Chapter 17 fourth quarter
At the Shengshan Observatory located forty-eight miles southeast of the capital, guard Cheng Wensan was dozing off when he was suddenly awakened by a strange sound.
The voice was faint like the waves of the river.However, it was impossible. Shengshan Mountain was more than 50 miles away from the nearest Erxiang River.
Cheng Wensan stood up, put his palms on his brows to block the afternoon sun, and looked down at the wilderness at the bottom of the valley.His gaze turned to the south, the direction from which the voice came.
His eyes widened.Cheng Wensan has guarded this watchtower for fifteen years, and Cheng Wensan has never seen such a scene.
A billowing dust mist is gradually rolling towards this side.
Cheng Wensan recalled that when he was a child in the farmland in the countryside, he had seen locust swarms attacking him.At that time, he was standing in the field, and just like today, he suddenly heard a strange sound coming from afar.Then I saw something like a dark cloud rising from the horizon and growing towards him...
It was the same feeling as now.
As they got closer, a huge and stirring black shadow appeared behind the dust cloud, and the sound was clearer, it was the footsteps of countless animals.
Metallic reflections flickered in the black shadows.At this time, Cheng Wensan certainly knew that it was not an animal.
He completely forgot about his duties, and just watched the big army rushing across the field below him in panic.
Leading the way was a huge cavalry, all wearing black-painted iron armor, and countless spears shaking with the galloping horseshoes.More than a dozen huge black banners were erected high among the war horses, fluttering fiercely in the wind.
The watchtower was too high, and Cheng Wensan couldn't see clearly what patterns were printed on the flags, but could only tell that it was silver-white.
If he had been in the valley, he should have been able to see it from this distance: on each banner was a huge pattern painted in white paint and inlaid with silver thread, depicting a cracked skull.
Cheng Wensan still stayed where he was.After the cavalry passed by, there was a line of nearly a hundred carriages, all of which were four-horse carts, obviously carrying all kinds of ordnance and provisions.
The infantry is the last and largest in number, also wearing black armor and carrying all kinds of weapons and shields.The soldiers walked at a very fast speed, and all of them carried an eagerness to try and unstoppable destructive energy.
— like a swarm of locusts...
Cheng Wensan knelt down involuntarily, hiding behind the fence of the watchtower in horror.
He didn't stand up again until he heard the sound of the rapid march going farther north.
Except for a large cloud of dust that has not dispersed, the valley bottom has returned to its original tranquility.
Only then did Cheng Wensan remember his duty.He hurriedly climbed down the stairs, walked to the cliff at the northwest end, picked up a stick from the ever-burning pyre, and threw it into a huge copper platform.
The oil-seeping firewood piled up in the copper platform was quickly ignited, raising a beacon to warn the capital.
The most prosperous city in the world today seems to be a dead city. All commercial activities have come to a standstill, all shops have been locked, and even the largest Guicifang market has been closed.There are only stray dogs occasionally walking by on the quiet streets. The only thing still active in the city is the army.The elite 3,000-member "Shenwu Battalion" sergeants stayed in the northern palace, laying down the last line of defense on the wall of the Inner Palace; Deploy defenses to the city gates and outer walls.A large number of weapons for defending the city have long been accumulated on the tops of the gates and walls of various cities: arrows, boiling oil, falling rocks... ready to fight to the death with the chaotic army attacking the city. The "Split Army" broke through the last warning line in Gyeonggi, and reached the south of the capital, twelve miles south of Ming Chongmen, which was only one step away in the war.But they stopped and set up camp in the suburbs of Beijing.Maybe it was because of the need to rest for many days in a hurry, or it might be waiting for the dark night before officially attacking the city. On the capital street, the soldiers and horses of the brigade passed by, with sweaty bodies and nervous beating hearts.There is a thick tension in the air on the streets in early summer, as if it can be cut with a knife, and breathing becomes more difficult than usual. One of the nearly 200 armored infantrymen of the imperial army did not rush to any defensive strongholds on the city wall, but turned from Zhende Avenue into Dongdu Mansion and walked in the direction of Wuchangfang. Although the last major attack by "Feng Yilong" and "Thirty Shop General Alliance" was canceled due to the news of the outbreak of war, the "Dashutang" people did not relax at all. For more than three months, they are still tense. Guard Wuchang Fang "Dashutang Kyoto Store" and its surrounding streets. As soon as the infantry