Marshal Jiuzhan of the Tingxiao Empire has been driving into the southwest for more than half a month, and although he has swept away many castles on the Malaud Plain in the northeast of the Yafei Empire, he has not made any achievements in Yiling Berner Castle. Being guarded by Prince Resa himself was indeed quite a headache for Jiu Zhan, and what made him even more helpless was the terrain around this Yiling Berner Castle. It is surrounded by mountains to the north and south, and the hills to the north of the castle extend all the way to the north, directly connecting with the Trastile Mountains. The mountains to the south extend to the south to the waters of Yaofan. And this castle is stuck in the gap between the north and south mountain ranges, like a majestic pass, tightly choking the choke point of the march. Therefore, Yiling Bernard has another name - the city of mountains.

The north and south are lofty mountains and mountains that cannot be marched, and only the army that breaks through this fortress can go south. In the face of Fort Berna Yiling, which had a solid city defense, the experienced Marshal Jiu Zhan was very calm, and transferred those mercenary groups with selfish intentions to the battlefield of the Yaofan coastline in the south, and he sat on the Mallord Plain, intending to fight a protracted war here.

I feel that this Marshal Tingxiao is not worried about the prolongation of the war, and he will not be able to afford to consume these 100,000 people, after all, he is a labor expedition, and the supply line stretches for thousands of miles. He is so fearless, it is nothing more than because he has a very thorough view of the internal situation in Yafei.

After receiving a letter from Fowler, the prime minister of the Yafei Empire, he did not hesitate to start preparing for the army. If someone else is changed, Jiu Zhan may not believe it, but Forler and his secret communication song has been around for a long time, so naturally there is not the slightest suspicion. Over the years, he learned most of the secrets and military intelligence of the Yafei Empire from Fowler. Fowler's letter mentions that he will use his hands and feet at the Pillow Sword Meeting, and the king and Ressa will inevitably be drawn into a mutual disagreement, and may even turn against each other.

For this speculation, Jiu Zhan and the prime minister of the Yafei Empire saw something similar.

Jiu Zhan has a heavy army, has lived in southern Xinjiang for a long time, and has been facing Resa across the border for many years, and has a general understanding of each other's strength. He had always wondered how Yafei, the prince who dominated the party, could make his own emperor not suspicious?

After all, Jiu Zhan himself often has to face the impeachment of various political enemies in the court of Tingxiao, but fortunately he is the brother-in-law of King Tingxiao, and the king is quite relieved of him. But how can this Ressa be undoubted by the emperor? Over the years, he has slowly tasted it from Fowler's letters, how can he not doubt it? How much this King Kelman usually defends Ressa, how jealous he is in his heart.

After getting a general understanding of Fowler's plan, he and Fowler carefully finalized the time to send troops. The timing of his dispatch this time was very critical, not too early, and he had to wait for Fowler's side to succeed, after the assassination of the princess by the second son of the prince. It can't be too late, because no one knows if King Kelman will kill the killer and really destroy Ressa with this reason. It also involved the time it took for news of his army to go south from Maine to Salyuhi.

Fortunately, this pillow sword meeting was organized by Forler, and all the processes and battle time were mentioned in the letter, so Jiu Zhan could clearly grasp the time to march to the southwest. Of course, it was not without hiccups that the only son of a certain earl dismantled the competition ring on the first day, causing all the matches of the Pillow Sword Club to be delayed by one day, but the impact was not great.

As Jiu Zhan expected, in the end, King Kelman was forced to release Ressa under pressure from Tingxiao's army. Ressa returned to Maine to continue to lead the army, and looked the same as before, deeply favored by the emperor and did her best. But for such an incident, Ressa would definitely not act as if it had never happened, Jiu Zhan speculated.

I have to say that this old and spicy Marshal Tingxiao's grasp of human nature is really in place. Things were indeed running as he thought.

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At this time, the smoke and dust were billowing in front of Yiling Burner Castle, and a red background golden vulture flag was headed, because the Marshal of the Tingxiao Empire, Jiu Zhan, led five thousand elite horsemen to knock on the gate and call for war again.

The soldiers on the walls of Yiling Bernard were accustomed to this scene, and all the soldiers entered the garrison in an orderly manner. The beating of the drum, the bending of the bow and the arrow, the more than a dozen crossbows on the city wall have also tightened their machine springs, and dozens of stone throwers in the city have also tightened their cables. But everyone knows that Tingxiao people won't really call. After all, no general dared to attack the city with cavalry alone.

Moreover, these Tingxiao cavalry were all out of range of crossbows and stone throwers, and they were obviously only here to provoke, trying to lure the defenders of the city to a decisive battle on the plains.

