The Song Dynasty has been deliberate for 16 years, only to know that it is the Water Margin

Xiping Military Division is located in the westernmost part of Hexi, bordering Longyou in the south, and adjacent to the Uighurs in the front and north.

Guazhou, the headquarters of the Xiping Army, and further west was the important town of Shazhou, which became Dunhuang in later generations.

Further forward from Shazhou, there is Yumen Pass at the top and Yang Pass at the bottom. The two passes are parallel.

As the saying goes: If you don't know the way outside Yumen Pass, you will have no old friends when you leave Yangguan in the west. There are three stacks in Yangguan, and Yumen will be the last song.

The army of 50,000 people, hungry for food and thirsty for food, traveled at dawn and stayed overnight. They left Xiliang, passed Ganzhou, and arrived outside Suzhou City that day.

Suzhou and Ganzhou both belonged to the Gansu Military Division, among which Ganzhou was the administrative seat, and Suzhou bordered the Xiping Military Division, which became Jiuquan in later generations.

At this time, the guard general of Suzhou was Zhensanshan Huangxin. Seeing the arrival of the army, he hurried out of the city to greet them.

In addition to Yuanying and others, Zhao Tong also brought along Lu Da, Wu Song, Qin Ming, Hua Rong, Guo Sheng, and other generals Jie Zhen and Jie Bao.

After entering the city while talking, Zhao Tong sat in the meeting hall and listened to Huang Xin's military report.

Huang Xin sent scouts to investigate the movements in Xiping Military Division, and then sent them directly to Xingzhou, so Huang Xin was the best known.

I just heard his report, saying that Guazhou originally didn't have many soldiers, but later changed the flag and recruited some troops, but they were mostly sand pirates.

Sand bandits are horse thieves in the desert and thieves in the vast sea.

There are people from all over the world, including Dangxiang, Gaochang Uighurs, Yellow-headed Uighurs who were dispersed by Tong Guan's troops in the early years, the old tribe of Qiuci Kingdom, Caotou Tatars, and even Han people.

There are many deserts in the northwest. There are two large deserts in the original Xixia, and there are even more deserts on the Uighur side. These sand bandits are familiar with the terrain and adapt to the vast sea environment. They not only intercept and kill passing merchants and civilians, but sometimes even visit small towns or small military camps. Dare to make any ideas.

Except for some ancient cities in Xiping that were built with bricks and stones and have been repaired for generations and have stood for thousands of years, the small cities below are actually earthen cities.

Tucheng is an earthen sand city. It is said to be a city, but it is just a fortress. It is not very big inside and has poor defense. Sand thieves often plunder and attack.

As for the small military camp, there are at most a few dozen soldiers, or as few as a dozen or so, who are all looking for information or stationed as flag soldiers. Sand pirates will also attack such places to replenish the military supplies and weapons in the team.

Therefore, in the northwest, especially going deep into the Helan Mountains to the west and into the territory of the Uighurs, the sand bandits are fierce existences.

Zhao Tong said: "Guazhou is an orthodox military department, how come it recruits thieves?"

Huang Xindao: "My subordinates heard that the deputy commander of the Xiping Military Division had colluded with the sand bandits a long time ago. After Xingqing Mansion was captured by the prince, the news was received here. The deputy commander killed the commander and supervisor of the army and established his own country. Serve as the master, and then recruit the sand thieves into the city and make them your subordinates."

Zhao Tong nodded: "Then later..."

Huang Xindao: "Later, I don't know when Li Qianshun's concubine Yuan Jing came over, captured Guazhou, killed the deputy commander and others, and even Changlecheng, Shazhou, Yumen Pass and other places on the border were pacified."

Zhao Tong said: "Everyone is calmed down? This is a trick, and she has no soldiers, how can she be calmed down?"

Huang Xin said: "Your Majesty, although my subordinates did not go to witness it in person, I heard that this woman still has an army of soldiers and horses. They are all women and are known as the Mirror Army."

"Dingjing Army?" Zhao Tong frowned when he heard this: "Why did you form your own army? When did this happen?"

Huang Xin didn't know about the entanglement between Zhao Tong and Yuan Jing, so he didn't know how to answer.

