The Xiqi army surged like a tide, and the waves of attacks were like the fierce winds before the rainstorm, overwhelming the defenders on the walls of Chaoge. From the scorching sun of the day, to the cold wind of the night, to the dawn of dawn, the brutality of the battle is beyond anyone's imagination.

On the city wall, arrows rained down, and each arrow condensed the determination and courage of the Chaoge defenders. Every loud sound emitted by the city's defense equipment seemed to announce the indestructibility of the song. Boulders and boiling oil poured down from the city, setting Xiqi's siege ladders and carts to fire.

Although the Xiqi army was brave and fearless, in the face of the strong defense line of Chaoge City, they also had to admit that every step of progress had to pay a heavy price. The corpses of the besieging soldiers were piled up, blood stained the ground beneath the city, and the wails and war drums mingled together to form a tragic war song.

Jiang Ziya stood on the high platform, his eyes were like torches, seeing that his soldiers were exhausted from the continuous offensive, and his heart was also mixed. He knew that even the most courageous soldier would be exhausted in continuous battles.

Night fell again, and Jiang Ziya knew that continuing like this would only increase the unnecessary casualties. He pondered for a moment, and finally ordered: "Listen to the order, collect the troops!" For the time being, set up camp and besiege Chaoge, and make plans tomorrow. ”

The horn of the Xiqi army gradually stopped, and the soldiers besieging the city slowly withdrew from the battlefield, although they were unwilling, they also knew that this was the only choice. They set up tents outside the city, lit bonfires, and surrounded Chaoge City, forming an invisible iron wall.

In Chaoge City, Di Xin watched the back of the retreating Xiqi army on the city wall, and breathed a sigh of relief in his heart. But he knew that this was only a temporary tranquility, and the other party would never give up. He turned to the generals beside him and said, "Strengthen the vigilance and repair the city defenses, and there must be no negligence." ”

On the city walls, the defenders were busy urgently, cleaning up the battlefield, repairing the damaged walls, and preparing for the next round of offensive and defensive battles. In the Xiqi military camp outside the city, the soldiers were resting and recovering their strength, and the generals were sitting in Jiang Ziya's tent, discussing the next tactics.

The prologue of a siege war has fallen for the time being, but the next battle is bound to be more intense. The confrontation between the two armies was like the calm before a storm, tense and oppressive.

After two days and one night on the city walls without closing his eyes, Desin returned to the palace.

He didn't take a chariot, but walked back step by step with heavy steps, each step as if he had stepped on his heart. After two days and one night of continuous fighting, his body was exhausted as if he had been hit by a hammer. His face was full of knife-like weariness, and the sharpness in his eyes gradually dimmed as the battle dragged on.

When he crossed the high threshold of the palace, Su Daji had already met him.

Her eyes were full of worry, and she couldn't help but feel a pang in her heart as she looked at Di Xin's almost unsupportable figure. She hurriedly stepped forward, gently untied his robe, and used her delicate fingers to knead his shoulders and back, trying to dispel the exhaustion and tension in his body.

Di Xin closed his eyes and let Su Daji's hand roam over his body. Her technique was gentle and powerful, and he couldn't help but relax. At this moment, he really felt a trace of peace.

"Alas..."Di Xin suddenly sighed, with deep helplessness and remorse in his voice, "If Gu hadn't been so suspicious and hadn't killed Zhongliang indiscriminately, maybe he wouldn't be so isolated and helpless today." ”

Su Daji listened to Di Xin's self-blame, and her heart ached. She knew that although Di Xin was the king of a country, in this troubled world, he was just a person who was forced to make choices constantly.

She knelt on the ground, tears had blurred her eyes: "Your Majesty, it's all because the concubine is not in good health, and it's because of the concubine that so many people rebel." If the head of the concubine is cut off and sent out of the city, perhaps they will retreat. ”

Di Xin opened his eyes and looked at Su Daji, who was kneeling on the ground with teary eyes, and an inexplicable irritable but distressing emotion surged in his heart. He knew that Su Daji was genuinely thinking about herself.

