The Grandmaster Strategist Chapter 36: Loyalty and Doubt (Part 1)

In the twenty-fourth year of the Rongsheng period, the Northern Han Dynasty defeated Qinzhou, Princess Jiaping retreated to Jinyang, the Yong army threatened the city with massacre, civilians all went north to avoid war, the road was covered in smoke and dust, the road was difficult, the young and old were crying, invincible was Self-invitation for the rear army. The Yong Army was in a state of desperation, but was blocked by the Invincible, and finally trapped by the Yong Army due to exhaustion. Invincible took the Yong general's captive Xuansong as the quality, and threatened the Yong commander to escape, and Fang survived.

However, the invincible has not yet arrived in Jinyang, and the roads are noisy. It is said that it will submit to the enemy. The Lord of the Northern Han Dynasty does not observe, and the edict is given to death. There are countless rumors and invincibility. Only Princess Jiaping knows his injustice and makes him Go far to avoid.

—— "The Invincible Biography of the Northern Han Dynasty"

Thirty miles to the east of Pingyao, the deserted village is lonely and uninhabited. A group of Yongjun scouts went northward along the road like a whirlwind, a few miles away from the village. A dozen of Yongjun marched out and went into the village. Circle, returned to the team, and the officer headed by Xiang reported: "The village is no one inhabited and the house is intact and can be used as a camping place."

The officer nodded and said: "Don’t be careless. The North Han thief has attacked and harassed many times in the past few days. Our army has been quite tired. You will search the village with me. You must not leave any hidden dangers. It will be shut down, but if they find something wrong, I'm afraid we can't afford it."

Those Yong army slammed their promises. Except for more than a dozen people who were still guarding their swords outside the village, the rest of the people went to the village to search, and they did not let any suspiciousness be overlooked. The headed officer picked out a few more neat ones first. I inspected the house inside and out, and then sat down in person, waiting for the arrival of the Chinese army.

Half an hour later, under the sunset, the Golden Dragon Banner fluttered in the wind. The army of the Yong Army arrived in the deserted village, and then the army began to camp outside the village, while the leader of the Yong Army Qi Wang Li Xian went to the village to rest. The house was cleaned up. Although it was only a temporary residence, the bed was replaced with the beautiful bedding used by Li Xian’s march. All the utensils and utensils were carried by the army, and even the windows were covered with silk. The original simple and simple farm house, But in a moment it became a comfortable and gorgeous hotel.

After Li Xian summoned the generals to have a meal together, they gathered around the silver lanterns to discuss military opportunities. It was the evil shadow Li Shun who was lonely in the corner of the room. He looked gloomy and seemed very unhappy, just because he had to stay in Qi. Wang Yingzhong, so he was protected by Li Xianchong. If it hadn't, he would have long since found a secluded place to practice and meditate.

Li Xian said a little angrily: "This invincible period is really so fume can't get in. This king makes a fierce attack, and he chooses the danger and defends. If the king relaxes a little, he will sneak into the camp, or he will take it. This king’s luggage is heavy. These days, this king has been harassed by him. Tomorrow our army can attack Pingyao. This place is a fortified city in the Northern Han Dynasty. Duan Wudi defends according to the city. For a few days, the king, you have a plan to let him abandon the city earlier, huh, as long as the king arrives under Jinyang City, I see what he can do. Now General Changsun is going all over and annihilating the sporadic resistance forces throughout the Northern Han Dynasty. The progress is rapid. It would be really shameful if this king had him help to attack Jinyang."

Qi Wangai geared up Xia Ning: "His Royal Highness, although Duan Wudi is difficult, but as long as he is willing to face us, he is afraid of what he will do. Your Highness, please let the end general attack the city. It does not take three days. , We can definitely break the city."

Fan Wencheng scoffed: "If you are working hard to attack the city, do you still need you? Who of us can't command? Your Highness wants to reduce some losses. After all, the loss of our Zezhou Army this time is not light."

