In the capital, ordinary people who have been quiet for several years also smell the breath of war. Outside the city of Landu, the merchants of the two countries, which were originally a place of trade and distribution, also began to uproot the camps and returned to their own countries.

Just as Ma Ruzheng's army had just been assembled and was about to set out for the battle, the Great Xia court received a fast horse 'battle report' from Lidu City. Duan Lang played Delong in the name of the generalissimo of the soldiers and horses in the Western Theater, and the war in the west had been pacified, and the Belao division mobilized the people to send a large army to conquer Western Vietnam. Duan Lang stated various reasons, and it was Ming Xi's situation that was reported to the court. In other words, this battle report was not only played by Emperor Delong, but also forwarded by the six yamen.

Above the court, civil and military officials also debated this matter. Pang Gang, who has always been a low-key servant of the Criminal Department, strongly opposed the sending of troops to the west. Pang Gang understood that this was Duan Lang's last chance to give Great Xia, and it also showed that Duan Lang did not want to cause a civil war. This seemingly weak battle report is enough to show the attitude of the capital city. They still submitted to Delong, but the court did not push too much.

Pang Gang made a generous statement and said, "Your Majesty, my century-old foundation of Great Xia has not been easy to obtain, and the emperors of the past dynasties have carefully cared for it to have today's prosperity. But if you want to destroy it, it's only a matter of time. When the war is fought together, the sword soldiers are everywhere, and it is easy to ignite the flames of war, but it is difficult to extinguish it again. Your Majesty, I beg your Majesty to think twice. ”

Delong's face was gloomy, "Pang Gang, are you accusing me of ruining a century-old foundation?" Don't forget that my Great Xia can stand between heaven and earth, and it depends on the kings of the past dynasties to conquer the Quartet and shock the world, so that there can be today's prosperity. As an emperor, only by completely eradicating internal and external troubles can he win the world. As an important minister of the six ministries, doesn't he know the seriousness of the hidden dangers. ”

Delong's face was like cold iron, if it weren't for the fact that Pang Gang was a veteran of the Three Dynasties and one of the important ministers who assisted him in ascending to the throne, Delong would have ordered it to be taken down a long time ago. Among the civil and military forces of the Manchu Dynasty, there were also many ministers who secretly sighed, feeling worthless for Pang Gang. Delong's conquest of the capital city is already on the bow, so why should Pang Gang make another move.

"Your Majesty, the soldiers and horses of the capital city are really the cornerstone of my Great Xia Town. If His Majesty insists on going his own way, it is tantamount to cutting off his arm in the eyes of other countries. The minister pleaded again, Your Majesty thought twice. ”

As soon as Pang Gang's voice fell, there was an uproar in the court. Anyway, DeLong hasn't punctured the last layer of window paper yet. Pang Gang's blunt words suddenly uncovered this layer of pot lids.

Delong patted the imperial case and said angrily, "Pang Gang, what do I think, you are a little confused." In your eyes, only I am not, can those rebellious ministers with ill intentions get away with it! ”

"Your Majesty, the capital guards the western frontier, and has not made any unsubordinate acts, so how can you be called a rebel. The way of the king lies in both grace and power, and the way of appeasement is the best policy. With such pressure, is this a measure against the heroes? ”

"Shut up! Pang Gang, I miss you being old and confused, and I don't care about you. If you commit it again, I will not forgive. DeLong glared at Pang Gang, his patience had reached its limit.

Fan Cheng hurriedly reminded him, "Huge man, Your Majesty is magnanimous, and he has not received the order of thanksgiving. ”

Pang Gang smiled bitterly and shook his head, "Your Majesty, as an important minister of the six ministries, if you don't clarify your views on such a major matter, it will be a dereliction of duty on your part." Since His Majesty feels that the minister is confused, it seems that the minister is indeed not worthy of staying in the court. ”

Pang Gang looked around at his colleagues, solemnly took off his first-class official hat, and knelt on his knees, "Your Majesty, the ministers will punish themselves for the people, and return to their hometowns." ”

Fan Cheng looked at Pang Gang in surprise, and hurriedly stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, the huge people have always been loyal to their duties, and what I said just now is also worried about my Great Xia. I also hope that Your Majesty will reject the resignation of the huge man. ”

Above the court, all civil and military officials looked at Delong. Except for Fan Cheng, no one interceded for Pang Gang anymore, even the old Hanlin Wang Shidu, his eyes were dying.

