As the sun set, the lights in Hedeng County lit up. Halfway up the mountain, people came and went in the courtyards, making it very lively.
Near the political department of the Huaxia Army, there was a courtyard with two camellia trees. This was where Ning Yi usually worked. When he was busy, it was rare for him to come home early. In October, after the Huaxia Army took over, they entered a temporary period of rest and consolidation. This day, Han Jing returned from the front. He had meetings in the day and came to meet with Ning Yi at night.
Han Jing was originally the most outstanding leader of the Green Wood Fort. After joining the Huaxia Army, he was now the commander of the First Division of the Fifth Army. This time, the first thing he told Ning Yi was that Ning Ji had completely adapted to the army.
It was already the ninth year of Jianshuo. After Ning Yi reunited with his family and children, they had been together for more than a year. The world was chaotic. Most children were injured and not delicate. As Ning Yi got along with his family, the relationship between father and son, father and daughter, did not break because of the long separation.
His eldest son, Ning Xi, was now 14 and almost 15. At the beginning of the year, Ning Yi arranged a marriage between him and Min Chuyi. Now, Ning Xi was learning all kinds of mathematics and humanities knowledge arranged by his father out of a sense of responsibility. Actually, Ning Yi did not care if his son took over his father's business and trained him to be his successor. But with the current atmosphere and the child's motivation, Ning Yi was happy to let him be exposed to all kinds of mathematics, physics, history and politics education.
His eldest son did not make people worry too much. His second son, Ning Ji, was almost 12 this year and gave Ning Yi a headache. Ever since he came to the Wu dynasty, Ning Yi had always wanted to become a martial arts master, but his achievements were limited. Xiaoning Ji had been humble and polite since she was young. She was more like a scholar than Ning Xi, but she didn't expect her talent and interest to be in martial arts. Ning Yi hadn't been able to practice martial arts since he was young. Ning Ji had teachers like Hong Ti, Watermelon and Du Sha to teach him. By the time he was ten, his foundation had already been laid.
However, to have achievements in martial arts, it wasn't something that could be accomplished with a good master. Red Grape, Watermelon, Du Sha, and even Chen Fan and the others of Miaojiang, each of them had gone through life and death situations again and again. They had only improved because they were lucky enough not to die. As parents, how could they bear for their children to go into life and death situations? For Ning Yi, on the one hand, he hoped that his children would have the ability to protect themselves. He wanted them to practice martial arts from a young age so that they could at least be strong and healthy. On the other hand, he didn't approve of his children really developing martial arts. Now, Ning Ji's arrangements had become a problem.
It was also because he had reunited with his children after a long time that he got carried away. In the beginning, he bragged that his martial arts were the best in the world, that he had become sworn brothers with Zhou Dong, and that he didn't even spare a glance for Lin Zongwu. Later, he fought with Watermelon, and in order to promote himself, he wrote several martial arts novels, which strengthened Xiaoning Ji's idea of inheriting the title of "the best in the world." At the age of eleven, he had laid the foundation of internal energy, and his bones had gradually stabilized. Although he looked delicate and pretty, he had already begun to grow taller. After a few more years, he estimated that he would surpass Yue Yun and Yue Yinping, the two children of the same generation that Ning Yi had seen before.
Ning Ji was the child of Ning Yi and Xiaochan. He had inherited his mother's delicate and pretty looks. After his ambition was set, Ning Yi was conflicted for a long time, but in the end, he chose to be as open-minded as possible and support him. Martial arts were flourishing in the Huaxia Empire's army. Even for young people, it was normal for them to occasionally fight. Ning Ji often participated in it. At this time, if the opponent went easy on him, he wouldn't be able to practice real martial arts. If he didn't go easy on him, he would be beaten until his head bled. Xiaochan, who had always supported Ning Yi, even cried at Ning Yi twice because of this. She almost came out as his mother to oppose Ning Ji practicing martial arts. Ning Yi, Hongti, and Watermelon discussed it many times, and finally decided to throw Ning Ji into the Huaxia Empire's military medical team to help.
