Geerhan, the leader of the Ghost Alliance Horse Bandits, looked at the Metasequoia City in front of him from a distance, lost in thought and speechless.
Until now, he still hasn't figured out what happened there last night?
The east city gate of Metasequoia was not damaged at all after being hit by a giant wooden rammer for more than 40 times. The three-foot-high earthen city wall was fought over more than a dozen times, and was all pushed out by the defenders.
As for the north gate, it is even more exaggerated. The originally well-planned internal and external cooperation was turned into an inexplicable ambush by the opponent. Not only did they fail to successfully capture the city, but they also lost nearly a thousand troops in vain.
My younger brother is coming to the sea, and I'm afraid things are going to be very bad at this time.
Why shouldn't this be done?
Geerhan knew best what kind of thing Ma Mu was. When he was still a prince in the Chechi Kingdom, Ma Mu, who was born as a commoner, was just a tax official in the royal court. His only job every day was to settle accounts and keep accounts.
How come after several years of not seeing each other, this old abacus actually learned to fight?
Zaire, the general of the Ghost Alliance Horse Bandits, came to Geerhan at this time and said in a deep voice: "Leader, I have inquired clearly. The person who fought with us last night was not Ma Mu at all, but Zhenjiang Capital Protect the mansion.”
"Zhenjiang Army? How is this possible?" Geerhan was a little unbelievable: "Weren't all the Shengtang troops in Metasequoia City killed by the Turks?"
Zaire's expression was slightly bitter: "They just arrived at noon yesterday. Those Shengtang barbarians were very cunning. They sealed all the city gates as soon as they entered the city, so the latest news could not be sent out in time."
He paused briefly, then continued: "I estimate that the Zhenjiang Army stationed at Metasequoia should be the same group that ambushed Gu He at the oasis the night before. Their number and size have not yet been determined, but individually, Judging from the situation of these two battles, the opponent’s strength is at least five thousand, just a lot more!”
"Grandma! What bad idea did that devil Lao Jianhua give us? He made me hit the stone with the egg!" Geerhan couldn't hide his anger and cursed fiercely.
Zaire was silent for a moment and asked: "Leader, what's the next step? Do you want to continue attacking Metasequoia?"
Geerhan rolled his eyes: "Still fighting? Do you think I'm a fool? These precious troops we have are to be used to regain the royal power. Without troops, what can we bargain with the Turks? Zai Well, I will go to Duolun now and join up with the Turkic Iron Pigeon Army. You stay here and wait for the opportunity to lead people into the Metasequoia. While finding out the details inside the city, you will try to find out about my brother. Wait until I move Come with reinforcements, and let’s wash out Metasequoia City with blood again!”
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"The horse bandits are running away! The horse bandits are running away!" The thunderous cheers resounded through the streets and alleys of Metasequoia City. After suffering a lot, the horse bandits of Geerhan's ghost alliance finally withdrew in despair with their tails between their legs. .
As soon as the news of the retreat of the Ghost Alliance came, all the men, women, and children in the city poured into the streets. Everyone played tambourines, strummed harps, sang and danced, thankful that they had finally escaped danger.
The merchants moved all the fireworks brought back from China out of their stores and set them off in the streets. All of a sudden, the sound of crackling could be heard endlessly, and the whole city was as lively as if it was a Flower Goddess Festival.
Everyone does have reason to be ecstatic.
Just three days ago, the ghost alliance horse bandits threatened to attack Metasequoia City in large numbers. At that time, the people in the city suddenly fell into panic.
Facing the extremely ferocious horse bandits, everyone dared not run or hide. Thinking of the terrible scene after the city was broken, everyone from the officials to the common people were too worried to eat.
Until yesterday at noon, news suddenly came that the troops from the Zhenjiang Protectorate had arrived in time, which immediately made the people in the city feel that there was hope.
