The soldiers of the Northern Army marched westward towards Hanlu City, leaving behind pieces of tattered clothes and broken weapons.
Looking back, Yugu City stands quietly in the wilderness, lifeless.
Wu Gen sat on the holly bird and combed its feathers distressedly. The wound injured by Cang Yu has not yet healed, and some parts of the skin are clearly exposed.
According to the military meeting, the Northern Army abandoned Yugu City as planned and marched towards Huali City, the last acropolis before Hanlu City.
Shui Congyue had already left with his men, preparing to harass the coalition's advance. According to the two days of reconnaissance, after the previous encounter, the coalition forces were obviously much more stable, and they moved forward cautiously. There was only two miles between the front army and the central army, and there were a lot of covering forces on the two wings.
In order to prevent the opponent from moving too smoothly, Wu Gen planned to let the mastiff wolves led by Shui Congyue, Baoxiang, and Niu Ye and Niu Chao take turns harassing the coalition march.
Of course, instead of killing them all like Wu Gen, they just harassed the scattered troops on both wings to make it difficult for the enemy to live in peace.
Fifteen pieces of jade have been handed over to the bridge team, and now Wu Gen is completely pauper. He originally wanted to use the Rebel Army to lure out the opponent's masters and annihilate them, and asked Shui Congyue and others to ambush on the shuttle. However, the opponent turned a blind eye and did not wait for an opportunity to sneak attack on the Rebel Army. In the end, he could only Give up in frustration.
As for Wu Gen, Shui Congyue strictly ordered him to stay in the army and was not allowed to go anywhere. In this way, with the two armies harassing and pulling each other, Wu Gen led his men to Huali City.
Upon entering the city, Wu Gen asked Sun Hong to quickly inventory the supplies in the city, mobilize the people to move westward, and be ready to abandon this strong city at any time.
Zhesang City in the south had already been given away before Yugu City changed hands, and now the southern front of the coalition has occupied this city. According to the agreement with Wu Gen, Yuan Xin is moving closer to Wu Gen to resist the southern coalition's attack on the Northern Army.
At night in Huali City, in a clean courtyard left by an unknown person, Wu Genzheng, Hu Jia and others were discussing the march again. In the past two days, the coalition forces suddenly stopped and seemed to be reorganizing their troops, which gave Wu Gen some breathing space.
During the discussion, Ha Ying suddenly came to report that Ji Ye was here.
"Why is he here? But something happened." Wu Gen looked up in shock. Ji Ye was leading a section of the Southern Army to defend Hanlu City. What did he mean by running here?
Ha Ying hesitated for a moment, "The Second Young Master didn't say anything, but Ji Yan is here too."
Wu Gen was even more surprised. After killing Ji Xin, expelling Huang Jun, and cleaning up Ji Yan's influence in the Fearless Army, he gave her to Ji Ye so that she would not be difficult to control in the army.
The two of them came here together tonight, and Wu Gen suddenly had an ominous premonition.
"Invite them here quickly." Wu Gen ordered, preparing to take Baoxiang and others to greet Ji Ye and Ji Yan.
"The Second Young Master has arrived." Ha Ying's eyes flickered and he glanced in the direction of the door.
"So fast." Wu Gen's face looked a little unsightly.
In the main room, candlelight flickered, Wu Gen and Ji Ye sat side by side on the main seats, and Ji Yan was next to his brother.
On Wu Gen's side were Shui Congyue, Baoxiang, Hu Jia, and Yang Zheng.
Looking at Ji Ye beside him, Wu Gen felt a little sad. Ji Ye, who used to have an extraordinary appearance, now had an unkempt beard, sunken eye sockets, and a tired look on his face. It was obvious that he had not been living a good life these days.
Ji Yan opened her big eyes and looked at Wu Gen and Shui Congyue from time to time with complicated expressions.
"Something happened?" Wu Gen spoke first. It would definitely not be a good thing for Ji Ye to leave his troops and come here late at night.
"Well, it's about you." Ji Ye was straightforward and rubbed his brows tiredly, "Rumors have spread in Hanlu City these past two days, saying that as a foreigner, you respect yourself as a soldier and have no intention of defending the Ji family. Thinking of gathering military power and killing the generals of the clan, the opposite has been revealed.
Especially once Yugu City was lost, the talk about you in the city became even more noisy. It was said that you would definitely lead the troops to escape, regardless of Hanlu City's life or death.