He could practice martial arts, but he had to learn how to treat injuries first.
This was also the good intentions of the parents. It was inevitable to face life and death when practicing martial arts. The cruelty seen in the military medical team was similar to the battlefield. Most of the time, the pain and helplessness were even worse. Ning Yi brought his children to the military medical team more than once to help. On one hand, it was to promote the value of heroes, and on the other hand, it was to let these children experience the cruelty of the world in advance. During this period, even the most caring and helpful Xiaoning was so scared that she cried loudly after seeing Yue twice. She still had nightmares when she returned home.
During the period of recuperation, the military medical team did not treat many injured people. When the Huaxia Empire officially started fighting with the Mang Shan Ni tribe, and the soldiers left the CD Plain, what the military medical team saw became a real Shuraba. In the charge of tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands of troops, even the most elite troops could not avoid casualties. Even though the frontline kept reporting victories, the military medical team still had to face a large number of bloody injured people. Heads were bleeding, limbs were broken, and there were even soldiers whose bodies had been split open, with their intestines spilling out. They wailed and struggled between life and death. It was an indescribable mental impact.
However, these were also the brave heroes who fought bravely.
Throwing an eleven-year-old child into such an environment was the cruelest way to grow up, but it was also the only relatively "gentle" choice that could replace the experience of life and death. If he could retreat in the face of difficulties, it would naturally be good. If he could survive … to become a superior person, he had to go through the hardships. Then let him go.
"… I naturally understand your idea of training, but I don't dare to be so cruel to a child … My wife at home won't let me. Fortunately, Second Young Master is a good child. He is only eleven years old, but he is running around in a group of injured soldiers. He is good to people. My soldiers all like him. I think, if this goes on, Second Young Master will become a general in the future. "
They sat down in the room. After chatting, Han Jing was very appreciative of Ning Ji. Ning Yi poured tea for him, but when he sat down, he sighed.
"There is no other way. Who would want a child to suffer like this? But there is no other way. The world is not peaceful, and they are not children of good families. When I was in Bianliang, there were several assassinations in a month. Now it is even more troublesome. A group of children, you can't keep them at home all day. You have to let them see the world, and let them have the ability to take care of themselves … In the past, it didn't matter if they killed an emperor, but now they feel sad when they think about which child will die. They don't know how to explain it to their mothers … "
"… Don't think that way."
"I am mentally prepared." Ning Yi paused and then smiled. "It is also my bad mouth. Otherwise, Ning Ji would not want to be a martial arts master. Even if he becomes a great grandmaster, the future is not the age of the greenwood … In fact, there is no greenwood era at all. Not to mention the possibility of dying before becoming a grandmaster, even if he becomes Zhou Dong, what can he do? In the future, he can do sports, or become an opera singer. Crazy … "
His words were harsh, and Han Jing couldn't help but laugh. Ning Yi clinked his teacup against Han Jing's as if he was drinking wine. "He's just a kid. Brother Han, don't call him Second Young Master. The most precious thing is his tenacity. In the beginning, when he followed the military doctor team, he had nightmares every night and couldn't eat. In less than a month, he didn't complain. He got through it and began to practice martial arts again. I can't stop a child with such tenacity … But I hinted at him at the beginning that the future is the age of guns. If he doesn't want to get hurt, he should learn archery and marksmanship from Yuwen Feidu. But he has been in the military doctor team for a long time, and he keeps pestering Xiao Hei to learn something called Thirteen Guardians Cross Practice Golden Bell Shield. Alas, he was the most handsome child in our family. Now he is going to be ruined. I don't know how to explain it to Xiaochan. "
Han Jing also smiled. "Thirteen Guardians Cross Practice is good for both internal and external cultivation. Well, it is also … not bad."
"What do you mean by 'both internal and external cultivation'? Look at Xiao Hei, he is so worried …" He sighed casually, but there was still a sense of comfort in his smile. After a while, the two chatted from the military doctor team to the frontline. After conquering the cool down, the Huaxia army was on standby. Everything was maintained in a wartime state, but there was no plan to attack Zizhou in the short term.
