The news of King Liu Kai's death was known only to the Zhang Yi brothers, the King's three most loyal adopted sons, and Xiao Liu's five sisters.
According to the previous arrangement, Liu Zhu led a thousand Yulin troops, changed their banner to the New First Army, and stationed themselves at Guanyin Tower. Before the arrival of the enemy, an indestructible military base would be built here.
Zhang Yi also allocated 10,000 new troops and handed them over to the command of General Liu Zhu. The total strength of the new army now reached 11,000. Priority was given to the deployment of the best weapons and armor to form a strong combat effectiveness.
According to tradition, Xiaoliu should stay in front of the spirit for seven days and seven nights, wear hemp and mourning, lie down in his clothes, and burn incense and offer sacrifices every morning, noon and night.
The tomb is spacious and located on the top of the mountain, so no one will notice it.
When the foreign enemy invaded, Zhang Yi had no way to keep vigil, so he had no choice but to cry, kowtow, and say goodbye to Xiaoliu. The couple said goodbye reluctantly, exhorting each other to make the brothers and sisters who were watching beside him heartbroken.
Since ancient times, it is difficult to have both loyalty and filial piety, but Xiao Liu said, Brother Yi, you killed Wu Rui and the Tsar, which is the best consolation for your father, and you have done your utmost to be filial.
Zhang Yi nodded with tears in his eyes.
…
In the square outside the palace, a swearing-in ceremony was held.
Zhang Yi, Xiaolong, Xiao Han, Niu Ben, Liu Zhong and Liu Cheng and other dozens of generals stood on the high platform, looking at the vast military formation in front of them.
There are eight thousand warriors in Mopan City, each of them mighty and majestic.
Thirty thousand wolf cavalry gathered together densely.
The sun-moon-star flag, the regimental dragon flag, and the battle flags of each legion fluttered in the wind.
Countless people are watching around, cheering for China's most elite athletes.
The sound of war drums was like thunder, the sound of trombones resounded through the sky, and the roar was thrilling.
The supreme commander Zhang Yi waved his hand, and everything fell silent.
Zhang Yi shouted, and his powerful voice spread throughout the audience.
"Wu Rui betrayed China and brought thieves into the house. The Tsarist Empire is coming fiercely and wants to annex the magnificent mountains and rivers of China. Everyone, we are the barrier of the mountains and rivers, and we are the shields of the people. We must make it impossible for the enemy to come back and kill them. Don’t stay!”
The soldiers raised their arms and shouted.
"Kill! Kill! Kill! Long live my king, charge bravely!"
The crowd was passionate and their arms were waving like waves. Zhang Yi believed that this army would be able to create brilliant achievements.
Zhang Yi resolutely pulled out the Chinese Dragon Bird Sword, which shone dazzlingly under the morning light. The soldiers and civilians cheered excitedly. This was the sword of King Liu Kai. With this sword, the king unified the fragmented northwest.
Now, the sword has been passed on to his beloved son-in-law Zhang Yi, who is both wise and brave, and will surely create miracles.
"Obey the Lord Chief Assistant's orders!"
"The Chinese Dragon Bird Sword is invincible in the world!"
"For the sake of your king and your family, we are willing to shed our blood!"
The soldiers shouted and swore one after another, and their will was as firm as iron.
Zhang Yi shouted, pointing his knife to the north.
"Everyone, the king is watching us. Our parents, wives and children are waiting for news of victory. Let me wait and fight the enemy bravely!"
"Ho! Ho! Ho!"
The soldiers waved flags and shouted, Niu Ben and Xiao Han mounted their horses, and led the Mopan City warriors towards the north gate with high spirits.
Zhang Yi stepped down from the high platform and stepped onto Jueying. Xiaolong, Anu, Yue Yaer, Song Laohei, Zhang Ping'an, Li Guaizi, Hu Tiejiang and Qiao Dayou all paid him military salutes.
