〖In the 24th year of Rongsheng, the Northern Han army was defeated in Qinzhou, Princess Jiaping retreated to Jinyang, the Yong army threatened the city with massacres, the civilians all went north to avoid the disaster of war, the road was covered with smoke and dust, the road was difficult, the old and the young were crying, invincible is a request for the rear army. Yong's army was desperately pressed, but Wudi blocked it, and finally was trapped by Yong's army due to exhaustion. Wudi used Yong's prisoner Xuan Song as a pledge, and threatened Yong Shuai to relieve the siege before he survived.
However, Wudi has not yet reached Jinyang, and the road is noisy, and they all say that he will surrender to the enemy army. The Northern Han Dynasty will not detect him, and he will give death. There are countless rumors and rumors, and Wudi is irrefutable. Only Princess Jiaping knew his injustice and ordered him to leave avoid.
— "The History of the Northern Han Dynasty: The Biography of Duan Wudi"〗
Thirty miles east of Pingyao City, the deserted village was lonely and uninhabited. A group of Yong Jun scouts went north along the road like a whirlwind, and it was still a few miles away from the village. More than a dozen Yong Jun marched out on horseback, entered the village and turned around, returning to the village. When he arrived in the team, he reported to the officer headed by Xiang: "There is no one in the village, and the house is in good condition, so it can be used as a camp."
The officer nodded and said: "Don't be careless, the Northern Han thieves have been attacking and harassing many times in the past few days, our army is quite tired, you can follow me to search the village Haosheng, and you must not leave any hidden dangers, although the Chinese army will be closed. But if they find something wrong, I'm afraid we can't afford it."
The Yong army complied with a bang. Except for more than ten people who were still standing guard outside the village, the rest entered the village to search, and did not miss anything suspicious. The leading officer even picked out a few relatively neat houses first. After inspecting it inside and out, I sat in person and waited for the arrival of the Chinese army.
After half an hour, the golden dragon flag fluttered in the wind under the setting sun, and the army of Yong Jun arrived in the deserted village, and then the army began to camp outside the village, while Li Xian, the commander of the Yong army, entered the village to rest, and the guards had already cleaned the house. , Although it was only a temporary residence, the bed was replaced with the splendid quilt used by Li Xian's army, all the utensils and utensils were carried by the army, and even the windows were covered with brocade curtains. It has become a comfortable and luxurious hotel.
After Li Xian summoned all the generals to have dinner together, he discussed the military aircraft around the silver lamp. It was the evil shadow Li Shun who was hidden in the corner of the house. , so he was guarded by Li Xianchong. If not, he would have found a secluded place to practice and meditate.
Li Xian said angrily: "This Duan Wudi is really not able to get in the soot. When the king attacked, he took the risk and defended. If the king was a little slack, he would come to steal the camp and attack the fortress, or else he would come to seize the king's army. Carriage, these days, this king has been harassed by him. Tomorrow our army can attack Pingyao. This place is one of the most fortified cities in the Northern Han Dynasty. Duan Wudi is defending the city. , do you have a plan to let him abandon the city earlier, huh, as long as this king arrives under the Jinyang city, I see what tricks he can find out. Now General Changsun is going around to destroy the sporadic rebel armies in various parts of the Northern Han Dynasty, and the progress is rapid. If this king needs his help to attack Jinyang, it would be really embarrassing."
Qi Wangai rubbed his fists at Xia Ning and said: "His Royal Highness, Duan Wudi is difficult to deal with, but as long as he is willing to confront us head-on, he is still afraid of what he will do. Your Highness, please let the last commander attack the city, it will not take three days, it will definitely be possible. Break the city."
Fan Wencheng sneered: "If we attack the city with all our strength, do we still need you? None of us can command. Your Highness wants to reduce some losses. After all, this time our Zezhou army has suffered very light losses."