"… Seal the border and strengthen the defense line. First, do the census of the occupied areas and the statistics of materials. The law enforcement team is already there to clean up the accumulated cases. First, we will beat a batch of tyrants who have aroused public resentment in the market for a period of time. After this process is over, everyone will get used to each other. Then, we will release the flow of people and trade, and there should be fewer people leaving … In the declaration, we said that we will attack Zizhou, so we will not attack Zizhou for now. Maintaining the initiative of the military action, we need to consider that we must have a good reason to attack. As long as Zizhou is still there, the process of sending troops will not be over, and it will be more convenient to deal with the other side's cards … Using deterrence to promote peace talks, if we can really force a negotiation, it will be more valuable than Zizhou."
"Although I don't understand the officials of the Wu dynasty, the possibility of negotiation is not high, right?" Han Jing asked.
"It is not high." Ning Yi nodded with a smile. "However, as long as Zizhou is still in their hands, there will be a large number of related interests. These people will persuade the court not to give up on the southwest, they will criticize those who have lost the southwest, and they will make those high-ranking officials in the court very anxious. Once Zizhou changes hands, the matter will be settled, and the words of these people will have no value … So, let it go for now. The situation is so chaotic, it won't be too late to take it next year. "
As Ning Yi spoke, he and Han Jing looked at the huge map of the Wu dynasty on the wall at the side of the room. A large amount of information turned into flags and arrows, densely appearing on the map. The war in the southwest was only a small corner. The truly complicated part was the movements and confrontations north of the Yangtze River and the Yellow River. Near the Daimyo Residence, the yellow flags representing the golden men were densely planted into a small forest. This was the battle situation that even Han Jing, who was on the frontlines, could not help but be concerned about.
Zong Fu and Zong Bi had begun to attack the Daimyo Residence in September. After more than a month, the main force of the Jurchen army had already begun to cross the Yellow River in the south. Wanyan Chang, who was in charge of logistics, led more than thirty thousand elite Jurchen soldiers, as well as the two hundred thousand Han soldiers gathered from Li Xizhi's former jurisdiction, to besiege the Daimyo Residence. It seemed that they were prepared for a long siege.
The most recent news was reflected on the western front of the Central Plains, which corresponded to the eastern route. After Wang Juyun's mobilization, Prince Jin, Tian Shi, personally led his army into battle, charging at the Zong Han army that had crossed Yanmen Pass with the intention of destroying everything indiscriminately. This was the most powerful and shocking resistance that had suddenly erupted in the Central Plains. Han Jing had some doubts about this and asked Ning Yi about it. Ning Yi nodded in confirmation.
The news from Prince Jin's side had been personally delivered by Zhan Wu, the Takeshi shopkeeper who was in charge of contacting Lou Shuwan. Following Tian Shi's departure, Prince Jin's subordinates had mobilized as many as a million soldiers. This was the wealth that Tian Hu had accumulated over the past ten years.
With the mobilization of the army, the struggle in this local political circle suddenly became fierce. Although the slogan of resisting the Jin was impassioned, there were also many people who were unwilling to lose their lives under the iron hooves of the Jin. These people followed suit.
On the day that the army was mobilized, Prince Jin's territory was completely destroyed and martial law was imposed. On the second day, one of the elders who had supported Tian Shi's rebellion, Yuan Zhanxia, secretly sent an envoy to the north in an attempt to contact Wanyan Xiyin of the eastern army.
On the same day, Lou Shuwan, who had already made preparations, led her troops to attack the Gen family. The entire family was imprisoned, and on the third day, the entire Gen family was executed in Wei Sheng City. At the same time, countless people in the court and the military who were related to the Gen family were imprisoned. In just a few days, the number of heads cut off in Wei Sheng City was enough to build a capital.