My sworn brother is about to go on an expedition again. Unfortunately, everyone has important responsibilities and cannot accompany him. It is a pity for everyone.
Thousands of words and various feelings are condensed into a sacred military ceremony.
Zhang Yi clasped his fists at everyone, and then turned back to look at the Guanyin Tower. Poor beloved wife Xiaoliu and her sisters were standing in front of his father's soul. At this moment, his parents were looking at him from the sky, and Xiaoliu's heart was with him.
Under the morning light, the Guanyin Tower was covered with a layer of glow. Zhang Yi couldn't help but smile, and his eyes instantly became moist.
He turned his head, bent down and touched Jueying's neck. Jueying could feel his master's thoughts. He raised his front hooves and made a long cry before striding forward.
Thirty thousand wolf cavalry followed in an orderly manner, followed their commander, and went to kill the invaders.
The sound of horse hooves trampled the ground, and shouts rang out again in Chang'an City.
"Long live my king, charge bravely!"
…
At this time, Xiao Liu stood on the Guanyin Tower and looked through the telescope.
She could see clearly, her eyes always stayed on her husband.
"My sworn brother has gone off to war... He will definitely return victorious... Parents, please bless my husband and give him greater wisdom and more strength..."
Xiaoliu murmured to herself, tears rolling down like pearls. Her eyes had become red from crying, and her whole body had become haggard. Otherwise, she would have gone to see her adopted brother off.
It wasn't until Zhang Yi led the army away and disappeared into the distant mountains that Xiaoliu, with the support of her sisters, returned to the mausoleum to continue keeping vigil.
…
Zhang Yi had a strong connection in his heart. He knew that Xiaoliu would definitely stand and look out from a high place, and he also knew that Xiaoliu would definitely pray for him.
"Liu'er, there's nothing to worry about, they're just a bunch of stupid thieves!"
Zhang Yi said in his heart.
At this moment, his brain was extremely clear and his whole body was filled with surging power.
He touched the jade seal of the Kingdom hanging on his waist, the treasure of the Chinese Emperor.
Only the strongest person is qualified to possess this seal, and only the person who can lead China to prosperity is worthy of the four words "Emperor of China".
Yes, Zhang Yi will be the Emperor of China. This is an honor and a responsibility.
Jueying ran forward vigorously. It grew up with its master and was no longer afraid of the flames of war and gunpowder smoke.
On this expedition, Zhang Yi brought two brothers, Niu Ben and Xiao Han, as well as twenty old Chinese generals.
After Xiao Han completed the planning, he could transfer the task to Hu Tiejiang. But Xiaolong couldn't escape, and many affairs had to be handled by him personally. After Zhang Yi left Chang'an, he gave Xiaolong the power to take charge of military and political affairs, and to work in Mopan
The city is the same.
Xiao Han must participate in the mountain ambush battle. The 2,000 Cheetah Regiment soldiers he leads are the key to this ambush mission. The soldiers have brought ropes, shovels and other items and are fully prepared.
In addition, there are Shi Gandang who retreated from the northern front line, and Wang Zheng who came to support later, both of whom are responsible for their own actions.
Zhang Yi was full of confidence in this ambush.
Tens of thousands of horses galloped on the mountain road, kicking up huge dust clouds, and kept running until they reached the northern end of Ziwu Ridge at five o'clock in the afternoon and saw the deep valley called Xiaofengchuan.
Zhang Yi ordered the entire army to stop and rest.
He led Niu Ben, Xiao Han and other generals to climb a mountain, where they could see the topography of a hundred miles in radius, a typical Loess Plateau.
There is a desert to the north, and across the desert is the northern defense line. To the east and west are insurmountable mountains, and this deep valley is the only way to go.
Putting down the telescope, Zhang Yi said.
"General Niu Ben, please arrange for 2,000 wolf cavalry to build a stone wall at the northern entrance of the valley."
The generals were surprised and puzzled. What was the purpose of building a stone wall in an ambush?