The generals came up with ideas one after another, but Li Xian frowned more and more the more he listened. Duan Wudi had the fortified city of Pingyao as the backing, and he had nearly 10,000 troops in his hands. If he wanted to attack by force, he would inevitably suffer heavy losses. Although he knew that Duan Wudi's weakness was loving the people, if he threatened him It is possible to wrap the people to attack the city, or to force Duan Wudi to give up Pingyao by other means. But not to mention that the people of the Northern Han Dynasty have almost disappeared from where they are now, even if enough civilians can be caught, he also does not want to deepen the hatred between the civilians of the Northern Han Dynasty when the Northern Han Dynasty is about to perish. Because of Jing Chi's reputation for murder, the people along the way were forced to flee, but Li Xian didn't want to really slaughter the city and destroy the village. He, Li Xian, was not murderous.
Standing in the shadows of the room, Li Shun couldn't help but pouted his lips slightly. If it wasn't for the son who had given an order, Xuan Songsheng wanted to see people, and if he died, he wanted to see the corpse. If he didn't leave here, he was also regarded as a hard worker by King Qi. Who let Xuan Song remain in Duan Wudi's hands, but he couldn't find the opportunity to save people, so he could only stay by Li Xian's side with the camera to save people. Seeing that the discussion became more and more heated, Li Shun began to figure out what kind of crooked and evil ways, Li Shun quietly floated out of the room, wanting to breathe the cold air. The air outside was very fresh, and Li Shun felt much more at ease. He couldn't help strolling in the dim starlight and the dim lights, immersing his mind in the heaven and earth. Li Shun quietly savored the endless night. Suddenly, Li Shun felt a palpitation in his heart, and he looked into the distance if he felt it, across the vast army, the copper wall and the iron wall, there was a faint murderous aura in the dark depths, it was a familiar atmosphere.
Since the battle with Fengyi Sect Master, Li Shun has benefited a lot. The hard work in the East China Sea has made his innate realm further. In this world, apart from a few people, he has no rivals. Now he has mastered the "soul lock". A person who has reached a certain level of martial arts, as long as he approaches him within a certain distance, his mind can be alert. This distance is not fixed, and is closely related to the depth of the martial arts of both parties. If the other party is an ordinary person, unless he is a Deliberately pay attention, otherwise it will be difficult to form a warning sign in his mind. If the other party is a master who has not entered the innate realm, within more than ten miles, as long as the person's mood swings are slightly violent, he can feel it. If the opponent is also a master of innate extreme numbers, then there will be many variables. If the opponent's cultivation base is better than him, or if he is proficient in the art of restraint, it will be difficult to detect the opponent's existence. Arrangement, but before Duan Lingxiao took action, Li Shun did not clearly feel Duan Lingxiao's existence. If the other party is like the man in the dark, he has entered the innate realm soon, his cultivation base is still shallow, and he has not yet reached the soul lock realm. Said that this kind of congenital master is more likely to leave traces on his heart lake than ordinary masters with hostility.
Of course, if they reach the level of Fengyi Sect Master and Master Cizhen, they can't hide their existence no matter what, so in the past in Yongdu, although the two had never met, they were like witnessing each other's changes in mood and actions. In general, Li Shun knew that it was impossible to hide his emotions in front of those two people. Fortunately, a person with the status of a master would not easily make a move.
Li Shun pondered for a while, and had already guessed from the familiar but slightly unfamiliar atmosphere, and the man had murderous intent but no murderous intent, and his identity was even more obvious. To a remote hill outside the camp. I saw a young man in black robe standing on the hill under the waning moon and stars, his expression indifferent and lonely. Beside him stood a black-clothed youth with a piano bag behind him, and his expression was a little gloomy. Seeing the two of them, Li Shun showed a faint smile on his lips, and said loudly, "It turns out that Young Master Qiu has returned, how is the scenery of the East China Sea?"
Qiu Yufei said indifferently: "Do you think I'm here to assassinate?"
Li Shun shook his head and said: "You are a smart person, you should know that it is impossible, but why did the son let you out so quickly? If it wasn't for the hand of the son, you wouldn't want to escape from Jinghai Villa."