The generals made suggestions, but Li Xian frowned as he listened. Duan Wudi was backed by Pingyao Jiancheng, and he had nearly 10,000 troops in his hands. He would suffer heavy losses if he wanted to attack. Although he knew that Duan Wudi’s weakness was to love the people. If it were to threaten the people to attack the city, or use other means to force Duan Wudi to abandon Pingyao, it was possible, after all, Duan Wudi's purpose was just to delay the Yong's journey. But not to mention that the people of the Northern Han Dynasty have almost escaped from wherever they are now. Even if they can catch enough civilians, he is unwilling to deepen the hatred with the civilians of the Northern Han Dynasty when the Northern Han Dynasty is about to perish. Jing Chi's bloodthirsty reputation forced the people along the way to flee, but Li Xian didn't really want to slaughter the city and destroy the village. Li Xian was not brutal, and if it wasn't necessary, he didn't want to involve innocent civilians.

Li Shun stood in the shadow of the room and couldn't help but curl his lips slightly. If it hadn't been for the son of a son, that Xuan Songsheng wanted to see people and the dead, he would have gone to Qinyuan to serve son. Why don't you stay here and be treated as hard labor by King Qi? Who made Xuan Song still in Duan Wudi's hands, but couldn't find a chance to save people, so he could only stay with Li Xian and save them. Seeing that the discussion among the people became more enthusiastic, and all crooked ways began to figure out, Li Shun quietly floated out of the room, wanting to breathe the cold air. The air outside was very fresh, and Li Shun felt much more comfortable. He couldn't help but wandered among the dim stars and lights, immersing his mind between the heaven and the earth. Li Shun quietly savored the endless night. Suddenly, Li Shun felt his heart palpitations. If he felt it, he looked into the distance. There was a faint murderous aura in the depths of the darkness, which was a familiar aura.

Since the battle with the Fengyi Sect Master, Li Shun has benefited a lot. He cultivated hard in the East China Sea and furthered his innate realm. In this world, apart from a few people, he has no opponents. Now he has mastered the "lock "Soul" technique, a character who has reached a certain level of martial arts, as long as he is within a certain distance, he can be mentally alert. This distance is not fixed and is closely related to the depth of martial arts of both parties. If the other party is an ordinary person Unless it is deliberately paying attention, it is difficult to form a warning sign in his mind. If the opponent is a master who has not entered the innate realm, it is within ten miles, as long as the person's emotional fluctuations are slightly violent, he can feel it. If the opponent is also a master of Innate Extreme Numbers, then there will be more variables. If the opponent's cultivation base surpasses him, or is proficient in convergence, it will be difficult to detect the opponent's existence. For example, Duan Lingxiao assassinated Jiang Zhe that day, although it had been done in advance. Arrangement, but before Duan Lingxiao shot, Li Shun did not clearly feel the existence of Duan Lingxiao, if the other party is like the person in the dark, soon after he entered the innate realm, his cultivation base is still shallow, and he has not reached the soul-locking realm. To Li Shunlai Said that this kind of innate master is more likely to leave marks on his heart lake than the usual hostile master.

Of course, if they are at the level of Fengyi Sect Master and Master Cizhen, they can’t hide their existence in any way. So in Yongdu in the past, although the two had never met each other, their mood changes and actions were both It was like witnessing. If in front of those two people, Li Shun knew that it would never be possible to conceal his emotions. Fortunately, a character with the status of a master would not easily act.

Li Shun thought for a while, and already guessed from the familiar and slightly unfamiliar aura, and the person had murderous intent but no killing intent, and his identity was even more obvious. He smiled coldly, swept into the dark, and passed through in an instant The company camp arrived at a remote hill outside the camp. Under the waning moon and sparse stars, a young man in black robes stood on the hill, his expression indifferent and lonely. Standing beside him was a black-clothed boy with a piano bag on his back, and his expression was a little bleak. When Li Shun saw these two people, there was a faint smile on his lips, and he said loudly: "It turns out that it is the son of Qiu who is back. How is the scenery in the East China Sea?"

