Chapter 68 Beauty

  He Taizong had already made up his mind, and he immediately wanted to enter the palace to pay respects. As he stood up, he only then discovered that Xu Wei was still there, and loudly said: "Xu Wei, you temporarily stay at my residence, wait for me to go into the palace to see the Emperor and return before we can carefully discuss things." After speaking, he didn't even wait for Xu Wei's reaction, and without changing out of his court attire, he hastily lifted up his robes and rushed outside.

  "Marshal, do you think it's useful?" Xu Wei's words made He Taoyi seem as if he had been cast with a petrification spell, unable to move an inch. Standing at the entrance of the flower hall for a long time, he looked up at the sky and let out a long sigh. Although his mind was in great turmoil, he understood that this trip would likely have little effect. The imperial court is currently delighted, as their ancestors had never achieved what they did, even though it wasn't thorough, but at least they managed to get back a few states, didn't they? The Jurchen people eliminated the Khitan and still showed courtesy to us, a peaceful and prosperous era is within sight! You're going to go and pour cold water on this now, and if you're not careful, you might even offend the emperor and be accused of speaking out of turn, only to be demoted. But as a subject, there are some things that you know can't be done, yet must be done anyway.

  "Is there any other way?" He Taigong said helplessly with his back turned inward.

  "There are always more ways than difficulties, it's up to us." Xu Wei stood up and replied solemnly.

  He Taiwei listened and quickly walked to Xu Wei's front, grasped his hand tightly: "Xu Wei, if you have a strategy to defeat the enemy, speak up quickly! If it succeeds, I will personally recommend you to the imperial court, and you will not be able to avoid being promoted and enfeoffed, with your wife and children also benefiting!"

  With a faint smile, Xu Wei withdrew his hand and said, "The Commander is just momentarily flustered and confused. If he calms down and thinks carefully, he will naturally understand. Does he need to ask me, a junior with limited knowledge?"

  What can He Taigong be calm about at this time? He stamped his foot heavily, and his eyebrows and beard were twisted into a ball: "Where do I still have any peace of mind? As soon as I think of the Jin army's southern expedition, it's really heart-wrenching! I hate to personally lead the tiger wolf soldiers to kill the Jin country, and cut off the grass to eliminate future troubles! But, aren't we not having that capital?"

  Xu Wei's method was feasible, but he didn't want to say it and couldn't say it. The reason was that he didn't know if He Taigong was reliable. This matter was too important, if the entrusted person was not trustworthy, all previous efforts would be in vain. And as long as they failed once, the destruction of Northern Song would be a certainty, let alone him being a time-traveler, even the Jade Emperor wouldn't have any way to change it. Because the Jin army would invade next month, there was no time to plan a second time.

  He saw Xu Wei speechless, and with a heavy heart, he walked back to his seat with difficulty and sat down heavily. Alas, why make things difficult for this young man? This matter has even the great officials of the imperial court at a loss, what can a youth who is not yet twenty years old come up with? His mind was anxious like a knife twisting, but his brain was a complete mess, without any thread to follow. This made He Taigong, who had lived through many battles and remained unflappable even when Mount Tai collapsed in front of him, inexplicably disheartened and depressed, unable to help but cover his face and let out a long sigh: "How useless I, He Guang, have become!"

  Later, who? He Guang? I didn't hear it wrong? Is that the He Guang in history when the Jin army reached the north bank of the Yellow River, he was ordered to lead an army of 20,000 to defend the south bank, and as a result, he burned down the Yellow River Bridge with one fire and escaped back to Tokyo? The Jin army pursued him to Tokyo, attacking the city with all their might, he led his troops in person, and finally died in battle.

  If it's really him, then there's still room for negotiation. In history, He Zhongfang defended the south bank of the Yellow River and retreated without a fight, which is true. But it wasn't his fault. At that time, neither the emperor nor the prime minister listened to his suggestions, and he was ordered to take 20,000 soldiers from the three imperial guards to resist the Jurchen iron cavalry that was about to cross the river. However, there were not even 20,000 soldiers in the three imperial guards in the capital at that time. He had no choice but to temporarily recruit some civilians to make up the numbers. Those ordinary people fled as soon as they saw the Jin army's iron armor and fine cavalry! The soldiers all ran away, what could he do as a lone general? Although he retreated back to Dongjing, when the Jin army attacked the city, he led his troops in a desperate fight, eventually suffering dozens of injuries, his right arm severed, five arrows in his chest, and died in the Jin army's formation. He can be called a "hero"!

  But is this He Guan the same as that He Guan?

  Xu Wei's heart skipped a beat, and he asked: "How can the Commander-in-Chief say such a thing? In the past, when you were leading troops in Hedong, you encountered the Party's iron cavalry. The Xia army sent out 'Iron Swallow' heavy cavalry to pursue you, but you shot several arrows in a row, each one piercing through the chest and back of the enemy, and then shooting at the people behind them. The Xia army was terrified and did not dare to pursue again, and you led your troops away calmly. Such bravery, who can match?" This is not Xu Wei boasting randomly, but it is recorded in history. Later generations said that when it comes to selecting soldiers for the Song army, they must emphasize arm strength, because bows and crossbows occupy a large proportion in the Song army. And the most famous ones with arm strength are only two people remembered by later generations: one is Han Shizhong, and the other is Yue Fei. In fact, He Guan was not inferior to these two men, but he lost in terms of fame.

  "What's the use of recalling old things? Now I'm in charge of the Ganzi Garrison, if the Jurchen people attack, I'm afraid I won't even have a chance to shoot an arrow."

