Zhuolu City wasn't quiet at night. The maddeningly hot summer heat hadn't completely subsided even in the middle of the night. Tens of thousands of soldiers were gathered in Zhuolu City. Even if only one-tenth of the people were woken up by mosquitoes or wanted to get out of bed, the noise created would be like ten thousand flies, making the summer night even more irritating.
However, the large manor that Li Jinzhong was temporarily staying in was abnormally quiet. Even the horses that occasionally neighed were led out of the manor. Li Jinzhong and Sun Wanrong's tribe's absolute trusted aides were stationed around the perimeter. The original owner of the manor and all his family members and servants were escorted into the stables to be guarded.
Luo Wuzhen, He Axiao, and the other important generals had already rushed over when they heard the news. They crowded around Li Jinzhong's bed. The room was filled with lanterns, illuminating the room. However, due to the large number of people, even though the windows were open, the room still felt a little stuffy.
When the city's famous doctor, Bao Defu, usually visited, the patients' families would treat him respectfully like a living ancestor. But today, under the Khitan's sabers and swords, he felt Li Jinzhong's pulse. His face was sallow, and he was covered in cold sweat. His body was trembling like a sieve. Those who didn't know better would think that the doctor sitting by the bed was the patient.
"Doctor, how is he?"
Sun Wanrong waited for a while and finally couldn't help but ask.
Bao Defu knew that this person was incurable the moment he felt his pulse. However, due to the Khitan's despotic power, he had no choice but to put on an act and act like he was going all out. Now that Sun Wanrong asked him, he was so frightened that he trembled and answered with a trembling voice, "This … This patient was originally injured by an arrow. The Qi and blood in his spine were stagnant, and the heat prevailed over the flesh. Later, before his injuries could heal, he moved violently, causing the arrow wound to relapse, causing blood to flow. Now that it's summer, the heat has entered his body …"
He Axiao was infuriated when she heard that. She grabbed his collar and lifted the pitiful Doctor Bao up like a bag of herbs. Her feet dangled in the air. "What the f * ck are you talking about?! Tell me, how is our Khan? Is his illness serious? "
Bao Defu was choked by him until he couldn't breathe. His face turned red and he stuttered, "This patient's heart has been attacked by the evil fire, and the heat poison has entered his body. He … he can't be saved. Everyone … everyone should make arrangements for his funeral."
"What did you say?" He Axiao glared at him and shouted fiercely.
Sun Wanrong waved his hand and ordered, "Put him down!"
Sun Wanrong told He Axiao to put Bao Defu down and said kindly, "This little brother of mine is a rough man, please don't blame him, Mr. Bao. Is my elder brother … really hopeless? Is there not even a chance? "
Bao Defu saw that he was speaking in a friendly manner, and his courage grew a bit. He frankly replied, "Old Sir, the patient is not young anymore. After the arrow wound, the wound repeatedly burst open, so that his condition is getting more and more serious. But he has not been able to receive timely treatment, and now even medicine and stones cannot cure him.
Speaking of a chance, to be honest, I've been practicing medicine with my father since I was seven years old. When I was seventeen, I started treating patients on my own. I've been practicing medicine for more than forty years now. Based on my lifetime of experience, this patient is definitely hopeless. If it wasn't for his strong body, he wouldn't have been able to hold on until now! "
Sun Wanrong's eyes dimmed. After a moment of silence, he said, "Thank you for your trouble, Mister. Please take a rest in the wing room. Perhaps … we'll need your help in the future."
Doctor Bao nodded and sighed softly. He picked up his medicine box and was led out by the guard. When they reached the wing room, the Khitan guard pushed open the door and gestured for Doctor Bao to enter. The moment Bao Defu stepped into the room, he was shocked to see four to five people lying on the floor. There were even a few medicine boxes among the blood. Soon, his vision turned black and he sank into an eternal world of darkness …
In Li Jinzhong's room, Luo Wucheng said dejectedly, "Six doctors have concluded that the Khan is dead. What … what should we do?"
Sun Wanrong did not speak, only with a gloomy face, he sat down by the bed and gently held Li Jinzhong's hand. Li Jinzhong's palm had a strange dry heat, but looking at his pale face, his body that was still trembling in unconsciousness, he seemed to be in extreme cold.
The room gradually quieted down. Only the heavy panting of the Khitan leaders could be heard. After a long time, Li Jinzhong groaned and slowly opened his eyes. Sun Wanrong hurriedly leaned forward and called out, "Khan!"
Li Jinzhong opened his lifeless eyes and looked at them. He said with difficulty, "Wanrong, am I … not going to make it?"
Sun Wanrong wanted to dodge the question, but when he thought about how Li Jinzhong was not going to leave this world and there were many things he needed to explain to him, he was at a loss for words. If he were to confess this time, he might not wake up the next time.
Li Jinzhong looked at his expression and smiled faintly. He said calmly, "I'm already sixty-seven years old. At this age, it's not a loss even if I die. What's there to be sad about? As the chief of the tribe, the entire tribe is counting on us. It's our responsibility to resist the tyranny of Zhou Dynasty for our people! Now that I can't make it, I'll leave everything to you! "
Sun Wanrong was moved. "Khan …"
Li Jinzhong panted a few times and said, "You and I are in-laws. After I die, please take care of my tribe. After I die, you must not call me Khan immediately. The news of my death … must be kept a secret … "
Hot tears finally fell from Sun Wanrong's eyes. He nodded repeatedly, "I understand!"
