the Moon, the Dynasty of the Sun, and the sequence of the first year, starting with this, whether it is the Liao Dynasty in the north or the Song Dynasty in the south, this day is an extremely important festival.Although there is a permanent embassy, the form of bilateral diplomacy has entered another era unknowingly, but the original diplomatic etiquette is still intact. He Zhengdan envoy.At the same time, before this day, the vassal princes of the two countries will also send envoys, and even come to the capital of the empire in person to express their loyalty and congratulations to His Majesty the Song and Liao emperors.And on this day, whether it is Bianjing in Song Dynasty or Zhongjing in Liao Dynasty, it is also full of joy and excitement.
In the Liao Kingdom in the north, in November of last year, a mutiny occurred in the long-suffering Datong. The civil war of the year was finally completely subsided, and Daliao was reunited.Lord Yelujun of the Liao Dynasty not only eradicated the last force that would threaten his power, but also confiscated more than a dozen dissident nobles when he returned to the army because of the letters that some nobles had privately communicated with Yelu Yixun and Yang Zunxu. Turning more than a dozen Xiajun states into national counties, he awarded the confiscated land to meritorious soldiers, and turned the original slaves into tenant farmers of meritorious soldiers, thus winning the loyalty of the army and the people at the same time.And his prestige and power have also risen and consolidated unprecedentedly.The future of Daliao, which can be called a wise king and minister, is bright.
In the Liao Kingdom, apart from some frustrated bureaucrats and nobles, as well as the tribes that were severely suppressed and plundered, countless Khitan, Xi, and Han people were all cheering.Some of them waited until their long-awaited relatives returned home; some were happy with the reduction of taxes and corvees; and more people celebrated that they finally changed from slaves of those harsh nobles to tenant farmers or even self-cultivating farmers of the country.
The Song Dynasty in the south has more reasons to celebrate.The monarchs and ministers of the Song Dynasty held back a sigh of suspense for seven or eighty years, and vomited it out fiercely in the previous year.Since Li Jiqian's rebellion, the separatist regime known as Xixia has finally come to his end.The change in mentality of the entire country brought about by this huge victory cannot be underestimated.It will continue to affect the future of this country, but on the New Year's Day of the 14th year of Xining, what is shown is a kind of joy that overflows from the bottom of people's hearts.
If the joy of the citizens of Bianjing is just an abstract emotion, then the people of Shanxi Road, for example, have more real expectations. They have every reason to look forward to a future free from foreign aggression and less taxation.Many insightful people are also looking forward to the same. The victory of the military campaign against Xixia, in addition to bringing land, people, and war horses to the Song Dynasty, should also be accompanied by a reduction in military expenditure and an opportunity to further reduce the huge army.Da Song's finances finally have a chance to embark on a virtuous circle, right?
For Song and Liao, they do have reasons to celebrate.However, according to some simple principles, the joy of the two largest empires in the East must be based on the fear, worry and even pain of certain countries.
Facing a strong Khitan with sharp teeth and sharp claws, people from countries as far away as the Western Regions and as far east as Koryo began to feel a little uneasy.Khotan in the Western Regions also sent an envoy of He Zhengdan to the Song Dynasty in this year. The envoy from Khotan did not come because of the threat of Khitan, but after the Song Dynasty, he had a little understanding of the situation. The emissary of one of the characters immediately smelled a bloody smell.What is even more palpitating is that Goryeo, which once took the initiative to provoke the Liao Kingdom, received a powerful Song Dynasty, but the fact that it is adjacent to the Liao Kingdom made them a little restless.At this time, they are caught in a dilemma. If they try to please the Liao Dynasty and try to repair the relationship between the two countries, they will risk the anger of the powerful Song Dynasty, and they may fall into a desperate situation that is not pleasing to both sides; if they continue to maintain tension with the Liao Dynasty relationship, then Goryeo would have to tie herself firmly to the chariot of the Song Dynasty, and this bondage and dependence will only become tighter and tighter.Although Goryeo has also gained a lot of benefits from the alliance with the Song Dynasty, considering the fact that there is a wolf with its teeth and claws lying next to it, while the Song Dynasty of the alliance is separated by a vast ocean, those knowledgeable Goryeo people No matter what, I can't laugh.
But the Koreans should be satisfied, at least for the time being, they don't have to worry about subjugation.
Xixia, Xingqing Mansion.Heavy snow, strong wind.
Bingchang was dressed in black fur, a fox fur cloak, and a sword hanging from his waist. Surrounded by a group of officials and guards, he braved the wind and snow and patrolled the city of Xingqing Mansion.He carefully condolences to every soldier guarding the city, asking about the cold and warmth, which made the soldiers guarding the city tearful with gratitude.Beside Bingchang, four complicated gazes from left to right cast their gazes on this seemingly reborn Lord Xia from time to time.