He walked over slowly and helped Su Daji up: "Daji, get up." This troubled world is not your fault. Even without you, the princes of the world have other excuses to raise troops.

Lone will never sacrifice your concubine because of the coercion of these rebellious ministers and thieves. ”

"Your Majesty!"

Su Daji raised her head, tears in her eyes flickering in the candlelight. She looked at Di Xin's determined eyes, and the grievances and fears in her heart slowly subsided.

She knew that no matter what, Dixin would not give up on her, nor would he give up the city.

The corners of Su Daji's lips curled into a faint smile, and under her manipulation, Di Xin soon fell into a deep sleep.

She gently pushed away Di Xin's arms, looking at his peaceful sleeping face, but her heart was turbulent. She rose lightly and walked through the dark court to the high deer platform.

This is a high-rise building built by Di Xin in order to make her happy, and spent a lot of national strength.

In order to build it, I don't know how many ministers who advised were killed, and I don't know how many slaves were buried.

The moonlight shone like water, shining on her body, covering her with a layer of silver frost.

She whispered the incantation, a ripple in the air, and a nine-tailed white fox slowly appeared, and then turned into a beautiful woman. Her long hair falls like a waterfall, her skin is better than snow, her eyes are as bright as stars, and her posture is graceful, like a fairy coming out of a painting, and every movement is full of temptation and charm.

This woman is the patriarch of the Qingqiu Nine-Tailed Fox Clan, Bai Ling.

"There is Patriarch Su, who called me here, but what is the important matter?"

Bai Ling's voice was soft, like a spring breeze, but it implied irresistible power.

A hint of pleading flashed in Su Daji's eyes: "Patriarch Bai, I know that you have the ability to penetrate the heavens and the earth, the great merchant is now in danger, and Di Xin's life is in danger. I...... I don't ask anyone else, I just hope that you can find a way to save Dashang and save his life. ”

Bai Ling frowned slightly, she looked around, as if she was feeling something, and after a while, she said softly: "The fate of Dashang is irreversible, and what you should think about now should be your life."

Although Nuwa Niangniang ordered Er to wait in the palace to confuse the king's heart, and repeatedly ordered Er and others not to harm Zhongliang and kill lives, but you didn't care about it and caused many killings.

The good future is all buried by you. ”

Hearing this, a flash of fear flashed in Su Daji's eyes, and she hurriedly said, "Then what should I do?" ”

Bai Ling glanced at Su Daji deeply, as if he was measuring something.

Finally, she spoke slowly, "There is only one way to turn things around for the time being, and give you a chance to escape this fate. ”

Su Daji didn't hesitate, and hurriedly asked, "What is the solution?" ”

A hint of deep thought flashed in Bai Ling's eyes, and she said slowly: "Su Daji, you also know that if the Xiqi army attacks Chaoge, you and Di Xin will have no way to escape.

After all, Bo Yi Kao died tragically at your hands, and no matter how generous that Xi Bohou is, he will not be able to forgive you. ”

Su Daji's face turned pale, and of course she understood the meaning of Bai Ling's words.

Bo Yi Kao came to Chaoge to advise, but she and Di Xin ordered to make dried meat and send it to Xibohou Jichang to taste.

Originally, he wanted to deter Xiqi with this, but he didn't expect it to be self-defeating, but it caused Xibohou to rebel.

At this time, Bai Ling said again: "But now it is not only Xiqi who is rebelling, there is also a large army that is also very powerful. ”

Su Daji's heart moved, and she immediately guessed the answer.

"You mean the southeast Linlianguan?"

"Not bad." Bai Ling nodded and continued: "Wen Zhong is the Lord of Linlian, although he is ambitious, he also does not want to see Chaoge fall into the territory of Xiqi.

If you can convince Di Xin to surrender to him before the Xiqi army breaks through Chaoge, you may be able to save both of you a chance to survive. ”

A complicated glint flashed in Su Daji's eyes, she knew that this was a dangerous path, but in this desperate situation, it seemed to be the only way out.

