The cold wind was biting at the top of the city. In the wooden shacks, the vigilant sergeants' faces were covered with frostbite. They looked out carefully and stamped their feet to keep warm.
In the wilderness outside the city, the Mongolian army's cavalry were constantly coming and going. They were riding horses and galloping, breathing hot air from their mouths and nostrils, not afraid of the cold and desolate wilderness.
Compared with the Xixia people in the city, the Mongolian troops outside the city were better able to adapt to the severe cold and could endure the cold better. No one knows when the Mongolian army will attack the city, so it is necessary to guard the city wall.
However, compared to the uneasiness when the Mongolian army first attacked the city, the Xia army defenders now feel much more at ease and have adapted to the bloody charge.
"Gao Hu, you think these guys live in a world of ice and snow, don't they feel cold?"
The Xia soldiers guarding the city did not hide in Kuidu. They held the red tassel gun in their arms, rubbed their hands and stamped their feet, and asked their comrades next to them.
"It's much colder on the prairie than here. It's not like you can live well!"
Gao Hu poked the wood in the brazier, his face flushed, and an unhealed wound on his forehead stood out.
"It's been more than a month, and the Tatars haven't retreated yet. What are they doing? Are they waiting for us to surrender in Kaicheng?"
Wu Zangkuidu hopes in his heart that the Mongolian army will leave early, and maybe he can still have a lively New Year.
"Opening the city gate means death, but defending the city may save your life. Only a fool would surrender!"
Gao Hu smiled coldly, stood up, looked at the Mongolian army camp outside the city, and then squatted down again.
"Those Tatar soldiers are not preparing to attack the city, are they?"
Wu Zangkui looked outside the city, his heart rising again.
"What, are you scared? Without Song Jun here, don't you feel at ease?"
Gao Hu chuckled.
Without the Song army to help defend the city, not to mention the new recruit Zang Kuidu, even he, an old wanderer in the army, was trembling in his heart.
"Those Song troops, why don't they come to defend the city?"
Even Zangkui smiled sheepishly. He looked at the city wall and asked curiously.
"We are not hiding in Kuidu. They are here to help us. Most of them are gunners and grenadiers. Besides, in these days of defending the city, as you can see, the Song army suffered more than two thousand casualties. It's quite interesting. Got it!"
Gao Hu was warming himself by the fire without raising his head.
Without these Song Army training, without the Song Army's artillery, without the Song Army taking the lead, the defense of Lingzhou City would have collapsed.
These Song troops were all outlaws and had strict military discipline. When the time comes, they will come.
"That's right! With these Song troops and these artillery pieces, why are they not afraid of the Tatar army outside the city!"
Wu Zangkuidu nodded and turned his eyes to the artillery carts on the city head, feeling a little calmer immediately.
With these guys and these artillery and firearms, he is not afraid of no matter how many Mongolian troops there are.
"Look, His Highness and the Song Army generals are coming up!"
Gao Hu suddenly stood up, and Wu Zangkui turned around and saw Lingzhou guard Li Deren, Ning Zining, Cao Youwan and others climbing up the city wall.
Everyone climbed up the city wall, but the mongolian camps in the ice and snow outside the city were still scattered all over the mountains and plains, which made them feel depressed.
Li Deren's heart sank involuntarily, but he immediately put on a smile.
With so many soldiers guarding the city, we can't let the morale of the army drop.
Seeing Li Deren coming up, all the Xia soldiers stood up straight and were respectful.
The title of Prince of Xixia is extraordinary. In addition, Li Deren's benevolence, righteousness, generosity, bravery and unyielding won the hearts of the people of Lingzhou.
Li Deren breathed out and looked back from outside the city.
"Little brother, are you afraid?"
Li Deren looked at a soldier with frostbite on his face and asked warmly.
"Your Highness, don't be afraid. My parents and children are in Lingzhou City. How can we do it without all our efforts! Besides, Your Highness has such powerful firearms, so I'm safe in my heart!"
Not even Zangkui rubbed his hands and said with an apologetic smile on his face.
Li Deren nodded, walked a few steps, and stopped in front of a veteran.
