Chapter 121 Chapter 121 If you miss her, you can write a letter...
There was a hint of dry and cold air in the air.
At the end of autumn and the beginning of winter, a dead leaf was picked up by the cold wind, swept over the top of Xiangyang City, fell on the battlement, and was then crushed by a long boot, making a crisp clicking sound.
Murong Ye placed one foot on the battlement and squinted his eyes to gaze into the distance. The wilderness outside Xiangyang City was desolate, with no one in sight.
She was holding the scout's report in her hand, which said that the Great Zhou army had already set out and should have been at the gates of the city according to the schedule, but at this moment there was no movement.
Murong Ye sighed and tossed the letter to the clerk beside him: "I can't read. Please read it again!"
The clerk hurriedly unfolded the document and read, "The Great Zhou's central army, led by Xie Tingyu of the Chenjun Xie clan, is currently heading towards Xiangyang. I urge General Murong to proceed with caution. This man, a recent riser within the Great Zhou dynasty, once subdued a bandit group with minimal casualties, bringing their entire 70,000-man army under his command, thus establishing the Northern Army."
"Only 70,000?!"
Murong Ye scoffed repeatedly, and the generals behind him also laughed a few times. "A mere 70,000 men dare to attack? Hahahaha! Our Northern Qin is sending a full 650,000 troops this time!"
The clerk blushed and hurriedly explained, "General, the central army this time has 70,000 men. According to reports, the Great Zhou has three armies deployed this time, totaling about 300,000 men. Excluding the central army, there are also—ah!"
Murong Ye slapped her mouth and interrupted her gruffly, "What are you talking about! Three hundred thousand? The Great Zhou Dynasty is no longer vulnerable!"
She stood with her hands on her hips, looking out towards the city. Her voice was as resounding as a bell: "No matter how many people come, defend this city for me! This is our first battle in the south from Northern Qin. We must not lose our prestige!"
"yes!"
"By the way—"
Murong Ye was about to turn around and leave, but then he remembered something and looked at the clerk, "Who is this Central Army General you just mentioned?"
"Replying to the general, his name is Xie Tingyu."
"Well then, this general will capture this little kid alive. Hahahahahaha, then I'll carry her head to collect the reward."
At the foot of Lumen Mountain, fifty miles outside Xiangyang City, military tents were pitched in a continuous row, forming a dense cloud-like formation. In the center stood a massive red flag, fluttering in the wind, embroidered with the character "Zhou."
The three scouts galloped back, dismounted outside the central army tent, and reported loudly: "General, we have discovered the enemy's situation!"
Xie Tingyu was appointed General Pinglu by Ji Xunqin for this expedition.
A voice called "enter" was heard from inside the tent, and the leading scout immediately went in and presented the secret military report with both hands.
Xie Tingyu unfolded the paper and quickly read it, then casually handed it to someone beside him and asked, "Which of the Northern Qin generals guarding Xiangyang City are you familiar with?"
Yu Wen Yue glanced at it and pointed at a name above. "I know this person. I've defeated her many times." She rubbed her hands together, "Master, if I can lead the charge this time, I can definitely take her head off and kick it like a ball."
Xie Tingyu held his forehead and drummed his knuckles on the table. "I'm asking you about this person's personality, not how many times you've beaten her."
"--oh."
Yu Wen Yue spread his hands and said, "I remember that this man is indeed a fierce general. Even if he wins a fight, he will chase you and bite you, just like a mad dog."
Upon hearing this, Xie Tingyu unfolded the map and examined it carefully. After a moment's contemplation, he raised his voice and said, "Go and send word to invite Wang Lanzhi and Cui Yuanying to come forward as vanguards."
This time, the entourage included Wang Lanzhi, Cui Yuanying as the vanguard, and Yuan Wangshu who met her on the way.
After just a cup of tea, the sound of armor clashing could be heard from outside. Wang Lanzhi and Cui Yuanying were already standing before the desk, and they asked in unison, "What are your instructions?"
Xie Tingyu pointed at the map and drew a circle. "You two will lead two teams to intercept the grain carts heading to Xiangcheng. Make sure you bring the grain back for me. Remember to bring Zhang Yan along; she will cover your retreat."