Someone suggested to eldest brother that you be transferred to Hanlu City to defend the city and take the opportunity to seize your military power. Some people suggested that you should be dismissed from your post to punish the crime of losing territory and defeating the army. "
After hearing this, Wu Gen felt more relieved. Ji Ye was able to bring a few people here instead of summoning himself to his camp because he trusted himself. As for the rumors, hehe, Wu Gen raised his head and glanced at Ji Yan.
Sensing the unkind looks from Wu Gen and the people around him, Ji Yan lowered her eyes and said, "It's not me."
Um? Wu Gen was stunned.
"My sister didn't do it. I checked and found that someone did it deliberately. Who can spread the rumors to the whole city overnight? Who has such great ability?" Ji Ye waved his hand helplessly at Wu Gen, "My sister's subordinates are just I was taken advantage of and got involved in this turmoil.”
Wu Gen rolled his eyes. Since it wasn't Ji Yan, who would want to make him unlucky now? He turned to look at Yang Zheng, "Haha, someone is robbing you of your business. Who do you think it could be?"
Yang Zheng lifted his belly up, revealing his belt, "Gu Yang Sibei, he seems to be a true peer in this trick."
Ji Ye raised his eyebrows slightly. He didn't expect Wu Gen to guess it so quickly. This was good, as it saved him the trouble of explaining.
"Wu Gen, let's have a fight in Huali City." Ji Ye suddenly said.
Wu Gen was stunned and turned towards Ji Ye, "Didn't we agree to withdraw all the way to the west and let the enemy divide their forces before choosing a place for a decisive battle? Huili City was originally going to be abandoned."
Ji Ye looked a little embarrassed. He looked at his sister and said after careful consideration, "Brother wants you to fight here to wash away the slander against you by those rumors."
Wu Gen turned his head and looked at the huge candle in the corner, and after a while he said, "This is in exchange for me continuing to be the governor, right?"
A trace of guilt flashed in Ji Ye's eyes, and he put his hand on Wu Gen's arm resting on the table, "I tried my best, but the eldest brother insisted on his own opinion, so I put my sister here to prove to others that the Ji family still trusts you. "
"Many more people will die. The coalition forces have not been completely stretched out yet. If we abandon Huili City, we can reduce the opponent's strength by nearly 10,000. Our strength may be comparable to theirs, and our chances of winning will be greater." Wu Gen looked at it. At the door, he seemed to be saying to himself, "If we were to fight directly here, I'm afraid the Northern Army wouldn't be able to survive with just over 20,000 troops."
"I know, and I also agree to give up Huali City, but if you give up without a fight, you may not even have the chance to lead the army." Ji Ye retracted his hand, "Of course, if we defeat the real defender, If you can't stay, you can retreat. Let's choose an execution point as soon as possible.
I originally wanted to rely on Hanlu City for a decisive battle, but my father sent back the news that in all the years the Ji family has been the iron hand, there has never been an army siege in the main city. It is not allowed to happen here, and they strictly ordered the enemy to be defended. outside. He...he wanted to bring the heads of each family back to the city to be more prosperous after a great victory over the coalition forces. He didn't want to see a dilapidated Hanlu City. As the old man gets older, he is inevitably a bit stubborn. "
Wu Gen blinked, "Okay, let's have a fight. In addition to Yuan Xin's people resisting the enemies on the southern front, your troops will slowly move here first, and don't rush up all at once. The decisive battle cannot be advanced in advance. , otherwise the chance of winning is too small.
I led the Northern Army to try to consume as many coalition troops as possible here. We agreed that if we could win this battle, I would need more coalition prisoners, and I would attack their territory. But don't worry, I won't occupy their territory, it still belongs to your Ji family. "
"Yes, I will definitely make your request to my father and eldest brother. Don't blame eldest brother. In fact, the Confederate Army was able to transfer over, and he also shouldered a lot of pressure. Without the Confederate Army guard outside the city, Hanlu City can only It's an isolated city, and it all depends on him leading people to guard it." Seeing Wu Gen's agreement, Ji Ye relaxed a little and explained a few words for his brother.
"Give me some money. I've already put all my own coffins in it." Wu Gen stretched out his hand to Ji Ye.
"Is there more? Because taxes from various places are delayed, the family doesn't have much money left." Ji Ye spread his hands helplessly.
"One hundred Yao jade coins." Wu Gen stretched out five fingers and shook them forward and backward.
