Water Margin begins as a captain in Yanggu County

Chapter 319 Who...who...

The Jurchen army continued northward, with Su Wu following behind, eating and gathering food on both sides. The Jurchens, though bloated, remained bloated.

Before us lies Yanjing, which, in fact, does not obstruct the road, for Yanjing is a crossroads.

It was the crossroads where the Jurchens began to consider breaking through to the north.

Su Wu has stationed a large army here, waiting to see how the Jurchens will choose. Once the Jurchens have made their choice, they will begin their journey to break through the pass from here. Su Wu's army will then have to follow suit, and a major battle seems imminent.

In Tokyo, Tong Guan had been delayed for several days and had to go northwest. He had been demoted to the deputy military governor of Zhaohua Army, which was Jinzhou, in the west.

Naturally, some people came to drive him away, and even Cai Jing and others were driven away...

Tong Guan had no choice but to leave the city, heading west.

After leaving the city, Tong Guan was still dragging his feet. He was also anxious, and so were Cai Jing and others. Although they were heading in different directions, Cai Jing's carriage actually went around in circles to see Tong Guan again.

The two sat in the car and talked in private. Even though there might be people watching them not far away, they couldn't care less at this moment. It was only proper etiquette for them to say goodbye.

Inside the carriage, Cai Jing repeatedly asked, "Why have you been gone for several days? Putting aside the troops, there hasn't been a single word from Su Wu."

Tong Guan replied helplessly, "Perhaps the Jurchen situation is urgent!"

"The Jurchens are in dire straits? I think it's because people's hearts are no longer what they used to be. What kindness is worth anymore?" Cai Jing said this not out of discouragement or despair, but because he wanted to hear something truly reassuring from Tong Guan.

Tong Guan frowned as well. The affairs of the world are indeed unpredictable. If Su Wu really didn't want to come after receiving the secret edict and letter, that would be human nature...

Tong Guan kept saying, "If that's really the case, then it's fate for you and me!"

"What about Cheng Wanli? Jingdong still has troops!" Cai Jing asked again, grasping at straws in his desperation.

Tong Guan awkwardly said, "Cheng Wanli... If Su Wu is unwilling to come, how can we expect Cheng Wanli to come?"

Who is Cheng Wanli? How could Tong Guan not know him? If Cheng Wanli had such courage, what need would there be for Su Wu?
"You've spent your whole life searching and risking your life, only to find it all for nothing! It's truly laughable!" Cai Jing was somewhat embarrassed and angry, and his temper flared up.

Tong Guan was also displeased upon hearing this. At this moment, they were both like phoenixes fallen from grace, worse than chickens. Cai Jing was still putting on airs. Tong Guan sneered, "Hmph, the Grand Tutor is so powerful, he has risen and fallen several times in his life, his power is second only to the emperor, and his disciples and former officials are all over the world. Is there nothing the Grand Tutor cannot accomplish? Yet now, there is not a single person he can count on? On the contrary, I, a eunuch, still have some hope..."

Cai Jing was rebuked and flew into a rage, but his anger suddenly stopped. The two old men sat facing each other, wondering who was superior to whom.
Cai Jing took a few deep breaths and sighed, "Alas... my dear brother, do you think Su Wu will come?"

Tong Guan had a bad feeling and slowly shook his head: "I'm afraid they won't be coming..."

For a moment, Cai Jing's face turned ashen, and he sat in the car, remaining silent for a long time.

Just then, they heard someone else arrive outside the carriage. Wang Fu and Liang Shicheng had both arrived at this moment, and they rushed into the carriage in a great hurry, not caring about any formalities.

As soon as Wang Fu got into the carriage, he asked, "Prime Minister, where has Su Wu gone?"

Cai Jing glanced at Wang Fu and exclaimed, "The future!"

"Huh? How could he not come? This is Su Wu's chance to rise to the top in one step. How could he not come? If he comes, he will be second only to the emperor, and then we will all be below him. How could anyone not come? Su Wu is not that foolish!"

Wang Fu was intelligent and insightful. He knew that if Su Wu led his troops into the capital, he would be second only to the emperor. Wang Fu even knew that if Su Wu came, he, Wang Fu, would have to apologize to Su Wu. But as long as he could save his life and even have some wealth and status, and stay by Zhao Ji's side, retaining a chance to rise again in the future, Wang Fu was willing to kowtow to Su Wu, as long as it wasn't in front of others.

