The capital of Daxia is at the top of Luo County, which is only two days away from the capital city. Dingluo County was originally a small remote county on the edge of the desert, but at this time it became Duan Lang's base camp.

From a strategic point of view, Dingluo County is not the place of choice for soldiers at all. Most of the surrounding areas are barren swamps and dangerous shoals, and there is only a passage to the capital city in front of you, and there is a boundless desert less than dozens of miles behind. With this terrain, there is simply no need for a garrison. If it weren't for the caravan that crossed the desert to drive the economy and trade of Dingluo County, this place would have been barren a long time ago. However, for the army of Lidu City, which can cross the desert, it has become a strategic blessed land that can be attacked, retreated, and defended.

In the military tent in the camp, Duan Lang and the others looked at the sand table, analyzing the situation and trend of the war. A few people were discussing it, and they saw Azhu hurriedly walking in.

Zhang Ruming saw it and hurriedly greeted him, "Madame worked hard, how is it, who beat who down in Lidu City?" ”

When Duan Lang left, Ah Zhu and the two shadow artists had been hiding in a secret corner of the city. No matter what, Duan Lang must keep abreast of the battle situation in Lidu City at all times.

Yutai Mingyue said with a smile, "Brother Zhang, Sister Azhu has just returned from Lidu City, so I have to let my sister-in-law moisten her throat." ”

"Yes, yes, come on, no, the husband personally poured tea for his wife." Zhang Ruming flatteringly brought a cup of tea to Azhu.

Ah Zhu was not polite, and drank it in three or two sips. This way, she rushed from the capital city non-stop, and she was indeed a little thirsty.

Ah Zhu looked at Duan Lang and said, "Duan Shuai, Mingyue's gift to Lu Mu is very effective. The battle between the two sides is extremely fierce, and at present, the soldiers and horses of both sides are guarding one door, and no one can back down. Once one side is driven out of the city, it is bound to be defeated all the way. ”

"Good!" Duan Lang stroked his palms and praised, "I'm still worried that the court army won't be able to resist it, and Lu Mu will chase and kill until the lower pass." Now it seems that Ma Ruzheng still has some ability. ”

Yutai Mingyue was also a little surprised, "I really didn't expect it to be such an ending, for us, we don't have to worry about Lu Mu advancing too fast and occupying Kyoto in advance." ”

Li Jianshan nodded and said, "Yes, if Ma Ruzheng is defeated all the way, the court will not have time to prepare for the battle." Once the court is destroyed by Lu Mu, even if we can block Mo Kun's northward movement, we will face the danger of being attacked from both sides. ”

Lantai Mingyue looked at Duan Lang and said, "Lang, this side of Lidu City will temporarily let the two sides fall into a stalemate, as long as Ma Ruzheng consolidates the defensive line, none of them can help anyone for a while." Although Lu Mu was shrewd, he didn't dare to go all out to fight for the imperial army. What's more, Lu Mu knew that our army was not very far from Lidu City, and he had to retain a strong force to guard against a sneak attack from behind us. In this way, Ma Ruzheng got a respite. Lang, most of our men can be evacuated. Here, leave it to Liu Xusheng to guard it. ”

Duan Lang nodded and said, "Okay, the crossing of the desert must be carried out in batches. Otherwise, even if Da Fei can find water sources on the way, it will not be enough to distribute. ”

Mingyue said, "Don't worry, that Mokun suddenly took Xining City, and the soldiers, horses, grain and grass were not ready." It will take at least a month and a half to mobilize a large number of soldiers, horses, grain and grass from Nanping, and we have sufficient time to prepare. Moreover, Guan Zhen took the soldiers and horses to Wuliang City, and Yan Facheng would never follow his route, so he could only go to Yiming City to station. Even if Mo Kun wants to enter Forte, he should choose Yiming City, and Mo Kun will not be the first to fight with us. ”

After Tantai Mingyue finished speaking, she looked at Zhang Ruming, "Brother Zhang, it is very hard to cross the desert, you can stay too." However, Aju must follow us. Master went to Melan City, and Uncle Zhou was in Fengluan Mountain, the battle situation in the world, the army must be controlled at any time, and Sister Azhu is inseparable for the time being. ”

