Qingya Pass is located to the east of Sanxiang City. It is the gateway to the southeastern border of Dashun and the only way for the army of Beichu to rush to Sanxiang City.
There are natural barriers near this pass. Shun accumulated 20,000 troops here. Not far away, there are three-phase cities that rely on each other. Although it is a small pass, it is easy to defend but difficult to attack.
When the Northern Chu army arrived at Qingya Pass, they were greeted by Shun's army outside the pass.
An elderly general led five hundred elite soldiers and stood majestically outside the city gate of Qingya Pass, and the city gate was open. If the Northern Chu army had other plans for this trip, Qingya Pass could be broken in an instant in such a situation. .
Mu Jianzhao raised his hand gently, and the army of more than 100,000 people came to a halt very quickly. There was no confusion or whispering, and orders and prohibitions were followed, which showed their elite level.
The old general of Qingya Pass did not change his expression when facing the aggressive Northern Chu army. He performed a standard Shun military salute and said loudly: "Qingya Pass guard Yuan Baichuan is here to greet the friendly troops of Northern Chu on the orders of the Prince of Shun! "
The five hundred soldiers behind Yuan Baichuan also made military salutes in unison, and at the same time shouted: "Welcome the friendly troops of Northern Chu!"
Although facing the elite forces of Northern Chu that were several times their own, these border defenders were not afraid at all, and they were not at a disadvantage in terms of momentum.
Mu Jianzhao was thoughtful when he saw this scene. He did not dismount but clasped his fists and said: "I am Mu Jianzhao, the commander of the Snow Leopard Cavalry of Northern Chu. Today, on the order of His Majesty the King of Northern Chu, I will lead an army to fight with Shun against Zhao Yao." Army, I have long admired the name of General Yuan!"
After talking about himself first, Mu Jianzhao introduced Chu Ningjing: "This is my Crown Prince of Northern Chu, Chu Ningjing, and the deputy commander of this expedition!"
It stands to reason that even if he is the deputy commander, Chu Ningjing is much more noble than Mu Jianzhao. Mu Jianzhao should have introduced Chu Ningjing first, but in the Northern Chu Army, status and title cannot determine anything. Everything is based on military position. Even the crown prince is no exception, which shows Chu Youshe's skill in managing the army.
Except for the order of introduction, Mu Jianzhao's words were flawless and his tone was respectful. However, when he saw Yuan Baichuan and others did not dismount, he instead looked down at these Shun soldiers who came out to greet them, with a disapproving attitude. Pretty friendly.
Chu Ningjing just nodded slightly without saying much.
Yuan Baichuan frowned slightly when he saw this, and he said, "It turns out it's His Royal Highness the Northern Chu Crown Prince and Commander Mu, whom I have admired for a long time!" The attitude of the veteran Shun at this time was also a bit colder.
Mu Jianzhao didn't take this seriously. He glanced at Qingya Pass not far away and the Dashun defenders in front of him. Then he smiled and said: "The Prince of Dashun is indeed domineering. He greets us so unsuspectingly. He is not afraid of us." Is the person who comes here unkind?"
Yuan Baichuan said solemnly: "His Royal Highness the Crown Prince ordered me to tell you that if the Northern Chu army comes to help sincerely, the door of our Dashun will be open for you. After entering my Dashun, there will be endless food and wine. The two armies will work together to retreat." Wu Zhao, and in the future, Dashun and His Highness will not forget today’s kindness!”
The veteran's face suddenly darkened and he continued: "If your Northern Chu army has a plot against Dashun, of course Qingya Pass cannot stop you, but if you dare to invade my Dashun, Dashun will not be afraid of death. Even if we try our best, Beichu and Wu Zhao will still have to pay a heavy price!"
Mu Jianzhao's expression changed when he heard this. He hesitated for a moment but said nothing.
Yuan Baichuan's face became more fierce and he said: "Your Highness has said that if Bei Chu's aid this time is fraudulent, Xiang Wentian and Bei Chu will be in a fight to the death. Even if only Wentian is left in Shun, Bei Chu will still have to pay for his blood. Compensation."
