Fire Captain

"General, we have found the trace of Yelu Dadan!" Suddenly a soldier came to report!

"Come on!" Ye Zhao immediately entered a combat state. While hanging up the Jiaolong Sword, she picked up her long knife and asked, "Where is he?" Qiu Hua and Qiu Shui each took Ye Zhao's helmet and the other put a cloak on Ye Zhao.

The soldier replied, "He is leading 5,000 soldiers and horses about 30 miles from our army. Judging from the direction, he should be heading to Anyuan Town!"

Ye Zhao walked and said, "Okay, notify Fox and Qiu Lao Hu, gather the troops, I'm going to take Yelu Dadan's head today!"

Bai Ziyang understood the situation when he saw this. He looked at Ye Zhao and said, "I'll keep a note of what happened today and I'll settle the score with you later!" Ye Zhao nodded. Now all her thoughts were on Yelu Dadan.

Ye Zhao rode alone onto the sand dune, while Bai Ziyang, Hu Qing and Qiu Lao Hu each led two thousand soldiers and horses to ambush behind him, waiting for Yelu Dadan to arrive.

In the vast Gobi Desert, with strong winds sweeping up the yellow sand, when Yelu Dadan and his men came on horseback, they saw a man standing on a high ground with a sword in hand. He had a mask on his face, revealing only his eyes, but he was full of murderous intent and awe-inspiring. He immediately grabbed the person next to him and asked, "Who is that man?"

The people around Yelu Dadan said tremblingly: "It's the living devil!"

Suddenly, there was the sound of horse hooves neighing, and Ye Zhao was seen rushing down on his horse with his sword in hand. Behind Ye Zhao were the soldiers led by Bai Ziyang and his three companions. Amid the galloping of the horses, Ye Zhao's clear voice could still be heard: "Yelü Dadan, I have guarded the border for eight years. Today I will take your head!"

In an instant, the two sides engaged in battle. The Ye family army was large in number, and the cavalry that the Liao army had always been proud of was suppressed and had no power to fight back. Ye Zhao went straight to Yelu Dadan, and the Liao soldiers who stood in front of her horse were easily cut down by her long sword, as if cutting melons and vegetables.

Eight years ago, it was Yelu Dadan who led his troops to attack Yongguan City. It was Yelu Dadan who was the first to rush into Yongguan City. It was also Yelu Dadan who personally killed Ye Zhao's father Ye Zhong. This has always been a matter of pride for Yelu Dadan, and he has boasted about it many times among the Liao army.

This hatred and resentment have been accumulating in Ye Zhao's heart for eight years. During these eight years, Ye Zhao has been looking for Yelu Dadan. Today, she swore to heaven that she would avenge this hatred.

Yelu Dadan saw that the situation was not good, so he turned his horse and ran away, and Ye Zhao chased after him. Bai Ziyang came to Hu Qing's side and the two looked at each other. He understood Ye Zhao's thoughts, and he also had confidence in Ye Zhao. Yelu Dadan was not a big deal against Ye Zhao.

After the war, Bai Ziyang, Hu Qing and others led the soldiers and escorted the prisoners to the entrance of the canyon to wait for Ye Zhao. Soon, a hurried sound of horse hooves was heard. Hu Qing raised his hand cautiously and said, "Alert!" The soldiers behind him immediately raised their rifles.

Bai Ziyang said while sitting on his horse: "Why are you still on guard... I can tell it's Ye Zhao's snow-walking..."

Before he finished speaking, Ye Zhao was seen riding a horse and galloping towards them. Hu Qing put down his hand and lifted his guard. Then Ye Zhao came up to the crowd and threw out a bundle when he saw the captured Liao soldiers. He said, "Here is Yelu Dadan's head!" The Liao soldiers were so scared that they knelt down and begged for mercy.

Afterwards, a victory report from Hu Qing was sent to the capital... At the same time, Ye Zhao was discussing the next battle plan with everyone.

…………

"General, I think our army's morale is high right now, so we should take advantage of the victory to pursue the Liao army..."

…………

"Correct!"

