Yiyang City was once the location of the palace of the State of Zhao during the Warring States Period. For a long time, it was also the second political center of the State of Zhao after Handan. It was established as a county in the Western Han Dynasty. As time went by, this former Qin and Han Dynasty
The important city of Zhao State gradually became an ordinary county town, with only the terraced bricks and tiles left on the outskirts of the city, which seemed to tell the story of Yiyang's past.
At this time, Geng Gong was leading hundreds of troops toward Yi Yangjin. This group of thieves seemed to be defeated and fleeing, but most of them were disguised by Xiao Tang, Wei Dingguo, Hua Rong, and Xue Yong, as well as elite sergeants selected from each battalion.
They pretended to open the gate of Yiyang City, and then Suo, Shan Tinggui and other generals followed Geng Gong and others from a distance. They waited for the gate to open and then led their elite cavalry to enter
.
Before that, Geng Gong told Xiao Tang in detail about the situation of various copycat strongmen under Zhang Di, including Dong Cheng and Shen Ji from Fenglong Mountain in Zhending Prefecture on Heyi North Road, and Fan Yuming from Lin Lushan in Xiangzhou.
Yu Deyuan, Gu Kai; Liu Hui, Zhu Jing, Shi Ding, Wucheng from Moushan, Xiangzhou; Weng Kui, Ye Sheng, Dai Mei from Fushan, Cizhou, etc.
On the Hedong Road, there were Weishengjun Li Tianxi, Zheng Zhirui, Xue Shi, and Lin Xin from Tongtianshan; Taiyuan Prefecture Xiongling Zhang Xiong, Xiang Zhong, and Xu Yue; Gaizhou Mishan Wang Ji, Shi Jing, and Qin Sheng; and Longde Prefecture Feihu.
Zhai Zhongliang and others.
Among them, Liu Hui from Hebei and Li Tianxi from Hedong are the most powerful. Now the southern Hebei army is shrinking its defenses. Most of the bandits are gathering in Mingzhou, Linming and Cizhou. The only ones stationed in Yiyang City are Weng Kui and Ye Sheng.
, 3,500 troops led by Dai Mei.
According to the official history, Zhang Di, who gathered a crowd in Mingzhou, Hebei Province, and Tian Hu, who was born in Orion County, Qinyuan County, in the Hedong Weisheng Army, one of the four major bandits, both gathered green forest strongmen from Hedong Road, Hebei Province, to separate themselves.
Xiao Tang didn't know what kind of intersection Zhang Di and Tian Hu would have had in the original trajectory of this world. Judging from the current situation, most of the people in Zhang Di's Southern Hebei Army Alliance were minions of Tian Hu's subordinates in the Water Margin.
However, the most important information he learned from Geng Gong was that Xiao Tang confirmed his suspicion that the mighty man who had rivaled him, Suo and Hua Rong that day was indeed Bian Xiang, whose martial arts could rival those of the Five Tigers of Liangshan.
No matter from the book or from that encounter, Xiao Tang had a very good impression of Bian Xiang. When the puppet Jin army was retreating steadily, Tian Hu, who was fierce and in trouble, panicked and discussed with his subordinates to defect.
Go to the Jurchens, this Bian Xiang stood up and rebuked everyone. Compared with the rebels and thieves who would surrender to foreign countries to be tortured if their rebellion failed, it can be seen that this Bian Xiang had great integrity. Later, he fought hard against Shi Jin, Hua Rong and others in Liangshan
The hero was unable to resist the two armies in Mianshan and was captured. At this time, Tian Hu's power was gone and Bian Xiang was unable to support himself. This defeat can be regarded as a crime not committed in war.
And that time when Bian Xiang showed off his might near Weicheng, his mountain-opening ax was irresistible regardless of its strength or skill. In terms of martial arts, it was definitely comparable to Lu Da, Wu Song, Wang Huan, Sun An, etc. that Xiao Tang had seen.
Everyone is a first-class person.
Listening to what Geng Gong said, Bian Xiang and his brothers were arrested by the government because of the local tyrants who exploited the villagers, and broke the village to open warehouses to benefit the people. They were not allowed to do so, so they surrendered to Zhang Di... Based on this alone...
, Xiao Tang planned to do everything he could to protect Bian Xiang. As long as he could persuade Bian Xiang to help the army to suppress Zhang Di, and Xiao Tang had handled the previous lawsuit, it would not be difficult for Bian Xiang to be pardoned. But... this
How can Bian Xiang surrender?