Liang Yibu never expected that Bingchang would suddenly propose to inspect the city defense during the court meeting, let alone that Bingchang would behave like this.If he had expected it earlier, he would have spared no effort to dissuade Bingchang.But at this moment, he was obviously helpless, in front of all civil and military officials and all the soldiers, he couldn't be careless after all.Of course Liang Yibu knew how many people in the Xingqing Mansion wanted the heads of his father and son, so he would not foolishly stir up public anger.However, he still tried to dissuade him several times, but he didn't get a response from Wei Mingrong, so it didn't work.Thinking of this, Liang Yibu cast his angry eyes on Wei Mingrong.
Wei Mingrong felt the lack of kindness in the greeting, he just smiled lightly and didn't return the greeting.Regardless of Bingchang's intentions, his actions are still helpful to boost morale.He even thought that if the emperor could show his mature side earlier, maybe he might not have stood by the Empress Dowager Liang back then.However, there is no medicine for regret in this world, and Wei Mingrong does not feel regret.He was really disappointed because the Empress Dowager Liang also had an indecisive side, and she was still unable to make up her mind to move westward.He firmly believes that the only way to gain more room for maneuver is to move westward.
It's not that Helan Mountain can't come back after passing, so what is there to miss in Xingqing Mansion?
Bingchang didn't know what his two important ministers were thinking, he felt those four gazes, but he pretended not to know, and just continued his inspection seriously.The prestige of the royal family is still huge, and Bingchang is very satisfied with this.However, from the slightly fearful eyes of some soldiers, Bingchang could also feel that if it weren't for the two well-known authoritative figures following behind him, the response here would be even more enthusiastic.Thinking of this, Bingchang felt a little uncomfortable in his heart. He subconsciously glanced outside the city, but in the snowstorm flying all over the sky, he could hardly see anything.
Be patient a little longer.To hold back.Bingchang reminds himself all the time.
All the news showed that the time for the Song Army's massive attack should be after the Cold Food Festival.New Year's Day, Winter Solstice, and Cold Food were the three major festivals that Song people valued most, and it was reasonable to start using troops after the Cold Food Festival.
Although Ye Yin and Yu Zang Hua Ma didn't determine the day when they would start the incident in order to adapt to the situation, but in any case, it would not be later than the Cold Food Festival.
Bingchang still had a faint worry in his heart. Even in winter, the Song army did not stop. Zhong Er and Wu Anguo's scouts once arrived near Xingqing Mansion, and the two sides also had several small-scale battles near the Yellow River. The Song army was repelled in the end, but all this showed that the Song army was preparing intensively.Kind of five (note: kind of er ranked fifth) heart, passers-by are well known.No one is sure that Zhong Wu will not advance troops.
However, all this is also beneficial to Bingchang.He quietly put pressure on Liang Yibu and Wei Mingrong, taking the opportunity to force them to send more troops.What makes Bingchang even more aware of the help of ghosts and gods in the dark is that Qingtang soldiers even crossed Yanzhi Mountain to invade Ganzhou several times in winter. We had to mobilize nearly 2,000 troops for reinforcements.
Thinking of this, Bing Chang couldn't help showing a smug smile on the corner of his mouth.As a result, his footsteps became lighter, and even the cold wind that slashed his face with snowflakes became less unbearable.
Bingchang glanced out of the city again, and for an instant, his expression froze.Looks of anticipation, excitement, and even disbelief flashed alternately in his eyes, but when they were frozen there, he was staring out of the city blankly.
From Liang Yibu to Wei Mingrong, all the accompanying officials looked out of the city with Bingchang's gaze and saw countless people faintly appearing in everyone's field of vision amidst the wind and snow!
Liang Yibu glanced at Wei Mingrong suspiciously, but he saw that Wei Mingrong was already ordering people to go out of the city to check.He calmed down a bit, but he heard the footsteps of a general rushing towards him, with a frightened look on his face.
Could it be that Song Jun is calling?
Liang Yibu had a thought in his mind that even he couldn't believe, but his feet unconsciously rushed forward.
urgent military situation
waste!Liang Yibu scolded with a livid face, before the general could finish speaking, he pulled out the wooden letter he was holding in his hand, opened it and took out the report, and after a quick glance, Liang Yibu was stunned when he found Song Jun's trace in the direction of Dingzhou, According to estimates from the remaining stoves and marching camps, there may be 8,000 to 10,000 people!
How is this possible?Is Wu Anguo crazy?Liang Yibu was skeptical.Song general Wu Anguo and Liang Yibu already knew a little bit about it, and this man really dared to do any crazy things.but
He slowly put the wooden letter into his arms together with the information, and seeing the doubts on everyone's faces, he forced a calm smile and said: "The children are making a fuss, but it's just Wu Anguo's scouts."
Liang Yibu hadn't finished speaking when he heard someone screaming. He followed the sound and looked out of the city, feeling an ominous feeling. Xia Jun was in uniform, but they threw away their helmets and armor one by one, looking embarrassed.
