Chapter 276: Soldiers march in white clothes in Tingzhou

Chapter 276: Soldiers march in white clothes in Tingzhou

Chapter 276 The troops marched in white clothes in Tingzhou

Qu Chongyu’s voice was not too loud, but it was like thunder in everyone’s ears. Su Nanjin looked back at him with disbelief in her eyes.

Qu Chongyu had a sneer on his face, "Why, you don't dare to agree? Su Dadu protects himself by killing people to establish his authority, but it leads to wars in Western Xinjiang and puts Tingzhou into danger. Now Qu is willing to lead five hundred warriors to help Tingzhou. , Isn’t it more beneficial than before leaving the army? If it can be done, the suspicion on Qu’s body will be solved. If it can’t be done, isn’t it just what the protector wanted?”

Su Nanjin turned back and glanced at Lu Qingyan. Lu Qingyan also had a look of astonishment. After thinking for a while, he said, "Your Majesty is indeed kind and brave, but now that the enemy has invaded Tingzhou, the soldiers of the cities in Xizhou can no longer leave the city. This five hundred…"

Qu Chongyu said flatly, "This is natural. To mobilize the soldiers guarding the city to leave the country, military symbols are needed. How can it be too late at this time? Besides, Qu doesn't dare to risk the safety of the cities in Xizhou. Tonight and tomorrow morning , Qu will recruit five hundred warriors on the spot!"

Lu Qingyan smiled and shook his head, "How can five hundred civilians break the siege of Tingzhou? Your Majesty is too fanciful! It's a small matter to lose the lives of civilians. If the military situation is delayed, who will bear the responsibility?"

Qu Chongyu squinted his eyes and said word by word, "It's Qu! If we can't break the siege of Tingzhou here, Qu is willing to be dealt with by military law! But there is one thing, Qu will not risk his life today to serve the country with his own life. If you do it again in the future, If you dare to throw dirty water on the Qu family and make my father suffer unjust injustice, I have my own way and let you, Su family and all the young people in Chang'an save my life!"

There was an indescribable chill in his voice. Su Nanjin felt the hairs all over her body stand up. She couldn't help but step back and shouted angrily, "What are you talking nonsense about?"

Qu Chongyu suddenly raised his eyebrows and smiled, "Are you talking nonsense? I advise you not to try it." His smile was relaxed and freehand, but it was even more chilling than the cold face just now.

Su Nanjin was speechless for a moment. Lu Qingyan thought for a moment, then smiled and hugged his hands, "Since the Crown Prince has such ambitions, Lu is willing to lead these thousand border troops to support the Crown Prince in the battle."

Qu Chongyu laughed, "Haha", "If you have such courage, Qu will definitely get it."

Su Nanjin's face changed slightly, and he pulled Lu Qingyan aside and whispered, "Master Secretary, don't forget that the general who promoted the death of the Khan is colluding with them! If they join forces..."

Lu Qingyan sighed, "Don't worry, young master, the people who colluded with them are the generals sent by the Xingxi Death Headquarters to guard the grain. At this time, the Turkic cavalry that can march into Tingzhou came so fast. I think they are either from the Chuyue Department." The Mukun tribe is far away from the main tribe, so it doesn't matter if they come here. Besides, they are so ruthless and decisive when they encounter Tang soldiers. It doesn't seem like they have anything to do with the Qu family. Please think about it, Mr. Xizhou now. There is no solution to the deadlock. If Tingzhou falls into the hands of the Turks, the situation will be even more uncontrollable! No matter how successful the governor is in suppressing the rebellion, he will be hindered by this matter."

"We have no reason to sit back and watch Tingzhou fall. Qu Chongyu volunteered to lead troops to Tingzhou. Although it is not as safe as us sending him to the army, it is still better than being trapped in Xizhou. His father and relatives are all in Xizhou. , The tribe is in Chang'an, and I don't think he dares to join the Turks. If we can solve the crisis in Tingzhou, why not do it? There is only one thing. If we don't watch him when he leaves, what if? He claimed defeat and fled to Shazhou and other places, asking for mercy from the Holy One. What can we do to him? What if he bribes the Turks and escapes, what should we do now? If he can't rescue these five hundred people, he will be in trouble. If he can rescue them, how many of these five hundred people will be left? It's not up to us what to do with them!"

Su Nanjin gritted his teeth and nodded, "Okay, let's go this time, but we need to bring more good horses..."

Lu Qingyan shook his head secretly in his heart, but he could only say, "Young master is very worried. If Qu Chongyu is just showing off his bravery for a moment, we must not be implicated by him. Furthermore, the talisman found today from Governor Qu's Hall , seals and other items, the young master will also send them to the army tomorrow, and we cannot let Mr. Qu take the opportunity to go to the court. "

The two of them had decided on their plan. They turned back and walked into the court. Su Nanjin said loudly, "Okay, since Crown Prince Qu is willing to issue a military order in public, and Su is willing to help the Crown Prince, we will bring our troops and send troops to Tingzhou tomorrow!"