Zhang Ruming's eyes widened, "What are you kidding, I have to follow the army." Don't forget that I was a person who went to the battlefield back then, not to blow it to you, the Nanping army still has my legend. ”

Duan Lang smiled, "Let him follow, he can't be suppressed if he stays here." Maybe one day this guy's brain is hot, maybe he will pull a group of people to find Lu Mu desperately. ”

Li Jianshan said with a smile, "Don't say it, maybe our Lord Shangguan can scold Lu Mu to death." ”

Zhang Ruming waved his hand, "Go, go, you two don't make fun of me, don't forget that since the war with the court army, I have made the first contribution." Although the guy who died at my hands is not very famous, he is also a general. ”

As soon as Zhang Ruming said, everyone couldn't help but laugh, the guy who was scolded and anxious was also unlucky, and he actually let Zhang Ruming pick up a piece of war exploits. Since Zhang Ruming is not afraid of the hardships of crossing the desert, Tangtai Mingyue will no longer persuade him.

The army of Lidu City began to cross the desert in batches, don't look at Duan Lang's experience of leading troops across the desert twice, he still didn't dare to be careless. Duan Lang ordered Zhou Long and Zhou Hu to lead the first batch of people to go first, and he was the last group to press the formation.

On the side of Dingluo County, Liu Xusheng only asked for 10,000 troops to be left. After all, they are not here to fight, once they find that the West Vietnamese army is coming, they can retreat to the secret camp on the edge of the desert. Moreover, a large amount of grain and grass are hidden in the secret camp, and this 10,000 troops can be said to be left behind for the future transportation of grain and grass.

In the capital city, Lu Mu has been very annoyed in the past two days. He never dreamed of this kind of situation, and throughout history, he had never encountered such a strange war. The outbreak of the battle was either in the vast wilderness and mountainous terrain, or in the siege of the city. Who would have thought that the outside of the city, which was supposed to be a battlefield, would actually become the rear, and the streets and alleys in the city would actually become the main battlefield. Moreover, fighting in the city, the new combat vehicles developed by Lu Mu's army could not play a role at all. A powerful battle formation can't exert its power.

Lu Mu frowned, and after thinking about it, he decided not to take the initiative to attack for the time being. Lu Mu was very patient, he knew that this war would not end overnight. He could wait patiently and wait for the movement of Nanping Mokun. Lu Mu knew that as long as the Nanping army moved north, the Great Xia court would definitely panic, and could only mobilize troops and horses from Ma Ruzheng to support. Since the West Vietnamese army fell into Duan Lang's trap and became the main attack, Lu Mu decided to use his patience to contain Ma Ruzheng's army. After Mo Kun and Duan Lang's two teams and the court killed Minglang, he made a final attack.

"Someone, send a messenger to deliver this letter to Ma Ruzheng." Lu Mu personally wrote a letter and sent someone to the opposite camp.

At the east gate of Lidu City, Ma Ruzheng was standing on top of the city and looking at the city. In the past few days, the two sides have come and gone, and although there are no major casualties, they have also added up to several thousand battle losses. Now the city has become the home of demons. The soldiers on both sides come and go, each setting traps. In the end, even his own people were blindfolded. It doesn't matter where it's a trap for horses, and stepping on a rope is a row of cold arrows. At night, even the scouts did not dare to move around the city at will, so both sides could only retreat to one side and wait for dawn.

"Report to the Generalissimo, I have caught a spy who says it is a messenger from West Vietnam and has asked to see you." A guard ran over to report.

"The Messenger? Bring it on. ”

After a while, the messenger was bound and brought to Ma Ruzheng.

Ma Ruzheng asked with a dark face, "Are you a messenger?" Who sent you? ”

"Replying to the general's words, the little one is on the order of the governor of my family, and I have come to send a letter to the general." The messenger said hurriedly.

"Bring it."

After Ma Ruzheng finished speaking, the guards next to him hurriedly handed over the letters they had found. After Ma Ruzheng took it, he browsed carefully. Ma Ruzheng looked at it, and his tightly knit brows gradually relaxed. He didn't expect that Lu Mu would actually have a temporary truce with him, with the middle line of the city as the boundary, and the two sides were not allowed to cross. This is right in the middle of the horse.

