In the wide and huge city road, a group of about ten Qin soldiers were patrolling the city road. Qin flags were swaying slightly in the cold wind. Looking at the city, there were countless houses one after another in the streets.
Rows of them extend into the distance, intersecting with streets in other directions.
The houses are densely packed and seem to be organized.
"The appearance of those descended soldiers is really scary!"
"No, I don't know why the general kept those Chu soldiers, but didn't kill them, and wasted food!"
"You guys should stop talking about it. The general has his reasons for staying. Just stop provoking those surrendered soldiers!"
Several Qin soldiers could be seen walking and chatting. They seemed to have stood for a moment, and their faces looked a little sleepy.
Just as he was speaking, a Qin soldier suddenly stopped. The other Qin soldiers were a little confused when they saw this. However, before they spoke, they all looked around instinctively, and then looked at the sky, noticing that a faint trace of light had fallen.
snowflake.
In a mansion in the city, there are not only cavalry officers guarding the gate of the mansion, but also inside the mansion, there are cavalry officers standing at every corner, and other people can be seen on the left and right of each other.
Even inside the mansion, there are vicious dogs kept to guard the walls at night.
In the study room.
Master Xu carried a plate of tea and slowly came to the wooden table. He looked at Bai Yan who was writing on the bamboo slips with an ink pen and lowered his head. He took the hot tea and poured it into the cup.
"General, it's snowing a little!"
Master Xu said softly.
Bai Yan raised his head when he heard this, a little surprised, then reached out to push open the covered wooden window and looked into the yard, and sure enough he saw sparse snowflakes falling faintly.
However, these snowflakes should not be weathered yet. Real heavy snow often falls suddenly, and in a very short period of time, it seems to spread all over the world. What is often seen is that the snow has not been seen before going to bed, but after a while, the snow falls suddenly.
After waking up, I opened the door and saw the heavy snow outside, which was already thigh deep.
However, these slight snowflakes should also be a precursor to heavy snowfall.
"The Chu army will definitely take action in these days."
Bai Yan lowered the wooden window. After the cold wind disappeared, the warmth from the heater in the house instantly dissipated the biting cold.
"Master Xu, if we are defeated by Chu in this battle, you should leave Chu immediately. Don't go back to Yanmen. Go directly to Qi!"
Bai Yan looked at Master Xu.
Although there were many preparations, after all, it was a battle between two armies, and no one dared to say for sure. Bai Yan was also afraid that the battle would be defeated at the hands of Xiang Yan and Jing Qi of Chu State.
Bai Yan has always liked to lead the army alone. In this way, even if he died in battle with the generals under his command or died on the battlefield with the soldiers, he would have no regrets. After all, it was Bai Yan's choice to join the army on the battlefield.
of.
But now, there is Master Xu beside him, who is also a rare concern for Bai Yan in Chu.
The killings on the battlefield have nothing to do with women, and Bai Yan knew clearly that he would not return to Yanmen. After the defeat, life and death would be difficult to know. Even with Mr. Yang in Yanmen, there would be turmoil. Only by going to Qi State, Master Xu would be safe.
"Why did the general say that..."
When Master Xu heard Bai Yan's words, he knelt down in front of the wooden table, his eyes darkened, he lowered his head and said nothing.
At this time, there was another knock on the door.
"General!"
Xun Shuo's voice came from outside the door. After Bai Yan heard the words, he let Xun Shuo in.
The door opened, and Master Xu slowly stood up. He looked at Yanmao, Yang Yan, Huipu and other Qin generals who came in with the cold wind. After bowing his head and saying hello slowly, he slowly walked out from these people.
.
Before closing the door, Master Xu couldn't help but look at Bai Yan in black, who was kneeling behind the wooden table among the many generals. His beautiful eyes seemed to be lost in memories. After a few breaths, he looked at Bai Yan again, his eyes became clearer and firmer.
.
"General! All the food and grass have been sent to those Chu troops to surrender!"
