Back in Ulzhou, Xiao Yi immediately began to prepare for the reinforcement. Pen @ fun @ pavilion wWw. ｂｉｑUｇE。 ｉｎｆｏ

is not more timid than other Ming troops, and the soldiers of the Yongan Army dare to fight.

Until now, almost every soldier of the Yong'an Army has experienced several life-and-death battles, and he has no fear of fighting against the Houjin Tartars.

Thirty-two veterans of Liaodong, hearing that they would go out of Liaodong, were all excited, and after almost two years, Xiao Yi finally took them back again!

Under the influence of these veteran soldiers, the other soldiers are also enthusiastic, and the quota for the battle has been finalized, all five battalions of the Yongan Army will fight, and 3,000 people from the Zhenwei Battalion will stay in Ulzhou.

On this day, Li Erniu, Yuan Shaogong, and Zhou Ding kept coming to Xiao Yi, saying that the sergeants of the Zhenwei battalion under their command also wanted to participate in the war, and the commanders of each battalion were vying for the battle quota and wanted to make war merits.

Everyone dares to fight, Xiao Yi is relieved and very troubled, Xiao Yi is impossible to let the recruits of the Zhenwei Battalion who dare to practice for two months participate in the war, which is equivalent to sending them to death.

The first battalion under the command of Shi Gang, the second battalion under the command of Shi Lu, and the cavalry battalion under the command of Zhou Baotai for two months can be used as regular soldiers, with a total of about 2,500 people.

In addition, there were more than 400 people from the night detachment under the command of Wang Dayong to sentry along the way, more than 300 people from the firearms battalion led by Liu Tong were used for long-range firepower, and more than 300 people from the baggage battalion led by Huang Yang carried grain, rice, ordnance, forage, lead bullets, and other military supplies.

There are also flags, pacesetters, gong and drum players, etc., all of whom are counted as auxiliaries, these people are of little use on the battlefield, and may even affect morale due to the fear that the enemy will flee first, but they are also indispensable.

Xiao Yi has always been streamlined in this regard, and even so, he is accompanied by more than 100 auxiliary soldiers.

These are the soldiers and horses that will go to battle, and after calculation, there are about 3,700 people in total.

In addition, Ulzhou is his base camp, and he has been operating here for so long, and he cannot afford to lose it, and after thinking twice, Xiao is also ready to let Li Erniu and Zhenwei's first battalion be stationed in Ulzhou.

The second and third battalions of Yuan Shaogong and Zhou Ding went to Taohuabao, Changning Town and Yong'an Fort respectively to defend them, and the other village forts in Ulzhou were also powerless, so they could only let these four main forts show each other four corners, so that if someone came to attack, it would be good to move randomly.

Xiao also believed that with the fortified cannons of the four forts, the current thieves were extremely difficult to overcome, and even if the Mongols attacked, it would be difficult to pose a threat to Ulzhou without tens of thousands.

……

On the evening of the same day, Xiao Yi had a book on his desk, these were the distribution of the war guards, and they would go out with the army tomorrow, and these affairs should be taken care of clearly, so as not to catch fire in the backyard and the gains outweigh the losses.

Just as he was thinking about it, a person whispered outside: "Humble Li Erniu, I have seen the general." ”

"Oh, it's Erniu, come in and talk."

Xiao Yi hurriedly got up and went out to welcome Li Erniu into the lobby, and personally poured a glass of wine for Li Erniu, which made Li Erniu flattered and got up again and again.

After comforting Li Erniu and sitting down, Xiao Yi said: "Erniu doesn't have to be restrained, just like his own home." ”

Li Erniu thanked him, but sat more straight, and Xiao Yi didn't care about it when he saw it, but asked lightly.

"You're probably thinking, why didn't I feel scared?"

What he wanted was punctured, but Li Erniu didn't dare to admit it, and didn't dare to say: "No, no, no, how can the general be afraid of those barbarians..."

Xiao Yi chuckled: "You don't have to lie in front of the general, the Tartars are menacing, this time they have broken several border troops in a row, and even Hou Shilu and other four general soldiers have died in Liaodong, this time it can be said to be a battle to the death, right?" As he spoke, Xiao Yi looked at Li Erniu with a smile.

Although he was talking about the momentum of the Jurchens, Li Erniu saw that Xiao Yi did not have the slightest fear in his eyes, but was blazing.

After hesitating for a while, Li Erniu gritted his teeth and said, "Since the general knows, why do you still want to send an edict to help?" ”

Hearing this, Xiao Yi got up and turned his back to Li Erniu, and a faint tone came: "Although the Tartars are brave, there is no need for us to be arrogant, I am in China, and I have never been afraid of such barbarians, and if I don't go out of Liaodong, do I just watch the Tartars slaughter my soldiers and civilians?!" ”

"This..."

Li Erniu got up in a hurry, but still said: "General, this battle is dangerous, don't go to death!" ”

Xiao Yi turned around, raised his wine glass and said, "Come, Erniu, drink this cup together." ”

Drinking all the wine in the cup, Xiao Yi's voice revealed firm conviction: "You don't have to persuade again, the general has made up his mind, kill back to Liaodong, behead him in front of the horse, and drink his blood with a smile!" ”

Suddenly felt that there was something wrong with the surrounding atmosphere, and a strong aura of solemnity emanated from around Xiao Yi, and when he heard Xiao Yi's words, he was shocked at the same time, Li Erniu was also excited.

