The night after the battle ended, there were no dreams.
The pain did not diminish. It had nothing to do with the severity of his injuries. His entire body did not feel like it belonged to him. On the first day of the seventh month, when his senses gradually returned, his entire body felt like it was on fire. Thousands of worms were roaming in his blood. That night, the dream returned.
It was a vision in the darkness of the sky. The enemies were like a tide. Arrows flew over. It was unknown whether it was the sharp blades or the cold wind that cut his cheeks. But the darkness of the sky did not seem oppressive. There were also people galloping on warhorses. They went forward together to meet the enemies.
Someone was waving a long spear and fighting not far away. It was a familiar figure. No matter how many enemies surged forward, they could not drown him. There were also people who went past him. "It's my turn."
"… Follow me to charge."
After a simple conversation, the usually silent figure led his subordinates and rushed out. Beside him was his orderly. He was a rather lively young man. Unlike his superior, he liked to talk and laugh. But at this time, he only pursed his lips and his eyes were like stone.
"Zhou Huan, Little Yu …"
He felt that something was wrong. The water-like cavalry rushed past him and into the enemy formation in front of them. They kept rushing, pushing away countless enemies …
In the darkness, Liu Chengzong sat up.
The sound in his ears was like a hallucination. "It's my turn …"
In this daze, they seemed to still be alive and still rushing toward the enemies. But the tent was as quiet as the bottom of a well. He sat on the bed for a long time. The dead would not wake up in the end.
Liu Chengzong got up and put on his clothes. He lifted the curtain and walked out of the tent. The orderly beside him wanted to follow but was stopped by him. The celebration last night had lasted for a long time. But in the camp at dawn, the bonfire had begun to dim. The night was deep and quiet. Some of the soldiers slept right next to the bonfire. Liu Chengzong walked over from the back of the tent and saw a soldier leaning against a wooden box with his eyes wide open. His gaze was fixed on the night sky, not moving at all. The night before, some of the soldiers had quietly died like this. Liu Chengzong stood for a moment. After a long time, he saw the soldier's eyes blink slightly.
A soldier sat in the shadow of a tent, using a cloth to wipe the long saber in his hand, muttering something.
The soldier in charge of the sentry stood on top of the pile of goods, holding onto his spear, motionless. His gaze was fixed on the deep darkness in the distance, as if he was in a trance.
That night, countless people opened their eyes in their sleep and couldn't fall asleep for a long time.
He went to the tent area where the heavily injured were, but he did not go in. Painful groans could be heard coming from inside, and there were also occasional escorts walking around. This was probably the most restless place in the entire camp. When he walked out of this area, there was movement in the darkness outside.
The faint smell of blood wafted over. Shadows and torches flickered there. There were sentries standing quietly at the entrance. Liu Chengzong went over and asked in a low voice, "What's wrong?"
"Report. A pack of wolves came and our men went out to kill them. Now they are skinning them for meat. "
"Wolf meat is not delicious."
"Everyone, although the Xixia people were defeated this time, I'm afraid there is not much food left in the northwest. The more food we can eat, the better."
Liu Chengzong nodded and patted him on the shoulder. The soldiers in the distance started a bonfire. Someone took a long saber and cut open the belly of the wolf corpse. In the silhouette of the fire, there were people talking and laughing in a low voice.
He looked at it for a while, then turned around and left.
The dark sky was blue. Some soldiers had come out early. Some soldiers were sitting in the open space next to the burning site of the corpses. Everyone was silent. At some point in time, Luo Ye had also come over. Many of his subordinates had died in this battle. Tonight, in his dream, there must have been some undying heroic spirits appearing.
Someone went over, silently grabbed a handful of ashes, and put them into a small bag. The sky gradually brightened. In the wilderness, Qin Shaoqian silently sprinkled the ashes into the wind. Not far away, Liu Chengzong also took a handful of ashes and sprinkled them, letting them fly in the morning breeze.
"After today," someone shouted in the wilderness, "you and I will be together!"
