The urn is completely turned upside down, and everyone wants to be able to pour out the last drop of water inside. Follow? Dream?. When the drop of water hung on the edge of the urn and hesitated, someone rubbed his chapped lips against the moist edge of the urn, and the water disappeared without a trace as if it were dripping into the desert. The urn, devoid of water, was thrown to the ground and left unnoticed.

Yang calmly took a sip of warm fresh water, and under the exposure of the sun, everything became hot. If it weren't for the silver sterilization in the water urn, the current water would not only be hot, but also smelly. Moistening his lips slightly, Yang calmly put away his bronze kettle and put on his mask.

The remaining 130 or so people quickly chose to do the same as Yang Congrong, and a third of the people who had lost their lives so far on the march had already lost their lives, and two-thirds of the survivors knew that there could be no more hesitation. There is not much water left, just enough to support everyone back in the Mediterranean.

Wearing a mask, Yang calmly recalled the doctor's words in his heart. In the desert, you have to rely on a mask to ensure that some of the water in the exhaled breath is sucked back into your body. The others, like Yang, had listened to the doctor's story, watching the cage-like garment and mask keep the heat out while keeping the water as much as possible without losing it quickly. Everyone was silent in such a package.

The team did not go fast, and scouts were also dispatched, and they were extra careful whenever they came to the terrain where the cavalry was easy to ambush. Leaving the Great Bitter Lake and heading north until the next morning, the scouts fought and retreated as the flares were raised. The troops moved slowly, and their physical strength was relatively good. Everyone immediately gathered and approached the scout.

As soon as the defense system was formed by the small car, more than 100 Mongolian cavalry appeared in everyone's field of vision. The two sides set up a formation to confront each other, Yang Congrong felt that his heart was beating fiercely, more than a hundred infantry faced more than a hundred cavalry, the pressure was too strong. After a confrontation, they saw three Mongolian cavalry arrayed on the opposite side, who were shaking with white strips of cloth on their spears, and slowly drove their horses forward.

"Let's go up too." The instructor pulled down his mask and said.

Yang Congrong was not opposed to talking to the Mongol army, and if he could, he did not want to fight the Mongol army. The purpose of this trip was not to fight to the death with the Mongols, and if it were not for the fact that many people died of illness on the western shore of the Great Bitter Lake, the team would not have ventured to the eastern shore of the Great Bitter Lake.

When the two sides met, they didn't have the idea of fighting. The Mongol envoy asked in broken Chinese: "You are not Mamluks. ”

"We are the envoys of the Great Song Dynasty to Eastern Rome." Yang replied calmly. I heard that the Mongols respected the envoys very much.

"How did you get here from Constantinople?"

"We originally wanted to go back to the Great Song Dynasty by the Red Sea, but the dock personnel had to evacuate due to the plague, so they had to withdraw from there."

"The southbound team we saw a few days ago was indeed you." The Mongolian envoy laughed, "It's all the same cart." ”

"What's so funny about that!" The instructor coldly expressed an attitude of confrontation with Mongolia.

"I am not here to fight you, but to keep the sick Egyptians from escaping our territory. I see you like this, but I am afraid that you have suffered a lot on the road. I would like to ask you if you want to follow us back to Baghdad. I have heard that the Great Song knows how to prevent the plague, and if you can tell us what to do, the Great Khan will definitely reward us. ”

"What are you kidding!" The instructor immediately refused.

"In this desert, you still have two hundred miles to go, and if we send cavalry to harass you day and night, do you think we can get out of this wasteland? Hehe. The Mongolian envoy smiled very confidently.

"I'll wait...... Let's talk about it. Yang calmly reluctantly resorted to delaying tactics.

"Please." The Chinese pronunciation of the Mongol envoys sounded very strange in the Great Song Dynasty, but the words were surprisingly elegant.

But at this time, Yang Congrong didn't notice this at all, he only felt that his heart was gloomy.

When the people in the team heard the news, they looked at the Mongolian cavalry in the distance, and everyone looked at each other in fear. At this time, they are no longer in the state of mind when they first set off, when everyone ate and drank well. Even if they encountered the Mongol army, everyone was confident that they would hold on. Now that the Mongol cavalry has grasped the crux of the problem, Yang Congrong What they lack most is supplies. The Mongol cavalry was afraid of the firearms of the Great Song Dynasty, and they could completely not impact the musket array, but exert all kinds of pressure.

