Oddly enough. News of the enemy attack came. None of the people present showed signs of panic. Sinbad looked left and right. I noticed that the merchants looked eager to try. The officers were relaxed. There was no panic or tension before the big war.

Sinbad blinked. I figured it out that there was a famous general standing in front of me. One for ten. It's nothing in his past record. So those merchants have an almost blind trust in their commanders.

Very good. It's powerful!

Zhao Xing smiled and picked up the helmet on the table: "Everyone." The opportunity we had been waiting for for fifty days had finally arrived. This is the month of February 1102 in the year of Yahmer. The Song army and the Lulu branch army fought at the castle of Karachi. Everybody. Write this history with the swords in our hands. ”

Year 1102. This year also saw the completion of the Inonimas Cathedral in Salamanca, Spain. The cathedral actually has a mysterious relief of astronauts. This relief of an astronaut is entirely in the image of a modern astronaut. Wearing a spacesuit. Wearing a space helmet. Set up a body-like statue to make a spacewalk floating pose...... How could a person in 1102 imagine the image of an astronaut a thousand years later. And it is not bad at all recorded on the relief.

This relief is so mysterious. So much so that modern people suspect that it may be some kind of traveler out of bad taste. Special traces left in the church, of course. This bad taste has nothing to do with Zhao Xing. Because at that time. Zhao Xing was still fighting in the Yanlu Branch. February 1102. The exact date is no longer remembered. Because it is on the soil of the Lulu Branch. Use both the Yahri calendar and the Muslim calendar. The Chinese stem calendar is ...... with the Chinese lunar calendar. It's a complicated thing. Zhao Xing was lazy for a while. Lazy conversion of the date of the day. As a result, the exact date of the war is unknown. It is only known that this decisive battle took place in February.

The cavalry of the Chenlu branch advanced very quickly. Soon after the Song army scouts returned. They are already under the city. In Zhao Xing, he has not yet decided to go out of the city to fight. It's still the time for the city to hold on. The vanguard army of the Lulu branch actually delivered a battle to Zhao Xing in accordance with the practice of the Middle Ages. This battle was passed on by the Seljuk prince and the lord of the Lulu branch. Sinbad when translating. Zhao Xing lazily paid attention to the title of this little prince who did not leave much fame in history. He rummaged through the battle. The war of discovery was written in Arabs. Surprised, he asked Sinbad, "Didn't the Seljuks have a written word?" How does it use your Arabic script? ”

"Your Majesty the Seljuks, before entering Baghdad. Already in our religion! Sinbad replied proudly.

Zhao Xing kindly reminded: "Remember." Your name is Sinbad now. It's Sinbad of the Great Song Dynasty. It's Sinbad, the tax director of my big Songxi Arab company. ”

Sinbad choked up. Zhao Xing was vaguely reminding him of the present. The conqueror of this land was the Song army. He shouldn't still be proud of his civilization. The civilization of the conquerors should be filled with admiration.

Pause. Zhao Xing asked again: "If I march into Baghdad now." I mean. Entering Baghdad without proselytizing. What will happen? ”

Sinbad gasped. He replied, "You will be hated and hunted down by the whole of Arabia...... I've heard. Byzantine Constantine the Great once boasted. He left Byzantium a marble city. I see it here as well. You built a castle made of stone in a month. It's majestic, it's big.

It's an unparalleled creation. People who have been to this port before. See the castle in front of you. Must have thought they were on the wrong side. This creativity bursts out. For Karachi. Maybe it's a kind of luck. But Baghdad is different. Arabia is the end of not allowing the infidels to enter

Zhao Xing nodded: "That's right." I'm here. It's the luck of both you and me, and I've always thought it was lucky. The right judgment of things comes from a lot of information. And civilization wants to develop. You have to get as much information as you can get yourself. And do not reject information because of your preferences.

I am now leading our country to the world. Learn about the world. Gather information about the world. You and I are fortunate to meet here. Right now. Born in the Song Kingdom, I am an active information gatherer. And Karachi was lucky because of my arrival. It was fortunate to be an outpost for information gathering in the Great Song Empire. I give this honor to Karachi. Thousands of years later. I believe. This will prosper because of me. As for Baghdad...... Its fate. It seems like it needs to be thought about a little more! ”

Sinbad bowed. expressed agreement with Zhao Xing's words. His granddaughter's big eyes flickered through the veil. looked at Zhao Xing, who exuded an aura of an overlord that could not be looked up to. At this time. at the doorway. Chen Buqun's sweet and greasy voice sounded: "Baby." Your grandfather agreed. I'm so lucky. ”

Zhao Xing looked at Chen Buqun with amusement. Urging the officers around him: "Call them all." Let them see their senior brother. He also has today. I didn't know this guy had this face. ”

