Evening. In and outside the ruined city of Korla, the Kokand army is still arresting people everywhere. All those who were captured were imprisoned in the barracks as coolies, and some had to repair the city gates and walls damaged by the war; Part of it was going to level the grounds for the royal palace of the "Hongfu Khanate" of Aguba, which was about to start construction.

Because of these reasons, Jiang Bakundu and they could not enter the city during the day to investigate the news, so they could only closely watch the movements between the two main city gates in the east and west and the enemy barracks outside the city, and judge the general whereabouts of Jinhua Hatun and the movement of the enemy army......

Agubo apparently has some "soft spots" for the thousand-year-old city of Korla, and is determined to build his "royal palace" here. However, what he is interested in is not only the world-famous divine fruit that has been abundant here for thousands of years, the Korla fragrant pear, and the beautiful scenery of the pear city surrounded by mountains and rivers. He believes that Korla City is located in the center of Xinjiang's four directions, north, south, east and west, is the choke point of the four strategic directions, and is the most ideal central hub for him to rule the whole of Xinjiang in the future.

At present, he believes that as long as the city of Korla is stable, the most critical supply line of Kashgar → Korla of the Kokand Khan→ate, the most important rear area, there will be no problems; What's more, Korla City and Yanqi City have formed a corner trend, which can defend each other and have natural strategic depth.

From here, troops can be sent to the northwest to attack Ili, the ruling center of Xinjiang; To the north, you can attack Urumqi, the gateway to northern Xinjiang; To the east, Tuoxun, Turpan, and Hami can be taken - control of Xinjiang's main passage to the interior; To the south, you can hold Yuli and Ruoqiang hostage - to consolidate your southern barrier...... From the perspective of military strategy, this careerist, known as the "butcher of Central Asia," does have his merits and unique strategic vision.

Through the confrontation at the negotiating table, Aguba has once again felt the blood and stubbornness of the Turks, and has lost confidence in the plan of the "peaceful way" to pass through the Turkut fiefdoms and march into Ili and Urumqi. He ordered that Jinhua Hatun and her retinue be imprisoned in the estate of the Korla silk merchant Rahman's family. If Jinhua Hatun still does not give in, he will prepare to be executed early the next morning......

Outside the gate of the Rahman family's manor, more than a dozen enemy soldiers with guns were tightly guarded. In the compound, Bayin Chaolu and two guards were tied to a horse-tethered stake in the courtyard, and seven or eight enemy soldiers watched them.

In the living room of the manor, Jinhua Hatun and Caicik were tied hand and foot and sat on the big kang.

Reheman and his wife Nissa are preparing to cook in the kitchen...... Nisha was still complaining about Rahman, and her mouth kept nagging:

"It's all your fault! I can't give up the house, I can't give up those goods. Well, now I can't escape if I want to...... When the time comes, your life will be gone, what is the use of your goods? ”

Reheman was also full of grievances, and muttered: "We have these belongings, even if we escape, we will either be eaten by wolves or starve to death in the mountains." Is this different from dying at home? ”

"Even if you starve to death in the mountains, it's better than waiting to die here...... If you want me to say, you shouldn't have come back when you brought water and ammunition to General Zhong Yun at the West City Gate...... If you don't come back, we might both run out of the city......"

"It's not like I want to come back! It was when General Zhong felt that the city of Korla could not be saved, so he ordered us to flee for our lives out of the city at night...... It can be seen that so many villagers have given their lives, and General Zhong Yun is also ready to fight hard, but they feel that it doesn't matter. As long as you are not lonely on the Huangquan Road, you will die the same wherever you die...... Ok ok! Let's take one step at a time......"

Reheman's thirteen-year-old daughter, Guli, came to the living room alone. She was very puzzled when she saw that these people were tied up in her house, and there were so many people with guns guarding them!

"My name is Guli!" Gu Li first introduced herself, and then asked Jinhua Hatun very curiously: "Are you the wife of the Khan of the Mongolian tribe?" ”

Jinhua Hattun nodded.

"Why did they tie you up here?" Little Guli wanted to ask what was going on.

