When it was early in the morning, all kinds of chaos finally subsided, the east wind was cold, the winter sun rose into the sky, and the sky was clear, but whether it was the Qiu clan or the Chu army, they were all powerless to fight again. [No pop-up novel network] retreated into the city camp, like wounded beasts. Licking the scars on his body.

On this night, there were too many accidents, good or bad, for either side of the enemy or the enemy, for which there were countless undercurrents, which were secretly surging under the calm surface.

For the Steppe Alliance. They never imagined that the Chu people, who had always been docile as lambs and cowardly as frightened birds, would dare to start a riot in the camp of the grassland coalition army and under the supervision of a large number of soldiers when they were captured!!

It is also because of the unexpected. So although the strength of the Chu captives was not worth mentioning at all in the eyes of the steppe warriors, such a riot. The damage to the steppe coalition is still deep.

Nearly 100,000 Chu prisoners were basically unarmed, and they were fundamentally vicious against the grassland warriors, and their main purpose was to escape, so in this regard, the riot of the Chu prisoners did not cause much harm to the grassland coalition army. There was chaos all night, although countless fires were set off, although the Chu captives resisted. But in the end, fewer than 1,000 steppe warriors were killed or burned to death.

But on the other hand, because of the lack of preparation of the steppe coalition army and the large number of Chu prisoners, it was late at night, and most of the soldiers were already asleep. When the reaction came back and finally organized the army to block, the Chu captives had fled a lot, and a lot of them were killed, and then in order to vent their anger, they slaughtered a lot, and before the last little noon, the Chu people who were still controlled in the hands of the grassland coalition army were less than 10,000 people, and the strategy of "driving the people to attack the city" was self-defeating.

What's more, in the chaos of this night, the grain and grass of the grassland coalition army, especially the grain and grass of the Qiu tribe, were inexplicably involved in the fire, burning more than seventy percent, and the ordnance next to the granary, under a fire, there was only one siege crossbow left to barely continue to use, and the situation of the grassland coalition army suddenly became embarrassed.

In addition, there are military horses. After a night of chaos, under the premeditated plan, the military horses of the grassland coalition army were even more frightened and ran away.

The most important thing is that the melee with the Chu army at night"

For Chu Jun, there were countless accidents.

Except for a very small number of people. Most people didn't expect this sudden riot.

Of course, this sudden riot of Chu captives was a good thing for the Chu army, but thinking about the scene of corpses all over the place around the camp of the grassland coalition army within a radius of several miles after the night of riots, it is impossible for everyone to have emotions similar to "happy and happy" in their hearts.

Rough judgment, overnight. The Chu people who were killed in the chaos were no less than 40,000 captives, not including those who were killed by the grassland coalition forces afterwards, those who were seriously injured and died, and those who fled to the territory controlled by the northern steppe coalition forces and whose life and death were uncertain.

On this night, no one can estimate how many Chu people died because of this.

And later, even Xiao Mo himself didn't expect that the Chu army took the initiative to go out of the city, originally just to contain and threaten the grassland coalition army, so that they would not dare to go out of the camp to chase and kill at will, increase the chaos of the grassland army, and let more Chu prisoners take the opportunity to escape.

Under normal circumstances, the steppe coalition army should retreat into the camp for the sake of caution.

But no one expected it. Those soldiers of the grassland alliance army were so crazy that they dared to take the initiative to rush and fight each other when they didn't know what was going on in the dark and late at night, when their own forces were scattered and the Chu army's forces were concentrated.

Or, in the eyes of the steppe coalition army, once they lose their geographical advantage, the soldiers of the Chu army are no different from lambs to them, right?

Fortunately, the grassland coalition army was scattered in order to chase and kill the Chu captives who fled violently, and there was the distant support of Shangyuan City, and the morale and blood of the Chu army were not comparable to the past, so it did not usher in a big defeat, but even so, early in the morning. Outside Shangyuan City, there are still more than 10,000 bones of Chu soldiers.

and, the bones of the same number of Prairie Coalition fighters.