appeared from the street, they had already been spotted by the guards of the "Big Tree Hall". "What's going on..." Chen Baoren was guarding over there, his one eye was wide open.He was neither born in the capital, nor like those cold men who had fought in the "Dashutang". He was always very nervous when he saw the officers and soldiers. "I'll tell the hall master!" Bantanga beside him immediately rushed to the pharmacy. The infantry did approach the pharmacy.Chen Baoren also retreated to the pharmacy with his companions, feeling ominous in his heart. ——Are you going to raze the "big tree hall"? ...It is true that you can fight against them, but these are the forbidden army... In the capital where the law is strict, even raising a finger against the Imperial Guard is a capital crime of treason, let alone during the war now? The infantry kept advancing, but they didn't seem to intend to use force, and finally reached the street in front of the "Dashutang Kyoto Store".The soldiers dispersed to both sides and quickly formed a circle, surrounding the entire pharmacy.It turned out that the members of the "Dashutang" who were guarding outside were at a loss, they could only stand there, and did not dare to take the stored weapons. Only two of the troops came on horseback, and both dismounted in front of the main entrance of the pharmacy.The man on the left is in battle armor with a knife on his waist, obviously he is the head of the team; the man on the right is not a soldier, he is dressed in civilian clothes. "No one can act rashly!" The team leader uttered a majestic cry. "Otherwise, there will be no mercy!" "Open the door!" The civil servant also called into the pharmacy. "I'm here at the order of the grand master. If you don't open the door, we will have to break it open." There was a long silence around the pharmacy, and everyone's eyes were on the heavy wooden door. The official waited impatiently, and was about to speak again, but he heard the sound of the door bolt being opened, and the wooden door opened a line from left to right. "Go in!" With a wave of his hand, dozens of armored soldiers with knives rushed in. After the soldiers broke in, apart from the crying of children, there was no other sound, and no one seemed to resist.The head of the team and the civil official looked at each other and nodded, and then went in together. Soldiers guarded the storefront all around. All the members of the "Dashutang" were rushed to the warehouse behind the store to take care of them. After passing through the store, the two officials crossed the atrium, which was also guarded by swordsmen, and entered the accountant's room. That's where the baby's cry came from.They hugged Li Lan and hid in a corner of the account room. Li Lan kept patting them, and the crying stopped a little. Lian Shou and Di Bin each held Heizi and Yu Agou, and stood on both sides of Yu Runsheng who was sitting behind the table, blocking the soldier's machete with their bodies.Lian Shou kept scanning the soldiers, ready to strike if there was anything unusual.Di Bin stared hard at the two people who came in. Tian Ahuo, who was wearing an iron eyepatch, stood beside Di Bin, clenched tightly with two fists as big as a baby's head. "Don't worry." The team member said coldly. "As long as you obey, no one will be stabbed." "Anyone who dares to move around, I promise, you will be the first to die." The sickle's eyes fell on the team's face. The team's expression changed.The two soldiers closest to the scythe became annoyed, and one of them shook the machete and cursed, "Fucking bastard, don't you recognize the Imperial Guard? How many heads do you have?" Scythe's gaze immediately turned to the soldier, "The second one is you." The soldier was intimidated by the imposing manner of the scythe head, so he didn't dare to curse again for a while. The team leader gritted his teeth and was about to speak again, but the civil servant pressed his shoulders, and the civil servant looked directly at Yu Runsheng who was sitting in the middle. "Mr. Yu?" Yu Runsheng nodded.From the time the imperial guards broke into the pharmacy, he just sat there and watched everything coldly, without any expression on his face. "We haven't met before. My name is Lin Jingzhi, and I'm from the 'Taishi's Mansion'." The civil official cupped his hands and added, "It was supposed to be Xiao Xian who came here. But now the situation is very serious, and he has to follow closely I'm by the Grand Master's side, so I'll find Mr. Yu." "The Grand Master has something to tell me. You don't need to bring these forbidden troops here. Just call me to the 'Tai Shi Mansion'." Yu Runsheng shrugged and said. "It's a last resort..." Lin Jingzhi paused, and then said: "Mr. Yu must have understood how urgent the situation in the capital is today, and I won't turn the corner. Taishi He hopes to borrow troops from Mr. Yu .” Yu Runsheng laughed. "What soldiers do I have to borrow from the Grand Master? Look now." "It should be said that it is a loan general." Lin Jingzhi's eyes shifted and fell on the sickle head. "The grand master heard that Mr. Yu has a