Chapter 49: The Battle of Pingzhou (Part One)

  Wu Dong'a scolded the little fox, "What is morality? Isn't it just what I say it is?" and immediately shut him up with a grand principle. Wu Dong'a stroked his beard thoughtfully for a moment, "My request is that you help me develop Mohism, and I'll help you do things, how about that."

  Zhao Mo asked: "Wu senior, what does Mohism need most now?"

  "Funding, but you can't interfere too much with the development of Mo Jia. Every month, all members of Mo Jia can do three things for you, is that okay?" Wu Dong A asked seriously.

  "I provide Mo Jia with 500,000 taels of white silver every year. I demand that five things be done every month. If two things cannot be done, not a single cent of funding will be provided." Zhao Yan said seriously.

  "You! Do you believe I'll kill you right now?" Wu Dong's hand grasped the dagger, his eyes filled with murderous intent.

  Zhao Jin took out his crossbow and retreated a few steps, saying: "You can try it!"

  Wu Dong'a, with a sincere expression, threw the dagger to the ground and sighed: "At most three conditions, I want 400,000 taels of silver per year. If Mo's family can't accomplish one thing, add three more conditions, no funding is needed, how about it?" At this time, Mo's family was in a weak position, on the verge of disbanding. It wasn't easy to find an investor who seemed reliable, an opportunity for Mo's family to develop, and Wu Dong'a didn't want to let it slip away.

  Zhao Kuang also put away his crossbow, thought seriously for a moment, and felt that the condition put forward by Wu Dong was not bad. By supporting the Mohist You Xia school, many things that he himself found inconvenient to deal with could be handed over to the Mohists to handle. Who knows, maybe one day the later generations of the Mohist school would also surrender.

  Since Wu Dong was asked about the direction of Mozi's later school, he believed that there were also unspeakable secrets, and it was more likely that he did not completely trust Zhao Jian, but still readily agreed, after all, having one more friend is better than having one more enemy.

  Zhao Yan smiled and said: "I won't take advantage of the Mo family either. It's still 500,000 taels per year, not a single penny less."

  Wu Dong'a was also stunned when he heard Zhao Kuang say this.

  "Wu Qianbei, I don't know what the current situation of the Mohist school is." Zhao Yan asked doubtfully.

  "Wu Dong's face turned red as he said somewhat awkwardly: 'There are only over fifty people.'"

  Zhao Xiao exclaimed, "What?" Zhao Xiao did not expect the Mohist school to be so weak, but he didn't have any thoughts of underestimating them either. None of the schools that had been passed down since the Warring States period were simple.

  Wu Dong'a thought Zhao Jian looked down on the current Mohist Youxia school and angrily said: "In recent years, being suppressed by the imperial court as rebels, coupled with insufficient funds and a lack of personnel, these more than 50 Mohist disciples are all skilled in assassination. Even if they were to defeat hundreds of enemies on the battlefield, it would not be a problem. You dare to belittle the Mohists."

  Zhao Kuo's heart was depressed, and this Wu Dong Ah was not young in years, nor was his temper small. He spoke in a gentle voice: "Wu senior misunderstood, I never meant to look down on the Mo family, it's just that I didn't expect there would be so few people from the Mo family."

  When Zhao Jin said that, Wu Dong'a's face improved a bit, took out three pieces of leaves from his waist and walked over to hand them to Zhao Jin. Zhao Jin looked closely at the leaves, which had an unusual shape, like triangles, and what was even more strange was that there were three different dark colors on each of the three corners.

  "This is a rare leaf from the precious tree that only grows in the Mo family's garden. I have traveled all over the country for many years, and I have never seen another tree of this kind. Each leaf represents one matter to be handled. You can send the leaves to our West Lake Villa in Hangzhou, you can entrust someone to pass on the message orally, or you can write the content on the leaves themselves. The Mo family will not decline once they receive it, and your silver can also be sent there."