Pei Xingjian, who had been silent all this time, suddenly said, "Wait a minute!"

Everyone was startled, but they saw a smile on his face, "With such a grand event, how can Pei stay out of it? Pei has a plan, which may allow you to rescue Tingzhou without losing any blood."

"It's just that this plan will take one day. Please leave two hundred men and horses for Xingjian. The prince will go first tomorrow. On New Year's Eve the day after tomorrow, Pei will also go to Tingzhou with the army."

　　…………

 The last day of the second year of Longshuo turned out to be a rare sunny day in the twelfth lunar month. The rising sun has just risen. Looking from the top of Tingzhou City, the Tianshan Mountains in the distance look extremely majestic and tall under the blue sky. The mountainside is covered with crystal snow, which looks like it is wearing a high-end clothing. A natural snow robe, and after two months, this snow robe will gradually turn into a snow crown, and the snow water gurgling down from the mountains will nourish the plains below the mountains with lush water and grass again.

But at this moment, among the hundreds of people standing at the top of Tingzhou City, except for the governor Laiji, no one would raise their head to take a second look at this picture-like beauty - not far under the city wall, there had been a scene two days ago. It was a scattered group of Turkic cavalry, and suddenly it turned into a large black mass. Behind the cavalry queue, ladders, stone carts and other objects suddenly appeared, making these Tingzhou sergeants who were originally lucky, suddenly feel cold in their hearts.

Five thousand Turkic cavalry, coupled with these siege weapons, will only take over this city with only 500 old and weak defenders. It is only a matter of time; and the news brought by the soldiers who have fled into the city in the past two days is clearly: these Wherever the Turks went, there was no Tang army left alive!

There was a commotion among the crowd, and whispers of curses and sighs quickly spread throughout the city.

Tingzhou Governor Laiji's gaze retracted from a distance and looked at the stone chariots that appeared behind the Turkic cavalry. These siege tools were the reason why most of the Turks suddenly disappeared two days ago, right? In fact, it is not difficult to predict. Since the Turks are launching a large-scale revenge this time, how can they be frightened away by Tingzhou's city wall? He subconsciously closed his hand on the city head, and pressed his fist against the solid city wall. These walls were repaired by him and the people of Tingzhou with his own hands. Is it possible that he has to watch it be destroyed with his own eyes today?

Thinking about the situation that would unfold later, a strange and invisible smile appeared on Lai Ji's face. Ah Shou, the old follower who was following him, trembled in his heart, and hurriedly whispered, "Don't worry, Ah Lang, this city is built solidly, and those Turkic thieves will definitely not be able to succeed!"

Laiji nodded calmly. The snow-white hair exposed under the iron helmet made his eyes particularly bright. "Of course, I will never let those Turks succeed!"

Suddenly, the Turkic cavalry under the city moved, the formation was divided, and the row of stone carts was pushed to the front of the queue. Amidst the shouts, they saw the horses with the ropes on the stone carts pulling back together. The Tingzhou soldiers on the top of the city were stunned for a moment, and then hurriedly hid under the city wall. The leather bags of the stone carts were high. After bouncing up, countless black stones as big as watermelons roared down to the inside and outside of the city, but they did not make the expected heavy impact sound. The Tingzhou soldiers calmed down and looked back at the stones. Some people immediately screamed.

The black object that fell on the top of the city was not a stone. It was clearly a human head. There were hundreds of human heads with long hair disheveled and **** flesh. Some of them were wearing familiar Tang-style helmets! The skulls of many people rolled to the feet of the city defenders. Some young soldiers immediately screamed and jumped up. They were kicked or slapped in the face by the veterans around them, and they suddenly stopped shouting.

　　Many people stayed for a while, then rushed to the side and vomited. Those whose childlike faces were soon covered with tears. The sour smell of vomit mixed with a touch of blood quickly triggered more vomiting. A suffocating and disgusting smell enveloped the city of Tingzhou heavily, and even the biting north wind seemed to be unable to blow it away for a while. scattered.

 The older veterans looked at each other speechlessly, seeing clear despair in each other's eyes. If there are five hundred elite soldiers, there may be some hope relying on this Tingzhou city, which has been damaged by wars and was rebuilt two years ago. But now that all the young and strong soldiers in Tingzhou have been sent to the camp, relying on these has never been possible. The young men and the old and weak soldiers on the battlefield may not be able to hold on even for a day and a night! There were originally only a few hundred households in Tingzhou City, and most of them were military households. Now there are only a few women and children left, so of what use are they?