Li Jinzhong said, "After I die, don't be in a hurry to return to the mountains. To the outside world, just say that I'm sick and need to return to the mountains to recuperate. You will continue to command the army. You must … must lead the people to win a few more battles! Just like Yellow Deer Valley, use this to establish your reputation. Only then will you … will you receive the trust and support of the entire army.
Moreover, as long as you win a few more battles, you will be able to make the hesitant King Xi send his troops to join the battle. The Turks will … will definitely continue to take advantage of the situation to share … our pressure. "
Li Jinzhong closed his eyes as if he was gathering all the strength in his body. After a long while, he opened his eyes again and said with difficulty, "The Turks are ambitious and not kind. They cannot be … trusted! But … but when necessary, there's no harm in forming an alliance with them. We must … pave a path of survival for our people! "
Sun Wanrong nodded vigorously with tears in his eyes.
Li Jinzhong looked at Luo Wuzhen, He Axiao and the other chiefs who had mobilized with him. Gathering all the strength in his body, he said sternly, "The fate of us Khitan people, will … be in your hands. All of you … should be as loyal to Wanrong as you are to me. For our … our survival … to fight! "
Luo Wuzhen and the other Khitan generals all knelt on one knee and placed their right hands on their chest. They said in unison, "We solemnly obey the Supreme Great Khan's order!"
"All of you … leave first. I … and Wanrong … will be alone for a while."
The generals lightly stepped out of the room and closed the door. Only Li Jinzhong and Sun Wanrong were left in the room.
Li Jinzhong used his weak and weak hand to gently hold Sun Wanrong's hand. He laughed bitterly, "Jinzhong … is really going to die. Wanrong … must not be killed! You … must do your best. You must … live well! "
… …
The Lu family's foundation was in Zhuozhou. The north had never been peaceful. As the number one aristocratic family in the north, for their own safety, the Lu family had spared no effort in managing Zhuozhou for thousands of years. The walls of this city were high and thick, and the river was wide and deep. It was a sturdy city that was very difficult to destroy.
Zhuozhou City also had a regimental training troop recruited from the locals. All the major border cities of the north had regimental training troops, and Zhuozhou was where the Lu family's foundation was located. The regimental training here was especially powerful. There were nearly eight thousand soldiers, and whether it was in terms of daily training or equipment, they were superior to the regular troops of the border army.
Moreover, this city was the home of these regimental training troops. As the soldiers of this city, if anyone wanted to invade this place, they would swear to fight to the death. Not only were they powerful, their morale was also reliable. Even if this army was not garrisoned by the regular troops of the imperial court, it would not be easy to gnaw at them, let alone the fact that the imperial court had stationed a large force here.
If such a powerful aristocratic family were to be plundered by bandits, it would be an unimaginably massive disaster for the imperial court. The political repercussions would be enough to erase all of the Wuzhou Imperial Court's achievements, even if the Wuzhou Imperial Court had not accomplished anything other than recovering the Four Garrisons of Anxi.
The Khitans also knew that this place was a hard bone to chew, so they had never had any intentions of conquering it.
Although Lu Zhongjia was forced to return to Fan Yang by Yang Fan, he had sworn an oath in the name of his ancestors. As a result, even though he was unwilling, he still strictly obeyed the oath and confined Lu Binzhi to his home. He also withdrew all of the Lu family members who were outside.
Lu Binzhi had been cultivating his mind and character in the Lu Clan, reading and practicing calligraphy. He appeared to be extremely leisurely, but he knew everything that was happening outside like the back of his hand.
Although the Lu Family had already retreated to Fan Yang, the Lu Family was like a giant spider. They had a giant and invisible web spread outside. Even the slightest sign of trouble would be immediately transmitted to their ears.
The news of Zhuolu's fall had been delivered to him together with the news of Yang Fan's appearance.
It wasn't a secret that the Khitans were temporarily stationed in Zhuolu. In any case, the Khitans' mounted scouts were dozens of kilometers away. If the imperial court's troops did anything, they would immediately sense it. With their mobility far superior to the imperial court's troops, they could retreat in time, so their defenses weren't strict.
Furthermore, the person Liang Shuang had sent was a very shrewd and skilled person. He was very familiar with the terrain of the Zhuolu area. The Khitans had set up defenses in the periphery to guard against the movement of large troops. There was no way they could stop a scout or two from entering and leaving.
Lu Binzhi had originally believed that Yang Fan was already dead. He had even burned incense and prayed before his deceased brother's coffin, informing his brother's spirit in heaven of the good news. Now, he was shocked to hear that Yang Fan was still alive and well. Furthermore, he had received preferential treatment from the Khitans. It didn't seem like he was in danger. Lu Binzhi was dumbfounded.
"Yang Fan must die!"
Lu Binzhi snapped to his senses and his expression suddenly turned ferocious. "It's rare for him to be alone in my territory. This is my only chance. If I let him escape and obtain the protection of the Succession Hall again, we will no longer have a chance. Therefore, no matter what, I have to kill him! "
…
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