Boom——
A loud thunder suddenly exploded in the sky, causing the whole earth to tremble slightly. Dark clouds were pressing down endlessly, wrapping up the light of lightning, as if it was the end of the world.
The main road of Rouge City was peaceful and peaceful one moment, but suddenly became noisy and bustling the next moment.
Countless knights wearing black armor and white capes roared out of the camp and ran towards the distant city gate. Running at the front of the team was Li Jiangyao, the coach of the Zhenjiang Army.
Time is running out!
The army sent by Ashina Zhijin may arrive at Zijin Pass at any time, and without Gema Khan personally guarding there, there is no guarantee that the generals of the Yakut Army will collapse and surrender. If the Golden Tribe is really allowed to take the lead and occupy Zijin Pass, then the subsequent variables will be unpredictable.
Therefore, Li Jiangyao must race against time to take the lead in seizing the strategic location. Now he couldn't wait for all the troops to assemble, so he had to take the third battalion of the White Robes on duty and set off quickly, hoping to get ahead of the Golden Tribe army through the cooperation of Gema Khan. Other white-robed military battalions and the cavalry force of the Second Army also quickly assembled and arrived later.
Following Li Jiangyao's orders, Du Jian and Xie Tanzhi began to mobilize the entire Second Army Corps to prepare for war. They also notified Xu Youchang Huoliya Heishan and others to put the entire Zhenjiang Army into combat status and be ready to engage in the offensive and defensive battle of Zijin Pass at any time.
"Quick, quick, quick! Stop forming a team. Mount up! Mount up! Follow the master's flag! Follow the handsome flag! Quick!"
At this time, the officers of the Second Army were shouting like crazy, urging the resting cavalry to mount their horses and set off.
Because they were on guard duty, except for the team of the third battalion of the White Robe Army, which looked complete and solemn, most of the other troops, whether they were white robe soldiers or cavalry of the Second Army, did not even have the basic organizational structure. Wearing armor and weapons, they chased in a hurry.
Li Jiangyao galloped his horse forward while looking back. At the same time, he was secretly worried in his heart: if such a disorganized and disorderly march was suddenly attacked by the enemy halfway, it would be defeated at the first touch and completely defeated.
Click! Rumble——
There was another burst of earth-shaking lightning and thunder, and then, huge raindrops slanted down from the sky, instantly covering the whole world in a vast curtain of water.
"Daduhu, why don't we find a place to take shelter from the rain first?" Gema, who was riding his horse next to him, shouted at the top of his voice. The sound of raindrops around him almost completely covered his voice.
Li Jiangyao shouted angrily: "Avoid the big-headed ghost! If you delay any longer, your soldiers and horses will belch!"
Following the words, he not only did not slow down, but tightened his grip on the horse's belly, cracked his whip fiercely, and continued to rush forward as fast as he could.
Thousands of cavalrymen behind him also ran desperately, following the commander closely, and braved the pouring rain to rush towards Zijin Pass.
From Rouge City to Zijin Pass, a distance of more than 100 miles, Li Jiangyao and his troops set out in the morning, galloping all the way in heavy rain and mud, and finally arrived outside Zijin Pass before dark.
This kind of hastily organized rush march was a big test for the soldiers. In the end, more than 7,000 people from the White Robes and the cavalry of the Second Army gritted their teeth and persevered, becoming the only force in Li Jiangyao's hands. Combat strength.
Gema was old and fat. Although he had grown up on a horse, he was so tired that his face turned pale and his tongue stuck out from his hard work. However, Li Jiangyao couldn't care less about respecting the elderly and caring for the young now. He repeatedly urged Ge Ma to quickly notify Zijin Pass's men to open the door and surrender.
Gema had no choice but to ride forward, letting the cold rain hit his face, and shouted orders to the defenders at the top of the city to open the gate.
But after waiting for a long time, there was no movement at Zijin Pass.
Li Jiangyao couldn't help but feel a sinking feeling in his heart, and asked Gema: "Brother, won't something happen to you over there?"
Ge Ma was even more nervous than Li Jiangyao, with anxiety written all over his big face. He said hesitantly: "No... no. Protector, my people will not betray me unless... no no no, Impossible...absolutely impossible!"
"Damn it, did the Golden Clan arrive first?" Li Jiangyao couldn't help but cursed in frustration.
