Chapter 217 Live and die together!

Xue Wuji walked to the city gate, looked down at the army outside the city, and saw Xue Youli and Chu Xinyue at the front.

He looked at his sister whom he hadn't seen for a long time, calmed down, and shouted, "Open the city gate!"

At the city gate, Xue Youli and Chu Xinyue were riding on tall and handsome horses.

They were wearing Liuyun armor made of fine iron, and the armor was surrounded by a faint golden light under the sunlight.

Their black hair was tied into ponytails and fluttered in the wind, and they looked heroic, with a majestic and domineering aura that seemed to have been honed on the battlefield.

At Xue Wuji's command, the city gate slowly opened, and the soldiers entered the city in high spirits under the gaze of everyone.

"Li'er!"

After arranging a place for all the soldiers to rest, Xue Wuzhi finally had time to look for Xue Youli and the others.

Xue Youli saw his eldest brother and happily went to greet him, "Brother, how are the casualties in your camp?"

"We came to the northern border and fought with Jiang Yuanshan's army five or six times. Several hundred people died and nearly two thousand were injured. Among them, dozens of seriously injured were receiving treatment in the city."

Xue Wuji told them about the casualties and let out a long sigh, "With you here, our chances of winning are even better! Ah Li, you usually have the most ideas, do you have any way to win without bloodshed?"

This time, the emperor sent him to recapture the northern border, and he also faced the Kyushu army.

Xue Wuji felt heartbroken when he pointed the sword in his hand at his comrade with whom he had fought side by side.

He never could kill him.

After all, although Jiang Yuanshan was hateful, the soldiers under his command had protected the peace of the northern border with their flesh and blood.

How tragic it would be if they did not die at the hands of the enemy but died at the hands of their own people?

How heartbroken would their families be when they learned of this outcome?

Xue Youli replied, "The families of these soldiers still live on the land of Jiuzhou. To deal with them, we must first conquer their hearts!"

Xue Wuji replied, "I have tried to persuade those generals before, but to little avail."

"That's because Jiang Yuanshan threatened them."

Xue Youli had already investigated the situation in northern Xinjiang, and Jiang Yuanshan's rebellion had naturally been planned for a long time.

He knew very well that many of these generals were not loyal to him, but to the Emperor of Jiuzhou.

Therefore, long before the rebellion, he sent people to control the families of these generals, brought them all to the northern border, trapped them in Jicheng, and sent guards to guard them.

Jiang Yuanshan took the lives of the soldiers' families as the key and ordered everyone to go all out on the battlefield.

After listening to Xue Youli's words, Xue Wuji pondered for a moment, "Li'er, I want to sneak into Jicheng in the northern border tonight and rescue the families of these generals."

The families of the soldiers are all innocent, and we cannot let them pay the price of their lives for Jiang Yuanshan’s ambition!

Xue Youli also had the same idea, "What a coincidence, A Yue and I just found out where their family members are being held!"

"Ah, me?"

Chu Xinyue, who was named, pointed at her nose with her backhand. She was stunned for a moment, then she understood, "Ah, right, right! The people of Jiuzhou are one family! We have long wanted to save our families! Ali and I are going to take action tonight! Ali, right?"

Xue Youli nodded in agreement with her words, then turned to look at his brother, "Brother, we will be responsible for rescuing the people tonight!"

Xue Wuji was of course worried about the two girls taking risks.

He frowned and thought for a moment, his handsome face becoming more serious. "Li'er, I've been in the northern border for many days and I'm very familiar with the terrain here. It would be safer for me to go!"

No matter how familiar he was with the terrain, he could not compare to Xue Youli who had a navigation system in hand.

Chu Xinyue looked at Xue Wuji and replied, "General Xue, Ali and I have a topographical map of Jicheng in the northern border. We also know the time for the guard rotation. It would be more appropriate for us to go. Besides, there are more important things that need you."

Xue Youli also nodded and said, "Brother, we need you to divert Jiang Yuanshan's attention by making a feint to the east and attacking in the west."

Xue Wuji looked at their confident expressions and agreed, "Okay!"

That night, the soldiers guarding the city gate of Jicheng had just finished changing their posts when suddenly a chorus of waving flags and shouting was heard outside the city gate.

