Chapter 28 Chapter Twenty-Seven
Xiao Feng was watching, when suddenly he heard someone shout loudly: "Isn't that Mr. Xiao over there?" Xiao Feng thought to himself: "Who recognizes me?" Turning his head, he saw a horse from the Qingpao team galloping straight It was in the captain's room that Yeluji sent to give gifts a few months ago.
He rode over ten zhang ahead of Xiao Feng, got off his horse, stepped forward quickly, knelt down on his right knee, and said: "My master is not far ahead. The master often talks about Uncle Xiao, and misses him very much. What a good day today. It's blowing that Uncle Xiao is here? Please go and meet the master." Xiao Feng was very happy when he heard that Yeluji was nearby, and said: "I was just wandering around, I didn't expect my righteous brother to be nearby, that would be great No more. Well, please lead the way, and I will meet him."
In the room, lips were pressed together to whistle, and two cavalry came galloping on horseback.The room said: "Go and report that Uncle Xiao from Changbai Mountain is coming!" Two cavalry bowed to receive the order and galloped away.The others continued to shoot the deer, but the room led a group of blue-robed cavalry, guarding behind Xiao Feng and Ah Zi, heading westward.
When Yeluji sent a large amount of gold, silver, cattle and sheep, Xiao Feng knew that he must be a nobleman from Khitan, now seeing such momentum, he guessed that this brother-in-law was probably some general or high official of Liao Kingdom.
Riders come and go in the grassland in an endless stream, and all of them have distinctive armor.The room said: "It's a coincidence that Uncle Xiao came today, tomorrow morning, we will have a great show here." Xiao Feng glanced at Ah Zi, saw her face was happy, and asked: "What's the fun?" The room said: "Tomorrow is the day of martial arts. The Yongchang and Taihe palace guards are vacant. Our Khitan officers and soldiers each show their martial arts skills. Let's see which one is lucky and wins the commander."
As soon as Xiao Feng heard about the martial arts contest, his eyebrows were naturally beaming and he was in high spirits, he smiled and said: "That's really a coincidence, I happened to see the Khitan people's martial arts." AZi laughed and said: "Captain, you will show your skills tomorrow, congratulations on winning a commander Do it." Stretched out his tongue in the room, said: "How can a villain be so bold?" Ah Zi smiled and said: "What's the big deal if you win a commander? As long as my brother-in-law is willing to teach you a few tricks, I'm afraid Then you will be able to win the command." The room said happily: "Uncle Xiao is willing to give advice to the villain, really wish for it. As for the command or something, the villain does not have this blessing, but he doesn't want to."
A group of people talked and talked, and after traveling for more than ten miles, they saw a group of cavalry galloping ahead.The room said: "It's the Flying Bear Squad from the Big Tent Leather Army." The officers and soldiers of that team were all wearing bearskin coats and hats, black bearskin outer robes, and white bearskin high hats. They looked very mighty.This group of soldiers approached, shouted in unison, got off their horses at the same time, separated on both sides, and said: "Welcome Uncle Xiao!" Xiao Feng said: "Don't dare! Don't dare!" thereafter.
After traveling for more than ten miles, another group of flying tiger soldiers wearing tiger fur coats and hats came to meet them.Xiao Feng thought to himself: "My elder brother Yelu doesn't know what kind of high official he is, to have such a pomp." But the room didn't tell, and when they met last time, Yeluji resolutely refused to reveal his identity, so Xiao Feng didn't ask.
In the evening, they came to a large tent, a team of flying leopards wearing leopard skin coats welcomed Xiao Feng and Ah Zi into the central tent.Xiao Feng only said that once he enters the tent, he can meet Yeluji, he didn't know that the carpets and utensils in the tent are very gorgeous, the low tables are full of dishes and fruits, but there is no owner in the tent.The captain of the Flying Leopards team said: "Master, please stay here overnight for Uncle Xiao, and see you in the future." Xiao Feng didn't ask too many questions, he sat on a few sides, picked up the wine bowl and drank.The four sergeants poured wine and cut the meat, and served them respectfully.
I got up the next morning and walked again. I walked westward for more than 200 li that day, and slept in a big tent again in the evening.
At noon on the third day, he said in the room: "After passing the hillside in front, we will be there." Xiao Feng saw the majestic appearance of this big mountain, and a big river rushing south from the side of the hillside.A group of people turned around the hillside, with flags flying in front of them, a prairie densely packed with tents everywhere, thousands of cavalry and infantry surrounded a large open space in the middle.The officers and men of the Feixiong, Feihu, and Feibao teams escorting Xiao Feng took out their horns and blew their horns.
All of a sudden, the sound of drums and the sound of trumpets and cannons sounded. All the officers and soldiers in the open space separated to the left and right. A tall yellow horse rushed out. On the horse's back was a big man with a beard, which was Yeluji.He galloped towards Xiao Feng on horseback and shouted: "Brother Xiao, I want to kill my brother!" Xiao Feng galloped his horse to meet him, the two jumped off the horse at the same time, and clasped four hands, both were overjoyed.
All the soldiers around could be heard shouting in unison: "Long live! Long live! Long live!"
Xiao Feng was shocked: "How come all the soldiers are shouting Long Live!" You looked around, but saw the officers and soldiers all bowed and drew their knives on the ground, Yeluji stood in the middle holding his hand, looking around, his expression was very complacent.Xiao Feng said in astonishment: "Brother, you...you are..." Yeluji laughed loudly, and said: "If you had known that I was the current emperor of the Daliao Kingdom, you would probably not be sworn brothers with me. Brother Xiao , my real name is Yelu Hongji. I will never forget the grace of your life."
Although Xiao Feng is open-minded and heroic, he has never met the emperor in his life, seeing such a scene today, he couldn't help but feel a little embarrassed, he said: "The villain doesn't know His Majesty, what an offense, he deserves death!" They are Khitan people, when they see their own emperor, they should kneel down and worship.
Yelu Hongji hurriedly stretched out his hand to help him up, and said with a smile: "Those who don't know are not guilty, brother, you and I are Jinlan brothers, today I only express my loyalty, and tomorrow it will not be too late to perform the ceremony of a monarch and minister." With a wave of his left hand, drums were played in the team , welcome guests.Yelu Hongji took Xiao Feng's hand and entered the big tent together.
The tents where the emperors of the Liao Kingdom lived were made of several layers of cowhide, painted with gold, and they were brilliant, so they were called leather tents.Yelu Hongji sat in the middle, and ordered Xiao Feng to sit at the head of the Hengtou. Not long after, all civil and military officials came in to see him, the King of the North Court, the Privy Envoy of the North Court, Yu Yue, the Privy Envoy of the South Court, the General Pi Shi, and the Junior General , Horse Army Commander, Infantry Commander, etc., Xiao Feng couldn't remember all these for a while.
That night there was a big banquet in the tent, Khitan people respect women, so AhZi also had to have the banquet in the big leather tent.The wine was like a pool, and the meat was like a mountain, AhZi looked at it happily and smiled brightly.
When the wine was in full swing, more than a dozen Khitan warriors pounced on the emperor in front of the emperor, each of them was naked from the upper body, and they fought fiercely.Xiao Feng saw that these Khitan warriors are vigorous and strong in physical strength, they have another set of martial arts in their movements, although they are not as clever as the Central Plains warriors, but straight forward and direct strikes, if used in battles, it seems to be more effective than the Central Plains martial arts.
Civil and military officials of the Liao Kingdom came up one by one to toast Xiao Feng.Xiao Feng did not refuse anyone who came, he drank until the cup was dry, after drinking more than 300 cups, he still looked calm, everyone was astonished.
Yelu Hongji has always been proud of his bravery, this time he was captured by Xiao Feng, the whole country knows, he wanted Xiao Feng to show his superhuman ability to cover up the humiliation of being captured, he didn't expect that Xiao Feng would not have to show his skills in the next day's martial arts tournament, at this moment With the capacity to drink, he already overwhelms the heroes, and everyone admires him.Yelu Hongji was overjoyed and said, "Brother, you are the first hero in our Liao Kingdom!"
Ah Zi suddenly interrupted: "No, he is the second!" Yelu Hongji smiled and said: "Little girl, why is he the second? Then who is the first hero?" A Zi said: "The first hero is a good man Of course, it is Your Majesty! Although my brother-in-law has great abilities, he must obey you and dare not disobey, aren't you the number one?" She is a disciple of Elder Xingxiu and is proficient in flattery, saying this is just a small test.
Yelu Hongji laughed loudly, and said: "Well said, well said. Brother Xiao, I want to confer you a great official title, let me think about it, what should I confer?" At this time, he was drunk enough In all likelihood, he stretched out his fingers and flicked a few times on his forehead.Xiao Feng hurriedly said: "No, no, petty people are rough-natured, hard to enjoy wealth and honor, they have always roamed around, come and go, they really don't want to be an official." Yelu Hongji laughed and said: "Okay, I will seal you up as long as you Drinking, high officials who don't have to do anything..." Before he could finish his sentence, he suddenly heard the sound of a sharp horn in the distance.
A group of Liao people were sitting on the ground, drinking wine and eating meat. When they heard the sound of the horn, they suddenly bang and stood up at the same time, with panic on their faces.The sound of the horn came very quickly. When I heard it for the first time, it was still more than ten miles away. When it sounded for the second time, it was several miles away, and for the third time, it was several miles closer.Xiao Feng thought to himself: "No matter how fast a horse is in the world, and the best lightness skills, it will definitely not be so swift. That's right, it must have been pre-arranged to transmit the urgent message of the military situation. Once the sound of the horn is heard, Then pass it on to the next station." The sound of the horn could be heard flying in, and it stopped abruptly as soon as it reached outside the big tent of the leather room.The officers and soldiers in the hundreds of tents were cheering and drinking, and they were in a mess, but suddenly they were all silent.
With a calm expression, Yelu Hongji slowly raised the golden cup, drank the wine, and said: "There are traitors in Shangjing, let's go back and break the camp!"
The marching general immediately turned around and went out of the camp to issue an order, but when he heard an order to "strike the camp", it became ten sentences, ten sentences became a hundred sentences, and a hundred sentences became a thousand sentences. No panic mess.Xiao Feng pondered: "My Daliao state has been established for two hundred years, and the country's prestige has shaken the world. Although there is civil strife at this moment, there is no disturbance. It can be seen that the Liao rulers in the past have commanded the army well."
But hearing the sound of horseshoes, the vanguard scouts galloped out first, followed the left and right vanguards, and the front army, left army, and right army marched south and returned to Beijing in groups.
Yelu Hongji held Xiao Feng's hand and said: "Let's take a look." The two of them walked out of the tent, but they saw a lantern on each military banner in the dark, red, yellow, blue and white flashing Zhaozhao, more than one hundred thousand troops marched southward, but heard the neighing of horses' hooves, but not a single human voice.Xiao Feng was greatly admired, and thought: "If you manage the army like this, who in the world can defeat it? That day the emperor went hunting bravely alone, and he was captured by me. If the army continues, although the Jurchens are brave, they will eventually be outnumbered."
As soon as the two of them left the big tent, all the guards immediately pulled out the camp, tidied it up in a short while, and loaded all the luggage and luggage into the camel-horse cart.The marshal of the Chinese army issued an order, and the Chinese army set off immediately.The Great King of Beiyuan, Yu Yue, Taishi, Taifu and others were accompanying Yelu Hongji, all of them looked solemn, but they didn't say a word.Although the news of the chaos in Beijing has spread, it is not easy to understand who is the leader of the chaos and how the chaos is going on.
The brigade marched southward for three days.After setting up camp at night, the first reporter galloped up and reported to Yelu Hongji: "The king of Nanyuan has caused rebellion and occupied the palace. From the empress dowager and queen down, princes, princesses and family members of all officials have been arrested."
Yelu Hongji was taken aback, his expression changed drastically.
