In the sixth year of Yonghui (655 AD), the sixth day of the fifth month, the time of Shen was one moment.

The corpses on the west bank of Guiduanshui were all over the field, and Goguryeo and the Tang Dynasty fought for the first time, and Goguryeo ended in a fiasco, throwing down more than 1,000 corpses and fleeing back to the east bank in panic. Datang aided the Silla Volunteer Army, and the atmosphere in the big tent of the Chinese army was tense, and the two old and two young sat opposite each other.

The second old man is in his sixties, although he must be pale, but he is in good spirits. Similar in appearance to Cheng Wuting, he is Cheng Mingzhen, the governor of Yingzhou, and the general manager of the Yingzhou march.

Next to it is Su Lie, Zi Dingfang, born with a public face, looking very low-key, with a kind smile, harmless to humans and animals. The two worked side by side to study two pieces of black charcoal: Cheng Wuting's dragon lock and Su Dingfang's whitebait bag.

After making sure that he had a good look, Cheng Mingzhen waved his hand, and Wu Kang began to popularize science: "Before the eruption, sulfur-containing gas was released, which was almost the same as sulfur. When silver meets sulfur, it causes chemical changes to form black silver sulfide, which adheres to the surface of the silver nugget. This is the reason for the blackening of the dragon lock and the silverfish bag, which can be understood as the rust of copper and iron. ”

Cheng was noncommittal, Su put down the silverfish bag, thought for a moment and said: "Wu Thorn Shi kept saying that Banxue Mountain is a volcano and will erupt soon, but the old man doesn't understand. Can you explain what a volcano is, why it erupts, and what the consequences are? ”

This is difficult to understand, the professional terminology of geology, the almighty physical education teacher, is also incomprehensible. In the middle of his thoughts, he soon had a rhetoric, giving an example: "It is recorded in the Classic of Mountains and Seas that during the Northern Wei Dynasty, there was a volcanic eruption in Haotian Temple in Dingxiang County, Yunzhou (Datong City, Shanxi Province). ”

The two frowned at the same time, looked at each other for a moment, and there was caution in their eyes. They are all erudite and talented, they have read the Classic of Mountains and Seas, and know that there is this record, Su Lie continued to ask: "Why is the history of martial arts sure that Banxue Mountain is a volcano and will erupt in the near future. ”

Finally asked about the point, Wu Kang was a little relieved, and said eloquently: "The blackening of the silver lock of the dragon is one of the precursors, and the second is geothermal heat. Volcanoes are associated with fire, and the temperature changes most intuitively, the earth suddenly warms, the lake turns into hot springs, and the snow melts on the mountain. ”

Speaking of which, it is called a fluke, but fortunately, the snow is not thick and will not cause flash floods and mudslides. The two big guys are silent, this cannot be denied, the last half month has been really warm. Even stupidly thought that this was auspicious from heaven and blessed the victory of the Tang Dynasty.

Wu Kang continued: "The third is the change of terrain, cracks around the snow-capped mountains, and countless mounds of soil have emerged. The cracks spew out fine sand, and the spring water gushes bubbles, like boiling water. Fourth, there is the anomaly of animals, which are far more sensitive to natural disasters than humans. ”

The brain quickly summed up, and the words were convincing: "The birds fly away from the forest, all kinds of wild beasts flee, the snakes wake up and move, and the cattle and horses call at night." Small animals such as hares and birds died inexplicably, and no clues could be found on their bodies. ”

They were still silent, Cheng Wuting glanced at Wu Kang, and coughed dryly: "That's true, before we came, we saw the beasts fleeing." Poisonous snakes don't eat rats, lynxes don't hunt rabbits, wild boars only flee for their lives, and ants migrate. Last night, Dou Cheng suddenly called loudly, but the other cattle and horses did not move. ”

The two were still silent, and Wu Kang was a little anxious: "Animals can have a premonition of earthquakes and volcanoes, and their various abnormalities are all warnings to humans. At the foot of the snow-capped mountain just now, I found dead weeds and yellow leaves. Plants also warn, this is the fourth precursor, and it cannot be ignored. ”

