Zhang Shixun asked, "Are you all from around Magedang?"
One of the older, thin men replied, "I'm from Shangjia Village, ten miles from here."
"How did you get captured by the Jin soldiers?"
The thin man sighed and said angrily, "My whole family hid in the mountains, hoping to return home after the Jin soldiers retreated. But after waiting for half a month, they didn't retreat. The food we brought with us ran out, so I had to sneak back to the village to get more food. As soon as we entered the village, we ran into Jin soldiers threshing straw, and ended up being captured here."
Another man also said: "My home is in Caowo Village, more than 20 miles away from Ma'erdang. When we heard the news that the Jin soldiers were coming, we were about to go into the mountains to hide, but it was too late. The Jin soldiers blocked us in the village..."
At this point, the man sobbed and said, "Dozens of villagers were killed. Almost all the women were raped by them. The young and strong were captured and forced to work here. A few people tried to escape on the way, but they were killed. The rest came to Ma'erdang and were carried on the backs of golden dogs to work. They were hacked to death if they were not satisfied... Wuwu! More than ten people were captured and now I am the only one left, wuwu...!"
As soon as he started crying, the others also started wiping their tears.
Everyone's experience is similar.
After dawn, Zhang Shixun gathered all the members of the National Protection Army together and asked these rescued civilians to tell about the atrocities committed by the Jin army.
The brothers of the National Protection Army gnashed their teeth and were filled with righteous indignation when they heard this.
"Master Zhang, take us to kill the golden dog and avenge them."
"Kill all these golden dogs!"
"Kill the golden dog!"
"kill……!"
…
Seeing that the army's morale was high, Zhang Shixun nodded secretly.
"Brothers, we are here to kill the golden dogs. Not one of the golden dogs of Magedang can escape."
He glanced at everyone and said in a deep voice, "Last night we sneaked into Magedang, killed two Golden Dogs, and rescued the imprisoned civilians. Judging by the nature of the Golden Dogs, they will definitely not give up. Perhaps they are searching everywhere right now."
At this point, he raised his voice and ordered, "Everyone, follow me to the mountain pass and ambush. If the Golden Dogs come searching, no matter how many there are, destroy them!"
Just as Zhang Shixun expected, the Jin soldiers discovered that all the Han people who were captured to work had been rescued, and they hurriedly reported it to Mouketu and Su.
Tu Hesu was furious and immediately sent out three groups of cavalry to search for the fleeing Han people.
One group of about fifty people, led by Tuhesu's cousin Tulu, went straight into the mountain pass and searched along the white path.
Because the Baijing Ancient Road is a rugged and narrow mountain road that is difficult for war horses to travel on, the Jin soldiers have not entered since they arrived at Magedang.
The Jin soldiers were accustomed to fighting on horseback, and their combat effectiveness was greatly reduced when they dismounted.
Tu and Su knew this very well and repeatedly told Tulu not to go too far into the mountain pass.
Tulu agreed readily and set off with his men.
After entering Baijing, he was still very cautious. He sent scouts to conduct reconnaissance first, while he led the team forward carefully.
About five miles into the White Path, the road gradually became narrower, and the narrowest part was only wide enough for one horse to pass through.
Tulu looked around at the surrounding terrain and saw the steep mountains on both sides. He couldn't help but worry that if the Song army ambushed him, he would not be able to escape.
Just as he was about to order a retreat, he saw a donkey appear at the bend of the mountain road ahead. Riding on the donkey was a woman wearing a green skirt and a floral headscarf.
As for age and appearance, I couldn't see clearly because I was far away.
When the woman riding the donkey saw the Jin cavalry, she quickly turned the donkey around and ran back.
Seeing this, Tulu laughed heartily and pointed at the man and the donkey, saying, "Catch that woman."
The eyes of every Jin soldier lit up, and they rushed forward bravely, urging their mounts to chase the woman.
After passing the bend, the mountain road became wider, enough for two riders to ride side by side.
Looking at the woman again, she had reached another bend. She turned around, glanced at the Jin soldiers chasing her, then turned around the foot of the mountain and disappeared.
Tulu looked at the place where the woman disappeared, then looked up at the mountains on both sides.
The mountains here are not very high, nor as steep as the way here, and there are bushes growing on the hillsides.
He thought to himself, "This is a perfect place for an ambush. If the Song army lays ambush on the hillsides on either side and blocks the two bends, I'll be trapped... Oops! That's not right. Aren't the scouts we sent out ahead exploring the way? Logically, they should have encountered this woman. How did she get here?"
The series of questions made Tulu shudder. Without thinking too much, he quickly shouted, "Stop, stop chasing."
But it was too late.
A whistling arrow shot from the hillside with a sharp sound and hit Tulu's mount on the neck.
The warhorse neighed and galloped away.
Tulu pulled the reins hard, trying to rein in the warhorse, but the horse was already frightened and could not be reined in at all.
At the moment the whistling arrow was shot, arrows rained down from the hillsides on both sides.
The Jin soldiers were caught off guard and the army was in chaos. Some urged their horses to gallop forward, while others circled their horses to run back. They collided with each other, and people were shot by arrows and fell off their horses continuously.
Tulu was also hit in the arm by an arrow. Seeing that he could no longer ride his horse, he jumped off and shouted, "Everyone get off your horses and run back."
There is no room for maneuver when riding a horse on this kind of mountain road. Colliding with each other is tantamount to seeking death.
Instead of that, it would be better to abandon the warhorse and break out on foot.
In the chaos, Tulu finally gathered the Jin soldiers together and rushed back under the arrows. People were shot and fell along the way.
When the group of Jin soldiers were about to rush to the bend, a general in black helmet and black armor came out from the foot of the mountain, followed by Hei Wuchang, who was wearing a cloth robe and had an expressionless face.
It was Zhang Shixun.
He was seen holding a Fang Tian Hua Ji and pointing at Tulu: "Stop, this is where you will be buried."
Tulu knew that the day was over. He raised the iron bone flower in his hand, turned around and said to the remaining Jin soldiers: "There is no way out. Let's fight."
After saying that, he rushed towards Zhang Shixun waving the Iron Bone Flower.
Zhang Shixun stood there, waiting for Tulu to rush close, then he raised his Fang Tian Hua Ji and slashed at Tulu at an angle.
Tulu's Tieguduo was a cavalry weapon of the Jin army. It was only three feet long, more than twice as short as Zhang Shixun's Fang Tian Huaji. Seeing Zhang Shixun's Fang Tian Huaji coming at him with the sound of wind, knowing that he could not block it, he jumped to the side and tried to avoid it.
Zhang Shixun was quick-witted and quick-handed. Before he could use his full skill, he swung back, and the hook of his Fang Tian Hua Ji caught Tulu's leather armor. He exerted force with both arms and said, "Come here."
Tulu was dragged to Zhang Shixun, and then Zhang Shixun kicked Tulu hard in the crotch.
With a scream, Tulu fell to the ground, covering his lower body.
As he was speaking, the remaining dozen or so Jin soldiers had already rushed to the front.
Zhang Shixun shouted loudly and rushed towards the group of Jin soldiers, waving his Fang Tian Hua Ji.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
