Destroy Jin and conquer Song, and carry the Northern Expedition through to the end

Chapter 521: Striking the oars and swearing to fight against the current

Seeing Xin Qiji's puzzled expression, Zhang Xiaoxiang explained, "Last year, I was unemployed in my hometown of Wuhu."

Mr. Yu Hu’s Yu Hu is another name for Wuhu.

At this point, Xin Qiji nodded suddenly and said, "I remember who you are. You are Mr. Zhang from Wuhu. You once visited my army to entertain them during the Jingnan Campaign!"

Zhang Xiaoxiang smiled and nodded.

In fact, when Aligua's troops of the Wuping Army of the Jin Dynasty seized the pontoon bridge, crossed the Yangtze River and occupied Dongcaishi, Zhang Xiaoxiang, who was in Wuhu, knew that things were going to go wrong and hurriedly organized militia to take it back.

However, Liu Huai acted faster. He quickly led his elite cavalry south and, after joining forces with the defeated Huaixi army led by Yu Yunwen, he directly killed the number one Meng'an of the Wuping army.

Although Zhang Xiaoxiang organized a militia, he ultimately had no place to use them and could only take them and carry food to entertain the troops.

Yu Yunwen certainly had great respect for this fellow top scholar, but the Jingnan Army was fighting the Jin Army across the Yangtze River, and commanders such as Liu Huai and Xin Qiji had no time to have in-depth exchanges with local gentry. At most, they would have a quick banquet, build relationships with each other, and make some promises.

Later, when the Jingnan army crossed the Yangtze River and captured Dongguan Chao County to cut off the Jin army's retreat, it set out from Wuhu City, and Zhang Xiaoxiang also made great contributions.

It can be said that since the Battle of Cai Shi, Zhang Xiaoxiang has been doing logistics work on the second line. Although he has never been on the battlefield and has no fame, he is still an indispensable member of the war.

As a member of the pro-war faction, Zhang Xiaoxiang originally had a great liking for Zhang Jun. However, after watching heroes such as Liu Huai, Yu Yunwen, Xin Qiji, Cheng Min, and Li Xianzhong fight a strategic battle with the main force of the Jin army in Yuchao County at close range and engaging in head-on combat, the young prime minister's thoughts changed to a certain extent.

This is what a man should do!
This is the right way!
You talk about wanting to fight every day, but can you recover the lost territory and return to your homeland just by talking?

When the news came that Wanyan Liang had been captured alive in Chao County, Zhang Xiaoxiang was overjoyed and wrote this famous article that will be remembered throughout the ages. After helping to clean up the aftermath of the battlefield, he personally came to Jiankang.

Who is Zhang Jun? I won’t pay a visit to such a guy with high aspirations but low skills. If I want to meet someone, I’d rather meet a real hero!
Because Zhang Xiaoxiang had set a good example, these scholars soon began to write poems to express their true feelings and were determined to launch a northern expedition to recover the Central Plains.

This is the commentary on the trend among scholars. As for the effectiveness, it may be great or small. In the political environment of Song State, the leaders of serious cases would be killed, and the prime ministers they supported would also be deposed and exiled.

Typical examples are Chen Dong who was killed by Zhao Gou during the Jianyan period and Li Gang who was exiled.

When the atmosphere of the literary gathering became lively, Xin Qiji and others started chatting with Zhang Xiaoxiang.

However, after just a few greetings, Zhang Xiaoxiang's words shocked Xin Qiji again.

"Commander Xin, do you think I can become a prefect or even a magistrate in Shandong with my abilities?"

Zhu Xi and Chen Liang were stunned. Yang Neng paused for a moment with his pen, and after leaving a blot of ink on his lapel, he began to write quickly again.

After a brief moment of astonishment, Xin Qiji shook his head and laughed, "Mr. Zhang, you're joking. With such great talent, how could he not be a prefect? But I can't believe that Mr. Zhang, a distinguished official of the imperial court, a talent worthy of being a prime minister, would want to seek an official position in Shandong."

Zhang Xiaoxiang shook his head and laughed, "Xin Wulang is wrong. After experiencing the Jin invaders' invasion of the south, I finally understood a truth. Fighting the Jin and recovering our homeland is not something we can accomplish in Jiangnan. Naturally, we must go to the front lines of the battle against the Jin invaders."

