dognovel Chapter 107 Zhang Cheng, the Fence-Sitter
Chapter 107 Zhang Cheng, the Fence-Sitter
鹤壁的城门在晨曦中缓缓开启，仿佛历史的卷轴轻轻翻动，迎接着一场波澜壮阔的变局。五万宋军，铁骑轰鸣，尘土飞扬，浩浩荡荡地涌入这座古城，他们的到来，如同春风拂过沉寂已久的土地，带来了生机与希望。
这不仅是军力的展示，更是宋金两国“微妙默契”下，战略版图的一次微妙调整。宋金两国在一番“友好协商”的序曲后，悄然北撤至邯郸以北的辽阔地带，将邯郸以南的广袤土地，以一种近乎仪式的方式，重新归还给了宋国的怀抱。
However, most of the cities that the Song army obtained were empty. Most of the original local people had been forcibly relocated to the north by the Jin people, leaving only some old, weak, sick and disabled people.
理论上而言，安阳城及其辖下的汤阴县城，应当在这份和平的馈赠中安然入宋，沐浴在皇恩浩荡之下。然而，世事如棋局局新，自从李振以一己之力，将两度携旨而来的宋国使者友好的地打出城外后，这片土地便仿佛被时光遗忘，既无官方的直接管辖，也少了些世俗的喧嚣。
Anyang City still stands quietly in the long river of history, its mottled city walls telling tales of past glory and vicissitudes; Tangyin County, like a lost pearl, is nestled in the embrace of Anyang, waiting for new stories to illuminate its brilliance.
Zhang Cheng gently picked up the delicate porcelain teacup on the table, took a leisurely sip, and then a look of approval flashed in his eyes. He said gently, "Brother Li, the tea here is truly extraordinary. The aroma is so enchanting and lingers in the air. I once specially sent someone to Lin'an to find the legendary finest tea, but no matter how exquisite the brewing method, it was impossible to reproduce the unique elegance and mellowness of this tea. It is truly a masterpiece."
言罢，他轻轻放下茶盅，目光中满是对这方小小茶室的留恋与赞叹，仿佛每一缕茶香都承载着深厚的情谊与不凡的雅致，让这平凡的一刻，也变得格外温馨而意味深长。
李振轻抬玉手，又为张城那已半空的茶盏细细斟满，茶香袅袅间，他笑意盈盈地道：“张知府大人，您平日里政务繁忙，犹如星辰运转不息，今日怎得闲暇，莅临寒舍共品香茗？真是蓬荜生辉。说来也巧，方才府中仆从自城外青山狩猎归来，竟有幸捕获一头林间灵鹿，其肉质鲜美，世间难得。此番际遇，恰逢大人光临，实乃天作之合，正午时分，我们便可一同品尝这山林间的珍馐美味，也算是不负此良辰美景了。”
见李振故意岔开话题，张城一脸苦笑着开口了：“唉！为兄知道要论刷心眼我根本就不是你的对手，这样我就直话直说了。鹤壁的王大人昨天又派人到安阳城了，他说你这里拒不归属大宋，让我特意来劝劝你，免得这汤阴城的百姓跟着遭殃。”
Li Zhen smiled and said to Zhang Cheng, "Actually, I knew what you were going to do and say as soon as you arrived. We are not outsiders. Here, I would like to give you a piece of advice, Brother Zhang. There will still be conflicts between the Song and Jin kingdoms, and Anyang and Tangyin, as the front line of the conflict, will naturally not be spared. I think it is better to follow the Jin kingdom all the way to the end than to surrender to the Song kingdom, so as to avoid being massacred by the Jin people."
“李贤弟这意思是要继续效忠金国？”
“哈哈哈...非也。我谁也不想效忠，如今这乱世，去做那墙头草和马前卒，还不如想办法发展自己的实力，然后在这方世界中寻求一个立足之地。”
Seeing that Li Zhen had made up his mind, Zhang Cheng said no more and simply remained silent.
At midday, the two sat around the campfire, enjoying the freshly roasted venison. The meat was tender and fragrant, and paired with the mellow Erguotou liquor, every bite seemed to dispel the lingering chill of winter and awaken the vibrant life of spring.
As spring deepens, the midday sun shines down, bathing the earth in a golden glow—a truly warm and inviting time.
或许是因为二锅头的热烈太过诱人，几杯下肚，张城的脸颊渐渐泛红，言语间多了几分不羁与豪放。最终，在亲随们略带笑意的目光中，他略显踉跄，被细心地搀扶上了马车，车内垫着柔软的皮毛，仿佛是为这微醺的午后特意准备的温柔怀抱。
马车缓缓启动，车轮碾过细碎的石子路，发出有节奏的声响，与远处偶尔传来的鸟鸣交织成一首春日午后的小曲。张城半倚在软垫上，闭目养神。
As the carriage slowly drove away from the hustle and bustle of Tangyin City, and the dust settled, another magnificent carriage quietly arrived, like an uninvited guest, gracefully blending into the receding scenery.
待张城的座驾稳稳停驻，他轻轻撩开车厢的垂帘，步伐稳健地踏出了车厢。
At this moment, although Zhang Cheng's cheeks still had a few blushes from the wine, like the evening glow gently caressing the sky, his eyes were unusually clear, showing no signs of drunkenness.
Zhang Cheng stepped into the antique-style carriage, its somber atmosphere exuding an air of authority. The dim light inside seemed to reflect his complex emotions. A deep, resonant sound, like the echo of an ancient bell, reverberated through the small space.
"That kid, could it be that he still harbors reluctance to submit?"
He slowly knelt on the gleaming wooden planks made of fine wood, his back ramrod straight. A barely perceptible hint of helplessness and determination flashed in his eyes as he replied in a deep voice, “Reporting to my lord, I had a long conversation with Li Zhen today, from dawn till dusk. His unwavering character cannot be easily swayed by words. Li Zhen remains steadfast in his beliefs, going his own way and refusing to be moved by power. Although I tried my best to persuade him, even resorting to reason and emotion, I ultimately failed to change his mind. On the contrary, he even advised me to continue serving the Jin Dynasty. I am incompetent and have failed to fulfill your request, my lord. I am willing to accept punishment.”
After he finished speaking, a brief silence fell inside the carriage, with only the occasional sound of horses' hooves and the whisper of the wind through the woods coming from outside.
此刻，车内之人缓缓步出，步伐中带着几分长途跋涉后的沉稳与不为人知的深沉。
This man was none other than Qin Hui, who had just returned from the Jin Kingdom. His figure was elongated in the afterglow of the setting sun, as if carrying a secret and hardship unknown to others.
宋高宗赵构为探明老皇帝是否在汤阴的真相，他密令秦桧带领手下的皇城司人员前来调查，看看老太监王成的消息是否准确。
Qin Hui walked up to Zhang Cheng, each step seemingly meticulously calculated, neither hurried nor hesitant, displaying the composure and authority of a high-ranking official. His eyes were deep, as if they could see into people's hearts, and as if they held a thousand thoughts, making people afraid to look directly at him.