"Let's just line up the array and move forward, the Mongolian cavalry will definitely not dare to rush into battle." The instructor gave a suggestion.

None of them wanted to be captured by the Mongols, and although it would be very draining for everyone, it was always a solution. The crowd lined up with weapons and surrounded the carts transporting supplies in the middle and began to march north.

The Mongol cavalry also reacted with the movement of the troops, and the cavalry urged their horses to follow the Song army from several directions. When the members of the regiment saw the cavalry of the Mongol army, some of them unconsciously quickened their pace. As long as one person does this, the others can't help but speed up. It didn't take long for the neat-looking queue to loosen.

Yang calmly couldn't help but walk faster and faster with the pace of everyone, although the instructor shouted loudly: "Don't run!" No one is allowed to run! ”

But when others moved, Yang Congrong couldn't help but move. It's just that Yang Congrong still knows that he can't do this. He had read in the book that when infantry encountered cavalry, it was easy to lose psychological balance and panic themselves. For example, they will run around and then mess around. Yang Congrong suddenly found that his team was doing such a thing, Yang Congrong knew in his heart that this was wrong, but his body involuntarily moved with everyone. He also clearly felt as if there was an impulse in his heart, which made him want to run faster than the others and leave them behind.

"Don't move! Don't move! The instructor's voice was like a bell.

However, it was useless to just shout like this, Yang calmly saw that some people even wanted to run faster. Some people take the lead, and some people can't help but start nonsense. Someone also took the lead, Yang Congrong also stopped, and shouted at the top of his voice: "Don't move!" If you run again, you will be scattered. If you move again, you'll run away! ”

"Phew!" A musket rang out at close range, and then the instructor roared, "Whoever is moving, I'll shoot him!" ”

Then Yang calmly saw the instructor fly up and kick an obviously flustered guy to the ground. It was useless to kick only one, and the instructor punched and kicked the butt of the gun, which finally stopped the collapse of the troops.

The Mongols saw that the Great Song team was in disarray, and the direction of the cavalry's gallop was adjusted. Some of the Mongols had already tried to get over the chaotic ranks. Yang calmly looked at it and hurriedly raised his gun. But his hands were shaking with nervousness, and he couldn't aim. In the end, Yang calmly took a look at the direction of the Mongolian cavalry and fired a shot.

In times of such confusion, the actions of various people trigger imitation. Some people also knew that they couldn't mess up at this time, and when they saw the Mongolian army coming over, they immediately followed Yang and shot calmly. The Mongolian army didn't expect that these Song people, who were already panicking, would be able to fight back, and knowing the sharpness of the Song army's firearms, they had to retreat temporarily.

"Line up! Reload! The instructor roared.

Those who dare to go to the Eastern Rome side to mix rice are not weak chickens, although this toss is very bad, but let everyone personally experience that they are far less powerful on the battlefield than they imagined. Seeing that someone had already begun to set up the formation, the gang also hurriedly began to work according to the usual training.

The Mongol army saw that the chaos on the side of the Great Song Dynasty did not last long, so they no longer approached easily. After that, the people stopped moving, but stopped and set up camp and put the ranks in order.

The instructor was so angry that he scolded everyone. Yang calmly felt uncomfortable in his heart, and he completely ignored what the instructor said. At this time, he finally realized how important it was to repeatedly emphasize 'obey discipline and obey commands' in the book and during military training.

Yang Congrong and others have received military training, and everyone still thinks they are very good when they perform by themselves. Unexpectedly, without even experiencing a real battle, these people almost collapsed on their own. If they are really engaged in the battlefield of life and death, what kind of combat effectiveness can these people exert?

Looking at the Mongolian cavalry that had also stopped in the distance, Yang Congrong began to feel fear in his heart. Since the reign of Zhao Jiaren, the Great Song Dynasty has won a great victory over the Mongols every time for more than ten years. It completely presents the posture of conquering and winning. The Great Song Dynasty also recovered a large amount of territory, and even Youzhou and Yinshan, which had been lost for 600 years, were recovered. In Yang Congrong's mind, the Mongolian cavalry was more like a huge moving target. Now that he saw his uselessness, Yang Congrong recalled the strong coercion given to the Great Song by the Mongol cavalry before Zhao Jiaren took power.

