Chapter 2 Chapter 17 Fighting Alone

Back at the racecourse, the army is ready.Although most of the vanguard battalion was originally cavalry, there were nearly 200 people who could not ride horses. Therefore, the vanguard battalion actually consisted of 1,100 soldiers and 400 wolf soldiers.As soon as I returned to the camp, Zhen Yining, who was riding a horse in front of the camp, waved the flag in his hand, and everyone stood still. With 1,500 troops, it was not easy to keep the formation, but Zhen Yining commanded it quite proficiently. Although these many people were not motionless, the formation was quite neat, not like a patchwork of mobs at all.Qian Wenyi and Cao Wendao and I walked past the army. Qian Wenyi and Cao Wendao bowed to me and then returned to the army.

Like Lu Gongxing, I absolutely disagree with the second prince's attack this time.However, my official position is lower than that of Lu Gongxing, and I am not the direct descendant of the second prince, nor even the direct descendant of Marquis Wen. In their eyes, the Qianfeng camp is really a mob. How dare I speak out against the second prince?The second prince is quite polite to Lu Gongxing, but if I talk like Lu Gongxing, I'm afraid that the second prince will immediately call him a coward. If it is said that I am timid, then maybe I am not wrong, and I am indeed a little timid in my heart.These soldiers escaped back to the imperial capital after going through untold hardships. How many of them will not be able to return after this attack?

Those soldiers looked at me one by one, and suddenly I saw Zhen Yining showing a trace of anxiety on the horse, and I suddenly realized that I was a little distracted.After the assembly was over, they were all waiting for me to say a few words, but I was thinking wildly. This is a big taboo for the leader, and the soldiers also made random guesses.I cleared my throat, pretending to be ready to speak, and said loudly: "I, a soldier, is charged with protecting our home and country. Support me, just for today. We are ordered to set off tonight, we must fight the enemy bravely, so as to live up to the country's great trust."

I wanted to say two more bold words, but my throat seemed to be choked and I couldn't go on.On the battlefield, I naturally do not hesitate to die, but death is worth dying for. Like today, if I go to die, I really can't convince myself that such an attack is absolutely necessary.But before the army, of course I couldn't say this kind of thing, and now I can't say anything fierce. At this time, Zhen Yining suddenly said loudly: "Die your life for the country, die with no regrets!" His voice was not very loud, but all the soldiers were listening to me attentively, only a few horseshoes kicking the ground could be heard occasionally in the racecourse, but many people could hear his voice clearly.Zhen Yining was closer to me, so he must have seen my distressed face, and knew that I had nothing to say to inspire the soldiers, so he yelled out these two sentences at the right time.As soon as he shouted, Cao Wendao's army beside him also shouted, and all the troops immediately shouted at the same time.Fifteen hundred voices yelled together, and there was no one to direct them, so it was a mess. Others might not be able to hear what we yelled at first, but such yelling also made people's blood boil.

I looked at Zhen Yining gratefully, my voice quieted down, and I said loudly: "The troops should take the time to familiarize themselves with their mounts, and they are not allowed to leave the team at will, and wait for orders at any time." It's getting dark now, and the sunset glow in the west is purple like blood spots.Stealing the camp would have to wait until midnight, and it would be good for the troops to familiarize themselves with the horses during this period of time.This time the attack was all cavalry, the better the equestrian skills, the higher the chance of surviving.

After shouting, the armies dispersed in the racecourse.Fortunately, the military horses in Dongping City were well tamed, almost no one seemed cramped when the soldiers rode on the horses.I jumped off the horse and asked the groom to find me a pair of saddles, while I stood aside and watched them train the horse.While watching, Zhen Yining patted on the horse and came over and said, "Control, when are we going to leave?" I said: "Waiting for the order now, it seems that it will be two or three hours later." Zhen Yining came to my side and flew off the horse.His dismounting posture is extremely graceful and unrestrained, and his body is as light as a swallow, and those veteran cavalry may not be as good as his riding skills.He tied the horse aside, walked to me, looked at my horse, and praised: "What a handsome horse. Commander, has this horse been named?"

I looked at the horse and thought for some reason, and said, "It's called Fei Yu." At that moment, I suddenly thought of Jin Qianshi from the Dragon Scale Army.Jin Qianshi and I have not known each other for a long time, but his loyalty, bravery and ability have left a deep impression on me.Giving this dark horse the name of Jin Qianshi's beloved horse is also to commemorate him. "Fei Yu? Good name." Zhen Yining patted the horse's neck, and suddenly said in a low voice, "Control, do you think this attack was too hasty?" I smiled wryly and said: "Zhen Yining, even if you have such an idea, don't say it. Even if this attack is too impatient, we are close to death, but if all the armies have this idea, it will be ten deaths." gave birth."

Zhen Yining said: "Soldiers are ordered to move forward. I'm not afraid, but I feel that this attack is too hasty. When General Bi's reinforcements arrive and the discussion is over, then the attack will have a great chance of winning? Alas, it's a pity We didn’t flatten the mines, otherwise we would have had a better chance of winning.” I slapped my head violently and shouted, "That's right!" At this time, Xiaojun had already put on the saddle for Fei Yu, and led him over.After Fei Yu was subdued by me, she suddenly stopped being as grumpy as before.A good saddle will make the horse even more handsome.I got on my horse and said to Zhen Yining: "Zhen Yining, come with me to General Ren Ji's place."

Zhen Yining said: "Go borrow a few landmines? Okay, let's go." I couldn't help but smile knowingly.Zhen Yining can really draw inferences from one instance, he will know my intentions with just one word from me.Although he is young, he is really an excellent military talent, no, he can be said to be a general. Unexpectedly, as soon as we arrived at Ren Ji's camp, as soon as I explained my purpose, Ren Ji refused immediately, saying, "I am ordered by General Bi, this thing must not be shown to outsiders." It doesn't make sense either. Zhen Yining and I were full of hope, but we lost all confidence because of this cold water.Although flat mines cannot be said to be a sure-fire weapon, but with the power of smashing warships, using them to clear the way when rushing to the camp can really get twice the result with half the effort. Who knows that Ren Ji is so unwilling to buy it, which makes me very disappointed .