Yuyu Tibetan flower hemp
This time, let alone others, Liang Yibu and Wei Mingrong were also too shocked to speak.Both of them pursed their lips tightly, for a moment it was difficult to accept the bad news that might have happened, was Qingtongxia also lost?
The scouts sent out quickly confirmed that the army that appeared outside the Xingqing Mansion was indeed the Yuzang Huama Department, and, as everyone expected, these people were all defeated troops in Qingtongxia.
Things have come to this point, and Bing's usual inspections cannot continue anyway.But Bingchang still insisted on standing on the city wall to understand the development of the situation.At this time, Liang Yibu and Wei Mingrong could no longer take care of the Xia Lord who had almost changed his appearance, so they asked several low-level military officers brought back by the scouts to bring them into the tower, and began to question them carefully.
However, Liang Yibu and Wei Mingrong's inquiries obviously had no effect. What these military officers knew was that Qingtong Gorge was raided by the Song army, and then the Xia army was defeated and fled to Xingqing Mansion. The whereabouts are completely unknown.
Facing these worthless guys, even Liang Yibu couldn't help but feel sad at this moment, even though he and Yuzang Huama had always been hostile to each other. , what face do you have to come back alive?After all, he drew out his sword in a snap, and wanted to execute these military officers on the spot.
Those few people had already been frightened out of their wits, knocking their heads like pounding garlic and howling: Spare me!Prime Minister spare your life
Wei Mingrong never imagined that the Xixia army that once ran across the northwest would be reduced to such a point. Qingtongxia was lost in a single battle, and even the commander did not know where he was; and those military officers were afraid of this, obviously completely losing their fighting spirit.For a moment, there was a sense of despair.He grabbed Liang Yibu and persuaded him, "These people are as straight as pigs and dogs. It's useless to kill them, but they will make the rout outside the city uneasy."It's better to spare his dog's life first.The current strategy is how to deal with those defeated soldiers.
Liang Yibu was stunned for a moment, he was not a person who didn't know the importance, he raised his foot and kicked down a military officer kneeling in front of him fiercely, spat, and said in a hateful voice: "How else can we deal with it, can't we all be cheated?"
If it is not allowed to enter the city, it will cause great changes; but if it is allowed to enter the city, there are also inappropriate points.Wei Mingrong couldn't help frowning.
Liang Yibu was startled, and when he saw several military officers kneeling in front of him, trembling all over, he couldn't help showing contempt.These cowards have something to fear, let them enter the city, and choose another day to reorganize.
Although Wei Mingrong felt something was wrong, he couldn't think of a reason to object for a while.If Yu Zang had flowers, or had some scruples, there is nothing to be afraid of now that these remnants are defeated.But he was always cautious, he pondered for a moment, and said: I will personally lead the troops out and welcome them into the city.
So helpful General.Liang Yibu clasped his fists together, got up and sent Wei Mingrong out of the city.The two completely ignored Bingchang, the summer master, and made a decision in a few words.
Bingchang hated it very much, but pretended not to care about it at all, standing at the top of the city together with Liang Yibu, watching Wei Mingrong leading dozens of riders out of the city on snow.
The wind was getting stronger and stronger, and it was snowing all over the sky. Bean-sized ice slags were caught in the snow flakes, and were blown by the strong wind to people's faces, almost as painful as a knife cut.
But if it's just the wind and snow, it's not enough to make Wei Mingrong's heart cold. The coldness in his heart at the moment is because of the remnant soldiers scattered along the road. Abandoned armor, disheveled clothes, panicked expressions in the snow, their faces black and blue from the cold seemed to have a look of bewilderment and fear for the future fate, this look was almost more distinct and unified than the clothes.
Many soldiers seemed to be exhausted, standing dejectedly in the snow, letting the heavy snow gradually bury them. On the white ground, these black spots that had never melted into white snow were densely packed, and it was unknown how many people there were. ?Seeing Wei Ming Rongyi riding by, many people just raised their heads slightly, but many people seemed to have lost the strength to raise their heads, and just stood silently in the snow, turning into stone sculptures.
There are so many defeated soldiers, but they did not cry, scream, defend, or even have the courage and confidence to survive. This kind of depressed morale, which was almost hopeless, caused Wei Mingrong to have unspeakable fear. War, what happened?Was the defeat too tragic, or was the defeat too thorough, so that the soldiers mourned so much? Has the Song State's military strength been so powerful that it is so daunting?Or was the failure of the Qingtongxia battle already giving everyone a premonition of the fate of the country's subjugation?
The fate of subjugation, Wei Mingrong repeatedly chewed the word subjugation in his heart, an irresistible feeling of loss hit his whole body, sadness, it seems that it is not all sadness, despair, it seems that it is not all despair, but deep in his heart, But something seems to be gradually shattering, leaving only a sense of emptiness, and perhaps a trace of confusion and fear like those soldiers, what will happen?It seems that no one can answer, and it seems that there is already a clear answer waiting for me, but it is always too difficult to face that answer.
