National Division

In the early morning of the next day, when the convoy for the Prince's return to Beijing set off, Zhibai was very surprised to see Qi Jun's eyes were black and blue: "What's wrong, Your Highness? Didn't sleep well last night?"

Qi Jun didn't even look at him: "Get in the car!" He turned around and said a few words to the soldiers and officials who were seeing him off, but got into the other car ahead.

Zhibai was baffled, thought for a long time and didn't know how he had offended him, so he could only lay down in the car, playing with fortune-telling copper coins on the small table boredly.

After the convoy left the city gate, a car quietly left the team, took thirty guards and sergeants with it, turned a corner and came back, exited the gate from the other side, and went straight to the mountains in the north.

Because he wants to be light and easy, there is only one car; because His Royal Highness is going secretly and cannot show up, Qi Jun can only sit in the carriage, so he inevitably rides with Zhibai again.

Zhibai was playing with the copper coins while secretly glancing at Qi Jun's livid face from the corner of his eye.Qi Jun saw all his small movements, and couldn't help but feel even more depressed, so he simply turned his face away from the car window.This carriage was found by Zhao Di from a wealthy household in the border town, and it was very clean inside, because it had just been made to order, and no female relatives had ever used it, so there was no usual scent of incense or powder in the carriage. , Qi Jun smelled a grass-like smell in the fragrance of new wood, which was the smell of Zhibai.

The popular style of carriage in Northwest China is that the carriages are strong and compact.The roads in the northwest are not as flat and wide as the official roads in the capital, and the women's family members don't rush around like the noble ladies in the capital when they go out, and they don't have to cook tea and drink in the car, so the car only needs to accommodate two or three people.So even if Qi Jun tried his best to avoid it, Zhibai was only an arm's length away, and he couldn't stop his faint breath from filling his breath, forcing Qi Jun to twist his head again and again, wishing he could break it. neck.

He really didn't sleep well last night because - he had a dream.In the dream, he was crushing someone, unable to see his face clearly, only saw the slender and receding neck, black hair like black satin, and of course, skin like silk with tentacles.When he woke up, he found that his underwear was wet.He tried to convince himself that what he dreamed about was Zhao Yue, or those two Liang Di who had only met a few times, but unfortunately the enthusiastic response of the person in the dream couldn't be connected with the three well-behaved women in the palace, let alone Don't kid yourself - the man's chest is flat...

Zhibai No. 15 quietly glanced at Qi Jun out of the corner of his eye.Qi Jun sighed helplessly.In fact, it was just a dream, and because of what I saw by the river that night, it had nothing to do with Zhibai, so there was really no reason to vent my anger: "What are you looking at?"

Knowing that his voice was much gentler, Zhibai immediately dropped the copper coin and came over with a smile: "Your Highness is worried about General Zhao?" topic.

Sure enough, Qi Jun's expression became more at ease: "Speaking of which, the plan is considered thorough, but with your words, I still can't let go of them in my heart."

Zhibai scratched his head: "This is also what my family said. According to my opinion, General Zhao himself is lucky. I think it will not be a big problem even if this strategy is wrong. Your Highness, don't worry too much."

Qi Jun felt a little curious: "What is the reason for you to watch people's luck? Is it a face-to-face?"

Zhibai scratched his head and scratched his head: "This... is different from physiognomy. The so-called darkening of Yintang in physiognomy can be regarded as a kind of observation of Qi, but if you look closely... well, I can observe it, but I can only feel it." Yes, it's hard to put into words..."

Seeing him looking for words with a sad face, Qi Jun couldn't help being amused: "It's hard to express what you want? Then how did your master teach you?"

Zhibai immediately raised his chest, and said proudly: "Poverty is easy to understand, no need for master to explain."

Seeing his appearance, Qi Jun was both amused and angry, and chiseled him on the head again casually: "In this way, you are like a saint. A saint knows it by birth, but you know it as soon as you teach it. Worse than a saint?"

Zhibai chuckled, neither admitting nor giving way.Qi Jun shook his head dumbfounded, but he forgot the embarrassment of last night.

