In 561 AD, in May, Yecheng, the imperial capital of the Northern Qi Dynasty, received an urgent military report from 100,000 people from Liangzhou. Pen @ fun @ pavilion wWw. ｂｉｑUｇE。 It is reported that a few days ago, someone was clamoring in front of the Liangzhou garrison camp to force a break into the commander of the defenders, and the person who came was just a nobody, saying that the Southern Song Dynasty and the Northern Zhou Dynasty had already formed an alliance, and they were going to attack Qi together on the same day. The man had a scruffy beard, and his surname was Lin Xiaoru. The commander of the garrison in Liangzhou saw that this man was dusty and did not have a half-official position, and he was very angry, so he ordered someone to drag him down and beat him to the fifty boards to set an example, and punish him for talking nonsense to shake the morale of the army!

No, that person came prepared, knowing that the Liangzhou garrison guarding the main road to the imperial city would not be a messenger from an unknown person, so he had the half of the tiger talisman that was presented to Emperor Wucheng Gao Zhan at this moment.

When Emperor Wucheng saw it, he knew that this was the tiger talisman he gave to Gao Changgong, the king of Lanling, when he ascended the throne and canonized it, and the other half of the tiger talisman he wore could be tightly put together.

"Where is King Lanling now?" Above the main hall, Emperor Wucheng asked anxiously.

"Back to Your Majesty, it is the servants of His Royal Highness Lanling who have come to report the news, and the last general has never seen His Royal Highness Changgong's face, but the servant surnamed Lin said that His Highness should be going to Jinyang at this moment. It was empty, and it was a fortress on the border of Zhouqi. Yuwen guards are guilty of my Daqi, and Jinyang must be the first to bear the brunt!"

"I'm going to Jinyang! General Duan stayed behind in Yecheng to defend Gyeonggi, and there must be no mistake!" Gao Zhan actually got up from the dragon chair and ordered.

"The emperor must not!"

When the ministers of the Manchu Dynasty heard this, they all knelt down with their wat in unison and admonished. Among them, the general Duan Shao was the most resolute, and said to Gao Zhan: "Your Majesty, how can you personally go to the battlefield to fight with that Yuwen Protector, doesn't this make the thief laugh at me that Zhou Daqi has no one? Although the old man is no longer in his prime, why is it that His Majesty wants to personally conquer but let the old man guard the rear? But the old man is no longer useful, so His Majesty feels that he can't rely on it?" After speaking, he kowtowed heavily, and asked for his life at the moment. The old minister is not talented, and he is willing to lead his 100,000 soldiers out of Yecheng to defend Jinyang, and the rest of the men and horses will be personally dispatched by His Majesty, so as to ensure the safety of my Gyeonggi. The minister made a heavy oath, Jinyang City is here, the minister will live, if Jinyang City is broken, I, Duan Shao, will no longer live! I hope that Your Majesty will dispel the idea of pro-conquest, and let the old minister go out on behalf of Your Majesty to drive the dog thieves of the Zhou Kingdom back to the Guanzhong in that projectile land!"

Duan Shao asked for his life in the main hall, iron-clad, full of pride, and the rest of the generals were also enthusiastic, and they all went out to the battlefield with General Duan as an example.

Murong Shaozong guarded the northern frontier, Hu Luguang guarded the southern border, and the military generals in Gyeonggi were all headed by Duan Shao, Duan Shao was in a high position, with a brilliant record, and his mother was Lou Zhaojun's own sister. As soon as he said it, many generals also recommended themselves and vowed to repay the country with death.

"It is my great luck to love Qing and protect the country, and it is my luck! Seeing this, Gao Zhan wanted to go out of Yecheng to find that person, but he could only do so. After receiving the order, Duan Shao recommended the rest of the generals to Gao Zhan and sent them to Jinyang with him. Duan Shao's eldest son, Duan Yi, and his second son, Duan Shen, were named hussar generals and went on the expedition with their father.

In addition to the Duan family's father and son, the generals who went to Jinyang also included Lou Rui, the brother of Lou Zhaojun, the empress of Wuming of the Xianbei Wang clan, and the deputy general Dugu Yongye. In this way, three days later, Emperor Wucheng Gao Zhan went to the city gate to send Duan Shao and 100,000 Qi troops out of Yecheng.

"Old General Duan, Jinyang has not had any military information in Yecheng for half a month, and it is really dangerous for you to go! I trust the old general, and I also hope that the old general Duan will take care of himself!"

"Thank you for Your Majesty's concern, although the minister is a little old, but to clean up that gang of Turkic Zhou thieves or the dragon spirit tiger does not put these rabble in his eyes, the emperor does not have to worry too much!" Duan Shao said with his hand in battle armor.