As the deputy general, Yang Yan looked at Bai Yan and spoke first. After thinking for a while, Yang Yan looked at Bai Yan.
"General, Yang Yan thinks that those surrendered soldiers can be used now!"
Yang Yan suggested.
Arriving here from Hongcheng, Yang Yan met Zhang Min, and after learning about the Chu army's surrender, he immediately went to see the Chu army's surrender. The first thing he saw was that Yang Yan was
Yan couldn't help but shake his head.
Yang Yan had never seen a force that surrendered soldiers to make people so fearful. Yang Yan, who had been on the battlefield, knew the look of those Chu soldiers better than anyone else. Under those calm eyes, those Chu soldiers,
It's true that he doesn't care about anything anymore, not even their lives.
No matter where this kind of person is, people will be afraid of him and instinctively stay away from him.
But right now, there are more than 30,000 such people!
There are more than 30,000 people! There are enough troops for an army.
"Wait a moment, don't rush!"
Bai Yan did not agree with Yang Yan's suggestion. It was too early to use those Chu soldiers now.
chances are for people who are prepared!
When Bai Yan thought about the two men named Cao and Liu in later generations, Bai Yan had to learn from those two men in terms of winning people's hearts, using different methods in different situations. In Chu State, there was Xiong Qi and the Jing family.
.
With the hearts of these 30,000 Chu troops, Bai Yan has plenty of opportunities.
"I asked you to come here today because of one thing."
Bai Yan looked at everyone. After getting up, he came to the wooden shelf with a huge map in the study and looked at all the map lines and the names of the cities on it.
"Got the news……"
When Bai Yan said this, he turned his head and looked at Yang Yan, HP.
"General Cong has secretly rebelled against Qin!"
Bai Yan said.
At present, Xun Shuo, Yan Mao, Yang Yan, and Hui Pu are all Bai Yan's confidants, and they are also the generals of the Qin army that Bai Yan needs to call this time. Therefore, Bai Yan now tells the origin and reason of the news.
come out.
Including when he was in Daliang, Cong arranged for his confidants to secretly monitor his every move, and also informed several people completely.
"General Cong!"
"It's actually him!"
When Yang Yan and Yan Mao heard Bai Yan's words, they looked at each other in surprise and frowned.
After learning that Lord Changwen and Lord Changping had betrayed Qin, leading to the defeat of the Qin army at Li Xin's place, not to mention Yang Yan, even Yanmao was privately worried that there would be rebel generals among the Qin army here.
After all, both Changping Jun and Changwen Jun were officials headed by the Chu clan. They were both civil and military, and their prestige in the government and the public as well as their cronies were intertwined. Yanmao was also afraid that someone would betray Bai Yan secretly and help the Chu State.
When facing Xiang Yan and Jing Qi and hundreds of thousands of Chu troops, Yan Mao was not timid. At worst, he would fight to the death and eventually die on the battlefield. This would be worthy of following the general all the way, but he couldn't accept it.
The general was defeated outside the battlefield and was betrayed by the Qin army generals, resulting in the defeat.
Therefore, during this period of time, Zan Shou, Zhong You, and Yan Yue, who came from Qianzhong County, were the ones Yanmao had been wary of, including Yang Yan.
Unexpectedly, the person who secretly took refuge in Chu State turned out to be Cong!
"In that case, the general placed it in Zhongwu City. This is preparation..."
Suddenly, Xun Shuo's voice came. Yang Yan, Yan Mao and others all looked around, and then they saw Xun Shuo looking at the map, with a surprised look on his face, pointing to the north of the army, returning to the important city of Qufu.
Earth, Zhongwu City!
At this time, Yang Yan and others realized that Bai Yan had previously transferred Cong and Jiu to Zhongwu City and ordered them to guard Zhongwu City.
This arrangement was certainly correct in the past, but now that he learned that Cong had defected to Chu, Bai Yan's actions became very obvious.
"The general wants to lead the Chu army to attack Zhong Wu?"