Qiu Yufei said indifferently: "Do you think I am here to assassinate?"

Li Shun shook his head and said: "You are a wise man, you should know that it is impossible, but why did the son let you out so soon? If it weren't for the son's handwriting, you don't want to get away from Jinghai Villa."

Qiu Yufei took a deep look at Li Shun, and said, "Your son has a far-reaching layout, and letting me out is naturally useful to me, but I may not make him what he wants. This time I wanted to go. When I saw him, I asked him a few words, but I heard that you were in Li Xian’s camp. I thought he would not see me. You don’t have to worry that I will assassinate him. If I dare to take action, I am afraid that Mr. Sang will not let me go. I dare not speculate about the state of Mr. Sang, but even the master may not be able to win. I have already passed on to Jinyang. No one from the Demon Sect will go to assassinate the lords of Chu. With Mr. Sang’s backing, even the master is unwilling to commit murder. What's more, the situation in the North Han Dynasty has been so deteriorating that even the master’s action can not save anything. My demon sect will not do such things as a dog jumps the wall in a hurry."

Li Shun stretched his hand and said: "The Qiu Gongzi said well, if you had such ingenuity in the first place, I am afraid that it would be difficult for you to use your divorce."

Qiu Yufei's complexion changed, and it took a long time to say: "Sure enough, I was caught in a trick that day. I received a letter from Chu Xianghou a few days ago. The letter was apologetic. I already had suspicion. After Mr. Sang pointed out, I realized that I was deceived in the past."

Li Shun smiled slightly. He knew Jiang Zhe's intentions a long time ago, and he will inevitably reveal the truth about Quartz being wronged at this time, and he will use it to attack Duan Wudi, but Qiu Yufei suddenly returns to the North Han Dynasty, he expected Jiang Zhe to Let him know the truth, and under temptation, as expected.

Qiu Yufei sighed softly, turned around and wanted to go, but stopped in his footsteps: "Suiyun met my middle way that day. Although I had malicious intentions, I still regarded him as a confidant. I don't know how he is. Always fake?"

Li Shun solemnly said: "Even if the son has a deep heart, if it is not for your talents and good character, the son can use the Qingyuan piano score to give it to the son. The piano score is the painstaking effort of the son's dead father. If the son is false, he can bear the pain. Cut your love, if you still resent the son because of the hostility, you will listen to it, but you cannot doubt the sincerity of the son on that day."

Qiu Yufei stayed silent for a long time, and walked away. The young man was Ling Duan, who followed him with the same steps. After a while, the two of them disappeared into the night.

The chill flashed in Li Shun's eyes, his eyes seemed to pass through the darkness, looking towards Pingyao City. Now Su Qing should have arranged it, and now it must have been circulating from Pingyao to Jinyang that Long Tingfei was in the middle of death. According to the rumors of Quartz, now that Long Tingfei is dead, then the people involved in the past will be under greater pressure. Duan Wudi played a lot in this matter and will inevitably be criticized by the upper echelons of the Northern Han Dynasty. Even if Princess Jiaping and the others understand Duan Wudi's innocence, it is difficult for him to forgive his behavior.

Thinking that when he was ordered that day, the son-in-law gave him a secret secret bag that he gave to Su Qing when the king of Qi entered the army, Li Shun couldn't help but break down. Under the dim moonlight, he never opened it. Take out a short card from his kit with a few lines written on it.

"Let Su Qing spread rumors about the history of the quarantine, with the invincible military spirit of chaos, the kindhearted heart, and the unwilling to bear others, he will inevitably be ashamed and dying. If there is a difference in his behavior, he will take the opportunity to There is no one in the dynasty, and it is easy to take advantage of it in the autumn of the Northern Han Dynasty."

Li Shun smiled faintly, rubbing his right hand lightly, and the short card was wiped out.