"Not good! Xue Wuji led his troops to attack Jicheng at night! Quick! Go report to the general and request reinforcements!"

The guards on the city gate looked at the countless Kyushu troops holding torches and heading towards the city gate in the distance, and their faces changed on the spot.

They received news that after Chu Xinyue defeated the Japanese army, she did not return to Beijing immediately, but led tens of thousands of troops to join Xue Wuji.

Now, looking at the soldiers holding torches in the distance, looking at their team that is like a fire dragon whose tail cannot be seen, the guards on the city wall are terrified.

With so many soldiers surrounding Jicheng, they had no chance of winning even if they defended the city gates.

However, they waited for a long time but Xue Wuji did not take the initiative to attack the city.

"What's going on? Aren't they going to attack the city?"

On the city walls, the guards were standing by.

But they waited for a long time and Xue Wuji did not launch an attack.

Just when they were puzzled, Xue Wuji raised the simple loudspeaker made by Xue Youli and shouted at them, "Soldiers of Northern Frontier, you have worked hard to protect Northern Frontier over the years! Because of you, the people of Jiuzhou can be free from the suffering of war and live and work in peace. Before coming to Northern Frontier, the emperor specially summoned me and asked me to bring a few words to you. The emperor said that as a general, you should serve the country and the people. You have sacrificed your lives for the stability and peace of Jiuzhou over the years, and everything you have done deserves to be recorded. History. You are warriors who resist foreign enemies, but how can you bear to point the swords in your hands at your compatriots now? Have you forgotten your original intention of going to the battlefield? Have you forgotten that your parents, wives and children are waiting for you to return home? Northern Xinjiang belongs to the people, not just Jiang Yuanshan! For his own ambition, he disregarded the lives of all the soldiers and made you bear the crime of treason and rebellion. Are you going to abandon your country and your beliefs for his personal interests? "

Xue Wuzhi's voice was spread out by the speaker made of cardboard and drifted into the ears of all the guards with the night wind.

The soldiers on the city wall fell silent.

Yes, their original intention was to protect their loved ones and guard the country, so that the people of Kyushu could stay away from the war, rather than to aid and abet the evil and help Jiang Yuanshan realize his delusional dreams.

They don't want to become the eternal sinners of Jiuzhou, and they don't want their hands to be stained with the blood of their compatriots!

Xue Wuji saw that his words had shaken the morale of the Northern Frontier Army, and he continued, "Think about it carefully, everyone. Why did you leave your hometown and your loved ones and go to the front line? Jiang Yuanshan used you to work for him and made all your compatriots kill each other. He trampled on your sincerity and loyalty! He also betrayed your trust in him!"

Murong Nan was standing next to Xue Wuji. After hearing what he said, he couldn't help but raise his trumpet to introduce himself. "Soldiers, I am King Kang. I am here on behalf of my brother. Now Nanzhao and the surrounding small countries are eyeing Jiuzhou covetously. Once we fall into civil war, Japan will be a lesson for us! If these small countries take advantage of the situation and divide up the territory of Jiuzhou, you and I will be sinners for all eternity!"

Xue Wuji continued, "We are not enemies, but brothers who once fought side by side. As long as you lay down your weapons and open the city gates, I am willing to guarantee your lives as the commander-in-chief! The day when the army recaptures the northern border will be the day for you to return home and reunite with your families!"

The two of them sang in unison, and the patriotism in the hearts of the guards on the city wall was instantly ignited.

However, several soldiers thought of their relatives being held hostage by Jiang Yuanshan, and replied sadly, "Many of our generals' families have been locked up by Jiang Yuanshan! If we can't defend the city gate, we will never see our families again!"

As soon as they finished speaking, a loud "bang" was heard from inside the city wall.

Everyone turned their heads and saw a huge firework exploding in the night sky.

Fireworks lit up the night sky, and everyone seemed to see the dawn.

Seeing this, Xue Wuji looked at Murong Nan and saw excitement in each other's eyes.

"They succeeded!"

The fireworks were the signal sent by Xue Youli and Chu Xinyue that they had successfully rescued the soldiers' families.

Xue Wuji spoke again, his voice even louder, "Did you see the fireworks? This is Princess Qinghe telling everyone that she has successfully rescued all the hostages held under house arrest by Jiang Yuanshan!"