Even Zhan Wu, who had seen much of the world, felt his heart palpitate when he saw such cruel and tyrannical methods coming from a woman. The Jurchen army had not yet reached Taiyuan, but the entire territory of Prince Jin had already turned into a murderous battlefield.
There was a reason for such a tense situation north of the Yellow River. After more than ten years of recuperation, Prince Jin's territory was able to gather a million soldiers and then resist. Although this made some Han people's blood boil, they were facing the Jurchen military god Wanyan Zonghan, who had once fought side by side with Wanyan Aguda and now ruled half of the Jin Kingdom.
In contrast, in Prince Jin's territory, in addition to his own million soldiers, to the west was the uninhabited northwest that had been slaughtered by the Jurchen. To the east, the resistance of the Daming Residence, even with Zhu Biao's Black Flag Army, was only fifty to sixty thousand people. To cross the Yellow River in the south, they had to cross Bianliang City and nearly a thousand miles of road that was actually still in the hands of the Jurchen before they could reach the Yangtze River valley, which was actually controlled by the Wu dynasty. Facing Wanyan Zonghan with a million soldiers, they were actually an isolated army that was thousands of miles away from help.
Everyone was making a choice with their own lives.
"… I met this young master of the Tian family once in Mount Lu Liang. At first, I thought he was arrogant and short-sighted, so I didn't pay attention to him. I didn't expect that he was also a hero. And this Miss Lou, she's really … amazing. "
When Tian Shi and Lou Shuwan went to Lu Liang, Han Jing and the others were still preparing for the battle codenamed "Beating Little Friends". At this time, looking at the summary of the many messages coming from the north, they couldn't help but sigh for the other party.
Among these messages, there was also a letter that Lou Shuwan had personally written and asked Zhan Wu to send to the Huaxia Army. In the letter, Lou Shuwan's logic was clear. She calmly analyzed Prince Jin's plans and the situation he was facing to the Huaxia Army, led by Ning Yi. At the same time, she stated the fact that Prince Jin's troops were bound to fail. After such a calm statement, she hoped that the Huaxia Army could provide more support to Prince Jin's troops in the spirit of all Huaxia people helping each other. At the same time, she hoped that the Huaxia Army, which had been training in the southwest, could decisively send troops and quickly open up the road from the southwest to Xiangyang and Bianliang, or from the southwest to the northwest, so as to provide practical support to Prince Jin's troops.
Let the Black Flag Army move out right now, directly open up the entire territory of the Central Plains, and then launch a confrontation with the Jurchen troops. Of course, this was impossible. However, in the other party's calm statement and desperate facts, Han Jing more or less felt some admiration and guilt. When he handed the letter back to Ning Yi with a complicated expression, Ning Yi was also looking at him with a faint smile. "How do you feel?"
"… Amazing, and she's telling the truth."
"Yes, amazing." Ning Yi smiled. After a while, he threw the letter back on the desk. "However, this woman is crazy. The purpose of her writing this letter is just to disgust people. Don't worry too much about it."
"Uh …"
Han Jing was puzzled. Ning Yi had a different feeling about this seemingly normal letter. He was a resolute person. He usually did not view mediocre people as people. Back in Hangzhou, Ning Yi did not admire this woman at all. Even if she killed her entire family, Ning Yi did not care in the slightest when they reunited on Lu Liangshan. However, from Lou Shuwan's development in these years and the way she did things, he could see the other's path of survival, as well as the cruel trials and struggles she had experienced between life and death.
The grudge between the two was too deep. However, at this moment, he had no choice but to admit that the other had grown into a real person. Especially when she wrote this letter. She had made a choice to risk her life. She also knew that the Hua Xia Army would definitely not lead troops north and recover the Central Plains at this time. This kind of action that did not care about life and death was enough to make people feel admiration. While the Hua Xia soldiers admired her, Ning Yi's mood was naturally disgusted.
This kind of almost perverted sense of humor made Ning Yi not know whether to laugh or cry. He felt a bit of respect.
