The north wind is like a knife and the snow is white.
The young master's wife's prediction was not wrong. She did meet several groups of people on the way. They were rushing to the east. Although they also saw Qin Xiao, they saw that they were dressed as shepherds, so they didn't cause any trouble.
The teams we encountered were all in a hurry and non-stop.
Qin Xiao knew that these people were rushing to Zhuma Lake.
He knew from a small accident that the distance to Zhuma Lake was only about 200 miles away. If it were a normal day, he would be able to reach it in less than two days by galloping on horseback.
But now it is the season of heavy winter snow, and the road is covered with deep snow, making it difficult for the horse to run.
These disguised Wutu soldiers will arrive at Zhuma Lake on the 25th of the twelfth lunar month, and there is no time to delay on the way.
Now that a final arrival date has been set, if we fail to arrive in time, we will naturally have to engage in military law.
Qin Xiao took a secluded road as much as possible to avoid encountering the Wutuo brigade.
After all, in this season, there are very few people on the road leading to the pass. No caravan will enter the pass in such a climate, and it is even less likely that any caravan will leave the pass to come to Wutuo.
Because of this, the area outside Kunlun Pass is extremely depressed during this severe cold season, and it is difficult to see a person within dozens of miles.
Perhaps it was precisely for this reason that the Wutuo people gathered at Zhuma Lake, so that the people in the pass did not know the actions of Wutuo at all.
Approaching Zhuma Lake, Qin Xiao did not dare to approach directly along the road.
Although Zhuma Lake is the only way to go to Kunlun Pass, if you still want to follow this road to enter the pass at this time, you will undoubtedly fall into a trap.
I was lying on a hillside not far from the main road, looking in the direction of Zhuma Lake, and I saw that there were still cavalry on the road rushing towards that direction. This place was only about ten miles away from Zhuma Lake, but because of the terrain,
, I couldn’t see the situation over there for a while.
"Little Senior Sister, it seems that they have gathered quite a lot of people." Qin Xiao looked solemn and glanced at the young Senior Sister who was lying beside him: "It seems that the Wutuo people did not lie last time. All the Wutuo tribes sent out
Here comes the cavalry."
"These are all elite cavalry from various ministries." The young aunt said: "Look at their horses. They are all fat and have long legs. They also have the leather armor we found in their pack last time. Those are not all the Wutu soldiers.
All can be equipped. It is not easy to build battle armor. Most of the Wutuo soldiers only use animal skins as armor. When you see a Wutuo man in the future, the less skins on the armor, the higher his status. Last time
Half of those battle armors are made of iron protective gear, which proves that these people are truly elite in every department."
Qin Xiaodao: "So the eight tribes sent out are brave men who are good at conquering and fighting."
The little sister said: "Little nephew, don't be afraid if I tell you something. If they really gather eight elite troops this time, and there are really five or six thousand people, once these people break through, even if
It’s not enough to swallow Xiling, but if you want to burn, kill and loot in Xiling, the people of Xiling may not be able to withstand it.”
Qin Xiao said: "Could it be that they want to take advantage of Xiling's lack of defense on New Year's Eve and enter the pass to plunder?"
"It's not impossible." The young aunt said: "The Wutuo people are looting by nature. Their so-called Khanate is based on looting. Maybe the Wutuo people sent this cavalry this time just to explore Xiling.
Virtual reality.”
"Inquiring into the truth?"
"The Wutuo people have not set foot on the land of Xiling for sixteen years. They want to know about Xiling."
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The best way to react and defend is to send a team of men and horses to try." The young aunt said: "Thousands of men and horses are not enough to eat Xiling, but they can make Xiling feel like facing a formidable enemy. At that time, Xiling will naturally respond.
The Wutuo people can then know Xiling's reaction ability." After a pause, he said: "I heard that the Wutuo Khan has been eyeing Xiling since he came to power. However, due to trade, many nobles in Xiling have made a lot of profits.
Being able to lie down and collect money is much more comfortable than wielding a saber and risking your life to rob it, so many nobles in Xiling are not willing to send troops to march eastward."
Qin Xiaodao: "That's true. Among the eight tribes of Wu Tuo, the White Wolf tribe has benefited the most, so the White Wolf tribe is firmly opposed to Wu Tuo's eastward advance. However, the White Wolf King died, leaving orphans and widows. White Wolf
Although Ke Dun of the tribe tried his best to continue the White Wolf King's policy of harmony with the Tang Dynasty, Brother Narusheng would naturally not miss the opportunity to infiltrate or even control the White Wolf tribe. There are also many people in the White Wolf tribe who are partial to Brother Narusheng, maybe
It won't be long before the White Wolf tribe completely succumbs to Brother Narusheng."
"Brother Narusheng wants the various tribes of Wutuo to obey him. Only strong methods may not work." The young master said: "The Wutuo people are profit-loving. The best way to make them obedient is to let them see it.
Real benefits.”
Qin Xiao vaguely understood what the little aunt meant and said: "With the gathering of the Wutuo Jingqi this time, is Brother Nalusheng intending to buy the tricks of the various Wutuo tribes?"
"Little nephew, if this army breaks through the pass, burns, kills, and loots in Xiling, and then quickly returns outside the pass, only to return home with a full load, what do you think the Wutuo nobles who oppose the eastward advance will think?"
