In the dark snowfield before dawn, two crows croaked.
Yang Guangdi put down his hand and listened nervously to the movements around him. His eyes scanned the blurry outline of the mountain forest on the horizon. This place is five miles south of Sanlipu, but it is not a real mountain forest, but just a two-foot-high soil.
The slope, called Ganniu Mountain by the locals, is also called Jinniu Mountain. It is half a mile long from north to south and from east to west. In spring and summer, the woods on the slope are lush and leafy.
It is also very close to the post road, which is convenient for hiding and evading tracking. There are often robbers and heroes of the green forest staying here for a short time.
This mountain is located between Sansanlipu and Jiaochangpu. It is one of the few ambush locations nearby. Chen Rulie planned to ambush the Qing army's baggage convoy here. It was also the second assembly point for the rangers.
In the darkness, it was difficult for Yang Guangdi to judge whether the Anqing cavalry had arrived, and he could not find the rangers who might be lurking nearby. He could only take the risk of using crows to contact him. If there were no rangers to respond, Yang Guangdi still had a plan, which was to cross over.
Post road, go to the relatively safe east side, and then find a way to return to Tongcheng Post, or go to the mountainous area. The biggest threat to this plan is that there is not enough
food.
You can only rely on luck to see what food you can find, and the second is being discovered by the Qing cavalry in the wild during the day.
There were still fires on the west side and the area was relatively quiet. Yang Guangdi felt that since the Qing army had determined the location, Chen Rulie would not continue the ambush plan, and the possibility of Ganniu Mountain being able to respond was very small.
Even though he had predicted it, Yang Guangdi still couldn't hide his disappointment. It was almost dawn, so Yang Guangdi stood up and stretched his feet, which were almost numb from the cold, and prepared to continue walking eastward.
He must cross the post road before dawn and go as far to the east as possible to avoid being discovered by enemies patrolling the road.
There was a crow, and Yang Guangdi crouched down quickly, followed by two more calls. It was the two calls and three responses of the rangers, and his heart beat violently. Yang Guangdi listened quietly for a moment, and there was nothing around him.
Abnormal, he took a deep breath and sneaked in the direction of the crows. Yang Guangdi tried to walk as gently as possible, his feet still crunching in the snow, and in the silence of the
It's still so harsh in the snowfield.
The distance was getting closer, and according to the regulations, he was supposed to respond once more, but a figure had already appeared in front of him, and Yang Guangdi subconsciously let out a sigh.
A voice from the opposite side shouted, "Yang Guangdi?"
He heard Mandar's accent and felt excited. He had never thought Mandar's weird accent was so beautiful.
"Man, Dar."
Yang Guangdi shouted back in a low voice, and there was a low cry of joy over there. Yang Guangdi could already see four figures and the outlines of two horses, and he quickly walked towards them.
At the front was Mandal, who grabbed Yang Guangdi's arm and screamed in joy, even more excited than Yang Guangdi, followed by Qi Zong and the harpooneer, and finally Qin Jiuze.
Everyone was very happy to see them, and Mr. Qi patted Yang Guangdi on the shoulder several times.
Yang Guangdi said to him, "Mr. Qi, you didn't meet up with Mr. Chen Qian?"
The flag general's tone was still very calm, "We didn't go, but there was a Tatar with two horses following us. The Tatar's arrows were very accurate, and he killed two of us on the way."
Yang Guangdi couldn't help but interjected, "He also killed the two who fell from the horse."
A few people were silent for a moment, and then Mr. Qi said again, "I got rid of him several times but he followed me. I didn't dare to go to Mr. Chen Qian."
Qin Jiuze's voice said, "Mr. Chen Qian was entangled by other Tatars, and the fire followed them all the way. There are Tatars all around. If their whereabouts are exposed, they will have to retreat. They will definitely not come this way." Qi.
The general agreed, "They probably won't come. The group of Tatars last night were probably Bagalas, and they were really capable. Mandar's and I's horses were hit by many arrows and both died on the road. We can only
Take turns riding the horses. We've only been here half an hour ago
."
Mandar pointed to the back and said, "Uncle Qin said that maybe you were lighting the fire in the north and wanted to wait to see if anyone would come, but they are actually waiting for you."
Yang Guangdi looked at Qin Jiuze's shadow and didn't know what to say for a moment.
Qin Jiuze's deep voice said slowly, "It's getting light soon. We have to hurry up." The few people looked east, and there was a glimmer of light in the sky, and the surroundings began to become clearer. This was not good news for them. The Qing army was there.
This area has an absolute advantage. The five of them have only two horses. Once they are discovered during the day,
Now, it is difficult to get rid of the enemy.
Yang Guangdi responded quickly, walked to Qin Jiuze and said, "Uncle Qin, how did you get rid of those two-horse Tatars in the end?"
Mr. Qi took a step forward and said, "Old Qin also shot one of his horses..."