He cleared his throat and said excitedly: "The people of Shun died under the sword of the Northern Chu army, and Xiang Wentian disturbed the Northern Chu court forever. If any of the children of the Xiang family were harmed, Xiang Wentian slaughtered the entire Chu family! "
This veteran who was over sixty years old was full of pride when he said these words, as if it was a great honor to be able to repeat Xiang Wentian's words.
Mu Jianzhao's expression turned ugly when he heard such threatening words. He was about to speak but someone beat him to it.
Chu Ningjing, who had been silent all this time, glared and said, "What a great Shun emperor, Xiang Wentian! He dares to threaten my Northern Chu royal family. Isn't he afraid that my reinforcements will turn against him?"
Yuan Baichuan calmed down slightly and said with a polite smile: "Prince Ningjing, please don't be angry. His Highness has made it very clear. What Dashun does depends on your attitude. We will naturally treat our allies with courtesy." Wait, but in the face of the enemy, our Shun sword has never been sharp!"
Although he was smiling, there was a hint of cruelty in his eyes.
"Is this the unparalleled domineering Xiang Wentian? He seems to be just a reckless man who talks fast. Aren't you afraid of chilling the hearts of the reinforcements with such words?" Mu Jianzhao said in a dissatisfied tone.
"His Highness just made everything clear and allowed you to make a judgment. If you and I are not enemies, those words will naturally be meaningless. His Highness also asked me to tell you that he will wait for your arrival in Sanxiang City! "Yuan Baichuan's smile gradually faded.
Hearing this, Mu Jianzhao's originally solemn face was filled with confusion. He frowned and said, "I heard that a large number of Blood God's troops are attacking Sanxiang City. Is it true that Prince Shun is also there? His tone sounds like the Blood God's. The army is not to be feared, he is so domineering!" He said the word domineering in a somewhat disdainful tone.
"Your Majesty just asked me to take the message. I don't know much about the rest. If you still have any questions, you can ask His Highness yourself!" Yuan Baichuan said expressionlessly.
He suddenly pulled out the sword on his waist and said loudly: "I have brought what Your Highness said. Please listen to what I said. There are only 20,000 defenders in Qingya Pass today, and the door is open, but we have already made up our minds to die." Determined, if Beichu wants to go against Dashun, our Qingya Pass defenders may be weak but they are not afraid of a fight!"
“Don’t be afraid of a fight!” “Don’t be afraid of a fight!”…
As soon as the old general finished speaking, not only were the five hundred soldiers outside the city shouting, but the shouts of soldiers also came from inside the city. These majestic voices carried unyielding and bloody spirit.
Facing the Shun defenders who looked down upon death, Mu Jianzhao smiled. His face was ugly, and he became more ferocious as he laughed.
"Why are Commander Mu laughing?" Yuan Baichuan said dissatisfied.
Mu Jianzhao ignored Yuan Baichuan. He laughed until he couldn't stand up and then gradually calmed down. Even Chu Ningjing and the Beichu generals on the side looked puzzled.
"General Yuan and His Highness the Crown Prince, you are overthinking. I also know that if we, who have had little contact with each other, suddenly come to our aid, anyone would be wary. However, our Bei Chu army did come with good intentions today. Bei Chu is willing to cooperate with us." Shun and Shun join forces to destroy Wu Zhao’s demon army and slay the demons to protect the way!”
Mu Jianzhao's words were sincere and upright.
Yuan Baichuan's expression softened a lot when he heard this. He sheathed his sword and made an invitation gesture and said, "In that case, please come in!"
"Aren't you afraid that we will suddenly rise up and kill people? When the time comes, you rabble will not be able to stop our Northern Chu Iron Army!" Chu Ningjing said in a bad tone. She glared at Yuan Baichuan, obviously very dissatisfied with this veteran who threatened the Chu clan. .
