Chapter 72 - Shoulder Duties
The huge-bodied Roaring Dog Xuan Mo hid behind the clouds and placed the ant-sized Ouyang Zhong and Shan Xiaohu sitting on his back on the top of Zong Yu Mountain near Zong Cheng City. Then he said, "I need to go on a trip to Kunlun Feng Xi Jian, so the two of you hurry back to Zong Cheng City to prepare for the enemy! I'll be back quickly." He said one or two jumps and disappeared.
"Eh! Become so big I can also ah! And I also want to return to Feng Xi Jian to visit my master." Shan Xiaohu bristled defiantly, still being cute, straight, and straightforward.
Ouyang Zhong smiled and wrapped his arms around Shan Xiaohu's neck, saying happily, "Let's go! There's still a good fight to be had with the Dingling Ministry and a few other forces. After you've had a good fight, you and Fox Xiaxia will go home together, and I'll personally send you guys up to Kunlun!"
Just as the Demon Monarch had said, Nandu, located in the south, was amassing troops to run over Xi City, seize the kingship of the Zhongming Xiao Clan, and then directly take Zong Cheng City. On the west side, ZhangSun Zhi, who had established himself as the king in Yue Pi City, had thought that he would not wade into this mess and would just be happy to live in peace and prosperity, but his son, Zhangsun Tai, didn't see it that way. Zongcheng City was his home. He recognized the place. Let him leave the imperial city for Yue Pi City, a small and poor place, do what people look down on the nominal princes and lords, might as well fight for a hand, even if the defeat can also be grabbed by the hand something back, but also better than in the west of the poor life in the bitter.
So, Zhangsun Tai, with a group of Zhangsun clan troops, although not as many as Dongfang Chang's, but the two families before the covert alliance, is now tied to a rope on the grasshopper, temporarily can not rise what dispute, if the Zhangsun clan is in danger, drying his Dongfang can not be ignored.
Although the strength of these two sides of the army makes Ouyang Zhong very troubled, more worrying him is his old rival Dingling ministry's millions of soldiers. He wasn't sure if Dingling was also secretly colluding with Dongfang Chang. Still, after yesterday's battle in the Populus Euphratica Forest, he was able to be pretty sure that the Demonlord controlled the Dingling ministry's Tuoba Cheng, Yusun, and Tuoba Xian, as well as the Nandu's leader, Dongfang Chang. This was also a little bit simpler. After all, knowing who the big devil behind it was, it was also better to respond in a targeted manner.
Ouyang Zhong and Shan Xiaohu sprinted from Zong Yu Mountain to Zong Cheng City in just over an hour. The two of them agreed to detour back to Zong Cheng City through the two city gates in the east and south, respectively, but not to strut in, but to sneak in unnoticed. The purpose was twofold; one was not to let people know that they were back so as not to frighten the snakes, and the other was to secretly identify whether the current fortifications of the several city gates were in place.
The walls of the vertical city were divided into four gates, east, west, south, north, and south, generally consisting of two gate towers and a gate bridge. The city gate building is the main building of the city gate, which is divided into upper, middle, lower, and three floors, with the upper floor serving as a watchtower, the middle floor having a doorway, and the lower floor having a moat as well as a two-meter-thick parapet wall, which can be said to be as solid as gold.
Zongcheng City's geographical location is also very advantageous; the west is less than thirty miles from Zongcheng City to Zongyu Mountain, producing black gold and a perennial heavy military garrison. Even if the initial civil unrest in the Imperial City was forced to move south, there is a particular reduction in force, that the western garrison and the city's patrols can also be said to be well-matched, can be said to be the most easily defensible and challenging to attack the town of Zongcheng a city gate. Because of the threat of Dingling's army, the north side had made the most adequate preparations before, so the defense force was also very confident. As for the south side, because the war had moved quite a few old and weak women and children from the north of the city to the south of the town in a relatively centralized manner, in order to protect these weak and small, Ouyang Zhong had also arranged quite a lot of troops in the beginning. In the location of the east gate, the force is weak because the vertical city is built on top of a huge cliff. The east side of the city gate is less than a mile away and is straight up and down the knife-cut axe general ten thousand feet cliff. It is said that in the early years when the city was built, the east side of the cliff was not so deep today. Before the sea, fishing and merchant ships were from the east city gate in and out, but do not know when to start; the sea was getting shallower and shallower, so that once the harbor coast into today's cliffs and rift valley.
Because the east city gate never cared, Ouyang Zhong, especially survey two, in case any of the enemies from here attack, that vertical city should not be plunged into the situation of no return. As for the south city gate, the previous fortifications were not done well since it was already known that Dongfang Chang would fight from the south, and which gate to attack was not important; what was important was how Zongcheng should be defended and how to respond to it.