DeLong sneered, "Quasi-play!" ”

Fan Cheng was taken aback, "Your Majesty can't~!" ”

Without waiting for Fan Cheng to continue, Pang Gang hurriedly said, "Thank you, Lord Longen." ”

Pang Gang stood up and shook his head slightly at Fan Cheng. At this moment, Pang Gang's face was no longer worried, but with a hint of relief. On the top of the main hall, the courtiers watched the old Pang Gang walk outside the hall step by step, and a trace of sadness rose in the hearts of many courtiers. They don't know when, maybe they will become the next Pang Gang. Or, the tragic fate is not as good as Pang Gang's return to his hometown.

At the end of November of the same year, in the bitter cold wind, Ma Ruzheng's westward expedition army finally started. Emperor Delong was wrapped in mink velvet and personally raised a glass for the soldiers to practice. Snowflakes drifted in the early winter of summer, and the snow, which originally heralded a good year, was more like a layer of frost for this war.

The Western Expedition of the Great Xia Dynasty has been announced to the world, nominally to conquer Western Vietnam, but the officials of the various capitals understand what is going on. In the capital city, Duan Lang read the text of the Western Expedition, and officially issued a war order to the people of the two cities. Duan Lang clearly informed everyone that this battle was a matter of life and death for the army of Lidu City, and allowed civilians to leave Lidu City and move to other places.

In the military tent in the camp, all the generals gathered, and Mingyue looked at Liu Xusheng and asked, "General Liu, can the generals' families be properly settled?" ”

Liu Xusheng stood up, "Rest assured, some family members have secretly returned to their hometowns. Those who are unwilling to leave have already been placed in Dingluo County. There are 5,000 elite soldiers in charge of protection, and even if they are attacked by the enemy, they can retreat to the desert secret camp. ”

Yutai Mingyue nodded, solving the worries of the generals, so that they could fight with peace of mind. In the past three years, many generals have started families. Even the brothers Zhou Long and Zhou Hu have a favorite, if it weren't for the imminent war, they would also have to enter the joy of the wedding. In order to settle these family members, Tangtai Mingyue not only set up a military mansion in Dingluo County, but also established a secret camp on the edge of the desert.

"Well, the generals' families are our relatives, and we can give them a go when we settle them properly. The generals listened to the order, and from now on, the soldiers and horses camp entered a wartime state. All those who violate the military orders in wartime will not be spared by their own divisions. ”

The Ming Moon of the Plateau issued more than a dozen military orders, announcing that the army of the capital city had officially entered a state of war. After three years of cultivation and recuperation, the soldiers and horses of Lidu City took turns to enter the desert for hard training. An army of 200,000 is gearing up to meet the invading enemy.

On the other side, Ma Ruzheng's army left 20,000 horses at the lower pass to guard the grain and grass passage. The 600,000-strong army marched all the way, and Ma Ruzheng did not dare to be careless, setting up three camps along the way, leaving 150,000 troops as a backup. Don't look at Ma Ruzheng's many soldiers and horses, he still has no certainty of victory in his heart. These three camps were set up in order to allow time for the army to buffer in the event of defeat and retreat.

On this day, the marching army of the court ushered in a messenger from the capital city. This letter was written by Duan Lang to Ma Ruzheng, and Duan Lang clearly warned Ma Ruzheng that Fengluan County was the red line of war, and once it was crossed, war would start immediately.

Ma Ruzheng scoffed at this kind of warning, the court had already prepared a crusade against the traitors, and as soon as the two sides fought, all the people in the world would know that this former hero was actually a traitor who wanted to seek power and usurp the throne.

The court army continued to move forward, and Ma Ruzheng also wanted to see how the soldiers and horses of Lidu City could block the footsteps of his hundreds of thousands of troops in the open field.

In the Lidu City Mansion, Duan Lang and Li Jianshan, Tai Mingyue, etc., analyzed the latest news received.