His eyes flashed and he said softly: "Those who oppose Wu Tuo's eastward advance are those nobles who have benefited from trade, but most of Wu Tuo's nobles have not benefited from this. You just said that the White Wolf tribe has really benefited a lot.
, although other nobles are profitable from trade, their interests are limited. If the soldiers and horses they send to rob a large amount of property this time are far greater than the profits they made from trade before, do you think they will still go to Xiling to plunder?"
Qin Xiaodao: "Little Sister, you are really smart. I never understood why Wutuo gathered this army before. Now it seems that it is very likely that they are going to Xiling to plunder Nalu as you said.
Brother Sheng's move is to arouse the covetousness of the various tribes in Wutuo for Xiling. As long as this team returns drunk, the nobles of Wutuo will definitely be greedy for Xiling. When the time comes, Brother Narusheng will raise his arms and shout,
Those people will naturally follow him and march eastward."
"Little Junior Nephew, what I am saying is all nonsense. I am a little girl who cannot understand military and national affairs." Young Senior Aunt smiled coquettishly and said softly: "What if they really just come here to fish and make Xiling panic?
That's none of my business." He looked up at the sky and said, "It's getting dark. There must be Wutuo soldiers on the other side of Zhuma Lake. We can't pass there. Although your little sister-in-law is both civil and military, they are still
If there are too many, the two of us combined are no match for them."
Qin Xiao thought to himself, not to mention two people, even if the old madman hadn't left, it would be impossible for three people to deal with hundreds of Utuo soldiers.
"We need to take a longer detour to the south." The young aunt said, "It may take an extra day, but we will avoid them."
"Little Senior Sister, I haven't figured out how many people they have yet." Qin Xiao thought for a moment and said softly: "I want to get closer when it's dark to find out their strength, and then I can truthfully report to the general.
Knowing their strength, the general can better deploy them."
The young master's aunt whispered: "There are Wutuo soldiers around here. If they are discovered, it will be troublesome."
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"I understand." Qin Xiao said: "That's why we have to go there at night. If we return to Xiling and the general asks about the enemy's strength, but I know nothing, then... that's not always good."
The junior aunt thought for a moment and sighed: "I hate such sneaky things. If you weren't my junior nephew, I wouldn't bother to care."
She said this, waiting for Ruo Ruo to agree.
Qin Xiao was so happy that the two of them stayed on the hillside until it got completely dark before heading towards Zhuma Lake.
Qin Xiao once camped in Zhuma Lake with a caravan and was very familiar with the terrain around Zhuma Lake.
Zhuma Lake is surrounded by hills and slopes, and the lake is deeply embedded in it. As long as you can touch the nearby hills and slopes and look down from a high position, you will naturally have a clear view of the scene around Zhuma Lake.
However, Qin Xiao knew very well that the Wutuo people must have sentry sentries on all sides.
When the caravans rested here, sentries were set up on all sides. Naturally, the Wutuo people would not be so negligent.
The fact was indeed as Qin Xiao expected. Although his vision was dim, he could still see two Wutuo soldiers guarding the high slope in the distance. The high slope was condescending and the line of sight was far away. Once there was any movement down the slope, it was easy to
was discovered.
If it was during the day, Qin Xiaowan would not dare to go near him.
Fortunately, the sky had completely darkened by this time, and the sentinel's sight range was limited. Moreover, it was freezing cold, so the sentry could not always pay attention to what was going on down the slope.
"If we want to observe the strength of the troops in Zhuma Lake, this sentry must be eliminated." Qin Xiao lowered his voice and said: "Let's wait for them to touch over without paying attention and deal with it."
"They are condescending. We have to go uphill, right in their sight." The young master's aunt also said softly: "You really want to get close to get rid of them. You really have a beautiful idea."
Qin Xiao frowned, and the junior aunt said: "Didn't I teach you about the Beauty Star? Let's approach them while they are not paying attention, and deal with them one by one."
Qin Xiao was not very confident: "Little Sister, although your Kung Fu is powerful, I haven't mastered it yet, so I may not be able to kill him at once. If I miss, it will be counterproductive and alarm them."
"Then I have no choice." The young aunt said: "If you are not sure, let's not take action and leave quickly."
Qin Xiao wanted to confirm the strength of the Wutuo cavalry, so he left like this. He was a little afraid, so he took two deep breaths and said, "Let's give it a try."
"Little Junior Nephew, you must kill me with one strike." Young Senior Aunt said worriedly: "If you miss, they will definitely catch up. We are no match for each other. If you are caught by them, they will see you, Young Junior Sister."
She is as beautiful as a flower, but the consequences will be disastrous."
"Little sister-in-law, believe me once and I will never fail."
"The more you say this, the more scared I am." The young master's aunt said timidly: "How about we run away quickly, aren't you afraid that they will rape me first and then kill me? Hey, I can't stand the smell of Wutuo men.
No."
Qin Xiao ignored it, took a stone in his hand, crawled in the snow, and crawled towards the hillside.
"A noble disciple of Sword Valley, you still have to endure such humiliation." Little Senior Aunt had no choice but to crawl forward in the snow, feeling very unhappy: "Little Junior Nephew, if I had known that following you would always lead to losses, I really deserve it.
I'm still worried about you and insist on escorting you to Kunlun Pass. Hey, I really should slap it myself."