Hugging his fists, he said: "The general handed over Ulzhou City to the humble post, although I Li Erniu is not talented, but I also know the word loyalty!" ”

"Even if the body is dead, Erniu will live up to the trust of the general, and lead the brothers of the Zhenwei battalion to guard Ulzhou, waiting for the general to return victoriously again!"

patted Li Erniu's shoulder with satisfaction, Xiao Yi smiled and said: "Erniu, I really didn't misunderstand you, Ulzhou, I'll leave it to you!" ”

Tears flashed in Li Erniu's eyes, and he clenched his fists and shouted: "Obey the general's order!" ”

……

On August 6 of the fourth year of Chongzhen, he heard the rooster cry for the first time.

The military camps in Ulzhou are busy and noisy, and the soldiers who returned home to visit yesterday have returned to the camp under the farewell of their families, and they are all wearing armor and preparing nervously.

After Huang E served Xiao Yi and got up, she brought a basin of cold water to Xiao Yi, and after washing her face, she silently dressed Xiao Yi from the inside out, one by one.

This set of armor has been with Xiao Yi for almost two years, and it is still the heavy armor of the post-Jinba Yala soldier killed by Xiao Yi in the second year of Chongzhen, each armor leaf is made of fine iron, and it is painted with silver-white armor paint, in addition to being covered with cut marks.

The whole set of iron armor is still shiny and has a strong anti-rust ability.

Huang E took out a heavy sword with a red blade from the table, which was the Qi family knife that Xiao Yi carried, this armor and saber were used in the first battle, and they had a deep meaning for Xiao Yi, so Xiao Yi has always used this set.

Hang up the Qi family knife, Huang E took Xiao Yi's matching helmet again, as a guerrilla general, the helmet is naturally different, neither the six-break pointed hat iron helmet equipped by ordinary soldiers in the Yong'an army, nor the iron helmet of ordinary Ming generals.

The red tassel wind wings and neck guards are complete, but Xiao Yi can't just put on the helmet directly, and the Liao Dongfeng is cold, so he must first put on a cashmere hat to ward off the cold, and then put it on one by one.

Huang E put on a bright red hanging coat for Xiao Yi again, and after dressing neatly, Huang E looked at Xiao Yi, with both reluctance and worry in her big sparkling eyes.

Seeing that Huang E's eyes were red, obviously about to cry, Xiao Yi couldn't help but take Huang E into his arms, and suddenly remembered that Huang E was pregnant at the end of Chongzhen's third year, and it has been more than seven months now.

Said gently: "It's August now, and our child is about to be born." ”

Huang E nodded, her eyes already full of tears.

Xiao Yi laughed: "Sister E, don't worry, when did I fight a battle that I was not prepared for, but unfortunately..." ”

Huang E smiled, but there were already tears running down her cheeks: "Well, I believe that Xianggong Ji people have their own natural appearance, come, Xianggong will choose a name for the child." ”

Xiao Yi gently wiped the tears on Huang E's face and smiled: "I have thought about this a long time ago... It's called... Xiao Ding, what does Sister E think? ”

Huang E nodded and buried her head in Xiao Yi's arms: "Well, I listen to Xianggong, Ding'er... I also look forward to the early triumphant return of Xianggong. ”

Xiao Yi hugged Huang E tightly into his arms, as if he was about to melt into his body, but Huang E just choked lightly in Xiao Yi's arms.

……

The two of them left the mansion, and the crowd had gathered outside.

Most of them were the families of some soldiers and local gentry, among whom Shi Lu's wife He Ping also stood quietly in the crowd, and when she saw Xiao Yi coming over, she smiled slightly.

After Huang E sent Xiao Yi on the horse, He Ping walked to Huang E and grabbed her arm, and the two women glanced at each other, and they both saw a strong reluctance.

Shi Lu, Wang Dayong, Shi Gang, Liu Tong, and Huang Yang turned over on the horse one by one, and after Huang Yang got on the horse, he looked at Huang E and said: "Sister, you must take care of your body, and wait for my brother to return victorious!" ”

Huang E waved her hand at Huang Yang and said with a forced smile: "Brother, you must take good care of your sister-in-law, you must win!" ”

This is not only what Huang E thinks in his heart, but the crowd of onlookers all thinks so, all looking forward to the victorious return of the Yongan Army, and making way for Xiao Yi and the five people to go out of the city.

Shi Lu looked at He Ping, his expression was full of reluctance: "I'll go, and Yang'er will wait for me to come back!" ”

Although He Ping's expression was slightly moved, he still gritted his teeth and insisted, holding on not to show his longing, and shouted: "The general is a real hero, Xianggong, you must follow the general to kill a few more Dongyu Tartars to avenge the dead people!" ”

After the five of them said goodbye to their families, they followed Xiao Yi and galloped away without looking back.

Huang E watched Xiao Yi's figure disappear stupidly, she couldn't hold back any longer, tears slipped down like a broken kite, and He Ping held her hand.

comforted: "Sister, don't cry, since ancient times, it is just a common thing for men to go out to fight, and the general is a real hero, so let's wait at home for the army to return." ”

Huang E nodded, and suddenly said: "Sister, I want to go to the ancestral hall of Yong'an Fort tomorrow to pay homage to the heroic souls of the Yong'an Army who died in battle, and let them bless Xianggong with a smooth battle." ”

He Ping nodded: "I'll go with my sister, but you and I are both pregnant for several months, so it's safe to call more soldiers from the Zhenwei Battalion to escort you." ”

"Hmm."

Outside the city, the soldiers of the fifth battalion of the Yong'an Army stood quietly in the wind, the steel spear forest flashing with cold light exuded a terrifying aura, and after the neat military formation, six people galloped out of the city.

"Let's go!"

Under Xiao Yi's order, the sound of neat steps sounded, and a big flag with the word "Xiao" took the lead, surrounded by tigers, eagles, and fierce horse camp flags, and the flags were hunting in all directions.

The steps of the soldiers stepped on the bluestone avenue outside the city, accompanied by the sound of horses' hooves, rumbling.