Chapter 75 Inspirational listening
Although Liu Jingting and others failed to contact Ling Junfu and his men outside the city, the 3,000 rebels led by Huang Zongxi and Wang Zhengzhong arrived two days earlier than originally planned, that is, on May 18th. They set off on more than 60 warships, successfully crossed the Qiantang River, and seized a small market-Tanshanpu, 40 miles east of Haining County.
The reason why they have to act in advance is that after all the soldiers and horses gather, the consumption of food and grass will increase correspondingly, and the supply will be very tight. If they start one day earlier, they will be able to get out of the predicament one day earlier and use the vast land in Jiangbei to open up new food sources; Secondly, news came from the front line in the south that the reinforcements led by Bo Luo, the general of the Qing Dynasty who conquered the South, had arrived in Hangzhou and were gathering on the banks of the Qiantang River in Fuyang County. The situation, it seems, has a great attempt to crush the main regular army of the King Lu regime in one fell swoop.Therefore, Zhang Guowei, Sun Jiaji and others became more eager to preemptively strike from the eastern front and lead the battlefield to Jiangbei in order to disrupt the enemy's plan.
Now, Huang Zongxi and his 3,000 soldiers have successfully landed and stationed in the Tanshanpu area.As they had sent people to investigate in advance, this place was at the junction of Haining and Haiyan counties, and the location was relatively remote, and the Qing army was unable to take care of it, so they did not encounter any resistance.As for the residents of Tanshanpu, they probably saw many warships suddenly approaching from the other side of the river, and they were already scared to hide and run away.As a result, after Huang Zongxi came ashore, he led his generals around the market, and finally found only an old lunatic and a thin and mangy wild dog; The thatched house, the two stone mills that cannot be moved, and some pots and pans that are too late to take away or are not going to be taken away.Although this situation was expected, Huang Zongxi still felt quite disappointed and uneasy.Because in his consciousness, what he was commanding was the army of Ming Dynasty, which came to rescue the people of the Han family here, and the other side should be rejoicing, "Eat the pot of pulp to welcome the king's teacher".However, he also understood that when the Ming army crossed the river to fight a while ago, anyone who encountered shaved hair was considered a betrayal of their ancestors and killed them recklessly.So he immediately ordered people to post notices at nearby intersections, announcing the recent decree of Lu Jianguo: All the people who have shaved their heads, as long as they wear them again according to the old habit, it means that they have abandoned the Qing Dynasty and returned to the Ming Dynasty, and change from evil to good. , you will be forgiven by the "Master Wang".At the same time, he also issued an order to each battalion: it is strictly forbidden to go out to hunt food without permission, and everything will be raised by the central army account, and those who violate the military law will engage in it.After issuing these two orders, he saw that it was almost evening, and after half a day of sailing, the wind and waves made the soldiers look quite tired, so he issued a third order, ordering the battalions to choose a nearby place to bury Cook in the pot, wash and rest; but patrols must be sent to various intersections to strictly guard against accidents.
After a lot of nervousness and busyness, now, the three thousand soldiers have entered their own camps and settled down one after another.As wisps of cooking smoke rose from the military tents everywhere, the west of Haining was at the end of the day, and the summer sunset gradually fell behind the overgrown trees.But the sky is still bright. The nearby Tanshan Mountain and the distant Dajianshan and Xiaojianshan Mountains are bathed in a purple and black glow, looking holy and soft.This area is very close to the mouth of the Qiantang River. Affected by the tide, the river's water fluctuates greatly during the day.Over time, a large area of shoals appeared along the river bank.In order to resist the violent erosion of the embankment by the tide and reduce the loss of water and soil, the people here have been planting weeds and shrubs on the shoal since ancient times, and built a series of stepped breakwaters.These breakwaters called "Caotang" extend from Zhapu, outside the river estuary in the east, through Haiyan and Haining, to the city of Hangzhou, with a length of more than 800 miles.Together with the famous Qiantang River tide, it has become a major landscape in this area.However, for Huang Zongxi, none of this is new.Therefore, after he, Wang Zhengzhong and other main generals took a few mouthfuls of dry food, they just set off to inspect various positions.Until it is confirmed that the soldiers of each battalion have been divided into three groups according to the order, with Tanshan on the right, the river on the left, and the main road in the middle, and they are stationed at corners of each other. After forming a water fortress and keeping in close contact with the army on land, he felt relieved a little bit, so he gave Wang Zhengzhong and the others instructions, ordering them to manage their own teams well, and if any abnormalities were found, Report it now.Then, he took Huang An with him and rushed back to the market that had become a temporary command post.