At this time, the instructor walked up to Yang Congrong and shook Yang Congrong's shoulders vigorously. Yang calmly raised his head and asked a little confused, "What's the matter?" ”

"Let's keep walking. You're in charge of the first row. Command the pace with a whistle. After the instructor finished speaking, he pulled up the whistle hanging around Yang Congrong's neck and stuffed it into Yang Congrong's hand.

Not long after, accompanied by the rhythm of the whistle, the Da Song team continued to start the journey back north. Although it was just a simple whistle, Yang calmly felt as if he had some backbone in his heart. You don't have to think for yourself, as long as you let your muscles smoothly follow the rhythm of the whistle, you can take steps.

Yang calmly walked for a while, and suddenly remembered that when the Great Song army marched, there should be a military band in front. The military band played a fast-paced tune, and everyone just followed the rhythm of the tune. Thinking of this, Yang calmly recalled the song of the military band in his mind, blowing the whistle according to that rhythm.

At the beginning, I couldn't quite match the two, and everyone's pace was obviously messed up. Later, he found the rhythm point, put his mind on the whistle, and only recalled the tune when he couldn't find the right point. The pace is getting smoother and smoother. Then Yang calmly felt that his cheeks were sore, so he hurriedly found someone to replace him.

In order to facilitate communication, everyone has a whistle on the desert march. Everyone was just like this, one by one, and they were finally able to march. The Mongolian cavalry in the distance did not mean to get any closer, they just kept changing the speed of the cavalry, and also approached the Great Song team at different distances and distances. Seeing the Great Song team raising their guns and aiming, they walked away. The Great Song team marched with guns on their backs, and the Mongol cavalry came closer. Fortunately, with the experience of almost collapsing before, everyone is not messed up this time. Just hold the formation with all your might. When the night was low, the Mongolian cavalry saw that the Great Song team had found an easy place to camp and disperse.

Yang calmly took turns keeping vigil, and he was worried all night. When the day dawned, many people were extremely sleepy when the troops were marching. At noon, the crowd could no longer bear any longer, so they hid in the shade that was easy to guard and began to rest.

The instructor solemnly called Yang Congrong to a temporary tent for a meeting, and there were several captains at the meeting, and there was a strong sense of loss in the instructor's voice, "Let's just leave like this, I'm afraid that something will happen." ”

"How?" The captains were extremely nervous.

"The physical exertion on our side is too great. More water is also being consumed than planned. The instructor talked about the problems he was facing.

Yang calmly felt that he understood. In the original plan, everyone's physical strength could go to the Mediterranean. Coupled with the experience of these days, Yang Congrong can also distinguish the condition of his body. Just from yesterday's toss, Yang Congrong felt that his physical strength was almost exhausted. He really wanted to take a day off and get a good night's sleep.

Thinking of this, Yang Congrong simply said his thoughts directly, "Either we can find a place that can block the Mongols today, and we will rest there for a day." When the strength recovers, let's go again. ”

The instructor's brows furrowed slightly, and he said helplessly: "This is also a way." ”

The members of the group learned that they could rest tomorrow, but they also recovered their spirits for a short time. Everyone soon saw a place with some big rocks. In the past, the situation was better than expected. It is a natural terrain that looks like a stone wall, and there is a place to use it. Everyone quickly went over and set up camp. Maybe it's because they know that they don't have to trek tomorrow, and everyone is in the spirit of taking turns to keep vigil.

It was another morning, and Yang calmly returned to his bunk. When he was woken up, Yang Congrong only felt that his eyes were sour, and he couldn't open them at all. He closed his eyes and said, "What's the matter?" ”

"The Mongols drove some of the Egyptians to our side." The person who shook Yang calmly said loudly.

"Come on, come on......"

"Captain Yang, those people may be infected with the plague!" The person who shook Yang calmly shouted loudly.

