On the top of the willows in the moon, ten thousand troops from Nanliang came to a place a few miles away from Yongjia City along the official road.
The cavalry who galloped all day and night were already exhausted, and there was a heavy shadow under the eyes of every soldier.
Of course, Ikaluo was well aware of this, and hesitated to let the army rest for a while before continuing to set off. With the current state of the army, even if they rushed to Yongjia City in a hurry, it would be very disadvantageous to them.
At this moment, a fine horse galloped towards this side, and the scouts in front of the road came back in a hurry. , the Southern Border Army seems to be hitting the city gate with a battering ram!" The scout swallowed, his expression serious.
Regarding Yongjia City, Yi Kaluo couldn't be more clear. If Yongjia City hadn't taken the initiative to open the city gate and surrender, I'm afraid it would not have been taken so easily.
Therefore, he was sure that even if the troops were insufficient now, Yongjia City could be defended for at least three to five days.
He wasn't worried that Yongjia City would be captured so soon, but it was a great opportunity to sneak attack while the Southern Border Army was attacking the city.
When the time comes to attack from both sides, the Southern Border Army will undoubtedly be defeated!
Ikaluo ordered the scouts: "You guys continue to explore the way forward!"
"Yes, Commander!" The scout clasped his fists to accept the order, got on his horse again, and galloped away.
Yikaluo's brows were tightly frowned, and the original exhaustion was swept away, and he ordered: "All soldiers, quickly follow the commander to support Yongjia City!"
It is necessary to kill the Southern Border Army by surprise!
"Yes, Commander!" The ten thousand cavalry responded in unison, cheering up.
Ikaluo raised his whip and lashed at the black horse under his crotch. The black horse neighed in pain, let go of its four hooves and began to accelerate.
The 10,000 cavalrymen behind him were also speeding up their horses, "Tap Tat Tat..." The sound of horseshoes became louder, like a continuous burst of muffled thunder...
After walking forward for about three miles, I heard shouts from the direction of Yongjia City, the sound of weapons being handed over, and the loud noise of battering rams hitting the city gate...
Boom! Boom! Boom!
It seems that what the scouts said is true, the Southern Border Army is really attacking the city!
A smug smile appeared on Ikaluo's face, and just as the horsewhip was about to be pulled down again, something suddenly flashed through his mind, and something seemed wrong...
correct! The scouts who went to explore the road never came back!
Yikaluo's heart felt cold, and he had a vague premonition. Could it be that this is a trap!
The 10,000 cavalry I brought with me on this trip are the elite of the Nanliang army, there must be no mistakes...
Ikaluo raised his hand to signal the army to slow down, and then ordered: "Send a few more scouts to investigate..."
"Yes, handsome."
A dozen or so scouts rode their horses to Yongjia City, while the army stayed in place to rest...
At this moment, time passed very slowly. It was obviously just a stick of incense, but it seemed like an hour had passed. Seeing that the scout hadn't returned for a long time, Ikaluo's ominous premonition became stronger in his heart.
Suddenly, the soldiers beside him pointed to the front and shouted: "Commander, it's the scout! The scout is back!"
Ikaluo's eyes lit up, and he looked towards the direction of the horse, and saw the scout climbing on the brown horse, precariously, as if he was about to fall off at any time.
"Commander! Commander..." The scout shouted hoarsely, "It's a trap! Commander, the scouts in front were ambushed and all were wiped out. Only the villain escaped by chance!" The scout hurriedly got off his horse while sweating profusely. Said, "Yongjia City has been captured by the Southern Border Army!"
How can it be? ! Ikaluo's pupils shrank sharply. Given the easy-to-defend and difficult-to-attack terrain of Yongjia City, how could it be possible that it was captured in just one day and one night? What did that idiot Bamintu do? !
Once Yongjia City was lost, most of the good situation they had worked so hard to form in southern Xinjiang would be ruined.
Yikaluo's chest heaved violently. If Ba Mintu was in front of him at this moment, he would have already cut him to pieces!
Ikaluo clenched his fists and quickly calmed down.
Now that things have happened, no matter how entangled in why Yongjia City fell, it will not help!
At this moment, our soldiers are exhausted, and it is really not suitable for a direct confrontation with the Southern Border Army.
Only retreat? !
Ikaluo was really not reconciled, he clenched his teeth, and managed to squeeze out two words: "Withdraw!"
With Yikaluo's order, Nanliang's army turned around again and sped away on the way they came and went.
