Biganchun

In the first year of the Qingli calendar, on the 24th of the first month, at noon.

The sky is cloudy like iron, without a ray of sunlight, it seems to be snowing.

Fifty miles west of Liupan Mountain, there is a narrow beach between the mountains on both sides.The river that once meandered here has dried up for many years, leaving only piles of gravel and an ordinary name——

Good Mizukawa.

The bitter north wind blew across the Arakawa River, blowing out the embers of the Song Army camp stove among the piles of rocks.The soldiers in green armor had a hasty lunch, and then formed a long queue to trek forward again.The formation of cavalry and infantry was cleared up, like a giant blue snake meandering at the bottom of the valley.

The Song army along Jingyuan Road had a total of [-] generals, [-] cavalry and long spears marched in the vanguard, the [-] soldiers in the middle were mainly infantry, and they were also equipped with light cavalry and crossbowmen, and the rear army was [-] infantry. Pawns and archers.

Among the Qingqi Battalion of the Chinese Army, the first cavalry, with a full body armor and half white beard and hair, was Ren Fu, who knew Qingzhou and was the deputy director of Huanqing Road.He has been a soldier all his life, bravely crowning the front of the battle, holding a four-bladed iron sword in his palm, he is majestic. Although he is sixty now, he is agile and vigorous, not inferior to a man in his prime.In the Battle of White Leopard City last year, he led a cavalry army to destroy the city overnight. They plundered and burned the enemy's nests. They captured more than 41 cattle, horses, and camels.This battle made him famous all over the world, and the officials rewarded him personally, and he was promoted to be the commander of the four chambers of the Dragon Guard.

He was ordered by Han Qi last month to lead 1 Song troops from Zhenrong Army to Huaiyuan Village, and Esau attacked and harassed the local Xia army.The whole journey was like a broken bamboo, and the entry was quite smooth.After Huaiyuan Village was released from the siege, they were supposed to go to Yangmulong City via Desheng Village to join the guard Wang Gui, but they encountered more than a thousand Dang Xiangshan soldiers.Ren Fu led his troops to fight against them, winning several battles, beheading hundreds, and leading the enemy to flee.He pursued all the way until Zhangyibao.Unexpectedly, the soldiers on this road were acting cunningly, turned around several mountain ridges, and fled in two ways.Under Ren Fu's thinking, he also divided his troops into the north and the south to pursue. The north route led 8000 people along the Yongyu River, and the south route led [-] people directly into Haoshui River.To this day, it has been three days and three nights. The generals and soldiers are exhausted, but they still haven't caught up with the fleeing enemy.

The sky is dull, dark and colorless.Ren Fu raised his head to distinguish the sky, feeling a little anxious in his heart, turned his head and told the herald beside him to ask the vanguard officer to come to the Chinese army to answer.

Not long after, the vanguard officer arrived on horseback.He was dressed in heavy armor, and carried a black longbow on his back. The black lacquer quiver was filled with dozens of long arrows, and the crimson feather hilt was particularly dazzling in this bleak winter day.

Gong said Wuji.

The arrow says longevity.

This vanguard officer is none other than Sang Yi who shocked the three armies with arrows at Baojin Tower the year before last when the officials decided to increase their troops to the northwest.He was originally the supervisor of the soldiers and horses on the front line of Jingyuan Road. Since the war on the western front intensified, he has been in charge of the vanguard battalion for Ren Fu.

Sang Yi led his horse forward and bowed to Ren Fu with his arms crossed: "Does Marshal Ren have any orders?"

Ren Fu's face was serious: "Has the scouts not returned yet?"

Sang Yi took the reins slightly, shook his head at Ren Fu, and said, "I've been gone for an hour, and I should have received a letter, but I haven't come back yet." He turned to look at the person on the saddle beside Ren Fu: "Lord Zhan ,what do you think?"

That man with a good steed, a light armor and a sword is none other than Zhan Zhao.It has been more than a month since Fan Zhongyan learned of the decision to use troops on the Jingyuan Road, so he sent Zhan Zhao from Yanzhou to Zhenrong Army, and accompanied Ren Fuzhong Army all the way.Fan Zhongyan and Han Qi were originally in charge of the military affairs of one route, if other generals from Yanyan Road were sent here, it might hinder the separation between the two routes.Zhan Zhao was originally a guard appointed by the officials for Fan Zhongyan, and he was not in the military, so this worry was eliminated.Fan Zhongyan has always relied on him to be prudent and steady, he is skilled in art and fast in horsemanship, and he can coordinate and deal with urgent situations.That day when Ren Fuye burned the White Leopard City, Zhan Zhao was also in battle, that's how it was.Ren Fu and Sang Yi have always respected Zhan Zhao, and they get along quite well.

