Lu Sheng and several of his comrades rode south, and the deeper they went into the hinterland of the Gobi, the more sparse the shrubs and grasses became, the yellow sand and rocks were exposed to the scorching sun, and the withered yellow grass clumps rolled endlessly along the hot wind. When you look at it under the scorching sun, the surrounding scene is slightly distorted, and the grassy bushes lurk with mustache canine coyotes, waiting for an opportunity to move.

The day was very hot, and the night was suddenly cold, but after two days of trekking, in addition to the guide who led the way, he still looked calm, and even Ji Chong, who was the most chattering in the plain day, was now depressed, closed his mouth, and everyone was like a lady, and put a curtain around the side of the hat that shaded the sun. Yan Xiu's face was even more ashen, and he swayed on the horse's back while muttering to himself in a low voice.

Lu Sheng listened carefully, but what this cat demon was thinking was "keep your body, protect your body, keep your body...... which really made people laugh and cry.

Early in the morning of the third day, when the people were hurrying away in the coolness of the morning, the guide suddenly exclaimed, climbed off his horse, turned around, and fled. Lu Sheng's eyes were quick, he grabbed the collar on the back of the young man's neck, and asked, "What's wrong!" ”

The guide boy was only sixteen or seventeen years old, he was born thin and dark, only a pair of eyes were black and white, and he was full of fear, he was dragged by Lu Sheng, his knees trembled, he only closed his eyes, pointed behind him with his hands, and said in a trembling voice: "Buddha...... The Buddha was angry. ”

The morning light gradually faded, revealing the hidden scenery in the darkness, the plains were thousands of miles, and the four fields were vast, so that as far as the eye could see, a group of humanoid shadows hanging in the air were faintly revealed. At first glance, they are sparsely arranged, spreading all the way to the farther away that they cannot be seen.

Although it was only a vague outline, the figure was as silent as a statue, which gave birth to a dark and ominous omen, Ji Chong craned his neck on his horse, looked at it with his eyes, and muttered, "Who has set up so many statues in the wasteland?" ”

Yan Xiu sniffed deeply, and said in a deep voice: "These ...... Not a statue. ”

Ji Chong turned his head to look at him in astonishment, "Brother Yan, you can smell the clues from such a distance?" If it's not a statue, it's not a living person? ”

Yan Xiu said: "It's not a living person, it's a dead corpse." ”

He spoke plainly and calmly, but the people who heard it noticed the wind blowing by, and their backs suddenly cooled. The guide boy screamed in horror, his hands and feet were weakly lifted in the air by Lu Sheng, crying profusely, incoherently, muttering scriptures, and trembling: "Buddha...... The Buddha forgave sins...... Buddha...... Calm ...... anger"

Lu Sheng frowned and asked, "If you want to reach Mulan Castle, this is the only way to go?" ”

The young man cried and cried, but he still nodded, and then shook his head again and again, refusing to take half a step closer, only repeating himself: "When the Buddha is angry, the corpse is ...... Mountains and seas of blood, thousands of miles of barrenness. Don't go, don't go! ”

Lu Sheng couldn't, so he had to raise his hand and slap the young man in the face, shouting, "Ahsan, wake up!" ”

The young man sobbed and quieted down, Lu Sheng couldn't let him leave alone, so he simply tied him up and handed him over to Yang Xiong to guard, and the group continued to hurry, the morning light gradually brightened, and the closer they got to the strange figure, the tragic scene in the world finally fell into the eyes of everyone.

I saw a forest of wooden pillars in the wasteland, buried deep in the ground, pointing straight to the blue sky with a slight dew in the morning light, and a person was tied to each wooden pillar, whose skin was exposed to the scorching sun, and was eaten and bitten by vultures and wild wolves, and it was already unrecognizable and inhuman. Judging from its clothing and accessories, it is the Zahu tribe that lives in the Western Regions, Mulanbao...... It's one of them.

The morning sun broke through the clouds and shone brightly, illuminating the jungle of corpses, and the skull-like head was either crooked over the shoulders or nowhere to be found; There are also black blood stains stained with coarse kudzu rags, grass ropes deeply engulfed into the withered gray flesh, and bones staggered and exposed to all kinds of cruel scenes...... If it is one person or two, it is just that, at this glance, there are hundreds of people, lined up in front of them, and the momentum is extraordinary.

The young man named Ah Sang became more and more frightened, struggling desperately on horseback, Yang Xiong was helpless, and simply stunted him with a palm.

Ji Chong's face was also discouraged, he turned over and dismounted, squatted on the ground and retched for a while, Bai Lixiao had to follow him, bowing his head and rubbing his back in a reassuring manner.

Lu Sheng saw that everyone was busy, so he had to make a look with Yan Xiu, and the two of them rode their horses along the corpse forest left and right, and ran for a long time, seeing that the corpse forest was arranged in a circle, but it surrounded Mulan Castle.

