The north wind swept the white grass and folded, and the snow flew in August.

Suddenly, like a night of spring breeze, thousands of trees and pear blossoms bloom.

Scattered into the bead curtain wet curtain, the fox fur is not warm and thin.

The general's horn bow is uncontrollable, and it is difficult to protect the iron clothes.

Li Jiangyao muttered the poem he had memorized in middle school, and he couldn't help but sigh in his heart: Great works of art really come from life and are higher than life.

As soon as the ghost desert in the western region entered winter, the whole world seemed to be completely reversed, and there was no trace of the vicious fire sun in the past, replaced by endless, cold and frozen bone-piercing wind and snow.

The bow can't be drawn, and the armor can't be worn, isn't it exactly the same as the poem says.

As soon as the sky was bright, Li Jiangyao climbed to the top of Metasequoia City and inspected the defenses everywhere as usual. Before he could turn the north gate down, his hands and feet were already frozen.

Due to the heavy snow closure of the road, the queue to and from the western Xinjiang trade route was almost extinct. After a long time, the city defense system will inevitably be relaxed. Li Jiangyao was very uneasy, so he had to personally inspect and verify every three or five days.

This is the rule I learned when I was performing in Wutang, and it is also the best way to save my life.

After a circle, Li Jiangyao was quite satisfied with today's results. All kinds of equipment, drums, trumpets, and weapons were in order, and the sentry posts were fully manned, and the vigilance was also very high.

It can be seen that Lin Feng has been training the Metasequoia garrison recently, and the results are still good.

Like this kind of drudgery of standing guard in the cold wind, Li Jiangyao was not willing to use the five hundred Pegasus scouts, but handed them all over to the local garrison to be responsible. This is not to say that the scouts are afraid of hardship, mainly because these elite combat forces are the only bargaining chips he has at present. If you don't know how to cherish your combat strength, once you encounter a bad situation, let alone win, I'm afraid you won't even be able to break through and save your life.

Last time, Li Jiangyao's request for reinforcements to Metasequoia City in the military newspaper was directly rejected by Zhang Sanpi's deputy capital guard.

The reason is simple. Recently, not only metasequoia, but also a large number of horse bandits have attacked and harassed cities and towns in various parts of western Xinjiang, and in some places there have even been tragedies of slaughtering villages and destroying towns.

The garrisons of the Zhenjiang Protectorate in the hinterland of the Ghost Desert were exhausted by the alarm for help.

In order to stabilize the situation, Deputy Zhang Duhu deployed the existing forces to the greatest extent. The Imperial Protectorate could only prioritize the important feudal courts to strengthen their defenses, and places like Metasequoia Castle had to be put behind.

Zhang Sanpi didn't completely ignore Metasequoia, he personally wrote a reply letter to Li Jiangyao, but there were only four words in the letter: Wait until spring comes.

Li Jiangyao understood what Zhang Sanpi meant.

In the harsh environment of wind and snow, the main force stationed in Anxi would never easily advance westward unless it was absolutely necessary. Otherwise, just marching and supplying the army will pose a mortal threat to the entire army.

Only when the spring flowers bloom next year will the Zhenjiang Army have the conditions to calmly dispatch troops and suppress this very unusual banditry.

Looking at the reply letter written by Deputy Duhu, Li Jiangyao shook his head helplessly, since there is no way to solve it now, then don't think about it.

Fortunately, after the last time the ghost alliance horse bandits withdrew their troops, they never attacked Metasequoia City again, and they must have suffered enough here. In addition, such a cold and frozen climate also restricts the Turks from making small moves, and as long as they can survive until the beginning of spring next year, the potential crisis will eventually be gradually resolved.

However, the issue of Iron and Stone Mountain is the most worthy of Li Jiangyao's careful consideration at the moment. The sooner you find that mysterious place, the sooner you have the opportunity to return to the modern world and be reunited with your parents and loved ones.