Seeing Sang Yi asking, Zhan Zhao thought for a while, and said, "You might as well send another team of scouts out. This place is only twenty miles away from Yangmulong City. If there is no news of fleeing the enemy, why not go into the city and meet Wang Gui first?" It is appropriate for the adults to meet."

On that day, Han Qi dispatched his generals to the expedition, and he once issued a military order to Ren Fuqin: "If you violate the rules, even if you have meritorious service, you will also be executed!" Yangmu went away to Longcheng, but he had violated the commander's order.Zhan Zhao didn't say anything on the surface, but he was always restless in his heart. He only hoped that he would arrive safely as soon as possible, so as to avoid any accidents.

However, Ren Fu shook his head slowly: "I have chased the enemy all the way so far, and it is ninety-ninety. If the success falls short, what is a husband!" After a pause, he shouted loudly: "It's all done in one battle, and I won't let an enemy ride out of the river!"

His voice was like a bell, and the surrounding Qingqi camp could hear him clearly.The Qingqi battalion guards were all shocked, straightened their chests, and urged the horses to go faster.

Zhan Zhao sighed inwardly.Sang Yi seemed to want to say something, but finally stopped speaking.

All of a sudden, a horse galloped out from the foot of the mountain in the east, like a shooting star, without any hoof dust.The mountain was rugged, but the speed of the man and horse did not slow down at all. They jumped down from the cliffs and fell to the bottom of the river in a blink of an eye.

On the periphery of the Chinese army is the Qingbian crossbow team.The soldiers of the crossbow battalion were on alert instantly, and a long formation of hundreds of people suddenly gathered. Two rows of crossbowmen knelt on one knee, gripped the trigger of the crossbow, and were about to shoot at that person, but someone shouted loudly from behind: "Wait a minute!"

This sound is full of internal energy, and it hits the ears deeply, it was Zhan Zhao's voice.Ren Fusang Yijun's heart was shocked, and he looked back at Zhan Zhao.He frowned slightly, and said to Ren Fu in a low voice: "Marshal Ren, it is Princess Gan Ning who is here." Before Ren Fu could speak, the reins of his saddle jerked, and he rode out from the cavalry to meet him. .

Ren Fu had already heard that Qingcheng was stationed in Yanzhou with Fan Zhongyan under the imperial decree. He didn't take it seriously at first. Why do you allow women to come and go in and out of the army and act recklessly? It’s nothing more than chaos on the Yanyan Road, but now it’s on our Jingyuan Road.”

Sang Yi was watching from the side, and when he heard Ren Fu's words, he smiled slightly: "Ren Shuai, you have used troops all your life, and you are the best at winning by surprise. Why are you so rigid today? In my opinion, a girl like her, I’m afraid that if you look around the world, you won’t be able to find a few.”

While speaking, Zhan Zhao has already greeted Qing Cheng's horse, and saw her covered in dusty military clothes, cold and plain armor, her cheeks are cold and dizzy, she is exhausted when she sits down, her breath is smoky, she seems to be riding alone , a long way to go.He hadn't seen her for many days, and when he suddenly met her in front of the army, he couldn't explain what he was feeling at the moment, so he just asked in a low voice: "You stayed in Yanzhou, why did you get here?...It seems so reckless to go straight and run into the army, Fortunately, I identified it as you, otherwise I'm afraid I would have been injured by the Qingbian crossbow camp..."

Qingcheng frowned, her eyes flashed sharply, and she cut off Zhan Zhao's words: "Where is Lord Ren Fu? I want to see him!"

Zhan Zhao was startled: "What happened?"

Qingcheng shook the reins in his hand, and said anxiously: "When I see him, you will know about it."

Seeing this, Zhan Zhao knew that there must be a major reason, so he hurriedly turned around Chasing Stars, and led Qing Cheng straight to Ren Fu.

Sang Yi saw Qingcheng, smiled at her from a distance, and said, "Princess, don't come here unharmed!"

