Xiaoqin's body seemed to be getting colder and colder. Osmanthus hugged her and refused to let go, hoping to use her own body temperature to warm her good sister.
Her tears had dried up, her vision was blurred, and she was in a daze. She seemed to be immersed in a dream, laughing and playing with her friends affectionately.
It was a large mansion with many houses, but it was also a large prison where young women were imprisoned.
They live in fear all day long, with little food and cold, and are often dragged into sexual pleasures by rapists. People die every day, some commit suicide, some are killed, and some die of illness.
Xiaoqin couldn't bear the humiliation and hit her head against the wall. She was about to breathe her last breath in the arms of Osmanthus fragrans.
Osmanthus didn't know where she was so courageous. Perhaps because of the deep love between sisters, she was not afraid of Xiaoqin, whose head was covered in blood. However, her treatment and care seemed unable to save Xiaoqin's young life.
The gunfire and shouts of death outside the city also attracted the attention of the women. Some people were whispering and talking in low voices, wondering whether the officers and soldiers were calling and whether they had been saved.
But soon, they were disappointed. Because Cheng Baolin came so fiercely, he was defeated quickly.
After this emotional ups and downs, when the Dongjiang army came to the city and started fighting with Jianlu again, these women had turned a deaf ear and had no hope.
However, the shouts of death and the sound of gunfire are getting denser, louder, and closer.
"It seems like we are in the city?" Hope rose again, and someone finally made a judgment.
"Yeah, it's getting louder and louder, and getting closer."
"Those who can fight Jiannu must be officers and soldiers."
"Kick Jiannu away quickly, I want to go home and I miss my mother."
……………
There were more and more discussions, but Guihua didn't react.
"Sister." A woman looked at the sweet-scented osmanthus with pity, handed over half a bowl of water, and said, "Don't be sad, it's our fate. It's useless even if we cry our eyes out."
Osmanthus's eyes moved slowly, and she slowly turned her gaze foolishly.
"Drink some water." The woman brought the bowl closer and comforted, "Keep living, maybe there is hope of returning home!"
"Go home?" Osmanthus's eyes flashed brightly, but then dimmed again.
"No sound again?" The woman sighed without concealing her disappointment and put down the water bowl. She didn't have the energy to say anything to comfort her.
Like cold water poured on the head, the women looked at each other, their hopes were shattered, and they suffered another psychological blow.
Bang! The door was violently knocked open. The women were so frightened that they huddled together again and buried their heads deeply.
Noisy sounds started, including a loud voice, then a high-pitched female voice, and the sound of crying, getting clearer and closer.
The door was suddenly pushed open, the cold air rushed in, and the figures of several tall soldiers also projected in.
"Don't be afraid, we are the army and have defeated the Jiannu." Yang Daman tried his best to keep his voice gentle and said: "You can walk around this house, and I will bring you food and firewood in a while."
A few brave women raised their eyes and took a peek, but most people still couldn't believe it.
"Needless to say too much, they were so frightened that they couldn't even tell the difference between the officers and soldiers and the slaves." A soldier was a little impatient, "Let's go, there are still houses that are supported from the outside!"
Yang Daman felt pity in his heart, but he didn't know what to say to make these women completely believe him. He shook off his fear, shook his head, and took them away.
Osmanthus stared at the men who claimed to be officers and soldiers. From their clothing and language, she was sure that these men were not slaves.
Xiaoqin in her arms twitched, causing Guihua to throw away all worries and fears, and said hurriedly: "Master, save my sister, she, she -"
Yang Daman turned around and looked at the brave woman, then his eyes shifted to the woman with her head wrapped in cloth and bleeding.
………………
When Guo Dajing arrived at Zunhua City, it was almost dusk. There was still a large group of troops behind him who had not yet arrived, but more than 10,000 troops had already entered the city.
"Let the Jianlu escape a few." Liu Qishi led his flying cavalry to pursue and fight fiercely. He had just returned to the city. When he greeted Guo Dajing, he reported with great dissatisfaction and regret.
Guo Dajing smiled and said: "Just run away, just in time to give Huang Taiji a message. It's more natural than running away deliberately. Anyway, they don't know our specific strength."
If it had not been planned and prepared for a long time, judging from the speed of mobilizing troops and food and grass supplies at that time, the number of men and horses in the cross-sea expedition would have been more than 10,000 at most.
Guo Dajing believed that Huang Taiji would make such a judgment, and he also thought that he would not have thought that this Operation Qin Wang had been prepared for a year, and the investment was even greater.
Liu Xingzuo led a thousand flying cavalry to accompany Guo Dajing. He smiled and patted Liu Qishi's arm without saying much.