Next to her, Yuan Ying said: "Nineteenth Sister originally had a personal army, and she also had many subordinates in the Divine Bird Palace. Zhuangzi at the eastern foot of Tianshan Mountain all obeys the Divine Bird Palace, and there are many people."

Zhao Tong had no expression on his face and said calmly: "In the whole world, is it the land of the king? On the shore of the land, is it the ministers of the king? Doesn't she understand this truth?"

Yuan Ying blinked and whispered: "Master has to talk to Sister Nineteen face to face so that she can understand."

Zhao Tong snorted: "What do you mean, you have to fight to have a long memory. Tomorrow the army will be sent to Guazhou, I want to see what kind of monster she is!"

Later, Zhao Tong led people to inspect the Suzhou city defense. Suzhou was not smaller than Ganzhou. Both were ancient cities, but Ganzhou was the administrative seat and was once promoted to a government, named Xuanhua Prefecture. It had a larger population than Suzhou. The state is also more prosperous than Suzhou.

After seeing it, we then inspected the troops and horses, which lasted until evening.

Then a banquet was held to reward the military, and the willow branches began to rest in the moonlight.

On the morning of the next day, the 50,000-strong army set off in a mighty manner and headed straight for Guazhou, where Xiping Military Division was located.

Guazhou is not close to Suzhou, hundreds of miles away. It is difficult for the army to reach it in one day. It will find a place to set up camp at night and continue on the road the next day after resting.

After walking for three full days, we finally entered the territory of Guazhou. This barren land was so barren that we sent scouts ahead to inquire about the news. The army and horses temporarily stopped thirty miles away.

At noon, the scouts reported that there was no movement in Guazhou City, but the army should have been detected and the four cities were sealed tightly in a defensive posture.

Zhao Tong thought about it, and according to Huang Xin's previous information, the entire Xiping Military Division only had a size of about 10,000 people, which was still the number after recruiting several larger groups of sand pirates.

If we divide it into Changle City, Shazhou, and Yumen Pass, then the number of people in Guazhou will definitely not be less than 10,000, and it is estimated that it will only be around 8,000 or 9,000.

Yangguan is now desolate, and Xixia has no operations. The other three places are calculated as five to seven hundred soldiers, so Guazhou can only have these people at most.

It is difficult for these people to defend the city against an army of 50,000. The reason is very simple. Among the more than 8,000 people, I am afraid that the only ones who are old and weak are sand bandits.

After all, not to mention the elites of Xixia, even the strongest men were transferred to the front line of the Song Dynasty. Soldiers who are good at fighting will not be released in this rear area, and the Uighurs are overwhelmed by the Black Khan and cannot attack. As long as there are people guarding the city, some of them can Those who are weak or sick or who have retired from the front line are all retiring here in the rear.

As for the Sand Bandits themselves, they can't defend any city. It would be better if they don't just abandon the city and run away. The old, weak, sick and disabled are not easy to defend.

When Zhao Tong thought of this, he ordered the army to push forward. He would directly use force to overwhelm others, quickly capture the city, and capture Ming Jing'er twice!

Guazhou is an ancient city. When Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty established four counties in Hexi, Guazhou was the land of three counties in Dunhuang County. The two Jin Dynasties followed the Han system, and Changle County was established in the Sui Dynasty. In the fifth year of Emperor Wude of the Tang Dynasty, it was renamed Guazhou, which has been used to this day.

The army camped five miles in front of Guazhou City. Then, while it was still dark, Zhao Tong asked Qin Ming and Hua Rong to take the artillery cart to the front of the city to fight.

Although Guazhou is in a barren land, it is not a dry city. There is a river next to it, called Tashihui. It originates from the glaciers on the northern slope of the Qilian Snow Mountain. The water flow is not small and moistens the land for hundreds of miles. The state built a moat accordingly.

Qin Ming and Hua Rong were eager to achieve their goals, so they led five thousand soldiers and horses to pull the artillery cart over. After briefly observing the upper and lower boundaries, they began to order the soldiers to launch flying cannons and start fighting randomly.

