Brocade tears

In the last years of Jiajing, when the aging great talent Yang Shen wrote "Linjiang Fairy" in his "Twenty-one History Tanci", did he just reminisce about the rise and fall of the dynasties in the past, or did he have a foresight? Saw the shadow of the end of the dynasty strike.This dynasty is like a boat on a river, bumping and colliding with hidden reefs and strong waves, and going through all kinds of disasters. After 60 years of Yang Shen's death, it ushered in the biggest crisis.

In the 28th year of Wanli, 40 years after Yang Shen died.After experiencing the three major levies, the money of the Ming Dynasty was empty, the wealth withered, and the people's life became more and more difficult.However, the common people who were looking forward to the peace of the world after the war did not look forward to an emperor who would work hard to rule. What they looked forward to was only an emperor who had lived in the palace since then and had never shown his face in the previous court.Since then, the government has been controlled by several political parties.These parties seemed very honest at the time, but the shadow of party struggle has gradually begun to rise above.

In the 31st year of Wanli, the interior of the Ming Dynasty was still full of singing and dancing.But there is already a huge cloud of war in the frontier.The Haixi Jurchen was gradually swallowed up and annexed by the Jianzhou Jurchen during years of internal strife, and the Jianzhou Jurchen dominated the Liaodong region.In this year, Nurhachi moved his capital to Hetuala, and called it "the Great King of Kings who overwhelmed the nations", changed the destiny of the Yuan Dynasty, and became King of the Great Golden Khan.This Jurchen warrior who was once made dumplings by Meng Kuang and other Jin Yiwei and almost died in his early days, has grown into a huge hidden danger outside the Liaodong region at this time, pointing his sword at Ming Dynasty.But in the third decade of Wanli's reign, the Ming Dynasty seemed to turn a blind eye to this, everything seemed to be suppressed under a certain balance, and the undercurrent only surged in the judgment of the discerning people.

After entering the fourth decade of Wanli's reign, as the emperor got older and his health deteriorated, the candidate for the crown prince increasingly became the center of discussion in the entire government, and the shadow of the Ming Dynasty's factional struggles finally began to intensify around the issue of the crown prince.There are many factions in the bureaucratic ranks, and the disputes among the sects are increasing day by day, and they compete with each other. The Donglin Party, the Xuan Party, the Kun Party, the Qi Party, and the Zhejiang Party have many names.At the time when the party struggles in Donglin were endless, Fu Wang Changxun, the son of Concubine Zheng, insisted that his palace farmland "occupy [-] hectares" before he was willing to leave the country of Beijing. The eight-year-long dispute over King Fu's Zhuangtian.

Just one year has passed in Luoyang, the kingdom of the King of Fortune. On the fourth day of the fifth day of May in the 43rd year of Wanli, there was an unimaginable case of breaking into the palace.The perpetrator was a Jizhou man named Zhang Cha, who actually passed the heavy palace ban, broke into the Ciqing Palace, the residence of the prince with a stick, injured the eunuch guarding the gate, and frightened the prince Chang Luo, but was caught by the prince's servant Han who arrived in time. Ben used to catch on the spot.After the incident, the case went to trial, but it fell into a fog due to the complicated political whirlpool struggle.At first, the crown prince also thought that "there must be a master envoy", and the government and the public made a fuss, pointing the finger at Zheng Guifei, the contender for the throne.Concubine Zheng repeatedly swears to the sky that there is no one else.Seeing that the Zheng family was involved in the matter, and people have been talking about him not treating the crown prince well for many years, the emperor felt that the matter was serious and feared that he would be burned. Injury to heaven and harmony", only Zhang Cha and his related eunuchs Pang Bao and Liu Cheng were executed.And for this reason, on the 28th of the same month, uncharacteristically, he summoned the minister for the first time in 25 years, announced his order, and closed the case hastily.Afterwards, people called this mysterious case the "striking case".

In the 46th year of Wanli, and the third year of the Destiny of the Great Jin outside the territory, Nurhachi took the opportunity of Ming's partiality to Yehe tribe, promulgated the "Seven Great Hatreds" and openly raised troops against the Ming Dynasty.In the following year, in March of the 47th year of Wanli, the fourth year of Mandate of Heaven, the Battle of Sarhu broke out.The Ming army led by Yang Gao was divided into four armies to encircle and suppress Jurchen, but due to information leaks, Nurhachi "come along with me, I will only go all the way" and defeated them one by one.Outside the Fushun Pass, there are mountains of corpses and seas of blood from the Ming army as far as the eye can see.After this battle, the Ming army no longer had the power to destroy Jurchen.

