It was the 17th of June in the second year of Jingping. It was a cloudy day in the northwest.
The city of Yanzhou looked ancient and solemn. Under the gloomy sky, the thick and heavy walls of the city appeared quiet and solemn. Soldiers from the Western Xia Country were escorting large carts to and fro on the official roads around the city. Apart from that, there were no more idle refugees on the road. All the "rebels" had been caught and harvested. Good people were not allowed to go out on the official roads. If someone was discovered going out, he would either be caught or killed on the spot.
Eighty percent of the wheat fields around the city had been harvested. Theoretically, the wheat would be at its most ripe and plump when it was harvested in the next few days. However, the Western Xia people had just occupied this area, so they had chosen to start harvesting a few days earlier. During the ten days from the seventh to the seventeenth of the sixth lunar month, some miserable and tragic things happened in this land from time to time. However, the loosely organized resistance didn't have much meaning in the face of the organized army. Only a lot of blood was shed, and the Xixia people killed the chicken to warn the monkey.
In the past two days, the resistance that had occurred in the beginning had become numb. The corpses of the people who had been killed were lying on the ridges of the fields and beside the roads. Under the scorching sun and the washing of the rain, the corpses had gradually rotted, revealing the ghastly white bones. The civilians who had been driven here to harvest the wheat continued to work amidst the stench.
Wheat fields, villages, roads, and water veins stretched out from Yanzhou City. When it was about 15 kilometers to the east, it had entered the range of the wilderness. Shattered Stone Village was the farthest village on this side. The wheat fields had basically stopped here. In order to guard the mountain pass here, intercept the refugees, and supervise the grain collection, Lascelles, the governor of Western Xia, had arranged a total of two teams of more than eight hundred people here. It could already be considered as a large-scale garrison.
In the morning, General Kui Hong ordered a team of soldiers to drive hundreds of civilians to carry out the final harvest in the nearby fields. Large tracts of the wheat fields had been harvested. It was estimated that there was only a little more than a day's work left. However, seeing that the sky had turned gloomy and there was no telling whether it would rain, he ordered his soldiers to strengthen the supervision of the civilians who were harvesting the wheat. This way of strengthening the supervision was naturally more vigorous whipping and cursing.
Under the gloomy sky, the sounds of whipping and cursing were mixed with people's cries and cries of pain. Objectively speaking, it sped up the work efficiency. For a moment, there was indeed a feeling of being in full swing. Kui Hong was quite satisfied with this.
The general in charge of the defense of the surrounding area was called Fierce Division. He was a relatively strict military general. Ever since he was stationed here, his daily patrols had never stopped. In the morning, he had already checked on the sentries nearby. He had a total of four hundred men under him. Two hundred of them were stationed at the village that passed through the main road, while the other two hundred-man squads patrolled the roads within five miles of the village every day.
Of course, since the beginning of this year, the area had not suffered much of an impact in the past half a year. The Wu dynasty was on the decline, the Zhong Family Army had fallen, and the Western Xia was on good terms with the Jin Kingdom. It was God's will to rule the northwest. No one could stop it. Even if there was still the threat of the Zhe family's army, the Xixia people had already sent many scouts to monitor the situation. At this time, the surrounding wheat fields had already been harvested, and the Zhe family's army was only guarding the prefectures. They were also busy harvesting the grains, so they wouldn't come again.
After this routine patrol, Fierce Division returned to the village.
Just after nine o 'clock, two hundred-man squads of the Black Flag Army of the Small Canghe River appeared on the hillside outside Broken Stone Village.
The warning horn had just sounded. When Kui Hong, who was near the wheat fields, turned around to look, the oncoming crowd had already rushed into the village like a flood.
*****
The entire Black Flag Army that came out of the Small Canghe River set out on the morning of the 16th of June. That night, the lightly equipped vanguard moved forward and approached the edge of the mountain area. After a night's rest, the vanguard moved towards Broken Stone Village the next morning.
