The night has deepened and the heat has subsided. We are in the Tang military camp at the foot of the Flame Mountain.
As usual, after Xue Rengui personally inspected the camp, he was ready to go back to his tent to rest. It can be said that since he joined Prince Wu's palace and entered the military career, his career has been smooth sailing. He went from being a commoner overnight to becoming a member of the Wu Lu Dianjun of Prince Wu's palace, and even today he is a third-rank Zuoweiwei general. He is entrusted by Qin Shubao to lead the current Tang Dynasty king's army and is promoted to the commander-in-chief of the three armies... Everyone knows that he It was thanks to Qin Mubai.
Although Xue Rengui demonstrated extremely high military qualities and outrageous force in several battles in Lanzhou, his personal abilities were still hidden under Qin Mubai's aura and were not very eye-catching. .
Xue Rengui has always been able to keep his composure and admits that he is not a small-minded person. He was deeply moved by the kindness of the Qin family and his son, and would not listen to any gossip; at the same time, the heroic blood in his chest never stopped boiling.
Before taking off his armor, Xue Rengui slept with his clothes on, and the general lay on the marching bed. Ever since he was ordered to take charge of this army, Xue Rengui has worked hard and cautiously. The gold leak in the tent dripped water drop by drop, and the sound reached his ears. Xue Rengui felt a little upset and couldn't sleep.
The scene during the day appeared in his mind again. The escort officer said that Qin Shubao was ill and could not travel, so he sent him to deliver food; Xue Rengui wanted to visit the city but was stopped...
The more he thought about it, the more suspicious Xue Rengui became. He has followed Qin Shubao for a long time, and he has a deep understanding of the old man's character. Qin Shubao, who has been a soldier all his life, regards the army as his family and regards soldiers as brothers and sisters. It can be described as "a day without seeing each other is like three autumns apart". In addition, there have been many heat-related diseases among the Japanese army recently. Qin Shubao must have been extremely anxious. Now that he has obtained the anti-heat decoction, how could he not come to visit the army because of a minor illness
It seems that he is really seriously ill!
This is strange, Qin Shubao is getting older, but since his comeback, his body has been very healthy, not inferior to his youth. The day before yesterday, Xue Rengui had a duel with him for more than a hundred rounds. At that time, he was as powerful as before.
Thinking of this, Xue Rengui stood up and called: "Come here!"
"General, why do you want to punish me?" The servant Zhonghou came in to listen.
"Prepare your horses and follow me into the city to visit the commander-in-chief. We will be back at dawn!"
"promise!"
Juntun is only fifteen miles away from Gaochang, and it takes less than an hour to get back and forth on a quick horse. After a while, Xue Rengui took several personal guards and left the camp towards the royal city of Gaochang.
At this moment, in the royal city... there were shouts of killing Zhentian, and rivers of blood flowed!
Ni Shuchui, the commander-in-chief of the Western Turks, slowly rode forward on his horse. His face was ashen and he squinted his eyes as he looked at the fighting crowd in front of him. He couldn't help but take a breath of cold air.
"Qin Shubao is indeed worthy of his reputation, a peerless tiger general!!"
Not far ahead is the Gaochang City Gate. Most of the five hundred soldiers of the Tang Army were killed or wounded, leaving less than thirty people who were resisting tenaciously and fighting to the death to break through. In a circle of battle groups, Qin Shubao charged from left to right as if he was entering an uninhabited land. There were mountains of corpses around him and blood pooled like streams. There was no clue that this god-like man was nearly sixty years old and was poisoned!
From the main city street to the gate, two to three thousand King Gaochang's armored guardsmen surrounded one floor after another. Not to mention living people, even if it was a pile of corpses, it would not be easy to squeeze through them and break out of the city.
However, extreme panic was written on the faces of these armored guards. Facing the remnants of the Tang army, which numbered less than thirty and were surrounded and suppressed layer by layer by Turkic cavalry, they held their swords and guns high and cowered, not daring to step forward.
On the battlefield, life and death are ordinary. Death is not terrible, what is terrible are those who are not afraid of death!
They had never seen a soldier fighting to die. No matter how many men and horses were left, the Tang army always surrounded a giant man at the core and tightly protected him. More than ten cavalrymen raised their shields high and surrounded him tightly. If someone dies in battle, someone will immediately mount his horse and raise his shield to form a flesh and blood city wall.
At this moment, Qin Shubao seemed to have returned to his appearance thirty years ago when he was guarding the King of Qin among the rebels, or when he was decapitating a general among millions of troops. A horse and a gun, regardless of life and death, he crashed into the enemy army and killed countless people with invincible bravery.