Since September 46, the imperial court has ordered three times to collect land tax from the whole country, which is called "Liao Pay".Because of bandits and bandits, there were many rebels, and the "suppression payment" and "training payment" were collected and paid, collectively known as the "three major payments".The heavy taxes made the common people breathless, and the people's grievances boiled over. Various rebels and insurgents rose up again and again, and the gourds were suppressed and the ladles floated.The old emperor was depressed and frowning.

In March of the 48th year of Wanli, the emperor who had reigned for 48 years fell ill and died on July 21.Crown Prince Chang Luo succeeded to the throne and changed his reign name to Taichang.Ten days later, the new emperor, who had just succeeded to the throne, fell ill, and Li Kezhuo, the prime minister of Honglu Temple, offered red pills, claiming to be an elixir.After the emperor took it, his complexion improved.However, three days later, the emperor died suddenly after taking a red pill that was not presented by the imperial doctor.Therefore, the imperial court pursued this matter, and the Donglin Party took the opportunity to attack aliens, implicating the national dispute and the stiletto attack case.This case is called the "Red Pill Case", and the truth is also lost in the endless party disputes.

In this chaotic year, the eldest son of Emperor Taichang was succeeded by the school, and his reign name was changed to Tianqi.At the same time, Li Xuanshi, who was favored by Emperor Taichang during his lifetime, tried to control the new emperor to consolidate his position. Yushi Zuo Guangdou and Geshizhong Yang Lian proposed to move the palace.In the end, Mrs. Li was forced to move to the Hall of Renshou. This case is called the "Moving Palace Case".

The three major cases have made "partisan unity against dissidents" the trend of the entire ruling and opposition parties, and party struggle has become a big climate.Under such circumstances, the 16-year-old Emperor Tianqi made a series of puzzling but reasonable behaviors as soon as he took the throne.He named his wet nurse, Hakka, Mrs. Fengsheng, and allowed Wei Zhongxian, Hakka's concubine and eunuch, to interfere in politics.This Wei Zhongxian was the guy who seduced the son of the old servant of the Zhao family into secretly betraying him by Meng Kuang and others who had searched several times but failed to find out.His original surname was Wei, but he changed his name to Li Jinzhong after the palace. He attached himself to the Hakka family, the wet nurse of Emperor Tianqi, and became powerful ever since.After becoming famous, he changed his surname back to Wei, and got the name "Zhongxian", which is simply a great irony.In order to suppress the ever-growing Donglin Party, Emperor Tianqi connived at Wei Zhongxian's establishment of the Eunuch Party to compete with it and try to balance the power of the Donglin Party.But he himself was hiding in the harem, obsessed with carpentry all day long.

In the first year of the Apocalypse, Shi Jie Xuanwei Division, the sound of orderly hooting came from the military training ground.Two young generals are leading the troops to practice sword skills.They are a man and a woman. The woman is dressed in heroic light armor, her long hair is tied up in a helmet, and she holds a double-headed sword in her heroic posture.The man was tall and strong, with thick eyebrows and glaring eyes, with strong muscles that could not be covered by armor. There was a red birthmark on his face, which looked like a red dragon occupying his face.They are the grown-up Zhan Siping and Meng Hongxuan.Zhan Siping is 25 years old this year, and Meng Hongxuan is also 24 years old.Now they have taken over the jobs of Meng Kuang and Zhan Yu, and have become the coaches of the white soldiers, and they are also the commanders of the soldiers.

Due to the deteriorating situation, everyone is in danger. In order to protect themselves, the children resolutely joined the local white soldiers in Shijie, in order to protect their homes and relatives in the troubled times.Today, 32-year-old Li Shunzhen has become a military doctor among the white soldiers. She personally leads more than 20 medical soldiers who have received professional studies and training, and is responsible for the treatment and health care of thousands of white soldiers. The 27-year-old Meng Bingxin led the women of Shi Jie to sew military uniforms, cloth shoes, straw sandals and rattan shields for the soldiers.Zhan Nian'an took over Mencius' position and became the staff officer of the White Army.The youngest, Meng Yulu, is 22 years old this year. He is currently a messenger soldier among the white soldiers. Because he is proficient in rhythm and good at various musical instruments, he has also become a very popular person in the army. Everyone loves it in their spare time. Listen to him playing a song on the flute.