Tens of thousands of iron hooves knocked on the ground, the horses were getting faster and faster, the sound of hoofs was deafening, and the dust was flying...
There are two dark forests on both sides of the official road. The dense leaves block the moonlight outside. The forest is so dark that you can't see your fingers. No one notices the pair of sparkling eyes hidden in the forest.
Suddenly, a sharp whistle sounded, tearing the night sky.
The people hiding in the woods suddenly tightened the ropes that were originally buried in the dust, and the ropes went up, hitting the hooves of the horses.
Nearly a thousand war horses in front screamed, flew into the air, and then fell heavily to the ground, even throwing the cavalry on the horses like sandbags, falling all over the place, and some were even killed by the war horses. Pressed under the body, only the neighing of the horse, the screams of the people, the crisp sound of broken bones, and the sound of impact can be heard endlessly.
What's even more frightening is the chain reaction that followed. Thousands of horses behind couldn't dodge, let alone stop, and tripped over the fallen horses in front. One after another, countless war horses seemed to rush onto the beach in waves. The waves of the sea generally fell down...
People yelled, horses neighed, all mixed up and turned into a pot of porridge. The scene was very heroic and shocking.
Ikaluo at the front was also thrown away by the momentum of the horse, but compared with most of the soldiers behind, he was lucky. After rolling a few times on the official road in embarrassment, he slowed down Charge. Although his robe was stained with a lot of sand and there were a few small scratches on his face, his body was safe and sound.
When he got up and looked to the rear, he felt a chill in his heart. Thousands of horses and cavalry were thrown to the ground. Their armor was dyed bright red by blood, and the wounded horses were lying on their sides on the ground neighing mournfully. endlessly...
There are so many tripping ropes buried here, it is obviously a trap that has been set long ago!
how so? !
Scouts... On the way to Yongjia City, the scouts went ahead of the army, but now, because the road has just been passed and they are in a hurry, no more scouts are arranged to explore the way, so, that's why the prince of Zhennan chose this place Time to sneak attack
Could it be that starting from Yanding City's request for help, this step by step, one game after another...all of this is a conspiracy by the prince of Zhennan, and he is so stupid that he fell into the trick? !
As if answering the question in Ikaluo's heart, there was a sound of chaotic steps, mixed with the sound of shouting and killing, from the woods not far behind.
"Come on!"
"kill!"
Countless Southern Border troops wearing armor and wielding long knives surged out from the deep forest like an abyss, with momentum like a rainbow. That cry of killing was like the roar of a ferocious beast, resounding through the earth, and the monstrous murderous aura was overwhelming...
The two armies fought frantically, shields collided, long knives crossed, this official road became a battlefield where the two armies confronted each other, horses neighed and people shouted, the sound of killing was loud and endless, hot blood spattered the soldiers all over their heads and faces .
The ground was full of dead and wounded, and blood was flowing everywhere.
In just a moment, blood flowed as far as the eye could see.
As the coach, Ikaluo was naturally unscathed under the protection of a group of personal soldiers.
He clearly understood that the situation of the battle was not good for his own side. Just now, two or three thousand soldiers were lost because of falling horses. The remaining 7,000 troops were against the nearly 10,000 troops of the Southern Border Army. It was not so easy for the opponent to take them down.
But the problem is—
The Southern Border Army was full of energy and had already had a good rest. However, after a day and a night of marching, our own side was exhausted and almost at the end of their strength. Once the battle continued for a long time, it would only expose the fatigue of their Southern Liang Army.
But now the road ahead is blocked, and the rear is Yongjia City, which is occupied by the Southern Border Army. Of course, I can't throw myself into the trap. There are wolves in front and tigers in the back...
No, I still have a way to survive!
The distribution map of southern Xinjiang flashed through Ikaluo's mind, and he lifted his spirits, and gave instructions to the soldiers beside him.
The soldier immediately waved the military flag vigorously, and issued orders to the soldiers with flag language.
Nanliang's army quickly moved. Those with or without horses poured into the forest on the right side of the official road like a tide. Although the forest is not conducive to marching, it is a natural barrier and is not conducive to the enemy's pursuit. .
But the woods were not Ikaluo's ultimate goal.
According to Ikaluo's memory, there is a large area of hills in the southwest of Yongjia City, densely covered with woods, and undulating. Once they occupy that hill as the commanding height, they can condescend, observe the enemy's situation and suppress the enemy's army, control the initiative on the battlefield, and find space for the army to breathe and rest...
That hill is their life force!
"Drive!" Ikaluo, who was riding on a horse, took the lead, followed by the Nanliang army.
