On the first day of the siege of Deng She, Yan Zhixi, Ju Sheng and others were strictly guarded. Listening to the artillery fire outside the city every day, the sound of killing is full of ears, Ju Sheng is very anxious, but Yan Zhixi is the old god, he can do whatever he wants, drink tea and tea, play chess and play the piano, as if he is not affected at all.

When Tian Jialie and Xu Jizu made a plan to go out of the city that night and rob the Haidong Grain Road, Ju Sheng finally couldn't bear it, came out of the room, and walked to the courtyard pavilion.

Yan Zhixi is leisurely drinking tea and enjoying the rain under the pavilion. The place where they live is not far from the palace, and there is a large independent courtyard. Those who are concentrated here are not only Yan Zhixi and Yidu Sanyou, but also the Jurchen Liu family that Tong Sheng has befriended and many other big Yidu families.

Shortly after breakfast, many people in the corridor of the courtyard were taking a walk to eat. Most of them, like Ju Sheng, were in a nervous mood because of this war, whispering in twos and threes.

Ju Sheng's fame in Yidu is not small. He is different from everyone else, similar to the Liu family, born in many gentry, in layman's terms, that is, the children of large landowners and eunuchs, but his Ju family was born to sell salt. Selling salt is a business, and official sales are not as profitable as private salt. The Ju family is developed, in other words, it actually started by selling illicit salt. Regardless of the dynasties, selling illicit salt is a serious crime, and those who dare to do this line of work are all outlaws, so although the salt works of the Ju family have been handed over to the public, the power of the past still exists. If the Liu family is said to be a gentry, then his Ju family can be called a strong man.

In the era of peace, the gentry were noble and noble, and they were superior everywhere. During the troubled times, he protected his family and his life, but ten gentry were not as strong as one. And Ju Sheng himself wandered the market when he was young, and he was a ranger, and everyone knew that he was extremely courageous.

Seeing him come out at this time, several people who had some friendship with him all gathered around him and gossiped. Some asked: "Ju Guanren, your old man is well-informed, tell me, how long will this battle last?" Some said: "Xu Shuai and Tian Gong haven't seen each other for a few days, uncle, is there any news from outside?" If so, for the sake of the neighbors of the past, you must reveal a little bit to us. ”

"Official" and "uncle" were all neighborhood titles at that time. The head of a rich family can be called an "official". A person who is inferior in wealth is referred to as a person who is below the title to show respect, and the other party can be called "uncle".

Ju Sheng hugged his fist and said, "What is the news outside, how can I know that I am trapped in this courtyard with you?" If you want to say when this battle will be fought, we will have strong soldiers and horses in the capital, and have the benefits of the landlord, and the king of Yan will be tired from afar, and it is expected that he will not be an opponent. Ladies and gentlemen, don't be impatient, don't be impatient. ”

As he spoke, he squeezed out of the crowd, braved the drizzle, and hurried to the pavilion in three or two steps. Yan Zhixi looked at him with a smile. Ju Sheng looked back, and saw that no one was following, and there were no outsiders in the pavilion, so he lowered his voice and complained: "King Yan has been besieging the city for six or seven days, you are good, you are leisurely all day long." Don't delay this, brother, you must have a charter, tell me about it. ”

"It's weird. Why did the virtuous brother say this? ”

"If my brother doesn't have a charter, why is he so leisurely?"

"It's nothing more than joy in suffering."

"Brother!"

"It's useless to call me brother. It's not that you don't know that outside this courtyard is guarded by soldiers day and night, vulgar clouds: Xiucai meets soldiers, and it is unreasonable to say. You and I are now like birds in a cage, even if Kong Ming is resurrected and the ovary is reincarnated, I am afraid that there is no way, only there is nothing to do. ”

Ju Sheng's eyes widened, looking at Yan Zhixi, as if he wanted to see if what he said was true, he was slightly angry, and whispered: "Brother, you and I have been planning for many days, whether it succeeds or not, in this day!" When we met at sea that day, what did His Royal Highness King Yan say to us? Brother, you can't forget it! ”

"What? Is there a way for the virtuous brother? ”

When they met with Deng She at sea, Deng She had asked for appropriate help after the arrival of the Haidong army, such as Nei Ying, and so on. Ju Sheng said: "Judging from the current situation, the only plan is to find a way to get out of this cage. ”

"What about after you get out?"

"I have discussed privately with the Liu family. The Liu family is a wealthy family in Yidu, and there are many servants and slaves in the family, no less than 100 people. After the Liu family was also known as a general, its head and his sons and nephews were all skilled in martial arts. My brother also knows that when I was young, I learned three or two guns and sticks, and although I am older, I have never lost this skill. Moreover, before the red thieves came to Yidu, my family also did the business of selling illicit salt, and they all had the foundation. As long as we can go out, we dare not say more, one or two hundred heroes in the market, and my little brother can also be recruited by waves.

