Governor's Palace.

The charcoal fire in the study was dancing with orange flames, and from time to time there was a sound of air explosion, and an invisible depression spread, and the sudden change made everyone's hearts a little heavy.

Qin Huaidao stared at the map and thought for a moment, then looked up at Xue Wanshu, his gaze became firm and sharp, and said slowly: "Dudu, you must raise the city wall and turn Yingzhou into a heroic city, as long as Yingzhou is not lost, Goguryeo must draw a large number of troops to defend it, and maybe it will not be able to go south." ”

"That's right, but it's easier said than done to build a city now." Xue Wanshu reminded.

"I have a way."

"Do you have a way?" Xue Wanshu's eyes lit up, and she said excitedly: "Say it quickly, what way?" ”

"It is enough to build an ice city to camp the climate of Yingzhou, and it will not melt within two months." Qin Huaidao said.

"Ice City?" Xue Wanshu was a little confused.

Luo Zhang also looked at it curiously.

Qin Huaidao explained: "First use wooden planks to erect on both sides of the city wall, form a trough row, and then pour water into it, wait for the water to freeze and then again, and so on, constantly heightened, there are wooden planks to block both sides, the water will not flow turbulently, the raised ice is not only hard, slippery, not conducive to climbing, the weak part of the city allows people to carry the soil to accumulate, while sprinkling water, forming frozen soil, the same hard, overnight, Yingzhou will become a male city." ”

"Shhhh

Xue Wanshu took a breath of cold air, her eyes lit up, and she said excitedly: "General Qin, this method is wonderful, there is no need to repair it at all, it is directly sprinkled into ice, and the ice is used as a wall, as high as you want, you can build as high as you want, so that even if the 100,000 army presses the border, Yingzhou can still move, hahaha, good, great." ”

"Governor, you can't raise it, otherwise the city wall can't withstand it, and when the ice melts, you have to rebuild the city wall in the coming year, and the ice is covered with straw to prevent slipping, so that the soldiers can continue to fight on it and shoot the enemy." Qin Huaidao hurriedly reminded.

"Wonderful, wonderful, without further ado, the old man will arrange it, and he will be lazy." Xue Wanshu said excitedly, bowed his hand to Qin Huaidao to apologize, and hurriedly went.

Qin Huaidao admired Xue Wanshu's character very much, a soldier should be like this, he returned to the camp with Luo Zhang, and when he saw that his brothers were there, he immediately gathered together, and even the captains of the military cadets were called, and gathered in a large barracks, Qin Huaidao got straight to the point: "Everyone, the situation has changed, Goguryeo suddenly sent troops to take the border pass, and the troops may come to Yingzhou at any time, we have to stay here for a while to assist in the defense." ”

"What, the little Goguryeo dares to do something to my Datang, I don't know whether I live or die." Fang Yiai jumped up and shouted.

Qin Huaidao glared at the other party and shouted: "Don't underestimate Goguryeo, hundreds of thousands of troops from the previous dynasty have repeatedly returned in vain, in addition to internal factors, this climate is also the main reason, they are not afraid of the cold, and they dare to fight." ”

"The general rest assured, when they arrive, the last general is willing to take the lead." Fang Yiai shouted nonchalantly.

Qin Huaidao directly ignored it, this person is a reckless man, it is useless to be reasonable, he looked at An Guogong, and An Guogong took over the topic and said: "General, the city of Yingzhou is low, once Goguryeo sends troops, such as doing his best, I am afraid that I will not be able to defend it, and our army needs to prepare early." ”

"It doesn't matter, General Ben has already offered the governor to build a city with water, Yingzhou will definitely become a male city, the border army is enough to defend, what we have to do is to rest, recover physical strength and injuries, prepare the dried meat and winter clothes, this general will take you out to kill, if you can kill Goguryeo retreat back to defense, and relieve the Tang crisis, a great achievement."

Everyone's eyes lit up, if you really use the power of an army to resolve the crisis, this credit will be too great, knighthood is not a problem, the title of the elders in the family can only be inherited by the eldest son, not the other sons, not to mention that the inheritance has no influence, if you can kill a title with the sword in your hand, it will be more glorious, isn't it?

Qin Huaidao saw that everyone's morale had been mobilized, and his heart was settled, and he advised: "Let the soldiers assist in shearing the wool, cleaning it, and drying it for use to make clothes. ”

"Obey!" Li Dejian hurried to get paper and charcoal.

"After the others go back, appease the soldiers, assist in completing the matters arranged by the general, and disperse." Qin Huaidao waved his hand and announced the adjournment of the meeting.

