Xiguan, after five days of march, the Shalang tribe finally arrived near Xiguan, which is located northwest of Yancheng.
In the gap between Jundu Mountain and Xishan Mountain, there are huge streams, steep cliffs, and extremely dangerous terrain. It is the closest border fortress to Yancheng.
Exiting Xiguan is a long and narrow canyon area. In ancient times, it was also called Shanggu. The upper valley is flat with rivers and luxuriant water and grass. It is very suitable for large-scale marches. After leaving Shanggu, there is an endless prairie.
In history, grassland nomads invaded the Central Plains many times through this road. In order to prevent the nomads from invading, the Central Plains dynasty once built pass castles here. There were not one thousand but eight hundred wars that took place here.
After the Xia Emperor Zhao Wuji regained Hebei Road, he was no longer able to move north to the grassland after reaching this place. In the end, he had to strengthen the city defense and station troops here, with the number of people standing at 50,000 all year round.
The 30,000-strong Sand Wolf Tribe camped twenty miles away from Xiguan. Then Sharzhu led fifty Jie cavalry towards Xiguan. When he was still a few hundred steps away from Xiguan, Sharzhu stopped his horse and looked at the guards on the city wall.
When the soldiers on the city wall saw the Jie tribe's cavalry, they immediately became commotion. After a loud gong sounded, the city wall was crowded with people.
Two of the generals wearing exquisite armor also hurriedly ran up the city wall to check. These two were Xiguan Zheng and the deputy guards Zhang Da and Hou Tai. They were both from the Guanzhong family and belonged to the prince's party.
Zhang Darai is a descendant of the Zhang family, and the Hou family is an in-law family of Meng Xiangli, the Minister of Civil Affairs. The Zhang family, the Hou family, and the Meng family have been related by marriage for generations.
Zhang Da looked at the fifty Jie tribe cavalry not far from the city and snorted coldly: "Huh, just a few dozen barbarians dare to come to the pass to die, and someone comes to shoot arrows."
After giving the order, hundreds of soldiers bent their bows and nocked arrows. A whistling sound sounded from the city gate, and hundreds of arrows quickly headed towards the Jie clan in front.
When the Jie cavalry saw the arrows flying, they did not panic at all. They still stood motionless, with a hint of sarcasm on their faces.
Hundreds of arrows fell rapidly and stuck on the grass, only a few steps away from the Jie tribe cavalry.
Shaerzhu sneered, then took off the bow and arrow from the horse's belly, bent the bow and nocked the arrow, and heard a whooshing sound. The arrow came quickly, grazed Zhang Da's cheek, and shot into the tower with a clang.
Zhang Da was so frightened by the arrow that he broke into a cold sweat and collapsed on the ground. Hou Tai was also so frightened that he hurriedly shrank under the battlements and did not dare to poke his head out. At this time, the formation of Jie cavalry was heard in the distance. There was a burst of cheers.
Zhang Da slowly got up with Hou Tai's help and carefully hid behind the battlements to observe. Fortunately, the Jie cavalry in the distance cheered for a while and then turned their horses and left.
Zhang Da and Hou Tai were escorted by several personal guards back to the city's meeting hall. Zhang Da waved his hands and retreated, leaving only the two of them in the room.
Hou Tai asked with a gloomy face: "General Zhang, do you think the Jie people will really send a large force to seize the pass?"
Zhang Da also looked depressed. Today he was almost shot to death by an arrow just on the city wall to observe the enemy's situation. It seems that this Jie tribesman is really ferocious.
Zhang Da calmed down and then replied: "I don't know either. Logically speaking, the Jie people should not come during this season, but if a large force really comes to attack, we will act according to the prince's instructions."
"But if you do that, is it a serious crime to behead someone?" Hou Tai reminded.
"A major crime? Your life is yours. If an army really comes to attack, you and I might have wasted our lives by sticking here." Zhang Da said angrily.
Sarzhu, who returned to the sand wolf tribe's camp, laughed and said: "These two-legged sheep are as timid as mice, hahaha."