Back at the gate of the racecourse, Zhen Yining and I were a little downcast.But I know that after entering the camp, I can't show this face again, otherwise the soldiers will think that the control is as timid as a mouse, and their morale will be affected.I turned around, trying to cheer Zhen Yining up, when a horse riding in front of me rushed out of the gate of the racecourse camp. This person is Qian Wenyi.As soon as he came to us, he reined in his horse, took a few breaths and said, "Director, it's almost time for dinner, how should we arrange it?" It's dinner time now, and the attack is about to happen, so the soldiers must be fed.I said: "Let them bring the food here, and the brothers will practice immediately after eating. Sharpen your guns before the battle, and you will be happy if you are unhappy."

Qian Wenyi said: "That's good." He entered the camp with us, and he said as he walked, "Even if you want to die, you will be a hungry ghost. By the way, General Chu, where did you go just now?" I said, "Let's go ask General Ren Ji for some things." "what?" I paused, and said: "It's the large fire mine bomb." Ren Ji told me not to tell others about the flat mine, and I swallowed the words again.But I really don't want to lie to Qian Wenyi. It's probably not too far off the mark to say it's a large fire bomb. Qian Wenyi exclaimed: "Huo Lei Bo, that's great! With this thing, our victory will be greatly increased." When he was in Gaojiu City, he was the centurion of the Vanguard Battalion, and the Vanguard Battalion was the first group to use fire. The thunderbolt is well aware of the power of the fire and thunderbolt. I said dejectedly, "I didn't want to come." Qian Wenyi was very disappointed, and said: "Didn't want to come? Sigh." He looked to the north, and said: "If each person has five or six fire bombs, then it will be no problem to rush in and out of the snake camp. Oh, what a pity. Mr. Zhang is a smart man, if only there were people in Dongping City who could make fire bombs." His words were like a flash of lightning. I reined in my horse suddenly and shouted: "Qian Wenyi, what you said is exactly! If he doesn't give it, we will do it ourselves!" Qian Wenyi didn't know what I was talking about, so he looked at me, and I turned the horse's head, and shouted: "Zhen Yining, go to the supply camp immediately, get some charcoal back, you need dozens of catties, grind it into very fine pieces powder." Zhen Yining was a little puzzled, but didn't say anything, and walked away with the horse.Qian Wenyi said from the side: "General Chu, what do you want charcoal for?" I said, "Make gunpowder! If he doesn't give it to us, then we can make it ourselves." I still remember the gunpowder formula Zhang Longyou told me.He said that it was one part of charcoal powder and six parts of sulfur nitrate. When mixed together, it became gunpowder.Saltpeter can be replaced by wall salt, but sulfur is a little hard to find.But I remember Zhang Longyou mentioned that Zhijiang Province also has many caves. I saw two temples of the Shangqing Danding School in Dongping City before, and I can definitely find sulfur from the temples.I said: "General Qian, you immediately ask one or two hundred people to dig saltpeter. If there is no saltpeter, go to scrape the wall for saltpeter. The sooner the better, the more you can get, the better. Another person will ask them to grind the saltpeter into fine powder." .” Qian Wenyi said: "Can Qiang Nitrate also be mixed with gunpowder?" I said: "That's right. It's not too late. It's getting dark now, so I have to prepare the three herbs before it gets dark." I didn't talk to him anymore, just flattered him and left.Among the three kinds of medicines, only nitrate is the most difficult to gather. Fortunately, there are many people. If more than a hundred people are asked to get it, it won't take too long. Now it depends on whether I can get some sulfur back. In the northeast corner of Dongping City, the city wall was built against Mount Dadi, and the rest of the mountain stretched into the city, forming a natural barrier for Dongping City.At the foot of the mountain, there is a Dadixuangai Temple, also known as the Dadixuangai Dongtian among the thirty-six caves of the Fatong, which is currently presided over by the Danding School of the Shangqing. After Feiyu got on the saddle, he ran even faster. I almost seemed to be flying on the horse. I didn't even need to use the whip, and I commanded it well, as if it could understand my thoughts.In just a short while, he arrived at the gate of the Great Dixuan Gaiguan.This cave has a scary name, but the inside is dilapidated. Although the Shangqing Danding Sect is also the state religion, the sect's head teacher Zhenguizi is far less powerful than the Qingxu Tuna Sect's Yuxinzi. Even this view has been in disrepair for a long time .I tied up the horse, and saw that there were piles of tiles at the entrance of the mountain. Once inside, there was a large open space. It was very clean, and there were a few piles of fallen leaves on the side, which must have just been swept and not shaken off. I walked in, reached the lobby, and said loudly, "Excuse me, is there anyone inside?" The Danding faction of the Shangqing Dynasty lost power in the