"If I had known earlier, I would have killed her back then … and ended all troubles …"
He chatted with Han Jing for a while. By the time he saw him off, the sky outside was already filled with stars. To talk about the current situation in the north on a night like this, that fierce and cruel battle, was actually only talking about his own future. Even if he was in the southwest, how long could it be peaceful? The clash between the black flag and the golden men would come sooner or later.
Under the ordinary starlight, heading north and east, the traces of winter had already descended on the earth. Heading east for a distance of three thousand li, the city of Lin 'an had a night scene that was a hundred times more prosperous than Hedeng in the mountains.
As the heart of the current Wu dynasty, people from all over the world gathered here. Countless matters, big and small, that affected the entire world, happened and brewed here. Right now, the temporary main character of a story happening in the capital was called Long Qifei.
In August, the Huaxia army issued a declaration of war in the southwest, announcing it to the world. Not long after, Long Qifei set out from Zizhou to return to the capital. He traveled day and night on horseback. By now, it had been more than ten days since he returned to Lin 'an.
When the country was in peril, many heroes came forth. In the current Wu dynasty, the poems of the scholars were sharp and stirring, and the countryside was dyed with patriotism. Chivalrous men came forth in large numbers, and the style of civil and military affairs had improved greatly compared to the peaceful years. In addition, all kinds of schools and ideas gradually arose. Many scholars ran around the capital every day, peddling the strategies in their hearts to save the country. Under the inspiration of Ning Yi, Li Pin and the others gradually developed schools and newspapers.
Ever since the signs of the golden men's invasion of the south appeared, Crown Prince Jun Wu left Lin 'an and led various armies to the front lines, building a great wall of steel north of the Yangtze River. The sight of the north had always been the focus of the scholars' attention. But there were still many people who were wary of the southwest. Before the war in the southwest had begun, the deeds of Long Qifei and the others had been publicized among the Confucians. When the southwest was in danger and Long Qifei arrived in the capital, this group of people immediately attracted a great deal of attention.
Perhaps there were doubts about these people deserting in the face of battle, but in the end, the distance was too great. When the situation was perilous and heroes were needed, the propaganda for these people was mostly positive. After Li Xiannong was suspected and arrested in the southwest, the story of the Confucians persuading the Mang Shan Ni tribe to raise troops to resist the Black Flag Army was mostly spoken of as Long Qifei's strategy. To be able to do these things in the face of a barbaric demon like the Black Flag Army was already not easy. After all, the tragic scene of wanting to kill the enemy but being powerless to reverse the situation was something that people could agree with.
During this three thousand li journey, Long Qifei had lost a lot of weight through his uneasiness and high-intensity running. When he arrived in Lin 'an, his figure was as thin as a skeleton, and the corners of his mouth were full of blisters. The first thing he did when he arrived in the capital was to kneel to all the Confucian scholars he knew. The Black Flag Army was too powerful, and he had failed his mission. He could only return to the capital and present a plea to the court, requesting more attention and assistance for the southwest.
The matter of such a great Confucian who cared about his country and knelt to everyone to beg for forgiveness immediately became a much-told tale in the capital. In the following days, Long Qifei and the others ran back and forth, constantly pleading to the manors of the court officials. At the same time, they also asked for the help of the many sages in the capital. He stated the importance of the southwest, stated the wolf-like ambitions of the Black Flag Army, and constantly warned the court that the southwest could not be lost. If it was lost, the world would perish. In the span of ten-some days, he had stirred up a great wave of patriotism.
Many high-ranking officials of the capital came to invite him to a banquet. Even the steward of the Eldest Princess' residence came to invite him to the residence to discuss and understand the specific situation in the southwest. Invitations were sent to him for poetry meetings, and all kinds of famous scholars came to visit him in an endless stream. During this time, he paid a second visit to the Bureau Secret Envoy Qin Hui, who had urged him to go west. However, after the defeat in the court, Qin Hui no longer had the strength or the heart to push for a campaign against the southwest. Even though many of the high-ranking officials and famous people in the capital expressed great importance and respect for him, there were not many influential figures who were willing to make the effort to send troops to the southwest.