Su Wu didn't take this opportunity to rise to power and seize authority. What could be more foolish than this?
What's so great about Yanjing? Can it compare to Tokyo?
Wang Fu wasn't very bright, but Cai Jing was much brighter. He quipped, "That Xu Suwu isn't utterly stupid; he's actually smarter than all of us..."

Cai Jing had initially thought the same way as Wang Fu, believing that as long as Su Wu received the imperial edict, with righteousness at the forefront, how could he not rush to the capital?
The land of Hebei is flat and open. Su Wu's cavalry, numbering three to five thousand, galloped in and entered Tokyo in just a few days. The great matter was settled!

At this moment, during that brief silence, Cai Jing had thought many things through, and he had come to a deeper understanding: Su Wu's absence meant he still had leverage, leverage that could be redeemed countless times; if Su Wu had actually come, then all the leverage would have been used up at once. This might not necessarily be unwise...

Perhaps it was due to extreme intelligence.

Wang Fu was taken aback when he heard this. He was puzzled. Why would someone not take the easy way to get ahead? Where was the intelligence in that?
Cai Jing was too lazy to waste his breath explaining to Wang Fu.

Tong Guan then remarked quietly, "Indeed, Xu Suwu possesses even more unique strategies!"

Even if he thought about it again, now that the imperial edict was in Su Wu's hands, the retired emperor was in good health and would not die anytime soon, much less be killed.

Why was Su Wu in such a hurry to go to the capital?

In fact, whether Su Wu enters the capital or not has nothing to do with the four people in front of him.

Su Wu could enter the capital whenever he wanted, delay whenever he wanted, exchange for more benefits whenever he wanted, and enter the capital to rise to the top whenever he wanted!
Whether the four people before him are dead or alive, whether they hold great power or have fled to distant lands, what impact will it have on Su Wu?
Tong Guan understood why Su Wu hadn't come, and he was even more certain that Su Wu definitely wouldn't come! If he came too quickly, Su Wu would suffer a huge loss; if he didn't come, Su Wu could truly maximize his benefits and reap a huge political windfall.

Su Wu won't be coming!

Tong Guan was instantly drained of energy, his eyes became cloudy, and he let out a long sigh, looking as if he had aged ten years in an instant. He could only sigh and say, "So be it..."

Wang Fu was stunned on the spot, and knew that Su Wu was really not coming!

that……

Wang Fu then looked at Liang Shicheng. If Tong Guan was Su Wu's adoptive father, then Liang Shicheng was Wang Fu's adoptive father...

Liang Shicheng was already in tears, yet he still spoke, "Why doesn't Master Tong write another letter to plead my case..."

Tong Guan glanced at Liang Shicheng, too lazy to say anything more. The four of them were in the car, and although they were in the same boat, was Cai Jing really a good person?

Liang Shicheng—how could Tong Guan possibly respect him? Both were eunuchs, yet Tong Guan risked his life for his career; what was Liang Shicheng compared to him?
Who doesn't have a hierarchy of status beneath their brows and eyes? And what about the different treatment of people of the same kind?
Wang Fu?

Wang Fu is an idiot!
Tong Guan waved his hand: "Get out of the car, everyone... Go wherever you need to go. This parting may be the last time we meet in this life. Take care, everyone!"

There were three of them, but none of them actually got off the vehicle at that moment. It wasn't that they harbored any illusions; they simply wouldn't get off. Why? Once the vehicle departed, they would be scattered to the four winds, reduced to withered bones by the grave. Whether it was a sigh or fear...

On the contrary, Tong Guan's car actually gave one a moment of sense of security...

Of course, Wang Fu still harbored a glimmer of hope, saying, "The Grand Chancellor, you should think of a way. In the past, when the Grand Chancellor was in charge of the Privy Council, all the generals and officers in the army followed his lead. If Su Wu is unreliable, there are others. Now, whoever is willing to lead troops into the capital city will be second only to the emperor, and the troops in the capital region will be invincible!"

Tong Guan suddenly laughed, a laugh tinged with anger, and said, "That doesn't need to be too far. There's a swift and victorious army near the capital. Why don't you go and speak to them on their behalf? Let's see if those generals dare to charge into the capital."