court, but this faction is quite powerful among the people, and they often refine secret medicines, many of which are very effective in curing diseases. I remember Ye Tai, the medical officer in the army during the Southern Expedition. He was born in the Danding School of the Shangqing Dynasty.This also makes the Danding School of the Shangqing very high prestige among the people, and it can be completely ranked with the Qingxu Tuna School.It’s just that the prestige belongs to the prestige, without the support of the imperial court, most of the temples hosted by the Danding School of the Shangqing are dilapidated, and this Dadixuangai Temple, which is ranked among the thirty-six caves, is no exception. I yelled and saw that no one answered, I was about to go in and have a look, when I just took a step, I suddenly felt something blowing towards me. It's been tricked here too!It's more like surprise than fear.Although the wind was strong, it was not fast. I didn't need to look back to know that it must be a very long stick sweeping towards the back of my head.If I was hit by it, I'm afraid I'd pass out immediately, but I have been born and died so many times on the battlefield, so I naturally know how to dodge. As soon as I lowered my head, I gave way to the long stick, and pulled out the Baipi knife from my waist. Taking advantage of the situation, I turned around and was ready to fight back.Unexpectedly, when I turned around, I saw a young man in a legal gown carrying a very long and thick bamboo pole through a small door two or three feet away from me. He was about to come out of the small door and attack Mine is not a stick at all, but the end of a bamboo.The bamboo pole was hollow and not too heavy, but this bamboo pole was too long, the young man was stumbling around and couldn't keep his balance. When he moved a little, the two ends of the bamboo pole would move from side to side, leading him to move around too. If this continues, the bamboo pole may press him to the ground. With the elasticity of the bamboo pole, he may even be squeezed to death.At this time, the bamboo pole near me swept over again. I saw the way and hugged the bamboo pole with both hands. Looking at me, I was startled for a moment, and then said loudly: "Put it by the wall!" The bamboo pole was too long, and it took us two people to carry it for a while before putting it away. The young man probably didn't know the pros and cons, so he carried it alone. As soon as the bamboo was put away, the young man lifted up his clothes and wiped his sweat, and said, "General, thank you very much, if I break you, I will definitely be beaten to death by Master. My name is Xu Xinzi, so late, you still have some What's the matter?" I said: "Really, Chu Xiuhong is the last commander of the forward battalion. I want to ask the real person, is there any sulfur in the temple?" Xu Xin scratched his scalp, probably the first time someone asked him such a question.Although sulfur can be burned, it does not burn very well and has a strange smell. People in the imperial capital can only close the doors and windows and burn some sulfur to kill insects during spring festivals. At other times, sulfur has no practical value at all. No one wants it on the road. I asked again: "Is there any?" Now that it's completely dark, I'm afraid I will start at any time. If I get the sulfur, I will be very nervous. "There is some sulfur, but..." The hesitation of Xu Xinzi really made me uncomfortable, I said: "Master Xu Xin, I will give you the money." He swallowed his saliva and said, "It's not about money. Although we are poor, Master must kill me if he knows that I dare to take money. But the brimstone in the temple is only a few dozen taels, and it's all collected by my master." of." Dozens of taels?There was a burst of disappointment in my heart.According to the gunpowder formula that Zhang Longyou told me, six parts of sulfur, six parts of nitrate, and one part of charcoal are gunpowder. If the sulfur is only a few dozen taels, wouldn’t it be possible to make only a few catties of gunpowder?What's the use?But no matter how good it is, it's better than nothing.I said: "Men with an open mind, please give it to me first, I'll just buy it." He was still a little hesitant, and murmured, "What do you want sulfur for?" I shouted: "This matter is related to the secret of the military aircraft, anyway, you can give it to me." He thought for a while, gritted his teeth suddenly, and said, "Okay, don't worry about it." He kept saying that the master would beat him to death, but now he agreed. I was a little worried: "If you don't tell your master, won't your master scold you?" He sighed and said, "Just scold if you scold, come with me." He led me to a side room, opened the door carefully, and looked inside.Although this Dadixuangai Temple is known as one of the thirty-six caves, it is really poor. The side room is probably the residence of Master Xuxinzi. The inside is also extremely simple, but it is cleaned cleanly and spotlessly. A bamboo slip, with a few words written in wild cursive script, I can't understand what is written. Humble son pushed open the door, went to a very old wooden box by the wall and took out a package, the smell was a bit pungent, it was pure