Halfway through the carriage, the terrain was already ups and downs, and there were gradually trees. When the carriage turned into a valley, Qi Jun and Zhibai quickly got out of the carriage under the cover. guard.

"Your Highness—" Although it was a plan that had been discussed long ago, the four bodyguards still looked around vigilantly, "Hurry up and go back to the city gate?" There are only six of them now. The army and the small team are in big trouble.

"Wait a little longer." Qi Jun thought more, "If there are spies spying, wouldn't it be self-evident if we return to Chengguan now? We might as well wait until the first battle is fought before returning, but it will be safer."

Although the guards were impatient, they also knew that Qi Jun's statement was reasonable, so they chose a hidden bush as much as possible, and asked Qi Jun and Zhibai to sit on the ground behind the bushes, while the guards took advantage of the surrounding rocks and trees to hide their figures and wait quietly. .

The ground is uneven, and there are grass roots and stones. Zhibai couldn't sit still after sitting for a while, twisting and turning.On the contrary, Qi Jun sat firmly, closed his eyes and said, "Why are you acting like a monkey, you can't sit still for a while? Aren't you very good at meditation?"

The injury on Zhibai's buttocks has not fully healed yet, so how can he sit still? What's more, except for two hours in the middle of the afternoon when he meditates, the rest of the time when he reads scriptures, he leans on his back. On the ground, I feel better.

After waiting for nearly an hour, I heard a faint sound in the distance.At first it was a muffled sound like a drum beating the ground, and then there was the sound of shouts for killing. Even though there were tens of miles across the valley, it was a bit frightening to hear.

Now that the battle is going on, Qi Jun and others will naturally return to Chengguan quickly.Several guards were worried for a long time, and at this time they wished that the horse would grow wings and send Qi Jun back to the city gate immediately.Fortunately, this place is not far from Chengguan, a few people rode horses and galloped, and they arrived at the pass in a short time.

In order to deceive Jienu, the gate of the city gate is still open at this moment, and even the number of sergeants guarding the gate has not increased, but if someone looks carefully, they can find that the hands of these sergeants are all clenched on the handles of their waists. It was a little more tense than usual.

Qi Jun and the others entered the city gate, and saw another group of sergeants in full armor coming from the street. The leader flashed his badge to the guarding sergeant, and said in a deep voice: "General Zheng's T-shaped team, come forward!" Come change defense."

The gatekeeper sergeant was a little puzzled: "How come General Zheng's men came to change defense?"

The sergeant with the badge rolled his eyes and said impatiently: "We are also following orders. If today is not different from the past, we would not come here. Hurry up and check the badge!"

Today is indeed different from the past. There are a total of 3 troops stationed at Lingkou Pass and the two small passes on the left and right. Among them, there are more than [-] people at Lingkou Pass. Today, they are almost out of the nest. If this is the case, General Zheng of Xiaoling Pass will be called to guard The city gate also has its due meaning.

Qi Jun and others happened to pass by these two teams of sergeants, and the word General Zheng drifted into his ears with the wind. Qi Jun immediately thought of that big oily face, and couldn't help but take another look from his horseback.Looking over, he happened to see a short sergeant at the end of the line, the helmet was pressed down to the brim of his eyebrows, it seemed that the helmet was too big, it didn't fit well, it looked very awkward.

When Qi Jun stared intently, the short sergeant seemed unwilling to be seen, intentionally or unintentionally lowered his head.As a result, the helmet swayed and seemed to be slipping down again.Qi Jun suddenly became suspicious, but instead got down from the horse and took another careful look.This sergeant has a handsome appearance, especially a pair of eyes, Qi Jun looks familiar.While letting the horse slow down, he searched in his memory, and suddenly a face like a full moon flashed in front of his eyes, it was the dancer who General Zheng claimed to have redeemed after dancing in front of the bonfire last night!

"Who are you!" Qi Jun pulled out the dagger in his boot with a whoosh, and pointed at the dancing girl, "How dare you sneak into the army!"

