The sky in early autumn is covered with a thin layer of dark clouds. Lightning flashes between the clouds, like a giant glowing snake, which is scary.
"It's going to rain."
Luo Cai stood under the eaves outside the duty room, holding a cup of tea in his hand and took a slow sip.
Inside, Liu Qing said: "Urge the scouts to find out the location of Chang'an's army."
Luo Cai said: "I have gone to urge you. By the way, there is no news from the Duke."
Yang Xuan regularly writes a letter every five days, but it has been six days since the last letter.
Luo Cai said: "Maybe there is something urgent!"
Liu Qing sighed quietly, "I am worried about the beauties in the palace."
When the news came that Yang Xuan had moved into the palace, public opinion was in an uproar. Many people accused Yang Xuan of overstepping his bounds. Liu Qing threw out a sentence: If the Duke of the country doesn't live there, how can he leave it to the man from Chang'an to serve as his palace?
The news of Chang'an's dispatch of troops was still spread within a small area, and all officials above the governor's level in Northern Xinjiang knew about it. In addition, there were the generals in the army, and those powerful men who had secret connections with Chang'an.
But the powerful people in Northern Xinjiang behaved very honestly this time. No one took the opportunity to cause trouble, and no one caused public opinion. They were as honest as quails.
Boom!
The thunder rumbled for a long time, and the raindrops finally fell sparsely.
Song Zhen raised his sleeves to cover his head and trotted over, "The Chang'an army has accelerated its march."
Luo Cai was shocked and followed him into the check-in room.
Liu Qing raised his head, "Is Dou Zhong going to serve the false emperor?"
Song Zhen shook his long sleeves and said, "Dou Weishan was the puppet emperor's confidant back then, and his son is naturally the puppet emperor's lackey. The army is getting faster and faster, which shows that Chang'an is urging them eagerly."
"Is there any news about the Southern Xinjiang Army?" Luo Cai asked.
Once these two armies join together, northern Xinjiang will inevitably be shaken. Those quail-like heroes will also poke their heads out of their nests to see which way the wind is blowing.
Song Zhen shook his head, "Shi Zhongtang is the adopted son of the false emperor, and he is most useful. He will definitely come."
"The Duke's order to expand the army is probably to deal with this matter," Luo Cai said.
"Most of the expanded army will go to the old areas of Northern Liao." Song Zhen shook his head, "To be honest, I thought the expanded army of 50,000 was still too small."
"No matter how much money you have, how can you afford it?" Luo Cai felt that Song Zhen was not a family man and did not know how expensive firewood and rice were.
"The Duke has plundered the wealth accumulated by Northern Liao for hundreds of years, and we are still short of money?" Song Zhen almost said that Luo Cai was a miser.
"Ha! Yin Luocai retorted," "Do you know how much food it costs to maintain an army of fifty thousand people every year? This does not include the pension for those who die in war. There is some money now, but the army is a gold-eating beast and has to make a fixed expenditure every year.
.In ten or twenty years, how will the money be enough?"
"Ahem!" Seeing the tit-for-tat between the two, Liu Qing coughed dryly, "The Duke said that the army would be expanded by 50,000, so that's 50,000."
"I'm afraid it's not enough!" Song Zhen said: "Once we go south in the future, 50,000 troops can be thrown into the Central Plains without even a blister."
"Mr. Liu!" A small official came in, "The envoy from Chang'an is here."
Liu Qing's eyes became gloomy, "The army is on the way, what's the point of sending an envoy here now?"
Song Zhen said: "Let's meet!"
"Let people greet you."
The messenger has just entered the city at this moment.
The seventh-grade official in official uniform raised his chin slightly and looked at it from a bird's-eye view, "A country place!"
The attendant beside him smiled and said: "No, this used to be a place of exile."
The messenger said calmly: "It seems that they shouldn't have blocked the news!"
The entourage immediately shouted around: "The Chang'an army is approaching northern Xinjiang and wants to attack Yang Ni!"
Pedestrians stopped one after another, some reined in their horses, and the horses neighed. Someone pulled the carriage, and the wheels made a loud noise.
The city seemed to freeze for a moment.
Although Chang'an has always referred to Yang Xuan as Yang Ni, the soldiers and civilians in Northern Xinjiang felt that the two sides would face a long-term confrontation and would not start a war.
In order to stabilize people's hearts, the senior officials of Beijiang suppressed the news before Yang Xuan returned to his army.
But now, I can't hold it back anymore.
The entrance of the grain store was crowded with people, and no one cared about luxury goods or goods that were not related to livelihood.
The envoy smiled and said: "This is what your Majesty wants to see."
The official who came to greet him became stern when he saw this, "Your Majesty, you are bringing trouble upon yourself."
"I'm just telling the truth."
The envoy was sure that Yang Xuan was not here and Liu Qing and others did not dare to kill him, so he maintained a high profile.
"Follow me."
Liu Qing and others have already learned the news.