Guazhou City has not been in war for many years, and most of the guards on the city have never seen such a formation. Especially if the sand bandits are willing to defend sincerely, there will immediately be a cry for father and mother, and more than half of them fled away.

Qin Ming laughed loudly at the foot of the city and said, "Brother, why not take this opportunity to attack the city directly? I think I am 80% sure that we can capture Guazhou directly!"

His wife was Hua Rong's sister. Song Jiang was working as a matchmaker at that time, so she was called so.

Hua Rong was cautious, thought about it and shook his head: "This matter is not appropriate. Even if we can capture this city, we should not act on our own. At this moment, we should not be more lax than before. We should go back and report to the prince about the situation, and follow the prince's orders and plans."

Qin Ming also felt that it was a bit abrupt. After hearing this, he changed his tune and said, "Okay," and then directed a few more shots before leading the troops back to the camp. At this moment, Hua Rong took off the precious eagle bow from his back and took out a wolf tooth arrow from the quiver. Without even aiming, he lightly relaxed his arms and let out the arrow with a "whoosh". At the speed of lightning and flint, the big flag on the city head came. There was a "crack" sound and it was broken.

Qin Ming shouted: "Brother, what a trick!"

Hua Rong smiled and said: "It's a pity that there is no commander, otherwise I would just take his life!"

The two led the troops back and saw Zhao Tao. They reported the previous situation. Zhao Tao nodded: "Rest overnight and attack the city tomorrow. We must capture Guazhou within one day!"

There was nothing to say at night, and they were strictly guarded, and no one came to steal the camp until early the next morning.

Zhao Tong mobilized his troops and generals, and the Chinese army advanced, outflanked by two wings, and headed straight for Guazhou City.

There were more people in Guazhou City at this time than yesterday, and some wooden piles and shields were put up to defend against arrows and flying rocks. However, in Zhao Tong's view, it was a mess and completely disorganized.

Just when the army was preparing to attack the city, suddenly there was a sound of horns in the city, then the suspension bridge was lowered, the city gate opened, and a team came out.

This army horse is still energetic, carrying a banner with the character Yuan. It is led by a female general, wearing a handsome helmet with phoenix wings, 18 red pom-poms on it, and a purple-flowered war robe lined with fine fish scale armor. She has a stunning face, thin eyebrows and raised eyes, and her eyes are cold. She rides a peach blossom horse and wields a Nine Phoenix Chaoyang Sword. There are many female soldiers and generals following closely behind her.

Zhao Tong narrowed his eyes when he saw this. Who is this if he is not Yuan Jing? Why did he lead his troops out? Could it be that he wanted to fight against the generals?

However, he has no intention of fighting with the opponent at the moment, not to mention that Yuan Jing is a half-step master. Even on horseback, there is probably no one who can match him. If he really wants to fight, it is not good if he loses one side or loses another. It doesn’t make sense either.

Yuan Ying said: "Master, what do you want Sister Nineteen to do?"

Zhao Tong thought for a while and said: "Twenty-eight, go and persuade me!"

He ordered the front troops not to act rashly. Yuan Ying stepped forward to speak. He was too far away and didn’t know what he was talking about. But after a moment, Yuan Ying came back with a sad face and shook his head at Zhao Tong.

Zhao Tong said: "How to say?"

Yuan Ying said: "Sister Nineteen doesn't listen to me, tell Master to beg for mercy in front of the binding formation!"

Zhao Tong immediately said angrily: "Is this woman crazy? She even asked me to tie myself up and beg for mercy. What does she want to do?"

Qin Ming didn't know that the two were entangled, so when he saw this, he immediately asked for orders: "Your Majesty, wait for your subordinates to go and capture this woman to relieve your anger!"

Zhao Tong narrowed his eyes and looked at Qin Ming.

Hua Rong also said: "Your Majesty, my subordinates are also willing to go!"

Zhao Tong raised his eyebrows but was speechless.

Yuan Ying said anxiously at the side: "Master, you can't hit me!"

"Ha! Who said you can't fight? Who said you can't fight!" Zhao Tong sneered when he heard this: "Qin Ming, go capture that woman... Remember not to hurt her, she must be captured alive!"

