Ni Huzi's eyes widened, and he looked solemnly at the front line far below the city that was slowly moving towards his side.
Although three hundred cavalry is not a small number, once placed on the endless wasteland, the team of three hundred barbarian cavalry will appear extremely small, especially from the top of the ten-foot-high city of Xiaoyang Pass. It's just a slightly longer black line.
But at this moment, when Ni Huzi saw the thin black front, he felt nervous for some reason.
The monkey stretched his neck, trying to see the front line clearly, but the cold wind was howling at the moment, and the eyes of the people on the top of the city were sore from the cold wind. In addition, the night was deep and the distance was still far away. Although there was light in the front line, it was not clear. What can only be vaguely seen is a team composed of many people.
"Boss, why are there so many people down there in the middle of the night?" Monkey couldn't help but ask.
Ni Huzi was still staring at the city and did not answer.
The person next to the monkey said: "Could it be that the caravan was delayed?"
Everyone knows that although the barbarians in the Central Plains and the Far North have been hostile to each other for thousands of years, and wars have broken out in history, there has been no major conflict between the two sides in the past three hundred years. , so even though the Dayong court also explicitly ordered the people above the kingdom not to have any contact with the barbarians privately, under the extremely harsh living environment, after a long time passed, the Chinese people in the north of the Central Plains and the barbarians as well as the people in the north Other races have already engaged in secret trade transactions: the Central Plains people in the pass need the furs of the barbarians to withstand the long and severe cold of the winter, and they also need rare medicinal materials and ores that are only available in the north; and the barbarians in the north also need the salt, iron, and minerals from the Central Plains. Cloth and other things they need in life. Therefore, although such interest exchanges come with great risks and court control, over time, other northwest Dayong officials, headed by Zhenbianfu, understand that this is an indispensable and unavoidable behavior for the people's survival, so they embrace it. With an attitude of turning a blind eye, as long as the bottom line was not crossed, both the government and the barbarians acquiesced in this kind of private trade that existed among the people.
So until now, caravans from both sides often cross the border between the northwest and the barbarians, trading in the center of both sides' spheres of influence.
"But the caravans entering and exiting the border all know that our border has a clear prohibition. No one is allowed to enter or exit the border after Unity Time every day. No one dares to disobey this rule." Some people began to question what the person just said, "So I think That doesn’t look like a caravan.”
Ni Huzi suddenly said in a deep voice: "You have been guarding the border for many years. When have you ever seen a caravan with such a neat formation?"
Everyone was secretly shuddering, and they couldn't help but fix their eyes on the black line-like front that was getting closer and closer to the city.
The team of people and horses marched in a uniform rhythm without any chaos. From a distance, the formation looked like an iron formation. The people on the top of the city were all frontier troops who had been trained for many years. They instantly understood that only troops with the same training could act in such a coordinated manner.
Everyone watched intently for a while, and someone else said: "They are not a caravan, they look like a group of horse bandits."
Ni's thick eyebrows furrowed.
The monkey couldn't help but sneered and said: "With the border troops of our town here, how can the horse bandits dare to invade our border without permission?"
What he said is true. There has always been a shortage of bandits and bandits inside and outside the northwest. However, after Wei Changxin, the military governor of the Zhenbianfu, took control of Dafeng City, the power of the northwest frontier army underwent a fundamental transformation, especially In the past three years, Wei Changxin has dispatched Han Ju, the commander of the "Fire Wind Army" of the "Wind Tiger Infantry" of the border army, to lead his troops to encircle and suppress the banditry. In just one month, Han Ju and his troops jointly suppressed the bandits inside and outside the border. Wherever the six groups of horse bandits and their military power went, within the jurisdiction of the town and border government, the bandit chaos had almost been eliminated, and there was a peaceful scene inside and outside the border that had not been seen for many years.
With such absolute power, who would dare to gather in Xiaoshan Forest to form gangs and engage in the life-threatening business of horse banditry?
But they saw that the horse team at the bottom of the city was already less than 300 steps away from Xiaoyang Pass.
"This group of people is really weird." A soldier beside Ni Huzi said: "Boss, do you want to send someone out of the city to find out?"
Ni Huzi had a sullen face, suddenly his eyes flashed, and he said in a deep voice: "I think they are not horse bandits, but like barbarian cavalry!"
As soon as these words came out, everyone was stunned, and a chill suddenly came out from their backs.
"Boss, you mean...the people coming down below are barbarians?"
Monkey's face instantly turned pale, and his mouth even trembled when he spoke.