Lai Ji's eyes also fell on those heads. He spoke after a moment, but his voice was extremely calm, "Come here, collect these heads so that they can be buried well one day!"

His voice echoed far across the panicked city, carrying a reassuring majesty. Several attendants and state officials around Laiji all responded loudly, "Yes." Ah Shou was the first to turn. He picked up a head at his waist and placed it in a spacious place beside the turret. Many soldiers also subconsciously responded and began to lower their heads to collect, but more people still did not dare to lower their heads to look further. Some people just glanced at Lai Ji indifferently, then turned to look in the direction of home, mouthing He muttered something silently. A war horse ran slowly out of the Turkic cavalry under the city wall, went straight to a place more than a hundred steps below the city wall, and shouted, "Tang people in the city, take care of it! The one I just gave to you is the court." If you don't want to end up with the Tang army within fifty miles of the city, you should rush to the city and escape!"

There was a commotion on the top of the city, and someone whispered, "What should we do? This city cannot be defended..."

A team was shouting sternly, "Don't listen to the lies of the Turks. They are talking about opening the city to escape. If the city gate is opened, not to mention that all the women and children in the city will not survive. We people are just making it easier for them to attack! We are the big ones." How can the heroes of the Tang Dynasty be surrounded and shot by these Turks like wild dogs? It is better to fight to the death in the city and let these Turks thieves take some lives first!"

The voice of this team member was like a loud bell, which could be heard clearly at the top of the city and outside the city. The Turks below laughed loudly, "Okay, then I will help you. When the city is broken, you will be disciplined by our khan and Ye Hus pay with their lives!”

He was about to go back with his horse when he heard a voice from the top of the city, "Wait a minute!"

I saw a tall figure wearing armor emerging from the crenellations of the Tingzhou city wall. His voice was slow and loud, "Listen here, someone is Lai Ji, the governor of Tingzhou. I have a few words to ask the leader of your army this time." ! If he is really a hero, please come and meet him in front of the army.”

The Turkic cavalry sneered, turned their horses and left. After a while, they saw the Turkic formation divided into men and horses. Three horses galloped out and reined the horses a stone's throw outside the city. One of them was not very tall, but he was Extraordinarily stout and wearing a black armor, the person on his left raised his head and shouted, "My general is here, Si Na, the governor. If you have anything to ask, please tell me!" His Chinese was not as proficient as the person who shouted before, With a strange accent, it became more and more harsh.

Laiji said in a deep voice, "Is this the general from the Kuiyan Governor's Mansion? I, Tingzhou, and the Chumukun tribe have no grudges in the past and have no grudges in recent times, but the general has raised troops to invade. I don't know why?"

The Tingzhou soldiers at the top of the city were all stunned. Didn't the messenger from Xizhou already say that the Xingxide Khan rebelled, and the chiefs of the Wudulu tribe were all beheaded at the gate by the guardian of the capital. The Chumukun tribe is one of the five Turkic tribes led by the Xingxi dead Khan. They have traveled thousands of miles to attack, so they naturally come to take revenge. Why would the governor ask this question?

The Turkic general below the city was obviously aroused, and his voice was broken like iron and stone, "You Tang people are despicable and shameless. We, the Khan and the generals, were kind enough to help you put down the rebellion, but your great guardian deceived them all." Go to the Tang camp and kill them! Such a blood feud will naturally fall on you. How can we calm down the resentment of my Khan and the generals if we don’t kill all of you Tang people?”

Lai Ji pondered for a moment and then replied loudly, "That's it! Thank you general for informing me. I didn't know about this matter, and none of the soldiers and civilians in Tingzhou knew about it. General, if most of the people are protected by people, how can they be compared with the two thousand miles away? What do the women and children of the city have to do with you? Now that you have killed so many people from the Tang Dynasty, how can you be willing to let the people in this city go? The general is indeed a hero and a man who is dedicated to revenge. Common man, as long as the general has a mission, there is nothing wrong with him if he can do it!"

The stocky figure who had been silent suddenly raised his head, and his voice was cold and sharp, "Come to the governor, I have just given you so many heads. If you are willing to throw your own head down the city as a return gift, I, Ashina, will help you." According to what you said, even if Tingzhou is captured, the lives of women and children will not be harmed!"

He narrowed his eyes and looked at the figure on the city, "I wonder if you can do it if you come to be the governor?"

Laiji was silent for a moment, and the wrinkles that had suddenly appeared in the corners of his eyes in the past few years slowly smoothed out, and he suddenly burst out laughing, "Okay, thank you, General. General, please come back. I will deliver the head to Laiji myself later!"