"Hahaha, what the big leader said is true. They are only worthy of being our prey. Today, the big leader's arrow scared the general who was guarding the city."
"How are the preparations for the siege ladder?" Sharzhu asked with a smile.
"Back to the chief, we are already ordering people to cut down trees and speed up the production. These two-legged sheep are now very obedient and work very quickly. They dare not be lazy. One hundred siege ladders will be built tomorrow. " said a big man from the Jie tribe who was about forty years old.
"One hundred is not enough. Send more people. Those two-legged sheep are very despicable. They will find ways to destroy the siege ladder. We must ensure that there are enough siege ladders." Sharzhu said.
"But Chief, if we attack the city by force, our casualties will definitely increase. It's better to lure them out of the city." said the big man of the Jie tribe.
"Hey, I don't know that it would be better to lure them out of the city and eliminate them, but you also know that these two-legged sheep have been scared out of their wits for a long time, how could they easily leave the city." Shaerzhu sighed and said.
"But you don't have to worry too much. Even if we attack by force, these Han people are no match for us. Although they have 50,000 defenders, you must remember this, let alone 50,000, or 100,000. In our sand, In front of the warriors of the Wolf Tribe, they are just lambs to be slaughtered."
Everyone in the audience echoed
"The big leader is right. No matter how many sheep there are, they are just prey for wolves. This time our Tama tribe must be the first to attack the city wall."
Another long-haired Jie tribe member joked: "I'm talking about Domo Har, you Domo tribe should forget it. Let us Osa tribe come first. I guarantee that my warriors can take down the city gate with one charge." .”
"No, let our tribe come first."
"Let's go first." Another Jie tribe member also scrambled.
Sarju smiled and waved his hand to signal everyone to be quiet: "Okay my warriors, I promise you that every tribe will have the opportunity to hunt. Tomorrow, the two tribes of Domo and Osa will take the lead and take a look. Whoever climbs the wall first."
The two tribal leaders stood up at the same time and said: "Thank you, chief."
While the big tent was discussing who should attack the city gate first, a report came from outside: "Report to the chief, the people who went to inquire about the news are back."
"Let them in!" Shaerzhu shouted softly.
Then two tired Jie tribesmen quickly walked into the camp and immediately knelt on one knee.
One of the Jie clan spies said: "Report to the big leader. The younger one found out that almost all the soldiers who went to Yancheng to hunt were killed in the battle. The whereabouts of the young leader Shadiao are unknown and he may have died in the battle.
On our way back, we also found the skeleton of a soldier who had been dead for some time and had rotted away. "
Hearing this, Sarzhu kicked over the desk in front of him, suddenly stood up from his seat, and shouted angrily: "What are you talking about, my son is dead? Who did it?"
His face was distorted. He didn't believe that his son had died in the battle. He didn't believe that his son would die from those cowardly Han people.
In the hands of those two-legged sheep who were regarded as prey, he angrily rushed towards the spy kneeling in front of him, grabbed him by the collar, lifted him up from the ground, and roared with wide eyes: "Who is it?" Who did it?”
"Back to the chief, there is a new man named King Yan in Yancheng. He led his men to ambush the young chief and the others. This man is the third prince of the Emperor of Great Xia, and he came to Yancheng last year."
Shaerzhu threw the spy to the ground: "King Yan, King Yan, I want to kill you to avenge my son. Send an order to attack the city immediately tomorrow morning. I will rush into Yan City and cut King Yan into pieces." .”
Domohar hurriedly stood up and persuaded: "Big boss, please don't. The siege ladder has not been built yet. Don't rush it. Otherwise, not only will you not be able to get revenge, but you will also lose more soldiers."
Salzhu yelled: "Ah!" After yelling, he kicked the spy. "Send the order to build a siege ladder overnight."
The spy got up from the ground, said yes, and hurriedly exited the tent to deliver the order.
"Don't worry, big leader. As soon as the siege ladder is built, my subordinates will immediately lead people to attack the city and avenge the young leader."
"I want everyone in Yancheng to pay for my son's life. No one will be left alive if we attack Yancheng."
"yes"
"yes"