At the forefront was the First Battalion of the Second Regiment of the Small Canghe River Army. The regiment commander was Pang Liu 'an, and the battalion commander was Xu Lingming. Under Xu Lingming, there were three companies of more than a hundred people. The commanding officer of the first company was Luo Ye, who had established the Huayan Society. He had high expectations for himself and his soldiers, so he naturally applied to rush to the front.
Mao Yishan and Hou Wu were both in the second company. Qu Qing had experience in commanding troops and was quick-witted, so he could have been in charge of the second company and even competed with Xu Lingming for the position of battalion commander. However, due to some considerations, he was later recruited into the Special Regiment and was trained as a staff officer. For this expedition, he had not fully recovered from his injuries because he had left the mountain to scout for information. However, he had still forcefully requested to follow along. Now, he was following the second company.
After these two hundred people woke up, they walked quickly for more than two hours under Qu Qing's guidance. When they reached the vicinity of Broken Stone Village, they slowed down and advanced stealthily.
The troops were no longer new recruits. They had received salaries, eaten rations, fought against Female Zhenrens, felt the humiliation of failure and the threat of death. They had been gathered in Xia Village, experienced the quenching of life and death, fought against the resentful army, and then followed Ning Yi's uprising. They had fought several battles along the way. However, after coming out of the mountains this time, almost everyone had a different feeling. It could be said that they had been incited or brainwashed. For more than half a year, the oppressive feeling that had been faintly discernible to gradually increase had made them want to do something.
A few days ago, when the mountain no longer allowed everyone to do manual labor and began to train the entire army, everyone had been guessing in their hearts. When they set off yesterday, after Qin Shaoqian and Ning Yi's pledge speech, the people who had their guesses confirmed were so excited that they almost trembled. Then, the entire army set off, crossing mountains and rivers. The fire that burned in everyone's hearts had never stopped.
That's right, there was no other way. This was the only way out.
If it was said that in the previous battles, everyone was still fighting passively, using their instincts to respond to the orders given, facing swords and spears, it was only this time that the majority of the entire army had already approved of this attack. In their hearts, they even longed for a battle. At the same time, after more than half a year, due to their high efficiency and high intensity of labor, they had gotten to know and approve of the comrades around them. Everyone only needed to do their part, the rest would naturally be done by their comrades!
As they ran in the morning, the buzzing sound in their blood was so clear that people could almost hear it. Luo Ye, Mao Yishan, Hou Wu and the others would occasionally touch the hilt of their knives, thinking of pulling them out. A slight sense of nervousness and withdrawal shrouded everything. On the road nearing Shattered Stone Village, Qu Qing, Xu Lingming, Luo Ye and the others had already discussed a plan.
"I have a plan." Qu Qing held a simple map as he walked quickly. It had already introduced the two entrances to Shattered Stone Village, as well as the location of the watchtower next to the entrance. "We will charge in from both sides, use the fastest speed, and kill all of them. No need to stop, no need to care about any warnings. Yes, that's it. "
He used his hand to cut left and right on the map, indicating the route. At this time, there was only the rustling sound of footsteps. Xu Lingming turned to look at him and blinked, but Qu Qing's eyes were serious. It did not seem like he was telling a cold joke — I have a plan to charge in and kill all of them. What kind of plan is this? On the other side, Luo Ye had already nodded with a serious look in his eyes. "Alright, that's it. I will be in charge of the left side."
The two teams separated and approached Shattered Stone Village. The scouts in camouflage went over to snipe the soldiers on the watchtower. When the first arrow was fired, Luo Ye waved his arm and rushed out of the foothills. On the other side, Mao Yishan and Hou Wu drew their knives and shields and stepped out of the mountain. Their footsteps gradually became faster and faster —
Shields, knives and shadows rushed down. At this time, there was a team of Xixia patrolling outside Shattered Stone Village. It was a small team of seven people. As the arrow flew over their heads, it hit the chests of the soldiers on the watchtower. When they came to their senses, Luo Ye and the others were rushing towards them with knives and shields in their hands. These people turned around and were about to run and warn them. Luo Ye and the others quickly closed in. The leading Xixia soldier turned around and brandished his knife. Luo Ye's shield carried the momentum and knocked the soldier away. When the soldier fell to the ground, a black shadow came over and slashed down with a knife.
