The sunset is like fire and the mountain breeze is blowing.
The pungent smell of blood filled the canyon, with howls, screams, and bursts of crying. The desolate valley was like purgatory at this moment, with corpses, broken limbs, scattered weapons everywhere, and the surviving prisoners paralyzed.
Sitting on the ground, eyes dull, motionless.
Even the usually bold and courageous Zhu Tou looked nervously at the Hanzhou Army rushing down the mountain, worried about their next fate, and it was obvious that his courage was broken by the killing.
On a hillside, Qin Huaidao's attention was in the north, in Yuegong City.
Luo Wu came in a hurry and said in a deep voice: "Uncle, the prisoners confessed that they were Shule people. They came here when they learned that our army was attacking Shuangqu. When the troops were withdrawn, Yue Gong City was still fighting. They said that both sides suffered heavy casualties. Now,
They didn't know what the situation was. The 10,000 people behind were from the Wu Lei tribe, and they were ordered to go there by the Turkic Jin Account. They were used as cannon fodder. Of the 20,000 people, 10,000 were killed in the battle, and the remaining 10,000 were injured, so they were considered remnants.
, returned."
"Wulei tribe?" Qin Huaidao was a little surprised.
Luo Wu quickly explained: "Wulei was also one of the thirty-six countries in the Western Regions during the Han Dynasty. Later, it was destroyed, leaving only one tribe. Twenty thousand people are the entire tribe's strength. Once all of them are killed in battle, the tribe will face the risk of being annexed.
But they deserve it."
"How dare one tribe support 20,000 people to go up? What do you think?" Qin Huaidao was a little surprised.
"How can a small tribe dare to resist? They can only obey. Maybe they also want to take the opportunity to make great achievements, gain recognition from the Turkic Golden Horde, and restore the country again." Luo Wu said with a smile.
Qin Huaidao took out the map and looked at it. He found that the Wu Lei tribe was located in the southwest corner of Shule, not very far away. Since he dared to send troops, he should be punished no matter what the reason. He immediately shouted: "Since it is a remnant army, it does not have much fighting power. The messenger cow
Shizan destroyed them and avenged the soldiers of Yuegong City."
"Understood." Luo Wu quickly sent someone to deliver the order.
…
Minzhou, on top of the city.
Xue Zhi looked at the dark imperial army in front of him with a cold face and solemn eyes.
Two days ago, a caravan of aristocratic families entered Qinzhou, but in the middle of the night the city gates were opened to welcome the imperial army as they marched into the city. Qinzhou changed hands again, and all the Hanzhou troops stationed there were killed, leaving no one alive, and then they rushed to Minzhou.
.
Xue Zhi never expected that the imperial court would suddenly take action and do it in such a ruthless manner. This was a complete break with the King of Han. Was he not afraid of being uprooted and destroying the Tang Dynasty?
A young general came over in a hurry. Xue Zhi turned to look over and asked in a low voice: "Can you find out which caravan it is?"
"Uncle, I found out that they are from the Tang family in Hanzhong. When the King of Han built the road, they were responsible for providing food. They cooperated for a long time, so Qinzhou's food was also provided to them. I didn't expect to betray them. I heard that those who escaped
It was said that a banquet was held that night and the guard was invited to eat, but the guard did not refuse due to feelings and a certain degree of trust. He did not show up again after that. The army was leaderless, so the city was destroyed."
"Hanzhong Tang clan? Aren't you afraid of annihilation?" Xue Zhi's tone was a little colder, and he looked at the imperial army outside the city again. The total number of troops was definitely not less than 100,000, and the garrison in the city was only more than 10,000. Even if the people were organized,
Even if you help, you won't be able to defend it for long. Once the city is defeated, you will definitely die.
This battle is very difficult to fight!
The young general hesitated for a moment, but couldn't help but asked: "Uncle, the King of Han is currently campaigning against the Turks. If he learns that Qinzhou is lost, will he withdraw his troops and fight back? If he does, he will miss the great opportunity to regain the Western Regions. The court obviously also saw this.
A little bit, so sending troops is really damned. What do you think of Chang'an? Are you not afraid of digging your own grave? "
"It's too late to know, it's too far away, but there's no need to worry. There is still a British Duke in Tuyuhun. We will definitely not sit idly by when we receive the news. All we have to do is defend the city and wait for the British Duke's army to arrive."
"I'm afraid that the British father-in-law will receive the news too late and miss the time."
Xue Zhi comforted him: "Don't worry. Although the King of Han didn't say anything, I'm sure the King of Han has his own intelligence network. Maybe reinforcements are already on the way."
"Dong dong dong!"