The military affairs of the Liao State were divided between the North and South Courts.This time, the King of the North Court went hunting with the emperor, while the King of the South Court stayed in Beijing.Yelu Nielugu, the Great King of the Southern Court, was named the King of Chu, but he himself was fine. His father, Yelu Chongyuan, is now the emperor's uncle. Yelu Hongji's grandfather, Yelu Longxu, was called Shengzong in Liao history.Zongzhen, the eldest son of Shengzong, and Chongyuan, the second son.Zongzhen is kind and generous, while Chongyuan is extremely brave and has a military strategy.When Shengzong died, the eldest son Zongzhen passed on the will, but the queen of Shengzong loved the second son and conspired to establish Chongyuan as emperor.As usual in the Liao Kingdom, the empress dowager had great power. At that time, Zongzhen's throne was inherently in danger and his life was in danger. However, Chongyuan told his elder brother about his mother's plan, so that the empress dowager's secret plan could not be succeeded.Zong Zhen was very grateful to this brother, and made him the emperor's younger brother, which meant that he would be passed on to him in the future to reward his kindness. Yeluzong was called Xingzong in the history of Zhenliao, but after his death, the throne was not passed on to the emperor's younger brother Chongyuan, but to his son Hongji. After Yelu Hongji took over the throne, he felt very sorry, and made Chongyuan the emperor's uncle, which showed that he was still the crown prince of the Daliao Kingdom. , two-color robe, respected and favored, the first in the dynasty; he also made his son Nerugu the king of Chu, in charge of the military and political affairs of the South Court, and was called the King of the South Court. Back then Yelu Zhongyuan could be the emperor, but he gave it up to his elder brother, which shows that he valued loyalty and was very retiring.Yelu Hongji went out to hunt outside, and handed over all important military and state affairs in Beijing to the emperor's uncle, without any suspicion.At this time, the news came that it was Yelu Nerugu, the great king of the Southern Court who conspired against him. Yelu Hongji was shocked and worried. He knew that Nerugu had a vicious temper and was extremely difficult to deal with. Since he rebelled, his father would never It's a no-brainer.
The King of the North Court said: "Your Majesty, let me be lenient. I think the Emperor Taishu understands the situation and will not allow his rebellious son to rebel and commit crimes. Maybe he has already led troops to quell the chaos at this moment." Yelu Hongji said: "I hope so." After everyone had dinner, the second batch of newspapers rushed to report: "The King of the Southern Court made the emperor's uncle the emperor, and he has issued an edict to the world." He did not dare to say the following words, and presented the new emperor's edict with both hands.Hongji took it over and took a look, and saw that the edict directly denounced Yelu Hongji as a usurper and a false emperor, saying that the first emperor made Yelu Chongyuan the emperor's younger brother. In twenty-four years, the world will know that once he dies, Yelu Hongji will tamper with the former emperor. The posthumous edict, the theft of the great treasure, and the indignation of China and foreign countries, the emperor's younger brother is now on the throne, and he supervises the army and horses of the world, and seeks to rebel against the puppet. In a rage, Yelu Hongji threw the edict into the fire and burned it to ashes, he was very worried and thought: "This false edict is plausible, after reading it, the soldiers and people of the Liao Kingdom will probably be overwhelmed. The emperor's uncle is the commander-in-chief of the world's soldiers and horses. He has a soldier's talisman in his hand and can mobilize more than 800,000 troops. What's more, there are soldiers and horses under the jurisdiction of his son Chuwang Nanyuan. I have only more than 100,000 people here, which is outnumbered. What should I do?" This night I tossed and turned, unable to sleep peacefully. Xiao Feng heard that Emperor Liao wanted to make him an official, originally he wanted to take Ah Zi and leave without saying goodbye in the dark night, but now seeing his righteous brother is in danger, it is inconvenient to just leave, at least he has to do his best for him, and the marriage is not in vain one game.That night when he was strolling outside the camp, he could only hear the officers and soldiers talking quietly, saying that his parents and wife were both in the capital, so they were all detained by the emperor's uncle, fearing that their lives might be lost.Some thought of their family members and suddenly cried.The cry touched people's hearts, and the rest of the officers and soldiers in the battalion were in the same situation and cried one after another.Although the commanding officers tried their best to stop them and cut off a few of them who were crying loudly, they couldn't stop them. Yelu Hongji heard the crying loudly, he knew that it was a sign that the army's morale was weak, and it was even more troublesome. Early the next morning, the spies came to report that the emperor's uncle and the king of Chu led more than 500,000 soldiers and horses, and they came from the north to commit crimes.Hong Ji pondered: "Today's matter, there is no retreat, even if the army is defeated, there is only a fight to the death." Immediately convened a hundred officials to discuss.All the ministers were extremely loyal to Yelu Hongji and were willing to fight to the death, but they were all worried about the morale of the army. Hong Ji issued an order: "all the officers and soldiers will do their best to fight against the rebels. After the disaster is over, in addition to being promoted, they will be rewarded more." Putting on the golden armor, he personally led the three armies to meet the emperor's uncle's army and horses to counterattack.When all the officers and soldiers saw the emperor coming to the front enemy in person, their courage was greatly inspired, they shouted long live three times, and swore allegiance to the death.More than 100,000 soldiers and horses were divided into four groups: the front army, the left army, the right army, and the middle army. Xiao Feng drew his bow and carried his spear, he followed behind Hong Ji, acting as his personal bodyguard.In the room, he led a group of flying bear soldiers to protect Ah Zi, and stayed in the rear.Xiao Feng saw Yelu Hongji frown deeply, he knew that he was not sure about this battle. At noon, I suddenly heard the sound of a horn blowing in front of me.The general of the Chinese army issued an order: "Get off your horse!" All the cavalry jumped off their horses and walked with the reins in their hands. Only Yelu Hongji and the ministers were still on the horses. Xiao Feng didn't understand why the cavalry got off their horses, he was quite puzzled.Yelu Hongji laughed and said: "Brother, you have been in the Central Plains for a long time, don't you know how the Khitan people march and fight?" Xiao Feng said: "I just want to ask Your Majesty for advice." Hongji said with a smile: "Hey, my Majesty, I don't know how to do it It can't be the sun setting today. You and I are brothers, so why call him Your Majesty?" Xiao Feng heard the bitterness in his laughter, and said: "Your Majesty don't need to worry if the two armies haven't handed over." Hong Ji said: "On the plains In a confrontation, the most important thing is the horsepower, and the manpower is second." Xiao Feng suddenly realized, and said: "Ah, yes! The reason for the cavalry to dismount is to avoid the fatigue of the mount." Hong Ji nodded, and said: "Raise enough horsepower to face the enemy. When you charge forward, you will be able to move forward. The Khitan people fought everywhere and won every battle. This is a very important secret." When he said this, dust heads rose up in the distance in front of him, rising more than ten feet high, like yellow clouds pouring over the ground.Hongji pointed his horsewhip, and said: "Both Emperor Taishu and the King of Chu have been in battle for a long time, and they are the brave generals of our Liao Kingdom. Why did they rush in without horsepower? Well, they have nothing to worry about, and they are confident that they will win. Before he finished speaking, the left and right troops sounded their horns at the same time.Xiao Feng looked far into the distance, he saw that the enemy had two army horses on the east side and two army horses on the west side, it was five enemies to one. Yelu Hongji's face changed color, and he said to the general of the Chinese army: "Build an array and set up a stronghold!" After returning, a group of soldiers nailed the pillars of the leather tent into the ground with a big hammer, opened the tent, and erected antlers around it. In a short while, a huge wooden city was formed on the grassland. There are cavalry stationed in each, and tens of thousands of archers hide behind the big tree, tightening their bowstrings, waiting to shoot arrows. Xiao Feng frowned, and said in his heart: "After this great battle, no matter who wins or loses, the corpses of my Khitan clan will be scattered all over the place. The best thing is of course that the righteous brother wins. If unfortunately I lose, I will try to get rid of it Brother Yi and Ah Zi were rescued to a safe place. As the emperor, he can do whatever he wants." Not long after the Liao Emperor's camp was married, the vanguard of the rebel army had arrived.But he didn't step forward to challenge, and stood far away where the strong bow and crossbow could not shoot.But when the sound of drums and horns continued, teams of rebels surrounded them, forming formations from all directions.Xiao Feng glanced to go out, but he saw the enemy army all over the field, he couldn't see the end, he thought: "Brother Yi's army is far away, outnumbered, I'm afraid I must lose. It's not easy to break out and escape during the day, as long as I support until night, I will be able to Try to save him." But the shadow of the big tree in the camp was briefly reflected on the ground, and the sun was in the sky, it was not long after noon. Only a few yells were heard, and a group of wild geese flew across the sky in formation.Yelu Hongji stared up for a while, then smiled wryly, "Unless you turn into a wild goose, it's hard to fly." The king of the North Court and the general of the Chinese army looked at each other, knowing that the emperor was timid after seeing the appearance of the rebel army. Drums were beating in the enemy's formation, and hundreds of skin drums rang loudly.The general of the Chinese army shouted loudly: "Drumming!" Hundreds of drums in the imperial camp also sounded.Suddenly, the sound of drums in the army on the opposite side stopped, and the shouts of tens of thousands of cavalry shook the world, and they rushed straight with their spears. Seeing the enemy's forwards approaching, the general of the Chinese army waved his flag downward, the sound of drums in the imperial camp stopped immediately, tens of thousands of feathered arrows were shot out at the same time, and the enemy's forwards fell to the ground one after another.However, the enemy army rushed forward one after another, and the fallen army and horses in front became the shields of the rear army.The enemy infantry archers rushed forward with shields to protect themselves, and shot arrows at the imperial camp. Yelu Hongji was quite frightened at the beginning, but when he came to the battle, he became more courageous, stood on a high place, held a long knife, and gave orders.Seeing the emperor personally supervising the battle, the soldiers of the imperial camp shouted: "Long live! Long live! Long live!" Hearing the sound of "Long live", the enemy army looked up and saw Yelu Hongji standing on a high platform in the imperial camp, in yellow robe and gold armor, Under his prestige, he couldn't help hesitating. Seeing the opportunity, Yelu Hongji shouted: "The cavalry of the left army outflanks, go!" The left army was led by the privy envoy of the North Court. Upon hearing the emperor's order, 30,000 cavalry surrounded them from the side.As soon as the rebels hesitated, the army and horses of the imperial battalion had already rushed over.The rebels immediately fell into chaos and retreated one after another.The drums and thunder in the imperial camp sounded, and the rebel army retreated as soon as they fought. Xiao Feng was overjoyed and shouted: "Brother, this time we have won a big victory!" Yelu Hongji stepped down from the stage, stepped on his horse, and led the army to help.Suddenly the horn sounded, the main force of the rebel army arrived, and the rebel forward turned back to fight again. In an instant, feather arrows and spears were flying back and forth in the air, the sound of killing was loud, and flesh and blood flew everywhere.Xiao