"There aren't that many. Yao jade coins are the foundation of a clan. They are all in the hands of my father and elder brother. I can only find a way to help you raise fifty." Ji Ye was a little angry, and Wu Gen's asking price was too harsh. .
"Okay, fifty is fifty." Knowing that his brother was in trouble, Wu Gen did not insist, and mentally calculated the comparison of the enemy's and our own forces, "When will your father come out? You must know that when he shows up, he can at least be worth ten thousand elite soldiers. "
"If my father can't come out, he still has to watch the family heads. Now the edicts are being sent to various families, and most of them have ambiguous attitudes. If these family heads are released, the variables will be too great, and it is impossible to say that the situation will be unmanageable." Ji Ye naturally knew what Wu Gen was doing. Thoughts, patiently explained: "Only if we win this battle can we frighten the families. Then we can release the heads of the families and the restructuring can proceed smoothly."
"Okay, I understand. Since we are going to fight in Huali City, I have to make more preparations. You can return to camp early and I will ask Suoji to take you back. Speaking of which, there are no defenses around Huili City. Good guard, I'll tell you in advance." Seeing that it was getting late, Wu Gen did not hesitate to issue an eviction order. He is his brother anyway, so there is no need to worry too much.
"Besides, the third young master should return to Hanlu City. The war is about to begin and the army is in chaos. There is really no spare capacity to protect the safety of the third young master." Wu Gen raised his hand to Ji Yan on one side.
"I will not interfere with anything in the military this time. With me here, brother can feel more at ease with you." Ji Yan straightened up and met Wu Gen's gaze without fear.
"Let my sister stay, she can understand the importance." Ji Ye also persuaded in a low voice, but glanced at Shui Congyue intentionally or unintentionally, "I know you are scratching your head about the Lu family's soldiers, I have brought fifty The famous Yanshi can each control five flying thunders, which can help you fight against the Lu family."
Wu Gen looked at Ji Yan, but did not dare to look at Shui Congyue, and nodded, "It's okay to stay. You have to stay with me in the Chinese Army. When you have nothing to do, you can join the law enforcement team and clean up military discipline."
The reason why Ji Yan was placed in the law enforcement team was to deter Ai Kai, Ji Dai, Chi Huahe and others from disobeying the command. Moreover, Ji Huan was still in the law enforcement team.
After everything was explained, Ji Ye prepared to rush back to the Southern Army camp overnight, and Wu Gen saw him off personally. When they left the courtyard, Ji Ye tugged on Wu Gen's sleeve, and the two of them walked to a deserted place.
Ji Ye whispered a few words to Wu Gen. After listening, Wu Gen suddenly raised his head and said with a surprised look on his face: "Is it reliable?"
"Not reliable." Ji Ye replied calmly.
Wu Gen was a little dumbfounded, "We have reached such a situation, and a war is about to begin. This is unreliable. What can you tell me?"
Ji Ye smiled slightly, "Whether this is reliable or not depends on what you and I do. If you and I play well here, others will follow suit. If we don't play well, it will naturally be unreliable."
"Oh, you're just a wallflower again. Okay, I'll note this down." Wu Gen shook his head helplessly.
After Ji Ye finished speaking, he turned around and was about to leave. After taking two steps, he suddenly stopped again and looked at Wu Gen without saying a word for a long time.
Wu Gen was a little embarrassed by what he saw, and took a step back unconsciously, "What do you want to do? I tell you, I like women."
"Please, Wu Gen." Ji Ye was not moved by Wu Gen's words. He bowed deeply and bowed deeply, and stayed up for a long time.
Wu Gen sighed, stretched out his hand to help Ji Ye up, and said with a gentle face: "My brother, what nonsense are you talking about? Don't worry, as long as the Ji family has you here, I will fight this battle with all my life. When the time comes, your father will Or when your elder brother wants to touch me, I hope I can be protected."
Ji Ye looked a little sad, and suddenly raised his head, "Don't worry, I won't let this happen." After saying that, he strode out.
Wu Gen took Shui Congyue and others and looked at the flying bird in the night sky. He was silent for a moment, then turned to Yang Zheng and ordered: "Bring Ye Ziming and Bu Qiyin here, Bu Kuan wants to play." Hedging your bets, don’t even think about it.”
After saying that, he gave an order to Ha Ying, who came after hearing the news, "Calling all the thousands of households here, I want to assign tasks. From tonight, the entire army will start preparing to defend the city."
Some people died, but not completely...