At this moment, the city gate suddenly became chaotic.The sergeants of the so-called General Zheng's command pulled out their waist knives one after another, and raised their hands to chop at the guarding sergeant.Fortunately, this team of sergeants is also a battle-tested veteran. When Qi Jun called out, they were only slightly startled, and then they reacted and drew their swords to fight.Pedestrians around the city gate avoided one after another, and the street was empty in a blink of an eye.

Qi Jun and the four guards naturally also joined the battle group.When Qi Jun pointed a dagger at her and scolded her, the dancer threw off the helmet that was in the way. She had a big braid coiled on top of her head, and she held a pair of short knives that looked like a half moon. Then he spun and flew towards Qi Jun.

Although Qi Jun has never been on the battlefield, he is also skilled in bow and horse, and there are four guards by his side, how could he be hurt by her?Swinging the dagger and knocking the dagger flying, one of the four guards left for close protection, and the remaining three rushed forward.The numbers of the two sides were equal, those fake sergeants were fierce, but the veterans guarding the gate were also brave and fearless, not to mention Qi Jun's personal bodyguards were even more skilled. Seeing the fake sergeant being cut down, the leader suddenly beat the three of them. With a whistle, he left his dead and wounded companions behind, turned around and fled towards the city gate.

Qi Jun picked up the bow in his hand, nocked the arrow, aimed at the first person who wanted to escape, and shot the arrow. The arrow was as fast as a shooting star, and the distance was not too far. When the arrow hit the person's back, blood was splattered all over the place. He fell headlong.The guards around him also bent their bows and set up arrows, and his arrow skills were much stronger than Qi Jun's. One arrow shot all the calves of the fake sergeants, so powerful that he shot through the calves of two fake soldiers who were trying to escape. Cruelly pinning people to the ground.In just a moment, half of a group of fake soldiers were killed, only the dancer and another person were injured by arrows and captured alive by the soldiers.

"Where is General Zheng!" Qi Jun's face was livid, "Hurry up and take these two people to the place of Deputy General Lu, and close the city gate to prevent the enemy from attacking!" city ​​gate.But what is the use of seizing the city gate?I'm afraid that when the Jienu army arrives, they should cooperate with each other inside and outside, so as to open the city gate and let them drive in.

The sergeant guarding the gate didn't recognize Qi Jun.Although everyone knew that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and the Immortal Master came to inspect the border, how could they see Tian Yan as a small soldier?It's just that although Qi Jun is young, he has three points of majesty, and it is because he has revealed the identity of these spies just now, so the sergeants dare not neglect, and first closed the city gate tightly.

Just at this time, the sound of horseshoes sounded in the distance, and a horse galloped towards it, carrying a person across its back. When it got closer, it was found that both the person and the horse were covered in blood, especially the person on the horse was bloody through his clothes. Lying on the horse's back, I don't know whether it is dead or alive.A sergeant had already stepped forward to control the horse's rein, and he pulled it lightly, and immediately the man rolled down, revealing a face as pale as paper due to blood loss.Qi Jun took a look, and couldn't help but change slightly: "General Jia Bi!"

Jiabi moved slightly, opened his eyes, saw that he was one of his own, and quickly raised his hand to arrest him. He raised his hand in the air and then lowered it. He said in a hoarse voice, "Quick, quick! The general is trapped in the meadow 150 miles away. , Jienu has a total of 6000 troops, go to the rescue, or it will be over!"

Qi Jun's face changed suddenly: "How could you be trapped in Caodianzi!" Didn't Zhao Di already survey the surrounding terrain?

At this time, the deputy general Lu who was staying in the city had brought his people, and the military doctor hurriedly poured a bowl of soup and medicine to General Jia Bi.It turned out that it was already autumn when Zhao Di came to the border. He sent scouts to investigate the surrounding terrain. It was winter again, and the northwest was bitterly cold. Caodianzi looks at a flat river, but there is a swamp below!Zhao Di originally wanted to lure the enemy to go deep, but was forced into this meadow by Jie Nu, and the men and horses could not move. Jie Nu only used 1000 people to occupy the pass, and Zhao Di's 5000 people were regarded as living targets. As long as there were enough In time, Zhao Di's [-] elite soldiers can be exhausted with one arrow!

