Red Mansion: Seizing Jiangdong, starting with pirates

Chapter 72: The Nation is in Danger

"died."

The old man seemed to be talking about something that had nothing to do with him.

In the sunken eye sockets are a pair of eyes that have long been numb.

"The Admiral is gone!"

“No one is releasing food anymore.”

"The city was breached, many people died, many people..."

Xue San listened to the old man's words and sighed.

The old man's words sounded so calm, but behind the calmness were the deaths of countless lives.

But in this land, such things seem to be no longer surprising.

"Old man, we have known each other for a while. I can't help you with anything. If you are willing, you can join my caravan and go together."

Xue San said.

As soon as these words were spoken, the people kneeling around them looked at him with envy.

Joining the caravan means having enough food to eat and staying alive.

This is what everyone dreams of.

But the old man shook his head.

"Master, you are a good man and you are willing to honor me, but what can an old man like me, who is half buried in the earth, do for you even if I join the caravan?"

"My son is dead, my daughter-in-law is dead, my husband is dead, my grandson is dead, and I should have died long ago. If I live, it will just be a waste of food."

The old man said, looking at a young man in the crowd, and said:

"That kid is a good man, and he knows how to repay kindness. I gave him half a cake on the way to Shanxi, and he has been helping me ever since. If it weren't for him, I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to leave Shanxi. If you are willing, please accept him."

Xue San followed the old man's gaze and saw a young man, not tall, about twenty years old, and very thin due to hunger.

Xue San looked at the other party, neither agreeing nor refusing.

At this moment, the young man realized that the time had come to change his own destiny.

He didn't know what to do now, but he had to do something.

So he stood up, ran to Xue San, but was at a loss as to what to do. After a moment's pause, he knelt down with a thud.

He kowtowed and shouted, "Master!"

Xue San couldn't help laughing when he saw this scene.

I was in a daze, just like myself when I was taken in by the Xue family.

"What is your name?"

"Congratulations Stone"

"Well, come with me!"

The caravan started off again.

The old man looked at the caravan going further and further away, waved his hand, then fell back to the ground with a smile.

He had long been exhausted and was only holding on with his last breath. When He Shi left, his energy also dissipated.

In a trance, he seemed to see a bountiful wheat field, his hardworking son waving a sickle to harvest wheat, his wife and daughter-in-law bringing him sweet water, and his little grandson picking up fallen ears of wheat sensibly.

But this is false after all. His little grandson was only one year old when he died!

A leaf blew over and covered the old man's eyes, and his vision fell into complete darkness.

In the wilderness, the body quickly disappeared.

Maybe it was a wild wolf, maybe it was something else.

Who can remember the story of this old man?

Capital city, Jia family.

Jia Baoyu looked at the empty green gauze cabinet and said in amazement:
"What happened? No one is left. Where did Sister Yun go?"

The maid outside heard this and reported:

"Second Master Bao, I heard that something serious happened in Miss Yun's family. I hurriedly reported it to the old lady early this morning and went home."

Jia Baoyu was a little confused. "What happened? Why are you so anxious..."

Actually, nothing serious happened.

It was Marquis Zhongjing who died for his country.

The Jin bandits broke through the ancient city of Pingding, carrying with them a large number of civilians and refugees, and advanced all the way to Niangzi Pass with great momentum.

When Emperor Longqing heard the news, he was so angry that he almost vomited blood.

Emperor Longqing didn't know why just recalling Dong Chen would cause such serious consequences. The previous battle report clearly showed that the government army had the upper hand, but now the situation has reversed in an instant.

The defenders of Zhili were defeated one after another and were completely unable to resist the Jin bandits.

If we allow the Jin bandits to continue their attack, the capital city will be in danger!
Emperor Longqing hurriedly summoned his cabinet ministers to discuss solutions.

There are not many troops in the capital at present, and the situation is urgent. We urgently need someone who is good at commanding troops to stop the Jin bandits and guard the pass.

Yu Lian recommended the grandson of the Duke of Zhenguo, the first-class baron Niu Jizon, to lead the troops to fight against the bandits!
Although this man did not have any outstanding military achievements, he had led troops in battle many times during the Kangning period and had certain experience in commanding large troops. In an emergency, he could temporarily lead troops to stop the Jin bandits.