Feng was only secretly startled: "I have never seen such a fierce fight in my life. You can let your martial arts be invincible in the world by yourself, but it is useless in the midst of thousands of troops. At most, you can only protect your own life. Compared with the battle of such large armies, group fights in the martial arts are not the same." Suddenly I heard the loud sound of gongs behind the rebels' formation, and they called gold to withdraw their troops.The rebel cavalry retreated, shooting arrows like rain, and shot the ground.The general of the Chinese army and the privy envoy of the North Court led their troops to charge three times in a row, but they were unable to disrupt the opponent's formation, and thousands of soldiers were shot to death instead.Yelu Hongji said: "There are too many casualties, so let's withdraw for now." At that moment, the imperial camp also called for gold to withdraw. The rebels sent two teams of cavalry to attack. The Chinese army was already prepared and pretended to be defeated. They encircled the area with two wings and surrounded and annihilated all 3,000 officers and soldiers of the two teams of rebels. The remaining hundreds of people dismounted and surrendered.With a wave of Hong Ji's left hand, the imperial sergeant swung his spear away, stabbing hundreds of people to death.This fierce fight lasted less than an hour, but it was extremely brutal. The main forces of both sides retreated several tens of feet, the open space in the middle was covered with corpses, the wounded moaned and wailed, it was unbearable to hear.I saw a group of 300 black-clothed soldiers on each side of the formation, the imperial battalion wore yellow caps, and the enemy soldiers wore white caps, going to the middle area to inspect the wounded.Xiao Feng only thought that these people were carrying the wounded back for treatment, but he didn't know that these black-clothed officers and soldiers drew out their long knives and hacked each other's wounded soldiers to death one by one.After all the wounded were hacked to death, six hundred people shouted in unison and started fighting with each other. The 600 black-clothed soldiers were not weak in martial arts, their long knives flashed, and they fought bravely. In a short time, more than 200 people were cut down to the ground.The yellow-capped and black-clothed soldiers in the imperial camp were relatively strong in martial arts, only a few dozen people were hacked to death, and it immediately became a situation of two or three fighting with one person. This way, the outcome is even more clear.After fighting for a while, it became three or four people fighting with one person.But officers and soldiers on both sides only shouted and cheered, while hundreds of thousands of rebels stood by and did not send more troops to rescue.Finally, the 300 white-capped and black-clothed soldiers of the rebel army were wiped out one by one, and about 200 black-clothed soldiers from the imperial camp returned to the formation.Xiao Feng thought to himself: "I think the rules of the Liao people are like this." Although the scale of this vicious fight to clean up the battlefield is not as large as before, it is still more thrilling. Yelu Hongji held up his long sword and said loudly: "Although there are many rebels, they have no fighting spirit. If there is another battle, they will be defeated and flee!" The officers and soldiers of the imperial camp shouted together: "Long live, long live, long live!" Suddenly they heard horns blowing from the rebel formation, five horsemen came out slowly, one of them held a sheepskin in both hands, and read aloud, what he read was the imperial edict promulgated by the emperor's uncle: "Yelu Hongji usurped the throne, it was Hypocrites, the Emperor Taishu is right now, and all loyal officers and soldiers of our Liao Kingdom must return to Beijing immediately and return to serve, and they will all be promoted to three ranks." More than a dozen archers in the imperial camp fired arrows, swishing, and shot at the man. shoot.The four people around the man raised their shields to protect each other.The man continued to chant, and suddenly five horses were shot down, and the five hid behind the shields, and finally finished reading the imperial uncle's "edict" and turned back. The king of the North Court saw that the officers and soldiers of his subordinates were moved after hearing the false edict, and shouted: "Go out and scold!" Thirty officers and soldiers stepped forward for more than ten feet.Twenty officers and soldiers held up shields to protect them, and the other ten were "swearers", with loud voices and thick throats, and articulate. The first "swearer" cursed, "Traitors, traitors, there is no place to die" Wait, follow the second "swearer" and curse again, until the end of the curse, it is full of all kinds of swear words.Xiao Feng's knowledge of Khitan language is limited, he doesn't understand most of these "swearers" words, but Yelu Hongji nodded repeatedly, expressing his approval, these "swearers" scolded really wonderfully. Xiao Feng looked into the enemy formation, he saw in the distance covered by a large yellow banner, there were two people riding on horses, pointing with whips in their hands.One is wearing a yellow robe, a sky-high crown, and a long gray beard under his chin. The other is wearing a golden armor, with a thin face and a fierce expression.Xiao Feng pondered: "Look at this appearance, these two people are Huang Taishu and Prince Chu father and son." All of a sudden, the ten "swearers" discussed in low voices for a while, and they all amplified their throats, revealing the secrets of the emperor's uncle and the king of Chu.The emperor's uncle seemed to be upright and had nothing to scold. What the ten people scolded was mainly aimed at King Chu, saying that he raped his father's concubine and did evil by taking advantage of his father's power.These words were obviously trying to provoke his father and son's feelings, ten people shouted in unison, the curse words were the same, and the voices were transmitted for several miles, and quite a few of the hundreds of thousands of soldiers could clearly hear them. The king of Chu waved his whip, and the rebels made a loud noise in unison, most of them shouted and shouted, and immediately drowned out the curses of ten people. After a while of chaos, the enemy army suddenly separated, rolled out dozens of chariots, and arrived in front of the imperial camp.As soon as the car stopped, dozens of women were pulled out from the car by the sergeant, some with white hair, some young, and all dressed in luxurious clothes.As soon as these women got out of the car, the cursing from both sides stopped immediately. Yelu Hongji yelled: "Mother, mother! My son caught the traitor and tore his body to pieces to vent his anger on your old man." The white-haired old woman is the current Empress Dowager, Yelu Hongji's mother, Empress Dowager Xiao, and the rest are Empress Xiao, concubines and princesses.Uncle Huang and the king of Chu took advantage of Yelu Hongji's outing to hunt, surrounded the Forbidden Palace, and captured the Empress Dowager and others. The empress dowager said loudly: "Your Majesty, don't think of the old woman, his wife and children, and do your best to destroy bandits and thieves!" Dozens of soldiers drew out their long knives and put them on the necks of all the concubines.The young concubine cried out in panic. Yelu Hongji was furious, and shouted: "Shoot all the crying women to death!" There was a swishing sound, and more than ten feathered arrows shot out, and the crying concubines were shot to death one after another. The queen shouted: "Your Majesty shot well, shot well! The foundation of our ancestors must not be destroyed by traitors." Seeing that the empress dowager and the empress were so stubborn, the king of Chu not only failed to intimidate Hong Ji, but also shook the morale of his own troops, and issued an order: "Put these women into the carriage and get out." The soldiers escorted the empress dowager, empress, etc. In the car, push into the rear.The king of Chu ordered: "Take the family members of the enemy army into battle!" Suddenly, the bamboo whistle was blowing, the sound was desolate, the army and horses parted to the two sides, the iron chains rattled endlessly, and rows of men, women, old and young were led out from behind the formation.In an instant, there were two bursts of crying.It turns out that these people are the family members of the officers and soldiers of the imperial camp. The officers and soldiers of the imperial camp are the relatives of the Liao Emperor. Yelu Hongji gave preferential treatment and allowed the family members to live in Shangjing. It is also the meaning of surveillance, so that this elite division did not dare to rebel when it went out for a battle. Who would have thought that this time it would be between the elbows and armpits.There are no less than 200,000 family members of the officers and soldiers of the Imperial Battalion, and only 20,000 to 30,000 people were sent to the front of the formation. Many of them were captured randomly and wrongly. . A general under the command of the King of Chu galloped out of the battle and shouted: "Listen, all the officers and soldiers of the imperial camp: your family and children have been taken in. Those who surrendered will be reunited with their families, and they will be promoted to three ranks, and there will be rewards. If you don't surrender The new emperor has a decree that all family members should be killed together." The Khitan people are always cruel and easy to kill, and they said "kill them together", which is definitely not a threatening word, they really want to kill them all together.Some officers and soldiers in the imperial camp have already recognized their relatives, "Father, mother, child, husband, wife!" The voices of calling from the two groups rang together. Drums sounded in the rebel army, and two thousand swordsmen strode out, their swords shining brightly.As soon as the drumbeat stopped, the two thousand swords were lifted up and aimed at the heads of the family members.The general shouted: "Surrender to the new emperor, there will be a lot of rewards, if you don't surrender, all the family members will be killed together!" He waved his left hand, and the drum sounded again. The soldiers of the imperial camp knew that he waved his left hand again, the drum beat stopped, and the two thousand shining swords were chopped down.These relatives have always been loyal to Yelu Hongji, the emperor's uncle and the king of Chu offered "promotion" and "big reward" to recruit each other, it was hard to seduce, but seeing his parents and children waiting to be killed, how could he not be surprised? The drums were rumbling continuously, and the hearts of the officers and soldiers of the imperial camp were also beating rapidly.Suddenly, someone in the imperial camp shouted: "Mom, mother, you can't kill my mother!" He dropped his spear and ran towards an old woman in front of the enemy line. Following that, an arrow shot out from the imperial camp and hit the man in the back of the heart.The man didn't die for a while, and crawled towards his mother.Only the cries of "Father, Mother, Baby" could be heard, and hundreds of people in the imperial camp rushed out one after another.Yelu Hongji's trusted general drew his sword and slashed wildly, but how could he stop?As soon as these hundreds of people rushed out, thousands followed, and after the thousands of people, there was a rush of chaos. Among the 150,000 pro-army, 60,000 to 70,000 people rushed away. Yelu Hongji heaved a long sigh, knowing that the general situation was over, he took advantage of his relatives and family members to recognize each other with their heads in their arms, and separated the rebels into a mess, so he immediately ordered: "Retreat to Cangmang Mountain in the northwest." The general of the Chinese army whispered An order was given, and there were still more than 80,000 people who had not surrendered. The rear army turned into the front army and galloped northwest. The king of Chu ordered his cavalry to chase after him, but the battlefield was full of old and weak women and children, and the cavalry could not gallop away. They had to push the crowd away, and Yelu Hongji had already led the imperial army far away. More than 80,000 relatives rushed to the foot of Cangmang Mountain, it was dusk, all the soldiers were hungry and tired, they rushed to build a camp on the hillside, condescending, as a defense strategy.As soon as the camp was set up, the king of Chu rushed to the foot of the mountain with his elite before cooking, and immediately charged towards the hillside.The soldiers of the Imperial Battalion sent arrows and stones like rain, repelling the rebels.Seeing that the upward attack was not good, the Chu army immediately withdrew their troops and set up camp at the foot of the mountain.
