The Tianqing Plateau, which is the highest in Zhongzhou and has the widest area, is located in Kunlun.
In comparison, Genting Highlands is slightly inferior in height, and its area is more than half the difference.
But if someone really climbed up two plateaus, they would only admit that the Tianqing Plateau is vast and boundless, but they would never believe that if the height of the Genting Plateau is ranked second in Zhongzhou, why should the Tianqing Plateau be ranked first.
Firstly, the road to Tianqing Plateau is mostly from east to west. Although it is steeper, it is a shortcut.
Normally, it takes two or three days to arrive slowly. If you are in a hurry, it only takes one day and one night.
The Genting Highlands is like a giant ship that emerged from the bottom of the sea, with the stern still in the sea and the bow raised to the sky. The overall trend is gradually rising from the southwest to the northeast. From the north to the southeast of the plateau, there is nowhere.
The cliff upon which to rest.
Therefore, although the road up the mountain is quite gentle, it basically has to cross half of the mountain to reach it. No matter how fast you walk, it will be difficult to reach it in less than a day and a half.
Secondly, because the clouds on the Azure Plateau are in the sky, they are out of reach.
But the clouds in Genting Highlands are under your feet and you can touch the sky!
"The dangerous building is a hundred feet high. You can pick the stars with your hands. You dare not speak loudly for fear of frightening the heavens."
This poem, which has been recited for thousands of years, is said to have been composed by the well-known poet when he traveled to Yunding alone and stayed overnight here.
After two and a half days, a group of about sixty people finally passed through the clouds and reached the plateau.
It was midday, when the clouds were at their thinnest, but almost everyone, either out of curiosity, because they thought it was rare, or because they thought it was interesting, reached out to grab a handful of clouds that were usually only visible in the sky.
There is no doubt that everyone has caught nothing, and there is nothing special except a little moisture in their hands.
On the Genting Highlands, let alone being good at detecting clouds, even if you take a big breath, you will feel like you have swallowed a mouthful of saliva.
As we got closer to our destination, the height of the clouds gradually changed from surrounding us to reaching everyone's feet.
It is not easy for people to climb the plateau, and it is also difficult for horses. Therefore, starting from the middle section of Genting Plateau, the group has switched to letting the horses drag the luggage and things, and then leads the horses down to the ground.
At this time, stepping on the clouds under your feet really has the meaning of soaring into the clouds and riding on the mist.
As for whether we can pick the stars with our bare hands, we have to wait until night falls.
It's just that they didn't come here to enjoy the mountains and rivers. They had to at least achieve the purpose of their trip so that they could have a chance to relax a little.
However, seeing a large-scale tent camp just three or four miles ahead, they did not rush to rest. Instead, they chose a nearby place surrounded by shale to rest for a while.
The shale on the Genting Plateau is like autumn leaves, either scattered and scattered to form small stone hills, or gathered and stacked to erect peaks and barriers, or layered layer by layer to form a square of boulders that cannot be considered flat.
platform.
For this reason, even if your eyesight is very good, even if you are standing at the highest point of Genting Highlands, it is difficult to have a panoramic view of the whole plateau, not to mention that there are many blind spots and shadows among the ups and downs.
The group's route from the bottom of the mountain to the top of the mountain and the resting place they chose at present are all very particular about this.
Where they are now, they can not only observe multiple movements and monitor the big tent camp three or four miles away, but they are also in a blind spot in the direction of the big tent camp.
After confirming that it was safe, everyone made final preparations for the inevitable fierce battle that was likely to follow, either taking water to moisten their throats, beating their legs to relax their shoulders, or closing their eyes to rest.
Sima Jie, whose face was covered with scars, took a sip of the liquor in his bag to refresh himself and quench his thirst, and walked to Jun Chi's wheelchair with his newly replaced crutches that were severely worn.
Sixty-three people from the Qingtian crowd came here, all equipped with horses. When everyone dismounted and started walking, Jun Chi returned to his usual wheelchair and turned the wheelchair on his own to climb the mountain.
