Dawn of the Empire

Chapter 349 Prosperity and Withering Different Flame and Coolness (3)

Zhou Yu pondered and asked: "If everyone has their own opinions, how can we judge who is right?"

Zhao Xingde nodded approvingly, instead of answering directly, he asked instead: "The moon is covered by dark clouds tonight, tell me, will it rain tomorrow?" It is said that the strong north wind may have blown away the clouds that night.Zhao Xingde asked several people around him next to each other, and said with a smile: "Right now I have my own opinion, although it is difficult to tell right from wrong, but tomorrow, it will be clear who is right from wrong."

Everyone's faces were stunned, but Zhou Yu was not reconciled, thinking that Zhao De was playing tricks, but he heard him say again: "Just now, everyone guessed whether it was sunny or rainy, and I explained some reasons earlier. Foretelling the celestial phenomena, God It is helping us to verify right and wrong every day, so one and two, two and three, day after day, in addition to the celestial phenomena, it can also be verified that which of the reasons everyone said is true and which is false, This kind of reasoning has accumulated over time, and it is not difficult to predict the celestial phenomena." He paused, looked at a few Han soldiers who were thinking, and said with a smile: "To untie the bell, you must tie the bell. The principle of all things, Come from all things. The principles of the world come from the world. People’s hearts may be different, but the principles are the same.”

Zhou Yu nodded, but someone beside him said, "General Zhao, if the barbarians want to rob us, let's do it with him. What's the point?"

Zhao Xingde said with a smile: "It's still the same sentence, the truth on the battlefield, you can find the answer on the battlefield." He looked at the soldiers who were sad, and said: "The right is more helpful than the wrong. It's not just kidding. For example, in our city, you all know a thing or two about the arrangement of artillery positions and the principle of firing, and when you go to battle, don't you get more help from those who have the "Tao"?" He said so, and many Han troops They all laughed.In the past, these people never thought that a few thousand soldiers could withstand the siege of 20 Liao troops and cause heavy casualties to the opponent.This battle was fought happily, if there is a "god" to help, this "god" is probably the "reason" that General Zhao said.

"General Zhao, the so-called "Tao" does not mean "morality"?" someone asked.

Zhao Xingde shook his head, pondered and said: "Maybe so. However, it is best to talk about Tao and morality separately. The Taoist, the principle of the cycle of heaven and earth, those who follow it will prosper, and those who go against it will perish. It is absolute. Just like four seasons have permanence, heat, coolness, prosperity and withering. If you plant spring crops in winter, it is not in season, and you will inevitably fail. Virtue means that people follow the way of heaven and do things. The so-called "matching the sky with virtue" is Also. This "morality" and "Tao" are quite different. "Tao" is pure truth, but "de" is mixed with human deeds. There are Hu people's 'virtue', but the Tao is universally applicable. The so-called 'morality matches the sky' means that whoever's words and deeds are in line with the heavenly way will have the greatest chance of winning." He paused for a while. He paused and said in a deep voice, "The big mistake in modern times is to only talk about the virtues of the monarch and his ministers, father and son, and not to talk about the way of the world and human relationships. Therefore, if the so-called high talents and handsome feet sit down and talk about the way, they only pick up the wisdom of others, such as the valley of Taicang, Chen Chen Xiangyin is a pity."

As he was talking, he looked up at the person who asked the question, but it was Tong Yunjie, the deputy guard of the city.He didn't know when he came in, his eyes showed a look of admiration, and he said with emotion: "Listening to the king's words is better than reading ten years of books. General Zhao, "In ancient times, morality was the focus, in the middle ages it was resourcefulness, and today it is competition." Strength.' Tong finally understood the meaning of this sentence."

Zhao Xingde's eyes moved slightly, and he followed his words: "If there is a huge difference in morality, morality can win. If morality can't tell the difference, then wisdom can win. Wisdom can't tell the difference, then strength can win. Just like two armies fighting, First use artillery, then bow and crossbow, and finally swords and soldiers. If the opponent does not have artillery, then the first battle is almost lost, and there is no need to fight later."

Tong Yunjie nodded, and said in a deep voice, "Exactly." The two laughed at the same time, feeling a burst of joy in their hearts.Some of the Han soldiers agreed, and some were thoughtful. Tong Yunjie still didn't want to say anything, so he turned to ask these soldiers: "Our army has learned the way of artillery and firecrackers, and can shoot the enemy from a long distance, but if we haven't loaded it yet It's easy to shoot 'ammunition', and the enemy will bully you, what should we do?"

When asked suddenly, everyone hesitated, only Zhang Yan slapped the bed board and said loudly: "Damn, get stabbed with a gun—" As soon as he spoke, he realized that he was the only one who said it again, and he paused hesitantly. The last one "" "Ah" came out.

"Exactly!" Tong Yunjie said with a smile, "The Dao is invisible, and it is not limited to established methods." He nodded approvingly to Zhang Ting, looked around at the Han army, and said in a deep voice: "The way of heaven is on our side, but now is the way to go up." Time to stab!——The Han army will surely win!"

His words completely aroused the morale of the Han army present, and everyone shouted loudly: "Shoot!" "The Han army will win!" "The Han army will win!" "Shoot!" !” Finally, this deliberate imitation of Zhang Ting’s voice caused another burst of laughter.Although Zhang Ting was a little embarrassed, he was happy in his heart. After all, he 'shown' his face in front of the two generals again.