Everyone's faces couldn't help but show a confused and frightened look.
Are the barbarians really invading?
In the consciousness of their generation of young border soldiers, the purpose of being stationed at the northwest border all year round is to prevent and resist the invasion of northern barbarians. However, since the founding of the Yong Dynasty for more than two hundred years, there has never been a large-scale war between the barbarians and the Central Plains. Therefore, this generation's impression of the barbarians only comes from the stories passed down from generation to generation. In those legends, the barbarians are brutal and violent. , advocates force, is brave and ferocious, and is the most threatening and terrifying existence in the world and the most difficult to resist. Their race has lived in the wild lands deep in the north for thousands of years. In the long hot and cold environment, they have been accompanied by hunger and blood, so that their original barbaric blood has been extremely profoundly tempered and tempered. Continuation, they are aliens cursed by the gods. The meaning of their existence is only to conquer and destroy.
Today's people, especially the frontier troops on the northwest border, only have this impression of the barbarians. Two hundred years is not a long time, but it is by no means a short time. During this period, the Gale City and the defensive lines on both sides of the sky and the thousands of miles of wilderness, virgin forests and the sunken sea in the north blocked the Central Plains people from the barbarians and the ten people. The Five Cities understand that in the era without war, people did not have the opportunity to see with their own eyes the truly terrifying barbarian warriors in the legend. Even the caravans from both sides that interact with each other are only the lowest class of people in their respective races. Real barbarian warriors will not easily appear in the eyes of the Central Plains people.
Therefore, among the monkeys and other border troops, the barbarians in the fifteen cities in the northwest are still a mystery full of mystery.
Ni Huzi had been in the army for more than 20 years, but he had never seen a real barbarian cavalry, and he didn't know what the barbarians looked like. But now, when the group of people under the city gradually became clearer in his eyes, the first thought that came to his mind was the barbarians.
This feeling became stronger and stronger, so strong that all the muscles in his body were tense. Although the cold wind was cold, cold sweat was now oozing out of his vest.
He felt extremely intense heart palpitations.
This palpitation comes from an indescribable sense of oppression. There were not many people in the slow-moving team under the city, but the momentum they exuded as they marched was like a gun or an axe, sharp and heavy, with a murderous intent that was pressing into the soul.
Ni Beard really couldn't think of any ethnic group outside of this region that could have such a power that made people fear from the bottom of their hearts, except for the barbarians who had been hiding in the wilderness of the North.
Not long ago, Ni Huzi also heard rumors that barbarians would invade the border, but he didn't pay much attention to it. Not only him, but many people thought it was just a rumor without any basis.
But now, on this cold night when he was on duty, a group of people suddenly appeared under Xiaoyang Pass.
The scent of dog meat in Ni Husheng's mouth instantly lost any taste.
Without any signs or any intelligence, the barbarians actually crossed thousands of miles of wilderness and arrived at the northwest border!
Even though they only had three hundred riders, they still came after all.
Ni Beard's hand holding the saber had turned white, and his expression was extremely heavy. He suddenly turned his head and shouted to the people around him: "What are you still doing? Spread the word, and the whole city will be on alert!"
All the soldiers on the city head were startled, then dispersed with a bang, and began to enter a state of nervous preparation.
There are currently less than thirty soldiers on night patrol on the city. Except for Ni Huzi's ten-man team, which is on duty, the other two teams are taking turns. After Ni Huzi ordered to go on duty, Houhou and other soldiers each took up their spears and gathered on the top of the city as if they were facing a formidable enemy.
"Blow the drum, turn on the lights!" Ni Beard shouted loudly again: "Get ready for war!"
The cowhide drum was beaten loudly, echoing in the city like muffled thunder. Four huge lanterns were raised on top of the city at the same time, illuminating the entire Xiaoyang Pass city as bright as day.
"Boss, do you want to go to the camp and report to the deputy commander of the car?"
One of the soldiers asked with a horrified look.
"Why are you panicking? Look at your potential!" Ni Huzi kicked the soldier and cursed with a gloomy face: "Even if they are barbarians, they are only two or three hundred people, so what's there to be afraid of!"
Although he was extremely shocked inside, as a border veteran with more than 20 years of military service, Ni Huzi's calmness and composure were still there. He knew that he must not show timidity in front of his subordinates at this moment.
"Go down and wake up those guys who are still dreaming about sleeping with me, and prepare your bows and arrows. If they dare to take a step beyond the limits, I will turn them into hedgehogs!"
Ni Huzi ordered again and took a deep breath.
