Jin Yi's expedition was imminent, and Xinyue led Bai Lu and other maids to pack their luggage one by one. Because the autumn and winter in the northwest were colder than the capital, they added a lot of cold clothes and ointments, etc., and finally connected them. The two large boxes were handed over to several attendants who were accompanying them as personal guards, and they were repeatedly told. The old lady passed that they went to talk a lot, and then let the people leave.
Jin Yi went to say goodbye to the old lady. These old ladies are getting sicker day by day, but they still cheer up and teach Jin Yi some words, which are nothing more than words to protect the family and the country and make achievements. Jin Yi listened to these words since he was a child, but at this moment, he still answered them one by one patiently. Then the old lady said again: "The battle is hard and dangerous. You should take care of yourself in the long run. Grandma hopes that you will triumph, and that you will return safely."
Jin Yi was slightly touched, looking at the old grandmother who was covered in silver threads before autumn, and said, "The grandson is not filial and can't serve you by your side."
The old lady knew that Jin Yi's "unfilial piety" had a meaning beyond words. Over the years, she did not give up trying to get Jin Yi to marry again, but it was all in vain. Now that the only grandson is about to go to war, there is not even a mistress left in the mansion, and her side is more and more empty. But at this moment, although the old lady had resentment in her heart, she didn't want to make Jin Yi feel uneasy about leaving, so she comforted him: "With the new moon here, Yan'er is getting more and more sensible now. You don't want to be on the battlefield. Miss your family, come back after the war and do your duty as a grandson and father."
Jin Yi kowtowed three times to the old lady, turned around and left, returning to Fangmanting.
There is a picture hanging by the bed in his bedroom. A year ago, Zhou Chengyan met a new jinshi who had also entered Beijing to take the exam earlier, but did not have the title of the Golden List. At that time, he befriended Fu Ming, who was still unmarried, and made good friends with him. Later, when the man returned to his hometown, he gradually broke up with Fu Ming. Unexpectedly, when he returned to the capital, he was already separated from the old man. By chance, he met Zhou Chengyan and gave him a painting. In the painting is Fu Ming, who is seventeen or eighteen years old. Later, the painting came to Jin Yi's bedroom. Jin Yi hung it by the bed, and he could see it when he closed his eyes and opened his eyes. Over the past year, he was used to talking to the painting. Although he occasionally went to Fu Ming's tomb, facing the desolate tomb made him feel no more cordial than facing a painting. It seemed that this person was still at present, looking at him tenderly, although silent, but affectionate.
"Yexin, I'm going to go on an expedition to Liangzhou in the northwest. You probably haven't been there before. When I come back, I'll tell you about the war and the local customs. This time, I wanted to take you with me. But I don't know what the result will be, and secondly, it's not as comfortable as the capital. So, I still think it's better for you to stay. You stay at home and wait for me to come back. This way I have more thoughts and will definitely expel the enemy bandits as soon as possible. , come back early."
Jin Yi left his most nostalgic glance and strode away.
Zhao Yan sent him out of the house. After all, the eight-year-old boy is still a child who has not fully grown up. Although he has tried his best to hide it, the reluctance and worry in his eyes are still visible.
Jin Yi patted his still immature shoulder, "You are skilled in diligence, but not in play. When I come back, I will check your homework and test your martial arts. Don't slack off."
"Yes, father. Yan'er will not disappoint you." Zhao Yan raised the old wooden sword in his hand.
Jin Yi took him into his arms, tightened it tightly, and patted him on the back: "After I leave, you are the only man in the family, you are their support, be stronger."
Zhaoyan hugged Jin Yi back, "Okay, father."
Jin Yi let go of Zhaoyan, and Zhaoyan also let go, "Wait for Dad to come back, I'll make a real sword for you!" After Jin Yi finished speaking, he took the whip and the reins from the servant's hand, turned over on his horse, and stepped on this year's capital in the capital. The first batch of yellow leaves left home.
Going west, there are many mountains on the way. The flags and flags meandered in the mountains, and the sound of horse hooves and footsteps echoed in the valley, but no human voice was heard. Jin Yi was strict in governing the army, the army was clean and tidy, and the military discipline was unequivocal.
Before the reinforcements arrived, Jiang Yisun had to lead the remaining soldiers to resist desperately, vowing to coexist with the fortress.
On this day, after another fierce battle, it was almost dusk, the setting sun in the sky was like blood, reflecting the river of blood on the ground, and the afterglow was wiped on the ancient and vicissitudes of the city wall.
The night wind was blowing, mixed with a strong fishy smell. No one covered their noses, and it seemed that they had already adapted to such a bloody wind. But the soldiers who were responsible for cleaning up the battlefield and picking up the remains of their bodies moved out one after another of their comrades-in-arms, and there was still a faint sadness on their resolute faces.
In the process of cleaning up, they could even unearth some bones that had long been dead. Those bones were entangled in the roots of the yellow grass, as if they were lovingly cared for. The deceased who have not been cleaned up are buried by nature after being used up by the crows and beasts. And those who were cleaned up were nothing but a huge pit, a nameless monument, until the grass grew on the pit and the monument fell, and no one knew how many heroes had rested here. Even if someone came back to their old place later and wanted to take a look at their robes, they didn't know where they were.
