sbdcsierra Chapter 275 Crisis
Chapter 275 Crisis
"Third brother!" When Zong Yan Feiyi rushed over after hearing the news, his face turned slightly pale and his breathing became a little unstable.
"The Northern Army is attacking and is already at the gates of the city." Zong Yanhongjing turned around and asked Wang Ming to hand Zong Yanguanghe over to Zong Yanfeiyi and said, "This kid took A Yao out to play and now he ran back by himself. According to the location he described, I have sent people out to look for A Yao's whereabouts."
"But there is no news yet. Feiyi, take Guanghe with you and ask him to show you the way to find Ayao."
Zong Yanhongjing said in a deep voice: "After you go out and find A Yao, don't come back. Go straight through the mountains and forests, take the two children to Changfeng County, and find your second brother."
Zong Yanfeiyi's heart trembled when he heard Zong Yanhongjing's words, and his eyes were full of astonishment: "Third brother?"
Zong Yanhongjing suppressed the words that Zong Yanfeiyi was about to say and said, "Don't say any more. This is a military order. No matter what, the young children must not be harmed. They are the bloodline of the Zong Yan family and the children of Ali. Take the children and leave first."
"Take the news of the Northern Army's attack." Zong Yanhongjing's eyes were solemn. His slightly old but resolute black eyes were exactly the same as Zong Yanli's. He did not show any sign of retreat or timidity. He said seriously and calmly, "I will defend Shouxi County. Go."
Zong Yanfeiyi swallowed the words that were stuck in his throat, and finally leaned forward and replied: "Yes."
There was a hint of panic in Zong Yanguanghe's young eyes. He hurriedly grabbed Zong Yanhongjing's sleeve and said, "No! Grandfather, I don't want to leave! I want to stay with you!"
Zong Yanhongjing lowered his eyes, staring at the child in front of him, reached out and touched his head and said, "Guanghe, you have to take responsibility for yourself. Ayao went out because of you and now he has disappeared. Do you want to stay here and not look for Ayao?"
"I don't have it, I'm going to find it!" Zong Yanguang shook his head again and again, and said in panic: "I will definitely find A Yao back!"
"Okay." Zong Yanhongjing nodded slowly, looked at Zong Yanguanghe with gentle and firm eyes and said, "Then protect A Yao well."
"Grandfather..." Zong Yan Guanghe was a little anxious. He felt as if he was being tricked. He wanted to say something anxiously, but Zong Yan Hongjing had already waved his hands and nodded at Zong Yan Feiyi, signaling him to take his men away.
Zong Yanfeiyi took Zong Yanguanghe away. Zong Yanguanghe suddenly broke free from Zong Yanfeiyi's hand, turned around and ran towards Zong Yanhongjing, and threw himself into Zong Yanhongjing's arms. He hugged Zong Yanhongjing tightly with his little hands for a long time and said, "Grandfather, wait for me to come back. I want to kill the enemy with you!"
The child's firm tone made all the generals in the tent feel sad at that moment.
It was as if the naughty child from the past had grown up overnight. He had the innate perseverance of a soldier. He carried a crude and childish longbow made of wood on his back, but for no reason he had a sense of heroism as a general.
Zong Yanguang's eyes were red. He raised his hand to wipe his eyes, turned around and ran out, saying, "I'm going to find A Yao!"
Zong Yanfeiyi followed Zong Yanguanghe out and followed Zong Yanguanghe's lead into the forest. Not long after Zong Yanfeiyi and his men left, the Northern Army's troops had already arrived at Pingnan Camp.
Yi Tiangan, who had traveled through mountains and crossed rivers, looked at the familiar land in the south and the flag of Zong Yan family flying in Pingnan Camp in front of him, and his heart was beating violently.
Even though he knew that the killing god Zong Yanli was not here at the moment, looking at the familiar flag still made his mouth dry. Years of defeat in battles had made him feel shaken. This would be a crucial battle for them.
Only win!
Yi Tiangan knew clearly that if he could not injure Zong Yanli severely this time, then...
"General, everything is ready!" The chests of the lower troops of the Northern Army were trembling, their eyes fixed on the Pingnan Camp in front of them with the ambition to win.
"All soldiers, listen to my orders, follow me and kill!"
"kill--!!!"
The raised butcher knife exuded a chilling chill in the sunlight. The Northern Army that was charging forward came from all directions to surround and kill. Such a force must be the full force of the Northern Kingdom. Even if Zong Yanhongjing had received the news, he would still find it difficult to resist such an aggressive and ferocious army.