Those brave and sturdy Daxia soldiers, the Daxia army that once ran across the northwest, all the pride of the Daxia Kingdom that once attacked the Song Dynasty in the east, defeated the Liao Dynasty in the north, defeated Tubo in the west, and attacked Uighur in the west. In this icy and snowy field, is it just a desolation in the end?
Wei Mingrong sighed involuntarily, he barely stopped himself from thinking about it, the future of Daxia is no longer in the hands of Daxia people, what he can do now is to bring these soldiers into the city, give them A shelter, even if it's temporary
Let's go to town!He gave a brief order, and then galloped back to the city, allowing the soldiers to shout loudly in the wind and snow: enter the city, enter the city!The voice behind him was mixed with the whistling wind, and he couldn't bear to hear it. He clamped the horse's belly and drove the mount to gallop towards the city gate. The sudden acceleration brought the guards by his side All four of his soldiers left behind.
Ma Jixue was even sicker, he had already gotten used to the pain from the ice slag hitting his face, and now he felt even more numb.He drove to the city gate without stopping, and suddenly couldn't help but look back at Fang Bingyuan. The sky was snowing, the ground was white, and those black spots were quickly converging towards the city gate. He turned his head, as if to Put those negative emotions behind, and then use his usual calmness to instruct the school officials at the city gate how to deal with these remnant soldiers.After the arrangements were made, Wei Mingrong rode his horse and stood behind the city gate, watching indifferently as groups of defeated soldiers passed by his horse.
Suddenly, inadvertently, Wei Mingrong saw a familiar face among these defeated soldiers!
There were streaks of blood stained on his pale face from the cold, covering up his original face, but his gaze did not show the slightest bit of bewilderment or fear, his figure was still as firm as before, and he even looked like a近乎狂熱的信心！這個人在這群敗兵當中，便如同獅子立於群羊當中，再怎麼樣掩飾，也掩飾不了他的存在！
耶亥！嵬名榮不禁大聲叫了出來。
那身形只是稍一停滯，便好像完全沒聽到一般，繼續夾在敗兵當中，向城中走去。
