In the seventeenth year of Jingtai's reign in Nanqi, there was a severe drought, and the rivers and seas dried up.
Under the drought, farming and animal husbandry were not prosperous in various places, and food prices rose sharply. In order to survive, the poor victims had to beg along the road and rush to the prosperous capital city.
Since ancient times, natural disasters have led to man-made disasters, and large numbers of people have been affected by disasters and fled into exile. Robberies, thefts, and bandits have frequently occurred throughout the country, and the people have been miserable. Emperor Qi Jing, Duguji, who usually works diligently in government affairs and has no food and clothing, is at this critical moment. He suddenly fell ill and was bedridden for several days, so he ordered Prince Duguheng to supervise the country.
Prince Duguheng was ordered to do something in danger, and he was eager to prove his virtue and wisdom to Emperor Qi Jing, so he took this opportunity to show off his talents. On the one hand, he sent troops to quell the rebellion and appease the people; on the other hand, he ordered the state governments to open warehouses to provide food relief to solve the problem. The urgent need for the victims. At the same time, they also came up with a work-for-relief method, selecting young, strong, agile and flexible victims to go into the mountains with dense vegetation to dig for water sources. This would also prevent refugees from flooding into the capital in large numbers. For more than two months, The domestic situation has gradually stabilized. His decisive actions and remarkable results have won praise from both the government and the public.
As the saying goes, when anger is strong and new jealousies are full, talents are forbidden to be exposed. Dugu Heng, who has been trembling in the position of prince for many years, is still young and energetic after all. When he gained the trust and support of his subjects in one fell swoop, he became more and more uncontrollable. Unconsciously, he began to take credit for his work and was stubborn in his own opinions. He turned a deaf ear to the advice of some courtiers on strengthening border defense and focused solely on quelling the civil strife and providing disaster relief and remediation.
In mid-June, the Beiyuan Kingdom really marched southward, with one hundred thousand cavalry marching all the way, invincible. However, within a few days, the important military town of Juyanguan in the north of Nanqi fell. The defender Song Tingming was beheaded and his head was hung above the city gate. The whole house was full of wives, children, young and old. As soon as they were spared, the people in the city fled in panic and became homeless. Everyone inside and outside the court was panicked when they heard about it.
Emperor Qi Jing, whose condition had just improved, was furious when he heard the news. Long Yan reprimanded the prince Dugu Heng for not being able to supervise the country well and being unworthy of reuse. At the same time, he ordered the third son of the emperor Dugu Che, the king of Jin, to lead the expedition and lead an army of 200,000 red feathers to go north to defend the enemy. , regained the lost territory, and promoted Xiahou Yuan, the Duke of Yue, as a general of chariots and cavalry.
The banners covered the sun and the enemy was like a cloud, and the soldiers and arrows were fighting to take the lead. No one was collecting the bones for thousands of miles, and the souls were buried under every city. The invasion of Beiyuan Kingdom had been planned for a long time, and it had sufficient reserves. It also used thunderous methods. The army was like a broken bamboo all the way. Wherever it goes, gun smoke fills the air, corpses litter the fields, blood flows into rivers, and the war is tragic and tragic.
Nanqi passively responded to the war. Previously, due to the heavy consumption of quelling the domestic chaos, Nanqi was panicked and morale was low from the beginning. He suffered successive defeats on the battlefield. He watched his country being trampled on, his home destroyed, and his compatriots slaughtered. However, There is nothing you can do.
Facing the menacing enemy army in Beiyuan, King Duguche of Jin led 200,000 red feather troops to fight in bloody battles for several months, but he only temporarily blocked the enemy's repeated victories and showed no signs of reversal.
The two armies fought, with great momentum, then weakened, and finally exhausted. The Akabane army fought hard for several months, and the soldiers suffered heavy casualties, and they were already exhausted mentally and physically.
In October, the weather suddenly turned cold, and the war became more and more intense. I don’t know who started it, but in the Akabane barracks, a passionate and impassioned war song with the same hatred for the enemy suddenly sounded:
How can I say that I have no clothes? I share the same robe with you. When the king raised an army, he repaired my sword and spear. I share the same enemy with you.
How can I say that I have no clothes? I am in the same boat with you. The king raised an army and repaired my spear and halberd. I worked together with you.
How can I say that I have no clothes? I share the same clothes with you. The king raised his troops and repaired my armor and soldiers. I went with you.
The wind is blowing harder and harder, the sand is getting larger and larger, and the weather is getting colder and colder. The autumn wind blows up the flying sand, and rushes towards the soldiers like blades. No matter how much ambition and heroism they have to serve the country, they are still difficult to defeat.
It is difficult to reunite with relatives, difficult to return to hometown, and the sorrow of brothers and sisters dying in battle. For a time, national hatred and homesickness surge into my heart. The singing becomes more and more hoarse and low, and even the neighing of the war horses is particularly sad.