After all, Chen Buqun is only in his twenties. At this time, he is like a shadow boy who is carried away by love. IQ has dropped below ten. Zhao Xing's joke did not cause him to fight back in the slightest. He stuck out his tongue. Face. Happily sat beside the girl. His face was not red and his heart was not beating and he asked Zhao Xing: "Teacher." I've heard a lot of people coming. Numerous. Do you need a navy to help you in the war? ”

Zhao Xing shook his head: "The army still has a long way to go. Now let you go and help in the war. Later, go deep into the interior. Or go deep into the side where the muzzles of the navy can't reach. That's even more frightening. This battle. The navy defended the city as a reserve. I'm going to go out of the city and fight. ”

Let's talk about it. Zhao Xing lifted the brush. It doesn't matter if the other party knows each other or not. On that battle. A big word was written in ink: "War!" ”

Don't say it. Chinese characters have this advantage. Arabic font is crooked. The strokes are thin. Zhao Xing's ink-drenched characters directly covered the opponent's battle. The other party's ornate engagement is used as a patterned undertone. A few years later. The only thing that left traces of history is the word "war" of Zhao Xing. The battle that the prince of the Luzhi branch wrote with great effort. People don't even write about it. It is used as a foil to this event as a whole.

The decisive battle was scheduled to take place three days later. These three days. The armies of the Lulu branch continued to march one after another. Outside Karachi Castle. The army of the Lulu branch was spread out. All the way to the end of the sky. It's all a different ** team wearing Persian chain mail. Thereinto. There were 30,000 cavalry alone.

Sinbad had fully identified with himself by this time. He didn't know how big the tax collector was. Completely imitate Aduri's posture of the state minister. Pointing at the army outside the city. Briefing Zhao Xing on the situation: "The Lulu branch actually doesn't have many troops. His Royal Highness the Prince has only five thousand troops to be his own army. The others are farmers who are temporarily recruited. But I'm counting left and right. Just by the Lulu Branch. I'm afraid there aren't enough people to make up that much. ”

Zhao Xing smiled easily. Greet the officers on the left and right: "Did you hear that?" Our real adversaries are only 5,000 men. All that remains is the farmer who has just laid down his hoe. ”

Sinbad cautioned: "Marshal. But your regular soldiers are only 3,000. The rest were nothing more than servants. There were 120,000 troops on the opposite side. Even if it's 120,000 sheep. It is also time-consuming to slaughter. ”

"War. It can never be described as slaughtering sheep. Because sheep have mood swings. And humans. When fear prevails. No amount of companions will collapse. All we have to do is to break the will of the enemy. Let him feel that we are invincible. Let them prostrate themselves at our feet. There will be no rebellion, everyone. Each went back to his own army. Let's fight. ”

In the accounts of posterity. This collision of two eastern powers is simply a typical knightly war. It's full of that kind of courtesy among gentlemen.

War. The prince of the Luchi branch was very gentlemanly and sent out an appointment. Invite Zhao Xing out of the city to fight. And Zhao Xing actually responded to this agreement. Promise to give up the shape of the advantage. Go out of the city and fight the enemy in the field.

The day of the battle was promised. This day was not the beginning of the war. Because according to the rules. It was the prince of the Chenluchi branch who challenged him. Then the power to choose the battlefield lies with Zhao Xing. this day. Prince Chenlu ordered his army to retreat five miles. Get out of town. Then he stepped forward with his prime minister, Adurishan. Negotiate with Zhao Xing for more precise details.

Accompanying Zhao Xing was Mansa. Moussa. That is, the old man who is now nicknamed Sinbad. Besides. The guards of the two men consisted of ten men each. Zhao Xing's guard was five staff officers. All five commanders are battalion commanders. The guards of the prince of the Luchi branch were a group armed with scimitars. A sturdy black-armored knight.

The prince of the Luzhi branch on the opposite side raised his right arm at a distance of two hundred meters. In his right hand he holds a short, golden-headed scepter. Under the sun. The scepter was studded with rubies and flashed with rubies. The prince of the Luchi branch was seen holding up his scepter. His guards immediately reined in the reins of their horses. Prince Luzhi looked left and right. Nodding in satisfaction. Urging the horse to move forward singlely. Aduri followed closely.

Zhao Xing saw the movements of the prince of the Luzhi branch. He does the same. A wave of the hand. The accompanying officers were ordered to stop. A little Sinbad yourself. Beckon each other to come forward together.

The prince of the Luchi branch has a pair of black eyes. Deep-set eye sockets. Let his two eyes look like wolves hiding in a cave. With a cold and gloomy taste. Zhao Xing had no doubts. Whoever has these eyes must also have a heart of stone. He may have extreme disregard for the lives and deaths of others.