耶亥！嵬名榮提高了自己的聲音。他心中疑心頓起，一種不祥的感覺掠過全身，下意識地厲聲喊道︰快關城門！拿下那人！
這一瞬間，所有的人都呆了一下，嵬名榮的幾個親兵率先反應過去，順著嵬名榮所指的方向，向著耶亥撲了過去。守在城門口的數十名士兵，在怔了一下後，也端著長槍，圍了上來。
耶亥萬萬沒有料到苦心策劃的計畫，破綻竟然會出在自己身上。他一咬牙，拔出身後的鐵鐧，大聲吼道︰孩兒們給老子拼了！殺掉奸臣，救出大王！說罷和身迎向朝著撲來的幾個親兵，一鐧格開一把明晃晃的大刀，順勢一鐧，打在一個親兵的心窩上，那親兵格登一下，眼見便活不成了。
便在同時，那些在嵬名榮眼裡看起來茫然無主，萎靡不振的殘兵敗將們，忽然間彷彿都如換了一個人一般，齊齊拔出兵器，向著身邊的興慶府駐軍砍殺起來。這些敗兵本來都是禹藏花麻與耶寅精挑細選的士卒，冒雪行軍而來，在冰天雪地裡凍了半天，扮演失魂落魄的殘兵敗卒，三分演戲七分真實，加上嵬名榮哀於亡國之憂，心裡先入為主，竟生生騙過了素來精明的嵬名榮。此時暴起發難，人人都知道這是勝則封侯，敗則滅族的勾當，竟是無不奮勇。而城門守軍哪裡料得到殘兵敗卒忽然變成了亡命之徒，竟是被打了個措手不及，頃刻之間，已經被誅戮殆盡，只剩下嵬名榮被十幾個親兵死死護住，被扮成敗兵的耶寅率著近百夏軍圍在城門的一角。
老將軍，大勢已去，何必做困獸之鬥？
嵬名榮眼見著城外的敗兵們如潮水般向著城中湧了進來，耶亥已領著數以百計的士兵向城牆上衝去，而城頭的梁乙逋顯然還沒明白究竟發生了什麼事。他已知道這回真真是大勢已去。
後生可畏，後生可畏！嵬名榮喃喃說道，對著耶寅問道︰你又是何人？他知道葉悖麻的長子，卻不認識他的次子。
晚輩耶寅，冑甲在身，不能行禮，還望將軍見諒。耶寅並不想殺嵬名榮。
嵬名榮震驚地望著耶寅，耶寅？你是葉悖麻的兒子？
正是，先父與老將軍同殿為臣，常稱老將軍之能。國家不幸，人材凋零，願老將軍莫為無益之事。
嵬名榮默然良久，忽盯著耶寅，沉聲道︰老夫只想知道一件事，禹藏花麻降宋了麼？
降宋？耶寅啞然失笑，正色道︰我等此來，正為誅梁氏，清君側！
嵬名榮注視耶寅許久，看他不似說謊，不覺鬆了一口氣，他再無所掛，竟笑了起來，淡淡說道︰老夫已無面目見陛下，願君輩好自為之，輔佐陛下，有朝一日，或能中興大夏！說罷，未待眾人反應過來，橫劍劃過自己的頸部，便見一道鮮血噴出，已是不活。
那些親兵見嵬名榮自刎而死，盡皆跪倒在嵬名榮身旁，撫屍放聲大哭。耶寅正待勸慰，便見刀光閃過，那十餘親兵，竟已全部揮刀自殺，死在嵬名榮屍身之旁。
at the same time.城頭。
城頭已經燃起烽火，城外已隱隱可以看見禹藏花麻的帥旗，梁乙逋此時終於已經意識到這是又一場有預謀的兵變。那些敗兵們高喊著誅梁氏，清君側的口號，如同狼群一般衝上城頭，許多守城的士兵根本不願意為梁氏賣命，要麼棄刀投降，要麼反戈一擊，反加入兵變的隊伍當中。梁乙逋只能依靠著自己的親兵與一些親信的部隊，裹脅著秉常，向城下且戰且退。
他一面後退，一面望著對面手執鐵鐧，緩緩逼近的耶亥，只覺得雙腿發軟。耶亥的勇猛的確讓人膽寒，梁府最鋒銳的爪牙寧葛，在不過二十回合之內，便已被耶亥打得腦漿迸裂，這滿城之中，又有何人是他之敵手？
若非忌憚秉常在梁乙逋的手中，此時梁乙逋只怕早已命喪黃泉。
禹藏花麻們再怎麼樣神機妙算，也料不到這場禍變竟然會是這樣發生的。大夏國此時最重要的人物，除了梁太后與梁乙埋，竟然都集中在興慶府的城牆上。這種運氣，還真讓人分不清究竟是好運還是厄運。
忠於梁乙逋的兩三百人護衛著他們的主子，緩緩向城下退去。耶亥率著部下步步緊逼，卻也不敢過分逼近。興慶府的城頭上，除了盔甲磨擦碰撞的聲音之外，便只聽到沉重的腳步聲。
自興慶府的城牆上到城腳，那短短的距離，竟似比橫跨賀蘭山還要困難。當梁乙逋被部下保護著退到城下，終於跨上自己的座騎之時，他不自覺得吁了一口氣，這才感覺渾身都被冷汗浸透。
便在這一刻，只聽到有人斷喝一聲︰梁乙逋！梁乙逋下意識地循聲望去，便見一支羽箭挾著寒風疾馳而至，他愣得一下，身子一晃，便摔下馬去。
兀卒！兀卒！響徹雲霄的呼喊聲在興慶府中響起，兵變的士兵們如同不可遏制的洪水一般，向著那些還在望著梁乙逋的屍體發呆的梁府親兵衝去，瞬間便將他們完全淹沒。
耶寅平靜地收起弓箭，遠遠地朝著秉常跪拜下去，兀卒，我們贏了！
日央時分。雪停。Guoxiangfu.
在圍攻國相府差不多兩個時辰之久後，耶亥終於率領兵變的士兵們殺進了府中。
兀卒有令，凡梁府之人，格殺毋論！耶亥紅著雙眼頒下這道血淋淋的詔令後，士兵們隨即一哄而散，爭先恐後的去哄搶梁府的財物，這是他們應得的犒賞。耶亥不去理會那些士卒，提著雙鐧，率著自己的親兵們逕直向中廳闖去。
便在他踏入梁府中門的那一剎那，梁府的後花園，沖天的火光，映得雪後的天空慘紅慘紅的。
耶亥心中一驚，拋開身後的親兵，快步向著起火的方向奔去。在他踏進後花園的那一瞬間，一種輕蔑、譏諷的情緒頃刻間化成一絲冷笑。他將雙鐧插入身後，大步向著站在火堆邊上的人走去。
打算縱火自焚的梁乙埋，此刻正癱成一團淤泥般，跪在火邊，發了瘋似的狂笑。再也沒有人想到，這個曾經權傾一時、野心勃勃的西夏國相，竟然連自殺的勇氣都沒有。
幾乎與此同時。
Western Xia Palace.