When Xiao Tangwu was thinking to himself, he and Geng Gong and others had arrived at the foot of Yiyang City. They saw that the city entrance was densely covered with flags, and there were a group of thieves waiting in formation. One of the leaders shouted: "Stop! Where did you come from!?"
"Mr. Geng, you must be careful and don't show your flaws." Xiao Tang whispered beside Geng Gong.
Geng Gong nodded in panic and shouted outside the city: "I am Geng Gong, the guard of Quzhou County. When Quzhou fell, I led my troops to break out. Along the way, I searched for our scattered brothers from the Southern Hebei League. Hundreds of people ran all the way." At this point, let me enter the city quickly!"
After hearing this, the leader of the city guard hurriedly reported to Ye Sheng, the leader in charge of guarding the city. Ye Sheng went up to the tower, looked down carefully, and saw that it was Geng Gong himself. Some of the thieves on the city also recognized the leaders around Geng Gong. There was no mistake, Ye Sheng smiled and said: "Let him in!"
Ye Sheng then shouted to Geng Gong: "You are lucky! Your brothers Dong Cheng and Shen Ji thought you died in Quzhou County, so sad! Now they are also in the city, so they can meet you. Teach them to be happy!"
"What!?" Geng Gong's face changed. He didn't expect that Dong Cheng and Shen Ji did not go directly to see Zhang Di after they were killed, but instead stayed in Yiyang. Geng Gong wanted to clear his name and surrendered to the government. He rebelled against Zhang Di without hesitation and fraudulently opened the gates of Yiyang City, but now he had to betray his former sworn brother in person, which made Geng Gong a little embarrassed to face it.
Xiao Tang knew that Geng Gong was in the Water Margin with Dong Cheng. Geng Gong died successively in Huarong, Liangshan, and when Dong Ping was in charge, he did not see any resentment from him, but immediately joined the crusade. No matter he deceived the city to lead the way, or handed over the fields I have done my best to find out the details of Tiger and other matters, and now I am not worried that he will change his mind at the next moment. I just warned him by his side: "I am sleeping with the thief, or I can restore your innocence. This is just one move."
Geng Gong's face was gloomy and he nodded dully. At this time, the city gate had been opened and the suspension bridge was lowered. Xiao Tang, Wei Dingguo, Hua Rong, and Xue Yong led the crowd and rushed in, immediately leaving Geng Gong behind. At the city gate. When the thief saw it, he opened his mouth and cursed: "What are you doing? A bunch of cowards! Are you brave enough to be killed by the army?"
Suddenly, a group of army horses flew out of the forest outside the city. They took the lead and shouted: "Yiyang City is destroyed!" As soon as the thieves in the city reacted, Xiao Tang and other soldiers who had crashed into the city had drawn out their weapons and started to attack the thieves together. Caught off guard, dozens of people were cut down in an instant, and the city gate was lost!
As soon as Ye Sheng walked down the stairs from the city tower, he saw that the "friendly troops" entering the city were suddenly in trouble. He hurriedly pulled out his sword and was about to resist, but he didn't expect Xue Yong behind him to rush over and take advantage of his unpreparedness. The gun knocked him down!
The rest of the thieves in Yiyang City heard the strange noise and formed groups to fight. Wei Dingguo led a hundred fire soldiers who rushed into the city to seize the key entrance, threw fire oil cans and sprayed fire phosphorus gourds. The fire suddenly started and killed groups of thieves. It was so hot that I cried for my father and mother, and ran away with my head in my arms!
The thief general Dai Mei led more than 200 horses towards the city gate. He saw flames raging on the left and right sides of the city gate. Countless of his men were covered in fire, howling and rolling around. In the middle of the road, an officer among the army was brandishing a gold-dipped axe. , has led hundreds of cavalry into the city and is charging towards him!
Dai Mei gritted her teeth and fought with Suo. Suo danced with his big ax like a tiger, but Dai Meiqiang had resisted for more than ten times and was in extreme embarrassment. Dai Mei gritted her teeth and stabbed Suo with all her strength, but Suo turned sideways. Avoiding it. When the two horses crossed each other, Suo took advantage of the situation and swung his ax downwards, blood spurted out, and Dai Meilien and his horse were immediately cut into four pieces!!
In Yiyang City, Dong Cheng and Shen Ji came to report that Geng Gong and his remnants had arrived at Yiyang City. Dong Cheng was overjoyed and said, "Haha! God has opened his eyes. My brother Geng Gong is not dead!" When he and he When Shen Ji was in a hurry to meet Geng Gong, he heard loud killing sounds at the city gate, and many bandit soldiers broke up and fled.