The soldier's mouth twitched, and he immediately turned around and ran down the tower to wake up his other comrades who were still sleeping.
The thunderous sound of drums echoed at Xiaoyang Pass, and not long after, dense and rapid footsteps came from under the city.
"What happened? Why are the drums playing?"
A burst of heavy footsteps came quickly to the top of the city, and Ni Huzi knew who was coming without turning his head to look.
The person who spoke was tall and had a round general belly. He was disheveled and holding armor in his hands. He trotted up to the top of the city with a sleepy and panicked expression. He had obviously just woken up from his sleep. The fat on his body shook like waves as he trotted, making him look like a bear.
Not only does he look like a bear, his original surname is Xiong and his given name is Zhengye. He is a corps commander in the Xiaoyang Pass border army and Ni Huzi's immediate boss.
Xiong Zhengye panted to the top of the city, took a few deep breaths, then pulled Ni Huzi, frowning and asked: "Old Ni, what are you doing? How can you play the drum randomly?"
Ni Huzi said without looking back: "Commander Xiong, the military governor has an explicit order that no one can disarm while on duty. Violators will be severely punished. But as the commander on duty tonight, you knowingly committed the crime, which is even more serious." wait!"
Xiong Zhengye's round, fat face suddenly sank, and his expression was slightly angry.
But surprisingly, Captain Xiong, whose official position was one level higher than that of Ni Huzi, suppressed his anger and did not get angry because of Ni Huzi's sarcastic and threatening words.
About twenty soldiers on duty had already followed behind Commander Xiong. When they saw this scene, they were used to it and were not surprised.
Soldiers who have been in the frontier army for a few years and know Ni Huzi probably know one thing: Although Ni Huzi is only a small commander now, just a low-level official position in charge of ten soldiers, but his Origin and background are tougher than official positions.
Twenty years ago, when Ni Huzi first joined the border army, he was incorporated into the scout battalion under the Zhenbianfu because he had practiced boxing for several years and was good at it. At that time, the young Ni Huzi had not yet grown a full beard. He was full of energy, quick-thinking, and had some good skills, so he had completed many difficult tasks. And it was also because of a mission that made him famous.
According to veterans in the border army, General Wei, who is now the father of the military governor Wei Changxin, led a team to conduct a survey mission deep into the wilderness of the North. The purpose was to grasp the specific terrain and terrain of the wilderness in order to defend against the barbarians. Make preparations. Unexpectedly, on the way back, they encountered a group of indifferent horse bandits, and the two sides started a fierce battle. The gang of horse bandits were numerous and ferocious, and they appeared in the wilderness, dense forests and deep mountains all year round. They knew how to take advantage of the geographical advantages. In order not to attract the attention of the barbarian tribes, General Wei only brought less than thirty personal guards. Therefore, in the situation where the terrain was not advantageous in terms of numbers and combat power, the troops led by General Wei and the detectives were defeated in this battle. Several scouts on the road were almost wiped out, and Ni Huzi was one of the scouts.
Ni Huzi fought bravely in that fierce battle, killing nearly ten horse bandits with one sword per man. And he led General Wei to fight his way out of the siege. Using his skills as a scout, he used his composure and terrain to successfully escape from the horse bandits and escorted General Wei back safely. The windy city.
In that battle, Ni Huzi killed fifteen enemies and was wounded in eleven places.
After that battle, General Wei admired Ni Huzi very much and promoted him to the "Beifu Guard" who was only under the direct command and dispatch of the Zhenbian Prefecture, and became one of General Wei's personal guards.
Ni Huzi stayed with General Wei for almost fifteen years. It wasn't until General Wei passed away five years ago that Ni Huzi took the initiative to request to be transferred from the Beifu Guards.
After the death of General Wei, his only son Wei Changxin inherited the title of Lord of Dafeng City and was awarded the title of "Military Governor" by the court, becoming the new Lord of the Zhenbian Mansion. After Wei Changxin took office in Zhenbianfu, he began to vigorously rectify the military affairs in the north, especially in military affairs, striving for innovation and change. He boldly used young generals in the army, tried his best to raise money and food, and even secretly reached deals with figures in the northwest. In just a few years, the military discipline, combat effectiveness and equipment of the border army have been completely improved.