"Caodianzi——" Qi Jun's face was gloomy, and he glanced at the people around him fiercely, "What's going on with this Caodianzi!" Zhao Di lived in the southeast for a long time, and had never been to such a cold place in the northwest. It makes sense, but there are generals guarding the customs for several years, don't you know?

A group of people waited to meet Qi Jun's gaze, lowered their heads, and defended themselves boldly in a low voice: "The general did not ask us, and the scouts he sent are all the general's cronies..." Qi Jun stared at the following words Under the circumstances, they all swallowed it back.

Qi Jun still doesn't understand at this time.Zhao Di had just arrived, so the only ones he could safely use were his cronies, so the scouts he sent out were all soldiers he had used when he was leading troops from the southeast.As for the generals stationed at the frontier for a long time, some of them probably did not think of reminding Zhao Di, and some of them just watched with cold eyes and didn't do their own business and didn't speak up.In addition, this operation was extremely secretive, and no one but Zhao Di's cronies would know about it. This kind of blunder and a little selfishness actually caused this big mistake!

"Send troops to rescue immediately!" At this moment, it is not the time to pursue responsibility, Qi Jun stared at Vice General Lu, "All the troops and horses in the city pass are under your command, send troops immediately!"

Deputy General Lu's face was very ugly: "Your Highness, there are only 3000 soldiers left in the city, and most of them are old, weak, sick and disabled. If we transfer troops from the left and right passes now, I'm afraid it will be too late to save them. What's more, the last general just sent people to Zheng I saw him in the barracks, and he——he was killed, and he didn’t even know where the troop badge was. Without the badge, the five thousand troops at Xiaolingkou would hardly be able to move.” Qi Junyi said just now. Then some soldiers went straight to Zheng's camp, only to find that he died naked under the bed tent, and his tokens and the like were gone.The garrison at the Northwest Frontier Pass is also deeply rooted. All the pass guards recognize tokens but not people. In addition, the surname Zheng died again. The [-] troops at Xiaolingkou cannot be mobilized for a while.

Just as Qi Jun was about to speak, he heard the sound of horseshoes outside the city, and the guards at the top of the city shouted: "A Jie slave is here!"

Everyone hurriedly climbed to the top of the city, and they saw the smoke and dust billowing. There were about a thousand people.But these Jie slaves did not attack the city, but occupied high places such as hills, bent their bows and set up arrows one after another, and set up a barrier.Deputy General Lu looked carefully for a moment, then gritted his teeth and said: "This is to cut off our access to the left and right passes to deploy troops, and we are not allowed to rescue the general!" .But if it dragged on for another day, no matter how brave Zhao Di was, if he was caught in the meadow and used as a living target, his entire army would be wiped out.His 5000 men were discounted cleanly, and Jie Nu could go all out to deal with the other 5000 men led by the lieutenant general. At that time, he would fight more and less, or he would be wiped out.

Qi Jun's heart sank suddenly.Losing 1 horses, Zhao Di not only failed to be a defender, but he could be executed on the spot for crimes, not to mention whether he can come back alive is still a matter of opinion.The 1 casualties were not only extremely unfavorable to his situation in the palace, but also a great blow to the defenders at the northwest border.

"Is there - another way?"

Deputy General Lu smiled wryly and shook his head: "At the end of the day, the generals will gather the soldiers and horses in the city and rush out."

Someone immediately stopped him: "This is death!"

Vice General Lu said with a sad smile: "Unless the general gets out of trouble on his own, otherwise—" Even the vice generals like them are guilty of serious crimes. Get some pension.

"The general got out of trouble on his own—" Qi Jun thought quickly, "Is it possible?"

Lieutenant General Lu still shook his head: "Unless that meadow is not a swamp!" But who can turn such a large swamp into a flat land for galloping horses?

Everyone looked at each other, and suddenly heard a voice asking softly: "If there is no water in the soil under the meadow, can we ride horses?"

A group of people turned their heads to look, and Vice General Lu replied casually: "It's natural, but who has the ability to drain the water from the soil?" The person standing next to Qi Jun, because he was wearing ordinary clothes, so he didn't recognize him for a while, it was Zhibai!