"But Your Majesty, he ......" Su Daji hesitated, she knew Di Xin's pride and self-esteem, and letting him surrender to Wen Zhong was tantamount to making him give up his dignity.

"You have to convince him that this is the only way." Bai Ling's tone was firm, she knew that time was running out, and she had to make a decision as soon as possible.

Su Daji took a deep breath, her heart was full of struggle and uneasiness, but she also knew that for the sake of Di Xin, for her own sake, she had to try.

She turned and hurried towards Dixin's bedchamber. Her heart was beating faster and faster, and she knew that the decision she was about to make could change the fate of the entire Great Shang.

Pushing open the door of the dormitory, Su Daji saw that Di Xin was still asleep, she gently walked to his bedside and called softly, "Your Majesty, wake up." ”

Di Xin slowly opened his eyes and saw Su Daji's anxious face, he asked in a daze, "Concubine Ai, what happened?" ”

Su Daji was about to speak, but heard the scared cries of the attendants outside.

"Your Majesty, the big thing is not good...... The Xiqi army has begun to attack the city again! ”

"What a noise!"

Di Xin was furious, "Drag him down and burn him to death!" ”

The attendant outside was directly paralyzed by fright, and couldn't say a word when he was dragged away by the guards.

Di Xin turned his face, looked at Su Daji with a pleasant face, and said, "What was Concubine Ai going to say just now?" ”

Su Daji took a deep breath and shook her head, but in the end she didn't say anything.

"Since Concubine Ai is fine, then Lone will go to the city wall to have a look. These guys, if they don't look at it, they all become turtles with shrunken heads one by one......"

Di Xin snorted angrily and scolded twice.

Without saying a word, Su Daji put on his armor for him and watched him go away.

At dawn, the sky was covered with a faint white, and the war drums of the Xiqi army shook the sky again, and the passionate sound of the horn pierced the quiet morning light. Under Chaoge City, the beacon fire was in the sky, and the Xiqi army was surging like a tide, launching a new round of onslaught on Chaoge City.

On the city walls, the defenders, after a short night's rest, returned to the fierce battle. Boulders and arrows rained down, boiling oil and boiling gold poured down, burning the enemy troops who climbed the walls with screams. But the Xiqi army seems to have gone berserk and will do whatever it takes to break through the strong defenses of Asagajo.

Jiang Ziya stood on the command platform, his eyes like lightning, scanning the battlefield in front of him. He saw that his soldiers had suffered heavy losses in the charge after charge, and his brows were furrowed. He knew that it would be difficult to conquer Chaoge by attacking alone, and he had to find another way.

So, he secretly issued an order and summoned Tuxingsun, who was good at the art of earth escape.

"Tu Xing Sun, can you sneak into the city with the art of earth escape and open the city gate for me?" Jiang Ziya asked in a low voice.

Tuxingsun nodded, and his figure flickered, and he disappeared into the earth. His body seemed to be walking through the water, easily through the soil layer, and dived towards the city of Asaga.

However, the situation in the city was far more complicated than he had imagined. The helpers invited by Shen Gongbao were all over the city, and they were either good at perception or proficient in formations, making Tuxingsun's stealth full of danger.

Accidentally, Tuxingsun touched a hidden formation and was almost trapped underground, but fortunately, he was extremely agile and changed his route in time, so he narrowly escaped.

Back in front of Jiang Ziya, Tuxingsun's face was pale, obviously extremely consumed. He shook his head and said: "The city is heavily guarded, and the helpers invited by Shen Gongbao should not be underestimated, and it is difficult to open the city gate alone." ”

Jiang Ziya was silent after hearing this, he knew that relying on strong attacks and small infiltrates alone would not work, and Chaoge's defense was much stronger than he imagined.

On the battlefield, the confrontation between the two armies became more and more intense, but no matter how hard the Xiqi army tried, the city wall of Chaoge was like an insurmountable moat, always unbreakable.