Thinking of Tieshi Mountain, Li Jiangyao's heart became active again, and he turned his head to look at Lin Feng and Du Jian: "By the way, have you touched the terrain and landforms around here?" ”

Lin Feng responded: "It's not too late yet." However, the leader reminded us that we will send scouts today to carefully walk through all the areas within a radius of twenty miles. ”

"Then let me go." Du Jian snorted: "On such a cold day, it is difficult for ordinary people to stay up." ”

Li Jiangyao looked up at the sky: "I'll go too." By the way, visit the villagers nearby and learn about the rumors and allusions here. ”

Seeing that they were both going to patrol, Lin Feng hesitated: "Eh, I should have accompanied you too, but the Metasequoia City Defense still needs someone to keep an eye on ......."

Li Jiangyao raised his hand to interrupt him: "I really need you to stay." Relying only on Mamu and the local garrison is really uneasy. During my absence, you are in full charge of the command on my behalf, and you must guard the metasequoia! ”

Heavy snow covered the vast wilderness of western Xinjiang, like a huge white carpet, stretching endlessly. Looking down from the sky, the whole world is covered in silver, and everywhere is a white patch.

On this huge white carpet, a team of horses is galloping.

Li Jiangyao took Du Jian and other scouts to carefully survey the mountains and rivers in the northwest two directions of Metasequoia. By the way, I also inquired with the local Orion herdsmen and asked them if they had any news about Iron Stone Mountain.

As before, the local people said they had never heard of this place.

Li Jiangyao was not discouraged by this. Originally, I had the idea of giving it a try, yes, it was lucky, no, I can only say that the opportunity has not come.

Being able to think openly is one of Li Jiangyao's great advantages.

At this moment, they have finished their inspection of the north of the city and are rushing to the next strategic point in the east.

Although the weather is now clear, the old saying is good: snow does not turn snow cold.

The snow on the ground caused a biting chill that made everyone miserable.

Relying on his deep internal strength, Li Jiangyao still felt that he could bear it, but he couldn't help but feel distressed when he saw the tips of his brothers' noses reddening one by one. Anyway, there is no special task now, and I am not in a hurry to go, so it is better to let everyone rest more.

Thinking of this, Li Jiangyao suddenly grabbed the reins and raised his fist to signal the whole team to stop.

"Stop-" Du Jian shouted, and then stepped forward and asked, "Boss, why don't you leave?" ”

"It's getting dark, so why don't you rest here." Li Jiangyao glanced around: "There are small hills not far away, so it's good to shelter from the wind at night." ”

Du Jian happily agreed: "Okay! Then he led the scouts, found a well-located hill, and began to busily bury the pot and cook.

-

A group of golden blood guards rode high-headed horses and broke into the camp of the Iron Pigeon Army at a gallop, and the horses' hooves stepped on the muddy snow and water, and went straight to the Chinese military tent where the main general Duolun was.

Kunli Mingtai, the blood guard general from Flame Maple Forest City, took out the Great Khan's handwritten warrant from his bosom and solemnly handed it to Duolun without saying a word.

Duolun opened the parchment scroll, read it carefully twice, and then looked at Kunli Mingtai with a lot of embarrassment.

"Duolun, if it's not convenient for you to do it, the blood guard who came with me can do it for you."

"It's not inconvenient." Duolun gritted his teeth and said in a deep voice: "After all, Mr. Lao is still our ally at the moment, and it is a bit too much to suddenly turn his face on him, right?" ”

Kun Liming's face was expressionless: "No matter how important Lao Jianhua is, he can't be compared with Her Royal Highness Princess Yingyang." Do you want the Great Khan or Lord Yun Qianxue to come and reason with you in person? ”

Hearing the other party's words, Duolun shook his head helplessly, turned around and ordered his subordinates: "Go and invite Mr. Lao over." ”

Lao Jianhua is fifty years old, of medium stature, and dressed as an elegant scribe. Slightly gray hair, neatly combed, not messy. A pair of bright eyes on the white face.

He calmly saluted Duolun and Kunli Mingtai, and still maintained a gentle smile in the face of the tall blood guards in the ring tent with unkind faces.