Cheng Mingzhen glanced at him, lowered his face and didn't speak, Wu Kang was even more anxious: "The two generals listened carefully, they could hear a slight roar, the closer they got to Banxue Mountain, the more obvious the sound, this is the fifth precursor; The gushing spring water has a faint sour taste, which is caused by sulfur, which is the sixth precursor. ”

Still pretending to be deaf and dumb, Wu Kang gradually went berserk: "There are all kinds of signs that the recent eruption of the volcano is a big eruption that endangers hundreds of miles. Please ask Governor Cheng to order, and the army will return immediately, away from this place for a hundred miles. Otherwise, all but the cavalry could be killed. ”

Cheng Mingzhen finally spoke, quite a little yin and yang: "The history of martial arts is alarmist, everything is speculation, and there is no real evidence. Today's battle of Goguryeo resulted in nearly 3,000 prisoners, and our army was victorious. The old man and General Su are discussing the pursuit of victory, and the situation is very good, how can they withdraw their troops rashly? ”

Wu Kang was happy, and he spat in vain, you didn't listen to it. The face also sank, trying to stabilize his mood as much as possible, and he was also yin and yang: "It's still the same sentence, if the volcano erupts, the cavalry may escape, and the others will die, please think twice about the two generals." ”

The atmosphere began to stiffen, and Su Lie spoke at the right time: "What Wu Assassin Shi Fangcai said is too unbelievable, and the old man can't believe it. General Cheng was right, this battle was a complete victory, and he should take advantage of the victory to pursue. As for your proposal, we will consider it carefully, and if nothing else, please return it. ”

Think about it carefully, when I've just been weaned, it's diplomatic rhetoric. was trying to argue on the basis of reason, but his sleeve was pulled by someone, and Cheng Wuting even made a look. Wu Kang blushed, hugged his fists for a long time and said: "It's about 30,000 lives, please think twice before acting, say everything you say, and do it yourself." ”

After that, he brushed his sleeves away, leaving the three of them in a daze. Cheng Mingzhen slapped the table directly, quite angry: "You all see, what kind of attitude is this?" Is there a person in your eyes, I'm the manager? Is there any, you general? Relying on women to take the position, why should they be arrogant? ”

Su Lie smiled bitterly, shook his head slightly, and hated this arrogant appearance. However, there are different opinions on Lao Cheng's accusations. I have heard of Wu Bianzhi, and he does have some ability, not relying on Wu Zhaoyi to take the position. Cheng Wuting didn't dare to stay, said goodbye to the two, and ran out of the tent.

Wu Kang returned to the heavy camp and inspected the work with a straight face, with a look of "don't bother me", which made the people of the camp panic. After the inspection, I returned to the tent, took off my shoes and sat cross-legged, sulking with a dark face. There's really no way, people are the governor of the second grade, and I am the fourth grade of the assassin history, a full three levels of difference.

If you think about it carefully, you can also understand that the strategic purpose of this expedition is to force Goguryeo to withdraw its troops and resolve the Silla crisis. If the goal cannot be achieved, it is to defeat the battle, and there is no way to explain it to the court. Even if they listen to what I just said, they will hesitate for a few days, after all, the withdrawal of troops is a big deal.

Bad luck will fall in the past few days, in case of a volcanic eruption, the consequences are unimaginable. Why don't you smear oil on the soles of your feet, call Qian Shun and Hepinglang, and run for your life now?

Soon rejected with a wry smile, without the permission of the general manager, leaving the barracks without permission is a deserter, and he will be beheaded. This is helpless, knowing the potential catastrophe, you must be hard-headed to stay... Wow the dog.

The tent curtain was opened, Qian Shun and Pinglang came in, and when they saw that the big guy's face was not good, they didn't dare to come out. Pinglang returned to the bunk, Qian Shun put down the wild boar, and sat at the dinner table in a daze. Wu Kang wandered out of the world, his brows twisted into pimples, and he couldn't find a way to crack it.