As for the matter of the Khitan and Goguryeo joining forces to divide the Tang Dynasty, although it is only an analysis, it is too important to disclose.

Not long after, Li Dejian hurried over with paper and charcoal, Qin Huaidao drew the style of a military coat, and advised: "Use cotton cloth inside, burlap outside, and wool in the middle, sew it with thread, fix it, don't fall it, run around, and cut the white cloak that everyone brought after sewing, and sew it on the surface to cover it." ”

"Remembered." Li Dejian hurriedly agreed.

Qin Huaidao thought for a while and said, "Then sew socks and gloves with cotton cloth and wool, this one is warmer." As he spoke, he drew a simple pattern and added: "You can sew the sheepskin nitrate on the surface of the glove to protect it from the cold, do it first, and ask if you have any questions." ”

Li Dejian nodded in agreement.

Qin Huaidao explained to the three brothers of Cheng Chumo: "The three of you help Li join the army and complete it as soon as possible." ”

"Obey!" The three of them quickly agreed.

Coming out of the room, Qin Huaidao went to the barracks where the wounded soldiers were, without a sad face, their faces were calm, and even with a relaxed smile, they secretly put their hearts at ease, and the wounded got up one after another and saluted gratefully: "I've seen the general!" ”

"Excuse me, how's the recovery?"

A wounded soldier rushed to say: "Back to the general, the inflammation of the wound has disappeared, and the doctor in the army said that it will be back to normal in three or five days at most, thank you for the general's compassion and save my life." ”

"It should."

The wounded soldier who asked for help yesterday said gratefully: "Great grace to the general, my two brothers will always remember it, if the general had not acted last night, my brother would have been gone." ”

"How's the recovery?" Qin Huaidao looked at each other.

"I drank a dose of decoction, and as soon as I fell asleep, the doctor in the army said that there was no worry about my life, and I just waited for recovery."

Qin Huaidao stepped forward to take a look, he used his own ointment, touched his forehead, he didn't have a fever anymore, his breathing was stable, he really eased up, and said with a smile: "Stick to the medicine, change it every day, wipe it with wine before changing the dressing, boil the gauze, and your brother will be able to recover as before in three days at most." ”

"Really?" The other party was overjoyed.

"What, don't believe General Ben?"

"Believe, believe, the general is resourceful and has no last resort, it is the god of war that the book says, he knows everything, and the brothers are all convinced." The other party hurriedly said.

"There is no god of war, and it depends on your life to win the battle." Qin Huaidao said politely and walked outside.

Everyone watched Qin Huaidao leave, and they were all excited.

One said: "The general said that it was our credit? ”

", without the command of the general, can you fill in two big victories with your life?"

"In my opinion, it is the general who treats us as human beings and respects us, the general can be a national prince, but there is no shelf, it is really rare, and he is down-to-earth with such a general."

"I heard that 200 people were killed in the battle, 50 were seriously wounded, and 20 were lightly wounded, but I don't know if it's true?"

One person said dissatisfiedly: "Brothers, I have heard of the general's benevolence, someone helped the general transport coal and was killed, the general personally came to the door and gave two hundred yuan, and he did what he said, and I heard that the general also took in hundreds of wounded soldiers of the Hundred Cavalry Division, and the treatment given is very high, if I am injured, I will go to the general in the future, maybe I can have a way to live." ”

"Really?" Everyone came to see it.

"Lao Tzu can lie to you, go back to Chang'an and inquire yourself."

"Great, if you are really injured, there is a way back, and Lao Tzu is still worried about a fart."

"That's it, it's over, anyway, there is a way back if you are injured, it's better to die, two hundred is enough for a family to have no worries about food and clothing, let's go, let's find General Cheng, he has the closest relationship with the general, and he must know."

"Let's go!"

……

Qin Huaidao didn't know that his good deeds were introduced to the army, and he inadvertently boosted the morale of the soldiers, found Xue Feng as a companion, walked out of the governor's mansion, wandered along the streets, and saw some officials explaining the notice, the people were a little panicked, but the weather was too cold, and they didn't really want to work and carry water.

People have a fluke mentality, and they will think that many people will definitely go to such a big event, and they can't make more than one of themselves.

It is necessary to rush for time to build a city, and it will be very busy and troublesome if there are not enough people.

Several officials said that although the people agreed, but the enthusiasm was not very high, only some people agreed, not that everyone was not afraid of death, it was too cold, and the enemy army had not yet come, and there was a lack of motivation.