sulfur.He handed it to me and said, "There are forty taels here, that's all." forty two?I was disappointed for a while.I thought I could get dozens of catties, so I asked Zhen Yining to get dozens of catties of charcoal.Sulfur is only a little over four catties, plus four catties of nitrate, and charcoal can only be produced about seven taels, and the total is only nine catties of gunpowder.What's the use of that?But something is better than nothing, I sighed and said, "Are there any other places?" He said humbly: "You came to me and you were right. Dongping City is now besieged. There used to be sulfur coming out of a cave on the mountain outside the city. Now that the city is besieged by snake men, there is probably no sulfur left in the city." I took the sulfur, weighed it, and was still a little worried: "Didn't you tell your master that you won't be beaten to death by him?" Humble heart said with a smile: "That's a joke, Master doesn't beat me, but I know how to scold you. But whoever told me to almost beat you to death, you won't die if you are scolded by Master, this is my apology to you. Anyway, the alchemy developed by the master can't be eaten, and it can't be used. I said: "My name is Chu Xiuhong, I'm in charge of the forward battalion, I'm a general." He patted his head and said, "It's General Chu. You're not as fierce as other generals. I thought you were a squad officer." I smiled, and was about to come out with him, when there was a sudden sound of footsteps outside the gate, Xu Xu panicked, grabbed my shoulder and said, "General Chu, jump out of the broken wall next to you!" , my master is here." I was a little displeased, and said: "Men with a humble heart, do you really think I'm a thief? It's just in time for your master to come. Let me tell him the truth, he will put the overall situation first, and won't even scold you." He said anxiously: "No, if he knows that I almost beat you to death, he must scold me to death." I said: "Of course I won't say, how does your master know?" He was still about to say something, but at this moment, an old voice suddenly came from the outer door: "Humbly, are there any guests?" Xu Xin stuck out his tongue: "It's over, it's over." He walked out like a thief who was caught on the spot, and said, "Master, it's General Chu from the Vanguard Battalion here." I followed him out and said, "Really, Chu Xiuhong is the last commander of the vanguard battalion." When I saw the humble Master, I couldn't help being very heartbroken.Xu Xinzi is young, a little frizzy, I thought his master was a middle-aged man, but unexpectedly he is an old man with white beard and eyebrows, but his face is smooth and fair, without too many wrinkles.The legal robe on his body was also patched a few times, but it was washed clean, just like in his room.As soon as I saw him, I didn't know why, but I had a feeling of déjà vu. He looked at me and said with a smile: "General Chu, how offensive is my incompetent apprentice, fortunately General Chu doesn't care about it." I said: "The real person is very polite. I don't know the real person's name?" He said: "General Chu called me Zhenqingzi." He turned to Xu Xinzi, with a stern face, and shouted: "Xun Xin, I have told you several times, but you are still so edgy, what if I hurt General Chu just now. " I couldn't help being surprised, and said, "Realist Zhenqing saw it just now? That's not the fault of Daoist Xuxin." Zhenqingzi smiled at me and said: "General Chu doesn't care about it, it's his blessing. Be humble, you take my futon away, there are still two catties of sulfur in it, let General Chu take it away together. We don't It's a matter of killing, but it's a small matter to make an effort, alchemy." Xu Xinzi showed joy on his face, and said: "I obey." He said to me: "General Chu, wait for me." After a while, he came out with a small bag on his back, and Zhenqingzi said: "Xunxin, you Send it to General Chu immediately, General Chu is in a hurry." I heard Xu Xinzi speak so loudly before, I thought he would be very difficult to speak, but I didn't expect Zhenqingzi to be so reasonable, I couldn't help being surprised, said: "Zhenqing Zhenren, thank you very much." Zhen Qingzi smiled and said: "General Chu, you should go quickly, I'm afraid you will be leaving in an hour." After I bid farewell to Zhenqingzi, he went back to his room to sit quietly, humbly walked beside me with a small bag on his back, and said with a soft smile: "General Chu, I didn't expect Master to hide private goods, maybe he gave them to General Shao The rewards from family members for seeing a doctor are also hidden below." I said, "Maybe Zhenqing has seen it?" He knew that I wanted sulfur, and he probably smelled the sulfur on my back.Unexpectedly, at his age, he still has good hearing, eyesight and nose.Unexpectedly, Xu Xin curled his lips and said: "What, my master can read minds..." He stopped abruptly after speaking halfway, probably knowing that he had slipped his tongue.I heard a thunderbolt on a sunny day, and said loudly, "What? Mind reading?" He said anxiously: "General Chu, you said this, not me, otherwise Master will beat me to death..." Before he could finish speaking, I put the sulfur on the ground and said, "Wait for me!" I turned around and