The black-eyed owner was pale. It's almost entirely the kind of pale of white people. I can't see a single bit of blood. He has a short Arab beard on his chin. The beard was also black. It's neatly trimmed. A thin black line is left on the upper lip. Make the upper and lower beards in a circle. It's like drawing an outline on your face with thick ink. His lips were unusually rosy. It's like touching the most fashionable lipstick. I saw the lips open and close. Spat out a barrage of Arabic words: "Your Excellency. I await your choice. ”

After the prince said this. Rolled his eyes from side to side. Seems to be looking for a translator. Sinbad stepped forward. Stammering something in Song Chinese. But he spoke the Song language. It is also a foreign language for the Song people. Basically incomprehensible.

With the help of Sinbad's translation. Zhao Xing squinted. He continued to look at the prince of the Luzhi branch. He was dressed in silk. The silk was dyed pale green. This green silk. In the Great Song Dynasty, it was the color of clothing worn by petty officials below the seventh rank. I didn't expect the prince of the Luzhi branch to wear it on his body. Proud like a big rooster. He saw Zhao Xing paying attention to his clothes. Subconsciously straightened his chest. looked at Zhao in a military uniform with disdain

The workmanship of the other party's clothes is exquisite. The stitches are barely visible at the seams of the garment. Silk wrinkles easily. It's a hassle to take care of. This man's clothes are delicate except for the stitches. You can barely see the gap. The seams are also very flat and smooth. And not a single wrinkle is visible throughout the dress. Under the breeze of the Iranian plateau. The characteristics of silk are fully revealed. It danced softly in the wind. Gentle like a lover's touch.

Sinbad had already stammered the translation. He knew that Zhao Xing understood Arabic. looked at Zhao Xing as if asking for help. Zhao Xing pointed to the small hillside in the distance. Unconcerned, he replied, "My choice is there." It is there that our army will meet you. ”

Zhao Xing said very slowly. Sinbad even guessed with Meng. comprehended Zhao Xing's meaning. He translated fluently in Arabic: "Your Royal Highness, Prince." Our marshal decided to choose that mountain beam as his own formation. He said. He'll be like that mountain. Indestructible. It will also be tenacious and unyielding. Until all the warriors are no longer able to fight. ”

Prince Luchi stared at Sinbad. Aduri hurried forward and muttered to him. The prince said, "Mansa." Moussa. I don't even know the Song language you know. Very good. You can tell your master. After defeating him. You will have the right to save your life. Keep up with me. ”

Mansa. Moussa sighed deeply. He looked at Prince Luchi with pity. did not wait for Zhao Xing to give instructions. He replied pretentiously: "Your Royal Highness." Although your army is like sailors in the sea. Endless. But the army of this marshal was like a rock. The sea is terrifying though. Who has ever seen the waves of the sea destroy a rock? ”

Prince Luzhi straightened his chest. Answer: "We are not waves. We are hammers. Again stubborn stones. It will also be crushed under a hammer. Tell your host. I brought with me soldiers and horses from the five nearby provinces. is looking forward to receiving a new city. I'm looking forward to his submission. ”

After speaking. The prince of the Luzhi branch turned his horse back to his front. He didn't stop along the way. Just bury your head and run towards your base camp. The breeze is blowing. The green silk robe fluttered in the wind. It's both chic and good-looking.

Zhao Xing also returned to his front. The accompanying staff officer muttered dissatisfiedly: "Captain." Battle. Although there is quite a spring and autumn style. But since the former Qin Weishui battle. Defeated by his own retreat. This kind of pre-war withdrawal was not popular in our Central Plains. With the move of letting go of the battle.

Do you think the prince on the other side is stupid? How to play this trick with us. It's a pity that we don't have people who understand each other's languages. Otherwise, it's like the Battle of the Rivers. At a time when the enemy invasion is about to retreat. Shouting out that the former army was defeated. So. Isn't the enemy going to collapse too? The staff officer's words seemed to accuse the prince of the Luchi. In fact, he is accusing Zhao Xing. Zhao Xing actually wanted to give up Jiancheng. Field battles with the enemy. Although the Song army had the advantage of artillery. But don't be too arrogant. How can you give up the rational advantage. Putting yourself at risk. Relying solely on the superiority of weapons to fight the enemy?

The officer's tone was tactful. On the surface, it sounds like lamenting the pedantry of the prince of the Luchi branch. is as pedantic as Song Xianggong and Qin Fujian. But Zhao Xing understood what he meant. While urging the horses to go to the gate of the city. He pretended to sigh and said, "It seems." The Seljuks fled to the land. It was inexplicably contaminated with the feudal consciousness of this land. ”

The staff officer was puzzled. Rhetorical question: "What do you mean by this?" ”

Zhao Xing explained: "The prince of the Luzhi branch invited us to go out of the city to fight. Not because of his pedantry. It's because of the different cultures of the land.

