At the end of November of the eighth year of the Great Cause, there was heavy snow in Zhuo County.

Zhuo County, the ancient secluded state, and the secluded Xiliang, collectively known as the bitter cold land. Due to the frequent wars, the population of Zhuo County is not large.

Although it has a long history, it is not even inferior to Yanjing in the Central Plains, but in comparison, it can only be regarded as a desolate town.

However, as the center of Hebei and Liaodong, Zhuo County's strategic position is extraordinary. In the eighth year of the Great Cause, after the failure of Emperor Yang Guang of Sui to conquer Goguryeo, he was angry. No matter how the history books record this battle, which can be called the foundation of the Great Sui, no one can deny that although Yang Guang interfered in military affairs, it was limited to Liaodong. In fact, Liaodong was finally conquered by Yang Guang in the end.

The so-called fiasco should refer to the two battlefields of Sasui and Pyongyang.

In these two battlefields, Yang Guang did not point fingers too much...... This is not to say that Yang Guang's level is higher than that of Yu Zhongwen to protect his children, but it is unfair to splash a basin of dirty water on him.

It's just that since ancient times, who can know the truth of the king's defeat since ancient times?

After Yang Guang withdrew his troops, Xue Shixiong, the general of the Zuo Imperial Guard, was appointed as the commander of Zhuo County and the governor of Hebei Military. At the same time, Xue Shixiong also has another mission, that is, to gather troops and horses and pay attention to Liaodong. After the spring of the next year, Yang Guang will attack Goguryeo again.

Xue Shixiong naturally didn't dare to slack off.

While recuperating in Zhuojun, Xue Shixiong closely monitored the movements of Goguryeo. He was born in Fenyin Xue, one of the four surnames in Hedong, and has been familiar with military books since he was a child, and he is skilled in bows and horses. In addition, he has experienced a hundred battles, and he can be regarded as a rare famous general during the Great Cause period. When it comes to his exploits, he is equally remarkable. During the Great Cause, he served as the marching army of Yumen Road, defeated Tuyuhun, and had the merit of opening up the territory and expanding the territory.

Xue Shixiong's surname is cautious and likes to take things one step at a time.

During the battle of Sasui, he discouraged too Zhongwen from being greedy for merit. However, Yu Zhongwen was the commander of the three armies and could not listen to his persuasion. So much so that when Sashui was defeated, Xue Shixiong was also implicated and trapped in Baishi Mountain. Fortunately, the dead soldiers under his command were brave, and Xue Wanjun and Xue Wanche under his knees had the courage of ten thousand people, desperately protecting him, and breaking out of Baishi Mountain to save his life.

After Yu Zhongwen returned to Liaodong, he was arrested by Yang Guangzhi and taken to prison.

At the same time, there was also the chief of the navy to protect the child. Xue Shixiong was a blessing in disguise, and his official was promoted to one level and he was appointed as the guard of Zhuo County.

But for Xue Shixiong, the shame of the defeat of Sashui cannot be forgotten.

Zhuojun stayed in the mansion, Xue Shixiong sat on the porch a little lazily, and there was a stack of battle reports just sent from Liaodong in his hand.

In front of him, two young men knelt on their knees.

An elegant-looking man, in his early twenties; A rough-looking, born tiger-backed bear-waisted, like a quiet male lion.

"San Lang, can you see something strange?"

Xue Shixiong looked out of the porch, fluttering the falling snowflakes, and asked without looking back.

The elegant young man said: "Gao Jianwu's frequent mobilization of troops and horses is quite abnormal. If he wants to use troops against Liaodong, he should also advance to the west. However, the war report said that the Goguryeo people did move in the direction of the Wolf Forest Mountains. At this time, he dispatched his troops to the Wolf Forest Mountain Range...... Seems a little quirky. Father, in my opinion, could it be that something happened inside Goguryeo, so that Gao Jianwu had to send soldiers and horses to the Wolf Forest Mountains? ”

"Then you say, Goguryeo, what's wrong?"