On this night, the god of death recklessly harvested the souls of the dead in the sky of Shangyuan City, and countless unjust souls wailed and screamed on the earth. There was only one siege crossbow vehicle available, and the advantage of long-range suppression of the Chu army was gone, and tens of thousands of soldiers and countless military horses were lost.

In the absence of follow-up support from the Steppe Alliance, it is not an exaggeration to call this night a turning point in the war between the Chu Dynasty and the Steppe Alliance.

After all, one less soldier of the Grassland Coalition Army, and the lack of food and grass means that as long as the Chu army can hold on for a maximum of five days, it will be able to win the final victory of this unprecedented battle!!

It's just that thinking of the nearly 1,000 elite soldiers who were secretly sent to the Xianbei camp after Xiao Mo formed an alliance with Xianbei, and the strange order that day suddenly asked the Chu army to go out of the city to contain the grassland coalition army at the third watch in the middle of the night, ordinary soldiers may just be afraid of this crazy battle, but the little people who have a little eye on the pool position will think that all the chaos of this night, and all the current situation, I am afraid that Xiao Mo, a well-known literary person and a privy minister who controls all military and political affairs on the front line, is secretly controlled and dominated.

All this was not known to anyone beforehand, and it was not until it finally happened that everyone realized the horror of hindsight.

As a result, the eyes of countless people are all round and false, and the words are concentrated in the study of the Taishou Mansion in Shangyuan City, and there are horrors, disdain, panic, and disbelief.

Although it is said that the bones will be dry, but for the victory of this battle, Xiao Mo actually let nearly 100,000 innocent people die tragically in just one night, and most of them are innocent and powerless civilians.

In this way, just overnight, Xiao Mo's image is in the hearts of many people. It's already completely clear.

On the other hand, since this night, after barely dealing with a number of follow-up affairs, Xiao Mo locked himself in the study alone, except for a few cronies, but no one was seen, as if he was in seclusion. No one knows what he's thinking at the moment. Mirido, Sidhamma. Ami deleted. Galandi. Amigado, Garanda, Gami, Gagana, Jita Kali, Sampa River"

When everyone was still indulging in the chaos and casualties of this night, and couldn't extricate themselves from waking up, in the evening of the next day, Deng Shangquan took Chu Da, Zhao Ying and others to Xiao Mo's study.

Hearing the sound coming from the room, everyone had a strange face. And faintly gloomy.

This is the scripture of the Mantra of Death.

And they all know that Xiao Mo is not religious. Even if Emperor Chu Ling now believes in Taoism the most, everyone in the officialdom is extremely sought after for the words of the sect.

But on this day, Xiao Mo had been chanting the "Mantra of Death" in a low voice for a whole day, without eating, resting, or stopping.

Xiao Mo, who was born in the afterlife, like most people, did not have any sectarian beliefs, in his opinion. The so-called denominational faith. Half of it is feudal superstition, and half of it is the sustenance of a dazed soul.

And now, since before noon, Xiao Mo has locked himself in the study, sitting cross-legged on the ground, facing a blank spiritual position, constantly muttering the "Death Mantra", as if to comfort the soul, as if to atone for his sins. It seems that he is pursuing the liberation of the soul, but it is not like anything, as if he has only one choice at this time.

No one could understand Xiao Mo's thoughts now.

The situation of the night. As well as the various consequences, Xiao Mo had expected it, and when he made such a decision, Xiao Mo also thought that he was mentally prepared to bear all the consequences.

At that time, Xiao Mo thought that his heart was firm and would not waver in any way.

However, when that scuffle was over, when Xiao Mo climbed to the top of the city, he looked at the corpses all over the city, dense and endless, each. The faces of the people were full of fear and despair, and most of them were just civilians, Xiao Mo suddenly realized. The consequences of this, the spiritual impact of such a scene. It's not that he's as easy to take for granted.

Standing on top of the city, it was obviously far away, but those tragically dead corpses, those desperate faces, still appeared clearly in front of Xiao Mo's eyes, even if he closed his eyes. It is also clearly visible in the brain and lingers.