  It's really you! Xue Wei secretly rejoiced in his heart, and this matter was related to He Guan, or there might be some hope. In history, He Guan was not only a famous brave general but also had a clear understanding of the Song-Jin situation! When the Jin army crossed the Yellow River, Emperor Gaozong of Song handed over the elite cavalry to a eunuch to command and ordered him to resist the enemy. At the same time, he also ordered He Guan to guard the south bank of the Yellow River. At this time, He Guan said something that would make later generations see it as a must-read and curse Zhao's father and son.

  "The golden man has come from afar, his edge cannot be withstood. Now we are sweeping away the strong and sharp to the north, if there is even a little that is not eliminated, how can I ensure my descendants' well-being? I will leave some behind to guard the foundation."

  The Jurchen army has come from afar with the nation's troops, their sharp blades cannot be blocked. Now Liang Fangping is leading the elite troops to the north, if there is a slight mistake, who will clean up the mess? I request to stay and guard the Eastern Capital.

  It's not hard to see that He Zhu is very clear-headed. Knowing that Liang Fangping, the eunuch who has nothing in his pants, can't stop the Jurchen people, the Eastern Capital of Song will inevitably be attacked by the Jin State, so he proactively requests to stay behind. However, the Emperor and the Prime Minister don't listen to his loyal words, forcing him to advance, resulting in a great defeat. If they had listened to He Zhu's suggestion and left him to guard the Eastern Capital, the Jurchen people might not have been able to break in!

  Just as he was about to explain to He Guan, he saw a person walking out from inside. It was the woman they had rescued that day, He Taigong's daughter. Indeed, it proved the saying: "A bad bamboo can produce good shoots." He Guan was a famous general of his time, but he had a square face and a big nose, with a rough appearance. But this daughter of his had a beauty that could overthrow cities!

  That girl He came out and saw that her father's complexion was not good, with a worried face, and asked anxiously: "Father, what's wrong?"

  What would He Gan say to his daughter about military affairs? He waved his hand and said to her, "Shu Yun, look who's here?"

  Shu Yun turned her head to glance at Xu Wei, feigning surprise, and lightly stepped forward with a gentle smile. She slightly curtsied and said: "Thanks for saving me, and also for taking care of me in the manor, I'm deeply grateful." This one smile was like the earth coming back to life in spring, with hundreds of flowers blooming, and its beauty was beyond compare.

  Xu Wei couldn't help but take a few more glances, she was indeed a beautiful young woman. He stood up and modestly said: "It's just a small matter, no need to be polite."

  He Taowei was preoccupied at this time, his mind was a mess, and he had a splitting headache. He said to Xu Wei: "Stay for lunch, I'm not feeling well, I'll go rest first." After finishing speaking, he actually left directly! Leaving He Shuying standing there for a long time, what's wrong with Father today?

  In the Song Dynasty, women were not confined to the house and could go out freely. From many Song poems, it can be seen that the social atmosphere of the Song Dynasty was relatively open. "A woman with a child in her arms walks along the field, an old man with a cane supports his back as he walks. Drunken and full, they don't know it's night, and they happily quarrel with their sleeves rolled up and pants legs exposed." Look, women not only wear flowers on their heads and stroll around, but also drink wine, get drunk, roll up their sleeves and pants legs, and play-fight with men. Isn't that open enough?

  But this is only limited to rural areas and married women. A young lady like He Shuyin, who has not yet married, would still feel awkward being alone with a man. He Taigong was first preoccupied with the Jin army's impending invasion of the south, and secondly, as a military man, he naturally didn't have such delicate thoughts.

  Xu Wei found He Shuyin standing there at a loss, her small face flushed red, and teased: "What? Did Miss He have two cups before coming out?"

  He Shuyin's face turned even redder upon hearing this. Xu Wei saw the situation and smiled, saying: "It's nothing, you go ahead and do what you need to, I'll just sit here."

  Seeing him so considerate, He Shuyin slightly raised her head to look at him, then quickly lowered it: "It's just..."

  "It's nothing, I'm a thick-skinned person, not afraid of being laughed at, you don't need to worry about me." Xu Wei said hastily, fearing that her delicate face would turn red and bleed.

  He Shuyin was hesitant for a moment, after all, the visitor was a guest and also a benefactor who had saved her life. She couldn't just leave him standing there, it would be impolite to her guest. Just as she was hesitating, she saw someone walking by outside and hastily called out: "Jiuyue, come here."

  Xu Wei turned his head and looked, huh, isn't this the woman who was waiting for him outside San Shu's mansion earlier? No way, wasn't she He Shuying's cousin? Why is she wearing a apron and carrying a wooden bucket? She's still a young mistress after all, why does she look like a servant girl?

  In September, she heard her cousin's summons, put down the wooden bucket, took an apron to wipe her hands, and stepped into the flower hall, smiling: "Cousin, is there something?" Seeing Xu Wei, she nodded generously again, this woman seemed to be always smiling.

  "You accompanied Mr. Xu on a stroll, my mother is unwell, I'll go take a look." After saying that, she lowered her head, turned around and walked away with quick small steps. Xu Wei thought to himself, if I were to let a dog chase after her, would she still be taking these quick small steps?

  I thought I would have to repeat what I just said, but Jiuyue didn't blush or lower her head, she simply looked at me with a questioning gaze and asked: "Where did Master Xu want to go for a stroll?"

  When visiting someone's home for the first time, you can't just say you want to take a look at their bedroom. Seeing that she was carrying a wooden bucket and passing by, Xu Wei thought there must be something going on, so he smiled and said: "How about this? You do what you need to do, and I'll follow you around to take a look. As a country bumpkin from a big name village, I'd like to see what the Taifu's residence looks like."

  In September, I heard from my cousin that this Mr. Xü seemed to be a high-ranking official in the imperial court, but he didn't have the air of an official. Moreover, I had things to attend to myself, so I nodded and smiled: "Alright, please follow me."

  .................

  Third update! Where are the recommendations and collections?