Yuan Baichuan smiled and said: "Your Highness is joking. I believe that two of the three heroes of Bei Chu are here and would never do such a stupid thing. Even if we take ten thousand steps back, today our twenty thousand defenders are all here." If you die in this battle, my Highness, Prince Shun, will avenge us!"
Chu Ningjing said impatiently: "Xiang Wentian, it's Xiang Wentian again! Isn't your Prince Shun omnipotent? Even Lu Bo praised him highly. I want to see this so-called domineering and incomparable person." Is the number one person of the younger generation actually possessed of three heads and six arms?"
He glanced at Mu Jianzhao and said, "I don't believe that Brother Yimu's strategy and martial arts skills can't be as good as this Xiang Wentian!"
Such words show that Chu Ningjing disdains Xiang Wentian's title as the best in the world, but highly respects this unattractive leader of the Snow Leopard Cavalry.
Mu Jianzhao said with a displeased look on his face: "Ningjing, don't talk nonsense!"
Chu Ningjing snorted and said nothing.
Yuan Baichuan was not angry because of Chu Ningjing's words. He still smiled and said: "His Royal Highness, Prince Shun, is not something I, an old guy, can judge, but I think you will definitely change your mind after meeting His Highness!"
Mu Jianzhao said solemnly: "Ning Jing is a little rude. It's because of my incompetence. Please forgive me, old general!"
Upon seeing this, Yuan Baichuan also cupped his fists and said: "Commander Mu, there is no need to be polite..."
"In this case, I will enter the customs immediately, but I cannot keep His Royal Highness waiting!" Mu Jianzhao said politely.
"Please!" Yuan Baichuan motioned to the soldiers to get out of the way.
The army of Northern Chu entered Dashun's territory in a mighty manner, and it took a long time before they all entered Qingya Pass.
Yuan Baichuan looked at the dark shadow of the Northern Chu army leaving the pass, and he breathed a sigh of relief. Although the old general spoke loudly, if he was to resist this elite army of more than 100,000 people from Northern Chu, his small strength would But it wasn't enough, and he knew this very well.
After passing Qingya Pass, Chu Ningjing said with a cold face: "Brother Mu, is this question really as powerful as the legend says? Are you even fooled? Do you think those Wu Zhao Blood God Army are not that powerful? It’s just a random fabrication by Dashun to cover up his own incompetence!”
Mu Jianzhao said with a serious face: "I was not fooled, and Xiang Wentian's threats were not completely bragging. He is very powerful. If he really transforms into an avenger and sneaks into Beichu, the consequences will be disastrous!"
"It's just rumors. This Wentian is two years younger than me. How can he have such terrifying strength? It would be amazing if I think he can reach the master level! Maybe he is not my opponent!" Chu Ning Jing's expression and tone were full of doubts about Xiang Wentian's strength.
"Ningjing, remember this! With Xiang Wentian's power, you must not provoke him!" Mu Jianzhao said very solemnly.
"You haven't seen how powerful he can be. Could it be that he has already become a saint when he was just over 20 years old?" Chu Ningjing murmured in a low voice.
Although his voice was small, it could not escape Mu Jianzhao's ears.
Mu Jianzhao said earnestly: "Ningjing, although I have never met this famous Prince of Beichu, I can tell you that he is by no means simple."
"Why do you see this!?" Chu Ningjing was still a little dissatisfied.
"Do you know why more and more barbarians from the Great Wilderness Grassland have come to Northern Chu to look at us in the past few years?" Mu Jianzhao did not answer, but asked a question.
"Is it related to Xiang Wentian?" Chu Ningjing immediately realized the problem.
"That's right, in the past few years, the barbarians of the Great Wilderness have almost stopped launching attacks on Dashun, and have instead shifted their targets to me, Bei Chu. Although this allowed me, Bei Chu, to train a group of powerful warriors, it also brought heavy casualties. "
Before Chu Ningjing could answer, Mu Jianzhao continued: "The instigator of this matter was Xiang Wentian. It was the bravery of him and the Longxiang Army in killing the enemy that made the barbarians of the wilderness give way..."