Not long after, a fierce battle broke out that night. The flames soaring into the sky illuminated almost half of Metasequoia City, and the sound of drums, trumpets, and fighting echoed in the sky, shocking people so much that they could not sleep peacefully.
It was daylight, and the people were still anxiously speculating on who would win and who lost in the fight at night. The city guard suddenly beat the gong and announced everywhere: The horse bandits have been repulsed!
Oh My God! What a surprise!
The people in the city could no longer hold back their excitement and swarmed into the streets, holding each other's hands, singing, dancing, and laughing, feeling happy from the bottom of their hearts that Metasequoia City was safe and sound.
Some people, after hearing that the defenders had captured many horse bandits, ran to the small square in the city where the prisoners were detained and threw stones at the horse bandits.
Upon seeing this, Ma Mu quickly mobilized a large number of soldiers and spent a lot of effort to disperse the angry crowd. Even so, more than a dozen horse bandits were beaten to death on the spot.
When Li Jiangyao led the Pegasus scouts to change defenses from the city, they caught up with the whole city celebrating.
When the common people saw the figure of the Xinjiang Army, they immediately rushed over with cheers. Their enthusiastic appearance scared the scouts to the point where they almost drew their swords to defend themselves.
People surrounded the soldiers of the Duhu Mansion, served large plates of fruits and cakes, and stuffed them into the arms of the soldiers. Someone else brought out mellow wine, grabbed Du Jian's neck and poured it down his throat. After a while, Lao Du began to shake on the spot.
With quick eyes and quick hands, Li Jiangyao struggled to squeeze out of the excited crowd, looked back at poor Lin Feng and Du Jian, and slipped into the alley next to him as if running for his life.
The heroes, who showed no fear in the face of the Turkic wolf army and the ghost alliance horse bandits, were actually easily "surrounded and annihilated" by a group of ordinary people.
Li Jiangyao sighed with emotion at the enthusiasm of Metasequoia City while walking quickly through the streets and alleys, planning to return to the city guard's mansion as soon as possible to have a good rest.
However, while walking, Li Jiangyao suddenly trembled, then subconsciously stopped and looked across the street warily.
Not far away, a man wearing a gray linen gown was mixed in the crowd, looking at him silently.
Although the other party did nothing, Li Jiangyao still felt a chill for the first time. He was slightly stunned and put his hand on the handle of the Xingluo Knife.
However, in an instant, the man in gray suddenly flashed, as if evaporating out of thin air, and disappeared again in the blink of an eye.
Li Jiangyao was startled by the situation in front of him. He knew that something was unusual, and was about to chase after him to take a closer look, when unexpectedly a hand lightly patted his shoulder.
Li Jiangyao hurriedly turned around to take precautions, and suddenly discovered that the person photographing him turned out to be his old friend Situ Wushou.
Situ Wushou was also startled by Li Jiangyao's reaction, and then apologized: "I'm sorry, Captain, it's just a villain who offended me."
When he saw him, Li Jiangyao also smiled awkwardly: "I am the one who should say sorry. I have been a little nervous after fighting all night."
Situ Wushou nodded in understanding, and then said with a smile: "Congratulations, sir, for winning the battle and promoting the prestige of our Holy Tang nation!"
"Hey, what you said is an exaggeration," Li Jiangyao shook his head: "I just beat away a group of horse bandits, what does it have to do with national prestige?"
Situ Wushou pointed to the crowd around him: "Don't believe me, sir? Just look at the reactions of these people, it shows that what the villain said is true."
Looking at the singing and dancing streets, Li Jiangyao smiled helplessly: "I didn't expect that everyone's reaction was so enthusiastic. It seems that there was no such scene when we defeated the Turks before."
"Then how can it be the same?" Situ Wushou smiled faintly: "In the eyes of the Western Xinjiang people, the Turks are just another Holy Tang. No matter how you put it, they will not rape and plunder as unscrupulously as the horse bandits. Bar?"
