Chapter 1570: Flag Town Mountains and Rivers

The Ziwei Central Sky Grand Imperial Banner, Fluttering atop Sword Peak Mountain.Higher than the mountain, Closer to the heavens.This banner once flew over the River Observation Terrace, And now it flutters within the lands of Xia.This banner embodies the indelible glorious silhouettes, Of a great empire's bygone years.Only thus is there the supreme violet, Only thus is there the world-illuminating nobility.The raising of this great banner, Not only signifies that the glory of Qi, Has enveloped this place. It also practically provides, The support of the Great Qi Empire's national power, For the Southern Expedition Qi army.The banner suppresses the mountains and rivers!The grand army marched east all the way, And has now firmly established the first step...The surrendered troops on the mountain were not mistreated, Their weapons were confiscated, And they were confined in place.The mighty army marched down from Sword Peak Mountain, At a relatively moderate pace, Advancing towards Xiangyou Prefecture.Chong Xuan Sheng glanced and calculated the marching speed, Telling Jiang Wang that in three days, they would arrive at Xiangyou Prefecture, Not a moment late, nor a moment early.The Wind Chaser Army has already dispersed in place, Divided into nine armies, Sweeping across the entire Fengjie Prefecture.Li Zheng Yan single-handedly leads an army, Roving through the four territories, Specializing in gnawing on the hardest bones.For the Wind Chaser Army, The objective of this battle, Is not so much to attack strongholds and defeat enemies, As it is to sharpen their edges.Yu Li Yang's escape, Hua Hong Zhao's death in battle, The fall of Sword Peak Mountain... The subsequent battles in Fengjie Prefecture are destined to be lackluster.It cannot be denied that Xia Country has many patriots, Never lacking those willing to die.Though Emperor Xia Xiang is dead, his will remains, His spirit and resolve still influencing generation after generation of Xia people.But with the fall of Sword Peak Mountain in a single day, The spirit and resolve of the Fengjie Prefecture army have collapsed.According to reports from scout cavalry, Within the scope of Fengjie Prefecture, Large numbers of Xia soldiers and civilians have abandoned cities and fled, Dispersing outside Fengjie Prefecture.Those who can still hold out under such circumstances are rare in their tenacity. But the Wind Chaser Army is such a formidable force in the world... Under the crushing force of a giant rock, even the most resilient egg is useless.For Li Zheng Yan, who once destroyed a country in ten days and whose name has long been renowned, this expedition is merely a test of his blade. His stage is in three days, In Xiangyou Prefecture, where the Great Xia Martial King Si Jiao personally holds court.At this time, the central army, Takes the Spring Death Army as the vanguard.The Autumn Kill Army leisurely follows behind, Maintaining the most relaxed formation, Having already entered a state of rest.Baskets of Qi and Blood Pills and Dao Yuan Stones were transported out, Distributed to all units, To help them recover.Since there was nothing else to do, Jiang Wang also casually sat in a military supply cart, Immersed in his world of cultivation.The Fourth Star Tower was officially established just before the army departed, Although it is considered complete, It still requires further familiarization.The star path connecting the seven stars, Is also unprecedented in ancient times, With no prior experience to learn from, He needs to ponder more."What are you writing?"Waking up from cultivation, Chong Xuan Sheng also squeezed into the opposite side. This military supply cart creaked, Making one unable to help but worry about the pack animals pulling the cart.This fat fellow himself seemed completely unconcerned, Holding a pen in his hand, He was writing something in a small booklet.Jiang Wang was a little curious."Helping my dear cousin record his merits." Chong Xuan Sheng said with a smile.At this time, Chong Xuan Zun, Is leading his vanguard camp, Together with the Wind Chaser Army, Sweeping through Fengjie Prefecture.The advantage of being a vanguard lies in this.Having the most freedom, Being in the most dangerous situations, And also gaining the most merits.Like Chong Xuan Sheng and the others, Although they don't need to rest, They can only honestly stay in the Autumn Kill Army, Waiting for the commander's will.Jiang Wang became interested, and leaned over to look.He saw two names written