"Really?" Wang Fu was overjoyed and moved as if he was really about to get up and lead the victorious army to storm the imperial city!
Overjoyed, Wang Fu went to look at the three men, only to find them all looking at him with the eyes of someone looking at a fool. He wasn't really a fool, but suddenly he realized that if the Jiesheng Army could do this, why would Tong Guan be sitting here waiting for Su Wu?
"Help! Grand Chancellor, help me!" Wang Fu burst into tears. If he left the capital, he would die!

Why was Wang Fu so certain that he was going to die?

When the former emperor was considering changing the crown prince, Wang Fu was present and said something that pleased him. Otherwise, Geng Nanzhong wouldn't have needed to plead with Wang Fu so much back then, and the lavish gifts he sent must have filled countless carriages.

When the Jurchens besieged the city, Geng Nanzhong's first act was to ransack Wang Fu's house, which was a great way to vent his anger.

How could he possibly survive?
Wang Fu also felt wronged. At that time, the emperor made a spur-of-the-moment decision, so how could Wang Fu not echo his sentiments? In the end, the matter was dropped, wasn't it?
But who can one explain this to?

Wang Fu cried out for help!

Tong Guan sighed repeatedly: "I can barely take care of myself, how can I save lives? Go, go, all of you go..."

The three of them weren't in a hurry to leave. What was the rush on the road to the underworld?
Suddenly, they heard the sound of horses' hooves galloping outside the carriage. Tong Guan slightly lifted the curtain and glanced out. A group of riders approached, not many, only about twenty or so. They weren't wearing any armor, but at a glance, it was clear they were soldiers coming from the north...

Suddenly, a glint of light flashed in Tong Guan's eyes. After a few more glances, he saw that the dozen or so riders were indeed heading straight for his carriage.

Tong Guan quickly got up and got out of the car.

The three people inside the carriage moved swiftly, following Tong Guan as they hurriedly got out. Wang Fu wiped his eyes and, following behind Tong Guan, quickly asked, "Prime Minister, have they arrived?"

"Stop making such a racket!" Tong Guan was too lazy to pay attention to him and just watched the approaching team ride.

"Good, good, good!" Wang Fu nodded repeatedly, and even wiped his face with his sleeve.

They arrived, led by a tall, muscular man with a pointed mouth and monkey-like face. He dismounted and recognized the Grand Chancellor. He stepped forward, bowed, and said, "Grand Chancellor, may I speak with you in private?"

Tong Guan nodded and walked a short distance away, with the sharp-mouthed, monkey-faced man following behind.

They walked about twenty or thirty steps before stopping. Cai Jing, Liang Shicheng, and Wang Fu all followed, their eyes glued to the spot. Wang Fu even excitedly asked, "Has it arrived?"

Cai Jing retorted, "You rascal, really, shut up! When faced with important matters, remain calm and composed!"

"Oh, I understand!" Wang Fu nodded repeatedly.

They really came.

Twenty or thirty paces away, the man with the pointed mouth and monkey-like face spoke up: "This humble general, Shi Qian, commander of the Night Raid of the Jingdong Army, pays his respects to the Grand Councilor!"

“I have seen you before… I remember what you look like!” Tong Guan nodded, then asked, “What brings you here?”

Shi Qian spoke up: "Prime Minister Su has given an order, bringing a message and a task! The message is... 'Please forgive my transgression, the external enemy is a greater concern, internal strife can be postponed.' The task is to take the Grand Councilor to Yanjing!"

Tong Guan felt relieved. He knew he couldn't escape on his own, as the Imperial City Guards were always watching him closely.

Along the way, how could local officials not keep a close eye on things...?

Furthermore, the people who wanted to kill him were also waiting and following nearby...

But if Su Wu sends someone, it might not be so difficult for Tong Guan to escape...

Tong Guan could not help but feel relieved. However, he then asked, "Isn't taking me to Yanjing in this way a crime of disobeying an imperial decree?"

Shi Qian shook his head and said, "This humble general does not know. I will do whatever Prime Minister Su orders me. I only know that my lord has always been a man of great righteousness and integrity. How could he sit idly by and watch the Prime Minister suffer?"

Tong Guan himself understood that Su Wu now held an enormous bargaining chip. Others might not know, but Tong Guan certainly did. Su Wu was a bold and audacious man, so how could he really care about such a small crime of disobeying the imperial decree?