Sima Jie noticed that Jun Chi had only used his right hand to turn the wheelchair since the beginning of his journey through the clouds. His other left hand, which was also extremely pale, had been holding on tightly, as if unwilling to let go.
Sima Jie withdrew his gaze and turned to the big tent camp in the distance surrounded by clouds and mist, and then scanned the surrounding scenery. Scenes of memories flooded into his mind, and he sighed and also asked: "It must have been twenty years since I last came here.
Come forward?"
"Well, we have known each other for twenty years."
Jun Chi answered quickly, probably recalling the past and guessing that Sima Jie came to "reminisce about the past" with him.
Although this seems somewhat inappropriate.
Sima Jie continued: "Times have passed and the world has changed. This place has changed a lot from what it was in my memory."
Jun Chi said: "Yes, you and I have also changed a lot."
Sima Jie smiled bitterly and said: "Yes, twenty years ago, I was still in the army. I still have my legs, so I don't use crutches as a soldier."
Jun Chi smiled, also with a bitter smile, and said: "Twenty years ago, I was not sitting in a wheelchair."
Sima Jie took advantage of the situation and asked: "So, you think of yourself back then and now, and you can't let go?"
The pale left hand finally slowly let go, and of course it was empty.
Jun Chi looked at the empty palms and replied: "From the past to now, everything I pursue has been in vain. There is nothing I can't let go of."
Sima Jie said: "The authorities are confused, but the onlookers know clearly. You may have reconciled with yourself, let go of the past, and let go of the future, but you still can't let go of us..."
Jun Chi heard what Sima Jie said - otherwise, you wouldn't have had to ask Mo Shang for permission after the fifth general raised his concerns about Genting Plateau, and then ask for orders from the fifth general to lead everyone here.
.
"Do you still remember when there were the most brothers in the Qingtian Gang?" Jun Chi acquiesced to Sima Jie's statement.
Sima Jie looked towards the horizon and said firmly: "Five hundred people, you were quite emotional about this at that time."
Jun Chi smiled bitterly, ripples appeared on his pale face, showing the creases of time that are not easy to see on ordinary days, and said: "Yes, that was only four years ago. The funny thing is that I haven't recognized each of the five hundred people yet.
In just three or two years, there are only sixty-three people left."
Sima Jie said: "So you almost don't drink alcohol now. Do you want to make yourself feel guilty, stay awake, and be cautious at all times, so that you don't let others die for you because of your own mistakes?"
"You said a lot today, and they were very sharp, but they were all quite right." Jun Chi lowered his head and closed his eyes, pinched his eyebrows with his hands, and raised his head again. His eyes were not full of energy, but were full of annoyance, and he was looking at him.
My own annoyance: “I don’t know whether it’s bad luck, fate, or my inability to do what a leader should do. Every decision I make is always accompanied by huge sacrifices, which always makes me regret it.”
It’s endless.”
Sima Jie took out the wine bag from his belt, handed it to Jun Chi, and said, "This is why I came to you to reminisce about old times."
Jun Chi hesitated for a moment, but took the wine bag, opened the cork, and took a sip of wine into his mouth, feeling the pungent taste in his mouth.
Sima Jie smiled slightly when he saw this, and the scars on his face seemed to be completely healed at this moment, allowing him to return to the past.
"That year, my father was ordered by General Helan to recapture the central and northern hinterland and strategic commanding heights of Yunding Battlefield. I accompanied the army, and you Qingtian people came to support you as Jianghu rebels. That was the first time we met.
"It is said that the world is incompatible with the imperial court, but in the face of national justice, we fought for the country and still forged a deep friendship."
After a sip of wine, Jun Chi seemed to have more desire to talk. He wanted to patiently listen to Sima Jie finish explaining the reason for reminiscing about old times, but when he heard this, he couldn't wait to laugh at himself by referring to the predicament he had encountered.
"It is precisely because I am close to you that I have discovered that whether soldiers or officials, we are all human beings, and we all need to help each other and get what we need.
"Then I became confused and greedy, and purposefully made friends with individual court officials in order to seek convenience and benefit from them.
"Especially when he got too close to Commander Chi, he almost became his exclusive bodyguard, and even got himself killed.