"Gao Hu, you are also on top of the city. Thank you for your hard work!"
"Your Highness, it's not hard! Those Tatar dogs are suffering more than us by staying on the ice!"
Gao Hu's words made everyone laugh.
This soldier is naughty, but he is also brave and good at fighting, and he is full of passion.
"Ye Limo, are your injuries healed? Why are you here?"
Li Deren was stunned for a while when he saw that the injured Ye Limo was also there.
This guy is so brave in battle, why did he end up on the city wall?
"Your Highness, it's nothing but a small injury. My two brothers-in-law are guarding the city wall. I dare not not come and take a look, and give you some food by the way!"
Ye Limou said embarrassedly, leaving Li Deren and others to smile.
The Mongol army came to the city, and all the Xixia soldiers and people were united as one.
"Ms. Ning, go visit the wealthy families in the city and ask each of them to provide some delicious food, so that the soldiers can have a good New Year's Eve and welcome the New Year!"
Li Deren thought for a moment and then gave the order.
The guards at the top of the city, especially the Song soldiers who came for reinforcements, have traveled thousands of miles away from their hometowns. Why don't they have a good meal during the Chinese New Year?
"Your Highness, I will do it now!"
Ning Zining accepted the order and left happily.
"Brothers, hang up the lanterns, set off the firecrackers, and have a lively New Year!"
Li Deren shouted loudly, and there were thunderous cheers on the top of the city. The soldiers guarding the wall in the cold night were all excited, cheering and smiling.
This New Year, I finally have something to look forward to.
Cao Youwan looked at the dim and silent Mongolian military camp outside the city and muttered to himself.
I don’t know if the spell the emperor said has come true? Is there an epidemic among the Mongolian army?
Wine and meat were served, the guards cheered, and strings of red lanterns were hung on the top of the city. Although they were not so dazzling, they finally had a festive atmosphere.
"General Cao, drink!"
Ye Limou came up and handed over the wine bowl in his hand.
Drinks were valuable during wartime, and these treasures were plundered by all parties and hard-earned.
"General Yeli, please!"
Cao Youwan picked up the wine bowl, touched it with Yeli Mou, and drank it all in one gulp.
"General Cao, I originally thought that the Song Dynasty used culture to control military affairs, and the Song Army officers and soldiers were all cowards. After a while, I realized that I was really blind! All of you Song Army officers and soldiers are heroes!"
Ye Limo told the truth, which aroused the agreement of the surrounding soldiers.
"General Yeli, you Xia Army are the same. You don't care about life and death, you fight one after another, there is not a weakling, you are all resounding men! You are real swordsmen! Warriors who dare to show their swords!"
Cao Youwan's face turned red due to the cold wind, and he sincerely admired Ye Limo.
"General Yeli, if you Daxia were all hot-blooded men like you, how could the Tatar army be so rampant? Come on, I'll give you a bowl!"
Zhang Zhongxia was afraid that Cao Youwan would drink too much and cause trouble, so he came up and poured half of his wine to Ye Limo, and took the initiative to drink with Ye Limo.
"General Zhang, Brother Zhang, your beard is too long. Haha, do it!"
The two touched their wine bowls and drank the wine in one gulp.
In fact, two bowls of wine per person is all we have on this New Year’s Eve.
"These Tatar thieves made it difficult for me to spend New Year's Eve and I couldn't even enjoy the wine!"
Yelimo wiped his mouth and shouted loudly.
"Brothers, follow me and sing together!"
"How can I say that I have no clothes? I am in the same boat as my son.
The king raised his army and repaired my spear and halberd. Work together with your son. "
Ye Limo sang loudly, and all the troops on the city wall gathered around the fire, drank wine, and sang along.
"How can I say that I have no clothes? I share the same clothes with you.
The king raised his troops and repaired my armor. Go with me..."
The singing was loud and clear. Zhang Zhongxia wrapped his sheepskin cloak tightly tightly subconsciously and looked toward the southeast, which was the direction of the Song Dynasty.
I don’t know, what’s the situation at home? Is Li Siyu still waiting for him?
The song was loud and impassioned, spreading far away and resounding through the dark sky to welcome the new year after the dark night.
