royal court.
Bamir didn't receive Yuanjue's letter, so he asked Bi Su, "Is there anything unusual in Gaochang?"
Bi Su looked at a loss: "Why do you ask that?"
"A letter will be sent back from Gao Chang every two days. It's been two days, and there is no letter from Gao Chang."
Bi Suo's expression was a little dark, and just as he was about to inquire, his personal soldiers flew into the corridor: "Emergency military information from Shacheng!"
"Gaochang is surrounded by the Beirong army!"
Bi Su was shocked.
Bamir did not dare to delay and sent the battle report into the grotto.
Tanmaraka sat in front of the book desk, raised his head, and asked, "How many people?"
The soldier said: "About ten thousand people! The leader of the army is Haidu Aling!"
Tan Moraga frowned slightly, put away the Buddha beads, and his face was solemn.
Bi Su hurriedly said, "My lord, I would like to lead troops to help Gaochang."
Tamara was undecided, ordered his personal soldiers to fetch a map, drew a few lines on the parchment with a pen, and asked his personal soldiers, "Is the military situation correct?"
The soldier replied: "Reporting to the king, it is the battle report sent back by the guard of Shacheng!"
Tan Mo Luojia frowned, "Haidu Aling is blocked outside Baicheng, it is impossible to appear outside Gaochang City with 10,000 soldiers and horses."
Bi Suo was also puzzled: "He can disguise as a herdsman and sneak through the checkpoint... But his soldiers and horses are impossible. Where did the 10,000 soldiers and horses outside Gaochang City come from?"
Tamara pondered for a moment, then released the pen, "Bring the battle report that Moviduo sent back."
Bi Su hurriedly pulled out the battle report and handed it to him.
Tamara Gabi read the battle report in front of the map, his fingers trembled slightly, and he pinched the parchment.
Bi Suo looked anxious: "King?"
Tamara Ka put down the map.
All the remnants of Beirong have now turned around and rushed to Gaochang.
There are more than 10,000 horses in Haidu Aling. In the next few days, the North Rong rebels, who are scattered around the world without a leader, will madly pounce on Gaochang.
She is in Gaochang.
Going to Gaochang to save her is to fall into the scheme of Haidu Aling.
If you don't go, Gao Chang is in danger.
With a soft click, the Buddha beads he put in his sleeve slipped out and fell to the ground.
Tamaroka leaned over and picked up the beads, her heart tensed.
…
The sky was darkening, the wind was howling, and the moon was shadowing.
Ten thousand Beirong people are stationed outside Gaochang City. From a distance, the bonfires in the tents are like bright stars in the sky, and the Milky Way is brilliant.
And Gaochang City was as small as a faint firefly, shivering in front of the overwhelming starlight.
Bodhidharma stood at the head of the city, looking at the dense bonfires in the distance, remembering the invincible weather when the Northern Rong army pressed the border last time, and could not help but feel fear.
It was after the siege of Beirong that he lost his wife and the courage to resist. He was addicted to alcohol all day and became a puppet.
Now, facing the murderous Beirong cavalry again, he couldn't help but be afraid.
The firelight flickered, Yaoying stepped on the moonlight and walked to his side, wearing a narrow-sleeved brocade robe, wearing silver armor, and her long hair wrapped in a scarf, and asked, "Is there any news from Yang Qian?"
Bodhidharma came back to his senses and shook his head: "No, the Beirong camp stopped directly to set up camp, and there was no movement."
Yaoying frowned slightly and asked the guard next to her: "The Xizhou soldiers in the city, plus all the civilians who can fight, how many men can fight in total?"
The defender thought for a while and replied, "There are only five thousand strong men."
Bodhidharma's face changed slightly, and he looked at Yaoying: "What does the princess mean by this? Want all the commoners to mount the city and defend the city?"
It has not yet reached the point where unarmed people can mount the towers to defend the city.
Yaoying looked at the Beirong camp with a worried expression on her face: "Dalang, this Beirong cavalry suddenly appeared, not in a hurry to attack the city, but stationed outside the city. This time they besieged the city, not for a surprise attack, nor for a robbery. Raid and replenish food and grass supplies... Whatever they want to do, we have to prepare early."
Bodhidharma is also thinking about this question: "What do they want? Why are they attacking Gaochang?"
Wakhan Khan is dead, and Beirong's disintegration is a foregone conclusion. In the current situation, no matter from which point of view, Yizhou is the city that Beirong people should guard. As long as they defend Yizhou, there is still a chance for a comeback. So the next goal of the Western Army is to retake Illinois.