Soon, the green hills appeared ahead, and the moonlight softly illuminated the road ahead...
Ikaluo was overjoyed at first, but then he tightly reined in the horse rope, and stared up at the hill in disbelief.
A few tens of feet away, a large group of black southern border troops stood in front of them, and black banners embroidered with silver characters fluttered in the night wind, showing off wantonly!
The black repeating crossbows aimed at the Nanliang army below like a dense swarm of bees.
"Those who do not surrender will be killed without mercy!"
The soldiers of the Southern Border Army waved their flags and shouted, and the shouts went straight to the sky, echoed in the sky, and condensed...
…
…
"Puffling, fluttering..."
The sound of the bird flapping its wings made the young man in Tsing Yi who was lying on the eaves suddenly opened his eyes, a piece of gray feather fluttered down and landed on the tip of Xiao Si's nose, making him almost sneezed .
While picking up the gray feather, he sat up and the corners of his eyes twitched.
It's that arrogant gray eagle again!
The eagle takes advantage of others, it knows that it dare not do anything to it, doesn't it? !
Xiao Si pursed his lips into a straight line, planning to avoid the young master one day and teach the eagle a good lesson.
"Puffling, fluttering..."
There was another sound of birds flapping their wings accompanied by a loud eagle cry, Xiaosi squinted his eyes slightly, and followed the sound to look over.
Above the bamboo forest directly in front, a gray eagle spread its wings and hovered in the blue sky, but Xiao Si's eyes fell on a white dove in front of it. The poor white dove fluttered its wings with difficulty, desperately fleeing for its life, but the gray eagle seemed to be teasing it, sometimes approaching and lightly pecking the white dove's wings, sometimes lagging behind on purpose, watching the white dove fleeing ahead with pride …
That gray eagle is of course Xiao Hui's little gray!
Xiaosi's entire face turned black.
The pigeons raised by the young master are all marked, and Xiao Si can tell at a glance that they are his own pigeons.
Like its owner, there must be its eagle, and this stupid eagle actually bullied their pigeons!
Xiao Si nimbly walked over the tiles, and then flew down towards the bamboo forest without hesitation, like a big roc spreading its wings.
His light toes touched a thick bamboo pole, and the bamboo pole bent in another direction in a graceful arc, and then bounced back. Xiao Si used his strength to fly towards the white dove, grabbed it with his right hand, and followed He casually hugged another bamboo pole with his left hand, and the bamboo pole vibrated in the air, knocking down a large bamboo leaf, forming a green rain of leaves...
"Srustling..."
The sound of bamboo leaves shaking intertwined with Xiao Hui's unwilling eagle cry, Xiao Hui turned half a circle above Xiao Si, as if complaining about why Xiao Si wanted to snatch his toy.
Xiao Si glared at it angrily, and didn't bother to pay attention to it at all. Holding the white pigeon in his right hand, he slid down the bamboo pole and landed lightly on the ground.
Normally, he would let the pigeon go when he took off the small bamboo tube tied to the pigeon's leg, but at this moment, Xiao Hui was still staring at him not far away, so Xiao Si simply carried the white pigeon into the house.
In the study, Guan Yubai sat casually on a rosewood armchair by the window. He was wearing a simple lake-colored straight gown, his jet-black hair was tied up casually with a ribbon of the same color, and he was holding a With the scissors, I am slowly trimming a pot of evergreen with green branches and leaves.
The breeze was blowing in through the window, blowing a strand of black hair on his cheek, and the tail of the hair brushed against the light smile at the corner of his mouth, quiet and beautiful.
"Kacha Kacha..."
In the room, only the scissors made a small sound from time to time, which was obviously monotonous and almost boring, but for some reason, it exuded a sense of tranquility and leisure.
In fact, Xiao Si doesn’t know what the young master is doing. In his opinion, even without pruning, these bonsai grow well, but the young master said that the flowers and trees are divided into seven parts and trimmed in three parts. The miscellaneous branches and dead leaves can make the whole branch grow better...
Obviously at that time the young master was talking about pruning potted plants, but I don't know why Xiaosi felt that the young master meant something.
"Cuckoo..."
The carrier pigeon cooed restlessly in his hands, and Xiao Si hurriedly took off the small bamboo tube tied to the carrier pigeon's leg, and said, "Master, Xiao Shizi's carrier pigeon has arrived."
Guan Yubai responded with a "click", and trimmed another branch and leaf.