Late that night, at the entrance of Qing Yi Alley, large red lanterns were hung high. The brothels, theaters, and tea houses in the alley were still full of enthusiasm. This was one of the most lively social places in Lin 'an. In the lobby of an inn called the "Four Seas Society," there were still many famous scholars and scholars who had come to this place. In front of the Four Seas Society was a brothel. Even in the windows of the brothel, there were people listening to music while paying attention to the situation below.
Finally, a carriage came in from the street and stopped in front of the Four Seas Society. Long Qifei, who was thin, his hair half white, and his eyes red but still filled with enthusiasm, alighted from the carriage. He was only forty years old. In the more than a month of travel, all kinds of worries had arisen, and the fire in his heart had tormented him, causing half of his hair to turn white. However, it was also this appearance that caused everyone to respect him even more. After leaving the carriage, he leaned on a wooden staff with one hand and stood with difficulty. His dark red lips were tightly pressed together, and his face was filled with anger. The crowd surrounded him, but he did not say a word. He cupped his hands and walked toward the inn.
Sending troops to the southwest was a complicated decision that determined the direction of a country. After more than ten days without a result, he realized that the momentum was not great enough to prompt people like Lord Qin and the Eldest Princess to make a decision. However, the scholars and the knowledgeable people of the capital were ultimately on his side. Thus, that night, he went to the Ming Hall to pay a visit to Li Pin, Li Dexin, whom he had once met face to face.
Li Dexin's newspaper currently had a great influence in the capital, but in these past few days, his newspaper only had a few indifferent reports on Long Qifei's return to the capital. Long Qifei was dissatisfied, but he also felt that perhaps he had not shown enough respect to him, so he had personally come to visit. He hoped that the other party would realize the importance of the southwest, put national affairs first, and do more to promote public opinion in defense of the southwest.
However, Li Dexin had refused his request.
When they returned to the inn, the crowd asked about the results of their discussion. Long Qifei only walked inside. Only when he had passed through the main hall did he place his wooden staff on the ground. After a moment, he said, "Li Dexin … a fame-seeking person …"
His words were resentful, but they were powerful and resonant. The crowd in the hall froze for a moment and then began to whisper to each other. Someone chased after him and continued to ask questions. Long Qifei said no more and returned to his room. When he returned to his room, the famed courtesan who had accompanied him to the capital, Lu Guo 'er, came over to comfort him. He remained silent and did not speak, but the dark red in his eyes deepened.
"Master, this is the name list of the officials who sent in invitations today … Master, the affairs of the world have always been difficult beyond difficult. Don't harm your body for these people …"
Lu Guo 'er was a woman who had seen many things. After consoling him for a while, Long Qifei waved his hand. "You don't understand, you don't understand …"
There were some things that he would not speak of to the woman beside him. Li Pin's conversation with him today had been very painful, and some of her words had been too excessive, causing Long Qifei's heart to palpitate. Ever since he had returned to the capital, everyone had regarded him as the leader they had hoped for. But this was also because of the situation in the southwest. If the imperial court really could not take back the southwest, then what meaning would there be in his existence as the leader of opinion?
Li Pin had been fishing for fame and praise. Back then, she had said how she could not live under the same sky as Ning Yi, using that demon's high status. But now, she had hypocritically said that she was plotting slowly. In addition … the officials in the imperial court were all good-for-nothings, and this included Qin Huizhi! Back then, he had instigated him to go to the southwest and think of ways to deal with the Huaxia army. Now, he and his people had done their best, capturing the envoy of the Huaxia army, inciting the Mang Mountain Ni tribe, and narrowly escaping with their lives … Qin Huizhi could not cause the entire nation to encircle and suppress them, so how could he and his people leave?
Meat eaters were despicable. The words of the Sage were clear. He listened to the indignation and discussion that was still faintly coming from outside … The officials in the imperial court were doing nothing, and only he and his people were working tirelessly for the country … After thinking this for a moment, he calmed his mind and began to flip through the invitations that had been delivered. When he reached one of them, he hesitated for a moment, put it down, and then picked it up again not long after.