rushed in.Zheng Zhao's mind-reading skills are so miraculous, and his mind-stimulating skills can easily make me lose consciousness. I only think he is the only one in the world who can do it, but I didn't expect this unattractive Zhenqingzi to be able to do it.Xu Xinzi shouted from behind: "Hey, General Chu..." But I ignored him, and rushed to Zhenqing Zifang in three steps at a time.The door of Zhenqingzi's room was still open, and he was sitting cross-legged on the futon. I fell to my knees outside the door, running too fast, out of breath, and couldn't speak for a while. When I came back suddenly, Maqingko was taken aback for a moment, then immediately frowned and said, "It's really talkative to be modest." I collected myself and said, "Really, don't blame him. Daren, I think..." Before I finished speaking, Zhenqingzi frowned again and said: "General Chu, this amazing skill is too insidious. If it falls into the hands of people with bad intentions, I'm afraid it will cause earth-shaking things. Learned medicine. What? Anyone else?" I'm thinking about Zheng Zhao now.Zheng Zhao said that this is innate and cannot be learned.Just thinking about this, Zhenqingzi frowned again, snorted and said: "This man's tricks are not right, he lied to you. What? He can even manipulate mind? That... that's really a genius, I didn't expect there to be people in the world You can even learn the mind-stimulating technique!" He looked terribly shocked, and I couldn't help being slightly disappointed.From Zhenqingzi's tone, he doesn't know how to manipulate mind, but he seems to say that mind reading can be cultivated.I said, "Really, can you teach me?" Zhenqingzi looked at me and said in a harmonious voice: "General Chu, you have a kind heart, but your murderous intent is too strong. Learning this skill will do harm and not benefit." I was a little disappointed, but still not discouraged, I said: "My real man, if I learn it, I will never use it in an evil way." He smiled and said: "What is righteousness? What is evil? The righteous see evil as evil, and the wicked see righteousness as evil. What is right today may not be evil tomorrow." I'm still waiting to say more, but Zhenqingzi suddenly said hesitantly: "General Chu, you are going to go out soon, if you don't go back, I'm afraid you will miss a big deal." Now it was completely dark, and it was not long before Zhongye set off, I still didn't give up, I just wanted to say a few words to him, but Zhenqingzi closed his eyes and ignored me.I sighed, and said: "Okay, real person, then I'm leaving. If the real person really thinks that I can't learn, then I won't come to force the real person." I bowed to Zhenqingzi and turned to leave. Zhenqingzi suddenly opened his eyes and said: "General Chu, you must be careful in this trip, go and return quickly, and don't love to fight." He paused, and then said: "The sooner you hurry It's better to go back." I smiled and said: "Life and death are up to fate, wealth and honor are in the sky. The country raises soldiers to defend the country, and it is also the duty to die on the battlefield. Real man, please take care." I walked to the door, Xu Xinzi was still poking his head there, seeing me coming out, he whispered: "General Chu, Master is not angry, is he?" I said: "Probably not, at worst I will scold you a few words." When I got on the horse, he helped me put two bags of sulfur on the side of the saddle, and I cupped my hands on the horse and said, "Thank you very much, if I still have life to come back, thank you again." It was quite dark, and I must hurry back to the racecourse.Now I don't know how Qian Wenyi prepared. With these six catties of sulfur, he can always make thirteen catties of gunpowder, and there are some small supplements. Back at the racecourse, those soldiers were still running horses back and forth. As soon as I entered the camp gate of the racecourse, Qian Wenyi led the horses to meet him and said, "Have you brought sulfur, Commander?" Standing beside him was Zhen Yining and Cao Wendao, and one of them was Chen Zhong from Xing Tiefeng camp.Chen Zhong was just a small soldier, and he was not under Qian Wenyi's command, so he didn't know what to call him for. I said, "I brought six catties of sulfur." He frowned and said, "That's all? I'm afraid you won't be able to say enough, but there are forty catties of nitrous powder." Forty catties?I was taken aback. Although there were a lot of nitrates in the wall, it was not easy for Joe to come down.At this moment, Zhen Yining also came over and said, "Tong Zhi, the charcoal I brought also weighs forty catties, and it has been ground into very fine powder." Their nitrate and charcoal have been put aside, one pile is white and the other is jet black. There is a big vat beside it, probably for mixing gunpowder.I jumped off the horse and said, "Grind this sulfur into powder immediately." Zhen Yining took over the two generations of sulfur, and said, "Then how should it be mixed? Shall we pour them all together and stir well?" According to Zhang Longyou's recipe, only six catties of nitrate and one catty of charcoal would be enough.I didn't expect Qian Wenyi to get so much money, it would be a pity if it wasted.I gritted my teeth and said, "Pour in all the nitrate, take