Looking at everything he had created with his own hands, Xiao Mo's face suddenly became extremely pale at that moment, and in his heart. But it was paler than his face, and for a moment, there was no thought.

It's not that he's afraid of the impact after the fact, since he has already decided, Xiao Mo won't care about all the consequences after the fact, no matter how serious the consequences are.

It is not that he is worried about the damage to his reputation, although the literati of this era regard reputation as their life, Xiao Mo is an exception. Xiao Mo doesn't care about this kind of thing that life doesn't bring and death doesn't bring, even if he is scolded by countless people after death, Xiao Mo feels that he will still sleep peacefully in the grave.

Or is it guilt? Xiao Mo asked himself, but it was not, those Chu captives who died tragically in the chaos of the army, since the moment they were captured, their fate had been decided, Xiao Mo's decision, for them, except for a few days earlier, had no effect.

Or, Xiao Mo couldn't bear the kind of tremendous pressure that caused nearly 100,000 innocent deaths and countless people's hopes shattered with his order.

Therefore, when everything was over, Xiao Mo felt that he should do something for these dead good spirits, but he found out again. For all this, he couldn't do anything, wandering in the study in a daze. I suddenly found a volume of Buddhism's "Morning and Evening Lectures", subconsciously held it in my hand, and turned to the article "Mantra of Death". It was recited in a low voice, and then it went on for a whole day, ignoring anyone who asked to see him.

Perhaps, the reason why Xiao Mo recited the "Mantra of the Dead" so endlessly was not to comfort the dead, but only to pursue the re-peace of mind.

Na Shangquan took Chu Da and Zhao Ying to listen outside the study for a long time, and suddenly quietly pushed the door wide"

For Deng Shangquan, who has always attached the most importance to the dignity and humility of the upper and lower levels, it is simply impossible for him to enter without telling him, but Deng Shangquan has no scruples at the moment.

Walked in front of Xiao Mo. took away the scriptures in front of Xiao Mo, and brought a bowl of ginseng soup to Xiao Mo, a hint of pity seemed to flash in his eyes, and then he said softly: "Young master, it's all over." There are still countless military and political affairs waiting for you to deal with, and you can't afford to waste any more time.

Xiao Mo still couldn't be glad to come over. glanced at Deng Shangquan blankly. His eyes were still blank.

After seeing Chu Da and Zhao Ying behind Deng Shang's body, Xiao Mo's eyes gradually regained focus and a little concentration, as if he wanted to stand up, but after sitting cross-legged for a whole day, his legs and feet were sore, and he almost fell

Glancing at the sky outside the window, it was already sunset, Xiao Mo was slightly startled, and suddenly asked, "What time is it?" ”

While sorting out Xiao Mo's slightly chaotic and wrinkled clothes, Na Shangquan lowered his head and replied, "Young Master, it's evening. ”

Xiao Mo was slightly stunned. He turned his head sharply to look at Na Shangquan, and asked urgently, "It's been a day?" Can the steppe barbarians attack the city today? Why don't you remind me? ”

Xiao Mo didn't realize that his act of reciting the "Mantra of Death" in such a low voice had lasted for a whole day.

And Deng Shangquan didn't change his expression after hearing Xiao Mo's inquiry, and he still lowered his head and said: "Young master, don't worry, there is no war today, the grassland coalition army is tired after the chaos last night, and it needs to rest more than us." And the young master, you have been busy these days, and the villain felt that the young master should take a rest, so he stopped everyone's request to see him. ”

The rest that Shang Quan said refers to the rest of the spirit and psychology, Xiao Mo naturally will not misunderstand, and frowned at Na Shang Quan for a long time. Finally nodded, but didn't say much.

And beside him, after hearing this, Zhao Ying looked at Na Shangquan incredulously.

On this day, the military attache of Shangyuan City had visited Xiao Mo countless times, and there were countless important matters that Xiao Mo needed to decide, but they were blocked by Na Shangquan one by one, everyone thought that this was Xiao Mo's order, but they didn't expect it to be Deng Shangquan's private decision!!

But looking at Xiao Mo's appearance, although he frowned, he didn't mean to blame.