Fortunately, Zong Yanhongjing was not a stupid person. When he saw that the situation was not right, he led his troops to fight and retreat, and retreated into Shouxi County under tremendous pressure.
"Light the signal smoke and ask for help." Zong Yanhongjing panted and said, "The Northern Army is well prepared this time. I'm worried that the Lu Army may be on the way as well."
"Qian Zhixing! Cooperate with the governor of Shouxi County to relocate all the people in and outside the city. Hurry!" Zong Yanhongjing's hand holding the long sword trembled slightly, and he whispered, "If the Lu army goes around and cuts off our retreat, it will be too late to leave."
Qian Zhixing was about to agree, but his heart suddenly thumped twice, and he said with a little panic: "Then General, you..."
Zong Yanhongjing closed his eyes slightly, exhaled slowly, and said calmly: "Since the Northern Army and the Lu Army have arrived here, I believe Ali has already noticed it and will attack from the north in a few days."
As he spoke, he smiled, looking at Qian Zhixing with relaxed eyes, and said, "Ali is a master at using troops. You have nothing to be afraid of. Take the people and evacuate quickly. I will stay in Shouxi County and then meet with Ali and his son to repel the enemy."
Zong Yanhongjing spoke very easily, and that tone actually made Qian Zhixing strangely calm down. He nodded in a daze, thinking, this man is Zong Yanli's father, he can never compare to him, it is better to worry about a fight, and just run faster with his crippled leg!
Qian Zhixing pursed his lips, glanced in the direction outside Shouxi County, and nodded: "Yes, I will arrange the evacuation right away."
"General..." Qian Zhixing responded, but he couldn't move his feet at all. He asked in a dry voice, "Is General Zong Yan really on the way to help?"
"Yeah." Zong Yanhong nodded in response: "Okay, let's go."
Qian Zhixing gritted his teeth, shook off the thoughts in his mind, took a deep breath, turned around and hurried downstairs.
After all, it was a veteran like Zong Yanhongjing who stayed at the city gate almost without sleep, resisting the Northern Army's repeated sieges. On the other hand, Qian Zhixing was busy relocating all the people in Shouxi County, but some people who remained in the county refused to leave no matter what.
These are the people who were born here for generations, and they are unwilling to give up their homes.
"Take the children and go." Most of those who chose to stay were elderly people. They felt that they had difficulty walking and didn't know where to go if they left here. If they had any illnesses, their children and grandchildren would be a burden to them, so most of them chose to stay.
"Dad——!" The big man holding the child knelt in front of the door and kowtowed. The old father inside the house held the door and reached out to close it cruelly.
The same thing is happening to so many families. It’s easier for those with many brothers, but some people insist on leaving, even carrying their elderly mothers on their backs.
The old woman patted her son's back and said, "You idiot! My old bones are worthless! Why are you taking me away? Put me down quickly, son!"
The son who was carrying his old mother on his back said nothing. He picked up the child in one hand, pulled the cart, called his wife to follow, and left in a hurry.
The once prosperous and bustling Shouxi County was almost gone in just a few days.
Outside the city, the enemy's siege horns were constantly blowing, and the siege catapults smashed the huge rocks on the city wall, often causing the ground to shake. After a few days, those who had originally wanted to stay became scared, and many of them ran away secretly.
Qian Zhixing has been very busy these days, trying to persuade the people in the city to leave. Seeing the situation becoming increasingly tense, he finally protected his wife and children and left Shouxi County.
"Aju, go stay at your cousin's house for a few days." Qian Zhixing was always worried about Shouxi County. He escorted his wife and children out of Shouxi County's fiefdom. He said to his wife and children, "I have sent a letter to my cousin's family, and sent some gifts and money."
"Just go there as soon as possible. My brothers will escort you." Qian Zhixing reached out and touched Guo Xueru's cheek, and said with some struggle in his eyes: "General Zong Yan has been very kind to me."
"I can't leave the general alone to guard the city gate." Qian Zhixing took a deep breath, looked at Guo Xueru with pity, and said in a hoarse voice: "Wait for me to pick you up."
Qian Zhixing was about to turn around, but Guo Xueru grabbed his sleeve and said, "Qian Zhixing! Are you just going to leave me like this?"
Qian Zhixing lowered his head, clenched his fists, took a deep breath, turned around and hugged Guo Xueru tightly, saying: "If I can't come back, you... find another good family to marry."
Guo Xueru couldn't hold back any longer after hearing this, and burst into tears in his arms, "You said you would protect me for the rest of my life, how can a man break his promise!"