a dozen catties of charcoal, grind the sulfur into powder and pour it together." According to Zhang Longyou's formula, the nitrate only needs about six catties and seven taels, but the sulfur is too little, so adding more charcoal can always make it burn, so that a few catties of gunpowder can always be made.Even though I thought so, I was still apprehensive. It's easy to do things with many people, and the sulfur is crushed immediately.Because Zhang Longyou said that no iron can be seen when stirring, so a piece of wood is used.The medicinal powder weighed fifty-six catties in total, and ordinary people couldn't stir it at all, and even if there were too many people, it wouldn't be evenly stirred.Zhen Yining was careful, and called Chen Zhong from Xing Tiefeng camp to stir up the pile of medicinal powder.Although Chen Zhong's strength is far superior to that of ordinary people, after dozens of rounds of stirring, he is already out of breath. I went to the tank, grabbed a handful and looked at it.The medicine powder in the vat is quite even, and the color is also black and white. If I were to stir it, I'm afraid I can't even stir it half a circle.I praised: "Chen Zhong, your strength is really extraordinary." Chen Zhong was still panting heavily, smiled and said, "Controller, you are too polite. Are you all right now?" I said: "Okay, you go to rest, wait a while and ask General Xing to lead the army to collect the gunpowder." Time is too tight, and there is no way to put them in jars to make fire bombs. I asked someone to cut some bamboo, cut each section of bamboo into a tube, filled it with gunpowder and stuffed it with rags.Dongping City has a lot of bamboo, and each section can hold half a catty of gunpowder. The fifty-six catties of gunpowder contained a total of 117 bamboo tubes, which didn't take much time.I took a look and said, "Qian Wenyi, let Yang Yi, Xing Tiefeng and Tao Changshi all come over, and each of your four teams will get 25, and the rest will be ours." Qian Wenyi agreed, first let Xiaojun take twenty-five bamboo tubes, and then called Yang Yi and the others over.Now Qian Wenyi and his team have more than 300 people in each team, which is about the same as the wolf soldiers under Tao Changshi's command. Cao Wendao's team I brought with me only has more than 100 people, accounting for only one-third of them. Proportionally, the gunpowder cartridges are too much.At this time, Zhen Yining suddenly said: "General Chu, do you want to give some to General Bian and the others?" Bian Zhen and the others want to charge with me, and then split into two groups. They take the same risk as us.But there are only so many gunpowder cartridges in total, and there can't be too many to distribute to them.I thought about it and said, "Alright, give them the seven we have left." To be honest, I really doubt whether these gunpowder cartridges that I changed the formula can still explode, but I think they can always be burned. It is easy to sprinkle these gunpowder in the snake man camp and set it on fire Some.If Zhang Longyou's formula is still followed, only 13 catties of gunpowder can be made, and only 20 or 30 can be made. Zhen Yining was much more thoughtful than I thought, and each bamboo tube was tied up with a rope.I carried one upper body on my back, and said to Cao Wendao: "General Cao, let someone pick out seven and give them to General Bian." Cao Wendao looked at me, then suddenly smiled and said, "General Chu, it's ridiculous that you carry a bamboo tube on your back." I was a little displeased, and said: "Don't care if it's ridiculous, you will never forget the power of fire and thunder." He nodded and asked someone to take seven bamboo tubes to Bian Zhen's place.Bian Zhen trained horses in the square of Dongping City, not far from the racecourse. After a while, the little army came back, but the seven bamboo tubes were still hanging by the saddle.He said that Bian Zhen could hear this thing, first he laughed a lot, and then said that I was as cowardly as a mouse, and their right assault army didn't have to rely on these heresy ways, so they kindly accepted and brought the things back to me. The moon rose higher and higher, and it was already midnight.On the horse farm, there are still soldiers jogging and familiarizing themselves with equestrian skills.At this time, a light of fire suddenly moved towards the racecourse, and Zhen Yining whispered beside me: "General Chu, that is His Highness's messenger, do you want brothers to gather?" I nodded, Zhen Yining pulled up a lantern from the side and waved it in the air.The entire army of 1,500 people lined up neatly in the blink of an eye.Seeing this situation, I couldn't help but slightly nodded.It was very difficult to assemble at night, Zhen Yining was as light as he was, he was really good at commanding troops, it seemed that he was still above Wu Wanling. The messenger had already rushed to the door, and he let out a "huh" at first, probably surprised by the orderliness inside, then raised a token in his hand, and shouted: "Chu Xiuhong, commander of the vanguard battalion, accepts the order!" I patted Fei Yu and took a few steps forward, jumped off the horse and stepped forward, saying, "Chu Xiuhong listens." "By the orders of His