During this period, Wei Changxin almost replaced most of the subordinate generals in the border army, including the Beifu Guards who were responsible for guarding the military base of the border town, because he had a longer-term vision. But in that series of innovations that shocked the northern border, Wei Changxin not only failed to mobilize Ni Huzi, but actually promoted him to a higher level. But for some unknown reason, Ni Huzi took the initiative to request to be transferred from the Beifu Guards at that time. Wei Changxin was quite puzzled by this and was very surprised, but he knew that Ni Huzi was his father's savior and the old subordinate that his father relied on most during his lifetime. Although he did not understand the reason why Ni Huzi left Beifu Guard, he still gave him With enough respect, he agreed to leave Beifu Wei. And Ni Huzi did not accept the high position in the army promised by Wei Changxin, and only asked to be a small commander.
It is said that after Ni Huzi left the Beifu Guards, Wei Changxin secretly issued an order without direct instructions to many generals in the army: From the day Ni Huzi took office as the commander-in-chief, he could freely enter and exit the town border mansion. If something important happens, you can report it directly to Wei Changxin himself without having to go through your boss.
Once this news came out, regardless of whether it was true or false, the border troops who heard the news knew that Ni Huzi, a small and tall man, still had a certain weight in the eyes of the military governor.
Therefore, although Ni Huzi was only the lowest-ranking commander, no one in the frontier army dared to despise his existence.
And this is why Xiong Zhengye can force himself to suppress the resentment in his heart. And Beard Ni is also the only one who can speak to his boss in an accusing tone.
It was for this reason that Captain Xiong always disliked Ni Huzi, but he did not dare to openly conflict with him, so he often found fault with Ni Huzi on other trivial matters.
Although Xiong Zhengye had scolded all the eighteen generations of Ni Huzi's ancestors in his heart at this moment, his fat face was darkened, but he still did not have an attack.
Although Ni Huzi's words were harsh, they were telling the truth. Before military discipline, even if Xiong Zhengye was angry, he would not dare to explode in front of many soldiers. After all, this 20-year veteran of the border army has the "privilege" of reporting higher-level officials.
The corners of Wu Chang Xiong's mouth twitched and he chuckled: "Old Ni, you are exaggerating. Isn't it because you are here that I can relax for a while? It's because of some trivial matters at home recently that have hurt my mind a lot. , so your body is a little tired, just pretend you didn’t see this..."
As he spoke, he directed a soldier beside him to help him put on clothes and armor quickly.
Only then did Ni Huzi turn his head and glance at him. He chuckled and said, "It is said that Commander Xiong recently took in a concubine. Naturally, he is a little tired. But as an old friend, I still advise Commander Xiong to pay attention to your health."
Commander Xiong's face darkened again, he smiled, and quickly shook his head and said: "It's all rumors, it's all rumors."
After he was fully dressed, he also approached the city, frowned and said, "Old Ni, why are you playing the drum?"
Ni Huzi pointed towards the city.
Commander Xiong looked in the direction of his finger and was stunned for a moment, then sneered: "They're just a bunch of horse bandits, so there's no need to play drums, right?"
Ni Huzi also sneered, "It would be better if it was really a horse bandit."
Commander Xiong was stunned again, and couldn't help but look carefully at the bottom of the city.
Then his expression began to change.
"Archers prepare!"
Ni Huzi drank in a low voice, and then there was a sound of a bowstring being pulled from the top of the city.
On top of Xiaoyangguan City, dozens of strong bows were opened like a full moon, and their feathers and arrows were all aimed at the dark line far below the city.
Wu Zhang Xiong's face was solemn. He didn't care about Ni Huzi giving orders in front of him, because he vaguely noticed something unusual.
At this moment, Ni Huzi was seen holding a knife in one hand and pressing on the battlement with the other. He suddenly exhaled and shouted loudly.
"Who is coming from the city?"
Three hundred barbarian cavalry have advanced to less than 200 steps away from Xiaoyang Pass.
The leader still had his arms folded, letting the horse under him move forward slowly on its own. There was an extremely confident and arrogant light in his blue eyes. He raised his face that was full of wild aura but also With a somewhat handsome face, his eyes were directed towards the city gate in front of him that looked like a dark beast.
He had already seen the lanterns lit up on the top of the city, and his eyes suddenly became fiery, full of bloodthirsty excitement and greed, like a hunter examining his prey.
"Chief Longri, your Chinese dialect is becoming more and more fluent."
In the slowly advancing team, a young barbarian with a stern look and a thick-backed machete suddenly said with a smile in the Central Plains dialect. But this man spoke Chinese in a very stiff manner, as if he had just learned it.
The leader smiled silently, did not look back, but said calmly in barbarian language: "If we yearn for a place, we should understand everything there. And learning their language is the most basic. Heerchi, your Chinese dialect Very lame, need more practice.”