In the evening of that day, Yelu Hongji was standing beside the cliff, looking south, and saw the campfire in the rebel camp like stars, and three fire dragons winding towards them in the distance, but it was the follow-up troops of the rebels who came to participate in the siege.Yelu Hongji felt sad, and was waiting to enter the account, when the Privy Councilor of the North Court came to report: "15,000 soldiers and horses under my subordinates rushed down the mountain to join the rebellion. I have no way to manage the army, and I deserve death." Yelu Hongji waved his hand, shook his head and said, "It's also your fault, go and rest!" He turned his head and saw Xiao Feng staring into the distance, he said: "As soon as dawn comes, the rebels will attack in a large scale, and I will be captured for the rest of my life. I am the king, I cannot be humiliated by traitors, I should kill myself to repay the country. Brother, you rushed out by yourself in the night. You are very skilled in martial arts, and the rebels will not be able to stop you." Speaking of this, he looked sad, and said: "I wanted to give you a lot of wealth, but I didn't know that as an older brother You can't protect yourself, but you are tired." Xiao Feng said: "Brother, a man can bend and stretch, today's battle is unfavorable, I guarantee you to retreat, recruit the old troops, Xu Tu will do it again." Hong Ji shook his head and said, "I can't even protect my mother and wife, so how can I be a real man? In the eyes of the Khitan people, the winner is a hero, and the loser is a rebel. How can I get better after a complete defeat? Go yourself!" Knowing that what he said was the truth, Xiao Feng said with emotion: "Since that is the case, then I will accompany my brother and fight the rebels to the death tomorrow. You and I are bound together in Jinlan, whether you are the emperor or a commoner, Xiao will be the one You are a righteous brother. Brother is in trouble, and a brother should live and die with you, how can you run away by yourself?" Tears welled up in Yelu Hongji's eyes, he held his hands and said, "My good brother, thank you very much." Xiao Feng returned to the tent, he saw Ah Zi curled up in a corner of the tent, with big round eyes open, still awake.AhZi asked: "Brother-in-law, do you blame me?" Xiao Feng wondered: "What are you blaming?" AhZi said: "It's all my fault, if it wasn't for the fact that I decided to go to the prairie to play, I wouldn't have Will get you stuck here. Brother-in-law, we're going to die here, aren't we?" The red light from the torches outside the tent reflected on her face, a blush appeared in her pale complexion, making her look even more petite and immature.Xiao Feng felt pity in his heart, and said softly: "How could I blame you? If I hadn't injured you, we wouldn't have come to this kind of place." Ah Zi smiled slightly, and said: "If I hadn't told you Shoot the poisonous needle, and you won't hurt me." Xiao Feng stretched out his big hand and stroked her hair.Besides AhZi's serious injury, most of her hair fell out, it was yellow and thin.Xiao Feng sighed lightly, and said: "You are young, but you suffer with me." Ah Zi said: "Brother-in-law, I didn't understand why my sister likes you so much, I finally understood." Xiao Feng thought to himself: "Your sister treats me with infinite affection, what do you little girl know. In fact, I don't even understand why Ah Zhu fell in love with a rude man like me, so how do you know?" Thinking of this, Shaking his head sadly. Ah Zi turned her head and said: "Brother-in-law, have you guessed why I shot you with a poisonous needle that day? I didn't want to shoot you to death, I just wanted you to be immobile, let me serve you." Xiao Feng wondered "What good is that?" Ah Zi smiled and said, "You can't move, so you can never leave me. Otherwise, you will look down on me in your heart, and you will leave me at any time and ignore me." Xiao Feng heard that although what she said was childish, he knew it was not casual nonsense, he couldn't help being startled secretly, and thought: "Anyway, everyone will die tomorrow, so it's enough to comfort her." He said: "You are really a child's idea, you I really like to follow me, even if you tell me, I will not refuse." Azi's eyes suddenly shone brightly, and she said happily: "Brother-in-law, after I recover from my injury, I will still follow you and never go back to Master Xingxiu School. Don't leave me alone." Xiao Feng knew that the troubles she caused in the Xingxiu Sect were not small, he expected that she would not dare to go back, he said with a smile: "You are the descendant of the elder sister of the Xingxiu Sect, if you don't go back, the group will have no leader, then what should I do?" Ah Zi Gege smiled and said, "Let them mess up. I don't care about it." 萧峰拉上毛毡，盖到她颈下，替她轻轻拢好了，展开毛毡，自行在营帐的另一角睡下。帐外火光时明时灭，闪烁不定，但听得哭声隐隐，知是御营官兵思念家人，大家均知明晨这一仗性命难保，只是各人忠于皇上，不肯背叛。
次晨萧峰一早便醒了，嘱咐室里队长备好马匹，照料阿紫，自己结束停当，吃了一斤羊肉，喝了三斤酒，走到山边。其时四下里尚一片黑暗，过不多时，东方曙光初现，御营中号角呜呜吹起，但听得铿铿锵锵，兵甲军刃相撞之声不绝于耳。营中一队队兵马开出，于各处冲要之处守御。萧峰居高临下的望将出去，只见东、南、东南方三面人头涌涌，尽是叛军。一阵白雾罩着远处，军阵不见尽头。 霎时间太阳于草原边上露出一弧，金光万道，射入白雾之中，浓露渐消，显出雾中也都是军马。蓦地里鼓声大作，敌阵中两队黄旗军驰了出来，跟着皇太叔和楚王乘马驰到山下，举起马鞭，向山上指点商议。 耶律洪基领着侍卫站在山边，见到这等情景，怒从心起，从侍卫手下接过弓箭，弯弓搭箭，一箭向楚王射去。从山上望将下去，似乎相隔不远，其实相距尚有数箭之地，这一箭没到半途，便力尽跌落。 楚王哈哈大笑，大声叫道：“洪基，你篡了我爹爹之位，做了这许多时候的伪君，也该让位了。你快快投诚，我爹爹便饶你不死，还假仁义的封你为皇太侄如何？哈哈哈！”这几句话，显然讽刺耶律洪基封耶律重元为皇太叔乃是假仁假义。 耶律洪基大怒，骂道：“无耻叛贼，还在逞这口舌之利。” 北院枢密使叫道：“主辱臣死！主上待我等恩重如山，今日正是我等报主之时。”率领了三千名亲兵，齐声发喊，从山上冲了下去。这三千人都是契丹部中的勇士，此番抱了必死之心，无不以一当十，大喊冲杀，登时将敌军冲退里许。但楚王令旗挥处，数万军马围了上来，刀矛齐施，只听得喊声震动天地，血肉横飞。三千人越战越少，斗到后来，尽数死节。北院枢密使力杀数人，自刎而死。耶律洪基、众将军大臣和萧峰等在山峰上看得明白，却无力相救，心感北院枢密使的忠义，尽皆垂泪。 楚王又驰到山边，笑道：“洪基，到底降不降？你这一点儿军马，还济得甚事？你手下这些人都是大辽勇士，又何必要他们陪你送命？是男儿汉大丈夫，爽爽快快，降就降，战就战，倘若自知气数已尽，不如自刎以谢天下，也免得多伤士卒。” 耶律洪基长叹一声，虎目含泪，擎刀在手，说道：“这锦绣江山，便让了你父子罢。你说得不错，咱们叔侄兄弟，骨肉相残，何必多伤契丹勇士的性命。”说着举起刀来，便往颈上勒去。 萧峰猿臂伸出，将他刀子夺过，说道：“大哥，是英雄好汉，便当死于战场，如何能自尽而死？” 洪基叹道：“兄弟，这许多将士跟随我日久，我反正是死，不忍他们尽都跟着我送了性命。” 楚王大声叫道：“洪基，你还不自刎，更待何时？”手中马鞭直指其面，嚣张已极。 萧峰见他越走越近，心念一动，低声道：“大哥，你跟他们信口敷衍，我悄悄掩近身去，射他一箭。” 洪基知他了得，喜道：“如此甚好，若能先将他射死，我死也瞑目。”当即提高嗓子，叫道：“楚王，我待你父子不薄，你父亲要做皇帝，也无不可，何必杀伤本国这许多军士百姓，害得我辽国大伤元气？” 萧峰执了一张硬弓，十枝狼牙长箭，牵过一匹骏马，慢慢拉到山边，一矮身，转到马腹之下，身藏马下，双足钩住马背，足尖一踢，那马便冲了下去。山下叛军见一匹空马奔将下来，马背上并无骑者，只道是军马断缰奔逸，这是十分寻常之事，谁也没加留神。但不久叛军军士便见到马腹之下有人，登时大呼起来。 萧峰以足尖踢马，纵马向楚王直冲过去，眼见离他约有二百步之遥，在马腹之下拉开强弓，嗖的一箭，向他射去。楚王身旁卫士举起盾牌，将箭挡开。萧峰纵马急驰，连珠箭发，一箭将那卫士射倒，第二箭直射楚王胸膛。 楚王眼明手快，马鞭挥出，往箭上击来。这以鞭击箭之术，原是楚王的拿手本领，却不知射这一箭之人不但膂力雄强，而且箭上附有内劲，马鞭虽击到了箭杆，却只将羽箭拨得准头稍歪，噗的一声，插入他的左肩。楚王叫声“啊哟！”痛得伏在鞍上。 萧峰羽箭又到，这一次相距更近，一箭从他左胁穿进，透胸而过。楚王身子一晃，从马背上溜了下来。 萧峰一举成功，心想：“我何不乘机更去射死了皇太叔！” 楚王中箭堕马，敌阵中人人大呼，几百枝羽箭都向萧峰所藏的马匹射到，霎时之间，那马中了二百多枝羽箭，变成了一匹刺猬马。 萧峰在地下几个打滚，溜到了一名军官的坐骑之下，展开小巧绵软功夫，随即从这匹马腹底下钻到那一匹马之下，一个打滚，又钻到另一匹马底下。众官兵无法放箭，纷纷以长矛来刺。但萧峰东一钻，西一滚，尽是在马肚子底下做功夫。敌军官兵乱成一团，数千人马你推我挤，自相残踏，却那里刺得着他？ 萧峰所使的，只不过是中原武林中平平无奇的地堂功夫。不论是地堂拳、地堂刀，还是地堂剑，都是在地下翻滚腾挪，俟机攻敌下盘。这时他用于战阵，眼明手快，躲过了千百只马蹄的践踏。他看准皇太叔的所在，直滚过去，嗖嗖嗖三箭，向皇太叔射去。 皇太叔的卫士先前见楚王中箭，已然有备，三十余人各举盾牌，密密层层的挡在皇太叔身前，只听得铮铮铮三响，三枝箭都在盾牌上撞了下来，萧峰所携的十枝箭射出了七枝，只剩下三枝，眼见敌人三十几面盾牌相互掩护，这三枝箭便要射死三名卫士也难，更不用说射皇太叔了。这时他已深入敌阵，身后数千军士挺矛追来，面前更是千军万马，实已陷入了绝境。当日他独斗中原群雄，对方只不过数百人，已然凶险已极，幸得有人相救，方能脱身，今日困于数十万人的重围之中，却如何逃命？ 这当儿情急拚命，蓦地里一声大吼，纵身而起，呼的一声，从那三十几面盾牌之上纵跃而过，落在皇太叔马前。皇太叔大吃一惊，举起马鞭往他脸上击落。萧峰斜身跃起，落上皇太叔的马鞍，左手抓住他后心，将他高高举起，叫道：“你要死还是要活？快叫众人放下兵刃！”皇太叔吓得呆了，对他的话一个字也没听见。 这时叛军中的扰攘之声更是震耳欲聋，成千成万的官兵弯弓搭箭，对准了萧峰，但皇太叔被他擒在手中，谁也不敢轻举妄动。 萧峰气运丹田，叫道：“皇太叔有令，众三军放下兵刃，听宣圣旨。皇帝宽洪大量，赦免全体官兵，谁都不加追究。”这几句话盖过了十余万人的喧哗纷扰，声闻数里，令得山前山后十余万官兵至少有半数人听得清清楚楚。 萧峰有过丐帮帮众背叛自己的经历，明白叛众心思，一处逆境之后，最要紧的是企图免罪，只须对方保证不念旧恶，决不追究，叛军自然斗志消失。此刻叛军势大，耶律洪基身边不过七八万余人马，众寡悬殊，决不是叛军之敌，其时局面紧急，不及向洪基请旨，便说了这几句话，好令叛军安心。 这几句话朗朗传出，众叛军的喧哗声登时静了下来，你看看我，我看看你，人人均是惶惑无主。 萧峰情知此刻局势极是危险，叛军中只须有人呼叫不服，数十万没头苍蝇般的叛军立时就会酿成巨变，当真片刻也延缓不得，又大声叫道：“皇帝有旨：众叛军中官兵不论官职大小，一概无罪，皇帝开恩，决不追究。军官士兵各就原职，大家快快放下兵刃！” 一片寂静之中，忽然呛啷啷、呛啷啷几声响，有几人掷下手中长矛。这掷下兵刃的声音互相感染，霎时之间，呛啷啷之声大作，倒有一半人掷下兵刃，余下的兀自踌躇不决。 萧峰左臂将皇太叔身子高高举起，纵马缓缓上山，众叛军谁也不敢拦阻，他马头到处，前面便让出一条路来。 萧峰骑马来到山腰，御营中两队兵马下来迎接，山峰上奏起鼓乐。 萧峰道：“皇太叔，你快快下令，叫部属放下兵刃投降，便可饶你性命。” 皇太叔颤声道：“你担保饶我性命？” 萧峰向山下望去，只见无数叛军手中还是执着弓箭长矛，军心未定，危险未过，寻思：“眼下是安军心为第一要务。皇太叔一人的生死何足道哉，只须派人严加监守，谅他以后再也不能为非作歹。”便道：“你戴罪立功，眼下是唯一的良机。陛下知道都是你儿子不好，决可赦你的性命。” 皇太叔原无争夺帝位的念头，都是因他儿子楚王野心勃勃而起祸，这时他身落人手，但求免于一死，便道：“好，我依你之言便了！” 萧峰让他安坐马鞍，朗声说道：“众三军听着，皇太叔有言吩咐。” 皇太叔大声道：“楚王挑动祸乱，现已伏法。皇上宽洪大量，饶了大家的罪过。各人快快放下兵刃，向皇上请罪。” 皇太叔既这么说，众叛军群龙无首，虽有凶鸷倔强之徒也已不敢再行违抗，但听得呛啷啷之声响成一片，众叛军都投下了兵刃。 萧峰押着皇太叔上得苍茫山来。耶律洪基喜不自胜，如在梦中，抢到萧峰身边，握着他的双手，说道：“兄弟，兄弟，哥哥这江山，以后和你共享之。”说到这里，心神激荡，不由得流下泪来。 皇太叔跪伏在地，说道：“乱臣向陛下请罪，求陛下哀怜。” 耶律洪基此时心境好极，向萧峰道：“兄弟，你说该当如何？”萧峰道：“叛军人多势众，须当安定军心，求陛下赦免皇太叔死罪，好让大家安心。” 耶律洪基笑道：“很好，很好，一切依你，一切依你。”转头向北院大王道：“你传下圣旨，封萧峰为楚王，官居南院大王，督率叛军，回归上京。” 萧峰吃了一惊，他杀楚王，擒皇太叔，全是为了要救义兄之命，决无贪图爵禄之意，耶律洪基封他这样的大官，倒令他手足无措，一时说不出话来。北院大王向萧峰拱手道：“恭喜，恭喜！楚王的爵位向来不封外姓，萧大王快向皇上谢恩。”萧峰向耶律洪基道：“哥哥，今日之事，全仗你洪福齐天，众官兵对你输心归诚，叛乱方得平定，做兄弟的只不过出一点蛮力，实在算不得什么功劳。何况兄弟不会做官，也不愿做官，请哥哥收回成命。” 耶律洪基哈哈大笑，伸右手揽着他肩头，说道：“这楚王之封、南院大王的官位，在我辽国已是最高的爵禄，兄弟倘若还嫌不够，一定不肯臣服于我，做哥哥的除了以皇位相让，更无别法了。” 萧峰吃了一惊，心想：“哥哥大喜之余，说话有些忘形了，眼下乱成一团，一切事情须当明快果决，不能有丝毫犹豫，以防更起祸变。”只得屈膝下跪，说道：“巨萧峰领旨，多谢万岁恩典。”耶律洪基笑着双手扶起。萧峰道：“臣不敢违旨，只得领受官爵。只是草野鄙人，不明朝廷法度，若有差失，尚请原宥。” 耶律洪基伸手在他肩头拍了几下，笑道：“决无干系！”转头向左军将军耶律莫哥道：“耶律莫哥，我命你为南院枢密使，佐辅萧大王，勾当军国重事。”耶律莫哥大喜，忙跪下谢恩，又向萧峰参拜，道：“参见大王！”洪基道：“莫哥，你禀受萧大王号令，督率叛军回归上京。咱们向皇太后请安去。” 当下奏起鼓乐，耶律洪基一行向山下走去。叛军的领兵将军已将皇太后、皇后等请出，恭恭敬敬的在营中安置。耶律洪基进得帐去，母子夫妻相见，死里逃生，恍如隔世，自是人人称赞萧峰的大功。 耶律莫哥先行，引导萧峰去和南院诸部属相见。适才萧峰在千军万马中一进一出，勇不可当，众人均是亲见。南院诸属官军虽然均是楚王的旧部，但一来萧峰神威凛凛，各人心中害怕，不敢不服，又都敬他英雄了得，二来楚王平素脾气暴躁，无恩于人，三来自己作乱犯上，心下都好生惶恐，是以萧峰一到军中，众叛军肃然敬服，齐听号令。 萧峰说道：“皇上已赦免各人从逆谋叛之罪，此后大伙儿应该痛改前非，再也不可稍起贰心。” 一名白须将军上前说道：“禀告大王，皇太叔和世子扣押我等家属，胁迫我等附逆，我等若有不从，世子便将我等家属斩首，事出无奈，还祈大王奏明万岁。” 萧峰点点头：“既是如此，以往之事，那也不用说了。”转头向耶律莫哥道：“众军就地休息，饱餐之后，拔营回京。” 当下南院中部属一个个依着官职大小，上来参见。萧峰虽然从来没做过官，但他久为丐帮帮主，统率群豪，自有一番威严。带着丐帮豪杰和契丹大豪，其间也无甚差别。只是辽军中另有一套规矩，萧峰一面小心在意，一面由耶律莫哥分派处理，一切均是井井有条。
萧峰带领大军出发不久，皇太后和皇后分别派了使者，到军中赐给袍带金银。萧峰谢恩甫毕，室里护着阿紫到了，她身披锦衣，骑着骏马，说道均是皇太后所赐。萧峰见她小小身体裹在宽大的锦袍之中，一张小脸倒被衣领遮去一半，不禁好笑。 阿紫没亲眼见到萧峰射杀楚王、生擒皇太叔，只是从室里等人口中转述而知。大凡述说往事，总不免加油添酱，将萧峰的功绩，更是说得神乎其神，加了三分。阿紫一见到他，便埋怨道：“姊夫，你立了这样的大功，怎么事先也不跟我说一声，否则我站在山边，亲眼瞧着你杀进杀出，岂不开心？倒让我白担了半天心事。”萧峰道：“这虽侥幸立下的功劳，事先我怎么知道？你一见面便来说孩子话。”阿紫道：“姊夫，你过来。” 萧峰走近她身边，见她苍白的脸上发着兴奋的红光，经她身上的锦绣衣裳一衬，倒像是个玩偶娃娃一般，又是滑稽，又是可爱，忍不住哈哈大笑起来。 阿紫脸有愠色，嗔道：“我跟你说正经话，你却哈哈大笑，有什么好笑？”萧峰笑道：“我见你穿着这样的衣服，像是个玩偶娃娃一般，很是有趣。”阿紫嗔道：“你老是当我小孩子，却来取笑于我。”萧峰笑道：“不是，不是！阿紫，这一次我只道咱二人都要死于非命了，哪知竟能死里逃生，我自然欢喜。什么南院大王、楚王的封爵，我才不放在心上，能够活着不死，那就好得很了。” 阿紫道：“姊夫，你也怕死么？”萧峰一怔，点头道：“遇到危险之时，自然怕死。”阿紫道：“我只道你是英雄好汉，不怕死的。你既然怕死，众叛军千千万万，你怎么胆敢冲将过去？”萧峰道：“这叫做置之死地而后生。我倘若不冲，就非死不可。那也说不上什么勇敢不勇敢，只不过是困兽犹斗而已。咱们围住了一头大
The military affairs of the Liao State were divided between the North and South Courts.This time, the King of the North Court went hunting with the emperor, while the King of the South Court stayed in Beijing.Yelu Nielugu, the Great King of the Southern Court, was named the King of Chu, but he himself was fine. His father, Yelu Chongyuan, is now the emperor's uncle. Yelu Hongji's grandfather, Yelu Longxu, was called Shengzong in Liao history.Zongzhen, the eldest son of Shengzong, and Chongyuan, the second son.Zongzhen is kind and generous, while Chongyuan is extremely brave and has a military strategy.When Shengzong died, the eldest son Zongzhen passed on the will, but the queen of Shengzong loved the second son and conspired to establish Chongyuan as emperor.As usual in the Liao Kingdom, the empress dowager had great power. At that time, Zongzhen's throne was inherently in danger and his life was in danger. However, Chongyuan told his elder brother about his mother's plan, so that the empress dowager's secret plan could not be succeeded.Zong Zhen was very grateful to this brother, and made him the emperor's younger brother, which meant that he would be passed on to him in the future to reward his kindness. Yeluzong was called Xingzong in the history of Zhenliao, but after his death, the throne was not passed on to the emperor's younger brother Chongyuan, but to his son Hongji. After Yelu Hongji took over the throne, he felt very sorry, and made Chongyuan the emperor's uncle, which showed that he was still the crown prince of the Daliao Kingdom. , two-color robe, respected and favored, the first in the dynasty; he also made his son Nerugu the king of Chu, in charge of the military and political affairs of the South Court, and was called the King of the South Court. Back then Yelu Zhongyuan could be the emperor, but he gave it up to his elder brother, which shows that he valued loyalty and was very retiring.Yelu Hongji went out to hunt outside, and handed over all important military and state affairs in Beijing to the emperor's uncle, without any suspicion.At this time, the news came that it was Yelu Nerugu, the great king of the Southern Court who conspired against him. Yelu Hongji was shocked and worried. He knew that Nerugu had a vicious temper and was extremely difficult to deal with. Since he rebelled, his father would never It's a no-brainer.
