Destroy Jin and conquer Song, and carry the Northern Expedition through to the end

Chapter 528: What I have learned is not disappointing my ambition
The sun sets in the west.

The fire in the Xiao Mansion was finally put out, and several charred corpses were dragged out of the house.

There is a result.

However, this result is something no one wants to see.

Because the young man was burned to charcoal and his identity could not be identified.

It was such a coincidence that even the dumbest person would become suspicious.

After encountering such disgusting situations twice in a row, even though Ugun Yuanzhong was well-mannered, he went crazy in an instant and chopped wildly at the pillars in the hall.

Liang Qiu looked at the scene coldly. Just when he was about to gloat, he thought of those Heza Meng'ans outside the city and suddenly couldn't laugh anymore.

If Heza Meng'an had been summoned before, he would probably have been able to easily kill Ugun Yuanzhong in a surprise attack, but it would have been meaningless.

Because Hezhameng'an came to Bianliang to escort the prince.

When the prince disappeared, Ugun Yuanzhong was still easier to talk to, but it was hard to say what these soldiers who were deceived by Liang Su would do.

The Liang family, with their entire family, couldn't escape.

Just when Liang Qiu was worried, Ugun Yuanzhong finally calmed down.

"Any news from the city gate?"

"No, martial law has been imposed, no one is coming in or out!"

Wugun Yuanzhong laughed a little nervously: "With such a big scene, even a prime minister committed suicide. It's really amazing!"

"Send fifty men to guard this place and search it thoroughly! The rest of the troops, follow me to the Council Hall!"

As he spoke, Wugulun Yuanzhong personally cut off the head of a young Xi man and impaled the head on the tip of a spear. Without giving any other instructions, he just asked one of his soldiers to carry the head around the city.

After all, it was the killing of the crown prince, even if it was the killing of the former crown prince, it could not be done so blatantly and with such righteousness.

But it's still okay to hint at it. Just parading it around the streets is enough to make people imagine.

Wugun Yuanzhong knew that no matter who Xiao Yu was going to cover for, no matter who it was, they would definitely take advantage of the time when people were gathering at the Xiao Mansion to transfer the prince away.

Bianliang City is so big, it’s like a fish entering the sea or water entering Yunmeng, and there’s no way to find it.

But Ugun Yuanzhong still had some thoughts.

Because many of Wanyan Liang's confidants who stayed in Bianliang were Han officials, and they had no habit of keeping private soldiers.

This is also normal, because most of the military nobles who had private soldiers and were Wanyan Liang's confidants participated in the southern expedition, and those who were still alive were still in the army and had not returned.

The city of Bianliang was newly built, and the Han officials certainly did not have enough connections and manpower.

In this case, the Han minister who harbored the prince might have had a fluke mentality that the most dangerous place is the safest place, and hid the prince in the Council of State.

If that is true, these gentlemen really underestimated Wugu Lun Yuanzhong.

"Minister Liang acted decisively this time, and he's the only one who came here. I'm very relieved." After Wugulun Yuanzhong regained his composure, he spoke to Liang Qiu to comfort him, as if the man who had just kept talking about Han slaves was not him. "I will ask His Majesty to reward Minister Liang."

Liang Qiu just sneered and didn't answer.

Wugu Lun Yuanzhong didn't care: "At this time, I hope that Minister Liang will return to the government hall with me and explain it to Zhang Xianggong and others."

Liang Qiu finally lost his patience and said, "General Yuanzhong, you just suspect me, don't you? It doesn't matter. You can search my mansion and my trusted family members together. I won't stop you."

Wugu Lun Yuanzhong shook his head. "I'm not suspicious of Minister Liang. After all, when the Eastern Palace was on fire, Minister Liang was still in Jiangnan. How could he have transported the Crown Prince away from there? It's just that Minister Liang has the most troops at his disposal right now, so we have to be on guard."

Liang Qiu sighed, "You have all the troops in the city at your disposal. After this commotion, those who were originally on the sidelines might immediately submit to you. By then, General Yuanzhong, you'll be able to gather thousands of troops. How can I have the most troops?"

