Not daring to light a fire for fear of exposing their whereabouts, the soldiers huddled up and cuddled together.
How can I say that I have no clothes, but I share the same robe with you?
The night was already dark, and the soldiers fell asleep in the biting cold wind. Li Qinzai was very tired, but he still didn't sleep.
I feel very sad. Today's head-on battle with Tibet resulted in the loss of more than a thousand soldiers. All of them were fresh and blooming lives that were lost forever in an instant.
Behind this cold number were not only the sacrifices on the battlefield, but also their parents, wives and children. Li Qinzai could not imagine how he would face the eager eyes of those who were looking forward to the return of their relatives when he returned to Chang'an.
The situation was not optimistic. In order to encircle Shanzhou, he and his soldiers had to abandon their original strategy and gave the initiative on the battlefield to Lu Dongzan.
Next, it will take several days for Su Dingfang's army to reach the border. Li Qinzai must persist until Su Dingfang arrives no matter what.
It was time to consider returning to Liangzhou. The land of Tuyuhun had been turned upside down by him. Since he had given up his strategy for Shanzhou, it would be meaningless to insist on entering Tuyuhun, and Lu Dongzan would not be fooled again.
While thinking about the next step, a scout galloped over, breaking the silence of the night.
"Report——, Mr. Li County, there is a group of people approaching us. It is difficult to distinguish between friend and foe in the dark. They are only three or four miles away from our army station."
Li Qinzai frowned and said, "How many people are there on the other side?"
"Seven or eight riders are coming from the east."
Li Qinzai immediately ordered: "Send a commander to lead a team to meet them. If they are enemies, they will be killed on the spot."
Not long after, the chief came leading a group of people.
Li Qinzai squinted his eyes and couldn't help being surprised.
It was actually Zi Nu and her followers.
This haunting woman, why is she everywhere? Didn’t we say goodbye vigorously?
The chief obviously knew her. After leading his team to greet her, he took them to the station.
Zi Nu and his entourage looked very embarrassed. Their clothes were in tatters and their faces were gray. They didn't say hello to Li Qinzai when they saw him. Zi Nu waved to Liu Asi next to him: "Get some food, hurry up!"
Liu Asi subconsciously reached into her arms and took out a piece of dried meat. Her followers were not polite and reached out to Li Qinzai's subordinates to ask for food. They took the food and squatted on the ground to devour it. Each one looked uglier than the last, as if they were hungry. Like half a month.
This scene was very familiar to Li Qinzai.
During the disaster relief in Bingzhou, the officers and soldiers were like this when they were giving porridge to the refugees outside the city. The refugees at least showed some etiquette. After being given porridge, they bowed before eating. These people didn't even say thank you.
"You..." Li Qinzai spoke in surprise. As soon as he said two words, Zi Nu blocked him back.
"Hold your words!" Zi Nu's mouth was full of food, and she looked up and glared at him.
Damn it, I’m giving you face, right?
Li Qinzai grabbed her and dropped his palm unceremoniously. With a snap, the slap landed hard on her upright and elastic buttocks.
Zi Nu screamed and jumped up on the spot, covering his butt and staring at him with shame and anger.
The attendants next to him were dumbfounded, and Wei Tuo even had an expression of grief and indignation, as if he wanted to humiliate his minister and wipe his neck on a dead horse.
"While we were eating, we were talking, what's going on?" Li Qinzai clapped his hands with unfinished thoughts, then pointed at Wei Tuo, who was filled with grief and anger, and said, "Eating yours, what do you know about the pleasures of a boudoir? This is the only thing your princess likes. Son."
Wei Tuo groaned angrily, endured the humiliation and continued to eat.
Zi Nu stared at him with shame and anger, but under Li Qinzai's threatening eyes, he had to say: "We just came out of Shanzhou City..."
Li Qinzai was surprised: "After you separated from me, you went to Shanzhou?"
"Yes, I originally planned to go to Chang'an, but the war is not over and you haven't dispatched the troops. I... can't let it go. A few days ago, I heard that Tubo had increased its troops by 30,000 and sent troops to Shanzhou, so we rushed to Shanzhou to see what happened. Can I help you...do something to help the defenders and people of Shanzhou."
Li Qinzai sighed: "What are you trying to do?"
Zi Nu's pretty face turned red, she lowered her eyelids and said in a low voice: "It has nothing to do with you, it's just about doing my best for the people of the Tang Dynasty. After all, I still owe you..."
Li Qinzai sighed and said, "What did you do in Shanzhou City?"
"Before the Tubo army surrounded Shanzhou, we persuaded some people to evacuate Shanzhou. Later, the city was surrounded on all sides and could not escape. We helped the governor allocate materials, arrange the defense of the city, recruit labor in the city to strengthen the city walls, etc."
"Today I heard that there was a battle between the Tang army and Tubo outside the city. I guessed it was you. Later, the Tubo army was defeated and had to shrink its troops. A gap was opened in the siege. We helped the people evacuate and escorted them dozens of miles away before returning. Looking for you..."
He bitterly took a bite of the dried meat, which made his teeth hurt. Zi Nu's mouth was full, like a greedy hamster, but her eyes were staring at him with anger and resentment.
"I have been busy all day, and all the food I have is given to the people. They are almost starving to death, and you still don't appreciate it."
Li Qinzai smiled dryly and said: "Thank you, thank you, you guys have a good meal. Tomorrow we will repeat the eighteen-year-old farewell. This time we will try to send you off perfectly."
Zi Nu chewed the dried meat and said, "I'm not leaving. I'm going with you. There's chaos nearby. If we encounter a small group of scattered troops, we won't be able to escape, so we might as well follow you."
Li Qinzai was not happy: "After eating my dried meat, why are you still planning to rely on me?"
Wei Tuo, who was next to him, finally couldn't stand listening any more. He stood up and said angrily: "Do you care about you? My Highness can't let you go, can't bear to leave you, and wants to live and die with you..."
Zi Nu became angry from embarrassment, and immediately swept Wei Tuo's legs with a sweep, knocking Wei Tuo to the ground, and said angrily: "Shut up!"
Liu Asi, whose wise eyes had already seen through everything, smiled, walked over and patted Wei Tuo on the shoulder, saying: "Brother, your mouth is really a bit mean. Come, let me correct it for you..."
As he said this, he couldn't help but drag Wei Tuo away.
Li Qinzai stared at Zi Nu seriously: "It's very dangerous here. You should leave quickly. I will send a team of people to escort you to Liangzhou..."
Zi Nu raised his head stubbornly: "No, I want to follow you. I have been practicing martial arts since I was a child. I can stand in front of you at critical moments and save your life."
"Why do I want a woman to extend my life? What a big joke!"
Zi Nu's eyes were deep and full of affection, which he could not avoid.
"Remember? I still owe you a life."
The rapid sound of horse hooves broke the stalemate between the two.
The scout galloped over on horseback with a worried look on his face.
"Uncle Li County, there is an enemy situation! Twenty miles away to the north, there is a Tibetan army rushing towards us. It is probably the Qinghai Hu Ludongzan headquarters army."
Li Qinzai was stunned for a moment, and then there was another rapid sound of horse hooves.
Another scout hurriedly ran to Li Qinzai and said: "Uncle Li County, the Tibetan army outside Shanzhou City has made a move. They have risen up and are heading towards our station to kill us."
Li Qinzai's eyelids twitched.
There are two enemy armies, one of which is Lu Dongzan's headquarters. It is obvious that Lu Dongzan has made up his mind to annihilate Li Qinzai here today.