On the second day, Li Xian began to attack Pingyao. It was a completely satisfactory way of fighting. With the strong force and continuous offensive of the Yong army, the progress was quite smooth. At the end of the day, Li Xian personally commanded the siege. The defense of the city wall on one side began to have some signs of collapse. Under the fierce attack of the trebuchet, a corner of the city wall suddenly collapsed. The Yong army immediately cheered loudly. Following the gap in the city wall, countless Yong army began to invade with the help of siege equipment such as ladders. , The North Han army near the gap resisted desperately, but still could not stop the offensive of the Yong army.

At this time, Duan Wudi calmly issued the order, and the guards beside him looked at him almost incredibly, but Su Ri's majesty made him give orders without hesitation to guard the gap in the North Han Upon hearing the order, the army immediately gave up a passage. When the pressure suddenly reduced and the Yong army who had attacked the head of the city cheered, the action rang, and the North Han army, which had been waiting in full battle, launched strong crossbows. These strong crossbows were wrapped around. Fire-catching objects such as black powder, saltpeter, etc. were ignited and shot into the Yong army. The successive explosions caused the Yong army to be in chaos. At this time, the North Han army, which had been avoiding one side, swarmed them and killed them. At the moment when the army's offensive was frustrated, the North Han army dumped the kerosene, then dropped the torch, and the city was blazing with flames and blood bursting from the city.

When the last Yong army was beheaded, Duan Wudi approached the city wall, stamped his hands on the blood-soaked walls on both sides, and looked down, I saw that the Yong army began to retreat, as if the sea ebbs. Swiftly, the faint pressure and power in it made Duan Wudi's expression even colder. Looking back at the dilapidated scene of the city's burning smoke, and looking at the enemy camp a few miles away, Duan Wudi felt cold in his heart.

Although he pushed back the enemy, he didn't feel at ease in his heart. Although the Yong army only started attacking the city today, but since the day before yesterday, there have been rumors in the city. Although no one in this city dared to discuss it face to face, Duan Wudi knew that the rumor was that he was smuggling and embezzling and was accused by Quartz, and he was in Longting. Feimian advanced slander, convicted Quartz, and persecuted Quartz to death. The guards around him were furious, and several times he requested orders to find out and kill the person who spread the rumors, but they were all forcibly suppressed by Duan Wudi. It’s not that he doesn’t know the importance of the stability of the military to defending the city, but he can’t pursue the matter severely, because in addition to his own old ministry, 30% of the army in his hand is the old Quartz ministry, and most of the rumors are spreading. The old part of Quartz. They didn't mean to do this. A soldier didn't want his general to love soldiers as a child and fight bravely. If he was under the command of a stigmatized general, the shame would not be washed away in his life. After the death of Quartz in the past, his reputation was ruined. These old men did not know how much humiliation they suffered. Now they know that their generals were persecuted to death, how can they not tell each other. For them, since the "blinded" coach General Long is dead, it is naturally "invincible" Duan Wudi who is responsible for this. As a result, everyone in the old Quartz clan held resentment, and even some of his subordinates became suspicious. However, in this situation, Duan Wudi is powerless. If he wants to clear the rumors, it will inevitably affect many innocent soldiers. I am afraid that he has already killed each other before the enemy has attacked the city. In desperation, Duan Wudi Only by temporarily suppressing the army through the current severe military situation, if he can return to Jinyang, there is still a chance to save the military spirit, he can only comfort himself like this.

At this time, under the "protection" of the two Northern Han sergeants, Xuan Song walked to the top of the city. His injuries were gradually healed. Although his face was scarred, he was already able to move freely. After Qinyuan withdrew, he was in the Duan Wudi Army. Duan Wudi was quite polite to him. As long as it was not during the critical time of marching or fighting, the supervision was strict but not harsh, so he could come to the city at this time. Looking at the dilapidated scene of the city, Xuan Song felt a little sad. He had already learned about the **** battle of talent from the North Han army. Of course, this was because the soldiers of the North Han army wanted to attack him, General Da Yong. He naturally He knew what the blood stains on the city head meant, but he didn't show a sad expression. As a general of Dayong, he should have the consciousness to die on the battlefield. What is the use of grief and sympathy? Can he prevent the Yong army from attacking the city in order to reduce the casualties? Can he persuade the North Han army to give up resistance? Only when the world is unified can this **** battle of indifferent right and wrong no longer happen.