Without waiting for the other party to answer, Liang Qiu continued: "Whatever, whatever, Yuanzhong is your Majesty's beloved son-in-law. No matter what, I should obey you."

Having said that, Liang Qiu bowed and left first.

Wugu Lun Yuanzhong thought for a moment, slashed the charred corpse with his sword again, and then turned and left.

At this time, the wealthy families in Bianliang City had heard the news, and many people were sent out to investigate the situation. The streets were under martial law, and knights were constantly running back and forth.

When these people saw the human head stuck on the spear under the banner of Ugun, they were all horrified and quickly reported to their respective masters.

If the prince is really dead, then the matter is settled, right?

Soon, high-ranking officials and nobles in Bianliang City came to Ugurun Yuanzhong to express their loyalty, but he perfunctorily brushed them off, saying only that His Majesty would give all the rewards.

Afterwards, Ugun Yuanzhong and Lu Wanjianu came to the government hall with the blood-stained imperial edicts.

At this time, several ministers and assistant ministers had moved into the government hall one after another, and Zhang Hao and Jing Sihui had been waiting here for a long time.

After Wugu Lun Yuanzhong walked into the huge courtyard of the government hall, he stopped, asked Lu Wanjianu to open the emperor's flag, and then asked everyone in the government hall to come out to receive the order.

All men and women, young and old, servants and runners came out to listen to his orders.

A moment later, Ugun Yuanzhong stood on the steps and looked at the officials led by Zhang Hao and Jing Sihui, who were standing in front of him.

Further behind, many soldiers were driving the families of these high-ranking officials to gather here. Some eunuchs who had met Crown Prince Wanyan Guangying were mixed in with them for observation.

Seeing more and more people in the courtyard, Jing Sihui stepped out and said, "General Yuanzhong, what are you doing? Are you going to repeat the same thing as in Heyin, Northern Wei?"

Wugun Yuanzhong didn't say anything, but just stared at Jing Sihui without saying a word.

Shi Ju, who had already arrived, threw a candied fruit into his mouth and turned to his good junior brother Liang Su and said, "Look, the treacherous minister has jumped out on his own."

Liang Su remained silent, just looking at his brother, and his peripheral vision was looking at the dozens of soldiers who followed Liang Qiu.

At this time, the soldiers were standing somewhat scattered, standing in groups of three or four at the bottom of the steps, holding their swords and looking at Jing Sihui and those high-ranking officials.

You know what, this really seems like a tribute to history, hosting the Bianliang Diving Competition.

Wugu Lun Yuanzhong said coldly: "What do you mean, my Lord? I have the emperor's order here. As your Lord, do you want to disobey it?"

Jing Sihui looked back at his wife, children, and elders. Seeing that all the gates were guarded by soldiers, he finally gave up and turned to look at Wugu Lun Yuanzhong: "That's your Majesty, a rebel. My Majesty is still alive!"

Wugu Lun Yuanzhong laughed in anger, pointing at Jing Sihui and cursing: "Well, I have seen two loyal ministers in one day today, which is really an eye-opener. You loyal ministers did nothing when Ni Liang was in power, leaving the country exhausted and the people resentful. But now, when we are trying to restore order, you jump out and talk about loyalty!
Where is your loyalty and righteousness?!"

Jing Sihui was about to speak out to refute, but he only heard a commotion behind him.

"The prince...he is the prince! The prince is here!"

An eunuch shouted in a shrill voice, but then there was a scream.

A strong servant stepped forward, knocked the eunuch to the ground with one punch, and then stepped on his neck hard, breaking it.

"Haha, so... it turns out it's really here." Ugun Yuanzhong looked at the young man who had a fake beard and shaved his head, and couldn't help laughing nervously.

Now he could finally identify it clearly.

Those who looked back at the young man were all frightened and fled in all directions, instantly exposing the eight masters and servants to the public.

Wanyan Guangying pushed aside the guards blocking his way, pulled off his fake beard, and bowed to Wugu Lun Yuanzhong: "Master, it's been a long time since we last met. I hope you are well."