Because of this, Li Zhongqian sent troops to Yizhou a few days ago, and he is not in the city now.
Why did Beirong abandon Yizhou, and did not want to escape westward, but instead gathered his troops to attack Gaochang
Among the Beirong cavalry, the flag of the Haidu Aling Department appeared. In the past two days, they only called for the formation and did not attack the city. Someone in the army muttered that he led the troops to attack Gaochang in order to snatch Princess Wenzhao. The rumors had already spread, and Bodhidharma was shocked. At this juncture, the rumors would make the panicked people in the city do crazy things.
Yaoying held the arrow stack in her hand and said softly, "Some people say that Haidu Aling came to attack Gaochang for me. As long as you hand me over, Beirong will retreat. Does Dalang think it is credible?"
Bodhidharma stared at her for a long time, and the corners of his mouth twitched: "Haidu Aling is ruthless, I really hand over the princess, and he will lead troops to slaughter the city on his hind legs. He deliberately released such rumors to deceive people, just to make us mutual. Suspicion, I won't be fooled."
Yaoying nodded: "You and I can understand it, but as long as someone spreads rumors in the city, the people will believe his words. At that time, as long as the Beirong cavalry concentrates their forces to attack the city gate a few times, there will be life in the city. Chaos... If the people force me out of the city, there will be a rift between the western army and the people, and it may be difficult for the Xizhou soldiers to recover the lost territory in the future. The Beirong people can take the opportunity to win over those states and counties that are still watching... If I don't leave the city, the wealthy clan will treat me resentful..."
"Whether I go out of the city or not, it will affect morale."
Bodhidharma felt a chill down his spine, Haidu Aling had not launched an attack, but just pretended to be besieging the city and released rumors, inciting public opinion and roasting the Western Army on the fire.
Yaoying said calmly: "If the Beirong people continue to call for an array tomorrow, but they do not attack, it means that the Beirong people will not easily withdraw their troops this time. They want to spend it and wait until the city changes."
Bodhidharma's scalp was numb: "Princess, I will order it to continue. From tomorrow, if anyone dares to spread rumors, they will be severely punished!"
Yaoying is not panic at all: "I know the people's hearts like this, the rumors have already spread, it will be too late tomorrow, I have already sent people to call the prestige village elders in the city. As soon as the rumors spread, I have to find a way to stop them. , the longer it spreads, the less able it is to explain clearly."
She can't show cowardice, and she must stabilize people's hearts from the beginning of defending the city.
The personal soldiers came to report, and the people were almost there. Several clan elders deliberately dragged them and hadn't left yet.
The two looked at each other, went down the city tower, and came to the council hall. The fire was flickering in the hall.
"Princess, Beirong is coming fiercely, and General Yang led his troops to Yanqi, can we people defend the city?"
"What request did Haidu Aling make? Are they willing to retreat?"
"There are 10,000 Beirong people outside the city! How can we hold on!"
There was a terrified questioning voice that changed its tone.
Yaoying walked to the front of the long case, looked around, and said, "Haidu Aling said that as long as I am willing to leave the city, he will withdraw his troops."
As soon as these words came out, there was an uproar in the hall.
Everyone was stunned and couldn't believe it, and then a look of embarrassment appeared on their faces. The rumors had spread, and they couldn't help but murmured in their hearts. They felt that the rumors were true. The princess's beauty was the best in the Central Plains, and Haidu Aling might really be here for her. At this moment, the princess should be the one who doesn't want to mention this matter the most, but she said it in public. Could it be that the princess has a deep sense of righteousness and plans to leave the city for the safety of the people in the city
Yaoying looked at the elders: "Do you think I should leave the city?"
Everyone looked at each other, not daring to say what they were thinking.
Bodhidharma sneered, "You forgot, what happened after we opened the city gate and let the Beirong people enter the city last time?"
"If the city is broken this time, the princess and I will definitely stay alive, and the others will have to seek their own blessings."
Everyone was stunned. Last time, in order to kill chickens and monkeys, the Beirong people condoned the soldiers to burn, kill and loot, and killed a group of officials and guards in the palace who had their hearts on the Han region... Bodhidharma was right, he and the princess had no life worries. , it's them who may be dead!
Bodhidharma continued: "The princess is here. Soldiers and tribes from Xizhou from all over the country will come to help. The army of Liangzhou will also send troops to rescue. Wang Ting will not watch the fire from the other side... If the princess is not in Gaochang, do you think the rescue will come?"
Everyone's eyes widened and they were drenched in cold sweat.