In the early morning, everyone expressed their sorrow in their own way. Then, when they clenched the long saber in their hands again, they understood: We won this battle.
At the end of the sixth month of the second year of Jingping, more than nine thousand Black Flag Army defeated a total of one hundred and sixty thousand Xixia soldiers. In the northwest, they started the first world-shaking battle.
*****
In Yuanzhou, more than six thousand soldiers were heading south, all the way to the capital of Yuanzhou. On the morning of the third day of the seventh month, the army stopped.
"Li Qianshun is busy collecting food and driving away the ten thousand Black Flag Army. He can't take care of the front and the back. The ones left in Yuanzhou are not elite soldiers. The real problem is Li Yizai, who is following behind us. Their military strength is many times that of us, and they also have cavalry. If we can defeat them, Li Qianshun will feel great pain, and we can take advantage of the situation to take Yuanzhou."
On the warhorse, Zhong Cao pointed at the map and said these words in a deep voice. He was forty-six years old this year and had spent half of his life in the military. Ever since the Jurchen invaded the south twice, the Zhong army had been routed continuously. After Qingjian City was breached, the Zhong family's ancestral graves were dug up. Now, there were only six thousand soldiers left in the Zhong family's famous Western Army. Half of his hair had turned white, and he looked as if he had suddenly aged twenty years because of all kinds of things. However, at this time in the military formation, he still had a steady aura and a clear mind.
Li Qianshun chased them all the way. He led the remnants of the Zhong family and kept moving around. When Li Qianshun's main force returned to the east, he finally got a chance to catch his breath. The Xixia army behind him still had about twelve thousand soldiers. Their general, Li Yizai, was also an important general of the Xixia royal family.
Next to him, the deputy general of the Western Army frowned slightly. "It may be possible to defeat Li Yizai for the time being, but we only have so many people left. If we still want to take Yuanzhou, not to mention the losses, after Li Qianshun drives away the Black Flag Army, his army will certainly come to suppress us. At that time, I'm afraid we won't be able to fight anymore. Why don't we take this opportunity to go somewhere else and take a breather? After recruiting soldiers and buying horses, we can take this risk again. "
Zhong Lie glanced at him. "As long as the Western Army still exists, Li Qianshun won't come no matter where we go. The Black Flag Army is short of rations and still wants to advance after taking Yanzhou. Now that we have this opportunity, why should we hesitate? As long as we can give Li Qianshun some trouble, it's a good thing for us. Recruiting soldiers and buying horses can be done as we fight. Moreover, the Black Flag Army is so ferocious that they even dared to fight Iron Sparrow Hawk. If we can't even take down Yuanzhou under the banner of the Zhong family, won't we become a laughing stock in the future?! "
For many years, the Zhong family's Western Army had been full of heroic spirit. Although they had been defeated in front of the Jurchen army, their heroic spirit had not dissipated. It could be said that as long as the Zhong family still existed, their heroic spirit would not be extinguished. Soon after, everyone started to discuss the strategy and chances of winning against Li Yizai. Halfway through the discussion, a scout arrived.
Li Yizai's army was withdrawing to the east.
"Withdrawing to the east?" The generals frowned. "Is he trying to set up a misleading formation and attack us in a roundabout way?"
"Where does he want to go in a roundabout way …"
"Immediately send people to keep a close eye on them …"
"Order the entire army to be on high alert …"
There was definitely something fishy going on when something was out of the ordinary. Everyone was experienced in battle, so they first started to take precautions and speculated about the other party's strategic intentions. After half an hour, a scout arrived.
"What's Li Yizai doing!?"
"Dong Zhiyuan's battle report …"
A moment later, a strange atmosphere enveloped the area.
"This … where did this come from …"
When the news reached the Zhong family army, no one believed it for a moment. Meanwhile, the same information was also spreading in all directions to the east, north, and south. When it reached the Zhe family army heading south, what awaited it was the word "true" fermenting in the strange atmosphere. The Zhe family's scout traveled north through the night and delivered similar information to Zhe Ke Qiu in the afternoon. Zhe Ke Qiu was silent for a moment on his warhorse, not saying a word. Only in places that were closer to the city did the feedback seem relatively rapid.