Wugun Yuanzhong looked at the student and felt a rare sense of embarrassment, but then he put it aside and said, "Guangying, I'm not killing you for personal revenge."

Although Wanyan Guangying was only thirteen years old, he already acted like a grown-up. "I understand that when a nest is overturned, no eggs remain intact. But since this isn't a personal vendetta, would you mind killing just me?"

Wugu Lun Yuanzhong hesitated for only a moment before looking at Jing Sihui and gritted his teeth, "I told you, this is a matter of state, not a personal vendetta! Old man, when you tricked Xiao Yu into dying for you, did you ever think of this moment?!"

"The one who died with Mr. Xiao was my grandson Jing Wenfang!" Jing Sihui shouted in grief and anger, then turned around and said, "Your Highness! His Majesty is not dead yet. There is still hope! Don't give up!"

Wugu Lun Yuanzhong glared at Jing Sihui and slowly drew his knife: "Old man, don't you think it's a little late to say this now?"

Jing Sihui laughed heartily, his laughter filled with indescribable grief and indignation. He turned around and roared loudly: "Is there no loyal ministers left in the Great Jin Kingdom?"

Just as Wugulun Yuanzhong was about to make a sarcastic remark and ask the soldiers to go forward and pull Wanyan Guangying out, he heard a loud shout behind him.

"Of course there are loyal ministers. Everyone, follow me to support the prince!"

Wugun Yuanzhong turned to look at Liang Qiu in disbelief, wondering what had gone wrong with him.

If this guy wanted to protect the prince, why did he go to so much trouble to find the prince? Couldn't he just let the prince hide?
However, before Ugun Yuanzhong could figure it out, Bali beside Liang Qiu grinned, took out a firework from his arms, raised it above his head, and pulled the rope hard.

The sun was setting, the sunlight was dim, and fireworks were blooming in the sky right above the government hall.

"Heza Meng'an! Kill the traitor!"

As he spoke, a dozen Heza Meng'an soldiers who had infiltrated Liang Qiu's army drew their weapons and attacked the soldiers of Wanyan Yong's group beside them.

The soldiers under Ugun Yuanzhong, especially the soldiers of Lu Wanjianu, had traveled a long distance today and attacked the Xiao Mansion without a moment's rest. They were already exhausted.

At this time, facing the elite among the elite like Hezhameng'an, they had no power to resist at all. After a while, dozens of soldiers were killed and fled in all directions.

Shi Ju's face turned very ugly. He threw the preserved fruit in his hand heavily, but he had already sorted out the matter in his mind: "You...you are going to kidnap the prince! It's Pushan Zhongyi, right? This stubborn guy is actually right..."

"No!" Shi Ju suddenly shouted, "It's Hezhameng'an! You've hooked up with Hezhameng'an, haven't you? The Central Army has over 100,000 soldiers, all with different agendas, many of them from Liaodong tribes. Even Pushan Zhongyi can't make the decision on his own!"

Liang Su quickly retreated a few steps and bowed deeply to Shi Ju on the chaotic battlefield. "Brother, you are truly clever. If you had come two days earlier, you might have figured out the situation long ago. But at this moment, what else can you do?"

There is really no other way.

The chaos spread, not only Hezhameng'an, but also Liang Qiu's soldiers joined the battle, and Lu Wan's slaves also began to fight back. Amid the screams and cries of high-ranking officials and their families, the soldiers of both sides engaged in a melee.

Because they were all wearing standard Jin army armor and the robes they wore were also similar, and there were no signs when the war started in a hurry, they quickly fell into a melee, and many people became murderous, hacking and killing indiscriminately without distinguishing between friend and foe.

In this melee, Jing Sihui was slashed on the arm, but he still gritted his teeth, pulled Wanyan Guangying, and came to Liang Qiu to avoid it.