"And with the power of the Liu family, with these three hundred people, what else can not be done? Glory and wealth are just around the corner! ”

"It's too dangerous."

"Brother! I think that at the beginning, it was not me who was on the line with King Yan, nor Xiao Li and Lao Guo! The matter has come to this point, how can the two ends of the first mouse be hesitant and undecided? Let's ask, if the city is broken, you and I will be useless, what face will we have to meet King Yan again? I'm afraid that when the time comes, I'll fall into the laughing stock of others. ”

"Haidong's military victory is certainly profitable. But Brother Xian, have you ever thought about what if you and I can't respond and King Yan loses instead? We, old scalps, I'm afraid it won't be able to protect it. ”

"Since the thief and Tian Zhenzi have blatantly asked us here, it is like imprisoning, obviously we have long been suspicious. Now Haidong's soldiers are besieging the city, and it is difficult to say whether he will win or lose, so he can't take care of you and me. If we really wait until Haidong's army is defeated and wait for it to free up our hands, even if you and I don't do anything, do you think that our heads can be saved, brother? ”

"Haha. The virtuous brother is as wise as a torch, far-sighted, unrelenting in the face of great difficulties, determined to be determined by great doubts, and admired by the foolish brother. ”

Ju Sheng was stunned.

Yan Zhixi changed his smile, sat upright, his expression was serious, and said, "I can't hide it." What I think is the same as that of the virtuous brother, what the right person says, but it is just a joke. However, after mixing it up, everything is easy to do. The top priority is how to get out. May I ask the virtuous brother, is there a good plan? ”

"I can't help it, so I came to discuss it with my brother."

Yan Zhixi's family members were all quietly sent to Haidong in the name of visiting relatives, and in his heart, he had long regarded himself as a courtier in Haidong. The reason why he refused to tell the truth to Ju Sheng was not a "play", but an actual "try". Mess up the city, for Haidong to respond. It's easier said than done. If you are not careful, it will be a catastrophe for the nine clans. You can't do it unless you have a strong will.

Although Ju Sheng's previous performance was very impassioned and had a reputation for being bold and heroic, when it was urgent, when it was a matter of life and death, and when it was time to move seriously, what would he think? Will you suddenly be afraid of death and change your hexagram? Knowing people and knowing faces but not hearts, so Yan Zhixi had to test it with words first to see what he really thought. This is also Yan Zhixi's cautious side.

Now that he has tested his true intentions, Yan Zhixi no longer conceals it, he smiled slightly, pointed out of the wall, and said: "As for how to get out, if the virtuous brother has no good plan, I have a way." ”

"Will the plan be released?"

Yan Zhixi said leisurely: "His Royal Highness King Yan is ambitious, in this Yidu City, we are not the only ones, there is an ambush all the way ,......, you and come over with your ears." Ju Sheng hurriedly stretched out his head, turned sideways, and listened to Yan Zhixi's words, he was overjoyed, and asked, "I see!" Good ambush all the way! Good ambush all the way! But I don't know when to start? ”

"Tonight, or tomorrow morning."

"So, I'll go and prepare now."

"Come back! Remember, it's a matter of urgency, and don't talk to anyone about it. Including even the Liu family, they can't tell it too early. Especially when he is cowardly, don't say anything bad to him, lest anything bad happen. ”

"Why do you need my brother's advice. Out of your mouth, into my ears. God knows, you know and I know. I will never tell anyone until something happens. ”

"Very good, go ahead."

Yan Zhixi picked up the celadon tea bowl and watched Ju Sheng walk away casually. The flowers and leaves in the courtyard are green, and the cool breeze is gusting. The drizzle, which obscured the heavens and the earth, could not stop falling, covering the undulating houses, falling into the pool, and making ripples in circles; Hit the pavilion and rustle.

"Thief God, the rain can't stop falling on this dog's day, and it makes people anxious!"

The rabbit rises, and the night comes. In the blink of an eye, the clouds were deep, and the streets were more unhurried, from one watch to two watches, and the yellow-orange-orange sand fell silently on the hourglass. On the fifth watch, in the north gate of Yidu, a biao army and horse were in ambush for a long time, all with black helmets and black armor, and even the mounts were also painted black. The moon was dark and dark, and if you looked at them from a distance, they were so integrated with the night that you couldn't tell the slightest difference.

The rain fell softly, falling on their armor and soaking their bodies through the cracks, and occasionally the horses raised their legs and raised their heads, but only a dull snort sounded. ——, these knights had already covered their mouths with small sticks, and the horses' hooves were wrapped with cotton wool and other things, so as to prevent slippage, and the other was used to silence the sound.