Li Jiangyao suddenly understood: "Oh, I understand when you say that. Whether it is the Holy Tang or the Turks, for the people in the Ghost Desert of Western Xinjiang, it is just a change of masters. What really makes them feel hateful They are horse bandits and sand bandits, and they are the biggest enemies of the people."
Situ Wushou nodded and said: "That's right. What's more, the one who attacked Metasequoia this time was the horse bandit among the horse bandits, the ancestor among the villains - Geerhan, the Ghost League. Sir, you defeated them easily. , isn’t it to promote the prestige of our Holy Tang Kingdom?”
Li Jiangyao became curious, and while pulling Situ Wushou to the city guard's mansion, he asked humbly: "How much do you know about the Ghost Alliance? Tell me about it."
Situ Wushou obviously also admired the young captain in front of him. Hearing this, he quickly said: "Sir, you have asked the right person. The ghost alliance horse bandits disappeared in Western Xinjiang for a while, and they have come here to do business in the past two years. Most people have never heard of it. But I grew up here, so naturally I know it very well."
Li Jiangyao smiled and said, "Don't be like adults, just call me Li Jiangyao, otherwise it will sound awkward to me."
Situ Wushou smiled casually: "Okay, since you don't mind me, I will address you as Brother Li from now on. You can just call me Situ."
Li Jiangyao nodded and motioned for the other party to continue talking about the horse bandits.
Just listen to Situ Wushou say: "Brother Li should know that Geerhan was originally the prince of Chechi. This guy failed to seize the throne, so he intended to rebel. Unexpectedly, our Zhenjiang Protectorate came forward in time to help Chechi. The king put down the civil strife, and since then, Geerhan has led his remaining defeated soldiers to make a living as a horse bandit."
"However, although Geerhan is tough and cruel, he is not a fool. He knows that causing trouble in the ghost desert of Western Xinjiang will sooner or later provoke the army of the Holy Tang, so he took the initiative to avoid the edge of the Xinjiang Army and turned to Persia. Carry out plunder. Occasionally, he would send a small group of soldiers to cause trouble for Chechi Kingdom, so that everyone would remember that there is such a person as him. And Geerhan claimed many times that sooner or later, he would come back and fight again. Seize the throne of kingship.”
Li Jiangyao listened carefully and couldn't help but ask: "Has it ever been as big as yesterday before?"
Situ Wushou shook his head: "I've never heard of it. Thousands of horse bandits attacked the town like yesterday, why shouldn't they immediately alert the Protectorate? That's because they just had a fierce battle with the Turks, and the Holy Tangs everywhere The soldiers and horses are all resting and recovering from their injuries, otherwise it would be strange if Gehan could leave Western Xinjiang alive!"
Li Jiangyao pondered for a moment and couldn't help but murmured: "Hey, that's not right."
"What's wrong?" Situ Wushou was a little curious.
"Everything Geerhan did seems wrong." Li Jiangyao thought as he said: "Even if the Zhenjiang Protectorate is exhausted due to the war, the main force is still there. Once it really needs to be mobilized, even if ten Geers come Han Na also gave away his life for nothing. According to your description, he is both tough and cunning, so he should not be confused like this."
Situ Wushou nodded thoughtfully: "Well, what Brother Li said makes sense. There must be a reason for wearing leather pants with cotton pants. Do you think he has other motives?"
Li Jiangyao glanced at him: "Tell me, why does he have other plans?"
Situ Wushou carefully analyzed: "I don't think Geerhan just wants to rob. According to common sense, the horse bandits attacking the city should be silent, carrying out a sneak attack, and catching Metasequoia City off guard. Yes. But this time they not only sent a threatening letter in advance, but they also openly attacked an important city guarded by the defenders. This is obviously deliberately showing off to others."
Hearing this, Li Jiangyao couldn't help but nodded slightly: "Do it for others? Then who are you doing it for?"