brother-in-law with the courage to be invincible. Many people have witnessed what happened in Jiuweifang before. Now it is urgent outside the city. I want to borrow this brother with a sickle head use." "What do you want me to do?" Lian Shou was quite surprised. "Go out of the city tonight, take advantage of the darkness to sneak attack, and take down the head of the marshal of the rebel army." Lin Jingzhi said clearly. "Brother, you can bring everyone in the 'Dashutang' here to attack together. Of course, this brother is also included." He pointed to Di Bin. "Weapons and armor are also prepared for you at the east gate." The team leader continued. "If there is not enough manpower, General Qin Lin, who is guarding the gate, will dispatch some more soldiers to you." "No!" Di Bin said decisively. "We still have enemies. If I leave with Fifth Brother, it's tantamount to inviting them to kill my boss!" "That's why I brought these soldiers here." Lin Jingzhi replied immediately. "During the two raids out of the city, this army will keep guarding the shop to ensure the safety of Mr. Yu's family." This is simply a threat. "Take me in exchange for Lu Yingfeng's head." Yu Runsheng said with a smile. "My life is worth a lot." "This battle is about the continuation of the imperial court. As long as the first battle is successful and the world is stable in the future, Taishi He will guarantee the status of the 'Dashutang' in the capital." Lin Jingzhi looked directly into Runsheng's eyes. "Please don't refuse the Grand Master's request. If you refuse, the request will become an order."
The most prosperous city in the world today seems to be a dead city. All commercial activities have come to a standstill, all shops have been locked, and even the largest Guicifang market has been closed.There are only stray dogs occasionally walking by on the quiet streets. The only thing still active in the city is the army.The elite 3,000-member "Shenwu Battalion" sergeants stayed in the northern palace, laying down the last line of defense on the wall of the Inner Palace; Deploy defenses to the city gates and outer walls.A large number of weapons for defending the city have long been accumulated on the tops of the gates and walls of various cities: arrows, boiling oil, falling rocks... ready to fight to the death with the chaotic army attacking the city. The "Split Army" broke through the last warning line in Gyeonggi, and reached the south of the capital, twelve miles south of Ming Chongmen, which was only one step away in the war.But they stopped and set up camp in the suburbs of Beijing.Maybe it was because of the need to rest for many days in a hurry, or it might be waiting for the dark night before officially attacking the city. On the capital street, the soldiers and horses of the brigade passed by, with sweaty bodies and nervous beating hearts.There is a thick tension in the air on the streets in early summer, as if it can be cut with a knife, and breathing becomes more difficult than usual. One of the nearly 200 armored infantrymen of the imperial army did not rush to any defensive strongholds on the city wall, but turned from Zhende Avenue into Dongdu Mansion and walked in the direction of Wuchangfang. Although the last major attack by "Feng Yilong" and "Thirty Shop General Alliance" was canceled due to the news of the outbreak of war, the "Dashutang" people did not relax at all. For more than three months, they are still tense. Guard Wuchang Fang "Dashutang Kyoto Store" and its surrounding streets. As soon as the infantry appeared from the street, they had already been spotted by the guards of the "Big Tree Hall". "What's going on..." Chen Baoren was guarding over there, his one eye was wide open.He was neither born in the capital, nor like those cold men who had fought in the "Dashutang". He was always very nervous when he saw the officers and soldiers. "I'll tell the hall master!" Bantanga beside him immediately rushed to the pharmacy. The infantry did approach the pharmacy.Chen Baoren also retreated to the pharmacy with his companions, feeling ominous in his heart. ——Are you going to raze the "big tree hall"? ...It is true that you can fight against them, but these are the forbidden army... In the capital where the law is strict, even raising a finger against the Imperial Guard is a capital crime of treason, let alone during the war now? The infantry kept advancing, but they didn't seem to intend to use force, and finally reached the street in front of the "Dashutang Kyoto Store".The soldiers dispersed to both sides and quickly formed a circle, surrounding the entire pharmacy.It turned out that the members of the "Dashutang" who were guarding outside were at a loss, they could only stand there, and did not dare to take the stored weapons. Only two of the troops came on horseback, and both dismounted in front of the main entrance of the pharmacy.The man on the left is in battle armor with a knife on his waist, obviously he is the head of the team; the man on the right is not a soldier, he is dressed in civilian clothes. "No one can act rashly!" The team leader uttered a majestic