"Reporting to Commander Guo, our army killed one Jiannu guerrilla and prepared eight members, and the remaining Jiannu were more than 760." Liu Xingzhi led Guo Dajing into the governor's Yamen and reported as he walked, "And that Fan Wencheng
, has been identified from the corpse.”
Guo Dajing paused for a moment, but soon walked forward as usual and said: "If you die, you will die. If you can't chop him, it will give this traitor an advantage."
"This is the main hall, I just need to clean it up a bit." Liu Xingzhi extended his hand and said, "Shuai Guo, please come in."
Guo Dajing chuckled, glanced at Liu Xingzhi meaningfully, stepped in, took off his helmet, put it on the table, and sat down in the chair with a flourish.
Liu Xingzhi called Guo Shuai and removed the subtitle. This was a bit of a compliment, but it sounded soothing when Mao Wenlong and Chen Jisheng were not around.
"Sit down, I'm quite tired." Guo Dajing waved his hand casually and said with a smile: "Capturing Zunhua, King Qin's operation is almost half successful."
Liu Xingzuo nodded and said: "The retreat has been cut off. Unless Jianlu takes a detour, there is still a glimmer of hope."
Guo Qishi looked at the map that had been laid out on the table and said: "It is unlikely that we will make a detour. Moreover, our army has the upper hand. Even if we build a detour, we can adjust accordingly."
Since there was a record, Guo Dajing was not in a hurry to make the final decision. He reached out to take the document handed over by Liu Xingzhi and read it carefully.
This is a rough estimate after the city was invaded. There were not only tens of thousands of stones of grain in the warehouse, but also gold, silver, wealth, silk and satin plundered by the captives.
Although the main force of Jianlu led by Huang Taiji would plunder more around the capital, the harvest in Zunhua City would also satisfy Guo Dajing.
"With these grain and grass supplies, our army can hold on in Zunhua for a long time." Guo Dajing felt relieved and said with a relaxed face: "Even if we add 20,000 to 30,000 people, it will be enough."
Liu Xingzhi hesitated for a moment and said, "Shuai Guo, those people are going to stay in the city until after our army fights the decisive battle with Jianlu?"
Guo Dajing nodded and said: "The surrounding areas of Zunhua have been ravaged by the Jianjun, and our army has seen many miserable scenes on the way. In addition, this place will become a battlefield, so it is not appropriate to let the people leave.
"
Their homes were destroyed, their food and property were plundered, and it was winter. How could the people live? When the Jianqi prisoners returned, they would be tortured again.
"We are building fortifications, and women are making dry food for our army." Guo Dajing said: "I estimate that the soldiers and civilians together will have enough food to last more than a month."
Since Guo Dajing had made a decision and there was no shortage of food and supplies, Liu Xingzhi and others said no more. They still knew Guo Dajing's temper and temperament very well.
Liu Xingzhi reported on Cheng Baolin's affairs again, and his arrangements were praised by Guo Dajing.
"Liu Ce wants to save himself, so we will do our best to help him." Guo Dajing said with a smile: "We are not grateful for the credit for recovering the small town where he surrendered to slavery."
Reaching out and tapping the stone gate, Guo Dajing said: "The special operations battalion and related troops will occupy this place tomorrow and set up secret camps in the surrounding mountains and forests to stockpile dry food and supplies."
The decisive battle takes place at the foot of Zunhua City, and the Jianlu's retreat must also be cut off. That is Shimenyi, more than sixty miles west of Zunhua. In other words, Guo Dajing must block the front and rear here, and completely annihilate the Jianlu led by Huang Taiji.
prisoner.
Shimen is adjacent to Jiufeng Mountain in the east, Chimney Mountain in the north, and Tashan Mountain in the south. It faces the Linhe River in the west and the Qianshui River in the northwest. Just between the confrontation between the two mountains, there is only one passage, which is easy to defend but difficult to attack.
It's a pity that no matter how strong and dangerous the pass is, it still needs people to defend it. When Jianlu came, Shimenyi surrendered without a fight, which had no effect at all.
However, if Jianlu entered a large ambush circle and was defeated at the gate of Zunhua City, then it would be wishful thinking to think of retreating safely through the stone gate.
Facing Jianlu's frightened and defeated troops, Guo Dajing only sent 3,000 troops to block Jianlu's retreat, relying on a dangerous defense.
"We have captured some war horses, and there are still some rogue horses in the city. In addition to those purchased along the way, it should be enough to form two thousand lances, right?" Liu Xingzhi looked at Guo Dajing, with obvious hope in his eyes.
Guo Dajing chuckled and said, "Then let's mobilize troops and organize them in your department first!"
Lancers are a must. Together with flying cavalry, they will form the mobile force of the Dongjiang Army and become the main force in chasing down the enemy.