  Zhaoyang took out a silver bill worth 500,000 taels from his body and handed it to Wudong'a. Wudong'a's hands trembled slightly, and he was about to shed tears. The Mohist school had always been suppressed by the imperial court as bandits in the mountains and forests, and they could not afford to recruit many disciples openly. They did not have a lucrative business, but they emphasized chivalrous spirit, "universal love", and were unwilling to do some sneaky things, such as being hired killers for others to resolve disputes. As a result, many skilled Mohists left the school and entered industries like the dart bureau or assassins.

  Chen Liangshan was afraid that someone would steal the money, so he exchanged all the stolen silver for silver tickets and kept them himself. This also happened to be convenient for Zhao Kan, who handed over the 500,000 taels of silver tickets to Wu Dong'a with ease. Wu Dong'a felt a warmth in his heart, thinking that Zhao Kan was so generous, it seemed that there would be long-term cooperation in the future.

  What moved Wu Dong was that Zhao Yan could have pressed the price down further, and Wu Dong would not have argued for the sake of Mo's development opportunities. But Zhao Yan quickly agreed to the terms, which made Wu Dong feel indebted to him. Human relationships are worthless to those who don't keep their promises, but to those who value loyalty, they are as precious as Mount Tai.

  But for Zhao Bian, these silvers are unexpected wealth. Moreover, adding flowers to brocade is not as good as sending charcoal in snowy weather, and it's better to do personal favors.

  Zhao Kan and Wu Dongya walked out, more than 30 imperial guards at the door, pointing their weapons at Wu Dongya. Wu Dongya was calm and fearless, gazing lightly at the sharp blades of the imperial guards. Zhao Kan took a step forward, waved his hand, and the imperial guards retreated one step, watching Wu Dongya vigilantly.

  Zhao Yan said: "Wu senior, please."

  Wu Dong'A didn't show any weakness, and was the first to walk up the wooden stairs. Although Wu Dong'A's whole body was thin and bony, he had an aura of absolute killing intent around him, his footsteps light and agile like a sharp sword that hadn't been unsheathed yet. Zhao Jiong escorted Wu Dong'A all the way to the small boat, and instructed the imperial guard soldier who was rowing: "Take Mr. Wu downstream." Then, with a clasped fist, he bid farewell to Wu Dong'A: "Farewell, Senior Wu."

  At this time, fine rain fell from the sky, and the rainwater moistened the earth, washing away the thick bloody smell of Shuizhai. Wu Dong looked at Zhao Jie and said, "Take care, little friend."

  Evening rain on Spring River tide turns white at Wujiang Ferry

  Under the moonlight, they parted ways, each going their separate directions.

  The divine land is still vast and wide today

  Who knows life and death is just a trivial matter.

  Zhao Kan looked at the scene in front of him and thought about the whole process of this water village, muttering to himself.

  The fine rain washed away the bloodstains on Zhao Jin's body, and he gently closed his eyes, feeling the tranquility of the earth. Standing by the riverbank, he listened to the gentle flow of the water, and his mood, soothed by the fine rain, gradually calmed down. At this moment, a green umbrella blocked the pouring rain, and Zhao Jin had already sensed someone behind him. He smiled and turned around, embracing Wu Caiyun in his arms. The breeze blew, and the umbrella fell into the water, drifting away with the current...

  This time, the raid on Shuizhai resulted in eight deaths among Zhao Kui's Invincible Army. The water bandits were all killed except for over a dozen who were captured.

  Zhao Yin sent someone to send Wu Caiyun to the shore, and he himself turned around and came to the center of the water village. More than a dozen water bandits looked at Zhao Yin with begging eyes, where was the original arrogant momentum?

  Zhao Yan looked coldly at these water bandits, nodded to the imperial guards behind him, and the imperial guards swung their swords and chopped them down. Amidst the water bandits' mournful cries, they all died on the spot. From then on, not a single water bandit from the Chao Bai River stronghold survived.