In the future, Su Wu will likely face many more imperial decrees he must defy.

For a moment, Tong Guan was reminded of his youth. Back then, the emperor sent an imperial edict from Tokyo to the northwest front, ordering Tong Guan to withdraw his troops. On horseback in front of the army, he simply tucked the edict into his boot and said to the entire army going to war: "The emperor encourages you all to fight hard!"

Thinking of this, a smile inexplicably appeared on Tong Guan's face...

A lifetime has passed just like that...

Tong Guan asked one question: "How many men did you bring?"

Shi Qian replied, "There are eighteen people in front of us, and another hundred or so waiting more than ten miles away. They are not coming through the city gate, but to deceive people. They are all wolves and tigers. Don't worry, Prime Minister, we will protect you and ensure your safe arrival in Yanjing!" "Good, good..." Tong Guan turned his head slightly, raised his sleeve and wiped his eyes, and a few tears welled up in his eyes.

“My husband has a private word to say!” Shi Qian whispered in his ear.

"What did you say?" Tong Guan was actually very excited inside.

In this life, I've done good deeds and many bad ones; I've been both brave and cowardly; and in military affairs, I've won great victories and suffered great defeats.

He had killed enemies, wiped out major bandits, and also killed his own people.

They amassed wealth from the people, but also rewarded the soldiers for their bravery in battle.

He suppressed dissidents and promoted his cronies...

Too much too much……

In the end, as Cai Jing said, life at this point is truly all for naught...

In the end, all that remains in this world is this little bit of affection.

Shi Qian whispered in his ear, "The Grand Chancellor may return someday!"

Tong Guan burst into tears, quickly turning away to wipe them away. He looked back at the magnificent city behind him, and murmured to himself, "I'm getting old, I'm afraid I won't live to see it again..."

Shi Qian didn't hear this clearly, so he didn't ask. He only said, "We shouldn't delay. Is the Chancellor still able to ride a horse?"

"Yes!" Tong Guan said seriously. Perhaps he was too old to do it now, but this time, he was sure he could still do it!
"Alright, let's go!" Shi Qian was eager to leave as he had his duties to attend to.

Tong Guan turned to look and said, "Allow me to say a few words of farewell."

"It's alright!" Shi Qian nodded, cupped his hands, and went to prepare the horse. As for Tong Guan's valuables or gifts, it didn't matter. As long as the person arrived in Yanjing safely, that was all that mattered!
Su Wu's decision to bring Tong Guan to Yanjing was not solely based on loyalty or to demonstrate to the generals that he, Su Wu, was truly a man of unwavering righteousness. There were undoubtedly other considerations as well, which need not be elaborated upon...

To put it simply, Tong Shuxiang has maintained a certain reputation in the army for over a decade or two...

Although its reputation was somewhat exaggerated, the Song Dynasty was, after all, an era where the best of the worst were the best!

What was Su Wu's true opinion of Tong Guan?
Putting aside personal feelings, Su Wu had many opinions about Tong Guan, both high and low, but there was one thing that set Tong Guan apart from everyone else in the city of Tokyo: Tong Guan had truly risked his life for the country!

Even if it was only once or twice, he really did use it!

Tong Guan went to say goodbye and looked around. There were many eyes watching him, both openly and secretly, but Tong Guan no longer cared.

Just look at the three people in front of me.

Wang Fu was the most anxious, and immediately bowed to ask, "Prime Minister, what's the situation?"

Tong Guan then declared, "I'm going to Yanjing this time!"

"Huh? You're going to Yanjing? Then..." Wang Fu was a little taken aback and asked, "What about us?"

Tong Guan nodded: "My crime of disobeying the imperial decree is a capital offense. I am going to Yanjing. If you have somewhere to go, you can go there too..."

As he spoke, Tong Guan looked at the three men again.

What is this doing?
To be honest, Tong Guan enjoyed a lot of happiness in his life, but in the end, he also had a lot of resentment in his heart.

What?

Let this vent your anger!
How much power did you people wield in the past? How much favor did the emperor bestow upon you? And what became of you?

I, Tong Guan, am a eunuch, yet in the end, someone actually risked their life to save me!