Seeing this, Yu Wen Yue was quite dissatisfied. "Master, you know my skills. Don't leave a good knife unused, otherwise it will rust!"
Xie Tingyu tapped his temples with his knuckles. "Don't worry, there will be a time when I can use you."
Ten days later, another urgent report about the robbery of five grain carts was delivered to Murong Ye.
She unfolded it, took a quick glance, then crumpled it into a ball and stomped on it, then angrily climbed up the city wall. Gazing into the distance, she saw the Great Zhou army, in full formation, stationed just outside the city, not attacking or doing anything else. Every day, they sent a small soldier to the tower to curse, then ran away when an arrow was shot at them, like a mouse that could never be caught.
Even more troubling was the fact that both food routes to Xiangyang had been cut off by the Great Zhou army. Murong Ye spat on the ground and angrily asked, "Your Majesty, why do you only order me to defend this city to the death, but not to march out to fight?" She slammed her palm against the bricks. "The troops sent to protect the food supply were completely wiped out. This battle was truly frustrating!"
She narrowed her eyes and saw a general wearing a scarlet robe and a silver helmet surrounded by the enemy troops.
The general took the long bow, exerted force on his shoulders, and pulled the bowstring to the extreme. With two sharp sounds, two arrows flew through the air and shot through the clerk next to Murong Ye on the spot.
Xie Tingyu raised his copper megaphone and said, "General Murong of Northern Qin, it's really boring to be a coward in the city! Could it be that you don't dare to fight?"
Murong Ye had a fiery temper and could easily explode. She immediately roared, "Bullshit! If I hadn't been under military orders, I would have left the city and chopped off your head and kicked it like a ball!"
Before she could finish her words, another massive arrow pierced the wind and struck her face. Her face paled, and she ducked in panic. The arrow, with its immense force, lodged itself deeply into the beam behind her, its tail still trembling.
Xie Tingyu put away his bow and reins, then raised the reins again and shouted, "General Murong, I will wait for you for five more days. After five days, you and I will meet at Lumenpo to see who will win!"
This is a formal military ceremony, a fair battle.
Murong Ye watched Xie Tingyu turn his horse and calmly join the battle formation, his silver helmet blinding in the sunlight. She felt a surge of anger rising to her head, and she pointed at the figure from behind and cursed, "I must go out of the city and kill this guy! Look at her armor, surrounded by the whole army, it must be the commander of the Central Army, Xie Tingyu! He's stepped on my face and challenged me to a fight, how can I be such a coward!"
The clerk who was supposed to oversee the army and advise him had been shot dead by Xie Tingyu, leaving no one to dissuade Murong Ye. Most of his generals were bloodthirsty and aggressive, and they all clamored for battle.
Only one person showed hesitation: "General, His Majesty has issued strict orders to defend the city. You are not allowed to leave the city unless necessary..."
Murong Ye interrupted sharply, "We have our people inside and outside Xiangyang! If you're worried she'll divert the enemy away, just leave half your troops to defend the city! I'll take our elite troops and go meet her!"
He then punched the city wall again. "If I could chop off her head and present it to His Majesty, would His Majesty blame me? Isn't there an old saying in the Great Zhou Dynasty - 'The general is away from home'..."
The deputy general beside him quickly replied, "General, it's true that 'a general is not bound by the king's orders when he is away from home'!"
Murong Ye waved his hands, "Who cares about her? Anyway, when I get to the battlefield, I will just stare at this guy and fight him."
That night, Xie Tingyu and others gathered in the tent.
Cui Yuanying said, "The food supply route has been cut off by our army. Even if there is food in the city, it will not last for a few days."
Wang Lanzhi nodded and looked at Xie Tingyu. "Judging from the situation outside the city today, the Northern Qin garrison commander has been driven somewhat mad by you. We'll arrange a battle in five days, and she will definitely leave the city."
Cui Yuanying rubbed his hands eagerly: "Xie Er, quickly tell me how we should deploy our forces so that we can recapture Xiangyang in one fell swoop."