Luo Ye stepped over the corpses on the ground. His footsteps did not stop at all. He raised his shield and continued running. The seven Xixia soldiers were like animals that had been drawn into a colony of man-eating ants. In the blink of an eye, they had been passed by. The tip of the weapons extended. Some people put away their knives and switched to crossbows. After shooting, they drew their knives again. Inside Shattered Stone Village, the warning horn sounded. Two torrents had already entered the village, and the viscous blood started to spread. The Xixia soldiers lined up on the road leading to the village and fiercely collided with the soldiers of the Small Canghe River Tribe. Then, they were slashed apart by their steel blades and long spears. Some of the soldiers of the Small Canghe River Tribe also rushed in through the windows of the houses. After fighting with the Xixia soldiers, they rushed out from the other side.
Luo Ye rushed in front. He threw away the shield in his hand and held the knife with both hands. He waved his knife and slashed all the way. His eyes were bloodshot as he led the soldiers around him to the courtyard where the Jurchen military flag was erected. The young officer was usually calm and thoughtful. But when he was on the battlefield, he had already released all his hostility. Several Xixia soldiers were being chased from the fork in the road in front of them. They stabbed at the crowd with their spears. Luo Ye stepped into the group of four spears and waved his knife without hesitation. The ferocious-looking Xixia soldier, who looked to be in his thirties, was almost cut in half along with his hands and chest. The soldier was thrown away.
"Don't block my way …"
Before he could finish his roar, those Xixia soldiers had already been drowned out by the people around him.
"Whose head is that Xixia bastard's?"
As he walked, he pointed at the Xixia military flag not far away. The group of people around him had the same fanaticism.
"— Mine!!!"
At this time, Division Chief Meng Sheng was still retreating from the courtyard. He was surrounded by dozens of soldiers, and more subordinates were rushing forward from the back. But the sound of fighting was like that of a giant beast, devouring human lives along the way. He only saw a black flag flashing not far away.
"Who is it? Who is it? Quick, fire beacon! Stop them! Has the Zhe family attacked — "
Then, he saw the young general who was rushing over from the other side of the road. He shot an arrow with his crossbow and then led the soldiers around him to hide behind the house.
Seeing that Division Chief Meng Sheng's soldiers had already gotten into formation, Luo Ye and his men started to attack from the side. At the same time, he ordered, "Call more people over!"
On the other side, Division Chief Meng Sheng saw that this group of people were cutting through the surrounding area as if they were chopping melons and vegetables. His men were slaughtered the moment they rushed forward. This battle had happened too quickly. He hadn't figured out the opponent's background. But as a general of the Xixia army, he could see the opponent's combat strength. These people's eyes were as fierce as tigers. They were not ordinary soldiers at all. If they were in the Zhe family's army, they should be the elite of the Zhe family. If the Zhe family really attacked, his only choice was to escape and save his life.
On one hand, he formed a battle formation to prevent the opponent from taking advantage of him. On the other hand, he ordered his soldiers to slowly retreat. In less than ten breaths, someone suddenly rushed out from the other side of the house. He leaped up high and threw something in his hand towards the crowd. It was a porcelain jar. On the opening of the jar, there was a piece of cloth that was burning.
With a bang, the bodies of the three soldiers were set ablaze!
On the other side of the road, more than ten people had finished gathering. Behind the shield formation, they thrust their spears forward. Mao Yishan bent his body slightly behind the shield and exhaled. "Hu … ah ah ah ah ah ah —"
The battle formation was pushed forward at a crazy speed!