Prince Resa stood at the head of the city and glanced at it coldly, and did not hesitate, and immediately ordered, "Prepare horses, order 5,000 troops, and follow me out of the city." ”

The adjutant general didn't dare to hesitate at all when he heard this, and went down to the city to select people.

"Knock! knock!" The war drums beat tighter and tighter at the head of the city, and Prince Resa led five thousand iron cavalry in Xuanqing armor to fight out of the city gate, and went straight to the courtyard outside the city. The soldiers defending the city at the head of the city couldn't help but look at it, their faces were full of excitement, in their opinion, it was impossible for their prince to lose to the bullshit marshal of Tingxiao.

In fact, this is not the first confrontation between Jiu Zhan and Ressa. The first thing Resa did after rushing back to Maine was to organize a heavy army to be deployed at Fort Bernard. At that time, Jiu Zhan led a large army to kill the city, and as soon as he saw Ressa's brown-bottomed guns and fire flags all over the city, he did not rashly attack the city, and retreated. The flag of the Ressa Elite Regiment is a white lion head flag with a purple background, and as soon as Prince Resa arrives in the army, the soldiers of Maine will add a brown gun flag next to the original flag, and this gun fire flag is usually a cut higher than the white gold lion head flag.

Although there was no strong attack, Jiu Zhan led 20,000 people to call Resa in public in the coming day. The prince was not ambiguous, and personally led 10,000 troops out of the city to meet the battle. The two sides fought from early morning to noon, Tingxiao's side lost more than 3,000 people, and Yafei's side lost more than 2,000 people, and this first encounter should be regarded as a small victory for Prince Ressa.

In fact, for the current battle situation, Prince Resa has no need to engage in the battle at all, as long as the deep ditch and high fortress wait for the Tingxiao people to sit still and there are flaws, and then the final decision is the best policy, but the court of the Yafei Empire does not allow him to do this. After all, after the Gaver incident, the relationship between Ressa and the king has fallen to a freezing point. King Kelman's army is coming soon, and if the prince does not make a gesture, he is afraid that his majesty will be suspicious.

A few days later, Marshal Jiu Zhan led 2,000 light cavalry around the city to watch the city defense, and Resa led 5,000 troops out of the city to pursue, but the result this time was unexpected. Jiu Zhan's two thousand light cavalry actually escaped from Prince Ressa's fierce pursuit, and after counting the battle damage, they found that the Tingxiao people only paid 400 cavalry to replace the more than 800 cavalry of the Ressa Corps.

In the next few skirmishes, the two sides won and lost each other.

Judging from the several battles between Jiu Zhan and Ressa, it can be said that they are opponents and rivals. I don't know if today's 5,000-5,000 cavalry rush battle can make the two of them separate.

"Ding!" Bai Ze's long sword in Ressa's hand met Jiu Zhan's Zhu Yan.

"Ressa, have you figured it out?" said Jiu Zhan in a voice that only the two of them could hear, "Kelman's army is almost here. I don't have the time to act with you here. ”

Ressa was silent,

The two countered each other with their swords, refused to give in to each other, and fought a few more moves, but no one was injured.

"Cut, I used to think you were a character, but I didn't expect to twist and pinch and have no pretentiousness. Jiu Zhan said disdainfully.

"It's not difficult to kill him, what I want to know is, what do you want?" Resa asked, staring at Jiu Zhan.

"Then what do you want?" said Jiu Zhan sneered.

"I don't want much, just plant my guns and flags all over the entire Yafe Empire. Resa said in a deep voice.

"You have a big appetite. Then I want to be immortal, and I want you to be a city with mountains. The corners of his mouth twitched.

"I can accomplish you, I want this Xiongguan fortress, delusional. Resa said coldly.

"You have to understand who's asking for whom. Jiu Zhan's face also sank.

"Heh, you don't think I need your help to get it done, do you?" said Ressa.

"Kelman brought 100,000 people, and I don't believe I can eat without you. Jiu Zhan didn't back down, but he was secretly suspicious in his heart, not knowing where Ressa's confidence came from. Ressa only has 70,000 elites in his hands, even if he can eat Kelman's 100,000 army, will he still be able to compete with himself at that time?

"Then you can try. Resa stabbed another sword in his hand, and a white light suddenly appeared, "But let me tell you the news, there are people around Your Majesty who want to steal military merits, and I can wait until you are done fighting before making a move." At that time, you may be immortal, but I can assure you that you will definitely not be able to return to court. ”

Jiu Zhan's horizontal sword blocked, Zhu Yanli bloomed red, and he smiled unhurriedly: "Then I'll withdraw the army and retreat to the border first, and see who is better between you and Kelman, this is always okay, right?"

"Xingshi moved the people south, and more than 100,000 people followed you empty-handed? If you can explain when you go back, then you can withdraw your troops today. Ressa laughed along.