It is inconvenient to transport grain and grass over the mountains and high roads in the west, and Ma Ruzheng's strategic fortifications outside the city are being built, so he also needs a buffer time. The two sides hit it off and immediately reached a temporary truce. However, neither of them dared to relax, and they were afraid that the other party would rush over coldly.

The Great Xia court, after promulgating the war edict, began to forcibly recruit soldiers. In order to allow the appropriate age personnel to participate in the war, Delong did not hesitate to use the silver of the vault. After all, the silver taels of the household department are limited, and the cost of Ma Ruzheng's 600,000 army alone makes the household department stretched. Without using the royal vault, there is no way to support the cost of this army of soldiers and horses. For this reason, it also made Beiming a lot of war money. The silver taels spent on the purchase of the war horse alone made Delong feel distressed.

In less than a month, the troops from each prefecture gathered in Kyoto. The old prince Zhao Shiyu personally ordered that except for the palace guards who guarded the palace, all the establishments in Kyoto were disrupted. Prince Hong mixed these veterans with the new army, and familiarized them with the essentials of marching and basic tactics in the shortest possible time. As for whether it can form combat effectiveness, Prince Hong has not considered it. What he has to do now is to pull this army out neatly. As for combat ability, Prince Hong is very experienced, and he believes that after a few battles, these people will grow up.

In the military aircraft department of the military department, although Prince Hong was not wearing battle armor, he sat in the middle position. Even the Great Xia Emperor Jun Delong could only sit on the sidelines to accompany him. Chu Ti, the squire of the military department, can only stand on one side.

Prince Hong looked at the roster in his hand and said to Delong, "Your Majesty, give an order." The world is in danger, and the generals who can fight well are all taken away by Ma Ruzheng and Yan Facheng, and the old minister can only do this. ”

Delong looked at the roster and said worriedly, "Old Prince, Helianjia is fine, I am very relieved that you recruit him under your command." But this Sun Gang is a degraded minister, and in addition, Zhu Wenjun has been imprisoned for three years, and I am worried that they will not be loyal to my Great Xia. ”

"Your Majesty, a great calamity is coming, and there will be no eggs under the nest. Although hundreds of thousands of soldiers and horses have been gathered now, the old decay must have generals who lead the troops. Sun Gang and Zhu Wenjun are indispensable for these candidates. Both of them have experience in leading troops, and Sun Gang has also experienced confrontation with the Nanping army, so the old man must bring them under his command. At present, Beiming took the initiative to show goodwill with Great Xia, and Yushan Pass sent a thousand generals to stay behind, and Feng Zhun also had to follow the old man to go on the expedition. ”

Chu Ti also said, "Your Majesty, the minister also agrees with the old prince's decision. If the old prince needs it, the minister can also put on a dress. ”

Prince Hong looked at Chu Ti and said, "Chu Ti, you are also a member of the imperial family. Whether this Great Xia can be preserved or not, only those of us are most concerned. The old man left you in Kyoto as the last line of defense. ”

Prince Hong said, looking at Delong, "Your Majesty, this expedition, it is very likely that the old man will not be able to come back at this age." Therefore, in the royal family, I must bring someone to accompany me as Fu Shuai. In case the old man dies in a foreign land, I don't worry about who this army will hand over. Only the people of our royal family can control this last military power. ”

"Old uncle, don't say that, Delong believes that you will return triumphantly." Delong looked at Prince Hong sadly.

"Your Majesty, I also want to triumph, but the war is unpredictable, and decay must be prevented in advance. In case I fail, someone must be able to take command of the army. ”

"Then~ who is the old uncle going to take with him?" Delon asked.

"Zhao Deguang!"

Delong's heart trembled, he didn't expect Prince Hong to bring his eldest brother to follow. Prince Hong also saw Delong's concern and said.

