After arranging the affairs of Ma'erdang, Zhang Shixun planned to return to Kaifeng.
There's still a lot of stuff to deal with over there.
I have to go back.
Wang Dong has urged several times.
Before leaving, Zhang Shixun called He Ji and Li Moulue together.
"Lao He, Lao Li, I'll leave the affairs here to you. I don't ask much of you. As long as you can gain a firm foothold at the foot of Taihang Mountain and establish a solid base, that will be your greatest achievement."
The two nodded, agreeing.
They had discussed this issue many times and had different understandings at the beginning, but after Zhang Shixun repeatedly analyzed the current situation and explained the interests involved, the three of them finally reached a unified understanding.
Finally, He Ji made a request: "Military Lord, can you give us more land mines and thunder bombs?"
"I'll give you ten land mines and ten thunder bombs. These must be kept strictly secret. The Jin army must never learn of them, let alone obtain them... Lao He, Lao Li, land mines and thunder bombs are epoch-making weapons. Now is not the time for large-scale use. When the time is right, I'll let you use them freely."
Li Moulue smiled and nodded, "You said the time is right. There must be a time, right?"
"Of course, by the end of this year, or at the latest early next year."
When Zhang Shixun said this, his tone was a little helpless and unwilling.
He Ji was very sensitive. He thought of a question and was suddenly shocked. "Military Lord, by the end of the year, will Emperor Zhao...?"
Zhang Shixun sighed, "The Zhao family has been on the throne for over a hundred years, and their fate is almost over. I hold onto a glimmer of hope and want to do what I can for the Zhao Song Dynasty. However, the emperor is incompetent, and the court is full of treacherous ministers. Even if I were extremely powerful, I couldn't save the Great Xia from collapse."
Li Moulue said, "The throne has been passed down, and today it's my turn. Let the Zhao family be destroyed, there's nothing to regret... Commander, when the time comes, all you have to do is raise your arms and we will follow you to drive out the Tartars and unify the country."
He Ji lowered his head and said nothing. Although he had a grudge against Zhao Huan because of his father's affairs, he still could not accept the idea of rebellion and overthrowing the Zhao Song court.
Zhang Shixun understood what Li Moulue was saying. He waved his hand to stop him, stating, "I have only one goal: to prevent the suffering of millions of civilians from the ravages of war. As for the rest, we'll discuss it step by step."
After saying that, he stood up and said, "I'm leaving now. I'll leave things here to you two. Take care."
The two men stood up and walked him all the way to the mountain pass, watching his and his group disappear at the end of the mountain path.
He Ji asked, "Old Li, are you trying to instigate the military commander to rebel and overthrow the current imperial court?"
"Yes, I do think so." Li Moulue nodded, saying frankly, "The Jin soldiers invaded, and the Song army was defeated. The country is on the verge of collapse. Emperor Zhao is incompetent and foolish. When the country is on the verge of collapse, instead of striving for progress, he favors treacherous officials and excludes good ones. What's the point of protecting such a court?"
He Ji sighed and said, "My family has been loyal for generations. My father served the country wholeheartedly... Old Li, let me make it clear first. As long as Emperor Zhao remains undefeated, I will not rebel against him."
"How come you still can't see the situation clearly at this point?" Li Moulue chuckled. "The Jin Kingdom has long seen through the decay of the Song Dynasty. This time, they attacked the Song Dynasty, forcing it to cede territory and pay indemnities. Their resounding victory has only emboldened their arrogance... Old He, you should understand that the Jurchens are like hungry wolves. They can never get enough. It won't be long before they attack the Song Dynasty again. By then, the Song Dynasty will be unable to hold out any longer."
He Ji was silent. Of course he knew that the Song Dynasty was about to end.
But the inherent concepts of loyalty and filial piety have been deeply rooted in our bones, and we are just unwilling to face them.
However, Zhang Shixun brought the Black and White Impermanence and traveled quickly. They crossed the Yellow River just after noon and returned to Zhang Xiaozhuang at dusk.
Yue Fan and a group of farmhands had just finished training. Upon hearing the news that the owner of the farm had returned, they rushed over excitedly.
"Master, you are finally back. We have been waiting for you day and night, and finally you are back."
Zhang Shixun said with a smile, "I've only been out for less than a month. It's not long now, so I don't think you'd think so, right?"
"Hehe!" Yue Fanhan said with a smile, "It's okay for us, but Madam Ding, Madam Li, and the other ladies are missing you to death."
As Zhang Shixun walked towards home, he asked with concern, "Are Madam Ding and the others home?"
"They heard a few days ago that there were many disaster victims in the capital, so they rushed into the city. I heard that they were busy setting up soup kitchens everywhere to provide relief to the victims."
"Where are Father Ding and the others?"
"They've already gone back. There are so many people in the Ding family waiting to eat, they have to take care of them... Oh, by the way! You've had a hard time on the journey, I'll have someone cook for you right away."
Zhang Shixun waved his hand and said, "No need. I'll go to Gao Laozhuang for dinner later. Master Wang is waiting for me."
He returned to his quiet home, washed his face, and asked about the situation of Yue Fei and Han Shizhong.
"My brother and his men just returned to the capital ten days ago, and have been imprisoned since their return."
"Imprisoned?" Zhang Shixun was slightly surprised. "Why are they imprisoned?"
"Because the Tianwu Army escorted the Emperor to the south."
"That's it?"
Yue Fan nodded and said with a wry smile, "The new and old officials are at odds, and the people below them are suffering as a result... You don't have to worry about my brothers. My brother sent a letter a few days ago saying that the ban will be lifted soon, but they may not be able to keep their positions."
Zhang Shixun sighed.
As recorded in history, Zhao Huan was too narrow-minded. He put aside the affairs of family and country and focused all his attention on consolidating the throne.
It is estimated that Zhao Ji is also imprisoned in the palace and kept in captivity at this moment.
When Zhang Shixun arrived at Wang Dong's house, he was shocked as soon as he entered the door.
There was an octagonal table in the middle of the yard, with Wang Dong sitting in the middle, and two women sitting on his left and right.
Xiao Qian, Chen Niangzi, and Zaohua.
The other woman surprised Zhang Shixun greatly, it was Sun Sansi.
Why is she sitting here?
Wang Dong saw Zhang Shixun come in and grinned, "Haha! Shixun, you finally decided to come back?"
"My home is here. I will come back sooner or later." Zhang Shixun bowed to the women and said, "Hello, sisters-in-law."
"Hello, uncle!" Xiao Qian and the others quickly stood up and bowed in return.
Zhang Shixun looked at Sun Sansi deliberately, unable to figure out what was going on with her.
Sun Sansi stood up and said, "Hey! Mr. Zhang, don't overthink it. I'm here today on serious business. The Women's Federation asked me to discuss some matters with Mr. Wang."
What serious matter are you discussing with Wang Dong?
Zhang Shixun was too lazy to ask, so he pulled over a chair and sat down before the others started to attack.
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