"Yes, Old General Duan has experienced a hundred battles, and I am waiting for the general's good news in this Yecheng without worry。。。。。。! The day before yesterday, General Hu Luguang of the Suizhou garrison sent a battle report, Liu Song Dynasty really colluded with the Zhou army, and Zang Zhi wanted to take advantage of the night to sneak attack our army's camp, but fortunately, General Hu Lu had already been prepared for the secret report sent by the King of Lanling, although some grain and grass were set on fire, but there were no major casualties. The southern garrison and the Song soldiers have already started a war, and the situation in Jinyang is not optimistic. ”

"The minister has already heard that in this battle, our army is fortunate to have His Royal Highness Changgong to several garrisons to pass on the military information first, otherwise our casualties will be heavy!"

"Old General Duan can think like this, I am relieved. Chang Gong's qualifications and military merits cannot be compared with General Duan, I had just named him General Long Xiang before, just for Biao Bing Changfang's resume miraculous feats are also to comfort my brother Wenxiang's work, I didn't think about it, but now Chang Gong has no soldiers around him, but he has already gone to Jinyang alone, the newborn calf is not afraid of tigers, and I am deeply concerned about Chang Gong's reckless behavior. I can't go to Jinyang in person, I just want to ask the old general Duan, if I meet my nephew, I hope that I can put his life first and protect him thoroughly. Gao Zhan's words were extremely light, and he could only let Duan Shao beside him hear it clearly, but every word, earnestly, and worried, it was self-evident.

When Duan Shao heard this, he couldn't help but look up at Gao Zhan. This Nine Highnesses has always had a frosty and frozen temperament, and his joy and anger are not revealed, how could he ever have such a state? His face was soft and soft, as if he was dying of helping, but it made Duan Shao, who was accustomed to seeing the world, also stunned. After being slightly stunned, he respectfully clenched his fists and replied: "The minister must find His Royal Highness Lanling and protect him to come back safely." ”

Gao Zhan nodded heavily when he heard this, relieved. After Duan Shao and His Majesty the Emperor said goodbye, they turned over on the war horse, the Duanzi battle flag was flying, and 100,000 iron horsemen set off to the south.

"Father, what did Your Majesty tell you just now?" On the post road, Duan Yi couldn't hold his breath and opened his mouth to inquire about his father.

"What does Your Majesty's conversation with me have to do with you, a hairy boy? A manly man doesn't need a long tongue, he can lead his troops into battle well. Duan Shao actually blocked his son's words, which made Duan Yi quite boring.

"Father, I am also a dignified hussar general now, how can I still be a hairy child? If you want to say that hairy child, that Gao Changgong is two or three years younger than my son, how can I already become a general of Longxiang on a par with my father? Thinking about it, I am not worth it for my father, and His Majesty the Emperor did not order my Duan family to divide one soldier and one horse of his Gyeonggi garrison, and it is just a good look to put it in the empty handle, otherwise。。。。。。 Duan Yi said and gritted his teeth.

"How else? Yi'er, my father has said you many times, you should not be jealous, a manly husband should be ambitious and know how to see people's strengths. Duan Shao spoke earnestly. Although he also has a lot of doubts about Gao Changgong's position as General Long Xiang, and today he is even more suspicious when he hears His Majesty the Emperor's earnest support, but in front of his eldest son, who is not a big deal, Duan Shao still quietly advises him to be open-minded.

"Yes, brother, although His Royal Highness Lanling has not yet had outstanding military exploits, you and I should know that he is strong in martial arts, although he is feminine and open-minded, brave and resolute, he is a person who opens and closes. His Majesty named him General Long Xiang, presumably because of the momentum of Emperor Zhuang Wenxiang, and secondly, he also hoped that the younger generation of generals in our dynasty would work harder to protect their families and defend the country and create a reputation. Duan Shen said on the side of the war horse.

"Heh, the second brother is really my good brother. After going to the Rouran Khan Court, he often Changgong His Royal Highness is long, and His Royal Highness Changgong is short, and those who know think that you are admiring that Gao Changgong, and those who don't know think that you Duan Shen is worshipping the Alluring appearance of the King of Nalanling。。。。。。 ”

"Shut up!" Duan Shao whipped his horse on the war horse that Duan Yi was riding, the horse neighed and bumped, Duan Yi saw that his father was angry, and quickly lowered his head and gritted his teeth to strangle the reins of the horse. Duan Shao rarely scolded Duan Yi so angrily in front of all the soldiers, and the Duan brothers didn't expect their father to be so angry.

"What are you talking nonsense?King Lanling is the fourth son of Emperor Wenxiang, how can you be so rebellious and speak wildly?" Duan Shao said angrily with a horsewhip.

"Father, father。。。。。。 I...... Duan Yi didn't know how he touched his father's taboo, but his father's face was full of anger, and whether in the army or at home, he had always been as majestic as a mountain, Duan Yi hurriedly bowed his head and said, "Father is angry, Yi'er doesn't know how serious it is, please forgive my father!"

"Yes, the eldest brother is used to messing with me on weekdays, and now there are no rules in front of my father, I hope my father will forgive the eldest brother!" Duan Shen also bowed his head and pleaded with Duan Shao, while the soldiers behind only knew that the commander in front seemed to have some kind of dispute, and the army slowed down.