Qingcheng only nodded to Sang Yi, but did not answer.Seeing Zhan Zhao running straight towards Ren Fu, she also followed the horse forward, and asked Ren Fu, "Is your honor Marshal Ren?"

Ren Fu saw that she was lightly armored and fine riding, and she was elegant and suave, and the suspicion in his heart had been reduced by seven points just now, so he nodded and replied: "I am Ren Fu."

Qingcheng took out a note from her bosom, and handed it to Ren Fu: "This is a letter written by Mr. Fan, please read it right away."

Ren Fu frowned, took the letter, and read it, his complexion changed, and he lost his voice: "Yuan Hao's heavy troops made a change last night, and they rushed south from the southern foot of Tiandu Mountain, and they may reach the north line of Yangmulong City this afternoon... Here, Where did this news come from?"

Qingcheng bit her lips slightly, and said: "My lord, you don't need to ask about the source, this matter is absolutely true. I set off from Yanzhou this morning and drove [-] miles all the way, just to bring this news to my lord."

Ren Fu's eyes flickered, and he said in a deep voice: "A few days ago, scouts reported that the Xia bandit barracks in Tiandu Mountain planned to move to the front line of Weizhou. Why did they go south overnight?"

Qingcheng said slowly: "Sir Zhong made a counter-intuitive plan that day, planned for several months, and finally succeeded. Yuan Hao killed Yeli Wangrong seven days ago! This matter is still a secret. I'm afraid it's probably him who discovered it now. It was tricked, and when shame turned into anger, he personally led heavy troops to attack the Jingyuan line, trying to find a place to vent his hatred."

As soon as these words came out, Ren Fusang, Yi Zhanzhao and the three of them were shocked.Qingcheng said again: "In Master Fan's opinion, the current strategy is to ask Ren Shuai to go to Yangmulong City to meet Lord Wang Gui immediately. Although I am afraid that there is a huge gap between the number of people and the widows, it is better to stick to the city than to stay in the city." There is no way to advance or retreat in this valley."

Ren Fu frowned deeply: "This letter says that Xia's bandits went south with heavy troops. How many are there?"

Qingcheng paused for a moment, then said in a low voice: "I don't know yet."

Ren Fu lowered his eyes in thought, and Sang Yi winked at Zhan Zhao when he saw this.Zhan Zhao understood, and took the horse to temporarily lead Qingcheng to a place a little far away, so that Ren Fu and Sang Yi could discuss how to deal with it.

Qingcheng sighed softly, let go of the horse's reins, and let Jueying ride forward with the barracks, raised her hand to untie the leather pouch from the saddle to drink water, just as Jueying's horse swayed, she was caught off guard for a while, and coughed several times.

Zhan Zhao had never seen her so tired before, and sighed, "Did you run [-] miles in half a day, did you really disregard your life? No matter how urgent the military situation is, there are messengers and postmen in Yanzhou City. Besides, the situation is unknown and dangerous. You And why do you have to come personally to deliver the news?"

Qingcheng avoided his gaze and shook his head: "Although there are many messengers and postmen, how can there be a faster horse than Jueying?"

Zhan Zhao said in a low voice, "How did Yuan Hao get his army to mobilize him?"

Qingcheng said: "It was Yasu who got the news and sent it to me in Yanzhou. Mr. Fan saw that the situation was urgent, so he sent me to look for you."

Zhan Zhao wondered, "Where did he get the news?"

Qingcheng lowered her brows: "I don't know. As long as the news is true, why do you need to ask too much?"

Zhan Zhao frowned and said, "Yasu is currently in Yangmulong City. If you tell Lord Wang Gui about this and transfer here, it's only a few dozen miles away, so why bother to report to Yanzhou and seek far away?"

Qingcheng's eyes dimmed, and he said calmly: "It's a long story, so don't mention it."

It turned out that Yasu and Fan Zhongyan agreed to form an alliance that night, and rushed to Yangmulong City the next day.In a few days, his younger brother Mo Le also arrived with more than [-] flying feather cavalry.Wang Gui, the general guard of Yangmulong City, was cautious. Seeing that Ye Luohe was personally sent by Fan Zhongyan to assist in the defense, on the surface he was respectful and polite, but in his heart he had many doubts, and the deployment arrangements were not open and honest.Seeing this, Yasu knew that he was suspicious of aliens and it was difficult to form a sincere heart, so he found an excuse, withdrew from the inner city, and led his troops to station in a fortress five miles west of Yangmulong City.Flying Feather Rider's supplies and equipment are all taken care of by himself.Yasu's disposition is extremely arrogant, and he never mentioned this matter to Fan Zhongyan in the correspondence.This time, when I got the news from Xia Jun, I would rather send the letter to Yanzhou far away than to inform Wang Gui.