Qin Ming immediately clasped his fists and said loudly: "Yes, Your Majesty, I will definitely live up to my fate!"

As he spoke, he rode out of the battle. Not far behind, Zhao Tong's voice came again: "Remember, if you lose, come back immediately. Don't risk your life by fighting!"

Qin Ming secretly thought to himself that the prince looked down on him, and his opponent was just a weak female general. How could he be defeated?

He didn't care, he rode forward, rushed over and shouted: "Witch, if you don't get off your horse and get captured, you will die!!"

Yuan Jing was holding the Jiufeng Chaoyang Sword. When he saw a general coming out of the opposing formation, he had the head of a tiger and the eyes of a leopard, riding a black horse and wielding a wolf-toothed stick. He couldn't help but said: "Where did this reckless man come from? Why didn't Zhao Tong Dare to come out and see me!"

Qin Ming yelled: "How come my prince has no time to pay attention to you, a witch like you, and he doesn't care about you!"

He struck the mace diagonally, but when he saw the opponent's embroidered knife raised up to meet him, it turned out to be extremely powerful. There was a loud "crack" sound, sparks flew everywhere, and the mace was knocked open.

Qin Ming suddenly felt that the tiger's mouth was bleeding, and he couldn't hold the big stick firmly in his hand. The Jiu Feng Chaoyang knife from the opposite side came towards his neck. He was so frightened that he hurriedly leaned back and used the stick to meet him. This time, he couldn't resist the opponent's strength, and the wolf fangs The stick was swept away from his hand and flew more than three feet away, frightening Qin Ming to the point of losing his soul.

It was not good for Zhao Tong to watch the battle from behind, so he immediately said: "Ming Jin withdraws his troops and lets Qin Ming come back!"

The gong sounded here, and Qin Ming lay on the horse. He was as panicked as a deer. He didn't expect that this woman was so powerful. Unlike ordinary people, he couldn't resist it.

Yuan Jing came over on horseback, intending to capture him. Unexpectedly, three cold arrows were shot out in succession from the opposite formation. They were accurate and ruthless, and they all went straight towards her. It was Hua Rong who fired the arrows to save her. Qin Ming.

Yuan Jing dialed the feather arrows, but Qin Ming had already rushed back to the formation. Although he escaped with his life, he was still frightened. At this moment, he realized that Zhao Yu reminded him of the reason. It turned out that Yuan Jing's martial arts was too high, otherwise he would have been extremely powerful. If a man can knock the mace out of his hand, isn't it true that his martial arts are extraordinary?

At this time, Yuan Jing called out from the front: "Zhao Tong, do you dare to come out and fight me to the death?"

"Are you as timid as a mouse?"

"Don't you dare come out and fight!"

Zhao Tong's face in the formation was as gloomy as water, and he said calmly: "This woman is too arrogant, she actually dares to shout and provoke me!"

Luda next to him said: "Your Majesty, can you let your subordinates go out and capture Concubine Jing?"

Zhao Tong remained silent, and Guo Sheng said: "Your Majesty, why don't you open the way with bows and arrows, and let the army charge directly towards her? No matter how skilled she is in martial arts, she will not be able to resist her. If she is not captured, she will retreat to the city. We are attacking the city at that time."

Zhao Tong narrowed his eyes slightly and Yuan Ying said: "This is not good, for fear of hurting Sister Nineteen."

No matter how stupid they were at this time, everyone saw something fishy. They were afraid that their prince might have something to do with Yuan Jing, so they immediately stopped saying anything and just waited for Zhao Tong to make a decision.

After a moment, Zhao Tong took a deep breath: "This woman is outside, so it's not easy to attack the city."

Yuan Ying said: "That's right, that's right, Master, you didn't come here to kill Sister Nineteen. You came to...bring Sister Nineteen back, and take over the Xiping Army at the same time."

Zhao Tong glanced at her and said, "If I don't go into battle in person and fight with her, wouldn't I lose my status?"

Yuan Ying nodded like a chicken pecking at rice: "Master is right, what is Master's status, how can he fight in person."

Zhao Tong frowned and snorted: "I am passing on the king's military order to temporarily withdraw the troops today and attack the city again tomorrow..."

(End of this chapter)