"I want to ride the wind, strike the oar and sail in the middle of the stream. I want to emulate Zu Ti and strike the oar in the middle of the stream. If I don't cross the river north and instead take a position in the court south of the Yangtze River, won't my ambition become a joke?"

What is the most important thing when you are out there in the world?
Of course you have to come out first!
Zhang Xiaoxiang spoke frankly, revealing the attitude of a top scholar-official.

Zhu Xi and Chen Liang looked at each other and saw the excitement in each other's eyes.

For a moment, Xin Qiji could only secretly exclaim in his heart, "What a guy!"

One of the tasks Liu Huai assigned him was to find and win over some reliable local officials for Shandong.

In the past few days, Xin Qiji had really put in a lot of effort and fooled several pro-war scholars, but he never expected that Zhang Xiaoxiang, who was known to be the hope of the world, would actually take the initiative to go to Shandong to serve as an official.

Even Zhu Xi, who was originally hesitant about whether to continue his studies, became eager to try.

However, Xin Qiji did not agree immediately, but became a little hesitant.

There is no problem with Zhang Xiaoxiang's ability or talent, but it is difficult to judge whether this is a means for the Song State to firmly control Shandong.

What should we do if the State of Song directly interferes in Shandong’s military and political affairs and gives random orders?
However, Xin Qiji immediately put aside these random thoughts.

You can't refuse at this time. As for what kind of person Zhang Xiaoxiang is, introduce him to Liu Huai and let Liu Dalang worry about it!

"In that case, I will introduce Liu Huai to Liu Dalang on behalf of Zhang Xianggong." Xin Qiji immediately nodded and agreed: "As for the official position in the Song Dynasty..."

Zhang Xiaoxiang shook his head and laughed: "That's fine, I naturally have some connections."

The two men smiled at each other and confirmed that they were comrades. Then Zhang Xiaoxiang immediately made another unexpected move.

"Second Brother Yang, stop writing and have a drink." Zhang Xiaoxiang personally filled a glass of wine and placed it in front of Yang Neng, which made him feel flattered.

Although Yang Yi Zhong held a high position and great power, he was a lucky person. Everyone was just afraid of him and awed him, but did not really admire him.

If he had the ability to win the support of the people, the ministers of the Song Dynasty would not have asked for the execution of Yang Yi Zhong to show their loyalty.

As the second son of Yang Yi Zhong, Yang Dian's identity is naturally somewhat transcendent.

But on the one hand, Yang Yizhong had a sinister temperament and knew that the honor and disgrace of people like him depended on the government, so he brought up his family very strictly and would never let his children and grandchildren do anything wrong.

On the other hand, Yang Shen had a calm personality, knowing that he was just an average person, and that he could live a peaceful life with an official title in the court. He never expected that he would be treated so politely by a prime minister like Zhang Xiaoxiang.

"Thank you, Mr. Yu Hu." Yang Neng took the wine glass and was about to raise his head to drink it, but he immediately remembered that there were words on his collar. He was afraid of staining it, so he took small sips.

Zhang Xiaoxiang nodded with a smile, "I heard that the emperor intends to let the Prince of Tongan take charge of Lianghuai. I wonder what you think, second brother?"

Yang Dan quickly shook his head: "This is a national matter. How can I, a junior, have any say in it?"

Zhang Xiaoxiang said earnestly, "This is both a national and a family matter. The Prince of Tongan has the potential to be the top commander in the central government, but his achievements are not evident, making him a castle in the air. If we don't seize this opportunity, how can we subdue the foreign generals like Cheng Min, Li Xianzhong, and Wu Lin?"

By that time, when the central government declines and is looked down upon by external generals, it will no longer be a matter of just one person's honor or disgrace.

Moreover, your Yang family is also a famous and prominent family. How can you not want to have a prosperous and prosperous future for your descendants? How can you not want to expand your family's reputation?"

This statement is very straightforward, but also a bit alarmist.

The system of the Song Dynasty was not like that of the Tang Dynasty where the military governors had control over financial, administrative and military power. How could it be so easy to despise the central government?
But these words were enough to fool Yang Shen, and Zhang Xiaoxiang's words about county status also touched Yang Shen's heart.

It should be noted that Yang Yizhong's throne could not be inherited, and the Yang family's hometown was in Gang County, Daizhou, which is today's Dai County, Shanxi. Yang Yizhong was also a northerner, and without the support of his clan, the family declined after two or three generations.

For the sake of the country and the family, Yang Tan had no choice but to pay attention to it.