"Because they want to take our homeland and slaughter our people, we will not agree to them!"

The young Gu Li, although she couldn't understand the words of adults, her intuition told her: "Jinhua Hatun and these people are kind and kind-eyed, they must be good people!" And the guards with guns in the courtyard and at the gate are by no means good people! …… If they are in trouble, I will see if I can help them. ”

"Can I do something for you?" Guli asked softly.

Jinhua Hatun and Caicik looked at each other, and the two began to look at this innocent, dignified and beautiful little girl together. Although she looked childish, her eyes revealed a kind, innocent and witty light...... It's a bit risky to let her get the word across, but this may be the last chance.

Jinhua Hatun nodded to Caitsk, signaling that the girl should be reliable.

Cai Cike understood, and asked Gu Li softly: "Gu Li, do you know a Hui businessman named Ma Tiansheng?" ”

Gu Li thought for a moment in her mind and muttered, "Horse-sky-win? Then he shook his head.

Cai Cike reminded: "He also has a sister named Ma Lan at home!" ”

When Gu Li heard this, she suddenly realized! Said: "Oh! It's Sister Malan's house, I've been there. She used to deliver mutton to our family! ”

"That's right! Their family is in the cattle and sheepskin business...... Guli, I'd like to ask you a favor! ”

"Then you say, see how I can help?"

Cai Cike looked at the door vigilantly and said softly, "I want to invite you to their house." Tell him that the sheepskin he wants is ready, and that he will be able to pick it up from the tribe tomorrow...... All right? ”

Gu Li happily agreed, "Okay! I'll go now! ”

Jinhua Hadun instructed Gu Li: "Gu Li, tell your parents to go again." All right? ”

Guli said, "Okay! With that, he turned around and left......

In the kitchen of the Rahman estate. The Reheman couple, who were cooking, looked at each other after listening to what Gu Li said...... It seems to understand everything.

Nissa turned around and found an empty noodle bag, handed it to Guli and said, "Guli, take this noodle pocket." If someone asks you why are you going? I told him that there was no noodles at home, so I went to someone else's house to borrow half a bag of flour. Do you understand? ”

Gu Li said excitedly: "Got it! He took his pocket, turned around and bounced out of the house......

The family of Ma Tiansheng, a cattle and sheepskin merchant, lived in the southwest corner of Korla City, and it was also because of its proximity to the southern city wall that it was lucky to survive the enemy's frantic artillery fire.

In the courtyard, Ma Lan and Ma Tiansheng were sorting out the sheepskins they had purchased earlier. Because of the war, there were no buyers, and the sisters and brothers had to worry about these unsellable sheepskins. Not only worried about the thieves coming to rob, but also worried about long-term dampness and mildew, so they quietly poured it in the yard every day to dry and dry. I thought about drying and hiding this batch of leather goods purchased with all my belongings, and then find a way to escape from Korla City.

Hearing a gentle knock on the door, Malan walked to the door to open it.

Ma Lan opened the door and was taken aback when he saw that it was Gu Li! Asked, "Guli! What are you doing here? ”

Gu Li whispered a little mysteriously, "I have something to tell you......"

Ma Lan pulled Guli into the door, looked at the movement outside vigilantly, closed the door and said, "Go!" Come into the house and say......"

It's already getting dark. Sanji Meiren and his entourage drove two carriages to the east gate of Korla City.

Outside the city gates, a group of enemy soldiers guarding the gate were lighting a bonfire to roast meat and drink. Seeing the movement, the leader of the defenders stood up and stopped the carriage with a few enemy soldiers with guns in hand.

The leader of the defenders shouted, "What for?" ”

Sanji Meren hurriedly replied loudly: "We are farmers of the Seven Stars, and General Kdak asked us to deliver grain!" ”

"Grain? Didn't the grain go to the big camp? What are you doing in the city? ”

"It seems that the camp is too close to the Peacock River, and the grain is easy to get wet. In the future, all the grain will be transported to the temporary warehouse in the city! ”

The leader of the defenders commanded the two enemy soldiers: "Check them out!" ”

The two enemy soldiers put away their guns, drew their swords, and walked to the carriage with torches. The enemy's waist knife pierced the sack, revealing wheat.