The two of them turned back to their places, and after a little discussion, Lu Sheng somewhat understood, and frowned: "These are all defeated and killed miscellaneous soldiers, and there are also civilians mixed in, this arrangement...... I'm afraid it's just to demonstrate the enemy army. ”

The left forward battalion is only 2,000 people, and now it has captured the Mulan Fort of the Rouran people with great fanfare, but it has attracted strong enemies from all sides to crusade, but Guo Qian is afraid that he will fall into a bitter struggle in order to defend Mulanbao, so he used such brutal and bloody demonstration methods......

It's just that Guo Qian is a person, brave and honest, and quite a general, if he really raises his arms and shouts, the followers will be many. I am afraid that such an evil plan will be built by a staff member from the side. Guo Qian actually adopted it, but I am afraid that it will be ...... There is no other solution, and the situation is critical.

Lu Sheng frowned and said, "Without further ado, since you can't find the next way, you can go through it with all your might." ”

Ji Chong suddenly sat on the ground, and said with a sad face: "Lu, Brother Lu...... Really ......"

Bai Lixiao picked him up, and then responded: "Without further ado, let's set off." ”

Yan Xiu took a cloth towel to cover his mouth and nose, and sighed: "This errand is serious...... Hard ......"

Lu Sheng pressed his chest, only to feel that the brocade bag given by General Zhao Zhong himself before leaving was sinking as if it was about to fall from the placket, he took a deep breath, regardless of the fishy smell in the heat wave, and also endured the fear of his scalp exploding, and shouted: "Let's go!" ”

Immediately with Yan Xiu as the leader, Lu Sheng followed, Yang Xiong followed closely with Ah San, and finally with Ji Chong and Baili Xiao's broken formation, everyone rushed into the ghostly corpse forest. The stake was fixed irregularly, like a dense forest, and everyone had to slow down and move forward cautiously, lest they bump into the corpse.

The branches in the field of vision are full of bones, giving the illusion of walking in hell.

Fortunately, it was daylight, and as soon as everyone crossed the corpse forest, and after less than a quarter of an hour of rapid march, the gray and yellow walls of Mulan Fort appeared in the distance.

Ji Chong was suddenly shocked, rushed to the front, and sighed loudly: "It's finally here!" ”

Bai Lixiao and Yang Xiong also showed relieved looks, but Lu Sheng's mood became more and more heavy, and he only said: "I don't know the depth of the forward camp, be careful in everything, don't act rashly." ”

While deliberating, the sound of horses' hooves came from far and near, and a group of people and horses approached, led by a man with a purple face, wearing a colonel's military uniform, with a fierce look in his eyes, and shouted: "Who is coming!" ”

Lu Sheng took off his waist card, raised his head high, and raised his voice: "We are the messenger sent by General Zhao Zhong, and I want to see ...... Guo Qian, centurion. After saying that, he threw the waist card over.

Guo Qian killed Wang Meng and took over the left forward, he still respectfully called himself a centurion, if not, he was afraid that Zhao Zhong would disperse his men and horses to destroy Guo Qian regardless of the war in Shuyucheng.

It's just that Guo Qian's behavior, after all, is a rebellion before the battle, a big rebellion, Lu Sheng has heard a little, Zhao Zhong's staff deputy general for Guo Qian's matter is red-faced, and Guo Qian is ordered to take on the important task of defending the rear, and afterwards there are those who will be rewarded for meritorious deeds and punished for crimes; It is necessary to purge the ranks and immediately send troops to recruit them.

When Lu Sheng and the others set off, there was still no conclusion, only Zhao Zhong ordered him to come to monitor and contain him, and Lu Sheng had no choice but to act at the opportunity.

The little colonel caught the waist card, examined it carefully, and then threw it back, and bowed and said: "It turned out to be Lu Sima, under Chen An, please come here." ”

Lu Sheng and his entourage followed this column of centaurs and finally entered Mulanburg.

As soon as you enter Mulan Castle, you will see a strong smell of blood, and you can only see the damaged houses along the street and the blood stains on the ground that have not been cleaned, which shows that you have experienced a bloody battle. Civilians were very scarce, but there were no corpses along the streets, and I thought that the dead were all collected and sent to the forest of corpses outside the fort to make up the numbers.

The young guide, Ah San, was frightened repeatedly, and now his eyes are lost and he is still in a trance. Lu Sheng couldn't bear it, and after Chen An led everyone to settle in an empty house, he ordered Yang Xiong to stay and take care of it, and then went to the chief's mansion to meet Guo Qian.

This chief's mansion is not worthy of its name, but a large tent was set up outside the three wooden houses, and there were soldiers outside the tent, and when Lu Sheng arrived, the guard stepped forward and said: "Lord Guo has an order, but I only see Lu Sima alone." ”

Ji Chong held the hilt of the sword at his waist in his hand, and took a step forward before he could speak, but he was immediately stopped by Lu Sheng, and Lu Sheng said again: "One person is one person, you are waiting outside." ”

Yan Xiu remained silent, stepped forward and said, "Sima Lu, humble ......"