The reason why Huang Zongxi hurried back was because he was concerned about his younger brother Huang Zonghui.Speaking of which, this matter also caught him by surprise.When crossing the river from Longwangtang today, Huang Zonghui ignored the dissuasion and insisted on taking the boat to Jiangbei.Originally, the third younger brother was only here to see Huang Zongxi and Huangzhupu's children off at the order of the patriarch and his mother, Mrs. Yao.Along with him, there are second brother Zongyan, fourth brother Zongyuan and some other folks.They brought clothes and some supplies to Huang Zongxi, and even brought the earnest instructions from Mrs. Yao, Mrs. Ye and Miss Zhou, although they were nothing more than taking care of their health, making extra meals, adding clothes and quilts, and returning from victory as soon as possible, etc. But Huang Zongxi can still weigh the deep feelings contained in these short and ordinary instructions, and can imagine the wailing and tearful eyes of his mother and wives and concubines when they spoke.As a result, for a while, his heart became hot and messy.However, the excited atmosphere of the army, the tension and hecticness of the departure, did not allow him to think too much, and even did not allow him to say more words.As a result, at that time, except for promises one by one and a few words of comfort expressing optimism about the future, he never had the opportunity to talk calmly with the other party.It was not until the day when the camp was officially set off that a group of officials, including Sun Jiaji and Xiong Rulin, gathered at the pier to solemnly swear farewell for the soldiers, that they were able to say goodbye to each other hastily.Unexpectedly, at the moment when the fleet weighed anchor, Huang Zonghui, who had already followed the ship, proposed unexpectedly that he would send Huang Zongxi off alone until he arrived in Jiangbei.For this request, Huang Zongxi expressed his disapproval at that time.But Huang Zonghui was extremely stubborn, no matter how much he persuaded or reprimanded him, he just refused to get off the boat.The other two younger brothers and fellow villagers also helped him speak together.In the end, Huang Zongxi had no choice but to reluctantly agree, but it was agreed on the spot that once he arrived in Jiangbei, Huang Zonghui would have to turn around and return immediately, and he was not allowed to stay any longer.Now, since the army has successfully landed and stationed smoothly, Huang Zongxi naturally thought that he must be sent away quickly..."Yes, I should have kicked him off the ship at the Dragon King Hall! Here, and now I have to send a boat back, it’s nothing to worry about. What’s more, it’s a time of swordsmanship, it’s just nonsense!” Huang Zongxi thought angrily as he walked back.But despite this, at this point, there is still no choice but to deploy ships and soldiers to do this errand, and there must be no mistakes. "Otherwise, I can't explain it to my mother. Among the brothers, Zonghui is the most favored by her..." Huang Zongxi became a little worried after thinking about it, so he forgot to be angry for a while, and began to secretly think about the sect. Which ship, and who escorts it, is safe.
"Hey, big brother!" A familiar voice called from afar.Huang Zongxi looked up and found that wayward younger brother was already waiting in front of the residence.In the dimness of twilight, his white straight gown was blown erratically by the evening wind.
"Ah, big brother is back!" Probably not getting Huang Zongxi's consent, Huang Zonghui hurried forward again, and anxiously asked: "Is everything arranged over there? You brother intends to go back soon, but I don't know Is there a boat across the river?"
Huang Zongxi glanced at his younger brother and thought: "He was not allowed to come earlier, but he wanted to come desperately. Now I haven't asked him to go, but he is in a hurry to leave again!" Yue, he deliberately did not answer the other party's question, but asked lightly:
"Well, don't you feel tired after the day's boat ride?"
"Ah, just now, when the elder brother was away, the younger brother had already rested!"
"Well, where's the meal?"
"Eat it too!"
"However, the boat has just moored at the water village, and they haven't eaten yet. How can they have the strength to send you off again immediately! Forget it, let's talk about it later. Now you just follow me around, I will I have something to tell you!"