Among the children of the Meng family, except Zhan Siping and the youngest Meng Yulu who were not yet married, the rest had married local girls or young men in Shijie and had children of their own.The elder sister Li Shunzhen's eldest daughter is 13 years old this year.Zhan Siping has a broad-minded nature and few personal relationships, and has no intention of getting married, and his mind is full of leading troops to fight.She and her cousin Meng Hongxuan would drill the soldiers every morning, and in the afternoon, they would take turns training the soldiers in the group with some professional military skills, such as concealed weapons, stealth, and close-up capture.

Just when they were training in full swing, not far away, Zhan Siping's dragon and phoenix brother Zhan Nian'an and eldest sister Li Shunzhen came with gloomy faces.The two walked to the side of Zhan Siping and Meng Hongxuan, and whispered something in their ears, Zhan Siping and Meng Hongxuan's complexions sank at the same time.

Zhan Siping immediately announced that today's training was over ahead of schedule, and he and Meng Hongxuan went to the chieftain building of Xuanweisi in Shijie, where they were going to see Qin Liangyu.Since the death of her husband seven years ago, this heroine has become the actual person in charge of the entire Shijie Xuanwei Division.Qin Liangyu is forty-six this year and is in the prime of life. Her son Ma Xianglin is still young and can't bear the heavy responsibility, but she is a hero of her generation, everyone admires her, and she is the most admired object of Shijie people.

After entering the chieftain building, under the leadership of the sentinels, they quickly saw Qin Liangyu in the meeting hall. She was not alone here, Meng Kuang, Sui Er, Meng Zixiu, Bai Yuyin, Meng Yan, Zhan Yu, Guo Dayou, Luo Xun, all the adults in the family are here.The children have grown up, and the adults are also getting old. At this time, Guo Dayou and Luo Xun have entered the age of knowing their destiny, their beard and hair are mixed with pale, and there are many wrinkles on their faces.The rest of the people are also in their [-]s. Mencius Xiu and Zhan Yu have grown long beards, Bai Yuyin and Meng Ai have become rich, but Meng Kuang and Sui Er look as young as just in their early thirties. There are not many traces left on the body by the years.

In addition to the adults, the second sister Meng Bingxin, the younger brother Meng Yulu, and Qin Liangyu's son Ma Xianglin were also there.

The adults sat on two rows of benches in the meeting hall, and the children stood on both sides, saluted the adults, and then quietly listened with their hands down.Above the main hall, the gallant Qin Liangyu cleared his throat and said:

"You also know that the situation in Liaodong is dangerous, and the Jin soldiers have surrounded Shenyang. Some time ago, my brothers had led troops to Liaodong to rescue. Today, the news came back that Bangping died in the battle, and Minping broke out and barely survived. .” As soon as these words came out, the audience was solemn and the atmosphere was sad.Qin Liangyu's brother, Qin Bangping, was very familiar with the Meng family, and they had a lot of contacts in the past. Now that he died in battle, everyone felt bad.

Qin Liangyu didn't seem to be affected at all, and said with firm eyes: "I have decided to personally lead troops to Liaodong to support, and I am preparing to order troops, but now the remaining outstanding generals are the children of the Meng family and the Zhan family, and I will recruit everyone today. , I just want to ask, who is willing to go. I declare in advance, I will not force those who do not want to go, you are not from our local people in Shijie, you are just taking refuge here, I do not want to force you.”

Zhan Siping, who was about to move, looked straight at the adults at home, but he just didn't dare to make a sound.The rest of the children all looked at Zhan Siping, waiting for her to make a statement.The adults of the Meng family, headed by Meng Kuang, were all silent, and there was no reason for it to be seen on their faces.

Zhan Siping finally couldn't hold back anymore and wanted to take a step forward to express his opinion.At this time, Guo Dayou said:

"I discussed it with my eldest brother. We don't want the children to go out. But I know we can't stop them. The children will always fly outside. I have just one request. If you have a baby at home, don't go out. gone."

As soon as these words came out, except for the third sister Zhan Siping and the younger brother Meng Yulu, no one met the requirements.