Yu Wen Hongtai was protected at the core. Seeing his comrades who were as close as brothers in the past die one by one in front of him, he burst into tears and broke his heart.
Although the Turks have not emerged from barbarism, they have always respected warriors who are braver than themselves and respect the real battlefield heroes. At the same time, never retreat and take pride in defeating and killing them!
Then, circle after circle of Turkic soldiers, holding machetes in their hands with respect, were like endless harvest ghosts, and they continued to kill Qin Shubao.
"Terrible!" Ni Shusui, who was standing not far away watching the battle under the torch general's flag, reluctantly uttered these two words that made him lose face. He gritted his teeth and said, "Behead his horse's legs! "
This was obviously a helpless move, simply to reduce the casualties of our own troops and not to delay any more time to cause mishaps. Cutting off the legs of men and horses on the battlefield is like cheating on the card table by cheating. They are both despicable tricks. The Turks, who have always regarded themselves as warriors, have always been ashamed of themselves.
But the military orders are like mountains!
"Eh-" With a sad neigh, Qin Shubao turned over and fell off his horse, and countless spears were stabbed at him!
Several soldiers of the Tang Army who were nearby fell down and used their shields to protect Qin Shubao. Without exception, they were shot several times and died. When he was about to die, he still held on to the spear tightly and allowed the body to be thrown up, but the gun still could not be pulled back.
"Ah-ho!"
A roar, like the roar of a dragon!
Qin Shubao rolled over from the ground and fired his gun like a violent wave. The Turkic sergeants who were close to him screamed and flew out, killing him on the spot. The battle ring surrounding him suddenly loosened.
Qin Shubao, standing with his gun pointed out, looked around with his long beard... Zhuiyun BMW, which had lost its front hooves, was twitching and hissing on the ground. The soldiers of the Tang Army who died tragically were bleeding and looking at him with eyes full of lingering love and hatred. ; The Turkic soldiers raised their swords and guns in a circle and looked at him, as if they were looking at an ancient god.
The surrounding area has been surrounded by iron barrels; trying to forcefully stand out is much more difficult than imagined.
"Bang!..." With one shot, the bricks cracked. The Turkic soldiers all around retreated in order.
Qin Shubao opened his mouth and spit out a mouthful of fishy, foul blood, and was about to collapse.
No one dares to approach the Turkic soldiers!
"General, do you want to shoot an arrow?" the deputy generals on the left and right said in panic.
"No arrows are allowed." Nishu said with thick eyebrows and a deep frown, "Such a great general must not die from random arrows. A warrior must cut off his noble head with his own hands to show the greatest respect for him."
"The Tang Army is desperately escorting a knight to break out of the gate... It seems that they want to go to the Tang Army camp to fetch reinforcements."
Nishu frowned and thought for a moment, then said: "Send an order to the bad soldiers in Gaochang, let them pretend to be attacked and break through, and let the Tang army leave the city!"
"ah?"
"I just carried out the military orders. In addition, I set fire to the Tang Dynasty's Protector's Mansion. I was just afraid that the Tang army's reinforcements wouldn't come!"
Qin Shubao stood proudly with a spear in his hand, his beard and robe fluttering in the night wind like a god. Only those who were extremely close could see that his eyes were slightly closed and his body was shaking, almost unable to stand.
But when the Turks saw that he was motionless, they still did not come forward with lingering fear and hesitation.
Around him, there were mountains of corpses; behind him, the shouts of killing shook the sky.
Turning back slowly, Qin Shubao saw that the remaining 20 or so soldiers of the Tang Army had already broken out to the city wall. The Gaochang Royal Forest Army dispersed without any resistance. Qibi Heli personally slashed the door bolt with his sword, and the door was slowly pushed open.
Ahead, there are thousands of troops; behind you, there is a way to survive.
The corners of Qin Shubao's mouth raised, revealing a smile.
The Turks surrounding him all trembled in their hearts.
On the battlefield, what is often seen is hysteria and ferocious faces. I have only seen someone like Qin Shubao smile so calmly and calmly in his life!
This smile is worthy of four incompatible words - "powerful country and beautiful city".
Yuwen Hongtai cried bitterly and ran out of the house. The soldiers escorting him, such as Qibi Heli, blocked the door with all their strength and refused to retreat.
"The country is so picturesque!... Saburo! Saburo!"
He looked up to the sky and screamed, stroking his beard and standing with a gun across his shoulder. That smile was fixed on Qin Shubao's face forever.