His voice was deep and somewhat magnetic, as if his voice also contained the wildness of a barbaric bloodline that had lasted for thousands of years.
The barbarian warrior named Heerchi couldn't help but raise his voice and said in barbarian language: "Chief Longri, the words of the Central Plains people are too complicated and difficult to pronounce. We don't have the talent of the leader, so it is difficult to learn. And those The Central Plains people we captured to teach us the Central Plains dialect didn’t teach us well either, and I even killed a few of them a few days ago.”
When the leader heard the words, his strong and burly body seemed to pause for a moment, and then he heard his voice as cold as the cold wind: "Heerchi, if you dare to kill those Central Plains people at will again, I will kill them. You, and then feed your body to those hungry wild wolves.”
He Erchi's expression froze, and a look of horror appeared on his dark face.
"Chief, please forgive me. Heerchi doesn't dare to do it anymore."
Heerchi glanced at the man's back and hurriedly lowered his head. He seemed to feel a sharp sharp light coming from the back, trying to cut himself into two pieces.
A layer of cold sweat suddenly broke out on the young barbarian warrior's forehead, and his heart was beating like thunder.
Among the northern barbarians, no one did not know that man's name, and no one dared to face his extreme power. Because he is the leader of the Fengyan tribe of the barbarians, and he is also the most powerful in terms of force among the barbarians. He is also the undefeated God of War who carries the barbarian heritage for thousands of years and best represents the "power of chaos" of the barbarian orthodox bloodline!
His name represents absolute power in the entire wild land of the North, and the power of conquest that cannot be resisted and rebellious.
His name is - Longri Kuangyang.
The other barbarian companions beside He Erchi also felt the cold and harsh aura emanating from Long Ri Kuangyang in front of them, and they were silent for a moment, not daring to make any rash thoughts.
They still maintained an orderly pace and rhythm, moving forward slowly.
"Those Central Plains people we captured are still of many uses to us." Long Ri Kuangyang's voice slowly came from behind his back, his tone was calm and calm, "We can also learn a lot about the Central Plains from them. things, so they are very important, at least we can’t kill them casually yet.”
"In the future, we will arrest more people from the Central Plains, preferably those who can write, craftsmen who can build houses and forge weapons, and people who can cure diseases..." Long Ri Kuangyang's words continued to spread. Come, "To you, they may be just some powerless waste, but to me, they are living treasures, because they can let me know what kind of place the Central Plains is."
Everyone listened in silence, no one dared to speak casually, there was only the rustle of horse hooves trampling on the thick snowy ground.
The huge and solid city gate in front was getting closer and closer, and the three hundred barbarians could already clearly see the outline of the city wall, and everyone's eyes could not help but flash with a cold light.
At this time, bursts of dull and thunderous drums suddenly sounded above Xiaoyang Pass.
At this time, Longri Kuangyang and the three hundred cavalry behind him were less than 150 steps away from Xiaoyang Pass.
While the drums were thundering on the top of the city, there were still many figures swaying faintly.
Long Ri Kuangyang suddenly raised his hand, and at the same time, the horse under his seat also stopped.
The three hundred cavalrymen behind him tightened their reins at the same time.
Long Ri Kuangyang narrowed his blue eyes and took another deep breath.
His expression was one of enjoyment, as if what he had breathed into his lungs was not air, but the most delicious food in the world.
"Zhongyuan is like the most beautiful woman on this earth. She is so desirable and I want to have her."
"As long as there is enough strength, any beautiful woman can be conquered." Long Ri Kuangyang's eyes suddenly burst out with extremely hot and exciting light. He greedily stuck out his tongue and licked his lips, as if he was tasting delicious food. The same, and then he murmured in Chinese Chinese: "But I am different. The beauty I long for should be appreciated slowly and carefully. A beautiful woman should also be well understood before possessing her all. Such a feeling , is the greatest joy of conquering.”
When he said these words, his expression was full of desire, and his eyes were full of bloody greed. At this time, he didn't look like a barbarian who could only use brute strength, but more like a scholar from the Central Plains who was extremely scheming.
Hidden beneath the arrogant and primitive appearance is a deep and eccentric character, which gives Longri Kuangyang, the god of war with the highest reputation among the barbarians, an indescribable, strange and mysterious brilliance.
At this moment, Longri Kuangyang heard a heavy and loud sound suddenly coming from the top of the high city.
"Who is coming from the city?"
Long Ri Kuangyang slowly raised his head and smiled broadly at the tall and solid city.
Smiling wildly.
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