"I was injured and nearly died. It's just a disease. It's not worth losing several close brothers.
"Even so, I have to thank the Feather Tribe for their original intention to repel us, not to kill us all. Otherwise, you and I would have become lonely ghosts long ago.
"The most ironic thing is that it took many years to find out that Nachier was actually a Wala man..."
Sima Jie put his hand on Jun Chi's shoulder. He was also one of the witnesses of this series of events. He knew how deeply this incident had affected Jun Chi. He changed from an ambitious tiger to a head-scratcher who always blamed himself.
A sick cat that is afraid of its hands and feet.
He did not continue what Jun Chi said, but continued his previous expression.
"You and I are old acquaintances and have been through life and death together. I admire your conduct and you treat me as a friend, so when I was recuperating in the Medicine Valley, you invited me to join the Qingtian Clan to see the different scenery on the rivers and lakes.
, I naturally have no reason to refuse.
"I'm glad that I, Sima Jie, haven't misjudged you until now.
“The world of martial arts does not care about one’s heart, and there is no perfect person in one’s heart.
"Just like Mo Shang, looking from the past to the future, he may have anticipated Feng Chen's death during the Hundred Flowers Conference, but he remained silent and never mentioned the matter of revenge for Feng Chen, but no matter how the situation changed,
No matter how chaotic and difficult the environment was, he managed to defend the Xiaoyue Alliance and gained the trust and support of the four guardians.
"During the Hundred Flowers Conference, there were several big gangs from all over Kyushu. Now Xiaoyue League has the least casualties and the most stable gang situation.
"Are you saying Mo Shang is selfish?
"Nature is selfish.
"But he never lags behind when it's time to step up.
"This was true when Xiaoyue Alliance was in the most turmoil, it was true when facing Tu Wanfang at the foot of Jiulian Mountain, it was true when Long Duoduo sought revenge from Zhantian, and it was true when he fought against the Oala Army.
"Feng Chen is a person who cares about the overall situation and will never put personal safety above the gang.
"Not only did Mo Shang learn from Feng Chen's magnanimity in swordsmanship, but he also caught up with Feng Chen in terms of layout.
"In addition to stabilizing the Xiaoyue Alliance so that the gang brothers will not lose their resistance under the general trend, they also win over our Qingtian Clan and the Crescent Alliance to create a strong alliance with the imperial court. If
If we can successfully survive the invasion of foreign barbarians, the Xiaoyue Alliance will surely reach the top of the martial arts world.
"Feng Chenying, who is on the other side, will also feel proud and gratified.
"You and Feng Chen are similar to Mo Shang. You are always trying to make the gang better and make everyone more motivated.
"It's just that the Qingtian people's foundation is still a little worse than that of the Xiaoyue Alliance, which is based on the nomadic tribe. Not to mention that there are four extraordinary guardians in the Xiaoyue Alliance who are protecting us.
"In the final analysis, a person with limited abilities like me is of limited help to you, the leader of the gang.
“When there is no particularly big opportunity or turning point, we can only choose what level to do.
"The Xiaoyue Alliance's discipline and cooperation ability allow them to cooperate tacitly with the Zhongzhou frontier army and the secret guards trained by the fifth general on the battlefield, and they can advance and retreat on the battlefield with ease.
"Our role has been greatly reduced, and the Crescent Alliance can only do hard work to ensure logistics work.
"Since the fifth general is worried about the safety of the rear, there is no one more suitable than you and me to come to Genting to find out.
"Brothers who come here without landing are all the choices they made themselves.
"You only need to be responsible for your choices, and we will be responsible for our choices.
"Besides, I have also died once, and I have even had experiences that are more painful than death. Why should I be afraid of a mere death?"
"Also, I don't agree with the concept of lonely ghosts.
"If you can die with your friends, confidants and brothers, at least you won't be alone!"
…
…
Genting Plateau has high altitude, low temperature, light wind and heavy humidity.
This kind of area is not suitable for long-term living, but it is a valuable place for military training.
Many generals led their troops to Yunding to sharpen their guns in battle shortly before the war.