Qiu Yufei took a deep look at Li Shun and said, "Your son has a far-reaching plan, and letting me out is naturally useful to me, but I may not let him get his wish. I wanted to see him this time. , ask him a few words, but I heard that you are in Li Xian's camp, and if you want to come, I will go, and he will not see me. You don't have to worry that I will assassinate him. If I dare to shoot, I am afraid that Sang Mr. Sang won't let me go. I dare not speculate on Mr. Sang's realm, but even if it is a master, he may not be able to win. I have already passed down the book to Jinyang, and no one from the Demon Sect will assassinate Chu Xianghou. Mr. Sang will do it. The backing is that even the master is unwilling to commit murder, what's more, the situation in the Northern Han Dynasty is so rotten, and even if the master makes a move, nothing can be saved, and my Demon Sect will not do such a rash thing."
Li Shun slapped his palms and said, "Young Master Qiu is right. If you had such intelligence back then, I am afraid that it would be difficult for the son to use your exorcism."
Qiu Yufei's expression changed, and after a while, he said, "Sure enough, I was caught in a treachery that day. I received a letter from the Marquis of Chu Xiang a few days ago, and the letter contained a lot of apology. Pointing, only to know that I was deceived in the past."
Li Shun smiled slightly. He knew Jiang Zhe's intentions long ago, and he would definitely reveal the truth of Quartz's grievance at this time and use it to attack Duan Wudi. When Qiu Yufei suddenly returned to Northern Han, he expected that Jiang Zhe would let the truth out. He knew that under temptation, it would be true.
Qiu Yufei sighed softly, turned around and wanted to walk, but stopped and said: "The day Suiyun met me in the middle way, although I was malicious, I still regarded him as a confidant, I don't know that he was always open-minded. pretend?"
Li Shun said solemnly, "Even if your son has a deep mind, if it weren't for your brilliant talent and refined personality, how could you give Qingyuan qin sheet music as a gift, which is the hard work of your deceased father. If you still resent your son because of hostile things, you should listen to it, but you can't doubt the sincerity of the son that day."
Qiu Yufei was silent for a long time, and then walked away. The young man was Ling Duan, who followed him step by step, and the two of them disappeared into the night after a while.
A chill flashed in Li Shun's eyes, his eyes seemed to pass through the darkness and looked at Pingyao City. Now Su Qing should have arranged it properly. Now, from Pingyao to Jinyang, there must be rumors that Long Ting flew into the alienation plan to kill Quartz. , Now that Long Tingfei is dead, the people involved in the past will be under greater pressure. Duan Wudi played a lot of roles in this matter, and will inevitably be severely criticized by the upper levels of the Northern Han Dynasty. Even if Princess Jiaping and others understood Duan Wudi's innocence, I'm afraid he would find it difficult to understand their actions.
Li Shun couldn't help but think that when he was commissioned that day, the young master secretly stuffed himself with the gift bag that he gave to Su Qing when King Qi entered the army. He took out a short card with a few lines written on it.
"Let Su Qing spread rumors, mentioning the matter of alienating quartz in the past, with the invincible military heart of chaos, the kindness of Duan's heart, and the unwillingness to let others down, he must be ashamed and want to die. If his actions are wrong, he will take advantage of the opportunity. People, in the autumn of life and death in the Northern Han Dynasty, are easy to take advantage of."
Li Shun smiled lightly, rubbed his right hand lightly, and the short card disappeared.
On the second day, Li Xian began to attack Pingyao, which was completely a law-abiding way of fighting. With the strong force of Yong Jun and the continuous offensive, the progress was quite smooth. When the time came, Li Xian personally commanded the city wall on the side of the siege. The defense began to collapse. Under the onslaught of the trebuchets, a corner of the city wall suddenly collapsed. Yong Jun immediately cheered loudly. Following the gap in the city wall, countless Yong troops began to attack inward with the help of siege equipment such as cloud ladders. Near the gap The northern Han army was desperately resisted, but it still could not stop the Yong army's offensive.