While Shan Xiaohu and Ouyang Zhong were surveying, Fox Xiaxia, who was located at the north gate, was accompanying Great General Wei Kongji to look out at the army of Dingling Department in the north. With her extraordinary eyesight, Fox Xiaxia helped General Wei draw a map of the enemy army's camp twenty miles away from the fortification. They discussed how to face the enemy army, whether to sneak attack or fight head-on, which sets of military techniques to use, or whether adding the Bagua Formation would be more effective. General Wei greatly appreciated these young men, young and talented men who learned and skilled in martial arts; the point was that they really had a great kindness for the country and the people, which was rare and precious.
Looking around the whole country, once the prestigious families of scholars, most of them followed the young emperor to move south in an attempt to settle in Nandu. However, I did not expect the Nandu backwash, Yue Pi self-establishment to many people when the wall grass, which once looked like a prosperous and talented Zhongming dynastic hall, was the first to fall apart. Now staying in the vertical city can be reusable marshal talent very few, was not Wei generals look forward to Ouyang Zhong but in times of crisis can quickly grow to be unique, and then came to the two earthly extraordinary, the beginning of Wei generals are also the heart of the drums have a little precautionary, however, when you know that they are the fellow brother of Fox Xiaoxian. Really for the vertical city, to do their best for the people, Wei generals are considered to be a suspended heart fell back into his stomach.
"Great General, look!" Fox Xiaxia respectfully consulted Wei Kongji, who lacked the usual hangdog and had an indifferent and idle look. General Wei looked at the sand table exercise, then asked Fox Xiaxia, "Military Doctor Hu, I wonder if things are going well on your senior brother and General Ouyang's side?"
"Don't worry, Great General, my senior brother will take care of Ouyang Zhong, and besides, it's a blessing, not a curse that can't be avoided. They are all so smart that they will surely be able to be lucky and see their way back smoothly. You haven't had much rest these days, why don't I keep watch here? You'd better go back earlier to catch up on your sleep; I'll write you a prescription and have my men decoct a pair of them to drink to calm and regulate your mind."
Suddenly, Fox Xiaxia's ears self-consciously moved sensitively; he heard a strange movement coming from the Dingling Department and immediately became alert. Seeing this, General Wei followed suit and tensed up. The two of them held their breaths for each other and looked around. Fox Xiaxia's fox ears were not for show. He quickly recognized that at the top of the city building, someone was moving swiftly, so he did not hesitate to leap directly into the air. His Qingfeng Dual Blades were quickly sheathed and swiftly slashed towards the enemy, only to be blocked by the other party, with the Heavenly Clan Treasure Sword directly catching the move.
Ouyang Zhong smiled, "Brother Fox, you've started to meet me with swords after not seeing me for a few days, huh? I'm so sad~"
Fox Xiaxia took a look and realized that it was Ouyang Zhong, causing him to worry for half a day, and said unhappily, "So it's you, kid; since you've already revealed your sword, why don't you let me see if you've made some progress recently!" Then he said nothing to Ouyang Zhong.
Unlike the last match in front of the Princess's residence, Fox Xiaxia used her blades this time and tried to use 50% of her strength. Sword and knife skills were still exquisite, although not as strong as Shan Xiaohu's axe, but the moves were faster and more varied. Ouyang Zhong initially felt a bit overwhelmed, but after seeing the breaks in it, his sword danced out of the flower. After more than thirty rounds of fighting, the two were evenly matched, and even in Fox Xiaxia's opinion, if both of them used their full strength, he might not be able to win over Ouyang Zhong with certainty. Fox Xiaxia is a little curious, but only two or three days have passed. This Ouyang Zhong's progress is over a day by a thousand miles.
After the point was in place, Fox Xiaxia grabbed Ouyang Zhong's wrist and gave him a pulse. Fox Xiaxia was surprised at Ouyang Zhong, and Ouyang Zhong just put his index finger in front of the mouth, signaling quiet, eyes teasing, and firm, and few points of uncertainty.
Fox Xiaxia thought to herself, what is this guy up to? Mysterious. Surprisingly, it has already recovered mana. However, these are not important for the time being and will be carefully interrogated later. He only cared about two things: one was to contain the sister's spirit of Hu Yang Lin. Now, how is it? The other was, had they found out who was behind the blackmail? Who was the enemy they had to face?
Ouyang Zhong reported the specific situation to General Wei. Fox Xiaxia and others explained that the act just now was to scout the four gates of Zongcheng City's guarding situation and came to the conclusion that the east gate still needed to strengthen its defense and that the four gates had to be re-focused and deployed according to the different situations.
Shan Xiaohu, this time, also returned to the Wei general's home council chamber and brought a few unexpected "guests." Ouyang Zhong took a look; the leader was his mother, Xie Linghuan, and young master, Xiao Qing. All the generals hurriedly saluted the young lord, except for Shan Xiaohu and Fox Xiaxia. Ouyang Zhong pulled his mother to look left and right for fear of harm. Fortunately, his mother was overworked and sad; she appeared haggard and aged quite a bit, but there was no significant harm.