"Sooner or later," Song Zhen said, "But don't tell the Duke yet!"
"No, tell him!" Liu Qing said; "Let him know."
The clerk came in and said, "Mr. Liu, the envoy is here."
The messenger came in and took a look at the three people in the lobby.
He knew Song Zhen and Luo Cai, but this was the first time Liu Qing met them.
"Say!" The three of them were sitting with no intention of getting up to greet the angel.
The envoy had anticipated this situation and sneered, "The general said that we will only kill Yang Ni this time. If others turn against him, they can atone for their sins."
"So you are Dou Zhong's envoy." Luo Cai asked, "What if I refuse?"
The messenger looked at him and said, "Then the clan's execution is not far away!"
Clan execution is a method used to deal with extremely evil criminals.
Luo Cai smiled and said, "I'm looking forward to it."
The envoy looked at Song Zhen.
"Remember to tell Dou Zhong to sharpen the knife to avoid cutting his throat when he kills himself," Song Zhen said.
"hehe!"
The envoy knew that Liu Qing was Yang Xuan's most loyal confidant, so he did not go to see him and said, "Well, let's see you on the battlefield."
The messenger turned around.
"Wait a minute!"
Liu Qing spoke.
The Tang Dynasty had been established for hundreds of years, and it had already been deeply rooted in the hearts of the people. As expected, these traitors were still afraid... The envoy slowly turned around and said reservedly: "What else is there?"
Liu Qing said: "You made a lot of nonsense after entering the city. If I don't deal with you, it will appear that there is no one in our northern border. If someone comes, they will drive him out of Taoxian County with random sticks!"
"How dare you!" The messenger pointed at Liu Qing and wanted to yell angrily.
call!
A stick was struck on his shoulder from behind, and the messenger howled miserably, turned around and ran away.
"Old thief Liu Qing, when the heavenly soldiers come, you will not escape death, oh!"
The messenger's miserable howl faded away.
In the lobby, the three of them were silent.
The sound of footsteps was heard, and an official came in and said angrily: "People are rushing to buy food."
"For this day, the Jiedushi Mansion has made preparations." Liu Qing said calmly: "A lot of food has been prepared. The people buy it and store it. If you buy too much today, you will buy less tomorrow. If you leave it, it will not
Disappeared into thin air.”
"The key is the human heart." Luo Cai said quietly.
"The Duke is here, and the people's hearts are there!" Song Zhen said categorically: "Defeat the Shegu people, and the people's hearts in Northern Xinjiang will naturally be at peace."
He looked at the silent Liu Qing and said, "Mr. Liu, what do you think?"
"6 From the day I learned that Chang'an sent a large army, I felt the mighty force of the storm. All this was like a huge wave. I am ready to receive the blow. What are you waiting for?"
Liu Qing looked at the two of them, "I swear to the death to protect the Northern Territory for the Lord!"
Song Zhen said: "I can still kill the enemy!"
"I'll carry the arrows for you!" Luo Cai stretched out his hand.
Song Zhen stretched out his hand.
Liu Qing stretched out his hand.
Three wrinkled hands were raised.
Tap gently.
"Crack!"
"How long has it been and mosquitoes are still so rampant!" Yang Xuan swatted a mosquito to death and felt his palms were a little moist.
Thunder rumbled outside.
"The Duke."
The voice of the chamberlain came from outside the door.
"What's the matter?"
Yang Xuan got up and got dressed.
"Mr. Han, I would like to see you for something."
It's still dark, what's going on?
"Come in."
The door opened, and people from the inner palace rushed in.
"No need to bother."
Yang Xuan had already put on his clothes, but someone had to help comb his hair, "Let Han Ji come."
"yes!"
After a while, Han Ji came in.
"My lord, the Shegu people are out, and the vanguard is marching towards Linluo City."
"Fall back!"
Almost without thinking, Yang Xuan said, "Let our people retreat."
This is an arrogant enemy.
"The Beiliao people in the city are a little uneasy!" Han Ji looked serious, "They are a little scared."
"What are you afraid of?" Yang Xuan was confused.
"The Shegu people are very wild. Whenever they break the city, they will definitely burn, kill and loot." Han Ji looked at Yang Xuan, "If the Duke of Luo City withdraws his troops, what will the people in the city do when faced with the Shegu people who are like wolves and tigers?"
"What does it have to do with me?" Yang Xuan said lightly.
"I know that the Duke is dissatisfied with foreigners, but this is the world!" Han Ji bowed.
Linluo City.
Colonel Feng He stood on the top of the city, watching the scouts returning in the distance.
"Captain, half of the scouts are missing!" said the person next to him.
"I saw it," Feng He said. The Shegu people were fierce, and the scouting battle was particularly brutal.
"Colonel." The scouts entered the city. The leading team was on the top of the city and said: "The Shegu people's forward is approaching."
Feng He has more than 2,000 men under his command. "Linluo will cause the enemy's head to bleed with blood!"
"Is Captain Feng He here?"