in two columns in the small booklet, The left was "Chong Xuan Zun", and the right was "Chong Xuan Sheng".Under Chong Xuan Zun was written:Breaking through defenses, a hundred li.Breaking cities, two."He has already broken through two cities?" Jiang Wang asked in surprise.Chong Xuan Sheng rolled his eyes: "In the current Fengjie Prefecture, where is the difficulty in breaking cities? It would be the same if I sent Chong Xuan Xin."Saying that, he wrote a "small" after "two".To indicate that this merit of breaking cities is not substantial, And can only be considered a small one.Looking under Chong Xuan Sheng's name, there was indeed one entry. It read: Breaking through the pass, Sword Peak Mountain.Jiang Wang laughed: "This can't be counted under your name, can it?""The merit of breaking through Sword Peak Mountain, Can we count for two ten-thousandths? No, adding the Three Capital warriors, together..."Chong Xuan Sheng closed the booklet, and simply said: "How annoying!"He turned and got off the cart, Rummaging through the storage box for things, And went to慰问 the soldiers of his camp. As someone from a renowned family, he is naturally skilled in managing and deploying troops.Shisi followed closely behind him, Not knowing what she was thinking, Her footsteps heavier."Don't rush, don't rush."Chong Xuan Sheng, busy as he was, turned back, Grasped her hand: "The war is still ongoing."The fall of Sword Peak Mountain in a single day is undoubtedly a message like a mountain collapse!Although the Xia country's military tried their best to block the news, The entire Fengjie Prefecture, twenty-three cities, millions of people, Overnight, were displaced... How could it be blocked?Not to mention the efforts of the Qi country's intelligence system.People are panic-stricken!These four words are most appropriate to describe the atmosphere in Guiyi City.Thousands of households, consumed by worry.In the streets and alleys, pedestrians hurried by.How many of the civil and military officials in the imperial court could sleep soundly?The scene of the Qi army besieging Guiyi City thirty-two years ago, Some people have forgotten, But have to remember again.Azure Phoenix Hall.Giant pearl and jade curtains, Separate this hall, specially used by the Empress Dowager to handle government affairs, into two halves. Of course, there is no specific name for it, The Great Xia's legitimacy lies with Emperor Xia Xiang's son... It's just that this palace has subtly become the place where the Empress Dowager personally handles government affairs.Behind the pearl curtain, The Great Xia Empress Dowager leaned on the phoenix chair, Resting her hand on her forehead, Her beautiful eyes slightly closed, Seeming to be recuperating.A palace maid stood beside her, Reading a memorial with varying intonations.When she heard the key parts, she would speak a few words. On the side, there was also a writing desk, And a palace maid sat before the desk, Writing rapidly.After years of handling government affairs, She can also be as at ease as the former Emperor. Those veiled expressions of the courtiers, The little selfish desires hidden in their public hearts, She can see about seven or eight parts with a glance. She rarely speaks, but when she does, it is always to the point.Government affairs were handled one by one, Like water flowing through a cup.The national power accumulated by Great Xia over these thirty-two years, Can still make her feel powerful.The future is still long, she thought.A young eunuch rushed in, Kneeling outside the hanging curtain: "King Min has arrived.""Proclaim." The Xia Empress Dowager simply said.The palace maid reading the memorial immediately closed her mouth, And the palace maid recording the imperial decree also stopped writing.But they all involuntarily, Glanced towards outside the curtain with the corner of their eyes.Not long after, the legend of the Divine Might era, King Min Yu Li Yang, Stepped into the hall, Against the light."Greetings to Her Highness the Empress Dowager." He saluted warmly.Whether it is his demeanor, position and power, Or even his personal strength, He is a figure of the first rank in Great Xia.No wonder people cannot take their eyes off him."King Min, please be seated." The voice of the Xia Empress Dowager came from behind the pearl curtain.Before the pearl curtain, In the center of the main hall, A seat of honor was placed.Yu Li Yang stepped forward, And sat down, Speaking to the Empress Dowager across the pearl curtain."The fall of Sword Peak Mountain in a single