There was a sudden bang in the woods behind him, and a black shadow shot through the intertwined branches like lightning, accurately piercing Mr. Qi's throat, causing Mr. Qi to fall to the sky.
Everyone dispersed in panic and hid behind a nearby large tree trunk.
Yang Guangdi clung to the tree trunk and saw Mandal holding Mr. Qi's feet and dragging him to hide behind a tree trunk.
There was a light arrow stuck in Mr. Qi's throat. He covered the arrow shaft with his hand, stared at the sky with his eyes wide open, and kept tapping on the ground with his two feet.
Mr. Qi, who was on the ground, was stiff. He turned his body slightly and then paused. Veins popped up on his face, and his expression was quite ferocious. Obviously, it was not easy for him to breathe out. If he couldn't breathe out, he would have to hold it in until he died. Yang Guang
The first thing I felt was a loss. It was Mr. Chen Qi who took him all the way to join the Rangers, led him to pass the assessment, and led him to fight. Mr. Chen Qi took care of everyone in the team. Even in the most dangerous time, Yang Guangdi
Never thought about it
Chen Qi will always die in battle.
Suddenly there was a "wow" sound, and Mr. Qi's body stretched suddenly. He exhaled with difficulty, his face immediately relaxed, his legs stopped kicking, and he lay on his back breathing briefly.
Seeing the flag, Yang Guangdi seemed to have come back to life. His reaction became sharp again. He looked into the Ganniu Mountain. His field of vision was full of jagged tree trunks and branches, and there was no trace of the enemy.
"Mandar, arrow, give me the arrow."
Mandarer was protecting Mr. Qi. Hearing this, he pulled out two light arrows from the arrow holder and threw them towards Yang Guangdi.
"It's the two-horse Tatar." came the voice of the Javelin Ranger.
Yang Guangdi whispered, "Uncle Qin, where are the Tatars?"
Qin Jiuze did not respond. The four of them squatted behind the tree trunk and observed carefully. Yang Guangdi poked his head out and scanned the blurry forest in the morning light.
The mottled tree branches on Mangniu Mountain are intertwined in the white snow. The glimmer of morning light is shining from the east, passing through this empty forest, not even a single snowflake is fluttering in the forest.
The sound of Mr. Qi's hard breathing came to his ears. Even though it was still a cold night, cold sweat was already breaking out on Yang Guangdi's forehead. In his eyes, this mountain forest was full of dangers, and something would fly out of nowhere.
A deadly arrow is coming.
Yang Guangdi shouted in a low voice toward Qin Jiuze, "Uncle Qin, how do you fight him?"
"Don't panic, find where he is first."
Qin Jiuze squatted on the ground and quietly observed the forest. Yang Guangdi knew that the Tatar's arrow skills were extremely accurate and they really couldn't be reckless. Otherwise, if there was another wounded person, it would be difficult for the five of them to continue to escape.
But if the Tatars are not dealt with, they will not be able to leave Gunniu Mountain at all. After dawn, the Qing troops come and go on the post road. The Tatars can easily recruit reinforcements, and then the entire army will be destroyed.
The first thing now is to determine the position of the Tatar, otherwise the numerical advantage cannot be used. Qin Jiuze is also observing the position of the Tatar.
In the midst of anxiety, Yang Guangdi suddenly raised his head and said to Qin Jiuze, "Uncle Qin, how did this Tartar come from?"
"Of course he came on horseback." Qin Jiuze stopped here and looked at Yang Guangdi. "The horse must have stayed on the side of the post road. One of his horses died, and this is the only one left." Manda
Both Er and Javelin Ranger looked over. They all knew what Qin Jiuze meant. Although there were many horses, each rider had his own fixed mount. There was not much difference if it was just riding, but it was completely different when used in combat.
Generally, it is a tacit understanding developed over a long period of time. It only takes a slight movement to understand the rider's feelings. It cannot be replaced in a short time. No rider is willing to change horses easily. This Tatar has two horses. Yang Guangdi has seen it with his own eyes, and even the empty horse.
He can follow on his own without being held. Now he has lost one of his two horses. No matter which one is left, it is extremely precious to him. It is definitely not what ordinary war horses can do.
alternative.
Yang Guangdi climbed up to Commander Qi, touched the throwing ax on his belt, pulled it out, took Commander Qi's waist knife, and re-armed himself.
"Come up together when you see the place." Qin Jiuze leaned down and gestured to Yang Guangdi, telling him to go to the left, while Mandarer dived to the right. Yang Guangdi lowered his head and looked at Mr. Qi, who was breathing hard.
, but still nodded slightly encouragingly, Yang Guangdi patted the flag general on the shoulder, lowered his body and walked a few steps to the left, waiting for the Tatar to be exposed and then they would besiege together. As long as he got close to him
, even if the Tatar was the vanguard of the Qing army, it would be impossible for him to cope with the desperate attacks of four rangers at the same time.