  It wasn't that Zhao Yan delighted in killing, but these water bandits had long since stained their hands with blood. Even if he spared them, they would certainly not change their ways. Zhao Yan's principle regarding enemies was to kill one person and save a hundred.

  Zhao Kui immediately ordered the Imperial Guard to rest in place, and soon they would quickly catch up with the main force of the Invincible Army ahead. They had already delayed for a long time here, and must arrive before the Jin army broke through Taiyuan City, otherwise the entire layout would be ruined.

  On the other side, Chang Shengjun's army was on its way

  The army of Changsheng tried to minimize the noise of the troops, and Liang Fangxu inspected the central army back and forth. In order to prevent the Jin army from discovering the movement of the main force, Liang Fangxu divided the 20,000 troops into dozens of teams, advancing on different routes, and gathering at a designated location on a specified date.

  The vanguard of the Invincible Army marched under a gentle slope, with sunlight casting long strip-shaped shadows on the ground. The marching army kicked up yellow dust, causing the soldiers in the back to constantly curse under their breath. Suddenly, just a few kilometers ahead of the Invincible Army, several Jin Dynasty scouts on horseback blew whistles and chased after several Song Dynasty civilians like cats chasing mice.

  Several soldiers carrying knives and guns wanted to rush up, but Liang Fangxu shouted in a low voice: "Do you want to expose the position of the main force?"

  "But General, how can we tolerate those golden dogs slaughtering our fellow villagers on our own land?" The soldier said with a pained expression.

  Liang Fangxu sighed inwardly and glanced at the several Jin army scouts from a distance. Those Jin soldiers were too far away from the Changsheng Army, and the Changsheng Army's cavalry couldn't guarantee that they could keep all the Jin soldiers there. These civilians might not be saved after all. If the Jin army discovered the main force of the Changsheng Army, the Jin army would counterattack the Changsheng Army, or surround and attack them, which was something Liang Fangxu and the entire Changsheng Army did not want to see happen.

  "You are soldiers, bearing a mission. It's not enough to just kill a few Jin people and save a few civilians. Listen up, those who disobey military orders will be beheaded." Liang Fangxu said in a deep voice.

  The victorious army of soldiers as one, silently put away their weapons, and for a time, morale was extremely low.

  Li Fangxu said: "I also want to go to those ordinary people, but if we reveal our true intentions and let the Jin army in Taiyuan prepare, there will be more homes destroyed and more ordinary people killed. The hatred of the ordinary people will make us take revenge fiercely under the city of Taiyuan."

  The soldiers of the Invincible Army remained silent and continued to advance.

  Only to see the golden soldiers charging forward on horseback, madly trampling and knocking down civilians who dodged and weaved under their horses, throwing lassos at terrified and panicked civilians, and if they were caught, they would be dragged away while galloping.

  A golden soldier jumped off his horse, went forward to pull out a knife and forced an old man to take off the brocade clothes on his body and the boots on his feet, letting him escape with bare feet. During the process of the old man's escape, the golden soldier raised the strong bow in his hand, and just heard a "swish" sound, the arrow shot into the old man's back, the golden soldier laughed loudly, as if he had hunted an animal.

  Another golden soldier rushed forward, grabbing the neck of a Song Dynasty woman with both hands. With a shrill cry, a pearl necklace was torn from her neck. The golden soldier showed no intention of stopping, and with a lewd smile, he pounced on her.

  Along the way, they found several groups of Jin army scouts chasing after Song Dynasty civilians or defeated remnants of the Song army. The soldiers of the Invincible Army lowered their heads, carrying their weapons and advancing quickly. Military orders were not to be disobeyed; if they could not reach Taiyuan without being detected by the Jin army, more civilians would die unjustly. For now, the soldiers could only accumulate their anger in their hearts, waiting for the moment when they arrived at the foot of Taiyuan City to avenge their past humiliation.