Xie Tingyu didn't answer immediately. She lowered her eyes and stared at the map for a long time before saying, "Lure the enemy deep into our territory."
He drew a circle with his fingertips across a long, narrow valley. "Baima Valley is steep, with high mountains and dense forests on both sides. It's perfect for an ambush. Pretend to retreat and lure the enemy here. Once they're in our trap, we can block the valley entrance with arrows and fire, effectively trapping them in a trap. However, we need to choose our decoy carefully."
Wang Lanzhi bravely said, "I'll be the bait."
Xie Tingyu shook his head, pacing the tent with his hands behind his back. "Not only must the bait lure the enemy into the trap, but it must also allow them to escape unscathed. This person must be highly skilled in martial arts and possess sufficient weight to convince Murong Ye that capturing them is the key to victory."
The atmosphere in the tent suddenly became solemn.
Xie Tingyu raised his eyes and looked around at the generals, "I will be the bait."
"Absolutely not!"
Cui Yuanying objected, "As the commander-in-chief of the army, how can you take such a risk?"
Xie Tingyu said calmly, "Because I'm the commander-in-chief, I'm in a position to lure them deeper." She raised her hand and pointed at Yuwen Yue, "You will lead your personal guards to accompany me and protect me."
Wang Lanzhi stepped forward and said, "I'll go with you, too!"
Xie Tingyu nodded, and then gave the order, "When they lead us to the middle of Baimashan Valley, you..."
Five days later, the two armies lined up in order on Lumen Slope.
The wilderness was desolate, the wind roaring with a murderous gust of wind. Xie Tingyu sat upright on the back of the Moon-Stepping Horse, his eyes fixed on the approaching Northern Qin army.
Northern Qin was renowned for its cavalry, and Murong Ye had brought with him only the most elite cavalry. Xie Tingyu also personally led the most valiant of the Northern Palace Army's Flying Cavalry Battalion to meet the challenge.
She leaned over and gently stroked the slightly anxiously breathing warhorse beneath her, then suddenly shouted, "Northern Palace troops, listen to my orders! Anyone who beheads an enemy general will be rewarded with a thousand households! Anyone who cowardly retreats in battle will be executed immediately!"
On the command chariot, the standard-bearer waved the command flag and shouted, "All troops—attack!"
In an instant, the two armies collided with each other like a pair of red and black dragons, and were strangled to death.
The roars, the neighing of war horses, and the sound of weapons clashing were deafening, blood and flesh flew everywhere, and the sky and the earth were eclipsed.
Xie Tingyu drew her sword from her waist and, like a bolt of black lightning, plunged straight into the enemy ranks, colliding head-on with a Northern Qin lieutenant general. She dodged several blows, then, seeing several more closing in, spun around and slashed, her blade flashing across the enemy's throat, drawing blood.
Taking advantage of this opening, Xie Tingyu flashed a cold light in his hand, and with the force of a broken bamboo, he slashed the deputy general's head off. The cold blade was instantly soaked with blood, and the headless body staggered and fell off the horse with a loud bang.
Xie Tingyu carried the head and rushed in one direction.
Wang Lanzhi was entangled with Murong Ye. She held a spear, which was no less powerful than Murong Ye's horse spear, and every time they struck each other, there was a clanging sound.
Murong Ye gritted his teeth, roared with all his strength, and took the opportunity to stab Wang Lanzhi in the abdomen.
In a flash, a bloody object flew straight at Murong Ye's face. Startled, she dodged to the side, but Wang Lanzhi seized the opportunity and swung his spear, piercing her shoulder and arm. He then reined in his horse and retreated several steps.
Murong Ye took a closer look and saw that it was actually the head of her deputy general. Her eyes instantly turned blood red as she glared at Xie Tingyu who was riding towards her.
Xie Tingyu drew his sword and stood on his horse, "General Murong, it seems that your Northern Qin cavalry is nothing more than this."
"You just accepted one of my lieutenants, why are you so arrogant?"
Suddenly, the red flag of the Northern Qin rear formation was seen waving, and in an instant, a rain of arrows came down. Xie Tingyu quickly pulled the reins and swung his sword a few times to block the arrows.