day, Is the fault of this king." He said thus.The Xia Empress Dowager said: "The course of the battle, This mourning woman already knows. That Cao Jie overwhelmed with might, Indeed there was no resisting. In the end, it was not the fault of the battle. It is because our Great Xia is weak, That King Min's reputation was sullied."Yu Li Yang smiled bitterly: "The Empress Dowager saying this, is to comfort this little king.""Regarding this matter, those with clear eyes all know, Do not mind the words of ordinary people." The Xia Empress Dowager said slowly: "The birth of King Min, is the fortune of our Great Xia. That King Min can sacrifice his reputation for the country, This mourning woman is almost moved to tears."Yu Li Yang had to admit.Even if he was strong enough, Even if he stood at the peak of the extraordinary, Even if he was not affected by those criticisms at all.The words of the Xia Empress Dowager, Still gave him great comfort.Just like when the entire territory of Xia Country was in turmoil, His pride was repeatedly shattered on the battlefield, He, who prided himself on his elegance, retreated again and again, fled again and again, And returned to Guiyi City in a sorry state, Back to the last capital of Great Xia.That day, he looked up,The Empress Dowager, adorned with a phoenix coronet and embroidered robes, Stood on the city wall of Guiyi, Like a rose burning its life!So vivid, so brilliant,Giving him endless strength.As weary and dry as he was at that time, He regained vitality.That kind of power, Supported him in the years that followed, To stand up again and again.Supporting him to become King Min.Supporting him today, To be the pillar of Great Xia!"Speaking of which..." Yu Li Yang said: "The degree to which the Qi army is familiar with the Sword Peak Mountain defense line, Far exceeds this little king's expectations. This little king strongly suspects, That there are no secrets left for our Great Xia to the Qi country."The first time Cao Jie saw him, He directly placed a heavy bet, Obviously, he had already seen the final result.This certainty, this familiarity, Cannot be explained by the word intelligence alone.Within the Xia country's military, Someone must have leaked the information about the Sword Peak Mountain defense line in great detail! Perhaps, not just Sword Peak Mountain...Who is that person?Who is the traitor?Yu Li Yang knew very well.Jing'an侯 Hua Hong Zhao's final choice to die, Was not without the meaning of proving his loyalty with death.After all, his son Hua Fang Yu, Lost the pass in a truly ridiculous manner. When it was his turn to personally defend Sword Peak Mountain, The relevant secrets of Sword Peak Mountain, Were penetrated by the Qi army into a sieve...There is absolutely no reason to be harsh on the dead.Since Hua Hong Zhao proved his loyalty with his life, The Jing'an Hou mansion will not suffer a blow.It's just... if it wasn't Hua Hong Zhao, who was it?"This mourning woman feels that King Min does not need to pay too much attention to these matters." Behind the pearl curtain, The voice of the Xia Empress Dowager said: "Matters of life and death, The Qi people are strong and numerous, Dominating the East. It is perfectly normal, And impossible to prohibit, for someone to surrender out of fear.""Perhaps our Great Xia indeed has no secrets left to Qi Country. But there is no need for any secrets.""This battle for the survival of the nation, Does not rely on secrets, Nor on hidden means. But on real strength, Prudent wisdom, The belief in uniting everything, And the courage to shed the last drop of blood."The Xia Empress Dowager's meaning is very clear, Unless there is conclusive evidence, She will not at this time, Grandly investigate internal traitors.She wants to unite everyone who can be united, Not to make ministers suspect each other at this time.If that person is not caught, there will be many problems. But trying to catch them now, will create even more problems.Thinking in reverse, The reason why Cao Jie did not hide his familiarity with the Sword Peak Mountain defense line, Isn't it precisely to make them fall into disarray?This step is about contending in the imperial court!And the Xia Empress Dowager chooses to ignore it, To resist Qi as a nation, Swept by the general trend, She wants to make that traitor also have to contribute.Yu Li Yang said: "The Empress Dowager is right... The Tong Yang City defense line was personally constructed by this little king, The latter part was taken over by His Highness the Martial