At the mention of the plague, Yang Congrong's heart was excited. The drowsiness was finally dispelled somewhat. He barely opened his eyes and saw a vice-captain on the other side. He thought about it and said, "Pull me up." We organize our defenses and must not let those Egyptians come over. ”

After listening to Yang Congrong's suggestion, the deputy captain hurriedly said, "The instructor has organized a defense. Just wait for the head of the regiment to go over together. ”

Originally, Yang calmly thought that the Mongols were driving the Egyptians like a tidal wave rushing over. Lying on the simple fortifications, I saw that there were twenty or thirty people. When the instructor saw Yang coming calmly, he didn't say anything, and directly ordered the team to shoot. Only two people were hit in the first round, but the loud sound of muskets and white smoke brought the Egyptians to a halt. The Mongols, on the other hand, continued to attack the Egyptians with longbows in the rear. The Egyptians had to continue to run towards the side of the Great Song team, and the Great Song side could only continue to shoot. The Egyptians were defeated by five or six more, and knowing that the men on the other side were as fierce as the Mongols, they fled on both sides, trying to combine the Mongols and the Great Song team as much as possible.

"But it's over." Yang muttered calmly and staggered to his bunk. He just wanted to fall asleep now, even if it was the end of the world. No, if it is really the end of the world, Yang calmly can go from a sound sleep to an eternal sleep. That seems like a good idea.

The sound of gunfire did not affect Yang Congrong's sleep at all, and he slept until early afternoon. Yang Congrong was not woken up, but woken up by hunger. Smelling the smell of food, Yang Congrong immediately came to his senses. It was cured meat that had been made a long time ago, and there was a white powder of preservatives on the side of Da Song. Add the sausage according to the measurement regulations, and the sausage with salt and spices can last for a long time. When heated, this sausage is a good food for the march.

After gobbling up two sausages, Yang calmly felt as if there was finally something at the bottom of his gnawed stomach. Another bowl of soup came, and Yang calmly felt that he was alive again. Before he could continue eating, the instructor came over and said, "The Mongols have made it clear that they don't want us to live in peace, and this has already driven four waves of Egyptians over." ”

"As long as we don't get infected." Yang Congrong only felt that his heart was like a stone at this time. What was the life and death of the Egyptians, and could they eat it?

"I thought I could send someone to report it in the evening. If the boat is still waiting for us, let's see if we can ask them to come to our aid. But in that case, you have to be able to hold on. But now, the Mongols don't want us to hold on. ”

"Not to mention the ship coming, even if the people of Constantinople send reinforcements, they can only send five hundred people. No matter how many there are, there are not so many people. The Eastern Romans and the Mongols hooked up together, if we dare to let the Eastern Romans send people, they will sell us. Yang Congrong had already picked up the powder sausage, and after finishing speaking, he devoured it. There is a lot of rice flour and flour in the sausage, and the meat content is less than half. But this thing can be seen as a meat bun in another situation, which can be very filling.

Eating something in his mouth, Yang Congrong also recalled what he had just said, he himself was very strange. He wasn't like this before, but after going through these things, Yang calmly found that he seemed to have been opened another door. Inside that door there was a new perspective, and another self. This feeling is very wonderful, and Yang calmly feels as if he has broken free from many shackles.

"No one came to help, so what should I do?" The captain next to him asked anxiously.

After swallowing the last mouthful of powder sausage, Yang calmly picked up the soup and took a sip, then said, "I also thought about it." The Mongols want to hold us back now, and they have probably mobilized other horses, and they won't let us go. So I'm curious to know if the Mongol claims about the plague are true. If that's true, we have a solution. ”

"What's the solution?" This time, even the instructor was interested.

Yang Congrong was also thinking hard about a solution during his vigil last night. He was afraid at the time, although he also thought that the Mongols might really need the means to prevent the plague, but the subsequent thought was that he knew the theory of preventing the plague, so he was likely to be captured by the Mongols.

Now that he didn't know what had happened to him, Yang calmly found that the same idea had a completely different direction.

"If the Mongols really want to ask us to help him prevent and control the plague, as long as we can insist on fighting the Mongols to the death, then we can ask the Mongols to let go of those who don't know how to prevent health and epidemic prevention, and those of us who know how to prevent health and epidemic prevention can stay and help the Mongols." Yang said calmly.

"This ...... What is this? The captains were a little confused.