到處都是橫七豎八的屍體，忠於梁太后的侍衛，幾乎全都被誅殺殆盡。
秉常在禹藏花麻、耶寅的簇擁下，大步走進那間陰沉沉的宮殿。這一刻，他才真正體驗到一種大權在握的感覺，一種可以任意主宰他人的生死禍福的快意。
但儘管如此，當他走梁太后所居的宮殿之時，依然不自覺地顫抖了一下。
兀卒，你來了。殿中梁太后的聲音，依然一如既往的從容。這讓秉常感覺到一陣不舒服。
母后，我來了。秉常用一種勝利者的語氣宣佈著，注視著從黑暗中走出來的梁太后。這個人，既是自己的親生母親，也是他的政敵。不共戴天的政敵！秉常並沒意識到，他的臉在不知不覺中，已經扭曲得極度的猙獰。
梁太后只是淡淡地看著秉常，露出一絲含義不明的微笑。
兀卒現在已經真正不愧為景宗皇帝之孫了！梁太后笑道，她微笑著望著似乎感覺到有些驚愕的秉常，幾乎讓人產生一種錯覺，彷彿她期待這一切已經很久了。但這微笑很快凝固成寒冷似的冷酷，景宗皇帝是踏著他父親的屍體走向霸業的，現在輪到你了，兀卒！
行大事者，為達目的，不擇手段。可以六親不認，可以認賊作父！大夏國一定要掌握在一個比祁連山上的寒冰還要冷酷無情的君主手中。
秉常那勝利者的錯覺在一瞬間便散於雲煙。望著面前的梁太后，秉常只覺得一陣茫然。在心裡醞釀了無數的罪狀，準備痛快淋漓的指責著她，讓她後悔，讓她害怕，讓她向著自己哀求！但到此時，秉常竟一句話也說不出來。
到底是她贏了？還是我贏了？
一種被戲弄的感覺讓憤怒瞬間充斥著秉常的大腦，他的手不覺抓緊了腰間的佩劍。
兀卒！耶寅望著秉常，他感覺到一種危險的氣息。受到華夏文化影響的他，無論如何，都不願意自己的君主背負著弒母的惡名。
但就在他出聲的同時，秉常拔出了佩劍，雪亮的劍光耀映著梁太后蒼白的臉，劍尖與她的咽喉，相距不到一寸。
但秉常的劍卻沒有遞出，他只是緊緊的咬著牙，用力捏住劍柄，劍尖筆直堅定的對著他的母親他一生中最強大的敵人，他的臉色因為鐵青與僵硬顯得異常的猙獰，被這樣兇狠仇視的目光所震懾，耶寅不由自主的又叫了一聲︰兀卒！但這一聲呼喚，在這空蕩蕩的殿中，幾乎輕微的讓人聽不見。
秉常如同燃燒般的眼眸一眨不眨地盯著他依舊鎮定自若的母親︰那蒼白的臉上，絲毫沒有驚惶，甚至還有淺淺的笑容，她的目光深邃而寧和，似乎有著包容一切的平靜，但正是這種平靜與包容，讓秉常感到更加的憤怒，不知道為什麼，他忽然間覺得她此時的目光有些像母親了，可是太晚了，他憤恨的想，景宗皇帝是踏著他父親的屍體走向霸業的，現在輪到你了那熟悉的聲音不停地在他耳邊迴蕩，彷彿慈愛的叮嚀。難道她等待的也是這一刻麼？等待她唯一的兒子以這樣方式成就霸業，所以她沒有恐懼，沒有哀求，只有歡喜，只有期待？
秉常嘿嘿的冷笑兩聲，但這聲音發出來之後，連他自己都吃了一驚，因為這根本不是人的聲音，竟像是野獸發出的嘿聲。他更加用力的握緊了劍，劍尖一分分的向前遞出，可對面那容顏上的表情卻似是不會改變一般，他忽然間有種自己也無法理解的沮喪感覺，兵變成功的喜悅在瞬間蕩然無存，贏了嗎？真的贏了嗎？他有片刻地恍惚，便在這一瞬間，一股溫熱的液體忽然濺上他的臉，鮮亮腥紅的鮮血漫過他的視野，一個沉重的身體墜掛在他的劍上，令他幾乎把握不住手中的佩劍。
是梁太后自己撞上了劍尖！
耶寅脫口驚叫了一聲，但他隨即馬上明白勝利了，徹底的勝利了！他毫不猶豫地屈膝跪倒，大聲道︰兀卒，太后舊疾復發，痰湧氣塞，遂至大漸，於未時仙馭升遐！請兀卒節哀順變！禹藏花麻也隨即跪倒，沉聲道︰兀卒節哀！
但秉常卻只是神情索然地望著梁太后的屍體，彷彿全然沒有聽見他們在說什麼。
黔首石城漠水邊，
赤面父塚白高河，
高彌藥國在彼方
茫茫人流之中，忽然有人高聲作歌，一人歌，百者應，間雜著低低的嗚咽與淒楚的胡笳樂聲，似乎也匯成了河流，隨著人流，一齊湧向那不可預測的遠方與未來。