"… This person seems to be a disciple of Husband Zhao," Lu Guo 'er said in a low voice from the side. Long Qifei pressed down on the name and tapped it with his finger.
After a moment, he said, "A gentleman is in a group but not in a clique. There's no such thing as a disciple."
The name on the invitation was Yan Huan. His official position was not high, but he was the disciple of Left Minister Zhao Ding, and it was said that Zhao Ding did not get along with Qin Hui.
Long Qifei sighed and said, "… I've seen the article written by this Lord Yan. He's full of righteousness … perhaps I can meet him."
The moaning of the night wind came from outside the window.
The night wind blew over the city wall one thousand and five hundred miles to the north, and the cold wind blew over the city wall and made the flames in the night blaze. On the north wall of the Daimyo Residence, the continuous bombardment of the catapults had smashed a gap in the wall. Below the gap, corpses, gravel, and soil that had been continuously transported by the army had piled up along the wall to form a slope. Under the urging of the Female Zhenren, the soldiers outside the city shouted and launched a tidal wave of attacks toward the gap.
On the city wall, the cannons that had been pushed over launched an attack toward the people outside the city. The cannons passed through the crowd, and blood and flesh splattered everywhere. Arrows, kerosene, rolling logs … any defensive method that could be used was now ferociously gathered inside and outside the gap. On the position outside the city, the catapults were still constantly firing, throwing huge stones at the high wall.
"Bring the cannons here … everyone! If the city survives, I'll die — "Wang Shanyue, wearing a white scarf on his head, roared in a hoarse voice in the night. His body was already stained with blood. The people around him shouted loudly along with him, and then pressed toward the gap in the high wall.
The Daimyo Residence was a strong city built for garrison. The entire wall was several feet thick, and the immature cannons could not affect such a wall. On the contrary, the catapults still had some effect, and the cannons that bombarded the outside of the city could create a huge defensive advantage. Even so, for more than a month, the enemies who had climbed the city several times still needed to use a large number of lives to fight back. Wang Shanyue led the team to the front several times …
This night was still such a fierce battle. At a certain moment, something cold fell from the sky. It was a small ice particle before the heavy snow. Not long after, it covered the whole world with a crashing sound. Countless fires on and below the city wall were extinguished. After a while, the battle in the dark finally stopped. The people on the city wall were able to survive. They began to clear the slope, and at the same time, began to strengthen and raise the city wall.
At the back of the besieging camp, Wan Yanchang looked at everything in the dark from under a large umbrella. His eyes were cold. He did not incite the elite soldiers under him to seize this rare gap. After retreating, he ordered the craftsmen to repair the catapults. When he left, he left an order.
"Don't idle, continue to throw in the corpses!"
Tens of miles to the south. The long stretch of banners symbolized a large army of hundreds of thousands. In the past few days, they had begun to cross the Yellow River. Wu Shu led the vanguard to cross the river first. Looking back to the north, the Yellow River was surging, and the smoke of the Daimyo Residence could no longer be seen. But he believed that it would not be long before everything in the city would disappear under the repeated attacks of the hundreds of thousands of Han soldiers led by Wan Yanchang.
In front of the army was a wasteland that had been visited by refugees not long ago. Apart from corpses and plagues, what was wreaking havoc on the land was a group of refugees who were generally known as "Hungry Ghosts".
Even the Jurchen army and the fake Qi army that were once stationed south of the Yellow River could only rely on strong cities to defend one side. Most of the smaller cities had their doors knocked open by the refugees. The people in the cities had lost everything and could only choose to plunder and wander to survive. In many places, the grass and tree bark had been gnawed clean. Those who had died from eating the Guanyin clay were all skin and bones. Only their bellies were full and round as they rotted in the wild.
These people who had lost their homes and everything and could only rely on plundering to survive now numbered in the millions on the land south of the Yellow River. No words could accurately describe their experiences.
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