King court.

Bamier did not receive a letter from Yuanjue, and asked Bi Suo: "Can there be any abnormalities in Gaochang?"

Bi Suo looked blank: "Why do you ask?"

"A letter will be sent back from Gaochang every two days. It has been two days and there is no letter from Gaochang."

Bi Suo's expression sank slightly, and he was waiting to ask more carefully. The soldiers rushed into the corridor: "Emergency military information from Shacheng!"

"Gaochang is surrounded by Beirong army!"

Bi Suo was shocked.

Bamiir did not dare to delay, and sent the report into the grotto.

Tan Moroga sat in front of the book table, raised his head and asked, "How many people?"

The soldier said: "About ten thousand! The leader is Haidu Aling!"

Tamara Gya frowned slightly, put away the prayer beads, and his expression was condensed.

Bi Suo hurriedly said, "Wang, I would like to lead my troops to help Gaochang."

Tamaragarh was noncommittal and ordered the soldiers to fetch the map, draw a few lines on the parchment, and ask the soldiers: "Is the military situation confirmed?"

The soldier replied: "Return to the king, it is the battle report sent back by the Shacheng guard!"

Tan Moroga twisted his eyebrows, "Haidu Aling is blocked outside Baicheng, it is impossible to show up outside Gaochang City with 10,000 soldiers and horses."

Bi Suo also felt puzzled: "He can pretend to be a herdsman and pass the level...but his soldiers and horses are impossible, so where did the 10,000 soldiers and horses outside Gaochang City come from?"

Tamaraga pondered for a moment, then let go of his pen, "Bring me the battle report sent back by Mopida."

Bi Suo quickly pulled out the battle report and handed it to him.

Tamara Gabi looked at the map and finished the battle report, his fingers trembled lightly and crumpled the parchment.

Bi Suo looked anxious: "The king?"

Tamara Gha put down the map.

All the remnants of Beirong have now turned around and rushed to Gaochang.

There are more than 10,000 horses in Haidu Aling. In the next few days, the North Rong rebellion army, which is headless, will rush towards Gaochang frantically.

She is in Gaochang.

Going to Gaochang to rescue her was the result of Haidu Aling's plan.

Don't go, Gaochang is in danger.

With a soft "click", the Buddhist beads he put in his sleeve slipped out and fell to the ground.

Tamara Gha leaned forward and picked up the prayer beads, his heart tightening.

...

The sky darkened, the strong wind howled, and the moon shadows were building.

Ten thousand people from Beirong were stationed outside Gaochang City. From a distance, the bonfire in the camp was like shining stars in the sky, and the Milky Way was splendid.

And Gaochang City was as small as a faint firefly, shivering in front of the overwhelming stars.

Bodhidharma stood at the head of the city, looking at the dense bonfires in the distance, thinking of the invincible weather the last time the Bei Rong army pressed the land, and he couldn't help but feel terrified.

After the Beirong siege, he lost his wife and the courage to resist. He was addicted to drinking and became a puppet.

Now, facing the murderous Northern Rong cavalry again, he couldn't help being afraid.

The flames flickered, Yaoying walked to him under the moonlight, wearing a narrow-sleeved brocade robe, silver armor and long hair wrapped in a scarf, and asked: "Is there any news from Yang Qian?"

Bodhidharma recovered and shook his head: "No, Bei Rong Camp stopped and camped, there was no movement."

Yaoying frowned slightly, and asked the guard next to her: "The Xizhou soldiers in the city, plus all the civilians who can fight, how many men can fight in total?"

The guard thought for a while and replied: "There are only five thousand men in the middle of life."

Bodhidharma's face changed slightly and looked at Yaoying: "What does the princess mean? I want all the civilians to go to the top of the city and defend the city?"

It has not yet reached the point where the unarmed people can climb the tower to defend the city.

Yaoying looked at the Bei Rong camp with worry on her face: "Da Lang, this Northern Rong cavalry suddenly appeared. They were not in a hurry to attack the city, but were stationed outside the city. They were siege of the city this time, not for a surprise attack, nor for robbery. Looting to replenish food and supplies...whatever they want to do, we have to prepare early."

Bodhidharma is also thinking about this question: "What do they want? Why did they come to attack Gaochang?"

Wakhan Khan is dead, Beirong’s disintegration is a foregone conclusion, the current situation, no matter from which point of view, Yizhou is the city that Beirong people should guard. As long as they hold Yizhou, there is still a chance to make a comeback. So the next goal of the Western Army is to retake Yizhou.

Because of this, Li Zhongqian sent his troops to Yizhou a few days ago, but he is not in the city now.