Suddenly, there was a roar of war drums from ahead.
Xue Zhi shouted in a deep voice: "We are about to take action. Hurry up and mobilize your troops to go up to the city wall and bring all the crossbows. We must knock down the momentum of the imperial army, otherwise the morale of the army will be difficult to stabilize."
"Understood!" The young general hurried away.
Not long after, a man and a horse rushed over from the front, reined up their horses at the foot of the city wall, and shouted: "I have come here with the order of the Holy One, and let Xue Zhi come out to answer."
Xue Zhi was a little surprised. The imperial chariot from Chang'an went on an expedition? Did he have such courage? He shouted: "I am Xue Zhi, please tell me if you have anything to say."
The other party shouted: "The Holy One has an order. As long as you open the city gate, you will be made a general of virtue, and you will be promoted to the next level. Everyone in the Xue family will be rewarded, otherwise you will be responsible for the consequences."
Xue Zhi was originally a Zhonglang general, who was lowered from the fourth rank. General Guide was lowered from the third rank. It is a hurdle to reach the third rank. Moreover, the title can be advanced to one level. This reward can be considered sincere.
But the sincerity is not great, let alone a declining and empty court not worth following. Xue Zhi sneered: "What are the consequences? Tell me, do you want to kill my entire Xue family? Then you have to go to Hanzhou."
The other party shouted in a cold voice: "General Xue, don't worry. In addition to the reward, the court will also reward you with a hundred thousand pieces of silver, ten thousand acres of fertile land, a mansion in Chang'an, and ten beauties. Minzhou will also be guarded by you. How about that?"
"Fight if you want. Don't use your family's tricks to humiliate me." Xue Zhi shouted angrily.
"There is nothing in this world that cannot be negotiated. It's just that we don't have enough chips. What do you want? As long as it's reasonable, I will agree to it on behalf of the Holy Father. Otherwise, if a hundred thousand troops come to press you, you will definitely die."
Xue Zhi sneered and said: "Why, showing kindness has turned into intimidation? I joined the army at the age of fifteen, led people into Tubo territory at the age of sixteen, and killed more than ten Tubo scouts with my own hands. After that, there were countless battles, big and small. What kind of corpses are there?"
I have never been through the mountains and seas of blood, will I be afraid of you as a sour scholar? All generals will obey the order."
"have!"
"Whoever shoots him will be rewarded with a penny!"
"Hahaha, here comes someone!"
One of the archers laughed, unfurling his bow and nocking an arrow.
"You dare to humiliate me?"
The other party was furious and only rewarded me with a penny. How disrespectful was he? But when he saw someone approaching with his bow drawn, he was worried about being killed, so he quickly pulled his horse and turned around.
"Don't run away if you have the guts!"
"Hahaha!"
On the top of the city, the soldiers laughed loudly. The Minzhou border gate was stationed by the border troops. The border troops were not government soldiers. They had been dealing with Tubo for many years. They were used to life and death and had very strong combat effectiveness.
The visitors hurriedly retrieved the formation, and not long after, a large army pressed forward, with many people carrying ladders and posing as if they were preparing to attack the city.
"Boom, boom!"
Suddenly, the roar of horse hooves came from the other side, which was deafening.
Xue Zhi turned around in surprise and saw a huge cavalry roaring towards them, holding a flag with the word "Xu" and someone holding a flag of "Hanzhou Army".
The sudden appearance of the cavalry scared the imperial army back, and the cavalry also stopped, threatening the imperial army's flanks.
A general rode up to the city wall and shouted: "But General Xue?"
"Who are you?" Xue Zhi asked in surprise.
"Dong Wu, the commander of the cavalry division under Commander Xu in the eastern theater of the Lower Hanzhou Army, was ordered to lead his troops to provide support first. Commander Xu himself will lead the army and will arrive soon, tomorrow afternoon at the latest."
Xue Zhi shouted in surprise: "So fast? I thought it would take a few days."
"Commander Xu received the news as soon as the imperial army was dispatched and sent me here. Unfortunately, it was too late and Qinzhou was lost. Fortunately, I caught up with you."
Xue Zhida sighed. Although he had guessed that there was an intelligence network, he did not expect that the intelligence network was so efficient. No wonder the reinforcements could arrive in time. He was determined in his heart and shouted: "Thank you British Lord for me. With your support, I will be more confident."
If you stay on guard until tomorrow, may your army need more food and fodder?"
"The food and grass are all ready, thank you for your concern." Dong Wu said, pulling his horse and heading towards the formation.
The cavalry who suddenly appeared looked at him with eager eyes, and the imperial army was dumbfounded.