It has been sunny in Xiazhou for more than ten consecutive days. Although the sun shines every day, the weather is getting colder and colder, and the snow in the surrounding fields has hardly melted.
No one knows whether the thing covered under the snow is a ditch or a beam, whether it will trap the car or cause the horse to stumble. Furthermore, Xiazhou has a vast territory, with not many mountains and rivers, and there are few things to identify.
, it is easy to get lost. Therefore, the Israeli generals did not dare to take shortcuts and only dared to march along the side wall.
Marching in winter is the most difficult. Firstly, it is cold and the days are short, and secondly, it is extremely strenuous. When the weather is warm, the horse can travel four to five hundred miles a day, but in winter it can only travel two to three hundred miles at most. Therefore, it cannot go fast at all.
In this way, we marched leisurely for half a day. At about noon, the general ordered his troops to station temporarily.
There are ten chariots exclusively equipped with armor and provisions. Most of them are dry food, and some dried meat and fried rice are also prepared, but they are only enough for Li Shixian and his son and a few generals who lead the troops. The rest of the soldiers
I can only eat dry biscuits.
Water is easy to get, there is snow everywhere, just pick up a few dry firewood on the spot, set up a porcelain basin and burn it, you will have hot water to drink, and you can also keep warm by the fire.
Li Shixian also got out of the car, chewing dried meat absentmindedly, but looking hard to the west.
After looking at it for a while, he said suspiciously: "May I ask General Gao, has the Taiwei transported grain and grass to Lizi Garden recently?"
The general paused and asked, "Why does Li Canjun ask this?"
Seeing that the general was wary, Li Shixian laughed and said, "It was just a casual question, don't be surprised, General!"
Having said that, he started looking around as if appreciating the scenery.
The hot water has been boiled, Li Chenghong filled the skin bag and brought it to Li Shixian.
His mouth felt hot, so Li Shixian held it in his arms to warm his hands, his eyes rolling around. Seeing that there were no soldiers nearby, he whispered: "Since I came out of Tongwan City, my father has always felt frightened.
It’s like disaster is coming.”
Li Chenghong was shocked and lowered his voice: "But there is a scam?"
"Hard to say!"
Li Shixian shook his head and gently propped his chin up on the galloping road in the distance, "Look carefully, can you see anything unusual?"
Li Chenghong raised his head and looked very seriously. But he looked left and right and couldn't see anything unusual.
It's just a road...
"Why did I give birth to such a stupid pig like you?"
Li Shixian was so angry that he slapped Li Chenghong on the head. Poor Li Dalang was so aggrieved that he had no idea what his mistake was.
Seeing Li Chenghong being beaten, he thought it was a dispute between father and son over something, and the general breathed a sigh of relief.
What Li Shixian just said, "Have you transported grain and grass recently?" almost scared his soul out...
"Idiot, you just think it's a galloping road, but why don't you think about why the snow on both sides is so thick, but the cars in the road can roll over it so flat and smooth?"
"If we march back and forth, it will naturally be level..."
Just as Li Chenghong replied, he was suddenly startled again: These are not traces of marching at all.
If a large army is marching, there will definitely be infantry and cavalry. In addition, it is customary for the cavalry to explore the defense in the first place, the cavalry to rear in the rear, and the infantry and rear troops in the middle. This road is not always like this.
At this moment, the snow in the middle of the straight road was raised high, but there were two deep and narrow snow troughs on both sides. It looked like there were many cars passing by, and there were no cavalry in front or behind, nor infantry accompanying them.
And the traces look very new, no more than three days old.
It’s not certain that Gao Zhao had just transported military rations to the Liziyuan camp, which was adjacent to Bogulu and was confronting Li Shao. But the question was, since Gao Zhao was about to surrender, why did he transport so much rations?
Are the idle soldiers too relaxed, or do they feel that the day is too hot, and they are afraid that the cold will not kill people or hurt the horses, so instead of staying in the city, they rush out of the city to take a leisurely road?
Li Chenghong was shocked: Could it be that... Gao Zhao faked his surrender?
"But even if his surrender is real or fake, what does it have to do with my safe return to the West Sea with my father?"
Li Shixian's chest bulged with anger, and he looked at Li Chenghong like an idiot.
If it weren't for the fact that this evil boy looks exactly like me, and looks like twin brothers to Chengzhi and Chengxue, grandpa would have thought your mother had stolen someone.
I, Li Huaide, have been so smart all my life, how could I have given birth to such a fool?
He gritted his teeth secretly: "Idiot, why don't you think about it: no matter whether Chengzhi surrenders to the court or not, as long as Gao Zhao does not surrender, sooner or later my Li family and Gao family will meet each other in battle.
Since there will be a fierce battle sooner or later, and Gao Zhao is as afraid of Chengzhi as a tiger, how can we let you and my father go back to the mountains instead of using them to coerce Chengzhi?"
"Then...then why is Gao Zhao acting like this?"