The King of the North Court said: "Your Majesty, let me be lenient. I think the Emperor Taishu understands the situation and will not allow his rebellious son to rebel and commit crimes. Maybe he has already led troops to quell the chaos at this moment." Yelu Hongji said: "I hope so." After everyone had dinner, the second batch of newspapers rushed to report: "The King of the Southern Court made the emperor's uncle the emperor, and he has issued an edict to the world." He did not dare to say the following words, and presented the new emperor's edict with both hands.Hongji took it over and took a look, and saw that the edict directly denounced Yelu Hongji as a usurper and a false emperor, saying that the first emperor made Yelu Chongyuan the emperor's younger brother. In twenty-four years, the world will know that once he dies, Yelu Hongji will tamper with the former emperor. The posthumous edict, the theft of the great treasure, and the indignation of China and foreign countries, the emperor's younger brother is now on the throne, and he supervises the army and horses of the world, and seeks to rebel against the puppet. In a rage, Yelu Hongji threw the edict into the fire and burned it to ashes, he was very worried and thought: "This false edict is plausible, after reading it, the soldiers and people of the Liao Kingdom will probably be overwhelmed. The emperor's uncle is the commander-in-chief of the world's soldiers and horses. He has a soldier's talisman in his hand and can mobilize more than 800,000 troops. What's more, there are soldiers and horses under the jurisdiction of his son Chuwang Nanyuan. I have only more than 100,000 people here, which is outnumbered. What should I do?" This night I tossed and turned, unable to sleep peacefully. Xiao Feng heard that Emperor Liao wanted to make him an official, originally he wanted to take Ah Zi and leave without saying goodbye in the dark night, but now seeing his righteous brother is in danger, it is inconvenient to just leave, at least he has to do his best for him, and the marriage is not in vain one game.That night when he was strolling outside the camp, he could only hear the officers and soldiers talking quietly, saying that his parents and wife were both in the capital, so they were all detained by the emperor's uncle, fearing that their lives might be lost.Some thought of their family members and suddenly cried.The cry touched people's hearts, and the rest of the officers and soldiers in the battalion were in the same situation and cried one after another.Although the commanding officers tried their best to stop them and cut off a few of them who were crying loudly, they couldn't stop them. Yelu Hongji heard the crying loudly, he knew that it was a sign that the army's morale was weak, and it was even more troublesome. Early the next morning, the spies came to report that the emperor's uncle and the king of Chu led more than 500,000 soldiers and horses, and they came from the north to commit crimes.Hong Ji pondered: "Today's matter, there is no retreat, even if the army is defeated, there is only a fight to the death." Immediately convened a hundred officials to discuss.All the ministers were extremely loyal to Yelu Hongji and were willing to fight to the death, but they were all worried about the morale of the army. Hong Ji issued an order: "all the officers and soldiers will do their best to fight against the rebels. After the disaster is over, in addition to being promoted, they will be rewarded more." Putting on the golden armor, he personally led the three armies to meet the emperor's uncle's army and horses to counterattack.When all the officers and soldiers saw the emperor coming to the front enemy in person, their courage was greatly inspired, they shouted long live three times, and swore allegiance to the death.More than 100,000 soldiers and horses were divided into four groups: the front army, the left army, the right army, and the middle army. Xiao Feng drew his bow and carried his spear, he followed behind Hong Ji, acting as his personal bodyguard.In the room, he led a group of flying bear soldiers to protect Ah Zi, and stayed in the rear.Xiao Feng saw Yelu Hongji frown deeply, he knew that he was not sure about this battle. At noon, I suddenly heard the sound of a horn blowing in front of me.The general of the Chinese army issued an order: "Get off your horse!" All the cavalry jumped off their horses and walked with the reins in their hands. Only Yelu Hongji and the ministers were still on the horses. Xiao Feng didn't understand why the cavalry got off their horses, he was quite puzzled.Yelu Hongji laughed and said: "Brother, you have been in the Central Plains for a long time, don't you know how the Khitan people march and fight?" Xiao Feng said: "I just want to ask Your Majesty for advice." Hongji said with a smile: "Hey, my Majesty, I don't know how to do it It can't be the sun setting today. You and I are brothers, so why call him Your Majesty?" Xiao Feng heard the bitterness in his laughter, and said: "Your Majesty don't need to worry if the two armies haven't handed over." Hong Ji said: "On the plains In a confrontation, the most important thing is the horsepower, and the manpower is second." Xiao Feng suddenly realized, and said: "Ah, yes! The reason for the cavalry to dismount is to avoid the fatigue of the mount." Hong Ji nodded, and said: "Raise enough horsepower to face the enemy. When you charge forward, you will be able to move forward. The Khitan people fought everywhere and won every battle. This is a very important secret." When he said this, dust heads rose up in the distance in front of him, rising more than ten feet high, like yellow clouds pouring over the ground.Hongji pointed his horsewhip, and said: "Both Emperor Taishu and the King of Chu have been in battle for a long time, and they are the brave generals of our Liao Kingdom. Why did they rush in without horsepower? Well, they have nothing to worry about, and they are confident that they will win. Before he finished speaking, the left and right troops sounded their horns at the same time.Xiao Feng looked far into the distance, he saw that the enemy had two army horses on the east side and two army horses on the west side, it was five enemies to one. Yelu Hongji's face changed color, and he said to the general of the Chinese army: "Build an array and set up a stronghold!" After returning, a group of soldiers nailed the pillars of the leather tent into the ground with a big hammer, opened the tent, and erected antlers around it. In a short while, a huge wooden city was formed on the grassland. There are cavalry stationed in each, and tens of thousands of archers hide behind the big tree, tightening their bowstrings, waiting to shoot arrows. Xiao Feng frowned, and said in his heart: "After this great battle, no matter who wins or loses, the corpses of my Khitan clan will be scattered all over the place. The best thing is of course that the righteous brother wins. If unfortunately I lose, I will try to get rid of it Brother Yi and Ah Zi were rescued to a safe place. As the emperor, he can do whatever he wants." Not long after the Liao Emperor's camp was married, the vanguard of the rebel army had arrived.But he didn't step forward to challenge, and stood far away where the strong bow and crossbow could not shoot.But when the sound of drums and horns continued, teams of rebels surrounded them, forming formations from all directions.Xiao Feng glanced to go out, but he saw the enemy army all over the field, he couldn't see the end, he thought: "Brother Yi's army is far away, outnumbered, I'm afraid I must lose. It's not easy to break out and escape during the day, as long as I support until night, I will be able to Try to save him." But the shadow of the big tree in the camp was briefly reflected on the ground, and the sun was in the sky, it was not long after noon. Only a few yells were heard, and a group of wild geese flew across the sky in formation.Yelu Hongji stared up for a while, then smiled wryly, "Unless you turn into a wild goose, it's hard to fly." The king of the North Court and the general of the Chinese army looked at each other, knowing that the emperor was timid after seeing the appearance of the rebel army. Drums were beating in the enemy's formation, and hundreds of skin drums rang loudly.The general of the Chinese army shouted loudly: "Drumming!" Hundreds of drums in the imperial camp also sounded.Suddenly, the sound of drums in the army on the opposite side stopped, and the shouts of tens of thousands of cavalry shook the world, and they rushed straight with their spears. Seeing the enemy's forwards approaching, the general of the Chinese army waved his flag downward, the sound of drums in the imperial camp stopped immediately, tens of thousands of feathered arrows were shot out at the same time, and the enemy's forwards fell to the ground one after another.However, the enemy army rushed forward one after another, and the fallen army and horses in front became the shields of the rear army.The enemy infantry archers rushed forward with shields to protect themselves, and shot arrows at the imperial camp. Yelu Hongji was quite frightened at the beginning, but when he came to the battle, he became more courageous, stood on a high place, held a long knife, and gave orders.Seeing the emperor personally supervising the battle, the soldiers of the imperial camp shouted: "Long live! Long live! Long live!" Hearing the sound of "Long live", the enemy army looked up and saw Yelu Hongji standing on a high platform in the imperial camp, in yellow robe and gold armor, Under his prestige, he couldn't help hesitating. Seeing the opportunity, Yelu Hongji shouted: "The cavalry of the left army outflanks, go!" The left army was led by the privy envoy of the North Court. Upon hearing the emperor's order, 30,000 cavalry surrounded them from the side.As soon as the rebels hesitated, the army and horses of the imperial battalion had already rushed over.The rebels immediately fell into chaos and retreated one after another.The drums and thunder in the imperial camp sounded, and the rebel army retreated as soon as they fought. Xiao Feng was overjoyed and shouted: "Brother, this time we have won a big victory!" Yelu Hongji stepped down from the stage, stepped on his horse, and led the army to help.Suddenly the horn sounded, the main force of the rebel army arrived, and the rebel forward turned back to fight again. In an instant, feather arrows and spears were flying back and forth in the air, the sound of killing was loud, and flesh and blood flew everywhere.Xiao Feng was only secretly startled: "I have never seen such a fierce fight in my life. You can let your martial arts be invincible in the world by yourself, but it is useless in the midst of thousands of troops. At most, you can only protect your own life. Compared with the battle of such large armies, group fights in the martial arts are not the same." Suddenly I heard the loud sound of gongs behind the rebels' formation, and they called gold to withdraw their troops.The rebel cavalry retreated, shooting arrows like rain, and shot the ground.The general of the Chinese army and the privy envoy of the North Court led their troops to charge three times in a row, but they were unable to disrupt the opponent's formation, and thousands of soldiers were shot to death instead.Yelu Hongji said: "There are too many casualties, so let's withdraw for now." At that moment, the imperial camp also called for gold to withdraw. The rebels sent two teams of cavalry to