In the main tent of the Red Feather Army camp, King Duguche of the Jin Dynasty convened the generals for three secret talks. Finally, it was unanimously decided that Xiahou Xi, the commander of the Tun Cavalry School, would lead the elite cavalry to bypass the Mingqiu Canyon and break into the enemy's rear, and fight with the main force of the Red Feather Army.
Outflank and work together to kill the Beiyuan army.
Xia Houhui accepted the order and immediately ordered five hundred red feather cavalry to march overnight. After a day and night of trekking, he successfully crossed the enemy's defense line and the destination was close at hand. Unexpectedly, the Beiyuan Army was already prepared. When the red feather cavalry passed through Mingqiu Canyon,
Launch a sudden attack.
In an instant, the canyon covered with withered grass was filled with darkness, filled with Beiyuan soldiers wearing black armor. The word "Yuan" on the Dahu flag was faintly visible.
The Mingqiu Canyon is about three kilometers long, with rugged rocks and a deep valley that is difficult to navigate. There are high mountains covered with grass on both sides.
In the autumn twilight, random arrows came like raindrops through the wind. Countless people who were hit by the arrows fell from their horses and let out painful screams. After the horses were frightened, they ran wildly in the canyon. The red-armored red feather cavalry was instantly killed.
The arrows were scattered and the banner with the word "Qi" printed on it was also discarded in a pool of blood.
In desperation, Xia Houhui quickly waved his red-tasseled silver spear to block a few feathered arrows, and ordered his soldiers to hide under the big rocks in the canyon. Then he carefully observed the enemy's situation and analyzed the situation carefully.
The incoming feather arrows suddenly stopped, and the top of the canyon was still covered in darkness. The black-armored Beiyuan Corps was neatly arranged under the banner with the word "Yuan" and stood ready. They looked excitedly at the Nanqi cavalry under the valley, ready to charge again at any time. The canyon.
Inside, the Akabane cavalry also regrouped into two formations under the cover of stones on both sides. They looked at the Beiyuan Army on the top of the mountain with the same anger, ready to break out at any time.
The Mingqiu Canyon is narrow and long. Once you enter the valley, you can only go all the way to the dark side, and you are most afraid of an enemy ambush. Logically speaking, such a dangerous route is not the only way to the Kitahara Army's rear camp. In the unknown situation of the battle,
It is absolutely not an option, but it is the shortest and shortest way to the enemy's rear. On the battlefield, time is opportunity and life. The decision to take this path was made after repeated deliberation by the leaders of the Akabane Army.
A decision made after careful consideration.
Before leaving, Xia Houhui had issued a military order to the King of Jin. He must arrive behind the Beiyuan Army camp before sunrise tomorrow to cooperate with the main force of the Red Feather Army. If he fails to arrive at his destination on time, the Red Feather Army's combat plan will be disrupted.
.Once the two armies fight, the odds of winning will be much lower than expected.
Faced with such a situation, Xia Houhui, who had a keen mind, couldn't help but have doubts in his heart.
This march was carried out in secret. Except for the knowledge of a few Akabane generals who participated in the discussion at the time, the entire army was not informed. Even the five hundred elite cavalry brought out did not know what their mission was until they left. Why did the Kitahara Army
Will they know their marching route and set up an ambush early?
The Akabane cavalry left in a hurry and planned a quick victory, so they did not carry much food and grass with them. Being trapped in the canyon for a long time was definitely not a long-term solution. Since the Kitahara army could set up an ambush on both sides of the canyon, they would definitely not
Ignoring the two exits of the canyon. The situation was urgent. Xia Houxi put aside his doubts for the time being and discussed with several deputies around him, planning to wait until dark and take advantage of the poor visibility to break out.
The Beiyuan Army seemed to have guessed their plan, so they did not let them get what they wanted. They quickly fired arrows at the bottom of the valley again. This time it was not only arrows, but also stones prepared in advance. They rolled down from the top of the mountain with a rumble, determined to
Annihilate the Red Feather Cavalry in the canyon.
The Akabane cavalry's breakout plan was disrupted. They were in a low position and had no ability to counterattack. One-third of the accompanying soldiers quickly fell.
Seeing the soldiers who had been with him through life and death one after another being slaughtered by the enemy and dying in a foreign land, Xiahou Xi was filled with grief and anger, and gradually fell into deep thought.
At this moment, we are in a dilemma. If the Akabane Jingqi still stand still, they will either be shot dead by the enemy's random arrows, or they will be killed by stones rolling down the mountain, or they will starve to death due to running out of food and supplies. After all, they must survive.
There is no way. But if we fight to the death, we might be able to find a way to survive and reach the enemy's rear camp before dawn as promised...