"What's going on? How could the army break through Yiyang City so quickly?" Dong Cheng was frightened and angry, and he was about to rush towards the city gate with his sword and horse.
Shen Ji hurriedly grabbed the reins of Dong Cheng's war horse and said: "Brother! Look at this posture, I'm afraid Yiyang City will also fall into the hands of the army! Now there are only you and me, how can we resist it?"
"You have to block it even if you can't!" Dong Cheng's eyes were bloodshot and he roared angrily: "Weicheng, Quzhou, Yiyang... I've run away enough! I'd rather die like a dog than be a bereaved dog. Man!! Not to mention Brother Geng Gong is dangerous, how can we abandon him again!?"
Shen Ji looked miserable and said: "Brother...Although Geng Gong is our sworn brother, you also know his temperament. As soon as Geng Gong arrived, the army attacked the city, I'm afraid he... .”
Dong Cheng waved his hand violently, interrupting Shen Ji, and said angrily: "It is even more important to understand this! If he is demoted to the government, you and I will not go to hell with those treacherous rats. If he is not surrendered, you and my brother All three of them die together!"
Before he finished speaking, Dong Cheng clamped his legs and rode out straight away. Shen Ji was stunned for a moment, then made up his mind and followed Dong Cheng towards the city...
"Stop fighting! We are willing to surrender!!" Weng Kui, the only remaining leader of the bandit army in Yiyang City, shouted loudly. After hearing this, his subordinates also dropped their weapons and knelt down one after another. When Weng Kui saw The city gate has been lost, and both Ye Sheng and Dai Mei have also died in battle. Although there are still more than 2,000 people in the city, if they want to fight to the death, many officers and soldiers can be killed before the whole army is annihilated, but that will not happen. What's the use? Why not surrender in advance? Isn't this a great achievement?
When Xiao Tang saw Weng Kui dismounting from his saddle and kneeling on the ground, he thought that this man was also capable of scheming. However, because of this, he, Wei Dingguo, and Shan Tinggui's battalions would not suffer any more casualties. But right here. At that moment, Xiao Tang heard someone shouting angrily: "I won't surrender!!"
The imperial officers, soldiers, and bandits all looked over and saw Dong Cheng and Shen Ji, riding horses not far away. Regardless of the thousands of soldiers and bandits in the city, they were the only two at this time. He glared at Xiao Tang angrily, but there was no hint of desolation or killing.
Dong Cheng saw Geng Gong next to Xiao Tang, his eyes were about to burst, and he cursed: "Geng Gong, you are a thief! So you are really a wolf-hearted person? You are so ungrateful! I am so blind that I treat you as a brother!" I wish I could cut your heart out and disembowel you to see what a black heart you have!!"
Geng Gong's face was pale, his lips trembled slightly, and it took a lot of effort before he opened his mouth and said: "Brother Dong... I really never thought about harming you... But the army is powerful... I just want to live... ....”
"Bah! You greedy and fearful bastard!" Dong Cheng spitted a mouthful of thick phlegm, then pointed at the thieves kneeling on the ground and surrendered in the city, and cursed crazily: "You are all eggless too. What a coward! There are ruthless and corrupt officials in power, I just wish I had fewer kills! How can I go all the way with you idiots, it’s just one death, how afraid is it!?"
"Dong Cheng, how long will you continue to be arrogant?" Xiao Tang rode out on horseback and shouted in a deep voice: "You only care about rebellion and rebellion, but have you ever thought about what your brothers think? You kill people and set fire just to feel happy for a while, and this world has been ruined. If you kill a few more corrupt officials, will there really be peace?"
Dong Cheng scolded angrily: "You are a dog slave who is working with a dog official! Why don't you pretend to be a good person! I stand upright and am a reputable man! It's not like you, a despicable villain, who colludes with traitors like Geng Gong." You are a dog thief who abandons his righteousness and ruins the lives of heroes! Even if I am dead, I still dare to argue with him with my chest raised in front of King Yama! Because I have never betrayed my loyalty in my life!"
"What kind of loyalty do you have!?" Xiao Tang shouted: "Justice means integrity and righteousness, and spirit means righteousness! To support the right path, loyalty is everywhere, to serve the country and the people, and it is the righteousness of a chivalrous man! You are using the name of loyalty without excuse. Right and wrong, you are causing harm to the country and the people, yet you are still self-righteous and shameless! Although there are corrupt officials at work, breaking bones and sucking out the marrow and squeezing the people, you keep talking about loyalty, but you can do a hundred times more harm to innocent villagers than a dog official!"