Of course, Ge Ma didn't want this to happen, and was about to comfort Li Jiangyao. Suddenly, the door of Zijin Pass, which had been silent for a long time, opened slightly.
With little effort, a group of Turkic cavalry wearing Yatut military uniforms rushed out of the pass and rushed to the two men.
Ge Ma watched carefully, then felt relieved and smiled at Li Jiangyao: "Don't worry too much, Protector, Zijin Pass is still mine... Oh no, Protector is still yours!"
Li Jiangyao knew that the person who came must be a close confidant of Gema Khan, which was why the other party was so sure, so he also breathed a sigh of relief. He was about to speak, but suddenly he heard the Turkic general leading the opposite shouting from a distance: "Khan! Not good! The Golden Armored Army is coming!"
Gema was shocked and hurriedly urged his horse to meet him: "Speak slowly, where are the people from the Golden Tribe?"
The Turkic general was none other than Gema's confidant Gilus. Upon hearing the Khan's inquiry, Gilus rushed forward and reined in his horse, saying anxiously: "The scouts just reported that the opponent's vanguard troops were found ten miles east of Zijin Pass. But. Khan, what should we do next? Have you finished talking to Li Jiangyao? "
Ge Ma pointed at Li Jiangyao who happened to be riding beside him: "This is the Protector Li of the Shengtang Zhenjiang Army. From now on, we all obey General Li's command."
Gilus was slightly startled when he heard this, and then he realized what he was saying and saluted quickly: "The last general is Gilus, the deputy commander of the Yakut Independence Army. See the Great Protector! The last general respects the order of the Khan and is willing to obey your command. .”
"What is the situation inside Zijin Pass now?" Li Jiangyao asked in a deep voice, "Can you still control the situation?"
Gilus knew what he meant by asking, and nodded: "The situation is quite stable. The local officers and soldiers in Western Xinjiang were a little emotional and had quarreled with us several times, but they also knew that Khan was talking to Zhenjiang We negotiated with the army, so we agreed to wait for the results. However, the sudden appearance of the Golden Clan army gave everyone a big shock. Fortunately, Khan and you arrived in time, otherwise the general would not know what to do next. "
Li Jiangyao nodded, turned to Gema and said: "The war is definitely inevitable. Fortunately, the Zijin Pass Fortress is still in our hands. It shows that God is on our side. It will take at least a few days for the main force of the Zhenjiang Army to arrive here. We must Find a way to hold on until they come. Now, I will enter with you and appease the troops first!"
-
Li Jiangyao led 300 soldiers and followed Gema into Zijin Pass.
He had been hesitant before, worried that Gema might be faking surrender and deliberately tricking him into entering the city to die. But the current situation also forced him to take this risk. If he missed the opportunity because of suspicion, he would really regret it.
Just in case, Li Jiangyao decided to leave the main force outside the city and wait. In this way, even if the worst situation happened, he could at least avoid being surrounded and annihilated by the opponent and save the lives of more than 7,000 brothers.
He agreed on a secret code with several officers leading the team. Only when the ordering soldiers tell the correct password can the army be ordered to enter Zijin Pass. Otherwise, it means that he may have encountered something unexpected. The seven thousand cavalry must immediately withdraw to Rouge City and ask Xu Youchang and Xie Tanzhi to jointly take charge of the overall situation.
After explaining everything, Li Jiangyao set off calmly. However, as soon as he entered the city gate, he was startled by the sight in front of him.
I saw that the streets in Zijin Pass were densely packed with heavily armed soldiers, including Yakut soldiers and Western Xinjiang soldiers. Tens of thousands of eyes were all cast on Li Jiangyao. Just this formation alone would make you wet your pants on the spot if you are a little brave.
Ge Ma seemed to have guessed that this would happen, and he was the first to shout to everyone: "General Li Jiangyao, the commander of the Zhenjiang Army, is here, and we will be our own from now on!"
As soon as the words fell, the entire Zijin Pass instantly burst into deafening cheers!
Especially the soldiers of all ethnic groups in Western Xinjiang, waving their swords and guns vigorously, throwing their helmets and hats into the sky, looking ecstatic.
Seeing everyone's reaction, Gema was secretly relieved and whispered: "Daduhu, please give the soldiers a few words."