"As a father, I haven't figured it out yet, but Gao Zhao definitely has bad intentions..."
Looking at the advancing generals, Li Shixian scolded him in a low voice, "Don't panic, let alone make any noise, I'll think about it again as a father..."
As soon as he finished speaking, the general walked up to the two of them and said, "Li Canjun, can you set off!"
"That's it!"
Li Shixian responded calmly and kicked Li Chenghong in the hind leg, "What are you doing here in a daze? You haven't even gotten on the bus yet!"
Li Chenghong responded obediently and followed Li Shixian step by step.
The two entered the carriage. Li Chenghong was at a loss, but Li Shixian frowned and thought hard.
I don’t know how long I walked, but suddenly a breeze blew open the car curtain and hung it on the iron hook on the car wall.
Li Chenghong knelt down and stood up gently. Just as he was about to take off the car curtain and straighten it, he heard another voice from Li Shixian.
"Father, is there anything wrong?"
"Don't move!"
Li Shixian confessed, stretched his head out of the car, and looked around.
They were traveling westward along the side wall, and the wind-blown car window was facing south, so there should be sunlight shining into the car. But at this time, when I looked at it, the sun had already reached the right side of my head, and it was obvious that the carriage had already turned.
, from west to south.
Looking back, I saw that the side wall had long been thrown behind me, standing like a long dragon in the snowy field.
No wonder the carriage feels much slower?
There was snow under the car, and there were only some sparse hoof prints. How could there be any reason not to rush?
Seeing Li Shixian looking around, the general guarding the car quickly urged his horse and came to the window: "Do you have any orders from Li Shixian?"
"I just felt my stomach was bloated. I wanted to ask the driver to stop driving and go to the nearest place for convenience...but I didn't know when I turned around. Where are you going?"
The general's face froze unnaturally, and he forced out a smile: "Li Canjun didn't know something. He just received an urgent report from the Taiwei a moment ago, saying that King Rencheng was afraid of long nights and many dreams, and was very anxious, and wanted to talk to the Taiwei.
We went to the Liziyuan camp in person and ordered us to go south immediately, wait until we are ten miles away, and then follow the border wall to the west..."
At first glance, it seemed natural and impeccable. But Li Shixian was already suspicious, and just based on the general's face, he dared to conclude that this thief was not telling the truth.
"Is that so? Then General Lao, it would be better to be more cautious..."
He was perfunctory, then asked the driver to stop, took a casual look, and walked behind a mountain ridge.
Li Shixian made it clear that it was convenient for him to go, and it was difficult for the generals to stop him, so he hesitated whether to send his trusted followers to follow him.
But seeing that Li Chenghong was still sitting in the car, and there were cavalry in front and behind him, Li Shixian just swung his legs and couldn't run very far even if he wanted to, so he gave up.
As long as they are carefully guarded, Xi Kangsheng will get the news after traveling another ten or twenty miles and send a large army to pursue him. Then he can be saved once and for all...
With this thought in his mind, the general left him alone.
Li Shixian walked towards the mountain ridge unhurriedly, still thinking in his mind: If it wasn't for the purpose of lying down to avoid Yuan Cheng's western patrol as the general said, then why?
Thinking about it, he climbed up the mountain ridge and was about to find a low place when Nuyenu came out and suddenly felt something moving past his eyes.
Not a bird, nor wind, but a flash of fire.
Really fire?
Taking a closer look, I saw thick smoke billowing about two or three miles to the north, and flames reaching into the sky, as if water had escaped.
And there is the side wall. Looking at the scale of Fengcheng, it should be a "city" within a city of five miles and one pier, ten miles and one pier, and fifty miles and one city.
But it’s so good, how could it catch fire?
Thinking like this, he squatted down, but before his knees could bend, Li Shixian stood up "swiftly".
Li Huaide, Li Chengde, are you blind?
The firelight reflects on Fengcheng, and the firelight shot out is like thousands of silver arrows. Why can't you see it?
But Fengcheng is not built with stone bricks, but with rammed earth. After years of exposure to wind and sun, it turns into a dark color instead of a golden color. Why does it reflect silver light and be so bright?
After taking a closer look, Li Shixian's expression changed.
If I guessed correctly, this Fengcheng should have been wrapped in ice, which is why it is so dazzling.
The place where the fire broke out must have been a pile of firewood used to burn snow and turn it into water to build the city. I don't know why it caught fire.
Burning snow to build a city?
In this case, wouldn't the carts on the road be caused by transporting firewood, not grain and grass?
Gao Zhao really faked his surrender...
By analogy, shouldn't Tongcheng City also be like a beacon city, with most of it covered by ice?
But when he left the city, the west city was still the same as usual, with rammed earth walls.
However, it is not certain that Gao Zhao stayed alone in Xicheng to avoid alarming himself.
But he went through so much trouble just to trick himself and Chenghong out of Tongcheng City?