The states in the Western Regions depended on the oases, with a small population, unable to support a strong army, and they were too busy to take care of themselves. Other states and counties heard that they were besieged by the Beirong cavalry, and would definitely not dare to send troops to rescue them.
The Xizhou soldiers obeyed the princess' orders. The Central Plains court, the royal court and the western army made the covenant with the princess. They were suspicious of each other and only recognized the princess as the leader. Still have leisure to solve the danger of Gaochang
Therefore, when the princess left the city, the morale of the soldiers was frustrated, and the soldiers were defeated like a mountain. It was them who suffered. When the princess leaves the city, they can wait for the soldiers to come to the rescue, and the soldiers will be encouraged to defend the city desperately.
After everyone weighed it, their faces gradually changed, Chao Yaoying handed over, and his face was full of shame.
The princess could have returned to Chang'an to stay away from the war. For the sake of her great cause, she stayed in the dangerous land and worked hard. The people of all states and counties were all benefited by her. They actually wanted to hand over the princess for a moment of peace. They were short-sighted!
"We are ashamed, please punish the princess."
Yao Ying didn't pierce the minds of everyone and said, "The situation is serious now. Only by working together can I defend the city."
She glanced at the soldier.
The personal soldiers came out and glanced around coldly, seeing everyone sweating, the long knife in their hands slashed sharply, the long case shattered in response, and the wood chips splashed.
"If there is someone who disturbs the morale of the army, there is such a case."
The crowd shivered and answered in unison.
Yaoying walked out of the military headquarters, there was a loud noise from the door, and several old people who looked like old clansmen came up to greet her, shouting loudly, asking if she would like to go out of the city for the people.
The faces of the personal soldiers sank. Several people escorted Yao Ying to leave first. One person stayed behind. The long knife was unsheathed, and the handle of the knife slapped the old man. The old man was caught off guard and fell down the stairs.
The crowd was silent for a moment.
Facing everyone's fearful gaze, the personal soldiers walked down the stone steps, and the tip of the knife picked up the old man's messy hair: "I yelled in front of the governor, intending to collide, this time I'm just giving a little punishment, and I won't leave anyone with the knife next time."
The crowd was horrified.
The personal soldiers put their swords in their sheaths, looked around, and followed Yaoying.
Zheng Jing came over in a hurry, and frowned when he heard what the old men had just instigated: "Princess, how is the situation in the city now?"
Yaoying sighed and said, "Smart people understand the current situation. Others are frightened by my personal soldiers. As long as they are honest, we will be able to keep our ears clean and not be attacked by the enemy."
Zheng Jing hesitated for a moment and said, "Princess, if Duke Wei is here, he will definitely persuade His Highness to find a way to withdraw from the city..."
He felt that Yaoying's status was more important than the gains and losses of one city and one place, and there was no need to stay behind to defend the city.
Yaoying shook her head: "If I run away, what will the people think of me? Once the states in the Western Regions lose confidence in the soldiers and the imperial court in the Western Regions, all our previous efforts will be in vain, and if we want to recover the lost ground in one go, I'm afraid it will be difficult. And now Beirong Ten thousand cavalry guards outside the city, even if we retreat, there is no way to break through."
Zheng Jing frowned.
Yao Ying was right. Going out of the city now is like throwing herself into a trap. For her, staying in the city is the safest.
However, if the rescuers can't come back in time to help, Gao Chang won't be able to hold on for long.
"Can Yang Qian be back in time?"
Yaoying said sadly: "Since Yanqi is a trap, then Yang Qian is likely to be trapped. We can only wait for the soldiers and tribes from all over the West to come to the rescue. The food and grass of the Beirong people can't support it for long, all we can do now is to defend the city. and wait."
The torches were burning brightly, and the night was dark. She was dressed in military uniform, bathed in the hazy firelight, and sighed.
"What I'm most afraid of right now is not the Beirong people attacking the city... Brother A knows that Gaochang is besieged and will definitely come back. He only brought 2,000 people..."
If Haidu Aling set a trap to attack the reinforcements, he would be in danger.
Zheng Jing comforted her and said, "Duke Wei has led the army for many years and will definitely remain vigilant."
The night wind blew by.
Yaoying was calm, she couldn't panic, she had to defend the city.
She is fine, Li Zhongqian will not rush in.
Yaoying returned to the house and called her personal soldiers: "Has the letter eagle been sent out?"
The soldier said: "The Beirong people shot the letter eagle, and the news can't be sent. Now we can only warn you in the daytime."
Yaoying frowned.