"Yep!……"

"I think so too..."

"Yes, the Liao army just lost a battle, let's just go straight to their lair..."

Ye Zhao looked at the map and listened to everyone's words. After thinking for a moment, he said, "Fox, what do you think?"

Hu Qing thought for a moment and said, "Indeed, our army is now in high spirits, and we should indeed pursue the victory. Moreover, the Liao army has occupied our border for many years. Now that it has been recaptured by the general, it is time to show the Liao army a lesson. By then, the Liao army will be severely injured and will definitely choose to surrender. This will also be beneficial to the future peace talks between our dynasty and the Liao!"

Ye Zhao turned to look at Bai Ziyang again. Bai Ziyang nodded and said, "I agree!"

Ye Zhao said: "Okay, the next goal is to attack Liaozhiba County!"

In the battle of Ba County, Ye Zhao directly captured the Liao crown prince Yelu Hong and the second uncle of Western Xia, and repelled the Western Xia prince Yinuo. The victory report was sent back to the capital, which made the emperor very happy. He immediately issued an edict to praise Ye Zhao, and personally appointed Ye Zhao as Xuanwu Hou and general of the army, commanding an army of 100,000 in the capital, and ordered Ye Zhao to return to the capital to receive his reward.

Ye Zhao, who was thousands of miles away, received the imperial edict and submitted a memorial. This time, Bai Ziyang wrote it for her, explaining in detail the fact that Ye Zhao disguised herself as a man. It was also an explanation to Liu Xiyin and Bai Ziyang, although Bai Ziyang thought this explanation was terrible... Later he thought about it and decided to forget it. With Ye Zhao's IQ, he probably couldn't come up with any good ideas, so he might as well just throw it away... Oh, no, it should be called risking one's life in order to survive!

After returning to the territory of the Song Dynasty, Ye Zhao ordered his men to set up camp and prepare delicious food to reward the three armies. At night, a bonfire was lit in the camp. The whole army sat together and the drums sounded. Everyone felt so relaxed for the first time. Ye Zhao picked up a full bowl of wine and said, "Soldiers of the Ye Family Army, we have fought through life and death for eight years and finally recaptured the 18 states occupied by the Liao Army. Our Ye Family Army is loyal to our country and is well-known in China. Now the Liao Army proposes peace talks. In order to save our people from suffering, the Emperor of the Song Dynasty has shown benevolence and decided to agree to the peace talks. From now on, put away your weapons and horses and let them go to the mountains! Soldiers, go home and reunite with your loved ones!"

Amid the cheers of everyone, Ye Zhao shouted, "Come on! Let's drink this bowl of wine!"

In this atmosphere, Bai Ziyang couldn't help but drink a few more bowls of wine, looking at the drunk soldiers, some were crying, some were laughing, there were brothers who had come out together at the beginning and could only go home alone... There were also soldiers buried at the border, and they could only bring their heroic spirits back to their homeland... There were those who were looking forward to going home, and there were those who were sad to go home. No matter what, it was great to be able to go home alive!

Bai Ziyang leaned against the side and drank by himself. When the night fell, everyone was already drunk. Except for the sentry on duty, almost no one was sober. Bai Ziyang then got up and returned to his tent, took off his armor, changed back into the brocade clothes and jade belt he wore when he came to the Ye family army, holding his Yitian sword. As soon as he opened the tent, he saw Ye Zhao and Hu Qing standing outside with their hands behind their backs.

Bai Ziyang said calmly, "I was just about to go find you guys!"

Seeing this, Hu Qing said calmly, "Are you leaving?" as if he had known Bai Ziyang's decision.

Bai Ziyang said: "Yes!"

Ye Zhao said with some sadness: "What are you going to do? Aren't you going to the capital with us? The emperor will definitely reward you then..."

Bai Ziyang smiled and said, "Forget about the reward. I don't like being an official anyway... I came to the Ye Family Army just to help. Now that the war is over, I should do what I should do. We will meet again if we are destined to meet again!"