At this time, Liang Qiu was protected by more than ten armored soldiers. He was arguing with Wugu Lun Yuanzhong with a knife. Seeing Jing Sihui coming, he immediately gritted his teeth and said, "You must have waited until now to bring the prince out?" Faced with Liang Qiu's preemptive move, Jing Sihui was also extremely angry: "If you hadn't helped that Hu'er, how could we have come to this point!"

Five or six steps away, Wugu Lun Yuanzhong heard Liang Qiu's words and finally understood: "So you are also looking for the prince!"

Liang Qiu ignored the other party and ordered his troops to gather around him, protecting the prince as he fled out of the palace.

But Jing Sihui kept talking: "If it weren't for you, how could this day come about?!"

Liang Qiu panted and scolded, "Isn't what I hinted at obvious? I said I saw His Majesty! I saw His Majesty! And you don't even understand what I mean! Do you want me to ask each of you who is hiding the prince?! Will you tell me?!"

Jing Sihui was speechless, just covering his arm, and was supported by Wanyan Guangying to escape.

At that time, there was no distinction between friend and foe, so who would dare to make contact so openly?
If a ruler is not discreet, he will lose his ministers; if a minister is not discreet, he will lose himself; if a few things are not discreet, harm will result. At that time, a single omission will result in the extinction of the entire family.

"You...you can't escape!" Ugunun Yuanzhong's helmet fell off in the fight just now, and his hair bun was scattered. His hair was disheveled like a madman, and he rushed out with more than 20 armored soldiers.

Further out, there were Jin troops attracted by the commotion here. Most of them followed Ugun Yuanzhong's orders and began to stop Liang Qiu and his group.

"Ba Li!" There were only about thirty armored soldiers following Liang Qiu at this time. The others were caught up in the melee. Wu Gulun Yuanzhong showed an attitude of not wanting to leave anyone alive and kept calling for archers to come. Liang Qiu was extremely frightened when he saw this and shouted repeatedly: "Ba Li! When will the reinforcements arrive?!"

Holding two hammers, he walked leisurely in the chaotic battlefield. After knocking down several soldiers, he turned around and grinned, "Don't worry, Minister Liang. Our general will never break his promise. He said he would attack within two quarters of an hour after the signal was given, and he will definitely come!"

Before he finished speaking, a huge noise was heard from the west side of Bianliang City. It was not just shouting and killing, but also screams and exclamations.

The sound was so loud that it was definitely not something that could be made by just three hundred riders.

Liang Qiu stood on tiptoe in the midst of his busy schedule and looked over. In the afterglow of the setting sun, he saw billowing smoke and flickering flames in the west, as if a major fire had broken out.

Liang Qiu's face suddenly turned pale.

Bianliang City is a typical commercial city, and such cities often have a large population. Once the urban planning goes wrong, a fire will cause the entire city to burn down.

In fact, there have been constant fires since the Song Dynasty established its capital in Bianliang. During the reign of Emperor Zhenzong of Song, a fire broke out in the imperial palace, burning down several royal palaces and more than 2,000 houses. More than 1,000 soldiers and civilians were killed or injured in the firefighting alone.

This was the State of Song, which had a complete fire protection system.

Given the Jin Dynasty's political planning capabilities, once a fire broke out in Bianliang City, there would be no way to save it.

This thought had only flashed through Liang Qiu's mind for a moment when he heard the sound of horse hooves getting closer and closer. Then a blood-soaked general led 300 heavily armored cavalrymen and came charging down the avenue.

Anyone blocking the road, whether it was fleeing civilians or Jin soldiers, was trampled under the horses' hooves and crushed into powder.

The leading general shouted, "I am the servant San Kui, here to escort the Crown Prince. If you dare to block my way, you shall die!"

As he spoke, Pushankui swung his eight-foot-long steel spear and directly knocked an armored soldier away. Then he used his left hand to grab the stabbing spear, clamped it under his armpit, and pushed the charging knight off his horse.

"Hezhameng'an! Advance without retreat! Charge!"

"Support the prince!"

Hezhameng'an shouted various slogans and rushed forward to fight.

This army, some of which are the emperor's personal guards, does not need any mobilization at all. The daily support, training and rewards they receive are so that they can go through fire and water for the royal family under any circumstances.