I promise I will return to the capital someday, but you are nothing but withered bones by the roadside!
This is truly cathartic! The path of a eunuch, how difficult it must be in a lifetime! In private, did these officials truly show any respect or reverence?
Wang Fu strode quickly to the soldier with long arms, long legs, a pointed mouth, and a monkey-like face. He said, "Sir, why don't you take us with you to Yanjing? We are all former officials of the Emperor Emeritus, and we will be of great use in the future!"

The soldier with the pointed face and monkey-like features looked Wang Fu up and down, not recognizing him, and asked, "Who are you?"

"My name is Wang Fu, and I was once the prime minister!" Wang Fu's posture was not arrogant, but rather somewhat obsequious, and he continued, "Just take me with you to Yanjing, and your husband will be overjoyed!"

The soldier looked at him with disdain: "Oh, the Prime Minister? My apologies, but my husband never mentioned you. I have heard of you before though..."

"Well..." Wang Fu still hoped for a lucky break.

"I heard you used to cause trouble for a certain gentleman quite a bit! Is that true?" Shi Qian, now in charge of intelligence, naturally heard more news than the average person.

"That's a misunderstanding, a small misunderstanding. Once we get to Yanjing, I'll explain everything clearly to your husband!" Wang Fu said earnestly, having already made up his mind that he would go all out when he saw Su Wu this time.

When it comes to the ability to serve others and make them happy, Wang Fu claims to be number one, with no one second. Could Su Wu be more difficult to serve than the emperor?
Besides, as long as the retired emperor can still hold power in the future, he will inevitably enjoy wealth and honor with Wang Fu by his side!
He was a soldier, utterly ignorant and rude, who simply swept his hand across the room and said, "Go to the side and don't block my way!"

Wang Fu was so badly knocked off his feet by Shi Qian's sweep that he stumbled and fell to the side.

Shi Qian went forward to invite Tong Guan to mount his horse.

As he approached, Liang Shicheng, who was standing to the side, spoke up: "General, I am the son of Grand Scholar Su, and I am of the same clan as your husband. Your husband is now also a Grand Scholar Su. I had a good relationship with him in the past, I wonder..."

"Neither do you!" How could Shi Qian act recklessly? Moreover, it was his own husband's plan; how could he overlook anything? If it wasn't mentioned, then it didn't happen.

Besides, can this old eunuch even mount a horse? Are we supposed to wait for his carriage to slowly rock up? What kind of errand is that? Should we just have someone come and intercept him on horseback?

And then there's Cai Jing, a man of dignity. How could he possibly talk to a bandit soldier?

Cai Jing only looked at Tong Guan: "Brother..."

Tong Guan said, "If the Grand Tutor has somewhere else to hide, he should go there as soon as possible. Among his former students and friends, there must be some who are loyal and righteous. The Grand Tutor has done countless favors in his life, and those favors are greater than the sky. It should be easy to talk to him!"

“Brother…you are mistaken…” Cai Jing waved his hand slightly.

But Shi Qian had already led the horse to Tong Guan: "Prime Minister, please come quickly, there's no time to lose, there are still many troublesome matters!"

Tong Guan nodded, turned to mount his horse, but despite his efforts, he couldn't get on.

Tong Guan was exerting his strength, and he felt someone push his buttocks. He sat comfortably on the horse's back with the reins in his hand. How could he not be free?

I can't help but dream of a song, as if Su Wu wrote a poem about how his spirit could swallow ten thousand miles like a tiger!
Looking back, with reins in hand and a sturdy horse at my side, surrounded by thousands of troops slaughtering the Tanguts, my spirit as fierce as a tiger swallowing ten thousand miles—such were the days of my youth, and now those memories flood my mind…

"Go!" Tong Guan flicked the reins, the horse turned, and it was off in an instant!
He was unaware of the great anxiety in the hearts of those around him, and he also noticed the long swords at the waists of the knights and the bulging leather pouches on the sides of their horses—those were crossbows…

In a split second, one had to either charge forward to stop them or quickly turn back to report.

There was no time to hesitate. If they hesitated, the horse's hooves would have already covered thirty or fifty paces, heading straight north!
The people in this city of Tokyo are really not capable of the decisive and courageous task of drawing their swords and going to war. Even if they were, these dozen or so knights are not something that an ordinary person could withstand.