Zhao Xingde and Tong Yunjie walked out of the clean room. He looked up and saw a Han soldier standing at the highest point of the city wall, holding torches in both hands, as if holding two small flags. The two torches slowly and continuously drew big circles. shape.Beside the Han army, two sergeants each took a pair of binoculars and carefully searched for any light spots on the distant sea.

Tong Yunjie's face darkened slightly, and Bing said: "It's been ten days, and there is still no response."

Zhao Xingde said in a deep voice: "Don't stop, keep trying. Navy usually doesn't sail at night, but even if there is a chance, it will allow us to contact the outside." Tong Yunjie nodded.During the day, the thick smoke created by the Liao army obscured the sight of the city, and the semaphore connection with the navy at sea was always interrupted.Not only is the news isolated, but it also makes Nanshan City more like an isolated city.From that day on, Zhao Xingde sent people to use torches instead of flags every night to send semaphore signals to the distant sea... In the mansion of the commander of Tieshan Island, Zhang Liuge, the commander of the Han army navy, was reporting to Han Ningshuang that the sky around Nanshan City was covered by thick smoke On the [-]st, although the Han army navy could not see the specific situation clearly, they also knew that the Liao army was attacking the city during the day.Another fortress in Guannan, Suzhou, Tieshan Fort was built on a high mountain, with towering and precipitous terrain, and even more cliffs on the side facing the sea. blown away.

"I don't know whether Nanshan City is safe or not, and how many casualties are there for the defenders?"

While thinking about it, Han Ningshuang asked, "Is Old General Lu okay?"

"Very good," Brother Zhang said with a grin. "The Khitans have been attacking Tieshan Fort for several days. We are a place where only one man guards the gate and ten thousand people cannot open it. It is so easy for them to take it." Old General Lu said , the number of Liao dogs killed these days is at least two or three thousand. He also asked me to take care of Marshal Han, saying that you will take good care of the tables and chairs in the marshal's mansion, even the flowers and plants. Just wait a while At the beginning of spring, the sea ice melted and drove away Liaogou, so I welcome you back to the Marshal's Mansion."

"That's good," Han Ningshuang frowned slightly, flustered for no reason, "thank you, General Lu, for me. Let him take care of himself. Also, Liaogou spent a lot of effort besieging my Suzhou commander's mansion, with 20 troops It is not easy to return without success. Let the old general be careful of Liaogou's tricks. Also, the Liao Kingdom's [-]-jin iron barrel gun is very powerful. You must prepare more earth, stone, wood, rice milk, etc. in the fort, in case the city wall breaks , it must be repaired immediately, and Liaogou must not let it take advantage of the loophole."

Brother Zhang Liu agreed with a smile.Tieshan Fort is the residence of the commander-in-chief. When it was built, it was not as simple as Nanshan City, and the terrain was much more steep.Since the Liao army can't attack Nanshan City with all its strength, it is even more unlikely that something will happen to Tieshanbao, which is under the eyes of the navy every day.However, Han Ningshuang's words, he would still bring them word for word.

"Can I go to sea at night?"

"Huh?" Sixth brother Zhang was taken aback.

"Can the navy's ship go to sea at night?" Han Ningshuang asked in a deep voice, "I think that during the day, the Liao army used thick smoke to block the view of Nanshan City, but at night, it may not be so. If torches are used instead of small flags, maybe it can be compared with Exchange news within the city." When the two armies engage in combat, the most important thing is to know the enemy and the enemy.Nanshan City is now the hub of the entire battle.Whether it is the situation of Nanshan City itself or the situation of the main force of the Liao Army that is besieging Nanshan City, it is very important military situation.

The entire southern battlefield is extremely vast. The Liao Kingdom camped in the south, some of them besieged the two fortresses in Guannan, some were stationed in coastal prefectures and counties to guard against the Han army's sneak attack, and some sent troops to the north to harass.The Han army also had [-] to [-] troops scattered on nearby islands, recuperating and waiting for opportunities.However, the success or failure of Nanshan City is the key to success.If the Liao army cannot capture Nanshan City, the sea ice will melt, and the gates of Guannan will be destroyed, and the Han army will make a comeback.If the Han army could not defend Nanshan City, then the Liao army would have grasped the gate of Guannan in Suzhou, and the army could drive straight in at any time, while the Han army would be completely expelled from this area.

There are reefs all over the coast, and it is very dangerous to sail at night.After hesitating for a moment, Sixth Brother Zhang still replied: "No problem." He stood up and said in a deep voice: "The last general will steer the helm himself. Now go to sea and try to contact Nanshan."

It was the darkest time before dawn, at the head of Nanshan City, the Han army had changed five times, and the last one holding the torch, his arm was so sore that it seemed to be taken off.Looking at this person in the distance with binoculars, his eyes could hardly be opened. Suddenly, he thought he was hallucinating.The stretch of ice was glowing with a faint light, and the sea in the distance was dark, like the mouth of a monster, and the waves could hardly be seen.But in this thick darkness, a bright spot like a firefly appeared, shaking, shaking, as if someone was waving.

"Yes..." The Han army stood there all night, his throat was already dry and hoarse, he coughed heavily, and said loudly in great surprise, "There is news, it is the navy, and the navy is contacting us! Our People!" He almost forgot that it was night, so he put down the binoculars and waved his hands at the fluorescent light in the distance.