After saying this, Huang Zongxi didn't wait for his younger brother to agree, so he just walked forward along the street on the right.Seeing his brother like this, Huang Zonghui was obviously taken aback, but he didn't dare to disobey, and obediently followed behind.
At this moment, as the last rays of the sun faded, it was completely dark.However, the moon has quietly risen in the east.It was a round of sea moon in eighteen nights. Although it was slightly thinner, the images of osmanthus trees and jade rabbits were still clearly distinguishable.It poured silver light down from the thatched roof, sprinkled on the heads and shoulders of the two brothers, and also illuminated a row of board walls beside them, making the narrow and dark street a hazy light and shadow.Behind the thatched hut, in the invisible distance, came the deep sound of the river tide lapping on the bank.
"Brother," Huang Zongxi realized that he had walked about ten steps, but Huang Zongxi kept silent. Huang Zonghui, who was already walking side by side with him, couldn't help asking tentatively, "After this breakup, I don't know when we will meet again. ?”
Huang Zongxi snorted, stared intently at the distance of the street, and replied coldly: "After this breakup, I'm afraid we may not be able to see each other again!"
"Brother, what did you say - can't, can't meet again?" Huang Zonghui was obviously taken aback.
"..."
"Why? Why can't we meet again?" Huang Zonghui asked anxiously, with horror in his voice.Huang Zongxi glanced at him: "On the battlefield, life is a struggle, who can say for sure whether it will be life or death in the end? It is a great fortune to be able to survive; as for death, it is really very common! "
"However, at the time of taking oaths at the Dragon King Hall, didn't Sun Dushi say that in March, our division had already defeated the Tartars on the river, and that this time, by taking advantage of the victorious expedition to the west, we will surely be able to chase north and achieve a triumphant return early? "
Huang Zongxi shook his head and said with a wry smile: "I will be able to triumph early? I dare not think so! Let me tell you the truth, this time the court said it was going to send troops to the west, but Fang Guoan and Wang Zhiren both lingered on the sidelines and refused. Use your life. Seeing that the Tartar reinforcements had arrived, Ergong Sun and Zhang had no choice but to order your brother to cross the river first, in order to encourage the other troops. The success or failure of your brother's trip is of course very important, but the lone army commits the crime. Enemy, the danger is so small!"
"Ah!" Huang Zonghui stopped suddenly in shock, opened his eyes wide, and said in a trembling voice, "Yuan, so the reinforcements from the Tartars have arrived! Then, that, isn't that a clear death, why did the eldest brother agree to him?"
Huang Zongxi did not answer immediately.However, the tension and concern shown by the other party at this moment made his heart visibly moved, and at the same time, a distant and vague thing began to wake up in his memory.It was a soft and warm feeling rooted in blood, just like two leaves on a tree, coming from the same mother, receiving the same upbringing and nourishment, they have been dependent on each other for many years and grew together.I never thought that there would be a day when we would be separated forever.However, right now, just as the younger brother said in horror, after breaking up this time, will they still be able to see each other again?Can it still be the same as in the past, although there are often times when they are busy, but in the end, can they still come together again?Huang Zongxi was really not sure.In fact, the success or failure of this expedition can be said to be uncertain. Every step forward is full of risks and murderous opportunities, and there is a possibility of losing your life anytime, anywhere...
"Well, it can't be said that way." In order to get rid of this untimely weakness, he began to argue carefully, "The reinforcements from the Tartars are now gathering in Fuyang. We are going around it, avoiding its edge, and attacking it." Unexpectedly, as soon as Minger takes Haining, he will go north to Jiaxing and go straight to Taihu Lake. These places are beyond the reach of the Tartars. If all goes well, they can contact the local volunteers and make him turn upside down, causing Hong Chengchou and Zhang Cunren to care about one and lose the other. Bo Luo is like a man on his back. At that time, Sun and Zhang Ergong will take the opportunity to march westward. Then, not only the crisis in eastern Zhejiang can be solved, but even Hangzhou—huh, maybe it can be recovered in one fell swoop!"
