Chapter 69 Conspiracy

  In September, walking ahead, the wooden bucket in his hand was filled with clothes, which made Xu Wei even more puzzled. However, this is a family matter, and it's not good to ask casually, so he followed silently behind, observing the He Guan Mansion. It's said that Song Dynasty officials have high treatment, and it seems that this is true. As one of the three high-ranking officials, He Guan's position was high but his power was not heavy, yet this mansion was very luxurious. The economy of the Song Dynasty was unprecedentedly prosperous, so the architectural style changed from the grandeur of the Tang Dynasty to a more delicate and beautiful style, emphasizing decoration. Although this He Mansion was not very large, it could be said that it was a garden-style building without exaggeration. There were many trees, flowers, and grasses planted in the mansion, with many artificial hills and potted plants, and even a pond in the backyard with a wooden bridge and pavilion. September stopped by the pond, put down the bucket, and rolled up his sleeves to prepare for washing clothes.

  The maids and servant girls who passed by couldn't help but take a few more glances at Xu Wei, even whispering to each other and giggling. Occasionally, after they finished talking, they would cover their mouths and laugh, teasing each other. He Shu-yin's personal maid, carrying a wooden basin, came over and placed it beside Jiu Yue, saying: "Wash this first, while the sun is good, and dry it quickly." After speaking, she gave Xu Wei a glance, turned her head and left.

  Jiuyue responded with a sound, then gathered all the clothes in a wooden bucket and took the large wooden basin to scoop water from the pond. Xiu Wei saw that she was struggling and reached out to help, but Jiuyue hastily stopped him, laughing: "I wouldn't dare let Officer Xiu do manual labor, why don't you go sit in the pavilion instead?"

  Xu Wei listened and laughed: "What's the point of sitting in a cool pavilion? Looking at these withered lotus leaves? Or go into the water to touch a few sections of lotus root?"

  In September, squatting on the ground, scrubbing the sheets with force, and smiling: "If it were a few months earlier, the lotus flowers in this pond would be in full bloom, that would be great!" After speaking, she freed one hand to gently brush her messy hair behind her ear, still with a smile all over her face.

  Xu Wei couldn't help but ask: "What's making you so happy? Tell me about it."

  "Hmm? Why does Master Xū say such a thing?" September's mouth said as she spoke, her hands didn't stop working.

  "From the moment I saw you, you've been smiling, that must be something extremely delightful." Xu Wei said.

  September's hands paused for a moment while washing the sheets, and she smiled somewhat awkwardly: "What else can we do but laugh?"

  This was just an ordinary sentence, but when Xu Wei heard it, a wave of bitterness inexplicably arose in his heart. What else could he do but not laugh? The implication was that he couldn't cry, could he? Thinking about how she, He Shu Yin's cousin, had to do these menial tasks and wasn't treated as a noble by the maids in the mansion either, made him even more perplexed.

  "Did I hear them call you Jiǔ Yuè?" Xu Wei asked tentatively.

  "Ah, Zhang Jiuyue." As he spoke, he changed the water again, his hands and feet moving very quickly, clearly already accustomed to these rough tasks.

  "September? Did you take this name just because you were born in September?" Xu Wei joked.

  Unexpectedly, Zhang Jiuyue nodded: "I was born in September, and my mother gave me this name."

  Xu Wei was taken aback, as it had always been the right of men to name their juniors. Could it be that her father... Personal matters were not convenient to pry into, so Xu Wei asked instead: "So, is this month your birthday?"

  Zhang Jiuyue finally stopped smiling, lowering her head to scrub the clothes with all her might, occasionally wiping the sweat from her forehead with her arm. Or perhaps it was because the hand washing the clothes was too tired, her body gradually tilted slightly. Xu Wei could no longer see her face.

  "Magistrate Xü would still be better off strolling in the rear garden, otherwise others will laugh at you." After a long while, Zhang Jiǔyuè said softly.

  "What's so funny?" Xu Wei said, puzzled. At the same time, he noticed that Jiu Yue's voice was a bit unusual, so he walked around to take a look. The other party heard the footsteps and lowered their head even further.

  Just as he was about to ask, a servant from the Xu mansion hurried over and bowed his hands, saying: "Vice Envoy Xu, our General requests your presence in the study for a chat."

  "Alright, trouble you to lead the way." Xu Wei nodded and that person turned around and walked away.

  "Officer Xu, you'd better go quickly, thank you." Zhang Jiuyue said in a low voice, feeling that Xu Wei hadn't left.

  "What are you thanking me for?" Xu Wei asked, but Zhang Jiuyue didn't answer again. The servant urged him repeatedly, and Xu Wei finally turned around and left. Hearing the footsteps fading away in the distance, Zhang Jiuyue finally stopped, slightly turned his head, hesitated for a moment, then turned back and continued to work hard with his head down.

  In Xu Wei's impression, the study of an ancient official should be adorned with famous calligraphy and paintings, treasured inkstones from previous dynasties, and a few antique trinkets whose authenticity is uncertain. It would be even better if there was also an incense burner, wafting wisps of smoke, for without these things, the owner's elegance could not be fully displayed. But He Guan's study looked more like a martial arts training hall.

  There is also a bookshelf filled with books, and in front of it there is a desk with the four treasures of the study. However, what catches people's attention most are the weapons scattered all over the room, especially the iron bow on the rack. Looking at that long, strong bow which is more than 4 feet long, one can't help but wonder what kind of divine strength it would take to draw this hard bow.

  He Guan sat behind the desk, his head leaning against the back of the chair, his eyes closed as if he had fallen asleep. Xu Wei came in and stood still, and heard him say: "Sit."