After going down the mountain, he really had the momentum to swallow up thousands of miles, exerting at least two or three times the usual impact.
The height of Genting Highlands naturally makes it a commanding height.
A catapult turret was erected from the north to the southeast of the ring plateau, which was enough to form high-altitude fire suppression for the area three or four miles away.
In addition, given that Yunding Plateau is located in the hinterland of central and northern Zhongzhou, starting from Qingning in the west, looking at the wilderness in the north, Qin in the east, Long in the south, and most importantly, the foot of the mountain in the southwest is close to Yangguan Avenue, it is also destined to
Genting Plateau is a strategic location in the north of Zhongzhou.
Although the dynasties of Zhongzhou have never set up garrison posts and stockpiled heavy troops on the Yunding Plateau, they have paid more and more attention to it.
In the past two to three hundred years, the imperial court would dispatch more than two battalions of troops to be stationed at the foot of the Genting Plateau all year round.
Implementing a shift system, fifty people must be stationed on the plateau every half month.
Once the war between Zhongzhou and Oara becomes tense, the rotating guards on the mountain will have to strengthen daily patrols on the plateau. In addition to expanding patrols in the surrounding areas, the base camp at the foot of the mountain must also report the situation in the rear to the front lines every ten days.
What is being guarded against is a fire in the backyard that endangers the front line.
The above situations are the information Jiang Yichen and Leng Mei learned from the ANBU.
Generally speaking, Jianghu people rarely pay attention to the geographical conditions related to battlefield battles.
Genting Plateau is an exception. Last time, many Jianghu people fought bloody battles here to protect Zhongzhou.
Many people in the Zhongzhou arena of that generation have aged, but the old man has never forgotten this place.
Therefore, the information provided by the ANBU is very detailed, except for the map of Genting Plateau.
Due to the special geography, even the ubiquitous ANBU is unable to dispatch personnel to linger on the plateau from time to time to record the shale landforms that may be constantly undergoing new changes due to wind and rain.
Luo Piaoling, who has studied military science diligently in recent years, has obviously also noticed the strategic location of Genting Plateau.
Immediately after Jiang Yichen and Leng Mei left Jinzhou City, they received a souvenir from Luo Piaoling through the ANBU.
The letter mentioned that Chu Hanxiong led the Twelve Tiansha Sects led by Tiansha Palace to defect to Wala. In addition to attacking Ulanbat, he would probably send people to seize the commanding heights of Yunding Plateau and give Wala a big gift.
The Fifth Marquis should be able to see some clues from the battlefield and divide his troops to defend, but with a huge offensive from the north, his manpower will definitely be stretched thin.
To prevent any unexpected events, Luo Piaoling had asked Si'er and Piaoying to come to the rescue first, and hoped that Jiang Yichen and Leng Mei would come to provide additional protection.
Sure enough, when Jiang and Leng arrived at the foot of Yunding Plateau, they found that the soldiers of both battalions had been dead for some time.
The person who reported the information to the front line was probably someone from the Twelve Heavenly Evil Sect pretending to be one.
It is not difficult for the Twelve Heavenly Evil Sects, who have already had their hands on the Zhongzhou government, to forge wartime secret reports.
The two decided to go up the mountain to investigate the situation before making plans.
Although Jiang Yichen once again invited General Hei, the divine steed, before arriving here, General Hei was old after all. Carrying two people at low altitudes was not a problem, but climbing up the plateau was still a bit difficult.
So the two of them and one horse reached the top of the plateau before dawn on September 9th.
After settling General Black, he sneaked close to the sentry tower without much delay and set up his tent to investigate the situation.
They found that although there were soldiers on the mountain, they had all been replaced.
In order to avoid alerting others and to find out the situation, the two chose to remain dormant.
The strange thing is that they heard almost no news about the battle situation on the front line from these fake soldiers. Instead, they all talked about a two-story bear!
That afternoon, while Jiang Yichen was still staring at the hard-to-eat dry food in his hand, he faintly heard the sound of gold and iron and the roar of bears in the distance!
The unit of measurement of troops in this book (consistent with the previous chapter)
One regiment = three battalions = 1200~2000 troops