"Mr. Zhang is a wise man in the world. Do you have anything to teach me?"

Zhang Xiaoxiang pointed at Xin Qiji and said, "Lianghuai and Shandong are one. Today, I am offering you a gift to help you two connect. I will hold a banquet in Jingkou someday. I hope Brother Yang will do me the honor."

Although the words are obscure, the meaning is clear.

If Yang Yizhong becomes the Jianghuai Envoy, he will have to send his confidants to control various places and cooperate with Shandong. It is better to establish relationships and get familiar with them now than to cram at the last minute.

And Zhang Xiaoxiang was willing to be the political broker.

Xin Qiji, whose initiative was taken away from him, kept holding the wine glass, saying nothing, but just secretly looking at Zhang Xiaoxiang.

Could this guy be an assistant secretly befriended and sent by Liu Huai or Lu You?!

How do you do what you want to do?

Originally, Xin Qiji wanted to contact the generals of the Palace Front Division through Yang Tan, but the difficulties were self-evident.

Foreign generals are making friends with the imperial guards. What do you want to do?
It is very likely that as soon as the topic was raised, Yang Dan would report it to Yang Yi Zhong. After Yang Yi Zhong became alert, he would definitely start to guard against it strictly. By then, Xin Qiji might not even be able to participate in the literary meeting.

But it is different now.

No matter what Zhang Xiaoxiang's purpose was, as long as he proposed it, there would always be some room for buffer.

Yang Dan naturally did not dare to make decisions on his own regarding such a major matter. He simply cupped his hands and said, "Mr. Zhang, I cannot make the decision on this matter. I hope you can give me some time while I go back and explain to my father."

Zhang Xiaoxiang had no objection and simply raised his glass: "Zhu Sanlang, Chen Dalang, do you have any good poems or two at today's poetry gathering?"

Chen Liang smiled awkwardly and said nothing.

Zhu Xi, however, laughed heartily, unconcerned. "I did have some, but after hearing your poetry today, Guoan, it was instantly swallowed up. I'll drink three cups as punishment."

Zhang Xiaoxiang also laughed and nodded at Zhu Xi: "I think you are just craving for wine!"

"Xin Wulang, do you have any other masterpieces?"

As he spoke, Zhang Xiaoxiang looked at Xin Qiji with anticipation.

Yang Dian and others also slowed down their breathing a little, waiting for his masterpiece.

In fact, when Xin Qiji saw the Beigu Tower where the banquet was to be held, two poems immediately appeared in his mind. They were very appropriate and both were related to the Beigu Tower.

However, he thought that most of the tasks assigned by Liu Dalang had been completed, and he might be able to return to Shandong soon. Then he suddenly thought of his brothers who were still fighting in Shandong, and then thought of the intrigues in the Song court, and the heroes who died on the battlefield between Song and Jin.

At that moment, a hundred kinds of feelings surged into Xin Qiji's heart at the same time, and a beautiful poem came out of his mouth.

It is:

The Chu sky stretches a thousand miles across in spring, the water flowing with the sky, spring boundless. Distant peaks and distant views, offering sorrow and hatred, jade hairpins and snail buns. Sunset over the building, amidst the cries of geese, a wanderer from the south. He glances at the Wu hook, pats the railings, yet no one understands his desire to ascend.

Hugh said that the bass is worthy of the west wind, and Ji Ying has not returned?Ask Tian to ask her home, fearing that she should be ashamed, Liu Lang is talented.It's a pity that the fleeting years, sorrowful wind and rain, the tree is still like this!Who calls Qian, red scarf and green sleeves, tears of heroes!
Zhang Xiaoxiang was stunned for a moment, not sure if he was struck by the poem. After a long while, he put down his empty wine cup and said with a wry smile, "It clearly describes the splendor of spring, but it also has the bleakness of autumn. Xin Wulang is clearly a young hero, but his poem conveys the air of an old man who has experienced many hardships. I hope Wulang can cheer up and not be so depressed."

Xin Qiji bowed and said, "Mr. Zhang is indeed a man of great insight. However, seeing the decline of state affairs and the turmoil in the world, I cannot help but feel deeply worried."

Zhu Xi also shook his head and lamented repeatedly.

Yang Dan picked up the pen again and began to write quickly on his lapel.

Damn it, I can’t say that my “Collection of Jiankang Literary Masters” can surpass “Wenxuan”, but it must be better than “Collection of Heroes ...
(End of this chapter)