Under Hezhameng'an's fierce attack, the ragtag troops under Ugun Yuanzhong, composed of the private soldiers of the powerful and the garrison troops, were unable to resist and fled in panic.

Wugu Lun Yuanzhong's eyes were bloodshot, and he shouted Pu Sankui's nickname: "Linxi, does your father really want to go against my father-in-law?!"

Pu Sankui said nothing, but just rushed forward.

When Ugun Yuanzhong saw this, he did not dare to confront him head-on and could only retreat a few steps in anger.

Because he knew that although Pushan Kui was young, he was already a potential general. With Pushan Zhongyi as his father, he had both status and ability, and he would definitely be able to become a marshal in the Jin Dynasty in the future.

The facts are just as Ugun Yuanzhong thought.

Forty years later, Pushan Kui took the position of Left Deputy Marshal, and when Han Tuozhou of the Song Dynasty presided over the Kaixi Northern Expedition, he led the main force of the Jin army to meet the enemy and defeated the Song army head-on, forcing the Song Dynasty to kill Han Tuozhou and take the initiative to negotiate peace.

Facing such a person, if you stand in front of him at this moment, you might really be killed.

Even though he temporarily avoided the attack, he could not help but watch Pushan Kui drag Wanyan Guangying onto his horse. Wugun Yuanzhong still shouted unwillingly, "Linxi! The country and the people! The country and the people cannot be destroyed in your hands!"

As he spoke, Ugulun Yuanzhong snatched the bow and arrow from his personal guard, took a slight aim, and shot the arrow straight at Wanyan Guangying who was more than ten steps away.

Pu Sankui was quick-witted and quick-handed. He used his arm armor to knock the arrow away. He turned back angrily, took the bow from his horse, and shot an arrow back.

Pushankui's martial arts was much stronger than Ugun Yuanzhong's. The arrow hit Ugun Yuanzhong's shoulder directly and knocked him to the ground.

"General!" The guards were horrified and wanted to fight back, but they saw that more than ten Heza Meng'ans had already imitated them and shot arrows. They did not dare to delay and directly raised their shields and helped Ugun Yuanzhong escape to the north gate.

Pu Sankui's cheek twitched.

Unlike his father Pushan Zhongyi, Pushan Kui had no feelings for Wanyan Liang. He volunteered to welcome Wanyan Guangying not for the purpose of serving the emperor, but because he wanted to take the prince into his hands to gain political ease.

To put it more clearly, if Wanyan Liang could come back, he would be a hero who quelled the rebellion and protected the prince; and if Wanyan Yong came to power, he could use Wanyan Guangying as a bargaining chip to bargain with Wanyan Yong.

This plan was perfect, but before Pushan Kui stormed into the city, he had never imagined it would become so chaotic. He even had to shoot and injure Ugurun Yuanzhong before he could evacuate.

At this time, we can only hope that Wanyan Yong is a magnanimous person who will let bygones be bygones.

Thinking this way, Pushan Kui did not linger in the battle, but said to Wanyan Guangying: "Your Highness, please follow me. Once you are in the army, you will naturally feel safe!"

As he spoke, Pushan Kui was about to pull the reins of the warhorse under Wanyan Guangying's crotch.

Wanyan Guangying grabbed Pushan Kui's hand and said, "There are still these loyal ministers. Many of them have already died to save me. We must find a way to save them. No more deaths are allowed!"

"Your Highness, please don't be willful!" Pushankui was a little annoyed.

However, Jing Sihui said the same thing as Pushan Kui: "Your Highness, please don't be willful. Hurry and follow General Pushan. Don't delay. I can only send you here!"

Wanyan Guangying's eyes were about to burst with tears, but he forced himself to hold them back: "If the general doesn't save them, then I won't leave!"

Pu Sankui gritted his teeth and turned around and shouted, "Go and get the horse!"

One of the marching officers of Hezhameng'an immediately went to look for a horse.

But Wanyan Guangying still refused to give in: "And the families of all the loyal ministers, and the family of Mr. Xiao, must all go."

