In the middle of the eleventh month of the eleventh year of Chongzhen, the weather was extremely cold. The eyes of the people in the world were completely attracted by Gaoyang, a small city that was 600 miles away from the capital and 60 miles away from Baoding City. Frozen soil, weeds, strong wind, and bone-blooded coldness. Everything makes people feel the harshness of this winter.

On the plain outside Gaoyang City, there were dense crowds of people like ant colonies driven by thousands of Qing scholastic cavalry. They staggered and sobbed quietly towards the edge of the city. Behind them were followed by emergency siege cars and simple cloud ladders.

The blade was sharp and shining with a cold light. Occasionally, a captive soldier pulled out his long sword and chopped the people who fell to the ground, causing screams, and the speed of movement suddenly increased a lot. The people were crowded and moved forward, and from time to time, someone fell to the ground. There were a few footprints on his back and he never stood up again.

Yang Tinglin handed a hard bow to Lu Xiangsheng and said, "Supervisor, you can't drag it anymore."

Lu Xiangsheng was silent for a while, slowly lifted up his longbow and pulled the bowstring. With a loud "bang", the feather arrow came out and penetrated straight into the ground nearly 300 steps outside the city. The two hundred strongmen behind him all pulled the strings and shot out again, forming a straight line composed of feather arrows on the left and right of Lu Xiangsheng's feather arrow.

"Those who dare to cross the line will die." Lu Xiangsheng shouted loudly.

"Those who dare to cross the line will die." Five thousand soldiers shouted in unison, with amazing momentum.

The Manchus drove tens of thousands of people to attack the city. If they were allowed to go all the way to the edge of the city, it would be enough to break through Gaoyang City. Only by letting them understand that there is only a dead end to move forward can they ensure that the city is not lost and the lives of most people in the city can be preserved.

The tens of thousands of people who were slowly moving forward suddenly stopped and a buzzing sound. They looked at the Ming soldiers holding swords and guns on the city walls, their faces were frightened, but they gradually stopped. Some clever ones had begun to slowly move backwards or both sides, trying their best to avoid the life and death line drawn by Lu Xiangsheng in front.

The sound of horse hooves came from both sides, and the Qing cavalry was dispatched. They slashed the guns and bayonets, killing all the people who were trying to disperse to both sides. The Manchus on the back also began to act, slashing at the crowd with their swords without mercy. The miserable screams resounded throughout the fields, squeezing the people in front of them.

Going backwards must be a dead end, and there may be a way forward. An old man, wearing a shabby long suit, pointed at the wall tremblingly, roaring sadly: "Aren't you soldiers of my Ming Dynasty? Shouldn't you protect my Ming people? You dare not attack the captives, but you dare to kill my Ming's own people. If God really has no eyes, you can shoot me, the old man!" After saying that, he stepped forward and took a step.

The city was in a mess and was about to collapse completely.

Lu Xiangsheng's face was tense, and he trembled and pulled the strings with an arrow. He shot it away, hitting the old man's chest. The blood slammed, and the old man fell to the ground. Lu Xiangsheng shouted again: "Those who dare to cross the line will die."

The bravery of the soldiers, the higher the responsibilities they are, the greater the responsibility they bear. No one wants to take on the responsibility of killing civilians, especially those who are their own people. But if everyone does not act, the next thing is the city breaking, and there will definitely be more people who die at that time. Lu Xiangsheng's arrow sacrificed his historical reputation and took the initiative to take on the responsibility of killing civilians. No matter how many people other soldiers killed in the melee, it will be his own responsibility. Because, the first arrow was shot by him.

Lu Xiangsheng handed the hard bow in his hand to Zu Kuan next to him and said, "Zu Kuan, you are in charge of the next guard of the city. Remember, no one is allowed to approach the city wall here." After saying that, he did not look down at all, as if he did not hear the yelling and scolding under the city, and walked down the city.

The back is tall and thick as a mountain.

Yang Tinglin looked shocked. After a while, he came to his senses. He hurriedly chased after Lu Xiangsheng's sleeve tightly and said, "Nine Duke, no, this matter must not be done..."

Lu Xiangsheng shook his head and smiled bitterly: "Boxiang, do you think I am going to take the initiative to seek death?"

Yang Tinglin was stunned and said nothing. However, Lu Xiangsheng smiled faintly and said, "Don't worry! If I die in battle, the morale of the army in the city will be in chaos. Then who will protect these people? For them, I will live. These people help the Manchus' siege, but at the same time they also prevent them from reaching the edge of the city quickly. They cannot allow the people to join the edge of the north city, as this will allow the Manchus to follow the attack into the city. But they can allow the people to go around the south gate and then enter the city, or disperse to the distance. I have two thousand cavalry under my command, and they will divide them into two parts and go out from the east and west gates to cover the people to escape."

Yang Tinglin hesitated for a moment and said, "Nine Dukes, there are more than ten thousand captives outside the gate. This trip is too dangerous, so let's leave it to other generals!"

Lu Xiangsheng shook his head and said, "I am the general of the leader. If I don't move forward, how can the soldiers do their best?"

"But..." Yang Tinglin was waiting for further advice, but saw Lu Xiangsheng wavering his hand and said, "This matter is settled, no need to say anything more. Boxiang, Sun Quan is the son of Sun Ge Lao, and many people near Gaoyang know him. If you take him to the South Gate, perhaps with Sun Ge Lao's prestige in Gaoyang City, you can stabilize the order and let those people enter the city faster."

Yang Tinglin was silent for a while and said, "Nine Dukes, if there are captives among the people, once chaos starts, the city gate may not be closed again."

Lu Xiangsheng nodded and said, "You are right. So, my two thousand cavalry are buying time for you. In addition, I will let Xiang and take one hundred god-shooters with you. Once you find that there are people who are trying to start a turmoil, shoot and kill them on the spot, and make sure that most of the people enter the city safely."

The earth shook, and the two city gates of the east and west suddenly opened, and two thousand cavalry flew out urgently. Lu Xiangsheng stood up with a sword and was imposing, with an extraordinary momentum. A clear-edged face completely enveloped a cloud. A group of capitulates in front were trying their best to suppress the people on both sides. Seeing the sudden outgoing troops in the city, they looked a little surprised and excited. The leader, the leader, called out twice, then slapped forward to meet them.

Lu Xiangsheng stepped forward and slashed a captive general off the horse with a knife. The blood was soaked on his face, and there was an indescribable surprise. He turned his head and looked at the trembling people beside him, shouting loudly: "The south gate has been opened, hurry up and run away!" After that, he tightly clamped his horse's belly and ran forward.

After a brief calm, a deafening cheer came from the crowd, and then slowly fled forward.

Dorgon stood up and saw Lu Xiangsheng who was fighting desperately there from afar. He smiled faintly and exclaimed: "Lu Xiangsheng, known as the King of Hell, is really brave. Suksaha, Ashan, go! Don't worry about those untouchables, I only want Lu Xiangsheng's life."

The two of them hurriedly bowed and said, "Yeah!" Then they crossed their horses and waved their swords to move forward. Four thousand elite cavalry who had been waiting for a long time rushed over instantly.
Chapter completed!