Outside Dingbeiguan, everything is desolate. Even in the summer weather, there are no stretches of shade or the sudden sound of cicadas.
There is nothing, just like a place of death.
In the early years, there were several towns outside Dingbeiguan. In these towns, whether they were Ji people or barbarians, they could still trade with each other. Three clay pots could be exchanged for a whole sheepskin.
But later, as the war escalated and Dingbeiguan became tougher, the last few trading towns were also exterminated by the barbarians, so that more than a hundred miles outside Dingbeiguan was a vast wilderness.
At this time, a long team of more than a thousand people was running in the wilderness, following the position of the Hu tribe.
The old man at the head was not riding a horse. He was probably very happy. His movements of raising the whip were quite youthful.
"Mr. Taishu, after asking the guide, there is the Dayuan tribe of the Hu people in front of us."
“Very good.”
Taishuwang reined in the reins and couldn't hide the joy on his face. In fact, he could still find it even if he didn't need a guide. He had visited this area where barbarians lived two or three times earlier.
"Mr. Taishu, someone is coming."
"Don't worry, it's a patrol sentry by the Hu tribe." Taishu Wang smiled. It won't be long before he can see the Hu Khan and convince the Hu army of 50,000 to launch a surprise attack on Dingbeiguan. It shouldn't be a big problem.
"dismount."
Dismounting first, Taishuwang's robe started to flutter in the wind. He only felt that this surprise attack must be the best plan to break the siege of Cangzhou.
It can even allow the Yuzhou Army in Hebei to hurriedly mobilize a large army to return reinforcements due to the weapons outbreak in the inner city.
"Gongsun has been guarding the border for more than two hundred years, but he never thought that letting a fool ruin the situation."
"Wonderful, wonderful!"
At the end of the wilderness, Dingbeiguan.
"Enter the customs!"
At the city gate of Dingbeiguan, a patrol of more than a hundred people, covered in travel dust, galloped back to the city gate.
Lu Xiu walked down from the top of the city.
"General, I still haven't noticed it. Could it be that... my lord is overthinking it."
"My lord has a long-term plan. No matter what, we can't take it lightly." Lu Xiu frowned.
On the Bingzhou side, he has mobilized another 10,000 troops to station at the border of Bingzhou. If there is a war, they can arrive quickly.
Moreover, in Liangzhou, he also informed Chen Zhong, the general of Zhenzhou, that if there was any problem at Dingbeiguan, he would rush to help as soon as possible.
After all, there are only 50,000 people in the three prefectures of Liangdi, plus Dingzhou, but among these 50,000, there are many veterans of many battles.
Furthermore, there is another advantage. That is Liangqi. Unlike Jiangnan, in the northwest, they are extremely good at cavalry combat.
Lu Xiufu walked up to the city wall, pressed his knife, and looked silently at the desolation outside the pass.
He is thirty-eight this year, but he has been guarding the border with his ancestors since he was sixteen years old. At his most passionate age, the greatest thing he ever did was to lead a patrol of 300 people into the depths of the wilderness.
Using a false strategy, they forced the 30,000 barbarians who were knocking at the pass to return to the royal court.
"If the Hu people really dare to knock down the pass with their entire army, I, Commander Lu, will be the strong wall that anchors Beiguan!"
The cloak blew up, and Lu Xiu's eyes became cold.
…
Pancheng.
The general who commanded the defense was called Jin Bao. Even though he was wearing thick armor, his eyes exposed from the helmet were full of murderous intent.
After Pancheng, there is Lidu City. If Lidu City is lost, the allied military power will reach the imperial capital.
He understands this very well. He also understands better why his master sent him here to garrison the last big frontline city.
His headquarters is one of the strongest elites in Cangzhou. He is also confident to defend this place.
"General Jin, the spies reported that the Dongling Army outside Pancheng is already preparing."
Listening to the spy's report, Jin Bao's face was full of murderous intent, showing a hint of expectation. He was not a Jiren, so he liked to defeat famous generals from the Central Plains the most.
The first request he made was to fight against Xu Buyi of Xishu. Unfortunately, Xu Buyi saw the beginning but failed to see the end. However, the King of Dongling in front of him was also a man of some ability, so he could not be considered as a man of talent.
"The rain will stop and the war will begin." Jin Bao smiled lightly. Compared to the Central Plains generals in Cangzhou, he seemed calmer.
"Prepare fortifications! Fight to the death with the Dongling Army!" Jin Bao roared suddenly as he pressed his knife.
The sound shattered the rain curtain, and the nearly 20,000 defenders in Pancheng, after just a moment, also shouted angrily.
"The meat army enters the city!"
The meat army transported from Liducheng must have been bewitched. The poor people thought they were going to the national disaster together, so they entered Pancheng wearing incomplete robes and armor and weapons that had been rusted for several years.
Counting the total number together, excluding the elite soldiers of Cangzhou, plus the civilians, and the meat army, there are already 70,000 people.
In the city, the extremely dull atmosphere was suppressed for a while.
Countless children, as if they were infected, began to cry endlessly.
In the temporary camp under the city gate, a group of soldiers who had been seriously injured and retired gathered together. No one spoke. They held the rice cakes in their hands, but could not take a bite. They could only raise their heads and look at the sky absently.
…
Outside the city, as Jin Bao heard, the Dongling Army was already preparing. The soldiers, who had been soaked in the rain for several days, began to have blisters on their exposed skin outside their robes and armor. The hands holding the weapons also
Then it turns white after soaking.
With all the humidity in the world, even a bonfire is difficult to raise.
The rice cakes in the grain bag tied under the body had softened until they turned into a puddle of yellowed crumbs. When it was time for the stove fire, the Dongling soldiers who had prepared themselves took off the grain bags and scooped up the rice cakes with their hands.
The broken pieces are mixed with rainwater and eaten into the stomach in big mouthfuls.
Zuo Shiren stood on the balcony and refused the suggestion of turning on a small stove. He raised his head, held a piece of half-wet rice cake, and stuffed it into his mouth coldly.
The war has reached this point, and both the enemy and ourselves are fighting to the death.
"As long as Pancheng is captured, the siege of Cangzhou will basically be decided."
After Pan City, there is Li Du City. After Li Du City, there is the imperial capital.
If Pancheng is captured, then the Nanhai Allied Forces in the south will be able to attack from both sides until they meet up, and the two armies will join forces and attack Lidu City.
"Lord, the rain has stopped!"
Next to Zuo Shiren, a man who looked like a counselor suddenly looked ecstatic.
Hearing this sentence, Zuo Shiren's calm face slowly showed a smile. As soon as the rain stopped, it was time to attack Pancheng.
Of course, Zuo Shiren knew that the strength of Cangzhou guarding Pancheng must not be underestimated. In response to the sentry inspection, he heard that in Pancheng, not only the civilians, but also many meat troops began to climb the city to defend the city.
"I don't know what means this demon queen used to bewitch so many people." Zuo Shiren sneered.
"Lord, if...the flesh army defends the city, what will we do?"
Zuo Shiren turned around, his face showing no signs of movement. The voice of King Dongling, who was famous in the world for benevolence, seemed extremely calm when he spoke.
"No matter who it is, as long as it blocks my Dongling army, it will be considered an enemy. Order, no matter whether it is the meat army, the civilians, or the soldiers of Cangzhou, there should be no mercy."
"Don't forget, these people have been bewitched by the Demon Queen! I, Zuo Shiren, respectfully ask you all to raise your swords and go forward to kill them!"