King, Apart from us and General Long Jiao, No one else has a deep understanding. Even if the Qi people want to infiltrate, There is nowhere to infiltrate.""So Xiangyou Prefecture, Is the true battlefield to test our Xia country's soldiers." Behind the pearl curtain, The Empress Dowager's voice was weighty.Her expectations, Are naturally contained within.Her apprehension, Was also not concealed.Yu Li Yang originally wanted to say, Sword Peak Mountain was broken so quickly, Too little time was left for the Martial King, Not knowing if His Venerable Highness could complete the defense construction earlier.But in the end, he only said,"Yes!"Tong Yang City is forty-nine丈 high, A rare mighty city, Standing on the Jiang Yin Plain.South of the mountain and north of the water is "Yang", North of the mountain and south of the water is "Yin", So this plain is naturally south of the Lian River.To be precise, it is southwest of this great river. Because the Lian River is slanted on the map.The Jiang Yin Plain originally had no natural defenses, Tong Yang City standing here, Became a strategic point.The so-called mighty city, the so-called high walls, Are by no means simple piles of bricks and soil.Otherwise, if a few extraordinary experts were to come, And cast powerful Dao techniques, They could erect who knows how many large cities in three or five days.But how could such a city withstand the impact of a battle formation?City walls constructed with Dao techniques, Would also be easily destroyed by Dao techniques.A true mighty city, every wall brick, Needs to be inscribed with array patterns. Array patterns and array patterns, must be connected, Linking all critical buildings in the city, Combined with the terrain, Thus forming the entire city's protective array.Even the wall bricks themselves are carefully fired by master craftsmen, To exaggerate, if you were to take a random wall brick to fight someone, It might not necessarily be worse than ordinary swords and blades!Any large city, Is the accumulation of a nation's painstaking efforts for several years or a dozen years. Poured with blood and sweat, only then can it stand firm.Precisely because building a truly defensive large city is so difficult, When the Ink Sect erected "Yin Ge" in Yong Country overnight, Using it to confront Lock Dragon Pass, It was so shocking!When coming down from the city gate, Tai Yin's fingers were trembling slightly.Of course, it was not because of fear, Although the breaking of Sword Peak Mountain in a single day did startle him. But it was only for a moment, He was already mentally prepared for the strength of the Qi people.Whether it was Chong Xuan Zun at the Yellow River Meeting, Or Jiang Qing Yang in the Mountain and Sea Realm, He had already personally experienced them...As a direct descendant of the Tai family, He naturally saw more clearly than ordinary countrymen. The opponent of a hegemonic nation, Is only a hegemonic nation.His trembling hand was due to exhaustion.Several days and nights without rest, High-intensity carving of array patterns, Even for a cultivator like him who has reached the perfect Outer Tower realm, It was a bit unbearable.The will and painstaking efforts of an array master, Are all on the array.The efforts of these past few days, Were no less strenuous than a series of life-and-death battles.But walking on the streets of Tong Yang City like this, Watching every hurried pedestrian, He wished he could persist for a while longer.The so-called "Tong Yang", Means "all within this".Including him, including everyone in the city.How did his Uncle Tai Hua Zhen Ren feel, When he traveled across the country, personally repairing and improving every city protection array, Pouring out his heart and soul, Connecting them with the national protection array...?If His Venerable Elder had not died, And today saw the Qi people coming from the East again, He would likely be more resolute than the Family Head...Thinking about these things in his heart, He finally walked to the Tai family's camp.The young and strong members of the Tai clan are all here, Including the family soldiers, thirteen thousand people, All came to Tong Yang City.Yet the large camp was extremely quiet.So quiet that Tai Yin could hear his own footsteps.Most of the Tai clan members are still rushing to repair fortifications, Those in the camp are resting after being withdrawn, Everyone is rushing to recover their state.In this quietness.There is a stirring power contained within. 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