The elegant young man is the third son of Xue Shixiong, named Xue Wanjun.

Hugh looked at him handsomely, and he looked like a scholar. But in fact, this person can capture the flag in thousands of troops, and he is a great tiger general. The rough young man sitting next to him is Xue Shixiong's youngest son, that is, one of the eight immortals in the wine who participated in the Ju battle with Zheng Yanqing and confronted Mai Zizhong, Xue Shixiong's four sons, the eldest son Xue Wanshu and the second son Xue Wanshu, are long in scripture and history, work in calligraphy and painting, and are not loved by Xue Shixiong. However, Xue Wanjun and Xue Wanche were serious military generals, so they stayed in Zhuo County with Xue Shixiong.

Xue Wanche was drinking heavily, and when he heard Xue Shixiong's inquiry, he immediately put down his wine glass.

"Dad, when I went to Liaodong to inspect last month, I heard someone say something."

Xue Shixiong asked, "What's the matter?" ”

"After General Lai's defeat in Pyongyang, a Sui army appeared around Pyongyang, attacking and harassing the Goguryeo people unspeakably.

According to one of the captives, even the son of the thief chieftain Gao Yuan was killed by those men. Gao Yuan was extremely angry about this, and even offered a reward of 10,000 gold to capture this team. But later, this Sui army went to the southeast, and there was no news since then, and it is not known whether it is life or death. ”

Xue Shixiong and Xue Wanjun were taken aback, "Is there such a thing?" Shiro, why didn't you say it earlier! ”

"I also heard from the captive, but I don't know much about it. Moreover, Pyongyang's defeat was in March, and by the time I learned the news, half a year had passed. If the Sui army is out of danger, it should also come back...... But there is no news yet, and it has obviously been killed by the Goguryeo people...... Dad, you say, the person who killed Gao Bao will be a warrior under the command of the general? ”

Xue Shixiong frowned, did not answer, but fell into deep thought.

Xue Wanjun said: "Shiro, you should have told your father about this earlier. ”

"How do I know...... Besides, there is no way to find out whether this is true or not. If it's fake, isn't it an empty rejoicing? ”

"Shiro!"

Xue Shixiong said suddenly: "You and San Lang immediately ordered the troops and horses of the headquarters and went to Liaodong to pay close attention to the movements of the Goguryeo people." ”

Xue Wanjun and Xue Wanche looked at Xue Shixiong in surprise, "Dad, don't you think that the reason why the Goguryeo people sent troops was because of ......"

"If that Sui army is still there, if they enter the Korean ......" Xue Shixiong said softly: "Gao Jianwu's recent measures can also be said to be in the past. I want you to come over to pay attention to the actions of the Goguryeo people. At the same time, we must try to find out the truth of that thing. If this matter is true, it is impossible to say that the general and the general can still be saved.

Remember, you two were just inquiring in the past, and you must not act rashly. ”

Xue Wanjun and the two brothers hurriedly got up and bowed down to answer the order.

"Third brother, who do you say will lead the troops to do such a big thing in Goguryeo?"

When he went out, Xue Wanche couldn't help but ask Xue Wanjun.

Xue Wanjun smiled bitterly, "How can I know? However, the generals under the command of the great general, those who died in battle, or they will return.

After thinking about it, I felt that it might have been the work of the children of the family who lived in Goguryeo...... By the way, didn't it be said that Son Goose had defected to the enemy in Pyongyang, what was the situation at home? During this time, there seems to be no news of him. ”

"Third brother, don't talk nonsense."

Xue Wanche was furious, "How could Yanqing defect to the enemy? If he is such a greedy person who is afraid of death, how can he make poems for practical fans? ”

"But as a rear army, he guards Nanshui.

Those who fought in Pyongyang have returned, but he has not been heard from at all. Even their Zheng family members said that Zheng Yanqing was on the verge of surrendering to the enemy. ”

Xue Wanche's face was gloomy, and he shook his head again and again, "This matter is impossible, Yanqing is not that kind of person."

