|||->-> morning light, the green smoke curls on the grassland, the air is filled with the smell of burning, the land is black, the embers are still burning, there are fallen corpses and war horses everywhere, and the broken flags flutter weakly in the wind.

At the temporary station of Danuo Lake, Shi Fangzhen had no sleep all night, and the officials led by Kong Province accompanied him, anxiously waiting for news from the front. At that time, the Chinese army led by Wang Keming arrived, and due to the timely response, the losses of the Chinese army were not large, and several surprise attacks were blocked. At the beginning of Chen, Miao Tieshan, Qi Xinwen, Zhu Jinfeng and others successively sent people to deliver letters, and the army suffered heavy losses.

Shi Fangzhen's face was blue, sitting on the throne without saying a word, Liu Weiguo called him softly many times to eat, but Shi Fangzhen didn't hear it. Looking at Shi Fangzhen's temples beating bulgingly, Liu Weiguo was anxious, the Son of Heaven was sick, he had fainted, although he had recovered after recuperation, but after all, he fell into the root of the disease, and there was a lack of medicine on the grassland, what if there was a good one? Liu Weiguo didn't dare to think about it.

Luo Huai Wang Shi Chongren wept and persuaded: "Father, victory and defeat are a common thing in soldiers, although our army loses, we can regroup and fight again, if my father and emperor have a good one, then it is really out of control." ”

Kong Province also persuaded: "Long live, at this critical juncture, you need to calmly command and respond, and hundreds of thousands of soldiers are looking at you with blank eyes." The Son of Heaven is an example for his subjects, and your every move should be based on the world. ”

Master Guangfang recited the Buddha's name and said, "Amitabha." The Buddha said, 'All things are impermanent, there must be life and there must be destruction, there is no need to be attached to birth and death'. The desert people have created boundless slaughter this time, and the heavens have their own retribution, long live the world, and must not hurt the dragon body, which will only increase the variables. ”

Shi Fangzhen let out a sullen breath and said sadly: "I insisted on the northern expedition, causing hundreds of thousands of living beings to die in the grassland, and the Buddha Lord will definitely not forgive me." ”

"Long live is for the sake of the people of the Central Plains for thousands of years of peace, because of kindness and sword soldiers, like the roar of the lion of Buddhism, King Kong subdued the demon, the old man will return to the Mingpu Temple after the monks will lead the monks to return to the grassland, chanting for the soldiers who died in the war to surpass the soul, so that they can ascend to bliss and reincarnate." Master Guangfang clasped his palms together and closed his eyes and recited the "Book of Merit".

Shi Chongren saw that his father was moved, and hurriedly said: "Father, it's past noon, you better eat something, you have to eat something to have energy, Kong Xiang and everyone are with you without a drop of water." ”

"That's it, pass the meal, everyone eat something, let Wang Keming see me in half an hour." Shi Fangzhen sighed, picked up the chopsticks and began to eat, everyone breathed a sigh of relief, and the tense atmosphere in the big tent was a little lighter.

Half an hour later, Wang Keming, who looked haggard, came to see him. Jiang Anyi stood in the tent and saw that Shen Guogong seemed to be much older after a night's work, his face was still black and gray, his beard was gray, and he was a little staggered when he walked.

Wang Keming knelt down with difficulty and pleaded guilty, and Shi Fangzhen coldly reprimanded: "The army is defeated, and the boss is naturally guilty, and now is not the time to be held accountable." Wang Keming, how many casualties have my soldiers had, and what is the current situation in the army? ”

From last night's rush to the present, Wang Keming has long been exhausted, hearing the angry rebuke of the Son of Heaven, Wang Keming's body trembled, almost fell to the ground, and he couldn't hold back his trembling and said: "The crime deserves death." Miao Tieshan and others are positive

According to preliminary statistics, more than half of the 600,000 horses of the front army were lost, and most of the horses were lost, only more than 70,000 horsemen remained, most of the grain, grass, and military supplies were burned, only more than 3,000 sets of heavy cavalry equipment remained, only more than 2,000 chopping knives remained, and the tents were burned down. ”

Shi Fangzhen's face turned red and pale, Liu Weiguo had been staring at him nervously, and when he saw the body of the Son of Heaven swaying, he hurriedly shouted: "Imperial doctor, pass on the imperial doctor quickly." ”

…………

At the time of Shen, the remnants of the former army came to the garrison one after another, the fluttering flags were burned with holes, the manes on the horses were burned to pieces, the faces and bodies of the soldiers were full of dust, the wounded soldiers moved with difficulty under the help of their robes, the long line lost their armor, the garrison was noisy and chaotic, and the uneasy mood floated over the camp.

Wang Kemingqiang supported and commanded the defeated army to be stationed along Dano Lake, but there were not enough tents, no wood to build the village, and only enough food for five days...... was busy until Xuzheng, Wang Keming barely drank two mouthfuls of gruel, and then convened the generals to discuss the matter.

Jiang Anyi came to the Shuai Tent and found that Kong Zuoxiang and Ding Dawei of the Ministry of War were there, King Luo Huai whispered to Wang Dashuai with a solemn face, and the others were silent, and Huang Xi, the military intelligence envoy, stood next to Shuai Case, bowing his head in distraction.

Jiang Jian hasn't come back yet, Huang Xi is a little worried, it is said that it is not difficult to get out of Jiang Jian's skills, could it be that he died in the fire. Water and fire are ruthless, most of the soldiers who died in the fire were choked to death by smoke, although Jiang Jian was good, if he was trapped in the sea of fire, he might really die, but unfortunately, such a master could not find a few in the Military Intelligence Department, let alone with himself.