After a pause, he saw that his younger brother was just listening blankly without any response, so he waved his arms vigorously and said loudly: "Hey, when the country is ruined to this point, and the world is corrupted to this point, death is nothing! If you don’t want to survive, even my Chinese poems, books, rites, music, and civilized education would rather be abandoned? You must know that we are saints, not ignorant peasants, and we must not forget the responsibility of the world! As long as we die appropriately and heroically, I think It is ten thousand times better to let the Tartars humiliate and abuse you!"
Speaking with such emotion, he felt the veins all over his body were expanding suddenly, and his blood was boiling with it. So, without waiting for Huang Zong's answer, he turned his head and walked forward until he got out. The market, came to an open ground, and then slowed down again.
The scale of Tanshanpu is actually very small, and the streets and streets add up to only thirty or forty shops.Outside the market is the rolling countryside, with a sloping anti-wave "grass pond".At this moment, the moon had risen for half a day, and it had faded away from the previous layer of haze, and became clearer and brighter.It hangs high and silently, covering the earth, mountains and rivers in the melting and rippling silver light.Although the big and small sharp mountains in the distance have become blurred and ethereal, even the nearby Tanshan Mountain and the military camp at the foot of the mountain are only a dark shadow.The surroundings are wild and gloomy, confused and boundless.Only here and there, here and there, one or two sparks flickered here and there, and a few vague words came, which made people realize that the surroundings were not empty and deserted...
"Brother," Huang Zonghui, who followed up from behind, said in a low voice with serious thoughts, "Brother is determined to sacrifice his life to serve the country, which makes my younger brother very grateful. I am a sage who was born in this world, and I should be like this. It's just that , when it comes to 'a worthy death', there is still room for consideration."
"Oh? Let me tell you in detail!" Huang Zongxi asked without turning his head; at the same time, he listened to the sound of the tide becoming louder outside the embankment.
"Charging into battle and fighting bloody battles is a matter for warriors, not my generation's strengths. Just now, I heard from elder brother that Fang and Wang, both commanders of the army, stood still, and asked elder brother to stand up and take risks and cross the river alone. Isn't that abandonment? What's more, the eldest brother is very knowledgeable and thoughtful. He is not comparable to ordinary Confucian scholars. He has been searching for many years. Now that his knowledge has reached a state of great accomplishment, the future is even more limitless! If something unexpected happens because of this, he will certainly be a hero ' Two words, but it is really difficult to call it 'get it'!"
When Huang Zonghui said these words, he seemed a little flinching.However, Huang Zongxi has actually thought about the same question over and over again. That is what he once said to Sun Jiaji. In view of Fang Guoan, Wang Zhiren and other warriors who are arrogant and domineering and narrow-minded, he wants to use actual examples to prove that the people who are led by benevolent gentlemen understand etiquette and righteousness. A strong army has more vision and courage, and is more capable of winning battles!But, then again, just as my younger brother reminded me: when Fang and Wang's main forces are waiting to see, and with three thousand solitary troops, are they really sure of winning?In case of dying, is it worth it or not?It was this sudden doubt that disturbed his mind, so that after a while he could not help asking in a low voice: "So, in your opinion?"
Maybe he found that his brother's tone was a little loose, Huang Zonghui became more courageous, and stammered: "If, if you are not sure of victory, then it is better to return to Jiangnan—or, or simply let go and go home! "
At first, Huang Zongxi was still in his own thoughts and didn't pay much attention to his brother's words.However, he was taken aback after that: "What did you say? Retreat? Go home?" He asked with wide-eyed eyes. At the same time, he realized that his younger brother had hidden such a nasty idea in those words that seemed to be for his own sake. But he was very angry, so he stomped his feet vigorously, and angrily said: "It's a shame you can figure it out! Let me tell you, this is impossible! Now that I have come to this point, my brother has no hesitation. The only thing to do is to move forward desperately!"
"Brother," Huang Zonghui seemed anxious, and argued, "Don't you think about it, there is still a mother in the family, as well as sister-in-law, sister-in-law, Baijia, Zhengyi, eldest daughter, and second daughter! You Don't care about yourself, but leave them behind, what will you do in the future?"
"Hmph, if I die, don't you still have you! From now on, they will entrust you with the dark tree!" Huang Zongxi replied very simply.