Outside Qingzhou City, on a slowly moving horse, a woman turned her head. "Haha, 100,000 people …"
Her laughter was somewhat deranged. "100,000 people …"
In half a month's time, the sword that came out from the northeast mountains had shattered everything in its way. That man's methods had even swept away the basic understanding of humans. She had originally thought that the many obstacles surrounding the Little Cang River were like a giant net.
Originally, he also thought that by relying on Tian Hu's influence, there would be a day when this giant tiger would also leave a deep impression on him. However, at this moment, when she imagined the scene of Tiger King's entire power blocking in front of the other party, she suddenly felt … powerless …
"100,000 people …"
…
On the fourth day of the seventh month, a lot of news had already spread throughout the land of the northwest. Zhe Ke Qiu's troops approached Qingjian City. When he turned back to look at the army behind him, he suddenly felt that the world was a little desolate.
That army of less than ten thousand men had defeated more than a hundred thousand soldiers of the Western Xia Country with an extremely ruthless attack. When such an army appeared in the land of the northwest, where should he place himself …
Outside Yuanzhou City, Zhong Lie looked at the city not far away and had a similar feeling in his heart. How did the rebellious army that killed the king achieve such a level …?
On this day, the Green Wood Village, which had been in an austere atmosphere for a long time, was filled with loud cheers that spread from the village gate all the way to the entire valley. On one side of the valley, there was a house specially arranged for people with special identities. A little girl with a knife scar on her face ran quickly on the seemingly simple and crude street. "Third Grandpa! Third Grandpa … "
In the house next to her, the members of the Su family were whispering to each other with bewilderment, bewilderment, and even disbelief.
"Little Seven." The old and slightly dispirited Su Yu sat on a rocking chair. He squinted his eyes and held the little girl who ran over. "What's wrong? So fast. "
"Third Grandpa, Third Grandpa, Third Grandpa …" The little girl danced with joy and began to excitedly and incoherently repeat the news she had heard. The old man smiled at first, but then his faint smile faded and he became quiet and solemn. When the little girl finished talking, he reached out and gently stroked the little girl's head. Then, he tilted his ear to listen to the cheers in the clouds. He reached out and grasped his walking stick, slowly and shakily standing up.
Ever since Ning Yi rebelled and the Su Clan was forcibly moved to this place, Su Yu had never smiled again except when he was in front of his children. He did not understand Ning Yi, nor did he understand Su Tan'er. It was just that compared to the fear and scolding of the other clansmen, the old man was even more taciturn. These things were things that the old man had never thought about in his life. They had lived here for a year. During this period, many members of the Su family were still under surveillance and restrictions. But this time, the Female Zhenren had threatened the Green Wood Stronghold from the north. The atmosphere in the stronghold was somber, and many members of the Su family were also privately discussing things that could not be seen in the light.
The old man saw all of this. He knew that they were stupid, but the children he valued the most had already joined the ranks of the rebellion. What else could he think about? Only at this time, Little Seven, who had been following beside Su Yu, suddenly noticed that the old man suddenly had an aura that was not the same as before.
He slowly walked to the side of the road. The valley was shaped like a staircase. From here, he could see the crowd below and hear the cheers more clearly. The old man nodded, then nodded again and again, leaning on his walking stick. After a long time, the little girl heard a low, hoarse voice coming from the mountain wind.
"Amazing …"
"My Su family's son-in-law … amazing …"
"Third Grandpa …"
The little girl went over and held his hand …
*****
Little Cang River. It started to rain in the afternoon.
The old man walked quickly on the wet and slippery mountain road. The steward accompanying him held an umbrella and tried to help him, but was pushed away by the old man. He held a piece of paper in one of his hands, which was trembling.