attack. The Chinese army was already prepared and pretended to be defeated. They encircled the area with two wings and surrounded and annihilated all 3,000 officers and soldiers of the two teams of rebels. The remaining hundreds of people dismounted and surrendered.With a wave of Hong Ji's left hand, the imperial sergeant swung his spear away, stabbing hundreds of people to death.This fierce fight lasted less than an hour, but it was extremely brutal. The main forces of both sides retreated several tens of feet, the open space in the middle was covered with corpses, the wounded moaned and wailed, it was unbearable to hear.I saw a group of 300 black-clothed soldiers on each side of the formation, the imperial battalion wore yellow caps, and the enemy soldiers wore white caps, going to the middle area to inspect the wounded.Xiao Feng only thought that these people were carrying the wounded back for treatment, but he didn't know that these black-clothed officers and soldiers drew out their long knives and hacked each other's wounded soldiers to death one by one.After all the wounded were hacked to death, six hundred people shouted in unison and started fighting with each other. The 600 black-clothed soldiers were not weak in martial arts, their long knives flashed, and they fought bravely. In a short time, more than 200 people were cut down to the ground.The yellow-capped and black-clothed soldiers in the imperial camp were relatively strong in martial arts, only a few dozen people were hacked to death, and it immediately became a situation of two or three fighting with one person. This way, the outcome is even more clear.After fighting for a while, it became three or four people fighting with one person.But officers and soldiers on both sides only shouted and cheered, while hundreds of thousands of rebels stood by and did not send more troops to rescue.Finally, the 300 white-capped and black-clothed soldiers of the rebel army were wiped out one by one, and about 200 black-clothed soldiers from the imperial camp returned to the formation.Xiao Feng thought to himself: "I think the rules of the Liao people are like this." Although the scale of this vicious fight to clean up the battlefield is not as large as before, it is still more thrilling. Yelu Hongji held up his long sword and said loudly: "Although there are many rebels, they have no fighting spirit. If there is another battle, they will be defeated and flee!" The officers and soldiers of the imperial camp shouted together: "Long live, long live, long live!" Suddenly they heard horns blowing from the rebel formation, five horsemen came out slowly, one of them held a sheepskin in both hands, and read aloud, what he read was the imperial edict promulgated by the emperor's uncle: "Yelu Hongji usurped the throne, it was Hypocrites, the Emperor Taishu is right now, and all loyal officers and soldiers of our Liao Kingdom must return to Beijing immediately and return to serve, and they will all be promoted to three ranks." More than a dozen archers in the imperial camp fired arrows, swishing, and shot at the man. shoot.The four people around the man raised their shields to protect each other.The man continued to chant, and suddenly five horses were shot down, and the five hid behind the shields, and finally finished reading the imperial uncle's "edict" and turned back. The king of the North Court saw that the officers and soldiers of his subordinates were moved after hearing the false edict, and shouted: "Go out and scold!" Thirty officers and soldiers stepped forward for more than ten feet.Twenty officers and soldiers held up shields to protect them, and the other ten were "swearers", with loud voices and thick throats, and articulate. The first "swearer" cursed, "Traitors, traitors, there is no place to die" Wait, follow the second "swearer" and curse again, until the end of the curse, it is full of all kinds of swear words.Xiao Feng's knowledge of Khitan language is limited, he doesn't understand most of these "swearers" words, but Yelu Hongji nodded repeatedly, expressing his approval, these "swearers" scolded really wonderfully. Xiao Feng looked into the enemy formation, he saw in the distance covered by a large yellow banner, there were two people riding on horses, pointing with whips in their hands.One is wearing a yellow robe, a sky-high crown, and a long gray beard under his chin. The other is wearing a golden armor, with a thin face and a fierce expression.Xiao Feng pondered: "Look at this appearance, these two people are Huang Taishu and Prince Chu father and son." All of a sudden, the ten "swearers" discussed in low voices for a while, and they all amplified their throats, revealing the secrets of the emperor's uncle and the king of Chu.The emperor's uncle seemed to be upright and had nothing to scold. What the ten people scolded was mainly aimed at King Chu, saying that he raped his father's concubine and did evil by taking advantage of his father's power.These words were obviously trying to provoke his father and son's feelings, ten people shouted in unison, the curse words were the same, and the voices were transmitted for several miles, and quite a few of the hundreds of thousands of soldiers could clearly hear them. The king of Chu waved his whip, and the rebels made a loud noise in unison, most of them shouted and shouted, and immediately drowned out the curses of ten people. After a while of chaos, the enemy army suddenly separated, rolled out dozens of chariots, and arrived in front of the imperial camp.As soon as the car stopped, dozens of women were pulled out from the car by the sergeant, some with white hair, some young, and all dressed in luxurious clothes.As soon as these women got out of the car, the cursing from both sides stopped immediately. Yelu Hongji yelled: "Mother, mother! My son caught the traitor and tore his body to pieces to vent his anger on your old man." The white-haired old woman is the current Empress Dowager, Yelu Hongji's mother, Empress Dowager Xiao, and the rest are Empress Xiao, concubines and princesses.Uncle Huang and the king of Chu took advantage of Yelu Hongji's outing to hunt, surrounded the Forbidden Palace, and captured the Empress Dowager and others. The empress dowager said loudly: "Your Majesty, don't think of the old woman, his wife and children, and do your best to destroy bandits and thieves!" Dozens of soldiers drew out their long knives and put them on the necks of all the concubines.The young concubine cried out in panic. Yelu Hongji was furious, and shouted: "Shoot all the crying women to death!" There was a swishing sound, and more than ten feathered arrows shot out, and the crying concubines were shot to death one after another. The queen shouted: "Your Majesty shot well, shot well! The foundation of our ancestors must not be destroyed by traitors." Seeing that the empress dowager and the empress were so stubborn, the king of Chu not only failed to intimidate Hong Ji, but also shook the morale of his own troops, and issued an order: "Put these women into the carriage and get out." The soldiers escorted the empress dowager, empress, etc. In the car, push into the rear.The king of Chu ordered: "Take the family members of the enemy army into battle!" Suddenly, the bamboo whistle was blowing, the sound was desolate, the army and horses parted to the two sides, the iron chains rattled endlessly, and rows of men, women, old and young were led out from behind the formation.In an instant, there were two bursts of crying.It turns out that these people are the family members of the officers and soldiers of the imperial camp. The officers and soldiers of the imperial camp are the relatives of the Liao Emperor. Yelu Hongji gave preferential treatment and allowed the family members to live in Shangjing. It is also the meaning of surveillance, so that this elite division did not dare to rebel when it went out for a battle. Who would have thought that this time it would be between the elbows and armpits.There are no less than 200,000 family members of the officers and soldiers of the Imperial Battalion, and only 20,000 to 30,000 people were sent to the front of the formation. Many of them were captured randomly and wrongly. . A general under the command of the King of Chu galloped out of the battle and shouted: "Listen, all the officers and soldiers of the imperial camp: your family and children have been taken in. Those who surrendered will be reunited with their families, and they will be promoted to three ranks, and there will be rewards. If you don't surrender The new emperor has a decree that all family members should be killed together." The Khitan people are always cruel and easy to kill, and they said "kill them together", which is definitely not a threatening word, they really want to kill them all together.Some officers and soldiers in the imperial camp have already recognized their relatives, "Father, mother, child, husband, wife!" The voices of calling from the two groups rang together. Drums sounded in the rebel army, and two thousand swordsmen strode out, their swords shining brightly.As soon as the drumbeat stopped, the two thousand swords were lifted up and aimed at the heads of the family members.The general shouted: "Surrender to the new emperor, there will be a lot of rewards, if you don't surrender, all the family members will be killed together!" He waved his left hand, and the drum sounded again. The soldiers of the imperial camp knew that he waved his left hand again, the drum beat stopped, and the two thousand shining swords were chopped down.These relatives have always been loyal to Yelu Hongji, the emperor's uncle and the king of Chu offered "promotion" and "big reward" to recruit each other, it was hard to seduce, but seeing his parents and children waiting to be killed, how could he not be surprised? The drums were rumbling continuously, and the hearts of the officers and soldiers of the imperial camp were also beating rapidly.Suddenly, someone in the imperial camp shouted: "Mom, mother, you can't kill my mother!" He dropped his spear and ran towards an old woman in front of the enemy line. Following that, an arrow shot out from the imperial camp and hit the man in the back of the heart.The man didn't die for a while, and crawled towards his mother.Only the cries of "Father, Mother, Baby" could be heard, and hundreds of people in the imperial camp rushed out one after another.Yelu Hongji's trusted general drew his sword and slashed wildly, but how could he stop?As soon as these hundreds of people rushed out, thousands followed, and after the thousands of people, there was a rush of chaos. Among the 150,000 pro-army, 60,000 to 70,000 people rushed away. Yelu Hongji heaved a long sigh, knowing that the general situation was over, he took advantage of his relatives and family members to recognize each other with their heads in their arms, and separated the rebels into a mess, so he immediately ordered: "Retreat to Cangmang Mountain in the northwest." The general of the Chinese army whispered An order was given, and there were still more than 80,000 people who had not surrendered. The rear army turned into the front army and galloped northwest. The king of Chu ordered his cavalry to chase after him, but the battlefield was full of old and weak women and children, and the cavalry could not gallop away. They had to push the crowd away, and Yelu Hongji had already led the imperial army far away. More than 80,000 relatives rushed to the foot of Cangmang Mountain, it was dusk, all the soldiers were hungry and tired, they rushed to build a camp on the hillside, condescending, as a defense strategy.As soon as the camp was set up, the king of Chu rushed to the foot of the mountain with his elite before cooking, and immediately charged towards the hillside.The soldiers of the Imperial Battalion sent arrows and stones like rain, repelling the rebels.Seeing that the upward attack was not good, the Chu army immediately withdrew their troops and set up camp at the foot of the mountain.