"But, I can't take it! I can't take it!" Huang Zonghui violently waved his arms and yelled like a quarrel, "Now the family is so poor, the country is so poor, and there are constant wars! I have no ability, You can't even take care of the couple in your own family, how can you have the strength to take care of your sister-in-law and nephews? You, don't you clearly want my life? You are good, a guy died in battle, and his name will go down in history! But what should we do if we are left alive? What do you say!"
Huang Zonghui shouted angrily and gestured excitedly, his eyes shining in the gloom.It seemed that this kind of categorical and outrageous entrustment by his elder brother not only made him feel pain, but also made him feel very frightened and nervous.After talking about it, he finally seemed to be unable to hold on, and fell down on a stone by the roadside, covered his face with his hands, and began to cry...
This time, Huang Zongxi watched silently and did not speak immediately.In fact, although his younger brother's accusation was sharp and fierce, and seemed to be very petty and unfeeling, he didn't know the general idea, but he knew very well in his heart that once the other party accepted his entrustment, he would definitely bear it to the end , That's why at this moment, he was so nervous and terrified.On the contrary, regardless of whether the other party can bear it or not, is it a bit too selfish to push such a huge burden on the other party?It was this questioning of himself that made him feel a little uneasy and a little ashamed.After a little hesitation, he finally stepped forward, stretched out his hand and patted Huang Zonghui's shoulder, and said conciliatively, "Don't cry anymore! I was just a brother, right? You shouldn't wait to talk like that. Get up, get up!" Urging so much, he tilted his ears to listen, and then said, "Listen, today is the 18th tide, I'm afraid the tide is coming up now!"
Huang Zonghui has always been obedient to his elder brother's words.This time was no exception. Although he didn't make a sound, he took a hiss of air through his nose, wiped his eyes, and stood up.
At this moment, the sound of the tide in my ears became even louder, rumbling like thunder, coming from the river one after another.When the two brothers walked up to the high place on the embankment and looked around, they found that when they left a while ago, it was still the river surface with the setting sun slanting and winding waves, but now it has completely changed.It was churning restlessly all over under the weight of the unnaturally early tide.The large "grass pond" that was originally above the water has disappeared.The surface of the river has become more vast and open.The undulating waves are like thousands of dragons in silver armor, circling in and out of the river, roaring and fighting, and splashing countless water splashes up to several feet high.And in the distance where the water and the sky meet, the turbulent tides come one after another under the reflection of the moonlight. From a distance, they seem to be rolling on a huge dark green satin. As the sparkling pearls gradually approached, the tide turned into countless galloping horses, charging soldiers, and rolling banners. Under the moonlight, it showed a mighty plain white.This scene makes people think of holiness, funeral ceremonies, mourning soldiers who regard death as their home... Perhaps it is for this reason that on the embankment, apart from the Huang brothers, although many people who heard about it have already gathered in the past half a day The tide-watching soldiers, but everyone seemed to be restrained by the majestic scene that shook the past and the present, full of grief and injustice, so that they stood there in amazement, neither moving nor speaking.
"This tide is coming up, I'm afraid it will take two hours to calm down. I'm afraid it's too late today, so you can go back tomorrow morning!" When the deafening tide subsided, Huang Zongxi turned his head and said loudly to his younger brother "However, I want to tell you that I will not give up on this. It should be known that those who make this decision for a brother, who are willing to sacrifice their lives, are not just to repay the Ming Dynasty, but also to repay the world. A role model..." He wanted to continue, but a thunder-like tide had already overwhelmed him.He had no choice but to close his mouth, and only after the sound of the tide subsided, he continued:
"Yes, we must set an example! It is because the country has perished to this point, and the world has perished to this point. It is all because the scholar-bureaucrats follow the old habits and do not think about reform and progress. To save them and uplift them, we must overcome this life-and-death situation To achieve great success, establish a great name, and then make the most of the situation, act resolutely, and reform the past. As long as there is still a breath left for my brother, I must persevere to the end, and there will be no..." Before I finished the job, I was interrupted by the roar of the tide.Huang Zongxi frowned, put his mouth next to his younger brother's ear, and shouted with all his strength: "Hey, set up an example! Do you understand?" Huang Zonghui turned around, sensitive and pale There was a look of awakening on his face, and tears glistened in his eyes.He didn't answer, just stretched out his hand and held his brother tightly.
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