"Your Majesty, don't worry about Deguang snatching your throne. Don't forget, the main force of the court is still in the hands of Ma Ruzheng. The most important thing right now is that the royal family must be united in all their hearts. If the country is gone, there is nothing to talk about whether to grab or not. ”

Delong's body trembled slightly and sighed, and he said a little decadently, "If the imperial brother really has this ability, Delong is willing to give up the throne." Old uncle, Delong is ashamed, it seems that I really did something wrong about the conquest of the capital. ”

Prince Hong's eyes sharpened, "Shut up, as the Emperor of Great Xia, there is nothing wrong with your words and deeds." Since there is a gap between the heart of the capital city, it is better to eradicate it as soon as possible, otherwise it will definitely be a problem for tigers. As for this catastrophe, we can only say that we have made a mistake in judgment. But it's also good that after going through this ordeal and showing the true face of the lead Huafang, the Great Xia will usher in a new prosperous era. ”

Chu Ti clenched his fists and said, "Your Majesty, the old prince is right, the more wind and rain come, the more Your Majesty should show the majesty of the emperor." As long as Your Majesty can sit firmly in the Jinluan Palace, no one in this world will be able to defeat my millions of heroic soldiers in Great Xia. ”

Delong was said to be arrogant, "Okay, I will stand on the top of this imperial city, waiting for the triumphant return of the old uncle." Everything about marching and fighting is decided by the old uncle. ”

Delong immediately issued an order to recruit Sun Gang and Feng Zhun to come to Beijing as soon as possible according to Prince Hong's intentions. Moreover, Chu Ti held the holy decree and personally went to the prison to take Zhu Wenjun out.

Half a month later, Kyoto received a detailed battle report from Lidu City, and learned that Ma Ruzheng had contained the Western Vietnamese army, and Delong was slightly relieved. However, the Nanping army gathered 400,000 soldiers and horses in Xining City, and the troops marched to Daxia Fudi in two ways. Moreover, the army of Lidu City also appeared in Wuliang City. If the Nanping army goes north on two fronts, it will inevitably engage in a battle with Lidu City.

When Prince Hong learned of this news, he still stood still and continued to let the new army formed strengthen the hard training for another month. Prince Hong no longer cares about losing a city and a pool, he wants to see if Duan Lang's army of Lidu City will fight with Nanping. If Duan Lang dared to fight the Nanping army, Prince Hong would lead his troops and horses to move south and help Yan Fa become a side. If Duan Lang gave up resistance, Prince Nahong could only deploy defenses in the area of Blue Lake City, and rely on the Jinjiang Heavenly Danger to deal with the Nanping army. After all, the new army has just been formed, and it needs to be trained before it can fight hard.

On the mouth of the Shuangfeng Mountain Gorge, Mo Kun looked at the rivers and mountains of Daxia, and his heart was full of expectations. He had already written a letter to Duan Lang, who was in the capital city, informing Duan Lang that he was nominally fighting on two fronts, but in fact he was all the way to the void and the other to the ground. There were only tens of thousands of horses sent to the side of Wuliang City, and the main event was on the side of Yiming City. He did this to confuse the Great Xia Dynasty and make the other party make a wrong judgment.

Mo Kun didn't want to focus on Duan Lang at the beginning of the war, he wanted to take advantage of the emptiness inside Great Xia to go straight to Kyoto. Once Delong urgently recalls the soldiers and horses of the Western Front to return to defense, he can join forces with Lu Mu to annihilate Ma Ruzheng's main army. At that time, the Great Xia Dynasty will be destroyed, and it will not be too late to unite with Xiyue to clean up Duan Lang. After all, Duan Lang is a traitor in Great Xia, and Mo Kun's crusade against the court is also very beneficial to Duan Lang. So Mo Kun believed that Duan Lang would accept his suggestion. It was even said that after destroying Great Xia, the three parties would sit down and negotiate and set aside a piece of land for Duan Lang to establish himself as the king.

In Yiming City, Yan Facheng's face was like ice. Knowing that the Nanping Striker army was coming, Yan Facheng knew that he had to fight with it. He is different from Duan Lang, if he continues to retreat without a fight, Prince Hong will definitely punish him at that time. Instead of carrying the infamy of fleeing without a fight, it is better to fight a battle against the water.

Yan Facheng was ruthless, since he didn't have the ability to support the army and stand on his own, he would be a hero of Great Xia. He decided to defend Yiming City, and if he didn't succeed, he would become a benevolent. Even if he dies in battle, at least he can leave a good reputation in the hearts of all the people to resist foreign invaders.