Qingcheng looked at Zhan Zhao, and saw that he was silent, as if he was thinking about the reason.She focused her eyes on his silhouette, thinking back to the past two years, it seemed that she had never been separated from him for such a long time.After working so hard now, and being able to walk side by side with him again, although it is very likely that a fierce battle is in front of him, his heart feels a little relieved for some reason.

The moment of forgetfulness outside the Yeyuan Gate has been lingering in her mind for days.It was still difficult for her to answer his question, but at the moment when she received Yasu's summons last night, she looked at the cold stars in the sky, raised her whip and was armored, and left in a hurry, not waiting for a moment, regardless of Fan Zhongyan's persuasion.

You will know when you are in a hurry, but you will be chaotic if you are concerned.

Qingcheng sighed inwardly, and turned his gaze back to the horse.The world is dark and dark, and when the noon is like a dusk, the road ahead is boundless, and I don't know where the end will be.

Suddenly, there was a rustle of armor in the queue ahead, and the army stopped abruptly.Sang Yi was startled, urged his horse forward, and caught up with the vanguard battalion, but saw the herald galloping towards him. When he came close, his face was solemn, and he said in a low voice: "Master Sang, there is something on the road ahead, I don't know what it is, Go and have a look."

Sang Yi was slightly startled, and turned around to see that Qingcheng and Zhan Zhao had also followed on horseback.He nodded to the commander: "Lead the way!"

At the front of the Vanguard Battalion was a thousand Guangrui cavalry, divided into four battalions, all led by Sang Yi himself.At this moment, the cavalry was standing along the road, all looking towards the middle of the road ahead, without even hearing the neighing of the horses.

On the gravel beach, a wooden box suddenly appeared, about nine feet long and three feet high.Chuandi was originally deserted, and this wooden box was abandoned by someone for no reason, which is really weird.

Sang Yi flew off the horse, walked a few steps to the wooden box, slowly stretched out his hand, and tapped lightly on the wooden board a few times.When I touched it, I realized that the board was extremely thick, and I didn't know what was hidden inside.

Sang Yi took a deep breath, supported the edge of the lid with both hands, and wanted to open it for a closer look, but he heard Zhan Zhao yelling from behind him: "Wait a minute, Master Sang!"

Sang Yi turned his head, and saw that Zhan Zhao and Qing Cheng had dismounted and walked forward.Suddenly there was a low hum in the box, and a faint buzz echoed in the wooden box, which made people feel inexplicable fear after hearing it.Zhan Zhao paused and listened intently, when suddenly his whole body shook.He looked back at Qingcheng, saw her frowning deeply, her eyes worried, and nodded slowly to him.

During the silence, a few cold flowers fell on the forehead.The sleet snow is boundless, falling carelessly, it seems to fall into the heart, making people tremble slightly.

Sang Yi asked Zhan Zhao: "Master Zhan, in your opinion, what is in the box?"

Zhan Zhao said slowly, "It's a carrier pigeon."

Sang Yi's heart suddenly darkened.He was silent for a while, then suddenly knelt down on one knee, pressed his right ear to the ground, and his complexion changed drastically in an instant.

Xu Xu's hoofbeats approached behind him, his voice was deep and deep, as dark as the sky, it was Ren Fu.He slowly asked: "How many enemies are coming? What is the position?"

Sang Yi still knelt on the ground, his hands trembling slightly.Suddenly, he stood up straight: "There are all in the west, south, and north, and there are at least a hundred thousand people two miles away."

Ren Fu was shocked.He closed his eyes tightly, his beard and hair fluttered with the wind, and the light snow fell, lingering in it, forming fine ice crystals.

Suddenly, he opened his eyes and asked Sang Yi: "Of the hundreds of children we left behind in the Zhenrong Army, the oldest one is probably fifteen or sixteen years old?"

Sang Yi replied: "Not bad. They are all between 14 and 16 years old."

Ren Fu continued: "Before you came out, did you give them some homework?"