I can’t figure it out…
Hearing the sound of horse hooves hitting the ground behind him, Li Shixian felt the coldness in his crotch. He realized that he had been standing naked for a long time and hurriedly squatted down.
The general immediately heard a few strange noises, and a foul smell wafted towards him. He involuntarily covered his mouth and nose, and stepped back.
After waiting for about a moment, Li Shixian stood up and stepped across the ridge while tying his belt.
"It's probably because I haven't moved for many days and I have abdominal pain due to accumulated food. General, don't blame me!"
"It's human nature, why should it be so weird?"
The general smiled sarcastically and did not explain why he was so concerned about Li Shixian. He just urged him to get in the car.
The more anxious he was, the less anxious Li Shixian was. Instead, he stopped, pointed to the place where the fire started, and asked: "It's already past dinner, how can you get out of the water properly?"
"I don't know...it may be caused by the accumulation of dust..."
How could he not know?
If we don't light this fire, how can we attract Xi Kangsheng's pursuers?
"The fire was so big that it must have burned only one camp and one tent. In Li's opinion, it must have burned the food and grass... Fortunately, it was close enough to the city. If it were farther away, wouldn't it mean that he would starve to death?
"
"What Li Shenjun said is true!"
The general responded casually and urged him to board the car. But the unnatural look on his face fell clearly into Li Shixian's eyes.
It seemed to be like this just now. When he mentioned the word "food and grass", his expression froze. But is it like this now?
Could it be that there is something wrong with that food and grass?
Thinking in his mind, he walked to the car, but Li Shixian was unwilling to get on the car, saying that he had a bloated stomach due to accumulated food, and wanted to walk under the car for a while to help him digest his food.
At this point, the general did not become suspicious, but thought to himself: As long as you are willing to leave, that will be all.
Today's plan is nothing more than killing someone with a borrowed knife, as long as Li Shixian and his son die under the sword of the imperial soldiers or in the rebel army.
It's not a clever thing, but it's better than being thorough: if you raise someone high and lead a person below, he is the only one who knows the inside story.
Including the cronies on the left and right, the five hundred soldiers under his command all thought that this trip was to protect Li Shixian and his son as they headed westward. Little did they know that Gao Zhao had already resorted to means and would soon attract Xi Kangsheng's pursuers.
At that time, the military general will naturally order his subordinates to resist desperately, and then choose the right opportunity to kill Li Shixian and his son with the sword.
When he dies again, there will be no trace and no evidence of his death. Who dares to say that Li Chengzhi’s father and brother did not die at the hands of the imperial court?
Therefore, the general's loyalty is commendable, but he lacks quick wit, let alone the ability to fool Li Shixian.
You can also know that those who are so stupid and loyal and dare to die for Gao Zhao are definitely not extremely smart people...
Li Shixian followed the car, holding his hand on his stomach and groaning, but his eyes were looking around.
There has never been a situation where the son rides in the car and the grandfather walks. Naturally, Li Chengzhihong can only walk with him...
When the general was not paying attention, Li Shixian lightly touched Li Chenghong's right elbow.
Li Chenghong subconsciously raised his head and saw Li Shixian's face was as ferocious as a ghost: "Chenghong, are you afraid of death?"
He suddenly whispered: "Father, why?"
Without waiting for Li Chenghong to respond, Li Shixian jumped onto the carriage shaft with a single stride, reached into his arms with his hands, and saw a flash of sword light, and blood arrows flying into the wind.
Hearing another "plop" sound, the coachman had already loaded down the carriage, covering his neck.
The general was horrified and thought Li Shixian was about to drive away. He was about to give orders to stop him, but he saw Li Shixian jumping on the roof of the car again.
And that short blade dripping with blood was pressed against Li Shixian's chest: "Evil thief, if you dare to take a step forward, Li immediately committed suicide on the roof of the car... And in full view of everyone, as soon as Li died, Gao Zhao's plan would be over.
All the efforts made before the meeting were in vain..."
Li Chenghong cried: "Father, why?"
"Idiot, don't you know you are about to die?"
Li Shixian scolded angrily, sneered at the bewildered general with both hands, "General Gao, among those ten carts, there should be no food or grass, and they are all empty, right?"
The general wanted to force out a smile, but his face was as hard as iron: "Why did Li Shenjun say this?"
"It's also to blame that Li was confused for a while. He really thought that the traitor Gao Zhao wanted to reunite me with my wife and children, regardless of his past grievances. Didn't he think it was a plan to kill someone with a borrowed knife?"
He sighed sadly, raised his head fiercely, and shouted with almost all his strength, "My fellow soldiers, the traitor Gao Zhao wants to seduce you and Li to die here, so the imperial army will be chasing you later."
...If any righteous man can escape today's disaster, he must clearly understand Xi Shangshu: Huaide's murder was actually forced by Gao Zhao..."
Before he finished speaking, he actually raised the knife and stabbed it hard into the chest...