However, I heard that his grandfather was arrested and imprisoned, and later it was Pei Shiju's grandfather Pei who came forward to say that Xiang, and the queen pleaded for mercy and released his grandfather...... Yanqing has always been filial to his grandfather. How could he abandon his grandfather and go to Goguryeo? ”

Xue Wanjun smiled and didn't argue with Xue Wanche again.

Xue Wanche said in his heart: Yanqing, if you really do this thing of surrendering to the enemy, I will not spare you when I see you later...... Thinking about their hearts, the two silently walked to the gate of the left-behind mansion.

But he saw a war horse stopped at the door, steaming hot. A messenger rolled off his horse's back, and before he could stand on his feet, he rushed towards the doorway.

"Goguryeo War Report, There Is an Emergency Military Intelligence ......"

Xue Wanche was shocked, and hurriedly stepped forward, "What military situation?" ”

"Ah, Major General!" The messenger saw Xue Wanche clearly, his legs weakened, and he knelt down at the foot of the doorway. He looked tired, apparently having traveled a long way and had not rested well. I saw him take out a letter stamped with fire paint from his bosom and present it with both hands.

"Major General, three days ago, our scouts returned from Goguryeo."

"Oh?"

"Jung Yanqing, the captain of the Navy Academy, killed Gao Baobao in Pyongyang, and then attacked Wonsan, Seoul, Pyongyang and other places in succession, destroyed Goguryeo Molizhi Ulji Mundeokmanmen in Shidoshan Town, and attacked and killed Park Changjin, the commander of the Wonsan army, in Wonsan. ...... months ago Zheng Yanqing led his troops to break through the city of Di Yu, killed the soldiers of Di Yu City, Cao joined the army Che Lihan, and rescued the prisoners of war who were detained in the city of Di Yu, and then escaped into the city of Di Yu and disappeared. ”

Xue Wanche was a chiller.

"You just said, who is the chief general of the Sui army?"

"Navy Captain Zheng Yanqing."

Xue Wanjun's face suddenly changed greatly, and he stepped forward and snatched the letter.

"Really?"

"Seriously...... After His Majesty withdrew his troops, Wei Fufu sent more than 200 scouts to infiltrate Goguryeo and be responsible for finding out the news.

However, the Goguryeo people were heavily guarded, and until they set off from the humble side, a total of more than ten people returned.

Most of the information heard was the same. Wei Fufu has sent someone to Luoyang overnight to report to the imperial court, and at the same time ordered me to rush to report the news. ”

Wei comforts, it is Wei Wensheng.

During the Battle of Sashui, he sat in the rear army, and was also the only general among the 300,000 and 55,000 Sui troops of the Ninth Army who led the whole army and retreated to Liaodong.

Xue Wanche didn't say a word, and immediately turned over and got on the horse.

"Shiro, where are you going?"

Xue Wan didn't look back, and whipped away.

As he walked, he shouted loudly: "Third brother, I will set off for Liaodong immediately...... It must be Yanqing, it must be Yanqing who is back! ”

Xue Wanjun wanted to catch up with Xue Wanche, but after thinking about it, he still stopped.

He ordered the messenger to be settled, and at the same time took the letter in his hand and hurried back.

Ha, this time, I'm afraid the Zheng family is going to be lively! Zheng Yanqing came back this time, but I was afraid that he would give some people a big slap in the face.

***

Zheng Yanqing, he is indeed coming back!

He sat on the white dragon horse and looked into the distance.

Nearly a thousand Sui soldiers stood quietly behind him, black and pressing, revealing a solemn atmosphere.

One by one, his eyes were firmly fixed behind Zheng Yanqing. The thin and thin back, at this moment, everyone's eyes must be blazing.

The moon is bright and clear, and the stars are dotted.

Standing on the high hill and looking west, there is a ten-mile plain below the gang. On the west side of the plain, there are military villages, and the lights are shining, like fireflies. Further west, there is the surging Yalu River. It's just that at this time, the Yalu River is frozen for hundreds of miles. Crossing the Yalu River is Liaodong, which is under the rule of the Great Sui.