The mood became more and more irritable, and he suddenly heard a strange voice, and saw Qian Shun's face full of embarrassment. looked at the large piece of wild boar, and reprimanded with a stiff face: "Eat when you're hungry, what's your mouth?" If I go on a hunger strike, will I starve to death? ”

Qian Shun smiled, subconsciously shook his head, and nodded immediately. Seeing that the big guy continued to let go, Chong Ping Lang made a look at him and took out a dagger to divide the flesh. When I filled my stomach, I saw that the big guy was still in a daze, and I was entangled for a moment to serve the meat bowl. Pinglang's eyes are quick, pull his sleeve and shake his head, it's best not to be bored.

Time passed, Wu Kang's stomach struck, he sighed helplessly, and stood up with his arm clubbed. The door curtain was lifted again, Cheng Wuting came back, and when he saw the wild boar, his eyes were shining. This one is not polite, grab the meat and gnaw it.

Qian Shun sighed a few times, and when he saw the meat in his mouth, he had no choice but to shut up. The big guy is going hungry, he has a bad problem, he only eats with women. Wu Kang was irritable, too lazy to take care of him, untied his belt and took off his robe, and slept under the covers.

I still can't sleep, and my mind is full of images of volcanoes erupting and magma devouring everything. I didn't sleep well yesterday, and I couldn't bear it in the middle of the night, so I gradually fell asleep. I don't know how long it took, I suddenly heard the roar of the fighting skull, and sat up straight. The roommate was also awakened, and listened with bated breath, and the screams became louder and louder.

The donkey was the first to respond, and the donkey's bark was unpleasant, and in less than five minutes, all the cows and horses neighed. The barracks were boiling in an instant, the footsteps outside the camp were hurrying, the soldiers were angrily scolding the cattle and horses, and the leather whip snapped yesterday. However, there was no use for eggs, the beasts were in heat, and there was a tapping sound everywhere.

This is an animal warning, yesterday only Dou Cheng was aware of it, and now it is all felt. Wukang's heart sank to the bottom of the valley, the earth's crust moved more violently, and a large volcano erupted at any time. When I went out of the barracks with shoes and clothes, I saw torches flowing everywhere and the sound of horse training could be heard everywhere.

When Dou Cheng saw his master, he stopped scattering Huan'er, grabbed his robe on his shoulders, and kept earning to the west. The meaning is self-evident, Wu Kang knows it, but he can't be a deserter. Gently caressing the mane of the bucket and attaching the horse ear to comfort, I can't help it, brother. The egg hurts

The three of them didn't say a word, and stood side by side behind them, showing nervousness and anxiety. The cattle and horses became more and more restless, and the soldiers could not be tamed, which alarmed the Chinese military tent, and the herald roared: The governor of the capital has an order, everyone should return to the camp immediately, otherwise they will be killed...

Over and over again, Wu Kang sneered, patted Dou Cheng and turned around, and was grabbed by the back collar again. Qian Shun stroked his mane, Ping Lang stroked the horse's nose, and it took a lot of effort to let Dou Cheng loosen his mouth. When the four of them returned to the tent, they didn't feel sleepy, and they stared at each other.

When it was dawn, the cattle and horses stopped neighing, and Wu Kang immediately ordered to hurry up and recuperate, something big might happen. After squinting until two o'clock, they were awakened by the commotion, and the four of them hurried out. All the soldiers left the camp, and all the staff looked northeast, their eyes focused on the snow-capped mountains.

Large patches of snow fell off, and yellow water gushed out from the foot of the mountain, spreading in all directions. The temperature rises sharply, the snow melts, and black smoke spews out from the top of the mountain. This is volcanic ash, the volcano is about to erupt, Wu Kang immediately roared: the volcano will erupt immediately, and all run to the west.

The effect of the show was very poor, and the soldiers turned their heads one after another, looking like two fools. Wu Kang was so anxious that he was about to roar again, but he heard the herald shouting: The governor of the capital has an order, the whole army urgently retreats, all run to the west, don't pack up your belongings, run now...

There was a thunderclap on the ground, and the earth began to tremble. The crowd instantly fried the pot, and all of them panicked and fled to the west. Qian Shun and Pinglang guarded the boss, and Wu Kang continued to roar: Don't worry, there is still time, brothers stay in formation, don't crowd and stampe...