Yuanjue has been by Yaoying's side all the time. Before she discussed the military situation with Bodhidharma and Zheng Jing, he was not easy to interject, but now he couldn't help but say: "Princess, if the king knows that Gaochang is besieged, he will definitely send troops, maybe Reinforcements are already on their way."
Yaoying was stunned and muttered, "Reinforcements from the Royal Court?"
There seemed to be a bright light flashing in her mind, her pupils shrank suddenly, she looked at the map for a while, sweat dripped from her palm, grabbed the map, rushed out of the room, found Bodhidharma who was about to take a nap, and called the other guards. .
"Haidu Aling has been besieged and not attacked for the past two days. Could it be that he is just waiting for our rescue?"
Bodhidharma said doubtfully: "Waiting for the rescue? He must have wanted to attack the city before the rescue arrived..."
Yaoying pointed at the map: "He wants to attack Gaochang, Xizhou soldiers within a few hundred miles will come back to help, Wang Ting will also send troops, Liangzhou army is ready to attack Yizhou, maybe they will come to help... He just needs to hold his troops still. , you can mobilize all the troops."
Dharma's eyes widened and he gasped.
If it is as Yaoying guessed, then Haidu Aling is using Gaochang as bait to lure all forces to come to the rescue!
Everyone was shocked and couldn't believe it: "Is this possible?"
Yaoying's face was pale: "tomorrow we will know."
If Haidu Aling's goal was really reinforcements, then he would definitely not dare to attack the city with all his strength, which would consume his combat power.
He released rumors as a means to confuse them.
That night, everyone didn't dare to close their eyes at all.
In the early morning of the next day, the war drums were beating, and the guards went into battle.
The Beirong people blew their horns, and several horses galloped into battle. The riders bent their bows and shot arrows, which were tied with cloth strips.
Only one sentence was written on the banner: As long as Gaochang handed over Princess Wenzhao, they would withdraw their troops.
Beirong sent a team of soldiers with loud voices to shout out the contents of the banner.
Yaoying had done both favors and power last night to appease the wealthy family in the city. Now that the soldiers knew that Princess Wenzhao stayed, they could hold on to the hope of victory. No matter how the Beirong people called, the soldiers at the city head were unmoved.
The Beirong people shouted for more than half an hour, but Gao Chang did not respond.
When the sun rose in mid-air, the Beirong people launched their first attack to the sound of the rumbling war drums. Gaochang had already built fortifications, and the Beirong cavalry was halfway through the charge, and suddenly there was an earth-shattering explosion. , the sharp longbow formation immediately fell into chaos, and after a burst of howls and howls, they quickly adjusted the formation, retracted to the two wings, pulled them into sharp knives, and continued to attack the city.
When they entered the range, the defender immediately directed the archers to release arrows, and the speed of the Beirong people slowed down under the arrow rain.
After several rounds of strangulation, the two armies Ming Jin withdrew their troops.
Yaoying's face was solemn. The Beirong people's offensive was not weak at all. In the face of the power of gunpowder, she still rushed forward without fear of death after panicking. Could it be that she guessed wrong
The next day, the drums of war thundered, and the Beirong people sent troops to call again, full of foul language.
Gao Chang also sent a few loud soldiers to scold them.
By the time of Japan and China, the Beirong people beat drums to attack the city, and the charging cavalry was still as fierce as yesterday and not afraid of death.
After several days like this, the people in the city were panicked, and the soldiers were exhausted. Bodhidharma looked at the dark Beirong army outside the city every day, and his heart skipped a beat.
However, Yaoying gradually saw the clue: "They are really saving their combat power, and they don't invest much combat power each time."
Bodhidharma's heart beat faster, and said anxiously: "Our news can't be sent out, reinforcements should be on their way..."
If it was really Haidu Aling's plan, he had already succeeded.
Li Zhongqian, the reinforcements from Wang Ting, the soldiers from Xizhou, the states in the Han region... Haidu Aling attracted all the reinforcements to Gaochang. What was it for
Yaoying's back was cold.
At this moment, another shrill horn sounded outside the city, and the direction of the Beirong camp suddenly burst into the sky.
The Beirong army did not expect that the main camp would be attacked. The former army was still charging forward, and the rear army was panicked, not knowing whether to turn around or follow the former army.
Gaochang's defenders looked over in surprise and said loudly, "The reinforcements are here! The reinforcements are here!"
In the distance, the Beirong camp had already fallen into a sea of raging fire.
Yaoying looked at the dancing flames, dripping with cold sweat.