Royal Highness the Second Crown Prince and General Shao, the Commander of Chu asks you to quickly command the army and horses of the headquarters to gather at the west gate and wait for orders." I took the order and said loudly: "Decree!" I ran on the horse and turned around and said: "Cao Wendao goes first, and the rest follow. Follow me." The three commanders of Qianfeng battalion, Qian Wenyi of the first battalion, Yang Yi of the second battalion, and Xing Tiefeng of the third battalion.Now that there is an extra Tao Chang, the temporary designation given to him is Siying.After all the troops moved, the messenger walked beside me, wiped the sweat from his brow, and whispered: "General Chu, I didn't expect you to be ready. General Bian is gathering in the field right now." I couldn't help but smiled slightly, looked back at the soldiers, and said: "Soldiers have no momentum, water has no shape, and battles have no rules. Soldiers should use their arms and fingers to obey orders and prohibit them." This passage is from "Victory in War Strategy", and I read it every day when I have time these days.Zhen Yining's command of the army is so exquisite, which fits this paragraph, which really makes me happy.Commanding a team, if you can use your arms and fingers, then the attack power of this team can be fully utilized.The current vanguard battalion is not as elite as the vanguard battalion led by Lu Gongxing, but its military discipline is much better than that of the old vanguard battalion, its command is good, and its attack power is no worse than back then. When we arrived at the west gate, there was already a dense line of infantry at the gate.Under the torch, I saw the Second Crown Prince and Shao Fengguan standing side by side at the door. I patted my horse and went, and said loudly: "Your Highness, General Shao, the Qianfeng Battalion is here to pay the order." A soldier of the second prince came over and took the token from me and handed it to the second prince. The second prince glanced at me and said with a smile on his face: "General Chu, I was a little worried about you at first, but looking at the military appearance, Your vanguard battalion is already above most battalions under my command." I couldn't help but feel a little moved, and immediately gave a deep salute and said: "Your Highness's praise." In the past, each battalion had a high opinion of themselves, Marquis Wu's Vanguard battalion claimed to be the strongest soldier, Shen Xiping's Dragon Scale Army also thought it was brave and unparalleled, and no one would praise other's troops for being better than their own.It's rare for the second prince not to hide his past.Although he said this at this time to increase the morale of the Qianfeng Battalion, I was very moved when he said such a thing. At this time, there was another sound of horseshoes behind him, and it was Bian Zhen leading the army.When all the troops arrived, the second prince ordered someone to open the city gate, and said loudly: "General Bian, General Chu, the victory or defeat of this battle depends entirely on the two generals. I hope the two generals will work hard." I bowed to Bian Zhen and led the army out of the city.At this time, the moonlight was dim and unclear, and the night wind blew past, and there was a whistling sound from time to time.I took the Qianfeng Battalion outside the city, saw Zhen Yining following me, and whispered: "Zhen Yining, this battle is too dangerous, you are not from the Qianfeng Battalion, you should stay in the city." Zhen Yining smiled and said, "General Chu, making meritorious deeds is the ambition of a man's life, don't you want me to make meritorious deeds?" His words were calm and heroic, I didn't say anything, just said: "Be careful." It is a great achievement to come back alive from this expedition.Although I have no confidence in this campaign at all, as an officer, I can only obey orders, and of course I cannot retreat. The second prince led 10,000 infantry in the battle below the city.The snake man's camp was more than a mile away from the city, and from a distance, they could see lights from time to time.In just a few months, the snake people have changed from being afraid of fire to arranging torches in the camp, which is really amazing. The second prince came out on horseback and shouted loudly, "Let's go!" Because we wanted to steal the camp, we didn’t bring any torches or lanterns. It was pitch black outside the city, and the people around us couldn’t even see their faces clearly. So many horses were on the bit, and we could only hear a few sporadic hoofbeats.The second prince gave an order, and the two troops rushed out immediately. Speeding up the horse, driving more than one mile is just a short moment.Seeing that the snake camp was getting closer, the camp didn't seem to notice anything.The Snake Man may have underestimated us, but there was only a wilderness in front of the camp, not even a single antler pit was set up.When I rushed to the gate of the snake camp, I shouted, "Light it up!" A torch was lit all around, as if the sky suddenly became brighter.The camp of the snake people was very rough, just a long fence made of wood, not very tall. As soon as the soldiers lit the torches, they immediately threw the torches in, and there was a commotion in the camp. Our robbing the camp this time must have caught the snake people by surprise. Only five or six snake people rushed out of the camp to resist. them.