Meng Hongxuan couldn't hold back anymore, and said: "Second Uncle...I have to go." His voice was deep and thick, and he didn't talk much, always speaking concisely.

As a result, Guo Dayou glared at him.Seeing his cousin being stared at, Zhan Siping hurriedly stood up and said, "I'm not married, I'll go!"

The adults didn't express their views, including Zhan Yu and Meng Yan, who seemed to acquiesce.Zhan Siping secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

"I'm not married either, so I'll go too," Meng Yulu said.

Mencius glanced at his son, Bai Yuyin hesitated to speak, but Mencius stopped him.

Meng Kuang glanced at Sui'er, Sui'er nodded, and said: "Chilong can go, we will take care of my daughter-in-law and grandson."

"Siblings... this..." Guo Dayou frowned.

"It's okay, brother, don't worry, we trust Hongxuan. If this kid is in danger, Ah Qing will go to Liaodong to catch him in person." Sui'er smiled, and Meng Kuang nodded beside him.

Meng Hongxuan who was standing behind was secretly delighted and clenched his fists.

"Oh, you guys are messing around." Guo Dayou shook his head.

"Then I have to go too. I'm only making suggestions from the rear, so I won't be in danger." Zhan Nian'an said, "I'm going, so I can look after my sister, so my parents can rest assured."

Zhan Siping glared at his younger brother, and said in his heart: I want you to watch?

Seeing that Li Shunzhen and Meng Bingxin were about to speak, in case the two frail daughters who were already mothers also wanted to go out, Meng Zixiu spoke first: "Then it's settled, Siping, Nian'an, Chilong, Yulu, the four of you follow General Qin, you must be ordered to stop, and you must not act without authorization."

"Understood!" The four said in unison, standing at attention.

Qin Liangyu smiled and said solemnly: "Thank you, I, Qin Liangyu, promise that when I return from victory, I will bring these four children back to you intact."

Mencius laughed and said, "General Qin is too polite. In this world, no one can take care of himself alone. We live in the mountains, and we are blessed with the protection of the general. How can we not repay you. The children should go out and see the world."

Two days later, the children followed Qin Liangyu and led [-] elite soldiers from the Xuanwei Department to set off.Before departure, Zhan Siping stood in front of Meng Kuang and solemnly assured:

"Aunt Qing, you brought me out with your own hands. After going to the battlefield, I will not embarrass you or our girls!"

Meng Kuang just smiled. The child grew up listening to the stories of her fighting in Liaodong, adored her very much, and had an uncontrollable longing for the Liaodong battlefield.She just exhorted:

"Auntie is not afraid of losing face. Auntie just wants you to return safely. Don't make us sad."

"Yeah!" Zhan Siping choked up and nodded. After all, it was the first time to travel far, and her eyes were red when she heard her dearest aunt Qing telling her so.

The team went far away, and the relatives climbed up the hill to look at the large troops traveling far.Three thousand white soldiers meandered through the mountains and forests like a long dragon.Sui'er couldn't help crying, and sighed: "Raising them to such a big age, they can't avoid this, they always have to fly out."

"Sister-in-law Sui, don't be so sad. Maybe our family can produce a few more heroes. No one knows the contributions made by the brothers and sisters back then. Now the children should come out." Meng Yan was as optimistic as ever. .

"Hero... a hero of the last days." Bai Yuyin sighed upon hearing this.

"So what about the hero of the last days, if Nurhachi wants to enter the pass, he has to pass our pass first. Even if 20 years have passed, we still have to keep him out, and don't tell him to forget the embarrassment of the past." Mencius said flatly.

"Well said!" Zhan Yu gave a thumbs up.

Luo Xun and Guo Dayou laughed, and said: "Brother Xiu is still amazing. I'm going to be an old man, even if the mountains and rivers are at sunset, I have to have the spirit to support the sun with one hand."

Meng Kuang remembered the poem "Linjiang Immortal" by the great talent Yang Shen, and slowly recited:

"The waters of the Yangtze River are rolling in the east, and the waves have washed away the heroes. The success or failure is empty. The green mountains are still there, and the sunset is red several times. The white-haired fisherman is on the river Nagisa, and I used to watch the autumn moon and spring breeze. A pot of turbid wine is happy to meet. , all in a joke."

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