Duolun has always had a good relationship with Lao Jianhua, but at this time he felt a little embarrassed, and he didn't know where to start, so he just talked about it for a long time, and never got to the point.

Kunli Mingtai, who was sitting next to him, had a hot temper, and finally couldn't bear it anymore: "Mr. Lao, there is a very important matter to call you over today. ”

Lao Jianhua bowed slightly: "General Kunli has always followed the Great Khan, and this time he came from afar, the situation must be urgent, please speak out." ”

"Okay, then I'll get straight to the point! I am ordered by the Great Khan to ask Mr. Lao to make a hard trip. ”

"Oh? Where do you want to take Lao? ”

"Zijin Pass."

"That's the junction between Western Xinjiang and Shengtang, I don't know what's going on?"

"Go rescue Princess Eagle Young."

Lao Jianhua smiled when he heard this, and readily agreed: "Okay." ”

Duolun thought that Lao Jianhua didn't understand what Kunli Mingtai meant, so he hurriedly explained: "Mr. Lao, what Shengtang means is that he wants to exchange you for Her Royal Highness the Princess. ”

"Yes. A certain cheap life of Lao can be exchanged for the safety of His Royal Highness, and it is worth it. Lao Jianhua's tone was relaxed as if chatting about family life: "However, there is one thing I want to explain to the two of you first." ”

Duolun was slightly surprised: "What's the matter?" ”

Lao Jianhua stroked his long hair: "Until this moment, Lao and the Turks are still allies, not enemies. I'm willing to save the princess with my life, I'm helping my friend, not a muddled prisoner, right? ”

Hearing him say this, even the cold Kunli Mingtai was a little embarrassed: "Of course! Before I came, the Great Khan had personally said that Mr. Lao had contributed to my Turkic Empire and was a good friend of the Golden Clan. It's just that this time in order to rescue the princess, there is really nothing to do. The Great Khan also specially instructed us not to offend and hurt Mr., and second, to make it clear to the Shengtang side that Sir was only ordered to temporarily take the princess as a hostage, and if they dared to move Mr. in the slightest, our Turkic army would not give up! ”

Duolun secretly glanced at Kunli Mingtai, and thought to himself: This is really a, and he will come when he opens his mouth. And said that you can't offend and hurt Mr. Lao? Are your bearded, glaring Blood Guards fake?

Lao Jianhua was very satisfied with the other party's words, and said with a smile: "The Great Khan's mind is kind and righteous, and Lao has remembered it in his heart. What I want to say is that since the two sides are still allies, then the plan we agreed on before should continue to be implemented, and must not be delayed because of the immediate situation. ”

Kunli Mingtai obviously didn't know what Lao Jianhua meant by the plan, and couldn't help but look at Duolun suspiciously.

Duolun replied in a solemn tone: "Mr. Lao, rest assured, the plan will be carried out as usual." Ten days later, that is, on the Lunar New Year of the Holy Tang, I will personally lead the Iron Pigeon Army and the Ghost Alliance horse bandits to attack Metasequoia and threaten Chechi Wangcheng. Loulan and Shule, as well as people and horses from all over Western Xinjiang, will also be launched at the same time. ”

He paused slightly, glanced at the Kunli Mingtai next to him, and continued: "I just received the latest military report from Flame Maple Forest City, His Royal Highness Prince Ronia has already led an army of 100,000 Golden Clans to set off, and within a month, he will be able to reach the battlefield in the Western Frontier. ”

Kunli Mingtai was shocked when he heard this: 100,000 Golden Clan army? I'm from Flame Maple Grove City, and I don't even know about it!

"In addition, General Dueri also led his troops to advance towards Persia at the same time, suppressing the ghost desert from the northwest, and could enter the battle at any time and launch a surprise attack on the flank of the Holy Tang army."

Lao Jianhua nodded again and again: "Okay, great, the Great Khan is really eloquent!" Two generals, Lao has nothing to say, let's hurry up and set off. ”

With that, he slowly stood up and stared at Duolun, "Remember, Crescent Bay." ”

Duolun also stared at Lao Jianhua's eyes tightly: "Well, Crescent Bay." ”