"Delong has already sent Yan Facheng and Feng Zhun to guard the northern and southern borders, and it seems that he also predicted the restlessness of Nanping. Moreover, Jiang Zhuming from Molan City has sent news that Zhang Zhao has sent someone to take over our 60,000 soldiers and horses in the three places, and is ready to be transferred to Xining to belong to Yan Facheng. ”

Zhang Ruming said disdainfully, "Zhang Zhao is something, this dogleg actually sent someone to take over our people, he simply doesn't know whether he is alive or dead." Brother and sister, directly give Guan Zhen an order to kill one by one, and if you have the ability, Delong will directly send a large army to do it. ”

Mingyue said, "Brother Zhang, it's a pity, the secret report said that Guan Zhen and the others have been taken down. ”

Zhang Ruming was stunned, "Why, Guan Zhen didn't resist?" ”

Li Jianshan looked at Duan Lang and Mingyue, who were very calm, "Lord Shangguan, our soldiers and horses are not so easy to take over. You look at their calm energy, they must have made arrangements. ”

Duan Lang smiled, "Brother Jianshan can still calm down, I have already informed Jiang Zhuming, Liang Yi and the others, and told them to allow the Heavenly Prison Court to take over our soldiers and horses." This is better, wait until you get out of the city, and then kill the minions of the Prison Heaven Academy, so that Jiang Zhuming, Liang Yi and others will not be implicated. ”

Mingyue also said, "At the beginning of the war, there was no need to call those capitals to follow suit. ”

"Brother and sister, I don't understand this, since I turned my face with that kid Delong, why don't you raise your arms and shout, wouldn't it be better to have a few more cities to join forces with us." Zhang Ruming asked.

Tantai Mingyue looked at Duan Lang, and Duan Lang smiled bitterly, "Lao Zhang, don't forget the war, we will become traitors to Great Xia." In the eyes of all the people in the world, I, Duan Lang, am a scourge of the troubled country. If Jiang Zhuming and others follow us to get into trouble, they will also be scolded by the people. ”

", scold, scold, what do these people know. The country itself was beaten, didn't his Zhao family also take the country from others. ”

Yutai Mingyue said, "Don't worry, when Nanping and Xiyue are involved, then all the people in the world will understand who is the real savior." Those who win the hearts of the people win the world, and it is nothing to bear the infamy for the time being. When the critical time comes, these capitals will change the direction of the wind and follow the capital city, so that Delong will not be able to bear this kind of blow. ”

Li Jianshan nodded and asked, "Mingyue, how long do you estimate that we will fight, so that Nanping and Xiyue will get involved?" We can't really wait for us to run out of people before they take advantage of it. ”

"I also want to discuss this matter with you, I can't predict it on the Nanping side, but on the Xiyue side, the initiative is in our hands." Mingyue said.

Duan Lang and the others were stunned when they heard this, "Yue'er, why do you say that?" Duan Lang asked.

Tantai Mingyue looked at the three of them and said, "The sooner Nanping and Xiyue soldiers and horses get involved, the more beneficial it will be to our Lidu City." Moreover, winning in chaos is in line with the characteristics of our soldiers and horses moving quickly. Therefore, after a few battles with the imperial army, I am ready to pull Xiyue into this troubled water. Lu Mu wants to reap the benefits, and he must not let him be so wishful. ”

"What's the best idea?" Li Jianshan asked.

Tantai Mingyue hesitated for a moment and said, "I plan to write a letter to Lu Muxiu directly after the court army has fought a few battles in the city." Let's give up the Landu City and the Lidu City, and let the West Vietnamese soldiers and horses take over. ”

"What? Give up two cities? You are crazy. Zhang Ruming looked at Yutai Mingyue in surprise.

Tantai Mingyue looked at Duan Lang, who was a little stunned, and said, "So, I want your consent for this matter." ”

"No, I don't agree. Our soldiers worked hard to drive the Xiyue barbarians out of Landu City, and they actually gave it up, absolutely not. Zhang Ruming immediately objected.

Duan Lang frowned slightly, "Yue'er, tell me what you think?" ”

Li Jianshan also looked at Mingyue expectantly, he and Duan Lang believed that Mingyue had his own plans. But giving up the two cities, Li Jianshan was also very resistant in his heart.