It was useless, the sound was drowned out by the flow of people, but fortunately the camp was large and not overcrowded. Qian Shun brought Dou Cong, Ping Lang anxiously urged, Wu Kang shouted at them: "You don't have a horse to run first, I'm okay with Dou Cong, I'll maintain order." ”

After howling, he turned to leave, picked up the fallen soldier, and kept shouting: Don't panic, pay attention to your feet...

Suddenly aware of the danger, his body rose into the air, and a dark shadow passed in front of him. A scalper dragged a stake, as if it had mad cow disease, and hit a dozen soldiers. The soldier who was hit continued to flee with minor injuries, and struggled on the ground with serious injuries.

The black shadow flashed again in front of him, and he heard the sound of sharp arrows breaking through the air, and the feathered arrows shot into the bull's head. The mad bull went on a rampage, ran dozens of meters, and collapsed in a pool of blood. Cheng Wuting threw away the strong bow, Pinglang hugged Wukang and flashed, and the four of them shrank outside the tent.

Wu Kang looked at the half-snowy mountain, there was no snow at all, and the top of the mountain was shrouded in dust. There was a crowd in front of him, so he hurriedly continued to remind: his clothes were dipped in water to block his nose, he covered his mouth with his hands, volcanic ash can choke people to death, so he covered his mouth and nose...

After ten minutes of dry mouth, the crowd finally left, leaving behind a hundred and ten unlucky people, struggling and screaming on the ground. The four of them breathed a sigh of relief, and suddenly heard the cry for help from the barracks opposite. There was a young soldier lying outside the tent. The left hand touched the stick in his left leg, and his right hand reached out to this side, constantly shouting for help.

The four of them passed quickly, Pinglang and Qian Shun set him up, Wu Kang bent down to hug the princess, stared at him and said, "Brother, don't be afraid, wipe away your tears, I'll send you away." Pinglang, you stay, deal with the wounded on the ground, life and death, classify them, and wait for me to come back. ”

Leaving with the wounded soldier with a broken leg, sitting in the saddle with his legs crossed, Dou Cheng got up and roared, and his four hooves walked like flying. Along the way were wounded, lying on the ground where life and death were unknown, and the clever fighting skull, jumped over them. has been running wildly for three miles, catching up with the large army, and two groups of people maintain order, it is the two bigwigs.

came to Cheng Mingzhen, stared at him and said: "This robe has a broken leg, please arrange it for Cheng Dudu, don't abandon it, don't give up, don't leave any brothers." Give me three more horses, brothers from the wounded barracks, and I'll bring them all back. ”

Cheng Mingzhen was dumbfounded, nodded heavily after a moment, and two pro-soldiers came out of the ranks to take over the soldiers with broken legs. Three of his own soldiers dismounted, led them to him, and reached out to hand the reins. Wu Kang hugged his fists and thanked him, one reins tied to the saddle, and the two reins were held in both hands, and he went straight to the dangerous half-snowy mountain.

The sky roared again, and large clouds of black smoke poured up, and the earth trembled slightly, but none of them could stop the back. Lao Cheng smiled bitterly, and he blamed himself very much, he should have left yesterday. Su Ding showed his approval, then turned his horse's head and left with the troops.

The three people waiting in the barracks also knew it when they saw the big guy bringing the horse. Don't wait for orders, each chooses a war horse and chooses a wounded escort. The dead did not care, took the wounded soldiers on their horses, and the two rode together, chasing the large army.

Wu Kang unintentionally noticed that the hundred and ten wounded soldiers next to him were focused on him, full of worry and fear. After a little hesitation, he handed the reins to the wounded soldier, and said undoubtedly: "You hold on to the reins, don't control the fighting skull, it will send you away." Dismount when you catch up with the army, and the dou will come back by himself, understand? ”

The veteran nodded suspiciously, and Wu Kang came to the horse's head and whispered in the horse's ear. In an instant, the horse's hooves roared, and the BMW was gone. With a faint smile, he met the suspicious gaze, came to the wounded, and said half-jokingly: "Brothers, please rest assured, the big guy is with you, as long as there is one more person, I will not leave." ”

The crowd was silent for about two minutes, and some people sobbed quietly. The mood spread rapidly, the wounded had tears in his eyes, and Wu Kang laughed and said: "Manly man, don't be coy, wipe off your eyes." It's not just a volcanic eruption, what's there to be afraid of, I don't want to be a big guy..."