For a time, the Xiqi army was at a stalemate. A trace of solemnity flashed in Jiang Ziya's eyes, he knew that if he wanted to conquer Chaoge, he had to find another way to find the key to determining the outcome of the battle.

At this time, Li Jing walked lightly, with an undoubted confidence in his expression.

He stopped in front of Jiang Ziya and said in a deep voice: "Prime Minister, Chaoge City is impregnable, and it can't be broken in a day's work. It is better to postpone the siege of the city, first help Dong Bohou and Nan Bohou to attack the Soul Pass and Sanshan Pass in the lower reaches, and then come to besiege Chaoge, which is a foolproof strategy. ”

Jiang Ziya listened, and a trace of thought flashed in his eyes.

Li Jing's proposal is quite reasonable, the defense of Chaoge City is indeed impregnable, if it can combine the forces of Dong Bohou and Nan Bohou, it may be able to form an absolute suppression of Chaoge.

But then he frowned and said worriedly: "This plan is good, but it will take a long time. If Chaoge City can't be captured for a long time, Wen Zhong's soldiers and horses will take advantage of the weakness to enter. ”

Li Jing was full of confidence, and the corners of his mouth hooked up a smile, as if victory was already in sight: "Prime Minister doesn't need to worry. Although Linzhuan Pass is strong, Wen Zhongbing is a major general, and his strength is not enough to threaten us. When we converge with Dong Bohou and Nan Bohou, and the army is combined into one place, there are more than a million people, what is the point of just Linzhuanguan? ”

When Jiang Ziya heard this, the hesitation in his heart gradually dissipated.

He knew that Li Jing never said it lightly, and since he had this self-confidence, then this plan was indeed worth a try.

"Okay, just as you say." Jiang Ziya finally nodded in agreement, and there was a hint of resoluteness in his voice, "Pass the order down and suspend the siege!" ”

He ordered Li Jing to lead Jin Zha and Mu Zha to aid the Wandering Soul Pass, and asked Wei Hu, Tuxingsun and others to come to the aid of Sanshan Pass, striving to open these two checkpoints in the shortest possible time and merge the princes' soldiers and horses. ”

Li Jing and the others took the order and left.

They are all people of the Tao, and they can easily ride the clouds and fog, and it will not be long before they rush to the Wandering Soul Pass and the Sanshan Pass.

The war drums of the Xiqi army suddenly stopped, and the tension in the castle eased somewhat. Standing on the city wall, he looked at the enemy camp, puzzled. He didn't understand, why Jiang Ziya suddenly stopped attacking, could it be that they had some new plan?

He turned around and hurriedly summoned Shen Gongbao. As a national teacher, Shen Gongbao can always give the answers he needs at critical moments.

"National Teacher, do you know why the Xiqi army suddenly stopped attacking the city?" There was a hint of anxiety in Di Xin's voice.

Shen Gongbao closed his eyes and concentrated, his hands quickly pinched the strange handprints, and there were words in his mouth. After a moment, he opened his eyes, and there was a solemnity on his face.

"Your Majesty, Jiang Ziya's move is probably a bigger plan. He didn't really give up the siege, but planned to attack the Wandering Soul Pass and the Sanshan Pass first, gather the soldiers and horses of the other princes, and then besiege Chaoge. Shen Gongbao's voice was low, and every word was like a hammer hitting Di Xin's heart.

Di Xin's face suddenly turned pale, and he knew that if Jiang Ziya really gathered the soldiers and horses of the other princes, then Chaoge City might really be difficult to hold. For a moment, he felt unprecedented despair.

However, Shen Gongbao looked calm, he shook his head slightly, and said to Di Xin: "Your Majesty does not need to worry, I have invited capable people from the three mountains and five mountains, each of them has extraordinary abilities, enough to help Your Majesty keep the court song." ”

When Di Xin heard this, a glimmer of hope was rekindled in his heart. He asked eagerly, "Is there really such a person?" What can they do to help me defend the city? ”

Shen Gongbao smiled slightly, and replied confidently: "Your Majesty, some of these people are proficient in Qimen Dunjia, some are good at arranging formations, and some can call the wind and rain. They will lay a net inside and outside the city, even if Jiang Ziya has magical powers, he will not easily break through Chaoge. ”

When Di Xin heard this, a trace of ecstasy flashed in his eyes, he knew that Shen Gongbao never took his promises lightly, since he said so, then these capable people must be extraordinary.

