Foggy morning.
Standing at the top of Hezhou City and looking forward, there is nothing springy as far as the eye can see. If it weren't for the faint trees, I guess this border area would really be a land of yellow sand.
"Zhao Qingyun has lost Hezhou and has no merit. Zuo Khan of Beidi may kill him." Yu Wen condensed his voice beside him.
Xu Mu shook his head, Zhao Qingyun was still useful. After all, he was once the guard general of Hezhou. As long as King Zuo Khan was not stupid, he would not kill such a person.
It's a pity that God has no eyes and allowed Zhao Qingyun to escape this disaster.
"General Xu, Di Gou has set up camp."
Outside Hezhou City, one could still clearly see the crowded Di army, setting up simple felt tents.
There were not only goshawks in the sky, but also on the ground, mounted sentries within thirty miles, along the flat terrain, one after another, making the sound of galloping horse hooves.
Stealing camp is no longer possible.
"This time King Zuo Khan has some tricks." Yu Wen frowned.
Xu Mu's eyes were fixed. If he could send someone like King Zuo Khan to conquer Beidi this time, he really wanted to take control of the Central Plains.
The people of Di have always been brave and brave. They were born in a barren land and lived in search of water and grass, moving three times a year. When children are about ten years old, they have to learn horses and bows, and gather a hundred people to hunt wolves on the grassland.
One person and one horse, equipped with scimitars, horse bows.
In the past few decades, with the collapse of the dynasty, Beidi has continued to invade and plunder. According to official records, at least hundreds of thousands of women from the Central Plains were taken captive, causing the tribal population in Beidi to skyrocket.
Now, Beidi's army is not only cavalry, but also has many infantry. In addition, they also recruited talents from the Central Plains to imitate gunpowder, military formations, and siege equipment.
"The wolf's ambition is obvious." Yu Wen gritted his teeth.
Xu Mu's face also darkened slightly. Under the iron heel of Beidi, no man from Daji was ever left alive.
"Yu Wen, be sure to pay more attention to the baggage that guards the city." Turning around, Xu Mu walked towards the city gate.
"Where are you going, General Xu?"
"Go see the horses."
The horse gallery on the west side of the city, including the more than 3,000 horses brought back earlier, now only counts 6,000 horses.
They can still form an army, but in the end they are still too few. Unfortunately, his plan to create iron riding equipment has not been successful yet, as it requires too much iron and stone.
"I'll wait to see General Xu!"
Near the horse corridor, many heroes from the Qingtian Camp saw Xu Mu approaching and they all cupped their hands and fists.
These three thousand horses, Xu Mu meant, were to be left to the Qingtian Camp. After all, these are his own troops.
If Hezhou is defended, he will be taken to Shu when the time comes.
"Have you chosen the horse yet?"
"General Xu, we have all chosen, but Di Ma'er is too ugly."
Xu Mu smiled. Compared with the Southwest Mane Horse, the Di Horse is shorter in stature. The biggest advantage of its four hooves is that it can run around in a short period of time, but again, lack of endurance is a fatal problem.
But in the current situation, there is no way to care too much.
"After you have chosen your horse, I will let Hanhu teach you how to use the lance."
There is still a military training ground in Hezhou City. Although the location is small and time is tight, it is better to sharpen your weapons before the battle than to do nothing.
For some reason, keeping a cavalry force made Xu Mu feel much more at ease in his heart.
…
Two days later.
In the Beidi Camp outside Hezhou City, three camps have been erected, corresponding to each other at a distance, each with its own horns.
Standing at the top of the city, Xu Mu frowned.
The biggest function of the camp is to protect the camp and prevent people from stealing the camp. Although he said that he would not have such stupid thoughts, it was also foreseeable that the commander of Beidi, King Zuo Khan, was an extremely cautious person.
This battle of persistence will be difficult to fight.
"Old General, the moat is about to dry up." Xu Mu lowered his head, his expression becoming more solemn.
Lian Yong, who had just turned around, was startled. He walked to the female wall, looked down, and took a deep breath.
There is no shortage of water at the border. There is a river just near Hezhou. Although it is not a big river, it nourishes the people in Hezhou and the forests outside the city.
"The Di people must have cut off the river." Xu Mu rubbed his forehead. In the era of cold weapons, anyone who can command an army will not be a fool.
Cutting off the river means that the moat that carries the water will dry up. During the siege, there was no need to even build a pontoon bridge.
It is even more disadvantageous for defending the city.
"My dear boss, if not, I will grab the river channel."
"Being not."
The river is outside the city, and the troops are weak. They went out to fight this wave, but they fell into the Beidi people's trick.
The old wells in Hezhou City all have ground water, so the problem won't be too big.
"General, General Xu!"
Yu Wen walked anxiously to the top of the city.
"Last night, someone poured poisonous powder into the water of thirteen wells in the city. Seven or eight of the people who drank it died."
Xu Mu was stunned and couldn't help but want to curse.
"Fortunately, General Xu has added more manpower to patrol at night. There are still two wells near the north gate that are drinkable."
"Where's the poisoner?"
"They were all raised dead soldiers. Three of them were caught and committed suicide with poison hidden under their tongues. I guess these people are the secrets left by Zhao Qingyun."
One link after another, a series of schemes.
"Don't worry, General Xu. The North City Gate is not far away, and there is still water to drink from the well." Yu Wen hurriedly repeated it out of fear that Xu Mu would be worried.
"I will know."
With his heart sinking, Xu Mu smelled something sinister for some reason.
…
Not far from Hezhou City, Beidi Camp is defended by three camps, the largest felt tent due north.
A young man with a stern face, wearing a silver round helmet inlaid with gems, and a silver armor with gold threads. At this time, he was holding his chin with one hand and looking at the figure in front of him with some humor.
"King Zuo Khan is mighty!" Zhao Qingyun put on Di Ren's animal skin armor and knelt down as soon as he saw him.
"Not only was the river blocked, I also sent out secret agents. The entire Hezhou City, except near the North City Gate, the rest of the well water was poisoned!"
Tuoba Zhao rarely raised his eyelids and took a closer look at Zhao Qingyun. Then, he raised his hand, and not long after, a huge goshawk landed on the back of his hand.
"Zhao Qingyun, if you can open the gate of Hezhou City, I will count it as your great achievement this time."
Zhao Qingyun's face was ecstatic, and his kneeling posture became a little straighter.
After rolling his eyes, Tuoba Zhao coldly fed it into the eagle's mouth.
"My Andahuyan car died in Changyang. Do you mean it was the young owner who did it?"
When Hu Yanche was an envoy, he was led by Xu Mu to overturn the bridge and was captured and killed.
"Indeed. I have found out this matter very clearly."
There is no evidence, but it is enough to have a finger pointing at these things.
Tuoba Zhao smiled coldly, "Are the little boss's eyes big and round?"
"King Zuo Khan, don't worry, it's enough to feed the eagles."
Zhao Qingyun knelt on the ground and bowed again. A slightly triumphant smile appeared on his lowered face.