Qin Huaidao asked: "Xue joins the army, and the Governor's Mansion can take out some silver or rewards to increase everyone's enthusiasm." ”

"Don't hide it from the general, the Governor's Mansion is not rich, if it doesn't work, there is only conscription, and if it doesn't work, it can only be coercive, and there is no way to fight together." Xue Feng smiled bitterly.

"In this way, carry water to one sheep a day, and this general is out, and two thousand people are enough to complete the construction of the city."

"This-how to make General Qin break the bank."

"It doesn't matter, it's all loot, once the camp is lost, the loot will become the enemy's materials, let's announce it, it must be completed as soon as possible." Qin Huaidao waved his hand, not caring.

"More General Qin Gao Yi!" Xue Feng solemnly replied, and immediately explained a few words to several commentators.

Everyone's face changed, two thousand people are two thousand sheep, which are worth a lot of money, and they all waved to Qin Huaidao to show their gratitude, and then announced the news to everyone, and when the people heard that there was a sheep, they immediately rushed to grab the quota.

"Let's go to the city walls." Qin Huaidao saw that the matter was resolved and walked forward.

The two walked together and came to the city wall, and the officer guarding the city knew Xue Feng and let him go directly.

Standing on the city wall, gusts of cold wind howled, Qin Huaidao couldn't help but shudder, but did not retreat, looked at the vast wilderness in the east and pondered, the terrain was too flat, which was conducive to the gathering of large troops, and he didn't know how long it would take for the enemy to arrive, and asked Xue Feng who came over: "Is there the latest enemy situation?" ”

"No, once the border pass is broken, there is no strength to defend it, according to the distance, the army can arrive in about two hours at most, I don't know how many will come?" Xue Feng said, his face became solemn.

Qin Huaidao calculated the time, but smiled: "If you arrive in two hours, it will take about an hour to prepare, but it is already dark, I am afraid that I will not be able to fight today, at most the city will be besieged, and there will be enough water to build the city overnight, and when it comes to tomorrow, it will be difficult to attack again, so the top priority is to build the city, you go and keep an eye on it, and if you don't have enough manpower, you will add another thousand." ”

"Two thousand should be enough, but it is crowded with too many people, and it is inconvenient to go up and down the city wall."

Qin Huaidao nodded, looking at the snow field in front of him silently.

The Khitan didn't expect that he would take advantage of the heavy snow to close the mountain to sneak attack, drilled a loophole, fought two victories, Goguryeo actually wanted to take advantage of the heavy snow to close the mountain to sneak attack the Tang territory, and it was the New Year soon, this time choice is also ingenious, fortunately he returned to the city after sacking the Wandan Ministry, if he is still outside the city, the consequences are unimaginable.

"I wonder what will happen to the imperial court when they learn the news?"

Qin Huaidao looked in the southwest direction, the sky was gloomy, the earth was full of snow, and the shadow of Princess Yuzhang suddenly appeared in his mind, and the shyness of giving a mink coat before leaving, like a touch of warm sun to dissolve the coldness in Qin Huaidao's heart, and there was more warmth.

"General, look!" Xue Feng suddenly pointed in one direction.

Ahead, a caravan of two or three hundred people came slowly, waving the banner, many mules and horses carrying supplies, Xue Feng added: "The flag of the Governor's Mansion is our caravan returning from Youzhou. ”

"Are you sure?" Qin Huaidao asked.

"That's right." Xue Feng said casually, suddenly thought of something, his face changed, and asked, "The general means that they are cheating." ”

"It's hard to say, it's not a big mistake to be careful." Qin Huaidao reminded.

"Then I'll have to take a look." Xue Feng hurriedly rushed over.

Qin Huaidao followed the past, in extraordinary times, no matter how careful he was, he came to the south gate along the city wall, carefully looked at the caravan, at first glance it looked fine, flags, outfits, mules and horses, everything looked fine.

When they got closer, the team stopped, and one of them shouted loudly: "I'm waiting for the Governor's Mansion caravan, who is on duty today, please open the door quickly, I'll freeze to death." ”

The gatekeeper didn't know each other, but he knew the caravan flag, and without thinking too much, he was about to order the door to be opened, Xue Feng hurriedly shouted: "Wait a minute." ”

The gatekeeper asked in surprise, "Xue joins the army, but what's the problem?" ”

"You may not know a few stewards of the Governor's Mansion caravan, but I know them all, this person is sharp-eyed, and there is nothing wrong with being careful." Xue Feng explained and added, "Ask him who he is." ”

"Whoever comes, report the name." The guard shouted.

"Why, I don't know Lao Tzu, hurry up and open the door, believe it or not, Lao Tzu will sue you in front of the governor."