At this time, Duan Wudi calmly gave the order, and the guards around him looked at him in disbelief, but Su Ri's majesty made him give the order without hesitation. The order was given, and a passage was immediately made. When the pressure in front of the army suddenly eased and the army of Yong who had attacked the city head cheered, the springs rang, and the northern Han army, who had already been waiting in battle, launched strong crossbows, all of which were wrapped in black gunpowder. Nitre and other flammable objects were ignited and shot into the Yong army. The successive explosions caused the Yong army to immediately chaotic. At this time, the Northern Han army, who had avoided one side, swarmed up and defeated and killed them, taking advantage of the setback of the Yong army's offensive. At the moment, the Northern Han army dumped the kerosene, and then dropped the torches, the flames were raging under the city, and the blood on the city was gushing out.
When the last Yong army was beheaded, Duan Wudi approached the city wall, pressed his hands on the walls soaked in blood on both sides, and looked down, only to see that the Yong army began to retreat, as fast as the sea ebbs. The faint pressure and power in it made Duan Wudi's face even colder. Looking back at the dilapidated scene of the burning smoke in the city, and looking at the enemy camps that stretched dozens of miles away, Duan Wudi felt a chill in his heart.
Although he forced the enemy back, he was not at all relieved. Although Yong Jun only started sieging the city today, but since the day before yesterday, rumors have spread in the city. Although no one in the city dared to discuss face-to-face, Duan Wudi knew that the rumor was that he was smuggled and corrupted by Quartz, and he was in Longting. Fei Mian went forward to slander, framed Quartz as a crime, and persecuted Quartz to death. The personal guards around him were very angry, and asked for orders several times to find out and kill the people who spread the rumors, but they were all forcibly suppressed by Duan Wudi. It's not that he doesn't know the importance of military stability in defending the city, but he can't strictly investigate the matter, because in addition to his own old troops, 30% of the troops in his hands are old Quartz troops, and most of the rumors are spread by Old Quartz. They did not intend to do so. Which soldier does not want his general to love his soldiers like sons and fight bravely. If he is under the command of a stigmatized general, that shame will never be washed away in his life. After Quartz's death in the past, his reputation was completely ruined, and these old minions did not know how much humiliation they suffered because of it. Now that they know that their generals were persecuted to death, how could they not tell each other. For them, since the "deceived" coach, General Long, is dead, it is natural that Duan Wudi, who is "slandering", is responsible for this. As a result, everyone in Quartz's old subordinates harbored resentment, and even some of their subordinates were suspicious. But for this situation, Duan Wudi is helpless. If he wants to clear up the rumors, he will inevitably affect many innocent soldiers. I am afraid that before the enemy army attacks the city, he will kill each other. In desperation, Duan Wudi Only by temporarily suppressing the army by the current severe military situation, if he can return to Jinyang, there is still a chance to save the military heart, he can only comfort himself like this.
At this time, under the "protection" of the two Northern Han sergeants, Xuan Song walked to the city head. His injuries have gradually recovered. Although the scars on his face look like, he can move freely. Since the Northern Han army withdrew from Qinyuan After that, he was in Duan Wudi's army, and Duan Wudi was quite polite to him. As long as it was not at the critical time of marching or fighting, although the supervision was strict, it was not harsh, so he could come to the city at this time. Looking at the ruined scene at the top of the city, Xuan Song felt a little sad. He had already learned about the bloody battle just now from the Northern Han army. Of course, this was because the soldiers of the Northern Han army wanted to attack him, General Dayong. He knew what the bloodstains at the head of the city represented, but he did not show a sad expression. As a soldier of Dayong, he should have the consciousness of dying in battle. What use can grief and sympathy be? Could he prevent the Yong army from attacking the city in order to reduce casualties, or could he persuade the Northern Han army to give up resistance. Only the unification of the world can make this bloody battle that doesn't matter right or wrong no longer happen.