Originally, the impression that Na Shangquan left on Zhao Ying was just a subordinate who adhered to his duty, understood the master's mind, and was quite responsible, although it was rare, but it was nothing more, but looking at the current scene, the relationship between Xiao Mo and Na Shangquan was much more complicated than he imagined.

And just when Zhao Ying subconsciously began to think about the reason for this complicated relationship, Xiao Mo had already regained his former composure and calmness, at least on the surface, he looked up at Zhao Ying and Chu Da, his voice was slightly tired, and said: "The subordinate is willful and rude, General Zhao should not be surprised." ”

After hearing Xiao Mo say this. Zhao Yinglian said that he didn't dare. And Xiao Mo continued to ask, "General Zhao, what is the situation in the city now?" ”

Thinking of yesterday's chaos, a slight fluctuation flashed in Zhao Ying's eyes, and then he quickly covered it up, lowered his head and said, "Go back to your lord." In the battle last night, the reserves in the city lost more than 10,000, and the few cavalry were wiped out. But because the enemy's forces are scattered, and there is the cooperation of Shangyuan City. Therefore, it also caused considerable casualties among the grassland barbarians, and now Liu, Cai and other adults are dealing with the aftermath. In addition, after this chaos, a fire burned a large amount of grain and grass of the Qiu tribe, so although the grassland coalition army has lost its rear strength, the offensive in the next few days will inevitably become more and more fierce, so a group of soldiers are hurriedly preparing. ”

Xiao Mo nodded. After pondering the clipping, he said: "Order all the civil and military officials in the city to come to the Taishou Mansion immediately and discuss countermeasures together.

"Yes"

After Zhao Ying hurriedly retreated, Xiao Mo focused his eyes on Chu Da again, looking at the scars on Chu Da's body, a trace of guilt flashed in his eyes, and nodded: "Master Chu, this operation is difficult for you."

According to Xiao Mo's plan. Chu Da and others were hidden among the Chu captives, and when the Xianbei people escorted a group of Chu captives to the Qiu camp, they secretly hid the clothes and blades of the grassland coalition army in the surrounding hidden places, so that when the riot appeared, Chu Da and others dressed up as Qiu warriors, and it was difficult to be detected in the middle of the night.

Afterwards, they disguised themselves as Qiu warriors who chased and killed the captives, and there were Xianbei people to respond, which ensured their safety as much as possible. But their task is too dangerous after all, in addition to inciting riots, they also have to wait for the opportunity to burn the grain and grass of the Qiu tribe army and those few siege ballistas.

Of the 800 Chu soldiers who carried out this mission, only more than 300 were able to return safely, and this is still the case that everything goes smoothly without any accidents, and the danger of this trip can be seen.

After hearing Xiao Mo's words. Chu Dazhuo knelt down in front of Xiao Mo and shook his head: "My lord, this is all voluntary by the villain. ”

Saying that, Chu Da seemed to hesitate for a moment, suddenly raised his head and looked directly at Xiao Mo, and continued: "It's my lord, the current situation. Although you planned it, this is the best result, and you don't have to feel guilty about it. ”

Hear Chuda's words. Xiao Mo was slightly stunned, then shook his head and smiled: "Yes, this is the best situation" Don't worry, I don't feel guilty about this, I just feel a little tired.

At this moment, a burst of chaotic footsteps came, and Xiao Mo knew that it was Liu Xingzhi, the Taishou of Shangyuan City, and Cai Da, the defense envoy, and others who came.

After a group of familiar officials entered Xiao Mo's study, Xiao Mo looked up, only to find that the eyes of everyone looking at him were so strange.

It seems that there is more fear, but there is much less intimacy.

And just when Xiao Mo was discussing future countermeasures with a group of civil and military officials in Shangyuan City, the Qiu Clan's camp, the Great Khan King's tent, and the leaders of the Great Khan of the Grassland Alliance Army were also discussing the future countermeasures and ways out of the Grassland Alliance.

It's not so much a discussion, but rather a noise.

And in the face of this chaos, Bar Le also found out for the first time that he had lost control of the grassland coalition army.