In the past month, Zheng Yanqing led people to stir up the Gaima Plateau and turn the world upside down.

Not only did they attack continuously, killing more than 2,000 Goguryeo soldiers, but also rescuing more than 1,000 captured Sui soldiers. However, along the way, the soldiers of the Sui army also suffered countless casualties. Counting the captives he rescued, only five or six hundred of them came here alive.

For Yanqing, this is enough!

For these five or six hundred people, there were only eighteen people left in his Yuan Conghu Guard.

The soldiers of the Sui army who came out of the Wolf Forest Mountain Range were also killed and wounded. Now, victory is in sight, just rush through this line of defense in front of them, and they can go home!

Yan Qing turned his head and looked at Mai Zizhong, Xie Ke and the others.

Mai Zizhong said: "Captain Zheng, everyone is waiting for your order. ”

Zheng Yanqing nodded, escaped from the silver mask in his pocket, and buckled it on his face.

In an instant, everyone subconsciously clenched the weapons in their hands and stared directly at Zheng Yanqing. After a month of fierce fighting, everyone has formed a habit. Whenever Zheng Yanqing puts on a mask, it is the time of the Great War.

"Pass my orders, all the horses are bound to their hooves, and their mouths are sealed, and they are not allowed to act without my command.

Brothers, this is the last hurdle, as long as we rush through it, we will win a big victory. Everyone should take care of themselves, and at the same time, take care of the brothers around them. But those who are still alive should not be abandoned. Even if we die, we will die on our own land. ”

Mai Zizhong and others responded to the order.

"Let's go!"

Zheng Yanqing gave an order and urged the horse to rush down the hill.

The speed of the jade hooves is not fast, and it walks slowly in small steps, which looks particularly leisurely.

Behind him was Mai Zizhong and a group of cavalry troops, about 300 people. The rest were foot soldiers, clenching their swords and guns, and following closely...... Under the moonlight, the silver mask on Zheng Yanqing's face glowed with a cold halo.

A pair of starry eyes, twinkling.

He gripped his horse's mallet and tried to keep himself calm. It is getting closer and closer to the military village, and you can clearly hear the sound of fighting from the military village.

"What people!"

The guards outside the gate of the military fortress shouted loudly.

Zheng Hongyi immediately urged the horse to rush forward and ran in front of Zheng Yanqing, "I am Fu Ning, the commander of the Sky Ridge Army, and I was ordered to come here to change the guard. ”

His Goguryeo language is becoming more and more fluent.

In the rest of the past month, Zheng Hongyi relied on this fluent Goguryeo to deceive the doors of countless military camps.

When the Goguryeo people heard this, they couldn't help but be stunned.

Changing guards?

I didn't hear that I was going to change the guard......

But looking at the other party like this, it doesn't seem to be fake. As for whether the military master of Motianling is named Fu Ning, these guards naturally can't know. Just listening to the other party's accent, with a sense of aristocracy, I can't help but have some doubts.

At this moment, Zheng Yanqing knocked on the horse's belly, and the jade hooves were still taking small steps, but the frequency of his steps suddenly accelerated.

Not only did he speed up, but the cavalry behind him also increased his speed at the same time...... Before the guards guarding the gate could react, Yan Qing suddenly urged his horse, raised the heavy lance in his hand into the air, and roared: "Brothers, we are going home......

In an instant, Jade Hoof hissed violently.

More than 300 horsemen echoed at the same time, and the neighing of horses echoed in the night.

"Enemy attack, it's Sui dog attacking the camp!"

The guards finally reacted and screamed.

said that it was too late, it was too fast, and Zheng Yanqing had already rushed to him. The lance was raised, and with a stab of cold light, only to hear a scream, the guard was pierced through the chest, and flew out fiercely. Yan Qing took the lead and rushed into the army. The horse lance danced, one by one, one by one, a slippery cold light swept by, and flesh and blood flew sideways. Jade Hoof is even more ferocious, kicking, biting, rushing, and smashing...... It seems that all the means of horse fighting should be used. Iron hooves trampled on the corpses, rushing all the way, leaving corpses everywhere.