Seeing Duan Wudi's back, Xuan Song felt respect in his heart. It was this person who had been fighting hard for many days, hindering the Yong army's attack and giving millions of soldiers and civilians the opportunity to retreat and flee. Xuan Song knew that Although Dayong is also strict in military discipline, this does not guarantee that innocent civilians of the Northern Han Dynasty will not be harmed. This person is loyal and loves the people. If he can persuade him to surrender, Dayong will be able to get a good general and a worthy minister. Thinking of this, Xuan Song laughed loudly and said: "If you talk about defending the city, no one in the world can beat General Duan, and His Royal Highness King Qi will count it in one day. Your Excellency repelled the second attack, but the Yong army was strong, there was no reinforcements outside the general, the army in the city was unstable, and the food and grass were scarce, how many days can it hold?"
Duan Wudi did not turn his head, and said calmly, "Just keep it for two more days, Princess Jiaping has issued a military order, and all the people in Jinyang can enter the city. At that time, there will be millions of soldiers and civilians in Jinyang, and there will be no shortage of food, grass and weapons. It's easy to hold on for a year and a half."
Xuan Song sighed and said, "Even so, how long can Northern Han last? Although no one told me about it, I know how unfavorable the current situation is for you. Not to mention the death of General Long, only Seeing Princess Jiaping's order to shrink the defense line to Jinyang, you know that you have no hope of winning. You can only rely on Jinyang's geographical advantage to keep the last chance of life. Unless I, Dayong, have to withdraw in the end, the fall of the Northern Han Dynasty is a foregone conclusion. General Duan, even if you don't care for your own life, don't you care for the lives of your soldiers? Now that the Yong army has surrounded Pingyao, His Royal Highness King Qi is just worried that you will attack the grain road behind, and with plenty of time, That's why we attacked the city with all our strength, otherwise as long as tens of thousands of people are left to surround Pingyao, the army can continue to go north. If you want to defend for two more days, I'm afraid there will be no chance to return to Jinyang again."
Duan Wudi did not refute. He and Xuan Song had several detailed discussions these days. Although both sides were wary, they just wanted to obtain more information, but they respected each other's talents. Both of them were good at defense. He was a talented general, so Xuan Song knew the reality of the city just by taking a few glances. What Xuan Song said was true, and Duan Wudi already knew about some things, but he did not disclose it to Xuan Song. For example, the news of Emperor Yong Li Zhi's personal expedition, and the news that Li Zhi's army had cut off the roads of Daizhou and Xinzhou. Duan Wudi was extremely uneasy about this matter, although he had been forced to stay in Jinyang because the Daizhou army had no way to return home, and even Princess Jiaping had officially accepted the imperial edict and became the Jinyang Army of the Northern Han Dynasty. General Yang, but Duan Wudi vaguely felt that this was probably a very important move by Yong Jun, and it might bring about the collapse of the Northern Han Dynasty. It's a pity that he is a soldier, and he still doesn't know much about some things. He just felt the danger of Emperor Yong's actions almost instinctively, but he didn't know its true meaning.
Seeing that Duan Wudi acquiesced to what he said, Xuan Song said, "Besides, General Duan's situation doesn't seem to be very good..." Just when he said this, Duan Wudi raised his hand to stop him, and said solemnly: "It is also in my heart. Even though he has died nine times, he still has no regrets." Xuan Song's body shook, looked at Duan Wudi's resolute face, and finally sighed: "Since General Duan has no regrets, Xuan does not want to humiliate the general's name. , just believing but doubting, being loyal and being slandered, this is the sadness of the ages. Although the noble king is not a foolish lord, at this time of danger, it is inevitable to be overly cautious. I hope that if it is irreversible, the general will not. Foolish loyalty is what it is."
Duan Wudi finally turned his head and said lightly, "If I let General Xuan go back, why would your Excellency repay him?"