Ye Zhao stepped forward and hit Bai Ziyang on the shoulder and said, "We have been brothers for many years. I have always regarded you as my own brother. You can't make it out there anymore, so you want to come to Beijing to find me!"

Bai Ziyang shook his head helplessly and said, "You're such a crow, you can't say anything nice!"

Hu Qing also said: "Come and have a drink with me when you have time!"

Bai Ziyang smiled and said, "Don't worry, I will definitely go!"

After Bai Ziyang left the Ye Family Army, he headed to Yongguan City...

"Zi Yang?" Mrs. Liu thought that Bai Zi Yang was on his way back to Beijing with the army, but she didn't expect to see him at this time.

Bai Ziyang bowed and asked, "How is Madam Liu?" Liu Tiantuo was transferred to guard Juping Pass, so Madam Liu and Liu Xiyin should be the only ones at home at this time.

Madam Liu smiled and said, "Don't worry, everything is fine!"

Bai Ziyang asked, "Madam, is Xiyin here?"

Madam Liu said, "Oh, unfortunately, Xiyin is out on the street. How about this, I'll send someone to find her and bring her back immediately..."

Bai Ziyang immediately said, "No need, madam. Let Xiyin go shopping. I have nothing to do anyway, so just wait!"

Madam Liu looked at Bai Ziyang and said, "You kid..." Then she suddenly sighed, "Alas..." Ziyang seemed to be deeply in love with Xiyin. How great would it be if the person Xiyin liked was Ziyang?

Bai Ziyang had already drunk three or four cups of tea when he heard a voice coming from outside the door: "Miss, are you back?"

Bai Ziyang looked over and saw Liu Xiyin walking in with her maid. Liu Xiyin looked up and saw Bai Ziyang. She couldn't help but smile and said, "Brother Bai is here? ... I heard that the war is over. Is Ah Zhao coming back?"

Bai Ziyang glanced at Madam Liu after hearing this. It seemed that Madam Liu had not told Liu Xiyin that Ye Zhao was a girl. Then he said, "Ye Zhao... The emperor ordered Ye Zhao to escort the captives back to the capital, so Ye Zhao can't come back for a while!"

Liu Xiyin was filled with disappointment when she heard this, and her tone immediately became low as she said, "Oh, is that so..."

Bai Ziyang suddenly walked up to Liu Xiyin and said, "Xiyin, I have something to tell you."

Liu Xiyin was stunned and asked: "Ah?"

Madam Liu suddenly said with great enthusiasm: "Then you guys talk first, I still have some things to do, Hongying... come with me to prepare some tea for Xiyin and Ziyang..." After that, she pulled the maid beside Liu Xiyin away.

Bai Ziyang and Liu Xiyin looked at each other and suddenly burst out laughing. They both found it funny.

Liu Xiyin walked to the plum tree in the courtyard and asked, "What does Brother Bai want to say to Xiyin?"

Bai Ziyang said: "I left the Ye Family Army!"

Liu Xiyin was stunned, feeling that she didn't quite understand what Bai Ziyang meant, so she opened her eyes wide and looked at Bai Ziyang.

Bai Ziyang looked into Liu Xiyin's eyes and said, "No official position, no worries. From now on, the world is vast and the sky is wide open for me to roam freely... I know you are not an ordinary girl in the boudoir. Sooner or later, you will have the opportunity to spread your wings like a phoenix and soar into the sky. I know it may be presumptuous for me to say this, but I still want to say that I want to take you to appreciate different scenery, to see the desert with lonely smoke and the setting sun on the long river, to Yangzhou with fireworks in March, to the misty Jiangnan... I know your heart is yearning for it. You should not be trapped in a yard just to wait for someone!" As Bai Ziyang spoke, he stepped forward and held Liu Xiyin's hand. He felt that her skin in his hand was as soft as cream and as soft as boneless, and his heart was moved.

Liu Xiyin was probably stunned by Bai Ziyang's words for a moment, and she even forgot to take her hand back. She just stared at Bai Ziyang blankly and said, "Brother Bai... Xiyin is not worthy of you doing this... Why do you have to..." But in the end, she didn't say anything heartless, and had to leave in a hurry...