Emperor Longqing no longer cared about anything else and quickly agreed.

However, when Niu Jizong was summoned, he heard that he had suddenly fallen seriously ill and was unable to move.

Yu Lian also recommended Baoling Hou Shi Nai.

Then it was reported that upon hearing the news that his brother had died for his country, Baoling Hou was so heartbroken that he cried so hard that he temporarily went blind.

Yu Lian also recommended General Weiyuan Ma Shang, the grandson of Ma Kui, Duke of Zhiguo.

Unexpectedly, Ma Shang accidentally fell off his horse on his way to the Shi family to pay his respects and was seriously injured...

Emperor Longqing knew very well that this was the collective dissatisfaction of the noble group towards him.

It was because he had ignored everyone's pleas and forcibly killed the nine clans of the Duke of Shanguo. Now all the nobles have united and are deliberately against him.

Emperor Longqing was furious, but there was nothing he could do.

Yu Lian has a solution.

But given Emperor Longqing's character, Yu Lian knew that if she proposed this idea, Emperor Longqing would definitely hold a grudge against her, and she might even not have a good end in the future.

but……

Gou benefits the life and death of the country, how can it be avoided because of misfortunes and blessings?

Yu Lian glanced with disdain at Guo Bai, Cheng Fan, Cui Shu and others who were standing silently beside him.

Humph, shameless villain, who only knows how to protect himself and take care of himself, and ignores the rise and fall of the country. He is indeed the kind of person who harms the country and the people.

Yu Lian stepped forward, knelt before Emperor Longqing, and said:

"Your Majesty, today, the fate of our country hangs by a thread. Our safety and survival depend on your decision. I dare to speak up and implore Your Majesty to look into the people's feelings, obey the will of Heaven, and issue an edict of self-repentance to show Your Majesty's repentance. I am deeply terrified."

"When Emperor Taizong of Tang ascended the throne, he issued the Edict of Self-Criticism. His sincerity moved heaven and earth, and eventually led to the Zhenguan Reign, which brought peace to the country. This is a model of an emperor blaming himself to bring peace to the people. Today, our dynasty is also facing danger. The injustice of the Duke of Shan and the disappointment of the generals all need your Majesty's wise judgment to settle them."

"If Your Majesty can accept the advice, issue an edict to accuse himself, and restore justice for the sake of the country, and show favor to the people, the people's hearts will be at peace and the morale will be boosted. Our dynasty will be able to unite as one and resist foreign aggression. This is a good strategy to turn danger into safety and revive the country."

"I know that my words offend the emperor, but for the sake of the country and the people, I have to speak out. I hope that Your Majesty will have mercy on the people and accept my words. It will be a blessing for the world and the country!"

Yu Lian knelt down deeply.

Emperor Longqing's fists were clenched so tightly that they made crackling sounds.

"A confession of guilt! You want me to issue them a confession of guilt?"

Yu Lian said: "In times of crisis, this method should be used. Your Majesty, please think twice!"

Emperor Longqing gritted his teeth and said:

"Is there no other way?"

Yu Lian said:
"The garrisons in various places are lax in management and their combat effectiveness is declining, making it difficult to stop the offensive of the Jin bandits; the generals at the borders each have their own responsibilities, and they are thousands of miles away, making it difficult to resolve the difficulties in the capital. Your Majesty can only overcome this difficulty by implementing this strategy."

Emperor Longqing looked at Guo Bai and others, who all lowered their heads and remained silent.

Emperor Longqing spoke with difficulty, he worked day and night, handling state affairs, never daring to rest for a moment; he promulgated new policies, eliminated disadvantages, rectified finances, and increased national tax revenue by more than double that of previous years; for the sake of national prosperity, he seldom even set foot in the harem, yet he was forced to issue a self-criticism edict!

Suddenly, Emperor Longqing felt a sweet taste in his throat and spat out a mouthful of blood.

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty!"

The ministers were panicked.

(End of this chapter)