Why did Bei Rong abandon Yizhou and didn't want to flee west, but instead gathered forces to attack Gaochang?

In the Northern Rong cavalry, the banner of the Haidu Aling Department appeared. In the past two days, they only called the formation and did not attack the city. Someone in the army murmured that he led the army to attack Gaochang to **** Princess Wen Zhao-the rumors had already begun, and Bodhidharma was frightened. At this juncture, rumors would make the panicked people in the city make crazy moves.

Yaoying held the arrows in her hand and whispered softly: "Some people say that Haidu Aling came to attack Gaochang for me. As long as I hand over me, Beirong will retreat. Does Dalang think he is credible?"

Bodhidharma stared at her for a long while, and the corners of his mouth raised: "Haidu Aling is cruel and cruel. I really handed over the princess. He will lead soldiers to slaughter the city with his back feet. He deliberately released such rumors to deceive people, just to make us mutual Suspicion, I won't be fooled."

Yaoying nodded: "You and I can understand, but as long as someone spreads rumors in the city, the people will believe his words. At that time, the Northern Rong cavalry will only need to concentrate their troops to attack the city gate a few times, and there will be life in the city. Chaos...If the people force me out of the city, there will be a rift between the Western army and the people. It may be difficult for the Xizhou soldiers to regain the lost ground. The Beirong people can take the opportunity to win over those states and counties that are still waiting... Feeling resentful towards me..."

"Whether I leave the city or not, it will affect morale."

Bodhidharma felt a chill on his back. Haidu Aling had not yet launched an attack. He just besieged the city, released rumors, and incited public opinion and put the western army on the fire.

Yaoying calmly said: "If the Bei Rong people continue to call for a formation tomorrow and besiege instead of attacking, it means that the Bei Rong people will not easily withdraw their troops this time. They want to spend it until the city changes."

Bodhidharma's scalp was numb: "Princess, I will tell you to go down. From tomorrow on, if anyone dares to spread rumors, he will be severely punished!"

Yaoying didn’t panic at all: “The hearts of the people are like this. I know it. The rumors have spread. Tomorrow will be too late. I have sent people to summon the prestigious village elders in the city. As soon as the rumors came out, I had to find a way to stop them. , The longer it spreads, the more unable to explain it clearly."

She can't show cowardice, she must stabilize people's hearts from the beginning of defending the city.

The soldiers came to report, the people were almost there, and several clan elders deliberately procrastinated before leaving.

The two looked at each other, went down the tower, and came to the meeting hall. The fire swayed in the hall, the heads were crowded, everyone looked anxious, and their brows were frowned. When they saw the two entering the door, they immediately rushed forward.

"Princess, Bei Rong is coming fiercely, General Yang led his troops to Yanqi, can we people defend the city?"

"What request did Haidu Aling make? Will they retreat?"

"There are ten thousand Beirong people outside the city! How can we hold it!"

There was a panic that changed the tone of inquiries.

Yaoying walked to the long case, looked around, and said, "Aling Haidu said, as long as I am willing to go out of the city, he will withdraw his troops."

When these words came out, there was an uproar in the hall.

Everyone was dumbfounded and couldn't believe it, and immediately, embarrassment appeared on their faces. The rumors have spread, and they can't help but murmur in their hearts. They feel that the rumors are true. The princess's face is the most beautiful in the Central Plains, and Haidu Aling might really come for her. At this moment, the princess should be the one who didn't want to bring up this matter the last time, but she said this in public. Does the princess understand the righteousness and plan to leave the city for the safety of the people in the city?

Yaoying looked at the elders: "Do you think I should leave the city?"

Everyone looked at each other, not daring to say what they were thinking.

Bodhidharma sneered, "You forgot, what happened last time after we opened the city gate to let the Beirong people enter the city?"

"If the city breaks this time, the princess and I will surely be able to save our lives, and everyone else will have to ask for their own blessings."

Everyone stunned. Last time, the Bei Rong people killed a group of officials and imperial guards in order to kill the chickens and the monkeys, indulging the soldiers to burn and looting. Worry, they are the ones who may be in the wrong place!

Bodhidharma continued: "The princess is here, Xizhou soldiers and tribes from all over the world will come to help, Liangzhou army will also send troops to rescue, and the royal court will not watch the fire from across the bank...If the princess is not in Gaochang, do you think the rescuers will come?"

Everyone's eyes widened, sweating in cold sweat.

The states of the Western Regions depend on oasis, their population is small, and they can't support a powerful army. All regions are overwhelmed. Other states and counties have heard that they were besieged by the Northern Rong cavalry, so they would definitely not dare to send troops to rescue them.