"Don't be complacent, I'm just a disgrace when I go home empty-handed. Kelman is here, you can't have a better life, he is bound to force you to kill the king and rebel. If you really kill him at that time, I don't believe that a rebellion like you can make the whole Yafei Empire listen to you?" Jiu Zhan pointed through Ressa's vital point, "At that time, everyone will support the army and stand on their own, I will see how you end." ”

Both of them knew where each other's sore feet were, and neither of them had the upper hand for a while.

"Okay, then what do you want to do?" Resa looked at Jiu Zhan with interest, "You are here today, you are not really just here to see whose cavalry is more powerful, right?"

"Since these people around Kelman are pushing him to fight me, then I can give him this opportunity. When his army is over, I will personally issue a letter of war and invite him to fight a decisive battle on the plains of Mallord ten days later, that is, on the fifteenth of February. It's up to you to do that. Jiu Zhan was also quite refreshed, "I'm afraid that you will hide it when the time comes." ”

"It's up to you how you want to fight. Originally, some people were hiding in Salyushi, and maybe I couldn't help it, but now they are rushing to my place to die, so I have to give them a ride. At this, Ressa's brow suddenly became frosty.

"It seems that Ling Gongzi's matter is not a rumor. Jiu Zhan glanced at Ressa.

"Hmph. The prince said coldly.

Bai Ze and Zhu Yan in the hands of the two were entangled again.

"Yo, just then, the people have arrived. Jiu Zhan glanced at the castle of Yiling Berner from afar, "It seems that my trip came quite coincidentally." ”

Ressa looked back and saw that the city was crowded with people, and the white lion's head banner with gold on a black background was already fluttering.

Seeing that Kelman's army had arrived, Jiu Zhan did not dare to fight, and decisively retreated to the camp on the plains of Mallord. Both sides lost nearly 1,000 horsemen in this battle, and it can be said that there was no winner or loser.

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"Fei Lie, look at this Yiling Burner Castle, no wonder it is called the city of mountains, it is really the first Xiongguan in the empire. Kelman stood at the head of the city and looked at the mountains in the north and south, and then looked at the majestic city wall, the watchtowers stretched, and the arrow towers were lined up, and he couldn't help but sigh.

"Yes, the prince has worked hard. Count Philip replied.

Although Yuankang, who was standing on the side, was not convinced, he was not stupid enough to speak out at this time, so he had to accept it awkwardly on the side.

While a few people were talking and laughing, Prince Resa had already led his army back to the city.

Resa didn't dare to slack off all the way up the tower, and in a hurry, he almost tripped over the stone steps, but fortunately, the Count of Philip on the side quickly grabbed him.

The prince apologized, bowed down and sighed, "Let Your Majesty laugh, at this age, it is useless." After a while, my legs and feet were not so sharp. ”

"The prince is exempt. Kelman smiled, "Lone remembers that the prince is as old as Lone, and he sighs so old, isn't it saying that Lone is old and useless?"

"Your Majesty, how dare the old minister... Ressa, hearing Kelman's words, fell to her knees again in a panic.

"Get up, Lone's joke. Kelman said, "But at your age, Prince, you are indeed brave and courageous, and you are indeed a model in our army." ”

"Your Majesty's false praise, it is the arrogance of this court, if the old minister does not go down to the city to pick up a while, I am afraid that the morale will be lost. Resa said.

"Hey, what about your eldest son, Ayton, why didn't he see anyone else?

Ressa stepped forward and said softly: "Don't hide it from Your Majesty, spring is coming, there is quite a lot of movement in the mountain range, and Ayton was sent by me to suppress those restless monsters." ”

Kelman nodded, and then asked, "How many battles have you fought with that Tingxiao's marshal, how do you feel about this person?

"In fact, Jiu Zhan has been training soldiers and horses in recent years, and the old minister has also heard a little, and after these several battles, I found that this person does have some ability, and the infantry and cavalry of Tingxiao's soldiers and horses, as well as the cooperation between martial arts and mages, are quite organized. Resa said, "The old minister has not taken advantage of any of the battles he has fought with him. ”

"Oh, your elite Ressa regiment is on par with this Jiuzhan?" said Keelmanch, "your regiment is one of the best in the Empire. ”

The old minister was ashamed. Ressa bowed her head.

"Prince, you don't have to blame yourself, Your Majesty is in person, and you will definitely sweep away these bold and reckless courters. Yuan Kang spoke at this time, what he said was very interesting, obviously he was anxious for military exploits, but he pretended to be His Majesty's name.

"Your Majesty is here, it is naturally a horse stepping on the enemy, no problem. Resa replied calmly.

Kelman, on the other hand, was speechless, and glanced at Count Philli, who was beside him, who was speechless. Philip also understood what Kelman was thinking. These two people are aware of Ressa's ability to lead the army, and if they can make a tie with Ressa, they are naturally quite powerful No. 1 people.

