709 The Destruction of the City of Wei (2/2)
They all knew who Old Wei was. He was the chief military officer of Kaiping who had been the general's lifelong opponent. The general often made fun of him in normal days.
If it were a normal day, they would banter with him, while no one was able to laugh today. They all looked terrible and their hands holding the podaos became colder and colder.
Ma Shixiang stopped laughing and said with awe, ”Are the horses I asked you to prepare ready?”
An adjutant answered behind him, ”Yes, they are ready.”
Ma Shixiang added, ”Are they the best?”
”Yes.”
”With the best riders?”
”Yes!”
”One to Kaiping... Old Wei should be prepared. That will be enough.”
Ma Shixiang sternly said, ”Four to the Northern Military Camp and the other four to Chang'an. Remember to change the horse and never stop. The whole nation of Tang needs your speed.”
The nine soldiers who were picked in advance answered him at the same time.
Looking at the people outside the City of Wei, Ma Shixiang wrily said, ”Tell the people in Chang'an not to worry about Prince Long Qing and the enemy in the east. Our real enemy is coming.”
The nine soldiers left from the back of the City of Wei, with dozens of fine horses, and ran toward different directions.
Looking at the terrible-looking restaurant owner, the laundry aunt, and the small group of residents, Ma Shixiang said, ”I'm sorry. I should protect you, but today I'm afraid I can't. You can leave or hide in the cellars. Please trust me, Tang's Army will come back one day.”
The adjutant asked, ”General, the enemy is overly powerful. What should we do next?”
All the soldiers turned to Ma Shixiang.
His grizzled hair was blown gently by the morning breeze.
”Here is the gateway of Tang. We have to protect it.”
”Yes!”
The cavalry outside the City of Wei began to move.
The whole Wilderness started to shake.
The cob walls of the City of Wei ceaselessly vibrated, shaking dust off.
The dark grassland cavalry quickly submerged the City of Wei like tides.
In the autumn of the 18th year of Tianqi's era, the Northeast Border Military of Tang was eliminated.
People in Chang'an were about to send the first part of the Northern Army to resist the Yan Army in Tuyang City, when the Golden Palace who had been peaceful for decades mustered all forces to the south. They invaded Tang territory.
The Seven Stockaded Villages fought back bravely, but the enemy was too strong to overcome. They were defeated one after another.
The grassland cavalry continued to move to the south and turned their swords to Chang'an.