那几个蛇人虽然剽悍，但哪里挡得住士兵们潮水般地涌入，刚刺倒一个士兵，边上早有五六把长枪刺了过来。 这时，我听得有人叫道：“门倒了，小心！” 此时营门已被点燃，发出了“吱嘎”的响声，猛得向里倒去，火星四射，木门上燃着的火焰一时烧得更旺。“砰”一声，倒在了地上，着火的木头也被砸得四处乱飞，这等声势使得士兵们士气更加高昂，发出了一阵欢呼。 卞真带马冲过我身边，叫道：“楚将军，我们分开了，好自为之！” 他扭头叫道：“弟兄们，随我来！”拍马便冲了进去。我也回头叫道：“全部跟上，不要恋战，向里冲！” 营里像开了锅一般，四处发出一阵阵惨呼。这些声音都是蛇人发出的，虽然有些怪腔怪调，但是一样充满了惊恐。我心中一阵得意，浑身像有无穷的力量，恨不得大叫一声。 蛇人的营帐与我们的一般无二，从中不时游出蛇人来。此时它们战力再强，但前锋营的士兵一波波涌上，第一排士兵一枪刺出，不等蛇人还手便冲了过去，根本不与它们缠斗，从后面却冲上了另外的士兵，这也不是围攻了，那些蛇人几乎每一个都在与整个前锋营战斗，它们力量再大也无用武之地，被冲得一个个隔了开来。 我一枪刺倒一个蛇人，却见边上有个蛇人在向我扑了上来。那蛇人身上也没有盔甲，大概是刚从帐中爬出来的。它手中是一杆大刀，我一枪刚刺出，它的刀便落向我头顶。我右手举起长枪，“当”的一声巨响，我也只觉掌心一热，手臂一时都感到了麻木，那柄刀顺着枪杆滑了下去。我不等它再还手，一催马，手一抖，枪由下而上画了道弧，枪尖在它胸前扫过。 这是一招半月枪，我的枪磨得极其锋利，枪尖在那蛇人胸前顿时划出一条大大的伤口，血从中猛喷出来，溅了我半身。 你们也有这一天！ 我收回枪，只觉手臂仍有些酸痛。蛇人的力量太大了，我硬碰硬地挡了一下，只怕肌肉也有些拉伤，但此时已顾不上这些了，我转过头，便要让人跟上来，却听得甄以宁惊叫道：“统制，当心！” 他叫得极是惊恐，我不由得一愣，刚一抬头，却见一个枪尖从下而上刺来。这个蛇人竟然是贴着地面过来的，突然向上出枪，周围一片混乱，又是昏沉沉一片，我一直不曾发现。 这一枪出得极快，又是从下而上刺向我肚腹，我用力一勒飞羽，飞羽猛地站立起来，但那一枪实在太快了，飞羽纵然神勇无双，我仍是让不开这一枪，“嚓”一声，枪尖在我右小腿上刺了长长一条伤口，我的血也猛得喷了出来。 我的腿一阵麻木，倒不是很疼，看来这一枪入肉不深，伤势并无大碍，但是血却还在拼命流着，我的战袍下摆也被血浸得湿透。那蛇人还待给我补一枪，但这时我早有防备，它哪里还能刺得到我？它又是从下而上的，偷袭可以，对攻时，这样的姿势极为不便，我的长枪拨开了它的枪杆，枪尖一吐，立即将那蛇人搠倒。我的枪还不曾拔出它体内，已有几个边上的士兵冲过来将那蛇人枪挑刀砍，将它剁成一堆肉泥了。 我在马上蜷起小腿，看了看。那一枪刺得很厉害，虽然刺入不深，但是在我腿上留下一个长达半寸的伤口，伤口两边的皮肉都翻了起来，血仍是不断涌出。我不敢声张，伸手在战袍上撕下一条布包了包。这伤口太长了，那条布并不能完全包起来，好在将中间包住后，血算是止住了。也等到包好后，伤口才感到一阵阵拉扯似的疼痛。 这时钱文义冲过来道：“统制，蛇人越来越多，已经有几十个弟兄被打下马来了，怎么办？” 我们还只是刚冲进蛇人的阵营，仅仅这么一小段路便损兵数十，那么最后冲出营阵时不知还能剩多少。我看了看周围，现在所有人都在跃马厮杀，一个接一个地冲过去，我本来是在队伍最前列，停了这一停便已落到了中段。望出去，眼前也只有刀枪的锋刃在火把上的闪光，以及蛇人那些狰狞的脸。我道：“接着冲！失马的弟兄能跑的就跑，实在不能跑的，让战马尚有余力的两人合骑一匹。” 说这话时，我心里一阵疼痛。按理我们该不顾一切向前冲杀，但是我实在无法让那些战马被打死的士兵留在这儿与蛇人死战，别人在向前冲锋。如果我真下了这等命令，只怕日后心里再没一天安稳了。我这么说时，眼前似乎又看到了苏纹月，不知不觉的，眼眶里有些湿润。 钱文义道：“这样也好，只是一旦失马的太多，岂不是会影响冲锋的速度？” 蛇人的阵营里已像开锅似的喧哗，从另一边也传来了喊杀声，听那声音已到了我们前面，想必卞真一部冲锋比我们进展更快。回头看去，营中我们的来路已是一片火光，我们边走边放火，风借火势，蛇人营中大约有四分之一都着了起来。我看了看，大声道：“死则死尔，但示无愧于心。” 钱文义怔了怔，也没再多说什么，大声道：“落马的弟兄听着，能跑则跑，不能跑则与边上的骑者合骑一匹。” 他这命令与我下的稍有些不同，我说的是让战马有余力的来与落马士兵合乘，但现在正是一片混乱，每个人都在拼命厮杀，谁还有心思考虑战马是否有余力带人，我这命令真要发下去，反倒会让一些胆怯的骑兵拒绝与人合乘。钱文义这样说法，实是现在最好的方式了。 甄以宁也转到我身边来了。他手持的长枪枪尖上已带了血，正不住往下滴。他到了我身边，小声道：“统制，你受伤了？” “不碍事。”我一拍马，扭头道：“甄以宁，跟我来！” 我们身上都还背着那竹筒火药，甄以宁点了点头，跟着我冲了上来。 但是现在冲锋没有方才顺利了，蛇人已经立稳阵脚，不断从四周蜂拥而至，我们无法再像刚才一样压着蛇人打，每前进一步总要和一批蛇人缠斗，不时有一两个士兵被击落下马。从冲进来到与卞真分手，我们都没有伤亡，但一分开，我们便已损失了百人上下。看着身边时不时有士兵被蛇人击倒，有几个落马后便被蛇人砍死，我心头一阵阵地绞痛。 在邵风观的计划中，这些大概属于应该有的损失，但这些士兵不仅仅是他计划中的数字，更是一个个活生生的人啊！ 甄以宁冲在我边上，对我叫道：“统制，看来蛇人的战力超过估计，那怎么办？” 蛇人的战力并没有超过我的估计，只是超过了二太子和邵风观的估计。我有点想笑，但只是大声吼道：“不要想别的，现在没有后退的余地，快冲！” 蛇人的阵营相当大，如此规模，以帝国军的军制大约可以屯两万兵，但同样一个营帐却可以住三四十个蛇人，比我们要多三倍左右，这里也许有六万蛇人？可是蛇人数量虽多，却并没有到这等地步。我一边刺杀拦路的蛇人，一边对边上的甄以宁道：“甄以宁，你觉得蛇人到底有多少？” 甄以宁把长枪从一个刚刺死的蛇人身上拔出来后道：“好像……好像不到两万。” 的确，我们已经接近蛇人阵营的中腹，但这一路上估计只有三四千蛇人拦路。虽然在乱军中不好估计敌人的数量，但是如果真有六万蛇人，不可能只有这样一些蛇人冲上来的。说不定，甄以宁的估计也有些高了，真正的大部队实际上还在后方平定残兵。如果真的只有一万蛇人，拖住了东平城前后共七万大军，那岂不又成了高鹫城的历史重演？ 我心下阵阵发寒。高鹫城外，蛇人也正是这个策略，先以一支精兵在城外野战，给我们一个下马威，然后就一直有限度地攻城，直到蛇人全部到齐。这次安知不是蛇人故技重施？东平城现在补给不悉，主要是靠北门不失，但蛇人一旦大举进攻，以蛇人水战之能，那时又怎能再保证补给？到时四门被围，那高鹫城的惨剧只怕又要在东平城重演。 现在不管怎样，就算只能逃出小部分人，能发现蛇人的真正意图，那么这次夜袭也不算失败吧。我一挥枪，叫道：“全军加速，不要落后！” 刚喊过，腿上却一阵剧痛。我看了看身上，右腿已经被血浸得一片漆黑，如果现在是白天，看到自己身上流出那么多血，恐怕自己先要吓倒了吧。我咬了咬牙，只觉嘴唇也有些麻木，这大概是失血过多的症状。 就算血流光了，现在也只能冲向前去，绝不能退后！ 我抬头看了看天空。现在月亮又冲破云层，照得四周一片惨白。今天是三月二十，月亮是半圆的，并不算太亮，但这样的月光更显凄惨，那半个月亮就像挂在天空中的一把利刃，似乎随时都会割下来。 只是不知道割掉的是蛇人的头，还是我的头。 一个蛇人突然又在我马前冲了出来。这蛇人也持着长刀，这一刀正砍向我头顶，我一咬牙，枪猛地挡去，“当”一声，那长刀被我挡开，照理下一招我该挥枪刺去，但是我眼前一黑，人晃了晃，差点从马上摔下来。 流了那么多血，加上与蛇人交战多时，我的体力已开始不支了。 那蛇人的刀被我挡开后，似乎愣了愣，那刀猛地抡回去，又向我劈来。这蛇人的刀法也确实不济，本来我挡开它的刀后，它若顺势横扫，我出枪已慢，这一刀虽然力量不会太大，我也准挡不住，但它却好像只会举刀力劈这一招，现在它中门大开，我一枪便可刺中它前胸，但我正要搠去，两手却是一软，左手竟然滑出枪杆来。我心中一寒，只觉眼前一花，一个黑影在我眼前一闪，那蛇人猛地一声惨叫，持刀的手竟然已被人砍断。我一咬牙，左手重新抓住枪杆，把枪搁在马背上，用尽力量刺去。 这一枪其实并不是用我的力量，而是借马匹冲锋之力了。飞羽当真神勇无比，我只觉枪杆一重，枪尖一下没入那蛇人前心，只怕已穿透了它的胸口。那蛇人又是一声惨叫，另一只完好的手松开长刀，一把抓住我的枪杆，但飞羽正急冲向前，它一只单手哪里挡得住，我顺势将枪一横，人冲过了它的身前，长枪拖出了那蛇人体内，连蛇人的内脏也带出了一些，那蛇人在地上还在翻滚，却滚进了我们队中，马上就被狂奔的马队踩成了肉泥。 这时我才看清方才救我一命的原来是甄以宁。他竟然从马上一跃而起，一刀斩断蛇人的一臂左手长枪在地上只一点，又借力跃回自己的马匹。这一手身轻如燕，如果我体力充沛，恐怕也能做到，但大概没他那么轻巧。他一跳回马，腰刀已收入鞘中，甩手扔过一条布条，叫道：“统制，你先包扎一下，扎住伤口上方可以止血！” 他知道我受伤了吧？我接过那布条，心头一热。此时甄以宁加快马匹，在我身前替我挡着蛇人的进攻，另一边曹闻道也冲了上来。他一声不吭，也贴着我挡住另一边，恐怕他也知道我已经受伤。 作为这次冲锋军的首将，我的性命不仅仅是自己一个人的性命，这关乎全局，所以受伤的消息是不能声张的。我把长枪搭在马上，弯下腰去包扎了一下。伤口几乎是将小腿都割成了两半，我在膝盖上扎了一圈，只觉一条腿也有些麻木，疼痛倒是大减。刚扎好，曹闻道在一边又扔过来一个小葫芦道：“统制，喝一口忘忧果汁，别喝太多了。” 忘忧果汁？我记得当初我腰上受伤，叶台曾给我上过忘忧果的粉。这东西止痛极灵，但是治标不治本，不能多用，这果汁只怕也是一样，没想到曹闻道还备有这东西。我拉开塞子喝了一口，只觉一股热力从喉头涌到胸腹间，精神为之一振。我将那葫芦扔还给曹闻道，叫道：“弟兄们，前面就是蛇人中军，进者生，退者死，冲啊！” 被我们冲破的蛇人在我们身后合拢，退的话一定是死路，进也未必是生，但至少还能多杀几个蛇人。我拍马上前，曹闻道和甄以宁在我身边一左一右护着我，诸军被我们三人的冲锋带动，全军进展一下又快了许多。 刚冲了没多少，忽然前面的队伍一顿，一下停住了。我叫道：“怎么回事？” 我已经快冲到了最前面，现在冲锋军冲在最前面的居然是陶昌时。他的甲上斑斑驳驳满是鲜血，听得我的声音，他转过身道：“统制，前面有蛇人重兵拦路！” 我拍马上前，现在后面正喊杀不断，前面却异样的宁静。在前面距我们五六丈外，有一圈不算高的木栏，木栏前马马虎虎地挖了一道壕沟，既浅又窄，木栏后密密麻麻地排着蛇人。那些蛇人一个挨着一个，几乎没一丝空隙，手中或刀或枪，齐齐对外。 蛇人居然也会有守御的一天啊。 我不禁一阵冷笑。从和蛇人交战起，我们一直都是被它们进攻，从严也不曾像今天这样攻到它们营中来。不管这次偷袭能不能有预计的战果，我们作为首次攻入蛇人营中的部队，日后在帝国历史上也该留下一笔了。这蛇人中心，只怕就是蛇人的中军帐吧？ 甄以宁在我身边道：“统制，用那个火药吧？” 我点了点头，叫道：“背竹筒的上前来！” 拿着竹筒的都是各部中的精锐，我和曹闻道、甄以宁都带着装火药的竹筒，曹闻道那一部紧跟在我身边，全在左右，陶昌时那一营中背着竹筒的就更多了，在他周围的就有二十个上下。我正要让所有人点燃了扔过去，甄以宁忽然叫道：“陶将军一部在第一排的，将竹筒点燃后掷出，余者待命！” 我刚要解下竹筒，听得甄以宁这道命令，不由得一怔。他这般发令，不无僭越，但我没这么小气，只是有些不明白他的想法。难道他是要保留实力么？我刚想问，甄以宁转过头道：“统制，先观其效。” 是啊，这火药我是改过了配方的，能不能有效还不知道呢，如果一股脑尽数扔出，一旦没有预计的威力，恐怕反而影响士气，只扔一小半，纵然威力不大，士兵也会觉得是因为扔得少的缘故。我对甄以宁不禁一阵佩服，他年纪轻轻，遇事却深思熟虑，实在值得我效仿。 陶昌时一军中背竹筒在前的有十来个，甄以宁话音一落，空中立时出现了十多个火球。看着那些火球向列队拒守的蛇人飞去，我的心也提了起来，生怕那些火球落地即灭。