Duan Shao looked at the two brothers, and when he saw that the march of the army behind him was blocked, he continued to move forward without saying a word.

"Father。。。。。。 The child is 。。。。。。 Duan Yi still had to distinguish, but it could be seen that his father no longer cared about it, so he could only pull down the protective gear on his face and lean back.

"Father, big brother, he is unintentional. He had a little affair with His Royal Highness Changgong on the way to greet His Majesty today, and the eldest brother was arrogant, but he was a little unpleasant to see His Royal Highness Lanling. The young man is angry, didn't his father say that a man has some evenly matched opponents to make a big deal, the eldest brother has the example of Gao Changgong, so he will naturally be more energetic, and his father should not be too 。。。。。。 ”

"What do you think of Gao Changgong's character?" Duan Shao suddenly asked.

“。。。。。。 Father, son thinks that His Royal Highness Chang Gong is open-minded, and his skills are even better, and he was in the Rouran Kehan Court back then, and it was also thanks to His Royal Highness Chang Gong that I was able to show my style in front of the Rouran people, which really won me a lot of face for Daqi. ”

"Back then, the Naadam Conference of the Han Court was also heard of by the father. Gao Changgong, who joined the Northern Xinjiang Army at the age of nine, back then, although he had the position of a scattered squire, Emperor Wenxuan did not expect him to come back alive. Murong Shaozong was arranged by Emperor Wenxiang Gao Cheng to go to the bitter cold northern Xinjiang, this person is narrow-minded, and I and Hu Luguang are not very harmonious, Gao Changgong fell into his hands back then, what kind of suffering can be imagined. Shen'er, it's not terrible for a man to be outstanding in martial arts, but what is terrible is that he can still confuse the lord with lust, and his heart is as deep as the sea。。。。。。 ”

"Father, what you said makes me a little frightened, I don't know what I mean? His Royal Highness Gao Changgong is indeed one of the most beautiful men in the Northern Dynasty, but if you want to say that he is a person who competes for favor with his beauty, then Shen'er will not dare to agree. Besides, Your Majesty and Gao Changgong are still uncles and nephews, so how can you confuse the lord? Father can't listen to the eldest brother's accusations on weekdays, and then he has a prejudice against this Lanling King. ”

"Yes, I really don't dare to think about the deep meaning of this. But this is the case, but it makes me uneasy now. I hope that the king of Lanling is as you say, a person with an upright heart, frank and open, and not a person who is scheming and good at using methods, otherwise。。。。。。 My Northern Qi Dynasty will inevitably be bloody again!" Duan Shao stroked his beard and sighed.

"This 。。。。。。 Father, His Royal Highness Changgong must not be a person who disregards the country's righteousness for personal gain, this time our Qi army can prevent trouble in southern Xinjiang is also the credit of His Royal Highness Lanling, he let people risk death to send letters, and he has no soldiers who dare to go to the battlefield alone, as a great Qi soldier, we should unite as one and work together to resist the enemy, rather than unwarranted suspicion here. Forgive the child for being unreasonable, Shen'er feels that his father's speculation is a great humiliation for His Royal Highness Lanling!" Duan Shen lowered his head and hugged his fists.

"Hehe, what Shen'er said makes some sense, but he thinks a little wrong for his father. In any case, it is now imperative to defend ourselves against foreign enemies. If Gao Changgong is really as you say, and dares to go to Jinyang alone to commit danger, then he can be regarded as worthy of the name of General Long Xiang! As my father used to fight side by side with Na Hu Luguang, but now that he has changed his apprentice, I also want to see if it is blue!" Duan Shao smiled with relief and ordered the whole army to speed up the march.

Of the 100,000 horses, 50,000 were heavy cavalry, and the other were light armored troops, and the heavy armored Qi army, whether it was a horse soldier or a tall war horse, was fully armed, from the head of the horse to the stirrup. The soldiers on the horses also did not show their faces, and used silver armor to protect their faces, only showing their eyes between the helmets. Neck guards, breastplates, shoulder armor, combat boots, leggings, all armed to the fingertips. There were no such troops in the Southern Dynasties, and they marched up to swallow mountains and rivers, and the rows were shining with the scorching luster of metal. It is neat and uniform, and the long-haired halberd is cold.

When it comes to cavalry, most later generations will think of the fierceness of the Turks. But in fact, in that era when Xianbei culture was flourishing, although the Gao family of Northern Qi was not a Xianbei clan, the cavalry of the Gao family was invincible in the Northern Dynasty and dominated one side. The Turks longed for the rich land of the Central Plains, and repeatedly violated the border, but they were all driven away by the Qi army in a hurry, and there was nowhere to gain a foothold in the Central Plains. It is not an exaggeration to say that the Gao royal family is the nemesis of the Turks. In this way, the Turks had to rely on the Northern Zhou Dynasty for many years, and the Rouran on the other side of the Altai Mountains became fire and water.