The Ascension of Ghosts

Lu Sheng and his comrades rode southward on horseback. As they got deeper into the Gobi, the shrubs and grass became sparser. The yellow sand and rocks were exposed to the scorching sun, and the withered yellow grass rolled endlessly along the hot wind.When looking around under the scorching sun, the surrounding scenery is also slightly distorted. There are bearded dogs and coyotes lurking in the grass-like bushes, waiting for an opportunity to move.

It was extremely hot during the day and suddenly cold at night, but after two days of trekking, apart from the calm expression of the guide who led the way, even Ji Chong, who was the most chatty on weekdays, was now sluggish and closed his mouth. Drapes were drawn around the brim of the valance.Yan Xiu's face was even more ashen, and he swayed on the horse's back while muttering to himself in a low voice.

Lu Sheng listened carefully, but what the cat demon said was "Keep your life, keep your life..." It's really dumbfounding.

In the early morning of the third day, when everyone was hurrying on the road in the cool morning, the guide suddenly screamed, got off the horse, turned around and fled back.With quick eyes and quick hands, Lu Sheng grabbed the boy's nape collar and asked, "What's going on!"

The boy guide was only sixteen or seventeen years old, and he was thin and dark, with only a pair of black and white eyes that were bright and bright, but now he was full of fear. He was dragged by Lu Shengti, his knees were trembling, he only closed his eyes, and threw his hands behind him indiscriminately. Pointing, said tremblingly: "Buddha... The Buddha is angry."

The morning light gradually receded, revealing the scenery hidden in the darkness. The plains were thousands of miles away, and the surrounding fields were vast, so wherever the eyes could see, there were groups of human shadows hanging in the air in the distance.Looking at it at a glance, they are arranged sparsely, spreading all the way to a farther place that can't be seen clearly.

Although they were only vague outlines, each figure was as silent as a statue, giving rise to a gloomy and ominous omen, Ji Chong stretched his neck on the horse, looked around, and murmured: "Who erected all these statues in the wilderness? "

Yan Xiu took a deep sniff, and said in a deep voice, "These... are not statues."

Ji Chong turned to look at him in astonishment, "Brother Yan, after such a distance, you can still smell the clue? If it's not a statue, could it be a living person?"

Yan Xiu said, "It's not a living person, but a dead body."

He spoke calmly and calmly, but everyone who heard the words felt the cold wind passing by, and their backs suddenly felt cold.The young guide screamed out in horror, his limbs were weak and he was lifted into the air by Lu Sheng. He cried until he was crying and spoke incoherently. He murmured the scriptures and said in a trembling voice: "Buddha... Buddha forgives sins... Buddha ... calm down..."

Lu Sheng frowned and asked, "If you want to reach Mulan Castle, is this the only way?"

The young man was weeping, but still nodded, then shook his head again and again, refusing to take a step closer, and just repeated: "When the Buddha was angry, the corpse... the mountain of blood and the sea of ​​blood are barren for thousands of miles. Don't go, don't go!"

Lu Sheng had no choice but to raise his hand and slap the boy on the face, and shouted, "Ah Sang, wake up!"

The young man was sobbing and quiet. Lu Sheng couldn't let him go alone, so he tied him up and handed him over to Yang Xiong to guard him. The group of people continued on their way. The morning light was getting brighter, and the strange figure was getting closer and closer to the world. The tragic scene finally fell into the eyes of everyone.

I saw a forest of wooden pillars in the wasteland, deeply buried in the ground, pointing straight to the blue sky with the slight dew of the morning light. On each wooden pillar was tied a person, whose skin was torn to pieces by the scorching sun and bitten by vultures and wolves. Unrecognizable and inhuman.Judging from their clothing and accessories, they are the miscellaneous Hu tribes living in the Western Regions, and Mulanbao...is one of them.

The morning sun broke through the clouds and burst into light, illuminating the jungle of corpses in every detail. The skeleton-like head was either crooked on the shoulder or disappeared; there were blackened blood stains stained with coarse cotton rags, straw ropes were deep The withered gray flesh is deeply strangled, and the bones are staggered to expose all kinds of cruel scenes... If there are only one person or two, it will be fine, but at a glance, there are hundreds of people lined up in front of the eyes, with extraordinary momentum.

The boy named Ah Sang became more and more frightened, struggling desperately on the horse, Yang Xiong had no choice but to knock him unconscious with a palm.

Ji Chong, however, also looked ashen, turned over from his horse, squatted on the ground and retched for a while, Baili Xiao had no choice but to follow him, bowing his head and rubbing his back as if to comfort him.

Lu Sheng saw that everyone was busy, so he had to wink with Yan Xiu, and the two rode along the corpse forest. After running for a long time, they saw that the corpse forest was in a circle, but it surrounded Mulan Castle in.