"Okay, this matter depends on you, the national teacher. You go to arrange, and you must let these people show their abilities as soon as possible and protect Chaoge. Di Xin gave the order, his tone full of anticipation.

Shen Gongbao took the order and left, and his words were a reassuring pill for Di Xin.

In Chaoge City, Shen Gongbao gathered all the capable people, and they gathered together to discuss how to set up the formation and how to use their expertise to protect the city.

Standing on the high city wall, Di Xin looked at the busy figures of these people, and the despair in his heart gradually replaced by hope. He believed that as long as these people could give full play to their strength, Asagashi would definitely be able to hold on.

Li Jing and Wei Hu and the others acted separately, and they swept through the mountains and rivers like a swift wind, and soon arrived at the Wandering Soul Pass and the Sanshan Pass. Dong Bohou Jiang Huan Chu and Nan Bohou Eshun have been fighting hard at these two checkpoints for many days, but they have always been difficult to break.

Seeing Li Jing and their arrival, Jiang Huan Chu and E Shun were overjoyed. Li Jing didn't say much, and directly discussed the battle plan with them. They divided their troops and won a surprising victory, and finally in just a few days, they successively captured the Wandering Soul Pass and the Sanshan Pass.

The two armies did not stop after capturing the checkpoint, but quickly integrated their forces, cleared obstacles along the way, and marched towards the city of songs. Their march was so fast that even the scouts in the city could not detect it in time.

In a short time, the armies of the East and South Roads had already converged with the Xiqi army outside the Asage Castle. After the confluence, the army was mighty, with more than a million people, surrounding the Chaoge City, and the momentum was like a rainbow, as if as long as an order was given, the city could be razed to the ground.

Di Xin stood on the city wall, looking at the dense enemy tents in the distance, and his heart was extremely heavy. He had thought that the strong defenses of Asagajo Castle would be enough to withstand all enemy forces, but now that he was faced with such a large force, he couldn't help but be afraid.

As night fell, Di Xin returned to his dormitory, but he couldn't sleep after tossing and turning. He was worried about the fierce offensive that the enemy might launch at any time, about the safety of Chaoge City, and even more about his own country.

Under such pressure, Di Xin's expression became more and more haggard, and he knew that he had to make a decision, and he could no longer wait passively like this.

At this time, Shen Gongbao entered the dormitory, and seeing Di Xin's anxious appearance, he said softly: "Your Majesty, although the enemy army is strong, as long as we unite as one, Chaoge City will never be easily lost. I have gathered all the talented men, and they will use their skills to build impregnable defenses for the city. ”

When Di Xin heard Shen Gongbao's words, he felt a little comforted in his heart, but he was still worried. He looked at Shen Gongbao and asked in a deep voice, "National Teacher, do you really have the confidence to keep the song of the court?" ”

Shen Gongbao smiled slightly and replied confidently: "Your Majesty, as long as you trust me, I will definitely live up to your expectations." Every brick and tile, every inch of land in Chaoge Castle will be a grave for the enemy. ”

After hearing this, Di Xin finally showed a smile, he knew that with the help of Shen Gongbao, the defense of Chaoge City would be more stable. He nodded and motioned for Shen Gongbao to arrange everything.

Outside Chaoge City, the war drums shook the sky, the golden iron horse, and the army of princes in all directions had already set up a posture of attacking the city. The troops of the Eastern and Southern Bohous, armed with siege equipment, pounced on the city wall like fierce beasts. The princes of the north were not far behind, and launched a fierce attack one after another, causing a fire inside and outside the city of Chaoge, and the war raged in the sky.