Xun Shuo turned his head and looked at Bai Yan.
Bai Yan saw Xun Shuo's gaze and nodded without hiding anything.
"We are in the Chu land. After the winter, it seems to be beneficial to the Chu State. However, for the Chu State, it is actually a mixed blessing. The Chu State is also worried that the Qin State will send troops again after the heavy snow. Therefore, at this time, it is not just us.
When the Qin army is worried about food and grass, the Chu generals Xiang Yan and Jing Qi are also anxious to defeat our Qin army who are still in Chu!"
When Bai Yan said this, he stepped forward and stood next to Xun Shuo, pointing to the road on the map where Jingqi could go to Zhongwu City.
"In a head-on battle, neither we nor Xiang Yan are sure of victory! So now, it depends on when Chu generals Xiang Yan and Jing Qi will take this step! Once Jing Qi sends troops, he will attack Zhongwu City..."
Bai Yan turned his head and looked at Yanmao and Yang Yan.
"General Yang Yan, General Yanmao, you two must remember that you must work with Jiu to surround Jingqi outside Zhongwu City before Jingqi reacts!"
Bai Yan ordered.
"Xiang Yan, the troops and horses of the Chu army under Jing Qi are far superior to our Qin army. Only by dividing them and defeating them can we have a chance of victory!"
In Bai Yan's mind, he couldn't help but recall that when Bai Qi was in Yique, facing the allied forces of Wei and South Korea, in terms of troops and horses alone, Bai Qi could only defeat half of the Wei and Han coalition forces, but in the end Bai Qi defeated them one by one and destroyed both Wei and Han.
140,000 soldiers and horses.
Bai Yan didn't know how Bai Qi planned and calculated when he faced the Wei and Han coalition forces, but now compared to Bai Qi, Bai Yan also has his own advantages.
Bai Yan could find out the details of the bribery, the movements of the Chu army, and the purpose of the Chu army, and it was already clear to him, not to mention the six soldiers of Ruo Ao and the Chu generals in the bamboo slips.
Even Xiong Qi, the prince of Chu State, might surprise him at a critical moment.
These were the few advantages that Bai Yan had when he led his troops in the Chu region and was surrounded by the combined forces of Xiang Yan and Jing Qi.
"promise!"
"promise!!"
At the banquet, Yang Yan heard Bai Yan's words and accepted the order.
For Yang Yan and Yanmao, it was easy to find out who rebelled against Qin. It was the trick of the Chu State in the army. Cong and the others had also seen each other and had some understanding. No wonder they rarely spoke in the past. Many Qin generals
Among them, the most easily overlooked.
I thought he didn't have any good ideas, but I didn't expect that he was someone bribed by the Chu State.
There were footsteps outside the door, Yanmao and Yang Yan raised their hands one after another, then turned around and saw the door to the study room slowly opening.
"General, General Zhang Min wants to see you!"
At this time, Mang came to the study and handed over his hand to Bai Yan to report.
Bai Yan heard this and looked at Xun Shuo. Wasn't Zhang Min already sent to Hongcheng with Ying Xi?
With doubts in his heart, Bai Yan turned around and asked Zhang Min to bring Zhang Min in.
Yanmao, Yang Yan, HP and others on the side also looked at each other in confusion.
After a while.
Under the gazes of Bai Yan, Xun Shuo, Yan Mao and others, Zhang Min, Zhang Ping and his son, who still looked weak, slowly came to the study under the leadership of Zhang.
"Zhang Min, thank you General Bai for saving your life!"
"Zhang Ping thanks the general for saving his life!"
Seeing Bai Yan, both father and son knelt on the ground and kowtowed to Bai Yan gratefully.
"Why are the two generals like this? They are both colleagues and serve the Qin State. Bai Yan's actions are also for the Qin State. There is no need to express gratitude!"
Bai Yan quickly stepped forward to help Zhang Min and his son get up without being too polite.