He sized it up, and the smile deepened, then he casually put the scissors beside the bonsai, picked up the white towel beside him and wiped his hands, then took the small bamboo tube, and opened the sealing wax Finally, the tissue paper folded into strips was taken out.
Guan Yubai's slender and fair fingers unfolded the tissue paper unhurriedly.
This plan started with the discovery of Nanliang people in Maofeng Town, letting go of the Nine Kings, and ordering the Shenarm Battalion to set up an ambush in Linghua Canyon not just to sneak attack the Nanliang army who went to meet them, but just to be able to use the remnant soldiers In the name of mixing into Yongjia City.
With the help of the Nine Kings, the Nanliang commander and the army were dispatched to make peace inside and outside. First, they captured Yongjia City, then ambushed the Nanliang commander who came back to help, and finally attacked Huiling City on both sides, and took down Yanding City...
The plan belongs to the plan, and the smooth progress is due to Ah Yi's bravery and combat skills! Otherwise, it's just talk on paper.
Xiao Si doesn't need to ask, just looking at the young master's smiling eyes, he knows that this must be good news - it seems that he has won the battle!
Guan Yubai folded the tissue paper back again and handed it to Xiaosi: "Send it to Bixiaotang."
Xiao Si responded and was about to turn around and leave when he heard a familiar eagle cry from outside the window.
His footsteps paused, and he looked out of the window. Sure enough, the stupid eagle stopped on the branch outside the window at some point, and its cold and sharp eagle eyes stared at it for a moment. No, it should be said that it was his hand. homing pigeons.
One person and one eagle stared at each other for a long time, and finally Xiao Si moved first, directly locked the carrier pigeon into the cage in the study, and then left expressionlessly.
Guan Yubai shook his head amusedly, then picked up the scissors that had been set aside, and cut slowly one after another.
Knife after knife, so cautious, as if what he was facing was not a small pot of Evergreen, but a priceless treasure...
Not long after, the secret letter sent by Xiaosi was quickly delivered to Bixiaotang through Baihui's hands.
Nangong Yue opened the thin tissue paper tremblingly, and the corners of her mouth curled up unconsciously.
A Yi is safe ahead, and he has recovered Yongjia City and Yanding City one after another!
Nangong Yue stared at the few words on the tissue paper, and smiled so much that her eyes were crescent like crescents, and her dark pupils were shining brightly.
Nangong Yue couldn't help but read this letter again and again, feeling as if a sweet breeze passed through her heart, and her eyes were bright.
"Baihui..." Nangong Yue put away the tissue paper and said with a beaming smile, "It's a happy event for your son to win. Go and tell the accountant that the whole house will reward a silver naked son!"
The big maidservants at the side glanced at each other, and they couldn't help laughing. The Crown Princess was overjoyed.
Baihui blessed Fushen, and said with a smile: "The servant will thank the concubine on behalf of the mansion." After a pause, she jokingly said, "However, if you think about it, you should wait a few more days until the good news comes. talk later."
Nangong Yue was startled, with a shy smile on her face, she cleared her throat and said, "Let's talk about it in a few days." She was so excited that she even forgot that the official news hadn't come yet. Also, it is still not appropriate to be too public.
"Yes, Concubine Shizi." The three servant girls replied in unison, and looked at each other with smiles.
The concubine Shi Zi has always been calm and calm, and probably only when it comes to the concubine Shi Zi, will she see a different side of the concubine Shi Zi from the usual. In fact, this is not bad... After all, the princess is only fifteen years old.
Nangong Yue was still a little excited and didn't know what to do. She carefully folded the tissue paper and put it into a small rosewood box. Suddenly she had an idea in her heart and said excitedly: "Baihui , call me the people from the cloth shop tomorrow, I want to pick some materials to make some clothes for the prince, and make two pairs of shoes... "
The weather in southern Xinjiang is so sweltering, she forgot that it is already mid-September, and it will be autumn soon, so she needs to make some new clothes for A Yi!
Baihui responded with a smile, and Huamei said with a smile: "Shizi Concubine, this servant will take out the soles for you. Although the servants are clumsy and not good at embroidery, they still hold the soles pretty well. Sister Baihui and Sister Que'er are both compliments. A servant."
Que'er laughed at the side, "It's not that you hold the shoes well, it's that you are strong enough." It is a laborious job to hold the soles of the shoes. Thrush was used to doing farm work at home when she was a child, and her strength is much stronger than that of ordinary girls.
Nangong Yue and Baihui were both amused, the laughter filled the room, and the atmosphere was very light.
