"Where's the thing?"
Wang Chong's eyes twitched as he calmly said.
"In the forest."
"Bring it over."
… …
Rumble! Under everyone's flabbergasted gazes, another cavalryman carrying a heavy bag galloped out of the forest.
The object in the bag had distinct edges and corners. From its shape, it was clearly a square iron box about one foot in length, width, and height.
The cavalryman who was stationed at that place carried the box carefully. He seemed to be very cautious, and his movements seemed to be intentionally or unintentionally moving away from the box.
"Jingdian, I'll leave this chest in your care. Remember, before I give the order, nothing can happen to it. Don't let anyone get close to you, and don't open the bag! "
Wang Chong turned his head and cautiously said.
"Yes, Young Master!"
Zhao Jingdian nodded and immediately replied. As long as it was Wang Chong's order, he would never say a word. He would rarely resist or question it.
Thump! Zhao Jingdian pressed his legs against the horse's belly and quickly rode forward. Stretching out his arms, he quickly took the bag from the guard and placed it on the back of his horse.
When Zhao Jingdian took the bag containing the metal chest, the garrison soldier gave a long sigh of relief, his entire being seemingly relieved of a great burden.
"What's inside?"
Li Siye stared at the box in Zhao Jingdian's bosom with a strange look on his face, a rough and deep voice coming from the side.
There were very few things that he didn't know about Wang Chong, but he truly didn't know anything about this bag.
It was clear that Wang Chong had prepared it long ago in the capital.
Moreover, Wang Chong's cautious demeanor had left him rather puzzled.
"You'll know in a little while. Jingdian, go to the rear of the army. Keep a distance of at least six zhang from the army. "
Wang Chong waved his hand.
"Yes, Young Master!"
Zhao Jingdian quickly turned and left.
"Move out!"
With this order, the army set off once more.
… …
Time flew by. Wang Chong marched day and night, and five days later, he finally entered the southwest of the empire. After entering the southwest region, the surrounding atmosphere was immediately filled with the aura of danger.
"Let's go! Let's go! Let's go! "
"Ouzan and Mengshe Zhao's men are about to attack."
"The imperial court has already been defeated. No one can protect us now."
"Father, hurry up!"
…
Along the way, a large number of civilians formed groups and dragged their families to flee from the southwest border to the north of the empire.
The defeat of the 180,000 Tang dynasty elites of the Annan Protectorate was no longer a secret. A few merchants had long since received the news and fled the southwest.
Once someone escaped, it would no longer be a secret.
Although the situation at the southern end of the southwestern border was still unknown, the people near the northern border had clearly begun to take action to flee their homes.
"This situation … is not good!"
Looking at the refugees, Wang Chong raised his head and let out a long sigh.
"Wei Anfang, you stay behind. I'll give you one hundred men. Arrange for people to stand guard on the main roads of the southwest. First, they'll guide the fleeing civilians. Second, if anyone tries to take advantage of the situation or tries to stir up trouble, they'll be immediately executed. "
Wang Chong said.
In any era, the hearts of the people were the most important. The defeat in the southwest was one reason, but on the other hand, the panicked refugees had dealt a massive blow to the people of the Tang dynasty who had enjoyed centuries of peace.
In the history of the Great Tang, there had never been such a panicky, panicky, and precarious mood. Wang Chong could only do his utmost to minimize this effect.
"Yes, Young Master. Leave this matter to me."
Wei Anfang bowed.
His duty had never been to go to the battlefield to kill the enemy. The mission that Wang Chong had given him had always been to work with Zhao Qiqin in the rear and manage the people.
By remaining here, he could also minimize the impact of the war on the hearts of the people.
The one hundred hired experts quickly stayed behind. Although they were not part of the regular army, the standard military armor they wore was more than enough for this mission.
Leaving behind the one hundred hired experts and Wei Anfang, the army set off for the south.
The sky over the southwest was overcast with dark clouds. The further one went, the thicker the atmosphere of war. There were no more merchants, no more endless caravans, and even the rising smoke from kitchen chimneys was sparse. A somber atmosphere pervaded the air.
Creee! — —
Suddenly, a sharp cry came from the sky, attracting everyone's attention.
Wang Chong raised his head and saw that in the sky, a massive eagle was unfurling its wings and circling in the air, changing shape after shape. Its speed was sometimes rapid, sometimes slow, and it was accompanied by one sharp cry after another in an extremely rhythmic manner.
"The Eagle?"
Wang Chong pressed his hand against the back of his horse, not even turning his head.
These eagles and sparrows had all been trained by The Eagle. Only The Eagle knew the meaning of this code.
"A large number of enemies have appeared in front of us …"
The Eagle's expression was even more serious than Wang Chong's. The faster the eagle flew, the more serious the situation was, and the number of circles it flew represented the distance.
The giant eagle that he had personally raised had already circled seven or eight times in the air, but it was still not over.
"The closest enemy to us is about one hundred li. Their number is about three hundred … but there are others nearby, and their numbers are not small.
"In addition, they've discovered our people!"
The Eagle looked at the giant eagle in the sky and slowly translated the 'eagle language'.
Weng!
The first part was secondary, but the last part caused Wang Chong's heart to clench. The surrounding atmosphere also became tense.
After marching for several days, this was the first time they had come into direct contact with war. For many of the people here, although they had experienced countless one-on-one battles, they had never been on a battlefield before.
The nature of a war between armies and a contest between martial artists was completely different!
When a large group of cavalry charged at them, even the most powerful martial artist could be turned into ashes, dying under the hooves of horses and spears.
— — An individual's bravery was greatly weakened in a war!
"It's Li Zhengyi's reinforcements!"
A light flashed across his mind, and Wang Chong almost immediately thought of something.
This place was still a long distance away from the southernmost tip of the empire, the Erhai Lake between the Tang dynasty and Mengshe Zhao. It was obviously impossible for Xianyu Zhongtong's 180,000 Tang dynasty elites to appear here.
During this period of time, the only possibility was that Li Zhengyi had led the reinforcements that had been ambushed and defeated.
"All troops, prepare for battle!"
Wang Chong's heart skipped a beat, and with a swoosh, he pulled out the WuZi Steel Sword from his waist. Cold light shone in all directions, and the sword pointed to the sky. The atmosphere of the army suddenly became solemn.
"Neigh!"
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