Under Bai Yan's gaze, Mu also stepped forward to help Zhang Ping stand up. Looking at Zhang Ping from a close distance, Mu could clearly see a particularly vicious wound on Zhang Ping's jaw and neck. It was not a sword wound, but was probably caused by Chang Ge.
Apparently Zhang Ping was almost killed by Chang Ge, and then was injured and fell from his horse.
"Bai Yan has ordered someone to escort the two generals to Hongcheng. Why?"
Bai Yan looked at Zhang Min who stood up with a puzzled look on his face.
Just when Bai Yan finished speaking, Zhang Min shook his head and looked at Bai Yan.
"General Bai, Zhang Min has come to ask for an audience now, hoping that the general will not send us, father and son, back to Xianyang!"
Zhang Min said this, and then told Bai Yan in front of all the generals with a disappointed look on his face that both his father and son were to blame for the defeat in Xianyang during their trip, and they really had no shame to return to the Qin court to meet the king.
.
Zhang Min would rather die on the battlefield than lose this face.
In the study room.
Xun Shuo, Yang Yan, Hewlett-Packard and others all understood Zhang Min's words, and they also knew many things that Zhang Min did not say.
Different from Ying Xi, after Ying Xi returned, he not only lost his official position, but also was punished according to clan rules. But even so, as a member of the Ying clan, Ying Xi did not need to worry about anything, even if he did not have an official title.
, you will also have the opportunity to receive rewards, and then be promoted to a higher rank in the future, and everything will start from scratch.
These are no longer secrets.
But Zhang Min was different. Even though Zhang Min was born into a noble family, his previous connections were not very high. He finally got Wang Jian's appreciation and got married to the Wang family in his early years, but that was all.
Even if Zhang Min was not punished after he returned, after losing his official position and title, Zhang Min was no longer as young as Ying Xi. Even with the help of the Wang family, it would be difficult for Zhang Min to have another chance to make meritorious deeds.
However, Zhang Min's eldest son, Zhang Han, was to be the right school commander of the Shaofu and was in charge of many prisoners. This made Zhang Min, as a father, extremely embarrassed.
"Two generals, rest in the city! I will let people arrange the residence. Since the two generals would rather die than make meritorious service to Qin again, how could Bai Yan let down the two generals' wishes?"
Bai Yan and Xun Shuo looked at each other, and when Xun Shuo nodded his head, he said to Zhang Min.
Everyone was sent away and they had to rush back even though they were injured. If Bai Yan didn't stay, it would be unreasonable. If it became Zhang Min's heartache, it would make Bai Yan busy in vain and not be able to find a solution.
"Generals, please!"
Xun Shuo stepped forward at this time, saluted Zhang Min and Zhang Ping, and then made a gesture of invitation.
"Thank you, General Bai!"
Zhang Min looked at Bai Yan with gratitude, and then saluted him. After Bai Yan returned the salute, he turned around and followed Xun Shuo away.
Before Zhang Ping left, he looked at Bai Yan with grateful eyes.
"This is a great injustice to General Min and his son!"
After Yang Yan saw General Zhang Min leaving, he sighed deeply, then turned to Bai Yan and said.
Born in the Yang family, Yang Yan was not very familiar with General Zhang Min, but he was not unfamiliar either. Recalling that this time General Zhang Min led the army to attack the Chu State, he was surrounded by the Chu Army before even confronting the Chu Army. Even Yang Yan
They all felt that General Zhang Min was really unjust.
"Of those 200,000 Qin troops, who is not unjust?"
Huipu shook his head: "Mr. Changping rebelled against Qin~!!! Who in the world could have thought of this! It's impossible for anyone to have expected it!"
Being unfamiliar with Zhang Min, HP was naturally more straightforward when speaking. Moreover, when talking about injustice, HP couldn't help but think of General Li Mu. When it came to injustice, General Li Mu was the one who was wronged.
General Li Mu made many illustrious military exploits for Zhao State, but Zhao State failed General Li Mu.