這是夏人懷念故鄉的歌謠，幾百年前，他們受吐蕃的威迫，遷移來此，歷數百年經營，建立了興盛強大的大夏國，但他們的心中，依然懷有對故鄉的深深眷戀，這曲歌謠就是他們心聲的訴說，如今，他們又要離開自己的家園了，要遷往一個雖在疆域之內，卻又是無比陌生的地方。這又是一場離別，幾百年的輪迴，這美麗富饒的塞上江南，竟不知何時才能夠歸來？那遙遠的西方，又將有怎樣的命運在等待這個無比頑強的民族？
秉常勒馬於一座小山丘上，注視著那從興慶府一直延伸到賀蘭山下的人流，他聽到他們眷戀淒涼的吟唱，他看到他的子民們痛哭流涕紛紛捧起地上的黃土，珍而重之的包裹在手帕裡，然後藏在最貼近胸口的位置，他們將要離開，他們不知道前方的路，究竟會如何坎坷，也不知道歸期，所以他們已經提前將對興慶府的眷念化成了鄉愁，含在這首古老的歌謠中吟唱不休。
但秉常卻相信，他的子民們必將歸來，或許歸期遙遠，但他堅信，他必將再次帶領他的子民們重新歸來，來到曾屬於他們的興慶府，或者走到更接近中原的土地上，一切的繁華都可以重建，只要他們都還懷有戰勝困厄的信心，大夏國就永遠不會滅亡。
兀卒，這已經是最後一批撤離興慶府的百姓們了，耶寅低聲說道︰咱們也應該動身了！他看著那湧向遠方的延綿數十里的人流，安慰道︰兀卒，你一定能中興大夏的！
I definitely will!我們還會再回來！秉常看著他的子民們，彷彿是發下誓言，他忽然仰起頭，看著賀蘭山，道︰記住今天這個日子！永遠不要忘記！
大安七年二月初二耶寅喃喃的道，在這個迅速成熟起來的年輕君主面前，他更加堅定了自己的信心。
大安七年二月初二！秉常重複了一遍，忽然側首向身後的耶寅道︰不，今天是興慶元年二月初二！
yes!今日是興慶元年二月初二！耶寅跪倒在地，聲音哽咽地重複了一遍。
我要到景宗皇帝的陵前，向他謝罪，也向他盟誓，終有一天，我還將帶領我們的子民歸來，祭祀列祖列宗的英靈！
雖然暮冬剛過，冰雪才消融不久，但大夏王陵前的春草已經生發，錯亂的佈在蒼涼的黃土地上，雖然稀疏，卻也是象徵著新生的希望。
秉常遠遠勒住馬，然後脫掉靴子，扯開束髮的冠帶，就這樣在群臣的注目之下，跣足散發地踏著初春的寒冰，一步步走向大夏國最偉大的君主夏景宗李元昊的陵墓，然後重重的跪拜在前代君王的墓前，他將臉埋在黃土之上，用自己的嘴脣親吻著那泥土，似乎是想永遠的記住這土地的滋味。
景宗皇帝英靈為證！不肖子孫秉常在此向列祖列宗發誓︰我們必將歸來！
一郡官閒唯副使，一年冷節是清明。春來春去何時盡？閒恨閒愁觸處生。漆燕黃鸝誇舌健，柳花榆莢鬥身輕。脫衣換得商山酒，笑把《離騷》獨自傾
汴京大相國寺附近的一座酒樓內，兩個中年男子正對坐淺斟，坐在東首的男子約莫三十來歲，面容削瘦白淨，模樣雖不能說英俊，但一雙眸子卻是深邃得似是見不著底，端端正正坐在那廂，便自有一種從容華貴的氣度，看起來是常居人上者，卻又絕不似王孫公子之淺薄，倒像是禮絕百僚的大丞相。只不過此時，他那淡淡的微笑中，卻似帶著一絲不易覺察的苦澀與不甘，雖然極力掩飾，但畢竟還是流露出些許來。與他對坐於西面的，卻是一個四五十歲的大鬍子，神貌清奇，舉止極是豪邁灑脫、傾蕩磊落。二人邊喝酒邊傾聽歌妓彈唱著這曲《清明日獨酌》，一曲彈盡，便聽那大鬍子笑道︰王元之的氣度，總是小了幾分。功名餘事，大丈夫有甚閒恨閒愁？說罷，有意無意瞥了東面的男子一眼。
那歌妓聽他此言，抿嘴笑了笑，心裡卻頗不以為然，當下素手微調，改了一首曲調，漫聲唱道︰
江漢西來，高樓下、葡萄碧深。猶自帶、岷峨雪浪，錦江春色。君是南山遺愛守，我為劍外思歸客。對此間，風物豈無情，殷勤說。《江表傳》，君休讀；狂處士，真堪惜。空洲對鸚鵡，葦花蕭瑟。獨笑書生爭底事，曹公黃祖俱飄忽。願使君、還賦謫仙詩，追黃鶴。
一曲唱罷，向著大鬍子斂身笑道︰石學士的這曲《滿江紅》，未曉官人怎生評點？