Nangong Yue thought of something, and said again: "Que'er, go to Listen to Yuge to see if the guests are still there?" Nangong Yue planned to quietly tell Old Master Fang the good news of the great victory ahead before the news of the victory came. Presumably his old man would be very happy to know that A Yi had won the battle.
It was a bit of a misfortune to happen today, Mr. Fang happened to have a visitor - in order to celebrate the birthday of King Zhennan, the fourth house of the Fang family just arrived in Luoyue City yesterday, so today, the patriarch of the Fang family, the fourth Mr. Fang, specially came to Bixiao Hall to visit Mrs. Fang.
"Yes, Concubine Shizi." Que'er took the order and went to Tingyu Pavilion.
As soon as they arrived at the entrance of the courtyard, a little maid immediately came up to greet her and called affectionately, "Sister Que'er."
Que'er greeted the little maid with a smile, and then asked, "Is the guest still there?"
The little maid looked back subconsciously, and said, "It's still inside."
Que'er frowned slightly. As far as she knew, the party from the fourth room of the Fang family came over an hour ago. After chatting for so long, it should be almost the same, right? It's not that she wants to chase away guests, it's just that Mrs. Fang's physical condition is really not suitable for fatigue.
Que'er followed the little maid's line of sight and looked into the room from a distance. Besides the old Mrs. Fang, there was an old man, a middle-aged man and a boy of seven or eight years old in the main room.
The old man was over 60 years old, with gray hair and beard, and he looked very kind-hearted. At this age, he must be the Fourth Old Master Fang.
From Que'er's distance, he couldn't hear what everyone in the room was saying, but seeing the fake smiles on their faces, it was obviously not a good thing.
Que'er stared at them for a long time, wishing he could speak with his lips.
"Brother," the fourth old master Fang stroked his beard, thinking that his elder brother was vague about the adoption just now, the fourth old master Fang was actually a little unhappy, but thinking about the adoption, it can't be done in a day or two. It is the key to his trip today.
Thinking of this, the Fourth Old Master Fang deliberately paused for a while, and then said hesitantly, "I still have something to discuss with my elder brother... It is related to our Fang family."
Old Mrs. Fang said politely: "If you have something to say, fourth brother just say it."
Old Master Fang Si straightened out his thoughts, and said in a low voice: "Brother, the Wangfu and our Fang family have been getting farther and farther for more than a year, and now the niece is not favored by the Wangye. The younger brother thinks that we should find a way to enhance the friendship between the two mansions." It's..." The niece he was referring to was Xiao Fang.
The Fourth Old Master Fang always wanted face. He spoke in a reserved way, but the meaning behind his words was obvious.
Old Mr. Fang was not a fool, he understood immediately, his face almost tensed. The Wang Mansion and the Fang Mansion are getting farther and farther? ! Ridiculous, really ridiculous! Aren't Xiao Yi, Xiao Luan and Xiao Fei the best flesh-and-blood connection between Wangfu and Fangfu
A sarcasm flashed in Mrs. Fang's eyes. He sent someone to invite the fourth younger brother to rectify the family tradition when the third room had such a scandal that day, but no one came for a long time, and now he came uninvited!
He has been paralyzed on the couch for so many years, and things are different, and his brothers are no longer the same people they were back then... All of them have become obsessed with interests!
Seeing that Mrs. Fang didn't talk to Mrs. Fang, Mrs. Fang's face froze for a moment, and he thought to himself: His words are so plain, could it be that the eldest brother has become stupid after lying down for so many years
Old Master Fang Si took a sip of the teacup, and finally suppressed his embarrassment and said, "Brother, you are the father-in-law of the prince and the grandfather of A Yi, and you can speak well in front of the prince and A Yi." ..." After a pause, he said vigorously, "For the future of our Fang family, it is best to marry another girl from the Fang family into the palace, and be a side concubine for the prince or A Yi... Of course, it is best for A Yi."
Old Master Fang didn't speak, his heart sank to the bottom. Such brazen words, his fourth brother is also embarrassed to say it.
The Fourth Old Master Fang didn't notice the displeasure on his face, and continued in a persuasive manner: "Brother, A Yi has been in the capital all these years, and has been completely alienated from the Fang family. The concubine of A Yi is from the capital. Naturally, it is towards her natal family, and the grandchildren born in the future will only be farther and farther away from the Fang family, whether it is blood or family affection. Only our Fang family girls are of the same heart with the Fang family, and the Zhennan Palace and the Fang family will Generations are close…”