It's not that scary, though.

The most terrifying thing is the black and white double evil that follows Zheng Yanqing's side, the giant axe and long knife are like a deadly post, only killing the Goguryeo people with their heads and rats.

Many soldiers woke up from their sleep and rushed out of the camp, met by galloping horses and a mouthful of shiny steel knives.

After the horse team had charged, the infantry marched into the camp.

Swords and guns were raised at the same time, and the shouts of killing shook the sky. These infantry troops were no worse than the cavalry, and even surpassed. In front of you is the Yalu River, and after the Yalu River, you are your own territory. Fight all the way, isn't it just to go home? Who wants to be left behind at such a time?

Therefore, they shot harder and more viciously.

Even if they had abandoned their weapons and surrendered, the infantry army was not merciless, rushed over and stabbed them in the head, and left expressionlessly...... Killed from the back village, and in a moment, he entered the Chinese army.

When several Goguryeo generals rushed up and tried to surround Zheng Yanqing, Xiong Kuohai threw the only two remaining hand axes around him, and after cutting down one person, he rushed over, and the double axe Taishan was pressed down and his head was split. A military general, with men and horses, was split in half.

The murderous methods made the Goguryeo soldiers tremble.

They had heard that there was such a Sui army raiding and plundering everywhere on the Gaima Plateau, and they had even received news that they should be closely defended. But a month passed, and there was no trace of the Sui army. In addition, Gao Jianwu constantly dispatched troops to encircle and suppress the other party. The Goguryeo people stationed on the banks of the Yalu River gradually lost their vigilance. But just when they were just relaxing, this murderous Sui army fell from the sky...... Zheng Yanqing, under the protection of the vast sea and Kan Leng, fought his way out of the encirclement.

I turned my head to look, but I found that there were not many people following up. Zheng Hongyi and Feng Zhiyu were besieged, and more than 100 Goguryeo soldiers surrounded them and slashed wildly. If it weren't for Feng Guo, who was recovering from his injuries, and Shen Guang, who was ordered to protect Zheng Hongyi, to cover on the side, these two people would probably have died. Although Shen Guang's martial arts are high, the long knife can't withstand the spears and big knives after all, and he is gradually unable to take care of the two of them.

When Yan Qing saw it, he slapped the horse and killed the general again.

Mai Zizhong and the others, who fought their way out of the encirclement with him, saw him turn around and kill back, without saying a word, and followed closely.

Don't give up, don't give up!

is not just talking, Zheng Yanqing is also using his actions to tell everyone that if he can say it, he will definitely do it. In an instant, the morale of the Sui army was greatly boosted, and the killing method was even more courageous. Iron cavalry assault, foot soldiers rush to kill. After the huge camp was attacked back and forth three times by Zheng Yanqing and others, the Goguryeo people had no intention of resisting, shouted in unison, and fled in all directions.

This time, Yan Qing walked at the rear.

He took the two of them in the final formation, covering the Sui soldiers and horses, and after all passed the Yalu River, he slowly withdrew.

At this time, the Goguryeo camp was in chaos.

There was a faint sound of conch in the distance, presumably Goguryeo soldiers from other places noticed the change here and rushed to reinforce it.

Yanqing did not dare to linger any longer, and ordered the whole army to march rapidly.

****

At dawn, Gao Jianwu led his troops to the riverside.

Seeing that the camp had become a ruin, the eyes were full of devastation.

He couldn't help but be ashamed and angry, more than 100,000 people, defeated by this group of remnants, and turned into this appearance. If it is transmitted back to Pyongyang, what will he look like, and he will stand above the court again.

"Immediately ordered the Black Bone City and the Domestic City to besiege Zheng Yanqing along the way.