Gao Yonsei cursed a few words of weather in a low voice, took off his helmet, poured out the rainwater that had accumulated in it, put it back on, changed the position of the horse lance placed on the mount, pressed the bow bag on his waist, was careful not to touch the injury, turned his head, looked twice in the direction of the west city gate, and asked left and right: "What time is it?" ”

Liu Guo replied to him: "It's already five watches." ”

"Why hasn't Lao Chen moved over there?"

Liu Guo raised his head, looked at the sky for a while, and said, "The moon can't be found, and there is not half a star." The dark clouds were deep and rainy, just to cover the sound of our galloping horses, it was really a rare and good opportunity to break out of the city. General Gao, who of the two of us will play the striker in a while? ”

"I'm in front, you're in the back."

Before the words fell, there was a sudden shout at the west city gate. The group hurriedly turned their heads to look, only to see that in the boundless drizzle, through the night in the distant city, a little fire in the distance, gradually getting bigger. I could vaguely hear many people shouting in unison: "Kill the thief!" Kill the thief! "Mixed with the sound of cannon urns and the trembling sound of boulders fired by trebuchets hitting the ground.

Gao Yanshi stopped talking and watched intently. Time passed very slowly, and it seemed to pass very quickly, and I don't know how long it was, and suddenly, four or five fireworks were set off, and the bright city was lit up and bloomed in the night sky.

"Open the gates! Open the gates! ”

After waiting for a long time, the code finally came, Gao Yanshi lifted the reins and controlled the rope, and urged the horse with a horizontal lance. The soldiers opened the heavy gates with their hands and feet, and hundreds of people roared out. What awaits them is a rain of arrows that cut their heads and cover their faces.

"What's going on?"

"What's going on?"

"Who put the arrow?"

"Ouch! It's not good, I was ambushed by Haidong. ”

"Be careful! Trebuchet. ”

"Damn, artillery too."

Liu Guo caught up with Gao Yanshi: "It's a little bad, it seems that Deng Thief has been prepared for a long time." ”

Gao Yanshi was the first to go out of the city, and the arrows outside the city came at him the most, thanks to his quick reaction, although there was a wound on his arm, a horse lance still danced in a sassy manner, blinking and closing his eyes, not to mention shooting down dozens of hundreds of long arrows. He was not good in his heart, so he was busy and took a look, but because of the deep night, he couldn't see anything clearly, only to see the dark and rainy night, the shadows on the opposite side were full, and he didn't know how many Haidong soldiers there were in all directions. The rain of arrows mixed with the drizzle, and he was embarrassed.

"There is an ambush in Haidong, general, let's withdraw quickly!"

"How can it be!"

Withdrawn in disgrace? Don't even think about it! And Gao Yanshi didn't believe that Haidong would be prepared, could it be that Deng She could pinch and calculate, and he could actually calculate that they would go out of the city tonight to break through? He interrupted Liu Guo's request to withdraw his troops and shouted: "The brave wins when they meet on a narrow road!" And don't panic, just a little Haidong's ranger. Brothers, cheer up and rush with me! ”

Flying arrows are scattered, and arrows are like hedgehog hair.

"If you are a ranger, how can the arrows be so fierce? And trebuchets and artillery! Checkmate! Hurry up, if it's too late, if the Deng thief takes the opportunity to break into the city, it will be a great crime! ”

"If you say more, I will behead you."

Gao Yanshi bravely rushed into battle, getting closer and closer to the position of the Haidong Army. At the same time, he was getting farther and farther away from the city gate, and Liu Guo fell behind him, screaming in a bursting voice: "Closed!" Closed! "What's off? However, the defenders of the West City Gate saw that the situation was not good, and they couldn't wait for Liu Guo and the others to turn back, so they closed the city gate by themselves.

Close, close.

Facing the drizzle, breaking through the wind, hundreds of meters will be there in a hurry. Gao Yanshi didn't look back, straightened up the black lance, and crashed into the enemy formation. He guessed correctly, Deng She is not an immortal, and he has no ability to anticipate the enemy prophet, but Zhuge is only cautious in his life, as soon as the battle at the West City Gate started, Deng She had already guessed that Yidu would use the strategy of copying the grain road, and of course immediately ordered all gates to be strictly guarded. Therefore, as soon as Gao Yanshi and the others showed up, they were hit by an overwhelming number of arrows.

There is only the blow of Yaishi. The mobilization of the infantry was not so fast, and the defense on the Haidong position was actually very weak. If Liu Guo and the others had the courage to charge with Gao Yanshi, maybe they would break through in one fell swoop. It's a pity that there is never a if in a decisive battle.