Sang Yi's breath fluctuated, and he replied: "I ordered them to exercise three times a day, and they must not slack off in the slightest."

Ren Fu asked again: "Where are their horses and leather armor?"

Tears welled up in Sang Yi's eyes: "It's all done, and it was distributed early in the morning."

Ren Fu nodded, and said slowly: "That's it, I feel relieved. We are buried here today, and in the future, someone will leave Xue Qing's grudges for us!"

He suddenly reined in the horse, and the mount suddenly suffered from pain. With a long hiss, it raised its front hooves on the spot, circled around, faced the battalion generals behind it, and shouted sharply: "Chang Ding, Liu Su obey orders, Huaiyuan's cavalry battalion will attack first, Clear the way for the Guangrui Cavalry Battalion, and the Long Spear Team will deal with Tielin in the middle, and go all the way south; Tang Zhong, Ren Huailiang, Yang Yu, and Wang Qing obey orders, the infantry of the Long Spear Battalion of the Chinese Army is outside, and the crossbowmen of the Qing Frontier are in the middle; the infantry of the rear army Crossbowmen, break out to the north!"

The armor was cold, and the cold iron hit each other. All the generals got off their horses and knelt together: "The last general takes orders!"

Ren Fu raised his head and looked to the southwest, only to see a piece of Linchuan cliff, rugged and high, with a horn on the cliff, overlooking the bottom of the valley.He scolded Sang Yi: "Sang Yi, can you see this cross peak? You lead a team of Guangrui Battalion, rush to the southwest, climb up the cliff, observe the enemy's situation, and guide the direction. As long as this good water is still there With one soldier from our army, you will not be able to descend the peak!"

Sang Yi knelt down on one knee and cried out with tears in his eyes, "Take orders!"

Ren Fu nodded slowly, with a smile on his face, and suddenly galloped forward, striking at the wooden box with a mace.Amidst the dazzling silver light, there was a click, and the lid of the box was cut into several sections by the force of the mace.

Sawdust flew across, hundreds of feathers shook together, dozens of black-feathered carrier pigeons fluttered up from the box, and the mournful whistle rang through the heavy snow, resounding through the valley.

Qingcheng stared blankly at the scene in front of him.Zhan Zhao suddenly turned around and walked to her side: "Get on the horse! Tighten Jue Ying and follow me, don't leave half a step away!"

Qingcheng was startled and saw that Zhan Zhao had turned on the saddle and stepped onto Chasing Star.She took a deep breath, walked to Jueying's side, pressed the saddle bridle lightly, and jumped onto the horse's back.

The feathers are falling and the snow is flying.The pigeon whistle kept turning, and black shadows gradually appeared on the north and south sides of the valley.Iron hooves trampled on the ground, thunder was faint, and the faces of the former Xixia army were all visible, rushing towards them like thick clouds.

Dangxiang Wangshi, Iron Harrier Army.

The jet-black heavy armor covered the flesh and blood under it. It was no longer a soldier or a war horse, but a black-steel, ice-iron monster with sharp teeth, trying to devour everything in the world.

The Huaiyuan Cavalry Battalion has formed an array, guarding the former army forward.Sang Yi led the Guangrui cavalry battalion to hide behind the Huaiyuan cavalry battalion.The sword was silent, the sound of the horse was silent, and thousands of spears pointed directly at the sky, like cold white rainbows, shining brightly in the sky.

Zhan Zhao followed Sang Yi's horse.He looked at the dark tide slowly approaching ahead, and said word by word to his side: "Don't forget, what you promised me once."

Qingcheng's eyes trembled heavily.

On that day, when the palms were lightly touched, the oath was deeply imprinted and will be etched in my heart forever.

... The time is endless, good and bad are impermanent, this agreement is three, you must not die before me...

All of a sudden, she felt her fear disappear, raised her head, clenched the hilt of the sword at her waist, and said quietly: "Don't worry. The agreement between you and me will never fail today."

He was still staring ahead, with a smile slowly appearing on his face.

Say goodbye to sorrow and joy, don't cry and mourn, only feel the cold wind is thin, slightly seeping through the iron clothes.

With a sound of Cang Cang, the swords are like double jade, they come out of the scabbard at the same time, the brilliance is reflected, and the faint flying snow is scattered.

At this moment, the world is silent, and the mind is clear.

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