After much thought, Xia Houhui decided to lead the remaining troops to attack. He ignored the endless arrows above his head and the crazy rolling stones, and rode his horse towards the north.
Thousands of arrows were fired from the canyon, stubborn rocks rolled down, hundreds of horses galloped in the canyon, and they looked at death as if they were dead. The Red Feather Jingqi used his own flesh and blood to pave a bloody road to the rear of the Beiyuan Army.
Xia Houhui led a group of red-feathered cavalry to brave the enemy's rain of solid stone arrows and charge all the way to the exit at the northern end of Mingqiu Canyon. Less than half of the original five hundred cavalry were left, and they were injured and disabled.
, without the majestic and heroic appearance of the past. What greeted them was a well-trained and well-equipped black cavalry. The man at the head had a face as sharp as a knife, sharp eyes, a burly figure, and a black military uniform.
Wearing a large black cloak, with a green-eyed hawk with jet black feathers standing on his shoulders, it was Helian Baokang, the eldest prince of Beiyuan Kingdom.
Helian Baokang was the eldest son of King Helian Honglie and Queen Tatar of Beiyuan. He was well versed in military and political affairs, good at maneuvering, deep-minded, decisive and ruthless in dealing with things. He was very outstanding among his brothers. Because of his bravery and majesty, he was known as the best in Beiyuan.
He is known as a warrior and is deeply supported by several large tribes in Beiyuan. He is the best candidate for the crown prince of Beiyuan Kingdom. This time Beiyuan Kingdom sent Helian Baokang to fight in person, which must have been a foolproof strategy.
Generals are never afraid of life and death, winning or losing. What they fear is that they are born at the wrong time, and are unable to defeat the enemy, leaving no room for heroes. The seventeen-year-old Xia Houxi is also young and frivolous. After discovering the identity of the opponent's leader, he suddenly
When he got excited, his eyebrows and eyes were full of uncontrollable excitement.
Helian Baokang also stared intently at Xia Houyuan, who was wearing silver armor and a red cloak across from him. He was called a young genius by Nan Qi. Rumor has it that the eldest son of Xia Houyuan, the Duke of Yue in Nan Qi, practiced martial arts since he was a child, and was involved in martial arts at the age of thirteen.
Among the Red Feathers, he is both wise and brave, and can be called a dragon or a phoenix among men. He has already gone to the battlefield three times before he was seventeen years old, and has repeatedly won extraordinary achievements. He looks like the future "little war god" of Nanqi. Although the Xiahou family is indispensable behind this.
With the blessing of a powerful family and the embarrassment of the person who spread the word, if a seventeen-year-old boy can be said to be so miraculous, this boy must have some real abilities.
Helian Baokang calculated carefully, and then thought of the words of praise and fear expressed by those in the Beiyuan Army towards Xia Houhui, he couldn't help but evoke a strange smile at the corner of his mouth.
With a wave of his hand, the three hundred black cavalry behind him rushed in like hungry wolves, fighting with the remaining cavalry of the Red Feather Army who had just escaped from the tiger's mouth.
In the misty night, two teams of cavalry, one red and one black, fought fiercely. The sounds of swords exchange, wind, horse hooves, and wails were mixed together, and blood was splashing everywhere like goose feathers.
To shoot a man first, shoot a horse; to capture a thief first, capture the king. Xia Houhui, holding a red-tasseled silver spear, passed through the levels and beheaded generals, step by step closer to his ultimate goal - Helian Baokang.
The night wind was biting and blowing up the yellow sand on the ground, mixed with the smell of blood.
The corners of Xia Houchi's lips were slightly raised, and his eyes were firm. If this trip was destined to result in his body being dislocated, then it would not be a loss if he could capture the eldest prince of Beiyuan before he died.
Helian Baokang, who had been observing the battle, after repeatedly scrutinizing and pondering Xia Houxi's combat tactics, also clenched the sword in his hand. He shouted loudly and rushed towards Xiahou Xi on horseback.
Quickly leaning his body back, the blade barely scratched the tip of his nose.
The corner of Helian Baokang's mouth raised slightly, but he was not discouraged and took advantage of the situation and slashed with the knife again.
This time, the blade was lower than the previous time and the force was stronger.
Seeing this, Xia Houhui kicked off his legs and jumped into the air from his horse, perfectly averting the murderous situation. After the blade passed by, he sat back on the horse, and then swung his spear, drawing a perfect circle in the air.
The curved, sharp spearhead pointed directly at Helian Baokang's throat.
"The eldest prince Beiyuan is nothing more than that."
Xia Houxi just showed a proud smile, but when he heard a "swish" sound in his ears, his chest suddenly suffocated, and his body involuntarily leaned back due to the impact of the force. Surprise was revealed in his eyes staring at the sky.
, surprised, angry, unwilling, after all, I didn’t close it...