Yutai Mingyue said, "The army of the court is coming, and there is no outside call for siege and strong attack. But no matter which way Ma Ruzheng uses, it is very unfavorable to our Lidu City. If they attack, even if we win in the end, we will lose a lot of soldiers and horses. That's the last thing I want to see. At that time, if we come to resist the West Vietnamese soldiers and horses behind us, we will face a tragic end. If Ma Ruzheng takes the siege, our grain and grass will last for a year at most. We can't afford to delay this kind of delaying tactic either. If we want to preserve our strength and enter the final decisive battle, we can only use the power of Western Vietnam to let them compete with each other. ”

"Mingyue, even if you have this idea, then Lu Mu is not a fool, I'm afraid he won't be fooled." Li Jianshan said.

"No, he knows that it is right, and he will definitely raise troops to come. Unless Xiyue doesn't want to participate in this troubled water, he has to drill into it knowing that it is a trap. ”

"Why?" Zhang Ruming looked at Mingyue in disbelief.

"Think about it, if we take the initiative to let him out of the city and Lu Mu doesn't take over, then the 600,000 troops of the court will take over. Even if Ma Ruzheng left 150,000 troops to defend the Landu City, if he wanted to cross the west, he would probably have to pay 300,000 lives. Lu Mu can't afford this. I asked him to take the initiative to take over, no matter how many soldiers and horses Lu Mu sent, it would be a disaster for the court army. Even if the Great Xia Civil War ended, Western Yue would at least get the Landu City and the Lidu City, and they would not suffer at all. Therefore, Na Lu Mu will definitely come. ”

"Then if they occupy the two cities and don't advance anymore, and Ma Ruzheng doesn't fight against Lu Mu, wouldn't it make Lu Mu get a cheap advantage in vain. What's more, we have lost the two cities as a support, but we have become duckweed without roots. Duan Lang said.

"With Lu Mu's alertness and calculation, he will never be satisfied with these two cities. What's more, Nanping will not be idle over there, Daxia is worried about internal and external difficulties, which is a rare opportunity for the two countries to carve up Daxia. Since Delong made such a mediocre move, it was only a matter of time before Great Xia perished. The sooner the two countries are brought into the war, our Lidu City will have a better chance of winning. As for dependence? The soldiers and horses of the capital city are flexible and changeable, and the top Luo County stays with a force as the bottom line. The rest of the soldiers and horses crossed the desert and directly entered the Great Xia Forte. When the time comes, the court army is tired of running around, and the first to be wiped out should be the court army. At that moment, Duan Lang raised his arms again and shouted, uniting the entire Great Xia people to resist foreign enemies, so as to truly win the hearts of the people. ”

"However, the army of the court has been destroyed, and it is not more difficult for us to win in the face of the two-sided attack of Nanping and Xiyue? Moreover, when it comes to that part, how many soldiers and horses can we have left? Zhang Ruming asked.

Tantai Mingyue took a deep breath and said, "As the saying goes, if it is not broken, it is not established, only when it is life and death, can the fighting spirit of the entire nation be aroused." At that time, all the people will be soldiers, and a new era will emerge. ”

"If that's the case, I'm afraid that the entire Great Xia clan will be invaded by war." Duan Lang said worriedly.

"There's no way, the way of heaven is like this, looking at the past of the five kingdoms in the world, it is a long river of blood condensation. If you want to change all this, unless you want to rule the world, govern the people well, and shine on all things. ”

"I agree!" Li Jianshan took the lead in expressing his position.

Zhang Ruming looked at Duan Lang, "Don't feel sorry for the people of the world, let's survive by ourselves first, I agree." ”

Tantai Mingyue looked at Duan Lang. Duan Lang pondered for a moment, he knew that his responsibility was very heavy, once he gave up the two cities and fell into the people, water and fire, the people of the world would only scold him Duan Lang.

Duan Lang hesitated for a while, and finally nodded, "Okay, I agree." ”

Yutai Mingyue secretly breathed a sigh of relief, "Lang, don't worry, the fighter plane is changing instantly, and I will adjust it at any time according to the situation." If Nanping and Xiyue really brutally suppressed the common people, maybe our capital army would temporarily join forces with the court. ”

Duan Lang nodded, what he wanted was not a country, but just wanted a quiet and peaceful living environment. But the times create heroes, and some things are not something that Duan Lang can control. This world is like a hunting ground, you are not a hunter, you can only become a prey to be hunted down by others. Unless it's to endure humiliation and steal a living, to be an ordinary civilian. It's a pity that Duan Lang is not, he is a mountain and forest hunter who grew up drinking wolf milk, and he is destined to become a member of the hunting ground in this world.