Behind him were Cai Jing, Liang Shicheng, and Wang Fu, who were still somewhat stunned and couldn't believe that Tong Guan would actually just leave like that.

Cai Jing cried out, "My dear brother, how can you be so heartless? We've known each other for decades..."

Unfortunately, the horse's hooves were too fast...

Wang Fu immediately sat down on the ground, bursting into tears: "The eunuchs are heartless, the soldiers are ungrateful, do they not know how good His Majesty has been to me?"

He acted as if he were throwing a tantrum... How could such a person remain calm when he was truly facing certain death?

Liang Shicheng simply wiped away his tears. Strangely enough, Liang Shicheng seemed more composed at this moment, and even began to recite lyrics: "Do not listen to the sound of rain pattering through the forest... Why not chant and stroll leisurely? A bamboo staff and straw sandals are lighter than a horse, who's afraid? Let the rain and mist of life take its course..."

He had longed for his father, Su Shi, his entire life, and at this moment, perhaps it was a mysterious force on his journey to the underworld.

The fast horse ahead had already gone several dozen paces when suddenly Shi Qian slowed down slightly, turned his head to look, as if he were looking at something, or waiting for something...

Tong Guan inexplicably turned around to look too!
In that instant, he really saw it!
Suddenly, a man rushed towards Cai Jing at the city gate, and in seven or eight steps, he was in front of Cai Jing. A sharp blade was plunged into Cai Jing's chest. Man and blade, in the blink of an eye!

Then, the man turned and walked away, heading towards a spot not far from the city gate, where a sturdy horse was parked. No one paid any attention to him in front of him, assuming it was just a passing merchant resting. At this moment, countless people at the city gate watched his actions as if giving him a salute. The man mounted the horse, and it galloped away...

Head west!
Everything seemed to happen in an instant; before anyone could react, it was over, like an illusion, waiting to be seen for the truth...

Grand Tutor Cai pointed forward with one hand, clutched his chest with the other, and fell backward, his legs in the air, his eyes wide with horror, muttering, "Who...who..."

Grand Tutor Cai fell to the ground with a thud, kicking up dust like a rising mist. Blood splattered everywhere, flowing from his mouth and nose. He was dead, truly dead!

It's real murder!

In broad daylight, right at the emperor's feet, at the gates of the capital city of Tokyo, a murder has occurred!

This……

Ahead, on the hooves of a horse that had already gone a hundred paces, Shi Qian turned his head, flicked the reins, and the horse accelerated, saying, "Good!"

Tong Guan was naturally shocked, but he asked, "What is this?"

Shi Qian didn't lie: "My husband says that everyone has to die eventually, so it doesn't matter where you die!"

"Ah? Why...?" Tong Guan was also puzzled as to why Su Wu would send someone to assassinate Cai Jing.

"This humble general truly does not know!" Shi Qian spoke the truth. In any case, he was just doing what his master had ordered him to do. He didn't know why his master wanted to assassinate Cai Jing!

It seems there was really no need for it; Cai Jing was going to die eventually anyway... why bother with all that trouble!
But Su Wu was determined to kill!

Kill him, it'll be satisfying. Su Wu has suffered a lot of anger from Cai Jing in the past! Can Su Wu let this anger go to waste?
As for who in Tokyo is suspected of doing it?
Let them guess. They can guess it was Su Wu, or they can guess it was Cai Jing who had countless enemies throughout his life, and now that Cai Jing has lost power and no longer has his numerous followers, he has taken revenge by killing them all...

Of course, Su Wu still tried his best to push the suspicion away, since Shi Qian had already headed north, while the assassin went west...

Anyway, Su Wu needed to vent his anger, and even kill a notorious villain in history. Wouldn't that be a great relief?
Of course, the waters of Tokyo could be even muddier, so that the gentlemen of Tokyo would know that times are changing, and that when a lowly butcher gets angry, he can truly splatter blood everywhere! They haven't seen anything like this in over a hundred years, so they'd like to experience it firsthand!
Tong Guan, riding at full speed, murmured a sigh, "Su Ziqing, Su Ziqing, just who are you?"

Tong Guan was actually asking himself, where is this country, this nation, this world... headed?

Where will Su Wu take all of this?
(Brothers, it's the beginning of the month, please give me some monthly votes, thank you all!)
(End of this chapter)