The guard general glanced at Xue Feng, a little worried, it was naturally not easy to become the steward of the Governor's Mansion caravan, and he couldn't afford to provoke him, but Xue Feng became more and more absolutely wrong, and said in a low voice: "What are you afraid of, I am here in everything." ”

The other party reacted suddenly, can you kiss your nephew again? shouted loudly: "How do you know who you are, report your name, otherwise Lao Tzu will not open the door." ”

"Listen, Lao Tzu Ma Liang, hurry up and open the door."

The guard hurriedly looked at Xue Feng: "Is there such a person?" If you are really in charge, you have to help your brother intercede. ”

"I heard that your archery skills are good, shoot this person, I will give you credit, none of the stewards of several caravans in the Governor's Mansion are surnamed Ma, they must be enemies, they are here to deceive the door." Xue Feng hurriedly said.

The goalkeeper was assured by Xue Feng, he was bold, opened his bow and arrows, and shot directly over, while scolding angrily: "Straight lady thief, watch Lao Tzu kill him." ”

The other man fell down with a scream, and the arrow hit the chest.

Soon, the team took out their swords from the cloth bags, and the guards were amused and shouted excitedly: "You are really here to cheat the door, brothers, shoot them for me!" ”

Where will the soldiers defending the city be polite, and they have drawn their bows and arrows.

The group left behind dozens of corpses and fled quickly.

Xue Feng looked at the fleeing enemy, and after a while, fear welled up in his heart, and he looked at Qin Huai and said, "General, thanks to your reminder just now, if I don't come, I don't know the steward who guards the gate, and I was really deceived by them to open the city gate." ”

"Whew-"

Almost at the same time, a low, long horn sounded, spreading throughout the four fields.

In the distance, a cavalry roared in, like a rolling torrent, splashing snowflakes flying all over the sky, covering the sky and the sun, and the powerful killing momentum rushed straight towards Yingzhou like a mountain.

Qin Huaidao looked at this scene and said curiously: "First let people pretend to be the Governor's Mansion caravan to cheat the door, if it is successful, this team can rush into the city, now there is nothing to do, what are they going to do?" ”

"It's going to be attacked sooner than expected?" Xue Feng was also surprised.

"The deception failed, and it was all cavalry, without equipment, these people alone can't take down Yingzhou, they should have something to say, otherwise they won't take the initiative to expose, looking at about five thousand, it should be the vanguard, and I don't know how much will come in the future." Qin Huaidao frowned, he actually came two hours faster than expected, and Yingzhou was not ready.

Xue Feng was afraid. couldn't help but ask: "Fortunately, the city gate has been closed, and it is thanks to the general's reminder just now, if you let these people rush into the city, there will be endless troubles, general, what should I do now?" ”

The guard general was also shocked and pale, and he was overjoyed, and shouted: "Prepare for battle, Erwa, go to the Governor's Mansion to report the enemy situation to Lao Tzu immediately, quickly." ”

"Obey." One of them agreed, and ran down the city as if flying.

"Don't panic, be steady, they don't have siege engines, so they can't get in." Qin Huaidao reminded.

The guard nodded, silently as he looked at the running enemy.

Soon, the army began to slow down and stopped beyond the range of arrows, a general beat his horse and slowly came up, Xue Feng shouted: "Don't shoot arrows yet, listen to what he has to say." ”

The other party stepped forward and shouted loudly: "The general of Goguryeo has an order, let the governor of Yingzhou come out and answer." ”

"What is the intention of the Goguryeo army to come to my Tang territory?" Xue Feng shouted,

"You are not qualified to know too much as a city gate guard, go and spread the word."

"Wait!" Xue Feng roared, looked at Qin Huai and said, "General, it's actually the general of Goguryeo who came here in person, the situation is a little bad, I don't know what they are looking for the governor?" ”

"It should be here to persuade the surrender, whether the governor sees it or not, they will spread rumors and make trouble, when the time comes, there is a mouth that can't be said clearly, the court is suspicious, and will not send troops to help, this is a discordant plan, trying to isolate Yingzhou, find someone to pass the word to the governor, I believe the governor will deal with it." Qin Huaidao explained.

"A plan to divide the sky?" Xue Feng's face changed greatly, and he said resentfully: "These bastards are really ruthless, since this is the case, it is better not to let the governor see it, so as not to fall into the calculation." ”

"The soldiers besieged Yingzhou, and then said to the outside world that the governor had taken refuge in Goguryeo, Yingzhou had been waiting for reinforcements for a long time, and was surrounded and could not contact the outside world, and could not hold on for a month, they wanted to take Yingzhou without blood, and collect the soldiers and horses of Yingzhou, so calculated, but unfortunately they didn't know that the general was here." Qin Huaidao said coldly.