Someone on the city wall couldn't believe it and asked, "General Xue, are you serious?"

Xue Wuji's heroic brows were filled with a solemn expression as he replied in a sonorous and powerful voice, "I guarantee with my life that your families are safe!"

On the city wall, the soldiers looked at each other, engaging in a fierce ideological struggle in their hearts.

Although Xue Wuji is young, he has made great achievements in the wars against foreign enemies and is very prestigious in the army.

His abilities are admirable and every word he says carries weight.

Everyone was excited and was completely moved by Xue Wuji and Murong Nan's words.

Finally, someone on the city wall responded to them.

"All soldiers, listen up! Open the city gates! Welcome the Kyushu army into the city!"

"yes!"

So the soldiers guarding the city opened the city gates, and many generals even went to the city gates in person to welcome the army led by Xue Wuzhi into the city.

…

At this moment, in the city.

Jiang Yuanshan and Murong Mian were still discussing the battle plan with Murong Ye.

Suddenly, Jiang Yuanshan's confidant stumbled in and shouted, "Oh no! Oh no!"

Jiang Yuanshan looked at his panicked appearance, frowned, and asked in a deep voice, "What happened?"

"General, all the hostages we held in the city have been rescued by Princess Qinghe!"

"What did you say?"

Jiang Yuanshan heard this and stood up from his chair in a hurry. "I have deployed so many people around the yard to keep an eye on them. Even if Chu Xinyue had three heads and six arms, she couldn't rescue them so easily!"

"I don't know what tricks Princess Qinghe used to drug all of our people..."

Before he finished speaking, another confidant ran in with a dusty face, "General, something terrible has happened, the city gate has been breached! Xue Wuji has led a large army to attack! General, they will find this place soon, I will escort you out of Jicheng immediately!"

Murong Mian had been kept in the backyard for too long. When she heard that the army had already attacked the city, she panicked and felt a chill down her spine. "Husband, let's go!"

Walk?

Jicheng is his territory. If he abandons the city, where else can he go?

Jiang Yuanshan climbed up the ranks step by step through his own military exploits.

He rose from a peasant to where he is today, second only to the emperor and above all others. The wealth and glory have nurtured his ambition.

He became more and more arrogant and began to have thoughts that he shouldn't have.

However, at this point, he has no way back and can only go down this path to the end!

Jiang Yuanshan looked at the bewildered Murong Mian and took a deep breath, "Madam, take Guangzong and leave through the secret passage first!"

Jiang Guangzong is the only son of Jiang Yuanshan and Murong Mian. Since Jiang Yuanshan is ready to burn his boats, he naturally wants to leave a way out for his family.

Murong Mian shook her head vigorously. As soon as she opened her mouth, tears could not stop flowing down. "No! Husband, I want to advance and retreat with you!"

"Don't be stupid! If you and Guangzong stay here, I will be cautious! Only when you are safe can I let go of my fists and feet! Go!"

Murong Mian raised her hand to wipe away the tears from the corners of her eyes, "Okay, I'll listen to my husband!"

As she said that, she turned her head and looked at Murong Ye, "Aye, your injuries haven't healed yet, come with me!"

Murong Ye glanced at the inseparable look on the couple's face and nodded in agreement without even a second's hesitation, "Okay!"

He had fought against Chu Xinyue at the northeastern border. This woman had obviously never led troops into battle before, but she was an expert in commanding troops and could even accurately calculate every move of his and Hisaikawa Ichiro.

Now that Chu Xinyue and Xue Wuji have joined forces, there is no need for him to stay and confront them head-on.

He had a hunch that Jiang Yuanshan would most likely follow in the footsteps of Cai Chuan Yifu.

After all, compared with his life, his so-called pride is worthless!

Jiang Yuanshan sent his wife and children to the entrance of the secret passage, and said to Murong Ye earnestly, "I entrust your sister and nephew to you!"

Murong Ye sneered in his heart, but his face was solemn, "Brother-in-law, don't worry, I will definitely take good care of my sister and Emperor Guangzong!"

Jiang Yuanshan sent them off and said to the soldiers around him in a deep voice, "Everyone follow me to fight the enemy! We have lived in Jicheng for many years. Jicheng is our root. Tonight we will live and die with Jicheng!"