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The secret room of a watchtower in Yiling Berner Castle.

"Prince, did you promise that Jiu Zhan?" asked Bishop Herod, looking at Prince Ressa.

"What's the point of saying yes or no. The moment Kelman let me go back to Maine, he should have thought that I wasn't the kind of person to get along with. Resa said coldly.

"Prince, have you thought about it? Herod said with a frown.

"Got it done? I saw Gaver's painful look, and at that moment, I thought about it. Ressa shivered.

"But the second son was assassinated like that, and it wasn't His Majesty's intention... Herod glanced at Ressa.

"But Kelman had the idea of killing me, didn't he?" Ressa turned her face to Stare at Herod, her blue eyes shining, "Since he had such thoughts, I had to do the opposite." Besides, do you think that he really came to Maine this time just to beat the Tingxiao people?"

"Yes. Herod nodded and said, "Your Majesty came this time, in addition to dealing with the Tingxiao people, I am afraid that there are also side thoughts." ”

"The Liqiu camp should have all been arranged, right?" asked Ressa.

"It's all arranged, and in addition, the eldest prince will go in person, so there should be no problem. Herod nodded.

"Where's Master Fei Yue?"

"A few days ago in Newinn City, I said I was going to come with Miss Three. These two days should be coming. Herod replied.

Ressa nodded, then glanced at Herod, "And what about your Orthodox temple guards and mages?

"Rest assured, Prince, since I chose to work with you a few years ago to conspire with you, I will naturally do my best. All the palace guards and mages, a total of 6,000 people, have been assembled, just waiting for your order, the prince. Herod said in a deep voice.

"Hmm. Camp twenty miles west of the city, so that Kelman doesn't notice anything. These one-in-a-hundred church elites will be able to use them in a few days. ”

"Okay, I'll arrange it. Herod took the command, and pursed the corners of his lips as he turned his back.

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At this time, in the luxurious room on the third floor of the main watchtower, King Kelman frowned and looked out the window at the high and deep and impregnable Yiling Berner Castle, and inevitably sighed again. At this time, the king and the Count of Philip were in the room.

"This Ressa is really a talent, this march has come, Wind Iron Castle, Newinn City, and this mountain city - Yiling Bernard, less than ten years of time, looking at this earth-shaking change, I can't help but praise him. Kelman said sharply.

Hearing this, Count Philip hesitated for a moment, then looked at Kelman and asked, "Your Majesty, how are you trying to kill him?"

"Ha, it's you old guy who knows me best. Kelman laughed.

"The military appearance of the Resa elite corps, I believe Your Majesty should have seen it. Although we have brought more than 100,000 people here, it would be unwise to really fight with Ressa. Lao Chen thought that the most important thing at the moment was to think about how to get rid of those Tingxiao people first. Philip reminded.

"The truth is that Resa still has to wait until the court is over to deal with it. Kelman sighed, "I didn't expect this Marshal of Tingxiao to have two hits, and he can be on par with Ressa." ”

"Yes, Your Majesty, so don't be careless in this battle. I've just sent someone to investigate, and this guy is encamped on the plains of Malrod, and it's a posture that wants us to fight to the death. Philip said.

"His follow-up supplies stretch for thousands of miles, and he definitely can't afford to fight a war of attrition, so he has to fight a decisive battle with us, does he have any other way?" Kelman laughed, "But Lone will give him this opportunity, if he really hides in this city of mountains and consumes him to death, wouldn't it make the world laugh at Lone's cowardice." ”

Although the Count of Philip always felt that it was best to hold on to the pass and wait for the enemy to make trouble, he found that His Majesty seemed to be caught in an unspeakable fanaticism, and did not heed his opinion, so he did not say much. I don't know if this fanaticism is because I listened to the words of the god-chattering master of the Tsuyama, or because I was prodded by Genyasu and others, or because I was stimulated by Prince Resa today.

He couldn't guess whether Prince Rysa's sentence "I'm getting old and useless" was unintentional or intentional.

"By the way, is Master Pierro's quarters arranged?" Kelman asked suddenly.

"It was arranged upstairs, and His Majesty walked up to see his old man. Knowing that His Majesty had something to talk to Master Pirlo, Philip withdrew with a sense of humor.

That night, on the starry tower of the Salyushi Palace, Master Ostry looked at the scene in the night sky, and sat down on the ground in fright, not even noticing that the crystal ball that was as important as his own life had rolled to the ground.

I only heard him keep muttering: "The confusion is stacked, the heart is in danger, the omen of great evil, the omen of great evil... Your Majesty, Your Majesty... ”

The palace attendants in the palace are only crazy about this god/stick with their heads, and no one takes it seriously.