  Xu Wei didn't say much either, and sat down silently. The two of them remained silent for a while. Suddenly, He Taigong seemed to have been startled awake, and he sat up straight, pounding his fist on the desk, saying in a low voice: "Xu Wei, I've thought it through. At this time, going to make an appeal is too late. Not to mention whether the officials will adopt it or not, even if they arrange for it to be done, it's already too late. This path won't work, we must find another way!"

  Xu Wei frequently nodded his head, after all, he was a famous general of his generation. He calmed down and immediately understood the pros and cons of the situation.

  Since it's no longer possible to take care of the overall situation, we can only think of some local solutions. Based on your speculation, the Jin army will attack Song in two routes, so can we do something about Taiyuan and Yanyun? He Gan was no longer as disoriented as he was earlier, calm, composed, without a hint of panic. From his words, it could be heard that he had already stopped treating Xu Wei as an outsider.

  "Taiwei's words hit the nail on the head." Xu Weizan said.

  He Guan shook his head, got up from behind the desk and walked out to sit down beside Xu Wei, leaning forward and saying: "Although there is such an idea, but how to implement it specifically, still has no clue. According to my analysis, Taiyuan should be fine, but Yanyun..."

  You're right to worry about Yan Yun! Guo the medicine master is an absolutely unreliable person who is prone to changing sides repeatedly! Once the Jin army attacks, he will not only surrender himself but also bring down the tens of thousands of Song soldiers stationed in Yanshan Prefecture with him! And it's precisely because they have Guo the medicine master as their guide, familiar with the internal affairs of the Great Song, that the Jurchen iron cavalry was able to march straight to the Eastern Capital!

  But for himself, knowing in advance the course of history, others' views on Guo Yishi are probably still regarding him as a hero who turned from darkness to light and acknowledged his ancestors.

  "Taiwei, in the land of Yan and Yun, there is a fierce general like Guo Yaozhi guarding it. What are you still worried about?" Xu Wei intentionally spoke to test him.

  He glanced at Xu Wei with a slanted eye and suddenly revealed a hint of an eerie smile: "Do you really think so in your heart?"

  Wow! You've actually eaten more salt than I have rice, and you can tell! Xu Wei was shocked and silently reminded himself that he must never think he's smarter than others. In this world, no one is a fool.

  Since the treasure has been placed on He Guan's body, if there is any reservation towards him, how can it be trusted by others? But words cannot be said completely, now he is just a insignificant person, before having strong power, must be cautious and prudent.

  "In that case, I'll speak directly." Xu Wei said solemnly.

  "What you say is what I hear, and that's all there is to it." He Guan nodded and comforted.

  "Guo Yao Shi was a former general of the Liao State, who surrendered to the Song Dynasty due to circumstances. I believe this is something that you, Taifu, are aware of." Xu Wei said up to this point and saw He Gan nodding in agreement before continuing. "As for his loyalty, I won't make any comments. I'll just recount his rise to power for your reference, Taifu. Before the Liao State was destroyed, a rebellion broke out in the Bohai region. The commander-in-chief of the Liao army recruited starving civilians from Liaodong as soldiers, calling them the 'Yuan Army'. Guo Yao Shi was one of the generals. However, after the Yuan Army was formed, not only did they fail to fight effectively, but they also repeatedly mutinied. Guo Yao Shi, during this period, repeatedly switched sides and managed to stay in power. Later, when the Liao State was on the verge of destruction due to being sandwiched between the Song and Jin Dynasties, the Khitan people were worried that the Han army led by Guo Yao Shi would rebel against them. It was at this time that Guo Yao Shi received news of this and incited his subordinates to surrender to the Song Dynasty."

  He Guan listened and remained silent for a long time. At the beginning, when General Guo surrendered the two states of Ji and Yi to the Song Dynasty, Marshal Tong was ordered by the Emperor to appoint him as the commander-in-chief of Yan Mountain, not only commanding his own army, but also overseeing tens of thousands of Song soldiers. At that time, he himself suggested to the marshal that since the Western Army's Zhang Ke had surrendered to the court and been given a separate military command to lead the Han army, Guo should be allowed to command only the Victorious Army, while the Han army must be led by a Song general. However, Marshal Tong refused to listen. This man Guo was too unpredictable and untrustworthy.

  "Xu Wei, suppose, suppose Jin Jun attacks Yanshan, and Guo Yaoshi has a different mind, what will be the outcome..." After a long time, He Guang looked at Xu Wei and asked.

  "It's unthinkable! Guo the medicine master knows our military strengths and weaknesses, and has a good grasp of the deployment in Hebei. If he makes a move, the Jin army can directly attack the Yellow River!" Xu Wei's face with distinct features turned solemn.

  He's face changed, and he gritted his teeth: "The root of the disaster! This man holds the military power of Yan Mountain, and is a great scourge to the court!" But since Guo Yao Shi surrendered to Song, the imperial court has been increasingly gracious to him, and this guy has also been very obedient on the surface. When he met the emperor, he would always cry out: "I was in captivity, but I heard that Emperor Zhao is in heaven!" The officials were delighted by this, and now he has been appointed as the governor of Yan Mountain Prefecture. It's not easy to make a move against him.

  "Taiwei, although Guo the medicine master's changes are great, as long as he doesn't have military power in his hands, it won't stir up a big storm." Xu Wei reminded at the right time. There is no other way, if we don't pull down Guo the medicine master, Yan Yun region will definitely fall, and once Yan Yun falls, Song Dynasty is basically finished. On the Hebei plain, fighting against Jurchen iron cavalry with current Song army's combat power, that's seeking death.

  ...............

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