First of all. Feudalism emphasizes the sanctity of private property. So the feudal war was won or lost. None of the private property of the feudal lords will be deprived. For example, the lord's earth. Because of this awareness. So feudal wars are often battles of conquest. What it needs is the surrender and betrayal of the lord. And after the lord succumbed. The territory owned by the lord became the territory of the victor.

For this reason. Therefore, feudal wars are generally not extremely tragic siege warfare. Because the siege will affect the people of the city. The victor even if he wins. It will also sow hatred on that soil. This is not conducive to his future rule. and the collection of taxes. And the lord's people were lost. His piece of collar is of little value. It is not possible to continue to generate sufficient revenue for the king. It is useless for the king to take it. Thereupon. Under feudalism. The tragic siege war became a chicken rib. The casualties were large. The benefits gained afterwards are very small, such as our Spring and Autumn Period.

So. Feudal warfare often used various means to force the other side to submit. As long as the other party agrees to be convinced. Promised to pay taxes to the victors. The victor will be satisfied with his troops and go away. Because of this. The victors have the greatest reaps of the benefits when they wage war.

Meanwhile. On the other hand. The city was attacked. The guardians are also bound by feudal consciousness. He was unwilling to hold out in his own city to the last soldier. Because the responsibility of the feudal lord to his subjects is a patron.

As everyone knows. The forces of nature are so great that individual individuals cannot survive on their own. In order to cope with the power of nature. So they looked for the strongest of them. Or the most capable. Take refuge at his door. Expect to his asylum. For this. They pay taxes to asylums. Submit to the administration of the patrons, who are the original lords.

A lord's duty is to protect his subjects. If he is to be in his own territory. Drag the whole people into the war. Let his people bear the wrath of war with him. Then he loses his status as an asylum. The oath of allegiance that his subjects had given him was no longer binding. For this. The subjects have the right to depose the lord. Re-choose a new liege...... You are clear now. A request from the prince of the Luchi branch to me for a covenant of war. It's actually a temptation. He has come to see our castle as something in his pocket. and intended to use it for the development of maritime trade after the war. Build wealth for yourself. So he followed the feudal pattern of warfare. Ask me to go out of the city for a decisive battle. This is also a subtle assurance. Regardless of whether the war is won or lost. He will not persecute the people of the city. Because these people will also be his money-making machines in the future.

And I readily agreed to let him go out of the city for a decisive battle. is to tell him: I don't plan to drag the people of the city and my Great Song merchants into a battle to defend the city. Because the battle to defend the city is often a battle of life and death. Because the siege of the city will accidentally injure the people in the city. In order to eliminate the hatred of the people of the city. The besiegers did not massacre. So the siege battle was fought to the end. It is often a war of extermination with the aim of eradicating the other side.

The prince of the Luchi branch took the opportunity of the war. In expressing it to me. He didn't want to fight me in a life-and-death battle with all my might. And my promise told him. I don't want to have a life-or-death battle if you don't win. I'm here to conquer. I only ask for conquest. There are no territorial ambitions. After his defeat. I allow him to surrender with dignity. ”

The staff officer suddenly realized. Half a day. Only then did he say ashamedly: "It turns out that this time I made an appointment to fight." There are so many sermons. Seemingly. When judging the military situation. Not understanding each other's customs. Judgments are often made wrong...... Lower officials and other guilty pleas. ”

The period during which the staff officer apologized. The vanguard of the Song army went out of the city. The first to leave the city were the servants. The shield men in a row of four men held large shields one man high. Trotted out of the castle gates. After advancing two or three hundred. The second row of shieldmen is to the left. The third row of shieldmen to the right. Follow suit. Soon. A front of a hundred shield soldiers appeared who had seen modern films. Able to line up from shield soldiers. I vaguely see many scenes from the movie.

With the shield soldiers in formation. The pikemen then went out of town. They were armed with spears. Behind the shield men formed a skirmish line. Followed by. Another group of shieldmen went out of the city. Lined up on either side of the original shield soldiers. In a flash. An inverted hollow array appeared under the city. Followed by. The drummers perform a hollow formation. beat their own war drums. The inverted word array slowly advanced with the beat of the drum.

Distance. The army of the Lulu branch was also like the sea at low tide. Layer by layer, retreat backwards. They retreated in a very orderly manner. The soldiers of the first row of phalanx retreated neatly from the gap between the second row. Wait for them to retreat into the distance. The soldiers in the second row let out a shout in unison. The shout appears to be four syllables. It sounds like "Allah what". Then he turned around. Retreat neatly through the gap in the third row.

The staff officers of the Song army let out a hissing inhalation in unison. It's loud. Even the sound of the horse's hooves as the cavalry left the city could not be concealed. The staff officer at the head whispered with a shocked expression: "No wonder they are not afraid to retreat from the battle. The drill is so mature. Strong army. It's just astounding. ”