The two returned to the original place, and after discussing for a while, Lu Sheng understood somewhat, and said with a frown, "These are all mixed soldiers who were defeated and killed, and there were also civilians mixed in, this arrangement... I'm afraid it's just to demonstrate to the enemy. "

The Left Forward Battalion has only 2000 people, and now they have taken Mulan Castle from Rouran with great fanfare, but they have attracted powerful enemies from all directions. Brutal and bloody demonstration methods...

It's just that Guo Qian is brave and honest, and he has the air of a general. If he really raises his arms and calls out, there will be many followers.This kind of evil and sycophant's strategy is probably suggested by an aide.Guo Qian actually adopted it, probably because... he has no good plan and the situation is critical.

Lu Sheng frowned and said, "It's not too late, since you can't find a side road, let's go through it in one go."

Ji Chong immediately fell to the ground, crying and trembling: "Lu, Brother Lu... really want to..."

Baili Xiao lifted him up, and then responded: "It's not too late, let's go."

Yan Xiu took a cloth towel to cover his mouth and nose, and sighed: "This errand is really... hard..."

Lu Sheng pressed his chest, only to feel that the brocade bag presented by General Zhao Zhong before his departure was so heavy that it seemed to fall from the skirt of his clothes. He took a deep breath, and despite the stench in the heat wave, he suppressed his scalp Out of fear, he shouted, "Let's go!"

Immediately, Yan Xiu led the battle, followed by Lu Sheng, Yang Xiong followed closely behind with Asang, and finally Ji Chong and Baili Xiao broke the formation, and everyone rushed into the ghostly forest of corpses.The wooden stakes were fixed irregularly, like a dense forest, everyone had to slow down and move forward carefully, lest they hit the corpse.

The horizontal branches in the field of vision are full of corpses, giving people the illusion of walking in hell.

Fortunately, it was daytime, and as soon as the crowd passed the corpse forest, and walked forward for less than a quarter of an hour, the gray-yellow city wall of Mulan Castle, which was compacted with mud, appeared far away in the sight of everyone.

Ji Chong was shocked immediately, rushed to the front, and sighed loudly: "It's finally here!"

Baili Xiao and Yang Xiong also showed relief, but Lu Sheng's heart became more and more heavy, and he said: "I don't know the depth of the vanguard camp, be careful in everything, and don't act rashly."

While discussing, the sound of horseshoes came from far to near, and a group of people approached. The leader was a man with a purple face, wearing the military uniform of a small school, with fierce eyes, and shouted: "Who is here!"

Lu Sheng took off his badge, raised it above his head, and said in a loud voice: "I am an envoy sent by General Zhao Zhong. I want to see... Centurion Guo Qian." After speaking, he threw the badge over.

Guo Qian killed Wang Meng, and when he took over the left forward, Gongqian still claimed to be a centurion. If not, Zhao Zhong might have to disregard the battle in Shuyu City and spread his troops to destroy Guo Qian.

It's just that Guo Qian's behavior was a rebellion before the battle, and Lu Sheng had heard a little bit about it. Zhao Zhong's staff and lieutenants were arguing about Guo Qian's matter. There are those who give all the crimes and punishments together;

When Lu Sheng and the others set off, there was still no conclusion. Only Zhao Zhong ordered him to come to monitor and contain them, so Lu Sheng had no choice but to play by ear.

The little schoolboy caught the waist badge, checked it carefully, then threw it back, bowed his hands and said: "So it's Lu Sima, I'm calling Chen An, this way please."

Lu Sheng and his party followed this group of people and finally entered Mulan Castle.

As soon as they entered Mulan Castle, there was a strong smell of blood. The houses along the street were damaged and the blood stains on the ground had not been cleaned, which showed that they had experienced a bloody battle.Civilians were extremely rare, but there were no dead bodies along the street, presumably all the dead were collected and sent to the corpse forest outside the fort to make up for it.

The young guide Ah Sang was frightened repeatedly, and now his eyes are lost and he is still in a trance.Lu Sheng couldn't bear it, and after Chen An led everyone to settle in an empty house, he ordered Yang Xiong to stay and take care of him, and then went to the leader's mansion to meet Guo Qian.

The name of the chief's mansion is not true, but a big tent was set up outside the three wooden houses, surrounded by soldiers outside the tent. When Lu Sheng arrived, the guard stepped forward and said, "Master Guo has an order, and only Lu Sima is alone."

Ji Chong held the sword hilt at his waist and took a step forward to speak, but was immediately stopped by Lu Sheng, who said again: "One person is one person, you wait outside."

Yan Xiu remained calm, stepped forward and said, "Lu Sima, lowly..."

Lu Sheng understood. Although he wondered in his heart why it was unnecessary, he still nodded and said, "Yan Xiu, go back to the station first and take care."

Yan Xiu took the order to resign, and when he walked to a place where no one was around, his figure was hazy when he bent down, and he turned into a tiger-striped kitten, and ran into the weedy broken wall in the blink of an eye.