Division Chief Meng Sheng waved his hand forcefully. "Kill —"
On the other side, Luo Ye was beheading a small group of Xixia soldiers on the ground. His body was covered in blood. When he turned his head again, he saw more than thirty soldiers of Division Chief Meng Sheng being pushed away. He opened his mouth soundlessly. "I … f * ck —"
Then, he shouted crazily, "Charge —"
He led more than ten of his companions and rushed madly towards Division Chief Meng Sheng! The dozens of soldiers on this side were not easy to deal with. However, when one side rushed in without a care for their lives, and the other side rushed in like a tiger fighting for food, the whole formation collapsed in an instant. When Luo Ye shouted, "Don't block me —" and killed more than ten people who were rushing in his direction, the guy who was obviously a Xixia general had already been poked full of holes by the people of Second Company.
"Brother! Thanks! " Hou Wu, the platoon leader of Second Company, wiped the blood off his face and shouted at Luo Ye. Then, he waved his hand again. "Charge —"
"You're welcome!" The red-eyed Luo Ye replied in a rough voice. He looked at the group of people rushing in front of him, and then at the corpse of the Xixia general on the ground. He spat and then looked at his companions around him. "What are you waiting for? Are there any Xixia soldiers left alive? "
The people who had killed until half of their bodies were red with blood waved their sabers and patted their armors. Luo Ye raised his saber and pointed outside. "I remember that there was another one like this."
His eyes were blazing red. He nodded and said, "Think of a way to get it back …"
…
In the vast wheat fields that had been harvested, the people in ragged clothes stopped harvesting and looked back in the direction of Broken Stone Village. On the other side, Kui Hong was quickly gathering his soldiers. But before he could finish gathering his scattered soldiers, the invading enemies had already killed their way through the entire village. The fleeing soldiers ran out of the village, but they were chased by the enemies and chopped down in the fields. In the distant village, the flag of the Western Xia Country was burning in the flames.
This troop did not stop at all. Blood and murderous intent soared into the sky as they madly rushed over. There seemed to be only a few dozen people in front of them, but there were even more people in the village behind them. They looked fanatical. Some of the Xixia soldiers couldn't run fast enough and were chopped down to the ground like chickens.
The soldiers didn't dare to resist because their morale was broken.
Kui Hong was shocked. He ordered the soldiers in front of him to form a battle formation. Then, he saw more than ten horses galloping out of the village. These were the horses used to transport grain in the village. But at this time, their mouths and noses were wide open, and they were running as fast as warhorses. The person at the front was almost covered in blood. He waved his saber and poked the horse's buttocks. In a short while, these horses had become the vanguard of the charge.
Mao Yishan and Hou Wu ran as fast as they could. When they saw these people galloping past them, the corner of their mouth twitched slightly. "Damn, this bunch of lunatics."
Luo Ye clamped the horse's abdomen and pointed his saber at Kui Hong in the battle formation. "Over there …"
Kui Hong felt a faint chill in his heart even though he was far away.
It was a cloudy day. Under the watchful eyes of hundreds of civilians, the army that had suddenly arrived was led by a dozen or so horsemen. They formed a cone-shaped battle formation, and charged into the midst of the Xixia army. The vanguard of the soldiers spread out, and the viscous waves of blood billowed on both sides. It didn't take long before the entire Xixia army collapsed.
The troops stationed in the distance had already seen the beacon and were rushing over. Before they arrived, more troops carrying black flags with stars on them had already spread out from the mountains …
In the mountains southeast of the Little Cang River, a large number of people from the woods were also gathering. In the cave, Li Pin listened to the scout's report. He was speechless for a long time.
"This is impossible … This is crazy …" he murmured.
Nine thousand people rushed out of the mountains and pounced on the 200,000 soldiers outside the mountains … When he thought of Ning Yi's face, he couldn't help but feel a shivering chill in his heart.
No one would commit suicide like this. That was why this incident was so thrilling.
At this time, to the east of Yanzhou City, the advancing troops were pushing out a bloody path. The beacon, the galloping horses, the defeated soldiers, the slaughtering, and the shrinking lines of soldiers were all extending towards Yanzhou City without a moment's pause. Outside Yanzhou City, there were still many troops who hadn't received the order to return to the city.
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