In the evening of that day, Yelu Hongji was standing beside the cliff, looking south, and saw the campfire in the rebel camp like stars, and three fire dragons winding towards them in the distance, but it was the follow-up troops of the rebels who came to participate in the siege.Yelu Hongji felt sad, and was waiting to enter the account, when the Privy Councilor of the North Court came to report: "15,000 soldiers and horses under my subordinates rushed down the mountain to join the rebellion. I have no way to manage the army, and I deserve death." Yelu Hongji waved his hand, shook his head and said, "It's also your fault, go and rest!" He turned his head and saw Xiao Feng staring into the distance, he said: "As soon as dawn comes, the rebels will attack in a large scale, and I will be captured for the rest of my life. I am the king, I cannot be humiliated by traitors, I should kill myself to repay the country. Brother, you rushed out by yourself in the night. You are very skilled in martial arts, and the rebels will not be able to stop you." Speaking of this, he looked sad, and said: "I wanted to give you a lot of wealth, but I didn't know that as an older brother You can't protect yourself, but you are tired." Xiao Feng said: "Brother, a man can bend and stretch, today's battle is unfavorable, I guarantee you to retreat, recruit the old troops, Xu Tu will do it again." Hong Ji shook his head and said, "I can't even protect my mother and wife, so how can I be a real man? In the eyes of the Khitan people, the winner is a hero, and the loser is a rebel. How can I get better after a complete defeat? Go yourself!" Knowing that what he said was the truth, Xiao Feng said with emotion: "Since that is the case, then I will accompany my brother and fight the rebels to the death tomorrow. You and I are bound together in Jinlan, whether you are the emperor or a commoner, Xiao will be the one You are a righteous brother. Brother is in trouble, and a brother should live and die with you, how can you run away by yourself?" Tears welled up in Yelu Hongji's eyes, he held his hands and said, "My good brother, thank you very much." Xiao Feng returned to the tent, he saw Ah Zi curled up in a corner of the tent, with big round eyes open, still awake.AhZi asked: "Brother-in-law, do you blame me?" Xiao Feng wondered: "What are you blaming?" AhZi said: "It's all my fault, if it wasn't for the fact that I decided to go to the prairie to play, I wouldn't have Will get you stuck here. Brother-in-law, we're going to die here, aren't we?" The red light from the torches outside the tent reflected on her face, a blush appeared in her pale complexion, making her look even more petite and immature.Xiao Feng felt pity in his heart, and said softly: "How could I blame you? If I hadn't injured you, we wouldn't have come to this kind of place." Ah Zi smiled slightly, and said: "If I hadn't told you Shoot the poisonous needle, and you won't hurt me." Xiao Feng stretched out his big hand and stroked her hair.Besides AhZi's serious injury, most of her hair fell out, it was yellow and thin.Xiao Feng sighed lightly, and said: "You are young, but you suffer with me." Ah Zi said: "Brother-in-law, I didn't understand why my sister likes you so much, I finally understood." Xiao Feng thought to himself: "Your sister treats me with infinite affection, what do you little girl know. In fact, I don't even understand why Ah Zhu fell in love with a rude man like me, so how do you know?" Thinking of this, Shaking his head sadly. Ah Zi turned her head and said: "Brother-in-law, have you guessed why I shot you with a poisonous needle that day? I didn't want to shoot you to death, I just wanted you to be immobile, let me serve you." Xiao Feng wondered "What good is that?" Ah Zi smiled and said, "You can't move, so you can never leave me. Otherwise, you will look down on me in your heart, and you will leave me at any time and ignore me." Xiao Feng heard that although what she said was childish, he knew it was not casual nonsense, he couldn't help being startled secretly, and thought: "Anyway, everyone will die tomorrow, so it's enough to comfort her." He said: "You are really a child's idea, you I really like to follow me, even if you tell me, I will not refuse." Azi's eyes suddenly shone brightly, and she said happily: "Brother-in-law, after I recover from my injury, I will still follow you and never go back to Master Xingxiu School. Don't leave me alone." Xiao Feng knew that the troubles she caused in the Xingxiu Sect were not small, he expected that she would not dare to go back, he said with a smile: "You are the descendant of the elder sister of the Xingxiu Sect, if you don't go back, the group will have no leader, then what should I do?" Ah Zi Gege smiled and said, "Let them mess up. I don't care about it." 萧峰拉上毛毡，盖到她颈下，替她轻轻拢好了，展开毛毡，自行在营帐的另一角睡下。帐外火光时明时灭，闪烁不定，但听得哭声隐隐，知是御营官兵思念家人，大家均知明晨这一仗性命难保，只是各人忠于皇上，不肯背叛。