After several people were ready, Qin Jiuze spoke a few words loudly in Mongolian, and Mandar on the right responded. Yang Guangdi knew what they said, and they were going to find the Tatar's mount, because in the mountains and forests.
The branches were so dense that it was impossible for the horses to enter the forest for fear of hurting their heads and eyes. They must be at the edge of the forest not far away. They were afraid that the Tatars would not be able to understand the Han people.
He spoke in Mongolian language, forcing the Tatar to show up.
The forest was quiet for a moment, and suddenly there was a bang. An arrow passed through the woods, blowing the snow powder on the branches along the way. After passing through the forest, it flew straight towards the shoulder blade of one of the mounts. The horse neighed and turned towards
The Tatars had just planned to trap a few rangers and capture two horses after destroying them. Now they changed their plan and shot or drove away their horses, leaving the rangers on foot.
He can't run far, so he can
He could go back and take away his horse, and continue the pursuit after daybreak.
In the dim light of the morning light, Yang Guangdi saw a vague figure, and only heard Qin Jiuze's voice shouting, "Go up!" Four people flashed out from behind the tree at the same time, and Yang Guangdi walked towards the snow on the forest.
The black shadow ran quickly, and the sound of a bowstring vibrating came from the right. The figure in front shook for a moment, and then stopped again. Yang Guangdi could not see clearly as he ran, but
Feeling that the Tatar was aiming at him, he suddenly turned behind a tree trunk on the right.
There was a shock and a crack in the front, snow powder was flying in the sky, a black shadow flew past the tree trunk, and then half of the branches broke through the snow mist.
Due to his turn, the Tatar took aim hastily, but his accuracy was still amazing. If he hadn't hit the branch, he might have hit Yang Guangdi directly. Yang Guangdi didn't care about being afraid. He was already twenty steps closer.
There was a figure on the right who was faster. The Javelin Ranger had already run ahead. The black figure turned around and ran south, bringing up flakes of snow with its heels.
The four people surrounded the black figure. There was a sound of a bowstring on the right, and the black figure paused. Yang Guangdi held his breath and ran quickly. In his shaking vision, the Tatar's figure was among the jagged trees.
Disappearing and appearing. There was a sound and the sound of instruments cutting through the air. Yang Guangdi just turned around a tree trunk, and a javelin flew towards the black shadow. The black shadow dwarfed, and the javelin spun past his head, bang.
A slanting branch was struck with a sound, and the tree
The branch shook violently, and the snow on it was flying all over the sky. Yang Guangdi didn't have time to think too much, predicting that the Tatar was about to get up, and threw the flying ax violently while running, but the Tatar didn't get up at all, and kept his body low.
He kicked off the tree trunk in front of him, changed direction and ran toward the denser forest to the east.
, Yang Guangdi’s flying ax disappeared into the snow and fog.
The Tatar picked up his speed and was still jumping like flying through the snow-covered forest, constantly changing directions. Yang Guangdi didn't even have time to pick up his bow, and he didn't dare to slow down at all.
"Stop."
Qin Jiuze's voice sounded, and Yang Guangdi stopped. In just a short moment, the Tatar had gone away, and his figure could occasionally be seen flashing between the trees. The four of them were not far apart, and they were all breathing heavily.
At this time, no one expected that the Tatar could move so quickly in the snow-covered forest. If they continued to chase, their physical strength would soon be different from their speed, and they would lose the advantage of siege.
Instead, they will be defeated by the Tatars one by one.
Yang Guangdi and the javelin ranger were closest to each other, and they exchanged glances. There was both annoyance and fear in their eyes. The opportunity just now did not kill the Tatar, which would leave a huge hidden danger after dawn.
Qin Jiuze whispered, "Hurry and leave."
Yang Guangdi looked in the direction of the Tatar and said, "We only have one horse. Will the Tatar continue to follow us during the day?"
Qin Jiuze narrowed his eyes. He would leave obvious traces in the snow during the day, and there was only one horse, so he would be slow and unable to outrun the Tatar.
"He only needs one person. If he wants to follow us, he won't be able to gather people. Let's cross the post road quickly." Qin Jiuze turned around and left. The other three followed him out of the woods. A few of them took Qi Zong and the horses first.
Stay away from the woods, and then Qin Jiuze and Mandaler together broke off a section of the arrow shaft exposed by Mr. Qi's throat to prevent the arrow from
Shaking enlarges the wound.
When he broke the arrow shaft, Mr. Qi's face turned red and he almost couldn't breathe again. Fortunately, his wound didn't bleed much. He didn't say a word, just breathing hard.
Then several people put Qi Zong on the ground on his mount. They looked at him nervously while exerting force. If Qi Zong could not ride the horse steadily, these people here would not be able to take him away.
Mr. Qi struggled a few times and leaned on the horse's back, holding on to the saddle with his left hand. Yang Guangdi breathed a sigh of relief. At this time, fish belly white appeared in the east, and the post road was not far away. Qin Jiuze waved his hand and said,
Dar led the horse and the others rushed towards the twilight east.