cry. "Otherwise, there will be no mercy!" "Open the door!" The civil servant also called into the pharmacy. "I'm here at the order of the grand master. If you don't open the door, we will have to break it open." There was a long silence around the pharmacy, and everyone's eyes were on the heavy wooden door. The official waited impatiently, and was about to speak again, but he heard the sound of the door bolt being opened, and the wooden door opened a line from left to right. "Go in!" With a wave of his hand, dozens of armored soldiers with knives rushed in. After the soldiers broke in, apart from the crying of children, there was no other sound, and no one seemed to resist.The head of the team and the civil official looked at each other and nodded, and then went in together. Soldiers guarded the storefront all around. All the members of the "Dashutang" were rushed to the warehouse behind the store to take care of them. After passing through the store, the two officials crossed the atrium, which was also guarded by swordsmen, and entered the accountant's room. That's where the baby's cry came from.They hugged Li Lan and hid in a corner of the account room. Li Lan kept patting them, and the crying stopped a little. Lian Shou and Di Bin each held Heizi and Yu Agou, and stood on both sides of Yu Runsheng who was sitting behind the table, blocking the soldier's machete with their bodies.Lian Shou kept scanning the soldiers, ready to strike if there was anything unusual.Di Bin stared hard at the two people who came in. Tian Ahuo, who was wearing an iron eyepatch, stood beside Di Bin, clenched tightly with two fists as big as a baby's head. "Don't worry." The team member said coldly. "As long as you obey, no one will be stabbed." "Anyone who dares to move around, I promise, you will be the first to die." The sickle's eyes fell on the team's face. The team's expression changed.The two soldiers closest to the scythe became annoyed, and one of them shook the machete and cursed, "Fucking bastard, don't you recognize the Imperial Guard? How many heads do you have?" Scythe's gaze immediately turned to the soldier, "The second one is you." The soldier was intimidated by the imposing manner of the scythe head, so he didn't dare to curse again for a while. The team leader gritted his teeth and was about to speak again, but the civil servant pressed his shoulders, and the civil servant looked directly at Yu Runsheng who was sitting in the middle. "Mr. Yu?" Yu Runsheng nodded.From the time the imperial guards broke into the pharmacy, he just sat there and watched everything coldly, without any expression on his face. "We haven't met before. My name is Lin Jingzhi, and I'm from the 'Taishi's Mansion'." The civil official cupped his hands and added, "It was supposed to be Xiao Xian who came here. But now the situation is very serious, and he has to follow closely I'm by the Grand Master's side, so I'll find Mr. Yu." "The Grand Master has something to tell me. You don't need to bring these forbidden troops here. Just call me to the 'Tai Shi Mansion'." Yu Runsheng shrugged and said. "It's a last resort..." Lin Jingzhi paused, and then said: "Mr. Yu must have understood how urgent the situation in the capital is today, and I won't turn the corner. Taishi He hopes to borrow troops from Mr. Yu .” Yu Runsheng laughed. "What soldiers do I have to borrow from the Grand Master? Look now." "It should be said that it is a loan general." Lin Jingzhi's eyes shifted and fell on the sickle head. "The grand master heard that Mr. Yu has a brother-in-law with the courage to be invincible. Many people have witnessed what happened in Jiuweifang before. Now it is urgent outside the city. I want to borrow this brother with a sickle head use." "What do you want me to do?" Lian Shou was quite surprised. "Go out of the city tonight, take advantage of the darkness to sneak attack, and take down the head of the marshal of the rebel army." Lin Jingzhi said clearly. "Brother, you can bring everyone in the 'Dashutang' here to attack together. Of course, this brother is also included." He pointed to Di Bin. "Weapons and armor are also prepared for you at the east gate." The team leader continued. "If there is not enough manpower, General Qin Lin, who is guarding the gate, will dispatch some more soldiers to you." "No!" Di Bin said decisively. "We still have enemies. If I leave with Fifth Brother, it's tantamount to inviting them to kill my boss!" "That's why I brought these soldiers here." Lin Jingzhi replied immediately. "During the two raids out of the city, this army will keep guarding the shop to ensure the safety of Mr. Yu's family." This is simply a threat. "Take me in exchange for Lu Yingfeng's head." Yu Runsheng said with a smile. "My life is worth a lot." "This battle is about the continuation of the imperial court. As long as the first battle is successful and the world is stable in the future, Taishi He will guarantee the status of the 'Dashutang' in the capital." Lin Jingzhi looked directly into Runsheng's eyes. "Please don't refuse the Grand Master's request. If you refuse, the request will become an order."