There was another explosion of thunder, and black smoke gushed out again from the mountain pass, and Wu Kang decisively shut up. Pretend to be forced, people are as small as ants in front of nature, and they must have a sense of awe. At the same time, pray to the gods and Buddhas, and when I take the wounded away, you can climax again.

Soon the three horses came back and began to race against time, ranking according to the injuries, and the seriously injured left first. For every one person who leaves, one more is separated; Chat with the wounded waiting to soften the aura. The time for them to return was slower than last time, because the army was also moving.

It has been busy for more than an hour, and there are only four wounded left, all of whom are looking forward to it. The smoke and dust all around him made it more and more difficult to breathe, and the wounded began to cough. Wu Kang frowned, walked over to a corpse, took a boot dagger, and cut off five long cloths.

Looking for a water source to no avail, I didn't dare to go to the hot springs at the foot of the mountain, so I had no choice but to come to the corpse again. After a moment of struggling to say sorry, he turned the body over, cut his chest and clothes, and stabbed the dagger into the heart. Pull out the dagger and dip it in blood, distribute it to the four wounded, and say lightly: Plug your mouth and nose, follow me.

No one hesitated at the moment of life and death, endured the pungent blood, and his face was heavy. The roar is becoming more frequent, breathing is becoming more difficult, the environment is getting hotter, and visibility is getting lower. Everyone did not panic, as long as the backbone of the Lord was there, there was hope for survival.

After about half an hour, they finally heard the sound of horses' hooves, and they returned. There was no time to hesitate, stop everyone from talking, and leave with the three wounded. The two sat opposite each other, Wu Kang loosened the blood cloth, and asked, "Look at the situation of the two of us, let me ask you if you are afraid?" ”

The wounded smiled plainly, but shook his head firmly, and said vaguely: "You are not afraid, what am I afraid of?" I can't believe that with a good official like you, if I can survive, as long as you recruit soldiers, I will definitely come and work hard. ”

It's a bit interesting, Wu Kang just wanted to pretend to be forced, and then he heard the thunder roaring, and the world was red. The volcano finally erupted, the flames lit up half the sky, and the hot lava flowed down the slope, melting all life in its path. It's so beautiful, so spectacular, you sing love songs with me, watch the most beautiful fireworks...

Returning to his senses, he jumped three feet, put the strip of cloth on the ground, and peed on his robe; Strips of cloth cover the nose and mouth and are tied at the back of the head. The wounded soldier turned around and ran, using all his strength to feed, running faster than a rabbit. The earth trembled, the volcanic ash was permeated, and the pungent smell of sulfur was disgusting.

I felt like I was holding the stove, the sweat evaporated quickly, and I clenched my teeth and legs. The earthquake aggravated suddenly, the two fell to the ground, Wu Kang picked up again, but listened to the sobs: Wu Gong... Run on your own, leave me alone.

Don't worry, brother, it's not time yet, there is still a chance to live. Save your life, you help me publicize, I have the heart of the bottom soldiers, so I can be invincible. Running half a mile with difficulty, listening to the familiar horse's hooves, I instantly smiled. No matter when, I can choose, trust Doucheng...

The wounded soldier hugged his waist tightly, Wu Kang rode his horse and galloped, subconsciously turning his head, so frightened that he almost fell off his horse. An overwhelming cloud of volcanic ash was only a few tens of meters away. Wiping cold sweat with his left hand, shaking the reins with his right hand, and roaring in his voice: Brother Dou Cheng run away, we are racing against death!

The wind is galloping, the picture is stimulating, and the blood is burning. I don't know how long it took, on the horizon in the distance, two horses were born, and it was Qian Shun and Pinglang who came to pick them up. The two hesitated for half a second, then immediately turned the horse's head and fled. Creepy images, deeply embedded in the mind.

The jet-black bucket and purple figure are chased by the endless black wall...