Li Jiangyao did not rush to agree. He thought for a while and asked: "Khan, let me confirm one thing with you first. We have reached a peace agreement, so what will you do next when we fight other Turkic armies? What’s your position?”
Gema made a troubled expression: "Today's Protector, to be honest, if the Golden Tribe attacks the Yelun Tribe, then of course we will not sit still and wait for death. Tribal wars are also very common in our area. However, if we want to fight with outsiders, Join forces and take the initiative to go to war with the Turkic compatriots. Even if I can agree, I am afraid that it will be difficult for my brothers to accept it."
Li Jiangyao nodded in understanding and continued: "If your Yakut army abandons Zijin Pass and leaves the battlefield, will the Western Xinjiang army staying here obey my command?"
"I can't guarantee you this," Gema said sincerely, "but I will never stand in the way."
Hearing what he said, Li Jiangyao knew something in his mind. He turned to face the tens of thousands of soldiers on the street and said loudly: "Brothers of all ethnic groups in Western Xinjiang! Soldiers of Yakutia! I, the capital of the Xinjiang Army in Shengtang Town Protector Li Jiangyao is speaking to you!"
His words came out with strong internal force, which could drown out the noisy cheers, and in an instant the noisy streets became silent.
People listened quietly to Li Jiangyao's words: "Just today, I have reached an agreement with Gema Khan, and the two sides have formally negotiated a truce. From this moment on, we are no longer life-and-death enemies, but hope to bring peace to the ghosts of Western Xinjiang." A friend who brings peace and tranquility to the desert!”
Oh——, the cheers sounded again!
"I think you already know it." Li Jiangyao paused for a moment, and waited for the crowd to become quiet again, then continued: "Earlier, the Zhenjiang Army and the kings of the Western Xinjiang countries held peace talks in Metasequoia City. Everyone shook hands and spoke. and become a family again. I can tell you responsibly that the all-out civil war in Western Xinjiang is over! The hard days are over!"
As soon as these words came out, countless Xijiang soldiers couldn't help but burst into tears, and deafening cheers once again resounded throughout Zijin Pass.
Li Jiangyao waved his hands to everyone: "Brothers, with the joint efforts of the Xinjiang Army, the kings and Gema Khan, the pace of the war has stopped. You should be able to go home and return to the Yakut grasslands of the Western Continent. Go back to see the relatives you have longed for. However, the culprit who instigated the chaos in the entire Western Xinjiang - Turkic Ashina Zhijin, he does not want to see all this! He does not care about your life or death, does not care about your mother and My lover, shed your tears. He only cares about his great achievements and power and status! So, when he heard that we had put down our hatred, he couldn't sit still. He sent an army of the Golden Clan to retake the Zijin Pass. He plans to kill all the homesick Yelun brothers, intends to turn the people of all countries into his slaves again, and plans to drag the Ghost Desert of Western Xinjiang and the Yakut Grassland into the abyss of war again! Tell me now, can you agree?"
"No!——" Tens of thousands of people roared in unison, shaking the sky and the earth.
"Open your eyes and take a look!" Li Jiangyao whipped out the Xingluo Knife, pointed to the west and shouted: "Behind us is Western Xinjiang! It is the Yakut grassland! There are our loved ones there! Can you? Can we let the Golden Clan pass and let them harm our hometown and our relatives?!"
"Can't! Can't! Can't!"
Whether they were Yakut soldiers or local soldiers in Western Xinjiang, they were all excited by the public sentiment instigated by Li Jiangyao, holding up their weapons and yelling.
Li Jiangyao sat on his horse, pointed the tip of his knife to the ground, and said loudly: "I, Li Jiangyao, swear here to defend Zijin Pass with all my life and block the iron hooves of the Golden Clan until the last drop of blood is shed! You can make a choice. Whoever is greedy for life and afraid of death will just walk in front of my knife and leave here with a dead life. From now on, he will live in cowardice and shame forever. Whoever is fearless and willing to follow me and fight to the death with the enemy to protect his parents, wives and children, Then kneel before my sword and swear allegiance!"
After a few seconds of silence, the soldiers crowding the streets, no matter where they came from, all knelt down on one knee and roared: "Follow the Protector to the death!"
Li Jiangyao nodded, glanced at the stunned Gema Khan, and calmly returned the sword to its sheath.