Mother and son had a lot of things they wanted to say, but this was not the best time. Although mother Xie Linghuan couldn't help the tears overflowing into her eyes when she saw her son, she took a few deep breaths in a few moments. She calmed her excitement, bowing to General Wei and saying, ''Great General, allow me to report. Concubine is the hairy wife of First Grade Supervisor Ouyang Ming and First Grade Enjoined Lady Xie Linghuan, mother of Ouyang Zhong. Her late husband ordered the concubine to protect the young lord to return to the secret room in the middle of the imperial city of Zongcheng to take shelter. To preserve the last trace of blood for the Zhongming royal family. In addition, the heart of Dongfang Chang's treason is revealed; they intend to capture the young lord and coerce the General into threatening the eastern thieves as the new emperor. The husband has long seen his ambition, so he has tried his hand at it, leaving us some buffer time. Now that Xi City has been deployed in advance after sending the young emperor to the secret room, I will return to Xi City to work with the entire city's army and people to hold back Dongfang Chang's group of men traveling north. According to the news obtained by the scouts sent out by the Ouyang family, ZhangSun Zhi is also on the move, and it won't be long before he attacks Zongcheng. Please make early arrangements, General!"
General Wei hurriedly picked up Mrs. Xie, lamenting that it wasn't easy. Nowadays, this battle is imminent, and it is no longer a war of soldiers and men but a common battle of all Zhongming's sons and daughters who have the knowledge. Even this backyard woman has also demonstrated the women's spirit of not letting the men do what they want, so it seems that there is still hope for Zhongming.
Ouyang Zhong added, ''Mother's news is the same as the news we received when we confronted the Demon Lord in the poplar forest. Seeing that the soldiers are about to descend on the city, why don't Mother cooperate with us in Zongcheng City and lead the old, weak women and children in the south of the city to contribute a part of their strength together so that we can all work together to answer the enemy and meet the battle."
At night, Xiao Fei Fei finally saw the daydreaming husband Ouyang Zhong, a fierce embrace Ouyang Zhong tearful weeping heaven and earth, said: "I thought you do not come back? You don't leave me alone! You can't not want me!"
Ouyang Zhong was embarrassed and gently said to his wife, "Ma'am, haven't I come back? You calm down first. There are other people here!"
Mrs. Xie followed behind and saw this scene. Instead of feeling happy that the relationship between her son and daughter-in-law was warming up, she reprimanded the county princess Xiao Feifei with great displeasure. Xiao Feifei realized there were outsiders, so she had to wipe her tears and get up to salute, first meeting her mother-in-law. Later, after introductions, she formally saluted her cousin, Young Lord Xiao Qing, whom she hadn't seen much of.
Mrs. Xie looked at Xiao Feifei's appearance, really hate its misfortune and anger. As a former royal aristocrat, now facing the crisis of the country's collapse. Still, the first thing to consider is that her husband should not abandon himself. Still, someone else's dependency and failure to come up with the royal aristocrat should have the bearing and temperament. Mrs. Xie is not the same amiable backyard noblewoman who used to tolerate everything. She is now shouldering a thousand pounds of burden, but there is no time to cry and wail here.
Mrs. Xie told Xiao Feifei in front of the crowd, ''County princess, although you are the ruler and I am the subject, according to etiquette, I, as a mother-in-law, should bow to you. However, as your elder and the head mother of the Ouyang family, I still need to remind you of a few things at this particular time. Your surname is Xiao! You are the bloodline of the Zhongming Imperial Family. If you still bear the title of County Princess, then you must take up your duties as a County Princess. You can't just be a dependent and a burden to others. In a few days, your former brother Zhangsun Tai and father Zhangsun Zhi will attack Zongcheng City. I don't care what kind of conflict there is between you, but since they caused your mother's tragic death and left you with no bones left, and also abandoned you, betrayed Zhongming, betrayed the Xiao clan, and became the king with an unrecognized name and title, then they are the enemies of Zhongming! If all you can do is cry and cry and make no sense, then you are a useless invalid. But if you can do your part to help your husband, the whole of Zongcheng City, and the whole country, stand on your own two feet and become dignified with a sense of responsibility. This is the only way to make him honor and adore you and never abandon or leave you, do you understand?"
The reprimand dumbfounded Xiao Feifei. She stepped back and fell to the ground at once. She once again remembered the night her mother died tragically, and the night she was chased and whipped to a pulp by her brother with a belt, and the cold and disgusted and loathsome eyes of her father who stood by the side.
"No! I don't want them to be my father and brother. They don't deserve it!" Xiao Feifei's eyes were filled with hatred, "If they want to attack Zongcheng, I will confront them head-on. I won't let them hurt this family again, hurt me and mother." She pulled on Ouyang Zhong's coat and said, "Husband, I'm not a burden to you. I'll do what I need to do. I know how to deal with ZhangSun Zhi and Zhangsun Tai. I will avenge my mother and myself!"
Ouyang Zhong saw that Xiao Feifei's eyes revealed a faint evil purple color. In his heart, he realized that the Demon Monarch was still invading Xiao Feifei's soul and that hatred and anger were eating away at it. Although his heart can't bear it, one more person to assist in the fight against the enemy invaders at such a moment is more important; perhaps when everything calms down, he can cure Xiao Feifei.