"Qian Zhixing, you have to come pick me up. You must come." Guo Xueru knew her husband too well. She knew that she would not be able to persuade him today. She only choked up and said, "I will wait for you. If you don't come back... I won't live anymore!"
"Don't talk nonsense, A'ru." Qian Zhixing reached out to wipe the tears from her face and said, "Live well, for me and for the child."
Qian Zhixing let her go, looked back in the direction of Shouxi County, and finally kissed her forehead eagerly. Without hesitation, he jumped on the horse, turned the horse's head and headed straight back to Shouxi County.
Guo Xueru stood there, watching Qian Zhixing riding away on his horse. She felt as if her heart was being pulled hard, and tears blurred her vision. As she watched Qian Zhixing going away, her breathing felt like it was being cut by a knife.
Outside Shouxi County, the Northern Army rarely stopped its offensive.
Zong Yanhongjing had a moment to catch his breath. In these few short days, he seemed to have gained a few more white hairs.
At this moment, he was sitting in the military tent, giving orders tirelessly to issue military orders, strengthen the city defenses, and dispatch troops.
"There are too many wounded soldiers and the losses are too great. We have run out of weapons and arrows." Wang Ming's eyes were full of bloodshot. Everyone's face was tired, and they didn't even have time to wipe the dust off their cheeks.
"Those with minor injuries continue to rotate." Zong Yanhongjing said in a hoarse voice, pursing his lips, "If there are no arrows, cut the branches of trees in the city into wooden arrows."
"Go out of the city at night to pick up scattered arrows..."
Zong Yanhongjing arranged the military operations in an orderly manner, making sure there were no omissions, and then continued, "Any news about the reinforcements?"
Wang Ming shook his head. Only a few days had passed, and even if the reinforcements were coming, they would still be on the way. Zong Yanhongjing knew that he was anxious, but he was very uneasy at the moment. The Northern Army had been attacking the city for several days, but suddenly stopped today.
I am afraid……
"Report——!"
"Report——!"
The shrill roar that came at this moment seemed to bring unspeakable bad news.
"Report! General! The enemy...the enemy is attacking the city!"
"General! The back door is trapped, and the enemy reinforcements are arriving!"
Our reinforcements have not yet arrived, but the enemy's reinforcements have already arrived.
The last bit of hope in Zong Yanhongjing's heart was shattered. What he had expected earlier came true. The Lu army really went around the rear of Shouxi County and directly surrounded Shouxi County with the Northern Army from the front and back. Their intention was to break into the city!
Zong Yanhongjing felt a bitter feeling in his heart. Listening to the military reports that were getting louder and louder, he knew clearly at this moment that his defense would not last long under the joint siege of the Northern Army and the Lu Army.
Beacon fires and smoke started burning all over Shouxi County, rising into the sky and coinciding with the setting sun.
On the wilderness road, Zong Yanli looked at the setting sun sinking slowly into the horizon. The anxiety in his heart was beyond words. The knuckles of his hands, which were holding the reins, turned white.
"Gee!" She rode her horse in front, and behind her were many soldiers who followed her and ran day and night.
"Rest where you are!" The wind rushed into his throat, making it sting. Zong Yanli suppressed the urgency that kept coming out of his heart, turned his head to pay attention to the soldiers behind him, and would stop to rest after each rush, and then continue to move forward.
She didn't have much time. Everyone could see Zong Yanli's anxiety, so much so that all the soldiers almost burned out their physical strength and followed Zong Yanli's pace without sleep.
Countless mobilization calls urged them to hurry up, and hurry up. The country was in danger, and if they went too late, the country would be destroyed and the family would be ruined!
Think about your family, your wife and children, and the home they haven't returned to for many years...
Faster, faster—
"We have entered the territory of Daqian and will soon reach Pingnan Camp." Pei Liang and the others had weather-beaten faces. As they marched along at Zong Yanli's pace, even if the people didn't need to rest, the horses had to rest as well.
"General, please eat something." Pei Liang brought some dry food and a water bag.
Zong Yanli silently took it and put it into his mouth, chewing and swallowing it bit by bit, as if he didn't care at all about what was in his mouth.
Pei Liang and the others watched this scene and no one dared to say anything. They all chewed their dry food in silence, cherishing this moment of rest. After the rest, they continued to move forward and headed straight for Pingnan Camp.
Finally, after marching for a day and a night, they saw the wolf smoke rising from the direction of Shouxi County. Looking at it from afar, Zong Yanli's heart tightened, and the corners of his eyes seemed to be stained with scarlet. He raised his whip and galloped towards the direction of Shouxi County.