The three armies obeyed the order and pursued with me...... If you don't kill Zheng Yanqing, I swear not to withdraw my troops! ”

Gao Jianwu gave an order, and tens of thousands of Goguryeo troops went out in unison to kill in the direction of Liaodong County. At the same time, the Goguryeo guards of the Black Bone City and the domestic city also got the news and sent troops to intercept them, looking for traces of the Sui army.

Zheng Yanqingwan did not expect that Gao Jianwu would not hesitate to dispatch all the soldiers and horses of the Korean Province in order to kill him.

This way to the west to kill the past, a call for seven battles, only to kill people on their backs, blood flowed like a river. The Sui army returned to its heart like an arrow, and it was desperate all the way; In order to save face, Goguryeo tried desperately to intercept it. It was only a temporary attack, and although there were a large number of people, it could not form an effective interception.

The role it can play is only to delay the return of Zheng Yanqing and others.

Starting from the early morning, Zheng Yanqing took people and fled all the way west. By late evening, hundreds of people had retreated to a hill on the east bank of Liangshui, where they could no longer walk. Lacking people and horses, coupled with hunger, six or seven hundred people were besieged in Gaogang by Goguryeo people and horses.

Looking at the hill, teams and columns of Goguryeo people and horses kept coming, Zheng Yanqing couldn't help but look up to the sky and sigh.

Could it be that you really have to fall short today, and you can't die here?

Jade Hoof was hit by several arrows and was no longer able to fight. Mai Zizhong and Xie Ke were wounded, and the majestic sea was also hungry, and even some weapons were dropped. Zheng Yanqing held a silver whip and slowly removed the silver mask. Looking at the soldiers around him, he couldn't help but smile bitterly.

"Brothers, today we may be killed here.

For more than a month, we fought in the north and south, killing countless Goguryeo people. Even if he dies in battle, it is enough...... At the foot of the hill, the Goguryeo barbarians wanted to trap us and kill us. I know that everyone is no longer able to fight, and I can wait for death, and I don't want to.

Han family son, fight again with me.

Even if the battlefield is stained with blood, let these barbarians know the bravery of my Han Jialang. If I die in battle, Mai Zizhong can take over the whole army, and Mai Zizhong dies in battle, Xie Ke will take over...... Let the Goguryeo people know that there are only Han Jialang who died in battle in this world, and there are no death-fearing ghosts who surrender.

Big Black, Ah Ling, charge with me! ”

Zheng Yanqing spoke, turned over and stepped on the white dragon horse again, "Jade Hoof, go with me to kill!" ”

The white dragon Ma Xi hissed violently, and seemed to know that this was the last moment. The already godless eyes suddenly flashed brightly, and the four hooves spread out and rushed down the high post.

Xiong Kuohai and Kan Leng's mounts had long since been killed, and the two of them also struggled to stand up and pick up their weapons.

"Brothers, get out!"

Under the high post, the Goguryeo people have lined up neatly. Rows of archers were waiting for Zheng Yanqing and others who rushed down from the high post, just waiting for a general.

Gao Jianwu straddled the horse and looked at the Sui army who rushed down the high post, and a cold smile appeared on the corner of his mouth.

"These Sui dogs are really not afraid of death...... Pass my order and open the ......"

The word 'bow' had not yet been exported, but I heard a horn sound on the other side of Liangshui.

Immediately after, there was a wave of confusion in the Goguryeo army formation on the banks of the Yangshui River. A group of Sui army iron cavalry rushed over from the other side of the river as if it were devastated and decayed.

is the first general, with black helmet and black armor, a black horse in his crotch, and a big ring knife in his palm.

"Brother Yanqing, don't be afraid, Xue Wanche is here, who dares to hurt my brother!"

Next to him, followed by a young general, dressed in white and red robes, with a red charcoal fire dragon horse under his crotch, and a pair of eight-sided plum blossom bright silver hammers in his hands. The twin hammers dance, flapping up and down. The young general did not speak, and rushed into the chaos of the army, as if in a no-man's land. The sledgehammer whirred, and there was no one in front of the horse.

I saw him rush through Liangshui and yell, "Yanqing, I'm here!" ”

(To be continued)