Seeing Duan Wudi’s back, Xuan Song felt respect. It was this man who had fought hard for many days, hindering the attack of the Yong army and giving millions of soldiers and civilians of the Northern Han Dynasty the opportunity to retreat and escape. Xuan Song knew that although Dayong had strict military discipline, this did not guarantee that it would not harm innocent North Han civilians. This person is loyal and loves the people. If he can persuade him to surrender, Da Yong can get a good general and a virtuous minister. Thinking of this, Xuan Song laughed loudly: "If you talk about defending the city, no one in the world can beat General Duan. His Royal Highness Qi can count in one day. Your Excellency repelled the entire attack, but the Yong army was strong, with no reinforcements outside the general, and the army in the city was unstable and lacked in food and grass. I wonder how many days I could hold it?"

Duan Wudi did not turn his head, calmly said: "Just keep two more days. Princess Jiaping has issued a military order. People in Jinyang will be able to enter the city. By then, there will be millions of soldiers and civilians in Jinyang. Lack, it’s easy to keep for a year and a half."

Xuan Song sighed: "Even so, how long can the Northern Han Dynasty last? Although no one talks to me, I know how unfavorable the current situation is for you, not to mention the death of General Long. What happened, I saw Princess Jiaping ordered to shrink the defense line to Jinyang, knowing that you have no hope of winning. You can only rely on Jinyang's geographical advantage to keep your last vitality. Unless we have to withdraw our troops at the end, the Northern Han Dynasty will be subjugated. It’s a foregone conclusion. General Duan, even if you don’t cherish your own life, don’t you cherish the lives of your subordinates? Now that the Yong army has surrounded Pingyao, His Royal Highness Qi Wang is just worried that you will attack Liangdao behind, plus There is plenty of time, so I worked hard to attack the city, otherwise as long as tens of thousands of people are left around Pingyao, the army can continue northward. You want to defend for two more days, I am afraid that there will be no chance to return to Jinyang."

Duan Wudi did not refute. These days, he and Xuan Song talked in detail several times. Although both sides are wary, they just want to gather more information, but they both respect each other’s talents. He is a defensive general, so Xuan Song only took a few glances and knew the reality of the city. What Xuan Song said was true, and there were some things Duan Wudi already knew, but did not disclose to Xuan Song, for example, the news that Emperor Yong Li Li Zhi's personal conquest, and the news that Li Zhi's army had cut off the roads of Daizhou and Xinzhou. Regarding this incident, Duan Wudi was extremely uneasy. Although the Daizhou Army had nowhere to return home, she had been forced to stay in Jinyang. Even Princess Jiaping had officially accepted the edict from the lord and became the Northern Han Army. The main general, but Duan Wudi faintly felt that this was probably a very important move for the Yong army, and it might disintegrate the Northern Han Dynasty. It's a pity that he is a soldier, and he still doesn't know much about some things. He just almost instinctively feels dangerous about Emperor Yong's move, but he doesn't know its true meaning.

Xuan Song saw that Duan Wudi acquiesced in what he said, and said, "Furthermore, General Duan's situation doesn't seem to be great..." Just now, Duan Wudi raised his hand to prevent him from following, and said in a deep voice:" I also give my heart’s kindness, even though he has died nine deaths, he still has no regrets." Xuan Song's body shook, looking at Duan Wudi's firm and condensed face, and finally sighed: "Since General Duan does not regret this heart, Xuan does not want to To humiliate the general's name, but to believe but to see doubts, to be loyal but to be slandered, this is the sadness of the ages. Although the king is not the master of mediocrity, it is inevitable to be overly cautious at this time of peril. Hope if it is irretrievable , The general should not be foolish and loyal to the end."

Duan Wudi finally turned around and said indifferently: "If I let General Xuan go back, how can you report me?"