In the Ine River, the long grass on the bank was fluttering in the wind, Jiang Jian fell on the bank, stuck his head into the river and drank it. The cool river water entered his throat, choking him and coughing, and the blood that spurted out of his mouth spread in the river. Listening to the "roar" of the river, Jiang Jian smiled bitterly and lay crooked by the river, he was going to die, he died in this grassland far from his hometown, and he didn't know if he recognized the way back to his hometown as a ghost.

The injuries on his back, under his ribs, and under his legs were scorchingly painful, and the true qi in his body was running wildly, and Jiang Jian didn't know how long he could hold on. Soon after the fire was lit on the grassland last night, a master caught up with him, and two desert people with painted faces led five people to surround him, and Jiang Jian was forced back to the Ine River while fleeing while fighting.

At the cost of serious injuries, the pursuers were killed, and Jiang Jian was already covered in wounds and dying. The sun was about to set, Jiang Jian heard the noise of people and horses in a trance, I don't know whether the chasing soldiers came or the tribal herdsmen came here to drink horses, Jiang Jian tilted his head and fainted.

"Everyone", Wang Keming's dry voice sounded, and said: "This commander is incapable of affecting the three armies, and he will ask for guilt after the war, and now it is a matter of life and death, and I hope you will work together to tide over the difficulties." Last night, the deserters used fire to attack our army and suffered heavy losses......"

A series of numbers were reported from the mouth of the marshal, and everyone was frightened when they heard it, Jiang Anyi felt bitter in his heart, nearly 200,000 soldiers were killed in the fire last night, and tens of thousands of soldiers were captured or dispersed, and there were only more than 500,000 left in the million-strong army, and more than 400,000 people could never return to their hometowns. The faces of the people in the tent were clouded, and they thought that they could capture the royal court and sweep away the troubles of a thousand years

, everyone followed the meritorious service and was rewarded, which expected that a fire would reverse the offensive and defensive momentum, not to mention the reward, whether or not to save their lives are in two words.

After Wang Keming finished introducing the situation, Luo Huai Wang Shi Chongren said: "My father is unwell, and I ordered Xiao Wang to preside over the overall situation with Wang Shuai and Kong Xiang. ”

The Son of Heaven fell ill, suffering from internal and external troubles, and everyone looked at each other, knowing that the slightest carelessness would lead to a catastrophe. Jiang Anyi's originally heavy heart seemed to be pressed against another boulder, so heavy that he was about to breathe.

Kong Xingqing coughed and said with a feigned smile: "Long live the occasional cold, and you will recover after two days of rest, so you don't have to worry." Half an hour ago, Banzai summoned King Luohuai, I, Wang Shuai, Miao Hou, Qi Hou, Zhu Shuai, Ding Shangshu, and Huang Jun's envoys to discuss, in view of the initial defeat of our army, the excessive loss of baggage, and the weather will turn cold, Banzai decided that the army temporarily retreated to Zhenbei City. ”

The tent sighed in unison, although everyone knew in their hearts that it could only be like this at the moment, but the feeling of success and failure was really frustrating, Jiang Anyi thought to himself, this northern expedition has exhausted the national treasury, the Ministry of Industry, and the granary for more than ten years of savings, I am afraid that the Son of Heaven will not be able to go north again in his lifetime. Nearly 400,000 young people folded in the grassland, how to explain to the people after returning to the country, so many casualties, how can the household department get the silver taels of the pension, the immediate defeat will lead to a series of consequences, the country is afraid that it will be difficult from now on. As for the Pingshan Marquis promised by the Son of Heaven, I am afraid that it will also turn into nothingness with this fire.

Nearly 600,000 troops withdrew, to ensure the safety of the Son of Heaven and important ministers, the remaining large number of heavy cavalry and sword slashers and 40,000 light cavalry will be arranged to protect the Son of Heaven first, and the remaining 500,000 people to block the sneak attack of the desert cavalry, these people are mostly infantry, tents, food and grass are insufficient, the weather is about to become cold, to walk more than 1,500 miles in half a month, under the pursuit of the desert people can imagine how difficult it is, how many people can be left when these 500,000 horses arrive in Zhenbei City?

"The military command is commanded by Wang Shuai and Miao Hou, and you are subject to the arrangements of the marshal. Entrusted by the Son of Heaven, Kong decided to go to the royal court to sue for peace and buy time for the withdrawal of the army. Kong Sheng's voice was bitter, thinking that he was the one who received Su Bu Naying when he came to sue for peace, and he was frustrated with the attitude of looking down and teasing the desert people, and now that the desert people have the upper hand, it is conceivable what treatment he will receive when he goes to the royal court.

Kong Xing's eyes swept over the people in the tent, and he said slowly: "The old man is the main envoy for peace, and he needs to choose two deputy envoys." Lord Chen, Shaoqing of Guanglu Temple, you have been to Moting many times and are familiar with dealing with Moren, and this peace negotiation will also rely on your talents. ”

Chen Yinguang's face was pale, and it was clear that the peace talks of the defeated army were difficult, it was nothing more than a grievance and a thankless task, and he couldn't hesitate at this time, Chen Yinguang hurriedly shouted "yes".

Kong Province's eyes fell on Jiang Anyi, and said: "Lord Jiang, you have also been an envoy to the Northern Desert, and I heard that you have an old relationship with the Holy Maiden of the Desert, and I hope that this peace negotiation will also hope that Lord Jiang can be reasonable and affectionate to the Holy Maiden, and complete the negotiations as soon as possible." ”

Jiang Anyi's bright smile flashed in his mind, after more than ten years, goodbye is already the enemy of the two countries, how can that little friendship affect the struggle between the two countries, and he is afraid that he will fall into a dilemma when he goes to discuss peace.