At the foot of the city, more than ten sergeants dismounted.
"The captain is up there!" Someone pointed to the top of the city.
A sergeant came up quickly, "Who is Colonel Feng He?"
"That's it, I am." Feng He turned around.
Under the dark sky, the sergeant saluted, "The Duke ordered the troops to withdraw!"
"What?" Feng He was startled. He wanted to withdraw his troops before he even accepted the fight. What's the difference between this and running away?
A sense of humiliation made him ask: "Did you make a mistake?"
The sergeant took out the document and said, "This is the document."
"I'll take a look."
Feng He took the document, looked at the sergeant with sharp eyes, then opened the document, lowered his head...
The hand suddenly exerted force, and the joints turned white.
The paper deformed, Feng He raised his head, took a deep breath, suppressed his grief and anger, and said, "Withdraw!"
The defenders began to withdraw.
The people in the city were panicked, "Colonel Feng, where are you going?"
Feng He looked at the people, pain flashed in his eyes, "The enemy's forward is approaching, I... evacuate."
He concealed the word "obey orders".
Immediately, a burst of curses broke out from the crowd.
"The dog thief, seized the city and showed off his power, and fled when the Shegu people came!"
Some cursed and some begged the defenders to stay.
"The Shegu people are cruel and easy to kill, please stay!"
Feng He looked at these people. Although they were foreigners, during the garrison, he had already regarded these people as northern Xinjiang people.
"Walk!"
Feng He closed his eyes and let the war horse take him out of the city.
"Captain Feng."
The city was filled with cries and cries.
Deji is on his way home.
He was intercepted many times along the way, and each time he relied on his identity as a messenger to avoid trouble.
"The atmosphere of war is very strong!"
Deji smiled.
"We will win!" Suiyi said confidently.
"Yes!" Deji said: "It's just such an opportunity, if you miss it, the Shegu tribe will be ruined forever."
A group of northern Xinjiang scouts came from the front, and saw Deji and others approaching quickly.
"I am an envoy from the Shegu tribe. I just came out of Ningxing."
Deji raised his hands to show that he was not hostile.
"Documentary."
A team was riding out, and Deji noticed that his eyes were fierce, as if filled with sadness and anger.
Why is this?
Deji handed over the document, which had a seal on it.
The captain read it carefully, handed the document back, and said formally: "Let's meet on the battlefield!"
Deji smiled, "That's easy to say."
He didn't understand where the captain's anger and grief came from, but at first glance, those sergeants were all the same.
What happened?
After walking a few miles, we saw a long dragon.
"It's the common people!"
The attendant was stunned, "Why is this?"
People were rushing on their way in panic. When they saw the Shegu people behind Deji, some even shouted for help.
The escorting sergeant from the Northern Xinjiang Army came over on horseback. Seeing the anger in his eyes, Deji immediately took out the document and said, "I am a messenger."
The sergeant checked the paperwork and raised his head, "Although I want to kill you right now, military discipline is in place. Let's meet on the battlefield!"
What happened?
Deji looked at the people.
The people looked at them with fear in their eyes, but after seeing the Northern Xinjiang Army sergeants, they turned into trust and attachment.
Deji was shocked and raised his hands: "May I ask why you migrated?"
The sergeant sneered, "Those beasts are coming."
Deji made some calculations, and it was almost time for the striker to arrive.
The troops in northern Xinjiang had too few horses and had no choice but to evacuate, but they took the people with them.
The common people regarded them as savage beasts, but regarded the Northern Xinjiang Army as their benefactors.
When this public opinion swept the north, even if the Shegu tribe captured Ningxing, they would be left with an empty city or a city full of fear and hatred.
Changes must be made, Asibao!
Deji gritted his teeth and said, "Goodbye!"
He galloped on his horse until he reached the tail of the migrating dragon. The cavalrymen of the Northern Xinjiang Army behind him looked resolutely into the distance behind them.
Smoke appears in the distance!
"The Shegu people are coming!"
Some people screamed.
Suddenly, the crowd became restless, calling their children or driving their carriages.
More than ten cavalrymen came on horseback, led by Captain Feng He. He looked at the smoke and dust and said: "Let the people abandon everything and run!"
The brigade commander next to him said: "You will be hunted down!"
"We are here!"
Feng He's eyes were firm, "The Duke once said that as long as taxes are paid, then these people are Northern Xinjiang people. We, the warriors, eat their food and wear their clothes. At this moment, we should sacrifice our lives to repay them!"
He pulled out his horizontal sword and looked at the enemy troops appearing in the distance.
"More than five thousand!" someone whispered.
And here, it's just over two thousand.
Moreover, the enemy's large army must be behind.
Feng He looked at the panicked eyes of the people and pointed his sword south: "Let's go!"
The people ran in panic.
"Assemble!"
Feng He shouted.
His subordinates gathered behind him.
"Today, I am invincible!"
Feng He raised his sword high and said, "We are the Northern Xinjiang Army!"