Two thousand uneven horses could barely form a spear cavalry, which made Guo Dajing not very satisfied. But there was no other way. He could only wait until the Jianlu were defeated and use the captured war horses to expand the organization.
It would be great if they could all be cavalry when they return home in triumph.
Guo Dajing thought of this and smiled bitterly. After this battle, how many soldiers will be killed and wounded, it is depressing to think too much.
"Everything has been dealt with. You should take the time to eat and rest!" Guo Dajing also felt tired. After seven or eight days of continuous marching, eating and sleeping in the open, the soldiers also needed to rest.
Liu Xingzuo, Liu Qishi and other generals had nothing to do. Liu Xingzhi went to the city and made simple plans and arrangements, but he wanted to stay with Guo Dajing in case of inquiries.
After sending Liu Xingzuo and others away, when Liu Xingzhi came back, he reported to Guo Dajing: "The managers selected from the common people have arrived. Guo Shuai, are you meeting them now?"
Guo Dajing waved his hands helplessly, stood up and said: "Go and see them first, explain all the work clearly, and save the army trouble."
The common people must be organized, whether it is to receive food and drink every day, or to assist the army in some tasks, they must be arranged early so that these temporary managers can adapt as soon as possible.
………………
The rice soup was fed into Xiaoqin's mouth bit by bit, from when more than half a spoonful came out, to instinctively opening her mouth slightly to swallow. Seeing that her good sisters seemed to be getting better, Osmanthus fragrans showed a smile on her face.
A fire was lit in the house, a large pot of porridge was smelling fragrant, and the women were eating and drinking invisibly holding bowls in their hands.
Xiaoqin was wrapped in a quilt. This was the preferential treatment for patients in the hospital, and it was also a gesture of kindness from Mr. Bing.
Bing Ye's kindness didn't stop there. The injury on Xiao Qin's head had been cleaned and bandaged again, and he also gave her a pack of medicine.
"Sister Wu, Master Bing wants to elect an administrator in charge. You can do it!" A woman took advantage of the opportunity to serve porridge and said to the woman named Wu.
Sister Wu is a middle-aged woman who seems to come from a wealthy family. She speaks in a very organized manner and is quite courageous.
"I can't." Sister Wu shook her head humbly and said, "Let Mr. Bing point it out. Whoever points it out will be the one."
Guihua didn't care much about this. Seeing that Xiaoqin no longer drank rice soup, she got up and filled a bowl of porridge and ate it with big mouthfuls.
It's so delicious. The multigrain porridge is salted and mixed with chopped vegetables. For the hungry Osmanthus, it is simply the most delicious meal I have ever eaten in my life.
After eating one bowl, the sweet-scented osmanthus gained some strength and felt relieved, so he went to fill up another bowl.
Just after eating half a bowl, I heard shouts from outside, "Go to the courtyard and listen to the official announcement."
Osmanthus hurriedly drank up the porridge in a few mouthfuls, looked at Xiaoqin, and followed the others to the yard.
Two soldiers were standing in the courtyard, next to a middle-aged man.
Osmanthus knew a soldier who listened to her call for help, applied medicine to Xiaoqin's injury, and brought him a quilt.
Seeing that everyone had arrived, Yang Daman said loudly: "Our army occupied Zunhua to cut off the Jianlu's way out of the customs and rescue the people who were plundered by the Jianlu like you. Your homeland has been destroyed, and our army and the Jianlu
There's still going to be a big battle around here..."
The women listened quietly. Although they were eager to go home, their homes were either burned down or empty. How could they survive back home?
Besides, Jianlu will come back again, which is more terrifying than anything else.
After Yang Daman finished speaking briefly, he glanced at the women and asked: "Who are you choosing to be in charge? It is best to be someone who is literate and has some ability."
"It's Sister Wu!" someone whispered.
Before Sister Wu could dodge, Yang Daman had already said: "Who is Sister Wu, please come forward."
Sister Wu sighed helplessly, walked out of the crowd, gathered her clothes and saluted Yang Daman, "My family is the Wu family."
Yang Daman took out a red sleeve band and handed it over and said: "Tie this on your arm. You will be the dean and be responsible for taking care of these people. Every day, you will receive food and salt, fetch water and clean up. If there is anything you don't understand, or
If someone refuses to obey the instructions, you should tell Street Chief Zhao and ask him to help you solve the problem."
The middle-aged man smiled and cupped his hands, and said: "My surname is Zhao, and I am responsible for managing this street. We are all fellow villagers. Don't be afraid. If anything happens, just go to the door across the street and see me."
Mrs. Wu saluted Street Chief Zhao without saying too polite words.