On the city wall, the defenders fought hard, but the enemy's attack was too fierce, and soon the enemy soldiers set up ladders and climbed the city wall. Di Xin's face was solemn, and he ordered Shen Gongbao to immediately activate the formations and mechanisms in the city.

Shen Gongbao waved his hand and pinched the trick, and the mechanism formation in the city was immediately activated, only to see that the ground suddenly cracked, and countless sharp blades emerged from the ground, strangling those enemy troops who had just climbed the city wall without leaving a single piece of armor. At the same time, the defenders on the city wall also took advantage of this opportunity to push the enemy down the city wall, and for a while, blood flowed inside and outside the city of Chaoge, and the screams were endless.

However, just when Chaoge City seemed to be about to be defended, a clear sound suddenly sounded in the sky, and I saw a few figures breaking through the sky, it was Guangchengzi, Red Sperm and other golden immortals who explained the teaching.

Their arrival, like divine soldiers descending from heaven, immediately changed the situation on the battlefield.

Guangchengzi sacrificed the sky-turning seal in his hand, and every blow could easily break a formation, and by the way, take away a capable person; The red sperm held the water and fire front, and with a wave, it turned the organs into ashes.

Shen Gongbao's face changed drastically, he naturally knew that the strength of these golden immortals was not trivial, and the formations and mechanisms of Chaoge City were completely vulnerable in front of them.

He just didn't expect them to actually take action in person!

At this moment, he could only watch as these Sect Interpretation Golden Immortals sacrificed spiritual treasure magic weapons, chopping melons and vegetables, and killing all the helpers invited by Shen Gongbao.

On the city wall, Di Xin saw that his formation was broken and the capable people were killed, and the despair in his heart became stronger and stronger.

Fortunately, the purpose of those expounding the Golden Immortals' trip was to kill those capable people, and they disdained ordinary soldiers and did not participate in the siege.

This also made Asagacheng survive another day under the fierce attack.

The night was like ink, and Di Xin stood on the high city wall, looking at the starry sky, but his heart was chaotic. Suddenly, his eyes sharpened, and he saw several figures quietly tumbling down from the city wall and hurrying in the direction of the Xiqi military camp.

Di Xin's anger was ignited immediately, and he shouted, "Archer! Where are the archers?! ”

A team of archers quickly arrived and saluted Di Xin: "Your Majesty! ”

"Someone flees at night, shoot quickly!" Di Xin's voice was cold and unquestionable.

The archers immediately took the order, the bowstrings sounded, and sharp arrows pierced the night sky like meteor showers in the night, and shot at the deserters. The screams rang out instantly, then stopped abruptly, and the figures of the deserters fell one by one, and none of them could escape.

There was not the slightest compassion on Di Xin's face, only coldness and determination. He knew that at this moment, any weakness could lead to the destruction of Chaoge City.

Back in the palace, Di Xin felt more tired than ever.

No one could understand his mood except Daji, the woman who had always been by his side.

He sat on the dragon chair with empty eyes, and said to Daji: "Aifei, if Chaoge can't hold on, are you willing to die with me?" ”

A hint of mixed emotions flashed in Daji's eyes, and she walked up to Di Xin's side and gently held his hand: "Your Majesty, Daji is willing to die with you. ”

Di Xin looked at Daji, and the despair in his eyes gradually became warm. He whispered, "Daji, if it really comes to the end, I hope you can accompany me ......"

"However......" Daji's voice changed, "the slave family wants to live with you, Your Majesty!" Why don't we go down? ”

"Down?" The emperor smiled bitterly and said, "Ai Concubine, even if Lone is willing to surrender, those people will definitely not let the two of us go." ”

"No!"

Daji Zhengse said: "That Wen Zhong of Linzhuanguan, he is willing to let us live!" ”

"Wen Zhong?"

Di Xin recalled for a moment and said disdainfully: "Even if he can let Lone go, what? What he wants is nothing more than to replace my Great Shang, but can he stop the army of more than one million of the four princes? ”

(End of chapter)