次晨萧峰一早便醒了，嘱咐室里队长备好马匹，照料阿紫，自己结束停当，吃了一斤羊肉，喝了三斤酒，走到山边。其时四下里尚一片黑暗，过不多时，东方曙光初现，御营中号角呜呜吹起，但听得铿铿锵锵，兵甲军刃相撞之声不绝于耳。营中一队队兵马开出，于各处冲要之处守御。萧峰居高临下的望将出去，只见东、南、东南方三面人头涌涌，尽是叛军。一阵白雾罩着远处，军阵不见尽头。 霎时间太阳于草原边上露出一弧，金光万道，射入白雾之中，浓露渐消，显出雾中也都是军马。蓦地里鼓声大作，敌阵中两队黄旗军驰了出来，跟着皇太叔和楚王乘马驰到山下，举起马鞭，向山上指点商议。 耶律洪基领着侍卫站在山边，见到这等情景，怒从心起，从侍卫手下接过弓箭，弯弓搭箭，一箭向楚王射去。从山上望将下去，似乎相隔不远，其实相距尚有数箭之地，这一箭没到半途，便力尽跌落。 楚王哈哈大笑，大声叫道：“洪基，你篡了我爹爹之位，做了这许多时候的伪君，也该让位了。你快快投诚，我爹爹便饶你不死，还假仁义的封你为皇太侄如何？哈哈哈！”这几句话，显然讽刺耶律洪基封耶律重元为皇太叔乃是假仁假义。 耶律洪基大怒，骂道：“无耻叛贼，还在逞这口舌之利。” 北院枢密使叫道：“主辱臣死！主上待我等恩重如山，今日正是我等报主之时。”率领了三千名亲兵，齐声发喊，从山上冲了下去。这三千人都是契丹部中的勇士，此番抱了必死之心，无不以一当十，大喊冲杀，登时将敌军冲退里许。但楚王令旗挥处，数万军马围了上来，刀矛齐施，只听得喊声震动天地，血肉横飞。三千人越战越少，斗到后来，尽数死节。北院枢密使力杀数人，自刎而死。耶律洪基、众将军大臣和萧峰等在山峰上看得明白，却无力相救，心感北院枢密使的忠义，尽皆垂泪。 楚王又驰到山边，笑道：“洪基，到底降不降？你这一点儿军马，还济得甚事？你手下这些人都是大辽勇士，又何必要他们陪你送命？是男儿汉大丈夫，爽爽快快，降就降，战就战，倘若自知气数已尽，不如自刎以谢天下，也免得多伤士卒。” 耶律洪基长叹一声，虎目含泪，擎刀在手，说道：“这锦绣江山，便让了你父子罢。你说得不错，咱们叔侄兄弟，骨肉相残，何必多伤契丹勇士的性命。”说着举起刀来，便往颈上勒去。 萧峰猿臂伸出，将他刀子夺过，说道：“大哥，是英雄好汉，便当死于战场，如何能自尽而死？” 洪基叹道：“兄弟，这许多将士跟随我日久，我反正是死，不忍他们尽都跟着我送了性命。” 楚王大声叫道：“洪基，你还不自刎，更待何时？”手中马鞭直指其面，嚣张已极。 萧峰见他越走越近，心念一动，低声道：“大哥，你跟他们信口敷衍，我悄悄掩近身去，射他一箭。” 洪基知他了得，喜道：“如此甚好，若能先将他射死，我死也瞑目。”当即提高嗓子，叫道：“楚王，我待你父子不薄，你父亲要做皇帝，也无不可，何必杀伤本国这许多军士百姓，害得我辽国大伤元气？” 萧峰执了一张硬弓，十枝狼牙长箭，牵过一匹骏马，慢慢拉到山边，一矮身，转到马腹之下，身藏马下，双足钩住马背，足尖一踢，那马便冲了下去。山下叛军见一匹空马奔将下来，马背上并无骑者，只道是军马断缰奔逸，这是十分寻常之事，谁也没加留神。但不久叛军军士便见到马腹之下有人，登时大呼起来。 萧峰以足尖踢马，纵马向楚王直冲过去，眼见离他约有二百步之遥，在马腹之下拉开强弓，嗖的一箭，向他射去。楚王身旁卫士举起盾牌，将箭挡开。萧峰纵马急驰，连珠箭发，一箭将那卫士射倒，第二箭直射楚王胸膛。 楚王眼明手快，马鞭挥出，往箭上击来。这以鞭击箭之术，原是楚王的拿手本领，却不知射这一箭之人不但膂力雄强，而且箭上附有内劲，马鞭虽击到了箭杆，却只将羽箭拨得准头稍歪，噗的一声，插入他的左肩。楚王叫声“啊哟！”痛得伏在鞍上。 萧峰羽箭又到，这一次相距更近，一箭从他左胁穿进，透胸而过。楚王身子一晃，从马背上溜了下来。 萧峰一举成功，心想：“我何不乘机更去射死了皇太叔！” 楚王中箭堕马，敌阵中人人大呼，几百枝羽箭都向萧峰所藏的马匹射到，霎时之间，那马中了二百多枝羽箭，变成了一匹刺猬马。 萧峰在地下几个打滚，溜到了一名军官的坐骑之下，展开小巧绵软功夫，随即从这匹马腹底下钻到那一匹马之下，一个打滚，又钻到另一匹马底下。众官兵无法放箭，纷纷以长矛来刺。但萧峰东一钻，西一滚，尽是在马肚子底下做功夫。敌军官兵乱成一团，数千人马你推我挤，自相残踏，却那里刺得着他？ 萧峰所使的，只不过是中原武林中平平无奇的地堂功夫。不论是地堂拳、地堂刀，还是地堂剑，都是在地下翻滚腾挪，俟机攻敌下盘。这时他用于战阵，眼明手快，躲过了千百只马蹄的践踏。他看准皇太叔的所在，直滚过去，嗖嗖嗖三箭，向皇太叔射去。 皇太叔的卫士先前见楚王中箭，已然有备，三十余人各举盾牌，密密层层的挡在皇太叔身前，只听得铮铮铮三响，三枝箭都在盾牌上撞了下来，萧峰所携的十枝箭射出了七枝，只剩下三枝，眼见敌人三十几面盾牌相互掩护，这三枝箭便要射死三名卫士也难，更不用说射皇太叔了。这时他已深入敌阵，身后数千军士挺矛追来，面前更是千军万马，实已陷入了绝境。当日他独斗中原群雄，对方只不过数百人，已然凶险已极，幸得有人相救，方能脱身，今日困于数十万人的重围之中，却如何逃命？ 这当儿情急拚命，蓦地里一声大吼，纵身而起，呼的一声，从那三十几面盾牌之上纵跃而过，落在皇太叔马前。皇太叔大吃一惊，举起马鞭往他脸上击落。萧峰斜身跃起，落上皇太叔的马鞍，左手抓住他后心，将他高高举起，叫道：“你要死还是要活？快叫众人放下兵刃！”皇太叔吓得呆了，对他的话一个字也没听见。 这时叛军中的扰攘之声更是震耳欲聋，成千成万的官兵弯弓搭箭，对准了萧峰，但皇太叔被他擒在手中，谁也不敢轻举妄动。 萧峰气运丹田，叫道：“皇太叔有令，众三军放下兵刃，听宣圣旨。皇帝宽洪大量，赦免全体官兵，谁都不加追究。”这几句话盖过了十余万人的喧哗纷扰，声闻数里，令得山前山后十余万官兵至少有半数人听得清清楚楚。 萧峰有过丐帮帮众背叛自己的经历，明白叛众心思，一处逆境之后，最要紧的是企图免罪，只须对方保证不念旧恶，决不追究，叛军自然斗志消失。此刻叛军势大，耶律洪基身边不过七八万余人马，众寡悬殊，决不是叛军之敌，其时局面紧急，不及向洪基请旨，便说了这几句话，好令叛军安心。 这几句话朗朗传出，众叛军的喧哗声登时静了下来，你看看我，我看看你，人人均是惶惑无主。 萧峰情知此刻局势极是危险，叛军中只须有人呼叫不服，数十万没头苍蝇般的叛军立时就会酿成巨变，当真片刻也延缓不得，又大声叫道：“皇帝有旨：众叛军中官兵不论官职大小，一概无罪，皇帝开恩，决不追究。军官士兵各就原职，大家快快放下兵刃！” 一片寂静之中，忽然呛啷啷、呛啷啷几声响，有几人掷下手中长矛。这掷下兵刃的声音互相感染，霎时之间，呛啷啷之声大作，倒有一半人掷下兵刃，余下的兀自踌躇不决。 萧峰左臂将皇太叔身子高高举起，纵马缓缓上山，众叛军谁也不敢拦阻，他马头到处，前面便让出一条路来。 萧峰骑马来到山腰，御营中两队兵马下来迎接，山峰上奏起鼓乐。 萧峰道：“皇太叔，你快快下令，叫部属放下兵刃投降，便可饶你性命。” 皇太叔颤声道：“你担保饶我性命？” 萧峰向山下望去，只见无数叛军手中还是执着弓箭长矛，军心未定，危险未过，寻思：“眼下是安军心为第一要务。皇太叔一人的生死何足道哉，只须派人严加监守，谅他以后再也不能为非作歹。”便道：“你戴罪立功，眼下是唯一的良机。陛下知道都是你儿子不好，决可赦你的性命。” 皇太叔原无争夺帝位的念头，都是因他儿子楚王野心勃勃而起祸，这时他身落人手，但求免于一死，便道：“好，我依你之言便了！” 萧峰让他安坐马鞍，朗声说道：“众三军听着，皇太叔有言吩咐。” 皇太叔大声道：“楚王挑动祸乱，现已伏法。皇上宽洪大量，饶了大家的罪过。各人快快放下兵刃，向皇上请罪。” 皇太叔既这么说，众叛军群龙无首，虽有凶鸷倔强之徒也已不敢再行违抗，但听得呛啷啷之声响成一片，众叛军都投下了兵刃。 萧峰押着皇太叔上得苍茫山来。耶律洪基喜不自胜，如在梦中，抢到萧峰身边，握着他的双手，说道：“兄弟，兄弟，哥哥这江山，以后和你共享之。”说到这里，心神激荡，不由得流下泪来。 皇太叔跪伏在地，说道：“乱臣向陛下请罪，求陛下哀怜。” 耶律洪基此时心境好极，向萧峰道：“兄弟，你说该当如何？”萧峰道：“叛军人多势众，须当安定军心，求陛下赦免皇太叔死罪，好让大家安心。” 耶律洪基笑道：“很好，很好，一切依你，一切依你。”转头向北院大王道：“你传下圣旨，封萧峰为楚王，官居南院大王，督率叛军，回归上京。” 萧峰吃了一惊，他杀楚王，擒皇太叔，全是为了要救义兄之命，决无贪图爵禄之意，耶律洪基封他这样的大官，倒令他手足无措，一时说不出话来。北院大王向萧峰拱手道：“恭喜，恭喜！楚王的爵位向来不封外姓，萧大王快向皇上谢恩。”萧峰向耶律洪基道：“哥哥，今日之事，全仗你洪福齐天，众官兵对你输心归诚，叛乱方得平定，做兄弟的只不过出一点蛮力，实在算不得什么功劳。何况兄弟不会做官，也不愿做官，请哥哥收回成命。” 耶律洪基哈哈大笑，伸右手揽着他肩头，说道：“这楚王之封、南院大王的官位，在我辽国已是最高的爵禄，兄弟倘若还嫌不够，一定不肯臣服于我，做哥哥的除了以皇位相让，更无别法了。” 萧峰吃了一惊，心想：“哥哥大喜之余，说话有些忘形了，眼下乱成一团，一切事情须当明快果决，不能有丝毫犹豫，以防更起祸变。”只得屈膝下跪，说道：“巨萧峰领旨，多谢万岁恩典。”耶律洪基笑着双手扶起。萧峰道：“臣不敢违旨，只得领受官爵。只是草野鄙人，不明朝廷法度，若有差失，尚请原宥。” 耶律洪基伸手在他肩头拍了几下，笑道：“决无干系！”转头向左军将军耶律莫哥道：“耶律莫哥，我命你为南院枢密使，佐辅萧大王，勾当军国重事。”耶律莫哥大喜，忙跪下谢恩，又向萧峰参拜，道：“参见大王！”洪基道：“莫哥，你禀受萧大王号令，督率叛军回归上京。咱们向皇太后请安去。” 当下奏起鼓乐，耶律洪基一行向山下走去。叛军的领兵将军已将皇太后、皇后等请出，恭恭敬敬的在营中安置。耶律洪基进得帐去，母子夫妻相见，死里逃生，恍如隔世，自是人人称赞萧峰的大功。 耶律莫哥先行，引导萧峰去和南院诸部属相见。适才萧峰在千军万马中一进一出，勇不可当，众人均是亲见。南院诸属官军虽然均是楚王的旧部，但一来萧峰神威凛凛，各人心中害怕，不敢不服，又都敬他英雄了得，二来楚王平素脾气暴躁，无恩于人，三来自己作乱犯上，心下都好生惶恐，是以萧峰一到军中，众叛军肃然敬服，齐听号令。 萧峰说道：“皇上已赦免各人从逆谋叛之罪，此后大伙儿应该痛改前非，再也不可稍起贰心。” 一名白须将军上前说道：“禀告大王，皇太叔和世子扣押我等家属，胁迫我等附逆，我等若有不从，世子便将我等家属斩首，事出无奈，还祈大王奏明万岁。” 萧峰点点头：“既是如此，以往之事，那也不用说了。”转头向耶律莫哥道：“众军就地休息，饱餐之后，拔营回京。” 当下南院中部属一个个依着官职大小，上来参见。萧峰虽然从来没做过官，但他久为丐帮帮主，统率群豪，自有一番威严。带着丐帮豪杰和契丹大豪，其间也无甚差别。只是辽军中另有一套规矩，萧峰一面小心在意，一面由耶律莫哥分派处理，一切均是井井有条。
萧峰带领大军出发不久，皇太后和皇后分别派了使者，到军中赐给袍带金银。萧峰谢恩甫毕，室里护着阿紫到了，她身披锦衣，骑着骏马，说道均是皇太后所赐。萧峰见她小小身体裹在宽大的锦袍之中，一张小脸倒被衣领遮去一半，不禁好笑。 阿紫没亲眼见到萧峰射杀楚王、生擒皇太叔，只是从室里等人口中转述而知。大凡述说往事，总不免加油添酱，将萧峰的功绩，更是说得神乎其神，加了三分。阿紫一见到他，便埋怨道：“姊夫，你立了这样的大功，怎么事先也不跟我说一声，否则我站在山边，亲眼瞧着你杀进杀出，岂不开心？倒让我白担了半天心事。”萧峰道：“这虽侥幸立下的功劳，事先我怎么知道？你一见面便来说孩子话。”阿紫道：“姊夫，你过来。” 萧峰走近她身边，见她苍白的脸上发着兴奋的红光，经她身上的锦绣衣裳一衬，倒像是个玩偶娃娃一般，又是滑稽，又是可爱，忍不住哈哈大笑起来。 阿紫脸有愠色，嗔道：“我跟你说正经话，你却哈哈大笑，有什么好笑？”萧峰笑道：“我见你穿着这样的衣服，像是个玩偶娃娃一般，很是有趣。”阿紫嗔道：“你老是当我小孩子，却来取笑于我。”萧峰笑道：“不是，不是！阿紫，这一次我只道咱二人都要死于非命了，哪知竟能死里逃生，我自然欢喜。什么南院大王、楚王的封爵，我才不放在心上，能够活着不死，那就好得很了。” 阿紫道：“姊夫，你也怕死么？”萧峰一怔，点头道：“遇到危险之时，自然怕死。”阿紫道：“我只道你是英雄好汉，不怕死的。你既然怕死，众叛军千千万万，你怎么胆敢冲将过去？”萧峰道：“这叫做置之死地而后生。我倘若不冲，就非死不可。那也说不上什么勇敢不勇敢，只不过是困兽犹斗而已。咱们围住了一头大