"Commander!—" Qibi Heli and others shouted heartbreakingly, fighting desperately to fight in the battle circle.
"The country is picturesque, Sanlang? Sanlang is that Qin Mubai, right..." Nishu sighed and shook his head, "Let them in and say goodbye to your marshal and elders... Such a loyal and brave general is the only one I've seen in my life. , the best in ancient and modern times!”
The Turks really opened a path and allowed Qibi Heli and others to run in.
Qin Shubao stands tall and proud, with his phoenix eyes closed and the power of a tiger still there.
Qibi Heli and others knelt at his feet and cried loudly.
Nishui got off his horse and walked forward. He bent down, caressed his chest, gave a Turkic salute when meeting a ruler, closed his eyes and muttered -
"You are the true god general! The soaring eagle retracts its wings in shame because of you, and the aloof wolf king raises his head and screams at the moon for your departure... Turkic men who revere heroes, worship this god-like man. !”
The Turkic soldiers all silently touched their chests and bent down to salute.
"Qibi Heli, you are a Turkic chief, and you are related to me by blood. I respect your loyalty and courage. Why don't you return to the Khan's court and homeland at this time, and support the Khan together with me?" Riding on the battlefield and making great achievements?" Nishu said as he looked at Qibi Heli and others who were lying on the ground crying.
Qibi Heli stood up, smiled calmly while his tears were still wet, and said: "Ni Shusui, you are a real warrior and a first-class hero on the grassland. But you and I are each in our own way, and we have different paths. Conspiracy. Qibi He Li had already made an agreement with the commander to live and die together."
After saying this, Qi Bi pulled out the knife and wiped it on his neck.
"Hey—" A strong stream of blood spattered out and onto Ni Shusui's face, and Qibi Heli fell heavily to the ground.
The remaining ten or so soldiers of the Tang army drew their swords and committed suicide, lying at the feet of Qin Shubao, who was still standing proudly.
The scene was actually completely silent.
Mu Ruipi's face was livid.
"Even though I took your life and city, I did not defeat or conquer you... Hey! Will this be the stupidest, most despicable, and most regretful thing I have ever done in my life? "
A few miles away from the royal city, Xue Rengui took advantage of the darkness and led several riders to trot forward. Suddenly, everyone was shocked when they saw the royal city in front of them burst into flames.
"What's going on? There's a fire in the royal city?!"
Xue Rengui's heart tightened, and he immediately said decisively: "Go back to the military camp and tell me that I will order the entire army to reorganize and prepare for war!"
"General Xue, why don't you go and see what's going on in the royal city first?"
"Preparing the troops for war is a hundred times more important than visiting them!" Xue Rengui shouted while reining in his horse and shouted, "The situation is not good, our army is in danger!"
"Why did the general say this? What if the royal city accidentally caught fire?" Zuo Zuo asked in surprise.
"Gaochang's severe heat and drought have always placed the greatest emphasis on fire prevention, and there are the most violent winds and sandstorms here. Therefore, the city is full of low-rise houses made of mud and stones. If a fire breaks out accidentally, it is easy to put out and will not spread. Such a raging fire is obviously Someone deliberately set the fire on fire! "Don't say anything and hurry back to the barracks!"
"promise!"
Soon, police posts were everywhere in the Tang Army's camp, and the lights were brightly lit and the entire army assembled. The soldiers who have traveled thousands of miles to fight in the field have always been extremely vigilant and highly adaptable. At this time, they instantly entered a state of combat readiness!
On the general stage, Xue Rengui put on his military uniform, wore a square-shaped halberd in his hand, and said loudly: "There is a fire in the royal city, and I am only afraid that there will be changes in the Protectorate. All the officers and soldiers in the army will listen to my orders, and the men will not take off their armor or saddles, and the horses will be clothed." The sharp arrow array is ready to attack Gaochang at any time to respond to sudden changes!"
"promise-"
At this moment, a horse riding like lightning came rushing through the night, and faintly, hysterical crying could be heard.
The cavalry did not stop even when they reached the camp gate, and the garrison troops on the left and right were waiting to stop and interrogate them, but the cavalry rushed in with complete arrogance and went straight to the central military command station!
"Yu Wen Hongtai!" Xue Rengui stood tall and saw it clearly first, feeling an inexplicable twitching pain in his heart: Stop it!
"Xue Rengui! Brothers!!!" Yuwen Hongtai threw away the phoenix wings and golden bell and rolled off his horse. He rolled over and cried bitterly, shouting, "It's over, it's all over! The commander-in-chief and the brothers... all !”
"Ah!" Everyone was shocked!