Thinking that Lord Changping, who was the right prime minister of the Qin State, actually betrayed the Qin State, in Huipu's eyes, no one could have expected this, or even have the slightest suspicion.
………………………
Two days later.
It didn't go beyond Bai Yan's expectation. Following the banquet, Yang Yan took the order and left for only two days. Bai Yan was in the study room and was dealing with the affairs of the army when he suddenly saw the soldiers of the scout camp sending news that the Chu army
They have arrived less than twenty miles outside Suiyang City. Calculating the distance back, the Chu army is probably only fifteen miles away from Suiyang City at this time.
Hearing the news about the Chu army, Bai Yan was at a loss for words. Thinking of the upcoming Chu army's attack on the city, his eyes were full of solemnity.
But fortunately, Bai Yan didn't have too many surprises.
When he learned that there were signs of snow two days ago, Bai Yan told Master Xu that Xiang Yan would definitely take action within a few days.
"Send the order, all the soldiers of the army enter the city and prepare to defend the city and prepare for war!"
Bai Yan called his cronies outside the door and gave instructions.
Seeing his cronies take the order to leave, Bai Yan put down the bamboo slips and stood up slowly. When he was about to put on his clothes and armor, he saw Master Xu had arrived in the study.
Seeing Master Xu wanting to help him wear armor, Bai Yan did not refuse.
But what surprised Bai Yan was that after putting on the armor, Master Xu, who was holding the Zhan Lu, gently hung the Zhan Lu next to the armor, and then slowly attached himself to it.
Feeling the black hair beside his cheek, the soft beauty in his arms, and smelling the faint fragrance at the tip of his nose, Bai Yan was stunned. He didn't expect Master Xu, who had always been obedient, to suddenly make such a move, and he couldn't react for a moment.
Bai Yan was a little dumbfounded and was about to speak when he heard Master Xu in his arms speaking softly.
"Master Xu has prepared three feet of white silk. If the general dies in battle, Master Xu will never live alone in the world!"
Master Xu's pretty face was pressed against Bai Yan's chest, feeling the coldness of his armor. Under the long black hair hanging down, his beautiful eyes were full of determination.
Mother is not here.
The great revenge has been avenged. Looking back at the time when I returned to Qi to visit my mother's tomb, Master Xu told her mother in front of the tomb that she had met the person she loved in her life.
"General!!!"
Mu's hurried voice came, and by the time Bai Yan and Master Xu came to their senses, Mu had already run into the study and saw the two of them.
He seemed to realize something, and smiled awkwardly.
"General...! I'll be waiting outside!"
After Mang finished speaking, without waiting for Bai Yan to speak, he turned around and left quickly, not forgetting to close the study door when he was done.
Bai Yan looked at Master Xu who had retreated and lowered his head in silence, and felt a little bit dumbfounded, especially when he heard the faint sound of 牤 coming from outside the door.
"The general has important matters. The Chu army is still fifteen miles away. Please don't disturb the general yet..."
Bai Yan looked helpless when he heard what Mang said and was about to leave. Then he thought of something and stopped and looked at Master Xu.
"Don't worry! The Chu army may not be able to win in a short time! Live well and lose that Bai Ling!"
Bai Yan didn't say much. Looking at Master Xu's serious look, he felt that Master Xu was a bit cute and asked her to prepare for the worst and leave, but in the end she prepared Bai Ling.
After giving instructions, Bai Yan turned around and left the study under Master Xu's gaze.
Master Xu stood there, holding the corner of his clothes, but it was obvious from his eyes that he did not intend to throw away the white silk ribbon as instructed by Bai Yan.
When Master Xu was treating the soldiers' injuries, he often heard the soldiers talk about defending the city. He often heard the soldiers say that when they went to the battlefield, whether they were defending the city, attacking the city, or engaging in battle, they just resigned themselves to fate.
So Master Xu knew that with the Chu army attacking, things would not be as easy as Bai Yan said.