Xuan Song had been prepared. If it were not for taking advantage of himself, he would either kill him with a stab early, or give himself to Princess Jiaping to take Jinyang. Why bother to stay in the army and look at Duan Wudi, haggard and haggard. With a calm face, he smiled and said: "The general who is trapped in the enemy has no right of autonomy. If you have this intention, you might as well send an envoy to see His Royal Highness Qi."

Duan Wudi calmly said: "Always keep one more day before there is room for bargaining."

Xuan Song couldn't help but smile. He didn't think that he had become a cargo. In contrast to Duan Wudi's eyes, Xuan Song's wry smile gradually faded. He could see the deep sorrow in the eyes of the man opposite, and everything he said It is clear that Duan Wudi is absolutely superior to himself in terms of talents, but he is fortunate to be a Yongchen, but this man is unfortunately a Han general. "Even though he died nine times, he still has no regrets." He can chant this famous sentence, which shows his person. There is already a clear understanding in my heart. He thought deeply and said: "If Xuanmou returns to Yongying and his Highness does not blame, he will definitely lead his army to fight against the general. If the general is unfortunately trapped, he hopes that the general will not be desperate for death. Your Highness intercedes to save the general's life and face."

Duan Wudi was a little annoyed at first, but when he saw Xuan Song's extremely serious expression, his expression became calm, and said: "In the past, Duan once heard that General Xuan admired loyalty deeply, and he met the madman Yang Can in Shu. Because of the fate, he poured his money into the gift so that his wife and children could live in peace. Duan knew that you were kind, and even if he could not accept it, he should be grateful."

Despite being rejected by Duan Wudi, Xuan Song was not angry, but he added a bit of regret, turned and left, Xuan Song felt a deep regret in his heart. Since fighting with the North Han Army, he has been deeply loyal to these heroic loyalties. The scholar sighed, it was the destruction of the Northern Han Dynasty. Can you really gain the hearts of the people here? For the first time, Xuan Song felt that attacking the Northern Han Dynasty~IndoMTL.com~ might be in a quagmire.

In the next two days, Li Xian stopped attacking the city. Duan Wudi was very confused, but he was too busy to appease the undercurrents in the army, and he could not think deeply. On the fourth day, the Yong army had gathered. In Pingyao, Duan Wudi delayed the Yong Army's attack on Jinyang, but he was stuck in a deadlock that could not retreat. Standing at the head of the city, Duan Wudi thought. He didn't know that the envoys sent to the Yong army could accomplish the task. Although it was embarrassing to use hostages to coerce, it would be worth it if he could rescue his subordinates. He knew very well that although Xuan Song had an important position in the Yong army, he was not the main general after all, so his requirements were not harsh. He only asked the Yong army not to pursue the retreating North Han army, and Pingyao City would be handed over to the Yong army in good condition. He also promised not to burn the city's grain and grass. He believes that this request may succeed, because for the Yong Army, his own force is insignificant, and Xuan Songsu has the military will, if the King of Qi ignores Xuansong’s life, I am afraid that the Yong Army will inevitably complain and pay In a few cases, he believes that King Qi will not do such a stupid thing that the kinship and the enemy are quick.

Received Duan Wudi's letter, Li Xian laughed. He stopped the army for the past two days and did not attack for this letter. After the Japanese military discussed it, he privately recruited Su Qing to come over and ask the person who spread the rumors. After the situation, he understood Jiang Zhe's intentions, and then received a letter from Jiang Zhe, which made his heart like a mirror. In order to make the rumors more realistic, he simply stopped attacking. In this way, he could release the rumors that Duan Wudi saw that the situation was dangerous and deliberately surrendered. Li Xian believed that Duan Wudi could not support it for long. And even if there were no other benefits, it was worth saving Xuan Song. Thinking of the farewell that day and night, Li Xian still felt pain in his heart, so he not only agreed to Duan Invincible's condition immediately, but also sent an envoy to Pingyao. This messenger is Su Qing.