Dong Cheng pouted and said angrily: "My surname is Xiao. I am a good man who fights in the world. I am too lazy to fight with you. It is a waste of words! In Wei City, you and I have not seen victory or defeat. If you still have a few Do you have the guts to fight me again? Or are you still a coward and just ask your minions to take action!?"
After hearing this, Wei Dingguo, who was beside Xiao Tang, sneered, "What a tough guy! How dare you be so arrogant! Now that you are besieged by a large army, and you still have to fight one on one, how can there be such an easy thing?"
But Suo was impatient and said to Xiao Tang: "Prisoner Xiao, why don't you let me take down this fellow!"
"Since Dong Cheng wants to fight me by name, how can I ask you to do it for me?" After Xiao Tang said this, he drew his gun and shouted to Dong Cheng: "Since you think you are a man, I will follow the rules of the world with you. , come to an end!"
"You are a good guy. Relying on your reputation as a knight in the famous palace, I, Dong Cheng, can die in your hands without losing my reputation!" Dong Cheng looked determined, and then looked back at Shen Ji behind him. Then he said: "Xiao, if I'm lucky enough to win even half a move, you must spare my brother's life! Just take my head!"
After saying that, Dong Cheng turned his horse and rushed forward. The two horses crossed each other. The gold-chiselled tiger-headed dragon tooth spear in Xiao Tang's hand and the wind-splitting knife in Dong Cheng's hand intersected with each other, making a deafening sound. Dong Cheng's knife was powerful and powerful, and for a while The fight with Xiao Tang was indistinguishable.
Under the watchful eyes of thousands of people, Xiao Tang and Dong Cheng had been fighting fiercely for more than fifty rounds. Hua Rongjian's eyebrows were slightly furrowed. He held a slim gold magpie-painted bow in his hand and stared straight at the battle situation. If Xiao Tang was in any danger, he would He would immediately shoot out an arrow and kill Dong Cheng. Over there, Shen Ji looked pale and clutched the spear tightly in his hand. Even if he wanted to help, the situation in front of him attracted many officers and generals to take action. Dong Cheng will be implicated.
However, it was said that Dong Cheng was determined to die, and he slashed at Xiao Tang like a mad tiger with a desperate fighting style, which made Xiao Tang very difficult for a while. But when Xiao Tang gradually adapted to Dong Cheng's fierce attack, his own The spear skills gradually came into play, and the spear shadows like a rain of pear blossoms were forced towards Dong Cheng layer by layer, causing Dong Cheng to have three more wounds on his body.
The two fought for another twenty or thirty rounds. Dong Cheng, a reckless and violent warrior who relied solely on preemption, was gradually losing the upper hand. His blood was surging and his heart was restless. The situation gradually became chaotic. Xiao Tang was making camp step by step, and when he was dancing with his spear to counterattack, he suddenly recalled the moves performed by the veteran general with high spear skills when he was sparring with Wang Huan that day. Xiao Tang shook his hands, and the spears were layered. Immediately, he pressed down the barrel of Dong Cheng's Pofeng Dao with a "stick gesture" in the stick technique, and then thrust the gun out with all his strength!
A fountain of blood surged up, and Dong Cheng's throat was scratched with a deep wound by the gold-chiselled tiger head and dragon tooth spear. Dong Cheng's eyes protruded, and he said intermittently in a hoarse voice: "There is a scar as big as a bowl on my head... Eighteen years later ...I am still a good man..."
"Brother!" Shen Ji howled miserably when he saw Dong Cheng being killed by Xiao Tang. Before Xiao Tang could say anything, he stared at Geng Gong coldly and said, "Brother Geng Gong, this is the last time I call you brother." !Since you and I are sworn friends, I will give you my head and wish you a prosperous career in the future!"
After Shen Ji said that, he turned the gun head and stabbed his own throat fiercely! He fell off the horse and his eyes were wide open when he died! Geng Gong stretched out his hand to scream, but he stopped. His eyes were dull and his face was gray. Defeated, he sat slumped on his horse like a living dead.
Xiao Tang saw Dong Cheng and Shen Ji staring at death, and they couldn't help but let out a long sigh. Although people in the green forest rivers and lakes have their own sense of right and wrong, this Dong Cheng is indeed a brave man who is not afraid of death and would rather break than bend. They all felt that they had lost an honorable defeat and died a free and easy death, worthy of the world. Under the conflict of ideas, Xiao Tang could only fight to the death with such strong men in the green forest.
But how many people like this will we face in the future?