The 300 elites selected by Gao Yanshi were not originally the head of one of his battalions, but were selected from each army on the orders of Tian Jialie, and each had a partial general and a colonel leader from his headquarters. At this time, the enemy situation was suddenly encountered, and the various departments were in chaos, and there were only thirty or forty soldiers of the base camp who followed him. Before the enemy formation, one hundred and ten cavalry were greeted on the opposite side of the attack, and two or three leaders took the lead in surrounding them, and the two melee battles were one.

The ground was muddy, and where the horses' hooves intertwined, large chunks of muddy water were splashed. Gao Yanshi was one against three, and he did not fall behind, so he had time to look back and shout: "Liu Guo! Liu Guo! ”

Liu Guo stopped his horse, took the rest of the military horses, and retreated under the city gate and into the drawbridge, just shouting: "Open the city gate quickly!" The partial general heard Gao Yanshi's call and said on the side: "General Gao escaped from the siege lightly, and called us to help." If we don't, I'm afraid that we will be court-martialed in the future. General, save or not? ”

"Yonsei, a famous general in Hebei, the art of riding and archery, crowning me and Yidu. How could the generals of Haidong be his opponents? And the enemy is dark and I am bright, and it is dark and rainy, and if you act rashly, you will lose the suspension bridge. It's better to wait for it. ”

The city gates are closed, what does it matter if this drawbridge is lost or not? Liu Guo made a clear excuse. The generals of Yidu knew it well, but Gao Yanshi was arrogant, and he was at odds with everyone, and no one was willing to intercede for him for a while. More than 200 people, just gathered in the bridge under the city and watched the battle; While shouting in unison, they tried to survive.

There is a way to defend the city, and once the city gate is closed, it is even more difficult to shout it open, and there is an enemy outside the city. When Liu Guo and the others shouted for a long time, their voices were hoarse and their mouths were dry, but no one paid attention to them. The spring thunder exploded in his ears, and he shouted again: "Liu Guo! General Liu! ”

With the help of the light of the fire that had just been lit at the head of the city, everyone turned their heads in unison in the direction from which the sound came.

Outside the drawbridge, the moat rolls up, the drizzle is colorful, and the night is deep. But seeing that the chaotic horses were fighting, the number of Haidong soldiers increased, and they were surrounded by regiments, and Gao Yanshi and others were covered with water. Gao Yanshi danced and turned the horse, ten swings and ten uniques, rushed into battle and broke the camp, like a tiger descending the mountain. Although there were three generals to surround the school, he still had time to rescue his subordinates. Haidong soldiers, there is no way to stop one of them, and those who should fall down with a lance do not know how many. His eyes cracked like weeping blood, and he shouted three times: "Liu Guo! Liu Guo! ”

"Call the gates! The guards of the city, where is your general? Quickly went to find it. I am Liu Guo of ten thousand households, why don't you hurry up and open the city gate? ”

The Haidong soldiers who surrounded Gao Yanshi, someone recognized him and shouted, "This is Gao Yanshi!" He is Koyonsei! ”

"Did he kill Master Li Dunru and Master Li?"

"Gao Yonsei!"

"Gao Yonsei!"

"It doesn't matter if he killed Master Li or not. King Yan has an order, whenever you meet Gao Yanshi, you must be captured alive! ”

The Haidong cavalry, which had 100 reinforcements, planned to bypass the position and attack Liu Guo in the bridge, but when they heard the rumors, they all turned their horses. The horses' hooves shook the ground, and one torch after another began to beat around the battle circle. The firelight lit up the field, Gao Yanshi knew that he couldn't count on Liu Guo's help, and he was in a desperate situation, and he became more and more violent. The Haidong generals who fought with him gradually changed from three people to four people, and then to five people.

Even if Gao Yanshi rushed to help, he couldn't stop the large number of people in Haidong, and the thirty or forty soldiers of the headquarters who followed him to charge into battle were killed and wounded not long after. Seeing that he couldn't kill him, he turned his horse's head and shouted to the sky: "Guan and Zhang Yimo are like this." Today's defeat is not my fault. General Liu Guo, the generation of children, is ashamed to be in the company! "Swing your lance and fight again.

In a moment, the mount was shot to death by Haidong, and he jumped down from the mud, discarded his lance, drew his saber, and killed more than a dozen people. During the battle, the anger and drink were not stopped, and the power of drinking was enough to make the faint and weak retreat together. The blade collapsed, and he immediately drew out the short sword, and the blood-stained clothes, the middle three and four creations were still fighting bravely.

Liu Guo under the city, seeing his bravery, was shocked and shocked. Favoring the generals and subordinates and subordinates is a shame. The general who spoke before was excited, jumped on the horse with his sword, and shouted: "I am willing to fight side by side with General Gao, live and die together." Husbands should be like this! "The spinning roll headquarters will be answered across the bridge.

At this moment, there was an earth-shattering sound, and the chaos in the West City Gate suddenly started.