Just as Pushankui was about to lose his temper, he saw the marching officer dismount and kowtow, saying that he would obey his orders.

Pu Sankui's anger was extinguished immediately.

He was not an officer in Hezhameng'an, but just a temporary commander.

When he was trying to save the prince, he could command all the Heza Meng'ans, but at this time, the command had been transferred to Wanyan Guangying, and he could only command a dozen personal soldiers.

In this case, Pushan Kui no longer had any other thoughts and directly stopped the marching Mouke and said, "If you take your family with you, you won't be able to move fast! In this case, you must ensure that there are no pursuers!
I will now assign fifty of your armored cavalry to carry out this mission, and your lieutenant general and fifty men to protect His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. The remaining two hundred cavalry will follow me to pursue and kill the Bianliang defenders!"

At first, Xingjun Mouke wanted to refute it, but later he was persuaded by Pushan Kui and nodded repeatedly.

Seeing the generals leave, Wanyan Guangying personally bandaged Jing Sihui's wounds. At the same time, he looked up and said to Liang Qiu sincerely, "This kid is alive, all thanks to the brilliant plan of Minister Liang."

Liang Qiu shook his head and said, "It's not over yet, Your Highness. I have two hundred armored cavalry under my command. I will lead them to the armory to seize the war horses. When General Pushan returns, you can leave directly. I have many war horses here, and I will catch up with you soon."

Wanyan Guangying had no doubts and nodded in agreement.

After saying that, Liang Qiu took the dozen or so armored cavalrymen and left in a cloud of dust.

"Being both brave and resourceful, that's what a real man should be!"

Wanyan Guangying looked at Liang Qiu's back and couldn't help but sigh.

Jing Sihui also nodded while panting: "I never realized that Minister Liang was so brave!"

Liang Qiu, who was praised by the two, did not go to any armory, but took his family brothers and rushed to the mansion. Taking advantage of the chaos, he took the Liang family and Li Tong's family and set off together, heading towards the south gate.

The sky was already dark at this time, but the fire in the west city was getting bigger and bigger, spreading out, and coating the entire Bianliang city with a layer of gold.

Looking at this scene, Liang Su sighed deeply, and then took a few armored cavalrymen to the end of the queue to support them.

The South City Gate was also in chaos at this time. The soldiers guarding the city had no idea where they had run to. A few soldiers saw the armored cavalry clearing the way, but they did not dare to stop them and could only move aside.

Liang Qiu led a long line of carriages and easily left the city of Bianliang. He walked a mile south and then turned east.

Thirty miles to the east is a fork of the Yellow River, where large ships are waiting, leading directly to Shandong West Road.

Liang Su finally left the city, but he heard a voice calling from the shadows of the city gate: "Good Junior Brother, is this the result you wanted?"

Liang Su was not surprised at all. He turned his horse and looked at Shi Ju who had walked out from the shadows. After thinking for a moment, he said, "This is not the result I want, but it is a necessary process."

As they spoke, they both looked towards Xicheng at the same time, and then fell silent again.

"Are you going to Shandong to join the rebel army there?" After a moment, Shi Ju spoke first.

"Brother, you are as smart as ever." Liang Su nodded. "That's right. The foundation over there is just beginning and we need manpower. It's also a good time to paint on a blank canvas to realize my ambitions!"

Shi Ju raised his head and sighed, his expression suddenly becoming intense. "I too have ambitions! Do you remember my father's last wish? I wanted to stabilize the Han region! And you, on the other hand, have caused chaos in the Han region again!"

As he spoke, Shi Ju turned around and faced Liang Su with his back: "Meng Rong, go away. We'll meet again someday. We're enemies, not friends."

Having said that, Shi Ju took the lead and left.

Liang Su paused for a moment, and after being urged by his attendants, he spoke in a voice only he could hear: "Isn't stabilizing the Han territory my ambition?"

As he spoke, Liang Su turned his horse around and headed eastwards, facing the warm spring breeze.

(End of this chapter)