Murong Ye took the opportunity to raise his spear and stab him in the heart. Xie Tingyu leaned back quickly and the tip of the spear just brushed past his face.
Seeing this, several Northern Qin soldiers attacked simultaneously. Xie Tingyu deliberately paused for a moment to block, only to be struck twice in the right arm, staining his robe with blood. Yu Wenyue, who had always been guarding him, had a cold look in his eyes. His ring-handled sword flew like lightning, instantly severing the arms of several men.
Murong Ye saw Yuwen Yue's face clearly and was shocked and angry. "Yuwen Yue, I haven't seen you for over ten years, and you actually defected to the Great Zhou. You traitor!"
Yu Wen Yue whistled, "I'll follow whoever is stronger." While chatting and laughing, he killed two more riders.
Xie Tingyu raised his sword and shouted, "The enemy has ambushed arrows! Retreat!"
Upon hearing the order, the Northern Army fought and retreated.
Murong Ye couldn't let him go. Seeing Xie Tingyu's arm covered in blood, he felt victory was certain and immediately ordered, "Full force pursuit! Whoever captures the enemy general alive will be rewarded handsomely!"
The horse's hooves shook the ground, and the red dragon bit the black armor tightly, chasing it all the way into the narrow valley.
Suddenly, a chill ran up his tailbone all the way to the back of his neck. Murong Ye's heart tightened suddenly, and he raised his head abruptly. He saw densely packed figures on both sides of the valley, all wearing the mysterious armor of the Great Zhou Dynasty, holding flaming arrows and bows ready to shoot.
Someone shouted "Shoot!" and arrows mixed with kerosene poured down like a rainstorm. Fires suddenly appeared and blood and flesh flew everywhere in the valley. Many Northern Qin cavalrymen who followed closely were shot by arrows and fell off their horses, howling in pain.
The two arrows hit Murong Ye's chest, causing it to explode instantly, sending sparks flying.
Her eyes blurred, and before she could steady herself, she saw Xie Tingyu, who was injured in his upper arm, suddenly turn his horse's head and leap onto her mount.
A flash of blade, blood splattered. In a flash, she was standing on her horse, holding Murong Ye's head, and shouted loudly, "Your commander is dead! Surrender immediately!"
The remaining Northern Qin troops that chased into the valley were all destroyed.
At the same time, Cui Yuanying and Zhang Yan led a special force to raid Xiangyang, and with the help of internal and external forces, they recaptured the lost city in one fell swoop.
The victory report of the recovery of Xiangyang was delivered to Xie Garden together with the news that Xie Tingyu was injured in his arm.
Since Xie Qingyan caught a cold, she had held all her meetings in the main courtyard of the garden. At this moment, she had just finished reviewing the military report and discussing several matters with Feng Ge and others, when several high-ranking officials filed out.
However, as soon as they stepped out of the corridor, they saw a slender, masked man standing in the shadow of the pillars. He stood there quietly, his eyes clear and serene.
Although the nobles were deeply curious, no one dared to ask who the man in Xie Garden was. They pretended not to see him and hurried away, each with their sleeves drawn up.
Ji Lian saw that everyone had dispersed, then he slowly walked inside and bowed to Xie Qingyan, "Grand Minister."
Xie Qingyan was sipping tea when his fingers paused for a moment. He then picked out a scroll containing the news of Xie Tingyu's injury from a pile of documents on the table and pushed it towards him. "Everything you want to see is here."
She pretended to lower her eyes and sip her tea, but in fact she was quietly observing Ji Lian's expression. Seeing that his eyes were indeed tearful and slightly red, she felt even more approved of her future son-in-law. She coughed twice and said, "If you miss her, you can write a letter and someone will deliver it to the army for you."
Ji Lian lowered her head and said softly, "Thank you, Grand Tutor."
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The author has something to say: I hope to finish writing the war within three chapters. I want the young couple to meet more than anyone else.
After writing 420,000 words, I finally understood what the biggest problem of this book is.
Actually, this problem existed when I wrote the first book, but I didn't solve it. I need to take a 3-month break after finishing this book to at least think about how to solve this problem.
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