The enemy soldiers shouted: "It's food!" ”

The leader of the defenders was a little puzzled and asked, "Why did it arrive so late?" ”

"I only got the food together at noon, and I set off too late!" Sanji Meren replied.

"Where will the food be delivered?"

"Temporary grain depot - Boss Ma's house!"

The leader of the defenders circled around the carriage, looked at Sanji Meren and the others, and asked, "Are you Mongols?" ”

Sanji Meren hurriedly explained: "No! We are farmers who farm the land with seven stars. All these stored grains in the village have been delivered! ”

The leader of the defenders turned his cunning little eyes to look at Sanji Meiren, shook his head and asked, "You haven't been in the city for a long time, have you?" ”

"Yes!"

"Do you understand the rules for entering the city?"

Sanji Meiren was puzzled for a moment, and suddenly woke up! Said: "Oh! Understand! …… Understand! In reply, he crouched down, pulled out the only two silver coins from the inside of his boots, and got up and handed them to the leader of the defenders, "Excuse me! That's all, I'll make up for it next time I go to town! ”

The leader of the defenders took the silver coins and put them in his pocket, waved his hand and shouted, "Open the gates!" ……”

Jiangba Kundu, who was observing the situation not far from the rear, saw Sanji Meiren enter the city smoothly, and there was a smile on his face that had been dull for two days. He left a man to continue to observe the East City Gate, and he quickly turned around and mounted his horse, and galloped in the direction of the Iron Gate Pass of Hora Mountain......

On the south bank of the Peacock River on the south side of Korla City, there are several large pear plantations connected from end to end. At this time, the fragrant pear tree is the time when the branches and leaves are the most luxuriant, and entering the pear orchard that covers the sky and the sun in the daytime is like entering the primeval forest with thousands of trees and verdant trees.

Battle and Meng He had entered the place after dark with their team, and had been waiting here for an hour now. From here, they prepared to cross the Peacock River, which is more than 200 meters wide and three or four meters deep, into the city......

Towards midnight, Battle and his team began to enter the water from a hidden spot they had chosen, and began to swim along the Peacock River to the opposite bank......

The north bank of the Peacock River. Multiple fires lit by enemy troops lit up the entire night sky. Multiple sentries patrolled back and forth, watching for anomalous movements along the river and nearby......

Battle's party crossed the sand island in the middle of the river and slowly began to approach the north bank...... The entire north bank of the river is lined with dense reeds several kilometers long, ten meters wide, and more than one person high.

Suddenly, a few enemy soldiers in front of them seemed to hear something, and they opened their reeds with their guns and came to the shore to look into the river......

Battle immediately dived underwater with his team. Under the water, the sergeants paddled hard with scimitars in their mouths......

It took more than two hours for the enemy's 1st Army Brigade led by Haigula to return from the enemy's Yanqi barracks to the outside of the barracks stationed in Korla. According to the plan set by Aguba, the 1st Army came to Korla for rest.

Said, who was about to go out of the barracks to make his rounds, shouted to a group of guards on the barracks gatehouse:

"General Khagura has arrived, open the camp gates! ……”

The front team of the 1st Khagura Army began to march into the Korla military camp one after another. The team of more than 10,000 horses stretched for more than 10 kilometers. At this time, although the front team entered the barracks, his rear team was still marching slowly on the top of Devil's Mountain......

Ever since Aguba returned to Korla, he has always felt that the situation here is not stable enough; Especially after kidnapping Jinhua Hatun, he had a premonition that in a certain direction outside the city, the cavalry team of Turghut could appear at any time.

He personally ordered that while the whole city was on guard, he asked his chief of guard, Said, to personally lead a patrol out of the barracks at midnight every night, and inspect the two main gates in the west and east along the outside of the city wall, and report to him on the situation after the inspection.

In addition to Aguba's sons, this Saeed was the most trusted person by Aguba. He followed Aguba for many years, and was known for his ruthlessness; He was also the main planner and executor of gathering intelligence, plundering wealth, and killing soldiers and civilians, and was one of the core figures of the Aguba military group.