Xuan Song had been prepared long ago. If he didn't take advantage of himself, he didn't kill him early, or he handed himself over to Princess Jiaping and took him to Jinyang, why bother to stay in the army and look at Duan Wudi's haggard and calm face , He smiled and said, "A general who is trapped in the enemy does not have the right to be independent. If your Excellency has this intention, you may as well send an envoy to meet His Royal Highness King Qi."
Duan Wudi calmly said: "We have to wait for another day before there is room for bargaining."
Xuan Song couldn't help laughing bitterly. He never thought that he would actually become a cargo. Looking at Duan Wudi's eyes, Xuan Song's bitter smile gradually faded. He could see the deep sadness in the eyes of the man opposite, and he knew everything he said. In terms of talent, Duan Wudi is definitely above him, but he is fortunate enough to be a Yongchen, and this person is unfortunately a Han general. "Although he has died nine times, he still has no regrets." To be able to recite this sentence, it can be seen that he has long been in his heart. With enlightenment. He bowed deeply and said, "If Xuan returns to Yongying and His Highness doesn't blame him, he will definitely lead the army to fight against the general. If the general is unfortunately trapped, I hope the general will not beg for death, but Xuan will definitely fight against the general. Your Highness pleads for mercy and saves the general's life and face."
Duan Wudi was a little annoyed at first, but when he saw Xuan Song's incomparably serious expression, his expression softened and said, "In the past, Duan once heard that General Xuan admired loyalty and righteousness, and he met Kuangsheng Yang Can in Shu. Duan Mou knows your kindness for giving money so that his wife and children can live in peace, and although he can't accept it, he should be grateful."
Although Duan Wudi declined, Xuan Song was not annoyed, but a little more regretful. He turned to leave, and Xuan Song felt a lot of pity in his heart. Since the battle with the Northern Han Army, he has been deeply for these brave and loyal people. Sigh, that is the destruction of the Northern Han, can it really win the hearts of the people here? For the first time, Xuan Song felt that attacking the Northern Han might fall into a quagmire.
In the next two days, Li Xian stopped attacking the city, Duan Wudi was very confused, but he was too busy to appease the undercurrent in the army, and he couldn't think about it. On the fourth day, Yong Jun had already gathered in Pingyao, Duan Although Wudi delayed Yong Jun's attack on Jinyang, he was in a deadlock where he could not retreat. Standing at the head of the city, Duan Wudi thought, he did not know that the envoys sent to the Yong Army would be able to accomplish the mission. Although coercing them with hostages was a bit embarrassing, it would be worth it if he could rescue his soldiers. He knew very well that although Xuan Song had an important position in the Yong army, he was not the main general after all, so his requirements were not harsh. He only asked the Yong army not to pursue the retreating Northern Han army, and the city of Pingyao would be handed over to the Yong army intact. He also promised not to burn the city's grain and luggage. He believed that this request might be successful, because for Yong Jun, his own troops were insignificant, and Xuan Song always had the military heart. If King Qi did not care about Xuan Song's life, I am afraid that Yong Jun's military heart would inevitably have resentment and pay In a few cases, he believed that King Qi would not do such a stupid thing that the relatives communicate with each other and the enemies are quick.
After receiving Duan Wudi's letter, Li Xian laughed. For the past two days, he stopped the army and did not attack, because of this letter. After the Japanese military discussion, he privately recruited Su Qing to come over and ask about the situation of spreading rumors. He understood Jiang Zhe's intentions, and then received a letter from Jiang Zhe, which made his heart like a mirror. In order to make the rumors more realistic, he simply stopped attacking. In this way, Duan Wudi would be able to release rumors that Duan Wudi saw the situation was dire and wanted to surrender. Li Xian believed that Duan Wudi would not last long. And even if there were no other benefits, it was worth it to be able to rescue Xuan Song. Thinking of saying goodbye in the middle of the night, Li Xian still felt pain in his heart, so he not only agreed to Duan Wudi's conditions immediately, but also sent an envoy to Pingyao. This messenger is Su Qing.