The war is so ruthless, but it can't cool the blood of the soldiers. They know that they must defend this fortress with their flesh and blood, because behind them is their homeland and their own folks.
The boy is dead hearted. But this iron, when it was born, was molten iron boiling in the body and mind. Although it cooled down after death, it was also cast into an unyielding backbone. Can fall, but not give in.
More and more garrison soldiers fell. Persistence is getting harder. Many soldiers have not slept peacefully for several days. After being replaced from the battlefield, they have no energy to return to the barracks. Instead, they lie on the roadside in the city, sleeping in rows and rows, waiting for the drums to fight again at any time. These days, not only the number of partners who share the same hatred, but also the shortage of food, medicine, weapons, etc. They don't know how long they can hold on, but the general ordered them to fight, and they fought, never considering the consequences of not being able to hold the fortress even if the entire army died, so day after day, they held on like this.
In the past, there were literati who sighed loudly, "Lying on the battlefield drunkenly, Grim Reign, fighting a few people in ancient times." They had already experienced the cruelty of "fighting a few people in ancient times", but they did not follow the practice of "sleeping on the battlefield while drunk". They only lie down on the battlefield when they are tired or beaten. Maybe they haven't experienced that kind of romance until death, but the guards who do their best and don't care about life and death are the lines of poetry they write with actions. Just like those who bleed outside the city, and those who sleep under the city, maybe anyone who sees it will not find it beautiful, but anyone who sees it will engrave it in their hearts.
Jiang Yisun and two other generals went out to patrol the battalion and passed through the rows of lying down soldiers. One of the generals asked him, "General Jiang, how long will it take for our reinforcements to arrive? Brothers, they can't hold it anymore. ." Someone asked about this five days ago, but they still survived these five days.
Jiang Yisun's face was dignified, and he looked at the boundless Gobi in the dark night behind him. After a while, he said, "I believe General Jin, they will definitely arrive before Longshuoguan falls."
The enemy raided again in the middle of the night, and as soon as the war drums sounded, countless soldiers rushed to the city wall in an orderly and close manner. This night, the war burned through the darkness, and many people disappeared together with the night before dawn.
The enemy attack was only withdrawn after the sun rose, but half an hour later, another round was launched. Since yesterday, the attacks launched by Xixia have become more and more frequent. They seem to have anticipated the situation in the city, so they are ready to attack the dragon in these two days. Shuoguan won.
"General Jiang, we can't hold it anymore, this time, we can't hold it anymore!"
"Longshuoguan is lost, and Liangzhou will be finished! We must defend, unless the enemy steps on our corpse, we will never pass the barrier!" Jiang Yisun glanced at the soldiers behind him, his eyes were blood red, and he gave an order, all of them met the enemy, Don't leave behind.
The battle lasted until dusk, the banner of the city head was crumbling, and the city gate was about to open with trembling. Suddenly, the shouting and killing sounded from behind.
"The reinforcements are here! The reinforcements are here!"
"General Jin is here! General Jin leads the reinforcements here!"
For a while, morale was boosted, reinforcements quickly joined the battlefield, and the situation began to reverse. Seeing this, the Xixia Army finally ordered to withdraw.
This night, the original Longshuoguan defenders could finally rest in peace. They not only got a chance to breathe, but also shared the food, grass and medicinal materials brought by the reinforcements. After bandaging, in his tent, he took off his armor, lay on the bed, and closed his eyes to sleep without any worries.
Jin Yiben asked Jiang Yisun to have a good night's rest, but he insisted on explaining the local situation and the war situation with Jin Yi.
The night wind blew through the tent, making the bonfire crackle. The soldiers on patrol stepped neatly across the grass, their armor touching their weapons, and there were occasional horses neighing from the horse camp in the distance.
"I haven't had such a peaceful night in a long time." Jiang Yisun sighed.
"You have worked hard." Jin Yi said, "We are late."
Jiang Yisun smiled, "As long as Longshuoguan is not lost, it will not be too late."
After a long time, Jin Yi said again, "I'm sorry."
Jiang Yisun replied, "The general doesn't need to say that."
Jin Yi shook his head and said, "No, this apology is for Fu Ming."
When Jiang Yisun heard this, there was a look of sadness on his face. Regarding Fu Ming, Yan Le once wrote to him and told him that although his sadness gradually faded over time, he still felt a sense of sadness when he heard Jin Yi mention it now. pain.
But he couldn't open his mouth to accuse Jin Yi, he thought, Jin Yi must be more difficult to let go than himself. After a long silence, he said: "When this battle is over, I will ask the Holy Master to ask me to go back and see Brother Ming."
"Yeah." Jin Yi replied lightly.
Jiang Yisun wanted to ask about Yan Le, but he felt that Jin Yi should not pay attention to Yan Le, so he didn't ask. That's all, when I go back, I go to him and go to see Fu Ming with him. I just don't know how his own business is going, but it's going well. Jiang Yisun knew that Yan Le had a revenge to avenge, and that the enemy seemed to have a lot of background, but he did not know the specific situation. Although I am concerned, but the war is important right now, so I have to put it down for the time being and leave it to another day.