Saeed participated in the "ultimatum" issued by the Hardodun camp of the Turgot tribe, the planning of a sneak attack on the Halmodun camp to kidnap Jinhua Hatun, as well as the "negotiation" with Jinhua Hatun and the secret operation of planning the assassination of the Khan.

According to the specified time, Said led the patrol out of the barracks, starting from the west city gate, around the north side outside Korla City, and went around half a circle to the east city gate to inspect.

As soon as he saw these soldiers guarding the east city gate, they were still eating meat and drinking wine on the fire, all of them were drunk, and he was a little unhappy.

He called the leader of the east gate to him and reprimanded him loudly: "What a bastard! Let you guard the gates, and you will be drunk. If someone sneaks up, do you still have a chance to fight back? ”

The leader of the defenders replied with a grin, "Chinese soldiers...... Aren't they all killed? Where are the people...... Dare to sneak attack? ……”

I didn't finish my words, I just listened to "Smack!" With a bang, the leader of the defenders blushed and was whipped by Said's horsewhip.

Said yelled, "What a stupid pig! The defenders of Korla are finished, but the armies in other parts of the Great Qing Kingdom are still moving around, and the rebels here are also moving around! Do you still dare to drink wine and eat meat, so you are not afraid that you will lose your head? …… If you lose the gates, I'll cut off your heads!" ”

The leader of the defenders covered his face, slammed his upright, and shouted, "Yes! Lieutenant Colonel! ”

Said took a breath and asked sharply, "Are there any suspicious people entering the city today?" ”

The leader of the defenders hurriedly replied: "No! …… However, two wagons carrying grain had just entered the city. It was General Kerdaquel who asked them to deliver food...... Did you know about this? ”

Said was shocked! Puzzled, he asked, "Carriage?" Checked? ”

"Checked! It's food! ”

"How many are there?"

"There are 5 people in total!"

"Like a Mongol?"

"No, it's not! It's a farmer who farms the land with seven stars! ”

"Where is the food delivered?"

"I said it was going to be sent to the temporary grain depot - Boss Ma's house!"

"How long has it been?"

"Less than an hour!"

Said thought for a moment and concluded that there must be something wrong with the two wagons that delivered grain late at night. He immediately ordered the leader of the defenders:

"From now on, all of you will withdraw to the city gates and close the city gates. Sentry posts were added to the city towers, and all those who went out of the city were seized! No one should be let out of town! ”

Only then did the leader of the defenders realize that he might have caused a big disaster, and he trembled and stood upright, and responded loudly:

"Yes! Never let anyone out of town! ”

Said quickly entered the city with the patrol and pursued the carriage in the direction it was heading......

Two carriages loaded with grain slowly entered the courtyard of Ma Tiansheng's house.

Ma Tiansheng pulled Sanji Meiren into the living room and said anxiously:

"You're here! I'm dying! …… Just now, Rahman's daughter Gu Li came to deliver the letter, and she is still in my sister's house. Jinhua Hatun and them were imprisoned in her manor! ……”

After seeing that it was Sanji Meiren, Ma Lan took Guli into the living room.

Sanji Meiren asked Guli, "Guli, how many Kokand soldiers are there in your family now?" ”

Gu Li pouted solemnly and said, "The day before yesterday and yesterday, there were eight or nine in the courtyard, and there were two outside the courtyard gate. This afternoon, a dozen more came from outside the courtyard. They tied all three Mongol guards to a hitch in the courtyard; The Khan's wife and her female bodyguards were tied up in the living room. ”

Sanji Meren asked Guli again, "Do any of these Kokand soldiers ride horses?" ”

"There are no horseback riding! ……”

Suddenly, there was a violent knock on the door. Everyone was shocked!

Ma Tiansheng said: "Don't worry! I'm going to see ......" got up and went to the yard to open the door.

Ma Lan pulled Gu Li up, "Let's go!" Let's go into the back room......" The two of them went into the back room.

Sanji Meiren felt that this sudden knock on the door must have something to do with his team's entry into the city, but he couldn't figure out what went wrong. We can only watch the development of events and be prepared for contingencies.