There was an uproar at the top of the city. Several government officials and followers hurriedly said, "The governor can't do this!" "Processor, governor, please don't fall into the traitor's plan to provoke the generals. How can Tingzhou be defended without the governor?"

Lai Ji turned around and looked at them, with an undisguised smile of relief on his face, "You guys are wrong, it's the thieves who fell into Lai's plan to provoke him! Lai was born unlucky in his family, and he grows up and is useless to the country. Fortunately, I was favored by the late emperor and was favored by your majesty, so I was able to occupy the position of prime minister. However, I failed to repay your great kindness and was punished. Although I was pardoned and survived, I was just hanging on for a while! I can repay your kindness to Your Majesty, and I can be worthy of my people. Do you want me to live alone in this world and be nothing more than a rebellious son and a sinful minister until my death?"

Everyone was stunned for a moment. They all naturally knew that their Shangfeng came from a family of famous generals. When he was less than eight years old, his whole family was in trouble and only he escaped. Although he later became the prime minister, he offended the queen. Now the eldest grandson Wuji's entire party has been liquidated, and he is the only one left! He didn't want to live alone in the world, waiting for the queen's butcher knife to fall... Looking at Lai Ji's beard and hair, which were all white in his early fifties, and his radiant face at the moment, the words of dissuasion in everyone's mouth could no longer be uttered. Many people's eyes immediately turned red.

Lai Ji glanced around the city and burst out laughing, "My lords, how happy it is that Lai was born without joy, but died in the right place! All lords, you should be happy to celebrate Lai, why should you cry like a child!" Shi, I will entrust you with the task of defending the city. If you can defend this city, you will not only save Tingzhou, but also save the lives of hundreds of soldiers at the head of the city. I will be grateful to you! "

 He turned his head and saw that the Turkic horses had returned to their formation. He shouted, "Come here, open the city gate!"

With a heavy creaking sound, Tingzhou's city gate was slowly pushed open. Lai Ji rode a white horse that he had taken casually from the city gate, and galloped out of the city gate in a leisurely manner, with only a figure behind him. A somewhat rickety Shou.

Looking back at the Tingzhou city gate, Lai Ji jumped off his horse, his voice almost brisk, "Ah Shou, help me disarm!"

With tears in his eyes, Ah Shou took a step forward to help Lai Ji take off his armor, neatly folded it and held it in his hands, then knelt down and said, "Congratulations to A Lang!"

 Lai Ji was not wearing a bright red official robe under the Mingguang armor, but a brand new white robe. Ah Shou's eyes heated up, and the tears he had been holding back for a long time suddenly flowed out. They followed the deep wrinkles on his face and fell drop by drop on the loess under the gate of Tingzhou City.

Lai Ji's eyes were also slightly hot, "Go back quickly. Thanks to your cleverness that day, I was able to escape. Now I have to ask you to send me on my last journey. Ah Shou, Lai Ji thanks you so much!" After saying that Wei Wei With a smile, he got on his horse and without looking back, he rushed towards the Turkic camp a few hundred steps away.

Ah Shou was startled for a moment, then suddenly put down the armor in his hand, got up and chased after him.

As soon as the city gate opened, the Turkic cavalry looked at each other in astonishment - Is this Tang Dynasty official really here to die? Seeing him taking off his armor and charging towards him, the camp was in an uproar, asking, "Is this Tang man crazy?" Someone drew his bow and arrow, and was about to shoot. Ashina Duzhi shouted in a deep voice, "Don't shoot arrows, come and meet the enemy!" His voice was extremely solemn, "Although the people of the Tang Dynasty are hateful, this man is still a man, let's give him a decent life." Way to die!"

Dozens of Turkic war horses quickly formed a fan-shaped team. The knights raised their scimitars and waved their swords amidst the sound of horse hooves to greet Laiji.

There was silence at the top of Tingzhou City. Everyone held their breath and stared with wide eyes at the figure not far from the city. The figure with fluttering white clothes and a thin figure running staggering were rushing towards the Turkic war horses that surged up like a black wave. , and was submerged in the black wave in a blink of an eye.

The governor of Tingzhou slowly closed his eyes and suddenly shouted, "Close the city gate! Defend Tingzhou to the death!"

 “Defend Tingzhou to the death!”

According to historical records, in the winter of the second year of Longshuo, the Turks invaded Tingzhou. The governor came to help without armor, so he galloped into the enemy formation and died. Lai Ji's father was a famous general in the Sui and Tang Dynasties, and his brother was also a brave general. When he was seven years old, his whole family was killed by Yu Wenji, and he escaped alone. This prime minister of the Tang Dynasty, who had a similar background to Pei Xingjian, was the only person in Changsun Wuji's camp who died with dignity.

　　

　　

 (End of this chapter)