Xue Rengui's expression suddenly changed, as if he had been struck by five thunders. He strode forward and lifted Yuwen Hongtai who was lying on the ground with one hand, and shouted: "What's wrong with the commander?!"
"The commander-in-chief was poisoned, and the Western Turkic Grand Marshal Nishuchuqi pro-union's army besieged the Protector's Mansion... The commander-in-chief and his brothers escorted me out of the city, just to report to you!"
"Ah!..." Xue Rengui screamed and almost lost his balance, but he immediately calmed down, grabbed Yuwen Hongtai and asked, "What did the commander say?"
Yuwen Hongtai's black god-like face was covered with blood and tears, and he said: "The commander-in-chief said that you should not save him, let alone send troops to attack the city for revenge. Let me command the troops to withdraw to Puchanghai, and retreat together with Xue Wanche Yumen Pass!”
At this moment, the soldiers were either furious or grief-stricken, and the three armies were in an uproar and the whole camp was shaken!
"quiet!!"
There was a sudden loud shout, like thunder exploding in the sky. The soldiers, who were well-trained and always obeyed military orders, fell silent.
"The general ordered - abandon the baggage and take only dry food, burn the camp and march northward with all the troops!"
"What, going north?!" Everyone was shocked.
"Anyone who disobeys military orders will be killed!" Xue Rengui shouted firmly.
Yuwen Hongtai stared at Xue Rengui, as if he had never known him. After being stunned for a long time, he jumped up furiously and grabbed Xue Rengui's breastplate, roaring: "Xue! You bitch | son of a white-eyed wolf! How dare you not abide by the commander's orders? Now - or , you lead us back to the royal city of Gaochang, and you will die with the commander; or, you obey the commander's orders, lead the brothers back to Puchanghai, retain your strength and return to the third brother's command, and meet the commander again in the future Revenge - what are you doing! Take us north, where there are the unclimbable Tianshan Mountains and a desert with no birds. Beyond that is the territory of the Turks. Are you going to surrender to Xue Yantuo or Turk Beiting and become the general? "
"If you argue with me any more, our army will be in danger of being annihilated!" She opened him inch by inch as if holding a pair of steel bars, and said in a deep voice, "Since the Turks dared to attack the commander-in-chief and attack the Governor's Mansion at night, they must be well prepared. Without the deployment of more than 50,000 troops to tightly deploy a dragnet, they would not dare to do so. Rampant! At this time, they set fire to the city and asked you to break out to report the news. Their only purpose is to attract us to Gaochang for rescue. If our army goes, we will be ambushed! If we retreat along the way, they will be ambushed! Not just to murder the commander, but to devour our 20,000 troops alive! - Now, the most dangerous place is the safest. The only way to survive is to go far north into the desert and make unexpected twists and turns! "
"Xue Rengui, you greedy for life and fear of death, you clearly want to go north and surrender!" Yuwen Hongtai shouted angrily, pointed at his nose and yelled, "If I had known this, I wouldn't have harmed many brothers who risked their lives to protect It’s better for me to break out of the encirclement and accompany the commander in a bloody battle than to surrender to the enemy and betray the country with a thief like you!”
"Anyone who dares to confuse the public with evil words and disrupt the morale of our army will be killed! - left and right, beat him up with sticks! Send my order to the general, immediately burn the camp and break out to the north!"
Yuwen Hongtai was so angry that he screamed and cried for a while. Finally, he knocked down a knight, grabbed his horse, and fled southward. As he ran, he cursed: "Xue Rengui, you are a coward, a beast, a traitor to the country and seeking glory." Thief! I want to go back and tell Third Brother, and watch him kill you, this treacherous thief!"
"Come here, send my dear Zhonghou 50 cavalrymen to escort him to Puchanghai without any mistakes!" Xue Rengui ordered in a deep voice, and a group of cavalry quickly chased him out.
"This soldier and horse is one of the few elite troops in the hands of the young marshal. We must preserve it! There must be ambushes along the way. I can't take these 20,000 brothers to jump into the fire... Hong Tai, I hope the marshal is in the sky." I will keep you safe; I also hope that the Turkic or Tibetan ambushes will not let you go because they don’t want to scare others... If we can meet again in this life, you will still be my good brother!"
There was a lingering sadness and anger in the Tang Army camp, and it was tense and busy at the same time.
Xue Rengui immediately stood at the gate of the village with Fang Tian's painted halberd in hand, facing the night wind, staring at the red-hot sky in the distance, slowly raising the gun and bowing in his hands, two lines of tears flowed out silently, dripping down the horse's back...