Lu Sheng comprehended in his heart, and although he muttered in his heart why bother to do this, he still bowed his head and said: "Yan Xiu will go back to the garrison to guard first." ”

Yan Xiu was ordered to retreat, and when he reached no one's place, his body was hazy when he bent over, turning into a tiger-striped kitten, and in the blink of an eye, he ran into the overgrown broken wall.

Lu Sheng followed the guards and stepped into the tent, before he could see the scene in the room clearly, Guo Qian had already strode over, knelt in front of Lu Sheng, and said in a trembling voice: "Lu Sima! You're here. ”

Lu Sheng said: "Lord Guo, please get up, Lu is acting on orders to deliver a letter for General Zhao Zhong." ”

He looked at Guo Qian carefully, but he hadn't seen him for more than ten days, Guo Qian seemed to be the same as always, but Lu Sheng intuitively felt that this person was different from the past. The capable man who can assassinate an incompetent general, bring 2,000 soldiers and horses under his command, defeat the Zahu army, and erect a forest of corpses to scare off the enemy army has long since been the same as the young sergeant who was silent in the past, only immersed in training, and encouraged friendly troops.

Guo Qian was nervous and let Lu Sheng look at it, and said in a low voice: "Lu Sima, please take a seat." ”

Lu Sheng smiled and said softly: "Guo Qian, you look very good, I am relieved." ”

Guo Qian was slightly stunned, and then laughed, he was born tall and heroic, with square eyebrows, and he was particularly friendly when he smiled, the two of them sat down, Lu Sheng took out the letter, but it was a letter of appointment issued by General Zhao, and promoted Guo Qian to the rank of marching captain, commanding the left forward battalion, and still continued to stick to Mulan Castle and cut off the contact between Shuyu City and Mulan Castle.

Lu was promoted to the post of superintendent of the army, accompanied by the superintendent of Mulanburg, and also had the power to command the troops and horses.

Lu Sheng only saw the content of General Zhao's letter at this moment, and couldn't help but smile bitterly, General Zhao sent him to share power with Guo Qian, but Guo Qian killed Wang Meng and won the respect and followers of the army, even if Guo Qian was willing, how could the whole army be willing?

Therefore, he said with a straight face: "Guo Qian, now I want to be called Captain Guo, Lu has no experience in marching and fighting, and everything still has to be based on Captain Guo." ”

Guo Qian hurriedly arched his hand and said: "Don't dare to be a ...... Lu Sima was my boss for one day, and he was my boss for life. Guo Qian didn't dare to specialize. It's rare that no one will come to commit today, please set up a banquet for Lu Sima to catch the wind and wash the dust. ”

Lu Sheng said: "Defending the city should focus on grain and grass, but there is no need to catch the wind." ”

Guo Qian said with a smile: "But a glass of water and wine, a few simple side dishes, I don't dare to be extravagant, and I hope that Lu Sima Mo will dislike it." ”

Lu Sheng pushed it, but he had to stay, and told Bai Lixiao and the others to return to the station first.

Guo Qian really did what he said, only serving simple dishes, but ordinary things such as roast venison, dough cakes, and yogurt cakes. Guo Qian drank two glasses of wine, but suddenly put down the wine glass, looked at Lu Sheng, and sighed with a lot of feelings: "Two months ago, Guo never imagined that he would be able to drink at the same table with Lu Sima one day. ”

Although the Hanmen clan is not the same, the good family and the cheap family are also distinct, now Guo Qian is happy, his eyes are burning and staring at Lu Sheng, he only thinks Guo Qian is happy in his heart, so it is inevitable that he is a little presumptuous, just smiled slightly, and then said solemnly: "Although the troubled times have produced heroes, Guo Qian, but the situation is not optimistic, under the command of General Zhao, there are still staff members who have repeatedly criticized your behavior, and you should not be forgiven for your disobedience." ”

Guo Qian's heart moved, leaned closer, held Lu Sheng's hand, and said in a trembling voice: "Xie Lu Sima's heartfelt words, Guo Mou...... It was really a last resort, and when the war here was understood, he would ask General Zhao for guilt. ”

Lu Sheng said with a smile: "If you wear a crime and make meritorious service, you will naturally make up for it, Guo Qian, I will give you a cup." ”

The two had a long drink and talk, only to feel a little closer to each other, and it was almost late at night before Lu Sheng left the chief's mansion and returned to the station.

The water and wine were light, and Lu Sheng was only two points drunk, and after he had seen it with everyone, he entered the guest room arranged for him, lit the pungent oil lamp, and took out the sachet.

There is only a thin piece of paper in the bag, which is a secret letter written by General Zhao himself, but it is an order that if the war is deadlocked, he will assist Guo Qian to hold on to Mulan Fort; However, once he wins, he waits for the opportunity to assassinate Guo Qian and take his head to restore his life.

Lu Sheng frowned unconsciously, and carefully read the secret letter a few times, and saw that there was no secret next to it, so he burned the secret letter clean, stood in front of the lamp and pondered, only to feel upset.

He was hesitating in his mind, when there was a sudden knock on the window, and he didn't know what was scratching the wooden window outside, and in the silent camp, there was a continuous and piercing scraping sound.