"Shhhh

Xue Feng's face changed greatly: "I'll go find the governor!" ”

Qin Huaidao didn't move, staring at the incoming army, all in leather armor, each with a weapon, either a knife, or a bow and arrow, and no one was equipped with more than two weapons, it can be seen that Goguryeo is not rich, and there is no crossbow, wait in his heart, and ask the general guarding the city: "Do you know their general?" ”

"I don't know!" The other party hurriedly said.

After asking a few more words, I didn't know, and after waiting for a while, Xue Wanshu hurriedly came and arched her hand towards Qin Huaidao: "General Qin, Feng'er has already informed me of the guess, thank you for your trust!" ”

"The governor is polite, the holy general Yingzhou is handed over to you, which is the greatest trust in you, and naturally believes in the governor, as for the enemy's plan, it is just speculation, and the governor will know if you try it."

Xue Wanshu nodded and shouted outside the city, "Let your general roll over." ”

"Xue Dudu is so angry, can't this vast ice and snow be extinguished?" In the front team, a man rode out slowly on a horse, and shouted loudly: "Xue Dudu, the Goguryeo army is coming to the city, and it will not take a moment to destroy Yingzhou. ”

"Gao Lao Pifu, you are a royal family, and your position in Goguryeo is in jeopardy, can Lao Tzu be good in the past? The king of Goguryeo was jealous of his ability and would die sooner or later. Xue Wanshu shouted disdainfully: "Lao Tzu is the prince of the Tang Dynasty, and he is unspeakably expensive, why do you need to go to your bitter cold land to be a king with a different surname?" It's ridiculous. ”

Qin Huaidao was a little surprised, this Goguryeo king is so generous, and his courage is extraordinary, and he is directly named a king with a different surname, and ordinary people may really be tempted.

Xue Wanshu finished roaring and said in a low voice: "General Qin, the king of Goguryeo directly promised the king with a different surname, he wants to be the emperor, your speculation is right, this time it is troublesome, once it is besieged, the news of Yingzhou is not clear, and it will be very passive." ”

"They can't be contained, trust me." Qin Huaidao said nonchalantly.

Xue Wanshu looked at Qin Huaidao, inexplicably more confident, and said with a smile: "General Qin is so courageous, it seems that the old man is old and less bloody, and this camp has a lot of help from General Qin." ”

"As long as the governor doesn't dislike it."

"How dare you, with General Qin's help, the old man's confidence has doubled." Xue Wanshu said and raised her voice abruptly, and shouted: "Old man Gao, go back and tell your king, your tricks have been discovered, the court has already prepared, if you don't want to die, retreat quickly, apologize to the court, otherwise ......"

Qin Huaidao had an idea, and reminded in a low voice: "Otherwise, be careful of their old nest quilt." ”

Xue Wanshu was stunned, but reacted quickly, and shouted: "Otherwise, be careful that your nest is taken away." ”

"Hahaha, it's up to you?"

"People's hearts are separated from their stomachs, your little dirty things have already been known, if you don't believe it, let's wait and see." Xue Wanshu shouted loudly according to Qin Huaidao's prompts.

It is often more advantageous to see through it, not to say it, and let the other party make up for it on their own.

The other party slowly retreated, and Xue Wanshu said in a low voice: "General Qin, does he believe it?" Why not just crack their schemes? ”

"What if you guess wrong? Be vague and let him think for himself better. ”

"Makes sense!"

Xue Wanshu came over and smiled.

"Hurry up and strengthen the city walls, time is running out." Qin Huaidao reminded.

Xue Wanshu said solemnly: "It has been arranged, speaking of which, I have to thank General Qin for taking out the sheep as a reward, and after this battle, the old man will truthfully report to the court and ask for credit for the general. ”

"It doesn't matter, it's important to hold the city, if the city is broken, everything is the enemy's, if necessary, five thousand soldiers and horses can be pulled up at any time to fight."

"General Qin Gao Yi!"

Xue Wanshu was grateful, and when she saw that the enemy troops outside the city were slowly retreating, and there was no intention of attacking for the time being, she secretly breathed a sigh of relief and said: "Feng'er, Haosheng accompanied General Qin, General Qin, and the old man to organize the construction of the city, and let Feng'er come to find it at any time if there is something." ”

"The governor will go by himself." Qin Huaidao said politely, and looked at the retreating enemy army again after seeing the governor leave, but he also ordered it to be forbidden, and it should not be underestimated.

I'm afraid this battle will be very dangerous!