那大鬍子戲謔地看了一眼東首的男子，哈哈大笑，道︰石學士的詞固然是極好的，只不過這筆酣墨飽、蒼涼悲憤之聲，還須得關西大漢來唱
東首那男子聽到此言，卻是猝然咳嗽數聲，一口酒水全噴在衣襟上，一臉狼狽地望著大鬍子，尷尬地跟著乾笑，察其形色，倒似是做賊的人被當場抓贓了一般。
那大鬍子見他這般神色，既覺詫異，又覺好笑，一時忍俊不住，笑得前仰後俯，連那歌妓也不禁捂著嘴，輕笑不已。
便在這當兒，從窗外樓下傳來一陣鐺鐺地敲鑼聲。那歌妓是久歷紅塵的人，生怕東首那男子羞惱，此時正好趁機解圍，笑道︰這兩個月大相國寺說書的李秀才病了，換了他兒子喚作李十一郎的，也是不中舉的秀才，竟不料是個說書中的狀元，說得比李秀才強過十倍，每日聽他說書竟是裡三層外三層，這會正是他在敲開場鑼呢。
那大鬍子搖搖頭，不以為然地笑道︰不過是些神神鬼鬼、因果報應，不過亦足以激勵世道人心罷了。
官人這回可是說差了。那歌妓眼波流轉，嫣然笑道︰這李十一郎說的，卻非是因果報應之事。
那也不過是說三分罷，終不過三分實七分虛，虛妄不可信。
官人又猜差了。李十一郎說的，亦不是三分。
oh?這回不僅大鬍子，連東首的那個男子，臉上都露出驚訝之色，須知當時說書的藝人甚多，但要麼是說些真假摻雜的歷史，要麼就是說些神神怪怪的故事。
那歌妓見二人神色，不由得掩袖一笑，道︰這李十一郎說的，皆是本朝之事。便是去年，熙寧十四年，石學士如何討伐西夏，夏主如何舉國西遷，吳鎮卿將軍如何至賀蘭山勒石而返這種種故事，京師說書人不下數十個，皆各說各話。奴家也曾聽過一二，其中荒謬不可信者，十事中只怕有九事。惟有這李十一郎，雖操賤業，卻有班馬之志，所說之事，合情合理，雖未必全是事實，但也算是不違聖人之教，強過他人百倍。
大鬍子似是被她勾起了興致，移了移身子，笑道︰一個說書的，如何便說他有班馬之志，又說他不違聖人之教？只怕是言過其實。
那歌妓見他不信，笑道︰奴家聽說過班固馬遷，是世之良史，能秉筆直書，繼聖人之遺志，使亂臣賊子懼。那李十一郎雖在市井之間，卻能摭採事實，宣講朝廷平西盛事，不涉褒貶而功過自現，雖未必能藏之名山傳之千古，但其心其志，若依奴家看來，卻是與班馬無異哩。
這歌妓所說之話，原本並不涉及忌諱，但東首那個原本一直微笑的男子，臉色卻突然間黯淡下來。大鬍子的笑容也變得不那麼自然，一雙眼睛盯著自己手中的酒樽，若有所思。
原來這兩個男子，都是大熙寧朝赫赫有名的人物。坐在東首的那位，便是曾經以一介書生而領兵伐夏，收復興靈平夏數千里江山的石越，如今官拜觀文殿大學士、太子太傅、樞密副使，熙寧朝之中，無論是聲望、功績，皆無人能比。而那個大鬍子，卻正是執熙寧朝文壇牛耳的蘇軾蘇子瞻。
便在一年之前，也就是熙寧十四年，在軍的攻擊下，夏主秉常兵變成功，盡誅梁氏，奪回政權，然後便開始斷然舉國西遷，前後歷經三個月的時間，沿途付出慘重的代價，終於到達沙漠中的黑水城。西遷途中，除了要面對種種自然災害之外，一路之上，還不斷有貴族煽動叛亂，甚至整個部族整個部族的偷偷跑回去向朝投降，最終，出發之時包括婦孺老幼一共約二十餘萬人口，到達黑水城時，軍民全部竟不足十萬。還控制在西夏手中的河西走廊之甘州、肅州、瓜州、沙州，西夏總人口不足二十萬，兵員不過七萬而已，其中精兵竟不過三萬餘人。對比最盛時西夏精兵五十萬的國力，真是讓人唏噓不已。
但這還已經是極大的幸運，因為禹藏花麻在興慶府大布疑陣，軍直到寒食節後，才由偵騎獲知興慶府已經人去城空，只留下一名使者手持秉常向朝皇帝的謝罪奏章等候軍的到來。而此時，最後一支西遷的隊伍，早已經翻越賀蘭山了。
雖然种諤與吳安國磨刀霍霍，準備深入大漠追擊西夏人。但是他們雄心勃勃的軍事冒險計畫，卻遭遇了來自各方面的阻力，最終不得不宣告夭折。
與此同時，帝國卻