The Xizhou soldiers obeyed the princess’s orders. The Central Plains court, the royal court and the Western Army’s alliance was facilitated by the princess. They were suspicious of each other and only recognized the princess as the leader. If the princess was forced out of the city, the rescuers would definitely go straight to Haidu Aling, who Still have leisure to solve Gaochang's danger?

Therefore, the princess went out of the city, the morale of the soldiers was frustrated, and the soldiers were defeated like a mountain. It was them who suffered. Only when the princesses go out of the city can they wait to rescue the soldiers, and the soldiers will be inspired to defend the city desperately.

After the crowd weighed in, their expressions gradually changed, and Chao Yaoying handed over, embarrassed.

The princess could have returned to Chang'an to stay away from the war. For the sake of her great cause, she stayed in dangerous places and rushed to toil. The people of all counties and counties were blessed by it. They actually wanted to hand the princess out for a moment of peace. It was really short-sighted!

"We are ashamed, please punished the princess."

Yaoying didn't pierce everyone's thoughts, and said, "The situation is severe right now. Only by working together can we defend the city."

She glanced at the soldier.

The soldiers walked out and glanced around coldly, seeing everyone sweating, and the long knife in their hands was slammed down, the long case shattered at the sound, and the wood chips splashed.

"If there is anyone who disturbs the morale of the military, there is such a case."

The crowd shivered, and they should be in unison.

Yaoying walked out of the military headquarters, and there was a loud noise at the door, and several elders with the appearance of clan elders greeted her, yelling, asking her if she would like to go out of the city for the people.

The soldiers' complexions darkened, and a few escorted Yaoying away first. One person stayed. The long knife was unsheathed and the handle slapped the old man. The old man was caught off guard and fell off the stairs, suddenly bruised and swollen.

The crowd was quiet for a moment.

Facing the fearful sight of the crowd, the soldiers walked down the stone steps, and the tip of the knife picked away the old man's messy hair: "Yelling in front of the governor, intending to collide. This time it is only a slight punishment, and the knife will not leave anyone next time."

Everyone's hair is horrified.

The soldier returned the knife into its sheath, looked around, and followed Yaoying.

Zheng Jing hurriedly found him and frowned when he heard what the old men had just incited: "Princess, what's the situation in the city now?"

Yaoying sighed and said, "Smart people understand the current situation. Others are frightened by my soldiers. As long as they are honest, we will be able to clean our ears and prevent ourselves from being attacked."

Zheng Jing hesitated for a while and said, "Princess, if Grandpa Wei Guo is here, he will definitely persuade His Royal Highness to find a way to withdraw from the city..."

He felt that Yaoying's status was precious, more important than the gains and losses of one city and one place, and there was no need to stay defending the city.

Yaoying shook her head: "If I escape, what will the people think of me? Once the Western Regions lose confidence in the Xizhou soldiers and the court, all our previous efforts have been abandoned. In the future, we want to work hard to regain the lost ground, I am afraid it will be difficult. And now Bei Rong Ten thousand cavalry guards outside the city, even if we retreat, there is no way to break through."

Zheng Jing frowned.

Yaoying was right. Going out of the city is like throwing herself into the net. For her, staying in the city is the safest.

However, if the rescuers were too late to come back to help, Gao Chang couldn't hold on for long.

"Can Yang Qian rush back in time?"

Yaoying said sadly: "Since Yanqi is a trap, Yang Qian is probably trapped. We can only wait for Xizhou soldiers and tribes everywhere to help. The food and grass of the Beirong people cannot be supported for long. What we can do now is defend the city. And wait."

The torch was burning, and the night was deep. She was dressed in a uniform, bathed in the dim firelight, and sighed.

"What I am most afraid of right now is not the Beirong people attacking the city... Brother brother knows that Gaochang is besieged, he will definitely rush back, he only brought two thousand people..."

If Haidu Aling sets a trap to attack the reinforcements, he will be in danger.

Zheng Jing comforted her and said: "Duke Weiguo has been leading soldiers for many years and will definitely remain vigilant."

The night wind blew through.

Yaoying is calm, she can't panic, she has to guard the city.

She is so good that Li Zhongqian will not rush in.

Yaoying returned to the house and called her soldiers: "Has Xinying sent out?"

The soldier said: "The Bei Rong people shot Xinying, and the news cannot be sent. Now they can only warn them during the day."

Yaoying twisted her eyebrows.

Yuanjue has been with Yaoying. She discussed the military situation with Bodhidharma and Zheng Jing before. He couldn't interrupt. Now he couldn't help but speak: "Princess, if the king knows that Gaochang is under siege, he will definitely send troops. Maybe The reinforcements are already on their way."