The courtyard on the hillside was just ahead. The old man walked quickly in. His usually serious face was stained with rainwater, and his lips were trembling slightly. Ning Yi was watching the heavy rain under the eaves. He stood up when he saw the old man coming in.
"Grandpa Zuo, what's the matter? Why are you in such a hurry?"
"Your men, your men …" Zuo Duanyou handed over the piece of paper. This was the information sent by his Zuo family, and he handed it over without hesitation. "Your men, ten thousand men, defeated the Western Xia army of one hundred thousand. You defeated the Western Xia army of one hundred thousand … "
"Yes." Ning Yi took the information, held it in his hand, and nodded. He didn't read it. Obviously, he knew what he should know first.
"I was worried that you would lose all your men outside. I didn't expect … I didn't expect that you could do this. You, you saved the whole Northwest … "
In terms of temperament, Zuo Duanyou had always been a serious and somewhat extreme old man. He rarely praised others. But at this moment, he was not stingy in expressing his praise and excitement for this matter. Ning Yi nodded again, sighed, and smiled faintly.
"Yes, I … I was wondering if they could do it. It's great that they did it. "
Zuo Duanyou nodded repeatedly. He stood under the eaves, looked at the rain, and then looked at Ning Yi. He frowned slightly and said, "Young man, you should laugh to your heart's content. You've won the battle. Why are you pretending to be an old man like me? "
Ning Yi laughed. He looked at Zuo Duanyou for a while and said, "But many people died. I don't need to read the battle report to know that many people must have died. "
"How can there be a victory without death?"
"They are good people. They are valuable people. They are also … people who have the right to live." Ning Yi looked at the heavy rain and said, "Some people always think that people are the same. I don't think so. There is a difference of ten times, a hundred times, between people. Old man, you always said that what I taught them in Little Cang River was not wisdom. I agree. However, as a soldier, he had risked his life to do things to this point and obtain such a victory. They should be the ones who have the right to live. "
Zuo Duanyou looked forward and nodded. "I agree with this."
"For example, those mediocre people who drift with the tide. It's good that the butcher's knife didn't come. I don't have to feel sorry for them. People have to pay the price for their own survival. These people have paid the price. However … it's sad. They deserve to live. If everyone in the world could do this, or … do something, they wouldn't have to die. "
Zuo Duanyou frowned.
"So, I'm happy for the victory, but at the same time, my heart aches. I think this heartache is a good thing. "
As the rain continued to fall, Ning Yi's voice was calm as he stated this complicated yet simple thought. In the room next door, Jin 'er poked her head out. "Husband." Seeing that Zuo Duanyou was there, she lowered her voice in embarrassment. "I've packed everything."
"You're going out …" Zuo Duanyou glanced over and nodded. "That's right. You won and will take over Yanzhou …"
"Not necessarily." In front of the courtyard, there was a small group of guards gathering in the rain. There were also carriages and horses. Ning Yi tilted his head and looked at the people gathering. "We've won. Those who fought with their lives should have time to rest."
He said, "… It's time for the dirty tricks to come on stage."
Listening to Ning Yi's words, the old man frowned slightly …
In July, the Black Flag Army embarked on their journey back to Yanzhou. In the northwest, a large number of Xixia troops were fleeing in different directions in a chaotic state. In the few days that the Xixia King had lost contact, several troops had returned to the Hengshan defense line. Some troops were defending the cities that they had conquered. However, not long after, the anger that had been brewing in the northwest for a long time was about to explode because of the defeat of the 100,000 troops.
There was still a long time before the whole southern invasion of Xixia was put to an end. In the Little Cang River, the biggest rebel also came out of the mountains after the victory of the Black Flag Army and headed for Yanzhou. In the middle of July, the New Emperor System, which was already close to Yingtian Prefecture, received the news from the northwest. A year after the monarch of the Wu Dynasty was murdered in court, the ten thousand soldiers of the Wu Rui Battalion who had rebelled against the Wu Dynasty brandished their swords in the chaotic environment of the northwest. This strike had defeated the entire national strength of the Western Xia Country.
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