Lu Sheng followed the guards to lead the way, and stepped into the tent. Before he could see the scene clearly, Guo Qian strode over, knelt in front of Lu Sheng, and said tremblingly, "Lu Sima! It's you who came."

Lu Sheng said: "Master Guo, please hurry up, Mr. Lu was ordered to deliver a letter for General Zhao Zhong."

He looked at Guo Qian carefully, but he hadn't seen him for more than ten days. Guo Qian seemed to be the same as before, but Lu Sheng intuitively felt that this person was different from before.A capable man who can assassinate incompetent generals, easily bring [-] soldiers under his command, defeat the miscellaneous army, and set up a corpse forest to scare away the enemy has long been the same as the young man who kept silent in the past and only devoted himself to training and encouraging his allies. The sergeant was a different person.

Guo Qian was apprehensive and let Lu Sheng scrutinize him, and said in a low voice, "Sima Lu, please take a seat."

Lu Sheng smiled and said softly, "Guo Qian, you look very good, so I'm relieved."

Guo Qian was taken aback for a moment, and then laughed. He was tall and majestic, with straight features, and he was very friendly when he smiled. The two took their seats, and Lu Sheng took out the letter. It was a letter of appointment issued by General Zhao, promoting Guo Qian to the military academy Lieutenant, in command of the Left Front Battalion, continued to defend Mulan Castle and cut off the connection between Shuyu City and Mulan Castle.

Lu was promoted to be the supervisor of the army, accompanied by the supervisor of Mulan Castle, and also had the power to command troops.

It was only at this moment that Lu Sheng saw the content of General Zhao's letter, and he couldn't help laughing bitterly. General Zhao sent him to share power with Guo Qian. However, Guo Qian beheaded Wang Meng and won the admiration and followers of the lieutenants. Even if Guo Qian was willing, How can the whole army be willing?

So he said sternly: "Guo Qian, now he is called Captain Guo, Lu has no experience in marching and fighting, and everything should still be dominated by Captain Guo."

Guo Qian hurriedly cupped his hands and said: "I dare not be... Lu Sima is my boss for one day, and he will be my boss for the rest of his life. Guo Qian dare not be good at it. It's rare that no one comes here today. Please allow me to hold a banquet to welcome Lu Sima. Wash the dust."

But Lu Sheng said: "Defending the city should focus on food and grass, but there is no need to catch the wind."

Guo Qian said with a smile: "It's just a glass of water and wine, and a few simple dishes. I don't dare to be extravagant. I hope Lu Sima will not dislike it."

Lu Sheng refused, so he had to stay, and told Bailixiao and others to go back to the station first.

Sure enough, Guo Qian did what he said, and he only served simple dishes, which were nothing more than ordinary items such as roast venison, noodle cakes, and yogurt cakes.Guo Qian drank two glasses of wine, but suddenly put down his glass, looked at Lu Sheng, and sighed with a lot of emotion: "Two months ago, Guo Qian never imagined that one day he would be able to drink with Lu Sima at the same table."

Although the poor family and noble family are not at the same table, the good family and the lowly family are equally distinct. Now Guo Qian is looking very happy, staring at Lu Sheng, and he only thinks that Guo Qian is happy in his heart, so it is inevitable that he is a little presumptuous. He just smiled and then solemnly He said: "It's true that there are heroes in troubled times, Guo Qian, but the situation is not optimistic. Under General Zhao's command, there are still aides who criticize your actions many times. Disobedience and offenders should not be lightly forgiven."

Guo Qian's heart moved, he leaned closer, held Lu Sheng's hand, and said in a trembling voice: "Thank you Lu Sima for your heartfelt words, Guo... really has no choice but to plead guilty to General Zhao when the battle here is understood."

Lu Sheng said with a smile: "If you have committed a crime and performed meritorious service, you will naturally make up for it. Guo Qian, I would like to offer you a toast."

The two had a long drink and a long talk, only to feel a little closer to each other. It was late at night before Lu Sheng left the chief's mansion and returned to the garrison.

The water and wine were light, and Lu Sheng was only slightly drunk. After meeting with everyone, he went into the guest room arranged for him, lit the pungent oil lamp, and took out the kit.

There is only a piece of thin paper in the kit, which is a secret letter written by General Zhao himself, but it is an order that if the war is stalemate, he will assist Guo Qian to defend Mulan Castle; but if he wins, he will wait for the opportunity to assassinate Guo Qian and take his head Return to life.

Lu Sheng frowned unconsciously, and carefully read the secret letter several times, and saw that there was no other secret, so he burned the secret letter cleanly, and stood in front of the lamp to meditate, feeling very disturbed.

He was hesitating in his heart, when the window suddenly slammed, and he didn't know what was scratching the wooden window outside. In the silent camp, there was a continuous and piercing scratching sound.