Yaoying was startled and muttered: "Wang Ting's reinforcements?"

There seemed to be bright lights flashing in her mind, her pupils shrank suddenly, she turned out the map and looked at it for a while, her palms were sweaty, grabbed the map, rushed out of the room, found Dharma who was about to take a nap, and summoned the other guards. .

"Haidu Aling has been besieging for these two days without attacking, is it just waiting for our rescuers?"

Bodhidharma said in a puzzled manner: "Waiting for the rescue? He must want to attack the city before the rescuers arrive..."

Yaoying pointed at the map: "He is going to attack Gaochang. The Xizhou soldiers within a few hundred miles will come back to help. The Wang Court will also send troops. Liangzhou Army is preparing to attack Yizhou. Maybe he will come to help... He just needs If you don’t move, you can mobilize all the soldiers and horses."

Bodhidharma opened his eyes wide and took a breath.

If it is as Yaoying guessed, then Haidu Aling is using Gaochang as a bait to lure all forces to come to rescue!

Everyone was shocked and couldn't believe it: "Is it possible?"

Yaoying's face was pale: "We will know tomorrow."

If Haidu Aling's goal is indeed reinforcements, then he would definitely not dare to do his best to attack the city, as that would consume combat power.

His release of rumors is a way to confuse them.

This night, everyone did not dare to close their eyes.

In the early morning of the next day, the drums were beaten, and the guard went into battle in armor.

The Bei Rong people blew their horns and galloped out on fast horses. The riders bent their bows and set arrows, shooting a few arrows tied with cloth strips.

Only one sentence was written on the banner: As long as Gaochang handed over Princess Wen Zhao, they would withdraw their troops.

Bei Rong sent a group of soldiers with loud voices and shouted out the contents of the banner.

Yaoying had done both her kindness and power last night to appease the wealthy family in the city. Now the soldiers know that Princess Wen Zhao stays, and they have the hope of defending victory. No matter how the Beirong people call the battle, the soldiers at the head of the city remain unmoved.

The Beirong people yelled for more than half an hour, but Gao Chang didn't respond.

When the sun rose to mid-air, the Bei Rong people launched their first attack amid the rumbling drums of war. Gaochang had already built fortifications. The Bei Rong cavalry charged halfway, and suddenly there was a shocking explosion. The ground moved and the mountains shook, and the horses were frightened. , The sharp longbow formation immediately fell into chaos, and after a burst of howling ghosts and wolves, they quickly adjusted their formation, contracted to the two wings, pulled into sharp knives, and continued to attack the city.

When they entered the firing range, the guard immediately commanded the archers to release their arrows. The rain of arrows swooped under the cover, and the Beirong people's speed slowed down.

After several rounds of strangulation, the two armies retreated in gold.

Yaoying's face was solemn, and the Beirong people's offensive was not weak at all. Facing the power of gunpowder, after the panic, she still rushed forward without fear of death. Did she guess wrong?

The next day, the drums of war thundered, and the Bei Rong people once again sent troops into battle, full of foul language.

Gao Chang also sent some soldiers with loud voices to scold them.

By the time of the middle of Japan, the Bei Rong people beat the drums to attack the city, and the cavalry who charged were still as fierce as they were yesterday.

After several days of this, the people in the city were panicked, and the soldiers were exhausted. Bodhidharma looked at the dark and crushed Bei Rong army outside the city every day, and his heart was throbbing.

Yaoying gradually saw the clues: "They are really conserving combat power, and they don't invest much combat power each time."

Bodhidharma's heart beat faster, and he said anxiously: "Our news can't be sent, the reinforcements should be on their way..."

If it was Haidu Aling's strategy, he would have succeeded.

Li Zhongqian, the reinforcements of the royal court, the Xizhou soldiers, the prefectures in the Han area...Haidu Aling attracted all the reinforcements to Gaochang. Why?

Yaoying's back was cold.

At this moment, another stern horn sounded outside the city, and a burst of fire suddenly burst into the sky in the direction of Beirong Camp.

The Bei Rong army did not expect that the camp would be attacked. The front army was still charging forward, and the rear army was panicked. They didn't know whether to turn around or follow the front army. The two wings became chaotic. After a while, the Bei Rong army began to retreat.

Gao Chang's defender was overwhelmed with surprise and said loudly: "Reinforcements are here! Reinforcements are here!"

In the distance, Bei Rong Camp has fallen into a raging sea of ​​fire.

Yaoying looked at the dancing flames, dripping with cold sweat.